PSYC 2P30 Lecture Notes - Factorial Experiment, Stanford Prison Experiment, Authoritarianism
5 Apr 2013
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Document Summary
Noticed that cyclists were faster cycling with others than when alone. Sometimes presence of others helped performance, sometimes hindered performance. Tendency to perform simple or well-learned tasks better when others are present. Presence of others -> increased arousal -> facilitate or interfere (depends on situation) When learning, we have correct and incorrect responses in repertoire. Arousal increases both responses: hence, errors take longer to decline, learning is hampered. When performing (i. e. not learning), largely correct responses available: hence, arousal helps performance. Question: is it merely the presence of others, or other factors (evaluation apprehension; self-presentation) Seems reasonable but we find social facilitation in animals too. For simple tasks, the presence of others improves performance (found in insects and humans) For difficult tasks, the presence of others decreased performance. Keeps ideas: others cause arousal : but, arousal from conflict between: Paying attention to the audience/co-actor: arousal still leads to facilitation effects.
