Emotional Responses to Performance Appraisal Feedback: Implications for Organizations

Abstract

This investigation tested hypotheses derived from a combination of appraisal theory (Lazarus & Smith, 1988; Smith & Lazarus, 2001) and Affective Events Theory (AET, Weiss & Cropanzano, 1996). The research question was: What is the relationship between the appraisals of relevancy, congruency and accountability of information derived from performance appraisal and the emotional reactions to the appraisals? Sixty-two (62) undergraduate students receiving midterm exam scores provided self-report data in exchange for extra credit. Results of hierarchical multiple regression analyses indicate that appraisal components combine to differentiate emotions elicited in response to the appraisal of performance feedback. [PUBLICATION ABSTRACT]