In social facilitation, what is the typical dynamic?

• A. Two dogs grooming each other
• B. One dog becomes aggressive and others follow suit
• C. Dog pees on ground
• D. Dog sleeps

Answer: (B)

Social facilitation happens when the presence or behavior of other dogs raises arousal and makes a dog more likely to perform a behavior that is already in its repertoire. In a group, if one dog displays aggression, that heightened arousal can cue nearby dogs to react in the same way, so the aggressive response spreads. That dynamic—one dog becomes aggressive and others follow suit—best illustrates how social facilitation operates in dogs.

The other behaviors listed don’t capture this social ripple effect: grooming, peeing, or sleeping can occur independently of what others are doing and aren’t driven by the same contagious, arousal-driven influence.