What grading practice undermines student progress and self-esteem through personal bias?

Grading with spite undermines student progress and self-esteem because it involves personal biases or negative emotions influencing how a student's work is evaluated. When an instructor allows their feelings towards a student to affect grading, it is not based on the student’s actual performance or improvement. This practice can lead to unfair evaluation, which can demotivate students and damage their confidence. Students might feel that their efforts are not recognized or valued, which can hinder their growth and willingness to take risks in their learning. By fostering an environment where grades reflect personal grudges instead of academic merit, instructors not only compromise the integrity of the grading process but also negatively impact student learning outcomes.