Question

Sasha loves to knit. She notices that when she knits with her knitting group, she seems to get more done than she would in the same amount of time knitting alone at home. Sasha's experience is most likely an example of ____________. a. informational conformity b. social loafing c. social facilitation d. the self-serving bias

Short answer

Social facilitation.

Step-by-step solution

Reading the Question

The question is asking us to identify an example that best fits Sasha's experience when she knits with her group. We need to understand each option: a) Informational conformity involves adopting others' behaviors due to information; b) Social loafing is reduced effort in group settings; c) Social facilitation refers to improved performance in the presence of others; d) Self-serving bias involves attributing success to oneself and failures externally.

Analyzing Each Option

Let's break down each option in context: - **Informational Conformity**: This does not seem to apply since Sasha's productivity increase is not about acquiring information or adopting others' behaviors through that information. - **Social Loafing**: This involves individuals exerting less effort while in a group, which contradicts Sasha's experience of knitting more efficiently. - **Social Facilitation**: This is where performance improves in the presence of others, which aligns with Sasha's observation of increased productivity. - **Self-Serving Bias**: This is about attributing personal and external attributions inaccurately, not relevant here.

Matching Sasha's Experience

Sasha's experience of knitting more efficiently when in a group aligns well with social facilitation, where presence of group members enhances her performance. It directly contrasts with social loafing, as she actually works more, not less, in a group.

Selecting the Best Answer

Based on our analysis, option **(c) social facilitation** best exemplifies Sasha's increased knitting productivity in a group setting.

Conclusion

After considering each option and its implications, it is clear that Sasha's increased productivity in a group setting is a classic example of social facilitation.

Key concepts

Group Dynamics

Group dynamics refer to the behaviors and psychological processes that occur within a social group, or between social groups. In the context of social facilitation, group dynamics are crucial because they highlight how the presence of others can affect individual performance.

When Sasha knits alone, she may have a specific pace and rhythm. However, when she's knitting in her group, the dynamics shift. The simple presence of fellow knitters alters her behavior in subtle ways.

• Sasha may feel a sense of competition, which urges her to knit faster.
• The supportive environment might boost her motivation to work more efficiently.
• Being with the group could also reduce feelings of fatigue, helping her to stay focused and productive longer.

Group dynamics can, therefore, play a vital role in enhancing productivity and fostering a collaborative atmosphere that makes tasks more enjoyable and achievable.

Performance Enhancement

Performance enhancement in social psychology often refers to conditions that improve an individual's ability to complete a task effectively and efficiently. In Sasha's case, the concept of social facilitation is key. Social facilitation occurs when someone performs better on tasks in the presence of others than when they are alone.

This effect can be attributed to several factors:

• The mere presence of others might increase arousal, pushing individuals to perform tasks they are good at more efficiently.
• Social comparison with peers can motivate individuals like Sasha to improve their outputs to match or exceed others'.
• The psychological comfort of knowing others are around might help in channeling one's energy towards task completion, reducing distractions.

Thus, the social environment in Sasha’s knitting group provides a conducive backdrop for her to enhance her performance by way of these social facilitation mechanisms.

Social Psychology

Social psychology is the scientific study of how people's thoughts, feelings, and behaviors are influenced by the actual, imagined, or implied presence of others. Understanding social facilitation within this framework allows us to appreciate how group settings can directly impact individual performance.

When Sasha finds herself knitting more efficiently within her group, we see a practical application of social psychological principles. Her behavior reflects broader themes within the study of social psychology:

• Her improved knitting speed demonstrates how humans inherently respond to the social environment.
• This example illustrates how individuals adjust their performance based on perceived social expectations.
• Social reinforcement and the human need for social interaction play a role in motivating enhanced performance.

Social psychology thus provides the lens through which we can more insightfully explore why Sasha feels she accomplishes more with her knitting companions, highlighting the intricate dance between individual performance and social presence.