
A growing literature demonstrates that when making choices among multiple options, decision makers are strongly influenced by the mere presence of additional options, even when those options are largely undesirable and are never actually selected. The effects of irrelevant options on decisions, often called decoy effects, have been observed in hiring and admissions decisions where the nature of a third candidate can radically shift preferences. In this study, we examine the influence of decoy effects on diversity hiring and extend research by examining choices with more than two organizational goals. Results indicate that the presence of a second candidate who meets diversity goals markedly increases how frequently decision makers indicate that they would make an offer to diverse candidates. This effect occurs even when decision makers must sacrifice some credential quality to obtain the diverse candidate. Overall, diverse candidates are more likely to receive offers when more than one diversity candidate is included in the finalist pool. The practical implications are clear: When a major organizational goal is to increase diversity, a policy that includes evaluating multiple diverse candidates in a final applicant slate should be considered.
Other Psychology, Industrial psychology, HF5549-5549.5, 330, personnel selection, Human Resources Management, Personnel management. Employment management, HF5548.7-5548.85, judgment and decision making, diversity, Industrial and Organizational Psychology
Other Psychology, Industrial psychology, HF5549-5549.5, 330, personnel selection, Human Resources Management, Personnel management. Employment management, HF5548.7-5548.85, judgment and decision making, diversity, Industrial and Organizational Psychology
| selected citations These citations are derived from selected sources. This is an alternative to the "Influence" indicator, which also reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically). | 4 | |
| popularity This indicator reflects the "current" impact/attention (the "hype") of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network. | Top 10% | |
| influence This indicator reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically). | Average | |
| impulse This indicator reflects the initial momentum of an article directly after its publication, based on the underlying citation network. | Average |
