The impact of targets on the information processing of judges

Studies of halo error in performance rating are typically predicated on the assumption that judges process information consistently across targets. This study used a modified policy capturing technique to explore the possibility that judges integrate information differently as a function of target. Judges (N=146) rated six targets on six dimensions of performance and overall performance, and rating policies were derived for each target. The homogeneity of the target-specific rating policies was tested via sequential moderation analysis. Results indicated that targets influenced rating policies. These results suggest that targets influence the social cognition processes of judges, and that analyzing ratings that have been pooled across targets may result in the loss of important information about these social cognition processes.