Lecture Notes: Identifying Group Roles in Small Group Communication

Overview of Group Roles

• Definition of Group Roles: Expected behaviors or functions of group members, can be formal or informal.
• Role Dynamics: Individuals may play multiple roles or shift roles based on factors like personality, mood, or necessity.
• Roles impact group functioning even when behaviors are isolated.

Categories of Group Roles

1. Task-Related Roles
2. Maintenance Roles
3. Negative Roles

Task-Related Roles

Importance

• Contributes to task completion or achievement of group goals.
• Includes leadership, informational, or procedural functions.

Key Roles and Behaviors

• Task Leader: High-status individual guiding task completion. Types:
  • Substantive Leader: Idea person generating discussion.
  • Procedural Leader: Guides group towards task completion.
• Expediter: Keeps the group on track, managing agenda, and monitoring progress.
• Information Provider: All members ideally contribute by sharing knowledge.
• Information Seeker: Asks for elaboration/clarification to improve idea quality.
• Gatekeeper: Manages conversation flow for balanced participation.
• Recorder: Takes notes and documents meeting discussions.

Maintenance Roles

Importance

• Focuses on creating and maintaining social cohesion.
• Requires strong interpersonal skills.

Key Roles and Behaviors

• Social-Emotional Leader: Well-liked member supporting the group dynamics.
• Supporter: Provides emotional support in one-on-one interactions.
• Tension Releaser: Manages group frustration through humor.
• Harmonizer: Manages and mediates group conflicts.
• Interpreter: Bridges cultural differences, facilitating intercultural communication.

Negative Roles

Importance

• Can harm the group by diverting attention or hindering progress.

Self-Centered Roles

• Central Negative: Argues against ideas, often due to unresolved leadership challenges.
• Monopolizer: Excessive verbal contributions, preventing equal participation.
  • Subtypes: Stage hog, Egghead, Self-confessor.
• Insecure Compliment Seeker: Seeks validation beyond task-related feedback.
• Joker: Uses sarcasm or jokes, distracting from group function.

Unproductive Roles

• Blocker: Prevents progress by unnecessary deliberations or procedural delays.
• Social Loafer: Withdraws from participation, only engaging when forced.
• Aggressor: Exhibits negative behaviors, possibly leading to conflict or unethical behavior.
• Doormat: Chronically submissive, hindering group progress.

Discussion Points

• Consideration of roles that could cause conflict.
• Reflection on personal experience with maintenance roles.
• Analysis of observed self-centered or unproductive role behaviors.

References

• Benne & Sheats (1948), Bormann & Bormann (1998), Cragan & Wright (1991), Pavitt (1999)

These notes provide a summary of the various group roles identified in the context of small group communication, focusing on task-related, maintenance, and negative roles. Understanding these roles can enhance group function and mitigate conflict.