Bias in Selection

Possible bias in selection procedures used for employment and college admissions is of crucial social and educational importance. However, there are many different definitions of what constitutes bias with each definition based on different values and with different implications for how selection should be accomplished. A number of these definitions of bias and their implications are examined, and a new conditional probability model of fairness based on equal opportunity for potentially successful applicants is presented. This conditional probability model is proposed as an intuitively appealing and socially desirable model for use in many selection situations in employment and college admissions.