What is the regency effect in candidate selection?

The regency effect in candidate selection refers to the cognitive bias where individuals remember the most recently presented information more vividly than earlier information. In the context of candidate selection, this means that candidates who are interviewed last tend to be remembered more clearly and viewed more favorably by interviewers due to their recent presence in memory. This effect can skew the perception of the entire group of candidates, as those interviewed earlier may be overshadowed by more recent interviews.

This bias highlights the importance of structuring interviews and evaluations carefully to ensure that decisions are based on objective criteria and not overly influenced by the sequence of interviews. Understanding the regency effect is crucial for anyone involved in the hiring process, as it helps mitigate its impact on fair candidate assessment and selection.