Question

One way to diminish the effects of social loafing may be to

O use personality tests to hire those people who are group-oriented and want the group to do well
O use team rewards, so everyone works hard to maximize their share of the entire reward
O seek out and punish those who have let the team down
O provide feedback to team members detailing the importance of their individual effort
O always have a supervisor present to make sure people do not have the chance to loaf

Answer 1

Team rewards and providing feedback on the significance of individual effort are effective strategies to reduce social loafing, particularly in complex tasks where every member's contribution is crucial.

Step-by-step explanation:

To combat the phenomenon of social loafing, one effective strategy might be to employ team rewards, which align individual incentives with group success. This method encourages all members to contribute fully, as they collectively benefit from the team's accomplishments. However, it is essential that the tasks are complex and challenging since research suggests group members are more likely to engage fully in difficult tasks where their input is seen as crucial (Jackson & Williams, 1985).

Moreover, providing feedback on the importance of individual efforts can also play a critical role in mitigating social loafing. If team members understand their unique contribution is valued and vital to the team's success, they are more inclined to work hard. This acknowledgment of individual input is especially important as social loafing is less likely to occur when individual performance is evaluated or when their contribution is recognized to be significant to the overall group effort. This principle has been supported by studies indicating that social loafing diminishes when there is an assessment mechanism in place (Karau & Williams, 1993).