OT 402 Group Dynamics Roles

Initiator contributor - group task role

suggests new ideas, innovative solutions to problems, unique procedures, and new ways to organize

Information seeker - group task role

asks for clarification of suggestions, focuses on facts

Opinion seeker - group task role

seeks clarification of values and attitudes presented

Information giver - group task role

offers facts or generalizations automatically

Opinion giver - group task role

states beliefs or opinions

Elaborator - group task role

spells out suggestions and gives examples

Coordinator - group task role

clarifies relationships among various ideas

Orienter - group task role

defines position of group with respect to its goals

Evaluator-critic - group task role

subjects accomplishments of group to some standard of group functioning

Energizer - group task role

prods the group into action or decision

Procedural technician - group task role

expedites group's movement by doing things for the group such as distributing materials, arranging seating

Recorder - group task role

writes down suggestions and group decisions, acts as the "group memory"

Encourager

(Group-Building and Maintenance Roles)

praises, agrees with, and accepts the contributions of others

Harmonizer (Group-Building and Maintenance Roles)

mediates the differences between other members

Compromiser (Group-Building and Maintenance Roles)

modifies his or her own position in the interest of group harmony

Gatekeeper and expediter (Group building and maintenance roles)

Keeps communication channels open by regulating its flow and facilitating the participation of others

Standard setter (Group building and maintenance roles)

Expresses ideal standards for the group to aspire to

Group observer/commentator (Group-Building and Maintenance Roles)

Comments on and interprets the process of the group

Follower (Group building and maintenance roles)

passively accepts ideas of others and goes along with the movement of the group

aggressor (individual role)

deflates the status of others; expresses disapproval of the values, acts, or feelings of others; attacks the group or group task

Blocker (individual role)

tends to be negativistic or stubbornly resistant, opposing beyond reason or maintaining issues the group has rejected

recognition seeker (individual role)

calls attention to self through boasting, acting in unusual ways, or struggling to remain in the limelight

self-confessor (individual role)

uses group as an audience for expressing non-group-oriented feelings, insights, or ideologies

Playboy (individual role)

displays lack of involvement through joking, cynicism, or nonchalance

Dominator (individual role)

monopolizes group through manipulation, flattery, giving directions authoritatively, or interrupting the contributions of others

help seeker (individual role)

Looks for sympathy from the group through unreasonable insecurity, personal confusion or self-depreciation

special interest pleader (individual role)

cloaks his or her own biases in the stereotypes of social causes, such as the laborer, the housewife, the homeless, or the small businessman

Group task roles

enable the group to get the job done, help to achieve goals

Group building and maintenance roles

roles that strengthen the group's collective bond, allow the group to develop a strong foundation and retain cohesion

Individual roles

roles that focus more on individuals' own interests and needs than on those of the group