Unit 1
P2- Discuss theories of communication
Bruce Tuckman
Bruce Tuckman came up with the theory called “Forming, Storming, and Norming, performing and
adjourning”. This model was developed in 1965 it was based on how smaller groups work together
and is a well-known theory within teamwork. In Tuckman’s theory he focuses on the way a team
tackles a task. From the formation of the team through to the completion of the project. His theory
has relevance in team building activities as the phases a team goes through to complete a task. A key
aspect in team building tasks is that teams working together and have an opportunity to observe
their behaviour within the task.
His theory also explains the as the team develops maturity and establish relationships and how the
leader of the team changes there leading style depending on the circumstances. Here are the
different phases and what happens within them.
Forming
In this stage this is the forming of the team the start of the project in this stage most team members
start off with a positive attitude and are polite. But some are nervous and have not understood the
task they are being told to do. And others are excited for the task ahead. As this is the first stage the
leader is decided and it’s the leader’s duty to play a dominant role to make clear what the team’s
roles and responsibilities are so everyone knows their roles. This stage can last longer for nervous
members but as people work together and start to learn their roles they start to make an effort to
know their new colleagues. In a health and social care example of forming a new ward is built at a
hospital with new staff members including head matron being the team leader example. And nurses
the head matron would need to assign everyone their roles and taking control of the situation.
Storming
Next it moves onto the storming stage this is where team members start to push their boundaries
established in the forming stage. In this stage many teams fail. This stage usually starts between
disagreements between professionals for there way they work. For example someone might
comment on how a staff member deals with an ill patient differently to what they would. Everyone
works differently and different working styles to one and other could cause problems and
frustrations. And due to some working differently a few individuals may resist taking on tasks. But
team members who stick to the task may experience stress because they don’t have relationships
with the colleagues due to everyone doing things differently. An example of this in a health and
social care environment taking the last one nurse could treat a patient differently than other nurses
do causing conflict. Making relationships between staff bad effecting how care is provided.
Norming
Gradually the team moves on to the norming stage. This is when they resolve their different ways of
working and appreciate one and others strengths and weaknesses within teamwork and respect the
leader roles. Now in this stage the team members will know each one and other better. They may
, build better relationships and socialize and give each other positive results in their practice. People
develop a stronger commitment to the team goal and the team leader will notice they are
progressing better. But as new tasks the teams are not used to come up the team may go back to
the storming stage due to change. In a health and social care example a conflict in a care home
between staffs way of working. Then resolving this issue and providing each other with positive
feedback. This would be the norming stage sorting out the differences and progressing in their work.
Performing
This is the performing stage in this stage the team is more aware and knows what they are doing
and why they are doing it. This is the stage where the team meet their goal performance is met on
this stage when colleagues start working effectively together. All team members know exactly what
is needed for them to do to work towards their goals. The team also functions effectively at working
together and are capable of making decisions by themselves. Unlike the first stage getting help from
the team leader and struggling to have good relationships with one and other. An example of this
performing stage in health and social care could be a team in an operation arguing over how to treat
the person and then resolving the argument and all making a joint decision on treatment.
Adjourning
This is the final part of the theory when all of the tasks have been completed the team will finish
their jobs. The team members may feel anxious or sad to let go of the group after their
accomplishments. This stage was an additional stage the Bruce later added in this stage everyone
can move on to new tasks with new team leaders and start the process over again. This stage is
important as all relationships have been made with the people in the task together. This stage was
later added in 1977 and is also known as the “mourning stage” as everyone has grown close and has
to break up an example of this in health and social care could be. A group of professionals are all
working together to treat someone with a life threatening condition. When the condition has been
treated and they leave all the team members helping will split up and go back to other job roles in
the hospital.
Gerald Egan
Gerald Egan is a professor of development and psychology he came up with something known as
“Skilled helper” and a part of this theory was SOLER. Gerald believed that his theory could improve
the communication between individuals. The main aspects of the theory are showing how non-
verbal communication can make someone you are talking to feel comfortable, secure and
understood. This is used a lot in counselling and in the health and social care sector. And SOLER is
known as the non-verbal listening process that is used in communication but what does it stand for?
