Group

Discussions

SVNIT 2024
Group Communication

~ Many-to-many communication Purpose

~ Teamwork and group communication
• Share and exchange information and ideas.
~ Open organizational climate and
participative management. • Collect information or feedback.
• Arrive at a decision.
Team: Objective is set; members are
assigned specific duties to achieve a • Solve a problem.
specific goal;
• Discuss issues involving the group itself.
Group: Involved in discussing and planning
the achievement of long-term goals. • Elicit feedback upon any work undertaken.
• Depending on the purpose,
structure, and
characteristics, group
communication takes
various names such as
discussion, meeting,
conference, seminar, group
discussion, symposium,
convention, etc.
Group Discussions

https://iconscout.com/illustrations/group-discussion
Types of Group
Discussions
I. Topic-based:
a. Factual Topics

b. Controversial Topics

c. Abstract Topics

II. Case-based
 Factual Topics
• Factual topics are about practical things, which an ordinary person is aware of in his day-
to-day life – Socio-economic topics.
• Current topics, i.e., they may have been in the news lately or could be unbound by time.
• A factual topic for discussion gives a candidate a chance to prove that s/he is aware of and
sensitive to his environment.
• Examples: The education policy of India, Tourism in India, State of the aged in the nation.
Controversial Topics
• Controversial topics are the ones that are argumentative in nature.
• They are meant to generate controversy.
• In GDs where these topics are given for discussion, the noise level is
usually high, there may be tempers flying.
• The idea behind giving a topic like this is to gauge the maturity level of
the candidate who rationally and logically argues her/his point of view
without getting personal and emotional.
• Example: Reservations should be removed.
Abstract Topics
• Abstract topics are about intangible things.
• These topics are not given often for discussion, but their possibility
cannot be ruled out.
• These topics test your lateral thinking and creativity of the candidate
• Examples: A is an alphabet, Twinkle twinkle little star, The number 10
Case-based Group Discussion
• In case studies, a short description of a situation (called a "case") is given to all the participants.
• The case will typically be a problem situation that requires a solution.
• The participants must study the case, analyze the problem, and then discuss various situations to
the problem.

Example: “A software engineer is hired as a trainee by a company that specializes in hardware.

As the end of his mandatory training period approaches, his job performance is found below par,
and he is informed that he must leave the company at the end of his training period. His
immediate superior, out of kindness, writes him a recommendation letter, which may help him in
getting the next job. However, this engineer uses the letter to take the company to court and
challenges his dismissal. How should the company resolve this situation?”
Major Functions
of a Participant
and the Process

https://www.linkedin.com/posts/bhargavi-dubey-07162b294_group-discussion-gd-is-a-comprehensive-activity-7143629265073287168-T7kH/
Introducing Oneself/Others

Expressing Opinions and Ideas

Expressing Agreement/Disagreement Functions

Raising Questions

Giving and Receiving Effective Feedback

Concluding
 Speaking in Group Discussions
Discussing Problems and Solutions
Creating a Cordial and Cooperative
Atmosphere
Strategies in
Group Being Polite and Firm

Discussion Using Persuasive Strategies

Turn Taking Strategies
Effective Intervention
Reaching a Decision
• Seize the first opportunity to speak if you have a good understanding of the topic
• Listen patiently to others before reacting
• Speak clearly and raise your voice to be audible
• Be concise in your expressions. Define concepts to dispel ambiguity. Do not repeat ideas
• Avoid technical words, obsolete expressions, colloquialisms.
• Connotative words should be used with caution.
• Sound natural. Speak with enthusiasm and conviction

Speaking in Group Discussions

• To discuss problems and get to their solution, it is necessary to question

Example: Questions may be raised for various purposes, such as to get more information, to
paraphrase, to raise a doubt, to make an offer, to seek permission,

Discussing Problems and Solutions

• Ask for clarification, if necessary.
• Facilitate contribution from others.
• Avoid talking to only one or two persons
• Assume an impersonal tone. None in the group is either a friend or a foe
Example: Avoid titles such as Mr, Ms, Dr, or Prof. while introducing oneself, but use them while
introducing others

