Socially Facilitated Behavior

Abstract

In this review of the experimental investigation of socially facilitated behavior, the first point to be stressed is that the therm should be used descriptively, without any causal implications. In view of the diversity of the phenomena, it is likely that the mechanisms underlying socially facilitated behavior will vary, not only between species but also within a species in different situations. Functionally, socially facilitated behavior is likely to be more important than environmental factors in attaining group synchrony, since the former provides the fine-scale adjustments to the environmental control of synchrony. By maintaining the group, socially facilitated behavior will thus tend to optimize exploitation of resources and protection from predators, the two most commonly proposed advantages of group living. Socially facilitated behavior may also promote reproductive synchrony, which increases the chances for survival of the offspring. Current experimental techniques in these studies leave much to b...