The analysis of stress and strain at the videotex workplace

Abstract

Analyses of work demands, stress and strain were carried out at videotex workplaces in the laboratory and in private households. The demand analysis showed that a high degree of information resolution and accuracy during information reception leads to high strain and eye fatigue. This effect is increased by a heavy flicker of the CRT screen, an inadequate choice of colour contrast, an inadequately low CRT resolution, and an inadequately small distance between the worker and the screen. High demands in the field of information processing are caused by the degree of difficulty in extracting relevant information from the videotex system using the search trees. In addition, the application of a checklist for CRT workplaces indicates more than 30 design faults. The analysis of the subjective perception of strain showed a significant decrease of the motivation levels following videotex sessions, and a significant increase of the strain level. The only individual factor to increase during videotex sessions was self-confidence. A comparison with findings of Udris and Barth (1976) showed that even videotex sessions which are much shorter than an eight-hour working day result in strain reactions similar to those occurring for eight hours of card-punching.