Group discussion is a group interactive selection process,
which the employers use to gauge certain personality traits of prospective candidates.
Usually, the candidates will be asked to respond to the
topic within 10 to 15 minutes.
Given infinite time, everybody can speak on any topic.
But when time is limited, it calls for one’s presence of mind, mental alertness, ability to apply knowledge within the stipulated time. Group discussion elicits the views of all participants and evolves a consensus through active and intense interaction.
Consensus is the collective agreement on an issue after
successive stages of conflict, agreement, disagreement, negotiation, and reconciliation. This is done through a very intense and interactive process.
Understand that it is group discussion—NOT public
speaking or debate or interview. How do we differentiate discussion from public speaking? Group discussion involves so many people interacting with each other. In public speaking, the audience judges a speaker without competing with him. In group discussion, there are judges who assess the participants with whom the other persons are competing with equal interest. In public speaking, the speaker has already been conferred leadership by the audience. In group discussion, leaders are what the audience (or the judges) are looking for. What Qualities are assessed during Group Discussion? leadership skills team working skills communication skills reasoning ability analytical ability logical and coherent thinking adaptability and flexibility positive mental outlook decent and professional dressing/grooming sense assertive body language projection of a distinctively likeable personality. Phases in a GD Initiation/introduction The central group discussion Summarization/conclusion Roles in a Structured GD Initiator Information seeker and giver Opinion seeker/giver Clarifier Summarizer Social supporter Harmonizer or Tension reliever Energizer Attacker Dominator What to do in a GD? Speaking is important; do not sit silently. Speak freely. Do not monopolize the conversation or talk too much. Give everyone a chance to speak. Maintain eye contact with everyone in the group. Show active listening skills. What to do in a GD? Do not interrupt anyone while they are speaking. Keep the topic on track and don’t be irrelevant. Encourage someone who is silent to talk. Do not argue with anyone. Do not debate with anyone, while the group looks on. Do not repeat what has been said; be attentive; try to develop on ideas expressed or give out new ideas. Clarify your doubts and then proceed. Be brief. Do not commit grammatical errors while talking. Go Round The Circle Each student is asked to respond to the same topic and when all the students have contributed the topic is closed. Terrorism in India Methods used for idea generation The three methods / approaches are Key Word Approach (KWA) Viewpoint of Affected Parties (VAP)
Socio-cultural, Political, Economic, Legal and
Technological (SPELT) angles to the given topic. What is KWA?
In this approach, one should look at the topic word
by word. Take each key word or phrase of the topic and see what it means. It has to be clarified as to what “frame of reference” you are using. Topic: Excessive exposure of female anatomy in advertising should be banned. Excessive Exposure: What is exposure? How can excessive / adequate be defined? How does it affect the viewers? What will be the impact on various categories of viewers, say children? Advertising: Types of advertisements? What is the Purpose of advertising? What is effective advertising? When are females effective in advertisement? Ban: Is it possible to ban and implement the ban? Will the ban be effective? What was the impact of other things that were banned? Is it correct for a democratic society to ban all? Share things that some of its members dislike? What is VAP? Viewpoint of Affected Parties Consider all the people or parties who are likely to be affected by the topic viewers / readers, parents, children; the companies whose products are being advertised; advertising agencies / media TV, newspapers, magazine) who are the people involved in “exposing”. What is SPELT? Socio-cultural: Our culture and traditions; family set- up values and related issues. Political: The political will to implement an action of this nature. Economic: The adverse effect on the performance of advertising companies, advertising agencies. Legal: Is such a ban legally tenable? The affected parties are likely to take recourse to legal help. Technological: How can such a ban be implemented on media like satellite TV? Handling Abstract Topics The techniques that you can adopt to manage abstract topics are: Creativity and Lateral Thinking Linking to factual issues Ability to understand and develop: Paying close attention to other people’s points so that they can be developed further Linking abstract concepts: Connecting two concepts to form a third one and creating a new area of thought is an impressive way to take forward the discussion Funnel Approach Techniques to be used for idea generation for abstract topics: POP-BEANS BLACK People- corrupt/ dishonest people Objects- Black hole, manipulated balance sheet (commerce point) Place- Historical monuments, graveyard, South or North pole Behaviour- rude and aggressive behaviour Event- Pulawama Attack, 26/11, other tragic events Actions- Honour killing, female foeticide , Negligent behaviour Nature – environmental degradation, catastrophic events, Society- Decline in values, morals