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Craig's decision to hire Annie can be attributed to the influence of stereotype, which is a matching of certain characteristics to a specific group of people. This often involves making assumptions about abilities or potential based on preconceived notions related to someone's background, such as their gender, race, or other defining characteristics, instead of evaluating each candidate solely based on their qualifications and performance.

Hiring decisions influenced by stereotypes can reflect unconscious biases, where Craig might have associated Annie with positive attributes or presumed she would perform well due to her background, rather than giving equal weight to a diverse range of candidates. It underscores the importance of awareness in hiring practices to mitigate bias and ensure a fair evaluation process.

In contrast, the other options are less relevant in this scenario. For instance, first impressions focus on initial perceptions and interactions, while sudden demand refers to immediate needs that may lead to hastier decisions. Contrast might involve comparing candidates directly to highlight differences, but if Craig didn’t consider diverse backgrounds, it indicates a reliance on stereotypes as a guiding criteria in his decision-making.