7 differences between Constructive and Destructive Criticism

All of us at different times in our lives face comments or criticism from third parties. Receiving opinions from other people is a fundamental aspect of life in society and of human communication; We cannot change or modify the way other people think about us, but we can learn to face these criticisms in an appropriate way so that it does not endanger our self-esteem.

Normally, a distinction is made between constructive criticism and constructive criticism to the extent that the former have the intention of improving and promoting the motivation to improve, while the latter only have the objective of hurting and destroying those behaviors, attitudes or products that are being criticizing. It's important to set healthy boundaries with the people we interact with to promote constructive criticism over destructive criticism.

In this article we are going to discuss 7 differences between constructive and destructive criticism, highlighting the importance of receiving, accepting or refuting constructive criticism, and delimiting criticism destructive that we may face to prevent them from having a significant impact harmful.

What is a review?

A critique has been defined as an analysis or judgment about a situation, a person or a job. In general, criticisms refer to judgments that can be objective or subjective. In objective criticism, an evaluation is issued with objective criteria on a report, task or topic determined, while in subjective criticism opinions are expressed that convey a point of view in concrete. Many times, it can be very difficult to digest criticism, either because you have a high need to approval, having a lot of insecurities or believing that everything other people tell you is real and true. It is important to learn to adjust criticism and try to make a role change in relation to our attitude or behavior. You must also show empathy for the opinions of others and value the behavior of family or friends towards you.

But, what happens when the purpose of a criticism is exclusively to hurt or damage? This is what destructive criticism refers to, they only seek to harm, whether due to insecurities of the person criticizing, envy or personality-related issues. In these cases, the most important thing is to keep in mind that the harmful opinions that other people have about you is their problem, not yours. We will never be able to control what others think, but you can be in control of how these types of comments affect you.

It is very important to define healthy limits with the people around us to try that, instead of criticizing destructive, the constructive prevail, and that sharing opinions is an opportunity to grow and learn for all. This is what we are talking about when we mention constructive criticism; comments or observations They help us to realize mistakes or ways to improve something, without being designed to harm us if not issued with the aim of taking into account the opinion of someone who may be important to us or to the behavior or action that is the object of criticism.

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Differences between constructive criticism and destructive criticism

Having delimited the general conception of constructive and destructive criticism, it is time to list differential elements that make this type of criticism easier to distinguish and elaborate in our inside. Next, we propose a list of significant differences between constructive criticism and destructive, so that it is easier to identify them and delimit the impact they have on our well-being and self-esteem.

1. Intention

As previously mentioned, constructive criticism is issued with the main intention of improve, to take into consideration the opinion of an important person for us or in the field of criticized. On the contrary, destructive criticism is issued with the main objective of destroying or damaging the self-esteem of the people who are criticized. They start from envy, insecurities or personal problems that are projected by revealing these comments or observations. They do not provide any alternative or other way of seeing things, they only demotivate or discourage the criticized person.

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2. Focus on the problem

In relation to the above, constructive criticism focuses on identifying what problems there may be in what criticized, providing specific areas for improvement and solutions or suggestions to resolve these possible mistakes. However, a destructive criticism focuses on highlighting the errors and defects and does not offer alternatives or ideas to solve them. As has been commented on intentionality, its objective is to harm and for the criticized person to stop doing what has been criticized; they are not looking for you to improve this aptitude or behavior, but rather to abandon it completely.

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3. Voice tone

Constructive criticism is typically conveyed in a respectful and considerate manner in speech, using a friendly and empathetic tone of voice. Conversely, destructive criticism tends to be primarily dismissive, aggressive, sarcastic, or passive-aggressive, generating animosity and resentment. This form of communication has a negative impact on self-esteem and the trust we place in other people, in addition to influencing us when accepting other criticisms or comments from third parties people.

4. Orientation toward the person or act

Constructive criticism is focused on the act or behavior that is being criticized, looking for improvements or different ways of acting, avoiding attacking or judging the person as a whole. Destructive criticism, by contrast, is subjectively directed at the person, making negative comments about her personal worth or abilities and creating the feeling that this simple behavior or action represents the person as a whole.

5. Focus on growth

As previously mentioned, constructive criticism will always seek to build, focusing on the growth of the criticized person and in their personal, emotional or professional development, for putting examples. Seeks to help the person or project to improve to reach its full potential. However, destructive criticism seeks to undermine confidence and discourage progress or motivation.

6. Presentation of alternatives

Constructive criticism usually includes suggestions or specific alternatives to the criticized behavior, helping to solve the problems indicated.. However, destructive criticism tends to limit itself to highlighting the negative aspects without offering ideas or practical solutions. Normally, the person who issues destructive criticism has no interest in the criticized person changing what has been criticized; he wants this person to continue doing it "badly", whether it is due to his personal satisfaction, his envy or a whole set of psychological-emotional variables that represent this person's insecurity.

7. reception and affection

In general, constructive criticism is usually better received, since it is perceived as an opportunity to learn and improve. You can strengthen relationships and create an environment of trust and growth. Normally, issuing constructive criticism strengthens the bonds between people, encourages trust and makes it easier and possible to trust the other person for the future and for new critics. Instead, destructive criticism often has a negative impact, damaging relationships and demotivating people, resulting in stagnation or decline in performance. These are very complex for the establishment of bonding, because on many occasions, a person who constantly emits this This type of criticism can be so harmful that it becomes a toxic person for us, it is difficult to get out of this relationship.

Conclusion

In conclusion, as has been discussed since the beginning of this article, criticism will always be present in our social life and in establishing relationships with other people. For this reason, it is important to adjust and adapt to them, prepare a role change that accepts and provides feedback instead of systematically rejecting it. It is logical to think that it is not always easy to accept criticism, especially when it is not issued in a constructive way, but destructive. From here, we recommend establishing healthy limits with the people around us to maximize the establishment of constructive criticism and modify destructive ones. The only efficient way to do this is through open and assertive communication.

Although it is difficult, it is important to be empathetic and compassionate with a person who only emits destructive criticism; You may be going through bad times or have problems with jealousy or insecurities. Therefore, the impact that this type of criticism may be having on you must be communicated in a positive way, establishing the limit that, in case of not looking for a criticism that can improve what is criticized, you prefer not to receive it. Remember to lean on the constructive opinions and try to avoid that the destructive ones produce the rejection of those positive comments. It is important to think that one way to reduce the destructive criticism we receive is by issuing constructive criticism; we can also motivate other people to improve.