Activity for the book My Psychology

Chapter App 13.1: Social Facilitation

Use your experience with the app in Chapter App 13.1: Social Facilitation or view this video overview to answer the questions.

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The HabitShare app uses some of the tenets of social psychology. The app relies on pressure from others to motivate users to follow through on their proposed goals. This system illustrates the concept of .
Mareko has shared his goal of writing every day with his friend Sam. After Mareko fails to write for an entire week, Sam texts: “You just need to try harder. If you make a stronger commitment, you can do it!” Though Sam’s intentions are good, his comment might underestimate situational factors impacting Mareko’s schedule. Which of these errors best describes Sam’s comment?
HabitShare and similar goal-setting apps begin by asking the user to make a small commitment—simply sign up and create a goal. The app then relies on social influence and motivating notifications to help the user pursue those goals. But by first getting the user to commit to a small request, HabitShare is using the .
Minka and Jason are both using the HabitShare app to help them exercise more regularly. Minka falls short of her goal because she is so introverted that she fears interacting with others at the gym. Jason falls short of his goal because he has a small child and a new job and can’t find the time. These two explanations for behavior—traits in the individual and situational factors—are described by which theory?
Takesha shares her goal of wanting to learn Spanish with five of her friends. She finds that she is motivated to work harder when she is supported by and accountable to other people. This boost in Takesha’s performance in the presence of others is known as .