!!! SOCIAL FALICITATION

Question 1

What is the definition of social facilitation?

Answer 1

Social facilitation is when arousal stimulated by the presence of an audience has a positive effect on performance.

Question 2

What is the definition of social inhibition?

Answer 2

Social inhibition is when arousal stimulated by the presence of an audience has a negative effect on performance.

Question 3

How does the the audience affect introverts/extroverts?

Answer 3

• Introverts have a sensitive RAS and can become over-aroused very easily so most likely to cause social inhibition.
• Extroverts do not become over aroused as easily, so an audience is more likely to cause social facilitation.

Question 4

How does the the audience affect beginners/experts?

Answer 4

• As arousal increases, so does performance of the dominant response.
• For beginners this is likely to be incorrect, so social inhibition occurs.
• Experts, have well grooved dominant responses, and the raising of arousal due to the audience facilitates their performance.
• This is known as drive theory of social facilitation.

Question 5

How does the the audience affect simple/complex skills?

Answer 5

• The presence of an audience adds to the information to be processed by a performer.
• Simple skills do not require much information processing, so the audience does not cause information overload, and social facilitation can occur.
• For complex skills, the audience can cause overload and social inhibition.

Question 6

How does the the audience affect gross-fine skills?

Answer 6

• Gross skills do not need high levels of precision, and increased arousal from the presence of the audience tends to facilitate their performance.
• Fine skills can be inhibited by the presence of the audience as the performer must work with high levels of precision, which is more difficult with raised arousal.

Question 7

What is meant by evaluation apprehension?

Answer 7

• The evaluation apprehension suggests that an audience inhibits performance if the performer perceives that the audience is judging them.
• For example if a significant other (talent scout/parent) is in the audience, or the performer believes the crowd to be knowledgeable, and able to form valid opinions.

Question 8

What are 4 strategies to minimise social inhibition?

Answer 8

1: Manage arousal, positive self talk, negative thought stopping, mental rehearsal.
2: Form positive dominant response, practice to groove skills.
3: Increase confidence, positive reinforcement and social support from coach or team mates.
4: Practice in the presence of an audience, practice selective attention - focus on the relevant cues, blocking out the audience.