Page 349 - Effective group discussion theory and practice by Adams, Katherine H. Brilhart, John K. Galanes, Gloria J

332 Chapter 12

TABLE 12.7
Discussion Participant’s name ________________________________________________
participant Instructions: Circle the number that best reflects your evaluation of the discussant’s
evaluation scale participation on each scale.

Superior Poor

1 2 3 4 5 1. Was prepared and informed.
1 2 3 4 5 2. Contributions were brief and clear.
1 2 3 4 5 3. Comments relevant and well timed.
1 2 3 4 5 4. Spoke distinctly and audibly to all.
1 2 3 4 5 5. Willingness to communicate.
1 2 3 4 5 6. Frequency of participation [if poor, too
low( ) or high( )].
1 2 3 4 5 7. Nonverbal responses were clear and
constant.
1 2 3 4 5 8. Listened to understand and follow
discussion.
1 2 3 4 5 9. Open-mindedness.
1 2 3 4 5 10. Cooperative, team orientation.
1 2 3 4 5 1 1. Helped keep discussion organized,
followed outline.
1 2 3 4 5 12. Contributed to evaluation of information
and ideas.
1 2 3 4 5 13. Respectful and tactful with others.
1 2 3 4 5 14. Encouraged others to participate.
1 2 3 4 5 15. Overall rating as participant.
Comments: Evaluator ___________________________

doing and how they are actually coming across can be very different. One young
woman perceived herself as being good at spotting potential problems with the group’s
plans; her group members dreaded working with her because she disagreed with
everything—she didn’t know when to turn it off. The participant reaction forms gave
her an alternative “reading” of her behavior, which she was able to modify. The partic-
ipant rating form in Table 12.7 has a similar purpose but is more comprehensive. The
rating form in Table 12.8 is designed to evaluate the leader. Originally devised for
rating Air Force personnel as discussion leaders, it has been modified substantially
over the years and is quite thorough.
The rating forms discussed thus far look at the individual behaviors of members
and leaders, but sometimes group members want to assess the performance of the
group as a whole. Members can assess any aspect of a group and its discussion: group
climate, norms, interpersonal relationships, speaking, listening, problem-solving

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