Final answer:
Workers became more productive due to the attention they received, marking the discovery of the Hawthorne effect in the Hawthorne Studies by Elton Mayo.
Step-by-step explanation:
In the Hawthorne Studies, Elton Mayo discovered that workers became more productive when they received more attention, worked as a group, and were made to feel their contributions were important. The studies took place at the Western Electric's Hawthorne Works and began as research into the effects of the physical work environment but revealed that psychological and social factors had an even more significant effect on productivity. This phenomenon is known as the Hawthorne effect, which describes the increase in performance when individuals are aware they are being observed.
Other findings related to the Hawthorne Studies have indicated that social relations among workers and supervisorial style contributed to increases or decreases in productivity. These concepts are considered foundational in the field of organizational psychology, emphasizing the importance of human interaction and perception in the workplace.