Simultaneously contrasting anchors

Subjects were required to judge a series of weights in the presence of two opposing anchor weights, one heavier and one lighter than the series members. It was predicted that the anchors would enhance each other’s effectiveness (contrast). The findings are similar to that found for the single-anchor experiment, with the exception that, and contrary to prediction, the heavier-weight anchor reduced the effectiveness of the lighter-weight anchor. The opposite effect was not true. It is suggested that a pair of opposing anchors could be identified that would completely cancel each other’s effectiveness.