Stage of group formation

According to Bruce Tuckman (1965), following are the stages of group formation.

  1. Forming (Orientation)
  • In this stage, most team members are positive and polite.
  • Some are anxious, as they haven’t fully understood what work the team will do.
  • Others are simply excited about the task ahead

 

  1. Storming (Power struggle)
  • The team moves into the storming phase, where people start to push against the boundaries established in the forming stage.
  • This is the stage where many teams fail. Storming often starts where there is a conflict between team members’ natural working styles.
  • People may work in different ways for all sorts of reasons but, if differing working styles cause unforeseen problems, they may become frustrated.
  • Team members may challenge the authority, or jockey for position as their roles are clarified.

 

  1. Norming (Cooperation and Integration)
  • Gradually, the team moves into the norming stage. This is when people start to resolve their differences, appreciate colleagues’ strengths, and respect the leader.
  • The group members know one another better, they may socialize together, and they are able to ask one another for help and provide constructive feedback.

 

  1. Performing (Synergy)
  • The team reaches the performing stage, when hard work leads, without friction, to the achievement of the team’s goal.
  • The structures and processes that have been set up support this well. The leader concentrates on developing team members.
  • It feels easy to be part of the team at this stage, and people who join or leave won’t disrupt performance.

 

  1. Adjourning (Closure)
  • Many teams will reach this stage eventually. For example, project teams exist for only a fixed period, and even permanent teams may be disbanded through organizational restructuring.
  • Team members who like routine, or who have developed close working relationships with colleagues, may find this stage difficult.

 

Role of social group in agricultural extension

  • Social groups have following roles in agricultural extension;
  • It enables the extension agent to have face to face contact with a number of people at a time.
  • People can be easily motivated to accept change due to group influence.
  • It is less expensive than others method in stimulating action.
  • In groups people can be motivated and members of groups can be involved for in depth discussion on different relevant topics.

 

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