group work: group member roles

Question 1

Group Member Roles

Answer 1

The various positions or expected patterns of behavior group members may adopt during group work. Formal roles are specific roles assigned to a group member; for example, many task groups have a chair and someone who records minutes of the meeting. Informal roles are not specified but are developed through interactions with other group members, such as an advice giver or aggressor

Question 2

role differentiation

Answer 2

In group counseling, the process of group members adopting different roles (e.g., storyteller, advice giver, and leader) within the group.

Question 3

role conflict

Answer 3

Occurs when group members experience conflicting demands of various roles, such as when a member who prefers to avoid emotional expression is encouraged to self-disclose reactions to emotionally laden group content and process; that is, the roles a member plays come into conflict with each other.

Question 4

role ambiguity

Answer 4

Occurs when a group member is not sure of the role expectations or behavior requirements they should fulfill

Question 5

Johari window

Answer 5

A model used to describe levels of client awareness. These levels are represented by four quadrants: the public self, the blind self, the private self, and the unknown self. The model proposes that as individuals interact with group members, the public, blind, and private selves grow while the unknown self decreases.

Question 6

compromise

Answer 6

A method professional counselors can use to help group members detach their ideas from their egos in order to promote group goals and enhance the group process.

Question 7

gatekeeping

Answer 7

Occurs when members and leaders insist on adherence to the established group norms

Question 8

initiation

Answer 8

Occurs when group members make suggestions or take action to move the group toward goals

Question 9

information seeking

Answer 9

Occurs when group members ask for clarification or help to promote self-disclosure in oneself or other members

Question 10

opinion seeking

Answer 10

Involves self- or other-disclosure of group member values in relation to a group task. Often, members want to know what others believe or value to gain insights into others’ worldviews.

Question 11

observation

Answer 11

Includes member and leader feedback to the group

Question 12

aggressiveness

Answer 12

Displayed in a group as frequent disagreement with, and forceful attempt to impose ideas upon, the leader and other members.

Question 13

attention-seeking behaviors

Answer 13

Behaviors that call attention to the group member and away from other members.

Question 14

informing

Answer 14

Occurs when a member talks about other members outside of group. Leaders should remind all members that what happens in group stays in group and underscore the importance of confidentiality to group work success and goal accomplishment

Question 15

monopolizing

Answer 15

Occurs when group members demonstrate behaviors such as neediness, demandingness, excessive talkativeness, and control through a focus on the self. These behaviors usually involve underlying anxieties.

Question 16

manipulation

Answer 16

A challenging group member behavior that typically stems from the need for control and anger and promotes group tension and conflict

Question 17

sarcasm

Answer 17

An attempt to mask and not express anger

Question 18

focusing on others

Answer 18

A group member’s attempt to avoid self-focus and self-disclosure