Title page for ETD etd-050499-102958

Type of Document

Master's Thesis

Author

Stimpson, Emily Carol

Author's Email Address

estimpso@vt.edu

URN

etd-050499-102958

Title

The Effect of Feedback Style on Feedback Seeking Behaviors: an Examination of Perceived Competence

Degree

Master of Science

Department

Psychology

Advisory Committee

Advisor Name	Title
Foti, Roseanne J.	Committee Chair
Harvey, Robert J.	Committee Member
Hauenstein, Neil M. A.	Committee Member

Keywords

Feedback Style
Feedback Seeking Behaviors

Date of Defense

1999-04-23

Availability

restricted

Abstract

Research in the area of feedback seeking behaviors
(Ashford & Cummings, 1983) has failed to examine the impact
of a supervisor’s feedback style on a subordinate’s
subsequent feedback seeking. This is an important area for
investigation due to the positive relationship between
feedback seeking and performance. Deci and Ryan’s cognitive
evaluation theory suggests that intrinsic motivation may be
an important mediator between feedback style and FSB in
that feedback style impacts an individual’s desire for
mastery of his or her environment which is related to
feedback seeking in Ashford and Cumming’s model. It is
hypothesized that a controlling, in contrast to an
informational, feedback style will decrease feedback
seeking.
It was found that feedback style, while it did impact
intrinsic motivation, did not have an effect on feedback
seeking behaviors. The valence of the feedback also
impacted intrinsic motivation but only had a marginally
significant effect on feedback seeking from the experimenter
and no effect on feedback seeking from the task itself.
Feedback style and valence did not interact to effect level
of intrinsic motivation or FSB. In only one case, the
effect of feedback valence on feedback seeking from the
experimenter, did it appear that intrinsic motivation acted
as a mediator. Possible explanations for the results are
discussed, including the nature of the task itself.

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