Read the scenario below and answer the question that follows. Randall is hiring cooks for his restaurant. The first applicant is a handsome man with an average resumé and average job experience. The second applicant is a far less attractive man with a slightly above average resumé and above average job experience. Randall decides to hire the first applicant. Based on this information and on Randall’s decision, what might a psychologist conclude about Randall’s social perception?
Answer
A
Randall has an unconscious assumption that attractive people are more competent.
B
Randall has a unconscious assumption that unattractive people are bad cooks.
C
Randall has a conscious assumption that attractive people make better cooks.
D
Randall has a conscious assumption that unattractive people are more competent.
Explanation
Randall chose the more attractive applicant even though the other applicant had a slightly better résumé and more job experience. This suggests an unconscious “halo effect”: he may be assuming that attractive people are more competent, without deliberately making that assumption. Choice A describes this social perception.
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