It was observed that individuals show better performance in the presence of others, than when they are performing the same task alone. For instance, cyclists racing with each other perform well than when they cycle alone.
Better performance in the presence of others is because the person experiences arousal, which makes the person react in a more intense manner
The arousal is because the person feels she or he is being evaluated called evaluation apprehension.
The nature of the task to be performed also affects the performance in the presence of others. If the others present are also performing the same task, this is called a situation of co-action. In this situation, there is social comparison and competition. In short, task performance can be facilitated and improved, or inhibited and worsened by the presence of others
