Question 1

When the action of one group member creates a ripple effect on the entire group, this is an example of

Accepted Answer

A)  negative synergy. 
B)  diffusion of responsibility. 
C)  interconnectedness within a system. 
D)  group synergy. 
A)  negative synergy. 
B)  diffusion of responsibility. 
C)  interconnectedness within a system. 
D)  group synergy.

Question 2

As group size increases, which of the following typically occurs?

Accepted Answer

A)  Complexity increases 
B)  Factions develop 
C)  The number of nonparticipating members increases 
D)  All of the above 
A)  Complexity increases 
B)  Factions develop 
C)  The number of nonparticipating members increases 
D)  All of the above

Question 3

Your group has a difficult group member. He complains repeatedly, bullies group members into supporting his positions during discussions, and dominates the discussion, often interrupting other members. Your group should address this difficult individual by

Accepted Answer

A)  letting the troublemaker have his way so these initial "victories" might incline him to be less combative. 
B)  trying to change the difficult member into a likeable person. 
C)  allowing the troublemaker to voice complaints to the entire group whenever disgruntled, hoping he will "run out of steam." 
D)  confronting the difficult member about his unacceptable behavior. 
A)  letting the troublemaker have his way so these initial "victories" might incline him to be less combative. 
B)  trying to change the difficult member into a likeable person. 
C)  allowing the troublemaker to voice complaints to the entire group whenever disgruntled, hoping he will "run out of steam." 
D)  confronting the difficult member about his unacceptable behavior.

Question 4

According to "bad apple" research,

Accepted Answer

A)  bad apple members are an example of negative synergy. 
B)  those groups that had to deal with a bad apple member scored 30% to 40% lower on challenging tasks than groups with no bad apple member. 
C)  bad apple behavior is highly contagious, easily infecting other group members. 
D)  negative influence of one bad apple member is usually not great when most group members are highly talented individuals. 
A)  bad apple members are an example of negative synergy. 
B)  those groups that had to deal with a bad apple member scored 30% to 40% lower on challenging tasks than groups with no bad apple member. 
C)  bad apple behavior is highly contagious, easily infecting other group members. 
D)  negative influence of one bad apple member is usually not great when most group members are highly talented individuals.

Question 5

According to structuration theory, structures established in small groups permit throughput to occur while also constraining the process.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 6

A system is

Accepted Answer

A)  a set of relatively unrelated parts working separately to accomplish a common goal. 
B)  a set of interrelated parts working together to form a whole in the context of a changing environment. 
C)  generally composed of input, output, and throughput. 
D)  destroyed if input ceases. 
A)  a set of relatively unrelated parts working separately to accomplish a common goal. 
B)  a set of interrelated parts working together to form a whole in the context of a changing environment. 
C)  generally composed of input, output, and throughput. 
D)  destroyed if input ceases.

Question 7

Distortion of information is usually a bigger problem in small groups than it is in large organizations because large organizations have more resources to prevent such distortion.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 8

Larger groups inhibit overt disagreement more than smaller groups.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 9

A rule

Accepted Answer

A)  should always be followed in groups if a group hopes to be effective. 
B)  is a prescription that indicates what you should or shouldn't do in specific contexts. 
C)  is central to determining appropriateness of your communication. 
D)  is one way to establish a boundary in groups. 
A)  should always be followed in groups if a group hopes to be effective. 
B)  is a prescription that indicates what you should or shouldn't do in specific contexts. 
C)  is central to determining appropriateness of your communication. 
D)  is one way to establish a boundary in groups.

Question 10

Throughput in a system refers to

Accepted Answer

A)  the output of a system measured in productivity. 
B)  what all living systems must combat to survive. 
C)  the process of transforming input into output to keep the system functioning. 
D)  the structure of a system. 
A)  the output of a system measured in productivity. 
B)  what all living systems must combat to survive. 
C)  the process of transforming input into output to keep the system functioning. 
D)  the structure of a system.

