What is often a consequence of social loafing in group projects?

Social loafing occurs when individuals contribute less effort to a group task than they would if they were working on their own. Therefore, a common consequence of social loafing is reduced effort from some individuals. When participants feel that their contributions are not being recognized or that others will pick up the slack, they may disengage and minimize their involvement in the project. This phenomenon can lead to a lack of motivation among group members, which ultimately impacts the overall effectiveness of the group's performance.

Considering this in the context of group dynamics, it is important to recognize that social loafing can create an imbalance in effort, where some members may carry more of the workload while others do the bare minimum. The presence of social loafing can hinder team cohesion and compromise the quality of the work produced, further emphasizing the negative impact of reduced individual effort in collaborative settings.