Week 5 discussion
To prepare:
• Review
the information in this week’s Learning Resources regarding the stages of group
formation, problematic roles individuals play in groups, and strategies for
facilitating and maintaining positive group collaboration. In particular,
review Learning Exercise 19.12 on page 464 of the course text.
• Reflect
on various groups with which you have been or are currently involved. Select
one specific group to analyze for the purposes of this Discussion. Identify the
purpose or task that the group is or was meant to perform.
• Consider
the four stages of group formation (forming, storming, norming, and
performing). How would you describe the progression between stages? Is there a
stage in which you believe your group is or was “stuck”?
• Consider
the task or group-building role you normally play in a group setting. How could
you apply the information from the Learning Resources to improve your group
participation and facilitation, as well as the functioning of the group as a
whole?
• In
addition, think about which individuals within your group (including yourself)
may fall into problematic roles such as the Dominator, the Aggressor, or the
Blocker. How have you and your group members addressed the enactment of these
roles and its impact on interactions? With information from the Learning
Resources in mind, what strategies would you apply now or going forward?
By Day 3
Post a description of a group with which you have been or
are currently involved. Assess where the group is in terms of the four stages
of group formation. If you are reflecting on a past experience, explain if your
group moved through all four stages. Describe the task or group-building role
you typically play, or played, in this group. Then, explain what strategies you,
as a leader, can apply to better facilitate the group process and address any
problematic individual roles in the group.
