Chapter 7 Group Discussion

How to Contribute to a Discussion

As a member of a group discussion, you have a number of responsibilities: * Be Clear *Encourage members to react to your ideas * Offer reasons for what you say * Think before speaking

Active Listening

Every one participating in a group discussion needs to examine ideas as they are presented. Then when it is your turn to contribute, you can make a meaningful comment

Contributing as a leader

It is usually better to choose a leader than to let one naturally emerge. It allows for better organization from the start and less wasted time

Distractors

These are attention seekers. They often bring up irrelevant topics that waist time. Try to make them focus by asking them very specific questions

Skeptics

They find fault with everything you or others say. Speak with them before a meeting and make it clear that you want solutions, not continuous criticism

Monopolizers

They interrupt, repeat themselves, and ramble because they like to hear themselves talk. They shouldn't be argued with, they should be confronted

Snipers

They whisper negative comments to try to challenge your authority. Ask them to share their comments with everyone. They will usually be so embarrassed they will decline

Preparing for Discussion

Think about possible questions ahead of time, as well as possible disagreements and objections that may arise

Disruptive conflict

a conflict that divides people into competing sides, which refuse to compromise, to the point that group discussion cannot achieve decision

Discussion

a cooperative exchange of information, opinions, and ideas

Talk show

a discussion format in which a host or hosts leads a discussion on a particular topic, interview guests who have knowledge on the topic, and may allow the audience to ask questions

Symposium

a formal discussion in which several experts present, in the form of short speeches, a variety of points of view

Mock trial

a kind of discussion that imitates a court trial

Consensus

a nearly unanimous agreement among group members about a particular solution

Brainstorming

a process in which group members offer their ideas--as many as possible, as quickly as possible--to encourage creative thought and solutions

Cohesion

a quality of group discussion in which members have respect for each other, share similar values, and rely on one another for support

Criteria

a set of standards that a solution must meet

Constructive conflicts

a situation in which group members use their differences to discover the best ideas

Roundtable

a special panel discussion in which a small group of participants talk about a topic of common concern while sitting around a table, or in an open circle

Groupthink

a tendency to go along with a group, even at the cost of abandoning one's personal beliefs

Panel Discussion

an informal discussion that takes place before an audience

Managing Difficult Group Members

certain behaviors can quickly damage a group discussion

Town Hall Meeting

dates back to colonial America. The town hall is large group discussion about community issues that require attention. After discussion, a vote is usually taken to settle the issue

Cooperative

marked by a willingness of group members to work together toward a common end or goal

Competitive

marked by rivalry

Symposium

more formal than the panel discussion. The purpose of a symposium is usually to present opposing points of view. Usually a group of experts take turns delivering short speeches, and then take questions from the audience

Questions of evaluation

questions that ask group members to agree or disagree on possible solutions and to make value judgments

Questions of interpretation

questions that ask group members to give their opinions on what the information means

Questions of facts

questions that ask group members to recall information that pertains to the questions at hand

Panel Discussion

relatively informal group discussion that takes place before an audience. Panel discussions are often used to help audiences become better informed on public issues

Moderator

the person in a group who leads discussions--getting it started, keeping it on track, and bringing it to a close

Town hall meeting

traditionally, a discussion in which a group of citizens meets in a public place to discuss community problems and vote on possible solutions

Working Together

we can define discussions as a cooperative exchange of information, ideas, and opinions