social facilitation and inhibition

Define social facilitation

The positive effect of the presence of others on performance

Define social inhibition

The negative effect of the presence of others on performance

Zajonc 4 types of others

• the audience- those people who are watching either as spectators at the event or on TV

• Co-actors - those who are doing the same task at same time but not involved in direct competition

• Competitors- those who are in direct competition

• Social reinforcers - those who have a direct influence on the performance and the event

A beginner sports performance to being watched

• experience anxiety and over-arousal when being watched and will not be able to cope with the pressure from the crowd causing a poor execution of skills - social inhibition

An expert sports performance to being watched

• be able to cope with the demands of the crowd and will be motivated and encouraged by the support : skills performance can be enhanced- social facilitation

If the skill is simple? When being watched

The presence of co-actors can help

If the skill is complex?

• presence of others can have a negative effect

• Due to complex skill requires the interpretation of numerous items of information- the ability to process information when under pressure is reduced

Dominant reponse for an expert

• likely the response will be well learned and familiar to them - when performing in the presence of others well learned responses are performed automatically and there is no pressure - the response is made simple because it can be done without much thought

Dominant response of a novice

• unlikely to have learned responses that are performed automatically and may not even be able to identify the correct response and may produce an incorrect action therefore responses are made complex as novice uses lots of attention to find the right answer

Define Evaluation apprehension

The perceived fear of being judged

Evaluation apprehension

• can only occur if the people watching them are known to the player

• Could increase anxiety and arousal to high levels - could be reduction in performance or inhibition

• Can be more acute if the performer is feeling less confident about the outcome

Preventing social inhibition

• getting the players familiar with playing in front of a crowd - get use to being watched

• Gradually introducing evaluation - build up level of assessment

• Improving focus and concentration- may use the process of selective attention

• Decrease the importance of the event

• Lower arousal with techniques