Which appraisal bias occurs when evaluation relies on comparisons with others rather than against a defined standard?

• A. Halo Effect
• B. Leniency Error
• C. Contrast Error
• D. Central Tendency

Answer: (C)

Evaluation based on comparisons with others rather than against defined standards is a contrast error. The rater uses coworkers’ performance as the benchmark instead of objective criteria, so ratings shift with how peers perform. For example, a good performer may be rated higher when compared with a weak performer, or a mediocre performer may be rated lower when surrounded by top performers. This differs from the halo effect (one positive trait inflates the overall rating), leniency error (consistently high ratings), and central tendency (avoiding extremes).