What does the term "social loafing" mean?

The term "social loafing" refers to the tendency of individuals to exert less effort when working in a group compared to when they are working alone. This phenomenon occurs because individuals feel less accountable for the group's outcome, leading to a decrease in motivation. When people are in a group setting, they may assume that others will pick up the slack, which can result in a dilution of individual effort.

Understanding social loafing is crucial, especially in collaborative environments, as it highlights the importance of individual accountability and group dynamics. Efforts to combat social loafing often include structuring group tasks in a way that emphasizes individual contributions or making sure that each member's efforts are identifiable and acknowledged. This helps to mitigate the tendency towards reduced effort that characterizes social loafing.