The misconception that the act of observation by a conscious observer influences the outcome of a quantum experiment, such as the double-slit experiment, is a common misunderstanding or misinterpretation of quantum mechanics. This misconception often arises from vague or popularized descriptions of quantum phenomena.
In reality, the concept of an "observer" in quantum mechanics does not require a conscious observer or any special role for human consciousness. Instead, it refers to any interaction or measurement that disturbs the quantum system being observed. This interaction can be with a measuring device, a particle detector, or any other physical apparatus.
In the case of the double-slit experiment, the "observer effect" refers to the act of detecting or measuring which slit a particle goes through, which disturbs the system and causes the particle to behave differently compared to when the measurement is not made. When the measurement is made, the particle behaves as a particle and shows a definite path through one of the slits, resulting in a classical-like interference pattern. However, when the measurement is not made, the particle behaves as a wave and exhibits an interference pattern.
The important point to understand is that the disturbance caused by the measurement is what alters the outcome, not the conscious presence of an observer. The measuring device or the detector plays a crucial role in the experiment, and it is the physical interaction with the quantum system that leads to the observed behavior.
Unfortunately, due to the popularization and simplification of quantum mechanics in various sources, the concept of the observer has been misinterpreted and confused with conscious awareness. However, within the framework of quantum mechanics, the notion of a conscious observer having a special influence on the outcome is not supported by evidence or the theoretical foundations of the field.