What does "social loafing" refer to?

The concept of "social loafing" refers to the tendency of individuals to put forth less effort when working in a group compared to when they are working alone. This phenomenon occurs because individuals may feel less accountable for the outcome in a group setting and may believe that others will pick up the slack, leading to a reduction in personal effort. It highlights a key challenge in group dynamics, where the collective output may not reflect the potential individual contributions due to diminished motivation.

Understanding social loafing is important in various contexts, including team projects, workplace collaborations, and educational settings, as it can negatively impact group performance and overall productivity.