What does the contrast effect refer to in judgment?

The contrast effect in judgment refers to the tendency of individuals to change their judgment standards after repeated exposure to different stimuli. This phenomenon occurs when evaluations are influenced by previous experiences or comparisons. For instance, if a person evaluates a series of items, their judgment of a subsequent item can be impacted by the attributes of the items that preceded it.

In practical terms, if you first evaluate something that is of very high quality, subsequent items may seem inferior in comparison, even if they are actually of good quality themselves. This effect demonstrates how relative comparisons can shape our evaluations and decision-making processes.

The other concepts mentioned do not accurately capture this aspect of judgment. The inability to compare different stimuli does not relate to the contrast effect, as it specifically involves comparison. Consistent application of a single standard would negate the variability introduced by past judgments, and fixed perspectives are more aligned with cognitive biases, rather than the dynamic adjustments seen in the contrast effect.