What is it called when evaluators describe all activities as average to avoid making difficult decisions?

The concept referred to in this context is known as the error of central tendency. This occurs when evaluators avoid making detailed or definitive assessments by rating all activities as being average. This approach can stem from a reluctance to differentiate performance levels among various subjects, often resulting in an inclination to use the middle of the rating scale rather than making concrete judgments that may be perceived as more subjective or contentious.

By rating everyone or everything as average, evaluators sidestep the challenge of providing critical feedback or identifying truly exceptional or poor performance. This can lead to misleading conclusions about performance, as it fails to recognize variations that exist and can ultimately inhibit growth and improvement in the evaluated subjects.

In contrast, the other options refer to different cognitive biases or errors. The error of omission involves failing to record or acknowledge specific information; confirmation bias is the tendency to favor information that confirms one's preexisting beliefs; and overgeneralization is making broad conclusions based on limited evidence. Each of these has distinct implications in the context of evaluation and assessment, but the error of central tendency specifically captures the essence of rating all activities as average.