Final answer:
The Hawthorne effect refers to the increase in performance of individuals who are aware they are being observed by researchers or supervisors. It occurs when people change their behavior because they know they are being watched as part of a study.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Hawthorne effect refers to the increase in performance of individuals who are aware they are being observed by researchers or supervisors. It was discovered during a series of studies conducted at Western Electric's Hawthorne Works in the 1920s and 1930s. The effect occurs when people change their behavior because they know they are being watched as part of a study. The attention of researchers or supervisors on the subjects causes the effect. The Hawthorne effect is an important consideration in many fields and must be controlled for in experiments.