Stressed worker at the computer

Flexible Control of Behavior

The group examines the costs and benefits associated with the flexibility demands that the modern world of work places on employees.

Head of department
Prof. Dr. Thomas Kleinsorge
Address
Ardeystr. 67
44139 Dortmund

Today’s work organizations are characterized by changing, highly dynamic structures and environments in which adaptability, flexibility, and self-regulation of employees have become increasingly important. Due to the shift from the manufacturing to the service sector and technically challenging duties, employees are increasingly faced with demands for being flexible, responsive service providers who can effectively anticipate and meet changing customer’s needs, and being adaptive, creative, and innovative in applying new technologies.

The research group Flexible Control of Behavior combines approaches from Cognitive Psychology, Organisational Psychology, Psychoimmunology, and Neuroscience to further our understanding of the processes involved in meeting these challenges of flexible control of behaviour. These include the flexible switching among different tasks, adaptation to upcoming and recovery from foregoing challenges, control of affective interference and the display of emotions, and work-related factors promoting or hindering efficient adaptation to externally imposed demands. Apart from studying behaviour, the neurophysiological underpinnings and immunological concomitants of these processes are also taken into account. Furthermore, real working conditions are studied by ambulatory assessment and survey methods.

Team

Group picture