Put The Hawthorne Effect To Good Use

We're different when we're being observed. The Hawthorne Effect or Observer's Effect gives us a solution to safeguard one of our most valuable assets... reputation.

Dear Letter Opener,

It’s 3 A.M. and I’ve forsaken my slumber to pen this newsletter down¹. There are two core reasons behind the impulsive decision, each weaving a tale of its own.

First and foremost, the ambiance in my bedroom is quite eerie, with a lingering sensation of being watched from the shadows. Secondly, that very eerie sensation sparked within me an idea that quite frankly, couldn’t be contained.

And that idea my friend, stems from the realization that we often see ourselves the least in real-time. Think about it, we don’t see ourselves snoozing the alarm, waking up in a frenzy, haphazardly getting ready for work, driving and cursing through traffic, making up excuses for being late to our bosses, actually getting the work done, driving back home, having dinner while watching our favorite series on Netflix or even sleeping. The people around us, however, they bare witness to us living our lives.

Think about it—while we may have an idea of who we are and how we act, others tend to know more about our outward projection, the persona we present to the world. Some individuals have mastered the art of projection, meticulously appearing like perfect human beings. That’s because they’ve burned the midnight oil to make a mirage of themselves, a personality that fits the crowd and manages to stand out in a way that catches eyeballs.

They don’t do anything that attracts negative attention, instead they win by hearts because they know exactly how they’re being perceived.

There’s a significant difference between hoping to be perceived in the exact manner you view yourself and how you’re actually perceived.

So here's my point: when the eerie sensation of being watched came over me, I altered my behaviour… I got up and started writing. And I’ve done that on more occasions than I could count the hair on my head. Not the writing because someone was watching me part, but altering my behaviour because someone was watching. Perhaps you can relate—I’m willing to go out on a limb and say you’ve done it too.

We tip better on first dates, conduct thorough orientations when our boss is present, summon the strength to lift heavier weights in the presence of a trainer, switch off electronics when our parents are home, behave more conscientiously with our moms around, and become extra generous when our in-laws are within eyeshot. It's what psychologists call the "Hawthorne Effect." When another person's gaze is upon us, our projected selves come under greater scrutiny. We strive to be perceived as better than we may naturally be in that situation, investing extra effort into creating a favorable impression.

Allow me to share an anecdote: once, an investment banker took me to his cherished restaurant, eagerly anticipating the fish he had raved about all weekend. Alas, the waiter made a blunder, serving us cod instead of the promised mahi-mahi. The waiter was scared shitless, whispering to his manager that the last time this happened, the banker had gotten furious. And I bet that that time, the banker was alone. Despite his disappointment, the banker gracefully approached the hesitant waiter, providing sound advice while refraining from causing a scene in front of me.

I often wonder what would have transpired had I not been present in that moment. It's a reminder that our behavior and interactions can undergo fascinating shifts when observed by others.

Take celebrities as an example. Notable personalities, who’ve been around in the eye view of the public for most of their lives immediately switch personalities when they sense a camera on them. On a plane from Dubai to Mumbai was my first encounter with a celebrity. Her interviews were brash, her tone was defiant and her behaviour rebellious but she was the sweetest person to talk to when we sparked a conversation. As soon as we landed, she took a deep breath, indicating that it was showtime and returned to her camera personality.

And I’ve been using what she did, i.e. the Hawthorne Effect, to my benefit ever since. I’m more of an introvert than a social animal so playing games to keep my mind occupied helps me in times of necessity. Whenever I feel on the brink of losing my composure, I visualize a camera right in front of me, recording the faintest of expression change on my face. I add on to the story, telling myself that I’m being telecasted live in front of the whole nation and that any wrong move would put me in jeopardy.

At its core, it serves as a tool for enhancing productivity. Its effective application safeguards one of the most valuable assets to a human being: their reputation—which takes years to build and seconds to destroy.

A word of caution: You probably won’t like the original you when you see yourself in third person. So, before you dismiss this game, practice it in isolation a number of times.

Cheers,

Aamer

1. I’ve also ordered a couple of handy notebooks from Amazon because I can’t strain my eyes in the middle of the night every time I get a crazy idea.