Introductory psychologyLesson 1 of 4 in the course Stress and Well Being

Work Adjustment Difficulties, Workplace Stress, and Stress Responses

5 flashcards · 5 quiz questions · 5 match pairs · 4 fill-in sentences · English

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Summary

This lesson introduces problems of adjusting to work and W. S. Neff’s five patterns of difficulty. Recognizing these patterns helps managers respond thoughtfully rather than assuming that every difficulty reflects laziness or a lack of ability.

Work adjustment refers to how a person responds to the demands, expectations, and routines of a job. Neff described five broad patterns of difficulty, each representing a different way a person may struggle with the work role.

All flashcards

What five patterns of work adjustment difficulty did W. S. Neff describe?
Lack of motivation, fear or anxiety, hostility or aggression, dependency, and social naïveté.
How do stress and strain differ?
Stress is a physical and emotional reaction to potentially threatening demands; strain is harm or an adverse effect that may result.
How can stress arise from workplace conditions?
Conditions such as excessive noise, too much or too little responsibility, or too much or too little work can contribute to stress.
What are the three stages of the general adaptation syndrome?
Alarm, resistance, and exhaustion.
How do frustration and anxiety differ?
Frustration concerns an obstacle blocking goal-directed action; anxiety concerns anticipated harm and feeling unable to cope.

Quiz questions

  1. In Neff’s framework, which pattern is characterized by open hostility and aggressive behavior?Answer: Type III
  2. In the general adaptation syndrome, which stage begins as the body prepares to respond to a stressor?Answer: Alarm
  3. What may occur when prolonged stress depletes the body’s capacity to adapt?Answer: Stress-related illness may develop.
  4. Which organizational condition is identified as a possible contributor to anxiety?Answer: Job ambiguity combined with pressure
  5. What can moderate stress sometimes support?Answer: Alertness and motivation

Based on Organizational Behavior by J. Stewart Black, David S. Bright, Donald G. Gardner, Eva Hartmann, Jason Lambert, Laura M. Leduc, Joy Leopold, James S. O’Rourke, Jon L. Pierce, Richard M. Steers, Siri Terjesen, Joseph Weiss (OpenStax), licensed CC BY 4.0. Adapted into a summary, flashcards and quizzes.

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