The Hawthorne effect in reverse: Trainee orientation for the hard-core unemployed woman

Abstract

Utilized role-playing, group-problem-solving sessions to make the work adaptation of 72 formerly unemployed black females more satisfying. It was postulated that Ss would show greater positive change in attitudes toward self accompanied by positive changes in attitudes toward work as a function of their reference group involvement and their perceived improvement at reflexive identification in the role-playing episodes. Contrary to prediction, the Hawthorne effect boomeranged. Ss did evince greater positive changes in attitude toward self, but rather than the accompanying positive shift in attitudes toward work posited, these Ss were apparently presented with the support necessary to raise both their levels of aspiration and expectation and subsequently leave the work environment. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2025 APA, all rights reserved)