What stage of group development is indicated by contentious interactions among members?

The stage of group development characterized by contentious interactions among members is the storming stage. During this phase, group members often experience conflict and disagreements as they begin to express their individual perspectives and challenge each other’s ideas. This is a crucial part of group dynamics, as members navigate their differences, establish their roles, and develop group norms. The storming phase is essential for growth, enabling the group to refine its approach and work toward more collaborative solutions.

In contrast, during the forming stage, members are typically polite and focused on making initial connections, avoiding conflict. The norming stage follows the storming phase, where conflicts begin to resolve, and members establish a sense of cohesion and collaboration. The concept of confirming is not a recognized stage in traditional group development models, which typically focus on forming, storming, norming, performing, and adjourning. Therefore, the presence of contentious interactions is a clear indicator of the storming phase as the group works through tensions to build stronger relationships.