Tuckman stages of groups interaction
Communication in groups can also be influenced by the degree to which people feel they belong together. When people first meet in a group they often go through a process of group formation. Many groups may experience some sort of struggle before people unite and communicate effectively. One of the best known theorists to explain group formation stages is Tuckman (1965). Tuckman suggested that most groups go through a process involving four stages.
Forming- people meeting for the first time and sharing formation.
storming- involves tension, struggle and sometimes arguments about the way the group might function
Norming- sees the group coming together and consciously or unconsciously agreeing on their group values.
Performing- being an effectively performing group.
The communication cycle
Effective communication involves a two way process in which each person tries to understand the viewpoint of the other person. Communication is a cycle because when two people communicate they need to make sure the other person has understood the message. Good communication involves the process of checking understanding, using reflective or active listening.
Michael Argyle stages of the commutation cycle.
Michael Argyle (1972) argued that interpersonal communication was that could be learning and communication was a skill that could be learning to drive a car. Argyle emphasised the importance of feedback in skilled activities. When you drive a car you have to change your behaviour depending on what is happening on the road. Driving involves a constant cycle of watching what is happening, working out how to respond, making response and then repeating this cycle until you reach your destination. According to Argyle, skilled interpersonal interaction (social skills) involves a cycle in which you have to translate or ‘decode’ what other people are communicating and constantly effectively. Verbal and non-verbal communication is not always straightforward. The communication cycle involves a kind of code that has to be translated. You have to work kind of code that has to be translated. You have to work out what another person’s behaviour really means.
This is one of the ways of looking at this cycle:
An idea coded- You have an idea that you want to communicate.
Message coded- You think through how you are going to say what you are thinking. You put your thoughts into language or into some other code such as sign language
Message sent- You speak, or perhaps you sign or write, or send your message in some other way.
Message received- The other person has to sense your message they hear your words or see your symbols.
Message decoded- The other person has to interpret or decode your message (what you have said). This is not always easy, as the other person will make assumptions about your words and body language.
Message understood- If all goes well then your ideas will be understood but this does not always happen first time.
By Kabba Kamara - -