Question

Social facilitation theory states that people ________.

1) do better on tasks they find easy when other people are present
2) do better on tasks they find difficult when other people are present
3) do better on tasks they find easy when other people are absent
4) none of the choices are correct

Answer 1

Social facilitation theory suggests that people perform better on easy tasks when others are watching, due to increased arousal.

Step-by-step explanation:

Social facilitation theory posits that people do better on tasks they find easy when other people are present. This suggests that the presence of others increases performance for simple or well-practiced tasks due to increased arousal. However, for difficult tasks, this theory indicates that being in a group can lessen anxiety and arousal, allowing individuals to perform optimally if they are motivated. This motivation often comes from the belief that the group requires their individual input to succeed on a challenging project.It is important to note that social facilitation is more likely to occur on tasks that are simple and well-practiced, as opposed to complex and difficult tasks.