Question 1

Which of the following is NOT true about potential factors identified by Shaw as influencing group decisions?

Accepted Answer

A)  Various leadership styles will emerge as groups develop and discuss issues. 
B)  The sex composition of the group has an impact on the decision-making process. 
C)  The cultural background of members has little influence on decisions that are made by groups. 
D)  The intelligence of group members will influence the decisions that are made. 
A)  Various leadership styles will emerge as groups develop and discuss issues. 
B)  The sex composition of the group has an impact on the decision-making process. 
C)  The cultural background of members has little influence on decisions that are made by groups. 
D)  The intelligence of group members will influence the decisions that are made. C

Question 2

Reflect on a group experience you have had. Come to a conclusion about whether you think Groupthink occurred, identifying the relevant concepts from the theory. If so, what do you think contributed to it, and what (if anything) was done to overcome it? What was the outcome? If you do not believe Groupthink occurred, explain why you think the group was successful in averting it.

Accepted Answer

Reflecting on a group experience I had, I can recall a project team I was a part of during my time in college. We were tasked with developing a marketing campaign for a local non-profit organization. As we worked on the project, I noticed that there were times when the group seemed to be in agreement without thoroughly considering all options or potential risks. This led me to believe that Groupthink may have occurred within our team.

The relevant concepts from the theory of Groupthink include the illusion of invulnerability, collective rationalization, and the belief in inherent morality. I observed these concepts in our group as we seemed overly confident in our ideas, dismissed potential negative outcomes, and believed that our intentions were always good.

I believe that several factors contributed to the occurrence of Groupthink in our group. Firstly, there was a strong desire for harmony within the team, which led to a reluctance to express dissenting opinions. Additionally, the lack of diverse perspectives and the pressure to conform to the group's dominant ideas also played a role in fostering Groupthink.

To overcome Groupthink, I made an effort to encourage open and honest discussions within the group. I also suggested seeking input from individuals outside of our team to gain different perspectives. By doing so, we were able to identify potential flaws in our initial ideas and make necessary adjustments to our marketing campaign.

The outcome of our efforts to overcome Groupthink was positive. By considering alternative viewpoints and addressing potential risks, we were able to develop a more comprehensive and effective marketing campaign for the non-profit organization. Our project received positive feedback and achieved the desired results, demonstrating the importance of avoiding Groupthink in group decision-making processes.

Question 3

_________ refers to the similarity among group members.

Accepted Answer

A)  Hegemony 
B)  Heterogeneity 
C)  Homophily 
D)  Homogeneity 
A)  Hegemony 
B)  Heterogeneity 
C)  Homophily 
D)  Homogeneity D

Question 4

With which communication tradition is Groupthink most closely associated?

Accepted Answer

A)  semiotic 
B)  socio-cultural 
C)  rhetorical 
D)  socio-psychological 
A)  semiotic 
B)  socio-cultural 
C)  rhetorical 
D)  socio-psychological

Question 5

Groupthink is associated with both the small group and organizational contexts.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 6

The act of not voicing one's own opposing views and of utilizing in-group rhetoric to bolster the decision of the group is known as

Accepted Answer

A)  self-censorship 
B)  collective rationalization 
C)  promoting out-group stereotypes 
D)  developing an illusion of invulnerability 
A)  self-censorship 
B)  collective rationalization 
C)  promoting out-group stereotypes 
D)  developing an illusion of invulnerability

Question 7

All of the following are recommendations provided by Hart for reducing groupthink EXCEPT

Accepted Answer

A)  balance consensus and majority rule 
B)  discourage whistle-blowing 
C)  require oversight and control of groups 
D)  allow for objections by group members 
A)  balance consensus and majority rule 
B)  discourage whistle-blowing 
C)  require oversight and control of groups 
D)  allow for objections by group members

Question 8

One of Janis's suggestions for avoiding Groupthink or its negative consequences is to have a contingency plan for failed recommendations or suggestions.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 9

The fact that group members must continue to understand the many alternatives available to them and be able to distinguish among them, as well as not only understand the task at hand but also the people who provide input on that task, illustrates which assumption of Groupthink?

Accepted Answer

A)  Groups and group decision-making are frequently complex. 
B)  Conditions in groups promote high levels of knowledge. 
C)  Group problem-solving is primarily a unified process. 
D)  Factors such as the age and cultural background of members have relatively little impact on the decision-making process. 
A)  Groups and group decision-making are frequently complex. 
B)  Conditions in groups promote high levels of knowledge. 
C)  Group problem-solving is primarily a unified process. 
D)  Factors such as the age and cultural background of members have relatively little impact on the decision-making process.

Question 10

As a member of a task team at work, Faith really feels her group has been on a roll. The group's final report has been welcomed enthusiastically by supervisors, they were all given a small bonus for their efforts, and the group members feel a renewed sense of commitment to their company. If the group was assigned a new task, they may be prone to which principle of groupthink?

Accepted Answer

A)  illusion of invulnerability 
B)  lack of impartial leadership 
C)  self-censorship 
D)  collective rationalization 
A)  illusion of invulnerability 
B)  lack of impartial leadership 
C)  self-censorship 
D)  collective rationalization

Question 11

All of the following are assumptions that guide Groupthink Theory EXCEPT

Accepted Answer

A)  Group problem solving is primarily a unified process. 
B)  Decision-making processes are frequently complex. 
C)  Conditions in groups promote high cohesiveness. 
D)  Groups work in ways that discourage homogeneity. 
A)  Group problem solving is primarily a unified process. 
B)  Decision-making processes are frequently complex. 
C)  Conditions in groups promote high cohesiveness. 
D)  Groups work in ways that discourage homogeneity.

