First ‘Survivor’ Experience

In my first time ever watching an episode of Survivor, I saw that Chapter 2 applied in many different ways. The chapter, Group Development, played a vital role in the start of this year’s new tribes in that they have to go through the natural progression of forming groups. Forming, which is the first stage in the Bruce Tuckman’s Group Development Model, describes this stage as when members are being cautious and courteous to each other just like the members of  Survivor were doing with their new teammates. They all tentatively collect information about one another and start off by treating one another with utmost respect.  Storming, Tuckman’s next stage, may just be the most crucial stage in the model because members will start to compete for the title of Alpha and are not shy to let it be known. Members compete for status and usually conflict is involved. Some of the cast members displayed that on this week’s show because roles within the tribes are starting to take place. The blue team is undefeated in challenges which tells me that their storming phase is about finished and the norming phase is set to begin.  When success is achieved early in a group, I feel like it is easier for the Group Development process to take place just as fast as they achieved their success. I will be interested to see how the yellow team responds since they are experiencing a little bit of turmoil early in this season. The yellow team has to keep their goal in mind as a team. Sometimes when you can look at the big picture and keep together as a team to ultimately realize their goal, it can supersede the adversity that the yellow team are facing. If not, the blue team will be performing, then adjourning, which are the last two phases in Tuckman’s development model.