A fixed point of reference is something that is consistent and does not change. One example is the North Star. Even centuries ago, sailors would use an instrument called a sextant and as long as they ...

SCOTT G. WALLACE, JORDAN ETKIN, How Goal Specificity Shapes Motivation, Journal of Consumer Research, Vol. 44, No. 5 (FEBRUARY 2018), pp. 1033-1051 ...

On Earth, a compass can be a vital tool. Compasses have provided a constant point of reference for humans for over 800 years, enabling us to successfully navigate to the far reaches of the planet.

Johnson argues decision makers should identify which reference points different evaluators are using. Then, they should focus on using evaluations with the most relevant, valid reference points.