Introduction
Feedback in communication refers to the process of providing information or responses about a message or communication to the sender. It is an essential element in effective communication as it ensures that the intended message has been understood by the receiver in the way that the sender intended it (Pen Acclaims, 2018). In communication, feedback can be both verbal and nonverbal. Verbal feedback is the response given by the receiver in words, while nonverbal feedback is conveyed through body language, facial expressions, and tone of voice. Both forms of feedback are important in conveying the message accurately.
Feedback can be either positive or negative. Positive feedback is given to reinforce the desired behavior or message, while negative feedback is given to correct or redirect behavior or message that may be inappropriate or incorrect. It is essential to provide feedback constructively, with the intention of improving communication rather than criticizing the person (Hattie & Timperley, 2007).
The importance of feedback in interaction cannot be overstated. It helps to ensure that the message is clearly understood, enables the sender to modify their message if needed, and provides an opportunity for the receiver to clarify any misunderstandings. Feedback also helps to build trust and strengthens relationships between the sender and receiver (Pen Acclaims, 2018).
FEEDBACK AND FEEDFORWARD IN COMMUNICATION
In communication, feedback and feedforward play important roles in improving the quality of interactions between individuals. Feedback in communication refers to the process of providing information to the speaker about the effectiveness of their message. It can be both verbal and nonverbal and may involve elements such as tone of voice, body language, and content. Feedback helps the speaker to adjust their message and delivery in response to the listener’s reactions, improving the effectiveness of the communication.
Feedforward in communication is similar to feedback but focuses on future communication rather than past performance. It involves giving the speaker specific suggestions for improving their communication skills in the future. Feedforward can include advice on improving tone of voice, body language, word choice, or overall communication strategies. It helps the speaker to identify areas for improvement and gives them actionable steps to take in order to improve their communication skills.
Both feedback and feedforward are essential in communication because they help individuals to improve their skills and achieve better outcomes in their interactions. Effective communication requires a combination of both skills, as feedback provides insight into the effectiveness of past communication, while feedforward provides a roadmap for improving future interactions. By incorporating feedback and feedforward into their communication strategies, individuals can become more effective communicators and build stronger relationships with others.
Below are the type of feedback according to (Shute, 2008).
Positive Feedback: It focuses on reinforcing and encouraging good performance or behavior. Positive feedback is used to motivate, reward, and reinforce positive behaviors.
Negative Feedback: It is used to correct or improve poor performance or behavior. Negative feedback focuses on identifying areas for improvement and helping individuals to correct their mistakes.
Neutral Feedback: It does not have any value judgment attached to it. Neutral feedback provides information without any positive or negative connotation.
BENEFITS OF FEEDBACK (Important 1)
Benefits of feedback in every communication including in the media are: (Carver & Scheier, 2018).
Enhances Performance: Feedback helps individuals to identify their strengths and weaknesses, which allows them to focus on improving their performance.
Encourages Learning: Feedback provides individuals with new information, knowledge, and skills that can be used to enhance their learning and development.
Facilitates Communication: Feedback helps to improve communication by providing a platform for individuals to express their opinions, ideas, and concerns.
Improves Relationships: Feedback can improve relationships by promoting open communication, honesty, and trust between individuals.
Promotes Self-Awareness: Feedback helps individuals to become more self-aware of their strengths, weaknesses, and areas for improvement.
Important of Feedback in Communication (2)
Feedback is an essential component of effective communication. It refers to the response or reaction that a person provides to the sender of a message. Feedback helps in verifying whether the message has been correctly received and interpreted by the recipient, and whether it has achieved its intended purpose. Here are some reasons why feedback is important in communication as highlighted by (Ashford & Cummings, 2013).
Clarification: Feedback provides an opportunity for the sender to clarify any misunderstandings or misconceptions that the recipient may have about the message.
Improvement: Feedback helps in identifying areas where the message could be improved, such as in the choice of language or the use of examples.
Motivation: Feedback, when delivered constructively, can be a powerful motivator, as it acknowledges the recipient’s efforts and highlights areas of strength.
Engagement: Feedback creates a sense of engagement and involvement between the sender and recipient, as it encourages an ongoing dialogue and fosters a sense of collaboration.
Effectiveness: Feedback helps in ensuring that the message is effective, as it provides an opportunity for the sender to receive input on how the message can be refined and improved.
Overall, feedback is critical in communication because it enables both the sender and recipient to better understand each other’s perspectives, leading to clearer, more effective communication.
Negative Effect of Communication without Feedback
The absence of feedback in communication can have several negative effects, including the following as put by (Kluger & DeNisi, 2016)
Misunderstandings: Without feedback, it can be challenging to know whether the message has been correctly received and understood. This can lead to misunderstandings and misinterpretations of the message.
Lack of clarity: When feedback is absent, the communicator may not know whether their message was clear or not. As a result, they may not adjust their message to make it clearer, which can lead to confusion and a lack of clarity.
Inefficiency: If feedback is not given, the sender may not know whether their message was received or acted upon, which can lead to unnecessary repetition or follow-up communication, wasting time and resources.
Frustration: The lack of feedback can cause frustration and a sense of being ignored or not heard, leading to negative emotions and a breakdown in communication.
Reduced trust: When feedback is absent, it can create a sense of mistrust and uncertainty, as the sender may not know whether their message has been received or acted upon. This can lead to a breakdown in relationships and trust between individuals or groups.
In summary, feedback is essential in communication as it helps to ensure that messages are received, understood, and acted upon correctly. The absence of feedback can lead to several negative effects that can hinder effective communication and lead to a breakdown in relationships and trust.
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