The ionospheric feedback instability is discussed by using the conductivity argument. We give an exact quantitative description to show that the free energy for this instability comes from the reduction of the Joule dissipation produced by the pre-existing convection electric field through self-consistent changes in ionization and conducactive ionosphere is pumped into the magnetosphere, wlich is contrary to the usual case whereby energy carried electron E × B drift. The electron conductivity is controlled by the ion Perdersen conductivity rather than by the electrons Pedersen conductivity. We also provide a qualitative theoretical explanation to the intense aurora favoured by a lower ambient ionospheric conductivity in the ionospheric feedback instability.