A pecking order among group members typically emerges during which stage?

• A. The stage of storming, also known as the power-control stage.
• B. The forming stage.
• C. The norming stage.
• D. The performing stage.

Answer: (A)

In group development, a pecking order tends to emerge during the storming stage, when members begin to assert themselves, challenge leadership, and negotiate who has influence. This phase is all about power dynamics and conflicts as roles and procedures are still unsettled. Forming is just about getting oriented and polite, so there isn’t yet a clear hierarchy. Norming follows, with growing cohesion and agreed-upon norms and roles, and performing comes later when the group works smoothly toward goals. So the visible ranking and control patterns appear as the group encounters disagreement and leadership questions in storming.