In most cases groups do not become smooth-functioning teams overnight. As Bruce Tuckman’s (1965) theory of group development suggests, groups usually pass through several stages of development as they change from a newly formed group into an effective team:
In the forming phase, the members become oriented toward one another. Members expose information about themselves in polite but tentative interactions. They explore the purposes of the group and gather information about each other’s interests, skills, and personal tendencies.
In the storming phase, the group members find themselves in conflict, and some solution is sought to improve the group environment.
In the norming phase, standards for behavior and roles develop that regulate behavior.
In the performing phase, the group has reached a point where it can work as a unit to achieve desired goals.
In the adjourning phase, the group prepares to disband by completing its tasks, reduces levels of dependency among members, and dealing with any unresolved issues.
Throughout these stages groups tend to oscillate between the task-oriented issues and the relationship issues, with members sometimes working hard but at other times strengthening their interpersonal bonds (Tuckman & Jensen, 1977).
Resources used on this page:
"The Psychology of Groups" by Donelson R. Forsyth in NOBA under CC-BY-NC-SA license