Date of Award
4-1-1977
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Arts (MA)
Department
Psychology
Abstract
Predictions based on Cottrell's learned drive extension of Zajonc's hypothesis of social facilitation were investigated in a 2 x 2 x 2 factorial design. Sixty-four male subjects were shown a paired-associate list once or three times and then tested for recall either 2 min. or 45 min. later. Arousal at the time of learning was manipulated by the experimenter either closely observing or not observing subjects. After one learning trial, precisely the same form of Arousal X Retention Interval interaction found by Geen (1973) was obtained: observed subjects recalled fewer items at 2 min. than did unobserved subjects, while contrary to Cottrell's hypothesis, this relationship reversed at 45 min. (ps<.05). After three trials, no significant differences were found, although the means (higher for observed subjects tested at 2 min. and 45 min.) were in the direction predicted by Cottrell's hypothesis.
Recommended Citation
Platt, Gary J., "Social Facilitation: Differential Recall of Paired-Associates as a Function of Socially Induced Arousal, Repetition, and Retention Interval" (1977). Student Work. 1879.
https://digitalcommons.unomaha.edu/studentwork/1879
Comments
A Thesis Presented to the Department of Psychology and the Faculty of the Graduate College University of Nebraska In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree Master of Arts University of Nebraska at Omaha. Copyright Gary J. Platt April, 1977