“We Will Let You Know”: An Assessment of Digital vs. Face-to-Face Job Interviews via EEG Connectivity Analysis

Abstract

We focused on job interviews as critical examples of complex social interaction in organizational contexts. We aimed at investigating the effect of face-to-face vs. computer-mediated interaction, of role (candidate, recruiter), and of the interview phase (introductory, attitudinal, technical, conclusive) on intra-brain and inter-brain connectivity measures and autonomic synchronization. Twenty expert recruiters and potential candidates took part in a hyperscanning investigation. Namely, electroencephalography (delta, theta, alpha, beta bands) and autonomic (skin-conductance, heart-rate) data were collected in candidate-recruiter dyads during a simulated job interview and then concurrently analyzed. Analyses highlighted a link between face-to-face condition and greater intra-/inter-brain connectivity indices in delta and theta bands. Furthermore, intra-brain and inter-brain connectivity measures were higher for delta and theta bands in the final interview phases compared to the first ones. Consistently, autonomic synchronization was higher during the final interview phases, specifically in the face-to-face condition. Finally, recruiters showed higher intra-brain connectivity in the delta range over frontal and temporoparietal areas, while candidates showed higher intra-brain connectivity in the theta range over frontal areas. Findings highlight the value of hyperscanning investigations in exploring social attunement in professional contexts and hint at their potential to foster neuroscience-informed practices in human resource management processes.

Sensorimotor Simulation’s Influence on Stress: EEG and Autonomic Responses in Digital Interviews

“…Finally, regarding autonomic data, we expect a significant increase in the EDA indices in the Dyn-DSST compared to the Stat-DSST group. This hypothesis is supported by existing evidence [ 28 , 29 ]; the simulated presence of the examination committee is likely to generate a more pronounced physiological response, deeply engaging the sensory stimulation and the emotional and social dimensions of judgment exposure.…”

“…Recent neuroscience studies have investigated how individuals react to face-to-face (FTF) versus remote computer-mediated (RCM) interview conditions [ 27 ]. The primary objective of these studies was to explore and clarify the impacts of the FTF vs. RCM modes on social dynamics within assessment interviews, specifically focusing on interpersonal relationships and inter-brain neural and psychophysiological synchronization in the recruiter–candidate dyad [ 28 , 29 ]. From a neurophysiological standpoint, these studies highlighted higher indices (i.e., intra-brain and inter-brain connectivity indices, computed by the authors using the partial correlation coefficient Πij) in the electroencephalographic (EEG) delta and theta frequency bands in the FTF compared to the RCM condition, regardless of the role (i.e., recruiter or candidate).…”

“…From a neurophysiological standpoint, these studies highlighted higher indices (i.e., intra-brain and inter-brain connectivity indices, computed by the authors using the partial correlation coefficient Πij) in the electroencephalographic (EEG) delta and theta frequency bands in the FTF compared to the RCM condition, regardless of the role (i.e., recruiter or candidate). Regarding autonomic activity, an increase in the skin conductance level (SCL) was found in the FTF condition, interpreted as the arousal reaction to being directly exposed to judgment [ 28 , 29 ].…”

“…The functional meaning and scalp localization of the EEG frequency bands can provide insightful information about individuals’ reactions to static versus dynamic conditions. A variation in slower EEG components may indicate greater attention to social processing and the regulation of interpersonal interaction and its affective correlates during the FTF condition compared to the RCM condition [ 28 ]. Previous studies have also emphasized the role of theta activity at the scalp level as a contributor to emotional regulation and internal attention and the processing of emotional information [ 30 ].…”

“…It serves as a representative measure of processes related to stress management, self-regulation, and social skills in various contexts, including organizational and professional spheres [ 34 , 35 ]. Notably, the aforementioned studies that have investigated psychological and physiological arousal in this context [ 28 , 29 ], particularly concerning the stress response, focused on the two components of electrodermal activity (EDA): both the slow-varying tonic activity, commonly referred to as the skin conductance level (SCL), associated with arousal and the mental workload [ 36 ], and the phasic component, namely the skin conductance response (SCR), reflecting brief changes and serving as an indicator for the evaluation of emotional involvement and the significance attributed to various stimuli [ 37 ].…”