Examination for Professional Practice of Psychology (EPPP) Practice Test

In the context of BARS, what is a major criticism regarding the expectations of raters?

1. It requires raters to recall actual observed behaviors.

2. It requires raters to indicate expected behaviors instead of observed behaviors.

3. It overemphasizes objective measures of performance.

4. It provides clear guidance on performance dimensions.

The correct answer is: It requires raters to indicate expected behaviors instead of observed behaviors.

In the context of Behaviorally Anchored Rating Scales (BARS), a significant criticism revolves around the expectation that raters provide expected behaviors rather than solely relying on what they have actually observed. BARS is designed to enhance the objectivity of performance evaluations by grounding ratings in specific behavioral examples. However, if raters are expected to project what they believe should be the normative behaviors, this can introduce biases based on their personal expectations or assumptions, rather than reflecting the actual performance of the individuals being assessed. This reliance on expected behaviors can lead to inconsistencies and might undermine the reliability of the assessment, as it strays from the fundamental intention of BARS to capture observable actions. This distinguishes the chosen answer, illustrating how it captures a core concern within the framework of BARS evaluations, highlighting potential discrepancies between expectation and reality in performance assessments.