Lesson Six: Workplace stressors

Use the phrases below to complete the diagram, so that it shows the role of the
hypothalamus in the bodys response to stress.
Gets body ready for .fight or flight.
Stimulates the adrenal medulla
Stimulates the adrenal cortex
Releases adrenalin
Releases corticosteroids
Stimulates the pituitary gland to release ACTH

6 marks

By the end of this lesson, you should:

Describe how work can make people
stressed.
Explain Marmots research.
Evaluate research in to workplace stress

Around 500,000 UK workers believe work

stress is making them ill.

5,000,000 UK workers feel very or

extremely stressed by their job.

Approximately 12,800,000 working days

were lost in the UK last year due to stress,
anxiety and depression.

http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/stress-anxiety
-depression/Pages/workplace-stress.aspx

What can be done to support people to

help them cope with stress?

You are going to work in 2s/3s to make

notes on what workplace stress involves
and the research conducted. This is in
preparation for a quiz for a prize!
Work through pages 162-164, including any
studies and evaluation points you come
across.

1.
2.
3.
4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.

Which organisation did Marmot study?

How many participants were there?
How many years later did he assess the participants?
Marmot et al found no link between high workload and
what?
They concluded that high workload was not a factor in
workplace stress but what was?
Johansson et al (1978) disagreed where did they study
workers?
As well as higher illness rates, these workers showed what
other physiological differences?
Why is research in in this area prone to low historical
validity?
The validity of questionnaires in workplace stress has been
criticised, why?

1.
2.
3.
4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.

Which organisation did Marmot study? Whitehall civil service

How many participants were there? 3000
How many years later did he assess the participants? 3
Marmot et al found no link between high workload and what? Stressrelated illness
They concluded that high workload was not a factor in workplace stress
but what was? Job control
Johansson et al (1978) disagreed where did they study workers?
Swedish saw-mill
As well as higher illness rates, these workers showed what other
physiological differences? Adrenaline/stress hormones
Why is research in in this area prone to low historical validity? Workplace
technology changing so fast & change in home/office working
The validity of questionnaires in workplace stress has been criticised,
why? The importance of some items are distorted & some factors are
ignored. Keenan & Newton (1989) in a study of engineers found that
when interviewed they mentioned different stressors to those typically
used in questionnaires.

Marmot (1997) looked at the job-strain model. This says that workplace stress is due to high workload and low
job control. He looked at 7372 civil servants working in London. They were given a questionnaire on workload,
control and then they were checked for signs for CHD. Five years later they were re-assessed. The study found
no link between high workload and illness.
However, Johansson (1978) disagreed. He looked at Sawyers in a Swedish sawmill. This is a stressful job,
involving a relentless pace and a sense of responsibility for the company. If they slow down the whole company
slows down. The high-risk group were found to have higher illness rates and also high levels of adrenaline when
compared with groups with low workload. Therefore, they concluded that high workload causes workplace
stress.
Despite this Marmot argued that job control was more important. He found that high grades of the civil service
had fewer cardio problems and those lower than them. Those higher up the chain expressed a high sense of job
control and good levels of social support, whereas those lower down the hierarchy said they had low job control.
Methodological evaluation: largely based on self-report questionnaires which may have led to biased responses,
for example, underestimating impact of factors such as smoking. There may be other factors that are a
characteristic of lower graded workers than make them vulnerable to heart disease (e.g. lower income, poorer
However,
diet). despite research into both work load and control, some argue that workplace stress is due to role conflict.
Role conflict occurs when work problems interfere with family life and visa-versa. Pomaki (2007) studied 226
hospital doctors and found that role conflict was directly associated with emotional exhaustion, depressive
symptoms and bodily complaints.
Workplace stress can lead to CHD problems. Russek (1962) studied the incidence of CHD in medical professionals.
Heart disease was greatest among GPs (high stress) and lowest in dermatologists (low stress)
Workplaces are changing so rapidly due to new technology and it maybe that a lot of the research is becoming out of
date quickly due to the rapidly change in working environments.
There are concerns over the validity of questionnaires typically used to measure workplace stress. Keenan & Newton
(1989) in a study of engineers found that when interviewed they mentioned different stressors to those typically
used in questionnaires.
Lazarus (1995) argues research in this area ignores individual differences in terms of peoples perception of stress
based on their beliefs in their ability to cope with the stressor

It is the duty of UK
businesses to cut
stress in the
workplace.

Mr Harris is about to move his business into a brand

new building. He is very keen to create a healthy
working environment and reduce workplace stress. In
this way, he hopes to improve productivity and
reduce absenteeism.
What advice would you give Mr Harris? Use your
knowledge of psychological research in this area. (6
marks)

For top marks, there needs to be sustained focus on advice and guidance which is
underpinned by psychological knowledge. Candidates can consider factors such as noise and
temperature.
Research has shown that certain types of noise affect memory and can lead to frustration.
Other research has shown that as temperature increases, so does aggression, and this can
lead to stress. Other factors such as workload, lack of control, relationships with colleagues
are also relevant. For example, several studies have shown that lack of control at work can
lead to stress. Any relevant factor can be given credit.
Advice could relate to how much control his employees feel they have. Research by Marmot
for example; suggest that those with high control over their workload, were less stressed. So
Mr Harris should try to allow his employees high decision latitude.

6 marks Effective analysis and application

Effective advice to Mr Harris, using knowledge of psychological research of stress in the

workplace, to improve productivity and reduce absenteeism.

5 4 marks Reasonable analysis and application

Reasonable advice, using knowledge of psychological research of stress in the workplace

3 2 marks Basic analysis and application

Basic advice using knowledge of some psychological research, of stress in the workplace.

1 mark Rudimentary analysis and application

Rudimentary, muddled consideration of stress in the workplace, demonstrating very limited

knowledge.

0 marks

No creditworthy material.

Describe one or more studies of workplace

stress. (5 marks)

AO1 = 5 marks Knowledge of research into workplace stress

There are many studies that candidates could use, such as, Marmot
et al (civil servants) and Johansson et al (Swedish sawmill) although
any other relevant study of stress in the workplace would be
creditworthy. There will be a depth/breadth trade off here, one study
in depth or more studies but in less depth.

Knowledge and understanding

5 marks Accurate and reasonably detailed

Accurate and reasonably detailed answer that demonstrates sound knowledge and understanding of study(s) into workplace
stress. There is appropriate selection of material to address the question. One or more identifiable studies of workplace
stress have been given.

4-3 marks Less detailed but generally accurate

Less detailed but generally accurate answer that demonstrates relevant knowledge and understanding. There is some
evidence of selection of material to address the question.

2 marks Basic

Basic answer that demonstrates some relevant knowledge and understanding but lacks detail and may be muddled. There is
little evidence of selection of material to address the question.

1 mark Very brief/flawed or inappropriate

Very brief or flawed answer demonstrating very little knowledge. Selection and presentation of information is largely or wholly
inappropriate.

0 marks

No creditworthy material

(a) Identify one source of stress in the

workplace. (1 mark)
(b) Outline what research has shown about
how this source of stress can affect an
individual. (4 marks)

By the end of this lesson, you should:

Describe how work can make people
stressed.
Explain Marmots research.
Evaluate research in to workplace stress