Chapter 3 Group Membership 1 Group Member Needs most of us join groups because they satisfy specific needs Will Schutz s work explains why we join stay in and even leave groups a Schutz s Theory of Interpersonal Needs William Schutz developed a Fundamental Interpersonal Relationship Orientation FIRO Theory that focuses on three needs that most of us share to some degree the needs for inclusion for control and for affection Schutz maintains that we join groups in order to satisfy one or more of these needs i The Need for Inclusion ii The Need for Control 1 An inclusion need represents our desire to belong to be involved and to be accepted 2 When a group meets a member s inclusion need the result is what Schutz calls a social member a person who enjoys working with people but is also comfortable working alone 3 An undersocial member feels unworthy or undervalued by the group and may withdraw and become a loner 4 An oversocial member tries to attract attention to compensate for feelings of inadequacy 5 Making new members feel welcome and veteran members feel valued requires a careful balance between the needs of the members and the needs of the group 1 Control need refers to whether we feel competent confident and free to make our own decisions 2 The need for control is often expressed by a member who wants to be the group s leader 3 When a group meets a member s control need the result is what Schutz calls a democratic member a person who has no problems with power and control and who feels just as comfortable giving orders as taking them Such members are excellent leaders because they can exercise control when needed but they put the group s goals ahead of their own needs 4 Unmet control needs can result in the emergence of an abdicrat or an autocrat 5 An abdicrat wants control but is reluctant to pursue it Abdicrats are often submissive members because they have no hope of having any control in the group 6 The autocrat tries to take control by dominating the group Autocrats often criticize other members and try to force their decisions on the group iii The Need for Affection 1 An affection need reflects our desire to be liked by others 2 Members with strong affection needs seek close friendships and expressions of warmth from others 3 When a group meets a member s affection need the result is what Schutz calls a personal member a person who has no emotional problems dealing with group members 4 When affection needs are not met members do not feel liked they become uncomfortable in the group setting Reactions to this deficit fall into two categories underpersonal behavior and overpersonal behavior 5 Underpersonal members believe no one likes them they may establish only superficial relationships with other members They may appear aloof and uninvolved and when presses they rarely share their honest feelings or opinions 6 An overpersonal member tries to get close to everyone and seeks intimate friendships despite the disinterest of other members Such members are too talkative too personal and too confiding b Balancing Individual and Groups Needs i Using Schutz s FIRO theory to improve a group s performance requires a balanced approach that helps members meet both inclusion control and affection needs and the group s need for productive interaction ii Praising and rewarding effective group behavior can help group members feel included competent and well liked iii There are reasons to be cautious however about using FIRO theory to explain and predict group behavior 2 Member Roles when a group member exhibits a unique set of skills or behavior patterns that serve specific functions within the group that member has assumed a role a Benne and Sheats Functional Group Roles in addition to describing how each role helps or hinders groups from achieving a common goal they explain that members may temporarily adopt a role that suits a particular situation or may take on a permanent role What s critical claim Benne and Sheats is finding a balance of appropriate roles based on the group s progress toward achieving its goals Group task roles affect a group s ability to achieve its common goal by focusing on behaviors that help get the job done Group maintenance roles affect how group members get along with one another while pursuing a shared goal Self centered roles put individual needs ahead of the group s goal and other members needs i Group Task Roles 1 2 4 Initiator contributor proposes ideas and suggestions provides direction for the group gets the group started Information seeker asks for needed facts and figures requests explanations and clarification of ideas makes the group aware of information gaps 3 Opinion seeker asks for others opinions tests for group opinions and consensus tries to discover what others believe or feel about an issue Information giver provides the group with relevant information researches organizes and presents needed information 5 Opinion giver states personal beliefs and interpretations shares feelings offers analysis and arguments 6 Elaborator helps explain ideas and suggestions by providing examples or summaries or by describing the consequence of a decision or action 7 Coordinator pulls ideas together and suggestions together tries to coordinate the activities of various members of subgroups 8 Orienter summarizes what has ben said and what has occurred raises questions about the direction the discussion is taking in relationship to the group agenda and its goal 9 Evaluator critic assesses ideas arguments and suggestions functions as the group s critical thinker diagnoses task and procedural problems 10 Energizer motivates group members to do their best helps create enthusiasm for the task and if needed a sense of urgency serves as the group s cheerleader 11 Procedural technician assists with preparation for meetings suggests agenda items makes room arrangements provides materials and equipment 12 Recorder keeps and provides accurate written records of a group s major ideas suggestions and decisions 1 Encourager supporter praises and agrees with group members provides recognition and person to person encouragement listens empathically 2 Harmonizer helps resolve conflicts mediates differences among group members emphasizes teamwork and the importance of everyone getting along 3 Compromiser offers suggestions that minimize differences helps the group reach consensus searches for solutions that are acceptable to everyone ii Group Maintenance Roles iii Self