In social psychology, social loafing refers to the tendency for people to:

• A. exert less effort when working in a group compared to when working alone
• B. take on leadership roles when placed in group situations
• C. work harder in groups due to increased motivation
• D. conform to the opinions of others in a group setting

Answer: (A)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Step 1: Understand the concept of social loafing in social psychology. Social loafing is a phenomenon where individuals tend to put in less effort when working in a group compared to when they work alone.
2. Step 2: Analyze each option in the problem to see which aligns with the definition of social loafing.
3. Step 3: The first option states 'exert less effort when working in a group compared to when working alone,' which directly matches the definition of social loafing.
4. Step 4: The other options describe different social behaviors: taking on leadership roles, working harder due to motivation, and conforming to opinions, none of which define social loafing.
5. Step 5: Conclude that the correct understanding of social loafing is the tendency to exert less effort in group settings compared to working individually.