Ba420: Mid-Term
Identify the stages of group development in Tuckman’s 5-stage model, and briefly discuss the differences between the 5-stage model and Gersick’s punctuated equilibrium model.
Tuckman’s 5 stage model:
Forming—little agreement; unclear purpose; guidance and direction
Storming—conflict; increased clarity of purpose; power struggles; coaching
Norming—agreement and consensus; clear roles and responsibilities; facilitation
Performing—Clear vision and purpose; focus on goal achievement; delegation
Adjourning—task completion; good feeling about achievements; recognition;
Though it is still highly cited in team and group research, Tuckman’s model may be unrealistic from an organizational perspective. Research has shown that many teams experience relational conflicts at different times and in different contexts. Connie Gersick proposes that groups do not necessarily progress linearly from one step to another in a predetermined sequence but alternate between periods of inertia with little visible progress toward goal achievement.
What factors of a group work situation affect cohesiveness? Explain your answer and give an example.
Group cohesion is influenced by a number of factors, most notably time, size, the prestige of the team, external pressure, and internal competition. Group cohesion usually evolves gradually throughout development. The more time the group spends together, the more cohesive it will be. Smaller groups—those of five or seven members, for example—tend to be more cohesive than those of more than twenty-five, although cohesion does not decline much with size after forty or more members. Prestige or social status may also enhance a group’s cohesion. For example, the more prestigious groups, Navy Blue Angels, are highly cohesive.
Identify and discuss the four distinguishing characteristics of a mature (well-functioning) group. Give an example of a mature group you have participated in and the application of these characteristics.
A
Tuckman’s 5 stage model:
Forming—little agreement; unclear purpose; guidance and direction
Storming—conflict; increased clarity of purpose; power struggles; coaching
Norming—agreement and consensus; clear roles and responsibilities; facilitation
Performing—Clear vision and purpose; focus on goal achievement; delegation
Adjourning—task completion; good feeling about achievements; recognition;
Though it is still highly cited in team and group research, Tuckman’s model may be unrealistic from an organizational perspective. Research has shown that many teams experience relational conflicts at different times and in different contexts. Connie Gersick proposes that groups do not necessarily progress linearly from one step to another in a predetermined sequence but alternate between periods of inertia with little visible progress toward goal achievement.
What factors of a group work situation affect cohesiveness? Explain your answer and give an example.
Group cohesion is influenced by a number of factors, most notably time, size, the prestige of the team, external pressure, and internal competition. Group cohesion usually evolves gradually throughout development. The more time the group spends together, the more cohesive it will be. Smaller groups—those of five or seven members, for example—tend to be more cohesive than those of more than twenty-five, although cohesion does not decline much with size after forty or more members. Prestige or social status may also enhance a group’s cohesion. For example, the more prestigious groups, Navy Blue Angels, are highly cohesive.
Identify and discuss the four distinguishing characteristics of a mature (well-functioning) group. Give an example of a mature group you have participated in and the application of these characteristics.
A