The current study examined the effects of the leader performance and leader likeableness upon ratings of initiating structure and consideration and upon the latencies to make these ratings. One-hundred and ninty-eight male subjects read and listened to a description of a fictitious personnel manager. The manager’s performance (high vs. low vs. control), likableness (liked vs. disliked vs. neutral), and the position of the liking information (before behavior vs. after behavior) were manipulated within the vignette. Subjects were presented questions about the manager’s initiating structure and consideration behaviors on a Cathode Ray Terminal via a FORTRAN Program. The subjects’ responses and latencies to respond were recorded.

The ratings of initiating structure and consideration were analyzed as a 3 x 3 x 2 between-subjects design. Ratings of consideration were jointly influenced by the three factors. The latency to respond data were analyzed with a regression analysis. When the leaders’ behavior was inconsistent with his performance, latency to respond could be significantly predicted by accuracy of response and the position of the liking information.

It was concluded that liking for the leader and leader performance affect ratings of leader behavior and the cognitive processes involved in the ratings. Furthermore, the position of the liking information moderates these relationships. Future research and possible applications of the results are discussed.