Social Facilitation

Question 1

Who are the four types of others present in sport?

Answer 1

1) an audience.
2) competitors.
3) social reinforcers.
4) co-actors.

Question 2

What is the role of an audience?

Answer 2

Just watches.

Question 3

What is the role of competitors?

Answer 3

Conflict with the performer.

Question 4

What is the role of social reinforcers

Answer 4

Encourages or criticises performance.

Question 5

What is the role of co-actors?

Answer 5

Are doing the sport alongside

Question 6

What is the Zajonc model?

Answer 6

Explains 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. Competitiors and social reinforcers have a more direct impact giving encouragement or causing distractions.

Question 7

Would a beginner be helped or hindered by the presence of others?

Answer 7

Inhibition- when performance is influenced negatively by the presence of others.

Question 8

Would an expert be helped or hindered by the presence of others?

Answer 8

Facilitation- when performance is influenced positively by the presence of others.

Question 9

What is the link between performance and the dominant response in expert performers?

Answer 9

Well-learned/ accurate dominant response, under pressure this response becomes automatic, simple and correct. This may lead to positive performances as facilitation occurs.

Question 10

What is an example of performance and the dominant response in expert performers?

Answer 10

the roar of a home crowd in a pressure situation.

Question 11

What is the link between performance and the dominant response in novice performers?

Answer 11

poorly learned/ inaccurate response, under pressure this response becomes automatic, complex and incorrect. May lead to pressurised performances as inhibition occurs.

Question 12

What is an example of performance and the dominant response in novice performers?

Answer 12

Choosing the correct response to a powerful serve.

Question 13

Define evaluation apprehension.

Answer 13

The fear of being judged.

Question 14

What is evaluation apprehension?

Answer 14

The negative influence of others is if the performer feels they are being watched.

Question 15

How is high arousal linked to evaluation apprehension?

Answer 15

-Could be created by being watched by important/expert people.
-If unconfident may also feel high arousal.

Question 16

How could evaluation apprehension be made worse?

Answer 16

-Audience is known to us.
-Audience is critical.
-Audience contains eg Chief Scouts.
-We are lacking confidence.

Question 17

How can you prevent social inhibition?

Answer 17

-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 the event.
-Peer support groups.