Group Properties

Group Norms

• The standards of behavior that are acceptable to the group.
• Norms may be verbalized or not be verbalized (implied).
• Norms may change as the group develops or members join and leave.
• Explicit rules: expectations of the group (e.g., tardiness, respecting others, confidentiality) that the group leader announces and enforces.
• Nonexplicit rules: are seldom verbalized and are behaviors that are acceptable or unacceptable in the group.
• For a group to function well, there needs to be a balance of roles.
• Members can take on multiple roles at time.¹ 

Group Roles

• The subdivision of the groups’ members into specific roles, either naturally or assigned by the group leader.
• Roles may facilitate task accomplishment, maintain communication, or interfere with group function.
• Roles that are detrimental to the group should be changed to maintain therapeutic learning.¹ 

Group Task Roles

• Initiator-contributor – suggests new ideas or solutions to problems and finds new ways to stay organized
• Information seeker – seeks further facts
• Opinion seeker – seeks further clarification of opinions
• Information giver – automatically offers facts and generalizations
• Opinion giver – states opinions
• Elaborator – gives more specific samples
• Coordinator – clarifies the relationships of ideas
• Orienter – orients the group back to the group’s goals
• Evaluator-critic – subjects the group to a standard of group functioning
• Energizer – helps the group take action or make a decision
• Procedural technician – organizes the group through distribution and arrangement
• Recorder – records the group’s decisions and suggestions¹ 

Individual Roles

• Aggressor: decreases the status of others by expressing disapproval.
• Blocker: characterized by negativity, resistance, and opposition
• Recognition-seeker: calls attention to self
• Self-confessor: expresses feelings using the group as an audience
• Playboy: lacks involvement and often jokes or displays cyncism
• Dominator: monopolized the group, e.g., interruption
• Help-seeker: looks for sympathy from the group due to insecurities
• Special interest pleader: hides their own biases in social causes, e.g., housewife, homeless¹ 

1. Cole, M. (2012). Group dynamics in occupational therapy: The theoretical basis and practice application for group intervention (4th ed.). Thorofare, NJ: SLACK Incorporated[↩][↩][↩][↩]