the observer’s paradox

The observer’s paradox occurs when studying people's natural behavior, because simply knowing they are being watched can change how they act. For example, someone might speak more carefully or behave differently if they realize a researcher is observing them. This makes it difficult for researchers to understand how people normally behave, since the act of observing can influence the behavior itself. The paradox highlights the challenge of studying genuine, spontaneous behavior while aware of the observer’s presence, which often requires careful methods to minimize these effects.