The Social Facilitation of a Simple Task

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Abstract
The present two studies were conducted to examine various aspects of social facilitation in a field setting. Joggers were timed as they ran along a predetermined section of an indoor track. Results of the first study indicated that the presence of an attentive spectator, but not an inattentive spectator, produced faster running relative to a no-spectator group. Neither the sex of the spectator nor the presence of other joggers on the track affected performance. The second study examined the underlying process involved in the attentive spectator effect by asking runners for self-perceptions. Results indicated that runners who reported more distraction also ran faster, but only when observed by an attentive spectator. Distraction was also related to increased nervousness consistent with the distraction-conflict explanation for social facilitation.

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