Deck 11: Occupational Health Psychology

Question 1

Goal setting can be used to reduce accidents and promote safety behaviors.

Answer 1

True

Question 2

Research has shown that exposure to loud noises at work is associated with:

A)weight gain
B)cardiovascular disease
C)musculoskeletal disorders
D)infectious disease

Answer 2

cardiovascular disease

Question 3

What is the leading cause of accidental death on the job in the U.S.?

A)Falls
B)Motor vehicle accidents
C)Exposure to toxic chemicals
D)Electrocution

Answer 3

Motor vehicle accidents

Question 4

John wears disposable gloves whenever he performs any procedures on his patients.He also immediately disposes of any bodily fluid spills and recaps and disposes of any needles in special containers.John is following as set of safety rules known as

A)sterile techniques.
B)CDC precautions.
C)universal precautions.
D)OSHA guidelines.

Question 5

What is the best approach for preventing accidents?

A)Design tools appropriately
B)Train workers to avoid accidents
C)Don't hire accident-prone workers
D)The best approach depends on the particular situation.

Question 6

Which of the following jobs results in the highest rate of fatal accidents?

A)Mining
B)Construction
C)Government
D)Transportation and public utility

Question 7

Which of the following statements regarding the effects of noise in the workplace is FALSE?

A)An increase in workplace noise of 20 dB doubles the noise level.
B)Continuous exposure to noise over 85 dB (moderately loud)can lead to permanent hearing loss.
C)Employees may do nothing to avoid exposure to damaging noise if it is not loud enough to be painful.
D)A very loud noise can permanently damage hearing.

Question 8

What percentage of workplace violence was committed by coworkers or former co-workers?

A)15%
B)54%
C)70%
D)95%

Question 9

Which of the following statements about musculoskeletal disorders (MSD)is true?

A)MSD is more likely if employees have high autonomy.
B)Improper posture can lead to MSD.
C)The strategies to reduce MSDs are fairly expensive.
D)Rest breaks do little to reduce MSD.

Question 10

According to Melamed,Fried,and Froom (2001)noise level is related to blood pressure for individuals in both simple and complex jobs.

Question 11

Repetitive strain injuries can be decreased by

A)giving employees frequent rest breaks.
B)designing tools and equipment to reduce the strain.
C)selecting employees with suitable physical traits.
D)Both a and b are correct.

Question 12

John is one of the most senior employees at New Millennium Enterprises and refuses to wear the safety goggles provided for him.He boasts to his co-workers that he "doesn't need those dumb things," he's not stupid enough to get hurt.As a result many of his co-workers also do not wear the safety equipment provided.Which of the following would MOST likely explain the reason why New Millennium Enterprises may be having difficulty getting their employees to follow needed safety procedures?

A)The equipment being provided is uncomfortable.
B)The organizational climate discourages it.
C)They are not offering big enough incentives for safe performance.
D)Their employees are high in risk taking behavior.

Question 13

Carpal tunnel syndrome is

A)the fear of driving through tunnels when in a car pool.
B)always cured by rest.
C)most common among farm workers.
D)a repetitive strain injury.

Question 14

Which of the following is most likely to have experienced violence or a physical assault while on the job?

A)the postman
B)Sales associates working the day shift
C)Convenience store clerks working the night shift
D)A college professor

Question 15

Which of the following was NOT discussed by the text as a physical work condition that could affect health and safety?

A)Infectious disease
B)Physical assaults
C)Anaerobic conditions
D)Repetitive actions

Question 16

Which of the following jobs put employees at particular risk for experiencing Type 2 violence (i.e.,violence by customers or clients of the organization)?

A)taxi drivers
B)nurses
C)police officers
D)office managers

Question 17

Engagement in universal precautions is affected by

A)supervisor encouragement.
B)the need to work quickly.
C)Both A and B
D)None of the above

Question 18

People who work with the public are at greater risk for:

A)repetitive strain injuries
B)exposure to toxic chemicals
C)nonfatal assault
D)workplace accidents

Question 19

The "sick building phenomenon" is related to which condition affecting employee health and safety?