Creating a Cordial and Cooperative Atmosphere

• Agreement can be expressed easily with words such as exactly, Example:
right, yes, etc.,
• Disagreement must be expressed politely using ‘I am not so Although it is true that stopping the
sure, Do you think so?, well, it depends, etc.’, with controlled use of mobile phones may have some
body language. advantages, I do not think it is a good
idea. (strong disagreement)
• Giving Feedback:
specific, accurate, good intentions, right time While I agree that stopping the use of
• Receiving Feedback: mobile phones may have some
advantages, I feel that we should
LISTEN, Be open-minded, accept if comments are true-explain if discuss it thoroughly. (polite
not, ask the other participants’ views, appreciate the people who disagreement)
have provided feedback, don’t be judgemental

Being Polite
• Always use evidence (statistics/examples/testimonies) to justify your views.

• Establish mutual respect and win the confidence of others.

• While expressing an opinion, we can follow the ORE (opinion, reason, example) pattern as
shown in the sample below:

Using Persuasive Strategies

• Example: (move to the next slide) &
Effective intervention
X: What do you think about stopping the use of mobile phones in our college?
YOU: I think/In my opinion, it is not a good idea/I don’t think it is a good idea (O).
Y: Why ?
YOU: I feel that/My view is that mobile phones serve as the best tool to be in touch with others
in college (R).
X: Why do you want to be in touch through mobile phone when all your friends are available in
college?
YOU: Say, I am in the library and I want to ask my friend who is not with me about some
information about the contents of a book or say my parents want to contact me urgently, they
can send me a message or talk to me if I am free (E).
• Taking a turn: Being ready to speak when one finishes is taking one’s turn.
• For instance, if you respond to some member by agreeing, disagreeing, posing a query, or by
paraphrasing what was said, you are taking a turn.
• Holding the turn: There may be members in a group who do not wish to give turns to others
to speak. They may like to keep the turn to themselves and continue further. Hence, they may
suppress their verbal and non-verbal cues that are used to tell others to take their turn.
• Yielding the turn: When we give cues to indicate that we are concluding our remarks and
others can take up the discussion further, we are yielding the turn.

Turn-taking Strategies
• Thank everybody for contributing significantly to the discussion goal.
• Mention the most significant points raised by certain participants, thereby recognizing
their contribution to the decision-making process.
• Summarize the major points
Reaching a Decision
Group Discussion as a Part
of Selection Process
• Selection/elimination of candidates
• Simulated managerial setting.

Characteristics:
• Unstructured
• Leaderless
• No Examiner
• 8 to 10 participants
• 15-30 Minutes
Evaluation and Analysis

Knowledge Communication Skills

• Depth and range • Active listening

• Originality of ideas • Clarity of expression

• Common sense • Apt language – Discussion killers and

discussion ignitors
• Conceptualizing the topic
• Appropriate body language
Body Language
Every participant’s body language is
noticed – speakers’ and listeners’

• Eye contact
• Facial expressions showing interest
• Restrain emotional expressions
• Small hand gestures
• Change in posture while sitting
• Observe the non-verbal cues
Group Behavior Leadership skills

• Roles • Coordinating abilities: Group adaptability

Initiator, Informer, Illustrator, Leader, and group motivation
Coordinator, and Moderator Styles:
• Group dynamic and ability to interact Authoritative, Amiable, Democratic
• Emotional maturity and balance
• Control the “fish-market” environment
• People-centric – being considerate during a GD
 Organizational GD

Brainstorming Nominal Group Technique Delphi Technique

• Wide range of people • Participants operate • Time consuming
• No criticism individually • No physical presence
Steps: Steps: Steps:
1. Introduce topic 1. Introduce topic
2. Discuss alternatives 1. Introduce problem
2. Individually write each idea 2. 1st questionnaire solutions
3. Jot them down together
Types: 3. One after the other presents 3. Results compile and present
I. Storyboarding 4. All participants rank ideas 4. 2nd questionnaire solution
II. Lotus Blossom Technique 5. Decision: Highest ranking idea 5. Repeat 3 & 4 until final consensus
Thank You

Reference: Technical Communication by Meenakshi Raman and Sangeeta Sharma