Group Discussion Strategies

Group Problem Solving

• Group problem solving includes sticking to a pattern and managing conflict.
• Discussions should follow a sequential pattern.
• Many discussion groups follow the John Dewey pattern of "vital habits of democracy".

Stick to the Pattern

• Define the problem by understanding it, considering how it came about, and determining why it needs to be solved.
• Establish criteria for a workable solution, which includes a set of standards that the solution must meet to avoid unnecessary arguing.
• Analyze the problem by breaking it down into small pieces and recognizing that most problems have a long history.
• Suggest possible solutions by brainstorming and bombarding the problem with fresh ideas.
• Evaluate each solution and select the best one, making sure that the end options meet the criteria of the group.
• Suggest ways for testing or carrying out the solution.

Managing Conflict

• Good discussions can cause conflict, which can be used to the group's advantage for learning.
• Disruptive conflict can destroy a group by polarizing members and dividing them into competing sides that refuse to compromise.
• Disruptive conflict personalities to be aware of:
  • Nitpickers want everything spelled out
  • Eager Beavers want to offer a solution without thinking
  • Fence Sitters wait to see what key people say before taking a position
  • Wisecrackers are attention-seeking group clowns
  • Superior beings look down their noses at the whole business/class
  • Dominators talk too much and prevent others from contributing.

Contributing To a Discussion

• Groups need participation from every member, so they do not become apathetic or hostile toward ideas that are handed to them.
• Contributing as a participant means everyone has an important role to play, and the objective is to blend knowledge, information, and reasoning.
• Active listening involves being engaged, avoiding loafing, and avoiding silly or irrelevant comments.
• Preparing for discussion involves clearing your head, reminding yourself of your best skills, and being prepared to work under pressure.
• Contributing as a leader is necessary for a group to function smoothly, so designate a leader instead of letting one emerge naturally.
• A designated leader lets the group know who is responsible for settling disputes and maintaining peace and leadership, though it may change hands.
• Leaders should know how to run a meeting, the people in the group, and the issues the group will discuss.
• Getting a meeting started requires a leader/moderator to start the discussion.
• Leaders should keep discussions going by balancing participation, preventing anyone from monopolizing time, bringing in non-speakers to comment on ideas, and paraphrasing what has been said to keep things on track.
• Leaders should praise contributions and set an example, while members and leaders should avoid sending negative nonverbal signals.
• Closing the discussion requires the leader to move to the end, be alert for signs the group is ready to quit, and achieve a group consensus of nearly unanimous agreement among members.

Working Together

• Identity is gained from participating in groups, since it builds higher morale and greater productivity
• Discussion is the cooperative exchange of information, opinions, and ideas including the right attitudes and formats
• All members must be committed to listening, thinking, and reasoning with one another.
• An ideal group member is open-minded and able to interact in a cooperative rather than competitive atmosphere.
• Unlike a debate, discussions do not require defending a viewpoint, and participants can change their minds as they gain more information.
• Good listeners do not waste time making points that others already have.
• Teamwork is better than boss vs. worker arrangements for getting things done in schools and the work world.

Discussion Formats

• Panel discussions are relatively informal discussions before an audience where panelists talk directly to each other.
• Symposiums are more formal, present opposing points of view, and feature invited experts delivering short speeches.
• Town hall meetings date back to the early American colonies and may involve taking a vote to settle an issue.
• Discussion success depends upon group size, seating arrangements, and cohesion.
• Cohesion is defined as acting or uniting together.

