Deck 8: Power and Its Uses

Question 1

The Oxford English Dictionary defines power in all of the following ways, EXCEPT

A) the ability to act or affect something
B) the capacity to direct or influence the behavior of others, personal or social influence
C) the control or authority over others
D) the act of harming, intimidating, or coercing

Answer 1

the act of harming, intimidating, or coercing

Question 2

Which of the following correctly defines authority?

A) It can be defined as the ability to control others' lives.
B) It can be defined as the formal and accepted recognition of the right of the holder of authority to direct the activities of those subject to that authority.
C) It can be defined as the formal and accepted recognition of those subject to the authority to direct the activities of the holders of that authority.
D) It can be defined as the power to formally command others in an illegitimate way.

Answer 2

It can be defined as the formal and accepted recognition of the right of the holder of authority to direct the activities of those subject to that authority.

Question 3

Social psychologist Adam Galinksy defined power as which of the following?

A) who holds the resources in relationships
B) who can make others do as they wish
C) the assets and resources one controls
D) the ability to exert significant influence over others

Answer 3

who holds the resources in relationships

Question 4

Which of the following represents a basis of power?

A) illegitimate
B) unrewarding
C) coercive
D) unrelenting

Question 5

Which of the following most accurately describes legitimate power?

A) power that comes from illegal sources, such as a crime boss
B) power that is attained from charisma
C) power that is attained through knowledge and skills
D) power that comes from a particular role, such as police officer

Question 6

Which of the following correctly states the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission's (EEOC) definition of harassment?

A) Harassment is when an individual is subjected to unwelcome conduct based on national origin only.
B) Harassment is unwelcome conduct that is based on race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), national origin, age (40 or older), disability, or genetic information.
C) Harassment is unwelcome conduct based on previous workplace employment history, such as write-ups, terminations,.
D) Harassment is when an individual is passed up for a promotion based on an objective assessment that he or she is not the best candidate for the position.

Question 7

Harassment becomes illegal when

A) enduring the offensive conduct becomes a condition of continued employment
B) only physical violence is bestowed upon the individual
C) the individual subject to the harassment is not intimidated
D) a formal report is filed with the EEOC

Question 8

Which of the following is true regarding antidiscrimination laws?

A) These laws prohibit harassment against individuals in retaliation for filing a discrimination charge.
B) These laws only apply to people who are federally recognized as being in a protected class.
C) These laws apply to one-off instances of pettiness by one employee to another.
D) These laws no longer apply due to sweeping legislative changes.

Question 9

Petty annoyances and isolated incidents

A) typically rise to the level of illegality and are likely to be prosecuted
B) rarely rise to the level of illegality
C) should not be reported because there is nothing that can be done about them
D) do not include offensive verbal conduct, only physical

Question 10

Which of the following are examples of offensive conduct?

A) competing for a promotion against a colleague and friend
B) physical assaults and other types of physical violence
C) complimenting a coworker on his or her new hairstyle
D) anonymously reporting a colleague for theft

Question 11

Which of the following represents an effective way to prevent abuses of power in the workplace?

A) Develop a culture where speaking out is punished.
B) Discourage employees from seeking help outside the organization.
C) Create a culture that encourages kindness, civility, and respect.
D) Immediately terminate any employee accused of any kind of wrongdoing.

Question 12

Missions, stories, and values work together to

A) create a solid platform to prevent bullying and harassment
B) ensure no employee is held to account for abuses of power
C) create an inconsistent tone at the top with respect to ethics and abuse of power
D) create an environment where employees do not feel comfortable speaking up

Question 13

Which of the following represents a method by which to communicate core organizational values?

A) rewarding culturally consistent behavior and punishing culturally inconsistent behavior
B) rewarding culturally inconsistent behavior and punishing culturally consistent behavior
C) All communication should filter down from the executives and managers of the firm.
D) use of informal communication networks, such as the water cooler

Question 14

The most effective way to prevent bullying and harassment in the workplace is to

A) carefully do background checks on individuals an organization is considering hiring
B) have a zero-tolerance policy in this area and immediately terminate anyone accused of such behavior
C) hire, retain, and reward those who speak up against abuses of power
D) focus on ensuring reports of such behavior are not leaked outside the organization

Question 15

Formal mechanisms to help prevent abuses of power include which of the following?

