Question

When a crowd of people clap or cheer, it is difficult to tell just how loud each individual is applauding or cheering. If people tend to clap louder when they are alone than when they are in a crowd, they are probably engaging in __________.

Answer 1

When people tend to clap louder when they are alone than when they are in a crowd, they are probably engaging in social loafing.

Explanation:

Social loafing is the general tendency of an individual to put in more effort while working independently rather than when being in a crowd or group.  

An individual’s clap will not be heard or noticed in a group clap or cheer.

When everyone in a group works together at the same time, it is difficult to assess an individual’s effort. This is because the entire effort is being pooled within the group itself so as to reach the common goal of everyone and there is no individual goal.  

This leads to a lot of issues in the workplace quite often. The person becomes a sort of a bystander and will not be ready to take up responsibilities.

Social loafing can be corrected by arranging smaller groups and by engaging an individual’s responsibilities and activities.