Group Dynamics and Group Development

Why is it important to be aware of group dynamics, roles, and stages of group development?

Allows you to have a better understanding of your group, its development, and its members. This information can be very useful when planning and or doing any activity.

Tuckman's Model of Group Development

One aspect of Group Dynamics is realizing that groups go through several stages of development. Tuckman's Model of Group Development is a set of characteristics that is used to describe four distinct stages of Group Development.

Stage I - FORM

- Characterized by testing and dependence; this stage is the transition from individual to member status
- Decisions on the type of information needed and how it will be used
- Hesitant participant participation
- Feelings of initial attachment to the team
- Intellectualizing
- Complaints about the organizational environment
- Suspicion, fear, anxiety about the new situation

Stage II - STORM

- Characterized by intrateam conflict; team members become hostile or overzealous as a way to express their individuality and resist group formation. Members recognize the extent of the task demands and respond emotionally to the perceived requirements for self-change and self-denial.

- Infighting, destructiveness, and competition
- Establishment of unachievable goals
- Disunity, increased tension, and jealousy
- Resistance to the task demands because they are perceived to interfere with personal needs
- Sharp fluctuations of relationships and reversals of feelings
- Concern over excessive work
- Establishment of a pecking order
- Minimal work accomplished

Stage III - NORM

- Characterized by the development of team cohesion
- An attempt to achieve maximum harmony by avoiding conflict
- A high level of intimacy characterized by confiding in each other, sharing personal problems and discussing team dynamics
- A new ability to express emotions constructively
- A sense of team cohesiveness with a common spirit and bond
- The establishment and maintenance of team boundaries

Stage IV - PERFORM

- Characterized by functional role relatedness
- Members experience insight into personal and interpersonal processes
- Constructive self-change is undertaken

Just as individuals go through predictable stages of growth depending on age, experience,
maturity and other factors, teams go through predictable stages, the duration of which
depends on factors such as individual and team maturity, task complexity, leadership,
organizational climate, and * external climate. Groups can fixate at various stages. Some
(like people) are never fully functioning.

Role Awareness

Another aspect of Group Dynamics is realizing that in every group there are many distinct personalities, but several of these personalities can be grouped into "roles". By recognizing these roles, we can become more aware of how the group will interact with each other and you. This will also better equip you, as the group leader, to meet the needs of your group. (roles found on next page)

Consider the pros and cons of each role.

In what specific ways can this knowledge be helpful when leading a group?