Title
Effects of Individual Differences in Blocking Workplace Distractions
Abstract
ABSTRACTInformation workers are experiencing ever-increasing online distractions in the workplace, and software to block distractions is becoming more popular. We conducted an exploratory field study with 32 information workers in their workplace using software to block online distractions for one week. We discovered that with online distractions blocked, participants assessed their focus and productivity to be significantly higher. Those who benefited most were those who reported being less in control of their work, associated with personality traits of lower Conscientiousness and Lack of Perseverence. Unexpectedly, those reporting higher control of work experienced a cost of higher workload with online distractions blocked. Those who reported the greatest increase in focus with distractions blocked were those who were more susceptible to social media distractions. Without distractions, people with higher control of work worked longer stretches without physical breaks, with consequently higher stress. We present design recommendations to promote focus for our observed coping behaviors.
Year
DOI
Venue
2018
10.1145/3173574.3173666
Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems
Keywords
Field
DocType
Distractions, workplace, social media, focus, interruptions, multitasking, field study, productivity
Big Five personality traits,Social media,Computer science,Workload,Coping (psychology),Conscientiousness,Human–computer interaction,Human multitasking,Applied psychology
Conference
Citations 
PageRank 
References 
4
0.39
25
Authors
3
Name
Order
Citations
PageRank
Gloria Mark12006178.23
Mary Czerwinski25028421.65
Shamsi T. Iqbal3110565.77