An Experience Sampling Analysis of Fatigue and Inhibition at Work
Abstract
Little is known about the psychological process level underpinnings of executive self-regulation in the workplace. Inhibition is a self-regulatory executive function that enables suppression of prepotent but inappropriate thought and action. In a first attempt to uncover the workings of executive self-regulation in the workplace, this study examined the influence of cognitive fatigue on the ability to inhibit extraneous thought and inappropriate behaviors at work. Working from the literature in executive functions, effort-recovery, and depletion models of self-regulation, it was expected that cognitive fatigue would be associated with compromised inhibitory performance, manifested in greater rates of mind-wandering and increased workplace incivility. Further, it was expected that fatigue would mediate the relationship between recovery experiences and inhibition. Using dense experience sampling method, 63 full-time workers completed multiple momentary pseudo-random assessments of cognitive fatigue, mind-wandering, and inhibition, along with daily reports of incivility, previous night's psychological detachment, and sleep difficulties for a period of two work-weeks. Inhibition was assessed using performance on the Stroop task within the ESM framework. Results using hierarchical linear modeling provided partial support for the hypotheses. Cognitive fatigue was found to be associated with greater rates of mind-wandering and increased workplace incivility. Support was not found for the direct relationship between fatigue and inhibition. Support was also not found for the mediating relationships. In addition, post-hoc analysis revealed the phenomenology of mind-wandering and self-control at work. The overall pattern of findings is discussed based on current theoretical models. The limitations of the study and implications for research in I-O and general psychology have also been discussed.
Degree
Ph.D.
Advisors
LeBreton, Purdue University.
Subject Area
Occupational safety|Psychology|Cognitive psychology
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