Perceptions of Social Loafing in Online Learning Groups: A study of Public University and U.S. Naval War College students

Abstract

Social loafing research has spanned several decades and fields of study. Research has provided support for both the existence of social loafing and its antecedents within the laboratory, classroom, and work place. Studies regarding the perceptions of social loafing and its effects in the online learning environment, however, are largely non-existent. This study surveyed 227 online learning students who were participating in online learning groups. The study seeks to determine whether the perception of social loafing exists within online learning groups. In addition, several psychosocial factors identified in face-to-face environments are analyzed to determine their impact in online learning groups. Evidence supports both the perception of social loafing in online learning groups as well as similarities between social loafing antecedents in face-to-face groups and those in the online learning environment.

Keywords:

• Social loafing,
• free riding,
• task visibility,
• contribution,
• distributive justice,
• procedural justice,
• dominance,
• sucker effect,
• sucker role,
• online learning