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What people say and do in response to negative feedback: Explaining and reducing defensiveness toward individual and group criticism (2007-2009)

Abstract

Criticism serves an important function, in that it acts as a catalyst for growth and change. Criticism can bring unrecognized problems to light and lead to the reassessment of ill-adaptive behaviours and policies. However, it can also lead to hurt and denial. The proposed research will enable us to formulate, for the first time, an integrative account of how people respond to criticism, not just of their groups but also of themselves as individuals. This will not only represent significant progress in the theoretical understanding of responses to criticism, but will also have applied benefits in terms of promoting non-defensive communication, and in terms of maximizing our capacity to promote positive change in groups and individuals.

Experts

Professor Matthew Hornsey

Professor and ARC Laureate Fellow
School of Business
Faculty of Business, Economics and Law
Affiliate of Centre for Research in Social Psychology (CRiSP)
Centre for Research in Social Psychology
Faculty of Health and Behavioural Sciences
Discipline Convenor, Management of UQ Business School
School of Business
Faculty of Business, Economics and Law
Matthew Hornsey
Matthew Hornsey

Professor Jolanda Jetten

Affiliate of Social Identity and Groups Network (SIGN) Research Centre
Social Identity and Groups Network
Faculty of Health and Behavioural Sciences
Affiliate of Centre for Research in Social Psychology (CRiSP)
Centre for Research in Social Psychology
Faculty of Health and Behavioural Sciences
Head of School
Faculty of Health and Behavioural Sciences
Jolanda Jetten
Jolanda Jetten