5 Stages of Group Development

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5 Stages of Group Development Stage 1: Forming In the Forming stage, terminal relations are characterized by dependence. Group members rely on styles learned behavior and look to the group lender for guidance and direction. Group members have a desire for acceptance by the group and a need to be known that the group is safe. They set about gathering impression 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 task 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 tile possibility of conflict. Stage 2: Storming The next stage, called Storming, is 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 mayor may not surface as group issues, they do exist Question will a ....is about who is going to be responsible for what, what the rules are, what the reward system is, and what criteria for ever situation 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
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