What behavior is Heidi displaying when she chooses not to participate in the team project?

Heidi is displaying social loafing when she chooses not to participate in the team project. This behavior refers to individuals contributing less effort to a group task than they would if they were working independently. In team settings, some members may assume that their individual contributions are less critical due to the presence of others, leading them to slack off or disengage from active participation.

This phenomenon often occurs because group members may feel less accountable for outcomes when efforts are pooled. Social loafing can be detrimental to team dynamics and performance, as it could result in an uneven distribution of work and a decrease in overall productivity.

In contrast, social facilitation involves improved performance on tasks due to the presence of others, which is not applicable in this scenario. Team synergy refers to the collaborative effort that leads to greater effectiveness and innovation, while leadership withdrawal implies a loss of leadership presence and guidance, which does not fit Heidi's choice to not engage in the project.