Chapter 5 – Group Discussion

 

Group Discussion – Interpersonal communication involving three or more people with a common purpose;  the meeting of three or more people to solve a common problem, arrive at a decision, or answer a question of mutual interest.

 

            You must have cooperation and an open mind to have an effective group discussion.

 

Types of Group Discussion

Discussion Groups can be classified two ways

            1 – By their purpose

            2 – By their audience

Groups classified by purpose usually meet for one of two reasons.

1 – Decision-Making – A type of discussion which members meet with the specific purpose of reaching a judgment or conclusion.

2 – Enlightenment – A type of discussion in which members meet to share information.

Two ways to classify groups by audience

1 – Closed Group Discussion – The members of the group communicate only with each other.

2 – Public Discussion – When the group is also communicating with listeners outside of the group.

 

Forms of Discussion Groups

1 – Committee – A small subgroup of a larger organization, which has been given a specific task or set of tasks to perform.

2 – Round-Table-Discussion – A closed group session in which information sharing or enlightenment of those taking part is usually the object

3 – Panel – A group that discusses a topic in front of an audience.

4 – Symposium – A series of short, uninterrupted public speeches often given by a panel of experts. Not a true group discussion.

5 – Panel-Forum – A panel which is open to questions or comments from the audience.

6 – Symposium-Forum – A symposium which is open to questions or comments from the audience.

 

Factors Affecting Group Discussion

1 – Group Size – Must be at least 3 but can not be too large, each person must have an opportunity to participate.  Should be an odd number.

2 – Physical Environment – Noise, visual distractions, temperature.

3 – Seating Arrangement – Group members should be able to make eye contact with each other.

4 – Time – Group members should be alert; should not be just before lunch or at the end of the day.  Schedule breaks during long meetings.

5 – Personal Goals of Group Members – May be a barrier to group goals (Power plays, Tagging along)

             Cohesiveness – The group should be unified and dedicated to the group and the group goals.

 

Preparing to Participate in a Group

1 – Choose a Topic – Should be interesting, significant and manageable.

 

2 – Decide what type of questions to discuss

            Groups usually discuss one of three types of questions.

                        1 – Questions of Fact

                        2 – Questions of Value – Good or bad

3 – Questions of Policy – the most common and complex type of discussion question;  Often includes the word “Should”

3 – Word the Question Carefully – The question should be clear, concise, and neutral

4 – Prepare an Outline – Helps structure and guide a group discussion, Don’t be too rigid.

               Ex. (Three general phases of an outline)

I.                   Analysis of the Situation

II.                Comparison of Possible Solutions

III.             Agreement and disagreement about the best solution or action to be taken.

5 – Research the Topic – Be prepared to support your position.

 

Leading a Group

Syntality – the personality of the group as a whole.

Leadership Roles – Can take place a the beginning, regulating, or ending of the discussion.

1 – Beginning the Discussion – The group must be introduced, the topic must be introduced, background information should be given.

2 – Regulating Communication – The leader should encourage participation from all group members and maintain balance of participation.

Should keep the discussion moving toward the groups goals, should save ideas, keep track of time

3 – Concluding the Discussion – Leader should summarize the discussion and allow each member a final say

Forms of Leadership

            1 – Appointed Leader

            2 – Emergent Leadership – Let the leaders emerge on their own.

 

Outcomes of Discussion

1 – Enlightenment Discussion – The outcome should be new information which is learned.

2 – Decision-Making Group – A decision can be made in one of three ways

                        1 – Consensus – All members agree.  (Be careful it is not a false consensus)

                        2 – Compromise

                        3 – Majority Vote

 

Alternatives to Group Discussion

Brainstorming – Rapidly throwing out ideas without evaluation.

Nominal Technique – Write down ideas – Write down ideas – take one from each group member – list them and then vote to rank the ideas, the top idea wins.