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Subtly offending feedback
Author(s) -
Krings Rabea,
Jacobshagen Nicola,
Elfering Achim,
Semmer Norbert K.
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
journal of applied social psychology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.822
H-Index - 111
eISSN - 1559-1816
pISSN - 0021-9029
DOI - 10.1111/jasp.12287
Subject(s) - constructive , psychology , negative feedback , social psychology , positive feedback , cognitive psychology , computer science , process (computing) , voltage , electrical engineering , engineering , operating system , physics , quantum mechanics
Providing acceptable negative feedback is difficult because it may threaten the receiver's self‐esteem. Studies have established that destructive feedback elicits stronger negative reactions than constructive feedback. However, these destructive conditions were quite strong, implying a clear threat to the self. Because of the importance of protecting one's self‐concept, negative evaluations might be provoked by more subtle cues. Such cues should also be detected by observers. We developed three variants of subtly offending feedback in which mistakes appeared disproportionately serious. In an experimental pilot study, 132 student observers judged the fairness of feedback given to another student. The subtly offending conditions were evaluated as less fair than constructive feedback but as more fair than destructive feedback.