The group roles and development of MLP:FIM - developed for S5 pupils to practice lecture notetaking skills.

1. An analysis of Groupwork Dynamics in ‘My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic’.

4. The Group

7. Belbin’s Team Roles compared to the MLP:FIM group.

8. Twilight Sparkle Main role ‘Co-ordinator’ “ Mature, confident, a good chairperson. Clarifies goals promotes decision-making, delegates well.” She also displays some of the typical negatives ‘manipulative’ or ‘off-loading’ particularly in her relations with Spike.

9. Rarity Main role ‘Completer Finisher’ “ Painstaking, conscientious, anxious. Searches out errors and omissions. Polishes and perfects.” She also has the negative aspects often seen in this role of ‘reluctance to delegate’ or ‘inclined to unduly worry’ particularly when it comes to aesthetic beauty.

10. Applejack Main role ‘Implementer’ “ Disciplined, reliable, conservative and efficient. Turns ideas into practical action.” She has at least one of the negative aspects often seen in this role of ‘inflexibility’ and at times she is seen to be ‘slow to respond to new possibilities’. This stubborn nature seems to cause her the most issues.

11. Pinkie-Pie Main role ‘Plant’ “ Creative, imaginative, unorthodox. Solves difficult problems.” She also reflects the negatives of this role by sometimes ‘ignoring incidentals’ and can at times be ‘too preoccupied to communicate effectively”. Pinkie-Pie regularly solves problems but often forgets to explain what she’s doing to the group.

12. Fluttershy Main role ‘Teamworker’ “ Co-operative, mild, perceptive and diplomatic. Listens, builds, averts friction.” Fluttershy can be ‘indecisive in crunch situations’ but has always come through when the team needed her most.

13. Rainbow Dash Main role ‘Shaper’ “ Challenging, dynamic, thrives on pressure. Has the drive and courage to overcome obstacles.” Quick to temper, Rainbow Dash matches the expected negative traits as she’s ‘prone to provocation’ and can at times ‘offend ponies feelings’. NB: This slide is 20% cooler than all the others.

14. The remaining two roles Belbin describes are ‘Resource Investigator’ and ‘Specialist’. Spike is usually the ‘Resource Investigator’ – “extrovert, enthusiastic, communicative. Explores opportunities. Develops contacts.” His absence from many of the adventures suggests that he has the expected weakness of ‘losing interest once initial enthusiasm has passed.’ The ‘Specialist’ role moves around the group as they utilise the specific knowledge or skills they each have.

19. Storming

23. Performing