Q1 How does the story move in line with Tuckman’s Group process?

Ans. This is a 1986 Hindi movie, directed by Basu Chatterjee. It is an adaptation of the 1957
American movie Twelve Angry Men, which was directed by Sidney Lumet.

The story begins in a courtroom where a teenage boy from a city slum is on trial for stabbing his
father to death. Final closing arguments are presented, and the judge then instructs the jury to
decide whether the boy is guilty of murder or not. The judge further informs them that a guilty
verdict will be accompanied by a mandatory death sentence. The twelve-man jury retires to a
private room, where they spend a short while getting acquainted before they begin deliberating.
It is obvious that the jurors have already decided that the boy is guilty, and that they plan to put
forth their verdict quickly, without taking time for discussion with the single exception of Juror
Number 8(K.K. Raina). He is the only juror who gives a “not guilty” vote in the preliminary tally.
He explains that there is too much at stake for him to go along with the verdict, which will result
in the death sentence to the boy, without at least talking about it first. His vote annoys the
other jurors, mainly Juror 7 (M. K. Raina), who has tickets to the Dilip Kumar’s movie named
Mashal.

The film revolves around the jury’s difficulty in reaching a unanimous verdict and how that one
juror ( K.K Raina) influences others and convinces them of the not guiltiness of the boy.

The jury group portrayed in this movie is a goal oriented group. During the process of
accomplishment of the goal the group goes through various stages like forming, storming,
norming, performing and adjourning.

Initially the jurors as they enter into the jury room, in which they are supposed stay till the jury
session completes, they try to get to know each other and everybody is nice to each other.
During that time they are trying to familiarise and reduce the uneasiness that exists between
strangers by having casual random talks and also about their views on the case. This is the
forming stage of the jury group. Then the foreman enters and lays down the rules and the
voting is done. Hence we have a very brief stage of norming here. All the jurors except one,
votes against the boy this results in conflicts slightly. The storming stage has started but
norming is also simultaneously taking place.

Storming intensifies when juror 10 gets aggressive with juror 8 over his argument in favour of
the culprit. Conflicts intensify further when juror 5 gets provoked by the remarks of the juror 10
about the slum dwellers as he is also one among them and he takes it personally and juror 1 also
becomes aggressive on the comments bashed out by juror 10 about his foremanship. Again the
situation comes under control and side by side performing stage is also happening when the
jurors start giving out their argument against the convict and the juror 8 counters their
argument with logic and rationale. Then for a long while the group remains in the performing
stage in which the focus is on the task at hand and on how to reach on a consensus with small
out bursts by juror 3, juror 7 and juror 10. Then again once more voting is done one juror
switches over to the other side and juror 3 gets aggressive and he starts shouting and alleges
that juror 5 has jumped to other side and for some time conflicts and heated arguments
continue, juror 7 walks off. Once again the group gets back to their task but after a while heated
argument takes place between juror 3 and juror 8 which just gets physical but the other
members interfere and again the group is back in place to deal with their task. Again the group
is in performing stage. The group continues in the performing stage with slight conflicts in
between and some of the jurors get personal and even verbal abuses are exchanged. Gradually
few members shift their sides and more members take side with the juror 8 and it frustrates
juror 10 so much that he abuses juror 5 and juror 9 and a series of abuse starts and finally juror
4 violently interferes and situation comes in control. For some time it seems that group cannot
go forward but again the group comes into performing stage with the wise intervention of juror
9 and the discussions continue and nearing the end of discussions all the members vote in
favour of the group except one, juror 3 and finally his personal bias surfaces. His bitter
experience with his son has led him to this strong bias against the boy under trial. Finally even
juror 3 changes his vote and the group enters the adjourning phase. The group being a jury
group the group dissolves once the decision is made and that too in a friendly note.

Here we can see that storming and performing stage keep on alternating. Instead of following
the linear stage model propounded by Tuckman this group has exhibited a somewhat spiral
model of group development and also the stages occur not in the order as same as the
Tuckman’s model . It is near to impossible to find a group who fill follow the exact order and
linearity proposed by Tuckman’s model.

