Chapter 6Stages of GroupsDifferent experts give different name.docx
- 1. Chapter 6 Stages of Groups Different experts give different names and descriptions of group stages. I’ll give brief overviews of three different experts. All three are more alike than different but there are some differences in their perspectives. According to the Coreys (2010, pp. 107-108) there are five basic stages to groups. These stages overlap and at times, the group may revert to an earlier stage before progressing. Being aware of the stages gives the leader a valuable perspective and helps her predict problems. The five stages are the pre-group stage, the initial stage, the transition stage, the working stage and the final stage. The pre-group stage involves all the facets of forming a group, including creating a description for the group, enlisting possible participants, screening and selecting members and orienting the members. The initial stage provides orientation and exploration. Members may experience anxiety and insecurity about what will occur in the group meetings. They may test the limits as they attempt to figure out exactly what the boundaries are. It is important that the leader not squelch the conversation but allow the members to express themselves openly without being judged. In this stage, the members gradually develop the norms, explore their fears and expectations, identify their personal goals and determine if the group is safe. Trust begins to develop. In the transition stage the leader must assist the members in working on the concerns that they brought to the group. Members decide how much risk they should take and they explore any reluctance they experience in participating in the group. The working stage is productive. Mutuality and self-exploration increase and behavioral changes are made. Earlier themes of trust, conflict and reluctance to participate may be revisited. As deeper levels of trust are achieved, new conflicts may arise. Some groups never reach this stage but this doesn’t mean that the group was
- 2. a failure. Benefits can still be realized. The final stage involves identifying what was learned and deciding how to incorporate this new learning into their lives. The group will spend time summarizing, pulling things together, and integrating and interpreting the experience. The group must deal with feelings of separation, address unfinished business, review the group experience, practice their behavioral changes, design action plans, prepare for coping with relapse (if this should occur) and build a supportive network. Jacobs, Masson & Harvill (2009, pp. 29-31) indicated that groups go through three stages - the beginning stage, the middle or working stage and the ending or closing stage. In the beginning stage the members introduce themselves and discuss such topics as purpose of the group, group process, rules, comfort levels and content of the group. Members may struggle with their comfort level and whether they can trust the group. This stage might last anywhere from a few minutes in the first session to the first couple of sessions. The leader needs to be careful not to move the group too quickly or too slowly through this stage. In the middle or working stage the group focuses on its purpose. The group member completes tasks, engages in personal sharing and works on her goal(s). The leader must pay attention to how the members interact with each other and what their attitudes are toward the group and toward the leader. In the closing or ending stage, members share what they have learned, how they have changed and how they plan to use what they have learned and how they have changed in the future. They say their good-byes and discuss what they are experiencing as the group comes to an end. Most groups need only one session for this. Southern, Erford, Vernon & Davis-Gage (2010, pp. 12-13) identified four stages of group work including the forming and orienting stage, the transition stage, the working stage and the termination stage. The forming and orienting stage can be an anxiety producing experience for the members and the leader.
- 3. During the first couple of sessions, the leader assists the group members in setting personal goals, orients the members to the group goals, sets ground rules and encourages the members to communicate and give feedback to one another. Gradually the responsibility for group success and member success is transferred to the group members. This is the transition stage. This also can be anxiety producing for group members and the leader. As the members take on more of the responsibility and make progress toward their goals, the group enters the working stage. Most of the sessions are spent in this stage. During this stage, the leader must skillfully facilitate the group process, empowering the members to accomplish their individual goals as well as accomplish the group goals. As goals are accomplished, the group moves toward the termination stage. In this stage, the members evaluate the experience and assess the accomplishment of individual and group goals. The members also debrief, resolve unfinished business and process the progress that was made. Groups may not progress from stage one to stage two to stage three but rather at times the group may take a spiraling path. The leader must be flexible and adapt to these situations so that the members continue to make progress. Questions to Ponder 1. Which of these three descriptions is most helpful to you and why? 2. What stage would be most challenging to you as a group member? As a leader? Why?