Social Facilitation and Social Inhibition

Question 1

Zajonc model

Answer 1

Behavioural effects due to others present
There are 4 ‘others’
1. The social reinforcers e.g. coach
2. The audience
3. The co-actors
4. The competitors

Question 2

Performance is
Facilitation =
Inhibition =

Answer 2

Improved

Decreased

Question 3

There are 3 individual differences that may cause social facilitation or inhibition…

Answer 3

Passive or interactive
Level of performer
Type of skill

Question 4

Passive or interactive

Answer 4

Passive - audience and co-actor do not exert direct influence on event but presence = inc arousal

Interactive - competitors and social reinforcers more involved - can give encouragement, advice or cause distractions

Question 5

Level of performer

Answer 5

Beginner - anxious and over-aroused, social inhibition, not cope with crowd

Elite- cope with demands of crowd, motivated and encouraged by crowd, social facilitation, skill can be enhanced

Question 6

Type of skill

Answer 6

Simple - presence of co-actor can help e.g. don’t want to fall first in wall sit

Complex - can have negative effect - ability to process info is reduced when under stress

Question 7

Performance and dominant response with an expert and beginner

Answer 7

Expert
- responses are well-learnt and familiar so unpressured

Beginner
- unlikely too have learnt responses so hard to identify correct response
- responses more complex so require more attention
- effect of crowd adds pressure to cause inhibition

Question 8

Evaluation apprehension

Answer 8

Having a significant observer watching e.g. scout , can effect performer
Defined as the perceived fear of being judged

Question 9

Preventing social inhibition (3)

Answer 9

1. Getting the players familiar with playing in front of a crowd
2. Gradually introducing evaluation
3. Improving focus and concentration