Ringelmann effect

noun

The tendency for individual members of a group to become increasingly less productive as the size of their group increases.

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Meanings

noun
  1. human sciencesThe tendency for individual members of a group to become increasingly less productive as the size of their group increases.

Origin

Named after French agricultural engineer Maximilien Ringelmann who discovered the effect.

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Cite this entry
APA

Ringelmann effect. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 3, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/Ringelmann%20effect

MLA

“Ringelmann effect.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/Ringelmann%20effect. Accessed November 3, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “Ringelmann effect,” accessed November 3, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/Ringelmann%20effect.

Source: Ringelmann effect on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.