A)Toxic Substances
B)Repetitive Actions
C)Workplace Violence
D)Infectious Disease

Question 20

The text mentions that concern of _________ has had considerable impact on safety practices in the health professions.For example,now most dentists routinely wear masks and rubber gloves.

A)AIDS
B)hepatitis B
C)the flu
D)toxic substances

Question 21

The term "decibel" is related to which work condition affecting employee health and safety?

A)Toxic Substances
B)Repetitive Actions
C)Loud Noise
D)Infectious Disease

Question 22

Which of the following is NOT an advantage of longer work shifts such as the 4 day 10 hour shift?

A)Improved job satisfaction
B)More days off
C)Lowered commuting costs
D)Higher pay

Question 23

In the sick building phenomenon,many individuals who work in a building develop health problems,due to

A)toxic substances and ambient temperature.
B)toxic substances or micro-organisms.
C)ambient temperature and noise.
D)toxic substances,heat,and noise.

Question 24

Working the night shift is associated with which of the following health problems?

A)Sleep disturbances
B)Psychological problems
C)Cardiac problems
D)Carpal tunnel syndrome

Question 25

In addition to health problems,night shift workers are often prone to difficulties

A)in salary negotiations.
B)in socializing with family and friends.
C)with job productivity.
D)all of the above

Question 26

A well-established organizational advantage to flextime is that it

A)increases employee productivity.
B)decreases absences.
C)increases job satisfaction.
D)increases organizational commitment.

Question 27

In the United States,the _________ is charged with seeing that workplace safeguards are used to protect workers.

A)Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
B)Occupational Safety Office (OSO)
C)Center for Disease Control (CDC)
D)National Safety Office (NSO)

Question 28

Kay works one shift for several weeks and then moves to a different shift for a few weeks,and then works a different shift again.This is called

A)flextime.
B)circadian rhythm shifts.
C)fixed shifts.
D)rotating shifts.

Question 29

Which of the following is NOT a problem with controlling exposure to toxic substances in the workplace?

A)Some substances have delayed effects.
B)Employees in jobs that appear safe may actually be exposed to toxic chemicals.
C)No government agency is responsible for controlling exposure to toxic substances.
D)Some exposed individuals never show any ill effects.

Question 30

Francis works a schedule that calls for her to work four (4)10 hour days each week.This type of work schedule is called

A)flextime.
B)shift work.
C)long work schedule.
D)a normal work schedule.

Question 31

The most obvious health problem for night shift workers is

A)sleep disturbances.
B)psychological problems.
C)digestive problems.
D)heart disease.

Question 32

Working the night shift is associated with sleep disturbances and

A)psychological problems.
B)neurological problems.
C)cardiac problems.
D)social problems.

Question 33

Schedules that allow workers to determine,at least in part,the hours of the day that they work are called _________ schedules.

A)optional
B)flextime
C)alternative
D)rotating

Question 34

The most popular alternative long work schedule is the

A)5/40.
B)5/150.
C)4/40.
D)3/36.

Question 35

Most people experience regular daily physiological changes (e.g.,body temperature,hormone levels).This is called the person's

A)fixed rhythm.
B)circadian rhythm.
C)rotating rhythm.
D)diurnal cycle.

Question 36

Which of the following is NOT true of long shifts?

A)Many employees prefer them.
B)Fatigue can be a problem.
C)Some employees have reported less fatigue with 12-hour shifts.
D)No negative health effects have been documented.

Question 37

When is working in excess of 48 hours per week related to health problems?

A)When workers do so voluntarily
B)When workers do so non-voluntarily
C)When long shifts rotate schedules.
D)None of the above

Question 38

Carpal tunnel syndrome is related to which of the following work conditions affecting employee health and safety?

A)Toxic substances
B)Repetitive actions
C)Sick building syndrome
D)Loud noise

Question 39

Which of the following is an important difficulty associated with longer work shifts?

