Chapter 6 Group Discussion

Working Together Makes Sense

• A discussion is a cooperative exchange of information, opinions, or ideas.

• Competitive discussions are in an atmosphere that can cause division among members in a group because they see each other as rivals.

• Cooperative discussions are in an atmosphere that encourages members to work together toward a common goal.

• #1IC- Group discussion is a good way to solve problems because it brings all sides of a problem to the surface for consideration, it allows us to talk each other out of our biases, and people support an idea that they helped to create.

Working Together Makes Sense

• #10IC- Groups can complete the following tasks:

– 1. A group can help us overcome our reluctance to ask for help.

– 2. It helps us overcome misunderstanding and pools resources for better problem solving.

Working Together Makes Sense

• #25B- A good group member is open-minded and can interact with fellow group members in a cooperative rather than competitive way.

• #1T/F- Business has discovered that teamwork increases productivity.

• #2T/F- Group discussions should have a goal.

• #3T/F- Discussion is a good problem-solving tool.

• #4T/F- People should be encouraged to change their minds as they hear other ideas during a group discussion.

• #5T/F- People who like to “go with the flow” do not do well at group discussions because they avoid taking responsibility in making the group as successful as possible.

• #26B- Discussions are held back by people who avoid taking responsibility.

Discussion Formats

• A panel discussion is a relatively informal discussion that takes place before an audience with three or four people in the panel facing the audience. The panelists usually talk directly to each other.

• A forum may follow the panel discussion so that panel members can invite questions and comments from the audience.

• A round table discussion is commonly used in business and industry. 3 to 8 members sit in a circular pattern and talk about a common concern.

• A symposium presents opposing points of view by inviting experts to deliver short speeches on a particular subject. Each speaker faces the audience, and the audience usually asks questions after all speeches.

• A town hall meeting is a large assembly that discusses problems. A vote is sometimes held afterwards.

Factors for Success

• #27B- We can improve a discussion’s chances for success by paying attention to two physical factors- the size of the group and how group members are seated and one psychological factor, group cohesion.

• #6T/F- Research indicates that 5 to 7 members is the best size for a group.

• #28B- Groups of 4 or fewer are too small, because they lack the diversity needed to give the discussion some spark.

• #7T/F- Every person will talk if the group is small enough.

• #8T/F- Groups of more than seven are often too big.

Factors for Success

• #9T/F- Quiet people find it hard to talk in large groups.

• #29B- Many large groups delegate work to small groups called committees.

• #9IC- The size of a group affects the group’s effectiveness in the following ways:

– 1. Groups that are too small lack diversity.

– 2. Groups that are too big lack participation.

Factors for Success

• #2IC- Seating can affect a discussion’s outcome in several ways. If someone takes a central position, that person will dominate the discussion. If a group sits in a circle, everyone is equal. Members who sit too close have more stress.

• #30B- If a group sits in a circle, all participants can look at one another, helping talk flow freely.

• #31B- Space between people is important because confinement produces stress.

• #10T/F- People seated in a circle feel more satisfied with their contributions to a group.

Factors for Success

• Cohesion occurs in a group when members respect each other, share some common values, and look to each other for support.

• #11T/F- In a noncohesive group, people are more concerned with personal goals.

Group Problem Solving• #12T/F- Good discussions have a logical, sequential pattern.

• The first step to solve a problem is to define the problem.

• #3IC- A group defines a problem by considering how the problem originated and why it needs to be solved, establishing criteria, and limiting the objective to focus on a specific problem.

• #33B- Most groups should select a recorder who will write down important ideas and other major decisions.

• The second step is to establish criteria, or a set of standards the solution must meet.

• #4IC- A group needs criteria so that unnecessary arguing can be avoided.

• #32B-A group that fails to meet its objectives, members may lose interest.

Group Problem Solving• The third step is to analyze the problem.

• #34B- To analyze the problem, break it down into small pieces for closer inspection.

• #35B- Analyzing a problem is sometimes called fact-finding.

• #36B- Learning the background of a problem can help us gain insights into why people react to the problem the way they do.

Group Problem Solving

• The fourth step is to suggest possible solutions.

• #37B- One of the best ways to create solutions is called brainstorming.

