GE347 Group dynamics are important to achieving a set of goals set forth by a group of individuals. Groups follow a course of cohesion and function. Research has been done to understand group dynamics. One of the most accepted models is that of Bruce Tuckman. His research shows groups follow a set path of Forming, Storming, Norming and Performing. The movie Apollo 13 gives several examples of Tuckman’s model. In this essay we will follow Jim Lovell and his steps in group dynamics through out the movie. When the movie begins you can see that there is a barbeque going on at Jim Lovell’s house. You could draw the conclusion that Jim has worked with the others before at some point. This is where the forming begins Jim invites other astronauts over to watch the first landing on the moon. All of these men have a common goal, which is going to the moon. This is also Jim’s interpersonal need to be around others who want to go to the moon as well. The next phase is the storming phase. We know that people don’t always get along in groups. One great example of this is when Jim, Fred and Ken are in the simulator running case scenarios. They are done with the last case scenario in the simulator Jim and Fred are ready to go home. Ken tells them that he wants to run it again. Jim and Fred think that they should go home and rest that they will have time another day to practice to get it perfect. Because of Jims individual goal, getting to the moon he gives into Ken’s request to do the simulations again. The storming phase is the most difficult phase because this is where groups usually fall apart. Instead of falling apart groups will enter the norming phase of the model. In the movie Fred and Jim agree to run the simulations again with Ken so that he will feel better about his place in the group. This is also an area where each member becomes clear where they belong in the group. Jim is faced with having to replace Ken with a new member when he finds out that Ken may have measles. Jim doesn’t want to replace Ken in the team because at this point they are very much in tune with each other. Jim’s role as caption of the mission he has to deliver the news to Ken. As the team goal of getting to the moon this is Jim’s job to replace him and get the rest of the group to the moon. This decision also brings the group back to the storming stage in the phases because there is conflict with Jack Swagert. For the interest of the mission Jim, and Fred work with Jack because there goal to get to the moon and back safe. This is back to the norming stage again. We are now to the performing phase in the model. At this point in the movie we are on the launch pad and strapped into the shuttle with the men. They get into space and everyone is doing their part of the job informing Huston on the every thing that is going on. Even when things start to go bad in the flight each man helps to keep the other afloat. Jack, Jim, and Fred each relaying back to Huston what their gage readings are and what is going on outside the shuttle. At one point they air running out of oxygen to breath and the CO2 is getting to high and they have to build a filter together with instructions from Huston. Each man helps get supplies and put this together. That is a great example of performing as a group. Their maybe some conflicts but their goal from the point that things started to go bad was to get home safe and alive. They each had interpersonal goals but Jim’s was getting back to his wife and kids. In conclusion, people are very impressive creatures. People can bring a lot to a group of like minded people who all have the same long term goal. It doesn’t matter what their personal reason for joining or working with this group is. The end result is usually the reason the group can over come the storming phase. At some point they enter the norming phase and just go with the position in the group which ever position that maybe. As in the case with Apollo 13 Jim was the caption of the mission but he allowed each member to function and input their best assets into the group Jack was the fight operator, and Fred as the co-pilot. This cohesion and function got these astronauts home safe.