An Empirical Study on the Effect of Achievement Motivation and Self-Efficacy on Social Loafing

Abstract

. Reducing or even eliminating social loafing among college students in collaborative group learning has important implications for their future careers. Yet relatively few studies have considered the impact of individual differences on social loafing, such as achievement motivation and self-efficacy. The researchers developed a structural equation model and the research hypothesis using the achievement motivation scale, self-efficacy scale, and social loafing scale, and all scales were scored on a 5-point Likert-type scale. This study used purposive sampling to select Chinese vocational college students from four representative vocational colleges in Guizhou Province, China and distributed electronic questionnaires to them. A total of 1,080 valid responses were collected (404, 309, and 367 for freshmen, sophomores, and juniors, respectively; 578 and 502 for males and females, respectively). According to the analysis, the Chinese vocational college students’ achievement motivation has a negative effect on their social loafing. Moreover, self-efficacy partially mediates the effect of achievement motivation on social loafing. Therefore, in order to reduce or even eliminate social loafing of Chinese vocational college students in collaborative group learning and strengthen their cooperative skills, we suggest that educators should focus on cultivating their achievement motivation and self-efficacy.