Final answer:
Scholars began studying teams around 1900 by examining productivity and conducting research in industrial psychology, spearheaded by pioneers such as Elton Mayo and Frederick Taylor.
Step-by-step explanation:
Just before 1900, scholars began studying teams by examining productivity in various contexts, giving rise to the field of industrial psychology.
Notably, Elton Mayo and his colleagues at Western Electric's Hawthorne Works conducted research that extended beyond the initial focus on physical work environments, such as factory lighting, to include the study of interpersonal relations and organizational dynamics.
This marked the emergence of organizational psychology as a discipline. Additionally, individuals like Frederick Taylor contributed to the field through time-motion studies aimed at increasing efficiency and output in the industrial sector, which were part of the broader Scientific Management principles.
These historical developments illustrate the trajectory from early studies of worker efficiency to the complex analysis of team dynamics and productivity.