Group Tension1

Primary Secondary Tension Group

1. 111
Group Tension

2. 222
Group Tension
Groups experience two types of tension.
Primary Tension
Secondary Tension

3. 333
Group Tension
Groups experience two types of tension.
• Primary Tension = Discomfort
caused by unfamiliarity with the task
and the other group members.

4. 444
Group Tension
Groups experience two types of tension.
• Secondary Tension = Discomfort
caused by disagreement.

5. 555
Group Tension
We can now see how group members
experience both types of tension in a typical
group problem solving session.

6. 666
Group Tension
This line measures time, from the
beginning to the end of a group
session
TimeBeginning End

7. 777
Group Tension
This line measures the amount of
tension in the group from none to
extreme hostility
TimeBeginning End
None
Extreme
Hostility
T
e
n
s
i
o
n

8. 888
Group Tension
This line is the
Tension Tolerance
Level
TimeBeginning End
None
Extreme
Hostility
T
e
n
s
i
o
n

9. 999
Group Tension
TimeBeginning End
None
Extreme
Hostility
Above the line
people feel increasing
levels of discomfort
T
e
n
s
i
o
n

10. 101010
Group Tension
Below the line
people are relaxed
TimeBeginning End
None
Extreme
Hostility
T
e
n
s
i
o
n

11. 111111
Group Tension
Here is where
the group
session begins
TimeBeginning End
None
Extreme
Hostility
T
e
n
s
i
o
n

12. 121212
Group Tension
Notice there is
tension at the
beginning of a
group session
TimeBeginning End
None
Extreme
Hostility
T
e
n
s
i
o
n

13. 131313
Group Tension
Notice there is
tension at the
beginning of a
group session
TimeBeginning End
None
Extreme
Hostility
We call this type
of tension,
Primary Tension
T
e
n
s
i
o
n

14. 141414
Group Tension
Notice there is
tension at the
beginning of a
group session
TimeBeginning End
None
Extreme
Hostility
Primary Tension is
discomfort caused
by unfamiliarity
T
e
n
s
i
o
n

15. 151515
Group Tension
TimeBeginning End
None
Extreme
Hostility
As communication
occurs, group members
become more familiar
with each other and the
group task
T
e
n
s
i
o
n

16. 161616
Group Tension
Primary Tension is
reduced
TimeBeginning End
None
Extreme
Hostility
As communication
occurs, group members
become more familiar
with each other and the
group task
T
e
n
s
i
o
n

17. 171717
Group Tension
Primary Tension is
reduced
TimeBeginning End
None
Extreme
Hostility
As communication
occurs, group members
become more familiar
with each other and the
group task.
T
e
n
s
i
o
n Until members are
relaxed with each other

18. 181818
Group Tension
TimeBeginning End
None
Extreme
Hostility
T
e
n
s
i
o
n At this point group
members start to
disagree with each other

19. 191919
Group Tension
TimeBeginning End
None
Extreme
Hostility
T
e
n
s
i
o
n
Tensions begin to rise
where the members
begin feeling the
discomfort

20. 202020
Group Tension
TimeBeginning End
None
Extreme
Hostility
T
e
n
s
i
o
n
The group is now
experiencing
Secondary Tension

21. 212121
Group Tension
TimeBeginning End
None
Extreme
Hostility
T
e
n
s
i
o
n
Secondary Tension is
discomfort caused by
disagreement

22. 222222
Group Tension
TimeBeginning End
None
Extreme
Hostility
T
e
n
s
i
o
n
Secondary Tension
peaks until a decision
is made, and then the
tension is reduced

23. 232323
Group Tension
TimeBeginning End
None
Extreme
Hostility
T
e
n
s
i
o
n
Now that there is no
more disagreement,
Secondary Tension
disappears and the
group experiences
comfort once again

24. 242424
Group Tension
TimeBeginning End
None
Extreme
Hostility
T
e
n
s
i
o
n
Until a new
disagreement occurs
and the process starts
once again

25. 252525
Group Tension
Remember:
Secondary tension is Good
The more secondary a group can manage,
the better the eventual group results.
Why? Because more people are presenting
more diverse viewpoints that the group can use.

26. 262626
Group Tension
If you ever hear a group member
say, “We have a great group, we
never argue.”
Then you know, that group is in
trouble!