Tuckman’s model is a linear model devised by Bruce. W. Tuckman, in 1965, describing the
various stages of group development. Initially a four stage model was devised which was later
revised by Tuckman and Mary Ann Conover Jensen in 1977 into a five stage model. The stages
include forming, storming, norming, performing and the fifth and the final stage, adjourning,
which was added later. It was first proposed by Tuckman in his article titled Development
Sequence in Small Groups.

Forming

In the forming stage, personal relations are categorized by dependence. It is

an orientation period when members get to know one another and share expectations about
the group. It is often characterized by shyness, uncertainty and discomfort among the members,
although extrovert members may rapidly assume some kind of leadership. Group members rely
on safe, patterned behaviour and look towards the group leader for guidance and direction.
Group members have a desire for recognition by the group. The group becomes oriented
towards the task and the ground rules are established.

Storming

The storming stage is a phase characterised by disagreement and conflict among the group
members which often starts with turbulent outbreaks of some members resisted by other
members of the group. This stage can actually be called as conflict stage. Conflicts can arise due
to disagreements as a result of misinterpretations which are termed as false conflicts or autistic
conflicts and other conflicts which are termed as contingent conflicts are easily resolved, but
escalating conflicts arising from minor disagreement can sometimes disrupt the group’s
dynamics very badly. The disagreements leading to conflicts can disrupt the group but
disagreements are natural consequences of forming a group and it should be perceived as such.

Norming

The norming stage is characterised by cohesiveness. During this stage the conflicts are replaced
by cohesiveness. A feeling of belonging to the group emerges. A main change that occurs during
this stage is the emergence of a sense of unity in the group. Cohesiveness is likely to retain the
members in the group, as there exists a strong relationship between cohesiveness and member
retention. There is also a positive correlation between satisfaction of the group members and
cohesion among them. The cohesiveness tends to exert influence over the members of the
group as a result the dynamics of the group will intensify.

Performing

In a group the task- focused action takes place towards the final stages of the group. The group
has to be mature enough to enter into task- performance phase. This stage is not usually
reached by all the groups. A time element is involved in developing the productivity of the group
but time alone cannot bring about the desired level of productivity in the group.

Adjourning

The adjourning stage is the final stage of the Tuckman’s model which was added later when the
model was revised by Tuckman and Jensen in 1977. It can be termed as the dissolution stage
which signifies the words, ‘all things must pass’. A group can reach this stage unexpectedly or in
a planned manner. When a group has achieved its goals it will dissolve itself in a planned
manner (a jury group can be an example for that). But at times when a group confronts an
unforeseen problem which hinders the further interaction of the group it can result in the
dissolution of the group.

The Tuckman’s model is a successive stage theory which specifies a particular order for the
stages of group development. But this order is not universally seen. In certain cases it is difficult
to put a clear cut margin between the stages. And also all these stages need not be seen during
the development of a group. There are other alternative models like cyclical models which are
preferred by many over the stage theory propounded by Tuckman.
Q2. How do you describe the movie “Ek ruka hua faisla” in terms of symptoms of group think
propounded by jains? How was it overcome ?

Ans.)The word dynamics with respect to a group summarizes the interaction between the members
of the group, the impact of group structures on the actions of group members, the diversity of the
group, the way in which groups become cohesive and the ability of the group to change over time.
Group dynamics does summarise the processes taking place in a group but it also studies these
processes scientifically.

For some group dynamics is sociological as it focuses on the group and how the members of the
group are influenced by the various forces. But for some it is psychological, as it focuses on
individual actions, emotions etc.

In a group when a number of people come together in a place for some time it is bound to modify
the behaviour of the members of the group and what kind of behaviour that will emerge depends
on many factors like group members’ previous experience based on similar situations etc.

