The data-generating part of the experience develops a common base for the discussion that follows:  

Goals include:

• To explore...

• To examine...

• To study...

• To identify...

Publishing

The question here is "What happened to me?"  

Participants share personal data about what they saw and/or how they felt during the experience.

• Feelings

• Reactions

• Observations

Processing

The question here is "What happened in general?"  

Participants systematically examine their commonly shared experience.

• Common themes

• Patterns

• Interactions

• Group dynamics

• Behavioral trends

Generalizing

The question now is "So what?"  

From the patterns identified, participants abstract:

• Inferences

• Generalizations

• Learnings

• Principles

• What tends to happen

These are stated in terms of the "real world" rather than the learning situation.

Applying

The final question is "Now what?"

Generalizations and learnings are applied to real-life situations, and change is planned.

This stage can include:

• Consulting groups

• Goal setting

• Practice sessions

• Contracting for change

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