Performance dimension accessibility: Implications for rating accuracy

Recent models of evaluative information processing suggest that individuals will form differentiated dimensional judgments only if a differentiated set of categories or dimensions is accessible as behavior is observed. If, however, a differentiated set of dimensions is not accessible, individuals will form a more general global evaluation. Subsequent dimensional evaluations will be driven by this ‘overall ’evaluation. The present study supports this and indicates that dimensional performance evaluations will be more accurate if the performance appraisal dimensions are accessible to individual raters. This study demonstrates the importance of the accessibility of dimensions for accurate dimensional performance evaluations.