How different backgrounds in video interviews can bias evaluations of applicants

• Published in: International journal of selection and assessment Vol. 32; no. 4; pp. 535 - 543
• Main Authors: Basch, Johannes M., Roulin, Nicolas, Gläsner, Josua, Spengler, Raphael, Wilhelm, Julia
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford Blackwell Publishing Ltd 01.12.2024
• Subjects: Applicants; asynchronous video interviews; bias; Employment interviews; Gays & lesbians; Islam; Personnel selection; Religion; technology‐mediated interviews; Video; Germany
• ISSN: 0965-075X; 1468-2389
• DOI: 10.1111/ijsa.12487

Organizations are increasingly using technology‐enabled formats such as asynchronous video interviews (AVIs) to evaluate candidates. However, the personal environment of applicants visible in AVI recordings may introduce additional bias in the evaluation of interview performance. This study extends existing research by examining the influence of cues signaling affiliation with Islam or homosexuality in the background and comparing them with a neutral background using an experimental design and a German sample (N = 222). Results showed that visible signs of religious affiliation with Islam led to lower perceived competence, while perceived warmth and interview performance were unaffected. Visual cues of homosexuality had no effect on perceptions of the applicant. In addition, personal characteristics of the raters, such as their intrinsic religious orientation or their attitudes towards homosexuality influenced applicants’ ratings, so that a non‐Muslim religious orientation was negatively associated with evaluations of the Muslim candidate and a negative attitude towards homosexuality was negatively associated with evaluations of the homosexual candidate. This study thus contributes to the literature on AVIs and discrimination against Muslims and members of the 2SLGBTQI+ community in personnel selection contexts. Practitioner Points Research has found mixed results on the effects of backgrounds on the evaluation of applicants in AVIs. This study replicates findings on the effects of cues signaling homosexuality. Furthermore, the study extends recent research by examining cues signaling affiliation with Islam using a German sample. Visual cues of affiliation with Islam affected perceived competence, while visual cues of homosexuality had no effect. Personal characteristics like intrinsic religious orientation and attitudes towards homosexuality influenced applicants‘ ratings.