In social psychology, social loafing occurs when an individual exerts less effort in a group because of the:

• A. desire to take on a leadership role
• B. reduced sense of personal accountability within the group
• C. increased motivation to impress group members
• D. belief that their performance will be individually evaluated

Answer: (B)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the concept of social loafing: it refers to the phenomenon where individuals put in less effort when working in a group compared to when working alone.
2. Identify the key psychological factors that contribute to social loafing, such as diffusion of responsibility and reduced personal accountability.
3. Analyze each option in the problem to see which aligns with the core cause of social loafing:
4. Recognize that 'reduced sense of personal accountability within the group' directly relates to why individuals might exert less effort, as they feel less responsible for the outcome.
5. Conclude that the correct explanation for social loafing is the reduced sense of personal accountability, rather than desires for leadership, motivation to impress, or belief in individual evaluation.