ABSTRACT
After applications for adjudication are collected, someone must assess their merit. Many assessments are made by one person; chapters 2 and 3 discussed some of the psychological mechanisms used to make these judgments and some of their pitfalls. Yet at least as many assessments of applications are made by committees of two or more people. Most large organizations have personnel committees to select or promote the most meritorious job applicants. University departments have admissions committees to select the most talented graduate school applicants. Almost all research granting organizations and peer-reviewed journals have committees to choose winning applications or manuscripts. The winners of many sports competitions such as fi gure skating, diving, and gymnastics are chosen by committee. Other committees can be found judging contestants in competitions ranging from music and art to Nobel prizes, from tenure to contracts for hospital food or building maintenance.
