Principles of Management CLEP Practice Exam 2025 – Your Comprehensive All-in-One Guide to Exam Success!

The stage of group development known as Forming is characterized by the initial interactions among team members. During this stage, individuals come together to form a group, and there is often a focus on establishing ground rules and defining the dynamics of the team. Members are polite and cautious as they get to know one another, and they may rely heavily on the guidance of a leader or facilitator to help navigate their initial interactions.

Ground rules are established to create a foundation for cooperation and collaboration among members, allowing them to understand expectations and acceptable behaviors. Team dynamics also begin to take shape, as individuals start to identify their roles within the group and how they will work together towards shared objectives.

In contrast, other stages like Storming involve conflict and competition among team members as they establish their positions, while the Norming stage focuses on the resolution of conflicts and the strengthening of relationships. Performing is the stage where the team operates efficiently as a cohesive unit, concentrating on goal attainment, rather than establishing initial dynamics. Thus, the defining characteristics of the Forming stage make it the correct answer in the context of establishing ground rules and team dynamics.