Group Functions
Two kinds of behavior are seen in every group in order to achieve group goals : task functions and maintenance functions. Task functions are behaviors directed toward selecting and achieving primary and secondary goals of the group. Maintenance functions are activities that assist and support the welfare, morale, harmony, and relationship of the group.
Task functions, functions that get a job done, include the following behaviors :
1. Initiating activity : The person suggests new ideas or ways to organize the group.
2. Seeking information : The person asks for clarification or facts pertinent to the discussion.
3. Seeking opinion : The person asks for a statement of feelings or ideas.
4. Giving information : The person offers facts in order to push what he thinks should become the group`s view.
5. Giving opinion : The person states a belief about a suggestion or piece of information based on personal values or experience instead of on facts.
6. Clarifying or elaborating : The person gives examples or develops meanings to help the group envision how a proposed solution might work.
7. Coordinating : The person shows relationships between or pulls together various ideas, suggestions, or activities.
8. Summarizing : The person restates ideas after the group has discussed them.
9. Testing : The person examines the practicality of ideas, makes application of suggested solutions to real situations, and preevaluates.
Maintenance functions, functions that increase feelings of security, include the following behaviors :
1. Encouraging : The person is warm, friendly, responsive to others, praises others and their ideas, and pushes for group solidarity.
2. Expressing group feelings : The person summarizes group feelings and reactions.
3. Harmonizing : The person mediates differences between other members or relieves tensions and conflict through use of humor of pleasantries.
4. Compromising : The person yields, admits error, or moves his original position in order to work out a conflict in which he is involved.
5. Gatekeeping : The person makes it possible for another member to contribute to the group by calling on him or by suggesting a time limit for talking to another. Thus the gatekeeper keeps communication channels open.
6. Setting standards : The person states standards for the group to use in choosing a task, procedure, or solution. He reminds the group to avoid decisions that conflict with group standards.
References :
Lippitt, Gordon, and Edith Seashore, The Leader and Group Effectiveness. New York : Association Press, 1962.
Lippitt, Gordon, and Edith Seashore, “The Professional Nurse Looks at Group Effectiveness”, Leadership in Nursing Series. Washington, D.C., Leadership Resources, Inc., 1966.
