The concept you are referring to is commonly known as the "observer effect" or the "measurement problem" in quantum mechanics. It raises questions about the role of observation or measurement in the behavior of quantum systems.
According to the standard interpretation of quantum mechanics, the act of measurement or observation can influence the state of a quantum system. When a measurement is made on a quantum system, it appears to "collapse" from a superposition of possible states into a single definite state. This collapse is often associated with the transition from wave-like behavior to particle-like behavior.
However, it is important to clarify that the observer effect does not imply that conscious human observation is required to cause this collapse. In quantum mechanics, an observation or measurement refers to any interaction that extracts information from the system, whether it is done by a conscious observer or an inanimate apparatus. The crucial factor is the interaction between the quantum system and the measurement apparatus, which causes the system to decohere and assume a definite state.
The observer effect highlights the inherent probabilistic nature of quantum mechanics, where the wave function describes the probabilities of different outcomes. The act of measurement determines which outcome is realized, but it does not necessarily imply that the act of observation alone turns a wave into a particle. The wave-particle duality is a fundamental aspect of quantum mechanics, and the behavior of quantum systems is best described as having both wave-like and particle-like characteristics simultaneously.
It's worth noting that there are alternative interpretations of quantum mechanics that provide different explanations for the measurement problem, such as the Many-Worlds Interpretation or the Copenhagen Interpretation. These interpretations offer different perspectives on the role of observation and measurement in quantum systems.