AAMC FL Practice Exam

What is meant by social facilitation?

1. Deterioration of performance in stressful situations

2. Improvement of performance in the presence of others

3. Complete focus with no external influences

4. Reduction of effort when working alone

The correct answer is: Improvement of performance in the presence of others

Social facilitation refers to the phenomenon where the presence of others enhances an individual's performance on tasks, particularly those that are simple or well-rehearsed. When people perform a task in front of an audience or alongside others, their motivation and arousal levels can increase, leading to improved efficiency and effectiveness in completing the task. This concept is grounded in psychological theories that investigate how social contexts can influence individual behavior. The presence of others can lead to heightened energy and concentration, enabling someone to perform better than they might when alone. This effect is most pronounced in tasks that one is already skilled at, while complex or unfamiliar tasks might not benefit similarly from social environments. The other options, while relevant to discussions about performance, do not accurately represent the concept of social facilitation. Deterioration of performance in stressful situations speaks to performance anxiety rather than the enhancing effect of social presence. Complete focus with no external influences suggests an absence of social interaction, which contradicts the very nature of social facilitation. Lastly, reduction of effort when working alone deals with social loafing, a different psychological phenomenon. Overall, the essence of social facilitation lies in understanding how social settings can positively impact individual performance.