The Hawthorne Effect

The Hawthorne Effect is defined as the possibility that individuals picked up to participate in a study may show higher productivity only because of the added attention they received from the researchers rather then any other factor being tested in the study. The study was performed at the Hawthorne Plant of Western Electric Company in Cicero, Illinois. Harvard Business School professor Elton Mayo along with associates F.J Roethilsberger and William J. Dickson led the series of research. The research project was dealing and implementing that individual behavior may be altered because they know they are being studied. In the beginning of this study, the researchers started out by examining the physical and environmental influences of the work place and as the study progress, they moved into the psychological aspects. Ideas that weren’t thought of before this study began to develop throughout the time spent on project. Theses ideas concluded that the social dynamics of groups in the work setting had lasting influence minus the collection of data, labor management relations and informal interaction among factory workers

The major finding within the study was workers became pleased to receive attention from the researchers who expressed an interest in them. It has been known that when you are recognized about your hard work and dedication the littlest compliment that is given to you as an employee motivates you to keep doing your best because you feel that you are making a difference. The study was only planned to be a year long project, but the researchers were set back each time they attempted to relate the manipulated physical conditions to worker’s efficiency, so the study extended out to approximately 5 years.