Group discussion

Group discussion is a method by which two or more persons meet, express or convey their ideas, clarity and bring about a solution to the commonly felt problems by their own efforts. Objectives 1. Democracy in action involves group functioning. 2. Systematic discussion among representative persons promotes the analysis of commonly felt needs. 3. We can solve many important problems or meet the needs only through group action. 4. Group discussion provides opportunity to the members of the group to exchange their experience or their points of view.

5. It promotes the habit of group thinking, group planning, group action and expression. 6. Most of the problems in many villages could be solved by group action which means that there should be organized group in the village with a group leader. 7. Organised group may not always be available in a village. Lack of organized group by itself is a challenge for the extension worker. The village group must be identified first that the public interest should be focused on a problem to mobilize the villagers to action. 8. Group discussion is a miniature democracy giving equal rights, privileges and opportunities to every members to discussing issue.

How to conduct a group discussion  identify the individual interested in a particular problem through individual contact  time, date, place and the topic should be informed  seating arrangements should be in a circular or semicircular fashion  receive the member with a welcoming smile  atmosphere of the meeting should be kept friendly and informal  group leader should be elected democratically

 At the beginning of discussion, ideas should be invited from members of the group and the problems should be defined.  should not dominate the discussion  should encourage all the persons  discussion should promote recognition of problem  The extension worker should not give the impression that his solution  discussion made the summary of the problem  Appreciate the members for their valuable contribution.  Undertake a systematic follow-up.

Application  Intensive deworming for sheep.  Disease prevention measures.  Formation and working of co-operation.

Advantages 1. Every participant shares the pride of having helped in solving the problem. 2. Helps in deciding the debatable issues. 3. Leaders, group interests and problems are discovered. 4. Group planning and group action results. 5. Fairly large numbers can be reached.

Limitations 1.Group factions in the village might hinder the effective working of the method. 2. ‘Traditional leaders’, who are not functional, come in the way of group activities. 3. Possibility of creating rivalries. 4. Difficult to avoid unconnected persons’ attendance.