Social Facilitation

Positive (facilitation) and negative (inhibition)

effects (audience and co-actors) on performance, participation and lifestyle;

Theories linked with social facilitation

PPQ

Specification

• demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the positive (facilitation) and negative (inhibition) effects (audience and co-actors) on performance, participation and lifestyle;

• demonstrate knowledge and understanding of links with levels of arousal, and the heightening of the dominant response (Zajonc);

• explain causes and effects of evaluation apprehension;

• demonstrate knowledge and understanding of strategies to combat the effects of social inhibition in practical activities (the use of selective attention and mental rehearsal) and in following a balanced, active and healthy lifestyle.

Facilitation (Positive)

Social Facilitation

Spectators/Co-actors

When arousal stimulated by an audience is positive and performance as a result is enhanced, social facilitation is said to have taken place.

The presence of other people influences the performance of an individual

Inhibition (Negative)

Spectators/Co-actors

When audience induced arousal has a negative effect on performance, social inhibition is said to have occurred.

The presence of an audience increases the arousal of a performer.

Evaluation apprehension theory (Cottrell, 1968)

Links with levels of arousal, and the heightening of the dominant response (Zajonc)

explain causes and effects of evaluation apprehension;

Drive theory of social facilitation (Zajonc, 1965)

• Questioned Zajonc's belief that the mere presence of others raised arousal levels
• He believed that just a 'mere presence' was not enough to produce the social facilitation effect.
• Increased arousal according to Cottrell only occured if the performer perceived the audience as judging = 'evaluation apprehension'.
• Evaluation can either have a facilitating or inhibiting effect

Presence of others

Interactive others

Mere presence of others; passive others

Emotive supporters

Co-active competitors e.g. opponents

Co-actors -

Non threatening fellow performers

Audience -

Passive, silent, interested group

• The mere presence of others creates arousal
• This affects a skill negatively if a skill is poorly learnt (dominant response is incorrect)
• This affects a skill positively if a skill is well learnt (dominant response is correct.

Strategies to combat social inhibition

demonstrate knowledge and understanding of strategies to combat the effects of social inhibition in practical activities (the use of selective attention and mental rehearsal) and in following a balanced, active and healthy lifestyle.

Strategies

Practice

Further theories you need to know....

Athletes will get used to the arousal effects associated with an audience

Confidence building

Mental rehearsal & Imagery

Practice in the presence of an audience

Distraction

Conflict Theory

Selective attention

Confidence can be increased by appropriate use of attribution

High self efficacy will reduce inhibition

Helps to block out the audience

(Cue-utilisation)

Enhance concentration

Personality Theory

Narrows the focus of the performer onto relevant cues

Proximity Effect

Home advantage effect