What is the evaluation error characterized by consistently giving high ratings to avoid conflict?

The evaluation error characterized by consistently giving high ratings to avoid conflict is known as the leniency error. This occurs when evaluators provide ratings that are overly generous, often to foster a positive relationship with the person being evaluated or to evade any potential disagreements or confrontations.

In performance evaluations, this error leads consistently to inflated scores, diminishing the credibility of the evaluation process. By ranking employees or subjects too highly, it may mask issues of performance deficiency that need attention for development or improvement. Leniency error can undermine the effectiveness of feedback as it diminishes the ability to distinguish who truly excels and who may need additional support or resources to improve their performance.

Understanding this error is crucial for managers and evaluators to ensure that performance assessments are equitable and useful for both employee development and organizational goals.