Do Raters Consider the Influence of Situational Factors on Observed Performance When Evaluating Performance? Evidence From Three Experiments

Abstract

Theory and research suggest that both person and situation influence observed performance. System or situational factors can either enhance or constrain performance. If raters do not compensate for the influence of situational factors, ratings will be contaminated with situational influences and will fail to validly reflect the true level of performance. Whether or not raters incorporate the influence of the conditions under which performance is achieved when evaluating employee performance is a fundamental issue with broad implications. Three experiments were conducted to directly examine if raters adjust their ratings to account for the influence of situational conditions. Results of Experiments 1 and 2 demonstrate that raters, in fact, adjust ratings to incorporate situational influences, and results of Experiment 3 indicate that raters who are high self-monitors are better than low self-monitors in terms of incorporating situational influences into ratings. Implications of results for the broader performance-appraisal literature are discussed, and suggestions are offered to practitioners.