Human Factors Psychology

Question 1

Human Factors Psychology

Answer 1

Human Factors Psychology

concerns with the effects of the work enviornment and work conditions on worker productivity, safety and quality of life

Question 2

Yerkes-Dodson Law

Answer 2

Yerkes-Dodson Law

Predicts that the relationship between level of arousal and performance is described by an inverted-U shape.

1. moderate levels of arousal being associated with best performance.
2. Optimal level of arousal is affected by task difficulty:
   
   1. easy tasks: optimal arousal is higher
   2. difficult tasks: optimal arousal level is somewhat lower
3. Fatigue is one of the main causes of reduced arousal
   
   1. physical/mental fatigue have many adverse consequences
   2. good employee selection, training workers in efficient job procedures, and providing rest breaks all help reduce fatigue.
   3. Rest Breaks: best if empirically determined (4th and 8th hour), and frequent short breaks are better than longer, less frequent ones.

Question 3

STRESS

Answer 3

high levels of stress have lots of negative physcial and psychological consequences.

1. reduce job productivity but also linked to increased sabotage, absenteeism, and turnover, reduced job satisfaction.

Question 4

Demand-Control Model

Karasek’s Job Strain Model

Answer 4

Karasek’s Demand-Control (job strain) Model;

identifies job demand and job control as the primary contributors to job stress.

1. **Job Demand: **requirements of the job in terms of workload, time pressures, and responsibility
2. **Job Control: **decision latitude and refers to a worker’s autonomy and discretion for using different skills.
3. High job demand and low job control: most stress and poorest physical/mental outcomes and job performance/satisfaction (factory workers, service jobs like cooks, operators, nurse’s aides).

However, the number one stressor are events related to marriage. Then daily hassles are actually stronger negative impact on health than stress due to traumatic events.

Question 5

Job Burnout

Answer 5

Job Burnout: caused by accumulated stress associated with overwork. Low personal accomplishment, depersonalization and emotional exhaustion.

1. early sign of burnout: sudden increase in work effort and hourse w/o an increase in productivity.
2. Most at risk: workers that are inflexible about work rules and procedures and are unable to identify alternative solutions to the problems they encounter. Feel efforts are useless, ineffective, unappreciated and opportunity for advancement are limited.
3. more at risk with jobs that require frequent contact with people needing help, supervisor is seen as being low in consideration, and the job presents overwhelming demands and time pressures.

Question 6

Work-Family Conflict

Answer 6

WORK-Family Conflicts

Role demands of career and family are incompatible because work interferes with the family and/or family activites and responsibilities interfere with work.

Associated with many negative consequences for psychology and physical health.

Gender Differences: Women more W-F conflict due to family expectations but men have more W-F conflict due to work expectations.

Ways to reduce W-F conflict: flexible work hours, daycare centers, and parental leave programs.

Question 7

Work-Family Enrichment

Work-family Enhancement

Positive Spillover

Answer 7

Work Family

1. The research says: assuming multiple roles also has positive effects!
2. Women: working outside of the home has benefits to increase family income, access to social support, buffer against stress and conflicts at home and enhances self-esteem.