In the second phase, members grapple with the issue of counter dependence, or negative feelings toward leaders(Bennis & Shepard,1956;Mann et al., 1967),and conflict(Braaten,1974-1975;Miles,1971;Tuckman,1965;Yalom,1975). Power, authority, and competition themes are highlighted at this stage (Mills, 1964; Slater, 1966). These early struggles over authority and status are seen as prerequisites for moving into a third phase that is characterized by increased expressions of trust and cooperation (Dunphy, 1968; Mann, 1966; Mills, 1964; Tuckman, 1965). This leads to more candid discussions of goals, roles, group structure, and division of labour (Lundgren & Knight, 1978; Mills, 1964; Slater, 1966; Wheelam, 1990). This phase is followed by a work phase that is distinguished by increases in work and task directed interactions (Bennis & Shepard, 1956; Slater, 1966; Tuckman, 1965). Finally, in groups that have a distinct ending point, the fifth period focuses on termination issues. The ending of a group may cause disruption and a resurgence of conflict (Farrell, 1976; Mann et al., 1967; Mills, 1964), although increased expressions of positive feelings may also occur (Lundgren & Knight, 1978).
Verbal and Non-verbal Communication.
The social impact of nonverbal communication relative to verbal communication is addressed in research on channel reliance, that is, the channels or codes that most influence people when assigning meaning to communicative interchanges.
Verbal Communication.
There is three versions of a verbal massage-positive, neutral, and negative-might be paired with three levels each of facial expression and vocal tone, for a total of 27 different verbal-facial-vocal combinations. Receivers are asked to judge the meaning of a given combination on a positive-to-negative continuum. In cases where the cues are not consistent with each other, say, the facial cue is negative and the other two are positive-it is possible to determine if the facial cue carries more weight than the verbal and vocal cues by seeing if the meaning is negatively skewed or is judged as positive.
