Which bias is the negative counterpart of the halo effect?

Which bias is the negative counterpart of the halo effect?

• A. Horn effect
• B. Halo effect
• C. Anchoring
• D. Bandwagon

Answer: (A)

The main idea tested is how a single impression can skew overall judgment in a negative direction. The horn effect is the negative counterpart of the halo effect: a single negative trait or initial bad impression leads you to view a person’s other qualities more harshly than warranted. For example, in a hiring scenario, if someone makes a poor first impression, you might subconsciously assume they lack positive qualities overall, even if there’s evidence to the contrary. The halo effect would work in the opposite direction, where one positive trait leads you to judge other traits more favorably. Anchoring, by contrast, is about letting the first piece of information strongly bias subsequent judgments, but not specifically about negative versus positive overall impressions. Bandwagon bias involves adopting beliefs because others do, which is a different social influence.

The main idea tested is how a single impression can skew overall judgment in a negative direction. The horn effect is the negative counterpart of the halo effect: a single negative trait or initial bad impression leads you to view a person’s other qualities more harshly than warranted.

For example, in a hiring scenario, if someone makes a poor first impression, you might subconsciously assume they lack positive qualities overall, even if there’s evidence to the contrary. The halo effect would work in the opposite direction, where one positive trait leads you to judge other traits more favorably.

Anchoring, by contrast, is about letting the first piece of information strongly bias subsequent judgments, but not specifically about negative versus positive overall impressions. Bandwagon bias involves adopting beliefs because others do, which is a different social influence.