Behavioral management is “the study of how managers should behave to motivate employees, encourage them to perform at high levels and to be committed to the achievement of organizational goals” (Waddell et al. 2007, p. 52). A number of intellectuals explored possible theories that would explain the basis and effect of behaviours of both the management and staff. Some theorists whose ideas are still prominent today include Fredrick Taylor, Mary Follett, Douglas McGregor and Elton Mayo et al. This piece, however, focuses on the ‘Hawthorne effect,’ conducted by Elton Mayo alongside associates F.J. Roethlisberger and William J. Dickson. The ‘hawthorne effect’ refers to an arrangement of experiments that had taken place at the Western Electric Company in Chicago from 1927, through till 1932. This essay focuses on the description and analysis of the research that was conducted and evaluates the relevance and value of the ‘Hawthorne effect’ for managers today. It is important to understand the reasons and consequences behind behavior to implement the best possible behavioural management for the highest productivity achievable. The meaning of the ‘Hawthorne effect’ is still unclear or even misunderstood which will hopefully become clear throughout this essay. Although there are many Criticisms of this theory, it is still very commonly and highly regarded proving to be a valid theory of behavioural management.
The research of the Hawthorne effect was the ‘single most important investigation of the human dimensions of industrial relations in the early 20th century’ (Brannigan & Zwerman 2001, p. 55). These findings were accidently discovered due to the inconsistencies of numerous results from the first few experiments, causing the study t...
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...ystem on knowledge of human nature’ (Brannigan & Zwerman 2001, p. 59). What is important from the Hawthorne Works experiment is what came out of it, as Brannigan & Zwerman (2005, p. 59) agree ‘sometimes and idea is more important than the evidence on which it is based.’
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"All within hearing immediately turned about, and beheld the semblance of Mr. Hooper, pacing slowly his meditative way towards the meeting-house. With one accord they started, expressing more wonder than if some strange minister were coming to dust the cushions of Mr. Hooper’s pulpit·" Working in the realm of the Gothic, Nathaniel Hawthorne hits upon psychological points that few of his readers are willing to explore. Of course, one may not be able to relate to an example involving such an "eccentric" display as Mr. Hooper’s. There is a sudden hush throughout the audience, followed by a rush of low whispering. He walks past them, oblivious to the goings-on and proceeds to the front. Something has changed, and everyone is aware. It is painfully obvious that he wanted everyone to know, for the wounds of the change were self-inflicted· Putting the scenario this way helps to give an anonymous and general view to the former example. This method is used to show how realistic, even common, this somewhat absurd event may actually be. In a psychological analysis, this is a necessary element in both de-personalizing a situation and giving it potential for universal application. In Hawthorne’s "The Minister’s Black Veil," many interpretations by way of psychological analysis are possible, and, once exposed, quite apparent. Once revealed, there are many routes for understanding the story in a psychoanalytical context. The main approaches this essay will take involve a "Jungian" analysis, that is, one involving the use of some of the theories and conclusions of German psychoanalyst and pioneer, Carl Gustav Jung, a former student and friend of Sigmund Freud, in interpreting the actions of the characters in the story. Jung’s discord with Fr...
Heidegger’s Experiment,” Hawthorne regards scientists as individuals who show a remarkable interest in human behavioral patterns. For example, Dr. Heidegger proclaims, “I am desirous of your assistance in one of those little experiments with which I amuse myself here in my study” (160). Since this experiment is being conducted for his amusement, Heidegger is clearly interested in its results. Generally, the doctor wishes to know whether individuals change when given a second chance. He gives the four subjects water from the fountain of youth to see if their behavior changes given a second chance at juvenescence. However, they commit the same imprudent mistakes that they had in their youth. This confirms Heidegger’s notion that people do not change, and Hawthorne is able to depict scientists’ interest in the human mind. The mysterious doctor also states, “Think what a sin and shame it would be, if, with your peculiar advantages, you should not become patterns of virtue and wisdom to all the young people of the age” (“Dr. Heidegger’s Experiment” 162). Heidegger’s statements to the four subjects reveal his intentions and the overall nature of the experiment. The doctor is concerned with the behavior and recklessness of youth rather than the medicinal properties found in the water of youth. Essentially, the four subjects are being given an opportunity to return to their youth. They must not make the foolish mistakes that they each made earlier in their lives. Instead, the individuals should become sources of wisdom for younger generations. Hawthorne’s portrayal of Heidegger and his interest in the behaviors of his subjects demonstrates scientists’ love for experimentation. Hawthorne regards scientists as individuals who will carry out experiments to better understand human behavior. He clearly portrays this through Heidegger’s experiment in which the subjects’ behavior is analyzed to determine whether humans will change given a second
Robbins, S. P., & Coulter. M. (2014). Management (12th ed.). Retrieved from: Colorado Technical University eBook Collection database.
Although he should lose faith in himself as an effective human, husband, and master the absurdity of Hawthorne’s tale lies in the anomaly of Wakefield’s return home as if having been gone no longer than the week he intended to stay away. However, because Hawthorne judged not the actor but the actions, we still rally in the wonderment of knowing "each for himself, that none of us would perpetrate such a folly, yet feel as if some other might" (Hawthorne 76).
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As I searched over the numerous website and psychology books trying to figure out who to write on for this research paper I stumbles upon a famous quote that captures my attention swiftly.
Nathanial Hawthorne’s The Scarlett Letter had many reoccurring, powerful themes, however, the most predominant was how far the ripples of a person’s actions reach; Hawthorne shows this by illustrating how people in a society viewed others’ actions, how individuals viewed their own actions, and how the actions had a physical effect on the body.
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One of the Hawthorne's best examples of the descent into madness (or at least a form of it) is...
The period between the 1920 and 1930 saw the introduction of the Hawthorne Studies and brought about radical changes in organisational behaviour. The once popular belief that increasing output of an organisation was directly related to increasing workers' wages was disproved. Experiments conducted by Elton Mayo proved that there were more than economic factors that improved efficiency. During the tests, behavioural science which is also known as human relations was a key component to improve organisational output.
Waddell, D, Jones, G & George, J 2014, Contemporary Management, 3rd edn, McGraw Hill Education,