In social psychology, social loafing occurs most likely as a result of which of the following conditions?

• A. Individuals in a group with strong interpersonal bonds and high motivation
• B. Individuals performing a task that is highly meaningful to them personally
• C. Individuals working in a group where their individual contributions are not easily identifiable
• D. Individuals working alone on a task with high personal accountability

Answer: (C)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the concept of social loafing: it refers to the tendency of individuals to exert less effort when working in a group compared to when working alone.
2. Identify the key factors that influence social loafing, such as the visibility of individual contributions and personal accountability.
3. Analyze each option by considering whether it increases or decreases the likelihood of social loafing. For example, strong interpersonal bonds and high motivation typically reduce social loafing.
4. Recognize that when individual contributions are not easily identifiable, people may feel less accountable and thus are more likely to engage in social loafing.
5. Conclude that social loafing is most likely to occur in groups where individual efforts cannot be distinguished, leading to reduced personal accountability.