Ringelmann effect

the tendency for groups to become less productive in terms of output per member as they increase in size. The effect is named for Max Ringelmann (1861–1931), a French agricultural engineer who studied the productivity of horses, oxen, men, and machines in various agricultural applications. He found that groups often outperform individuals but that the addition of each new member to a group yields less of a gain in productivity. Subsequent studies suggest that this loss of productivity is caused by the reduction of motivation experienced in groups (social loafing) and the inefficiency of larger groups.

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Psychology term of the day

October 9th 2024

emergency call system

a portable device that summons immediate assistance for an individual who, due to illness or an impairment, may not be able to reach a telephone in an emergency. The device, which may be worn (e.g., on the wrist, around the neck) or carried, is generally a noisemaker, a one-way alerting device (e.g., an alarm), or an intercom that may be used to contact a neighbor, family member, or 24-hour monitoring station staffed by trained personnel. Often used by people in their homes, emergency call systems are also used in hospitals, long-term care institutions, and assisted living facilities.