C072

Performance Under Observation

B09 Conflict, Aggression & Social Exposure
Core LayerMML-2

Version v1.3.2

Definition

How task quality changes when the person is watched/evaluated by an audience, camera, manager, or examiner.

Poles

Each HES element is a spectrum, not a category: the Low and High poles describe how it presents at its two extremes, while the Reference marks the typical, everyday middle. The poles map variation across the range — neither end is inherently better or worse.

Low Pole

Performance drop under observation: marked deterioration; tightening, errors, flexibility loss, “exam effect.”

High Pole

Performance is preserved or improves: mobilization without loss of precision.

Reference

Small changes: sometimes helps, sometimes hurts—depends on stakes and fatigue.

Measure

Performance delta: quality/speed difference alone vs. under observation.

Measuring Methods

• Same task under two conditions (alone vs. observed) → metric comparison.
• Real-world cases: exams, demos, interviews.
• Observation: onset/offset speed of “tightening.”

Empirical Anchor

Performance under observation / evaluation apprehension (Cottrell, 1972); social facilitation/inhibition (Zajonc, 1965); choking under pressure (Baumeister, 1984).

Notes

• Distinct from social anxiety (C069): anxiety may be high while performance holds, and vice versa.
• Risks at MIN: avoidance of exams/stage; career constraints.
• Risks at MAX: “only-perform-when-watched” dependence; external-validation reliance.

Citation

APA

Human Elements System. (2026). Performance Under Observation (HES Passport C072, v1.3.2). hestable.com. https://hestable.com/passport/C072

BibTeX

@misc{hes_C072, author = {{Human Elements System}}, title = {{Performance Under Observation}}, year = {2026}, note = {HES Passport C072, v1.3.2}, howpublished = {\url{https://hestable.com/passport/C072}} }