Which concept involves performance evaluation ignoring external variables affecting outcomes?

The concept that includes the idea of performance evaluation ignoring external variables affecting outcomes is opportunity bias. This term describes a situation where evaluators fail to consider variables outside of an individual's control when assessing their performance. For example, if an employee's performance is evaluated without taking into account economic conditions, team dynamics, or resource availability, this leads to a skewed perception of their actual contributions and capabilities. Opportunity bias highlights the importance of understanding the broader context in which performance occurs, which is crucial for fair and accurate evaluations.

In contrast, leniency error refers to a tendency for evaluators to rate employees more favorably than they deserve, regardless of external influences. Stereotype involves making generalized assumptions about individuals based on preconceived notions without regard to specific behaviors or performance. Central tendency pertains to the practice of evaluating most employees as average, which can also overlook individual variations in performance. Each of these concepts presents different issues in performance evaluations, but opportunity bias specifically addresses the neglect of external factors affecting outcomes.