Passage
For decades psychologists have known that people tend to execute tasks differently when alone compared to when in the presence of other people.In Study 1, researchers analyzed records of bicycle racers' times both during competitions and when racing alone against the clock. They found that the fastest times were recorded during competitions, particularly larger races with over 100 cyclists. This finding was initially attributed to the competitive nature of the races, but later studies suggest performance improves when in the presence of other people, even outside of competition.In Study 2, researchers conducted an experiment based on the idea that the mere presence of others impacts performance. This study involved a simple task (ie, getting dressed), which was performed either alone or with an audience. This task was chosen because it was familiar and routine, without clear standards of good or bad performance. Furthermore, the participants had no idea that this task was of interest to the experimenters.Forty-five male undergraduate students were recruited for Study 2. The researchers informed the participants that they were required to remove their socks and shoes and replace them with unfamiliar ones and then put on a lab coat, surgical mask, and protective eye glasses (hard task). After a 10-minute wait, the participants were informed that the study was called off because the remaining participants failed to arrive and they could put back on their familiar clothes (easy task).All participants in Study 2 were randomly assigned to one of three experimental conditions. In the audience condition, each participant performed both tasks in a room with an attentive confederate watching. In the incidental audience condition, a confederate sat facing away from each participant while the participant performed both tasks. The third group of participants performed both tasks alone (control condition). Participants' behavior was observed and timed by an inconspicuous researcher. It was found that, compared to controls, participants performed more quickly under both experimental conditions when putting back on their familiar clothing, and performed more slowly when dressing in unfamiliar clothing.
Adapted from H. Markus ©1977 Elsevier B.V.
-Which of the following best explains the role of social facilitation in accounting for the results of Study 2?

Question

Passage
For decades psychologists have known that people tend to execute tasks differently when alone compared to when in the presence of other people.In Study 1, researchers analyzed records of bicycle racers' times both during competitions and when racing alone against the clock.  They found that the fastest times were recorded during competitions, particularly larger races with over 100 cyclists.  This finding was initially attributed to the competitive nature of the races, but later studies suggest performance improves when in the presence of other people, even outside of competition.In Study 2, researchers conducted an experiment based on the idea that the mere presence of others impacts performance.  This study involved a simple task (ie, getting dressed), which was performed either alone or with an audience.  This task was chosen because it was familiar and routine, without clear standards of good or bad performance.  Furthermore, the participants had no idea that this task was of interest to the experimenters.Forty-five male undergraduate students were recruited for Study 2.  The researchers informed the participants that they were required to remove their socks and shoes and replace them with unfamiliar ones and then put on a lab coat, surgical mask, and protective eye glasses (hard task).  After a 10-minute wait, the participants were informed that the study was called off because the remaining participants failed to arrive and they could put back on their familiar clothes (easy task).All participants in Study 2 were randomly assigned to one of three experimental conditions.  In the audience condition, each participant performed both tasks in a room with an attentive confederate watching.  In the incidental audience condition, a confederate sat facing away from each participant while the participant performed both tasks.  The third group of participants performed both tasks alone (control condition).  Participants' behavior was observed and timed by an inconspicuous researcher.  It was found that, compared to controls, participants performed more quickly under both experimental conditions when putting back on their familiar clothing, and performed more slowly when dressing in unfamiliar clothing.
Adapted from H. Markus ©1977 Elsevier B.V.
-Which of the following best explains the role of social facilitation in accounting for the results of Study 2?

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

11ecba2d_0d0c_cd37_a3bf_43e31e07149c_MD0008_00 Social facilitation occurs when the presence of others enhances performance. This is thought to occur because the presence of an audience increases autonomic arousal, which causes the dominant (most easily elicited) response to occur. If a task is easy, well rehearsed, or familiar, arousal improves the performance of that task. For example, a basketball player scores more points in a game than during practice. On the other hand, if a task is difficult or unfamiliar, arousal tends to hinder performance on that task (social impairment). For example, a novice basketball player is less likely to score a basket while others are watching. The results of Study 2 suggest that the presence of others either enhanced or impaired performance, depending on the nature of the task. When participants did something easy and familiar (putting on one's own clothes), the presence of an observer enhanced performance. When participants did something novel and unrehearsed (putting on unfamiliar clothes), the presence of an observer impaired performance. (Choice A) People do not necessarily perform more efficiently when being observed. Study 2 suggests that when people are being observed they perform easy tasks more efficiently and perform difficult tasks less efficiently. (Choice B) Although the study did require some participants to perform alone and other participants to perform in front of an observer, the study did not examine the preferences of the participants. (Choice C) Although the study analyzed performance both alone and with an observer, the results do not suggest that one condition led to behavior that was more predictable. Performance is equally predictable in either condition. Educational objective: Social facilitation is a phenomenon whereby the mere presence of others enhances performance on easy, well-rehearsed tasks. Social impairment occurs when the presence of others hinders performance on difficult or unfamiliar tasks. Both are partly due to the enhanced level of arousal caused by the mere presence of others.

Passage For Decades Psychologists Have Known That People Tend to Execute