The Hawthorne Effect - Or Why Everything Works

Summary

The Hawthorne effect refers to the tendency for people to perform better when they know they are being observed. This was demonstrated in a 2015 hospital hand-washing study and originated from a 1920s experiment at a General Electric factory in Hawthorne, Chicago, where productivity improved under various changes like lighting and rest breaks. Modern research confirms that this effect is seen in many settings, such as classrooms, where teachers and students perform better when they are being observed. This has implications for professional development, suggesting that observation can enhance performance and outcomes.

Takeaways

• 😀 The Hawthorne effect refers to the tendency for people to perform better when they know they are being observed.
• 😀 A 2015 study showed that hospital staff were three times more likely to wash their hands when they knew they were being studied.
• 😀 The term 'Hawthorne effect' originates from experiments conducted in the 1920s at a General Electric factory in Hawthorne, Chicago.
• 😀 The original experiment explored factors affecting productivity, including lighting, rest breaks, and small group incentives.
• 😀 Surprisingly, even after returning to previous working conditions, productivity remained high, suggesting the effect of being observed.
• 😀 The novelty of being watched is believed to lead to better performance, as people strive to meet expectations when under observation.
• 😀 Despite criticisms of the original experiment, modern studies confirm the presence of the Hawthorne effect across various settings.
• 😀 Teachers tend to exhibit better teaching behaviors when they are observed in classrooms, a clear demonstration of the Hawthorne effect.
• 😀 Participants in research studies sometimes admit to changing their behavior when they know they are being observed.
• 😀 The Hawthorne effect suggests that professional development in schools, such as observation-based projects, often leads to improved outcomes.
• 😀 To harness the Hawthorne effect, teams can observe each other, which likely results in improved performance and behavior.

Q & A

What is the Hawthorne effect?

The Hawthorne effect is the tendency for people to perform better when they know they are being observed or studied.

How was the Hawthorne effect discovered?

The Hawthorne effect was discovered during a study at a U.S. factory run by General Electric in the 1920s. The study explored factors affecting productivity, and it was found that productivity improved when workers were observed.

What were some factors tested in the Hawthorne study to see how they affected productivity?

The factors tested included increasing or dimming the illumination in the factory, introducing rest pauses, and offering small group incentives. All of these led to improvements in productivity.

What did the researchers find when the work conditions were returned to normal after positive changes?

Interestingly, even after returning to the previous work conditions, productivity continued to improve, suggesting that being observed had a lasting impact on performance.

How is the Hawthorne effect commonly interpreted?

The Hawthorne effect is often interpreted as the idea that humans tend to perform tasks better when they know they are being observed, as the novelty of being watched prompts them to improve their behavior.

Have modern studies confirmed the Hawthorne effect?

Yes, modern studies have confirmed the presence of the Hawthorne effect in various scenarios, such as teachers exhibiting better teaching behaviors when observed in classrooms.

Can the Hawthorne effect impact research outcomes?

Yes, the Hawthorne effect can lead to changes in behavior, which might frustrate researchers, as participants may alter their actions simply because they know they are being observed.

How does the Hawthorne effect apply to education?

In education, when students know they are being studied or valued, their performance tends to improve. This implies that professional practice projects in schools will often lead to improved teaching outcomes.

What does the speaker suggest teachers should do based on the Hawthorne effect?

The speaker suggests that teachers should observe each other in teams, as it is likely to improve teaching outcomes due to the Hawthorne effect.

What does the speaker mean by saying the Hawthorne effect has been described as a 'glorified anecdote'?

The speaker is referring to how the original Hawthorne experiment, while insightful, is often criticized for lacking the rigor and methodologies of modern social science research. Despite this, the concept of the Hawthorne effect remains influential.