Social facilitation

Introduction

There are many factors that contribute towards behaviour, and it is important to identify the contributors, in order to positively channel behaviour under the confines of the laws of the game.

Content

  • Home field advantage
  • Theories

Social facilitation:

The presence of an audience will have an impact on arousal levels and will affect performance. Sometimes the positive effect is called social facilitation and the negative social inhibition. However, we will consider the presence of the audience as social facilitation.

Drive theory – the presence of others (audience) increases arousal and competitive drive. It causes a release of energy and an increase in the speed of performance.

Evaluation apprehension theory – in some circumstances, the audience can have a calming effect. The increase in arousal is only when the performer perceives the audience to be assessing their performance.

Distraction/Conflict theory – individuals can only attend a limited number of environmental cues. Spectators demand the same amount of attention as other players, resulting in the competition for attention space.

Home field advantage – large supportive home crowds have a positive effect on performance. Crowds get close to the action, increasing audience influence. This is known as proximity effect, e.g. when the roof is closed at the Principality Stadium.

Strategies to overcome social inhibition

  • Practice selective attention, focusing on most appropriate cues.
  • Mental rehearsal, imagery, in order to block out the audience.
  • Skills are autonomous and need little attention.
  • Zone of optional functioning awareness (ZOF).
  • Appropriate use of attribution.

Quick Check

  • There are many factors that contribute towards behaviour.
  • The presence of an audience will have an impact on arousal levels and will affect performance. Sometimes the positive effect is called social facilitation and the negative social inhibition.
  • Home field advantage – large supportive home crowds have a positive effect on performance. Crowds get close to the action, increasing audience influence. This is known as proximity effect.
  • Strategies to overcome social inhibition include: practice selective attention, focusing on most appropriate cues and mental rehearsal, imagery, in order to block out the audience.