Monotonia

Foreign authors

One of the first references to monotony can be found in the works of G. Münstenberg. Munsterberg emphasized the subjective nature of monotony, believing that there was no “monotonous work” as such, only human perception of this work. ^[4] When studying the condition of people performing monotonous activities, the Canadian scientist V. Geron came to the conclusion that for the normal existence of a person constant changes in the sensory environment are necessary. ^[4] G. Bartenwerfer is a supporter of the psychoenergetic theory, in which mental activity (mental stress and volume of attention) is considered as the main factor of monotony.

Domestic authors

Domestic scientists M. I. Vinogradov and Z. M. Zolina explained the monotony from the point of view of Pavlov's ideas that the prolonged exposure of the stimulus to some cells leads to their depletion and triggers the mechanism of beyond protective protective inhibition ^[5] . E.P. Ilyin defines monotony through the emergence of an “emotional-motivational vacuum” under the condition of uniformity of work operations or rare sensory stimuli. ^[6]

In addition to monotony, the following groups are distinguished among the negative types of functional states: fatigue , mental satiety, and stress . In this case, fatigue is a natural reaction that is caused by an increase in tension during prolonged work, regardless of its type, while monotony and satiety are associated with the specifics of the work itself. However, monotony and satiety also differ significantly. This is primarily due to the behavioral plan and the subjective representation of these conditions. So, with monotony, the subject experiences a drowsy state, periodically “turns off” from the process of activity, while during satiety an affective emotional complex develops and a person makes attempts to diversify the usual stereotype of the actions performed. Subjectively, the state of monotony is expressed in apathy, indifference to the activity performed, a feeling of boredom. The state of mental satiety has a bright emotional coloring, expressed in acute rejection of activity, the desire to stop it. ^{[2] [7] [8]}

Differences in the dynamics of the health of various negative functional states are presented in the graphs below:

Under the influence of monotony, the processes of perception, thinking and memory are inhibited. In terms of perception, when monotony occurs, the so-called “sensory hunger” sets in, which is characterized by a lack or uniformity of stimulation. As a result, all processes of perception, attention, and thinking occur in a specific “spasmodic” way, that is, periods of loss of conscious control and its return alternate. Productivity of activity without changing the type of labor can be restored with significant strong-willed effort only for a short time. ^[9]

One can distinguish some objective external signs by which one can determine the presence of a state of monotony in a person. These signs include Automation ”of actions, a sharp increase in the number of errors, uncontrolled actions,“ false alarms ”, illusory perceptions, heart rate, blood pressure, respiratory functions change, energy costs decrease, response time increases ^{[8] [10]}

Wednesday

Monotonia occurs in an environment that is characterized by the following symptoms:

1. repeated repetition of monotonous actions;
2. short duration of the labor movement cycle;
3. lack of elements of production operations;
4. substantive simplicity of labor actions;
5. sometimes a high pace of work;
6. human passivity and limited effects on the brain of various signals and stimuli. ^[eleven]

Aseev identifies five main production varieties of work with which monotony can be associated:

1. The implementation of individual production operations, characterized by simplicity. They are carried out manually or with the help of simple tools (examples: packaging, sorting of tea, sweets, etc.)
2. Simple assembly and installation operations, containing partial processing of the product. (example: work on the conveyor)
3. Work on servicing machine tools, machines, etc. It includes the steps of introducing parts into the machine and removing the product. (example: stamping workshop)
4. Simple operations associated with long-term visual control over the quality of products manufactured at the factory (example: the work of rejecters)
5. Long passive observation with limited exposure to the brain of various production signals and stimuli (example: camera work) ^[11]

Predisposition

All people react differently to monotonous working conditions. In this case, the subjective reaction is determined by several individually psychological determinants. This reaction depends on the type of nervous system, temperament, attitudes, personality, gender, etc. As a result, different people find themselves to varying degrees adapted to performing monotonous work, which can be revealed in the process of professional selection. There are several groups of traditional predictors of propensity for monotony:

1. strength and lability of the nervous system
2. extraversion - introversion
3. externality - internality

It is important to note that in practice, in isolated form, these indicators are not reliable predictors of the tendency to monotony. ^[3]

In addition, gender differences in the rate of monotony formation are found. In women, in conditions of monotonous motor activity, the state of monotony occurs more slowly. In other words, women are more successful in overcoming the state of monotony than men. ^{[12] [13]}

Motor monotony

This type of monotony arises during the physical fulfillment of simple repetitive actions of the same type. The main factor in this case is energy. Monotonous work requires muscle tension of the musculoskeletal system and the corresponding functions of the autonomic nervous system. A. I. Fukin examines motor monotony using conveyor labor as an example, highlighting the importance of human neurodynamic qualities for resistance to monotony. ^{[11] [14] [15]}

Sensory Monotony

The second type of monotony is found when in a depleted external environment, that is, a lack of sensory stimulation, its uniformity. The main factor causing sensory monotony is the information factor. In this case, the condition is associated with tension of the central nervous system, sensory apparatus and various mental functions. It can be found in any type of activity, but most often it is characteristic of camera work. ^{[11] [14]}

If we consider monotony from a psychological point of view, then its essence consists in weakening the internal stimuli of human activity (motives, interests, target orientation, etc.), in the physiological plan, with monotony, the functional activity and capacity of the body decreases. ^[eleven]

Symptoms of monotony are:

1. Decreased wakefulness, periodic drowsiness, drowsiness.
2. Poor differentiation of stimuli, lowering thresholds of perception.
3. Increase the speed of simple motor reactions.
4. Automation of executable skills, "breakdown of actions" into blocks of operations.
5. Lack of exercise .
6. The general loss of conscious control over others.
7. A sharp narrowing of the field of attention, the need for effort when trying to concentrate.
8. "Flying away" from reality, pseudo-hallucinations.
9. Involuntary updating of visual images from long-term memory.
10. Boredom, the search for substitute activity in the internal plane.
11. Narrowing the circle of social contacts. ^[sixteen]

Unlike simple boredom, monotony involves a decrease in conscious control over the execution of activities. Therefore, when performing responsible or traumatic work (operator work, driving a car, conveyor labor), the development of this condition can cause an accident. ^{[17] [18]}

Prevention of monotony according to V. G. Aseev is included in the framework for the prevention of adverse mental conditions. The author identifies the main universal ways of influence in such cases: improving the organization of the labor process, aesthetic and sanitary conditions, rationalization of work and rest, creating a favorable psychological climate in the team. In a word, to prevent the occurrence of a state of monotony, it is proposed in the broad sense to change the working conditions of a person. ^[nineteen]

1. Automation of routine processes, that is, the use of machine labor when performing the most simple and regularly repeated actions.
2. Change of work assignments, “circular” conveyor as a regular change in the type of activity and the complex of operations performed.
3. Combined work schedules during one work cycle.
4. The enrichment of the content of labor (internal saturation with cognitive elements), that is, a kind of complication of activity in order to avoid monotony.
5. Dynamic organization of the workplace to ensure sufficient range of motion and prevention of physical inactivity.
6. Dynamic interior work environment to provide a rich sensory environment.
7. External stimulation to increase the level of activation, for example, the use of functional music.
8. Activating food additives.

• Mental Satiety
• Fatigue
• Addiction (Psychology)