RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN ACTIVATION, ANXIETY AND STRESS IN DECISION-MAKING OF OPERATORS

In our study. we verified the assumption that the operators studied will achieve higher degree of activation and anxiety, prior to solving a risk task, in comparison to their usual stale or trait. At the same time, we verified the relationship of activation and anxiety to the ability to cope with stressful situations. The sample studied consists of 40 operators aged 23-48 years, employed in a chemical factory. In three successive trials. the operators solved the computer presented task diagnosing risk decision making, We studied the activation level by Activation Deactivation Adjective Check List, anxiety level by State Trait Anxiety inventory before and after the task solving. The ability to cope with stress was verified by the Daily Stress Inventory. The analysis of the results showed that according to the operators. the states (traits) of activation and anxiety were higher after the solution of the task than the momentary states prior to solving the task. The state and trait anxiety correlated statistically significantly with the usual state of general activation (energy) and with the momentary as well as usual state of general deactivation (stillness, placidity). The assumed relationship between stress indicators and momentary state of activation was not proved. Stress indicators correlated significantly with the usual state of high deactivation (tiredness), general activation (energy) and high activation (tension). The important relationship between the achievement in the decision making tasks and coping with stress is proved by the positive correlations between the frequency of stressful events and time spent for solving the task in all three trials.