Effects of Disability, Gender, and Level of Supervision on Ratings of Job Applicants

Abstract

Using ratings of hypothetical job applicants with and without a disability obtained from both fulltime workers (n = 88) and undergraduates (n = 98), we examined the effects of disability (paraplegia, epilepsy, clinical depression, or non-disabled), gender, and nature of the job (supervisory or non-supervisory) on five job-relevant dependent measures. Contrary to our hypothesis, applicants with a disability were rated significantly higher in activity and potency than applicants without a disability. Further, also contrary to our predictions, gender and job type did not moderate the relationship between disability and applicant ratings. Post-hoc analyses revealed a significant gender by job type interaction; female applicants were viewed as more qualified than male applicants for the non-supervisory position, but the male applicants were viewed as more qualified than female applicants for the supervisory position. We use the flexible correction model (Wegener & Petty, 1997) to explicate the findings. Limitations and implications for future research on attitudes toward individuals with disabilities are discussed.