Workplace Stress Flashcards
What were the procedures of Johansson et al’s research into workload and its effect on stress?
In a natural experiment, a high workload group of 14 ‘finishers’ were compared to a low workload group of 10 cleaners in a Swedish sawmill. The finisher’s job was machine paced, isolated, repetitive and highly skilled, where as the cleaners work was more varied, allowed for socialising and was self paced.
What were the findings of Johansson’s research?
When levels of adrenaline and noradrenaline were measured from the urine, it was found that the finishers secreted more adrenaline and noradrenaline on work days than on rest days, and that they had higher overall levels of stress hormones than cleaners. The finishers also showed higher levels of stress related illness such as headaches and higher levels of absenteeism than the cleaners, due to their high workload.
What were Johansson’s conclusions from her research?
She suggested that high workload led to chronic biological responses which in turn led to stress-related illness and absenteeism.
What are the strengths of Johansson’s research?
- Due to the use of a natural experiment, participants were not manipulated in any way, meaning that the research has high external validity, as it was conducted in a real factory using real factory workers, so it can be generalised to real life situations. As a result, the research can be applied in real life and used to reduce absenteeism and to explain how to deal with the negative consequences of stress in the workplace.
What are the limitations of Johansson’s research?
- Ignores individual personality types. Extraneous variables such as personality types cannot be controlled in a natural experiment. It may be that people who are ambitious, impatient and competitive (type A) are attracted to demanding and stressful jobs (e.g. finishers). Therefore, it may be their personality type rather than the job they do which may be the significant factor in their experience of stress and ill health.
What were the procedures of Marmot et al’s research into the effects of control on stress?
Marmot et al analysed 7000 London based government civil servants who were heart disease free at the beginning of a longitudinal study using a self-report questionnaire.
What were the findings of Marmot’s research?
After a 5 year follow up study, it was found that heart disease was 1.5 times the rate in low-level workers (where there is less control over job) than in the highest grade (more independent in deciding on their own work).
What were Marmot’s conclusions?
One of the most significant contributing factors in workplace stress is the degree of control a worker has.
What are the limitations of Marmot’s research?
- The population validity of the research may be questioned, as the sample only included civil servants. Even though both males and females were used, civil servants may be exposed to specific stressors related only to their field of work.
- Due to the use of self-report questionnaires, social desirability bias may have been a problem. Some psychologists have argued that interviews are a more effective way of getting the truth out of participants.
What are the strengths of Marmot’s research?
- Many other studies have supported Marmot’s research, such as Fox et al, who found that a combination of high workload and low control was related to high blood pressure in nurses.
