Liberal grading improves evaluations but not performance.

The effects of examination grades on 250 college students' study behaviors, attendance, and evaluations of instruction were examined in an undergraduate psychology course. A paradigm involving a team-teaching procedure was employed, which enabled the questions to be investigated in the natural setting using an experimental rather than a correlational methodology. Liberal grading was found to result in higher evaluations of course and instructor but had no demonstrable effect on studying or attendance. (10 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)