Conversation vs. Feedback — What's the Difference?
By Maham Liaqat & Fiza Rafique — Updated on April 16, 2024
Conversation is an interactive communication between two or more people where ideas and emotions are exchanged, whereas feedback is specific information given about the performance or behavior of others, intended to guide their future actions.
Difference Between Conversation and Feedback
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Key Differences
Conversation involves a back-and-forth exchange of information, ideas, or feelings between individuals, creating a mutual dialogue, whereas feedback is a more targeted communication where one party provides comments or criticisms about the actions or decisions of another.
In a conversation, participants equally contribute to the dialogue, sharing and responding in a fluid dynamic, while feedback typically involves a receiver and a giver, with the giver analyzing and advising based on observations or outcomes.
Conversations can occur informally or formally across various topics without a predefined goal, focusing on building relationships or sharing experiences, whereas feedback often has the specific aim of improving the recipient’s performance or behavior in personal, educational, or professional contexts.
The tone of a conversation can vary widely, from casual to serious, depending on the setting and relationship between the participants, while feedback generally maintains a constructive tone, aimed at being helpful and encouraging rather than merely critical.
Conversational skills are valuable for social interactions and building rapport among peers, whereas effective feedback skills are crucial in educational and professional environments, helping individuals to learn, grow, and align with expected standards.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
Exchange of ideas and emotions.
Specific information to guide future actions.
Participant Roles
Equal contributors.
One giver, one or more receivers.
Purpose
General interaction or relationship building.
Improvement of performance or behavior.
Formality
Varies (casual to formal).
Usually formal and constructive.
Outcome
Mutual understanding or enjoyment.
Enhanced skills or corrected behaviors.
Compare with Definitions
Conversation
A verbal interaction between two or more people.
They struck up a lively conversation during the dinner party.
Feedback
Often given in educational, work, or personal development settings.
During the review, she got constructive feedback from her supervisor.
Conversation
Involves exchanging thoughts, information, or feelings.
Their conversation ranged from politics to personal life stories.
Feedback
Aims to be constructive and guide future improvement.
The feedback focused on ways to enhance the effectiveness of his arguments.
Conversation
Aims for mutual communication and understanding.
Their conversation helped them understand each other’s perspectives better.
Feedback
Used to reinforce positive behaviors or correct negative ones.
The feedback from her coach was crucial in improving her tennis swing.
Conversation
Can be informal or formal.
The job interview began with a formal conversation about her qualifications.
Feedback
Requires clarity, specificity, and empathy from the giver.
Effective feedback must be clear and empathetic to be truly helpful.
Conversation
Requires active listening and speaking skills.
Good conversation requires careful listening as much as articulate speaking.
Feedback
Information provided about reactions to a product, a person's performance of a task, etc.
He received detailed feedback on his project presentation.
Conversation
Conversation is interactive communication between two or more people. The development of conversational skills and etiquette is an important part of socialization.
Feedback
Feedback occurs when outputs of a system are routed back as inputs as part of a chain of cause-and-effect that forms a circuit or loop. The system can then be said to feed back into itself.
Conversation
A talk, especially an informal one, between two or more people, in which news and ideas are exchanged
She picked up the phone and held a conversation in French
The two men were deep in conversation
Feedback
The return of a portion of the output of a process or system to the input, especially when used to maintain performance or to control a system or process.
Conversation
The exchange of thoughts and feelings by means of speech or sign language
Gifted in the art of conversation.
Feedback
The portion of the output so returned.
Conversation
An instance of this
Held a long conversation on the subject.
Feedback
Sound created when a transducer, such as a microphone or the pickup of an electric guitar, picks up sound from a speaker connected to an amplifier and regenerates it back through the amplifier.
Conversation
Expression and exchange of individual ideas through talking with other people; also, a set instance or occasion of such talking.
I had an interesting conversation with Nicolas yesterday about how much he's getting paid.
Feedback
The return of information about the result of a process or activity; evaluative response
Asked the students for feedback on the new curriculum.
Conversation
(fencing) The back-and-forth play of the blades in a bout.
Feedback
The process by which a system, often biological or ecological, is modulated, controlled, or changed by the product, output, or response it produces.
Conversation
The protocol-based interaction between systems processing a transaction.
Feedback
Critical assessment of a process or activity or of their results.
After you hand in your essays, I will give both grades and feedback.
Conversation
(obsolete) Interaction; commerce or intercourse with other people; dealing with others.
Feedback
The part of an output signal that is looped back into the input to control or modify a system.
Conversation
(archaic) Behaviour, the way one conducts oneself; a person's way of life.
Feedback
The high-pitched howling noise heard when there is a loop between a microphone and a speaker.
Conversation
(obsolete) Engagement with a specific subject, idea, field of study etc.
Feedback
(music) To generate the high-frequency sound by allowing a speaker to cause vibration of the sound generator of a musical instrument connected by an amplifier to the speaker.
The show ended with a riot of feedbacking guitars.
Conversation
To engage in conversation (with).
Feedback
(transitive) To provide informational feedback to.
His employees feedbacked him a lot more than he wanted.
Conversation
General course of conduct; behavior.
Let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel.
Feedback
(transitive) To convey by means of specialized communications channel.
Customers feedbacked their complaints and some praise.
Conversation
Familiar intercourse; intimate fellowship or association; close acquaintance.
I set down, out of long experience in business and much conversation in books, what I thought pertinent to this business.
Feedback
The process in which part of the output of a system is returned to its input.
Conversation
Commerce; intercourse; traffic.
All traffic and mutual conversation.
Feedback
Response to an inquiry or experiment.
Conversation
Colloquial discourse; oral interchange of sentiments and observations; informal dialogue.
The influence exercised by his [Johnson's] conversation was altogether without a parallel.
Feedback
The process in which part of the output of a system is returned to its input in order to regulate its further output
Conversation
The use of speech for informal exchange of views or ideas or information etc.
Feedback
Response to an inquiry or experiment
Common Curiosities
What are key qualities of effective feedback?
Effective feedback should be specific, actionable, and delivered in a constructive manner that focuses on improvement rather than criticism.
What is the main purpose of a conversation?
The main purpose of a conversation is to exchange information, share emotions, and build relationships between participants.
How does feedback differ from general advice?
Feedback is specific to particular behaviors or performances and is intended to guide future actions, whereas general advice may be broader and not tied to specific actions.
Are there different types of feedback?
Yes, feedback can be formative, summative, constructive, or destructive, each serving different purposes and contexts.
How can one improve their conversational skills?
Improving conversational skills can be achieved by practicing active listening, showing genuine interest in the dialogue, and being mindful of verbal and non-verbal cues.
Can a conversation include feedback?
Yes, feedback can be part of a conversation, especially in contexts where discussing performance improvements is necessary.
Why is active listening important in conversations?
Active listening ensures that all parties feel heard and understood, which is crucial for meaningful and productive conversations.
What is the role of empathy in giving feedback?
Empathy helps the giver deliver feedback in a way that respects the recipient's feelings and perspectives, enhancing the likelihood of positive reception and action.
How does the setting affect the nature of a conversation?
The setting can dictate the formality and tone of the conversation, influencing how freely participants express themselves.
What are the potential outcomes of effective feedback?
Effective feedback can lead to improved skills, corrected behaviors, and enhanced personal or professional growth.
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Written by
Maham Liaqat
Co-written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