Question 12

Janis's research on group dynamics, which led to the development of Groupthink Theory, resulted primarily from his investigation and analyses of

Accepted Answer

A)  foreign policy decisions 
B)  corporate takeovers 
C)  assessments of student work groups in classrooms 
D)  hospital administrative meetings 
A)  foreign policy decisions 
B)  corporate takeovers 
C)  assessments of student work groups in classrooms 
D)  hospital administrative meetings

Question 13

All of the following are suggestions related to engaging in vigilant decision making EXCEPT

Accepted Answer

A)  looking at the range of objectives group members wish to achieve 
B)  avoiding previously rejected action plans when choosing a plan 
C)  developing and reviewing action plans and alternatives 
D)  having a contingency plan for failed suggestions 
A)  looking at the range of objectives group members wish to achieve 
B)  avoiding previously rejected action plans when choosing a plan 
C)  developing and reviewing action plans and alternatives 
D)  having a contingency plan for failed suggestions

Question 14

Groupthink has been criticized because it has not withstood the test of time.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 15

All of the following are antecedent conditions to groupthink EXCEPT

Accepted Answer

A)  members' ability to step into the role of group leader at a given time 
B)  stressful internal and external characteristics of the situation 
C)  high cohesiveness among group members 
D)  lack of decision-making procedures established within the group 
A)  members' ability to step into the role of group leader at a given time 
B)  stressful internal and external characteristics of the situation 
C)  high cohesiveness among group members 
D)  lack of decision-making procedures established within the group

Question 16

Discuss the advantages and disadvantages associated with having a high level of cohesiveness among members of a group.

Accepted Answer

High levels of cohesiveness among member

Question 17

Identify and explain the assumptions of Groupthink presented by the authors.

Accepted Answer

Groupthink is a psychological phenomenon

Question 18

_________ is/are used to refer to the notion that group members withhold their input in meetings rather than stating their opinions and risking rejection.

Accepted Answer

A)  Communication apprehension 
B)  Group phobia 
C)  Affiliative constraints 
D)  Policy constraints 
A)  Communication apprehension 
B)  Group phobia 
C)  Affiliative constraints 
D)  Policy constraints

Question 19

Groupthink has been criticized because it has not been applied to political contexts.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 20

All of the following are specific structural faults that may put a group at high risk for Groupthink EXCEPT

Accepted Answer

A)  insulation of the group 
B)  lack of impartial leadership 
C)  lack of decision-making procedures 
D)  illusion of unanimity 
A)  insulation of the group 
B)  lack of impartial leadership 
C)  lack of decision-making procedures 
D)  illusion of unanimity

Exam 14: Groupthink

Which of the following is NOT true about potential factors identified by Shaw as influencing group decisions?

_________ refers to the similarity among group members.

With which communication tradition is Groupthink most closely associated?

Groupthink is associated with both the small group and organizational contexts.

The act of not voicing one's own opposing views and of utilizing in-group rhetoric to bolster the decision of the group is known as

All of the following are recommendations provided by Hart for reducing groupthink EXCEPT

One of Janis's suggestions for avoiding Groupthink or its negative consequences is to have a contingency plan for failed recommendations or suggestions.

The fact that group members must continue to understand the many alternatives available to them and be able to distinguish among them, as well as not only understand the task at hand but also the people who provide input on that task, illustrates which assumption of Groupthink?

All of the following are assumptions that guide Groupthink Theory EXCEPT

Janis's research on group dynamics, which led to the development of Groupthink Theory, resulted primarily from his investigation and analyses of

All of the following are suggestions related to engaging in vigilant decision making EXCEPT

Groupthink has been criticized because it has not withstood the test of time.

All of the following are antecedent conditions to groupthink EXCEPT

Discuss the advantages and disadvantages associated with having a high level of cohesiveness among members of a group.

Identify and explain the assumptions of Groupthink presented by the authors.

_________ is/are used to refer to the notion that group members withhold their input in meetings rather than stating their opinions and risking rejection.

Groupthink has been criticized because it has not been applied to political contexts.

All of the following are specific structural faults that may put a group at high risk for Groupthink EXCEPT

Thinking About Communication: Definitions, Models, and Ethics

Thinking About the Field: Traditions and Contexts

Thinking About Theory and Research

Symbolic Interaction Theory

Coordinated Management of Meaning

Cognitive Dissonance Theory

Expectancy Violations Theory

Uncertainty Reduction Theory

Social Exchange Theory

Social Penetration Theory

Relational Dialectics Theory

Communication Privacy Management Theory

Social Information Processing

Structuration Theory

Organizational Culture Theory

Organizational Information Theory

The Rhetoric

Dramatism

The Narrative Paradigm

Agenda Setting Theory

Spiral of Silence Theory

Uses and Gratifications Theory

Cultivation Theory

Cultural Studies

Media Ecology Theory

Face-Negotiation Theory

Communication Accommodation Theory

Muted Group Theory

Feminist Standpoint Theory

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