Micro · Individual Stub 1965

Social Facilitation and Social Loafing

사회적 촉진과 사회적 태만

A dual social psychology paradigm explaining that the mere presence of others enhances performance on simple tasks (social facilitation), but decreases individual exertion when pooled in collective group tasks (social loafing).

Field Psychology · Management
Level of analysis Micro · Individual
Paradigm Behaviorism Cognitivism
Key figures 👤 Robert Zajonc (로버트 자용치) 👤 Bibb Latané (비브 라타네)
Year 1965

Key Claims

Robert Zajonc resolved contradictory audience effects by demonstrating that co-presence increases physiological arousal, facilitating dominant well-learned responses. Concurrently, Bibb Latané formalized Social Loafing: when individual outputs are pooled, reduced evaluation apprehension causes workers to shirk.

Further Reading

  • Zajonc, R. B. (1965). Social facilitation. Science, 149(3681), 269–274.
  • Latané, B., Williams, K., & Harkins, S. (1979). Many hands make light the work: The causes and consequences of social loafing. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 37(6), 822–832.

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