Group Dynamics

At this stage, the group begins to realize the more positive points of individuals within the group, which promotes the development of trust and respect which begins to build group cohesion. The next stage is the performing stage, which is typical of high-performing teams that are able to function as a group and figure out various options to get the job done smoothly and effectively without supervision. The final stage is the adjourning phase, which is the final step in completing tasks and breaking up the team.

Performing - This is the “we are doing it stage” individuals feel safe and express themselves.

The Performing stage was the last stage of Bruce Tuckman's four stages of group development until the 70's when Tuckman felt the importance to create an additional fifth stage to his model the "adjourning" which became the last stage. A group (shift) reaches the performing when all it members solves the conflict in the Norming stage therefore had establish the norms of the group and the members are operate as one. Thus, the group identity is finalized, in our experience it was a unique one.

The group process is facilitated by a counselor by the process has to be done by the members. It can be easy or hard depending on the individual and how much they want to disclose about themselves. The process is measureable and goals are set to help guide the members to stay focus on what they need to work on. Therefore, there five stages to help guide the facilitator and the members. They are forming, storming, norming performing and adjourning. First they must understand how to achieve their primary task, the purpose they joined the group ( ). Next the members are identifying who is going to be on top or bottom. Meaning who is going to be the control hierarchy and who is going to be the quiet one. Each member attempts to establish his or her preferred amount of initiative and power ( ). The third phase a group is the development of mature group cohesiveness ( ). They are starting to build trust, increase morale and self-disclosure. Fourth, the group members are working the group and changes are occurring depending on the individual. Lastly, the group members are beginning to

Performing: this stage occurs when the emphasis is on reaching the team’s goals rather than working on team process. This is supported by the structures and processes that the team have set up. At this stage, the team is able to manage tasks that are more complex and cope with greater change.

There are different stages through which a group passes, both as natural and in a school atmosphere. According to the Oxford Dictionary, 2015, Group Dynamics, is the study or use of the processes involved when people in a group interact. This paper will look to examine group dynamics and its developmental stages in the context of a group randomly selected to make a class room presentation which involved researching, forming of information to present findings to the class. It will also look at how group goals were developed and if the group goals were specific and understood. Group communication patterns will also be examined and its effectiveness discussed. We will also take a look whether group power occurred and whether or not

The discussion for this week is Group Dynamics. Webster’s dictionary defines group dynamics as “the interacting forces within a small human group; also, the sociological study of these forces. A well renown change management expert and social psychologist Kurt Lewin. He created the phrase “group dynamics” in the mid 1940’s (Moreno,1953) He has written quite a bit about individuals choosing a distinctive characteristics and conduct when placed in a group. He studied the influence of the distinctive character and conduct on an individual and on the entire group (Moreno, 1953).

In this paper, I will evaluate the group dynamics that apply to a youth group. I am the leader of a group of young people between the ages of eighteen and twenty-two in my neighbourhood that focus on improving social behaviour in society. The group is composed of both genders and mostly tackles issues related with drug abuse, early sexual encounters, education and career. The group meets on two evenings every week.

When you look at group dynamics, you see how individuals can work together as a team working together to obtain a common goal in a group setting (Verderber, Verdeber, & Sellnow, 2011). When in a group setting you want to remember these five rules of be committed to the group, keep discussion on track, complete your individual assignment, encourage input from others, and manage the conflict among members in the group. If you break these down the individuals need to be committed to the group by using everyone’s expertise in reaching the goal of the group (Verderber, Verdeber, & Sellnow, 2011). When discussing the goal make sure that the team stays on track and if they tend to steer away someone needs to remind them kindly to stay on track (Verderber, Verdeber, & Sellnow, 2011). Make sure that the work is divided among the group and that each individual completes the task that they were assigned (Verderber, Verdeber, & Sellnow, 2011). Sometimes there are those in a group that do not say much, but may have some good insight that needs to be encouraged to share (Verderber, Verdeber, & Sellnow, 2011).The last step is to there may be some conflict in the group and could be beneficial, but it needs to be handled correctly (Verderber, Verdeber, & Sellnow, 2011).

Some of the initial objectives will continue through to this stage, but other goals will be introduced to develop the team further. This stage is called the Storming stage, where members may challenge their shared purpose, the leadership or the norms of behaviour.

It is important to understand group dynamics in the business world because most businesses require that in order to function large numbers of employees must work together in order to achieve goals for the organization. Groups can take many forms.

Group dynamics are the forces that emerge and take shape as members interact with each other over the life of a group. These forces are dynamic and include not only in the moment interactions, but also the influences of what members bring to the group from the larger social environment. In my recent role as Events Coordinator at the Spyglass Ridge Winery, I observed the interplay of personality traits and group interactions first hand. My internship field experience illustrated a wide range of group dynamics in action.

1. Forming: The forming stage of development is a period of orientation and getting acquainted. Members break the ice and test one another for friendship possibilities and task orientation. Uncertainty is high during this stage, and members usually accept whatever power or authority is offered by either formal or informal leaders. During this initial stage, members are concerned about such things as “What is expected of me?” “What behavior is acceptable?” “Will I fit in?” During the forming stage, the team leader should provide time for members to get acquainted with one another and encourage them to engage in informal social discussions (Engleberg & Wynn, 2012).

Group dynamics can be studied in different settings, in classroom settings, and in social settings.

According to Jackson-Dwyer (2013), the idea of group dynamics was conceived as a result of the need to combine social interaction with innovation. However, there is little research in this area. This aspect has led to