McClure Model
McClure Model
McClure (1998) to propose another stage-theory model of group development consisting of seven stages: pre-forming, unity, disunity, confrontation, disharmony, harmony, and performing.
According to Palloff and Pratt (2001, pp. 126-27), McClure views group development as a process during which the group first enters a chaotic phase that must result in agreement of the majority before it can move to the next phase. Thus McClure does not see these seven stages as following a mainly linear process (as do Tuckman and Jensen), but as first descending through pre-forming, unity, and disunity toward confrontation and then ascending from there through the disharmony, harmony, and performing stages. Disunity, confrontation, and disharmony are the conflict stages of group development in McClure’s model.
The 7 Stages
Adapted from Palloff and Pratt, Putting a new spin on groups, p. 70
The 6 Affective Issues
More importantly, McClure posited that during these stages of development groups also experience six affective issues of concern (not necessarily in this order):
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safety
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affiliation
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dependence
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independence
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intimacy, and
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risk-taking.
Safety
Many students need to feel safe when participating in an online class or group- i.e., secure and free from anxiety and disorder. The instructor can facilitate a sense of safety by providing structure, thorough guidelines, and clearly defined expectations, all of which encourage students to participate and appropriately express themselves.
Affiliation
Students also need to feel they are a part of the group, that they have an affiliation with others in working toward a goal or completion of a task.
Dependence
Further, they need to feel that they can depend on the others in the group to contribute as well as count on the others to do their fair share of the work.
Independence
At the same time students need to feel that they can maintain their own independent ideas and that they will not be scoffed at for their contributions or pressured into groupthink.
Intimacy and Risk-Taking
If the first four issues are successfully attained, a level of intimacy often develops among group members that helps them feel comfortable (safe) in taking risks freeing them to voice disagreements or ideas that might be controversial without fear of rejection and without becoming personal.
As noted, these six issues of concern are affective issues, relating to emotions and feelings, rather than procedural ones, as with the seven stages. So McClure has added another layer to our understanding of group dynamics.
Facilitation Reminders
Since emotions tend to connect or disconnect people, they are important to consider in teamwork. Staying focused on the objectives of teamwork and on behaviors, rather than personalities, is professional but need not be cold or inhumane. Maintaining the appropriate focus and enthusiasm for the group work (or empathy, if needed) helps teammates stay connected, rather than disconnected, through feelings that develop during teamwork.
References
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Palloff, R., & Pratt, K. (2001). Lessons from the cyberspace classroom. San Fransisco, CA: Jossey Bass.