Ohio State

Marching Band
Groups:

 a limited number of people

who identify and interact with
one another because of a
common interest, bond or
goal
Groups:
What are some groups of which you have
been a part?

What brought you together?

Groups: Kinds
Task Group:
 a group given a specific job, or
goal to complete

 Information gathering – to
gather and provide data
 Policy making – creating rules
and consequences for members
 Action – plan and implement
a course of action
Groups: Kinds
Social Group:
 a group joined voluntarily for
purely personal reasons

Within an Organization:
Formal – assigned members
Informal – encouraged, not
required
Roles in Groups: Categories
Task Roles: Focus is on completing
group’s goal

Group-Building/Maintenance Roles:
Focus is on building interpersonal
relationships, maintaining harmony

Self-centered Roles: Focus is to prevent

group from reaching goals; to disrupt
TASK ROLES

Coordinator: Brings ideas of members

together

Energizer: Stimulates group to take

action (keeps the group moving
forward)
TASK ROLES
Elaborator: Expands, adds to other’s
ideas; gives more detail

Evaluator-critic: Assesses the group’s

work by higher standards; expects the
best from the group
TASK ROLES

Information-giver: Provides helpful

information

Clarifier: Asks questions to provide

understanding
TASK ROLES
Recorder: Keep notes (minutes) about
meeting

Materials and Duties: Takes or assigns

responsibility for supplies
Group-Building/Maintenance Roles

Encourager: Provides positive

feedback

Follower: Accepts ideas of others in

group (this is not blind following)
Group-Building/Maintenance Roles

Compromiser: Attempts to reach a

solution all members finds acceptable

Gatekeeper: Facilitates participation

from everyone in group; monitors the
flow of discussion so everyone is heard
or has the opportunity to be heard
Group-Building/Maintenance Roles

Harmonizer: Reduces conflict and

tension (often through humor)

Observer: Monitors the group progress;

Self-centered Roles:

Complainer: Acts negatively towards

other group members and their ideas

Distracter: Monopolizes group

speaking time; energetic but not for
goal or task
 Self-centered Roles:

Blocker/Critic: Refuses to cooperate with

other’s ideas

Nonparticipant: Avoids work or offers

poor quality work

Clown: Disrupts groups attention from

task;, usually with jokes, sarcasm, and
teasing