MF2: Roles individuals adopt within groups - term 2 Flashcards
what are the specific roles adopted by individuals in groups
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.
three purposes of roles in a group
- to ensure tasks are achieved
- to maintain or rebuild relationships
- to influence the groups progress
what are the three different specific roles of people in groups
1) Task orientated - to esure the tasks are achieved
2) Socioemotional - to maintain/build relationships
3) Destructive - to influence the groups progress
characteristics of being task orientated
Members are largely concerned with completing the task within a specified time. Goal oriented individuals
expert
brainstormer
Judge
chair person
recorder
initiatior
information seeker
Characteristics of being socioemotional
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
Characteristics of being destructive
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
what are norms?
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
What is conformity
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.
how is conformity positive?
people may be open to new ideas positively allowing them to be more open minded
how is conformity negative?
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
what is cohesiveness?
when a group works efficiently and effectively
example: (media group)
factors that contribute to an individuals development
personal factors that affect roles
PSCHESS:
Previous experience
Self confidence
Culture
Hereditary
Education
Self esteem
Sense of belonging
culture (PSCHESS)
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.
hereditary (PSCHESS)
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.
Education (PSCHESS)
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.
Previous experience (PSCHESS)
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
Self-confidence (PSCHESS)
The attitude a person holds about their skills and abilities
EXAMPLES: More confident individuals are more likely to take on challenges.
self esteem (PSCHESS)
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
sense of belonging (PSCHESS)
When an individual connects with a group, they feel valued and are more likely to engage in tasks.
what are social factors
factors that are influenced by others, specifically people that individuals associate with on a personal basis or in the larger communit
examples of social factors (GRAM)
Gender expectations
Relationships
Attitudes of group members
Media
Gender expectations (GRAM)
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
Relationships (GRAM)
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
Attitudes of group members (GRAM)
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
what are observations
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.
What elements would you focus on if you were conducting an observation?
- gestures
- touching
- body position
- tone of voice
- verbal communication
- cognitive behaviour
- eye contact
- time allocated to tasks
- interaction patterns
- behavioural patterns
what is a participant observation
PARTICIPANT OBSERVATION:
Actively involved within the activity/group/structure that is being observed
EXAMPLE: NRL player joined and played the game
what is a non participant observation
NON PARTICIPANT OBSERVATIONS:
Observer plays no role within the activity/group/structure and merely observes
EXAMPLE: NRL player observes the game from the sidelines
Conducting and Recording Observations
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.
what is a sociogram
A map that is used to track/record interactions between individuals within a group.
presenting research findings
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
advantages of observations
- permanent record
- primary data
- detailed description
disadvantages of observations
- 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
