Social loafing in a competitive context

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine the influence of inter‐group competition on social loafing. Male students (n = 50) in the Faculty of Sport Sciences at the University of Reims volunteered to participate (average age 20.18 ± 1.25 years). All were athletes at regional or national levels. The methodological design consisted of four experimental groups and one control group. Individual performances were compared in individual versus group conditions. During a first session, participants carried out dart throwing in the individual condition. During a second session, one of the four experimental groups was equivalent to a group condition without inter‐group competition, whereas the three others competed against fictitious opponents which had same or different levels of group performance. Prior to the second throwing session, members of the three experimental groups were individually asked to assess their team score as well as that of their opponent. Results showed a significant increase in individual performance when participants competed against an opponent with same performance level. However, a significant decrease in individual performances appeared when the participants performed against a much stronger opponent. Moreover, the participants who estimated a success of their team increased their performance significantly during the second session whereas those who projected defeat for their team decreased their performance significantly. This study shows that the competitive context and expectations for group outcomes have an impact on social loafing.