Working in Groups: 5th edition

Isa N. Engleberg
Prince George’s Community College

Dianna R. Wynn
Nash Community College

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 Chapter 2:
Group
Development
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Group Development Stages
• Forming
• Storming
• Norming
• Performing
• Adjourning
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 Match the Group
Development Stages
Stage 1: Forming __ Members focus energy on
achieving group goals
Stage 2: Storming __ Members compete for status
Stage 3: Norming and try to resolve conflict
Stage 4: Performing __ Members become acquainted
and consider their task
Stage 5: Adjourning
__ Members resolve conflicts and
develop “rules of engagement”
__ Members achieve the group’s
goal and may begin to disband

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 Forming Stage
• Challenge: Balancing Individual and
Group Goals
• Members are socially cautious and
polite.
• Members learn about their tasks and
test personal relationships.

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 Primary Tension
The social unease that
accompanies the getting-
acquainted process in groups

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Resolving Primary Tension
• Be positive and energetic.
• Be patient and open-minded.
• Be prepared and informed.

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 Storming Stage
• Challenge: Balancing Conflict and
Cohesion
• Members compete for status and
roles.
• Members openly disagree on issues.
• Groups experience Secondary
Tension.
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 Secondary Tension
The frustration and personality
conflicts experienced by group
members as they compete for
acceptance and achievement

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 Norming Stage
• Challenge: Balancing Conformity
and Nonconformity
• Groups resolve primary and
secondary tensions.
• Groups develop norms or
ground rules.
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 Performing Stage
• Challenge: Balancing Task and
Maintenance Dimensions
• Group focuses on productivity
and member satisfaction.
• Groups adapt and change if
necessary.
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 Adjourning Stage
• Challenge: Balancing Engagement
and Disengagement
• Upon completing the group task:
– The group may disband.
– Members may leave the group for personal
or professional reasons.
– Some members may take on a new group
task.
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 Socializing Newcomers
Describe each phase of the group
socialization process:
1. Antecedent: ___________________________
2. Anticipatory: __________________________
3. Encounter: ____________________________
4. Assimilation: __________________________
5. Exit: _________________________________

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 Goal Setting
Effective group goals are:
• specific.
• challenging but realistic.
• accepted by group members.
• used to evaluate performance.
• linked to feedback and rewards.
• allow for member growth.

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 Setting Goals
• Clarity. Is the goal clear, specific, and observable if
achieved?
• Challenge. Is the goal challenging, inspiring, and
thought-provoking?
• Commitment. Do members see the goal as
meaningful, realistic, and attainable?
• Compatibility. Can both group and individual goals
be achieved?
• Cooperation. Does the goal require member
cooperation?
• Cost. Does the group have adequate resources (time,
money, materials) to achieve the goal?

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 Hidden Agendas

Members’ private goals

conflict with the group’s
goals

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 Questions for
Resolving Hidden Agendas
• What is the group’s common goal?
• Does the leader have any personal
concerns or goals that differ from
member or group goals?
• Do any members have any personal
concerns or goals that differ?
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Types of Norms and Examples
• Explicit Norms
– Put in writing or stated verbally; easy to recognize
– Example: ________________________________

• Implicit Norms
– Rarely discussed or openly communicated; not as
easy to recognize
– Example: ________________________________

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 Types of Norms
• Interaction Norms • Example _________

• Procedural Norms • Example _________

• Status Norms • Example _________

• Achievement • Example _________
Norms

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Conformity ↔ Nonconformity
• Conformity
Choosing a course of action that group
members favor and that is socially
acceptable
• Nonconformity
Choosing a course of action that does
not meet the expectations of the
group
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Types of Nonconformity
• Constructive nonconformity
Violating a norm while still supporting the
group and its goal
• Destructive nonconformity
– Violating a norm that negatively impacts the
group and its goal
– Responses to destructive nonconformity:
• Accept
• Confront
• Exclude
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Strategies for Changing Norms
Fill in the Blanks: Identify ways to
change group norms
1. Through suggestions or actions of high-
status members or a leader
2. __________________________________
3. __________________________________
4. __________________________________

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Match Group Stages and Dialectics
Which dialectic(s) ___ Individual ↔ Group Goals
operate during: ___ Conflict ↔ Cohesion
___ Conforming ↔ Nonconforming
A. Forming
___ Task ↔ Social Dimensions
B. Storming ___ Homogeneous ↔ Heterogeneous
C. Norming ___ Leadership ↔ Followership
D. Performing ___ Structure ↔ Spontaneity
E. Adjourning ___ Engaged ↔ Disengaged
___ Open ↔ Closed System

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Characteristics of Effective Groups
• A clear, elevated goal
• Results-driven structure
• Competent team members
• Unified commitment
• Collaborative climate
• Standards of excellence
• External support and recognition
• Principled leadership
Larson and LaFasto, TeamWork

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