Assignment  on Information Overload  

Information overload

Matching the Columns

1. Proactive method                                          A. Leveling, assimilation and queuing

2. Reactive perceptual methods                         B. Random rules and escape

3. Salami method                                              C. Chunking, filtering and organizational filtering

4. Time management                                         D. Gives employees opportunity for growth, job development, and career advancement

5. Reactive arbitrary methods                            E. Sets goals and objectives, prioritizes time and activity

6. Delegating                                                    F. Managing information overload in small pieces

 

Answers:

1.)    C

2.)    A

3.)    F

4.)    E

5.)    B

6.)    D

 

 

 

True/False (2)

1.      _____ Information overload occurs when a person or system receives information or messages at a faster rate than they can be processed.

2.      _____ Reactive perceptual method will decrease tension, overload, and errors.

3.      _____ Queuing is a great way to deal with information on a first come, fist served basis.

4.      _____ Reactive arbitrary method decreases tension but not information overload or possible errors.

5.       _____ Arbitrary rules and escape help relieve information overload.

6.      _____ Proactive methods of dealing with information overload are rational and effective behaviors that decrease tension, information overload, and the possibility of errors.

7.      _____ An important goal in dealing with information overload is to try to use proactive methods for coping rather than simply reacting to a situation.

8.      _____ Delegate those jobs that you don’t want to do or don’t have time for.

9.      _____ Never tell your employees that you fell overwhelmed at the moment; they will lose respect for you.

10.  _____ If you share too much power with your employees, it will ruin the organizational hierarchy and your ability to lead.

11.  _____ Delegating tasks is a way to cope with information overload.

12.  _____ Reactive perceptual and reactive arbitrary methods are proactive methods for dealing with information overload.

Answers:

1.)    T                                 6.) T                11.)  T

2.)    F                                 7.) T                12.)  F

3.)    F                                 8.) F

4.)    T                                 9.) F

5)  F                               10.) F

 

Summary

 

As information input increase, our output and productivity increase—up to a point.  That is, up to a point the more information we have, the better we are able to do the things we do on the job.  But once we reach that point, we start to actually get too much information.

      When information input is too great, breakdowns start to occur and tension builds within any individual.  As this tension increases, errors in processing the information and message we are receiving begin to increase more and more.  We overlook things, make mistakes, misinterpret messages, and so forth.

            Information overload occurs whenever a person or system receives information or messages at a faster rate than they can be processed.  As input increases, output also increases up to a point, but when input is too great, breakdown occurs.  As tension within the individual builds, errors in processing information and messages increase.

            There are a number of ways that human beings deal with information overload, two of which are reactive—reactive perceptual and reactive arbitrary methods—and one is proactive: reactive perceptual methods include leveling, assimilation, and queuing; reactive arbitrary methods include arbitrary rules and escape; proactive methods include chunking, filtering, and organizational filtering.  This module also explored delegating and managing time to better cope with overload.

 


Test

 

  1. _______ Managing information overload in small pieces is called the Salami method.
  2. _______ Delegating tasks gives employees too much power and could potentially ruin the organizational hierarchy.
  3. _______ Setting goals and objectives, prioritizing time and activity are all elements of time management.
  4. _______ A proactive method of dealing with information overload is chunking and filtering.
  5. ________ Two reactive methods of dealing with information overload are perceptual and arbitrary.
  6. ________ Information overload occurs when a person or system receives information or messages at a faster rate than they can be processed.
  7. _______ Queuing, dealing with information on a first come, first served basis, is a great way to combat information overload.
  8. ________ Reactive perceptual method will decrease tension, overload and errors.
  9. ________ Let your employees know why you are giving them certain tasks so they know their importance.
  10. ________ Activity does not equate with effectiveness; aim to make your activity productive.

 

Answers:

1.)    T

2.)    F – gives opportunity for growth, job development, career advancement

3.)    T

4.)    T

5.)    T

6.)    T

7.)    F – not a priority system

8.)    F – decreases overload and tension but increases possibility of errors

9.)    T

10.)T

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Glossary

 

Queuing:  information is ordered on a “first come, first served” basis, instead of being allowed to come through all at once. This is not a priority

Chunking: grouping things of the same type together, such as the way digits are grouped together in telephone numbers. By grouping information, we often find that we can deal with the entire group more effectively than with each individual item in that group.

Organizational filtering: using the structure or hierarchy of an organization to screen information moving toward the boss (e.g., secretaries, etc.).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Learning Objectives

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Q & A

 

1.       Why are arbitrary rules and escape poor methods of dealing with information overload? Don’t they effectively reduce the tension?

These behaviors may decrease the tension momentarily but in fact the possibility of committing errors will most likely increase. We are avoiding the overload for the time being; it has not gone away.

 

2.       Does delegation include giving the employees the jobs the managers consider dull and boring and don’t want to do?

Giving employees those tasks will not help them learn and grow and might even make them resentful. They need the opportunity to do more interesting tasks in order to gain skill and knowledge about those tasks they might not normally do.

 

3.       Isn’t the process as important as the activity?

Often we equate activity with effectiveness but just because someone is always busy does not mean that they are doing a good job. If the task does not help accomplish your goals and objectives, then it may simply be waste effort. Aim to make your activity effective.

 

 

End of Module