EFFECTS OF RACE ON INTERVIEW RATINGS IN A SITUATIONAL PANEL INTERVIEW

This study investigated the effects of interviewer race, candidate rac e, and racial composition of interview panels on interview ratings. Da ta were collected on 153 police officers applying for promotion. Resul ts confirmed a same-race rating effect (i.e., candidates racially simi lar to interviewers received higher ratings) for Black and White inter viewers on racially balanced panels. A majority-race rating effect (i. e., candidates racially similar to the majority race of panel intervie wers received higher ratings) existed for Black and White interviewers on primarily White panels. Rating patterns of Black and White intervi ewers on primarily Black panels also suggested a majority-race rating effect. Racial composition of selection interview panels in combinatio n with interviewer and candidate race were proposed as variables affec ting candidates' ratings.