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Is feedback an effective moderator of the social loafing effect?

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Creator: 

Mealey, Laura Jane

Responsibility: 
Laura Jane Mealey
Start Date: 
1990
End Date: 
1990
Date Range: 
1990 April 02
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1.28 MB of textual records (PDF)

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Audience: Undergraduate. -- Dissertation: Thesis (B. A.). -- Algoma University, 1990. -- Submitted in partial fulfillment of course requirements for PSYC 4105. -- Includes figures. -- Contents: Literature review / Thesis.

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Publication: 
Sault Ste. Marie, Ont.:
Standard No: 
OSTMA-PSYC-Mealey-Laura-Jane-19900402
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rec_shelfloc: 
2013-064-001
Repository: 
Algoma University Archive
Container Number: 
001
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Social loafing is the finding that individuals put out less effort in a group than when working alone. This effect can be ameliorated by increasing the individual's motivation. Feedback has been used successfully as a motivator in performance-oriented settings but not in the social loafing paradigm. To test the hypothesis that feedback would moderate the social loafing effect, a 2 (non pooled vs. pooled) x 4 (quality, quantity, both, no feedback) factorial design was used. Accuracy and latency scores within four person groups were compared across feedback conditions in a letter reversal task using undergraduate university students. Feedback types had a differential effect on groups and individuals whereas the social loafing replication showed no significant differences. Latency was a more sensitive measure than accuracy and this was explained in terms of the ease of the task. Applications to the area of sport psychology are discussed.

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