Social facilitation

Social facilitation refers to the tendency for people to be aroused into better performance on simple tasks (or tasks at which they are expert or that have become autonomous) when under the perceived observation of others, compared to when performing alone. However, for complex tasks (or tasks at which people are not skilled), performance is often inferior in socially-observed settings. This effect has been demonstrated in a variety of species. In humans, it is strongest among those who are most concerned about the opinions of others, and when the individual is being watched by someone he or she does not know, or cannot see well.

In a social situation, would a violinist perform a: (a) well-rehearsed piece well?; (b) difficult piece poorly?

See also

• Audience effect
• Group (psychology)
• Social loafing