• Brainstorming is bombarding the problem with fresh ideas or solutions.

• #13T/F- It is not all right to reject an idea during a brainstorming session.

• #14T/F- Brainstorming sessions are not a good time to decide on practical solutions.

• The fifth step is to evaluate each solution.

• #38B- The best solution is the one that most clearly fits the criteria.

• The final step is to suggest ways to test the solution.

Self-help Groups

• #39B- Self-help groups exist for a great variety of personal problems.

• #15T/F- People who join self-help groups may be better off, emotionally and physically, than those who face their problems alone.

Managing Conflict

• #16T/F- A good discussion does not avoid conflict.

• #40B- Only when we entertain conflicting ideas can we understand how complex most problems really are.

• #41B- Discussion is not worth the trouble unless a genuine problem is at stake.

• #5IC- Conflict can play a positive role in a discussion because constructive conflict allows members to use differences to find the best ideas.

Managing Conflict

• Some group members are disruptive to discussions.

• #42B- Nitpickers want everything spelled out and will argue until they get what they want.

• #43B- Eager beavers want to offer a solution whether or not they have given any thought.

• #44B- Fence sitters don’t dare take a position until they’re sure what the “key people” will say.

• #45B- Wisecrackers are the group clowns, people who seek attention.

• #46B- Superior beings look down their noses at the whole business of the group.

• #47B- Dominators don’t know when to stop talking.

How to Contribute to a Discussion

• #48B- A group can only be as effective as its weakest member.

• If people don’t contribute, the group’s effectiveness declines.

• #6IC- The five ways to present your ideas to a group are

– 1. Be clear and simple,

– 2. Encourage others to respond to you,

– 3. Be interesting,

– 4. Offer reasons to what you say,

– 5. Think before speaking.

• #17T/F- People are more likely to support a decision they helped to shape.

• #49B- Everyone who participates in a discussion must also be an active listener.

How to Contribute to a Discussion

• #18T/F- Advance preparation will help a discussion go more smoothly.

• #50B- A discussion leader should pay the greatest attention to matters of procedure.

• #51B- A leader becomes a mediator to whom participants can turn when disagreements threaten to get out of control.

• #52B- A leader, who is first and foremost a moderator, must get the discussion started, keep it moving, and bring it to a close.

• #53B- Good leaders strive for balanced participation.

• #19T/F- The leader of a group does not have to be the person who knows more about the issue than anyone else.

• #20T/F- A leader should not ask evaluative questions at the beginning of a discussion.

How to Contribute to a Discussion

• #21T/F- Leaders should draw out timid people by asking them direct questions.

• #22T/F- Timid people are more likely to comment on an idea already under discussion.

• #24T/F- A group should choose a leader and not let the leader emerge naturally.

• #54B- If several speakers try to speak at once, preference should be given to the one who has spoken less.

• #55B- Leaders should provide occasional paraphrases of what someone has said.

• #56B- Leaders should provide frequent summaries of what the group has accomplished so far.

How to Contribute to a Discussion

• #7IC- The roles and responsibilities of a leader are

– 1. Knowing how to run a meeting,

– 2. Knowing the members of the group,

– 3. Knowing the issue

– 4. Providing encouragement to all group members,

– 5. Bringing the group to a consensus.

Getting a Meeting Started

• One way to start a meeting is by asking a question.

• Questions of fact ask group members to recall information that involves the problem. (ex: How many tardies did we have this week?)

• Questions of interpretation ask members to give their opinions on what the information means. (ex: How can we reduce the number of tardies?)

• Questions of evaluation ask members to agree or disagree with the possible solutions and to make value judgments. (ex: Is this new tardy plan good for our school?)

Getting a Meeting Started

• Good interpretive questions are the best way to start a meeting.

• #8IC- Good interpretive questions contain the following qualities

– 1. They contain doubt.

– 2. They can be answered.

– 3. They are likely to interest the group.

Closing a Meeting

• Consensus means a nearly unanimous agreement among the group’s members about a particular solution.

• Group think is the desire to go along with the group and abandoning their own personal beliefs.

• #23T/F- You should never give up an opinion even if it means a group can reach a consensus.