Tuckman's 5 Group Stages - Answers 1. Forming:
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
groupis safe. They set about gathering impressions and data about the similarities and differences
among them
and forming preferences for future subgrouping.
Rules of behavior seem to be to keep things simple a
nd to avoid controversy. Serious topics/feelings are
avoided.
2. Storming:
Characterized by competition and conflict in the personal-relations dimension 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, pow
er, and authority. There may be wide swings in
members' behavior based on emerging issues of co
mpetition 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.
3. Norming:
Interpersonal relations are characterized by cohesion. Group members are
engaged in active acknowledgment of
all members' contribu
Corey's Stages of Group Therapy - Answers 1. Initial Stage: Orientation & Exploration :
Central task- establishing trust
Leader- establishes structure and models trust
Members- developing trust by how leader handles the group's fears and hesitations
Initial resistance- listen to fears and encourage full expression of them
What is necessary to move form initial to transition stage- cohesion, climate of trust, establishment of
implicit and explicit norms
"For a group to meet the working stage it is essential that members make a commitment to face and
work through barriers that interfere with the group's progress."
2. Transition Stage: Dealing with Resistance:
This stage is about recognizing group problems such as conflict, anxiety, defensiveness, challenges to or
conflicts with the leader.