Abstract
When engineers design a ride for a theme park, the safety of the riders is the most important factor in the design process. When employers evaluate job applications, they are expected to base their decisions on the merits of the candidate. Both of these human-designed systems rely on objective and measurable factors that are critical to their outcomes. However, subjective judgment can still influence both engineering and hiring decisions. My technical research demonstrates the importance of maintaining objectivity in the engineering design process, while my sociotechnical research examines how, in the labor market, objective evaluation is often undermined by subjective influences.
For the technical portion, my team and I were tasked with building a functional prototype of a theme park ride that could be broken down into a portable envelope and reassembled into an operational envelope. Furthermore, the ride had to achieve 2Gs of absolute acceleration, have a cohesive theme, and comply with the ASTM F24 body of standards. Our team sought to determine how to achieve a fun, themed, and portable ride while also meeting acceleration and safety requirements. The bulk of our methods involved developing an initial design and then using mathematics and finite element analysis (FEA) to evaluate whether the ride met these standards. This process led us to a three degree-of-freedom (DOF) robot arm ride. We then iterated on the different components of the ride (base, links, chassis, etc.) while also identifying electronic components that met our specifications. FEA continued to be used throughout the build process as variables changed. After completing the design, 3D printing, and assembly, we produced a themed, safe, and operational ride that could be disassembled and transported. The technical portion of my research addressed the initial problem of designing a portable and safe theme park ride, while also providing valuable experience with a design process grounded in objective standards such as ASTM F24.
For the sociotechnical portion, I examine how attractiveness bias acts as an invisible filter in the labor market. The labor market is often perceived as a meritocracy, in which employers evaluate candidates based on objective qualifications such as experience, education, and skills. However, implicit biases, particularly attractiveness bias, suggest that the process is more subjective than it appears. Moreover, in the United States, “personal appearance” is not a protected class in Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which is the primary federal law that prohibits discrimination in hiring and employment. This means that employers can legally discriminate against candidates and employees based on perceived attractiveness. Using the halo effect, self-presentation theory, hiring technology case studies, and an overview of the U.S. legal system, I argue that attractiveness bias permeates the labor market and that individuals are not legally protected from it. This represents an unjust and often overlooked issue that my research aims to highlight.
Together, my technical and sociotechnical research examine systems in which human decisions are expected to be objective and grounded in measurable criteria. The technical portion demonstrates a successful application of objective safety standards, while the sociotechnical portion highlights a system in which subjectivity continues to play a significant role. Future research in the theme park industry could examine areas where subjectivity and objectivity intersect, such as thematic design elements. Similarly, future research on attractiveness bias in the labor market could explore additional outcomes influenced by this bias, such as wage disparities.
I would like to sincerely extend my gratitude to my capstone team, Charles Cardine, John Follis, Sydney Matthews, Cavan Meade, Silvia Wardell, and Solana Wesley, along with my capstone advisor, Dr. Gavin Garner, for their support and contributions throughout the year. Furthermore, I would like to thank my STS professor, Dr. Caitlin Wylie, for her insightful feedback and guidance during my sociotechnical research. I could not have completed this work without their support.
