group discussion

1. GROUP DISCUSSION
Those can’t discuss, argue
Those can’t argue, quarrel
Those can’t quarrel, fight…
Efforts by:
Sapna Gandhi

4. “The aim of an
argument or
discussion
should not be
victory, but
progress”.

5. Meaning of Group
Discussion
• Group Discussion is a
modern method of
assessing students
personality.
• It is both a technique
,an art and a
comprehensive tool to
judge the worthiness of
the student and his
appropriateness for the
job.

6. Definition of Group
Discussion
• “It is a process of examining or
considering something in detail in a
group.”
• It is a process of incorporating
(include, encompass, involve) views
of different team members to reach
a common goal.”

7. Points to know…
• The term suggests a discussion among a group of
persons.
• Normal duration of a G.D: 15 to 20 mins.
• Don't ever make the mistake of addressing the
panel members.
• The GD is between you and the other members,
not the panel members.
• You must avoid even looking at the panel members
while the GD is in progress.
• Just ignore their existence.

8. Points to know…
• Seating arrangements: Circular or semi circular
• Addressing the members in the beginning: Dear
Friends. Later: He or She.
• Selecting a leader: Not supposed to select a leader.
A leader emerges automatically.

9. • Papers allowed for writing: Depends on the
organizer.
• When the topic is not clear: Do not ask the panel
members. Wait for someone else to begin and
learn.
• Being the starter of a discussion: Only if you
know the topic well.
• Use of examples: always attracts

10. • GD is elimination or selection process: Generally
a selection process.
• Making a summary at the end: Good thing to do
as it proves your leadership qualities.
• Speaking often gives an edge over others: The
one who speaks the most is often not selected.

11. Why a Group Discussion?
( Purpose of Group Discussions)
• Group discussions are often used for
selecting candidates after the written
test for employment.
• They also provide us with an avenue to
train ourselves in various
interpersonal skills.
• Used to solve problems and
finding solutions.

12. Advantages of Group Discussion
• It helps to generate new ideas.
• It helps to understand a subject deeply.
• It improves your ability to think critically.
• It helps in solving a particular problem.
• It helps the group to make a particular
decision.
• It improves your listening skills.
• It increases your confidence in speaking.

13. Advantages of Group Discussion
• It can change your attitude.
• It gives an opportunity to hear other
person’s opinion.
• It enables a participant to put across his
view point.
• It can change your opinion and show you
things from a different perspective.

14. Contd.
• Stimulation of thinking in a new way.
• Expansion of knowledge.
• Understanding of your strengths and
weaknesses.
• Your true personality is revealed and qualities of
leadership crystallize.
• Provides chance to expose
• Language skills are improved.
•It enhances Academic
Knowledge.

15. Contd.
•Leadership skills are
adjudged.
• People handling skills.
• Team work
• General knowledge is tested and increased.

16. Types of Group Discussion
TYPES
•Structured group
discussion
•Unstructured
group discussion
•Role play
•Group discussion
with a nominated
leader

17. Structured Group Discussion
Now-a-days most of the selectors
stick to structured form of Group
Discussion.
Structured Group Discussion is a
style where topic is thrown to the
candidates by the selectors.

18. Unstructured Group Discussion
• In unstructured Group Discussion
candidates themselves have to
decide the topic with mutual consent.
• Unstructured Group Discussion
is rarely being used today.

19. Chairman type of Group Discussion
• Normally a Group Discussion is of
egalitarian (advocating equal rights for
all) nature, where all candidates are
treated equally.
• The idea is to find a natural leader in
the group.

20. Chairman type of Group
Discussion
• But in the chairman type of Group
Discussion a candidate is nominated
as the chairperson.
• The chairperson of the group can
also be elected by the members of
the group.

