Deck 9: Small Group Communication and Problem-Solving

Question 1

MUST criteria should be rank ordered from most desirable to least desirable.

Answer 1

False

Question 2

Groupthink is a critical way of thinking that is characteristic of some groups.

Answer 2

False

Question 3

A major electronics firm holds various committee meetings to improve employee morale.However,upper management discovers that one group always delivers quick decisions,agrees with the leader's opinions,and does not thoroughly consider the feasibility of the solutions.This group most likely exhibits

A) poor leadership.
B) low morale.
C) groupthink.
D) poor organization.

Answer 3

C

Question 4

When BRAINSTORMING,groups should strive for a higher quality list rather than the longest list possible.

Question 5

Small group communication works best when groups are no larger than eight persons.However,the optimum group size is

A) three.
B) four.
C) five.
D) seven.

Question 6

PROBLEM SOLVING is a procedure that groups use to move from a current problem to a desired solution or goal.

Question 7

TASK criteria include the basic group procedures needed for smooth operation (such as how soon the group decision should be reached).

Question 8

The key to the basic problem solving procedure is to LIST ALTERNATIVES.

Question 9

"Should we encourage students to complete an Associate's Degree before transferring" DOES NOT fit the criteria for an effective problem solving question.

Question 10

For effective brainstorming to take place,both positive and NEGATIVE comments must be permitted.

Question 11

The reservations department of a major airline meets weekly to discuss ways to improve the sales quota.Whenever they meet,Sam (a new employee),is the only one to express a differing opinion.At first the leader just asked him not to rock the boat,but as time went on,the group began to ignore Sam and speak as though he had not said anything.This is a sign of what symptom of groupthink?

A) self-censorship
B) rationalization
C) illusion of unanimity
D) direct pressure

Question 12

Multicultural groups are an ADVANTAGE when problems are complex,because members are less likely to engage in groupthink.

Question 13

The NOMINAL GROUP TECHNIQUE is a means to silently generate ideas in writing.

Question 14

The elaboration likelihood model explains that the CENTRAL route is used by computer mediated communication teams and the PERIPHERAL route is used by face-to-face communication teams.

Question 15

QUESTIONS OF POLICY require the group to base the solution on both researched facts and value judgments.

Question 16

If the discussion topic involves value judgments and is likely to be emotional,it is best to establish criteria BEFORE listing alternatives.

Question 17

Advantages to group decisions include all of the following except one.Which one does not belong?

A) Resistance to change is reduced.
B) Decisions may be superior.
C) Personal satisfaction and job enjoyment are greater.
D) Decisions can be made more quickly.

Question 18

One ADVANTAGE of group problem solving is that so little time is required.

Question 19

Compared to traditional brainstorming and nominal group technique,electronic brainstorming generally produces significantly FEWER ideas.

Question 20

In QUESTIONS OF FACT,the group tries to assess the worth or desirability of some object,idea,or person.

Question 21

Which of the following is the most effectively worded question for use by a problem-solving group?

A) What position should Zee Company take toward noncompany use of its facilities?
B) Should smoking on the job be allowed to continue?
C) What are some suggestions for saving energy in our company?
D) What can the union do to stop the unfair practice of merit pay?

Question 22

Which of the following is symptomatic of groupthink?

A) a group allowing conflict to surface and then resolving it
B) a member speaking out, even if she thinks she is the only one with doubts
C) a group making a risky decision and feeling that their decision can't possibly be wrong
D) the typical behavior of a blind communicator expressing himself

Question 23

Discuss the pros and cons of where in the problem-solving process criteria should be established.

Question 24

Effective teams

A) move toward the solution in a cyclical manner, but accomplish the process in a linear manner.
B) follow an organized procedure, but aren't overly rigid.
C) always move smoothly from step to step of the problem solving sequence.
D) all of the above.

Question 25

What can a concerned group do to decrease the chances that groupthink will negatively affect its decisions? Give at least one example of each.

Question 26

A budget committee needs to reach a decision which results in commitment from all of the members.Which decision making method would best enable them to meet this goal?

A) compromise
B) vote
C) consensus
D) leader

Question 27

Explain the following terms: (1)task criteria,(2)operational criteria,(3)want criteria,and (4)must criteria and give an example of each.

Question 28

According to your text,"groupthink" is defined as an uncritical way of thinking in which desire to avoid conflict and reach agreement is more important than

A) knowing the facts.
B) careful consideration of alternatives.
C) following established organized procedures.
D) being open.

Question 29

Which of the following "must" criteria is really "operational" in nature?

A) The childcare facility selected must be independently owned.
B) The childcare facility selected must have five years of experience in corporate daycare.
C) The childcare facility selected must employ experienced teachers.
D) Selection of the child care facility must be completed in one month.
E) The childcare facility selected must provide well-balanced meals.

Question 30

List the four guidelines for effective brainstorming.

Question 31

Which of the following groups ignored the problem with the space shuttle Columbia?

A) NASA'S Intercenter Work Group
B) NASA Program Managers
C) Debris Assessment Team
D) Department of Defense

Question 32

Discuss the process of group through in implementing a solution once the group has chosen it.

Question 33

To give all members a chance to participate and to minimize group pressure,the recommended method for generating ideas is

A) nominal group technique.
B) brainstorming.
C) panel.
D) roundtable discussion.

Question 34

Which of the following probably would not help a group wishing to avoid groupthink?

A) Bring in outside experts with similar opinions.
B) Ask all members to be "critical evaluators."
C) Have the leader occasionally miss a meeting.
D) After solution reached, give members a "second chance" to change their minds.

Question 35

Once a team reaches a solution,if it is to remain a group it must

A) continue to meet periodically.
B) follow up.
C) vote unanimously for the solution.
D) vote more than once on all solutions.

Question 36

Which type of criteria is to be rank ordered from most desirable to least desirable?

A) must criteria
B) want criteria
C) task criteria
D) operational criteria

Question 37

An effectively worded group problem incorporates which of the following aspects?

A) seeks "yes" or "no" answers
B) is general to cover wide area
C) is written in question form
D) is worded in statement form

Question 38

What is the correct order of the steps of the basic problem solving procedure?

A) Define the problem, establish a checklist of criteria, research and analyze the problem list possible alternatives, evaluate each alternative, select the best alternative.
B) Define the problem, list possible alternatives, research and analyze the problem, establish a checklist of criteria, evaluate each alternative, select the best alternative.
C) Define the problem, research and analyze the problem, establish a checklist of criteria, list possible alternatives, evaluate each alternative, select the best alternative. (p. 232)
D) Define the problem, list possible alternatives, establish a checklist of criteria, research and analyze the problem, evaluate each alternative, select the best alternative.

Question 39

Which of the following meets the requirements for a small group?

A) several employees discussing ways to encourage the boss to give a Christmas bonus
B) three people sitting in an office waiting to be interviewed for a position
C) five secretaries typing papers for the boss
D) four people discussing the weather while sitting on a park bench waiting for a bus

Question 40

List the steps of using the NGT as a decision making method and then discuss the advantages and disadvantages of using it.

Question 41

Discuss at least four of the characteristics of effective problem-solving groups.

Question 42

Discuss (in order)the steps of the basic problem-solving procedure.

Question 43

Identify what symptoms of groupthink contributed to the Columbia Shuttle Disaster?

Question 44

Develop at least five criteria that could be used in the following problem-solving topic: "What position should the City Board take on the request to allow police and fire fighters to strike?" Make sure your list differences between must and want criteria and that it includes criteria,not solutions.

Question 45

Describe several differences in the way managers n the United States and managers in other parts of the world prefer to solve problems.