Impact of physical disability and dress on perceptions of female job applicants

Scope of study. A dress (most appropriate, moderately appropriate, and inappropriate for a job interview) by physical condition (able-bodied, crutches, wheelchair) factorial design was used to determine employers' perceptions of female job applicants. A dress (appropriate and inappropriate for a job interview) by physical condition (able-bodied and wheelchair) factorial design was used to examine rehabilitation personnel's and students' with disabilities perceptions of female job applicants. Impression formation theory formed the theory base. Videotapes of female job applicants in combinations of the levels of dress and the levels of physical condition were used to elicit judgements of the employment characteristics, personality, power, competence, professionalism, and management potential.; Findings and conclusions. Significant differences were found. Employers rated the applicants significantly higher when dressed in the most and moderately appropriate levels than when dressed inappropriately for all dependent measures. Employers also rated the applicants in the disabled conditions significantly higher than the able-bodied applicant for all dependent measures. Rehabilitation personnel rated the applicant significantly higher when dressed appropriately than when dressed inappropriately for all dependent measures. No significant differences were found with respect to physical condition. The student sample rated the applicant in appropriate dress significantly higher than the inappropriately dressed applicant for all dependent measures except competence. The students rated the applicant in the wheelchair significantly higher only on ratings of personality traits. Results were interpreted from the perspective of impression formation theory, particularly how individuals combine various cues to arrive at an impression of an observed person. Implications pertain specifically to rehabilitation personnel and others who work with individuals with disabilities as well as clothing designers.