Chapter 13: Leadership, Roles, and Problem Solving in Groups

Question 1

Question

Answer 1

Answer

Question 2

contribute directly to the group’s completion of a a task or achievement of its goal or purpose

Answer 2

Task roles

Question 3

the “idea person” who communicates “big picture” thoughts and suggestions that feed group discussion

Answer 3

Substantive leader

Question 4

the person who gives the most guidance, perhaps sfollowing up on the ideas generated by the substantive leader

Answer 4

Procedural leader

Question 5

a task-related role that functions to keep the group on track toward completing its task by managing the agenda and setting and assessing goals in order to monitor the group’s progress

Answer 5

Expediter

Question 6

this role includes behaviors that are more evenly shared compared to other roles, as ideally, all group members present new ideas, initiate discussions of new topics, and contribute their own relevant knowledge and experiences

Answer 6

Information provider

Question 7

the person who has this task-related role asks for more information, elaboration, or clarification on items relevant to the group’s task

Answer 7

Information seeker

Question 8

this person manages the flow of conversation in a group in order to achieve an appropriate balance so that all group members get to participate in a meaningful way

Answer 8

Gatekeeper

Question 9

the person who takes notes on the discussion and activities that occur during a group meeting. This role is the only role that is limited to one person at a time

Answer 9

Recorder

Question 10

function to create and maintain social cohesion and fulfill the interpersonal needs of group members

Answer 10

Maintenance roles

Question 11

may perform a variety of maintenance roles and is generally someone who is well liked by the other group members and whose role behaviors complement but do not compete with the task leader

Answer 11

Social-emotional leader

Question 12

a maintenance role that is characterized by communication behaviors that encourage other group members and provide emotional support as needed

Answer 12

Supporter

Question 13

someone who is naturally funny and sensitive to the personalities of the group and the dynamics of any given situation and who uses these qualities to manage the frustration level of the group

Answer 13

Tension releaser

Question 14

group members who help manage the various types of group conflict that emerge during group communication, they keep their eyes and ears open for signs of conflict among group members and ideally intervene before it escalates

Answer 14

Harmonizer

Question 15

this person helps manage the diversity within a group by mediating intercultural conflict, articulating common ground between different people, and generally creating a climate where difference is seen as an opportunity rather than as something to be feared

Answer 15

Interpreter

Question 16

argues against most of the ideas and proposals discussed in the group

Answer 16

Central negative

Question 17

a group member who makes excessive verbal contributions preventing equal participation by other group members. Can include the “egghead” and the “stage hog.”

Answer 17

Monopolizer

Question 18

monopolizes discussion with excessive verbal contributions and engages in one-upping and narcissistic listening

Answer 18

Stage hog

Question 19

monopolizes the discussion with excessive contributions based in actual knowledge

Answer 19

Egghead

Question 20

involves thoughts, discussions, actions, and decisions that occur from the first consideration of a problematic situation to the goal

Answer 20

Problem-solving process

Question 21

a single sentence that summarizes the problem

Answer 21

Problem statement

Question 22

a question that will guide the group as it generates possible solutions

Answer 22

Problem question

Question 23

guides decision making through a four-step process that includes idea generation and evaluation and seeks to elicit equal contributions from all group members

Answer 23

Nominal group technique

Question 24

a commonly used decision-making technique in which a majority (one-half plus one) must agree before making a decision

Answer 24

Majority rule

Question 25

A decision making technique in which a designated authority or expert has final say over a decision and may or may not consider the input of other group members

Answer 25

Minority rule

Question 26

a decision-making technique in which all members of the group must agree on the same decision

Answer 26

Consensus rule