Exploring the Hawthorne effect
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The Hawthorne effect is a phenomenon where individuals alter their behavior due to the awareness of being observed. describes it as originating from a study on worker productivity where lighting changes were observed to affect performance, but it turned out the mere observation caused the change in behavior. This concept extends to modern applications like continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) and sleep trackers, where the act of tracking and knowing one is being monitored can influence behavior positively. For example, tracking can lead to better dietary decisions or improved sleep habits due to the awareness of being evaluated [1].
points out the use of tracking in daily life to gamify and modify behavior. Observing metrics like sleep scores or dietary intake can motivate individuals to make healthier choices. The sense of accountability that comes with being monitored helps reinforce these behaviors, making tools like sleep trackers, CGMs, and accountability partnerships beneficial for maintaining and improving health [2] [3].
Understanding the Hawthorne effect and its applications can help tailor interventions in various settings, ranging from workplace productivity to health tracking technologies.
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