Social Facilitation and Inhibition

Question 1

Define Social Facilitation

Answer 1

The Behavioural effects due to others present (BEDTOP)

Question 2

Explain 4 types of ‘others’ according Zajonc?

Answer 2

The audience - Those who just watch the event.
The co-actors - those who are dong the same task but are not involved in direct competition.
The competitors co-actors - Those who are in direct competition
The Social Reinforcers - Those who have a direct influence on the event.

Question 3

Which ‘others’ are said to be ‘passive’ according to Zajonc?

Answer 3

The audience
Co-actors
BECAUSE they do not exert direct influence on the event but their mere presence causes an increase in arousal.

Question 4

Which ‘others’ are said to be ‘interactive’ according to Zajonc

Answer 4

Competitive Co-actors
Social reinforcers
BECAUSE they have a direct influence on the event/competition.

Question 5

Explain Social inhibition.

Answer 5

The negative effect of the presence of others on performance.

Question 6

Explain Social facilitation

Answer 6

The positive effect of the presence of others on performance.

Question 7

List the ways a coach or player could reduce the effects of social inhibition.

Answer 7

Gradually introduce evaluation
Peer pressure
Familiarisation - train with distractions
Lower the importance of the event.

Question 8

What do you understand by the term evaluation apprehension?

Answer 8

The percieved fear of being judged.

Question 9

How does the concept of evaluation apprehension affect performance?

Answer 9

Perceived fear of being judged
Causes an increase in arousal
worse if being judged by perceived expert
worse if being judged by people known to performer.

Question 10

What stategies could a coach use to limit the effects of evaluation apprehension?

Answer 10

Improve confidence
Use cognitive and somatic relaxation techniques
Introduce evaluation gradually
Lower the importance of the event
use mental rehearsal, learned well to ensure the dominant response is correct.

Question 11

How does the drive theory help to explain the effects of an audience on performance?

Answer 11

The audience increases arousal levels, which means the performer relies on the dominant response.
If the dominant response is correct, more likely if the performer is an expert, then facilitation will occur.
If the dominant response is incorrect, more likely if the performer is a novice, then inhibition will occur.