The Social Facilitation Theory

The Social Facilitation Theory suggests that people's performance can change when others are watching. For tasks they find easy or well-practiced, being observed usually improves their performance because they feel motivated and confident. However, for tasks that are difficult or unfamiliar, observation might increase anxiety, leading to worse performance. Essentially, the presence of others can either boost or hinder how well someone does a task, depending on how familiar or challenging it is. This theory highlights the powerful influence of social context on individual behavior and performance.