A)Increased commuting costs to the employee
B)Fatigue
C)Downsizing,due to the decrease in the number of employees needed
D)All of the above

Question 40

Which of the following is NOT effective in reducing repetitive strain injuries such as Carpal tunnel syndrome?

A)Provide the employee with rest periods
B)Proper equipment design
C)Increase vacation time
D)Limit the amount of time the employee can perform the task each day

Question 41

What type of job stressor is likely to be present when two supervisors send conflicting instructions to the same employee?

A)Role conflict
B)Role uncertainty
C)Role ambiguity
D)Role overload

Question 42

A job stressor is defined as

A)a psychological reaction to a physical threat.
B)a condition that requires an adaptive response by the employee.
C)a potential aversive reaction by an employee.
D)an individual characteristic that leads to heightened awareness.

Question 43

Research has shown that high levels of role ambiguity and role conflict are NOT associated with

A)very low performance.
B)job dissatisfaction.
C)intention to quit.
D)anxiety.

Question 44

Interpersonal conflict has been shown to be related to

A)physical strains.
B)psychological strains.
C)behavioral strains.
D)all of the above

Question 45

Allan is unsure of the expectations of his new job.He is most likely experiencing which of the following?

A)Role conflict
B)Role uncertainty
C)Role ambiguity
D)role overload

Question 46

A condition or situation at work that requires an adaptive response on the part of the employee is called

A)a job strain.
B)a job stressor.
C)stress.
D)None of the above

Question 47

Jex and Beehr (1991)categorize job strains into three categories.Which of the following is NOT one of these categories?

A)Psychological reactions
B)Physical reactions
C)Behavioral reactions
D)Emotional reactions

Question 48

Job stress that results from a lack of a clearly defined job function is called

A)role conflict.
B)role uncertainty.
C)role ambiguity.
D)role overload.

Question 49

Research on role ambiguity and role conflict has focused primarily on

A)physical strains.
B)psychological strains.
C)behavioral strains.
D)emotional strains.

Question 50

Psychological reactions to stress include which of the following?

A)Job dissatisfaction
B)Headaches
C)Substance abuse
D)Accidents

Question 51

Jackie has heard rumors that there is to be a downsizing in her department at New Millennium Enterprises.She realizes that she was the last one hired in the department and begins to worry about the security of her job.She begins to experience anxiety.Which category of job strain is she experiencing?

A)Psychological
B)Physical
C)Behavioral
D)Emotional

Question 52

Cancer and heart disease represent _________ strain.

A)psychological
B)short-term
C)behavioral
D)long-term

Question 53

_________ is an aversive reaction by an employee to a situation at work that requires an adaptive response.

A)A job strain
B)A job stressor
C)Stressing out
D)Employee marginalization

Question 54

Sandra is torn between attending an important meeting at her office and her 10 year old daughter's baseball game.She is mostly experiencing a type of job stress known as

A)extrarole conflict.
B)intrarole conflict.
C)role ambiguity.
D)role overload.

Question 55

When Aaron took Organic Chemistry he discovered that the work was too difficult for him.That is,the __________ was very high for Aaron.

A)quantitative workload
B)qualitative workload
C)work overload
D)job strain

Question 56

Workload has been shown to be related to

A)physical strains.
B)psychological strains.
C)behavioral strains.
D)All three types of strains.

Question 57

Many teachers in community colleges in Florida are supposed to grade 5,000 words of writing from each of 150+ students in each semester.This is simply too much for them to do.That is,the___________ is very high.

A)quantitative workload
B)qualitative workload
C)job strain
D)work overload

Question 58

____________ is the extent to which employees are unclear about what their job functions and responsibilities are supposed to be.

A)Job strain
B)Role conflict
C)Role ambiguity
D)Job confusion

Question 59

Flextime schedules consistently lead to improvements in

A)employee health.
B)attendance (tardiness and absence).
C)job performance.
D)job satisfaction.

