Bank Wiring Observation Room

The Bank Wiring Observation Room was an early industrial psychology experiment conducted in 1931 at Western Electric, aimed at studying worker behavior and social dynamics rather than productivity alone. Researchers observed factory workers to understand how social relationships and peer influence affected work patterns. They discovered that workers' behavior was shaped by social norms and group expectations, leading to the development of theories on formal and informal workplace norms. This study was foundational in understanding human motivation and group behavior in organizational settings, highlighting the importance of social factors in workplace performance.