The following list of roles which people tend to act out in groups is
based on that of Gross (1968) . It is interesting to compare it with such
lists stemming from other observers/theorists.
Task-oriented individuals
|
Those who predominantly try to get the job done and
get some output from the group. |
People-oriented individuals
|
Those who are concerned with interpersonal
relationships in the group and who work hard to maintain a good
social climate. |
No-sayers
|
Those who consistently oppose most proposals; have
thick skins; find fault with virtually everything. |
Yes-sayers
|
Those who try to get round opposition, are
enthusiastic and counter the no-sayers. |
Regulars
|
Those who are obviously accepted by the group. These
are the ‘in people’ who accept and project the group’s norms
& values. |
Deviants
|
Individuals who depart from group values. |
Isolates
|
‘Lone Wolves’ who often depart even further from
expected values and behaviours than the deviants. |
Newcomers
|
New entrants to the group who need to be guided by
others; are expected to be seen but not heard. |
Old Timers
|
Those who have been in the group for a long time and
know the ropes. |
Climbers
|
Individuals who are commonly expected to get ahead
often on the basis of assumed potential rather than any concrete
demonstration of ability. |
Cosmopolitans
|
Group members who view themselves as part of a wider
professional or cultural community and who often consider the group
and its members inferior to this wider community. |
Locals
|
Those who are firmly rooted in the group and in the
organizational community. |