AGE, RACIAL, AND GENDER BIAS AS A FUNCTION CRITERION SPECIFICITY - A TEST OF EXPERT TESTIMONY

We examined a common expert witness theme in EEO cases that rating bia s in the form of ethnic, age, or gender differences in personnel decis ions based on performance appraisals is moderated by criterion specifi city or rating scale format. Few studies have investigated this issue and results do not support the position that the more objective or spe cific criteria for assessment will result in smaller differences betwe en groups based on age, gender or ethnic classification.