Question

Identify a correct explanation for the occurrence of social loafing:

• A. Group members feel less responsible for the overall task being performed and therefore exert less effort.
• B. Motivation of the members increases because they realise that their contribution will be evaluated on individual basis.
• C. There is proper coordination among group members.
• D. Belonging to the same group is important for the members.

Hint:

Social loafing is lower effort in a group because personal responsibility is diluted.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
Social loafing means that people put in less effort when they work in a group than when they work alone. The question asks for the correct reason behind this.

Step 2: Key idea:
In a group, the work is shared and individual contribution is hard to see. Each member feels less personally responsible, so effort drops.

Step 3: Check option (1).
It says members feel less responsible for the whole task and so try less. This is the standard explanation of social loafing. So (1) is correct.

Step 4: Check option (2).
It says motivation rises because each person will be judged individually. When contribution is individually evaluated, social loafing goes down, so this explains the absence of loafing. So (2) is wrong.

Step 5: Check option (3).
Proper coordination among members is a sign of an efficient group. Loafing is a drop in effort, not a coordination matter. So (3) is wrong.

Step 6: Check option (4).
Feeling that belonging to the group is important points to cohesiveness, which usually reduces loafing. So (4) is wrong.

Final Answer:
Social loafing occurs because members feel less responsible for the overall task, option (1).\[ \boxed{1} \]