Deck 6: Communication and Group Culture: Tensions, Fantasy, Socialization, Norms, and Climate

Question 1

Sometimes high-status group members are given a little leeway to bend the rules. This is called_____________.

Answer 1

idiosyncracy credit

Question 2

Secondary tensions result from ______________.

Answer 2

members perceive problems differently and disagree about goals, the means for achieving them, the criteria they use to evaluate ideas.

Question 3

The content of a fantasy is called the

A) fantasy culture.
B) none of these.
C) fantasy theme.
D) fantasy chain.
E) fantasy lesson.

Answer 3

fantasy theme.

Question 4

Symptoms of __________________ tension include extreme politeness, apparent boredom, yawning and sighing, lots of long pauses, and tentative statements uttered in soft tones.

A) secondary
B) group
C) none of these
D) primary
E) interpersonal

Question 5

Competing for high-status positions and influence in decisions is an example of secondary tension.

Question 6

Bormannn believed that all humans are storytelling creatures who create and share meaning through talk. He called this ___________________ theory.

Question 7

Secondary tension is work-related tension that results from

A) the differences of opinion among members regarding communication throughout the environment.
B) the differences of opinion among members as they seek to accomplishing their task.
C) None of these answers are correct.
D) the differences among members regarding how to establish leadership.
E) All of these answers are correct.

Question 8

"Members have worked out a comfortable fit with each other" is which phase of group socialization?

A) Exit phase
B) Antecedent phase
C) Encounter phase
D) Anticipatory phase
E) Assimilation phase

Question 9

Group members often seem to be unaware of norms governing their behaviors as members.

Question 10

Poole and DeSanctis conclude that when using group decision support systems that the technology itself is designed so members in a group can give their ideas and opinions anonymously.

Question 11

List and explain two types of member behaviors that are good evidence that a norm exists.

Question 12

Cohesiveness is a group-level (as opposed to individual-level) characteristic.

Question 13

Although there may be unpleasant consequences for group members who do not follow the group's rules, there is no law. What assumption of structuration theory is this an example of?

A) Group creation is a process; the group creates itself initially and also continuously re-creates itself, changing in incremental ways, always in a state of becoming.
B) People can choose whether or not to follow the rules of the group.
C) The behavior of group members is constrained by such things as the general rules of the society in which they live, the structures of the particular group in which they find themselves, and the behavior of the other members.
D) All of these answers are correct.
E) None of these answers are correct.

Question 14

______________ is the term often used to represent planned activities designed to increase a group's cohesiveness and performance.

Question 15

A member who is extremely attractive holds what type of status?

A) earned status
B) ascribed status

Question 16

Which pattern of behaviors occurs during initial primary tension?

A) low attendance, apathy, and failure to arrive at group decisions
B) a lot of leaning forward, animated gesturing, and imitating each other's postures
C) none of these
D) exceptional politeness, long pauses, and yawning and sighing
E) fidgeting, disagreeing, and loud voices

Question 17

Fantasy chains are a means by which a group can develop values, norms, and other features of its culture.

Question 18

The head of an influential bank holds what type of status?

A) earned status
B) ascribed status

Question 19

"Member and group norms are negotiated" is which phase of group socialization?

A) Exit phase
B) Anticipatory phase
C) Assimilation phase
D) Encounter phase
E) Antecedent phase

Question 20

A statement not pertaining to the here and now of the group that offers a creative and meaningful interpretation of events and meets a group's psychological or rhetorical need is an example of

A) a fantasy theme.
B) all of these.
C) a fantasy chain.
D) groupspeak.
E) a fantasy.

Question 21

If primary tension is not managed effectively, groups may become stuck in patterns of over-politeness, formality, and hesitancy to disagree, which can impair their ability to think critically when they need to.

Question 22

What theory explains how the structures of computer technology get used during small group decision-making when group decision support systems are used?

A) communications theory
B) adaptive structuration theory
C) structuration theory
D) systems theory
E) all of these

Question 23

"Group culture" refers to

A) one type of tangible outputs from groups.
B) the processes groups manifest while doing their work.
C) communication and its contexts as components of group life.
D) a combination of how a group functions and the personalities of the members.
E) values, beliefs, and norms shared by members of a group.

Question 24

List and briefly explain as many of the techniques for increasing cohesiveness mentioned in Effective Group Discussion as you can recall.

Question 25

Someone who is more likely to be given "idiosyncrasy credit" to break rules holds what type of status?

A) earned status
B) ascribed status

Question 26

When you think a norm that is hurting the output of a group to which you were recently appointed, Effective Group Discussion recommends that you

A) observe, describe the norm and its effects, and ask if other members want to change it.
B) wait until everyone discovers, as you have, that this is a harmful norm and then suggest changing it.
C) ignore it, for it will soon be changed as the group continues its development through time.
D) leave the group and find one in which you feel compatible with the norms and procedures.
E) accept it, since there is almost nothing a newcomer can do to change a continuing group's norms.

Question 27

Tension is normal when members disagree about what solution to adopt or propose.

Question 28

Fantasies perform functions for small groups. What are the functions?

A) Fantasies help a group deal with threatening or difficult information that members might feel reluctant to address directly.
B) Fantasies can be entertaining and fun for the group.
C) Fantasies help direct a group's actions by subtly endorsing or condemning particular courses of action.
D) Fantasies help the members create the group's unique identity.
E) All of these answers are correct.

Question 29

The best way to treat extended periods of secondary tension in a small group is to

A) stick to the agenda of topics and issues rather than talking about how members feel.
B) use formal rules to control the tension-producing conflict.
C) vote to settle the tension-producing issue.
D) openly discuss what is producing the tension, the feelings, and what to do.
E) engage in a fantasy chain to reduce the tension.

