In which of the following situations can the presence of others mask the typical social facilitation effects?
A) when employees have powerful norms against working too hard, and "rate busters" are chastised
B) when African American students put out less effort in the presence of other African American students to avoid "acting white"
C) when adolescent boys want to convey a lack of interest in a childlike task when others are present
D) All of the above are correct.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

All of the given situations involve the presence of social norms or pressures that can override the typical effects of social facilitation. In the first scenario, employees may not want to be seen as working too hard in front of their coworkers, even if it would improve their performance on a task. In the second scenario, African American students may feel pressure to conform to stereotypes about academic underachievement and avoid standing out among their peers. In the third scenario, adolescent boys may feel pressure to conform to gender norms that discourage interest in activities seen as childish. In all of these cases, the presence of others can inhibit the social facilitation effect that would typically lead to improved performance on a task in front of an audience.

In Which of the Following Situations Can the Presence of Others