A card based exercise designed to improve participants communication skills. It emphasises the difficulties involved in establishing accurate communication between individuals with different orientations. The subject matter, the sentencing policy to be used for crimes against the state, allows for the disclosure and discussion of personal values within the group.

The exercise is designed for groups of 6-12 members and comes complete with enough cards for two groups.

It needs between 45 and 90 minutes including discussion time.

Objective

To examine why communication often fails and discuss ways in which successful communication can be fostered.

The exercise will:

• demonstrate common causes of communication failure;
• improve the communicative skills of participants;
• show the importance of a good communicative climate;
• demonstrate the full significance of feedback.

How it works

The tutor introduces the exercise and either appoints or asks for a volunteer to take the role of the Lord Chief Justice.  The first of three sets of cards, which describe five 'offences' against the independent Republic of X-Land, are given to the Lord Chief Justice. The Lord Chief Justice must then develop and communicate a policy for punishment of the crimes - subject to the restriction that the punishment has to be a fine, within certain set limits.  After the Lord Chief Justice's explanation the group are given a new set of cards and determine (individually) the sentences required.  Comparison of the sentences imposed by the Lord Chief Justice and his/her deputies shows how good or poor the communicative process was.

What participants will be doing

Formulating their attitudes to a number of mini cases involving a 'crime'.  Listening as one of their number expounds his views about the relevant seriousness of these crimes.  Seeking to apply the value system suggested by that member to a new set of cases.

For what levels is it appropriate?

All those who wish to improve/review their communicative abilities. Those who want to study the communicative process in depth.

Included

Tutor manual; Sentencing cards; Post exercise discussion questionnaire and all supporting documentation.