Feedback sought vs feedback given : a tale of two literatures

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to begin the integration of two separate but clearly related streams of research. Feedback and feedback-seeking have been separate areas of research for decades. In this paper, the authors argue that full understanding of feedback and its effects will not be possible unless these two literatures are integrated. Instead of just focusing on what would motivate people to seek feedback, how often and from whom, the authors argue that closer examination of how feedback-seeking affects feedback outcomes is warranted. Future directions for this research are discussed, including several research proposals. Design/methodology/approach: Integrative review. Findings: After a brief review of the feedback and feedback-seeking literatures, the authors use theory on cognition and judgment to argue that feedback that is sought may differ in content from feedback that is unsought. Additionally, employees who seek out feedback may react differently to feedback than those who receive feedback without seeking it out. As recipient reactions are critical in how (or whether) feedback affects performance, the full context of the feedback process must be considered, including the impetus for feedback. Originality/value: These two streams of literature have been existing independent of each other for some years. Yet, is should be clear that not only why or how one seeks feedback but how one reacts to that feedback should be examined. Furthermore, whether people deal with sought feedback differently than with feedback that is not sought needs to be studied.