Page 169 - Effective group discussion theory and practice by Adams, Katherine H. Brilhart, John K. Galanes, Gloria J

152 Chapter 6

The assimilation phase is characterized by a member’s full integration into the
Assimilation Phase
group and its structures. New members are comfortable with the group culture and
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During group show an active interest in both the group’s task and relationships. In turn the existing
socialization, the members accept the new member. Members blend productively and supportively,
phase in which
members are fully enacting the kind of communication necessary to sustain the group’s culture. If this
integrated into the integration does not occur smoothly, as is often the case, secondary tension can throw
group and its the group back into the anticipatory and encounter phases. Do not let these
structures. regressions surprise you because, over a group’s life span, members will often have to
negotiate the good fit between themselves and the group.
The fifth phase of group socialization is the exit phase: Earlier we remarked that
Exit Phase group socialization is a process that continues over the course of a group’s life. This
During socialization, process is experienced at both the individual and the group level and actually ends
the phase that when a member leaves or when the group ceases to exist. Exiting a group can be a
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encompasses the difficult transition to make and is one group members often minimize. If a member
process members leaves, such as Richard in our community theater example, the group must deal with
experience when a why he left, how he left, how his departure changes their communication, and what
member leaves the comes next. When an entire group disbands, members deal with variations of the
group or the group same issues, including the grief they may experience.
disbands.
Group turnover is common. How many times have you watched as a member left,
and then found yourself dealing with the loss and the adjustment to a new member?
This process can be filled with uncertainty and resentment or it can be managed quite
well. One way a group can effectively manage turnover is to develop a positive group
attitude toward turnover—see it as a way to redefine who you are. When an entire
group ends, do not treat it lightly—how you disband can and does impact the kind of
experiences you take into the next group. Keyton recommends that groups give them-
selves an opportunity to say goodbye and process their experience. 52
Our discussions of socialization and structuration of group culture have consis-
tently mentioned the importance of the group’s rules. In the following section we take
a closer look at rules and norms of group culture.

Recap: A Quick Review

ust as larger social cultures socialize new members, small groups initially socialize
Jeach other and do so again when a new member comes into the group.
1. The addition of new members into groups challenges the existing group’s way of
doing things and how members relate to each other. In socializing a new member,
group members teach the new member how he or she is expected to behave,
thereby reinforcing current group expectations.
2. Group socialization is the responsibility of both the new member and the group; it
represents a delicate balance of individual and group goals and satisfaction.
3. The group socialization process is dynamic and can be captured in five interrelated
stages: antecedent, anticipatory, encounter, assimilation, and exit stages.
4. How a group ends is just as important as how it begins.

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