Group Discussion

INTRODUCTION

            In-group discussion, a particular number of people (approximately three to eight) meet face to face and, through interaction, develop, share and discuss ideas and their respective point of views. Group discussion is an important activity in academic, business and administrative spheres. It is a systematic and purposeful interactive oral process. Here the exchange of ideas, thoughts and feelings take place through oral communication. The participants sit facing each other almost in a semi-circle and express their views on the given topic/issue/problem.
            Group discussions are widely used in many organizations for decision-making and problem solving. They are also used widely as a personality test for evaluating several candidates simultaneously to select staff for positions of responsibility, especially in the service sector, and to select students for admission to professional institutes
           Most reputed business schools require students to participate in a GD before moving on to the final stage of the selection procedure, the interview. The preceding section on discussion familiarized us with the various functions performed by a participant during a discussion. A GD also includes all those functions, and hence the guidelines apply. When we discuss issues as a group, we need to give importance to the characteristics of group behaviour – group orientation, time-sharing, involving everyone, respecting others view points, cooperation etc.

It plays a main role in selecting the best among the best. It helps in choosing the socially suitable candidate among the academically superior achievers. It is one of the best tools to study the behavioral and attitudinal responses of the participants. Group Discussion is more a technique than a conventional test. In fact it is one of the most important and popular techniques being used in a number of personality tests.

CHARACTERISTIC OF A GROUP DISCUSSION

      Group discussion conducted for recruitment, candidates are given a topic or case for discussion. Normally group of 6-10 candidates are formed into a leaderless group and are given a specific situation to analyze and discuss within a given time limit. They may be given a case study and asked to come up with a solution or they may be given a topic and asked to discuss meaningfully upon it.

      Depending upon the infrastructure of the venue, the group is asked to sit in circular, rectangular or u-shaped arrangement. The group members either may choose their seats or may be asked to sit on specific sitting, selected by the judges. The panel, which normally consists of technical executives and human resource executives of the company, will observe and evaluate the members of the group. The rules of GD – time limit, panel’s expectations, etc. – are explained after the initial introduction of the panel to the participants.

      If the panel wishes, they may give some time to the candidates, to think over the topic. Thereafter, upon directions from the panel, the discussion starts and carries on till they signal the termination time. Each candidate is supposed to voice his/her opinion and offer supporting and counter arguments as required. Although the panel specifies an approximate time for the GD.

Having a clear objective: The participants need to know the purpose of group discussion so that they can concentrate during the discussion and contribute to achieving the group goal. An effective GD typically begins with a purpose stated by the initiator.

Motivated Interaction: When there is a good level of motivation among the members, they learn to subordinate the personal interests to the group interest and the discussions are more fruitful.

Logical Presentation: Participants decide how they will organize the presentation of individual views, how an exchange of the views will take place, and how they will reach a group consensus. If the mode of interaction is not decided, few of the members in the group may dominate the discussion and thus will make the entire process meaningless.

Cordial Atmosphere: Development of a cooperative, friendly, and cordial atmosphere avoid the confrontation between the group members.

Effective Communication skills: The success of a GD depends on an effective use of communication techniques. Like any other oral communication, clear pronunciation, simple language, right pitch are the per-requisites of a GD. Non-verbal communication has to be paid attention to since means like body language convey a lot in any communication.

Participation by all candidates: When all the members participate, the GD becomes effective. Members need to encourage each other in the GD.

Leadership Skills: Qualities like initiation, logical presentation, encouraging all the group members to participate, summarizing the discussion reflect the leadership qualities.

GROUP DISCUSSION AS A PART OF SELECTION PROCESS

      A group discussion conducted for the selection of candidates for a job or for admission to a professional institute. It is a well-formulated tool for judging the personality of candidates, their communication skills, knowledge, and their ability to work as a team.

      Group discussion is an important aspect of the recruitment process, especially for management trainees and executive positions. Employers look for candidates who have the ability to shoulder responsibility, work in a team, and provide leadership. Hence, the objective of a GD is mainly to evaluate an individual’s team playing skills. As a team leader, one would be working with people. In such a setting, an independent or isolated worker approach does not always work. We have to understand the other person’s point of view while making our point and ensure that the team as a whole reaches a solution or agreement that is both reasonable and accepted to all team members. To this end, the GD is a simulated managerial setting. Most GDs for selection purposes assess individual traits, group behaviour, and leadership qualities.

