When individuals perform poorly on simple tasks in the presence of other people, it is referred to as the "social facilitation" effect. This occurs because the presence of others increases arousal and enhances performance on well-learned or easy tasks but impairs performance on unfamiliar or difficult tasks.
Related terms
Evaluation Apprehension: The concern about how one's performance will be evaluated by others, which further intensifies arousal and social facilitation.
Social Loafing: The tendency for individuals to exert less effort when working collectively towards a common goal compared to working individually.
Deindividuation: A state where individuals lose their self-awareness and personal accountability in group settings, often leading to uninhibited behavior or reduced inhibitions.