Sequential Stages of Development in Sensitivity Training Groups

Changes in interaction patterns during the life span of 20 two-week NTL Institute T groups were studied in order to identify sequential stages of group development. Time sampled transcripts of T-group sessions were coded in terms of categories of communicative acts, referents, and evaluative signs of member and trainer statements. Temporal trends for a set of 17 indices of intermember and trainer-member interaction were interpreted in terms of a 3-stage sequence, the stages being termed "the initial encounter," "interpersonal confrontation," and "mutual acceptance." The findings were compared with a hypothesized 5-stage model, based upon previous theoretical and empirical work on developmental stages in small groups.