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The Hawthorne Effect
Learning Team C: Nicole Trevino, Richie Miles, Margarita De Benito, Nora McGlown, Debra Hogsett
University Of Phoenix
Research Methods in Psychology
PSYCH 610
Krista Bridgmon
May 23, 2014
The Hawthorne Effect
History and definition of Hawthorne Effect The Hawthorne effect was founded by Henry A Landsberger. He came up with the Hawthorne effect when he was analyzing experiments that he conducted during the 1920 and the 1930s. His experiments were done at the Hawthorne works Electric company. The research was conducted on employees of the Hawthorne works electric company to find out whether the amount of light that the employee received had anything to do with the productivity of these employees. The name the Hawthorne effect was because the research was done at the Hawthorne works electric company. The Hawthorne effect is when someone changes their behavior due to a change in their environment rather than because they know they are being observed. This can mean a change in a new person that comes to the situation or a change in the atmosphere of where they are at.
Example of Hawthorne Effect
If the researchers were studying the effectiveness of supervision on how juveniles in the juvenile justice system conduct themselves while being observed, the researcher would first observe the juveniles while there was regular supervision. Regular supervision for the 16 juveniles would consist of 2 juvenile correction officers (JCO’s). The juveniles are not to be left attended or without supervision. This is a normal daily routine. However, if the supervisor, superintendent, principle, assistant superintendent or any supervisors out of the normal were to go into the dorm of the 16 juveniles their behavior would change. For instance, if they were supposed to be doing their daily shower routine they may be giving the new JCO a difficult time by not following procedure due to the observation. Also another example would be, if they
Learning Team C: Nicole Trevino, Richie Miles, Margarita De Benito, Nora McGlown, Debra Hogsett
University Of Phoenix
Research Methods in Psychology
PSYCH 610
Krista Bridgmon
May 23, 2014
The Hawthorne Effect
History and definition of Hawthorne Effect The Hawthorne effect was founded by Henry A Landsberger. He came up with the Hawthorne effect when he was analyzing experiments that he conducted during the 1920 and the 1930s. His experiments were done at the Hawthorne works Electric company. The research was conducted on employees of the Hawthorne works electric company to find out whether the amount of light that the employee received had anything to do with the productivity of these employees. The name the Hawthorne effect was because the research was done at the Hawthorne works electric company. The Hawthorne effect is when someone changes their behavior due to a change in their environment rather than because they know they are being observed. This can mean a change in a new person that comes to the situation or a change in the atmosphere of where they are at.
Example of Hawthorne Effect
If the researchers were studying the effectiveness of supervision on how juveniles in the juvenile justice system conduct themselves while being observed, the researcher would first observe the juveniles while there was regular supervision. Regular supervision for the 16 juveniles would consist of 2 juvenile correction officers (JCO’s). The juveniles are not to be left attended or without supervision. This is a normal daily routine. However, if the supervisor, superintendent, principle, assistant superintendent or any supervisors out of the normal were to go into the dorm of the 16 juveniles their behavior would change. For instance, if they were supposed to be doing their daily shower routine they may be giving the new JCO a difficult time by not following procedure due to the observation. Also another example would be, if they
References: Buchanan, D and Huczynski, A (2004) Organizational behaviour – an introductory text. 5th Edition. UK: Pearson Education Limited Press. Cherry, K. (2014). What is the Hawthorne Effect? Retrieved May 23, 2014, from http://psychology.about.com/od.hinder/g/def_hawthorne.htm Macefield, R. (May 2007). Usability Studies and the Hawthorne Effect. Journal of Usability Studies, 2(3), 145-154. Retrieved from http://usabilityprofessionals.org/upa_publications/jus Parsons, H. M. (1974). What Happened at Hawthorne? . Science, 183(4128), 922-32.