Question 1

Rationalization of disconfirmation means

Accepted Answer

A)  we invent superficial alternative explanations for information that confirms our beliefs. 
B)  we invent superficial alternative explanations for information that disconfirms our beliefs. 
C)  we have a psychological predisposition to seek information that confirms our beliefs. 
D)  None of the above 
A)  we invent superficial alternative explanations for information that confirms our beliefs. 
B)  we invent superficial alternative explanations for information that disconfirms our beliefs. 
C)  we have a psychological predisposition to seek information that confirms our beliefs. 
D)  None of the above B

Question 2

Groups should avoid the tendency to make inferences.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False  False

Question 3

Several group members believe in the power of Therapeutic Touch. They see a program on the Discovery channel that shows examples of TT in action. They are now even more convinced than ever that TT heals people. Another program on PBS, however, announces that it will show TT is a fraudulent, worthless therapy. Group members refuse to watch this program because it casts doubt on their belief in TT. This is an example of

Accepted Answer

A)  rationalization of disconfirmation. 
B)  false dichotomy. 
C)  group polarization. 
D)  confirmation bias. 
A)  rationalization of disconfirmation. 
B)  false dichotomy. 
C)  group polarization. 
D)  confirmation bias. D

Question 4

When groups become more risk-taking or cautious after discussion has occurred than the initial preferences of group members would indicate, this is called group

Accepted Answer

A)  synergy. 
B)  cohesiveness. 
C)  productivity. 
D)  polarization. 
A)  synergy. 
B)  cohesiveness. 
C)  productivity. 
D)  polarization.

Question 5

Information underload is usually a problem of too much opening in a system.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 6

You can combat false dichotomies in your group by

Accepted Answer

A)  employing the language of provisionalism (qualification). 
B)  seeking confirming information and evidence. 
C)  vigorously presenting disconfirming evidence to the group. 
D)  being suspicious of absolute statements. 
A)  employing the language of provisionalism (qualification). 
B)  seeking confirming information and evidence. 
C)  vigorously presenting disconfirming evidence to the group. 
D)  being suspicious of absolute statements.

Question 7

As communication technologies become ever more widespread and sophisticated, the problem of information overload should begin to diminish in importance.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 8

All dichotomies are false.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 9

Dialectical inquiry is

Accepted Answer

A)  one method of preventing groupthink. 
B)  a process in which a single group member challenges an emerging agreement on a controversial issue. 
C)  a process in which one member raises questions in a nonaggressive manner regarding potential problems such as false dichotomies and confirmation bias. 
D)  None of the above 
A)  one method of preventing groupthink. 
B)  a process in which a single group member challenges an emerging agreement on a controversial issue. 
C)  a process in which one member raises questions in a nonaggressive manner regarding potential problems such as false dichotomies and confirmation bias. 
D)  None of the above

Question 10

Pattern recognition is potentially the most effective means of coping with information overload.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 11

The group polarization effect can be explained by

Accepted Answer

A)  social comparison theory. 
B)  persuasive argumentation. 
C)  excessive cohesiveness effect. 
D)  diffusion of responsibility hypothesis. 
A)  social comparison theory. 
B)  persuasive argumentation. 
C)  excessive cohesiveness effect. 
D)  diffusion of responsibility hypothesis.

Question 12

Making inferences is a serious problem for group decision making, so group members should be discouraged from making inferences.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 13

Because of the risky shift phenomenon, groups in all cultures tend to polarize toward risk rather than caution.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 14

Playing devil's advocate is one effective means of combating confirmation bias.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 15

You want to prevent groupthink from becoming a problem in your group. To do this you should

Accepted Answer

A)  increase the group members' sense of invulnerability to disaster. 
B)  increase status differences among group members. 
C)  seek information that supports an emerging agreement among members. 
D)  develop a norm in the group that legitimizes disagreement. 
A)  increase the group members' sense of invulnerability to disaster. 
B)  increase status differences among group members. 
C)  seek information that supports an emerging agreement among members. 
D)  develop a norm in the group that legitimizes disagreement.

