The Influence Of Evaluation Sensitivity On Advice-taking

This study is aimed to explore the influence of evaluation sensitivity on advice-taking. The evaluation divides into two types, one is positive evaluation, and another is negative evaluation. The perception of judgers of the decision situation will affect the extent of advice-taking. And fear of evaluation is a kind of subjective perception. The study has two parts. Study 1 discusses the different reaction when people have high evaluation sensitivity confront different evaluation situation. Study 2 explores the effect of evaluation sensitivity on advice-taking. In the study 1, 102 subjects are divided into two groups and the mixed design is 3(situation) × 2(evaluation). The evaluation is a within group variable. One group receives the competitive interpersonal situation and the other one receives noncompetitive interpersonal situation. In addition, noncompetitive interpersonal situation contains comparable and incomparable situation. Then we measure the level of subjects’ unpleasantness of both evaluation, fear of positive evaluation and fear of negative evaluation. In the study 2, 110 subjects receive the same situation manipulation. Then they receive the judge task and the advice. In summary, when individuals have high evaluation sensitivity come into contact with competitive interpersonal situation, they will feel more unpleasant about positive evaluation, and prefer to refuse the right advice to avoid performing outstandingly. When individuals have high evaluation sensitivity come into noncompetitive interpersonal situation, they will feel more unpleasant about negative evaluation and more likely to take the uncertain advice. This study applies the theory of fear of evaluation to practice and makes innovations to combine it with study of advice-taking.