There are four (4) stages in the life cycle of discussion groups.
Forming: This stage is like infancy. When members of a new group first come together, each person listens to the others as they state their reasons for being a part of the group, and what they hope the group's goals and accomplishments will be. In the beginning the individual members are anxious as they try to discover whether they will feel comfortable in this group and will be accepted. Everyone is typically polite and no one emphasizes differences of opinion during the forming stage. Members are also looking for leadership and guidance during this first stage.
Storming: One a group discovers sufficient similarity of goals and personalities in the first stage, it is ready to move into the adolescent stage that is usually the most difficult stage in the life of the group. Here, individual members challenge differences of goals and approaches as part of a effort to express their individuality and to wield power and influence over the group. Leadership is also challenged during this stage. Order is established during this stage and operating rules for the group's decision making is done.
Norming: Once the group begins to resolve the conflicts over who is to exert influence and what procedures it will use to accomplish its goals, it moves into the calmer stage called norming. Here the group becomes a cohesive unit, ready to tackle its task. Members now begin trusting each other and function more effectively as a group. They now begin to share leadership
Performing: In this final stage, trust and even affection among members blossom. As the group efficiently works out the details of its task, members feel a strong bond of unity, that is, each member feels that he or she is a key part of this unique group. They are now able to work together effectively and harmoniously as they complete their task.
Forming: This stage is like infancy. When members of a new group first come together, each person listens to the others as they state their reasons for being a part of the group, and what they hope the group's goals and accomplishments will be. In the beginning the individual members are anxious as they try to discover whether they will feel comfortable in this group and will be accepted. Everyone is typically polite and no one emphasizes differences of opinion during the forming stage. Members are also looking for leadership and guidance during this first stage.
Storming: One a group discovers sufficient similarity of goals and personalities in the first stage, it is ready to move into the adolescent stage that is usually the most difficult stage in the life of the group. Here, individual members challenge differences of goals and approaches as part of a effort to express their individuality and to wield power and influence over the group. Leadership is also challenged during this stage. Order is established during this stage and operating rules for the group's decision making is done.
Norming: Once the group begins to resolve the conflicts over who is to exert influence and what procedures it will use to accomplish its goals, it moves into the calmer stage called norming. Here the group becomes a cohesive unit, ready to tackle its task. Members now begin trusting each other and function more effectively as a group. They now begin to share leadership
Performing: In this final stage, trust and even affection among members blossom. As the group efficiently works out the details of its task, members feel a strong bond of unity, that is, each member feels that he or she is a key part of this unique group. They are now able to work together effectively and harmoniously as they complete their task.
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