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perception
You evaluate objects differently based on what you saw before.
The contrast effect suggests that human judgment is relative; we assess items based on the ones perceived immediately prior.
In a 1996 study, participants were asked to rate the attractiveness of average-looking models. Those who were shown highly attractive images first rated the targets significantly lower than those who saw neutral images.
Your current judgment is rarely independent of your recent experiences.
Where this comes from
- Study
- Kenrick & Gutierres, 1996, Contrast Effect
- What the check found
- The citation is correct, and the summary accurately reflects the core finding of the referenced Kenrick & Gutierres (1996) study.
- Confidence
- Well replicated
Related
One of these every day, and every one names the study it came from. When a finding is contested, it says so.