Reactions to Positive and Negative Feedback: Enhancement and Consistency Effects

Reactions of low, medium, and high self-esteem subjects to positive and negative feedback were explored in two studies of college undergraduates. Results indicated that feedback variables may be categorized along a continuum that includes affectively and cognitively mediated variables. Mood and satisfaction ratings were related to feedback and not to self-esteem level; attribution following failure feedback, source accuracy ratings, and performance improvement were related in some respects to both feedback and self-esteem level. Also, task importance ratings related to feedback and not to self-esteem, and changes in self-evaluations were unrelated to feedback or self-esteem.