Shortly after discovering social laziness, Norman Triplett (USA) observed that cyclists achieve better results when riding in a group (peloton) rather than alone.
In 1904, psychologist Ernst Meumann (DE) conducted further observations, which showed that the mere presence of an observer influenced the performance of the person doing the work1.
Subsequent research studies have explored this phenomenon, focusing on the factors that enhance performance. These studies have revealed that the presence of an observer can turn a situation into an examination session. If the observer holds a higher hierarchical function, it can further increase the participant's stress level.
However, individuals react differently to stress. Some tend to inhibit themselves and experience reduced performance, while others become more enthusiastic and uninhibited.
Presenting work in public can also lead to a cognitive "freeze" and cause the person to lose composure.
Additionally, observers can be disruptive or create distractions that annoy the observed individual.
To improve social facilitation, it is important to consider the limited size of the group, the role and contribution of each individual, a sense of belonging, and egalitarian status (flat management).
> Furthermore, social facilitation has gained renewed interest in the context of information and communication technologies (ICT), where networks and groups of individuals are created2.
>
> This is evident in "pair programming," a working method in which two developers collaborate on the same workstation. The person writing the code is called the driver, while the second person, the observer, assists by identifying imperfections, checking the code's implementation, and suggesting alternative approaches. The roles are regularly exchanged during the programming session"3.
>
- 1
(notion://www.notion.so/motivatwork/La-facilitation-sociale-36769e318a2a4879adf514b32dee8db3#_ftnref1) This is the basis for Elton Mayo's theory of the "Hawthorne effect", also known as the "observer effect".
- 2
(notion://www.notion.so/motivatwork/La-facilitation-sociale-36769e318a2a4879adf514b32dee8db3#_ftnref2) Facilitation sociale - Les 101 théories de la Motivation - Fenouillet https://www.lesmotivations.net/spip.php?article133
- 3
(notion://www.notion.so/motivatwork/La-facilitation-sociale-36769e318a2a4879adf514b32dee8db3#_ftnref3) Charlie McDowell, Linda Werner, Heather E. Bullock et Julian Fernald, « The Impact of Pair Programming on Student Performance, Perception and Persistence », Proceedings of the 25th International Conference on Software Engineering, mai 2003, p. 602-607