Contrasting Models of Appraisal Judgments for Positive and Negative Purposes Using Policy Modeling

Abstract This article incorporates the areas of measurement and performance appraisal in an attempt to better represent the performance evaluation process. The technique called Policy Modeling was used to examine the effects of positive versus negative perceived purpose on the performance appraisals of work study students. Both group and individual analyses were performed to determine the subjective values of the attributes used to describe workers, the relative importance of each attribute in the evaluation and the interpretation of different rating scales. Most raters′ appraisals were generally best represented by a configural averaging strategy, although the nature of the configural adjustment differed under conditions of reward and punishment. The applicability of policy modeling as a vehicle for performance appraisals are discussed.