Question

Sometimes people perform better-for example, ride a bike faster-when they are in groups than when alone. Social psychologists call this a. the Yerkes-Dodson principle. b. social loafing. c. social facilitation. d. conformity.

Short answer

The correct answer is c. social facilitation.

Step-by-step solution

Understanding the Concepts

First, let's understand what each option refers to: 1. The Yerkes-Dodson principle refers to the relationship between arousal and performance, suggesting that performance increases with arousal up to a point, before declining. 2. Social loafing is when individuals exert less effort when working in a group than when working alone. 3. Social facilitation is when people perform better on simple or well-learned tasks in the presence of others. 4. Conformity involves changing one's behaviors or beliefs to match those of others.

Analyzing the Situation

The question describes a situation where people perform better, like riding a bike faster, when they are in groups. This means that the presence of others improves performance, which aligns with the concept of social facilitation.

Choosing the Correct Term

Based on the analysis, the situation where people perform better in a group points to social facilitation (option c). The other options do not describe this specific scenario.

Key concepts

Social Psychology

Social Psychology is a fascinating field that explores how individuals think, feel, and behave in social environments. It bridges psychology and sociology, focusing on how behavior is influenced by the actual, imagined, or implied presence of others.
Within social psychology, various phenomena like attitudes, aggression, and relationships are studied. It's about understanding human interaction and the dynamics of group behavior. Researchers in this field investigate questions like why people conform to group norms or how social identities influence behavior.
For example, the concept of social facilitation falls under social psychology. It explains why someone might ride a bike faster when others are around. This field helps us comprehend not just complex social structures, but everyday interactions, making it incredibly relevant to understanding today's world.

Group Behavior

Group Behavior refers to how individuals behave in a group setting and how group dynamics influence individual actions. When people come together, they interact in ways that are often different from how they would behave alone.
There are several important aspects of group behavior, including:

• Social Roles: The parts people play as members of a social group.
• Social Norms: Expected standards of behavior within a group.
• Cohesion: The bonds that bring group members together.
• Group Influence: How group opinions can shape individual decisions.

In the context of social facilitation, group presence can enhance a person's performance on tasks they are already good at. For instance, a runner may speed up when they become part of a running club, driven by the energy and pace of others.

Performance and Arousal

Performance and Arousal explores the relationship between one's level of arousal—or alertness—and their performance on certain tasks. The Yerkes-Dodson principle provides insight into this connection by suggesting that people perform best at a moderate level of arousal.
When arousal is too low, performance may suffer due to lack of motivation or engagement. Conversely, too much arousal can lead to stress and decrease in performance.
In social facilitation, the presence of others can increase arousal levels. This heightened state can either enhance performance on simple or familiar tasks but impair it on complex or new ones. The energy of a group situation can elevate a person's arousal, often resulting in improved outcomes for tasks they are skilled at.
Understanding the interplay of performance and arousal is crucial not only for sports and performance arts, but also for daily tasks and learning environments.