Consistency matters: The interaction effect of grooming and dress style on hirability

Abstract

Grooming and dress style have both been found to influence the probability of a job applicant being hired. We argue that as these two elements take effect simultaneously during a job application, it is necessary to simultaneously examine the interaction of these two elements of appearance. Based on cue consistency theory, we propose that grooming and a gender-inconsistent dress style weaken the effects of each other, especially when the evaluators are men. We used three samples to progressively test our hypotheses. With Sample 1 (n = 142), we found that masculine dress weakened the positive effect of grooming on the hirability of female applicants. Furthermore, the interaction effect of grooming and dress style was stronger for male than for female evaluators. With Sample 2 (n = 152), we found that perceived competence mediated the two-way interaction effect of grooming and dress style on hirability. We used Sample 3 (n = 155) to further examine whether these findings could be generalized to male applicants and found that the interaction effect of grooming and masculine dress was stronger for male than for female evaluators.

Who wreaks more havoc? Gender and the detrimental effect of abusive supervision on interpersonal deviance

“…That is, the moderating effect of leader gender is stronger for male subordinates than for female subordinates. This finding supports the view that male subordinates hold stronger gender stereotypes and gender discrimination than female subordinates (Dirik, 2021; Wang et al , 2022). In a word, this study confirmed that abusive supervision has a positive impact on subordinate interpersonal deviance and this relationship is stronger for a female leader than for a male leader, especially when the subordinates are men.…”

“…Earlier work in this area of gender suggests that male subordinates may react particularly negatively to abuse from a female supervisor (Dirik, 2021). Men often hold stronger traditional stereotypes than women and are sensitive to the violation of gender stereotypes (Wang et al, 2022) because most stereotypes usually benefit men. For example, men are expected to have more agency than women (Eagly et al, 2020).…”

“…Men often hold stronger traditional stereotypes than women and are sensitive to the violation of gender stereotypes (Wang et al , 2022) because most stereotypes usually benefit men. For example, men are expected to have more agency than women (Eagly et al , 2020).…”