Abstract
Task and socio-emotional functions are specialized in many groups. The critical variable seems to be the extent to which the task goals are salient to all group members and consequently viewed as legitimate. The tasks in service fraternities and sororities are likely to be accepted by all members, since a condition for membership is a desire to serve. This study investigated the task and socio-emotional functions in eight such fraternities and sororities (N of 169). Significant correlations obtained between sociometric choice for real leader and actual leadership, between sociometric choice for real leader and best-liked person, and between best-liked person and assessment of task activity. Results suggest that role differentiation is a function of task legitimacy and consequently the legitimacy of leadership itself.
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