Communication

• Communication is sending and receiving of a message to achieve understanding Examples of communication:
  • Mass Communication, Public Communication, Group Communication, Interpersonal Communication, Intrapersonal Communication

Communication Process

• Sender --> Encoding --> Channel --> Decoding --> Receiver
• Include the following components
• Sender - The individual that initiates a message
• Encoding - Transforms abstract idea into communicable message through words, symbols, pictures and sounds
• Channel - A system or method (verbal, nonverbal, or verbal/visual) that is used to communicate with people.
• Decoding - Receiver interprets the message and comes to an understanding of what the source is communicating
• Feedback - The response given by the receiver to the sender. Without Feedback, there is no communication.
• Ethics - Pertaining to right and wrong conduct.
• Ethical Communication - Choosing the right words and actions in order to respect the audience or listener
• Internal Barriers - Noise within a person's mind that distracts them from sending and receiving messages (IE: Attitude, motivation, interest, educational, background, and/or bias.
• External Barriers - Noise in the environment that distracts the sender/receiver or becomes a barrier to communication (IE: Environment, noise, or appearance.)
• Attitudinal Barriers - You don't like the content of the message
• Social Barriers - You don't get along with other individual or really know them
• Environmental Barriers - Something in the physical environment hindering communication.
• Cultural Barriers - You come from different backgrounds which can impact perspective experiences, norms, and language.
• Educational Barriers - You have different levels of education which can impact frame of reference, technical jargon, etc.

Example communication analysis

• An example depicts a student in athletics not hearing announcements due to being in sports
• Billy asks Mr. Gavigan if tripping can be considered Bullying, in person

Nonverbal Communication

• Process of conveying meaning without the use of words
• Nonverbal communication reinforces the message helping with understanding.

Nonverbal Communication Types

• Kinesics, Proxemics, Paralanguage, Haptics, Chronemics, Arifacts

Kinesics

• Body Language, Facial Expressions, Gestures, Eye Contact, Posture

Proxemics

• Use of proximity and space

Proximity Space

• Intimate = less than 18 inches.
• Personal = 1.5 to 4ft feet
• Social = 4 to 12 Feet.
• Public = More than 12 Feet

Paralanguage

• How you say words -Crisp Distinct Syllables
• Tone -Bossy
• Pitch -Monotone, sarcasm
• Inflection -Volume -Loudness or softness of voice
• Rate
  • How fast or slow you speak

Haptics

• Sense of touch -First sense to develop -Important to health & development -Babies held closely & tenderly develop into Confident Adults
• Hugging someone for 10 seconds can lower stress -Communicates status and power -Ultimate Power Pose

Chronemics

-How we perceive and use time

-Western norms -People of power keep others waiting -Time & speed Are valued

Artifacts

• Objects that express our personality -Clothing - Unforms, team shirts -Accessories - Necklaces, hats, glasses -Status, Occupation, Social awareness, Inner feelings.

Listening

• Hearing is the sense through which we are passively receiving sound. Listening is ACTIVE
• Effective listening improves the qualtly of conversations and relationships
• Brains can listen faster, tuning out and back in.
• Process - Concentration --> Interpretation --> Reaction
• Examples of Listening
  • Appreciative - Enjoy pleasurable sounds (IE: Music, Comedy shows, nature)
• Discriminative - Singling out one sound from the environment (IE: Loud cafeteria, a child's voice at playground)
  • Emphatic - Listening to encourage and identify with. (IE: Counselor, a friend failed a test) -Critical - Used to analyze evaluate a message for something (IE: Class lectures and sales)

Listening Barriers

• Common Faking Attention Distractions Interrupt Tuning Out Dumb Topics Delivery or Physical appearance Jump to Conclusions - Assumptions Yield to Distractions Overreact to Emotional Words

Improved Communication

• During conversion Involve yourself!
• Utilize Verbal "door openers" and ask questions
• Avoid grunting responses and instead use words.
• Don't feel like you have to do all/most of the talking

Improved Work place Communication

Accept Criticism Ask for Explanations Paraphrase message Summerize the message Take Notes (Phone/Paper) EARS Explore - Think ahed to MAKE CONNECTIONS Analyze - Think about the message to INTERPRET IT Review - Think About What Has Already Been Said Searh - Search for meaning in nonverbals

Explore the dynamics of group discussions, including active listening, discussion formats like panels and symposiums, and promoting teamwork. Understand the roles of participants, leaders, and the impact of communication barriers to improve group communication skills.