Bruce Tuckman: Model of Group Development

Model of Group Development
Bruce Tuckman maintains that there are four stages of group development, forming, storming, norming, and performing. These stages are all essential and unavoidable in order for a group to mature, overcome challenges, find solutions, plan work, and produce effective results. (University of Washington, 2013)

Forming
Tuckman maintains that during the forming stage individuals are compelled by a need for approval and avoiding conflict and controversy. They are discovering information about each other, the scope of the project, and the approach they will use. (University of Washington, 2013) For the most part I found this to be true. For us the forming stage lasted until December.

In autumn of 2013, Mayo Mental Health Association approached the college to see if the students of GMIT felt there was a need to set up a student branch. For the first meeting a large group of students attended. During this meeting it was agreed upon, by all in attendance, that there was a need for such an association within the college. For the rest of the meeting, we brainstormed what the function and scope of the association should be. It was during this task that we experienced a slight conflict. There was a misunderstanding between some members about the scope of the group. I felt, that since the association consisted of groups of students from Social Care (years 1, 2, and 3) there were groups within the larger group that had formed previously, leading to small conflicts in the beginning stages, though they were quickly resolved.

The subsequent meetings, for the rest of the autumn, consisted of electing committee members and identifying the aims, objectives, and mission statement.
During this time the association relied he...

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...e varying learning preferences, so that the largest possible number of students benefit from the work we are doing.

Works Cited

Health Services Executive. (2007). Mental Health in Ireland: Awareness and Attitudes. Ireland.

Prendiville, P. (1995). Developing Facilitation Skills – A Handbook for Group Facilitators. Ireland: Combat Poverty Agency.

Sample, J. (1999). Understanding Your Learning Styles (Vol. 2.0). Psych Press.

St. Patrick's Mental Health Service. (2013, September 10). Stigma Still a Significant Factor. Retrieved April 2014, from St. Patricks Mental Health Services: Empowering Recovery: https://www.stpatricks.ie/stigma-still-significant-factor

University of Washington. (2013). Four (Five) Stages of Team Development – Bruce Tuckman. Retrieved April 2014, from University of Washington: depts.washington.edu/oei/resources