Society For Human Resource Management (SHRM) Certified Professional Practice Exam

What kind of bias is the interviewer displaying if Chris's low score on an employment test leads to not giving him attention during the interview?

1. Contrast

2. Horn

3. Competency

4. Predictive

The correct answer is: Competency

The scenario described indicates that the interviewer is exhibiting a specific bias related to an overall impression or judgment based on a singular aspect of Chris's profile—in this case, his low score on an employment test. This behavior aligns best with the competency bias, which occurs when an interviewer evaluates all aspects of a candidate based primarily on one perceived weakness. In this situation, the interviewer's decision to not give Chris sufficient attention during the interview due to his low test score demonstrates how the initial evaluation can overshadow the assessment of other competencies or qualities that Chris may possess. Rather than viewing the interview holistically, the interviewer is allowing the initial low score to dominate their perception, which can lead to an unfair evaluation. Understanding competency bias is crucial in HR practices as it encourages interviewers to consider all relevant information about a candidate rather than letting one negative aspect dictate their overall assessment. This awareness helps in fostering a more equitable and thorough selection process, ensuring that qualified candidates are not overlooked based on isolated performance metrics.