Association of Graduate Careers Advisory Services(Scotland)

Group Decisions- Pulling your weight
Think back again to a team you have worked in. Did everyone put in the same effort, or were there some freeloaders? Did the size of team matter?

Studies in the 1920's, with tug-o'-war teams found that individual effort tended to decrease as the size of the group increased.

In decision making some individuals put less effort into achieving quality decisions than other members, this is called 'social loafing.'

Suggestions to get everyone putting in equal effort, i.e. overcoming the effects of social loafing include:

Restricting the group to a relatively small size (5 - 7) so individual contributions are more visible
Helping members see that their contribution makes a difference to the group's performance
Using individual rewards, not just group rewards

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