Apa Itu Hawthorne Effect dan Siapa Itu Elton Mayo - Penjelasan Singkat dan Jelas

Introduction

This tutorial provides a clear and concise overview of the Hawthorne Effect and its relation to Elton Mayo, a key figure in organizational psychology. Understanding these concepts is essential for anyone interested in human behavior in the workplace and the impact of social factors on productivity.

Step 1: Understand Who Elton Mayo Is

• Elton Mayo was an Australian psychologist and organizational theorist.
• He is best known for his role in the Hawthorne Studies, which examined how social factors influence productivity.
• His research emphasized the importance of human relations in the workplace.

Step 2: Explore the Hawthorne Studies

• The Hawthorne Studies were a series of experiments conducted at the Western Electric Hawthorne Works in the 1920s and 1930s.
• These studies aimed to understand how different variables, such as working conditions and social relationships, affected worker productivity.

Step 3: Learn About the Illumination Experiment

• The Illumination Experiment was the first phase of the Hawthorne Studies.
• Researchers changed lighting conditions to observe their impact on worker performance.
• Surprisingly, productivity increased regardless of whether the lighting was improved or dimmed.
• This led to the realization that social factors, not just physical conditions, played a major role in productivity.

Step 4: Examine the Relay Assembly Test Room

• This part of the study involved a group of female workers assembling telephone relay systems.
• Researchers altered various factors, such as work hours and breaks, to see how these changes affected performance.
• The results showed that the workers' productivity increased not just due to changes but also because of the attention they received from researchers, highlighting the importance of social interaction.

Step 5: Understand the Hawthorne Effect

• The Hawthorne Effect refers to the phenomenon where individuals modify their behavior in response to being observed.
• In the context of the studies, workers improved their performance because they felt valued and noticed.
• This effect underscores the importance of management's attention and the social environment in the workplace.

Step 6: Discover the Human Relations Movement

• Elton Mayo's findings contributed to the Human Relations Movement, which focused on the psychological and social aspects of work.
• This movement advocated for better employee treatment, emphasizing motivation, group dynamics, and communication.
• It shifted management practices towards a more people-centered approach, recognizing that employee satisfaction is crucial for productivity.

Conclusion

The Hawthorne Effect and Elton Mayo's contributions significantly changed the understanding of workplace dynamics. Recognizing the impact of social factors on employee performance can lead to improved management strategies and a more engaged workforce. Consider exploring further how these principles apply in contemporary organizational settings to enhance employee well-being and productivity.