Evolving Consensual Rules
Miller (1964) believed that participant training was so crucial to success in discussion groups that the first sessions in any series of meetings should be devoted to evolving procedural rules and codes of conduct to guide discussion in subsequent meetings. Bridges (1979) specifies epistemological underpinnings of discussion and proposes a moral culture to guide this activity. He emphasizes the values of reasonableness (openness to other arguments and perspectives), peaceableness and orderliness, truthfulness, freedom, equality, and respect for persons. It is important to evolve clear rules of conduct for the group's interaction, particularly to promote dialogue across differences (Burbules, 1993). These rules of conduct should try to ensure that minority opinions are respected, that no one is allowed to dominate the group, that silent members are not bullied into participation, that divergent viewpoints are allowed expression, and that there is no pressure to reach premature and artificial solutions to problems posed There can be time limits set on the length of any individual contribution. There can be rules set for the order in which participants can initiate new themes and respond to others already raised And there can be agreement on the importance of ensuring the confidentiality of opinions expressed within the group. rules represent the dispositions necessary to engage in democratic discussion (Brookfield & Preskill, 1999).