The Social Loafing Theory

The Social Loafing Theory suggests that individuals tend to put in less effort when working in a group compared to when they work alone. This happens because people may feel their individual contributions are less noticeable or undervalued, leading to a reduction in motivation. Factors like perceived lack of accountability, group size, and whether others are contributing can influence this behavior. Recognizing social loafing helps in designing team strategies to ensure everyone remains engaged and accountable, promoting more effective collaboration and productivity.