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The Five Stage Model Of Group Formation

Decent Essays

Groups are defined as a collection of two or more interacting individuals with a stable pattern of relationships between them who share common goals and who perceive themselves as being a group (Greenberg, p. 251). Groups have four key defining characteristics. In order to be considered as a group, these four characteristics must be met. There should be two or more people in an social interaction, a stable structure, common shared goals, and the members should perceive themselves as a group (Greenberg, p. 251). Group dynamics refer to factors which affect the formation, development, structure, interrelationships, with individuals, other groups and the organizations within which it exist (Greenberg p.662). There were two specific types of group formations discussed in Greenberg’s text, Behavior in Organizations. These are the five stage model of group formation, and the punctuated-equilibrium model. The five stage model consist of forming, storming, norming, performing, and adjourning. In the forming stage, members begin to get to know each other. They begin developing to create ground rules around what they learn about the interpersonal relationships, and about the specific job. In this stage members are still trying to figure things out. They try and determine how to act within the group, and what the benefits associated with being in the group are. As individuals begin to think about themselves as part of the group the group is formed. The next phase of

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