     

IMPORTANCE OF SPEAKING AND LISTENING

Speaking: -

     While interacting about your point in a GD, following points should be kept in mind:

• Be concise in your expressions. Do not repeat the ideas just because you want to speak something.
• Listen patiently to others and then react to their viewpoints.
• Seize the opportunity to speak if you have a good understanding of the topic of discussion.
• Language must be accurate.
• Do not be specific and insulting about caste, community and culture.
• Use facts and figures to justify your point.
• Avoid talking to only one or two people in the group.
• Be assertive; not aggressive
• Avoid technical terms, as listeners could be unfamiliar with them.
• Raise your point and speak out a strong point, if there is a disordered situation.
• Conclude objectively by briefly presenting the important points of the discussion and the final decision taken.
• Doubts can be solved by properly defining the concepts. In case we use a term that is not clear to the listeners (other group members), it should be immediately explained, like, ‘let me explain what I mean by honor killing’.
• Speak clearly and audibly so that everyone hears and understand.
• Ask for clarification, if necessary.
• Facilitate contribution from others.

     The language used must be accurate. Clarity and accuracy work in tandem. The choice of words must suit the discussion situation. Phrases such as the following may be regarded as inconsiderate:

      -     You sound preposterous                              

      -     We are too small for it                               -   we will be mocked at.

      -     That is ridiculous                                        -   let us propose something

These statements may put the listeners off, and their reaction might be affected.

       The other speech skill besides effective use of language is the effective delivery of message. Speech should be made with intelligibility. It is important to be accurate with our articulation, ex. With the words, ‘effect’ and ‘affect’. Listeners may misunderstand if some sounds are omitted or distorted.

        It is essential to be direct in speaking as well as in making eye contact to hold the attention of and communicate effectively with the listeners. We must also speak with enthusiasm and conviction in order to engross the listeners. Use of vocal variety would be effective because speaking without modulations might make us sound dull and indifferent.

Listening: -

     Active listening is an essential skill for a presenter. Active listening is acquired with attention and understanding ideas and facts. Apart from good communication skills a person should be a good listener also as he should know what he has in him and what others want to say so that whole set of data could be collected and told to the whole group if conclusion is desired. Such a quality can be helpful in times when you don’t have much knowledge about the provided topic and you have to perform at a place. Assembling others point and mixing your own views on it can also help in getting success sometimes.

• Listening in a group discussion helps to give new ideas.
• Good listening will avoid aggression because you know what the other person says.
• Listening helps to not jump to conclusions.
• Listening will help learn something new.
• Listening in a group motivates the environment.
• Good listening skills in a group discussion can help you notice flaws in what others speak.
• Listening will help you comprehend what the other team member speaks even if the topic is not well known.
• Listening keeps you aware and alert.
• If you listen, teammates in the group will listen to you.
• A good listener would always be accepted as a part of the group and unlike a person who always want to speak himself; a good listener has the power of accumulating points of group members.
• This quality of accumulating can also help enrich the discussion
• Also the group members may always feel that a person who listens other people should always be given chance, hence there is more probability of acceptance by the group and getting chance automatically.
• It has already been mentioned that never go for quantity of speaking and then blame the system that you were not selected. Always go for the quality of matter that you add to the discussion and the knowledge building of the group. So look how can you add value rather than waiting for more number of turns
• If everyone waits for more number of turns then only the fish market situation arises in a GD. This needs to be avoided as it has been seen that in many such cases whole group can be rejected and it affects the performance of everyone.

     One major quality of a good leader is his listening and comprehension skills. If you do not know much about a subject, and there is nothing shameful about that, listening carefully to other participants will give you enough material to form and express an opinion at a later stage in the discussion. You are not supposed to know everything about every subject.

ASSESSMENT PROCESS IN GROUP DISCUSSION

      There are some components generally evaluated or analyzed in a GD: subject knowledge, oral communication skills, group behaviour (team spirit/team management), and leadership skills, and listening skills. 
Subject Knowledge: - the depth and range of knowledge as well as analytical and organizational abilities of the candidate are judged. One should be able to grasp the situation and analyze it not just at a mundane level, but with a wide perspective. As a member of the group, one is expected to contribute substantially to the discussion. The originality of ideas, knowledge and initiative, and approach to the topic or case contribute to one’s success in the GD. Some knowledge of the topic, concerned, supported by common sense, could win us laurels. Internet is the greatest boon, which provides you with everything you are looking for. The World Wide Web is a vast database of current authentic materials that present information in multimedia form and reacts instantly to a user’s input. Once you have understood the topic or issue, you should be able to generate ideas as well as organize them so that you present it well. You will have the ability to analyze facts or information in a systematic way. A person putting forward new ideas that may work will be accepted as the natural leader of the group. The panel will observe the ideas put forward, their originality, the depth of analysis and their relevance to the topic.

