The equilibrium model of group development (equilibrium model) is a
sociological
Sociology is a social science that focuses on society, human social behavior, patterns of social relationships, social interaction, and aspects of culture associated with everyday life. It uses various methods of empirical investigation and ...
theory on how people behave in groups.
The model theorizes that group members will work to maintain a balance, or equilibrium, between
task-oriented (instrumental) and socio-emotional (expressive) needs. A group can be successful if it maintains this equilibrium.
Description
The equilibrium model was created by Robert Bales, who conducted early empirical studies on
group development The goal of most research on group development is to learn why and how small groups change over time. To quality of the output produced by a group, the type and frequency of its activities, its cohesiveness, the existence of group conflict.
A numbe ...
. His model was the first extensive and systematic description of
group development The goal of most research on group development is to learn why and how small groups change over time. To quality of the output produced by a group, the type and frequency of its activities, its cohesiveness, the existence of group conflict.
A numbe ...
borne out of group observation.
The equilibrium model is a progressive model as it explains group maturity and performance over a given period of time.
[Chidambaram, L. & Bostrom, R. P. (1996). Group development (I): A review and synthesis of development models. Group Decision and Negotiation, 6, 159-187.] Bales proposed the model as a means to study the manifestation and incidence of task-oriented and socio-emotional behaviours.
[Carabajal, K., LaPointe, D., Gunawardena, C. N. (2003). Group development in online learning communities. In M. G. Moore & W. G. Anderson (Ed.), Handbook of distance education (pp. 217-234). Mahwah, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates.]
There are three main stages of group development within the equilibrium model.
Stages
* The first stage is orientation. Group members meet, ask questions and exchange information. Task-oriented behaviours are prevalent.
* The second stage is evaluation. Group members express their opinions and attitudes. Socio-emotional behaviours increase.
* The third stage is control. Group members exert
pressure
Pressure (symbol: ''p'' or ''P'') is the force applied perpendicular to the surface of an object per unit area over which that force is distributed. Gauge pressure (also spelled ''gage'' pressure)The preferred spelling varies by country and e ...
to influence group actions and activities.
Overall, as a group moves throughout the three stages, task-oriented behaviours decline while socio-emotional behaviours increase
Equilibrium
Successful group performance and cohesiveness is achieved once a group has matured and the members are able to maintain equilibrium between how well they can solve the task or problem facing the group (task-oriented behaviours) with how well they deal with interpersonal relationships and member satisfaction (socio-emotional behaviours).
Equilibrium may be temporary. For example, as the group encounters a new situation or takes on new members, the group may need to move through the three main stages again.
Application
The equilibrium model has been applied to
research
Research is "creativity, creative and systematic work undertaken to increase the stock of knowledge". It involves the collection, organization and analysis of evidence to increase understanding of a topic, characterized by a particular att ...
in a number of areas including
computer-mediated communication
Computer-mediated communication (CMC) is defined as any human communication that occurs through the use of two or more electronic devices. While the term has traditionally referred to those communications that occur via computer-mediated formats ...
(CMC) and educational
psychology
Psychology is the scientific study of mind and behavior. Psychology includes the study of conscious and unconscious phenomena, including feelings and thoughts. It is an academic discipline of immense scope, crossing the boundaries betwe ...
.
[Farouk, S. (2004). Group work in schools: A process consultation approach. Educational Psychology in Practice, 20, 207-220. doi:10.1080/0266736042000251790]
References
Group processes