Investigating criticism at the workplace: The effect of group membership and content of criticism on defensiveness, specificity and constructiveness.

Abstract

In this mixed method study, data from a previous study was coded and analysed to investigate criticism at the workplace on morality vs. competence by both in-group and out group members. The study examined the content of criticism and group memberships at work and the effect on defensiveness towards, and the specificity and constructiveness of the criticism. The qualitative findings demonstrate different criticism experiences, group memberships at the workplace and reactions towards the criticism by in-group and out-group members on their morality vs. competence. Quantitative analyses showed that criticism from in-group members was more specific compared to criticism from out-group members and participants reacted more defensive towards criticism from out-group members than towards criticism from in-group members. The results of this study contribute to previous literature and could help develop feedback and communication training for companies.