Question

Zalman, who is interviewing a job applicant, holds negative stereotypes about the applicant's ethnic group, but the applicant gets the job anyway. considering zalman's initial attitudes, research by word and his colleagues (1974) would suggest which outcome?

Answer 1

If Zalman holds negative stereotypes but the job applicant is hired, it contradicts the expected outcome of a self-fulfilling prophecy, indicating other factors may have influenced the decision, despite possible prejudice and discrimination from the interviewer.

Step-by-step explanation:

Based on the research by Word and his colleagues (1974), when Zalman, who holds negative stereotypes about the applicant's ethnic group, interviews a job applicant, the likely outcome is an example of a self-fulfilling prophecy. The applicant might sense Zalman's negativity and respond by disengaging from the interview, providing shorter responses, making less eye contact, and coming across as distant and cold. This behavior serves to reinforce Zalman's initial stereotype and could negatively affect the applicant's performance, possibly leading to a missed job opportunity despite being offered the job. However, if the applicant is still hired, it implies a contradiction to the expected outcome, showing that other factors may have overridden the bias.

Research indicates that prejudice and discrimination can lead to biased treatment that results in a self-fulfilling prophecy, where the expected behavior is elicited from the target individual due to negative treatment by the stereotype holder. Additionally, during this process, the interviewer may fall prey to confirmation bias, paying attention only to the information that supports their preconceived notions and ignoring evidence to the contrary, potentially leading to further discrimination in the labor market.

Answer 2

Stereotypes are either implicit or explicit and is mainly the generalization of assumptions about a particular group. A study done by Word, Zanna and Cooper (1974) revealed that negative stereotypes could be affirmed through interactions that provided the false confirmations of these beliefs with self- fulfilling prophecy.

Question: considering Zalman's initial attitudes, research by Word and his colleagues (1974) would suggest which outcome?

Answer: The applicant would not get the job.