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In a group, you will generally assume dual roles: a task role and a maintenance role. Task roles are the hands-on roles that directly relate to the group’s accomplishment of its objectives. Examples include “recording secretary” (takes notes) and “moderator” (facilitates discussion). Members also adopt various maintenance roles that help facilitate effective group interaction, such as “the harmonizer” (smoothes out tension) and “the gatekeeper” (keeps the discussion moving and gets everyone’s input).1 Online maintenance roles include the “moderator” or “master” (coordinates and sometimes screens members’ comments) and the “elder” (long-standing and respected group member).2
Sometimes, group members focus on individual needs irrelevant to the task at hand. Anti-group roles such as “floor hogger” (not allowing others to speak), “blocker” (being overly negative about group ideas; raising issues that have been settled), and “recognition seeker” (calling attention to oneself rather than to group tasks) do not further the group’s goals and should be avoided.
Handling Trolls Online
Groups who meet online may encounter members who adopt the anti-group role of “troll”—someone who intentionally inserts irrelevant and inflammatory comments into online discussions in order to stir up controversy. Experts advise refraining from responding to such a person’s abusive comments, noting that “feeding the troll” will only encourage further provocation.3