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Single and Multiple Interruptions Increase Task Completion Time, But Don’t Affect Stress, Pressure or Flow

Author

Listed:
  • Conard, Maureen

    (College of Arts and Sciences, Sacred Heart University)

  • Marsh, Robert

    (John F. Welch College of Business, Sacred Heart University)

Abstract

We compared task performance time and psychological reactions for uninterrupted, single interrupted, and multiple interrupted conditions. For 110 undergraduates, those who were uninterrupted while completing a jigsaw puzzle were 26% faster than the single interruption, and 30% faster than the multiple interruption conditions. Single and multiple interruption conditions were not significantly different. Participants in the multiple interruption condition felt more stress than those in the uninterrupted condition, although stress levels were low in both conditions. Perceptions of time pressure and flow were not different across conditions. Performance on the interrupting task (a word search puzzle) was not significantly different across conditions. An interruption or multiple interruptions significantly and substantially slowed performance although participants were not psychologically bothered by being interrupted.

Suggested Citation

  • Conard, Maureen & Marsh, Robert, 2010. "Single and Multiple Interruptions Increase Task Completion Time, But Don’t Affect Stress, Pressure or Flow," Working Papers 2010002, Sacred Heart University, John F. Welch College of Business.
    • Handle: RePEc:she:wpaper:2010002
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    File URL: http://repec.sacredheart.edu/she/pdf/wp2010_002.pdf
    File Function: First version, 2010
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    Cited by:

    1. Eun-Jeong Yu & Eun-Nam Lee, 2022. "Development and Validation of a Nursing Work Interruption Scale," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(20), pages 1-14, October.
    2. Desjardins, Christoph & Baker, Mark, 2013. "The Leadership Task Model," Journal of Applied Leadership and Management, Hochschule Kempten - University of Applied Sciences, Professional School of Business & Technology, vol. 2, pages 17-39.

    More about this item

    Keywords

    Interruptions; Flow; Worker Efficiency;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • M00 - Business Administration and Business Economics; Marketing; Accounting; Personnel Economics - - General - - - General

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