Social loafing is a phenomenon in which
A) people tend to expend less effort on collective tasks than when performing the same task alone.
B) individuals work harder when they are in groups than when they are alone.
C) the presence of other people enhances individual performance.
D) there is a reduction of self-awareness and inhibitions when a person is part of a group whose members feel anonymous.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Social loafing refers to the tendency for individuals to exert less effort when working on a collective task due to a diffusion of responsibility and a feeling of anonymity in the group. Therefore, option A is the correct choice. Option B is incorrect because, in most cases, individuals tend to exert less effort when working in groups. Option C is incorrect because the presence of other people can sometimes lead to social facilitation, where individuals perform better in the presence of others. Option D refers to deindividuation, which is a related but different phenomenon, and is not used to describe social loafing.

Social Loafing Is a Phenomenon in Which