All topics of Group Discussion can be broadly categorized into four areas:

Factual Topics of Group Discussion:

Factual topics of group discussion are about practical things, which an ordinary person is aware of in his day-to-day life. These are impersonal in nature. Typically these are socio-economic or political topics. These can be current i.e. they may have been in the news lately, or could be unbound by time. A factual topic for discussion gives a candidate a chance to prove that he is aware of and sensitive to his environment.

1. Conspiracy is a very common form of political behaviour.
2. The pros and cons of having a credit card.
3. A chain gang is a modern form of slavery.
4. Why drinking and driving is dangerous to yourself and others.
5. Passive smoking is equally harmful.
6. The economic boycott causes most of the problems in Cuba.
7. International trade barriers work.
8. City curfews help to prevent juvenile crime and to protect youth from victimization.
9. The U.N. is mainly based on diplomacy and enhancing relationships.
10. Affirmative action draws people to work they never considered before.

Controversial Topics of Group Discussion:

Controversial topics of group discussion are a subset of factual topic as they too are socio-economic or political but these are argumentative in nature. They tend to generate a controversy. While discussing these topics of group discussion, you may feel embarrassed or uncomfortable. Where these topics of Group Discussions are given, the noise level is usually high, there may be tempers flying. 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.

Examples of Controversial Topics of Group Discussions

1. Sustainable urban living without the use of excessive natural resources must be our future.
2. Are there extraterrestrials who influence events on Earth?
3. Marijuana has a medical value.
4. Direct mail is a special form of junk mail.
5. The pros and cons of a female President.
6. Online dating chats have nothing to do with a search for a soul mate.
7. Should schools distribute condoms?
8. Most people support embryonic stem cell research.
9. Life imprisonment is a good alternative to capital punishment.
10. What is wrong with child labor?

Women are Better Managers -Controversial Topics of Group Discussion

Abstract Topics of Group Discussion:

These are mostly ambiguous in nature. E.g.: You only live twice or the third eye. While discussing these topics of group discussion  you need to think laterally and ultimately link the abstract with a known fact.

Examples of Abstract Topics of Group Discussions

1. The Nostradamus Code
2. Breast Implants
3. Bribery in Business
4. Computer Viruses
5. Bigamy
6. Hidden Persuaders
7. Moral Majority
8. The Hippocratic Oath
9. Political Correctness
10. Vegetarianism

Case-based Group Discussion:

Another variation is the use of a case instead of a topic of 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 or perfect solutions. The objective is to get you to think about the situation from various angles.

Examples of Case-based Group Discussions

1. Leadership – What necessary changes are needed in your community organization and how do you want to lead the process?
2. Malpractice Insurance – Doctors walk out on the job to protest the rising malpractice insurance costs. What to do about it?
3. Work Ethics – Can we shape workers who have the sense that they serve the company ánd community?
4. School Violence – What are the real causes of violence and bullying in Schools?
5. Recycling – Sort out how to make money with recycling.
6. Dropouts – Individual attention in safe schools and smaller classes; is that the way to stop students to drop out?
7. Iraq – What are the best exit strategies?
8. Speech Privacy – What are the best technologies to safeguard the right of free speech privacy on the internet?
9. Minimum Wage – Why should we have a minimum wage or why not?
10. Burnout – Should everybody check his or herself of burnout signs? How?

As we are now aware of  categories of topics of group discussion, we should head towards the  structure of participation in a group discussion.

Originally posted 2011-02-25 19:32:52.