Final answer:
Social loafing is a reduction in effort and motivation when working in a group setting compared to individual work. It is more likely to occur in larger groups and among college students. The phenomenon can be alleviated by assessing individual work or requiring self-evaluations. The correct option is a.
Step-by-step explanation:
Social loafing is described as a reduction in motivation and effort when individuals work collectively compared with when they work coactively. In a group setting, individuals may exert less effort because their individual performance cannot be evaluated separately from the group.
This can lead to a decline in performance on easy tasks. For example, when students are assigned a group project where everyone receives the same grade, some students may do less work because they know others will pick up the slack.
The likelihood of social loafing increases as the size of the group increases and is more common among college students. It can be alleviated if individuals know their work will be assessed by a manager or instructor. The correct option is a.