TENSIONS IN THE LIFE OF A TASK GROUP
Frey, L. R., & Barge, J. K. (1996). Managing Group Life : Group Communication. Houghton Mifflin.
STAGE/QUESTION
INDIVIDUAL LEVEL
GROUP LEVEL
ENTERING
THE GROUP
What am I / we doing here?
MOTIVATING
join not join
do well too much effort
rewards  costs
IDENTIFYING
goal agreement respect differences
dissent too much friction
commitment growth
ENCOUNTERING
OTHERS
How do I / we relate in the group?
RELATING
group affiliation individuality
self disclosure too much info
trust to disclose disclose to trust
evaluate ideas hurt feelings
CONNECTING
cohesion performance
compatibility incompatibility
conflict detrimental conflict
ENGAGING
THE TASK
How do I / we go about carryingout the task?
CONTRIBUTING
leader follower
personal goals group goals
consistency adaptability
short term goals long term goals
WORKING
procedures/norms flexibility
clear roles change roles
satisfaction productivity
group satisfaction quality control
ENDING
THE GROUP
How do I / we end the group experience?
DISENGAGING
ready to leave want to stay
accomplishments unfinished tasks
peer evaluation hurt feelings
TERMINATING
say goodbye no goodbyes
contentment tasks not finished
discuss experience leave things unsaid