Final answer:
While group study can be beneficial for fostering community and collaborative learning, the answer to whether students should be encouraged to study in groups is not a straightforward 'true' or 'false'. It depends on several factors including the subject, group dynamics, and learning objectives. Social loafing is a potential downside to group study that needs to be managed.
Step-by-step explanation:
While audiences can indeed enhance performance through collective engagement and feedback, this does not necessarily mean that students should always study in groups. There are both pros and cons to group study, which need to be considered. For instance, theatre audiences contribute to the performers' experience by allowing actors to feed off the energy and reactions of the crowd. This interaction benefits both the audience and the performers. Similarly, in an educational context, group study can foster a sense of community and enable students to clarify doubts through discussion and collaborative learning.
However, it is also important to recognize the potential downside of group study, such as social loafing, where individuals may contribute less effort in a group than when working alone. Studies have shown that college students are susceptible to such behavior, although it can be mitigated by ensuring that groups have similar schedules and motivations. Therefore, whether or not students should be encouraged to study in groups depends on factors like the nature of the subject, the group dynamics, and the learning objectives.