Impact of Work Related Stress on Motion Stereotypic Responses

Stereotypes can be referred as conditioned reflexes which have become subconscious and automatic. In the present study efforts have been made to figure out how work stress affects motion stereotype. The study was performed on a group of pole manufacturing workers (n=44) having the age group of 45-54 years. The work related stress was evaluated in terms of CSI (Cardiovascular Stress Index) of the subjects on the basis of their heart rates. The subjects were divided into three groups (light stress, moderate stress and high stress) according to the percentile values of CSI. Direction of motion stereotype was determined for different control-display units, viz., rotary control knob and horizontal display , rotary control knob and vertical display, rotary control knob and circular display, and rocker switch in horizontal and vertical alignment for ‘on’ and ‘off’ response. Index of reversibility of the direction of motion stereotype was determined. Experiments were also performed for right and left handed workers separately. The response initiation time of the workers was computed by a digital timer. Results showed that there was no significant difference in the direction of motion stereotype between left and right handed workers. Significant difference (p<0.05 or less) in the direction of motion stereotype of the workers was observed in most of the control display combinations among different stress levels. The index of reversibility was decreased with increased stress level. It may be concluded that work related stress had a notable effect on motion stereotypic responses of the factory workers.