Criticism is the act of judging or pointing out the good and bad parts of something, such as a work, idea, or behavior. It can be helpful and thoughtful, or harsh and hurtful, depending on how it is done.
From Greek *kritikos* “able to judge” and *kritēs* “judge,” through Latin and French into English. It originally referred to the detailed study and evaluation of literature and art.
We usually hear ‘criticism’ and think ‘insult,’ but in academic fields, criticism is a sign of respect—it means your work is worth serious thought. The danger is that our brains remember negative criticism much more strongly than praise, which can easily distort our self-image.
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