21. Role Play
• In this type of Group Discussion candidates are
given a problematic situation.
• Each candidate in the group is then assigned a
specific role or character to play.
• They need to solve the problem.
• For example, a situation could be given where in
a spacecraft is wrecked on the moon with nine
people ( or as many people as there are group
members ) stranded (stuck).
• All nine people are described usually by
occupation.

22. Role Play
• There is a small spacecraft available which
can carry back only one person to safety.
• Each person is assigned the role of one of
those nine stranded persons and has to
persuade the rest of the group as to why
he should be the one allowed to return to
the earth in the smaller spacecraft and act
according to their characters.

23. Types of Group Discussion
TYPES
(on the basis of
Topic)
•Controversial
topic group
discussion
•Abstract
topic group
discussion
•Opinion Seeking
Topic
•Case study
topic group
discussion

24. Controversial topic group
discussion
 Controversial topics are the ones that are
argumentative in nature. The idea behind
giving a topic like this is to see how much
maturity the candidate is displaying by
keeping his temper in check, by rationally and
logically arguing his point of view without
getting personal and emotional.

E.g. Women are better managers, Reservations
should be removed, Religion & Politics,
Existence of God and so on.

25. Abstract topic group discussion
 Abstract topics are about intangible things
and often their possibility cannot be ruled
out. These topics test your lateral thinking
and creativity. Such topics can be
interpreted in different ways by the
candidates. In such topics, the
comprehension skills and communication
skills are judged.

E.g. All that glitters is not gold, A walk
to remember etc.

26. Opinion Seeking Topic
 In such topics, candidates are asked to put
across their opinions, their point of views.
The panelists look for presentation skills
when given such topics and also your ability
to work in a team which means that your
leadership skills are also judged.

Eg: Nuclear Family or Joint Family, Love
Marriage or Arranged Marriage, Democratic or
Authoritarian and so on.

27. Case study topic group
discussion
 The case study tries to simulate a real-life
situation. Information about the situation
will be given to you and you would be asked
as a group to resolve the situation. In the
case study there are no incorrect answers or
perfect solutions.
 The objective in the case study is to get
you to think about the situation from
various angles.

28. Prerequisites of a Group
Discussion
• Topic given by panelists
• Planning and preparation
• Knowledge with self-confidence
• Communication skills/ power of
speech
• Presentation
• Body Language and personal
appearance
• Be calm and cool

29. Contd.
• Extensive knowledge related to
state, country and globe.
• Areas are politics, sports, science &
trade commerce, Industry and
Technology, MNC, etc.
• Analyze the social, economical issues
logistically .
• Listening skills
• Co-operation

30. Evaluation during
Group
Discussion
• Interpersonal skills
• Problem solving skills
• Communication skills
• Leadership skills
• Persuasive skills

31. •Interpersonal skills
▶Ability to remain cool
▶Ability to remain objective
▶Ability to be a team player
▶Emotional maturity
•Problem solving skills
➢Creativity
➢Ability to come up with
divergent and innovative solution

32. •Communication Skills
➢Listening Skills
➢Fluency
➢Language
➢Phonetic Ability
➢Overall Impression
• Persuasive skills
➢Ability to persuade others
without hurting them.

33. • Leadership skills
▶Initiative
▶Team spirit
▶Decision Making
▶Overall Impression

34. •Personality
• Appearance
• Temperament
• Posture and Gesture
• Mental state
• Knowledge
• Depth
• Analytical ability
• Organization of ideas

35. Salient features of G.D
• Topic may be given to judge your public
speaking talent.
• Discussion revolves around a specific
subject.
• The observer does not interfere once he
announces the topic.
• Maintain cordiality and free expression
of thought and opinion.

36. Important points in group
discussion
• Be assertive: An assertive person is direct,
honest, careful about not hurting others
‘self-respect’.
• A patient listener: listening to another
person is one way of showing appreciation.
• Right language : Words can make friends
& right words at the right time give the
best results.

