In the double-slit case, we see a wave-like pattern on the screen, as if the electron beams are like two ocean waves flowing through both slits and interfering with each other.
What if we try to observe the electrons as they pass through the slits? Will we see waves passing through, or particles?
If we do that, the wave pattern collapses, and the electrons act like particles.
So in this case, when we try to observe the electron acting like a wave directly, it doesn't display the wave-like property. So arguably, this variation brings in the consideration you raised as to the act of observation interfering with the sub-atomic particle.
Very mysterious.
What it implies, essentially, is that the interfering act of observation is causing the wave function of the particles to be dissipated, and has nothing to do with any supernatural "intelligence" being displayed by the electron itself. Mostly pointing to our lack of understanding of how the wave function gets depleted by the act of interference, and that has not been explained, yet.