When a group of people perform an additive task together, there is a tendency for each individual to contribute less to the group's product than when they perform alone. This effect is known as:
A) role ambiguity.
B) social facilitation.
C) distraction-conflict theory.
D) social loafing.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Social loafing refers to the tendency for people to exert less effort when working on a group task compared to when working alone. This is because people feel less individually accountable for the outcome of the group's effort, and also because they may feel that their individual contribution will be subsumed by the group's overall performance. Social loafing can be reduced by making individual contributions more visible, creating incentives for individual effort, and fostering a sense of group cohesion and commitment.

When a Group of People Perform an Additive Task Together