What is social loafing characterized by?

Social loafing is characterized by the tendency for people to exert less effort when sharing responsibility in a group setting. This phenomenon occurs when individuals feel that their contributions are less visible or less important, thereby reducing their motivation to work hard compared to when they are working alone. In group contexts, especially when tasks are perceived as collective responsibilities, some individuals may take advantage of the shared workload, leading to decreased effort and overall productivity.

This concept has been well-documented in social psychology, highlighting how group dynamics can impact individual performance. When people believe that their impact on the group's outcome is minimized because others are also involved, they may become complacent, leading to the typical outcomes associated with social loafing.

The other options reflect different concepts or behaviors that do not align with the definition of social loafing. For instance, the notion of individuals working harder in group settings contradicts the essence of social loafing. Similarly, competing behavior among group members pertains more to competition rather than collaboration, while psychological strategies aimed at enhancing productivity focus on improving group dynamics rather than the lazy, passive role that defines social loafing.