1. Chapter 6 The Working Stage in a Group: Performing
Prepared by: Nathaniel N. Ivers, Wake Forest University

2. Roadmap The Working Stage of a Group
Peer relationships – Johari Window
Tasks during the working stage
Problems that may arise in the working stage of a group
Strategies for assisting groups in the working stage
Achieving Outcomes in the Working Stage

3. Working Stage of a Group
Focuses on the achievement of individual and group goals
Emphasizes the movement of the group itself into a more unified and productive system
Described as the group’s “performing stage” (Tuckman & Jensen, 1977) and “action stage” (George & Dustin, 1988)

4. Working Stage of a Group
Group leaders and members feel more freedom and comfort to try out new behaviors and strategies.
“Therapeutic forces,” such as openness to self, others, and new ideas, “are well-established” (Ohlsen et al., 1988, p. 88).

5. Peer Relationships in the Working Stage
Members tend to express genuine concern for one another on a deep, personal level
Participants establish how physically and psychologically close they wish to be to others and behave accordingly.
Members are more willing to self-disclose.

6. Johari Awareness Model
Sometimes called the Johari Window
Represents what happens in the arena of self-disclosure when a group is in the working stage (Luft, 1984)

7. Johari Window Quadrant 1: Open quadrant
Information known to self and others
Quadrant III: Blind Quadrant
Information originally unknown to self but known to others when the group began
Quadrant II: Hidden Quadrant
Undisclosed information known only to oneself
Quadrant IV: Unknown Quadrant
Material hidden from self and others because of a lack of opportunity

8. Task Process during the Working Stage
Rounds
Role playing
Homework
Incorporation

9. Problems in the Working Stage
Racial and Gender Issues
May be subtle or blatant
Cultural Encapsulation
Group Collusion
Cooperating with others unconsciously or consciously to “reinforce prevailing attitudes, values, behaviors, or norms” (Butler, 1987, p. 1)
The purpose of such behavior is self protection
Groupthink

10. Assisting Groups in the Working Stage
Modeling by the Leader
Exercises
Group Observing Group
Brainstorming
Nominal-Group Technique
Written Projections
Group Processing
Teaching of Skills

11. Outcomes of the Working Stage
Usually tangible, as goals have been worked on and achieved
Learning and sharing of ideas and information among members
Catharsis – release of pent-up feelings
Cognitive restructuring
Confrontation
Feedback
Corrective Emotional Experience
Humor