Doraemon, dai suki!

This week, I will be exploring the theme on group communication through none other than everyone's favourite classic anime, 'Doraemon'! (:

A group is defined as 'a collection of individuals who, as a result of interacting with one another over time, become interdependent, developing shared patterns of behavior and a collective identity.' In the doraemon series, the group identified in the show consists of (in clockwise direction shown in picture above) Doraemon, Nobita, Suneo, Gian and Shizuka.

One of the main reason to why it is advantageous to communicate in groups is clearly explained in the anime. Groups can meet members' interpersonal needs. The 3 interpersonal needs are the needs for inclusion, control and affection. The inclusion need is the need to establish identity through associating with others; Nobita often labeled as the loser in school, seeked solace in being included in the group headed by Gian, and developed a greater sense of identity when he was allowed to be included in games with his fellow classmates. The control need is the need to prove one's worth and competence by making effective decisions, it is illustrated through the character of Gian, whom with his demanding personality, is seen naturally as the leader of the group, thus satisfying his desire to always have things his way. Lastly, the affection need is the need to develop close, caring relationships with others. In every episode of Doraemon, Nobita being the ultimate loser that he is, always turn to Doraemon for support and help in hope of receiving affection from a close friend, this action is an apt depiction of the affection need achievable in a group.

Here is a clip on an episode of Doraemon which I will use to identify different roles that individuals play in a group.



2 categories of roles played in a group can be identified from the video - and maintenance roles and negative roles. Maintenance roles are behaviors that enhance the social climate of the group, whereas negative roles are generally dysfunctional and indicate that a member is having trouble balancing group and individual needs.

From the episode, we can see that the obvious roles played by Gian and Suneo are that of negative roles identifiable to be recognition seekers. They enjoy boasting about their abilities to others, showing off their skills at playing the 'stepping horse game' in order to be the center of attention. Such roles in a group are often unwanted and usually the ones who cause conflicts and disagreements due to their self-centered characteristics.

Nobita, pressured into participating in the game, seeks help from Doraemon immediately without even attempting to try out on his own - he is the help seeker in the group who constantly expresses own inadequacy and asks group for sympathy and compliments. Nobita's negative role as a help seeker is clearly defined in the whole Doraemon series since every single episode he is bound to get himself into some sort of trouble and the very next thing he does is whine and wails about his problem to Doraemon, as seen in the clip as well. The role of the help seeker lacks self identity and requires reassurance time and again, often poses as a burden to the group.

Our favourite robot cat from the future plays the maintenance role of a compromiser, one that seeks to find solution for conflict that involves own ideas. When Nobita comes begging for his help, Doraemon with his pocket of wonders is always there for him to resolve his troubles with the many futuristic gadgets. Shizuka, aka Nobita's love interest, plays the part of a maintenance role as well, being a follower in the group who accepts ideas readily and serves as an audience. Maintenance roles are vital in ensuring the harmony of a group as a whole and are also characters that can counter the negative roles in a group thus minimising disagreements from occuring.

Being in a group is important socially and emotionally, it helps in the development of one's identity and allows for the feeling of acceptance and support. How important is a group to you? Are you a Doraemon or a Nobita? Share your views on group communication with me if you love Doraemon as much as I do!

P.S: All the best for Comms tmr my friends (: