1. Module #4
Goals and Roles in Small Groups

2.  Three types of goals
1. task,
2. maintenance
3. Personal
Ideally a group member will
combine all three

3. Group-type Goals:
Task
Maintenance

4. A goal is a endpoint toward which an
individual or group of people value and are
working toward.
Specific goals establish and maintain
motivation
Challenging goals heighten performance as
they are used to evaluate performance

5. They need to be realistic but challenging
Commitment to goals is increased when
• They are made public
• They are set by the group
Goals need to be short and long term

6. Short term goals
are the stepping
stones to the
long term goals

7. Remember:
Start small and
work your way
up!!!

8. 1. Describe how each
goal will be completed
– break it down?
2. Who will complete
each task?
3. When will it be
completed?
4. How will it be
evaluated? How will
you recognize it when
it is achieved?

9. 1. Task/Achievement
Goals
• Major outcomes or
products
• Obvious achievements or
learning
 Behaviours that help
you reach task goals
• Clearly define and report
in on progress
• Summarize important
points
• Outline a plan

10. 2. Maintenance Goals
 Relate to the climate of the group & relationships that
exist between members
 Maintain satisfactory cooperation levels
 Behaviours that help you reach them:
• Provide encouragement and support
• Limit critical comments and personally directed criticism
• Arbitrate disputes – all own a piece
• Increase group cohesiveness “we” ness

12. When maintenance goals are achieved task
goals are more effectively accomplished!
Either goal can be a priority at any time
The relationship between the two
fluctuates constantly

13.  We all bring them to a
group but they may be
different for all of us
 They are the things
we hope to benefit
from or gain from
personally in a group

14. For some personal goals will be more
important than group goals
Two dilemmas may emerge:
1. Mixed Motives
2. Hidden Agendas

15. Member must decide
between their own
goals and the divergent
goals of the group
• Can make group work
hard
• Can demand
compromise
• You must work within
the limits or work to
change them

16. A goal held by a
member but unknown
to other group
members, which
interferes with the
group‟s efforts
• Annoying
• Destructive
• When destructive; must
be confronted within
the group

17. Have an open discussion of the issue
Avoid blaming, or criticizing
Use „I‟ statements not you statements
Try „it‟ statements – it seems the group is
not prepared
• You can meet both personal and group goals in a
group but you must be transparent and will to
discuss issues as they emerge

18.  The manner in which
each group member
interacts with other
group members
 A set of behaviours
 A tendency for
members to specialize
in a role

19. The manner in which each group member
interacts with other group members;
behaviors
1. Task Roles – related to the accomplishment of
tasks/achievements
2. Maintenance - strengthen social emotional
bonds
3. Self Centered – satisfy personal needs not
group needs

20.  The group can make
a person with high
status feel important &
influential
 They are given
prestige & privelege
Beebe & Masterson,2009

21. Power is defined as “the
resources you can
use to control or
influence others”
Beebe & Masterson, 2009

22. 1. Legitimate – being
elected, appointed or
selected to exert
control
Beebe & Masterson, 2009

23. 2. Referent Power – the
power in interpersonal
attraction
Beebe & Masterson, 2009

24. 3. Expert Power – is
based on knowledge
and information that a
person knows.
Beebe & Masterson, 2009

25. 4. Reward Power –
based on the ability to
reward behaviours
e.g.
money, status, power,
acceptance, etc

26. 5. Coercive Power – the
negative side power.
Someone who can
punish the group for
acting or not acting in
a certain way.
Beebe & Masterson, 2009

27. POSITIVE NEGATIVE
 Struggle for power = poor
decisions
 Can be aggressors,
blockers, attention seekers,
etc
 Talk too much & for the
longest
 Use for personal gain
 More privileges
 Increasing your activity in
group can increase your
power
 Equal distribution = better
communication
 good teams depend on all
group members