Question 1(a);
5 Stages of Group Development
Stage 1: Forming
In the Forming stage, personal relations are characterized by dependence. Group
members rely on safe, patterned behavior and look to the group leader for guidance and
direction. Group members have a desire for acceptance by the group and a need to know
that the group is safe. They set about gathering impressions and data about the
similarities and differences among them and forming preferences for future sub grouping.
Rules of behavior seem to be to keep things simple and to avoid controversy. Serious
topics and feelings are avoided.
The major task functions also concern orientation. Members attempt to become oriented
to the tasks as well as to one another. Discussion centers around defining the scope of the
task, how to approach it, and similar concerns. To grow from this stage to the next, each
member must relinquish the comfort of non-threatening topics and risk the possibility of
conflict.
Stage 2: Storming
The next stage, called Storming, is characterized by competition and conflict in the
personal-relations dimension of an organization in the task-functions dimension. As the
group members attempt to organize for the task, conflict inevitably results in their
personal relations. Individuals have to bend and mold their feelings, ideas, attitudes, and
beliefs to suit the group organization. Because of ''fear of exposure'' or ''fear of failure,''
there will be an increased desire for structural clarification and commitment. Although
conflicts may or may not surface as group issues, they do exist. Questions will arise about
who is going to be responsible for what, what the rules are, what the reward system is,
and what criteria for evaluation are. These reflect conflicts over leadership, structure,
power, and authority. There may be wide swings in members' behavior based on
, emerging issues of competition and hostilities. Because of the discomfort generated
during this stage, some members may remain completely silent while others attempt to
dominate.
In order to progress to the next stage, group members must move from a ''testing and
proving'' mentality to a problem-solving mentality The most important trait in helping
groups to move on to the next stage seems to be the ability to listen.
Stage 3: Norming
In the Norming stage, interpersonal relations are characterized by cohesion. Group
members are engaged in active acknowledgement of all members' contributions,
community building and maintenance, and solving of group issues. Members are willing
to change their preconceived ideas or opinions on the basis of facts presented by other
members, and they actively ask questions of one another. Leadership is shared, and
cliques dissolve. When members begin to know-and identity with-one another, the level
of trust in their personal relations contributes to the development of group cohesion. It is
during this stage of development (assuming the group gets this far) that people begin to
experience a sense of group belonging and a feeling of relief as a result of resolving
interpersonal conflicts.
The major task function of stage three is the data flow between group members: They
share feelings and ideas, solicit and give feedback to one another, and explore actions
related to the task. Creativity is high. If this stage of data flow and cohesion is attained by
the group members, their interactions are characterized by openness and sharing of
information on both a personal and task level. They feel good about being part of an
effective group.
The major drawback of the norming stage is that members may begin to fear the
inevitable future breakup of the group; they may resist change of any sort.
5 Stages of Group Development
Stage 1: Forming
In the Forming stage, personal relations are characterized by dependence. Group
members rely on safe, patterned behavior and look to the group leader for guidance and
direction. Group members have a desire for acceptance by the group and a need to know
that the group is safe. They set about gathering impressions and data about the
similarities and differences among them and forming preferences for future sub grouping.
Rules of behavior seem to be to keep things simple and to avoid controversy. Serious
topics and feelings are avoided.
The major task functions also concern orientation. Members attempt to become oriented
to the tasks as well as to one another. Discussion centers around defining the scope of the
task, how to approach it, and similar concerns. To grow from this stage to the next, each
member must relinquish the comfort of non-threatening topics and risk the possibility of
conflict.
Stage 2: Storming
The next stage, called Storming, is characterized by competition and conflict in the
personal-relations dimension of an organization in the task-functions dimension. As the
group members attempt to organize for the task, conflict inevitably results in their
personal relations. Individuals have to bend and mold their feelings, ideas, attitudes, and
beliefs to suit the group organization. Because of ''fear of exposure'' or ''fear of failure,''
there will be an increased desire for structural clarification and commitment. Although
conflicts may or may not surface as group issues, they do exist. Questions will arise about
who is going to be responsible for what, what the rules are, what the reward system is,
and what criteria for evaluation are. These reflect conflicts over leadership, structure,
power, and authority. There may be wide swings in members' behavior based on
, emerging issues of competition and hostilities. Because of the discomfort generated
during this stage, some members may remain completely silent while others attempt to
dominate.
In order to progress to the next stage, group members must move from a ''testing and
proving'' mentality to a problem-solving mentality The most important trait in helping
groups to move on to the next stage seems to be the ability to listen.
Stage 3: Norming
In the Norming stage, interpersonal relations are characterized by cohesion. Group
members are engaged in active acknowledgement of all members' contributions,
community building and maintenance, and solving of group issues. Members are willing
to change their preconceived ideas or opinions on the basis of facts presented by other
members, and they actively ask questions of one another. Leadership is shared, and
cliques dissolve. When members begin to know-and identity with-one another, the level
of trust in their personal relations contributes to the development of group cohesion. It is
during this stage of development (assuming the group gets this far) that people begin to
experience a sense of group belonging and a feeling of relief as a result of resolving
interpersonal conflicts.
The major task function of stage three is the data flow between group members: They
share feelings and ideas, solicit and give feedback to one another, and explore actions
related to the task. Creativity is high. If this stage of data flow and cohesion is attained by
the group members, their interactions are characterized by openness and sharing of
information on both a personal and task level. They feel good about being part of an
effective group.
The major drawback of the norming stage is that members may begin to fear the
inevitable future breakup of the group; they may resist change of any sort.
