Köhler effect

noun

The situation where performance gains in a task are seen in weaker individuals who are striving to keep up with the accomplishments of other group members.

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Meanings

noun
  1. The situation where performance gains in a task are seen in weaker individuals who are striving to keep up with the accomplishments of other group members.

Origin

Named after Otto Kohler, who discovered the effect in 1926.

Full word history & related roots →
Cite this entry
APA

Köhler effect. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 4, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/K%C3%B6hler%20effect

MLA

“Köhler effect.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/K%C3%B6hler%20effect. Accessed November 4, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “Köhler effect,” accessed November 4, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/K%C3%B6hler%20effect.

Source: Köhler effect on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.