THE INFLUENCE OF RATER MOTIVATION ON ASSIMILATION EFFECTS AND ACCURACY IN PERFORMANCE RATINGS

Despite extensive study of ratings and performance appraisal, research that addresses the influence of rater motivation on rating accuracy is generally lacking. The present study investigated the effects of motivation on rater accuracy by offering incentives to be accurate to some raters. Each rater observed and evaluated five ratees on three dimensions where the true scores were operationally defined. Some raters were informed that the ratees had received above (or below) average ratings in their prior positions, whereas other subjects were given no prior performance information. Bias and poor elevation accuracy resulting from knowledge of ratees′ prior performance levels were eliminated when raters were offered incentives. Also, two additional measures of accuracy (differential elevation and differential accuracy) improved when incentives were offered. © 1993 Academic Press.