Rhythm & Work

For years sociologists have wondered whether rhythmic movements on the assembly line are a help or a nervous strain on workers. In its last issue, the Journal of the American Medical Association reports a study by British Psychologist P. C. Wason of 15 soap-wrappers working for Manchester soapmaker Cussons, Sons & Co. Ltd., who do a strange little jig to music piped in over the plant intercom. W'ason's findings: jigging on the job is a big help both in speed and efficiency. Wrote Wason: "The movements consisted of a rhythmical swaying of the trunk backwards and forward, with rapid folding of the ends of the papers and tapping and shaking of the soap. Rotation of the head was also observed. These movements were absent in new employees . . . however, the habit gradually developed after training. It was found that the greater the jigging the greater was the woman's efficiency . . . Rhythm is a help in any kind of repetitive work, and the rhythm in this occupation probably develops in an attempt to increase speed [since workers] are paid a bonus for work over a basic output. The newcomers, anxious to increase output, imitate the others and join in the jig. Some dislike it, others try to stop it, but without success . . . The correlation between jig and efficiency only means that working to rhythmic movements is more efficient than working without them."

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