Deck 2: Groups As Open Systems

Question 1

A system consists of a set of elements that function as a whole because of __________ relationships.

Answer 1

interdependent

Question 2

In a bonda fide group perspective, there is frequent communication within a group as well as between the group and other larger groups.

Answer 2

True

Question 3

Throughput processes refer to the

A) information that the members of a group have about their tasks.
B) physical setting in which a group meets.
C) decisions that a group makes.
D) influences that result from actual activities within a group.
E) cohesiveness that the members of a group experience.

Answer 3

influences that result from actual activities within a group.

Question 4

Which of the following best exemplifies an open system?

A) a committee that invites nonmembers to meetings and makes its records public
B) a club that has specific requirements for membership
C) shuttle astronauts that are on a week-long voyage
D) an advertising agency that plans how to promote a new computer game system
E) a jury that deliberates on the penalty to be given to a convict

Question 5

Describe the concepts of multiple causes, multiple paths, and synergy; explain how they affect a group's final outcome.

Question 6

Groups in which members complete most or all of their work without meeting face-to-face are called _____.

Question 7

To understand systems theory, one needs to understand four basic concepts true of all systems: inputs, _____, outputs, and environment.

Question 8

The best way to give critical feedback in a group is to not give it.

Question 9

Feelings among the members of a small group best exemplify _____.

Question 10

The style of leadership practiced within a group is an example of a small group input variable.

Question 11

_____ refers to the fact that the elements of a system mutually influence each other.

Question 12

Discuss the influence of computer-mediated communication on a system.

Question 13

A "map of reality" that helps us navigate unfamiliar territory and make decisions is called a(n)

A) theory.
B) GPS.
C) idea.
D) internal understanding.
E) hypothesis.

Question 14

The best way to give critical feedback is to

A) none of these answer is correct.
B) mention everything that a group did wrong at the very beginning of a discussion.
C) be straight and avoid worrying about feelings.
D) it is best to pose it as a group issue, not a personal one.
E) never give it.

Question 15

Bona fide group perspective emphasizes that real-world groups both shape and are shaped by those same environments. What are the reasons this interdependence occurs?

Question 16

Group members who manage the group's interaction with its environment are called

A) negotiators.
B) boundary spanners.
C) go-between members.
D) locaters.
E) all of these answers are correct.

Question 17

Identify the different small groups that exist within your college or place of employment. Describe the different ways in which these groups interact with each other. Explain how interaction, or lack of it, seems to affect an organization.

Question 18

Interdependence occurs for several reasons in groups such as.

A) groups typically have to coordinate their actions with other groups within the same parent organization or across organizations.
B) members of groups often belong to other groups that simultaneously influence and are influenced by them.
C) all of these answers are correct.
D) members bring to their groups a variety of interests, ways of speaking, and mental models of effective group problem solving.
E) there is frequent communication within the group as well as between the group and other larger groups over interpretation of group goals, authority, and support for group actions.

Question 19

Define what a theory is and how general systems theory applies to small groups.

Question 20

Give at least three examples each of small group inputs, throughput processes, and outputs.

Question 21

_____ are the "raw materials" that are initially brought to a group from the outside.

Question 22

Interdependence refers to the fact that the elements of a system mutually influences and is influenced by the other elements.

Question 23

A _____ is a "map of reality," something that helps individuals navigate unfamiliar terrain and make decisions.

Question 24

Which of the following best exemplifies feedback within a group?

A) customer comment cards
B) the ways in which the members address each other
C) the members' knowledge of PowerPoint
D) none of these answer is correct.
E) the ways in which the group handles complaints

Question 25

The concept of multiple paths indicates that

A) there are numerous ways to improve the functioning of a system.
B) a group can obtain needed inputs from many different sources.
C) several members of a group can do a task that is needed.
D) there is usually more than one appropriate way to reach a particular goal or endpoint.
E) information is exchanged among group members via a variety of means and media.

