Feedback: The Communication of Praise, Criticism, and Advice (Language as Social Action)

This is the first book devoted to the multidisciplinary study of feedback. It presents a comprehensive, evidence-based review of the make-or-break factors that determine the efficacy of criticism, praise, and advice. Its sections deal with fundamental processes of feedback; the problems associated with delivering feedback across social divides such as race; feedback in organizational settings; feedback in the helping professions; and feedback in personal relationships. With engaging and accessible contributions from leading scholars in communication, management, and social, clinical, and educational psychology, the editors conclude with an insightful synthesis of the chapters, extracting how-to principles of feedback that apply across environments and circumstances. A landmark in the study of feedback, the book stakes a claim for the recognition of the topic as a field of enquiry in its own right. Feedback will appeal to scholars and practitioners as a comprehensive review of the state of play in this field; it is also appropriate for use as a text for students in a range of disciplines including communication, psychology, management, health sciences, and counseling.

Robbie M. Sutton, PhD, is Reader in Psychology at the University of Kent, England. He has published widely on the social psychology of language and communication, justice, attributions, and gender.
Matthew J. Hornsey, PhD, is Professor of Social Psychology at the University of Queensland, Australia. He has over 70 publications focusing on intergroup relations, identity threat, criticism, dissent, collective forgiveness, and the tension between individual and group will.
Karen M. Douglas, PhD, is Reader in Psychology at the University of Kent, England. She has published widely on the strategic use of language, computer-mediated communication, persuasion, and conspiracy theories.