   Oral Communication Skills: - if subject knowledge is important, communication skills is more important as without expression, the knowledge is of no use. As the exchange of ideas in a group, discussion takes place through speech; one of the pre-requisites of success in a GD is the ability to speak confidently and convincingly. Good communication skills include active listening, clarity of thought and expression, apt language and proper non-verbal clues. 

    Listening skills: - Listening is as important as speaking in a GD, unless you listen, you cannot contribute to the stated purpose of communication. It is extremely important to listen very carefully, only then you will be able to pick up the thread of discussion and continue. Only active participation as a listener in a group makes a person a good leader. The panel identifies a leader.

   Team Behavior: - Your group behavior is reflected in your ability to interact with the other members of the group. You must be mature enough to not lose your temper even if you are proved wrong. You must be patient and balanced. The selection panel notes the differences for participation of the members. They observe the silent spectators, the ever dominating but not contributing much, member who participates actively exhibiting his knowledge and the moderate ones. Your ability lies in analyzing the problem well and making others to endorse your view. Finally while appreciating others point of view, you should effectively present yours without contradicting other is opinions. Your ability in convincing the team is your success.

   Leadership Skills: - The success of any team depends to a larger extent on its leader. The panel evaluates a candidate’s personal skills that allow him to prove himself as a natural leader in the GD. Though there is no appointed leader in a GD, a leader emerges. A good leader should be neither very authoritative nor submissive but must be democratic. Such leaders see to it that all the members in the team participate and when there is a problem, try to deal with it amicably. Leaders should know how to deal with the ‘bull dozers’, who make noise but do not have any logic. Assertiveness, emotional stability, objectivity, self-confidence, decision-making, discretion, initiative, good communication skills, patience, persuasiveness and adaptability are some of the leadership qualities that are immensely useful in proving oneself as a natural leader in GD.

SEATING ARRANGEMENT IN GROUP DISCUSSION

The seating arrangement in the group discussion is critical to encourage effective discussion between participants. It is important to identify a venue with a flexible seating so that chairs can be arranged to create a comfortable atmosphere conductive to discussion. Group participants should always be seated in a circle, with or without a central table. A round table is preferred, as with rectangle tables there exist dominant seating positions at the table ends, while round tables eliminate the suggestion of a more prominent position.

Circular seating enables all group members to face each other, which is crucial for establishing the interactive group dynamics that are central to a focus group discussion. Group members are most likely to communicate with those seated directly across from them, so a circular seating arrangement would allow all group members equal access to each to encourage discussion. Poor seating arrangements very quickly hamper discussion.

If a participants are seated as in a classroom set-up with all group members facing forwards, than there is an expectation for the moderator to provide information to the group rather than for participants to interact in a discussion. In addition, if participants cannot see each other they will naturally direct any comments to the moderator who is in view at the front of the group, and not react directly to any other participant’s comments. In this type of seating arrangements people often drift out of the venue as their interest in the discussion wanes and they do not feel part of a group.

In some locations, it will not be possible to re-arrange the seating in the room to suit the discussion purpose. In these situations the moderator must ensure as much as possible that participants can see each other before commencing the discussion.

It is also important to reflect any cultural norms with regard to seating. For example, if it is usual practice for older people to be seated on chairs and young people to sit on mats, then it is wise to reflect these norms so that participants will feel comfortable and relaxed in the discussion. Ideally, the seating for an outdoor group can be arranged before participants arrive, by placing benches so they face each other or lying down extra mats. 

DRAFTING AN IMAGINARY GROUP DISCUSSION

   Science Is A Boon Or Bane

Samriddhi said - I think Science is boon because today's world is very dependent on science. Whatever we are today, it is all given by Science. Today our country is touching the seventh sky only because of Science in every field, like In Technology and Advancement, Astronomy, etc.

Apurva said - Science is a boon from not in all sides but also in all spheres of our life and made it Luxurious too.

Sundeep said - It is a bane because due to the misuse of technology cyber crimes are spreading all over the world.

Srk said - Its depend on humans how we use science as boon or bane. For example, nuclear energy can generate electricity or blow up a country its dependents only humans.

Nandini said - Science is a boon or a bane it depends on us.
Because if we are in favor we can say that, it plays an important role in our day-to-day life.
If we are against off that, we can say that these new inventions like LED, AC, and CARS etc. Are very harmful because this affects our eyes if kept for a long time in front of our eyes, harms the ozone layer, and pollutes the air.

