What effect refers to changes in participants' behavior when they are aware of being observed?

The Hawthorne effect refers to the phenomenon where individuals alter their behavior in response to being observed. This effect was famously studied during experiments at the Hawthorne Works factory in the early 20th century, where researchers found that workers changed their productivity levels when they knew they were part of an experiment, regardless of the specific changes made to their working conditions. The key aspect of the Hawthorne effect is the awareness of observation, leading participants to behave differently than they normally would.

In contrast, confirmation bias involves the tendency to search for, interpret, and remember information that confirms one’s preexisting beliefs, while self-serving bias describes a habit where individuals attribute positive outcomes to their own actions and negative outcomes to external factors. Demand characteristics refer to cues within an experimental setting that inform participants about what behavior is expected, potentially leading them to respond in a manner they believe aligns with those expectations. While demand characteristics relate to behavior influenced by perceived expectations, the specific influence of being aware of observation is best characterized by the Hawthorne effect.