MF2: Roles individuals adopt within groups - term 2

Question 1

what are the specific roles adopted by individuals in groups

Answer 1

How people behave, contribute and relate with others. The part played by an individual within a given context, with any characteristic or expected pattern of behaviour that it entails. (categorising personality types)

A role within a group can be designated e.g. leader, navigator (fulfils a specific duty or recognises a skill set). However, all individuals will still play a role within the group even if it is not designated.

These roles are significant in the effectiveness of the group as a whole.
Roles are not fixed and will often change depending on the situation and demands of the activity/task being completed.

Question 2

three purposes of roles in a group

Answer 2

1. to ensure tasks are achieved
2. to maintain or rebuild relationships
3. to influence the groups progress

Question 3

what are the three different specific roles of people in groups

Answer 3

1) Task orientated - to esure the tasks are achieved

2) Socioemotional - to maintain/build relationships

3) Destructive - to influence the groups progress

Question 4

characteristics of being task orientated

Answer 4

Members are largely concerned with completing the task within a specified time. Goal oriented individuals

expert
brainstormer
Judge
chair person
recorder
initiatior
information seeker

Question 5

Characteristics of being socioemotional

Answer 5

Members are concerned with the wellbeing of the group and its members. Primary focus is on cohesion
Examples include:

Peace-maker
Encourager
Advocate
Mediator
Negotiator
Social organiser
Harmoniser

Question 6

Characteristics of being destructive

Answer 6

Members work at diverting attention away from task. Push group to make hasty decisions. Can impact on group harmony. Examples include:
* Victim
* Distractor
* Husher
* Interrupter
* Side-tracker
* Clown
* Monopoliser

Question 7

what are norms?

Answer 7

norms = a code of ethics in which the group operates

Definition: A standard or pattern of behavior that is considered normal in a particular society

Question 8

What is conformity

Answer 8

Conformity and norms play an integral role within a group’s cohesion as group member’s work towards a common goal, with common values and appreciation for one another.

Question 9

how is conformity positive?

Answer 9

people may be open to new ideas positively allowing them to be more open minded

Question 10

how is conformity negative?

Answer 10

it is negative as people go against how they feel or act to fit in with the group causing pressure to adjust their values to fit in with the group

Question 11

what is cohesiveness?

Answer 11

when a group works efficiently and effectively

example: (media group)

Question 12

factors that contribute to an individuals development

Question 13

personal factors that affect roles

Answer 13

PSCHESS:
Previous experience

Self confidence

Culture

Hereditary

Education

Self esteem

Sense of belonging

Question 14

culture (PSCHESS)

Answer 14

The ideas, customs, and social behavior of a particular people or group.

EXAMPLE: Cultural awareness programs help group members gain knowledge and understanding in order to connect with members and participate to their best of their ability.

Question 15

hereditary (PSCHESS)

Answer 15

Genetics passed down from generation to generation

EXAMPLES: illnesses and temperament can impact an individual’s ability to actively contribute or fulfil a role.

Can also hinder the progress of a group or the formation of a group.

Question 16

Education (PSCHESS)

Answer 16

The level of academic education, qualifications and work history a person has.

EXAMPLE: Group members often turn to the most ‘experienced’ or ‘educated’ with the perception that they are the best at decision making.

Question 17

Previous experience (PSCHESS)

Answer 17

Learned lessons from life events, past encounters, workplace roles and interactions with others.

EXAMPLE: Positive experience of working with a dynamic team and effective leader could result in learnt skills being applied to other group contexts.

Impacts on how we view decisions and challenges

Question 18

Self-confidence (PSCHESS)

Answer 18

The attitude a person holds about their skills and abilities

EXAMPLES: More confident individuals are more likely to take on challenges.

Question 19

self esteem (PSCHESS)

Answer 19

Individual’s perception, self-value or self-worth

EXAMPLE: Someone with low self-esteem is less likely to be an active contributor to groups due to being withdrawn, hesitant and self-conscious

Question 20

sense of belonging (PSCHESS)

Answer 20

When an individual connects with a group, they feel valued and are more likely to engage in tasks.

Question 21

what are social factors

Answer 21

factors that are influenced by others, specifically people that individuals associate with on a personal basis or in the larger communit

Question 22

examples of social factors (GRAM)

Answer 22

Gender expectations

Relationships

Attitudes of group members

Media

Question 23

Gender expectations (GRAM)

Answer 23

Within society and groups we subconsciously (and consciously) reinforce views of masculinity and femininity.

Gender perceptions shape a child’s development.

Adults often expect men are leaders whilst women have less pivotal/vital roles.

Example: mum cooks, dad drives

Question 24

Relationships (GRAM)

Answer 24

Groups are connected/developed through relationships (group cohesion)

Groups with strong ties and connections through informal socialising heightens solidarity, trust and support

Individuals with fractured relationships cause disharmony and can cause shifts in group roles to regain focus.

Example: a dispute in a group can cause disharmony within the whole group

Question 25

Attitudes of group members (GRAM)

Answer 25

Acceptance within a group is determined by whether group members of a similar age accept us.

Love and belonging (Maslow’s hierarchy) are key to feeling a sense of acceptance.

Rejection from a group often results as a difference of opinions/values, this can impact on self esteem and confidence.

Example: changing self values or beliefs to fit in

Question 26

what are observations

Answer 26

DEFINITION:
- Classified as qualitative research (trends, information, opinions).

• Refers to the purpose of observing individuals or groups in their natural or superficial (clinical/created) environment.

Commonly used to understand and analyse complex social structures that exist.

Focuses on behavioural patterns and interactions within structures.
Important to consider ethics and privacy – must seek permission if completing a direct observation.

Question 27

What elements would you focus on if you were conducting an observation?

Answer 27

• gestures
• touching
• body position
• tone of voice
• verbal communication
• cognitive behaviour
• eye contact
• time allocated to tasks
• interaction patterns
• behavioural patterns

Question 28

what is a participant observation

Answer 28

PARTICIPANT OBSERVATION:
Actively involved within the activity/group/structure that is being observed

EXAMPLE: NRL player joined and played the game

Question 29

what is a non participant observation

Answer 29

NON PARTICIPANT OBSERVATIONS:
Observer plays no role within the activity/group/structure and merely observes

EXAMPLE: NRL player observes the game from the sidelines

Question 30

Conducting and Recording Observations

Answer 30

Need to observe non-verbal indicators to gain an understanding of feelings, interaction patterns, group dynamics and time allocations.

It is important to conduct and record observations in a thorough and systemic manner, particularly as it is an area where bias can occur.

Developments in technology have assisted in observation techniques with smart phones, tablets and recording devices becoming invaluable aids.

Question 31

what is a sociogram

Answer 31

A map that is used to track/record interactions between individuals within a group.

Question 32

presenting research findings

Answer 32

Can be presented in a variety of ways – tables, graphs, summarised lists, flow charts, spreadsheets, socio-metric models (sociogram) or articles

Photographic evidence adds validity to results (must consider ethics and privacy)

Important that all observations are documented accurately e.g. time, date, location, environment

Question 33

advantages of observations

Answer 33

• permanent record
• primary data
• detailed description

Question 34

disadvantages of observations

Answer 34

• individuals may have a lack of trust with someone observing them
• they are time consuming meaning it is easy to miss an important interaction
• reliability due to being in real time