A) organizational policies, and other institutional procedures
B) procedures for covering up abuses of power so they are not leaked
C) training programs for executives only
D) creating a culture of ever-increasing performance targets

Question 16

When employees and managers are willing to call out unethical behavior

A) they can help to change old, established cultural norms
B) employment turnover will likely increase
C) they will likely receive pushback from all areas of the company
D) they will likely ruin their careers in the process

Question 17

Power can create ethical challenges because

A) people in power always find ways to abuse their subordinates
B) people in power may choose to treat others as objects and tools for gain
C) there is no legal framework to protect employees against workplace harassment
D) human nature is such that managers seek to exploit and abuse their subordinates

Question 18

The moral issue with power comes when

A) employees get promoted and begin treating their former peers poorly
B) those who have it choose to abuse it for their own ends
C) firms are too decentralized, leading to no clear structure of authority
D) managers commit to making a clear effort to treat employees well

Question 19

With respect to relationships, the unethical use of power

A) turns mutually beneficial relationships into hoarding and gains for the powerful
B) is part and parcel of business and is an accepted business practice
C) is necessary for companies to remain competitive in the marketplace
D) is illegal and is typically prosecuted by the judicial system

Question 20

With respect to social and organizational settings, why is power important to social and organizational success?

A) Power is important because it helps ensure the firm remains competitive.
B) Power is the authority to make sure others do what an individual wants.
C) Power gives managers the ability to achieve organizational goals through influencing others.
D) Power gives an individual the ability to coerce others through harassment and unethical influences.

Question 21

Which of the following provides the best example of power?

A) a husband-wife relationship in which decision making is equally shared
B) an extremely centralized firm in which decision making is limited to the owner
C) an extremely decentralized firm in which managers are encouraged to participate in decision making
D) a company with a complex hierarchical reporting structure

Question 22

Which of the following best describes the "zone of indifference" as described in the chapter?

A) a point at which an individual stops caring about making ethical decisions
B) a range of acceptability to an individual affected by a decision
C) a range showing the legality versus ethicality of decisions and those affected by them
D) the period when an employee has submitted notice at a job and is "seeing out time"

Question 23

Referent power is best explained by which of the following?

A) power that is borne through a position in society, such as a police officer
B) power that is incentivized by the promise of something else, such as if you work hard at your job, you can earn more money
C) power that could be borne by an individual wanting to emulate an idol, such as an athlete
D) power that is borne from abundant information available to an individual to make decisions

Question 24

Which of the following best describes a situation where coercive power has been employed?

A) A manager threatens an employee with reprisal if they refuse to follow a certain command.
B) A police officer stops a vehicle for speeding and issues a traffic ticket.
C) An employee looks up to her boss and wishes to one day lead in a style just like him or her.
D) An employee admires his boss for her vast technical knowledge and hopes to attain a similar level one day.

Question 25

Which of the following provides the best example of reward power?

A) A manager advises an employee that if he or she wants to be promoted, then he or she must be more punctual.
B) A manager writes up an employee for unethical conduct in the workplace and withholds a bonus.
C) A manager advises a subordinate that if he or she passes a licensure exam, then he or she is eligible for a sizable pay increase.
D) A manager threatens an individual with termination for refusing to sign a falsified document.

Question 26

Which of the following provides the best example of legitimate power?

A) A firm's chief financial officer holds a meeting to roll out his strategic vision for the firm.
B) A firm's divisional manager has access to a new system that provides real-time information and operational updates.
C) A manager advises an hourly subordinate that if he wishes to keep his job, he must start working more hours without pay.
D) A manager agrees to share her technical knowledge of a product with a research and development team.

Question 27

Which of the following best describes workplace bullying?

A) It is often borne from an individual's desire to help another person.
B) It is often premeditated with respect to choice of individual and timing.
C) It is defined by a strategy of either doing things to help or withholding things from other individuals.
D) It is extremely rare in the workplace.

