Work Design and Work Schedules

Question 1

A distinguishing characteristic of the human factors approach to psychology is its reliance on ____________________, which is manifested in its emphasis on person-machine fit.

Answer 1

General systems theory.

Question 2

Person-machine Fit: From a human factors perspective, performance is the result of an interaction between ___________ and ______________ (or any other non-human element in the work environment), and any performance failure is due to mismatch.

Answer 2

• People
• Machines

Question 3

The primary goals of human factors psychology are to ensure that workers ______ the job through effective selection and training, and that the job fits the _____________ and __________________ of the workers.

Answer 3

• Fit
• Capabilities
• Limitations

Question 4

Title ___ of the _______________________ (ADA) of 1991 requires employers with more than ___ employees to avoid discriminating against people who have a disability, defined as “a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities.”

Answer 4

• I
• Americans with Disabilities Act
• 15

Question 5

The ADA does not list those groups that are included in their definition of disability, but DOES list those that are excluded - e.g., ________________, exhibitionism, gender identity disorder not resulting from a physical impairment, compulsive ____________, kleptomania, and psychoactive substance use disorders resulting from current illegal drug use.

Answer 5

• Transvestism
• Gambling

Question 6

The ____________________ decreases the number of days worked in a given work cycle by increasing the hours worked per day.

Answer 6

Compressed workweek.

Question 7

Bates et al. (1999) found that the compressed workweek has __________ effects on supervisor ratings of employee performance, and employee satisfaction with the work schedule; this is strongest for employee attitudes. It ____________ have a strong impact on objective measures of job performance or absenteeism.

Answer 7

• Positive
• Does not

Question 8

____________ gives employees a choice of when to begin and end work while providing a core time (e.g., 10 am to 2 pm) when all employees must be present.

Answer 8

Flextime.

Question 9

Flextime has positive effects on employee ____________, job ____________, satisfaction with the work schedule, and absenteeism but does not have a strong impact on __________________.

Answer 9

• Productivity
• Satisfaction
• Self-rated performance

Question 10

Companies that operate 24 hours per day ordinarily divide the day into 3 workshifts:

• Regular shift (_______ to ________)
• Swing shift (_______ to ________)
• Graveyard shift (________ to ________)

Answer 10

• 7-3pm
• 3-11pm
• 11-7am

Question 11

__________ shifts are generally preferred to ___________ shifts, since the latter tend to disrupt _______________, increasing fatigue, concentration difficulties, and errors.

Answer 11

• Fixed
• Rotating
• Circadian rhythms

Question 12

There is evidence that ___________ rotation is associated with better circadian rhythm synchronization than ___________ shift rotation.

Answer 12

• Forward
• Backward

Question 13

Of the 3 fixed shifts, __________ shift has the most negative impact on family roles and social activities, while the _________ shift is associated with the most social, health, and work-related problems.

Answer 13

• Swing
• Graveyard

Question 14

______________ has been found to mitigate the negative effects of working the graveyard shift.

Answer 14

Freedom of choice.