Dhiren Rabadia SID-12111542

Group Dynamics and Processes:

Analysis
Group work is a form of cooperative learning where a number of
individuals join together to achieve a mutual goal, it promotes academic
achievement and socialisation. Through interactions students learn to
inquire, share ideas, clarify differences and construct new understandings
(Frykedal 2012). Group dynamics is concerned with the sociological study
of nature of groups, their development and their interactions. An
importance of group work is seen in nursing, where nurses work in an
interdisciplinary team on any ward. This analysis describes the group
dynamics and processes between five students, Randy, Jairo, Jun, Joyce
and me over group work that involved preparing a presentation for
resolving team conflict. Consideration to the communication patterns and
observations made during the preparation will be discussed, supported by
evidence from literature.

Tuckman (1965) developed a framework for examining the how of group

formation. The stages included forming, storming, norming, performing
and a later stage was added called adjourning. During the forming stage
the group is coming together and is characterised by anxiety and
uncertainty. This was evident when the topics were assigned as some
group members were not sure of the meaning while basic introductions
were made. West & Poulton (1997) emphasised the need to have a clear
vision that encompassed the underlying values of a particular task, as
such it was made clear that everyone will work towards the HD grade by
using the marking criteria and research as much as possible into resolving
team conflict. Group members are not connected to each other at
random, but in predictable patterns defined by the roles and norms, which
when combined creates a group structure (Johnson & Johnson 2003a).
Roles specify expected behaviour of people who occupy different positions
within the group while norms describe what behaviours should and should
not be performed in a given context(Forsyth 2009). Teams can create
norms through discussion among team members that support their
collaboration and productivity. Using the norms team members can hold
each other accountable and helps the team track its
performance(Boundless 2015). An example of this was encouraging group
members to include anything they found important and relevant to the
topic, i.e. even if its not a section they will be working on.

The next stage called storming is characterised by competition and

conflict in the personal relations dimension (Bonebright 2010).Maples
Dhiren Rabadia SID-12111542

(1988) mentioned that most teams fail during the storming stage due to
unresolved conflict, stress and challenge of power; some may simply
resist taking on tasks (Elizabeth 2015). Certain members of the group
made no contact in regards to the task, and therefore it became hard to
assign the members specific tasks. It was evident that the group did not
have a clear communication pattern. A common cause of communication
breakdown is people holding different attitudes and values (Oten 2010). To
avoid last minute preparations a decision was made to continue the work
individually as the assessment was worth a large percentage of the overall
mark. Here onwards it was evident the group is a traditional workgroup
which is defined as a group whose members have been assigned to work
together but who have no interest in doing so (Johnson & Johnson 2003b).
It was also apparent that the group lacked a structure as no roles were
assigned and specific roles of initiator, elaborator and evaluator were
assumed by me. Based on the observations made at this stage it was
evident that most group members lacked strong interpersonal skills.
McKenna (2004) mentions the need for strong interpersonal skills for
effective team work.

A week before the presentation due dates some team members came
forward to do some work. This is indicative of the norming stage where
roles and responsibilities are accepted and a degree of commitment is
evident (Craig & Maxine 2015). Jun adopted the role of a coordinator and
revised the power-point slides. Joyce adopted the role of an elaborator and
added a few things to the presentation while being an aggressor made a
decision to exclude me from delivering the presentation (Fortinash &
Holoday Worret 2004). This is evident of a groupthink when members
become so focused on making a decision they overlook
others(Henningsen et al. 2006). Kilmann & Thomas (1978) proposed
strategies to manage conflict and it was observed the whole group
including me used the avoiding strategy when responding to the conflict
that had arisen. This is due to the fact that starting a confrontation might
affect my studies in the future and intrapersonal reasons.

The group reached the performing stage which is described as the

achievement of the teams goals. Although there were differences leading
up to the presentation a decision was made to continue with what was
prepared and integrate what the other members had. The presentation
succeeded based on the comments provided by the tutor and other
students, performing above my expectations. The role plays made a
difference from the usual audio/verbal presentation, as it enhances the
level of communication and increases the level of attention from students
(Adkoli 2010),(Ritter 1986). The last step adjourning is described as the
break-up of a group, upon completion of a task. Due to the successful
Dhiren Rabadia SID-12111542

presentation, the group congratulated each other and differences were set
aside.

An ideal way the conflict could have resolved is using a collaborative

technique as it addresses the issue more directly than avoiding. It would
involve the entire group sitting down for a conversation and the possible
involvement of a neutral mediator. The only limitation was the time for
preparation and other commitments of the group members.

In conclusion the analysis has discussed the group dynamics, processes,

behaviour, communication patterns and the performance of the group
leading up to the presentation of the assigned topic. Despite the existence
of a team conflict the presentation performed well and has given me
insight into the advantages and disadvantages. Skills developed during
the group work will be applied in my nursing career as it is all about
team/group work. According to Johnson & Johnson (2002) peer
collaboration enlarges ones worldview and that one needs to learn to
view others perspectives.

References
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