Stages of Group Development by Bruce Tuckman

What are the stages?

Forming, Storming, Norming, Performing, Adjourning

often marked by tension, guarded interchanges, and relatively low levels of interaction.

Forming

During this initial forming stage, members monitor their behavior to avoid any embarrassing lapses of social poise and are tentative when expressing their personal opinions.

Forming

members are often uncertain about their role in the group, what they should be doing to help the group reach its goals, or even who is leading the group.

Forming

This gradual, and in some cases tactical, communication of _____________ is termed self-disclosure, and it serves the important function of helping members get to know one another.

personal information

marked by a “lack of unity”

Storming

personal conflicts between individual members who discover that they just do not get along

Storming

procedural conflict over the group’s goals and procedures, and competition between individual members for authority, leadership, and more prestigious roles.

Storming

Tensions during the Storming stage might force members to either:

1. fight (________) = a behavioral and emotional defense mechanism characterized by extreme self-reliance, an aversion to emotional intimacy, and a deep mistrust of others

2. or flight (_________) = the act of a person disengaging from social interaction

1. Counter-Dependency

2. Withdrawal

True Or False

1. Low levels of conflict in a group always indicate strong and positive relationships among members.

2. Conflict in groups is completely avoidable if members communicate well.

3. A group with very little conflict might actually be unmotivated or bored.

4. Some level of conflict can actually help a group become more cohesive.

5. When conflict escalates too much, it can destroy group unity and effectiveness.

6. Conflict has no positive effects on group performance.

7. A total absence of conflict might be a warning sign that the group is disengaged.
   

1. False

2. False

3. True

4. True

5. True

6. False

7. True

Types of conflict during forming stage

1. a specific problem they are dealing with or aim to a goal to achieve

2. The way they work together to achieve a goal or complete a task.

3. the stresses and strains of their interpersonal relationships

4. Who is in charge of leading the group

A. Status

B. Personal

C. Task

D. Process

1. Task conflict

2. Process Conflict

3. Personal Conflict

4. Status Conflict

In this stage, members become more trusting, supportive, and cooperative. The group becomes cohesive.

Norming

The group becomes more organized, it resolves the problems that caused earlier conflicts— uncertainty about goals, roles, and authority—and prepares to get down to the work at hand.

Norming

Norms emerge more clearly and guide the group members as they interact with one another. The group begins to display interaction rituals that provide structure and meaning for the group and its members, such as regularities in small talk or repetitive mundane practices

Norming

Differences of opinion still arise, but now they are dealt with through constructive discussion and negotiation.

Norming

The working stage

Performing

In a study of neighborhood action committees, only ________ groups reached the productivity stage; all the others were bogged down at the forming or storming stages

1 of 12

True or False

1. Most groups are highly productive as soon as they are formed.

2. Groups typically become more efficient and productive as they mature over time.

3. Mature groups focus more on working toward goals than on socializing or arguing.

4. Younger groups tend to experience more conflict and uncertainty than older, more established groups.

5. Research shows that task-focused discussions usually occur early in a group’s life cycle.

6. Over time, as groups develop, conflict and uncertainty tend to decrease.

7. The performing stage is when group members focus mainly on defining who they are as a group.

8. Mature groups are less likely to need direction or reassurance from others.

9. Inexperienced groups often spend more time seeking guidance than completing tasks.

10. When a group reaches the performing stage, members focus on what the group needs to do rather than on its identity.

1. False

2. True

3. True

4. True

5. False

6. True

7. False

8. True

9. True

10. True

Dissolution/Adjourning

1. takes place when the group accomplishes its goals or exhausts its time and resources.

2. occurs when the group’s end is not scheduled. In some cases, an unanticipated problem may arise that makes continued group interaction impossible.

1. Planned

2. Spontaneous 

group members focus mainly on defining who they are as a group.

Norming

when the number of rewards provided by group membership decreases and the costly aspects of membership escalate, group members become dissatisfied. This illustrates what theory?

Social exchange theory by Thibout and Kelly

True or False

1. The dissolution stage always occurs according to a fixed schedule.

2. Planned dissolution happens when a group finishes its tasks or runs out of time and resources.

3. An ad hoc committee submitting its final report is an example of a group undergoing planned dissolution.

4. Spontaneous dissolution occurs when the group successfully completes its goals ahead of time.

5. According to social exchange theory, members may leave a group when the costs of staying outweigh the rewards.

6. Some members might choose to remain in an unsatisfying group if they feel they have invested too much in it.

7. The dissolution stage is usually stress-free for members, especially when the ending is planned.

8. Unplanned dissolution may involve conflict, apathy, and loss of trust among members.

9. Even during planned dissolution, members may still feel sadness and a sense of loss after the group ends.

10. Group members sometimes cope with dissolution by blaming each other for the group’s failures.

1. False

2. True

3. True

4. False

5. True

6. True

7. False

8. True

9. True

10. True

Stages:

1. Forming

2. Storming

3. Norming

4. Performing

5. Adjourning

1. Orientation

2. Conflict

3. Structure

4. Performance

5. Dissolution