what is the best example of social facilitation? group of answer choices an individual changing his initial answer to a question after he hears everyone in the group giving an identical answer that is different from his a professional musician performing his best while playing for a large audience. an individual not doing as well in math because she has been made aware of the notion that other social groups are better at solving math problems. an individual just learning how to ride a bike falling once she shows her new abilities to her parents
The Correct Answer and Explanation is :
The best example of social facilitation from your choices is “a professional musician performing his best while playing for a large audience.”
Explanation
Social facilitation is a psychological phenomenon where an individual’s performance is influenced by the presence of others. The presence of an audience can enhance a person’s performance, particularly in tasks they are already skilled at. This concept was first studied by Norman Triplett in 1898, who found that cyclists performed better when racing against others compared to when they were alone.
In the case of the professional musician, this individual likely has extensive experience and training in performing music. When playing for a large audience, the musician may feel more energized, motivated, and focused due to the presence of spectators. This heightened state can lead to improved performance because the musician is already familiar with the task at hand and may thrive under the social pressure to deliver an exceptional show.
In contrast, the other examples do not illustrate social facilitation effectively. For instance, the scenario where an individual changes their answer after hearing the group reflects groupthink or conformity rather than facilitation. The math student who performs poorly due to perceived stereotypes about her social group demonstrates the concept of stereotype threat, where awareness of negative stereotypes adversely affects performance. Lastly, the example of a child learning to ride a bike and falling when showing off to parents is more about performance anxiety or the pressure of social expectations rather than social facilitation.
Overall, the musician’s experience in front of an audience is the clearest representation of social facilitation, illustrating how social presence can enhance performance in familiar tasks.