Which type of feedback is designed to change learner behavior without contributing to achieving the intended outcome?

Which type of feedback is designed to change learner behavior without contributing to achieving the intended outcome?

• A. Constructive feedback
• B. Positive reinforcement
• C. Summative feedback
• D. Directive feedback

Answer: (D)

Feedback that aims to directly steer how someone acts in the moment without helping them learn how to reach the goal is directive feedback. It gives explicit instructions on exactly what to do, often focusing on compliance rather than on understanding why the action is correct or how to apply it in different situations. While this can produce immediate changes in behavior, it doesn’t build the learner’s capability to achieve the intended outcome independently or adapt to new scenarios. Constructive feedback, by contrast, identifies specific performance gaps and offers actionable steps tied to the goal, helping the learner improve toward the outcome. Positive reinforcement uses rewards to strengthen desirable behavior, supporting motivation to meet the objective. Summative feedback evaluates whether the outcome was achieved after the fact, informing overall achievement rather than guiding ongoing behavior. So the description matches directive feedback: it changes behavior but doesn’t inherently advance toward the intended outcome.

Feedback that aims to directly steer how someone acts in the moment without helping them learn how to reach the goal is directive feedback. It gives explicit instructions on exactly what to do, often focusing on compliance rather than on understanding why the action is correct or how to apply it in different situations. While this can produce immediate changes in behavior, it doesn’t build the learner’s capability to achieve the intended outcome independently or adapt to new scenarios.

Constructive feedback, by contrast, identifies specific performance gaps and offers actionable steps tied to the goal, helping the learner improve toward the outcome. Positive reinforcement uses rewards to strengthen desirable behavior, supporting motivation to meet the objective. Summative feedback evaluates whether the outcome was achieved after the fact, informing overall achievement rather than guiding ongoing behavior.

So the description matches directive feedback: it changes behavior but doesn’t inherently advance toward the intended outcome.