Question 26

Small group inputs refer to the

A) elements of a system that are present at the outset, or the initial raw materials of the system.
B) satisfaction that group members feel after completing their assignments.
C) ways in which group members resolve conflicts.
D) types of informal leadership provided by various group members.
E) reports a committee produces.

Question 27

When forming a group to complete a group project, the members' attitudes toward the project best exemplify inputs to the project group.

Question 28

A group's outputs may include changes in its processes and procedures.

Question 29

_____ refers to the fact that when group members come together, they create an entirely unique entity that is something other than just a collection of individual parts.

Question 30

_____ refers to the part of a system's output that is returned to the system as input, which allows the system to monitor its movement toward goals and make necessary changes.

Question 31

General systems theory was created by a theoretical physicist.

Question 32

__________ is fundamental to understanding a small group as a system and its relevant parts.

A) Perception
B) Communication
C) Conflict
D) None of these answer is correct
E) Understanding

Question 33

Which of the following isNOT an example of a small group output?

A) the satisfaction experienced by the members of a group after completing a job
B) group members who are willing and open minded
C) a report produced by a group
D) a building constructed by a construction crew
E) communication between the members of a group and the group's environment

Question 34

Given two successful, experienced sports teams, one may end up losing many of its games, while the other may win a championship; this scenario best exemplifies multifinality.

Question 35

It is important to remember that, with groups, many factors, not a single factor, combine to produce the final outcome, a concept we refer to as

A) multiple causes.
B) multiple paths.
C) interdependence.
D) openness.
E) feedback.

Question 36

When members bring up borders, they work to increase the cohesiveness and smooth functioning of their team.

Question 37

Feedback is the environment's response to a system's output.

Question 38

For the throughput process to be successful, group members should discourage ideas and remain closed minded.

Question 39

The concept of _____ suggests that there is usually more than one appropriate way to reach a particular goal or endpoint.

Question 40

Which of the following terms suggests that groups starting out the same may end up in very different places?

A) multifinality
B) interdependence
C) open system
D) nonsummativity
E) feedback

Question 41

A _____ suggests that real-world groups both shape and are shaped by those same environments.

Question 42

In groups experiencing _____, the output is worse than expected given the abilities of the group members.

Question 43

Groups in which the members do not communicate with each other in the same time and place are called

A) virtual groups.
B) non-seeing groups.
C) interdependent groups.
D) coexistent groups.
E) fun groups.

Question 44

_____ are influences on the system that result from actual activities within the group as it goes about its business.

Question 45

Give a few examples of feedback that a classroom project group is most likely to receive. Discuss the ways to give critical feedback in an efficient manner.

Question 46

Members of groups often belong to other groups that simultaneously influence and are influenced by them.

Question 47

The source of feedback is not considered as important as its content.

Question 48

The idea that real-world groups both shape and are shaped by those same environments is called

A) a bona fide group perspective.
B) a symbolic perspective.
C) an idyllic perspective.
D) Carter's understanding.
E) a systemic perspective.

Question 49

Boundary spanning connects a group to useful people, resources, and other groups.

Question 50

The boundary between a system and its _____ helps determine whether the system is relatively open or closed.

Question 51

Which of the following best exemplifies a closed system?

A) a hockey team
B) a person in an interview
C) an advertising agency
D) a sequestered jury
E) a learning group

Question 52

A system consists of a set of elements, and the elements function

A) simultaneously.
B) interdependently.
C) exclusively.
D) none of these answer is correct.
E) autonomously.

Question 53

Systems do not exist in a vacuum but are embedded in multiple surroundings or contexts that are referred to as the _____.

Question 54

General systems theory is useful for understanding small groups because this theory

A) helps us describe how individual elements of a whole can operate autonomously.
B) provides individuals with a way of examining and describing how a system's parts are interrelated, even while they are continuously changing.
C) reminds us that small groups are simpler than they appear.
D) can help a student identify the single most important reason why something occurs in a group.
E) provides a group comparison to the "fight-or-flight" response of an individual.

Question 55

Open systems have no disadvantages; they are the most superior systems.