Is halo helpful? Effects of inducing halo on performance rating accuracy

Halo error, although traditionally viewed as being detrimental to the quality of social cognition, has been purported to have potentially beneficial effects in some situations (Murphy, Jako, & Anhalt, 1993; Nathan & Tippins, 1990). Consequently, Murphy et al. called for investigations on the effects of inducing halo. The present experiment tested the effect of inducing halo on performance rating accuracy. Participants (N = 160) were randomly assigned to either the induced halo or control condition. Participants observed videotaped performances then made job performance ratings after a 24-hour delay. In spite of a high degree of power, the effect of the halo induction on rating accuracy was not significant. Thus, it appears plausible that any potentially beneficial effects of halo on performance ratings may be limited to naturally occurring halo rather than to induced halo.