The Effect of Feedback Style and Individual Difference on the Computer-Based Task

Abstract

Although objectively same, feedback can be processed differently because of individual difference. The purpose of this study was to investigate how demographic factor (gender) and other individual difference (regulatory focus) influence afterward performances in computer-based situation. In the experiment, participants performed two phases of task with computer. Each task phase included two task types: cognitive task and creative task. After the first task phase, participants received feedback about their performance. Feedback was presented in two valence conditions: positive and negative. After the feedback, participants performed the second task phase. The participants' performance was measured by difference between the first and the second phase. As a result, the main effects of feedback valence were non-significant on both task types. However, in creative task, there was an interaction between valence and regulatory focus. Participants having prevention focus performed well after receiving negative feedback. On the other hand, people having promotion focus showed better performance after the positive feedback. Also, the interaction between valence of feedback and gender was marginally significant in creative task. Although, males' performances were almost same regardless of the feedback valence, females showed better performance after receiving negative feedback. No interaction effects were significant in cognitive task. This study was valuable in that we could reveal how individual differences and valence of feedback affect the performance of creative task on computers. © Springer International Publishing Switzerland 2014.