Question 28

According to research conducted into workplace bullying

A) the issue is not really prevalent at most businesses
B) the issue has become extremely prevalent, and urgent measures are required to address it
C) human resources managers cannot do anything to effectively combat it
D) a certain number of human resources managers have found that bullying happens at least somewhat regularly in the workplace

Question 29

Which of the following represents the most appropriate way for workers to handle workplace bullies?

A) Confront the bully directly and be extremely aggressive and assertive.
B) Report any incidents of bullying to their manager and/or human resources.
C) Immediately quit their job and attempt to file for unemployment.
D) Simply avoid the bully, which will prevent future occurrences.

Question 30

Which of the following represents a true statement with respect to workplace bullying?

A) Other employees will immediately side with the individual being bullied.
B) Some employees may feel coerced to side with the bully.
C) All other employees will simply ignore the situation and refuse to be involved.
D) Reporting incidences of workplace bullying is usually fruitless due to lack of proof.

Question 31

Employees in the workplace are most likely to do which of the following with regard to workplace bullying?

A) blow the situation up out of proportion to attempt to get the perpetrator in more trouble
B) immediately resign their position and attempt to file unemployment
C) Employees may choose to downplay or rationalize the situation.
D) seek counseling for being too sensitive

Question 32

Which of the following represents a strategy that perpetrators of workplace bullying may use to trivialize the situation?

A) increase their bullying efforts to scare the individual out of filing a complaint
B) accuse the victim of being overly sensitive
C) report to managers that they are being bullied by the victim to shift the focus
D) attempt to destroy any records such as text messages and voicemails that could prove their guilt

Question 33

Which of the following represents a potential consequence of workplace bullying not being addressed?

A) The bully may decide to quit the company and perpetrate bullying at another firm.
B) The bully may realize their wrongdoing and stop any further incidences of bullying.
C) The bully may feel more empowered to continue further incidences of bullying.
D) The bully may feel convicted and stop of their own volition.

Question 34

Based on your reading, which of the following assumptions can you draw about workplace bullying?

A) Bullies in the workplace may attempt to seek out individuals whom they see as soft targets.
B) A strong and robust code of conduct will eliminate bullying in the workplace.
C) Companies should not spend resources on programs designed to combat bullying, as they are generally ineffective.
D) Incidences of workplace bullying are often blown out of proportion by victims.

Question 35

Which of the following is true if an individual testifies against a perpetrator of workplace bullying?

A) That individual has no protection under the law.
B) That individual is protected by antidiscrimination laws.
C) The perpetrator can sue the individual for testifying.
D) The perpetrator may choose to file a restraining order against the perpetrator, thus preventing further testimony.

Question 36

If an individual is exposed to racial slurs at his or her workplace, which of the following is correct?

A) That individual has no recourse under antidiscrimination laws.
B) The best recourse available to the individual would be to file suit privately against the perpetrator.
C) Antidiscrimination laws cover slurs, but only based on incidents involving race.
D) The individual exposed to the slurs is protected by antidiscrimination laws.

Question 37

Which of the following statements is accurate concerning sexual harassment in the workplace?

A) Sexual harassment covers any and all incidents of a sexual nature committed in the workplace.
B) It explicitly covers welcome and unwelcome incidents of touching and other sexual advances.
C) It does not cover incidents when submission to sexual misconduct is made part of an individual's employment.
D) It generally does not cover welcome conduct that constitutes a condition of employment.

Question 38

Which of the following represents the best example of quid pro quo in the workplace?

A) A manager advises a subordinate that his or her raise depends on his or her upcoming performance evaluation.
B) A supervisor tells a peer that he will not apply for the same job as she does in exchange for sexual favors.
C) A supervisor instructs two equally qualified candidates to apply for an upcoming position.
D) An executive coerces an accountant to enter fraudulent journal entries into the firm's accounting system.

Question 39

Which of the following best describes a scenario where quid pro quo would be most likely?

A) The majority of a firm's employees work from home and have little contact with their peers.
B) A firm has a hierarchy of managerial staff, holding varying levels of power.
C) A firm has a strong ethical tone at the top that does not tolerate instances of unethical behavior.
D) A firm regularly puts employees through training courses on sexual harassment.

