GROUP DISCUSSION

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GROUP
DISCUSSIONS
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GROUP DISCUSSION
As in a football game, where you play like a
team, passing the ball to each team member and
aim for a common goal, GD is also based on team
work, incorporating views of different team
members to reach a common goal.

• Thinking power, Verbal facility,
  Individuality, Leadership skills

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THE OBSERVER NOTES

• General awareness
• grasp of the subject
• range of ideas
• logic and quality of views
• breadth of outlook

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• Power of expression
• ability to put forth views with logic and
  command over language

• Social adaptability
• ability to draw appreciation
• understanding others point of view
• accepting criticism gracefully
• not monopolizing the discussion

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• Impact on the group
• intelligent coordination of the views of
  others convinces the group

• Participation
• the quality and extent of participation

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TYPES OF GDS

• Normal a topic is given by the
  co-ordinator
• Case study a printed case study is given
• Role play a situation is described

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SELECTING A TOPIC

• General all members should be able to
  speak

• Interesting motivates everyone

• Topical relevant to todays situation

• Possible at least two points of views
  to discuss emerge

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CHOOSING A LEADER

• One possible approach

• the group discusses the role of a leader
• the qualities of a leader are highlighted
• interested participants convince the others
• the group selects the most appropriate
  candidate

• Avoid random voting and arbitrary methods

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ROLE OF THE LEADER

• Initiate the discussion
• Ensure that the GD is proceeding in the
  right direction

• Contribute by bringing up a new relevant
  aspect so as to add value to discussion
• Encourage group participation

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• Maintain decorum during the discussion
• Summarize and conclude if possible

• Avoid falling into the trap of leader
  being just a scrutinizer

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BEGINNING A GD

• Beginning can put you into jeopardy or
  command

• The opening speaker gets the maximum
  uninterrupted time

• The dangers
• may be marked as a person who speaks
  without thinking
• may also be marked as a person who leads
  the group in the wrong direction

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• Therefore.
• Speak only if you have enough sensible
  things to say

CONCLUDING A GD

• Summarize the discussion at the end

• Accommodate dissenting viewpoints

• Do not force a consensus. It will backfire
  you

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PROBLEMS YOU COULD HAVE

• Dominant individuals
• Passive and shy individuals
• Losing the Plot
• Personalizing Disagreements
• False or Controversial Information

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POSITIVE MAINTAINANCE ROLES

•   Social Supporter 'We're coming up with some
  good ideas here.
• Harmoniser 'Jane and Tsen have looked at the
  issue from opposing points of view. Let's see if
  we can take something from both points of view.
• Tension Reliever 'This is a valid angle on the
  issue.' discussion's really dynamic. It's good
  that we have so many different viewpionts

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POSITIVE MAINTAINANCE ROLES

•   Energiser 'Hey, the point that Ahmed made has
  really got me thinking. Let's explore his idea
  some more.
• Compromiser 'Half the group supports Jane's view
  and half supports Tsen's. Now we need to
  formulate a compromise that we can all live
  with.
• Gatekeeper 'How do you feel about the issue,
  Greg? Your contribution here would be really
  valuable.'

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POSITIVE TASK ROLES

• Initiator 'Let's take a local
  perspective on environmental responsibility.
  Maybe a fast-food outlet?
• Information seeker 'Does anyone know
  what hospitals does with its garbage? Does it
  recycle?
• Information giver They won a local
  government award last year for running an
  environmentally friendly operation.'
• Procedure facilitator 'I'll write this
  down to keep track of our discussion.'

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POSITIVE TASK ROLES contd.

• Opinion seeker 'Do you think they're
  really responsible or is it just a bit of good
  PR?
• Opinion giver 'I think it's a
  combination of the two, but at least they're
  taking the issue seriously.
• Clarifier 'We need to get hold of xyz
  annual report to get a better picture of what
  they're doing.
• Summariser 'O.K. We're taking a local
  perspective, using as our example, and we'll
  have a look at last year's annual report to see
  in what way they practiced environmental
  responsibility.'

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ROLES TO BE AVOIDED

• Disgruntled non-participant someone who
  does not contribute and whose presence inhibits
  the participation of other group members.
• Attacker someone who acts aggressively by
  expressing disapproval of other members and their
  contributions to the discussion.
• Dominator someone who takes control of the
  discussion by talking too much, interrupting
  other members, or behaving in a patronising way.
• Clown someone who 'shows off', refuses to
  take the discussion seriously, or disrupts it
  with inappropriate humour.

• Disgruntled non-participant
• Attacker
• Dominator
• Clown

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HOW TO JUMP IN A GD?

• Disgruntled non-participant someone who
  does not contribute and whose presence inhibits
  the participation of other group members.
• Attacker someone who acts aggressively by
  expressing disapproval of other members and their
  contributions to the discussion.
• Dominator someone who takes control of the
  discussion by talking too much, interrupting
  other members, or behaving in a patronising way.
• Clown someone who 'shows off', refuses to
  take the discussion seriously, or disrupts it
  with inappropriate humour.

• Keep an eye on the intensity
• wait for the lows and time the
  interjection in

• Jump only when the speaker has finished
  making his point
• dont wait too long or you will lose the
  opportunity

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• Disgruntled non-participant someone who
  does not contribute and whose presence inhibits
  the participation of other group members.
• Attacker someone who acts aggressively by
  expressing disapproval of other members and their
  contributions to the discussion.
• Dominator someone who takes control of the
  discussion by talking too much, interrupting
  other members, or behaving in a patronising way.
• Clown someone who 'shows off', refuses to
  take the discussion seriously, or disrupts it
  with inappropriate humour.

• Jump in an agreeable manner
• start by supporting a point that has just
  been made

• Jump by raising your voice
• be as loud as the situation demands
• combine it with other tools
• use it as the last resort

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DOS

• Be determined to do well

• Listen carefully to the instruction of the
  panel

• Lend ears to others who make genuine
  contribution

• KISS! Keep it short and sweet

• Always add value to discussion

• Intervene positively to put GD on track

• Conclude periodically

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• Adhere to the principles of politeness

• Substantiate and give reasons for your
  contentions

• Give facts and figures but dont overdo it

• Have a clear-cut view

• Be deliberate and slow in delivering your
  points

• Be assertive not aggressive

• Make eye contact while speaking

• Be sincere

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DONTS

• Interrupt unnecessarily

• Try to monopolize the GD

• Adapt a negative stance

• Speak loudly

• Address the panel

• Flay your hands

• Speak in turns

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DONTS contd.

• Talk too fast

• Be too conscious of your body language

• Over praise people

• Adapt a casual look

• Get excited

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HOW TO RUIN YOUR GD ?

• Start shouting right from the beginning

• Make aggressive and threatening gestures a
  fist can be helpful

• Keep changing your stand continuously

• Always contradict what others have to say

• Maintain a sardonic smile on your face

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• Ask other members of the group to shut up

• Use your pet slangs

• Laugh loudly and heartily

• Point out the errors of others and make
  fun of them

• Keep yawning from time to time. Maintain a
  blank look on your face