Observer Effect Pronunciation: /əbˈzɜːr.vər ɪˈfɛkt/ (ub-ZUR-vur ih-FEKT) Part of Speech: Noun
Definition: A phenomenon in which the act of observing or measuring a process changes the process itself. Commonly cited in physics (especially quantum mechanics), where the presence of a measurement can alter the state or behavior of what is being observed. The concept also applies more broadly to social sciences and everyday life, where people’s behavior may change because they know they are being watched.
Example: In quantum experiments, the observer effect means measuring a particle’s position can disturb its momentum.