Suppose that Peter hates his job as a medical assistant. Research on the panic button effect would suggest that Peter would hate his job less if ____.
A) he felt that could quit at any time and get a different job
B) he thought about how much unhappier he would be if he lost his job and became homeless
C) he considered how much his job helped to relieve people's stress and discomfort
D) he thought about how he would feel if he were rushed to the hospital and there was no one there to help him

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The panic button effect suggests that having some control over a situation can reduce anxiety and increase job satisfaction. If Peter felt like he could quit his job and find another one, he would have a sense of control over his situation and potentially hate his job less. Choice B is an example of the fear appeal technique, which may increase motivation in the short-term but is unlikely to sustain long-term job satisfaction. Choice C may help Peter find more meaning in his job but may not address his dislike of the work itself. Choice D is an example of empathy, which may increase job satisfaction for some individuals but may not work for everyone.

Suppose That Peter Hates His Job as a Medical Assistant