Which concept refers to an individual performing better in a group setting?

• A. Social loafing
• B. Groupthink
• C. Social facilitation
• D. Peer influence

Answer: (C)

The concept of social facilitation pertains to the phenomenon where an individual enhances their performance on certain tasks when in the presence of others, especially on tasks they are already skilled at. This improvement is often attributed to increased arousal and motivation brought about by the presence of an audience or peers. In settings where an individual is performing familiar or well-practiced tasks, social facilitation can lead to greater efficiency and effectiveness due to heightened alertness and competition.

In contrast, social loafing involves reduced effort by individuals when working in a group compared to when they are alone, which is the opposite of performing better. Groupthink refers to the process where the desire for harmony and conformity in a group results in dysfunctional decision-making, rather than enhancing individual performance. Peer influence indicates the effect that peers have on an individual's behaviors or beliefs, which can affect performance in various ways but does not specifically denote the improvement of performance in a group setting. Therefore, social facilitation is the most accurate term for describing enhanced individual performance in a group context.