Which term describes the initial phase in the standard five-stage group development model?

• A. Forming
• B. Preaffiliation
• C. Intimacy
• D. Differentiation

Answer: (A)

The initial phase in the standard five-stage group development model is Forming. This stage is all about orientation and getting acquainted: members meet, set initial goals, establish expectations, and seek guidance from a leader. Interactions tend to be polite and exploratory as people test boundaries, clarify roles, and decide how the group will work together. Because it focuses on introduction, goal-setting, and establishing structure, Forming is the stage that best fits the start of group development.

Preaffiliation isn’t part of the classic five-stage sequence and describes an earlier or different theoretical concept about how groups begin forming. Intimacy and Differentiation are not stages in the standard model; they refer to later dynamics or different processes within group development.