Question 40

In the context of sexual harassment, which of the following represents the best example of a hostile work environment?

A) An employee's supervisor asks him or her to prepare a report in an unreasonable amount of time.
B) A manager repeatedly makes lewd and suggestive comments to female subordinates.
C) A subordinate routinely avoids a supervisor of the opposite sex because she feels his workload expectations are too high.
D) A manager makes a passing comment to a subordinate about how nice he or she looks.

Question 41

Which of the following choices could feasibly represent a hostile work environment?

A) A supervisor regularly "brushes up" against subordinates of the opposite sex.
B) The peer of a subordinate often tells harmless and inoffensive jokes.
C) A manager has degree certificates on the walls of his office and other staff members are jealous of them.
D) A manager calls a meeting and tells his subordinates that they must improve their sales numbers or face termination.

Question 42

A peer of Stephen's often pressures him to go out on a date with her on Friday afternoon when they get off work. This could be described as which of the following?

A) a quid pro quo because Stephen isn't really interested
B) a hostile work environment, as the repeated nature of the requests makes Stephen feel pressured
C) welcome conduct, because Stephen should be flattered someone has an interest in him
D) a quid pro quo, because she will likely want something from Stephen in return

Question 43

Hostile work environments are problematic because

A) they destroy companies' profitability and future revenue-generating ability
B) they force companies to spend money on prevention programs, which could be used for other purposes
C) they may cause employees to become withdrawn and less likely to be involved in the workplace
D) they can drastically decrease employee turnover

Question 44

It is extremely important for employees to understand what constitutes unwelcome conduct because

A) sexual attraction and unwelcome conduct are part and parcel of the workplace these days
B) unwelcome conduct does not have legislation prohibiting it
C) sexual advances are usually pretty easy to discern
D) only unwelcome sexual conduct is deemed unlawful

Question 45

More recent data surrounding instances of sexual harassment in the workplace are likely to be skewed because

A) tougher laws surrounding sexual harassment have recently been enacted
B) employees report being more fearful than ever before of reporting sexual harassment
C) the COVID-19 pandemic meant many employees had to work remotely
D) companies generally do not keep reliable, accurate data in this area

Question 46

Katie and Tom are two peers who are rumored to secretly be seeing each other outside work. Which of the following statements is true regarding this scenario?

A) This represents a hostile work environment, and the two employees should be disciplined accordingly.
B) This represents a quid pro quo, and the employees should be counseled by human resources to cease any relationship outside work.
C) This scenario does not represent an issue with sexual harassment based on EEOC guidelines.
D) Katie and Tom should be interviewed separately by either their managers and/or human resources to see if any untoward behavior or motives are present.

Question 47

All of the following statements concerning workplace harassment are accurate, EXCEPT

A) Workplace harassment may cause employees to be less productive.
B) Workplace harassment could cause the firm bad publicity if external parties are made aware of such instances.
C) Workplace harassment may cause a firm to experience a higher employee turnover rate than normal.
D) Workplace harassment is always reported by employees, meaning perpetrators usually question any decision to harass an employee.

Question 48

A single, isolated instance of sexual harassment

A) cannot legally be considered sexual harassment under EEOC laws
B) should not be reported due to its isolated nature
C) may still constitute sexual harassment if severe enough
D) is commonplace in the workplace and should be disregarded

Question 49

A recently hired Pacific Islander is experiencing harassment from colleagues due to his national origin. Which of the following statements is true concerning this scenario?

A) The individual was not born in the United States, so he is not entitled to protection under EEOC laws.
B) This individual is entitled to protection under EEOC laws based on national origin.
C) This individual should resign before being terminated, in the interests of his career.
D) EEOC laws protecting this individual will only apply if he is forty or older.