Ankur said - Science is both boon and bane. It depends on humans. Of course, science has made our life easier. We can travel not only in land but air and water also. We can travel the long distance in short time.
On the other hand, Science has given us many destructive weapons like guns, rifles, nuclear bomb which can destroy the whole world in very short time.

Nitin said - In what ways science can be used is less important than what science has caused us.
Science may seem like a boon when we talk about the ease, comfort, knowledge, curiosity that science has added in our life.
But it's definitely a bane when we see all the practical potential problems that science has been adding.

More than 500000 space debris orbit the earth and are a major threat to space stations and satellites and human too.
-> Global warming caused by industrialization.
-> Natural fertility power of earth being disturbed due to toxic and poisonous fertilizers.

Effects of Television on Youth

Vasanth said - Nowadays, television is very important to the society because of many reasons. One of the most things is politics. By most of celebrities personal life and politician life exposed in public however, televisions are very useful but also effects on child and youth etc.

Pooja said - television has a big impact on human being, that might me good or bad. Bad in that sense means most of kids get distracted from their studies by watching it for a long time, At their ages, they could not control their mind, so that they easily get addicted to it. And nowadays in movies showing a lot of vulgar scenes for which people get addicted most of the time. Most of Women of the house get addicted to a serial, and they get busy every day for a particular time being for which it creates a problem between others members of the house.

Rajwant said - Television is a good and bad effect in teenager television is again knowledge of other channels like discovery news etc. Television has a lot of positive and negative effect in teenager.

Manish said - All of us know that every coin has two faces.
One is positive and another is negative.
Watching television is good but in limit of time and should watch knowledgeable channel like discovery news channels. Many channels are there.
If we are watching, useless channels by which we cannot get anything even entertainment that is very bad and it will directly affect our future.

Raj said - There will be both positive and negative effects of television.
In television channels like history, discovery, news getting the info of all over the world. Television is visualized our thinking process.
Some channels like Life OK, Sony, etc gives the reality of our nation. There would be some crime program seen on the television so the children will learn not follow them. If it would be followed so it is bad. Programmed like Savdhan India, crime petrol, etc.

Keerthi said - By watching TV, there are some advantages and disadvantages. By watching tv we gain knowledge about our surroundings. Compare to olden days children are highly addicted to TV. They are not playing games in outdoor nowadays by playing games mental ability will increase decrease the stress.
After coming from school they are addicted to watching TV.
We have to motivate them to play and reading books, novels.
Good things do not encourage easily but bad things addicted easily. We have to take only good things not bad things.

More examples of GD topics (put a person’s name before topic)

Computer result in unemployment

Favor

     -     Computer making many jobs simpler so replacing lot of manual effort, it is reducing manual effort. It is definitely resulting in unemployment.

     -     Any technology that is reducing the manual effort is resulting in unemployment.

     -      Computer making human life machine dependent so it has impacted human society.

     -     Computers are making human life mechanical. For example in past various helpline had human operators who were providing information warmly to the caller.

     -     Computer is nor smart as humans so even if it is replacing the humans it is not performing jobs better than humans.

Against

     -     In knowledge and service industry computer is necessity and a must for progress.     

     -     Computers are creating more jobs and types of jobs and have multiplier effect.

     -  Computer cannot work in isolation so, most of the time it still needs human handling so basically they are facilitating human being.

Conclusion

     -   Computers are not increasing unemployment actually. It is helping human to make complex jobs simpler.
     -  It may be reducing jobs but it is generating the similar number of jobs as well because it cannot work in isolation.

Corruption is main outcome of democracy in India

Favor

     -     Democracy provides equality to everyone, from whatsoever background and competency; it makes easier to play around loopholes in India.

     -     Democracy does not play a direct role to promote corruption but it gives power to people who are incapable and have their own aims and selfishness.

     -     In democracy a person is chosen by population. This procedure could be faulty because human being can be motivated through means of greed or fear.

     -     Democracy leads to vote politics and vote politics leads to the decisions, which are favorable to some groups of society. Such decisions and policies are not good for nations growth.

Against

     -     The risk of democracy is a systematic risk; corruption is personal equation and holds good or bad depending on an individuals and organizations personal value system.

     -     Democracy gives choice to people to select leaders. If people choose wrong leader than democracy cannot be blamed.

     -     Democracy is a beautiful system, where people choose their leader. So responsibility is on shoulder of citizens to choose a right capable leader who can take right and rational decision.

Conclusion

     -     Democracy doesn’t support corruption at all. But people themselves are greedy and selfish who are motivated for corruption.