Abstract: A study attempted to extend consumer satisfaction literature by
     theoretically and empirically examining: 1.  the effect of perceived
     performance, 2.  how alternative conceptualizations of comparison
     standards and disconfirmation capture the satisfaction formation process,
     and 3.  possible multiple comparison processes in satisfaction formation. 
     A laboratory experiment manipulated expectation of product performance by
     giving subjects either a favorable or unfavorable product evaluation. 
     Product performance itself was manipulated by including 2 versions of the
     product: 1.  an unmodified advanced model, and 2.  an earlier model
     modified to guarantee poor performance.  After being exposed to one of the
     2 product evaluations and one of the 2 products, subjects evaluated the
     product themselves.  The results suggest that perceived performance exerts
     direct significant influence on satisfaction, as do expected performance
     and subjective disconfirmation.  This implies that researchers should
     include perceived performance in future efforts to measure
     satisfaction/dissatisfaction.