In this report I will discuss several of the factors that are important to group behavior and performance. These will include conflict management, communication, motivation theories and key role theories. I will study these in the context of the five-stage group development model. These factors do not necessarily happen in any of the stages of the model but I believe the model provides a good framework in which to discuss them. .
The members in our group are relatively homogeneous. We are all white, all L.D.S. and we are all long time residents of Utah. On top of this we are all reasonably good students but not excellent ones. This sameness of our group members affected group performance in a number of ways that I will talk about throughout the report. .
Overview of the five stage group development model .
Studies have shown that groups evolve in a particular fashion. When the group in going to be temporary and there is job set out for the members of the group to do the evolution of the group follows the five-stage group development model. These stages include: forming, storming norming, performing, and adjourning. Our group has followed this model almost exactly. .
Stage 1, Forming.
The forming stage is characterized by a lot of uncertainty about the job of the group and the roles of the individuals in the group. One may ask why bother forming groups at all. According to the book there are four good things about group decisions. The strengths of group decision making are: one, they generate more complete knowledge and information. Two, they offer increased diversity of views. Three, they generate higher quality decisions. Four, group decisions are more likely to be accepted.
There are other benefits of groups that are more vague, for example, the social facilitation effect is the tendency for performance to improve or decline in response to the presence of others. I have found myself holding my work to a higher standard because I didn't want to drag my team down.
