Professors, although it shouldn’t be that way, does your attitude toward a student affect your grading --?

Question

... even just a slightest bit? For example, let’s say that a student did well in the class, but for whatever reason, you don’t particularly like the student, or perhaps there was a debate, and your views and his clashed. At the end of the course, the student borders between an A & an A--. Would your negative emotional attitude toward the student affect your grading? What would change your mind about giving the student an A instead of the A-? I would really appreciate a totally honest answer.

Teachers are also very welcome to answer.

Answer 1

Knowing that this is a possibility, I fight against it all the time. My guess is that a student I don't like is MORE likely to be given the benefit of the doubt, just because I don't want my personal biases to creep into my evaluations any more than necessary. And as far as clashing views, assuming the views have a basis (I hate it when I teach something based upon established theory and I have a student who argues that s/he just doesn't believe that, but with no reason), that makes for a good lecture and I certainly don't grade anyone down for disagreeing with me. I've given As to people I thoroughly disliked and Fs to some of the nicest people.

Answer 2

Never.
Having said that, I do not think I disliked any student, which makes the question academic in more senses than one.