Having a "spiky" name is bad for job interviews: Researchers at Carleton University found that people with names like Renee, Liam or Noelle—which include soft, flowing consonant sounds—were more likely to be favored for certain roles over people with names like Greta, Tate or Krista. | AI News Digest
A study from Carleton University reveals that job candidates with 'soft' sounding names, such as Renee and Liam, are more likely to be favored in hiring processes compared to those with 'spiky' names like Greta and Tate. This phenomenon, known as sound symbolism, suggests that the phonetic qualities of names can influence perceptions of personality traits. The research indicates that names associated with smoother sounds are linked to qualities like honesty and agreeableness, while harsher-sounding names are perceived as more extroverted. The findings highlight the subconscious biases that can affect hiring decisions, complicating an already challenging process influenced by various factors such as race and socioeconomic status.
