Social loafing in multidisciplinary student groups

Social Loafing in Multidisciplinary Student Groups

Multidisciplinary student groups are becoming increasingly popular in educational institutions as a way to promote collaboration and cross-disciplinary learning. However, the potential for social loafing - the phenomenon where individuals in a group reduce their effort and accountability - presents a challenge for practical group work. This article reviews the existing literature on social loafing in multidisciplinary student groups, focusing on the causes and consequences of the phenomenon, as well as the strategies that have been found to be effective in reducing social loafing. The results of the review suggest that social loafing is a significant issue in multidisciplinary student groups and that it can have negative impacts on group productivity, creativity, and satisfaction. To address this issue, strategies such as clearly defined roles and responsibilities, individual accountability, and positive interdependence have been found to be effective in reducing social loafing and promoting effective collaboration in multidisciplinary student groups.