What triggers the Hawthorne effect?

What triggers the Hawthorne effect?

• A. Increased pay
• B. Attention from supervisors or researchers
• C. Implementation of new technology
• D. Market changes

Answer: (B)

The Hawthorne effect happens when people change their behavior because they know they are being watched or they’re getting attention from those studying them. In practice, workers (or participants) often become more productive or cooperative simply due to the awareness that researchers or supervisors are observing them, not because of the specific changes being tested. This attention creates motivation, a sense of importance, or a desire to meet perceived expectations, which boosts performance temporarily. Increased pay, new technology, or market changes can influence behavior for other reasons, but they do not capture the social-psychological trigger of being observed.

The Hawthorne effect happens when people change their behavior because they know they are being watched or they’re getting attention from those studying them. In practice, workers (or participants) often become more productive or cooperative simply due to the awareness that researchers or supervisors are observing them, not because of the specific changes being tested. This attention creates motivation, a sense of importance, or a desire to meet perceived expectations, which boosts performance temporarily.

Increased pay, new technology, or market changes can influence behavior for other reasons, but they do not capture the social-psychological trigger of being observed.