What is social loafing?

Social loafing refers to the phenomenon where individuals exert less effort when working in a group compared to when they work alone. This behavior often occurs because individuals may feel less accountable in a group setting, believing that others will pick up the slack. As a result, they may contribute less to the group's objectives and rely on their teammates to perform.

Understanding social loafing is crucial in team dynamics as it highlights the importance of individual accountability and the need for motivation strategies to counteract reduced effort in group tasks. Recognizing this behavior can help leaders implement measures to ensure all team members are actively engaged and contributing to the team's goals.