Workplace Stress

Question 1

Aim of Johansson (1978) Swedish saw mill workers

Answer 1

To investigate the psychological effects of workers in a high demand environment vs a low demand enviroment

Question 2

Procedure of Johansson (1978) Swedish saw mill workers

Answer 2

Compared two very different groups of workers. One group were ‘finishers’ whose job was to prepare timber. Other were cleaners. Took their urine, once before leaving home and then at work three times a day. Urine of both groups were compared.

Question 3

Findings of Johansson (1978) Swedish saw mill workers

Answer 3

Found a higher level of stress hormones in the finishers group than cleaners. Overall finishers hormone levels increased throughout the day. Adrenaline and noradrenaline were measured.

Question 4

Aim of Marmot (1997) The Whitehall studies

Answer 4

To investigate the relationship between job control, workload and health outcomes, focusing on coronary heart disease

Question 5

Procedure of Marmot (1997) The Whitehall studies

Answer 5

Study used a detailed questionnaire to measure various aspects of workload and job control. Participants were also examined for symptoms of coronary heart disease, and followed up 5 years later.

Question 6

Findings of Marmot (1997) The Whitehall studies

Answer 6

No correlation between workload and illness. However employees who had low job control at start of study were more likely to have CHD five years later.

Question 7

What is the Hawthorne effect

Answer 7

Hawthorne effect will cause individuals to work harder/be more efficient at work as they know they are being observed. Therefore this will not portray true day to day work.