Stress & Power

Stress – Chapter 6

Power & Politics – Chapter 10 pp. 299-313

Stress Defined

Stress is a person’s adaptive response to a stimulus that places excessive psychological

or physical demands on that person.

Distress and Eustress

EustressThe pleasurable stress that accompanies

positive events.

DistressThe unpleasant stress that accompanies

negative events.

Stress as a Person x Situation Interaction

Assumption: Events trigger stress, but people respond to stress differentlyIndividual difference factors moderate

STRESSORREACTION

INDIVIDUALDIFFERENCES

STRESS

Type A and Type B Personality Profiles

Type A Type B

The Type A individual is extremely

competitive, very devoted to work, and has a strong sense of

time urgency.

The Type B person is less competitive, is

less devoted to work, and has a weaker

sense of time urgency.

vs.

Hardiness

HardinessA person’s ability to cope with stress.People with hardy personalities:

Have internal locus of controlAre strongly committed to the activities in their

livesView change as an opportunity for

advancement and growth

Optimism

OptimismThe extent to which a person sees

life in relatively positive or negative ways.

“Is the glass half empty or half full?” In general, optimistic people tend to

handle stress better than pessimistic people.

Causes of Stress: Organizational Stressors

Task Demands:- Occupation

- Security- Overload

Physical Demands:- Temperature- Office Design

InterpersonalDemands:

- Group Pressures- Leadership Style

- Personalities

Role Demands:- Ambiguity

- Conflict

Consequences of Stress: Individual Consequences

Behavioral:- Alcohol Abuse

- Drug Abuse- Violence

Psychological:- Sleep Disturbances

- Depression

Medical:- Heart Disease

- Headaches

Organizational Consequences

Performance Declines

Withdrawal:AbsenteeismTurnover

Attitudes:Decreased

Satisfaction & Commitment

Burnout

Managing Stress in the Workplace

Individual Coping Strategies

Exercise Relaxation

Time Management

Role Management

Support Groups

Managing Stress in the Workplace

Organizational Coping Strategies

Institutional Programs Collateral Programs

Power

The capacity of “A” to influence the behavior of “B” so that “B” does things that he/she would not otherwise do.

A B Behavior

Bases of Power

Reward – control rewards

Coercive – punish or harm

Legitimate – position

Expert – control information

Referent – “I want to be you”

Position vs. Personal Power

POSITION

Legitimate

Reward

Coercive

Information

PERSONAL

Referent

Expert

Persuasive

Charisma