A team of sociologists is commissioned to study the effects of lighting levels and amount of time for breaks on workers’ productivity in an office setting. Before the study begins, office workers are told why the researchers are there. When the team analyzes their data, they find that no matter what they do, productivity levels go up while they are physically present. When the team is not physically present, productivity levels return to normal. What is the likely explanation of these findings?

The Hawthorne effect

Explanation:

The Hawthorne effect was an experimental effect that was developed by researcher Henry A. Landsberger in the 1950s. According to this effect, the working efficiency of workers was analyzed. Certain aspects of the working environment were looked such as lighting, break timings, working hours, etc.

The productivity level of a company or industry increases when the supervisors gave attention to the workers and it decreases with their lack of attention.

In the given case, the explanation of the scenario will be related to the Hawthorne Effect.

So, the correct answer is the Hawthorne effect.