Which of the following biases involves favoring candidates based on similar backgrounds or interests?

The identified bias focuses on the tendency to favor candidates who share similar backgrounds, experiences, or interests as the evaluator. This inclination can lead to a preference for candidates who exhibit familiar traits, enhancing the interviewer's or employer's comfort and perceived compatibility with those candidates.

Similarity bias can negatively impact diversity within an organization, as it may result in less attention given to candidates who come from different backgrounds or bring unique perspectives. Recognizing this bias is crucial in talent management and recruitment processes, as it ensures a fairness and inclusivity approach when evaluating a diverse pool of candidates.

Other biases, like contrast bias, involve evaluating candidates relative to others in a way that may distort their individual merits. The halo effect leads to an overall favorable impression based on one positive trait, while attribution bias concerns how individuals interpret others' actions or outcomes, often based on personal attributes rather than actual performance. Each of these biases plays a significant role in hiring decisions, but it is the similarity bias that specifically centers on the favoring of candidates due to shared characteristics or interests.