What phenomenon occurs when more individuals contribute to a task, leading to less contribution from each individual?

The phenomenon described is known as social loafing effect. This concept refers to the tendency for individuals to exert less effort when they are working collectively in a group as opposed to when they are working alone. When more people are involved in a task, individuals may feel less accountable for the overall outcome and thus may reduce their effort.

This can happen for various reasons, such as the belief that others will pick up the slack or a reduced sense of individual responsibility. As the group size increases, it is common for individual contributions to diminish, leading to a situation where the collective output may not reflect the full potential of the group's capabilities.

Understanding social loafing is important in various contexts, including team dynamics in the workplace, educational settings, and social collaborations. It emphasizes the need for clear roles, motivation, and accountability to ensure that all members contribute effectively to the group effort.