37. Important points in group
discussion
• Be analytical and fact-oriented : It is
necessary to make relevant points which
can be supported with facts and analyzed
logically.

38. Accept criticism
• If any member of the group criticizes or
disapproves a point, it is unwise to get
upset or react sharply.
• In case the criticism is flimsy
(unsubstantial), the same can be
pointed out politely.
• Maximize participation ; one must
try to contribute fully, vigorously
(energetically ) & steadily throughout
the discussion.

39. Accept criticism
• Show leadership ability: A group
discussion also evaluates your
leadership qualities.
• Accept someone's point of view
• Praise the argument
• Express your argument with few facts,
cases, newspapers publications etc.
• Express without hurting others
feelings.

40. • Suggestions
• Never try to bluff (pretend to have
knowledge).
• Practice group discussion with friends on
different subjects.

41. Body Language in Group
discussion
• Your attire should be formal and
professional.
• Do not wear flashy and bright colors, too
much of jewelry or heavy make-up.
• Be natural. Do not put on an accent or try
to pose what you are not.
• While sitting on the chair do not slouch.
• Maintain a straight and comfortable
position.

42. Body Language in Group
discussion
• Avoid crossing arms as well as legs while
seated.
• Avoid distracting habits like biting nails,
clicking pens, etc.
• Avoid aggressive and dominating gestures
like pointing fingers at fellow participants,
raising the voice, etc.
• Understand the difference between
assertive and aggressive behavior.

43. Contd.
• Do not stare at anybody.
• Maintain soft eye contact with as many
people as you can.
• Do not look down or up while speaking.
• Do not be conscious of the evaluators, if
any.
• Forget that you are being evaluated,
otherwise this will make you conscious of
your actions and will adversely affect your
behavior.

44. Aggressive Body language
• Sharp, angular gestures – making gestures that are not smooth,
for example chopping hands, banging one fist against an open
hand, finger-pointing or waving fists
• Space invading – getting too close to someone else
• Eyeballing – intense eye contact or staring
• Frowning – clenching the eyes together and tightening the lips

45. Assertive Body Language
• Stand straight, steady, and directly face the people to whom
you are speaking while maintaining eye contact.
• Speak in a clear, steady voice –loud enough for the people to
whom you are speaking to hear you.
• Speak fluently, without hesitation, and with assurance and
confidence

46. Conclusion
• Conclusion is as important as introduction.
• In some cases, the facilitator asks non
speaker to conclude.
• Make sure you remember all important
points discussed.

47. Topics of Importance frequently
discussed
• Is India Shining
• Mobile phones / Internet – a boon or
nuisance (annoying, or vexatious)
• Students focusing on software industry-
good or bad
• Child marriage
• India 2025
• Daughters are more caring than sons
• Influence of western culture in Indian
Universities
• Influence of computers in medical sciences

48. Some Do’s
• Listen to the subject carefully
• Put down your thoughts on a paper
• Initiate the discussion if you know the
subject well
• Listen to others if you don’t know the
subject
• Support your point with some facts and
figures
• Make short contribution of 25-30 seconds
3-4 times

49. Some Do’s
• Give others a chance to speak
• Speak politely and pleasantly.
• Respect contribution from other members.
• Disagree politely and agree with what is
right.
• Summarize the discussion if the group has
not reached a conclusion.

50. Some Don’ts
• Initiate the discussion if you do not have sufficient
knowledge about the given topic.
 Over speak, intervene and snatch other’s chance to speak.
 Argue and shout during the GD
 Look at the evaluators or a particular group
member
 Talk irrelevant things and distract the discussion
 Pose negative body gestures like touching the nose, leaning
back on the chair, knocking the table with a pen etc.

51. Some Dont’s
• Mention erratic statistics (Lacking consistency or
uniformity).
• Display low self confidence with shaky voice and
trembling hands.
• Try to dominate the discussion
• Put others in an embarrassing situation by asking
them to speak if they don’t want.