Perceived Control and Perceptions of Performance (03-26-10)

Lee and Brand have evaluated the influence of perceived personal control on perceptions of distraction in workplaces.  They determined that perceptions of personal control are directly related to perceptions of distraction, with people who feel that they have more control over their physical environment being somewhat less distracted in office environments.  People who are less distracted feel that they performed better at their jobs.  It is important to note, however, that providing workers with a feeling of control over their environment does not eliminate the negative effects of environmental distractions.  Their study does indicate, for example, that if workers are assigned a desktop light or fan, these elements will slightly influence their perceptions of control, and that change may slightly influence their perceptions of distractions.  In the study, the ways that participants might control their environments included organization of their workstation, personalization of their work area, control over interpersonal interactions, control of temperature, lighting, and also personal management of their work process.  Distraction “refers to the degree to which employees feel distracted, disturbed or irritated by negative or otherwise unwanted stimuli within the workplace.”

So Young Lee and Jay Brand.  2010.  “Can Personal Control Over the Physical Environment Ease Distractions in Office Workplaces?”  Ergonomics, vol. 53, no. 3, pp. 324-335.