Question 60

Smoking and substance abuse are what forms of strain?

A)Psychological
B)Physical
C)Behavioral
D)Emotional

Question 61

As employees' control increases,their

A)job satisfaction increases.
B)health symptoms increase.
C)psychological strains increase.
D)job performance decreases.

Question 62

Machine pacing of work is positively associated with

A)secretion of stress-related hormones.
B)psychological strains.
C)health symptoms.
D)All of the above

Question 63

In research on burnout,___________ is the feeling of tiredness and fatigue at work.

A)emotional exhaustion
B)physical exhaustion
C)depersonalization
D)reduced personal accomplishment

Question 64

Stressors that require adaptation are called:

A)demands
B)work overload
C)controls
D)behavioral strains

Question 65

As reported in the text,which of the following would NOT be a factor contributing to work-family conflict?

A)negative affectivity
B)working many hours
C)lack of schedule flexibility
D)repetitive strain injuries

Question 66

____ is the perception by employees that co-workers and supervisors engage in self-serving behavior in which they put their own interests above those of the organization and other people.

A)control
B)organizational politics
C)workload
D)demand-control

Question 67

Burnout is an example of a__________ reaction to being on the job too long.

A)behavioral
B)physical
C)psychological
D)neurotic

Question 68

Two career couples with children and single parents are particularly prone to which of the following?

A)intrarole conflict
B)qualitative workload
C)role ambiguity
D)work-family conflict

Question 69

Which of the following statement about burnout is correct?

A)It only applies to the helping professions.
B)It is generally the result of working intensely with other people.
C)It applies to workers in all sorts of jobs,even those who have little contact with others.
D)It seems to result from poor health habits.

Question 70

Which of the following statements about the use of alcohol as coping is TRUE?

A)Heavy drinking at home is unrelated to workplace absence.
B)Alcohol consumption is related to job insecurity.
C)Personality traits are unrelated to the use of alcohol among employees.
D)Using alcohol to cope is more socially acceptable among employees in China compared to American employees.

Question 71

When a person is emotionally exhausted and has low work motivation after being on the job for years,we say s/he is experiencing

A)physical job strain.
B)behavioral job strain.
C)burnout.
D)a midlife crisis.

Question 72

Post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)is associated with exposure to this stressor.

A)Incivility
B)Loud noises
C)Organizational politics
D)Mobbing

Question 73

Mistreatment in the workplace is very rare.

Question 74

The two most frequently used approaches by organizations to handle work-family conflict are:

A)flexible work schedules and stress reduction programs
B)on-site child care and stress reduction programs
C)flexible work schedules and on-site child care
D)time management seminars and on-site child care

Question 75

Machine pacing of work leads to an increase in adrenaline.This is an example of

A)a psychological response.
B)a behavioral response.
C)a physiological response.
D)a relaxation response.

Question 76

_____________ consists of low-intensity verbal acts of rudeness and insensitivity that are not always clearly intended to harm someone else.

A)Mobbing
B)Bullying
C)Incivility
D)Interpersonal conflict

Question 77

Recently Mary' job performance has been declining and she is developing feelings of emotional exhaustion and fatigue,she has begun to be hostile towards her co-workers and recently had a "blow-up" with one of her long time clients.I/O psychologists might argue that Mary is experiencing

A)Harassment.
B)Role conflict.
C)Role ambiguity.
D)Burnout.

Question 78

Which of the following is NOT a component of burnout measured by the Maslach Burnout Inventory?

A)Physical exhaustion
B)Depersonalization
C)Reduced personal accomplishment
D)Emotional exhaustion

Question 79

Work-family conflict is a form of:

A)extrarole conflict
B)intrarole conflict
C)role ambiguity
D)qualitative workload

Question 80

The more control an individual has over their job

A)the higher his or her role ambiguity.
B)the lower his or her job stress.
C)the higher his or her job strain.
D)the lower his or her quantitative workload.