Exploring the evolution of group member perceptions: a longitudinal study of competence, likeability, social loafing, and psychological safety in student project teams

Abstract

This study examines the longitudinal evolution of group member perceptions—competence, likeability (warmth), social loafing, and psychological safety—within student capstone project teams. Drawing on the Stereotype Content Model, the research investigates how interpersonal perceptions shift over time and how these changes influence work engagement and overall team effectiveness. A mixed-methods approach was employed, combining quantitative survey data collected at two time points with qualitative interviews to provide deeper insights into group collaboration processes. The findings indicate that psychological safety consistently emerged as a strong predictor of work engagement throughout the project’s duration. Warmth and competence perceptions became increasingly aligned over time, suggesting a maturing of interpersonal evaluations within teams. However, warmth was also positively associated with social loafing across both rounds, highlighting that friendly group environments may unintentionally lower accountability and performance standards. In contrast, competence, initially less influential, became a significant driver of psychological safety and engagement in the later stages of the project. Qualitative results further revealed that group formation was primarily based on pre-existing social ties, but as projects progressed, there was a shift toward valuing collaboration, responsibility, and effective communication. Students emphasized the development of critical skills such as leadership, flexibility, and problem-solving through the group experience. Overall, the study emphasizes the dynamic nature of team development, where early relational trust must be complemented by competence-based accountability to foster high-performing, engaged teams. These insights offer important implications for academic team structuring and professional team management practices.