Perceived physical attractiveness and sex as determinants of job placement among bankers.

Abstract

The effect of physical attractiveness and gender on job placement was investigated in this study. Sixty-four (64) participants were randomly selected from four commercial banks (Zenith Bank, United Bank of Africa, Bank PHB. and Ecobank) in Uyo, Akwa-Ibom State. The age range of the participants was between 25 – 55 years. The study was an -experimental study that used a confederate’s picture, and thereafter a job placement scale was administered to the participants. The design used was a 2 x 2 factorial design; the independent variables of the study are physical attractiveness (attractive vs non-attractive) and gender (male vs female). The statistical analysis used was a 2 – Way Analysis of Variance for unequal sample size. The first hypothesis, which predicted a statistically significant effect of physical attractiveness on job placement was significant, thus the researchers accepted the hypothesis. The second hypothesis which stated a statistically significant effect of gender was also significant, thus the researchers also accepted the hypothesis. The third hypothesis states which “there will be a statistically significant influence of physical attractiveness and sex of applicant on job placement” was not confirmed. The results were put in the context of previous studies. The researchers recommended amongst others that; managers in banking institutions and specifically human resource managers in organizations should use physical attractiveness and the gender of employees when placing employees positively, it was also suggested that some other job related variables such as tenure and experience should be considered and be given priority in future research on job placement.

Keywords: personnel, gender, selection, recruitment, attractiveness