NCJ Number
19511
Date Published
1969
Length
6 pages
Annotation
GROUP RESPONSE TO ORGANIZATIONAL STRESS WAS ANALYZED THROUGH THE REALISTIC SIMULATION OF A POLICE COMMUNICATION SYSTEM.
Abstract
THREE TEAMS OF POLICE COMMUNICATION OFFICERS PARTICIPATED IN THREE, TWO HOUR LABORATORY SESSIONS WHEREIN THEY CONFRONTED NORMAL DEMAND LOADS. A SIMULATED AIRPLANE CRASH WAS USED TO GENERATE SYSTEM OVERLOAD IN THE FINAL LABORATORY SESSION. HYPOTHESES TESTED AND SUPPORTED WERE THAT AS STRESS INCREASES: 1) THE RATE OF TASK PERFORMANCE WILL INCREASE; 2) DECISIONS WILL BE MADE MORE RAPIDLY; 3) PERSONNEL WILL INCREASINGLY LIMIT THEMSELVES TO TASKS OF HIGHEST PRIORITY; AND 4) FREQUENCY OF SELF-INITIATED CONTACTS BETWEEN ORGANIZATION WILL INCREASE. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT)