Question

Analyze the group dynamics from THREE of your favorite television shows. See if you can identify the various task, social and antigroup role types in each of the groups. For this assignment, list the THREE shows that you analyzed. Choose one of those shows and identify at least three roles from show. (Do not choose a show that does not give examples of the following types of roles)

1. From the show:

• Name a character who exhibited a task role and identify the role, as well as, what the character did.
• Name a character who exhibited a social role and identify the role, as well as, what the character did.
• Name a character who exhibited an antigroup role and identify the role, as well as, what the character did.
• (If you cannot find these three separate types of roles in the show you are using, you can use examples from the other two shows you analyzed.)

2. After examining these roles, answer the following questions:

• Who was the group leader? How do you know that or why do you think that?
• What kind of power did the leader have? (Legitimate, Coercive, Reward, Expert, Referent) Please explain.
• What kind of leadership style did the character use? (Directive, Supportive, Participative, Laissez-Faire, Achievement,) Please explain.
• What leadership qualities did the character exhibit?

Answer 1

The Simpsons

Big Bang Theory

Friends

SImpsons

Lisa Simpson performs the Task Leader Role

Lisa is a focussed and rather mature child for her age in terms of having complete clarity in terms of what she wants from her life and education and parents.

Marge Simpson performs the Social Emotional Leader Role

Marge is the balancing entity in the family where in she tries restore some amount of sanity in a highly dysfunctional environment, cased especially by her husband and to a lesser extent by her son.

Homer Simpson performs the Anti Group Playboy Role

Homer Simpson will often show very little interest in the groups shared objective and hence will not contribute anything in a significant manner. He often would play the role of Joker/Clown as well since his comical approach to everything would steer the group (most often the Simpsons Family) from its goals.

Of the members, Homer Simpson is the leader since all said and done, every family member refers to him for all important reasons.

This is a legitimate power since Homer Simpson is the head of the family.

In terms of leadership style, participative leadership style is exhibited since it is often found that Homer Simpson would refer to Marge and sometimes even Lisa for decision making.