Stress, Workload & Control
Psychology: AQA A Level, topic 14.1.6
Introduction to Stress, Workload and Control
There are five different factors that contribute to stress at work.
Pressures at work
- E.g. Having a heavy workload.
- E.g. Having tight deadlines.
Little or lacking control
- Not having control over:
- Where you work.
- When you work.
- The kind of work you do.
- The amount of work you do.
Physical workplace
- Excessive noise, temperature and overcrowding can contribute to work stress.
- Aspects of work like working unsociable hours or undertaking work with risks to health can contribute to stress.
Role-related stresses
- Concerns over job security and progression can lead to stress.
- Workplace conflict over things like responsibilities and hierarchy can also lead to stress.
Workplace relationships
- Relationships with other colleagues, clients and managers can contribute to stress, especially if an employee feels undersupported or valued.
Studies of Stress, Workload and Control
The specific stressors for different occupations are diverse but share common factors.
Karasek (1979)
- Karasek (1979) proposed that the two key factors that influence workplace stress are workload and control. This is known as the job demand control model.
- This model stipulates that an individual’s level of control over their work is the most important factor.
- By this reasoning, two people could have the same workload, but one may be more stressed than the other because they have little control over it.
Bosma et al. (1997)
- Bosma et al. (1997) conducted a study where they asked 10,000 civil servants about their workload, control levels and measured stress-related illness.
- They found no relationship between illness and workload, but a large negative correlation between control over work (decreasing) and illness (increasing).
Evaluation of Bosma et al. (1997)
- It has been suggested that the opposite may be true - that having more control is actually more stressful, and that this is mediated by a person’s perception of how able they are to complete a task.
- There was little control of confounding variables in this study, and there are many other factors that influence working life and stress that are not included in this model.
Frankenhaeuser (1975) - Sawmill Workers Study
Frankenhaeuser (1975) conducted an experiment on workers at a sawmill.
Method
- Frankenhaeuser split the workers into two groups and had them complete two different tasks.
- One task was very isolated. The group had to put logs into a loud machine. The machine speed controlled this.
- The other task offered more control over workload and more social interaction.
Results
- Urine samples and blood pressure were taken.
- The researchers found that stress hormone levels were higher in individuals with less control.
Evaluation
- This study suggests that little control over work and little social contact can lead to stress.
- Pros:
- This study was conducted in the field. So ecological validity is high.
- Cons:
- The study doesn’t consider individual differences relating to stress susceptibility. There may have been other factors not accounted for that influenced stress.
Test yourself on Stress, Workload & Control
What kind of workplace relationships can lead to stress?
What year did Karasek propose the job demand control model?
What are some drawbacks of Bosma et al.'s (1997) study?
Frankenhauser's (1975) Experimental Method
In which year did Frankenhauser conduct her saw mill workers study?