Similar-to-me effect is known as one of the main reasons of attraction. According to the commentary, similar-to-me effect is defined as “individuals get along with people who tend to look and think like they do” (The Pennsylvania State University, 2015). This phenomenon is common in our life. People tend to like others who have the same interests, attitudes and thoughts with them. Similar people are easier to make friends with each other. However, in employment the similar-to-me effect could damage businesses.
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According to Dr. Jill Flint-Taylor, a business psychologist, similar-to-me effect makes sense because people tend to like others who share the interests and background (Manchester, 2013). This happens in interviews as well. When an interviewer finds an interviewee who has similar interests and background with her/him, s/he could hire the interviewee finally. This possibility was shown in Sears and Greg’s study. Their study tested whether a similar-to-me effect would affect interviews and 40 male undergraduates joined as a sample. The result showed that the similar-to-me effect did affect the interviewer in the consideration of conscientiousness. Interviewers who experienced similar-to-me effect would consider the interviewee as more suitable to the job and likely to hire this interviewee (Sears, Greg, Rowe, and Patricia, 2003).
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What would happen if similar-to-me effect influences the result of interviews? According to Dr. Flint-Taylor, too many similar individuals in a management team would be problematic. In this case everyone has similar skills, attitudes and thoughts (Manchester, 2013) The similar-to-me effect in employment makes a team lack of creativity and energy. Next time when you apply for a job, let the interviewer know you have similarity with him. Maybe it helps you get the position. However, if you are an interviewer, try not being influenced by similar-to-me effect. This could lead you to build a team lack of creativity.
References
The Pennsylvania State University. (2015). Attraction_Lesson 12: Relationships/Everyday Life. PSYCH424: Applied Social Psychology. Retrieved from: https://courses.worldcampus.psu.edu/sp15/psych424/001/content/13_lesson/02_page.html
Sears, Greg J, Rowe, and Patricia M. (2003). A personality-based similar-to-me effect in the employment interview: Conscientiousness, affect-versus competence-mediated interpretations, and the role of job relevance. Canadian Journal of Behavioural Science. Vol 35(1), Jan 2003, 13-24. http://dx.doi.org/10.1037/h0087182
Manchester. (2013). ‘Similar-to-Me’ Effect Damaging Many Businesses, New Find the Edge Article Says. PRWeb. Retrieved from: http://www.prweb.com/releases/2013/4/prweb10618993.htm
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