Roles In Group Communication

Superior Essays
The roles that group members play has been investigated in the same way that leaders have been analyzed in research pertaining to group communication. The roles that are found within a group are characterized by dynamism in comparison to the leadership roles. The reason for this is that they can be played by more individuals in the group. In addition, an individual member can play different roles within a group set-up or play a regular role over a long period of time. Various factors such as behavior, reaction, necessity or short-term mood influence the role that an individual will play. According to scholars who study group communication, it is dangerous to lump all the roles into a single category (Christian et al., 2012). In any case, an …show more content…
The task-related roles directly affect the way that a group accomplishes its objectives or tasks. These roles naturally assist in the procedural, informational, and leadership functions. The maintenance roles and behaviors are used to formulate and sustain the cohesion between members as well as achieve the interpersonal desires of the team players. Lastly, the negative roles and behavior can be characterized into self-centered and unproductive roles. The two have the potential to disrupt the harmony within the group. The following roles can be played by a member of a group and they fall in one of the above …show more content…
Naturally, I am a laid back person. The meaning of this is that I would find it incredibly hard to control wayward individuals in a group. There was a time when I was in a group in school. I was the leader of my group discussion group that had been created by my lecturer. So, there was this day that we had a group meeting and one of the members was shy. She could not express herself because the other members were the dominant type. In order to afford her the opportunity to participate, I had to read out a strict order that would permit everyone to contribute by making the members to answer specific questions. This way, all of the group members participated in the discussion and even the shy one was excited.
Value of Group Roles The values that are contained in group roles include cohesiveness and allowing the members to match their skills with the roles. These allow for effectiveness in the mandates that the various members are tasked with. In addition, the group becomes more successful and efficient. Knowledge of the roles will assist the members to understand exactly what they are supposed to do. This understanding helps the group with its communication and even in the discharge of its

Related Documents

  • Superior Essays

    I will do this by, involving each and every member. If the group is talking about a topic and one person has not said much I would kindly ask that person to give his/her option on the topic. Or depending on what the topic I could choose that quite person because I know that they have knowledge in the area and would be a great help (Toseland, R.W., & Rivas, R.F. 2012, p. 112). Some group members may struggle with assertiveness and adequate displays. They may struggle with this because of their past.…

    • 1505 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Superior Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Reflection Paper Fishbowl

    • 869 Words
    • 4 Pages

    In terms of group dynamics and communication, I observed that those who can be described as “unafraid to speak” or the opposite of “shy, dominant” are involved and communicating with other dominant people in building the tower. In other words, members were seen to communicate with others most like them in terms of communication style, this and/or those they consider friends or they are found talking to during class. Therefore, as such, the same can be said for those who are seen as shy. With regards to how I felt about what I was witnessing with the group, I…

    • 869 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Module J: Group Analysis

    • 612 Words
    • 3 Pages

    In Learning Module J, we learned about group roles. The group roles identified in this modules’ Powerpoint Presentation are; scapegoat, deviant member, internal leader, gatekeeper, monopolize and quiet member ("Foundation practice II week 5 learning module J: group roles and working with individuals in groups," n.d.). The two group roles observed in this group are; quiet member and deviant member. Quiet member: The quiet member is the individual in the group that does not speak. In this particular group the student that has been identified as the quiet member is Yesenia.…

    • 612 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Every member in a group takes on a specific role, whether it be positive or negative, that provides a special function in the group dynamic. In 1948, Benne and Sheats, in their acclaimed essay, listed various group roles that may occur during group communication and sorted them into three categories; group task roles, group maintenance roles, and self-centered roles. These roles each have a different motive that help to either lead or derail the group from their common goal. In the classic movie 12 Angry Men, the conflicting dynamics of a jury team creates difficulty as they work together on making a decision about the fate of a young boy accused of murder. The jury members, all extremely different and diverse from one another, each play a pivotal role in the movie that worked to either create group discussion or conflict.…

    • 1284 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Individual co-operation is needed to in such group, what is needed here the most is the communication skills of each member. Some examples of Group…

    • 395 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    DeVany identified the fifteen roles that leaders play in order to manage performance and accountability of a team and its members. However, based on experience, one can believe that when working in any specific team environment, the manager cannot conceivably play all these roles at an effective level. Instead, if a team is well organized, the members of the team are also tasked with taking on some of these roles and responsibilities. The first part of managing a team with diverse personalities is knowing which personalities complement each other and the team.…

