In the storming stage of group development, what typically occurs?

• A. Conflicts erupt as members vie for power and roles.
• B. Group performance stabilizes and norms are established.
• C. The group defines goals and develops plans.
• D. The group disbands.

Answer: (A)

In this stage, the team begins to push against the boundaries set in forming, as members test leadership and how work will be divided. Conflicts surface because people try to assert influence, question goals, and disagree on approaches, leading to power struggles and negotiations over who will lead and who does what. This friction is a normal part of shaping the group’s structure and can be messy, but it helps the team clarify roles, authority, and ways of working. As these tensions are worked through, the group typically moves into the next phase where norms are established and behavior becomes more predictable. By contrast, establishing goals and plans happens earlier in forming, performing is about executing effectively, and disbanding occurs at the end.