Varying reactions to feedback and their effects on observer accuracy and feedback omission

The effectiveness of performance feedback depends on many factors, including accuracy and repeated delivery over time. Previous research has suggested that requiring the delivery of performance feedback may result in less accurate observations and feedback during subsequent observations. The current study evaluated whether different reactions (i.e., positive, neutral, or negative) to feedback would affect the accuracy of subsequent observations or the delivery of feedback. Forty-five participants were assigned to 1 of 3 reactions groups and they were instructed to observe and record the safety performance of a confederate during a baseline condition. Following 2 baseline sessions, participants were instructed to deliver feedback and the confederate reacted to the feedback according to the assigned condition for 4 sessions. Results provide evidence that positive reactions maintain observation accuracy and the provision of feedback, while both neutral and negative reactions decrease observation accuracy and result in frequent omission of feedback.