Introductory psychologyLesson 3 of 4 in the course Stress and Well Being

Work-Related Stress: Buffers, Health Effects, Coping, and Burnout

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

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Summary

Stressors do not affect everyone in the same way. This lesson introduces two factors that can weaken the effects of work-related stress: social support and hardiness.

Social support is the extent to which people feel that coworkers can be trusted, care about their welfare, respect them, and regard them positively. Support helps employees feel less alone when they face difficult demands. Knowing that others are willing to help can reduce the perceived severity of a stressor and soften its negative effects.

All flashcards

What is social support?
The sense that others care, show respect, can be trusted, and are willing to help.
What is an always-on work culture?
A pattern in which employees feel expected to remain reachable or work outside regular hours.
What is burnout?
Exhaustion that can develop when pressure to perform is high and sources of satisfaction are too few.
What is sabotage in a workplace?
Deliberate damage to or interference with work, equipment, or products.
How can moderate stress affect job performance?
A manageable demand may stimulate effort, attention, or creative problem-solving.

Quiz questions

  1. In the inverted J-curve account of stress and performance, what can happen when stress becomes high?Answer: Performance may fall as stress consumes attention and energy.
  2. Which situation best illustrates an always-on work culture?Answer: Employees feel expected to answer work messages outside regular hours.
  3. Which managerial practice can help limit unnecessary after-hours work?Answer: Clarify which messages are urgent and when responses are expected.
  4. What role can an ombudsman play in workplace disputes?Answer: Serve as an impartial mediator between employees in a dispute.
  5. Which physiological changes are described as sometimes accompanying high stress?Answer: Elevated blood pressure and cholesterol.

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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