Problems in organizational groups are often defined around one pivotal and difficult group member. Based upon C. Stohl and S. Schell's concepts of farrago (a confusing group member who becomes the relational focus of the group), 28 undergraduate students and management personnel who frequently participate in group work were interviewed to validate and expand the farrago concept into primary and secondary provokers. Results indicated that when a primary provoker exhibits confusing behavior, other group members, the secondary provokers, become caught in a web of reciprocal communication with the primary provoker. What results is a "piqued" group whose interactions are aroused and provoked causing the group to become dysfunctional. (A table of data is included; 12 references are attached.) (Author/PRA)