8. Social Facilitation Flashcards
Social Facilitation
the behavioural effects due to others present (BEDTOP) - proposed by Zajonc (1965)
inhibition
negative effects due to the presence of others on performance
facilitation
positive effects due to the presence of others on performance
what are the 4 types of others present in sport according to Zajonc ?
- the audience: those who just watch the event
- competitors (competitive co-actors): those who are in direct competition (opposition)
- social reinforcers: those who have a direct influence on the event, encourages or criticise, such as the coach
- the co-actors: those who are doing the same task but are not involved in direct competition , such as the jogger on the opposite side of the road
what do the audience and co-actors cause ?
an increase in arousal due to their presence but are passive as they are not involved in the event.
what do the competitors and social reinforcers cause ?
they have more direct impact giving encouragement or causing distractions
difference between a beginner and elite level performers performance when others are present
a beginner may be hindered where an elite level performer is motivated
characteristics of an expert performer
- well learned / accurate dominant response, under pressure this response becomes automatic , simple and correct. this may lead to positive performances as facilitation occurs
- e.g. the roar of a home crowd in a pressured situation
characteristics of a novice (inexperienced) performer
- poorly learned / inaccurate response , under pressure this response becomes automatic , complex and incorrect. This may lead to pressurised performances as inhibition occurs.
- e.g choosing the correct response to a powerful serve
evaluation apprehension
the fear of being judged
characteristics of evaluation apprehension
- the negative influence of others if the performer feels they are being watched
- high arousal could be created by being watched by important/ expert people
- if you are unconfident you may also feel high arousal
evaluation apprehension can be worse if …
- the audience is known to us
- the audience is critical
- the audience contains important/ expert people e.g professional scouts
- they are lacking confidence
how do you prevent social inhibition?
- getting the players familiar with playing in front of a crowd
- gradually introducing evaluation
- improving focus and concentration
- lower arousal levels
- decrease the importance of an event
- peer support groups
how does getting the players familiar with playing in front of a crowd prevent social inhibition ?
the coach should allow the team to train with the distraction of an audience so that they get used to being watched- a concept called familiarisation. gradually build up the audience so that the players get used to being watched and learn to cope with it
how does gradually introducing evaluation prevent social inhibition?
not only should the audience be built up gradually , but so should the level off assessment and evaluation of the performance. A team may have informal chats before progressing to statistical analysis , formal assessment sheets and one to one interviews, as the players become more experienced. The coach can try and reduce the importance of the event.
how does improving focus and concentration prevent social inhibition ?
players could focus more on the key information not the audience so they focus on relevant information and things that matter. They may use the process of selective attention to good effect.
how does lower arousal levels prevent social inhibition?
imagery, visualisation and other stress management techniques help
