From metaphorical information overflow and overload to real stress: Theoretical background, empirical findings, and applications

The paper presents the reader with a psychological analysis of one of the results of the global phenomenon of information overflow and how it translates into an observable psychological outcome, information stress, thus hindering the process of decision-making. Both, the anchoring in the broader context of civilizational changes and, in the particular, in the field of psychology, especially individual differences and stress psychology, are provided, followed by a series of results of our own investigations of managers and emerging adults (entering the job market). Particularly, self-control and the styles of thinking are presented as correlates of increased infostress. We then explore the implications these results might have for the selection and training of managers.