The effects of priming on the self-reporting of perceived stressors and strains

It was hypothesized that priming would have a significant effect on subjects' self-reports of perceived stressors and strains. An experiment was conducted wherein the experimental group was exposed to a brief, informal talk about the types of stressors and resulting strains that are typically experienced by working M.B.A. students. They were then asked to complete a questionnaire measuring several stressors and strains. The control group received no information and subjects were simply asked to complete a questionnaire. Those subjects who were exposed to information about stressors and strains reported experiencing higher levels of several stressors and strains than those who received no information. Implications of the effects of stress information on organizational members are discussed. (C) 1997 by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.