Feedback is an important component in the pursuit of successful pedagogical outcomes. However, feedback is only useful if properly integrated by students. In the present study, we explored a potential determinant of feedback receptivity via the individual differences of grandiose and vulnerable narcissism. Participants (N = 462) completed the Narcissistic Grandiosity Scale (NGS), Narcissistic Vulnerability Scale (NVS), and a number series task. After completing the number series task, participants were given bogus feedback that was either positive-indicating they had performed better than 90% of people-or negative-indicating they had performed worse than 90% of people. We hypothesized that 1) the effect of positive feedback on self-efficacy would be greater for individuals with higher scores of grandiose narcissism, 2) the effect of negative feedback on self-efficacy would be lower for individuals with higher scores of grandiose narcissism, 3) the effect of positive feedback on self-efficacy would be greater for individuals with higher scores of vulnerable narcissism, and 4) the effect of negative feedback on self-efficacy would be greater for individuals with higher scores of vulnerable narcissism. Contrary to the study’s hypotheses, a participant’s levels of grandiose and vulnerable narcissism did not moderate the effect of feedback on the participant’s self-efficacy beliefs. However, the participant’s level of grandiose narcissism did moderate the effect of feedback on the perception of the empirical quality of the scale. Specifically, participants high in grandiose narcissism were more likely to rate the task as valid and reliable when they received positive feedback and less likely to rate the task as valid and reliable when they received negative feedback. This indicates that personality may affect the impact of feedback on how people view assessment tools but not how they re-evaluate their self-perceptions of their abilities to perform well on those tools. Limitations, implications, and future directions are discussed.
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