1. Social Facilitation The effect of an audience upon performance

2. Learning Objectives: 1. To understand the affect social facilitation has upon sports performances 2. To understand the different theories which explain the causes behind social facilitation and inhibition 3. To be able to explain strategies to lessen the affect of social inhibition in a performer Understand the theories of social facilitation.

3. Social Facilitation and Social Inhibition Basic concept is that the presence of an audience will increase arousal levels which will then influence performance. Basic concept is that the presence of an audience will increase arousal levels which will then influence performance. Social facilitation – when the presence of others has a positive effect upon performance. Social facilitation – when the presence of others has a positive effect upon performance. Social inhibition – when the presence of others has a negative effect upon performance. Social inhibition – when the presence of others has a negative effect upon performance.

4. Definitions of Social Facilitation: Social facilitation is the increased likelihood that someone will perform better at a task because of the mere presence of others. Mere presence can either come in the form of co- actors or an audience.

5. Zajonc’s drive theory of social facilitation The mere presence of others is enough to increase arousal. The mere presence of others is enough to increase arousal. This will lead the performer’s dominant response occurring. This will lead the performer’s dominant response occurring. Beneficial for those at autonomous phase. Also aids simple skills and skills that have been over-learned (grooved) Beneficial for those at autonomous phase. Also aids simple skills and skills that have been over-learned (grooved) Detrimental for those at cognitive or associative phase. Also impedes performance of complex skills. Detrimental for those at cognitive or associative phase. Also impedes performance of complex skills.

6. Types of “others” Present others Mere presence of others (passive others) (Zajonc 1965) suggests that increased arousal from the presence of an audience increases drive. Zajonc identified 4 main types of “present others”. Interactive others Passive silent audience Co-actors / Non-threatening fellow performers Co-active competitors Emotive supporters

7. Types of others… [think-pair-share]

8. Task 1 – Simple/Complex tasks – card sort 30 second hand/eye co-ordination test On your own On your own With silent others present. With silent others present. With others joining in – not a competition. With others joining in – not a competition. Against competitors. Against competitors. With emotive supporters. With emotive supporters.

9. Evaluation Apprehension. -Cottrell (1968). -Introduced the concept of being judged by the audience and consequent effects on performance. -Increased arousal and anxiety occurs resulting from the evaluating audience. -In this theory if a performer is confident in their ability to perform a task then the idea of being watched and evaluated should help to improve performance. -Contrary to this if a performer is not confident in their ability then the notion of evaluation from an audience is more likely to hinder performance. -The effect is made more intense if audience members are known to the performer or if it is an expert audience. -For example – Parents Friends Scouts Coaches Judges.

10. Host nation often wins more Olympic medals Many examples of teams who have done well in home national tournaments. No travel required before game. Familiar surroundings/pitch Expectation of crowd to win proximity of the crowd to the game may have more effect than whether the team is at home or away. This can be dependant on the type of sport being played anxiety levels/arousal to increase. Performing in front of an audience who know you can cause extra pressure/high expectations. More home supporters There is some evidence that officials tend to favour the home side

11. Homefield advantage debate… Arguments For -More home supporters. -Familiar surroundings/pitch. -No travel required before game. -Many examples of teams who have done well in home national tournaments e.g. France won the World Cup in their home nation in 1998. -Host nation often wins more Olympic medals than they have done at previous and subsequent games. -There is some evidence that officials tend to favour the home side. Arguments Against -Performing in front of an audience who know you can cause extra pressure/high expectations. -This can cause anxiety levels/arousal to increase. -If the performer is not an expert then this can cause performance levels to fall. -The nature of the audience can affect arousal levels. -If the crowd is noisy/competitive/aggressive then a performer could be negatively affected. -This can be dependant on the type of sport being played. -The proximity of the crowd to the game may have more effect than whether the team is at home or away.

12. Proximity effect When the audience is close to the action it will have a greater influence. When the audience is close to the action it will have a greater influence. This could help to explain home advantage which is most evident in indoor sports such as ice hockey and basketball. This could help to explain home advantage which is most evident in indoor sports such as ice hockey and basketball.

13. Baron’s Distraction – Conflict theory. -Baron (1986). -Stated that performers must focus on the task in hand. -Any distractions will hinder performance. -A performer should direct attention to the task and ignore distractions. -The effect of an audience on simple/well learned skills is less than on difficult/new skills.

14. Strategies which a coach could use to help performers cope with Social Inhibition -Teach coping strategies. -Coach must work together with the performer. -Mental rehearsal – going over sub-routines/movements in the head. -Initially teach/coach in a non-evaluative situation. -Positive thinking. -Encourage support from team mates. -Avoid comparison to others. -Increase self efficacy. -Improve selective attention to positive cues/cut out audience effects. -Reduce the importance of the event/winning isn’t everything. -Use attribution theory (the reasons a performer gives for success/failure) – Attribute to outside factors. -Improve concentration levels. -Include spectators in practice sessions. Gradually increasing audience numbers. -Ensure skills are over learned so that the dominant response will be correct. -Progress gradually to give early success.

15. Write a paragraph explaining which 3 you think are the most important strategies in reducing social inhibition and explain why?