Lawyers interrupted: effects of work experience, neuroticism and polychronicity on task-switching performance
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- Title
- Lawyers interrupted: effects of work experience, neuroticism and polychronicity on task-switching performance
- Creator
- Charity W. Trelease
- Supervisor
- Dr Rosamond Watling.
- Date
- 2015
- Abstract
- Individuals at work must increasingly engage in task-switching (TS) and multitasking (MT) to cope with interruptions and competing demands on time and attention (König, Bühner, & Mürling, 2005). Research over the past century has shown that TS and MT are associated with performance decrements, as well as increases in stress, depression and job dissatisfaction (Donmez et al., 2014). Objective. This study is the first to test the extent to which work experience, neuroticism and polychronicity predict TS performance among lawyers. Its aim was to help law firms and other employers identify reliable measures for assessing employees TS preferences and abilities, and develop or improve working practices and interventions to combat the negative effects of interruptions. Method. Of the 55 original participants, data for 49 (25 female), ranging in age from 24-50 years and work experience from 0-25 years were included in the final analysis. Neuroticism, polychronicity and TS performance were assessed using previously validated scales and tests. Participants also complete an informational questionnaire designed to gauge their views on the pervasiveness and effects of interruptions, and scope for limiting exposure to them. Results. Regression analyses indicated no significant relationships between TS performance and the three predictor variables (individually or in combination). However, gender was a significant predictor of TS response times, with female participants outperforming males. Additionally, findings in relation to performance decrements, working memory capacity and speed-accuracy trade-off were consistent with previous research. Responses to the informational questionnaire suggested that lawyers face frequent interruptions and believe others perceptions of them would suffer if they adopted strategies to minimise exposure to interruptions, such as letting calls go to voicemail. Self-ratings suggested that some female participants significantly underestimated their ability to cope with interruptions. Conclusions. Explanations for findings included the possibility that real-world experience of interruptions is not generalisable to performance on the TS test used, and that the study was underpowered in respect of certain regression analyses. Implications for law firms and other employers were considered and guided suggestions for future research, such as developing more authentic, real-world measures of how individuals cope with interruptions and methodological limitations by increasing sample size and improving controls.
- Subject
- Human multitasking--Psychological aspects|Time management||
- Psychology
- Extent
- 112 pages ; 31 cm
- Format
- Publisher
- Regent's University London
- degree
- MSc Psychology
- Language
- English
- Date Issued
- 2015
- Type
- Thesis & Dissertation
- Rights Holder
- Regent's University London & Charity W. Trelease
- Item sets
- Theses or Dissertation