Question 30

"Right now I'm leaning toward option A, but I'd like to know what you all think" is what form of communication?

A) Supportive Communication
B) Defensive Communication

Question 31

"Don't you think it would be better if…" is what form of communication?

A) Defensive Communication
B) Supportive Communication

Question 32

The pattern of values, beliefs, and norms shared by group members and that shape a group's individual "personality" is called

A) primary tension.
B) group culture.
C) structuration.
D) adaptive structuration.
E) group development.

Question 33

Fantasies have heroes and villains, plot lines, and a well-developed ethical structure that gives moral or psychological guidance to a group. What is this called?

A) fantasy
B) idiosyncracy credit
C) fantasy theme
D) equal status
E) fantasy chain

Question 34

__________________ structuration theory shows how the rules and resources of computer technology get used during small group decision making.

Question 35

How does a status hierarchy develop in a group in which members all begin with equal power and status?

Question 36

"Includes the individual member characteristics" is which phase of group socialization?

A) Anticipatory phase
B) Assimilation phase
C) Antecedent phase
D) Exit phase
E) Encounter phase

Question 37

"What do you all think we should do?" is what form of communication?

A) Supportive Communication
B) Defensive Communication

Question 38

Norms are enforced by pressures exerted by ______________.

Question 39

The position of a member in the hierarchy of power, influence, and prestige within a small group is

A) status.
B) secondary tension.
C) primary tension.
D) ascribed status.
E) none of these.

Question 40

Any group norm applies to every member of the group.

Question 41

Someone who comes up with an idea for the group presentation holds what type of status?

A) ascribed status
B) earned status

Question 42

Someone more likely to speak to members of the same status holds what type of status?

A) earned status
B) ascribed status

Question 43

Three assumptions of the theory of structuration:

Question 44

______________ is displayed in behavior such as extreme politeness, apparent boredom, yawning and sighing, frequent long pauses, and tentative statements uttered in soft tones.

Question 45

Effective Group Discussion provided five guidelines for planning teambuilding activities. List and briefly explain as many of these guidelines as you can.

Question 46

Robert's Rules of Order Newly Revised is used by many organizations as a guide for governing face-to-face interaction.

Question 47

During a fantasy chain, interaction usually becomes

A) loud, rapid, and excited.
B) uncertain, disorganized, and dull.
C) limited to two or three members.
D) even-paced, calm, and deliberate.
E) loud, but slow and deliberate.

Question 48

The committee to select a new faculty member for the department has accomplished its task, the committee no longer has a need to exist. What phase of group socialization is this called?

A) anticipatory phase
B) assimilation phase
C) antecedent phase
D) encounter phase
E) exit phase

Question 49

Many fantasies do not develop into fantasy chains.

Question 50

The best action for a group experiencing high secondary tension is to act as if it did not exist, for it will usually dissipate without directly confronting the issue.

Question 51

The notion that humans are storytelling creatures who create and share meaning through talk is articulated in the theory of

A) symbolic convergence.
B) status theory.
C) chain theory.
D) fantasy theory.
E) all of these.

Question 52

"That's a great idea! One problem I see with it is…." is what form of communication?

A) Defensive Communication
B) Supportive Communication

Question 53

Highly cohesive groups perform tasks requiring a high level of coordination among members better than groups lacking in cohesiveness.

Question 54

A high level of cohesiveness is indicated by a

A) lot of fantasy chaining.
B) lack of a status hierarchy.
C) shared sensory metaphor.
D) lack of open disagreement.
E) high level of quickness in decision making.

Question 55

Symbolic convergence theory rests on the belief that humans are

A) the only symbol-using class of life.
B) storytellers who share meaning through talk.
C) driven by a set of convergent needs.
D) extremely complex mentally.
E) inclined to ignore reality in favor of myths.

Question 56

"Includes the members' initial expectations about each other" is which phase of group socialization?

A) Assimilation phase
B) Encounter phase
C) Anticipatory phase
D) Exit phase
E) Antecedent phase

Question 57

During discussions, low-status members of a group tend to speak more often to other low-status members than to high-status members.

Question 58

Tension arising from the need to decide among differing interpretations or proposals is called ______________ tension.

Question 59

"Here's what I've decided we're going to do" is what form of communication?

A) Defensive Communication
B) Supportive Communication

Question 60

The theory of symbolic convergence explains how members

A) create and share meaning through talk and storytelling.
B) become excited in response to certain words.
C) speak during the chaining of a fantasy around a theme.
D) create a shared code and rituals.
E) of a secondary group arrive at a decision.

Question 61

Group members perceived as leaders are more likely to be given idiosyncratic credit than members not perceived to be leaders.

Question 62

After completing a tough task, members of a group are usually less cohesive than before.

Question 63

Low-status members are usually not considered valuable members by higher status members of a small group.

Question 64

LaDonna is a hardworking member of her group. She is responsible, articulate, organized, and encouraging. Once in a great while LaDonna is late to a meeting. While this is generally unacceptable behavior in the group, the other members rarely say anything because LaDonna is such a vital and important member. The group members are extending _____________ to LaDonna.

A) earned status
B) idiosyncracy credit
C) fantasy chains
D) status hierarchy
E) ascribed status

Question 65

List and explain the functions of group fantasies.

Question 66

Someone who has done incredible research for the group holds what type of status?

A) earned status
B) ascribed status

Question 67

"The group disbands" is which phase of group socialization?

A) Exit phase
B) Encounter phase
C) Anticipatory phase
D) Antecedent phase
E) Assimilation phase