Warmth Matters: Imaging a Warm-Hearted Colleague Increase Job Specific Self-Efficacy of Rescue Workers

Abstract

Clinical performance of rescue workers and ambulance personnel depends on job-related self efficacy. Previous studies showed that stereotype threat diminishes self-efficacy. The stereotype content model defines two dimensions of first social perception: warmth and competence. The present study investigates whether the warmth perception affects job-related self-efficacy. In a within subject experiment, 244 rescue works were instructed to imagine performing a difficult rescue operation with a) a warm-hearted and b) a cold-hearted colleage. They also rate the perceived difficulty of the operation. Our findings indicate a significant difference between the warm-hearted and the cold-hearted condition in job-related self-efficacy (d = 1.13) and in the difficulty-rating (d = 1.04). Results are discussed by integrating stereotype content model, attachment theory and stress buffering aspects of oxytocin research. Moreover, implication for job traings were given.