The Hawthorne Effect (Definition + Examples)

Summary

This video explores the Hawthorne Effect, a phenomenon where individuals modify their behavior when they know they are being observed. Originating from studies in the 1920s at the Hawthorne Works electric factory, the effect has implications for productivity and research studies. The video delves into the history, causes, and real-world examples of the effect, including its influence on medical and clinical trials. It also discusses the challenges researchers face in conducting unbiased studies and the importance of ethical considerations in psychological research.

Takeaways

• 🔍 The Hawthorne Effect is the phenomenon where people change their behavior when they know they are being observed.
• 🏭 In the 1920s, a study at the Hawthorne Works Electric Factory found that workers became more productive regardless of changes in working conditions.
• 👁️ The observation itself might influence the outcomes of experiments, complicating the study of human behavior.
• 📊 The Hawthorne Effect can impact both participants and researchers, potentially skewing results and interpretations.
• 🤝 Participants may work harder to meet perceived expectations or to please the experimenters, known as the demand effect.
• 🧠 Anxiety or concerns about the study's purpose, such as fear of layoffs, can also drive increased productivity.
• 🐴 The Clever Hans Effect is another example where observation influences results; the horse answered arithmetic questions correctly when its owner knew the answers.
• 🧪 The Hawthorne Effect can affect various fields, including medical studies, as seen in research on rheumatoid arthritis and cerebral palsy.
• 🏥 In clinical trials, the Hawthorne Effect and additional 'trial effects' might influence outcomes, such as improved conditions due to the care environment.
• 🤔 The challenge for researchers is to design studies that accurately reflect normal behavior while minimizing observation bias and maintaining ethical standards.

Q & A

What was the purpose of the study conducted at the Hawthorne Works electric factory in the 1920s?

The study aimed to determine whether changes in workplace conditions, such as lighting or working hours, would impact worker productivity.

What surprising result did the researchers find during the Hawthorne studies?

The researchers found that worker productivity increased regardless of the changes made to the workplace conditions.

What is the Hawthorne Effect?

The Hawthorne Effect, also known as the observer expectancy effect, is the phenomenon where individuals alter their behavior because they know they are being observed.

How might the Hawthorne Effect impact research studies?

The Hawthorne Effect can lead to skewed results in research studies, as participants may change their behavior to please researchers or because they feel observed, making it challenging to obtain accurate data.

What is the demand effect in the context of the Hawthorne studies?

The demand effect occurs when participants attempt to please the experimenters by giving them the results they believe are desired, potentially leading to inaccurate study outcomes.

How did the Clever Hans Effect relate to the Hawthorne Effect?

The Clever Hans Effect showed that the presence and knowledge of the observer could unintentionally influence the behavior of the subject, similar to how the Hawthorne Effect suggests that observation can impact participant behavior.

What are some examples of the Hawthorne Effect in medical research?

One example is a study on rheumatoid arthritis where patients' conditions improved during the study, only to worsen afterward. Another example involved cerebral palsy patients who reported benefits from a treatment despite quantitative data showing otherwise.

How does the Hawthorne Effect challenge the validity of clinical trials?

The Hawthorne Effect, combined with the trial effect, can influence participants' behavior and compliance in clinical trials, making it difficult to determine whether observed effects are due to the treatment or the study environment.

What challenges do researchers face when trying to minimize the Hawthorne Effect?

Researchers struggle to create study conditions that reflect normal behavior without participants feeling observed or influenced. Additionally, they must ensure that studies are conducted ethically while trying to mitigate the Hawthorne Effect.

What strategies might researchers use to reduce the impact of the Hawthorne Effect in their studies?

Researchers can try to reduce the Hawthorne Effect by designing studies where observation is less obvious, using blind or double-blind study designs, and ensuring that participants do not know the study's specific goals.