Question 11

Deep diversity refers to

Accepted Answer

A)  including a high percentage of under-represented minorities as group members. 
B)  making sure there is gender equity in a group's composition. 
C)  substantial variation among group members in task-relevant skills, knowledge, abilities, beliefs, values, perspectives, and problem-solving strategies. 
D)  All of the above 
A)  including a high percentage of under-represented minorities as group members. 
B)  making sure there is gender equity in a group's composition. 
C)  substantial variation among group members in task-relevant skills, knowledge, abilities, beliefs, values, perspectives, and problem-solving strategies. 
D)  All of the above

Question 12

The ripple effect in a system is always a negative experience for group members.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 13

All systems attempt to maintain stability and to achieve a state of dynamic equilibrium by resisting change.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 14

Dynamic equilibrium

Accepted Answer

A)  is a range in which systems can manage change effectively to promote growth and success without destroying the system with too much instability. 
B)  recognizes that there is a perfect balance point between stability and change in a system. 
C)  is sustained in a system by regulating the degree, rate, and persistence of change. 
D)  All of the above 
A)  is a range in which systems can manage change effectively to promote growth and success without destroying the system with too much instability. 
B)  recognizes that there is a perfect balance point between stability and change in a system. 
C)  is sustained in a system by regulating the degree, rate, and persistence of change. 
D)  All of the above

Question 15

There are two variables that influence the "ideal" group size. They are

Accepted Answer

A)  quality of decisions and quantity of information. 
B)  quantity of information and speed of decision making. 
C)  quality and formality of decision making. 
D)  quality and speed of decision making. 
A)  quality of decisions and quantity of information. 
B)  quantity of information and speed of decision making. 
C)  quality and formality of decision making. 
D)  quality and speed of decision making.

Question 16

Setting boundaries is a critical group function.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 17

Larger groups compared to smaller groups typically have

Accepted Answer

A)  fewer isolates (non-participants). 
B)  fewer factions and members splintering off from the group's general point of view. 
C)  greater difficulty working cooperatively. 
D)  greater group satisfaction. 
A)  fewer isolates (non-participants). 
B)  fewer factions and members splintering off from the group's general point of view. 
C)  greater difficulty working cooperatively. 
D)  greater group satisfaction.

When the action of one group member creates a ripple effect on the entire group, this is an example of

As group size increases, which of the following typically occurs?

Your group has a difficult group member. He complains repeatedly, bullies group members into supporting his positions during discussions, and dominates the discussion, often interrupting other members. Your group should address this difficult individual by

According to "bad apple" research,

According to structuration theory, structures established in small groups permit throughput to occur while also constraining the process.

A system is

Distortion of information is usually a bigger problem in small groups than it is in large organizations because large organizations have more resources to prevent such distortion.

Larger groups inhibit overt disagreement more than smaller groups.

A rule

Throughput in a system refers to

Deep diversity refers to

The ripple effect in a system is always a negative experience for group members.

All systems attempt to maintain stability and to achieve a state of dynamic equilibrium by resisting change.

Dynamic equilibrium

There are two variables that influence the "ideal" group size. They are

Setting boundaries is a critical group function.

Larger groups compared to smaller groups typically have

Communication Competence in Groups

Meetings: Standard and Virtual

Group Development

Developing the Group Climate

Roles in Groups

Group Leadership

Developing Effective Teams

Defective Group Decision Making and Problem Solving

Effective Decision Making and Problem Solving

Power in Groups: A Central Dynamic

Conflict Management and Negotiation

Filters

Exam 2: Groups As Systems

When the action of one group member creates a ripple effect on the entire group, this is an example of

As group size increases, which of the following typically occurs?

Your group has a difficult group member. He complains repeatedly, bullies group members into supporting his positions during discussions, and dominates the discussion, often interrupting other members. Your group should address this difficult individual by

According to "bad apple" research,

According to structuration theory, structures established in small groups permit throughput to occur while also constraining the process.

A system is

Distortion of information is usually a bigger problem in small groups than it is in large organizations because large organizations have more resources to prevent such distortion.

Larger groups inhibit overt disagreement more than smaller groups.

A rule

Throughput in a system refers to

Deep diversity refers to

The ripple effect in a system is always a negative experience for group members.

All systems attempt to maintain stability and to achieve a state of dynamic equilibrium by resisting change.

Dynamic equilibrium

There are two variables that influence the "ideal" group size. They are

Setting boundaries is a critical group function.

Larger groups compared to smaller groups typically have

Communication Competence in Groups

Meetings: Standard and Virtual

Group Development

Developing the Group Climate

Roles in Groups

Group Leadership

Developing Effective Teams

Defective Group Decision Making and Problem Solving

Effective Decision Making and Problem Solving

Power in Groups: A Central Dynamic

Conflict Management and Negotiation

Filters