Behavioral Observation and Screening Practice Test 2026 – Complete Exam Preparation

The halo effect refers to a cognitive bias where an observer's overall impression of a person influences their perception of that individual's specific traits or characteristics. When an observer has a positive or negative impression of someone, this can skew their assessment in various areas, such as performance, personality, or behavior. For example, if a teacher views a student as particularly charismatic, they may unwittingly assign higher marks or view their contributions more favorably, regardless of the actual quality of the student's work. This concept is crucial in observational settings, as it can affect the objectivity of evaluations.

The other options pertain to different concepts related to observation but do not encapsulate the essence of the halo effect specifically. The method of recording observations is systematic and unbiased; improving observation skills requires different techniques that don't inherently involve judgment bias; and evaluating children over time typically focuses on measurement and development rather than cognitive biases.