Group formation

Question 1

What is a group formation?

Answer 1

• A collection of people who share similar goals and interact with one another.

Question 2

What are the 4 characteristics of a team?

Answer 2

• A collective identity.
• Interaction.
• Communication.
• A shared goal or purpose.

Question 3

A collective identity- more info

Answer 3

• This means the team can be recognised easily since they are usually wearing the same colour kit. Team members will feel a strong affiliation to the team and gain a sense of pride when they wear team clothing on there wat to games.
• This affiliation is important to give motivation and a sense of belonging.

Question 4

Interaction- more info

Answer 4

• Team members should operate in their own role successfully and be able to link this role with other members. Interaction can be seen as the way that teams and players work together to complete a task.
• For example, mid-field players in hockey linking with the defence to help get the ball out from the back in a 16-yard hit.

Question 5

Communication- more info

Answer 5

• Helps with interaction, this is where individuals within the team talk to each other or communicate non-verbally.
• For example, rugby players can use a coded call or hand signal to indicate where the ball is being thrown in a ‘line-out’.

Question 6

A shared goal or purpose- more info

Answer 6

• The prospect of achieving success is what often keeps players in the team and working for each other. All team members should want to aim for the same goal to maximise motivation.

Question 7

Tuckman’s model

Answer 7

• Once a team has been formed and the previous characteristics begin to develop, Tuckman suggests there are 5 stages of a group formation through which the group must pass to start working as a unit.

Question 8

What are the 5 stages of Tuckman’s model?

Answer 8

1. Forming
2. Storming
3. Norming
4. Performing
5. Mourning

Question 9

Forming stage

Answer 9

• Short first stage.
• Group comes together + gets to know each other (bonding).
• Roles and responsibilities unclear.
• Individuals will find out how they feel about the team and if they will fit in.

Question 10

Storming stage

Answer 10

• Conflict= many teams fail.
• Individuals ‘jostling’ for positions in the group.
• Relationships can be strained + alliances formed ‘cliques’.
• Boundaries are pushed and positions of authority are challenged.

Question 11

Norming stage

Answer 11

• Conflicts have been resolved.
• Goal is clarified and norms established.
• Team settles down and begins to cooperate.
• Social connections made.
• Authority figures are respected.

Question 12

Performing stage

Answer 12

• All players are interactive and working together.
• Team members support each other.
• Individual roles and responsibilities are completely understood.
• Best performance is achieved.

Question 13

Mourning stage

Answer 13

• Goals have been achieved.
• Team might begin to break up or disband (end of season).
• There is a sense of a job well done.

Question 14

How can the length of time this process takes vary??

Answer 14

The length of time it takes to complete this process can vary, depending on:
1. Size of group.
2. Difficulty of task.
3. Experience of the players.