SOLER stands for
S: Sit squarely to the client. Usually at a 5 o’clock position to be able to interact properly and not to
be seen as staring. This is the first step of soler. This is important because when having good posture
this shows your patient you are interested and listening. If you are siting face to face this will allow
you to interact and make them feel safe and comfortable enough to share their concerns to you. But
if you are not siting face to face and turn your shoulders away from the patient the patient could
P2- Discuss theories of communication
Bruce Tuckman
Bruce Tuckman came up with the theory called “Forming, Storming, and Norming, performing and
adjourning”. This model was developed in 1965 it was based on how smaller groups work together
and is a well-known theory within teamwork. In Tuckman’s theory he focuses on the way a team
tackles a task. From the formation of the team through to the completion of the project. His theory
has relevance in team building activities as the phases a team goes through to complete a task. A key
aspect in team building tasks is that teams working together and have an opportunity to observe
their behaviour within the task.
His theory also explains the as the team develops maturity and establish relationships and how the
leader of the team changes there leading style depending on the circumstances. Here are the
different phases and what happens within them.
Forming
In this stage this is the forming of the team the start of the project in this stage most team members
start off with a positive attitude and are polite. But some are nervous and have not understood the
task they are being told to do. And others are excited for the task ahead. As this is the first stage the
leader is decided and it’s the leader’s duty to play a dominant role to make clear what the team’s
roles and responsibilities are so everyone knows their roles. This stage can last longer for nervous
members but as people work together and start to learn their roles they start to make an effort to
know their new colleagues. In a health and social care example of forming a new ward is built at a
hospital with new staff members including head matron being the team leader example. And nurses
the head matron would need to assign everyone their roles and taking control of the situation.
Storming
Next it moves onto the storming stage this is where team members start to push their boundaries
established in the forming stage. In this stage many teams fail. This stage usually starts between
disagreements between professionals for there way they work. For example someone might
comment on how a staff member deals with an ill patient differently to what they would. Everyone
works differently and different working styles to one and other could cause problems and
frustrations. And due to some working differently a few individuals may resist taking on tasks. But
team members who stick to the task may experience stress because they don’t have relationships
with the colleagues due to everyone doing things differently. An example of this in a health and
social care environment taking the last one nurse could treat a patient differently than other nurses
do causing conflict. Making relationships between staff bad effecting how care is provided.
Norming
Gradually the team moves on to the norming stage. This is when they resolve their different ways of
working and appreciate one and others strengths and weaknesses within teamwork and respect the
leader roles. Now in this stage the team members will know each one and other better. They may
, build better relationships and socialize and give each other positive results in their practice. People
develop a stronger commitment to the team goal and the team leader will notice they are
progressing better. But as new tasks the teams are not used to come up the team may go back to
the storming stage due to change. In a health and social care example a conflict in a care home
between staffs way of working. Then resolving this issue and providing each other with positive
feedback. This would be the norming stage sorting out the differences and progressing in their work.
Performing
This is the performing stage in this stage the team is more aware and knows what they are doing
and why they are doing it. This is the stage where the team meet their goal performance is met on
this stage when colleagues start working effectively together. All team members know exactly what
is needed for them to do to work towards their goals. The team also functions effectively at working
together and are capable of making decisions by themselves. Unlike the first stage getting help from
the team leader and struggling to have good relationships with one and other. An example of this
performing stage in health and social care could be a team in an operation arguing over how to treat
the person and then resolving the argument and all making a joint decision on treatment.
Adjourning
This is the final part of the theory when all of the tasks have been completed the team will finish
their jobs. The team members may feel anxious or sad to let go of the group after their
accomplishments. This stage was an additional stage the Bruce later added in this stage everyone
can move on to new tasks with new team leaders and start the process over again. This stage is
important as all relationships have been made with the people in the task together. This stage was
later added in 1977 and is also known as the “mourning stage” as everyone has grown close and has
to break up an example of this in health and social care could be. A group of professionals are all
working together to treat someone with a life threatening condition. When the condition has been
treated and they leave all the team members helping will split up and go back to other job roles in
the hospital.
Gerald Egan
Gerald Egan is a professor of development and psychology he came up with something known as
“Skilled helper” and a part of this theory was SOLER. Gerald believed that his theory could improve
the communication between individuals. The main aspects of the theory are showing how non-
verbal communication can make someone you are talking to feel comfortable, secure and
understood. This is used a lot in counselling and in the health and social care sector. And SOLER is
known as the non-verbal listening process that is used in communication but what does it stand for?
SOLER stands for
S: Sit squarely to the client. Usually at a 5 o’clock position to be able to interact properly and not to
be seen as staring. This is the first step of soler. This is important because when having good posture
this shows your patient you are interested and listening. If you are siting face to face this will allow
you to interact and make them feel safe and comfortable enough to share their concerns to you. But
if you are not siting face to face and turn your shoulders away from the patient the patient could
