Final answer:
Group member involvement in proceedings ranges from passive attendance to active participation in organizing and questioning, with historical and legislative examples illustrating its breadth. Influence can impact deliberations and decisions, highlighted by considerations taken by the Supreme Court and consensus-building practices in precolonial Igbo societies.
Step-by-step explanation:
The extent to which group members are involved in proceedings can vary greatly depending on the context and structure of the group as outlined in references to diverse deliberative bodies ranging from tribal meetings to supreme courts. In legislative contexts, participation may be passive, such as just being present to participate in the hearing, or active, such as when members help to organize the panel of witnesses or reinforce questions posed by colleagues. Group participation and influence can be significant, as past research has shown that interest-group activity can affect the Supreme Court's agenda, although recent studies suggest that this influence may be waning. However, the Court still takes into consideration external influences such as public opinion and media attention.
In discussions of local governance, such as in precolonial Igbo villages, group participation was key to reaching consensus with the aim of the collective discussion to reflect various interests and perspectives. Everybody, from the nuclear family up to the town elders, had a say in decisions. This historical example highlights the importance of group discussion in civic engagement and the collective resolution of issues.