If Experiment 1 is repeated with a "hostile-audience" condition that produces similar data to the "supportive-audience" condition, which hypothesis best explains this outcome?

• A. A hostile audience does not affect performance.
• B. A supportive audience impairs performance.
• C. An involved audience impairs performance.
• D. A nonhostile audience enhances performance.

Answer: (C)

The hypothesis that best explains the outcome of similar data being produced in both the "hostile-audience" and "supportive-audience" conditions is that an involved audience impairs performance.

This conclusion can be drawn from the understanding that when participants are in a performance situation, their results can be influenced by the audience's involvement. Involvement may lead to increased pressure or anxiety, regardless of whether the audience is perceived as supportive or hostile. If the data from both conditions indicate a similar performance level, this suggests that the presence of an audience—whether hostile or supportive—has a comparable effect, potentially causing distraction or performance anxiety which might hinder optimal performance.

By framing it within the context of audience involvement, it highlights the psychological dynamics at play, where audience presence alone may create an intensity that can detract from an individual’s ability to perform well, thereby explaining both scenarios' outcomes. The observations align with theories in social psychology regarding the influences of audience dynamics on individual performance.