)
Positive feedback is effective when it signals a boost in commitment whereas negative feedback is effective when it signals a lack of goal progress, finds a study, "How Positive and Negative Feedback Motivate Goal Pursuit" by University of Chicago Booth School of Business.
Information on successful and failed actions allows individuals to direct their efforts to match the challenge they are facing. The study says positive feedback on successful actions can encourage the pursuit of goal-congruent actions when it signals an increase in commitment to the goal but decreases motivation when it signals sufficient progress was made. On the other hand, negative feedback on unsuccessful actions can encourage the pursuit of goal congruent actions if it signals insufficient progress has been made.The study says the feedback's main function is motivating goal pursuit and a remaining question is whether people seek feedback strategically to motivate themselves. For example, novices could seek positive feedback and experts could seek negative feedback in order to overcome upcoming obstacles in pursuing their goals. The study says managers can use these insights to give feedback strategically to increase recipients' motivation to adhere to their goals.
