Exploring the Hawthorne Effect in Golf Performance

What is the Hawthorne Effect and how does it relate to Jill's golf performance?

Choose the correct option:

a) A psychological phenomenon where individuals modify their behavior when being observed

b) A theory that suggests people perform better in isolation

Answer:

Jill's improved golf performance when observed by her teammates is an example of the Hawthorne Effect, a psychological phenomenon where individuals modify or improve their behavior when they know they're being watched.

Explanation:

The scenario described, where Jill plays better golf when her teammates are watching than when she is alone, is an example of the Hawthorne Effect. Named after a series of studies conducted at Western Electric's Hawthorne Works in Chicago, this phenomenon highlights that individuals often improve or modify their behavior in response to their awareness of being observed. Essentially, being watched by others can sometimes enhance performance.

The Hawthorne Effect counters the concept of social loafing, where individuals in a group reduce their efforts because they feel their individual input may not be noticeable. But unlike social loafing, the Hawthorne Effect manifests in situations where individual performance can be clearly evaluated, leading to an enhancement in the individual's action due to increased attention from others.

In this case, Jill’s golf performance improves when she is being observed by her teammates, demonstrating that she is responding positively to the awareness of being watched and thereby exhibiting the Hawthorne Effect.