GROUP DISCUSSION
Group discussion is commonly known as GD, as the name suggests, it is a
group activity. People are grouped in a
bunch for a common purpose:
§
share
knowledge
§
exchange
opinions
§
brainstorm
[find solutions innovative look for improvements]
§
job
selection process
It is a systematic purposeful interactive oral process. Here the members of the group share certain
common objectives.
It is
characterized by the formal and structural exchange of views on a particular
topic / issue / problem.
Importance of GD
§
GD is
used as a technique for personality assessment of candidate for job selection
or admission to professional courses.
§
GD aims at problem solving, decision making
and personality assessment
§
Group of 6 – 8 members are formed and are
given topic may be an opinion / a problem / a case.
§
Members of the selection committee closely
evaluate the different skills reflected by the candidates and those with
leadership qualities emerge as natural leader/s are normally short listed.
Characteristics of Successful
GD
a) Agreement
on group goal
b) Goal
oriented interaction
c) Agreement
on procedure
d) Co-operative
and friendly atmosphere
e) Effective
communication techniques
f) Equitable
distribution of participation
g) Shared
leadership
Areas of Evaluation in
selection GDs
a) Subject
knowledge
b) Oral
communication skills
c) Appropriateness
of language
d) Clarity of
expression
e) Non-verbal
clues
f) Leadership
qualities – initiative, analysis, objectivity
g) Team
management – adaptability, positive attitude, co-operation
A group
Discussion can be categorically divided into three different phases:
i) Initiation
/ Introduction – quotes, definition, question, short story,
general statement.
ii) Body of the GD – develop
the concept / core unit
iii) Summarization / Conclusion – emphasizing
central ideas (avoid raising new points; avoid stating only your view point
keep brief and concise)
Key Points for GD
|
1) Team spirit
|
5) Inspiring ability
|
|
2) Reasoning ability
|
6) Awareness
|
|
3) Leadership
|
7) Listening
|
|
4) Creativity
|
|
Misconceptions: A GD is intended for testing debating skills,
and as such they are expected to take control of the debate, thereby not
allowing others to voice their views and facts in support of their argument.
They also try to contradict the views of other participants, hoping they will
be noticed and appreciated.
To make a Successful GD:
Content: Fairly good knowledge of the topic and awareness of the current
situation will help prevent ideas from drying up fast and keep the GD alive and
lively. If you are unfamiliar with the topic, wait for someone else to come up
with important information and facts, then quickly formulate you stance and
come with your perspective.
Communication: The language should be simple and lucid, use the right word at the
right time that gives clarity to the GD and highlights your role in generating
ideas in the group. Not to exhaust your ideas at one go. Every time you
contribute, make your talk relevant and brief. It is necessary to listen with
great attention and react with pertinent comments.
Constant interruption while others are
speaking must be avoided. The discussion becomes meaningless if all the
participants speak at the same time. Some candidates try to interrupt and even
make fun of other participants. This strategy will adversely affect them.
No points will be lost even if a candidate
openly supports or agrees with the views of the other candidates. Valid reasons
must be given as to why you support a particular point of view. In case your
views are strongly criticized, there is no need to be upset. Criticism taken
positively will act in the candidate’s favour.
Thinking: Listen and understand the arguments of other participants and at the
same time decide what points you should raise and how.
Group behaviour: Expressing your views emphatically will be
appreciated in a GD, it is equally important that you draw the more reticent
participants into the discussion and involve them in the decision-making
process. The participant should be tactful while contradicting the views of
other participants. Blunt statements such as ‘Your arguments are baseless’, or
‘You are absolutely wrong’, are to be avoided strictly. The participant has to
disagree without sounding rude by saying things such as ‘I beg to differ’ or
‘Sorry to disagree with you’.
Types of GDs: Broadly divided into two types:
v
Concrete
and fact-oriented topics, which need factual content in combination with the
right perspective to be successful.
v
Abstract
topics where more than facts, you need interpretations and creative thinking.
Here, the perspective from which the interpretation is made and the themes you
build into them will be more significant and valuable.
Structuring
a GD
The following
language may be used in structuring a GD:
Entering a discussion: Make comments on previous contributions and
show one’s own relation to them. Change the trend of discussion by agreement,
disagreement, and amplification or by restriction.
Some Patterns of starting a discussion:
- We have
assembled here to discuss …
- We are here
today to discuss …
- Let us get
down to business …
- Let’s start
how to proceed with the discussion …
- Let’s start
off with No.1 …
- Shall we make
a start?
- Shall we set
the ball rolling?
- Can you
please give your views on?
Some patterns for
interrupting a discussion:
- Sorry to
interrupt you …
- Excuse me,
but …
- Could I make
a suggestion, please?
- Could I say
something ….?
- Sorry to
disagree with you …
- If I could
make a point here …
Some patterns of ending a discussion:
- I think that covers everything
- It is time to wind up
- Shall we close the discussion then?
Comments:
What I think is …
I feel that …
The main point I wish to
make is …
I agree up to a certain
point but …
I must disagree with your
opinion …
I would question whether …
It seems to me that …
As far as I am concerned …
I don’t agree with the
previous speaker …
Please don’t interrupt. Let
me finish
Can you wait till I finish?
I think we are moving away
from the main point.
If I may turn now to …
Turning now to …
I want to comment briefly on
…
I intend to make … points
about …
Now to elaborate on the
first point …
I strongly believe that …
With all due respect
I am not in a position to
say anything about …
If we look at it in another
light …
On the contrary …
I don’t think any one could
disagree with …
I can’t help thinking …
Can I finish please …?
Finally …
Successful
GDs
A good and successful group discussion is one where
the topic has been discussed threadbare.
v Analyse the topic word by
word. Identify the frame of reference you would be using during the discussion.
v Look at the topic from the
point of view of all the affected parties.
v Look at the topic from all
the various angles and all the possible perspectives.
v At the end of a discussion
or when you know that the discussion time is almost up, it is necessary to give
an appropriate conclusion. To do this, quickly recap the important points that
have come up during the discussion, emphasize the points on which there were
differences and where there was convergence of opinion and make the concluding
remark.
Points
to be remembered:
v Prepare well by reading and
reflecting on the topic.
v Anticipate the points of
others.
v Listen keenly and understand
the points made by others.
v Break in and make your point
without waiting to be called upon to do so, ensuring relevance to the context.
v Be loud enough to be heard
by everyone.
v Make brief remarks often
rather than giving long speeches.
v Be open minded and
conciliatory rather than dogmatic.
v Try to be group-centred
rather than self-centred.
v Avoid personal attacks and
name-calling. Accept criticism with dignity and rebut it with strong arguments.
v Back your arguments with
evidence and authority.
v Use appropriate gestures and
expressions.
v Maintain eye contact with
group members.
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