GROUP DISCUSSIONS

Dr. MALA PANDURANG Dr BMN College of Home Science Matunga, Mumbai

NAAC Reaccredited A Grade with CGPA 3.64/4College with Potential for Excellence

GROUP DISCUSSIONS When a group of people come together

to share and exchange information on a given subject, it is called a group discussion

G.D AS SELECTION CRITERIA An opportunity to observe and form an

opinion about a large no. of candidates in a short span of time

Opportunity to assess skills not possible to observe in a C.V

Group of 8 – 15 persons Candidates are quite free to discuss the

topic without any interference from the evaluator

No one is appointed the leader and no one is the follower

QUESTIONS THAT EVALUATORS POSE Did the candidate speak at all? What is the knowledge level? What are her analytical skills like? Was she able to provide leadership? Did she antagonise the group? Is she a team player?

Is she a good communicator? Is she a good listener? Does she respect the opinion of others? Did she speak sense? Is she able to quickly focus on crucial

issues?

QUALITIES THAT ARE EVALUATED Leadership Interpersonal skills Analytical skills Team spirit Verbal & non-verbal communication skills Problem solving skills Ability to handle people

DOs Focus attention on the given topic

Don’t speak first if you are unfamiliar with the topic. Speak at the most opportune moment

Try to speak something new which has not been said by others

earlier

Listen to others attentively so that you may express your viewpoint in favour or against a particular argument

Allow other members of the group to express themselves to their satisfaction

Try to put your case in such a way that your line of argument becomes the centre of discussion

Use dignified language at all times keep in mind the importance of non-

verbal communication

DON’Ts Do not interrupt others when they are speaking Do not go overboard with enthusiasm Do not impose yourself upon others Do not get irritated/emotional at any point of time Do not make fun of others/put others down Do not deviate from the subject given for discussion Do not feel shy to express yourself if you have an

unorthodox view Do not hesitate to disagree if you have sound

PRE-REQUISITES Knowledge Listening skills Presentation skills Ability to initiate Communication skills

KNOWLEDGE Well read and capable of expressing

views on a wide range of subjects Able to give examples to support one’s

ideas

LISTENING SKILLS

Listening makes you a better speaker Listening helps to generate ideas and

formulate thoughts Listening encourages other candidates

to express their views

BODY LANGUAGE FACIAL EXPRESSIONS EYE CONTACT SITTING POSTURE TONE OF THE VOICE

TYPES OF GROUP DISCUSSION Fact based topics : need a sound

knowledge/must have an opinion Excellent reading habits of various

socio-economic topics

INTUITIVE GROUP DISCUSSION Tests one’s ability to present thoughts

in logical manner Participants have more or less same

amount of knowledge Eg. ‘Should beauty contests be

banned’

CASE STUDY G.D. TOPICS Specialized type of technique used for

recruitment for prof. Organizations/iim entrance exams

A business situation/decision prolbem is depicted

Participants discuss and recommend course of action

Sample topics Position of women in India in 21st century Effect of cinema on youth Are studies more beneficial in India or abroad

Will the odd/even rule in Delhi for traffic work? Advantages of co-education Have values of Indian youth evolved