Michelle was hired for a job although she did not have the qualifications for the position. During the interview the man interviewing her kept remarking that she reminded him of his third grade teacher on whom he'd had a crush so many years ago. Michelle seems to have benefitted from __________
A) a structured interview.
B) the halo effect.
C) a projective error.
D) observer drift.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Michelle seems to have benefitted from the halo effect, which is the tendency to generalize positive or negative impressions of a person based on a single trait or characteristic. In this case, the interviewer's positive association with his third grade teacher may have influenced his overall impression of Michelle, leading him to overlook her lack of qualifications for the job.

Michelle Was Hired for a Job Although She Did Not