Question 50

An organization that proactively attempts to foster an open, respectful, and civil atmosphere

A) will likely fail, because research indicates that human beings will always find ways to abuse power
B) should enforce such a culture by creating harsh punishments for those found to be out of compliance
C) is likely to be sued by employees who do not wish to abide by this culture's rules
D) is less likely to have to deal with instances and occurrences of employees abusing their power

Question 51

An effective way for a firm to help prevent employee abuses of power is

A) for top managers and leaders to demonstrate the values the company wishes to model
B) to immediately terminate anyone who is accused of any kind of abuse of power
C) to constantly introduce new training programs centered around civility in the workplace
D) to refuse promotion to any employee who has a history of abuse of power

Question 52

An effective mechanism by which a firm could promote culturally consistent positive and healthy behaviors in the workplace would be

A) through rigorous training programs repeated at frequent intervals
B) incentivizing positive behaviors and discouraging or punishing negative behaviors
C) to make examples of certain employees from time to time to encourage compliance
D) to advocate for strict surveillance and monitoring systems to keep employees in check

Question 53

Which of the following scenarios best represents the idea of moral courage?

A) An employee is aware of another employee being bullied but chooses to turn a blind eye.
B) A supervisor is aware of an employee on a different team being bulled and chooses to report the situation to his or her boss despite not being directly affected.
C) An accountant working for a large corporation leaks inside information to outsiders regarding potential future changes to the firm's stock price.
D) An employee is driving home from work one evening and stops to help another employee with their broken-down vehicle.

Question 54

Which of the following represents an effective mechanism through which an organization's culture could be changed to become more open and less tolerant of workplace bullying?

A) The firm's executives and senior managers publicly stand behind any initiative and model the behavior they wish for their employees to follow.
B) The firm should attempt to root out and fire any perpetrators of or contributors to a culture promoting workplace bullying.
C) The firm should consider bringing in a specialist firm to investigate any and all occurrences of workplace bullying and follow all recommendations the firm makes.
D) The firm should consider reassigning staff roles and positions so individuals are less familiar with each other and subsequently less conversant.

Question 55

Which of the following represents a robust mechanism by which an organization may be able to curb workplace bullying?

A) The firm should consider drafting and promulgating a robust, comprehensive, and consistent set of policies and procedures that employees should be made to read and sign.
B) The firm should adopt a zero-tolerance policy for anyone accused of workplace bullying, with immediate termination being the consequence for any accusation.
C) The firm should clearly spell out protections afforded to perpetrators of workplace bullying.
D) The firm should make sure that sanctions and punishments for perpetrators vary widely depending on the severity of bullying and the perpetrator's position in the firm.

Question 56

Which of the following is true regarding the crafting of workplace policies dealing with workplace bullying?

A) Every company is unique, so there is little value in looking at other firm's policies.
B) It is generally easier for firms to skip this cost and simply advise employees to use their best judgment.
C) The company's human resources staff may wish to consult with experts on EEOC rules and procedures to ensure their firm's policies align with these rules.
D) Firms should not publicize practices surrounding how complaints will be handled to ensure the integrity of these processes.

Question 57

An effective and robust workplace bullying policy would include all of the following, EXCEPT

A) an explanation of how complaints will be investigated and publicized
B) protections that will be offered to accusers
C) protections that will be offered to alleged perpetrators
D) a clear and transparent process for victims to initiate reporting

Question 58

Which of the following statements regarding workplace bullying is true?

A) Workplace bullying policies are generally ineffective because it is hard to prove such behavior.
B) Workplace bullying should be handled by specialists outside the company who are trained to deal with such matters.
C) A workplace bullying policy should be clearly worded and proactively condemn any such actions.
D) Only alleged victims of workplace bullying should be offered protections, not alleged perpetrators.

Question 59

Company executives and managers play an important role in helping to prevent workplace bullying

A) by immediately terminating anyone accused of such behavior
B) by setting the example they wish to see their employees adopt
C) through bonus schemes tied to the number of workplace bullying complaints
D) by ensuring that reports of any such incidents do not leak outside the firm

Question 60

When it comes to workplace harassment, holding people accountable is important because

A) when people are held accountable for their actions, they might think twice before committing a certain type of behavior
B) once instances and incidents of workplace harassment against employees have been recorded, they can easily be fired
C) when employees know they will be held accountable for their actions, they will go to greater lengths to cover them up
D) a firm should not make it too easy for an employee to potentially report a fake incidence of workplace harassment

Question 61

With respect to workplace harassment, encouraging bystander intervention is important because

A) a bystander may themselves be a victim of workplace harassment one day
B) there is safety in numbers
C) perpetrators may feel less emboldened to commit such acts if they know others will intervene
D) it will be easier to terminate the alleged perpetrator if there are multiple accounts of his or her behavior

Question 62

The best type of workplace training program

A) should be designed to keep the company out of litigation
B) should be strictly enforced and threaten immediate termination to any employee who violates it
C) should be designed with transparent and articulable goals
D) will ensure there are no instances of workplace harassment

Question 63

Which of the following statements concerning best practice programs is accurate?

