Group Dynamics

Some Techniques for Working with Groups:


A. Circular Response: Use in groups of not more than 20 people, preferably 15, seated in a circle.

a. Chairman proposes the question to be taken up. The discussion begins with the person to the right. That person has the first opportunity to express his views. Then the person at his right has a chance to talk, and so on until the discussion has gone around the circle. No member of the group can speak a second time until his turn comes again.
b. The mechanics of this technique accomplishes wonders toward remedying bad manners and monopolistic practices that mar much small group discussion. Extreme views belligerently presented are modified by the restraints imposed. The timid person speaks more freely when he knows that it is his natural right as a member of the group.
c. Other techniques of group dynamics can be used. One is to appoint a person whose function is to summarize the findings of the group at the end of the discussion. The other is to have another person, sitting with but not of the group, to act as observer. He is not concerned with the content of the discussion.


A. Discussion 66: Can be used in large audiences when an issue needs to be discussed in smaller groups.

a. The chairman of the meeting asks three persons sitting in one row to turn around and face the three persons seated immediately behind the. They form a group of six. They organize themselves by selecting their own chairman and secretary or recorder/spokesperson. The chairman’s job is then to see that each person in that group of six has a chance to express himself.
b. This is a great technique to use if the expected program speaker does not show up. The chairman can have a few questions or issues (that apply to the organization) ready to discuss in this kind of emergency. People are not disappointed because they have a chance to voice their thoughts, opinions and ideas on whatever the subject suggested.

B. Count Off: Another technique to help break a large audience into smaller discussion groups.

a. If you need 10 or 12 groups, start with the first person in the first row and ask them to say 1, then the person next to them says 2 and so on. Ask the audience to keep counting off to 10 or 12. And when the audience has completed the count down, motion to the area of the room all ‘1s’ should go to. Tell them to take their chairs with them and continue to point to the area of the auditorium that the ‘2s’ , then ‘3s’ should go to. Continue until all 10 or 12 groups are assigned a corner or space in the room.
b. Tell each group to choose a group leader and a recorder/spokesperson and begin discussion. Each group can be assigned a different topic or all groups can be discussing the same subject. The chairman will tell the groups how long they have for discussion such as one-half hour. At the end of that time, the chairman should then allow time for each spokesperson to present a summary of their group’s discussion.