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Rational decision processes and sex discrimination: Testing ‘rational’ bias theory
Author(s) -
Szwajkowski Eugene,
Larwood Laurie
Publication year - 1991
Publication title -
journal of organizational behavior
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.938
H-Index - 177
eISSN - 1099-1379
pISSN - 0894-3796
DOI - 10.1002/job.4030120605
Subject(s) - psychology , social psychology , test (biology) , sex discrimination , rational planning model , response bias , cognitive psychology , management , economics , political science , biology , paleontology , law
The extent to which sex discrimination is likely to occur as a consequence of manager‐client relationships was examined in this test of rational bias theory. Results were gathered by means of a computerized survey technique. Findings indicated that discrimination is more likely to occur in relationships in which the client is relatively important to the manager, but less likely to occur, or be reversed, in the presence of conditions signaling that the client disapproves of discrimination. The findings partly supported the prediction that managers in relatively weaker positions more readily discriminate. The analysis offers theoretical and policy implications for future consideration.