Final answer:
The false statement about groups is (a) 'People who do not conform to group roles are given high status by the group,' because in most groups, conformity is expected, and non-conformity typically results in sanctions or lower status.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question asks which statement about groups is not true. As described in various sociology readings, conformity plays a significant role in group dynamics. Statement (a), 'People who do not conform to group roles are given high status by the group,' is generally not true. In most group settings, especially in structured or secondary groups, conformity to roles is often expected, and those who do not conform may be sanctioned or given lower status. On the other hand, leaders in groups can be instrumental in their proper functioning, as they often step in to perform roles the group isn't fulfilling on its own (statement b). Task and maintenance roles are crucial for group operations (statement c). Moreover, it is common for individuals to play multiple roles in their lives, extending to playing more than one role within a group (statements d and e), and these are accurate reflections of group dynamics.