Why Do I Seek Negative Feedback? Assessment Orientation, Self-Criticism, and Negative Feedback-Seeking

Abstract

Negative feedback plays an important role in employee performance improvement, yet little research has specifically examined the motivational factor that drives employees to seek negative feedback. Drawing from the regulatory mode theory, we propose that assessment orientation could increase negative feedback-seeking by triggering individual self-criticism and participative leadership could enhance this effect. Results from a two-wave lagged survey study obtained from 216 Chinese employees suggested that assessment orientation is positively correlated with negative feedback-seeking via the mediating role of self-criticism. Moreover, the positive effect of assessment orientation on self-criticism and the positive indirect effect of assessment orientation on negative feedback-seeking via self-criticism are both stronger when participative leadership is higher. These results enrich the literature on feedback-seeking and regulatory mode and are useful for increasing employee negative feedback-seeking behavior in the organization.

“Discovering shine through feedback seeking”---feedback seeking among new graduate nurses: a qualitative study

“…Therefore, emotional regulation, enhanced communication, and social support are needed to alleviate the stress caused by negative feedback among NGNs. Although negative feedback can sometimes be helpful [ 35 ], providers should provide problem-specific feedback, pay attention to the manner of negative feedback, and avoid overly harsh negative feedback.…”

With whom do people compare at work? The role of regulatory mode and social comparison motives

“…Individuals with a predominant assessment mode—assessors—want to “get things right” (Kruglanski et al, 2000). For instance, they seek more negative feedback to correct their potential inadequacies (Liu et al, 2021) and characterize positive events in their life as events enabling them to understand “what is true” (Rehani & Bar‐Kalifa, 2022). In light of the importance of critical evaluations and appraisals for assessors, they should engage in social comparison more frequently (Kruglanski et al, 2000).…”