Chapter 9: Communicating in Groups

Tuckman’s Model of Group Development

Developing a relationship with a group isn’t so different from starting a new interpersonal relationship. In both contexts, we reduce uncertainty about our relational partners so that we feel secure and confident about roles, interactions, and so on. So whether you’re beginning a new romance or forging a new student organization, try the passive, active, and interactive strategies that we discuss in Chapter 7.

Tuckman’s model states that as groups develop, they progress through five stages: forming, storming, norming, performing, and adjourning. The model proposes that these stages are linear—that is, groups go through them in order over time. Although the model was originally proposed for face-to-face groups, recent research has also applied these stages to how “virtual” teams develop online (Johnson, Suriya, Yoon, Berrett, & Fleur, 2002). Let’s look more closely at each particular stage:

Forming. When a group first comes together, its members are unsure how to act around one another, nervous about how others perceive them, and unclear on their roles and the group’s task. In this forming stage, group members try to figure out who will be in charge and what the group’s goals will be. The primary purpose of this stage is for group members to learn more about one another and the group’s objectives. Once individuals feel accepted, they can begin to identify with the group (Moreland & Levine, 1994).
Storming. After forming, group members move into the storming stage, in which they inevitably begin experiencing conflicts over issues such as who will lead the group and what roles members will play. Group members also begin to disagree on goals, tasks, and cliques, and other competitive divisions may even begin to form (Wheelan, 2012; Wheelan & Burchill, 1999). The group members must work on mending these differences and resolve conflicts if the group is to continue to function effectively.
Norming. During the norming stage, group members move beyond their conflicts, and norms emerge among members that govern expected behavior. Norms are recurring patterns of behavior or thinking that come to be accepted in a group as the “usual” way of doing things (Scheerhorn & Geist, 1997). During this stage, group roles also solidify based on individual member strengths, and a leader may emerge. In addition, group identity grows stronger as members realize the importance of their roles within the group and the need to cooperate to accomplish goals.
Performing. Once the group has established norms, the action shifts to accomplishing their tasks. During the performing stage, members combine their skills and knowledge to work toward the group’s goals and overcome hurdles. This stage is characterized by high levels of interdependence, motivation, and clarity in delegation of team member tasks.
Adjourning. Many groups—though clearly not all—eventually disband. For groups whose project or task has come to an end, there is an adjourning stage (Tuckman & Jensen, 1977). The group members reflect on their accomplishments and failures as well as determine whether the group will disassemble or take on another project. Some groups choose to celebrate their achievements with a final get-together, what Keyton (1993) calls a termination ritual. Members may also opt to maintain friendships even if they will no longer be working together.

AND YOU?

Question

Think about your experience as part of a group to which you no longer belong—an old job, your high school class, or a club that you’re not a part of anymore. Did the group go through all five phases described here?