A) Best practice programs are effective but expensive to set up and maintain, and thus are not used by many companies.
B) A robust best practice program should help promote a safe, transparent, and welcoming organization culture and environment.
C) Best practice programs are generally only implemented by large companies due to their cost.
D) Best practice programs have been criticized for being too generic.

Question 64

Which of the following statements concerning programs designed to prevent abuses of power is true?

A) The best programs are expensive to implement and maintain, and thus are not used by many companies.
B) The program should be structured such that any reported incidents are handled promptly and fairly.
C) Employees wishing to report such incidents should be allowed to do so only through the human resources office.
D) The best programs are careful to publicize details of incidents in order to promote transparency.

Question 65

Which of the following correctly explains why power can often create ethical challenges?

A) Power always corrupts people, even in business.
B) Power can lead to individuals treating others as objects.
C) Power causes managers within firms to unevenly allocate resources.
D) People in business are always power hungry and selfish.

Question 66

Which of the following represents a potential problem with abuses of power?

A) The company may struggle to keep the incidents internal, and they may be leaked to outside entities.
B) People can have honest and pure intentions, but they will always be corrupted by power.
C) The individuals and entities affected by incidents where power is abused may be more far-reaching than just the firm itself.
D) Firms generally do not deal with people who abuse power in a serious and meaningful way.

Question 67

Which of the following statements is true concerning power in an organization?

A) Power is an inevitable part of any organization.
B) The best performing companies have found ways to remove positions of power within the firm.
C) Companies should seek ways to remove power from within their organizations if they wish to see improvements in cooperation.
D) Research indicates that power within medium and large organizations is rarely abused.

Question 68

Which of the following choices best represents how relationships can be used to avoid abuses of power?

A) Managers should ensure that employees know that they are in charge, and employees must always be respectful of the manager's position.
B) An effective way to avoid abuses of power is through managers building strong, transparent, and trusting relationships with their subordinates.
C) Managers should focus on relationships that are most beneficial to them to help their chances of future promotion.
D) Managers should ensure that all employees and subordinates know who their favorite and top performers are, as this will help motivate all employees to be better.

Question 69

Which of the following statements is true about acquiring power?

A) People generally do not have to want power to acquire it.
B) Power is generally evenly distributed among those persons who want it and those who don't.
C) Power is generally attained when a person desires to gain power and become powerful.
D) Power should not be given to people who desire it, as they will usually abuse such power in the future.

Question 70

Which of the following represents a feasible way for an individual to attain power?

A) The individual should make himself or herself known to all the right people within the company.
B) The individual should attempt to focus on self-growth and learning wherever possible.
C) The individual should push down others within the company and make them look bad in order to gain a competitive advantage.
D) The individual should avoid sharing their knowledge about the job and firm with others in order to retain a competitive advantage.

Question 71

Which of the following is a true statement regarding the ability to tolerate conflict for those in positions of power?

A) The individual with the power should make all decisions unilaterally as they know best.
B) The individual should let the group and/or other individuals decide so they cannot be held accountable for any negative outcomes.
C) The individual holding the power should invite and encourage opinions from others, but ultimately is still responsible for making the final decision.
D) The individual with the power should avoid all situations where conflict may arise.

Question 72

Define the term power in your own words. Why do you think employees and managers often compete fiercely for power in an organization?

Question 73

Describe a hostile work environment in your own words. Why is it important for firms to monitor and act upon harassment claims in a timely and efficient manner?

Question 74

Describe some examples of abuses of power in the workplace. How can firms create and retain cultures that help minimize the risks of employees and managers abusing their power?

Question 75

Explain in your own words how workplace relationships can help combat abuses of power in the workplace.