TOEFL Speaking Task 3

Social loafing is a phenomenon in which individuals exert less effort when working in a group than when working alone. This reduction in motivation occurs because people feel their contributions are less identifiable in a group setting, leading to a diffusion of responsibility. Social loafing can lower overall group productivity and is more likely to occur when tasks are simple or when group members believe others will compensate for their lack of effort.

Professor: Let me give you a classic example from a study. Researchers asked participants to pull a rope attached to a gauge that measured force. When participants pulled alone, they averaged about 85 kilograms of force. However, when they pulled in groups of three, each person’s average effort dropped to about 65 kilograms. Even more striking, in groups of six, the average per person fell to just under 50 kilograms. Why? Because individuals felt their personal effort was hidden within the group. They assumed others would pull enough, so they didn’t try as hard. This happened even though the task was simple and all participants were capable of pulling more. The result clearly demonstrates social loafing—people slacking off when their individual output isn’t easily observed.