A model of social influence in sports

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Abstract

Social facilitation has been a long-standing topic in social psychology (starting with Triplett, 1898). Recently, the existing evidence on motor performance was systematically summarized to identify that effort-based tasks are generally facilitated by merely present observers (van Meurs et al., 2022). Studies on active spectators, however, are scarce: both field- and lab-based studies have reported contradicting evidence or null-effects. Nonetheless, spectator effects are hypothesized to arise from mediators like threat perception (e.g., Lazarus & Folkman, 1984), self-presentational tendencies (e.g., Baumeister & Steinhilber, 1984; Wallace et al., 2005), emotional support (e.g., Hennessy et al., 2009), or increased importance (e.g., Latané, 1981; Strauss, 2002), and lead to performance pressure and skill breakdown, or facilitation (cf. Strauss et al., 2023). Performance pressure is potentially moderated by the type and behaviour of the audience, the athlete, the sport, and the specific skill (e.g., Epting et al., 2011). The present systematic review attempts to map the existing studies of active spectators on motor performances to identify mediating and moderating factors in sports or motor performance and highlight gaps to inform future research. In forward searches, we found 11,015 records in eleven databases (Scopus, PsycINFO, PsycArticles, Sport Discus, Web of Science, ProQuest Dissertations, OvidSP, PsyArXiv, OSF Preprints, SportRxiv, Theses Commons). At the time of submission, after title and abstract screening, 97 studies are retained for the full-text eligibility check. The included studies will be summarised, and their suggested mediators and moderators integrated into a verifiable model. The model will guide future social-psychology research on the impact of spectators and might e.g., suggest explanations for the inconclusive results of the archival home-advantage studies (see Strauss et al., 2023).

Speakers from the University of Münster

Strauß, Bernd	Professorship for Sport Psychology (Prof. Strauß)
van Meurs, Edda	Professorship for Sport Psychology (Prof. Strauß)