    • 377 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Sullivan (2013) discusses the roles of group members in chapter 11. A role according to Sullivan (2013) a role “is a set of expected behaviors that fit together into a unified whole and are characteristic of persons in a given context” (p.148). Many different roles are included in a group often people fill several roles. Their roles may change depending on their setting and what type of meeting they are attending. In meetings at work I have not led a meeting for some time.…

    • 181 Words
    • 1 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    The main challenge of this group situation is that there was a sudden rise of conflict among members at the beginning to mid phase of the project. This resulted the possible development of groupthink (Janis, 2008). As a leader in this situation, I would firstly feel lousy and disappointed in myself that I didn’t take note of group’s division and how the meeting could be more inclusive of everyone’s opinion (Chadha, 2016). However, at that point, I would also probably feel confused but yet curious as to why it was suddenly voiced out, hence thought that I should facilitate to explicit the thoughts and feelings of each member to better understand as well.…

    • 436 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Great Essays

    12 Angry Men Essay

    • 1550 Words
    • 7 Pages

    I. Précis of Film – brief summary of film (storyline) 12 jurors gather to determine the fate of a teenager on trial for murder in the first degree. A guilty verdict would result in the teen facing the death penalty. Sequestered in a room, the jurors find that they all vote guilty except for one juror, juror #8, who expects more deliberation over the case before delivering a guilty verdict. The other jurors put forth arguments supporting the conclusion that the boy is without a doubt guilty, but Juror #8 maintains his position with his own evidence. Eventually, juror #10 changes his vote to not guilty.…

    • 1550 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Great Essays
  • Decent Essays

    The four roles described by Kantor are the initiator, the blocker, the supporter, and the observer. The initiator is the one to begin things and come up with plans and new ideas. The blocker will try to find something wrong with the plans of the supporter. The supporter will typically side with either the blocker or the initiator. Lastly, the observer just notices what goes on around them.…

    • 158 Words
    • 1 Pages
    Decent Essays
  • Decent Essays

    Bio 101 Reflection

    • 476 Words
    • 2 Pages

    My intention for participating in this faculty led trip is to first experience and explore a new culture and second to learn more about something I have always enjoyed; marine life. I have always loved traveling and exploring, especially when it has a positive impact on other people or, in this case, an ecosystem filled with life. As a member of the QU Women's Soccer Team and an Athletic Training/Physical Therapy student, my academic and athletic schedule makes it very difficult to do any study abroad or service trips during the school year. When I saw this opportunity, I thought this trip would be a great way for me to be able to pursue my love of travel and making a differences without interfering with my busy schedule during the year and…

    • 476 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Decent Essays
  • Improved Essays

    The four phases of group communication are the orientation phase, the conflict phase, emergence and reinforcement. The phase that Mark’s business group is in the emergence phase. This is due to the fact that the group has established norms and conflict resolution through direct email communication and personal face to face meetings to discuss differences of opinions as well as to create an alliance among the partners of the group. The phase that Mimi’s group is in the reinforcement phase, as the group members have already moved past the conflict and established a positive working order, they are achieving the goals set among the group and the event is about to take…

    • 819 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Superior Essays

    It was unspoken, but known that, no one would be spoken down too or ridiculed for their ideas, that everyone would have the opportunity to speak without interruption. “The group structure solidified and the group had assimilated a common set of expectations of what defines correct member behavior” (Robbins & Judge, 2014, p. 133). Ideas were expressed freely and feedback given without any fear of seeming foolish. Criticism was accepted and expected as we wanted to come up with the best rankings possible with sound reasoning to back it up. When groups achieve cohesion, communication is enhanced, multiplying work efficiency and…

    • 1492 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Superior Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Everything goes well except one thing that my group missed a group member Pino. Before he left, every group member had their own roles in the group and fulfill their duties. According to the book, it said that group role is the important proportion of…

    • 752 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    My Final Reflection This semester during Introduction to Group Communication, I have learned so much that I will be able to take with me throughout my life and career. There are a number of topics that I have found to be crucial in interacting with people on a professional level. There have also been a number of topics that I will be able to practice in my personal life at home, as a wife and mother.…

    • 1121 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Improved Essays