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Social Sci LibreTexts

9: Leadership, Roles, and Problem Solving in Groups

  • Page ID
    24010
    • Anonymous
    • LibreTexts
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    • 9.1: Leadership and Small Group Communication
      The leader is a group role that is associated with a high-status position and may be formally or informally recognized by group members. Leadership is a complex of beliefs, communication patterns, and behaviors that influence the functioning of a group and move a group toward the completion of its task. In the remainder of this section, we will discuss some approaches to the study of leadership, leadership styles, and leadership and group dynamics.
    • 9.2: Group Member Roles
      In this section, we will discuss the three categories of common group roles that were identified by early group communication scholars. These role categories include task-related roles, maintenance roles, and individual roles that are self-centered or unproductive for the group (Benne & Sheats, 1948).
    • 9.3: Problem Solving and Decision Making in Groups
      In this section, we will discuss the group problem-solving process, methods of decision making, and influences on these processes.


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