Part 2

Students sometime report negative experiences when working with teams, particularly if they have experienced a social-loafer in the group. Some argue that social loafing is less prevalent in the workplace because the rewards and sanctions are more closely aligned to individual performance. An interesting argument for individuals' willingness to work and contribute in a group has been posed by Fishbach and colleagues. They argue that identification with others in the group and the group goal is fundamental to an individual's choice to opt into and participate effectively within the group.

3. How important do you think group identification really is to an individual's motivation to work on a task? Do you think this could differ between individuals? What other factors would be relevant?

4. Can you identify an alignment between the argument posed by Fishbach and colleagues to other models or theories of motivation posed throughout this chapter?

5. What strategies could you use to improve group identification, goal commitment and member motivation when working in a group?