GENDER DISCRIMINATION AND THE WORKPLACE - AN EXAMINATION OF RATIONAL BIAS THEORY

Previous research concerning the ''rational bias'' theory of workplace discrimination has been confined largely to narrow student samples. T his study extends that work with an experimental-survey design in whic h employed participants were asked both how others respond to conditio ns classically eliciting rational bias discrimination, and how they be lieve people behave in their own firms. Participants were 148 men and 158 women (88.6% Caucasian, 4.6% Hispanic, 4% Asian, and 2.8% other ra cial identification) with graduate business degrees front a public uni versity. Results show evidence of continuing discrimination, and suppo rt the theory predicting rational bias gender discrimination in the wo rkplace. Gender of respondent and locus of control (defined by Spector 's Work Locus of Control scale) are also shown to be related to ration al bias discrimination. Suggestions are made for further development a nd resting of rational bias theory.