Robert bales theory

The equilibrium model of group development equilibrium model is a sociological theory on how people behave in groups.

Robert Bales' theory explains rates of alcoholism in populations by the combination of socially induced stress and tension together with a normative system that promotes the use of alcohol for releasing that tension.

The model theorizes that group members will work to maintain a balance, or equilibrium, between task-oriented instrumental and socio-emotional expressive needs. The equilibrium model was created by Robert Bales, who conducted early empirical studies on group development. The equilibrium model is a progressive model as it explains group maturity and performance over a given period of time.

There are three main stages of group development within the equilibrium model. Overall, as a group moves throughout the three stages, task-oriented behaviours decline while socio-emotional behaviours increase [ 6 ]. Successful group performance and cohesiveness is achieved once a group has matured and the members are able to maintain equilibrium between how well they can solve the task or problem facing the group task-oriented behaviours with how well they deal with interpersonal relationships and member satisfaction socio-emotional behaviours.

Equilibrium may be temporary. For example, as the group encounters a new situation or takes on new members, the group may need to move through the three main stages again. The equilibrium model has been applied to research in a number of areas including computer-mediated communication CMC [ 8 ] and educational psychology.

Bales repeatedly emphasizes that the mental processes of individuals and their social interactions take place in systematic contexts which can be measured.

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