TY - JOUR
T1 - The Effects of Legitimizing Explanations on Applicants’ Perceptions of Fairness
AU - LaHuis, David M.
AU - Perreault, Norman E.
AU - Ferguson, Matthew W.
PY - 2003/10/1
Y1 - 2003/10/1
N2 - This study investigated the effects of legitimizing explanations for selection test use on simulated applicants' perceptions of fairness. The specificity of the explanation was varied. After receiving an explanation, a sample of 157 undergraduates completed 2 assessments (cognitive ability and personality), and reported their reactions to the assessments. Results indicate that for the cognitive ability assessment, general explanations increased fairness perceptions, but specific explanations did not. This relationship was fully mediated by perceptions of content and predictive validity. No effects for the personality assessment were found.
AB - This study investigated the effects of legitimizing explanations for selection test use on simulated applicants' perceptions of fairness. The specificity of the explanation was varied. After receiving an explanation, a sample of 157 undergraduates completed 2 assessments (cognitive ability and personality), and reported their reactions to the assessments. Results indicate that for the cognitive ability assessment, general explanations increased fairness perceptions, but specific explanations did not. This relationship was fully mediated by perceptions of content and predictive validity. No effects for the personality assessment were found.
KW - cognitive ability assessment
KW - fairness perceptions
KW - job applicants
KW - personality assessment
KW - selection test
UR - https://corescholar.libraries.wright.edu/psychology/569
U2 - 10.1111/j.1559-1816.2003.tb01881.x
DO - 10.1111/j.1559-1816.2003.tb01881.x
M3 - Article
VL - 33
JO - Journal of Applied Social Psychology
JF - Journal of Applied Social Psychology
ER -