Organizational stress and the use and misuse of managerial intelligence and experience

Abstract

Four studies in military organizations investigated the conditions under which personnel in leadership positions (infantry squad leaders, 1st sergeants, Coast Guard staff, and battalion and line officers) effectively use their intelligence and experience in the performance of their tasks. The use of intelligence or experience is inferred from the correlation between intelligence or experience and rated task performance. The 4 studies provide consistent evidence that individuals use their intelligence if the relationship with their immediate superior is nonstressful; they fail to use their intelligence or they misuse it when stress with the superior is high. Experience is used effectively when this stress is high but not when it is low. The discussion relates these findings to current theories of stress and anxiety and to social facilitation theory. (24 ref) (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2025 APA, all rights reserved)