Social Loafing - GCSE Psychology Definition

Social loafing is when people put in less effort when they are working as part of a group compared to when they are working alone. This happens because individuals feel less responsible for the outcome, thinking other group members will take up the slack. For example, in a group project, a student might not work as hard because they assume their classmates will cover for them. It shows how being in a group can sometimes make people lazy or less motivated. Understanding social loafing helps us see why it's important for everyone to contribute equally in teamwork, so the whole group can succeed.