6.8 Social Facilitation + Inhibition

Question 1

Social facilitation + inhibition

Answer 1

Performers react differently to being observed while participating. Some enjoy performing with an audience and the result of their performance improves. This is known as social facilitation + it may well motivate performers

However some dislikes performing with an audience and their performance worsens when being observed. This is known as social inhibition + may cause a loss of motivation

Question 2

Zajonc’s model + categories

Answer 2

Suggested that 4 types of ‘others’ may be present during performance:
- passive others
- interactive others
- audience effects
- dominant response

Question 3

Passive others

Answer 3

Passive others do not interact with the performer but have an effect by simply being present. These include:
- audience
- co-actors

Question 4

Interactive others

Answer 4

Interactive others communicate directly with the performer + include:
- competitive co-actors
- social reinforcers

Question 5

Audience effects

Answer 5

The main effect in a performer is that they will experience increased arousal levels.
Performance will be facilitated if the performer is:
- an expert
- performing a simple skill
- performing a gross skill.
However performance will be inhibited if the performer is:
- a novice
- performing a complex skill
- performing a fine skill

In the above circumstances the performer cannot cope with the extra arousal and performance will therefore deteriorate.

Question 6

Dominant response

Answer 6

Drive theory explains the linear relationship between drive + performance.
It is a well-learned skill that the performer will use when under competitive pressure.
If performer an expert they will have over learned motor programmes stored in their long term memory + their dominant response is likely to be performed correctly.
However if performer a novice they have not yet grooved their responses therefore under pressure fine or complex skills will deteriorate

Question 7

Evaluation apprehension

Answer 7

Evaluation apprehension is the fear of being judged.
Other factors causing evaluation apprehension:
- if knowledgeable audience then nervousness increases e.g. scout
- if significant other watching e.g. parent or peers
- if audience is supportive or abusive
- has a naturally high trait anxiety
- low self-efficacy

Question 8

Strategies to combat social inhibition

Answer 8

Key strategies to combat social inhibition:
- familiarisation training
- increase self-efficacy
- practise skills until grooved
- use selective attention to improve focus

Cognitive strategies:
- mental rehearsal
- imagery
- positive self talk
- negative thought stopping

Coach could:
- decrease importance of the task
- offer encouragement
- slowly introduce evaluation in training