social loafing

Question 1

what is social loafing?

Answer 1

Tendency of individuals to lessen their effort when they are part of a group or team

• Larger the group = more social loafing
• Decreases group cohesion = negatively affects group performance
• Negative impact on individual performance = negative affect on team performance

Question 2

what conditions does social loafing occur under?

Answer 2

• Athlete perceives other athletes to be working at a lower intensity which in turn gives them an excuse to put less effort in
• Belief that their efforts won’t make a difference
• Individual effort cannot be measured
• Task is perceived as meaningless
• Individual is competing against a perceived weaker opponent

Question 3

how to minimize social loafing?

Answer 3

• Measure player input
• Coach can provide regular feedback to each individual player
• Smaller groups
• Coach creates clearly defined roles
• Coach can set challenging individual goals and team goals
• Make individuals accountable for effort by publishing results for team