What is social loafing? Social loafing is something everyone has experienced. Most likely if you don't like group work this is one of the main reasons. Cherry explains social loafing as an event in which members of a group have less input per person in a group than they would if working alone. (Cherry). This challenges the widespread belief that the net production of a group is higher than that of an individual and therefore a group will be more productive. In 1913, a researcher named Ringelmann designed an experiment that involved pulling a string to test the effect of social loafing. His experiment found that when an individual was placed in a group his effort was lower than that of an individual. This effect continued to increase as group size increased. It was initially debated whether the loss resulted from social loafing or loss of coordination as group size increased. Latan, William, and Harkins (1979) conducted research that deceived participants into believing they were working with a group and demonstrated that the decrease in effort was due to social loafing and not loss of coordination (Latan, William and Harkins, 1979). studies showing the contradictory effect known as social facilitation. Originally, research on social facilitation began with Zajon. In his research he believed that the presence of others would increase the group's effort and generally result in performance and in the process increase the individual's performance. He theorized that there are several aspects needed for the process to work, such as simple or familiar tasks. If the task is complicated or unfamiliar, an increase in group size would hinder productivity by increasing social loafing (Zajonc, 1965). This... middle of paper... Students at the US Naval War College. Retrieved 10 25, 2011, from The International review of Research in Open and Distance Learning: http://www.irrodl.org/index.php/irrodl/article/view/484/1034Robbins, S.P., & Judge, TA (2011 ). Essential elements of organizational behavior. Harlow England: Pearson Education Limited.Rothwell, D. J. (1999). In the company of others: an introduction to communication. New York: McGraw Hill.Smith, H. (1976). The Russians. New York, New York, United States: New York Balantine Books.Welte, K., & Kunishima, J. (2004). Effects of threats of punishment on social loafing. Journal of Young Investigators .Worchel, S., Rothgerber, H., Day, E., Hart, D., & Butemeyer, J. (1998). Social identity and individual productivity with groups. British Journal of Social Psychology, 37, 389-413. (p. 271). Zajonc, R. B. (1965). Social facilitation. Science , 269-274.