Group Interaction and Group Dynamics

What is a Group?

Individuals Group Team

Teams Advantages Disadvantages

Structure

Who belongs? What is the purpose? Where do we get together? When do we get together?

Process

How will we communicate? What form of leadership? How are decisions made? How is conflict handled?

Strategies

How will we divide the work? What is the timeline? How will we measure success? What methods/tools will we use? What resources do we need?

Individual Behaviors

Task Behaviors Contribute information. Provide resources. Evaluate feasibility. Establish deadlines. Delegate

responsibilities. Identify problems. Keep focus on goals.

Maintenance Ask for clarification. Provide summarization. Identify common

ground. Identify conflict. Encourage participation. Address conflict. Reduce tension. Seek consensus.

Team Roles

“A tendency to behave, contribute and interrelate with others in a particular way.”

Dr. Meredith Belbin

Bruce W. Tuckman & Mary Ann Jensen Educational Psychologist. Directs the Academic Learning Lab at Ohio

State. Model arose from his observation of small

groups. 1965-”Developmental sequence in small

groups.” (4 stages) 1977-5th stage (with Jensen)

Forming Polite Can I trust? Avoid conflict Avoid serious issues

and feelings Busy with who does

what, when to meet, etc.

Depends on leader for guidance.

Transition

Teambuilding activities Ice breakers Guide goal-setting.

Storming Vying for leadership and

position Power struggles Confrontation Uncertainties Cliques and factions Little listening Look to rules

Transition

Conflict management. Continue teambuilding. Discussion of group

roles. Identify and understand

diverse perspectives. Encourage positive

group interactions. Review goals and

purpose.

Norming Agreement/Consensus Shared leadership Rules of engagement

established Roles and

responsibilities are clear

Individuals listen to and support each other

Cohesiveness High Creativity

Transition

Refocus on task Encourage group

identity: T-shirts Group cheer Group symbol

Performing Interdependence/Flexibility Know and trust each other Supportive Focus on the task Disagreements resolved

positively Work towards achieving the

goal High morale High level of problem

solving behavior

Transition

Provide positive feedback.

Sit back and let the group perform.

Adjourning Task completed

(hopefully) Members feel good

about what has been achieved.

Members move on “Deforming and

Mourning” Sense of loss as the

group disintegrates

Transition

Provide closure activities.

Provide opportunities for members to evaluate the group.

Productivity in the stages of Group Development

Activity

Stages of Group Development