Ch 7.4 Flashcards
What is social loafing?
The tendency to withhold effort in a group task because people feel others will take up the slack.
How does social loafing affect group performance?
It reduces the group’s overall performance as members decrease their effort, thinking others will compensate.
What is the “free rider effect”?
When people reduce their effort in a group task to get a free ride at the expense of others.
What is the “sucker effect”?
When people reduce their effort because they feel others are free riding and want to restore fairness.
How can individual performance be made more visible to reduce social loafing?
Keep the group small, post performance levels, and have members present their accomplishments.
How does making work interesting help reduce social loafing?
Intrinsic motivation from interesting tasks can counteract the tendency to loaf.
How can feelings of indispensability reduce social loafing?
Assign unique roles or tasks to members so they feel their contribution is essential for group success.
How does increased performance feedback help reduce social loafing?
Feedback from peers, bosses, or customers encourages members to correct their performance.
How can rewarding group performance reduce social loafing?
Rewards for group success motivate members to maximize their own performance and monitor others.
