Lesson 3

Group Dynamics and Team Work

Group Dynamics is a social process by which people interact in a small group
and in a face to face manner. It comes from the Greek word which means force.
It refers to the study of the forces operating within a group. Example: a group of
students, teachers, workers entertainers and the like.

5 Stages of Group Development

1. Forming Stage personal relations are characterized by dependence.
Group members rely on safe, patterned behavior, and look to the group
leader for guidance and direction. They set about gathering impressions 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 one another to avoid
possibility of conflict.
2. Storming Stage is characterized by competition and conflict in the
personal-relation dimension and organization in the task-functions
dimension. As the group members attempt to organize for the task, conflict
inevitably results in their personal relations. Individuals tend to bend and
mold their feelings, ideas, attitudes and belief 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. In order to progress
to the next stage, members must move from a testing and proving
mentality to a problem-solving mentality. The most important trait in
helping the group to move on the next stage is the ability to listen.
3. Norming Stage interpersonal relations are characterized by cohesion.
Group members are engaged in active acknowledgement of all members
contribution, community building and maintenance, and solving of group
issues. The major task function of stage 3 is the data flow between
group members. They share feelings and ideas, solicit and give feedback to
one another and explore action related to task. The major drawback of the
norming stage is that members may begin to fear the future breakup of the
group and they may resist change of any sort.
4. Performing Stage stage which is not reached by all group. If group
members reached stage 4, their capacity, range and depth of personal
relations expand to true interdependence. The group should be most
productive. Individual members become self-assuring, and the need for a
group approval is past. Members are highly task oriented and highly
people oriented. There is unity, group identity is complete, group
morale is high and group loyalty is intense. The task function becomes
genuine problem-solving, leading to toward optimal solutions and
optimum group development. There is support for experimentation in

solving problem and an emphasis on achievement. The overall goal

is productivity through problem solving and work.
5. Adjourning Stage involves the termination of task behavior and
disengagement from relationships. This includes recognition for
participation and achievement, and an opportunity for members to say
goodbyes. The most effective interventions in this stage are those that
facilitate task termination and the disengagement process.

The Initial Stage of Group Development

Questions members often ask themselves:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.

Will I be accepted or rejected?

How will this group be different from my daily interactions?
What exactly will this session be like?
What risk will I take here?
How different am I like other people here?
Will I feel pressured and pushed to perform in some way?
How important will I be?
Who will be the real leader here? What can be achieved here?

Concerns and Fears

1. Im afraid I will look stupid.
2. Will I tell too much about myself?
3. Will others like me?
4. What if everyone rejects me?
5. What if the group attacks me?
6. Im afraid I will be withdrawn and passive.
7. What will happen if I open up my feelings?
8. Will I embarrass myself?
9. What if Im asked to do something I dont like?
10.What if others can tell I am nervous?
11.What if I find out things about myself that I cant cope up with?
Characteristics of Initial Stage
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Silence and awkwardness

High anxiety
Impatience to get the ball rolling
Confusion about what everybody is supposed to be doing.
Storytelling, a tendency to talk about others and focus on people and
situations outside of the group.
6. Central issue is trust and mistrust
7. Testing of each other and the leaders
8. Request for greater leader involvement
9. Cocktail conversation, safe level of conversation
10.Vying for informal leadership.

Planning a Group Practical Consideration

1. What is the purpose of the group?
2. What are the specific goals of the group?
3. What type of group will it be?
4. What theory will guide the group?
5. What specific techniques and strategies will be used?
6. How will I market the group? Obtain referrals.
7. What will be the cost of the group?
8. How will I evaluate potential members?
9. What are the criteria for inclusion/exclusion?
10.How many people will participate in the group?
11.Will the group open or closed?
12.What will be the group rules and regulations?