In one of the first social psychological experiments ever conducted, researcher Max Ringelmann observed men as they pulled on a rope either alone, as part of a small group, or as part of a large group. He found that as the size of the group increased, ____.

A) individual effort increased
B) individual effort decreased
C) the task took longer to complete
D) the task took less time to complete

Max Ringelmann

A French agricultural engineer who discovered that individuals exert less effort on a task when they work in a group compared to when working alone, known as the Ringelmann effect.

Individual Effort

The amount of work, energy, or initiative an individual puts into achieving a task or goals without relying on help from others.

Group Size

The number of individuals within a group or social gathering, which can influence dynamics, interactions, and outcomes within the group.