Which of the following situations is more likely to lead to social facilitation?

Correct option is B

Social facilitation refers to the phenomenon where the presence of others enhances performance on well-practiced or simple tasks but can impair performance on more difficult or complex tasks. A professional pianist performing in front of an empty auditorium is more likely to experience social facilitation because the task (playing the piano) is well-practiced, and performing it in front of an audience is likely to improve their performance. In contrast, a novice basketball player might experience anxiety or distraction in front of a large crowd, and a student taking an exam alone would not experience social facilitation as there is no audience present.

Triplett's Theory of Social Facilitation and Inhibition

● Presence of Others: The key factor influencing social facilitation and inhibition is the presence of others—whether as co-actors (performing the same task) or an audience.

● Simple vs. Complex Tasks: Social facilitation tends to enhance performance on simple or well-learned tasks, while social inhibition tends to decrease performance on complex or unfamiliar tasks.

● Arousal Theory: The presence of others increases physiological arousal, which can enhance performance on familiar tasks but impair performance on complex tasks where precision is needed.