Question 16

Groupthink can be most effectively addressed by discouraging dissent in a group so the group can get its work accomplished in an efficient manner.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 17

Groupthink is a process whereby

Accepted Answer

A)  group members get together and think up solutions to problems. 
B)  excessive cohesiveness discourages dissent in the group. 
C)  group members fear that the decisions made by the group will produce disastrous results. 
D)  group members exhibit serious concerns about the morality of their decisions. 
A)  group members get together and think up solutions to problems. 
B)  excessive cohesiveness discourages dissent in the group. 
C)  group members fear that the decisions made by the group will produce disastrous results. 
D)  group members exhibit serious concerns about the morality of their decisions.

Question 18

"A station KBNR call-in survey found that 66% of the 1,200 callers opposed raising property taxes to finance school budget deficits." This is an unrepresentative sample.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 19

Collective inferential error is a group's tendency to

Accepted Answer

A)  make inferences when engaging in decision making and problem solving. 
B)  resist making inferences during group discussion. 
C)  make inferences based on too much information. 
D)  make inferences based on very limited and faulty information. 
A)  make inferences when engaging in decision making and problem solving. 
B)  resist making inferences during group discussion. 
C)  make inferences based on too much information. 
D)  make inferences based on very limited and faulty information.

Question 20

Groups consistently take greater risks than do individuals.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Rationalization of disconfirmation means

Groups should avoid the tendency to make inferences.

When groups become more risk-taking or cautious after discussion has occurred than the initial preferences of group members would indicate, this is called group

Information underload is usually a problem of too much opening in a system.

You can combat false dichotomies in your group by

As communication technologies become ever more widespread and sophisticated, the problem of information overload should begin to diminish in importance.

All dichotomies are false.

Dialectical inquiry is

Pattern recognition is potentially the most effective means of coping with information overload.

The group polarization effect can be explained by

Making inferences is a serious problem for group decision making, so group members should be discouraged from making inferences.

Because of the risky shift phenomenon, groups in all cultures tend to polarize toward risk rather than caution.

Playing devil's advocate is one effective means of combating confirmation bias.

You want to prevent groupthink from becoming a problem in your group. To do this you should

Groupthink can be most effectively addressed by discouraging dissent in a group so the group can get its work accomplished in an efficient manner.

Groupthink is a process whereby

"A station KBNR call-in survey found that 66% of the 1,200 callers opposed raising property taxes to finance school budget deficits." This is an unrepresentative sample.

Collective inferential error is a group's tendency to

Groups consistently take greater risks than do individuals.

Communication Competence in Groups

Groups As Systems

Meetings: Standard and Virtual

Group Development

Developing the Group Climate

Roles in Groups

Group Leadership

Developing Effective Teams

Effective Decision Making and Problem Solving

Power in Groups: A Central Dynamic

Conflict Management and Negotiation

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Exam 9: Defective Group Decision Making and Problem Solving

Rationalization of disconfirmation means

Groups should avoid the tendency to make inferences.

When groups become more risk-taking or cautious after discussion has occurred than the initial preferences of group members would indicate, this is called group

Information underload is usually a problem of too much opening in a system.

You can combat false dichotomies in your group by

As communication technologies become ever more widespread and sophisticated, the problem of information overload should begin to diminish in importance.

All dichotomies are false.

Dialectical inquiry is

Pattern recognition is potentially the most effective means of coping with information overload.

The group polarization effect can be explained by

Making inferences is a serious problem for group decision making, so group members should be discouraged from making inferences.

Because of the risky shift phenomenon, groups in all cultures tend to polarize toward risk rather than caution.

Playing devil's advocate is one effective means of combating confirmation bias.

You want to prevent groupthink from becoming a problem in your group. To do this you should

Groupthink can be most effectively addressed by discouraging dissent in a group so the group can get its work accomplished in an efficient manner.

Groupthink is a process whereby

"A station KBNR call-in survey found that 66% of the 1,200 callers opposed raising property taxes to finance school budget deficits." This is an unrepresentative sample.

Collective inferential error is a group's tendency to

Groups consistently take greater risks than do individuals.

Communication Competence in Groups

Groups As Systems

Meetings: Standard and Virtual

Group Development

Developing the Group Climate

Roles in Groups

Group Leadership

Developing Effective Teams

Effective Decision Making and Problem Solving

Power in Groups: A Central Dynamic

Conflict Management and Negotiation

Filters