Chapter 13 (extra) : Roles of Group Members

Question 1

suggests new ideas or new ways of looking at problems

Answer 1

initiator-contributor

Question 2

asks for facts and further explanation of them

Answer 2

information seeker

Question 3

asks for opinions and feelings about issues under discussion

Answer 3

opinion seeker

Question 4

provides facts or info from own experience

Answer 4

information giver

Question 5

expresses feelings/beliefs not necessarily based on facts

Answer 5

opinion giver

Question 6

spells out suggestions by giving examples or developing scenarios of how it might work out

Answer 6

elaborator

Question 7

pulls ideas together by showing relationship among diff ideas expressed

Answer 7

coordinator

Question 8

focuses group on its goals, keeps discussion from wondering off point

Answer 8

orienter

Question 9

assess accomplishments of group in relation to some standard point

Answer 9

evaluator-critic

Question 10

prods or arouses group to act; stimulates and boosts morale

Answer 10

energizer

Question 11

performs routine tasks that help group accomplish its task

ex: Group member arranged for enough chairs for the meeting, started the coffee and got the chalkboard and chalk

Answer 11

procedural technician

Question 12

writes down main points of discussion; records group decisions

Answer 12

recorder

Question 13

praises, accepts, supports others in group; encourages diff points of view

Answer 13

encourager

Question 14

settles differences between other members by reconciling disputes/relieves tension by joking
(ex: after a violent debate between members about what the charge for the T-shirts, Valerie jokes “the aint no fancy boutique, guys”)

Answer 14

harmonizer

Question 15

gives in to a dispute and changes his/her position to preserve group harmony

Answer 15

compromiser

Question 16

keeps communication going

ex: Gertrude says some people haven’t spoken yet and she wonders what they think about the T-shirt prices

Answer 16

gatekeeper

Question 17

expresses norms or standards for group

ex: Valerie says it will be easier to work together if people listen to each other and stop shouting

Answer 17

standard setter

Question 18

records communication of group; offers this record to group for its comment and interpretation
(this is a role the therapist may play)

Answer 18

group observer

Question 19

goes along with the general mood and decisions of the group

Answer 19

follower

Question 20

belittles or attacks group members, group or its purpose
(ex: Tricia says she’d be happy to listen to Ralph’s ideas, but because he never follows through on them, she thinks its a waste of time)

Answer 20

aggressor

Question 21

prevents group from progressing

ex: Lenore says she wants to know why the group always has to get involved with “these hare brained schemes”

Answer 21

blocker

Question 22

calls attention to self by boasting, talking about own 	talents, insisting of having powerful position, etc
(ex: John says he has a first-class collection of T-shirts that he'll bring to the next meeting)

Answer 22

recognition seeker

Question 23

expresses personal problems, political ideology, or other concerns
(ex: Gilbert says he is completely bummed out by the F he got on the anatomy quiz and wants to know if anyone else failed)

Answer 23

self-confessor

Question 24

isn’t involved w/ group; shows disinterest by clowning around
(ex: Wanda flirts openly with Marco and Nick, ignoring everyone else)

Answer 24

playboy

Question 25

tries to take control by manipulating group or members

ex: Frank interrupts Ralph repeatedly, telling him to “get on with it” and “leave out the boring details”

Answer 25

dominator

Question 26

tries to get sympathy of group by acting helpless, victimized
(ex: Leslie says she isn’t sure she can really contribute because she is dyslexic)

Answer 26

help seeker

Question 27

pretends to speak on behalf of a particular group but really is using group to express own biases
(ex: John says the group has to make sure all the money is accounted for because “some people here aren’t too responsible”)

Answer 27

special interest pleader