Effects of purpose of appraisal on leniency errors: An exploration of self-efficacy as a mediating variable

The purpose of this study was to explore the causal relationship between purpose of appraisal and leniency in performance ratings. A model in which rater self-efficacy mediated the relationship between appraisal purpose and leniency was tested. In addition, behavioral recognition accuracy was hypothesized to affect rater leniency. In a laboratory setting, 109 undergraduate raters judged the videotaped performance of a graduate teaching assistant. Results of the study showed that (a) leniency was positively related to task-specific self-efficacy, and (b) behavioral recognition accuracy was positively related to general rating self-efficacy. A purpose of appraisal effect was not observed and the proposed mediational model was not supported. These results were discussed in relation to rater affect, accountability in performance ratings, and information processing.

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Science

Level thesis:degree_level

masters

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Psychology

Department dc:contributor.department

Psychology

Grantor dc:publisher

Virginia Tech

Year dc:date.issued

1999

Author dc:creator

• Prowker, Adam Nathaniel

Chair dc:contributor.committeechair

• Hauenstein, Neil M. A.

Committee members dc:contributor.committeemember

• Donovan, John J.
• Foti, Roseanne J.

• Purpose of Appraisal
• Performance Appraisal
• Leniency
• Self-efficacy

Statement dc:rights

• In Copyright

Licence dc:rights.uri

• http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/

Dc Identifier Other

etd-060199-121821

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:vtechworks.lib.vt.edu:10919/33377