Page 126 - Effective group discussion theory and practice by Adams, Katherine H. Brilhart, John K. Galanes, Gloria J

The Members

and Their Roles
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C H A P T E R 5

STUDY OBJECTIVES CENTRAL MESSAGE
As a result of studying Chapter 5, you should be able to: The number of members,
1. Know how many members should compose a specific small
group. their personal characteristics,
2. Describe characteristics such as communication apprehension, and their attitudes are input
cognitive complexity, and self-monitoring, and explain how each
can affect problem-solving discussions. variables that help shape the
3. Describe personality characteristics, such as those described by group’s throughput processes,
the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator®, agreeableness,
conscientiousness, and openness to experience, and explain including the interaction and
how each can affect group discussion. the development of member
4. Differentiate between formal and informal roles and describe
how informal roles emerge from within the group. roles, and the group’s outputs,
5. Describe task-oriented, maintenance (relationship-oriented), and such as group performance.
self-centered behaviors that constitute members’ roles.
6. Explain how group members can manage the conflicts that arise
when membership in one group competes with membership in
another.

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