Which error is caused by ratings being heavily influenced by recent events?

• A. Recency error
• B. Central tendency
• C. Halo effect
• D. Leniency error

Answer: (A)

Recency error happens when ratings are driven more by the most recent events than by the overall performance over the whole evaluation period. In code enforcement, an inspector might give more weight to the latest incident or action—whether a recent violation or a recent compliance check—so the current score reflects that recent moment rather than the long-term history. This bias comes from how salient recent information feels and can skew an accurate assessment of ongoing compliance. Other biases like the central tendency, halo effect, or leniency error explain different distortions, but recency error specifically ties to the timing of events. To reduce it, use a defined evaluation period, document all incidents within that window, and consider averaging or using multiple raters to balance the impact of recent events.