I/O Psychology Motivation

Episode 38: How Big Is Your Office: Another Classic Study in Psychology

What would happen if you were suddenly (even temporarily) moved to an office (or dorm room) that was smaller than the one you’re in now? Would you be less productive? Less satisfied? I bet you would. Let’s see how this was studied in a classic field experiment by psychologist Jerry Greenberg. Equity and the lack of fairness strike again!

Resources For This Episode

    • Greenberg, J. (1988), “Equity and workplace status: a field experiment”, Journal of Applied Psychology, Vol. 73 pp.606-13.
    • Here is the link to my previous episode on the concept of Equity.

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Michael

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3 Comments

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    Michael

    December 18, 2007

    Interesting Khamael – I never saw the connection to sensitivity to loss and this study, but I can see where you’re coming from.

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    Khamael Al Safi

    December 18, 2007

    This was really interesting! I like how it fits with Kahneman and Tversky’s prospect theory and how our sensitivity to losses is more than our sensitivity to gains.

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    Sarah Filmer

    December 18, 2007

    Just as there was a problem with one of your earlier podcasts i think you might have a problem at your end with this one too. Sorry if i am incorrect.
    Sarah.

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