Reference no: EM133263720

The Hawthorne effect as explained by Gladding (2020) are "changes in behavior because of observation and manipulation of conditions in an environment" (p. 26). I feel like I see the Hawthorne effect in action while at work. I'm fortunate because I am not micromanaged in any way and really get to work independently throughout the day. Due to my supervisor's lack of presence, my office space and co-workers are very talkative and jovial but when my supervisor just so happens to randomly pop up, I watch everyone scurry to their office or desks, and then it gets awkwardly quiet until she leaves. Although we are all competent workers, the need to "represent" that we are working while the "boss" is present is evident. I would argue that this can be an example of the cycle of socialization. At the core of this behavior, is the position of power and powerlessness. Individuals need the security of work and understand that the boss's perception of them can shape their employment. Society has put power into specific positions and titles, and we have failed to see the power in "the worker". It isn't represented until organizations choose to go on strike and begin demanding fairness in the workplace, which I would consider an example of the cycle of liberation.

For me, I've been on both ends of the spectrum because I've owned my own businesses and now with a career change, I am an employee. I understand how titles and positions change behaviors in the workplace and I feel that employees' rights should be given more respect and priority. There's no reason someone should work 40 hours a week and not have food and shelter, yet I've witnessed this. Regard to how my social identity links to the Hawthorne effect is based on my personal and professional experience as mentioned. My behavior doesn't change with the presence of people in positions, but it does change based on experience. My social identity in certain areas is closely linked to other business owners and associations, but in the field of mental health, my social identity is non-existent or how society would view it, powerless because I have little experience. With exposure and time, this will change as with all dimensions of our social identity.

Marjani Muhammad Parr

In the above experience Describe where social influence or the Hawthorne effect occurred. Describe the event and discuss how social influence or the Hawthorne effect impacted the group. How does your social identity link to the Hawthorn effect?