Types of Roles in Small Groups

Abstract

The types of roles played by members of small groups have been describedfrom a number of different perspectives. Most of the research has been based on laboratory or therapy-like groups in their "task-oriented " phase, after the overall purpose of the group has been given, resources supplied, and basic formal roles indicated. Informal roles tend to develop as a response to the set of formal roles. They may provide additional activities necessary for effective group functioning or they may be in opposition to the formal roles. Little attention has been paid to groups beginning de novo. However roles are described, they must be placed, eventually, along with other concepts in a comprehensive social-psychological theory. As an illustration, several category systems, derivedfrom different social-psychological perspectives, can be used to describe the form and content of formal, informal, and dramaturgical roles in small groups.