TY - JOUR
T1 - Just a click away
T2 - action-state orientation moderates the impact of task interruptions on initiative
AU - Birk, Max V.
AU - Mandryk, Regan L.
AU - Baumann, Nicola
PY - 2020/4/1
Y1 - 2020/4/1
N2 - OBJECTIVE: The present research examines the role of individual differences in self-regulation (i.e., demand-related action-state orientation) on initiative to resume an interrupted task.METHOD: In three studies (N1 = 208, 55% male, Mage = 33.2; N2 = 457, 62% male, Mage = 31.7; N3 = 210, 60% male, Mage = 32.6), participants were notified about a network interruption while playing a computer game. Participants could dismiss the interrupting notification by clicking a continue button or wait until the notification timed out. We manipulated demand by presenting notifications during (demand) versus after game rounds (no demand).RESULTS: Demand-related action orientation was associated with higher probability to dismiss the notification during a game round, controlling for dismissal after a game round. Findings occurred when controlling for task ability and task motivation, were specific for demand- and not threat-related action orientation, were complemented by shorter dismissal latencies, and were stable across interruption timeouts (Studies 1-3). Exposure through repetition resulted in adaptation (Study 3).CONCLUSION: The findings suggest that people with lower action orientation have less self-regulatory ability to initiate goal-directed action and resume interrupted tasks-even if they are just a click away. Findings are discussed within the framework of Personality Systems Interactions theory.
AB - OBJECTIVE: The present research examines the role of individual differences in self-regulation (i.e., demand-related action-state orientation) on initiative to resume an interrupted task.METHOD: In three studies (N1 = 208, 55% male, Mage = 33.2; N2 = 457, 62% male, Mage = 31.7; N3 = 210, 60% male, Mage = 32.6), participants were notified about a network interruption while playing a computer game. Participants could dismiss the interrupting notification by clicking a continue button or wait until the notification timed out. We manipulated demand by presenting notifications during (demand) versus after game rounds (no demand).RESULTS: Demand-related action orientation was associated with higher probability to dismiss the notification during a game round, controlling for dismissal after a game round. Findings occurred when controlling for task ability and task motivation, were specific for demand- and not threat-related action orientation, were complemented by shorter dismissal latencies, and were stable across interruption timeouts (Studies 1-3). Exposure through repetition resulted in adaptation (Study 3).CONCLUSION: The findings suggest that people with lower action orientation have less self-regulatory ability to initiate goal-directed action and resume interrupted tasks-even if they are just a click away. Findings are discussed within the framework of Personality Systems Interactions theory.
KW - action versus state orientation
KW - daily hassles
KW - initiative versus hesitation
KW - intention-behavior gap
KW - Personality Systems Interactions (PSI) theory
KW - task interruption
KW - intention–behavior gap
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85081001830&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1111/jopy.12498
DO - 10.1111/jopy.12498
M3 - Article
C2 - 31257587
SN - 0022-3506
VL - 88
SP - 373
EP - 390
JO - Journal of Personality
JF - Journal of Personality
IS - 2
ER -