Three types of supervisor-subordinate similarity were identified: (a) perceived similarity, perceptions of how similar the supervisor and subordinate are; (b) perceptual congruence, similarity of perceptions about behaviors important in receiving a high merit pay raise; and (c) actual similarity of individual characteristics. The relation(s) among the types of similarity and of each type with various employee outcomes were examined. Results supported the distinctions among types. Each type was

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... elated to subordinate performance. Results were less consistent for job satisfaction and pay ratings. Perceived similarity yielded the strongest relation with the dependent variables. The findings also suggest that similarity affects evaluations not only through bias, but also partly because of differences in supervisor-subordinate interactions.