The discussion
class is essentially a small group attempting to complete a task. As such, the
class can function more efficiently if the individual members are aware of the
kinds of actions they can take to make things move smoothly. Each of us has
a typical way of acting in a group. Some people like to lead, some act to keep
the group focused on the task and some serve to keep the group from taking itself
too seriously. Below are listed several different ways people normally act in
a group. Which ones describe your own style?
Task Functions
- Information and opinion
giver: Offers facts, opinions, ideas, suggestions, and relevant information
to help group discussion.
- Information and opinon
seeker: Asks
for facts, opinions, ideas, suggestions, and relevant information to help
group discussion.
- Starter: Proposes
goals and tasks to initiate action within the group.
- Direction giver:
Develops plans on how to proceed and focuses attention on the task to be done.
- Summarizer: Pulls
together related ideas or suggestions and restates and summarizes main point
discussed.
- Coordinator: Shows
relationships among various ideas by pulling them together and harmonizes
activities of various subgroups and members.
- Diagnoser: Figures
out sources of difficulties the group has in working effectively and the blocks
to progress in accomplishing the group's goals.
- Energizer: Stimulates
a higher quality of work from the group.
- Reality tester:
Examines the practicality and workability of ideas, evaluates alternative
solutions, and applies them to real situations to see how they will work.
- Evaluator: Compares
group decisions and accomplishments with group standards and goals.
Maintenance
Functions
- Encouragerer of participation:
Warmly encourages everyone to participate, giving recognition for contributions,
demonstrating acceptance and openness to ideas of others, is friendly and
responsive to group members.
- Harmonizer and compromiser:
Persuades members to analyze constructively their differences in opinion,
searches for common elements in conflicts, and tries to reconcile differences.
- Tension reliever:
Eases tensions and increases the enjoyment of group members by joking, suggesting
breaks, and proposing fun approaches to group work.
- Communication helper:
Shows good communication skills and makes sure that each member understands
what other members are saying.
- Evaluator of emotional
climate: Asks
members how they feel about the way in which the group is working and about
each other, and shares own feelings about both.
- Process observer:
Watches the process by which the group is working and uses the observations
to help examine group effectiveness.
- Standard setter:
Expresses group standards and goals to make members aware of the direction
of the work and the progress being made toward the goal and to get open acceptance
of groups norms and procedures.
- Active listener:
Listens and serves as an interested audience for other members, is receptive
to others' ideas, goes along with the group when not in disagreement.
- Trust builder:
Accepts and supports openness of other group members, reinforcing risk taking
and encouraging individually.
- Interpersonal problem
solver: Promotes open discussion of conflicts between group members in
order to resolve conflicts and increase group togetherness.
You'll notice
that the first ten of these functions focus on getting the job done while the
second ten focus on keeping the members together as an amiable group. Both types
of actions are important to the effective work of a group. Each person can play
more than one of these roles in a group. Being aware of what you normally do
and working at some complementary skill in the other half of the process will
make you a more effective group member and will help the group work more smoothly
as well.
Use this questionnaire,
"What Do You Do in a Group?" to determine
how you act in a group.
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September 18, 2002
The University of Texas
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Copyright © 2002 Center for Teaching Effectiveness
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