Group dynamics: keys to identifying and working on roles
When participants in a game are assigned roles, it is important to remember that just as they adopt a role and position in the game, we also adopt roles and positions in real life, along with the associated social expectations. Our choices and behaviour are affected by our history, personality, and the characteristics of the groups we belong to.
It is impossible to claim that an individual has not accepted anys role within a group, because we accept roles unconsciously, and often other members of the group can see our role more clearly tan we can ourselves. However, this doesn’t mean that we will always occupy the same role in a group. Realizing that our roles and responsibilities in a group are adaptable can help us to consciously build relationships with others.
There are many typologies describing group roles.
Schindler Typology
A simple typology developed by Schindler that distinguishes 4 basic roles:
• Leader – activates the group to action and impress the rest of its members.
• Opposition – provokes and remains in opposition to the individual members of the group or whole.
• Outsider – represents the boundary of the group, tends to be the most extreme in their views.
• Passive – not active, wants to stay as far as possible: anonymous.
Benne & Sheats Typology
Two leading theorists on group behavior, Kenneth Benne and Paul Sheats developed the following typology to describe group roles by dividing them into three categories: task roles, social maintenance roles, and dysfunctional/individualistic roles.
Task roles take action; they are key to coordinating and facilitating the group in finding the source of setbacks and finding a solution. Social maintenance roles maintain the group dynamic. They strengthen and regulate the group as a group. Dysfunctional and/or individualistic roles are not necessarily group roles per say, they represent the participants individual goals that are neither relevant nor reflective of the groups goals.
Task Roles:
• Co-ordinator – Identifies and explains the relationships between ideas. May pull together a few different ideas and make them cohesive.
• Initiator/Contributor – Proposes original ideas or different ways of approaching group problems and goals. This role initiates discussions and moves groups into new areas of exploration.
• Opinion Seeker – Asks for clarification of the values, attitudes, and opinions of group members. Checks to make sure different perspectives are given.
• Information Giver – Provides factual information to the group. Is seen as an authority on the subject and relates own experience when relevant.
Social Maintenance Roles:
• Encourager – Affirms, supports, and praises the efforts of fellow group members. Demonstrates warmth and provides a positive attitude in meetings.
• Harmonizer – Conciliates differences between individuals. Seeks ways to reduce tension and diffuse a situation by providing further explanations or using humor.
• Compromiser – Offers to change his or her position for the good of the group. Willing to yield position or meet others half way.
• Gatekeeper/Expediter – Regulates the flow of communication. Makes sure all members have a chance to express themselves by encouraging the shy and quiet members to contribute their ideas. Limits those who dominate the conversation and may suggest group rules or standards that ensure everyone gets a chance to speak up.
Dysfunctional and/or Individualistic Roles:
• Aggressor – Makes personal attacks using belittling and insulting comments, for example, "That's the most ridiculous idea I've ever heard." Actions are usually an attempt to decrease another member's status.
• Blocker – Opposes every idea or opinion that is put forward and yet refuses to make own suggestions, for example, "That's not a good idea." The result is that the group stalls because it can't get past the resistance.
• Recognition Seeker – Uses group meetings to draw personal attention to him or herself. May brag about past accomplishments or relay irrelevant stories that paint him or her in a positive light. Sometimes pulls crazy stunts to attract attention like acting silly, making excess noise, or otherwise directing members away from the task at hand.
• Help Seeker – Actively looks for sympathy by expressing feelings of inadequacy. Acts helpless, self deprecating and unable to contribute. For example, "I can't help you, I'm too confused and useless with this stuff."
Bibliography:
Benne, K. and Sheats, P. (2010). Functional Roles of Group Members. Journal of Social Issues, 4(2), pp.41-49.
Mindtools.com. (2016). Benne and Sheats' Group Roles: Identifying Both Positive and Negative Group Behavior Roles. [online] Available at: https://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/newTMM_85.htm [Accessed 21 Jun. 2016].