132 each other·s contribution to group output/goal and respect for each other's differences, idiosyncrasies or uniqueness. THE STAGES OF GROUP DEVELOPMENT The Stage of Orientation The two tasks confronting group members during the initial stage are: first, they must determine a way of achie,;ng their primary tasks-lhe purpose for which they joined the group: second, they ruust find a place for themselves in Lhc group, one that wi. U not only pro,;de the comfort necessary to attain their primary task. but,vi. l J also result in additional gratitication from the pleasure of group membership. In achieving these t"·o tasks. the group member's behavioral patterns are basically attempts at warding of T anxiety. The main concern of the membei-s is whether they are ujn" or "out-of the group. They search for a role for themseh·es in the group, wondering if they will be tiked and respected or ignored and rejt-x. :led. Tu ham. lie an~iety, they invest most of their energy in a se. trcb for approval. acceptnnce, respect or dontlnation. Consequently, the content and the style of commun ication during the initial stage are relatively limited, repetitious and reslr. lined. Lt is not surprising to observe that during this stage members are c. :ireful with their choice of words because they are not sure how they \,;11 be taken by others in tbe,zroup. Members may endlessly discuss topics of apparent I~-little substantive in le rest to any of the participants; however, these topics serve :is vd1. icles to explore how thc. y are perceived by co-members. With these exploratory atte111pts, a member eventually discovers w J10 responds favorably to him, who sees things the way he does. whom to fear, and to respect. Gradually be begins to formulate a picture of the role he will play fo the group. Another common experience in the group is the search for similarities. Members try l1ard to let others know that they are similar-with everyone in the group. Trus experience offers great support to members and prnvides part of the foundation on which group cohesiveness will eventually develop. Givingandsceldngadvicei sa. nothcrcharactcr isticoftheear]ygroup. Members atte. mpt to share some type of practical solution; however, this is rarely of any functional value except as a,,ehicle through ~vhich n1embe:rs can engage in social relationships in the group. Thus, the early group can he described as a groping, testing, reluctant group. It is also a dependent one. The members e..,:pectthe leader to pi-ovide the group v. ith structure and answers. They "look to the leader for appr C>val and acceptance. Members demonstrate beha,ior which in the past has gained approval from authority. The leader's early remarks are carefu Jly anal)r. 1ecl for guide) ines about desirable and undesirable behavio r. Many of the comments in the group are directed nt or through the leader. The lines of inter;iction w:ithin the group are leader-cen tered as illustrated in Figure 6. 1. The arrows indicate that tbe lines of interaction are from the leader to the members. The responses of the members are in turn directed back to the leader. Interactions among members are rai-ely observed. Oftentimes the leader needs to. initiate the opportunities so that members are encouraged to respond to others in the group. 