The observer effect is a phenomenon in which an observer has an effect on something being observed. This concept is involved in many fields such as physics and psychology. Simply put, when you "snoop" something, your "snooping" behavior itself may have an impact on that thing, thus changing its original state.
For example, when you are observing a cat's behavior, the cat may change its behavior because of your observation. Originally, the cat may be taking a leisurely walk, but when it notices your gaze, it may become nervous, restless, or even run away. In this example, your observation behavior affects the cat's behavior, which is the observer effect.
The observer effect is also very common in our daily lives. For example, when you need to investigate a question, your survey behavior may affect the respondent's response. Respondents may feel embarrassed and uncomfortable by your survey questions, giving untruthful answers.
So how do we deal with the observer effect? First, in scientific research, we can reduce the impact of observer effect on experimental results through methods such as "double-blind experiments". In life, we can maintain an objective and neutral attitude as much as possible to avoid letting our own expectations and prejudices affect our observation and judgment.
Finally, let's consider a question:
Have you ever felt upset or changed by being observed?