Creative Self-efficacy and Feedback: The Effects of Positive and Negative Evaluations from Superiors and Peers

Abstract

The following study investigated the effects of feedback on creative self-efficacy. Specifically, this study examined how positive and negative evaluations from superiors and peers influence one’s level of creative self-efficacy. To measure these effects, an electronic survey was administered to a sample of 149 undergraduate students attending a small Midwestern University who were pursuing degrees in the fine arts. Students’ levels of creative self-efficacy were measured at the beginning of the survey and after they were exposed to a hypothetical high stakes vignette that asked them to imagine that a superior or peer provided them with positive or negative feedback. The results of this study indicated that only negative feedback provided by superiors significantly decreased creative self-efficacy. This study also revealed insights that feedback provided by superiors may be more impactful than feedback provided by peers but further research is needed. Study limitations and recommendations for future research are also discussed.