Which type of bias is demonstrated by hiring practices that rely on names?

Which type of bias is demonstrated by hiring practices that rely on names?

• A. Racial bias
• B. Gender bias
• C. Age bias
• D. Religious bias

Answer: (A)

Names can reveal or suggest a candidate’s racial or ethnic background, so evaluating someone based on their name leads to racial bias in hiring. This unfairly influences decisions before qualifications are considered, because the cue is tied to race/ethnicity. While a name might occasionally hint at religion or gender, the strongest and most general pattern here is discrimination based on race or ethnicity, which is why racial bias is the best fit.

Names can reveal or suggest a candidate’s racial or ethnic background, so evaluating someone based on their name leads to racial bias in hiring. This unfairly influences decisions before qualifications are considered, because the cue is tied to race/ethnicity. While a name might occasionally hint at religion or gender, the strongest and most general pattern here is discrimination based on race or ethnicity, which is why racial bias is the best fit.