Group Participant Roles
A group’s task dimension is concerned with the job at hand, while their social dimension is concerned with the
people in the group. Group members will find that they fulfill one or more roles (a unique set of skills or behavioral
patterns that serve specific functions within the group) in fulfilling these dimensions.
Group Task Roles (affect a group’s ability to achieve its common goal by focusing on behaviors to get the job
done):
1.
Initiator: ______________________________________________________________________________;
provides direction for the group; gets the group started
2.
Information Seeker: asks for needed facts and figures; requests explanations and clarification of ideas;
__________________________________________________________________________________________
3.
Information Giver: _________________________________________________________________________;
researches, organizes, and presents needed information
4.
Opinions Seeker: asks for others’ opinions; tests for group opinions and consensus; ______________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
5.
Opinion Giver: ____________________________________________________________________________;
shares feelings; offers analysis and arguments
6.
Clarifier-summarizer: explains ideas and their consequences; reduces confusion; _________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
7.
Evaluator-critic: ___________________________________________________________________________;
functions as the group’s critical thinker; diagnoses task and procedural problems
8.
Energizer: ________________________________________________________________________________;
helps create enthusiasm for the task and, if needed, a sense of urgency; serves as the group’s “cheerleader’
9.
Procedural Technician: assists with preparation for meetings, including ________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
10. Recorder-secretary: _________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________
Group Maintenance Roles (affect how group members get along with one another while pursuing a shared goal):
1.
Encourager-supporter: ______________________________________________________________________;
provides recognition and person-to-person encouragement; listens empathetically
2.
Harmonizer: helps resolve conflicts; mediates differences among group members; _______________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________
3.
Compromiser: _____________________________________________________________________________;
helps the group reach consensus; searches for solutions that are acceptable to everyone
4.
Tension Releaser: alleviates tension with friendly humor; breaks the ice and cools hot tempers; _____________
_________________________________________________________________________________________
5.
Gatekeeper: monitors participation; encourages quiet members to speak and talkative members to stop
speaking; _________________________________________________________________________________
6.
Observer-interpreter: _______________________________________________________________________;
monitors and interprets feelings and nonverbal communication; expresses group feelings; paraphrases others
7.
Follower: _________________________________________________________________________________;
accepts others’ ideas and assignments; serves as an attentive audience member
Self-centered Roles (put individual needs ahead of the group’s goal and other members’ needs)
1.
Aggressor: ________________________________________________________________________________;
is sarcastic toward and critical of others; may take credit for someone else’s work or ideas
2.
Blocker: stands in the way of progress; presents negative, disagreeable, and uncompromising positions;
_______________________________________________________________________
3.
Dominator: _______________________________________________________________________________;
asserts authority and tries to manipulate others; interrupts others and monopolizes discussion
4.
Recognition Seeker: boasts about personal accomplishments; tries to impress others and become the center of
attention; _________________________________________________________________________________
5.
Clown: injects inappropriate humor or commentary into the group; seems more interested in goofing off than in
working; __________________________________________________________________________________
6.
Deserter: _________________________________________________________________________________;
appears “above it all” and bored or annoyed with the discussion; remains aloof or stops contributing
7.
Confessor: ________________________________________________________________________________;
shares very personal feelings and problems with members; uses the group for emotional support rather than
contributing to the group’s goal
8.
Special Interest Pleader: speaks on behalf of an outside group or a personal interest; ______________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
Other Comments: