Cognitive complexity and appraisal effectiveness: Back to the drawing board?

Abstract

Tested C. E. Schneier's (see record 1978-11450-001 ) cognitive compatibility theory. In Exps I and II, 100 undergraduates rated college instructors and professor vignettes, respectively. Results show that rater cognitive complexity was unrelated to rating accuracy, halo error, acceptability of rating format, or confidence in ratings. In Exp III, 31 police sergeants rated patrol officers, and the results show that halo error and acceptability of formats were unrelated to cognitive complexity. In Exp IV, 95 undergraduates' ratings of managerial performance and instructor effectiveness showed no support for the cognitive compatibility theory. However, the data showed that raters' ability to generate dimensions was significantly related to halo error in instructors' ratings. Implications for cognitive compatibility theory and future research with the method of generating performance dimensions are discussed. (30 ref) (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2025 APA, all rights reserved)