AAMC FL Practice Exam

Which concept explains performance improvement in the presence of others?

1. Social isolation

2. Social anxiety

3. Social facilitation

4. Social inhibition

The correct answer is: Social facilitation

The concept that explains performance improvement in the presence of others is social facilitation. This phenomenon occurs when individuals perform certain tasks better or more efficiently when they are in the presence of other people compared to when they are alone. The presence of others can enhance an individual's motivation and increase arousal, which can lead to improved performance on well-practiced or simple tasks. In social facilitation, the audience effect plays a significant role; individuals may feel a sense of accountability or heightened awareness during performances, prompting them to excel. This effect is most noticeable with tasks that an individual is already familiar with, while the opposite—social inhibition—often occurs with complex or unpracticed tasks, where the presence of others may lead to decreased performance due to increased anxiety or pressure. Understanding social facilitation highlights the intricacies of human behavior and group dynamics, making it a critical concept in both psychology and social science.