PDF(Pubmed)
Abstract：
People can use social or personal information as a reference point against which they compare their performance. While previous research has shown that reference point choice can be affected by individual characteristics, situational factors, and goals, we suggest that properties of the performance feedback itself can also play a role in this choice. We focus on the effects of round vs. precise numerical feedback on reference point preferences. In three studies, we show that people are more likely to use themselves as a reference point to evaluate their performance following a feedback in the form of a round score (e.g., a score of 70 in a task) and to use others as a reference point following a precise score (e.g., a score of 71). Study 1 shows decreased interest in comparisons with others following round rather than precise feedback. Study 2 shows that round (vs. precise) feedback also increases actual choice of the self (vs. others) as a reference point. Study 3 demonstrates that the effect of the numerical feedback on reference point preferences extends to the choice of a benchmark for future comparisons. We discuss the implications of our results for the literature and practice, including how this can be used to encourage desirable behaviors.
摘要：
人们可以使用社交或个人信息作为参考点来比较他们的表现。虽然先前的研究表明，参考点的选择会受到个体特征的影响，情境因素，和目标，我们建议性能反馈本身的属性也可以在这种选择中发挥作用。我们专注于圆形与圆形的影响对参考点偏好的精确数字反馈。在三项研究中，我们表明，人们更有可能使用自己作为参考点来评估他们的表现后，反馈以一轮得分的形式(例如，任务中的70分)，并在精确分数后使用他人作为参考点(例如，得分为71）。研究1显示，在一轮而不是精确反馈后，与其他人进行比较的兴趣降低。研究2显示该回合（与精确)反馈也增加了自我的实际选择(与其他)作为参考点。研究3表明，数字反馈对参考点偏好的影响扩展到选择未来比较的基准。我们讨论了我们的结果对文献和实践的影响，包括如何使用它来鼓励可取的行为。
