Publication Type
Journal Article
Version
acceptedVersion
Publication Date
3-2004
Abstract
Research in industrial/organizational (I/O) psychology has generally focused on objective measures of employment discrimination and has virtually neglected individuals' subjective perceptions as to whether a selection or promotion process is discriminatory or not. This paper presents two theoretical models as organizing frameworks to explain candidates' likelihood of perceiving that discrimination has occurred in a certain selection or Promotion situation. The prototype model stresses the importance of the prototypical victim-perpetrator combination, the perceived intention of the decision-maker, and the perceived harm caused as possible antecedents of perceived employment discrimination. In the organizational justice model, procedural, informational, interpersonal, and distributive fairness play a central role in determining candidates' perceptions of discrimination. The fairness heuristic helps to explain which type of fairness information dominates these perceptions. Applications and research propositions are discussed as well as the similarities and differences between the two models. We conclude by offering several factors that may determine which model is used in deciding whether or not discrimination has occurred.
Discipline
Human Resources Management | Industrial and Organizational Psychology | Organizational Behavior and Theory
Research Areas
Organisational Behaviour and Human Resources
Publication
International Journal of Selection and Assessment
Volume
12
Issue
1-2
First Page
54
Last Page
65
ISSN
0965-075X
Identifier
10.1111/j.0965-075X.2004.00263.x
Publisher
Wiley: 24 months
Citation
HARRIS, Michael M.; LIEVENS, Filip; and VAN HOYE, Greet.
"I think they discriminated against me": Using prototype theory and organizational justice theory for understanding perceived discrimination in selection and promotion situations. (2004). International Journal of Selection and Assessment. 12, (1-2), 54-65.
Available at: https://ink.library.smu.edu.sg/lkcsb_research/5600
Copyright Owner and License
Authors
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 International License.
Additional URL
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.0965-075X.2004.00263.x
Included in
Human Resources Management Commons, Industrial and Organizational Psychology Commons, Organizational Behavior and Theory Commons