Rejection Sensitivity

An intense emotional response to perceived or actual rejection, criticism, or failure that is commonly experienced by neurodivergent individuals, particularly those with ADHD and autism. Rejection sensitivity can significantly impact job-seeking behaviour, as the fear of negative evaluation may discourage individuals from applying to positions, following up on applications, or correcting AI systems that misrepresent them. Technology designers must consider this heightened vulnerability when building tools for sensitive domains like employment, ensuring that system errors and misalignments are framed as system limitations rather than user failures.