Could your microphone be affecting your job prospects?

The way a sentence looks matters, even if you can understand every single word in it. According to Brian Scholl, a professor of psychology and cognitive science at Yale University, the ease with which we process information, known as fluency, can affect how we judge what we hear. Scholl’s recent research delves into the impact of fluency on our perceptions, inspired by the prevalence of video calls in our communication landscape.

In a series of experiments conducted by Scholl, participants of various ages and backgrounds listened to short audio recordings and were then asked to make judgments based on what they heard. Half of the subjects listened to recordings with rich, resonant audio quality, while the other half heard the same recordings filtered to sound like they were coming through a tinny microphone – a familiar experience in the era of Zoom, WhatsApp, and FaceTime calls.

The results were striking. Despite the content being the same, participants were more likely to hire or trust the person speaking with the fuller-sounding voice. The hollow-sounding audio made the speaker appear less credible and less intelligent, even when the speaker was a computerized voice. In fact, participants even rated the higher quality recordings as more desirable for a date.

Sonia Kang, a professor at the University of Toronto, emphasizes the role of fluency in shaping first impressions, particularly in scenarios like job interviews where quick judgments are made based on limited information. The lack of feedback on how we sound during virtual calls can further exacerbate biases, as we focus more on how we look rather than how we sound.

Jessica Grahn, a professor of neuroscience at Western University, points out that biases can seep into our judgments, whether based on demographics, stereotypes, or underlying prejudices. While technology like better microphones can mitigate some biases, Kang suggests addressing biases head-on by reminding hiring managers to focus on the message rather than the medium.

In conclusion, the way we communicate, especially in virtual settings, can influence our perceptions and biases. Recognizing and addressing these biases can help level the playing field and ensure fair assessments based on merit rather than superficial qualities.