Tests versus contests

a theory of adjudication

Warren Thorngate

Barbara Carroll

pp. 431-438

in: Michael E. Hyland, William J. Baker, René van Hezewijk, Terwee (eds), Recent trends in theoretical psychology, Berlin, Springer, 1990

Abstract

Adjudicated contests are often held to determine who merits a limited resource. Attempts to employ consistent and fair criteria of merit are vitiated by increases in the contestant population; as fair contests grow, they eventually devolve into unfair ones. Contestants can use any of three strategies to adapt to this devolutionary circumstance. Psychological aspects of these strategies are outlined, and their limitations discussed.