Question

Each of the questions or incomplete statements below is followed by five suggested answers or completions. Select the one that is best in each case. Which statement best describes the Hawthorne effect? a. Giving workers rest periods seems like it should decrease productivity, but it actually increases productivity. b. Social relations among workers have a greater effect on productivity than physical environment. c. Changes in light levels improve working conditions and therefore increase productivity. d. The attention of researchers on subjects causes the effect the experimenter is looking for.

Short answer

The best statement that describes the Hawthorne effect is option D: The attention of researchers on subjects causes the effect the experimenter is looking for.

Step-by-step solution

Understand the Hawthorne Effect

First, it's crucial to know the definition of the Hawthorne effect. It's a psychological phenomenon that indicates that people change their behavior or perform better when they are aware that they're being observed. It comes from a series of studies done at the Western Electric Hawthorne Works in Chicago.

Evaluate the options

Now, let's take a look at the options given. Option A is incorrect because the Hawthorne effect is not about the relationship of rest periods and productivity. Option B is also incorrect as the Hawthorne effect doesn't primarily deal with social relations among workers and productivity. Option C is incorrect as well because the Hawthorne effect is not about changes in light levels improving productivity.

Choose the best option

Looking at option D, it matches the definition and understanding of the Hawthorne effect. It states that the attention of researchers on subjects causes the effect the experimenter is looking for, which is a key aspect of the Hawthorne effect.

Key concepts

Psychological Phenomenon

The Hawthorne Effect is a classic example of a psychological phenomenon. In psychology, a phenomenon is any observed event or occurrence that can be consistently documented. The Hawthorne Effect suggests that individuals alter their behavior in response to being observed by researchers or anyone they perceive as an authority. In the historical experiments at the Western Electric Hawthorne Works, workers were found to increase their productivity not solely due to changes in work conditions, but because they were aware they were being studied.

The Hawthorne Effect sheds light on the complexity of human behavior and how social factors can lead to changes that are often quite significant. It shows that behavior is not only influenced by external changes, such as physical environment or task, but also by the awareness of being evaluated. This insight supports the view that psychological phenomena are integral to understanding human behavior in various settings, including workplace and educational environments.

Behavior Change

The concept of behavior change is at the heart of understanding the Hawthorne Effect. When people know they are being watched, they may subconsciously modify their actions. This change is often a reflexive effort to align with perceived expectations.

In workplace settings, this could mean employees work harder or more efficiently when they know supervisors are observing their work. This behavior change doesn't result necessarily from improved working conditions but rather from the increased attention they are receiving. It's a testament to how keenly people respond to social and environmental cues.

Recognizing that people's actions can be influenced by the mere presence of observers is a powerful tool in the hands of managers and educators. They can use this knowledge to promote positive behavioral changes without direct intervention or changes in the physical environment.

Observer Effect

The Hawthorne Effect is a specific instance of a broader principle known as the observer effect. The observer effect refers to changes that the act of observation can make on a phenomenon being studied. In other words, the process of observing something naturally alters the behavior of those being observed.

In scientific experiments, researchers strive to minimize the observer effect to ensure that their findings are genuine reflections of what naturally occurs. However, in settings like those that produced the Hawthorne Effect, being aware of observation can significantly shift outcomes.

This effect is a critical reminder for those conducting experiments or managing teams to consider how observation alone can influence results. Understanding and accounting for the observer effect can lead to more accurate conclusions and better strategies for managing behavior in various settings.