What psychological concept explains the enhanced performance of individuals in a group?

The concept that explains the enhanced performance of individuals in a group is social facilitation. This phenomenon occurs when the presence of others improves an individual's performance on tasks, particularly those that are simple or well-practiced. The presence of an audience or fellow group members can increase arousal, which in turn enhances the ability to perform well on tasks that one is already familiar with.

Social facilitation is grounded in theories of motivation and arousal; it suggests that the increased stimulation from others can lead to a heightened state of alertness or energy, making it easier for individuals to execute tasks effectively. This is particularly relevant in competitive or social settings where cooperative behavior is encouraged, as the individual may feel more motivated to perform at their best.

In contrast, social loafing refers to the tendency for individuals to put in less effort when working in a group, while group polarization involves the tendency for group discussion to amplify the prevailing opinions within a group. Conformity refers to changing one's behavior or beliefs to match those of a group. None of these concepts describe the enhancement of performance in the way that social facilitation does.