Role Functions In Group Discussion

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Role Functions In Group Discussion
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ROLE FUNCTIONS IN GROUP DISCUSSIONS

• Task roles
• Maintenance roles
• Controlling nonfunctional behavior
• Improving group performance

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TASK ROLES

• Suggesting new ideas
• Giving and asking for information
• Restating and giving examples
• Confronting and reality testing
• Clarifying and synthesizing

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MAINTENANCE ROLES

• Encouraging and sponsoring
• Gatekeeping and timekeeping
• Standard setting
• Following
• Evaluating

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MAINTENANCE ROLES

• Diagnosing
• Testing consensus
• Relieving tension
• Mediating

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GROUPS ARE EFFECTIVE WHEN

• They are action oriented
• There is a non-threatening climate
• There is an environment for learning
• All members participate
• Tasks get done
• Criticism is accepted (non-personal)
• Members arrive prepared

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BARRIERS TO EFFECTIVE DECISIONS

• Being aggressive
• Going off on tangents
• Self confessing
• Competing

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BARRIERS TO EFFECTIVE DECISIONS

• Seeking sympathy
• Joking around
• Demanding attention
• Withdrawing

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BIG PROBLEMS FOR GROUPS

• Lack of clear goals
• Star complexes
• Wallflowers
• Group think

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GROUP THINK

• Go along with the leader or the group without
  dissenting.
• Dismiss alternatives too quickly just to be
  agreeable.
• Consider only a few solutions (in a hurry to make
  any decision, not the right one).
• Fail to get input from experts.
• Not invented here.
• If there is consensus, stop and try again.