1. Roles Outline  Roles  Why Roles  The Power of Roles  Film: Zimbardo Prison Study

2. Roles  Roles  Sets of behaviors that persons expect of occupants of a position  Formal  Informal  Role expectations  What we expect of members based on their role in the group  Divides up responsibility  Role differentiation  The development of distinct roles in the group

3. Role Behavior Role overload: When expectations exceed what a person is able to do. Role conflict: When the set of expected behaviors includes conflicting demands.  Intrarole conflict  Interrole conflict Role ambiguity: When expectations are unclear because people fail to provide information necessary for performing a role; not knowing what to do, e.g. vague job descriptions or unclear criteria for promotion People in collectivist cultures tend to be clearer about role expectations, while individualist cultures leave more room for discretion. 12-6

4. Functional Roles Performed by Group Members Task RolesDescription Initiator Suggests new goals or ideas Information seeker/giver Clarifies key issues Opinion seeker/giver Clarifies pertinent values Elaborator Promotes greater understanding Coordinator Pulls together ideas and suggestions Orienter Keeps group headed toward its stated goal(s) Evaluator Tests group’s accomplishments Energizer Prods group to move along or to accomplish more Procedural technician Performs routine duties Recorder Performs a “group memory” function 12-10a Table 12-3a

5. Functional Roles Performed by Group Members ( continued) Maintenance RolesDescription Encourager Fosters group solidarity Harmonizer Mediates conflict through reconciliation or humor Compromiser Helps resolve conflict by meeting others “half way” Gatekeeper Encourages all group members to participate Standard setter Evaluates the quality of group processes Commentator Records comments on group processes/dynamics Follower Serves as a passive audience 12-10b Table 12-3b

6. The Power of Roles  Roles are powerful influences on member behavior  Stanford Prison Study  Zimbardo & colleagues