Final answer:
Social loafing, where individuals exert less effort in group tasks, is primarily due to the phenomenon of deindividuation, which reduces a sense of accountability and personal responsibility.
Step-by-step explanation:
Social loafing occurs when an individual exerts less effort when working in a group compared to working alone. The concept is closely associated with the idea of deindividuation, where individuals, feeling anonymous and less accountable in a group setting, may decrease their effort since their individual contributions are not directly evaluated. As deindividuation increases, people may lose their sense of individuality and experience a reduction in personal responsibility, leading to social loafing.
This is especially the case in larger groups where individual effort is more difficult to track. However, when tasks are complex and individual contributions are deemed vital, social loafing is reduced as members feel more motivated and responsible for the group's success. Deindividuation can lead to a decrease in self-awareness and in the regulation of behavior that would typically be guided by personal or social standards, contributing to the phenomenon of social loafing.