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Group Dynamics




Group dynamics form a basis for Group Therapy . Politicians and Sales men may make practical exploitations of principles of group dynamics for their own ends. Increasingly, group dynamics are becoming of particular interest because of online, social interaction made possible by the internet.

Compare: Crowd Psychology .

Bruce Tuckman ( 1965 ) proposed the 4-stage model called Tuckman's Stages for a group. Tuckman's model states that the ideal group decision making process should occur in 4 four stages:
  • ''Forming'' (pretending to get on or get along with others);

  • ''Storming'' (letting down the politeness barrier and trying to get down to the issues even if tempers flare up );

  • ''Norming'' (getting used to each other and developing trust and productivity);

  • ''Performing'' (working in a group to a common goal on a highly efficient and cooperative basis).


It should be noted that this model refers to the overall pattern of the group, but of course individuals within a group work in different ways. If distrust persists, a group may never even get to the norming stage.

Wilfred Bion studied group dynamics from a Psychoanalytic perspective. Many of his findings were reported in his published books, especially ''Experiences in Groups'', London, Tavistock, 1961. Tavistock Institute has further developed and applied the theory and practices developed by Bion.


FURTHER READING


  • W. R. Bion, ''Experiences in Groups: And Other Papers'', Routledge, 1991, trade paperback, 148 pages, ISBN 0415040205



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