GROUP DEVELOPMENT THEORY
It is important to understand the components of Group Development Theory. There are
many theories on the subject, and once again, Dr. Sara Boatman has synthesized them
into an article, “Group Development” written in Programming. Below you will find
typical behaviors of group members.
TYPICAL BEHAVIORS OF GROUP MEMBERS IN PHASES OF GROUP
DEVELOPMENT:
PHASE I-
FORMING
ORIENTATION
INFANCY
* The group is pretty much a collection of individuals without a sense of
group spirit
* Members are very polite with each other
* Meetings are quiet; people have little to say to each other or about the
group. The leader does much of the talking.
* Members are ready to accept information and to be told what to do.
* Members are often excited about their involvement but their long-term
commitment to the organization is sometimes perceived in a tentative
way.
PHASE II-
STORMING
CONFLICT
ADOLESCENCE
* Conflicts arise fairly regularly.
* Confrontation occurs between members, and the leader is often
challenged.
* Power plays often occur between members or in an attempt to challenge
the leader’s authority.
* Infighting is frequent.
* Members are frustrated, and they often ask that steps be taken to restore
the group’s harmony.
PHASE III- NORMING
HARMONY
YOUNG ADULT
* There is a generally accepted positive feeling within the group.
* There is a high level of task accomplishment.
* Members are well organized, and responsibility is freely accepted.
* Conflicts are constructively dealt with.
* Members exhibit appropriate leadership as well as a support of task
accomplishment.
PHASE IV- PERFORMING
MATURITY
OLD ADULTHOOD
* There is a strong sense of interdependence between members.
* Leadership is very equally shared between members.
* There is a high level of esprit de corps present in the group.
* The group is interested in self-assessment, particularly in a way that
affirms their positive feelings about the group.
* Members enjoy each other on a social level as much (and sometimes
more) as on a task level.
REACH program, Carter- updated Fall 2005
Group Identification Exercise
The activity below was created to help you identify stages you see your group currently
in, identify where you would like to be, and specify ways to make that happen. It can
also be used to help you identify your role within each of these stages that may/may not
be aiding your groups progress.
Group Name:
Date of Activity:
After reading the above descriptions, what stage would you best identify your group to be
within prior to today’s activities?
What about during some of the activities? (List activities below and identify stages for
each and why you placed them in that stage)
What about after some of the activities?
Why would you place the there?
Did your perception of the groups overall stage change after the day’s activities?
What were some reasons you think this way?
What stage would you like to see your group identify with?
What could your group do to move to this stage?
(Identify 3 steps, give as much detail as possible)
Where do you see your involvement within the group, for example what actions are you
doing to aid or slow the groups progress?
What could you do differently to assist the group?
What should you continue doing to assist the group?
REACH program, Carter- updated Fall 2005