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Motivational and Self-regulatory Responses to Interruptions

Tolli, Adam P.

Abstract Details

2009, Doctor of Philosophy, University of Akron, Psychology-Industrial/Organizational.
As jobs become increasingly complex and multifaceted, it is an inevitable reality forwork to become interrupted. The current study extended existing research by examining the motivational and self-regulatory responses to interruptions. More specifically, the current study explored how both situational characteristics of interruptions (interruption control and interruption importance) and individual differences (polychronicity and action-state orientation) influenced affect, expectancies, goals, and performance. Interruptions resulted in increasingly negative affect and decreases in expectancies, goals, and performance. Contrary to expectations, results indicated that those without control over the interruption showed less negative responses overall than those with control. This finding was considered to be due to greater attentional resources needed for those with control who chose to switch back and forth between the primary and interruptive tasks. Furthermore, both polychronicity and action-state orientation served as key moderators in explaining interruptions’ effect on subsequent responses. Also, an interruption was responded to more quickly when its inherent value was high, and especially for those who were polychronic. This research concludes that subsequent responses to interruptions are determined by both situational components and the individual differences of those responding to the interruption.
Aaron Schmidt, PhD (Advisor)
250 p.

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Tolli, A. P. (2009). Motivational and Self-regulatory Responses to Interruptions [Doctoral dissertation, University of Akron]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=akron1240236390

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Tolli, Adam. Motivational and Self-regulatory Responses to Interruptions. 2009. University of Akron, Doctoral dissertation. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=akron1240236390.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Tolli, Adam. "Motivational and Self-regulatory Responses to Interruptions." Doctoral dissertation, University of Akron, 2009. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=akron1240236390

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)