⊿ Point. {R} Glossary. ◢ Keyword: H. ◥ University. {q} PhD. {tr} Training. ⚫ UK. ⚫ England. ⬤ London. ↂ EndNote. ✊ La (2004) Hawthorne effect. Social phenomenon where watching causes changes The original research involved workers who made electrical relays at the Hawthorne Works, a Western Electric plant in Cicero, Illinois. Between 1924 and 1927, the lighting study was conducted. Workers experienced a series of lighting changes in which productivity was said to increase with almost any change in the lighting.
This turned out not to be true.[3] In the study that was associated with Elton Mayo, which ran from 1928 to 1932, a series of changes in work structure were implemented (e.g., changes in rest periods) in a group of five women. However, this was a methodologically poor, uncontrolled study that did not permit any firm conclusions to be drawn.[4] One of the later interpretations by Landsberger suggested that the novelty of being research subjects and the increased attention from such could lead to temporary increases in workers' productivity.[5] This interpretation was dubbed "the Hawthorne effect". History[edit]