Question

According to Latané \((1981),\) social loafing is due to: A. social norms that stress the importance of positive interactions among group members. B. duplication of effort among group members. C. diffusion of responsibility in groups. D. a bias toward making internal attributions about the behavior of others.

Short answer

Answer: C. diffusion of responsibility in groups

Step-by-step solution

Understanding Social Loafing

Social loafing is the tendency for individuals to exert less effort when they are part of a group than when they are working alone. It is a well-known phenomenon in group psychology. To choose the right answer, one must be familiar with the work of Latané on social loafing and the possible reasons behind it.

Review Latané's work on social loafing

Based on the work of Latané (1981), we know that social loafing is primarily due to diffusion of responsibility in groups. When people work in a group, they may feel less personally accountable for the outcome because responsibility is shared among all members. This causes some individuals to put in less effort than they would if they were solely responsible for the task.

Select the correct option

Now that we know the primary cause of social loafing according to Latané (1981) is diffusion of responsibility in groups, we can choose the correct option from the list: A. social norms that stress the importance of positive interactions among group members. B. duplication of effort among group members. C. diffusion of responsibility in groups. D. a bias toward making internal attributions about the behavior of others. The correct answer is C. diffusion of responsibility in groups, as it is consistent with Latané's work on the topic.

Key concepts

group dynamics

Group dynamics refers to the influential processes that occur within a social group. These dynamics are a powerful force that can dramatically impact how individuals function within a group. Understanding group dynamics is essential, as it can determine how effectively a group meets its goals.

One factor affecting group dynamics is the size of the group. Generally, as group size increases, individual contributions tend to decrease because members feel less accountable. This is closely tied to the phenomenon of social loafing, where individuals exert less effort in a group setting than they would independently.

Effective group dynamics encourage collaboration, idea sharing, and mutual support, leading to better outcomes. Conversely, dysfunctional dynamics may lead to conflict, reduced cooperation, and lower productivity.

• Involves how members interact and function together.
• Affects decision making and problem-solving abilities.
• Can lead to either positive or negative group outcomes.

diffusion of responsibility

Diffusion of responsibility is a psychological phenomenon where individuals in a group are less likely to take action or feel a sense of accountability compared to when they are alone.

When responsibility is spread out over several people, each person may feel less inclined to act because they assume others will do it. This is a central concept in understanding social loafing, as it explains why people might contribute less effort in group activities.

Latané's research highlighted that in group settings, the individual's sense of responsibility diminishes because it is shared with the entire group. This diffusion leads people to think that their individual contribution is not crucial, which can diminish motivation and effort.

• Less personal accountability in larger groups.
• Contributes to phenomena such as social loafing.
• Important to consider in teamwork settings to enhance performance.

group psychology

Group psychology examines how people’s thoughts, emotions, and behaviors are influenced by the social groups they belong to. It incorporates theories and models to understand these complex interactions.

A key aspect of group psychology is understanding roles and norms within groups. Roles define what members do, while norms dictate acceptable behaviors. These help shape and guide activities and interactions within the group.

Social loafing, as studied by Latané, is directly related to group psychology. It describes how working in groups can alter an individual’s motivation and accountability. Knowing how group psychology works allows for better management and optimization of group functions.

• Studies behavior in social contexts.
• Helps understand phenomena like social loafing.
• Essential for improving group cooperation and productivity.