Relationships between Student Traits and Instructor Feedback Orientations

Abstract

This article reports findings of two studies exploring instructor feedback orientations. Study one examined relationships between Big Five personality traits and student feedback orientations. Study two examined relationships between academic traits and feedback orientations. Canonical correlations identified two significant functions for each study. Study one found that agreeable, conscientious, and open individuals were more likely and neurotic individuals less likely to view instructor feedback as useful and likely to be retained while being less sensitive to it. Study one also found conscientious and neurotic individuals more likely and extraverted individuals less likely to desire confidential feedback. Study two found entitled and grade-oriented individuals to be more sensitive to feedback and view feedback as less likely to be retained. Study two also found learning-oriented individuals less likely to desire confidential feedback and grade-oriented individuals more likely to do so.