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Group Discussion: Skills and Techniques

Group discussion (GD) is a process where a group examines a topic in detail to reach a common goal. It helps participants understand the topic more deeply and improve critical thinking and problem solving skills. GDs test participants' teamwork, reasoning, creativity, leadership, listening skills, and other personality traits. Skills needed for an effective GD include communication, leadership, coordinating ideas, and thorough preparation. Functional behaviors include initiating discussion, sharing information and opinions, analyzing, and summarizing. GDs also assess traits like the ability to formulate problems, communicate persuasively, relate to others, think creatively, and summarize discussions. Nonverbal communication like facial expressions, gestures, and eye contact are also important.

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Selvam Edwin
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59 views18 pages

Group Discussion: Skills and Techniques

Group discussion (GD) is a process where a group examines a topic in detail to reach a common goal. It helps participants understand the topic more deeply and improve critical thinking and problem solving skills. GDs test participants' teamwork, reasoning, creativity, leadership, listening skills, and other personality traits. Skills needed for an effective GD include communication, leadership, coordinating ideas, and thorough preparation. Functional behaviors include initiating discussion, sharing information and opinions, analyzing, and summarizing. GDs also assess traits like the ability to formulate problems, communicate persuasively, relate to others, think creatively, and summarize discussions. Nonverbal communication like facial expressions, gestures, and eye contact are also important.

Uploaded by

Selvam Edwin
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

Group Discussion (GD)

Meaning
It is a process of examining or considering something in detail in a group A process of incorporating views of different team members to reach a common goal

A discussion among participants who have an agreed topic to discuss about

Purpose
Helps to understand a subject more deeply. Improves ones ability to think critically. Helps to solve a particular problem. Helps the group to make decision. Improves listening skills. Increases confidence in speaking. Can change ones attitudes. In GD, one is able to observe a number of personality traits or attitudes of the participants.

Characters tested in a GD
Team Prayer Initiative Reasoning ability Creativity Leadership quality Listening Flexibility Inspiring ability Assertiveness Awareness

Skills required in a GD
Communication skills Knowledge and ideas regarding a given subject Leadership and coordinating capabilities Exchange of thought Addressing the group as a whole Thorough preparation.

Behaviors in a GD
Functional Initiating Seeking and giving information classifying Elaborating Sharing Analyzing Evaluating Summarizing

Behaviors in a GD
Dysfunctional Being aggressive Blocking Competing Clowning Seeking sympathy Dominating Withdrawing Disagreeing beyond reason whispering

Essential Elements of GD
Initiating a discussion Possessing requisite knowledge communicating effectively Role of Body Language Maturity and mutual respect Making an impact Technique of interruption Reaching consensus.

Traits tested in a GD
Ability to formulate the problem Ability to interpret given information Ability to communicate effectively Ability to persuade others Ability to relate with others Ability to think creatively Ability to summarize a discussion

Areas to be concentrated while preparing for a GD Acquiring relevant information Creating a data bank Participating in mock group discussion Displaying Leadership qualities

Techniques to initiate a GD
Quotes Facts, figures and statistics Definition Short story Question General statement Shock statement

Non verbal communication in a GD


Facial expression (relaxed) Movements of hands (moderate) Body posture (head erect & shoulders back) Head movements (nodding of head in subtle manner) Eye contact (good eye contact) Movements and gestures (avoid unnecessary movements)

Non verbal communication in a GD


(Avoid fidgeting, yawning, tapping of feet, touching of hair, looking outside the window, narrowing of eyes, raising eye brows, fiddling with the ring, spectacles/pens, lips biting, looking at the watch frequently).

For a successful GD
Knowledge is strength. Candidate with good reading habits has some chances of success Must have power to convince effectively Clarity in speech and expression GD is a formal occasion and so avoid slang.

Language use should be simple and direct Dont interrupt a speaker Maintain rapport with fellow participants Communicate with each and every candidate present.

In Sum
Concentrate on the task Take brief notes Keep a mental record of events Demonstrate all the abilities expected Do not become excited If in doubt ask questions for clarification

In Sum
Remember the names of other members Take up the leadership role if you can manage Maintain a fair level of confidence and self discipline Wait for your turn and do not interrupt Take the opportunity to summarize the discussion

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