Yes, it is the right place for you to read the basics of Group Dynamics. I will be covering the basics along with some models that we use in group development. I will be covering it in parts. This is the first part and I will cover the stages of Group Development along with the role of Members and role of Leaders. There is a lot to cover and I think I have to divide part 1 in two parts as well. There is a lot to cover and stay tuned to learn the basics of Process Facilitation.
Before I start I just want to tell you that this is all what I have studied. So I would love to get your feedback on this along with the comments and discussions. I know some of you already know this, so for you this will be a refresher course. And for you who are new with this, this will help you become a better team player and leader. So lets get right into it.
Group Dynamics and Group Development
The way I studied about Group Dynamics is by being there in the group and doing all the things practically. In simple words I learned by doing. Here with you guys I am thinking the best way to explain this is to give you some Models and explain those Models. I have some Models that I like and I want to share them with you. The first Model is Integrated Model Of Group Development (IMGD).
According to Wikipedia Group dynamics is a system of behaviors and psychological processes occurring within a social group (intragroup dynamics), or between social groups (intergroup dynamics). Please read more about it on Wikipedia. I am however going to explain IMGD. This Model is first introduced by Susan Wheelan (please read more about her on the web). This Model has different stages and here I will explain each stage with some little explanation.
The Integrative model of group development (IMGD) describes the change in group development and dynamics over time, as well as the maturity of the group.
The stages of group development are:
- Dependency and Inclusion
- Counter-dependency and Fight
- Trust and Structure
- Performance and Productivity
- Termination
During my studies I experienced this model from the stage 1 to the final Termination Stage. It was an awesome journey and I want to share it with you. In order to understand the above stages read the explanation below as you read a story from the start till end and you will know it all.
DEPENDENCY AND INCLUSION
Instead of writing lots of sentences I have prepared some key points. This way I think it will be the best way to share. This is the very first stage of any project where the group is coming to meet for the first time and has to work through a lot of stuff. So these are the points you should remember. Read these points from 1 to 7 and all will be revealed to you 🙂
- In this stage members are dependent on the chosen leader.
- Safety is very important to members, as well as feeling a sense of inclusion in the group.
- Members discuss on what expectations are aimed at individuals.
- The fear of being excluded, of not being included, are what impede individual needs to be different or ”standing out”.
- Leader is the strongest member in this stage.
- So members also expect leader to make decisions.
- Members are more interested in being accepted by other members of the group than in the task at hand. This also means they are unwilling to express any deviating views.
Description of dependency and inclusion – members:
Below are some of the key points for the members of a group to remember and follow. This way the group will work very fine and produce far better results from the beginning. Each member of the group in this stage is thinking about the following:
- Try to get to know one another
- Are very polite to one another
- Try to predict the behavior of the other group members
- Demonstrate a great need to be accepted by the group
- Show little need to identify with the group
- Initiate few or no serious conflicts
- Attempt to interpret and read non-verbal and symbolic signals
- Demonstrate a great need to find out about the group’s objectives and rules, and to understand them
- Required structure and order
- Take few personal risks
- Demonstrate greater dependency on the leader
- Demonstrate that they are uncertain as to whether or not they should be part of the group
- Bring up lots of suggestions for group activities, of which few are followed up
- Take part in endless discussions on unimportant topics
- Create the emotional starting point for the future actions of themselves and others
- Are unwilling to demonstrate and discuss their ”hidden agendas”
- Attempt to qualify their actions on the basis of questions to themselves:
- why am I/we here?
- is this the right group for me/them?
- can I/they function as part of the group?
- can I be myself in this group?
- what will I demand of myself/they demand of me?
- what rules will be applicable?
These are the main points in the first stage of the group work. I hope you like these points and can find similarities that you might have thought off in your group work.
Counter-dependency and Fight
- During this stage, the group’s members will attempt to free themselves from their dependency on the chosen leader.
- Leader being questioned while at the same time the members themselves start to fight among themselves or question on another’s interpretation of tasks and objectives for the group.
- Conflicts also arise here concerning objectives and/or methods for attaining those objectives.
- Some groups stop developing at this stage as stress and conflicts take up most of their energy. And some groups just go back to the stage 1.
- Groups get through this stage by finding constructive ways of managing conflicts
- What is required for the group to move from stage 1 to stage 2 is a task that requires the knowledge and abilities of the group to handle it.
- When performing the task(s), one or more of the members will try to guide the group or give directives for the group’s work, and that gets the dynamics going.
At this stage I want you guys to start comparing between the first 2 stages and try to see where is your group standing or staged at this point. Now let us see the role of members here:
Description of counter-dependency and Fight; members:
- Form subgroups and demonstrate less group spirit
- More openly demonstrate competition between themselves and between the subgroups.
- Use approved excuses for the questioned behavior.
- Attempt to convince the others of which´h views are the right ones
- Show that they are avoiding being influenced by others.
- Increase the frequency and intensity of conflicts.
- Attempt to take or avoid leadership with the help of others.
- Attempt to resolve conflicts by voting or compromising, or by getting help from an outsider.
- Actively attempt to reveal others’ ”hidden agendas” but are very careful about ”revealing themselves”.
- Attempt to influence or form values and norms which suit their own purposes.
- Give one another feedback which is often cutting and aggressive.
- Show that they don’t care whether or not the group accepts them.
- Rebel against the formal leader.
- Take major risks and demonstrate that they are prepared to accept the consequences of this, even if it means being excluded from the group.
- Demonstrate major differences as regards activity within the group.
- Demonstrate a great need for structure and leadership, but are unwilling to allow anyone in the group to fulfill this need.
- Attempt to reduce the stress caused by conflicts by running away to irrelevant activities.
Towards the end of this stage, you will see:
- Attempts at effective conflict management.
- A greater sense of interdependence with the group and its objectives, methods and culture will arise if these attempts at conflict management are successful.
I think I stop here and I will continue with the rest of 3 stages of IMGD in the second part. I hope this helped you in your group works and the understanding of how group works and your role as a member of the group.
Meanwhile practice reflection and I will see you in the next blog. Till than have fun.
//Imran
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