The Hawthorne effect

The Hawthorne Effect refers to the change in behavior that occurs when individuals know they are being observed. Originating from studies at the Hawthorne Works factory in the 1920s, researchers found that workers improved their productivity simply because they were being monitored. This suggests that awareness of observation can influence performance and behavior, regardless of the actual changes in working conditions. It highlights the significance of attention and perception in social and organizational settings, indicating that people often act differently when they feel they are in the spotlight.