Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) Organizational Leadership Practice Test

Which term best refers to the intrinsic drive of individuals to look out for personal interests in a group?

1. Empowerment

2. Social Loafing

3. Groupthink

4. Team-Member Exchange

The correct answer is: Social Loafing

The term that best refers to the intrinsic drive of individuals to look out for personal interests in a group is social loafing. This phenomenon occurs when individuals in a group setting exert less effort toward a common goal than they would if they were working independently. Essentially, individuals may rely on others to carry the weight of the task, often due to the assumption that their contribution will not significantly impact the overall outcome. Social loafing typically arises from a lack of accountability, where individuals feel less inclined to work hard in a group because their personal contributions can become diluted within the collective effort. This behavior can diminish group effectiveness, as members may disengage and focus more on their own interests rather than collaborating for the benefit of the group as a whole. In contrast to social loafing, other terms represent different concepts related to group dynamics. Empowerment relates to motivating individuals to take initiative and responsibility in their roles within a group. Groupthink describes a situation where the desire for consensus in a decision-making group leads to poor decision-making outcomes, and Team-Member Exchange focuses on the quality of the relationship between individual team members and their leaders, emphasizing mutual respect and trust. Each of these concepts focuses on different aspects of teamwork and collaboration, setting them apart from the