Group laziness: The effect of social loafing on group performance

• Xiangyu Ying

  Renmin University of China

• Huanhuan Li

  Renmin University of China

• Shan Jiang

  Renmin University of China

• Fei Peng

  Renmin University of China

• Zhongxin Lin

  Renmin University of China

Social loafing has been defined as a phenomenon in which people exhibit a sizable decrease in individual effort when performing in groups as compared to when they perform alone, and has been regarded as a state variable. In this study, we instead conceptualized social loafing as a habitual response, given that many people have been found to be susceptible to social loafing in group tasks. We developed the self-reported Social Loafing Tendency Questionnaire (SLTQ) to measure individual variations in social loafing. In Study 1, the reliability and validity of the SLTQ were established in a sample of college students. In Study 2, SLTQ scores significantly negatively predicted individual performance in the group task condition, but not in the individual task condition. Social loafing can also be considered a trait variable, as it was found to modulate group dynamics when it was activated in a typical situation (i.e., being in a group).

1. Xiangyu Ying, Renmin University of China
   Department of Psychology
2. Huanhuan Li, Renmin University of China
   Department of Psychology
3. Shan Jiang, Renmin University of China
   Department of Psychology
4. Fei Peng, Renmin University of China
   Department of Psychology
5. Zhongxin Lin, Renmin University of China
   Department of Psychology

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