John is Harry's boss, and really likes the way Harry handles a number of people-related issues. John feels that Harry is an up-standing guy who really cares about other people, even though he is not very good at the technical aspects of his job. John uses this overall impression and gives Harry a really good rating in the performance evaluation. Which of the following perceptual errors explains John's behavior?
A)Recency effect
B)Leniency
C)Halo
D)Contrast effect
E)Central tendency

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Halo is a perceptual error that occurs when a rater forms an overall impression about an object and then uses that impression to bias ratings about the object. When John gives a very high rating to Harry, because of his overall impression of Harry, John is displaying the halo effect.

John Is Harry's Boss, and Really Likes the Way Harry