The Ringelmann Effect

Reported by: Ella Mae D. Ayen

-December 10, 1861- May 2, 1931- He is a 19th-century

French agricultural engineer.

- Should you plow a field with two horses or three?, Can five men crank faster than four?”

Maximilien “Max” Ringelmann

- One of the first researchers to study the relationship between process loss and group productivity. (1913)

- One of the founder in Social Psychology

Maximilien “Max” Ringelmann

Ringelmann Effect - The tendency, first documented by Max

Ringelmann, for people to become less productive when they work with others. This loss of efficiency increases as group size increases, but at a gradually decreasing rate.

Ringelmann Effect - One Person 100 units Two Person 186 units (200) Three Person Group 255 units (300) Eight Person Group 392 units (800)

Ringelmann Effect

Ringelmann Effect - There are two key sources of process loss

when worked together:•Motivational losses• Coordination losses

- “Groups become less productive as group size increases”

- The reduction of individual effort exerted when people work in groups compared to when they work alone is known as Social Loafing.- People carrying out all sorts of physical and mental (brainstorming, evaluating, monitoring & etc.) have been shown to exert less effort when they combine their efforts in a group situation.

Motivational Loss: Social Loafing

- Latane, Williams & Harkins examined social loafing by studying groups performing an extremely easy task: Making noise.

- Ringelmann effect, groups of participants made more noise than individuals, but groups failed to reach their potential.

Motivational Loss: Social Loafing

- Tested alone, 9.22 dynes/cm2

In dyads, each participant 66% of capacity Six-person groups,36%.

Motivational Loss: Social Loafing

- Social Loafing vs. Coordination Problems (Participants were led to believe that either one other participant or five other participants were shouting with them, but in actuality, they were working alone.)

- one other person was working , 82% five other persons were working, 74%

Motivational Loss: Social Loafing

Motivational Loss: Social Loafing

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