Group Development

Small Group Development

Researchers have studied groups to understand how they develop. Several different models have been suggested, but they all tend to follow a similar progression. Listed below are three of the most common models. Click on the researcher's name to learn more about each model. Poole's model will be discussed later because he takes a different perspective towards group development.

Linear Models of Group Development

Tubbs's Theory
Orientation
Conflict
Consensus
Closure
Fisher's Model
Orientation
Conflict
Emergence
Reinforcement
Tuckman's Model
Forming
Storming
Norming
Performing
Adjourning

Tubbs's Small Group Development Theory4

Orientation In this stage, group members get to know each other, they start to talk about the problem, and they examine the limitations and opportunities of the project.

Conflict Conflict is a necessary part of a group's development. Conflict allows the group to evaluate ideas and it helps the group avoid conformity and groupthink

Consensus Conflict ends in the consensus stage, when group members compromise, select ideas, and agree on alternatives.

Closure In this stage, the final result is announced and group members reaffirm their support of the decision.

Fisher's Small Group Development Theory5

Orientation During the orientation phase, Fisher says group members get to know each other and they experience primary tension, the awkward feeling people have before communication rules and expectations are established. Groups should take time to learn about each other and feel comfortable communicating around new people.

Conflict The conflict phase is marked by secondary tension, or tension surrounding the task at hand. Group members will disagree with each other and debate ideas. Remember that conflict is good, because it helps the group achieve positive results.

Emergence In the emergence phase, says Fisher, the outcome of the group's task and its social structure become apparent.

Reinforcement In this stage, group members bolster their final decision by using supportive verbal and nonverbal communication.

Tuckman's Small Group Development Theory6

Forming In the forming stage, group members learn about each other and the task at hand.

Storming As group members become more comfortable with each other, they will engage each other in arguments and vie for status in the group. These activities mark the storming phase.

Norming During the norming stage, group members establish implicit or explicit rules about how they will achieve their goal. They address the types of communication that will or will not help with the task.

Performing In the performing stage, groups reach a conclusion and implement the conclusion.

Adjourning As the group project ends, the group disbands in the adjournment phase.

Poole's Small Group Development Theory7

Task track Marshall Scott Poole and his colleagues have found that group development is often more complicated than the three previous models indicate. He has argued that groups jump back and forth between three tracks: task, topic, and relation. The three tracks can be compared to the intertwined strands of a rope. The task track concerns the process by which the group accomplishes its goals.

Topic track The topic track concerns the specific item the group is discussing at the time.

Relation track The relation track deals with the interpersonal relationships between the group members. At times, the group may stop its work on the task and work instead on its relationships. When the group reaches consensus on all three tracks at once, it can proceed in a more unified manner as the three previous models illustrate.
Breakpoints Breakpoints occur when a group switches from one track to another. Shifts in the conversation, adjournment, or postponement are examples of breakpoints.

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Small Group Communication | Interpersonal Communication | Teaching Resources | References

Content author: Tim Borchers, Moorhead State University
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Orientation	In this stage, group members get to know each other, they start to talk about the problem, and they examine the limitations and opportunities of the project.
Conflict	Conflict is a necessary part of a group's development. Conflict allows the group to evaluate ideas and it helps the group avoid conformity and groupthink
Consensus	Conflict ends in the consensus stage, when group members compromise, select ideas, and agree on alternatives.
Closure	In this stage, the final result is announced and group members reaffirm their support of the decision.

Orientation	During the orientation phase, Fisher says group members get to know each other and they experience primary tension, the awkward feeling people have before communication rules and expectations are established. Groups should take time to learn about each other and feel comfortable communicating around new people.
Conflict	The conflict phase is marked by secondary tension, or tension surrounding the task at hand. Group members will disagree with each other and debate ideas. Remember that conflict is good, because it helps the group achieve positive results.
Emergence	In the emergence phase, says Fisher, the outcome of the group's task and its social structure become apparent.
Reinforcement	In this stage, group members bolster their final decision by using supportive verbal and nonverbal communication.

Forming	In the forming stage, group members learn about each other and the task at hand.
Storming	As group members become more comfortable with each other, they will engage each other in arguments and vie for status in the group. These activities mark the storming phase.
Norming	During the norming stage, group members establish implicit or explicit rules about how they will achieve their goal. They address the types of communication that will or will not help with the task.
Performing	In the performing stage, groups reach a conclusion and implement the conclusion.
Adjourning	As the group project ends, the group disbands in the adjournment phase.

Task track	Marshall Scott Poole and his colleagues have found that group development is often more complicated than the three previous models indicate. He has argued that groups jump back and forth between three tracks: task, topic, and relation. The three tracks can be compared to the intertwined strands of a rope. The task track concerns the process by which the group accomplishes its goals.
Topic track	The topic track concerns the specific item the group is discussing at the time.
Relation track	The relation track deals with the interpersonal relationships between the group members. At times, the group may stop its work on the task and work instead on its relationships. When the group reaches consensus on all three tracks at once, it can proceed in a more unified manner as the three previous models illustrate.
Breakpoints	Breakpoints occur when a group switches from one track to another. Shifts in the conversation, adjournment, or postponement are examples of breakpoints.