What is social loafing refers to the tendency for people to?

Social loafing refers to the tendency for people to exert less effort when working on a group task compared to when working alone. This phenomenon occurs because individuals believe that their individual contributions will not be noticed or appreciated within a group setting. As a result, people may not put in as much effort or work as hard when they are part of a group, leading to decreased overall productivity and performance.

Social loafing can occur in various group settings, such as in the workplace, in academics, or during team sports. It is more likely to happen in larger groups where individual contributions are less noticeable and where people may feel less accountable for their work.

To reduce social loafing in group settings, it is important to establish clear roles and responsibilities for each team member, provide regular feedback and recognition for individual contributions, and create a supportive and collaborative environment where all members feel valued and accountable for their work.