When he was alone, Spencer made several mistakes when playing a very familiar piece on the piano. However, when asked to play the same selection for several of his relatives, Spencer did not make a single error. This difference in Spencer's performance is MOST likely explained by _____.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Social facilitation is the tendency for people to perform better on simple or well-rehearsed tasks when in the presence of others. In this case, Spencer's improved performance in front of his relatives suggests that their presence may have aroused a sense of arousal or motivation, which improved his performance.

When He Was Alone, Spencer Made Several Mistakes When Playing