Status Influence, Essay Example

Status influence on the way people are perceived

Research has shown that the status of a given group of individuals determines the kind of stereotyping that is accorded to then. This is usually the case especially when certain features of the individuals stand out from the traits of the general population. For instance, the article “Can a ‘Black’ Name Affect Job Prospects?”establishes the treatment black children are challenged with while searching for jobs due to the unique names that seek to return to their roots. In this case their social structure, as grown-ups does not enjoy the benefits of their achieved status but instead they suffer the disadvantages of the ascribed status. Whereas the parents’ choice to give their children a unique name is aimed at separating them from everyone else, the results instead hinder them in their adult years.

Impression management tactics used by employers emanate from the fact that naming of black children differently from their white counterparts negatively impacts their social status. From the Resume Test study conducted on six professionals revealed that potential employers were willing to contact their “white-sounding” named ‘imaginary ’candidates. The perception about the smart, capable, organized non-ignorant girls made the recruiters opt for the ‘white’ applicants. Impression management tactics that aim at controlling the image portrayed in social interactions resulted in the employers’ biasness while calling the successful candidate for the interview in the study. Instead of being objective while recruiting, the potential employers curtail the amount of information available to the applicants by not informing them whether or not they were successful for the interviews. This strategy of manipulating the information meant for job applicants allows the employers to manage their impressions.