Nature and Consequences of Halo Error: A Critical Analysis

• Published in: Journal of applied psychology 1993-04, Vol.78 (2), p.218-225
• Main Authors: Murphy, Kevin R, Jako, Robert A, Anhalt, Rebecca L
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Behavior. Attitude; Biological and medical sciences; Characteristics; Consequence; Error of Measurement; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Halo Effect; Halo error; Human; Management; Organizational behavior; Performance appraisal; Psychology; Psychology. Psychoanalysis. Psychiatry; Psychology. Psychophysiology; Rating; Social psychology; Social research; Studies
• ISSN: 0021-9010; 1939-1854
• DOI: 10.1037/0021-9010.78.2.218

The definition of halo error that dominated researchers' thinking for most of this century implied that (a) halo error was common; (b) it was a rater error, with true and illusory components; (c) it led to inflated correlations among rating dimensions and was due to the influence of a general evaluation on specific judgments; and (d) it had negative consequences and should be avoided or removed. We review research showing that all of the major elements of this conception of halo are either wrong or problematic. Because of unresolved confounds of true and illusory halo and the often unclear consequences of halo errors, we suggest a moratorium on the use of halo indices as dependent measures in applied research. We suggest specific directions for future research on halo that take into account the context in which judgments are formed and ratings are obtained and that more clearly distinguish between actual halo errors and the apparent halo effect.