A communication process cannot be just transmit and receive.

It has to have feedback so that the transmitter knows the feeling or reply from the receiver. Feedback is a mechanism, process or signal that is looped back to control a system within itself. Such a loop is called a feedback loop. In systems containing an input and output, feeding back part of the output so as to increase the input is positive feedback; feeding back part of the output in such a way as to partially oppose the input is negative feedback. Negative feedback helps to maintain stability in a system in spite of external changes. For example, in a population of foxes (predators) and rabbits (prey), an increase in the number of foxes will cause a reduction in the number of rabbits; the smaller rabbit population will sustain fewer foxes, and the fox population will fall back. In an electric amplifier feeding back a negative copy of the output to the input will tend to cancel distortion making the output a more accurate replica of the input signal. Positive feedback amplifies possibilities of divergences (evolution, change of goals). For example, we transmit a message that a Seminar is to be held at a certain date to all of our department members and then we get messages from our members that the date is most suitable and that every one of them are available on that particular date. A situation where we require no feedbacks at all would be the passing of Law in our country. Once our Parliament announces a Law, it has to be followed whether the citizens like it or not. If the disgruntled citizen intentionally breaks the Law, he or she will be punished in Court.

Consider a time when you were highly motivated to do your best at something (such as a task, a project, a job, a course). Based on the theories discussed in this chapter, analyze what made you feel that way. Would the same motivation affect you in a different situation?

There was this time where our company-wide Small Group Activity event was having a challenge per Division and later Company-wide. I was in our Training Centre team as one of the speaker / presenter. I was so motivated to train hard, learn new words and learn presentation skills as per McClellands Theory of Needs in his third area

called the Need for Achievement (nAch) in which I was driven by the challenge of success and the fear of failure. My need for achievement is moderate and I set for myselve moderately difficult tasks. In this case I am analytical in nature and take calculated risks. As said by McClelland, such people are motivated to perform when they see at least some chances of success, which best decribes my motivation at that time. This same Need for Achievement would surely affect me in different situations as I am that kind of person who are very motivated by success in a particular challenge or job.