The Halo Effect

Edward Thorndike, the most celebrated psychologist due to his phenomenal sphere of influence in the field of education is accredited for coining this term. Literature has it that based on his empirical research, “The Constant Error in Psychological Ratings” published in 1920 reported that the grading of one characteristic influences the judgment of a person with other characteristics even if they are entirely unrelated.

This is called the Halo Effect.

It is a cognitive bias in which we try to draw a general impression of a person from a single element of his/her characteristics. Because of a single good or bad appearance, we stereotype and cloud our judgment that the rest of the neutral or otherwise ambiguous traits are of the same colour and taste.

The syndrome of this phenomenon has invaded every mankind and working atmosphere that its interference has generally caused hiccups to the powerhouse of our perception. That’s why the ecosystem of our thinking is never identical even if we observe the same thing at the same time.

Let us think of celebrities since they inherit a lion’s share of likes on Facebook for their photos or tons of retweets on Twitter for their posts. Because we observe them as attractive or successful, we convert and camouflage our impression that they possess all kinds of imaginary characteristics we craft in our minds. We largely assume that a qualified chef who can cook delectable continental dishes can appetite us with Greek or Oceanian cuisine with an equivalent proficiency. Or we equate a nice person to be always smart. In workplaces, be it coincidental or intentional, that small filament of work we do if, pleases the mind of the mighty boss certainly does magic in glowing our annual performance review with a label of being competent and proficient.

Unfortunately, the value of human life is sustained with casualty and injury because these adjectives have become concrete and binding indicators to demarcate human position. It has been a socially accepted standard for the measurement of human competence. But one thing all of us know is that as the standard scientific formula, all these adjectives that catalogue people into different zones are just human inventions.    

The halo effect has intense and adverse implications. It pronounces discrimination in assessment because it fails to calculate one’s real calibre. If hardworking and sincere are exposed to the cancer of this phenomenon, they will die with stunted growth of hope and optimism and stop walking extra miles.

Thus, realization and understanding of this psychological event is the key thing that we need to know first, both from the standpoint of being boss and subordinate. Otherwise when these become the missing links, the so-called beautiful world, will still look ugly.   

“If you were me, you’d know. But you’re not, so don’t think you do” –Anonymous