Self-Kindness in the Face of Criticism: Self-Compassion Influences Undergraduates' Perceptions of Constructive Feedback

• In Event: 25.067 - Roundtable Session 7
  In Roundtable Session: 25.067-16 - Thoughtfulness, Mindfulness, and Wellness

Abstract

Receiving constructive criticism, critical feedback accompanied by recognition of positive aspects, is complex due to the interplay of emotional and motivational processes undergraduates may experience. What may help buffer negative affective responses to feedback is self-compassion, a self-attitude characterized by the ability to experience self-kindness and care when experiencing personal challenges. Feedback statements reflecting four levels of constructiveness were submitted to students asking them to rate the constructiveness of each statement. Students also responded to two subscales of a self-compassion measure, dimensions chosen to be most relevant to the experience of receiving constructive feedback. Students high in self-kindness and low self-judgment rated the least constructive statements as more constructive than did students low in self-kindness and high in self-judgment, respectively

Authors

• Zachary H. Williamson, The University of Texas - Austin

• Carlton J. Fong, Texas State University

• Shengjie Lin, The University of Texas - Austin

• Kyle M. Williams, The University of Texas at Austin

• Youngwon Kim, University of Washington - Seattle

• Diane L. Schallert, The University of Texas - Austin