When Joel and Frank pulled on a rope alone, each exerted a force of 100 pounds. Next, they were asked to pull together. Each is given enough room on the rope to avoid accidental coordination problems. But when they pull together, their combined effort is 160 pounds. This may be due to a. social dynamics b. social cohesion c. social loafing

Social Loafing can be defined as a phenomenon in which people are prone to put less effort when they are working in a group than while working alone. One reason for the ineffectiveness of working in a group is social loafing. Usually, groups are formed so that tasks could be accomplished but because of less participation of some people in the group, group formation becomes less effective.

In the given scenario, Joel and Frank who pulled the rope with a force of 100 pounds individually gave efforts of 160 pounds together. It happened because one or both of them put less effort into pulling the rope when they worked together.

So, the correct answer is option C.