Social facilitation in psychology is ... The effect of social facilitation

Modern psychological science identifies such an interesting phenomenon as social facilitation. This term was introduced at the beginning of the last century by scientists N. Tripplet and F. Allport. They in due time have developed the whole concept, allowing to understand, why the person, being in group of the certain people, acts this or that way. It turns out that very many features of behavior depend on such things as temperament, propensity to communicate, a habit of isolation.

The main factors of social facilitation are clearly expressed aspirations to create a positive impression of themselves, to receive approval from the public. A person whose life passes within the framework of social norms and orders will be struggling to meet the duties assigned to him. He will try to justify the expectations of colleagues and superiors even when it is uncomfortable and does not bring joy to his own personality.

The essence of the concept

Social facilitation is a mechanism for the behavior of a person when it has the ability to act fairly successfully and make the right decisions in the environment of society. If a person remains alone with himself, then some tasks of the same level of complexity are perceived by him as more difficult. That is, the effect of social support and approval comes into play. We all need to be seen and heard by society in varying degrees. No one wants to live so independently that it is not concerned with any social attitudes and stereotypes. We are more inclined to listen to the opinion of the majority and draw our own conclusions from this.

Social facilitation in psychology is a rather subtle and individual phenomenon. For each person, the absence or presence of support from society will affect differently. Someone prefers to work alone, and people prevent it, constantly scurrying back and forth. There are people who do not like to listen to instructions, they rely only on their own knowledge, skills and preferences. It is important for another to feel interaction with colleagues and colleagues throughout the whole period of work. Although this will not help much in the work, the main thing is that the person is not alone. In other words, the phenomenon of social facilitation lies in the fact that a person feels more confident when someone is interested in and supports it with his activity.

Phenomenon of positive expectation

The effect of social facilitation is closely related to what the individual expects from society, how much it is oriented at all to his opinion. When surrounding people tend to cheer up a person, support him in many endeavors, then the individual feels that it is much easier and easier for him to carry out his daily tasks. The phenomenon of positive expectation assumes that the individual will try to make a positive impression on the people around in order to obtain all sorts of benefits. When a person feels in society in demand and accepted, it becomes much easier for him to perceive himself and to strive for any goals. Social facilitation in psychology is a concept that determines the degree of success of an individual in a particular situation. Each of us throughout life strives to create around him the most comfortable conditions.

Social Inhibition

This is the opposite phenomenon that arises in a situation when, at the moment of interaction with society, when performing a specific task, a person feels lost and insecure. There is growing anxiety, there is a fear of doing something wrong, making a mistake. This phenomenon is in fact not uncommon. For people whose inner world is distinguished by a particular individuality, it is extremely important to be fueled by one's own energy, while a stranger can harm and interfere.

Phenomena of social facilitation and inhibition are opposite phenomena, but at the same time are closely related to each other. If the first concept involves involvement in social life, the second most often demonstrates some freedom from social interaction in general. Such a life live creative people: writers, musicians, artists. Social facilitation and inhibition are two opposite poles. If it is important and important for a person to work individually, then all kinds of interventions and tips from other people can cause him considerable irritation and dissatisfaction. Social inhibition suggests that individuals are better guided by their own opinions, attitudes and motives. The presence of other people at the time of work activity can only do harm. The productivity of labor will not only worsen, it will not reflect the degree of giftedness of the individual.

The power of psychological pressure

We all live in a society that can not but have a significant impact on us. Most people do not act in the way they really want, but as circumstances require. The strength of the psychological impact of society on the individual is so great that sometimes he does not manage to recognize his own desires and motives.

The phenomenon of social facilitation is of great importance here. It is important for some people to feel the support of their closest associates. It is through this moral help that they can perform their work more qualitatively and fully. If such a person leaves one with a difficult task, then, of course, he will cope with it. However, he will need more time to understand the essence of the problem, solve all the issues that arise.

The phenomenon of loneliness

When a person counts only on himself, he gets used to acting alone. Gradually, the presence of a number of colleagues and the closest associates can greatly affect the results of the activity. Such a person gets used to concentrating as much as possible on work and is not distracted by trifles. Increasing demands for oneself, strict discipline and responsibility are developed.

The phenomenon of evaluation

Being in society, a person is inclined to obey the existing laws in most cases. In this case, the evaluation effect works. Personality begins to think about how it will be perceived by other people, what opinion they will have as a result of certain actions, actions. Social facilitation in this particular case is manifested as an expected praise or blame, as a result of which the productivity of the activities performed increases significantly.

Effect of publicity

A person who lives in society always strives to make a good, positive impression on others. We sometimes can not make decisions on our own in the sense that we constantly look at the opinion of the majority. The effect of social facilitation compels us to follow social attitudes and to orient ourselves to his requests. So it turns out that a person begins to live the requirements of society, forgetting about their own needs. This gives rise to inner dissatisfaction, a sense of lostness and personal unrealization.

The effect of publicity is expressed in the fact that, while in society, the personality begins to act in accordance with the expectations assigned to it. It does not do anything superfluous, but behaves quite adequately for each specific situation.

Extraverts and introverts

People need society in varying degrees. If extroverts can not live without social interaction, then introverts perfectly manage without it for quite a long time. The first draw inspiration through communication with people, the latter see an inexhaustible source of grace in themselves. Interaction with others can make them very tired, deprive forces and new opportunities.

Properties of temperament

It is known that sanguine people adapt more easily to changing conditions. Choleric people tend to act impulsively, make rash steps. Phlegmatic people are calm and reasonable, and melancholic people are characterized by emotional instability and excessive impressionability. How does social facilitation affect all four types? An example can be given such: at the first difficulties the melancholic is inclined to immediately become isolated in himself, the phlegmatic tries to decompose everything "on the shelves", the sanguine actively and productively acts, and the choleric is loudly outraged.

Social laziness

What is this concept, how does it relate to social facilitation? Laziness manifests itself in the case when there is no positive evaluation by other participants in the activity. If the person is not encouraged in any way, she will not want to work in fullness of her abilities. Social laziness consists in the fact that a person will never make additional efforts if he does not see in them a meaning and purpose. In the absence of a meaningful evaluation, a person often closes in himself or begins to work just enough to not cause suspicion on the part of colleagues and colleagues. Laziness neutralizes the effect of such a concept as social facilitation. Examples from life show that, in the absence of due attention and support from the authorities, people generally stop trying, to show themselves at work on the best side, because they do not see the sense and necessity.

Each of us wants to feel that his work is not in vain. If there is a goal for which a person makes certain steps, then any obstacles seem to be surmountable. There are even additional forces to implement the plans. In the case of serious conflicts, misunderstandings on the part of society, a sharp, critical non-acceptance of the results of the individual's work, there are conflicting feelings that interfere with full-fledged action.

Socio-educational facilitation

Public institutions, which include kindergartens and schools, teach a small person from an early age to understand what other people expect from him. Each of us is familiar with the method of encouragement and punishment successfully applied in society. The child, getting into a certain social environment, immediately learns to live by her laws. From childhood, a person is offered (or rather, imposed) a specific model of behavior, according to which he will live in the future.

Socio-educational facilitation is that a person learns from a young age to perceive themselves as part of a society. The society makes certain demands on him, for which he involuntarily has to adjust himself. With this approach, the personality often loses its own individuality, does not know how to implement it in the future.

Thus, social facilitation is a kind of link between the aspirations of man himself and social attitudes. It is very important to be able to find a balance between these two poles, then the personality will become holistic and harmonious.