In the early stages of group development, when members bring different images of what the group will be like, this phenomenon is resolved through?

• A. Group cohesion
• B. Leadership
• C. Better screening
• D. Critical incidents

Answer: (A)

When a group is just forming, members bring different images of what it will be like, and these divergent expectations are reconciled through group cohesion. Cohesion is that growing sense of belonging and commitment that emerges as members interact, share experiences, and establish norms and shared goals. As trust builds and roles become clearer, individual visions begin to align, reducing ambiguity and conflict and turning competing pictures into a common reality. Leadership can guide this process, helping to shape norms and facilitate bonding, but the unifying force is the developing cohesion. While screening can prevent incompatible members from joining and critical incidents can reveal issues, they don’t actively knit together those initial images the way cohesion does.