The
Breakfast Club
Group
dynamics consist of Purpose-Structure-Time
- Purpose:
To not grow up to be their parents
- Structure:
Working Group
- Time:
Eight-hour Saturday detention
Forming: Each student’s behavior is driven
by the need of acceptance. For example, when Bender gives Brian a nasty look
for making walrus sounds Brian immediately stops. An additional broad example
is when they each cover for Bender when the principle walks in or picks him
out. They also actively judge each other when they first meet. The students do
this by asking what each other did to get in detention, what clubs they are in
etc. An additional idea in forming is gathering. This is seen when they all
avoid conflict even if they are being sarcastic. For instance, when the
principle asks them all to raise their hands they all do.
Storming Phase:
Throughout The
Breakfast Club, the group of students seems to be in a constant state of
storming. They challenge each other, and contest ideas and beliefs of other
group members. For example, Bender confronts the other members in the group.
There are important issues that emerge in their confrontations. Their different
backgrounds drive their differences in opinion. The social circles they come
from influence their actions in this new and informal, group setting. Whereas
the princess, Clair, and the jock, Andy, see and discuss themselves as being
“well-liked” by everyone, the brain, Brian, talks about not even liking
himself. These differing views of self-worth contribute to the constant storming
the group encounters. Even when they reach levels of norming, they consistently
fall back into patterns of storming.
Norming: The roles of the group are clear.
When Andrew and Bender are in an altercations Claire makes fun of them. For
instance, when Bender mocks Claire and her lipstick the others call him out and
tell him it is unfair. Also in the development of this section they group
begins to appreciate each other. For example, when Brian is ashamed about being
a virgin Claire is compassionate because she can relate. This also shows that
they are each feeling more comfortable about talking about subjects such as sex
and family dynamics. The theme of acceptance is also seen when they spill the
contents of their purses and wallets, while smoking together, This is when they
learn more about each other. Also, the group begins to work together with the whistling,
raising hands, following Benders directions especially after he sacrifices
himself to save the group.
Performing: When
the group finally moves into the “stage of equilibrium” it is one of the most
identifying aspects of the “Performing” stage. All members of the group are
forced to finally come together and discuss their ideas, their backgrounds, and
their stories, in the hopes of successfully finishing their essay, and making
the most of their unpleasant detention together. While they are initially
unable to even speak to one another, they are now able to talk about their
darkest and innermost thoughts. This is the true beginning of a “longterm
relationship” in the performing stage. The things the characters choose to
share are beyond what is needed for the 1,000 word essay. Now, they are sharing
things about themselves in the hopes of becoming closer as individuals, and
even as friends. In that sense, I believe they finally began working towards a
common purpose, and not just a functional relationship. Originally, I believed
that the common purpose would be finishing the essay that was assigned to them,
and not causing anymore trouble in the library. By the end of the movie, and
after the initial phases of the group development model, the common purpose is
a desire to understand one another, and think outside of themselves.
Adjourning Phase: The Breakfast Club will not be meeting more
than once so they as a group must dissolve at the end. The unique part is that
they are similar to an ad hoc committee in the fact that they discussed what
would happen during and after their termination. Claire and Andy will go back
to being popular and making fun of Brian and Alison, and the other four will
continue to ignore Bender and treat him as a criminal. Due to the groups
negative conflict approach, only reaching the understanding level of
intercultural processes, and never truly leaving the storming part of group
development the group must adjourn without reaching or achieving their goal or
purpose.
Group Roles: At the adjourning phase of TBC, their group roles are
clearly defined.
Brian-Mediator, Info Seeker, Clarifier
- Asks
questions, why? Do they know?
- “Guys
lets all calm down”
- Clarifies
the group purpose to Mr. Vernon at the end of the film in the essay
- Tries
to keep the peace between the group members
- Attempts to resolve conflict between others
altercations
·
He expresses his interest in maintaining the friendships when
school begins
o
He is shot down
Alison-Encourager, Summarizer
- Does
not speak and followers the others for the first hour of the movie
- Summarizes
what everyone has said in order to remind them of what they said
- Acts
as a catalyst for change within the group
- Ex: Weird behavior, humor, positive thinking
- Submissive,
influential
- Remains on the outside and looks in
Bender-Opinion Giver, Blocker, DOMINATOR
- Voices
his opinions on everything from family life, to personalities to
socialization of teens
- Promotes
self indulging ideas
- Discloses hardships and lifestyle claiming these as
factors that make him superior
·
Persona of hostility, avoidant, and fearful
·
Engages others in confrontation
Claire-Encourager, Opinion Seeker
- Seeks
the opinions of others before she makes decisions
- Encourages
others to join, includes others in the conversations and conflicts
- Makes
other members feel worth while
- Has
a constant need of acceptance
- Affirms
others feelings
Andy-Gatekeeper, DOMINATOR
- Invites
the opinions of others, makes sure both sides of the story are heard by
all
- Fights
for dominance and control of the group
- Expressive
about his mental an physical toughness both on and off the wrestling mat
- Displays
very limited signs of weakness
TBC
scores Negative
on the
Riddle Scale of Attitudes Towards Differences
- Repulsion
- Pity
- Tolerance
- Acceptance
TBC
only reaches the understanding level on the Hoopes Intercultural Learning Process
Communication
Styles:
- Aggressive:
Bender, Andy, Claire, Mr. Vernor
- Assertive:
Alison
- Unassertive:
Brian
TBC
exhibits both the advantages and liabilities of conflict however throughout the
course of their existence as a group they tend to function on the liabilities
side of conflict and have a hard time benefiting from it.