Group dynamics can result in either positive or negative effects. It has the most important role to
play in the progress of the group. There are four dimensions to Group Dynamics which are of
particular importance. They are:

Communication and interaction patterns

It is the way in which people tend to respond in the presence of others. Communication is not just
the visible verbal and gestural response patterns. But it is also the thought processes and feelings
which are not essentially expressed in the form of speech or action. Communication can be verbal,
non- verbal or written. Communication can be synchronous or asynchronous. Communication as a
process deals with the concerns like understanding each others in the group, convincing others,
making an impression on fellow members, defending once position, maintaining relationships etc.

Interaction patterns can be of many types like: Maypole, Round robin, Hot seat, Free floating. In the
first three types leader plays the major role and structures the patterns. The forth one is group
centric in which all the group members take the initiative for the emergence of effective interaction
among the group members.

Sub group formation can affect the interaction patterns in different ways. Sub groups form due to
the interest alliances among the subsets of group members. It occurs in every group. It need not be
perceived as a threat until and unless the subgroup affinity becomes more than the attraction
towards the group as a whole. Sub groups can be in the form of dyads, triads and also the isolates,
who isolate themselves from the interaction taking place in the group.

Power and status of the group members in relation to other members of the group can also affect
the communication and interaction patterns.

The social communication and interaction which takes place between members of a group is what
eventually generates most of the processes by which the group will operate. Hence communication
and interaction is one of the fundamentals of group dynamics.

Group cohesion

Group cohesion takes place as the result of the forces that play a major role in a group which retains
its members in the group. There are many dimensions to the group cohesion. Group cohesion can be
viewed along different lines as task and social cohesion, vertical and horizontal cohesion, personal
 and social attraction, belongingness and morale. People may get attracted to the groups for various
reasons like:

 The need for recognition

 The prestige which is availed by being in a group
 Benefits that can be acquired from the group

Cohesiveness in a group satisfies the needs of the members in that group. Expectations of
satisfaction and constructive comparisons with previous group experiences are two of the factors
that help to improve the cohesiveness of the group. The particular reason for which the members of
the group are attracted to the group affects the performance of the group. Effects of cohesion on
the group:

 Influence of the group members over each other

 Satisfaction from the group
 Perseverance for the attainment of the goals
 Goal attainment

Apart from the positive outcomes cohesion has negative effects also. Cohesion in itself is necessary
not sufficient for further progress and functioning of the group.

Social Integration and Influence

Social integration refers to the acceptance of the members in the group and how they fit together.
High level of group integration is necessary for the effective functioning of the group. Norms of the
group and the roles adorned by the group members promote social integration. It helps in avoiding
excessive conflicts and ultimately the disintegration of the whole group. The extent to which social
integration and influence should take place in a group varies from group to group.

Norms are the appropriate ways in which everybody is supposed to act in a situation like a group.
Norms are made from the accepted and preferred behaviour in the group. All the members share to
a certain extent in forming group norms. Norms are developed as a result of the interaction between
the group members.

Roles refer to the functions the group members are supposed to play in a group. It is very much
related to the norms of the group. Roles are not static they continue to evolve as the group
progresses. Roles are very important for a group because it helps in the appropriate use of power.

Status is the ranking of the members in relation to other members of the group. It serves the social
integration in a very crucial manner. In a group low status members can disrupt the functioning of
the groups as they can conveniently deviate from the norms because they don’t have much to lose.
Middle status and high status members adhere to norms to maintain or to elevate their status in the
group.

As a whole all of these are important for exerting social influence on the members of the group.

Group Culture

The beliefs, values and traditions upheld by the group members in common constitute the group
culture. Cultural differences among the group member result in the slow development of group
culture. Group culture is influenced by many factors like the different value systems which the
members bring in to the group, the environment in which the group is functioning, homogeneity of
the group etc. Once a group culture is developed the members, who are in conformity with the
culture, feel comfortable with the group while others might feel isolated.

The group culture has a prominent role in achieving the goals as well as satisfying the socio-
emotional needs of the members. The culture that is evolved can also inhibit the progress of the
group, for instance if members bring in some social and ethnic stereotypes in to the group it can
affect the development of the group negatively.