Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 31, 2026
11:51
Combining Behavioral Endocrinology and Experimental Economics: Testosterone and Social Decision Making
Published on: March 2, 2011
The Influence of Explanations for Selection Test Use, Outcome Favorability, and Self-Efficacy on Test-Taker
Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes
|November 1, 2000
Summary
Explanations for events influence how people react, especially in selection contexts. Self-efficacy, explanation type, and outcome favorability interact to shape perceptions of test validity and fairness.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Social Psychology
- Cognitive Psychology
Background:
- Prior research indicates that the explanation provided for an event can significantly alter individual reactions to it.
- Understanding how explanations impact perceptions is crucial, particularly in evaluative or selection scenarios.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the influence of different explanation types (causal, ideological, referential) on reactions within a selection context.
- To examine how outcome favorability interacts with explanation type to affect perceptions of a selection test.
- To determine the role of self-efficacy in mediating these effects on perceptions of validity and fairness.
Main Methods:
- A sample of 202 undergraduate students participated in the study.
- Participants completed a selection test and reported their perceptions before and after learning the outcome.
- The study manipulated the type of explanation provided for the test and the favorability of the outcome.
Main Results:
- A significant interaction was found between the type of explanation and outcome favorability on perceptions.
- Participant self-efficacy played a crucial role, interacting with explanation type and outcome favorability.
- These interactions collectively influenced participants' judgments of the selection test's validity and fairness.
Conclusions:
- The findings underscore the complex interplay between cognitive (explanation type), affective (outcome favorability), and individual difference (self-efficacy) factors in shaping evaluative judgments.
- The study highlights the importance of considering these factors when designing and interpreting selection processes.
- Future research should explore these dynamics in diverse populations and contexts.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
01:12Hindsight Biases
Hindsight bias leads you to believe that the event you just experienced was predictable, even though it really wasn’t. In other words, you knew all along that things would turn out the way they did. Can you relate this to the phrase "Hindsight is 20/20" now?
01:14Fundamental Attribution Error
According to some social psychologists, people tend to overemphasize internal factors as explanations—or attributions—for the behavior of other people. They tend to assume that the behavior of another person is a trait of that person, and to underestimate the power of the situation on the behavior of others. They tend to fail to recognize when the behavior of another is due to situational variables, and thus to the person’s state. This erroneous assumption is called the fundamental attribution...
01:24Sources of Self-Esteem II: Performance Feedback
Self-esteem is intricately tied to our perception of competence and our ability to exert control over our lives. One of the primary sources of this perception is performance feedback — the ongoing evaluation of our actions in terms of success and failure. According to Franks and Marolla (1976), people derive self-worth from experiencing themselves as causal agents, capable of achieving goals and overcoming obstacles. This process nurtures a critical component of self-esteem: self-efficacy,...
01:29Self-Efficacy
Self-efficacy is the belief in one's capacity to organize and execute actions necessary to manage prospective situations. This belief significantly influences how individuals approach goals, tasks, and challenges across different domains of life.Psychological and Educational ImpactsIndividuals with strong self-efficacy are more resilient in the face of difficulties. They are more likely to adopt effective problem-solving strategies, persist through obstacles, and regulate emotions such as...
01:29Theory of Attribution II: Kelley's Covariation Theory
Attribution theory plays a crucial role in social psychology, helping to explain how individuals interpret the causes of behavior. One prominent model within this field is Harold Kelley's covariation theory, which provides a systematic approach to determining whether internal traits or external circumstances drive a person's actions. The model posits that individuals rely on three key types of information—consensus, consistency, and distinctiveness—to make these judgments.Consensus: Comparing...
01:27Halo Effect
The halo effect is a cognitive bias in which an individual's overall impression influences judgments about their specific traits. This psychological phenomenon leads people to associate positive characteristics with those they perceive as generally good and negative characteristics with those they view as bad. This effect is particularly influential in social perception, professional evaluations, and decision-making processes.The Psychological Basis of the Halo EffectThe halo effect is rooted...