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Happy Software Developers Solve Problems Better

Posted by timothy on from the beatings-continued-until-morale-improved dept.

First time accepted submitter HagraBiscuit (2756527) writes Researchers from the Faculty of Computer Science, Free University of Bozen-Bolzano, Bolzano, Italy, have quantified and analysed affective mood index against objective measures of problem-solving effectiveness for a group of software developers. From the report abstract: "The results offer support for the claim that happy developers are indeed better problem solvers in terms of their analytical abilities. The following contributions are made by this study: (1) providing a better understanding of the impact of affective states on the creativity and analytical problem-solving capacities of developers, (2) introducing and validating psychological measurements, theories, and concepts of affective states, creativity, and analytical-problem-solving skills in empirical software engineering, and (3) raising the need for studying the human factors of software engineering by employing a multidisciplinary viewpoint.

6 of 121 comments (clear)

  1. True of any job. by timrod · · Score: 5, Insightful

    It's not just software development, but any job. If the employees are happy about how they're being treated, they'll do the best job they can, because they want to stay with the company. If they're not, they're going to do the bare minimum to stay employed while they look for another job at a better company.

    1. Re:True of any job. by disposable60 · · Score: 4, Insightful

      It's not just work.

      Happy people just plain _human_ better.

      Playing on FUD (and creating it if there isn't enough) is what turns people into monsters.

      --
      You're looking for quotes? See my journal.
    2. Re:True of any job. by blue9steel · · Score: 3, Insightful

      And you would know this how? In my experience there are no perpetually happy people.

    3. Re:True of any job. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Insightful

      Not necessarily. I have had jobs where I was quite unhappy, but I gave every project my best effort, as I had coworkers/managers, etc who were not responsible for the sucky job conditions that depended on my work. Most employees know that it is wise to leave a good impression, as it may bring opportunities down the road. Being unhappy or dissatisfied with your job but busting your ass anyway is a trait that tends to be remembered.

  2. Re:News flash by twdorris · · Score: 4, Insightful

    People who are happy do better at things.

    Its more like individuals achieve better performance when they are happy. Either way that is really good news. :-)

    OMFG...why do people have to reply like that? "It's more like", "Not only that, but", "It's worse than that because". Ugh. The one-up-manship drives me nuts.

    How is "individuals achieve better performance when they are happy" any better than "people who are happy do better at things"? Seriously? How is one "more like" the article than the other when the whole purpose was to provide a sarcastic summary of a long-winded project to show some obvious results?

    And the little smiley at the end does NOT make it all OK. It's not smart. It's not humorous. It's nothing but a bunch of drivel so you could hear your keyboard clack away.

    And while you're at it, get off my damn lawn!

  3. Re:Happy Software Developers Solve Better Problems by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Insightful

    Whores do what the customer wants, professionals do what the customer needs.