9.4 Arby's Cultural Agility Quiz

Question 1

A group of researchers in America sent two fictional job applications to 127 professors for a position of laboratory manager.

Both candidates were 22 years of age, had the same grades and the same references. The only difference was that one was called ‘John’ and the other one ‘Jennifer’. Can you guess what happened?

• ‘Jennifer’ was more likely to be hired than ‘John’, with a starting salary of $4,000 more

• ‘John’ was more likely to be hired than ‘Jennifer’, with a starting salary of $4,000 more

• Both ‘John’ and ‘Jennifer’ were as likely to be hired and with the same starting salary

• Neither candidate was hired

Economists have found that the best-looking people make, on average, during their lifetime, a lot more money than less attractive people. Is this statement:

• True

• False

In America, only 14.5% of men are estimated to have this attribute. However, almost 60% of CEOs in Fortune 500 companies have it. What is it?

• A college degree

• A standing height of over six foot (1.80 meters)

• IQ above 130

A British study found that job applications with a British-sounding name received a 24% positive response rate from employers. What positive response rate did candidates with the same CVs (resumes), but non-British sounding names receive?

• 24%, the same as applicants with British sounding names.

• 15%

• 20%

What percentage of hiring managers in the UK admit to a negative bias towards individuals with certain regional accents?

• 30%

• 10%

• 80%

Giving a job to a candidate you clicked with because you went to the same school, or are interested in the same hobbies, is not unconscious bias, especially if they are a different gender or ethnicity from you. Is this:

• True

• False

If you perceive a colleague who is working flexible hours as lazy, it is not unconscious bias, if later they avoid some responsibilities. Is this:

• False

• True

If one of your employees returns from maternity leave, it is unconscious bias to spare her the trouble of going on business trips or taking on extra responsibilities. Is this:

• True

• False

Everybody has unconscious biases. Is this:

• True

• False

We can only have an unconscious bias towards people who are different from us. Is this:

• True

• False