National Counselor Exam (NCE)

Which term describes the behavior change that occurs simply by being part of an experiment?

1. Hawthorne effect

2. Placebo effect

3. Confirmation bias

4. Social desirability bias

The correct answer is: Hawthorne effect

The term that describes the behavior change occurring simply by being part of an experiment is known as the Hawthorne effect. This phenomenon is named after a series of studies conducted at the Hawthorne Works factory in the 1920s and 1930s, where researchers found that workers improved their performance simply because they were being observed and considered part of an experiment. The workers altered their behavior in response to the awareness of being studied, rather than due to changes in working conditions. In contrast, the Placebo effect refers specifically to the improvement in symptoms that occurs when a participant receives a treatment they believe is effective, but which has no therapeutic effect. Meanwhile, Confirmation bias relates to the tendency to search for, interpret, and remember information in a way that confirms one's pre-existing beliefs or hypotheses. Lastly, Social desirability bias involves participants altering their responses to align with perceived social norms or expectations, rather than reflecting their true feelings or behaviors. Each of these concepts addresses different aspects of research behavior, but the Hawthorne effect clearly identifies the influence of awareness and observation in experimental settings.