Question 1

Darnelle is conducting an annual evaluation of his employee Clarissa, and he must tell her that she is not getting a raise this year. The best way for Darnelle to start out would be to:

Accepted Answer

A)  threaten that Clarissa may next lose her job if her performance does not improve. 
B)  come right out and tell her the bad news, and then discuss it in more depth. 
C)  blame the higher-ups in the company so that Clarissa will continue to try to do a good job for him. 
D)  review Clarissa's official job description and some of his expectations for the position. D

Question 2

Though her new office didn't have a formal dress code, Cassie's coworkers laughed when they told her about how the person who previously held her position always wore jeans to work. This is an example of:

Accepted Answer

A)  an introduction to the jargon Cassie will need for the job. 
B)  positive face threat for Cassie because she wants to wear jeans to work. 
C)  a story that tells Cassie the norms for appropriate dress. 
D)  tensions in the workplace caused by out-group status. C

Question 3

Consider the issue of face threat. What are some instances when you have tried to present positive or negative face in the workplace or a school setting? How was that presentation threatened? What was your response?

Accepted Answer

In the workplace, I have definitely experienced instances where I have tried to present positive or negative face. For example, when I was working on a team project and I disagreed with a colleague's approach, I tried to present my negative face by expressing my concerns in a respectful manner. However, my presentation of negative face was threatened when my colleague became defensive and dismissive of my input. In response, I tried to salvage the situation by emphasizing that my intention was not to undermine their ideas, but rather to contribute to the overall success of the project.

On the other hand, I have also tried to present positive face in the workplace by being supportive and accommodating to my coworkers' needs. However, there have been instances where my presentation of positive face was threatened when I was unable to meet a deadline or deliver on a promise. In these situations, I responded by taking responsibility for my actions and offering a sincere apology, while also taking steps to rectify the situation and prevent it from happening again in the future.

In a school setting, I have also encountered similar experiences. For example, when I was working on a group project and felt that my ideas were being overlooked, I tried to present my negative face by expressing my frustration to my group members. However, my presentation of negative face was threatened when my group members became defensive and dismissive of my concerns. In response, I tried to reframe my concerns as constructive feedback and offered to work together to find a solution that would benefit the entire group.

Overall, I have learned that presenting positive or negative face in the workplace or school setting can be challenging, especially when it is threatened by the reactions of others. In these situations, I have found that open communication, empathy, and a willingness to find common ground are key in preserving face and maintaining positive relationships with others.

Question 4

Stories, humor, and jargon together help to define:

Accepted Answer

A)  the corporate hierarchy. 
B)  levels of face threat. 
C)  response latency. 
D)  office culture.

Question 5

When delivering bad news in the workplace, it is best to:

Accepted Answer

A)  come right out with it. 
B)  not mince words as to fully convey the gravity of the situation. 
C)  put a positive spin on it. 
D)  reiterate the bad news at the end of the conversation to drive home the point.

Question 6

Though some workplace hierarchies may be more rigid and extensive than others, most work environments have some form of hierarchical structure.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 7

Which of the following would be part of an effective bad-news message in the workplace?

Accepted Answer

A)  "Good customer service is important. Be sure to follow procedures to avoid any further customer complaints." 
B)  "Just keep in mind that Benjamin started at the same time as you, but his numbers are much higher. This may be an issue at promotion time, if you know what I mean." 
C)  "We definitely value initiative at this company, and that will be an asset for you. Just make sure to check with me before moving forward with major decisions like this in the future." 
D)  "I'd like to discuss some of the issues we had on this project so that you don't repeat them on the next one."

Question 8

When he gets to work, Andy reports to Letitia. She gives him his tasks for the day, and at the end of the day, she checks his work to ensure its quality. Andy is Letitia's:

Accepted Answer

A)  superior. 
B)  subordinate. 
C)  out-group. 
D)  team leader.

Question 9

Teamwork is most effective when it is face-to-face. Teams that are geographically separate are less effective and develop fewer interpersonal relationships.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 10

In a workplace environment, indirect messages are best used to communicate important information or when giving instructions.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 11

A clearer, and possibly more rigid, hierarchy is generally found in a workplace with a:

Accepted Answer

A)  tall organizational structure. 
B)  flat organizational structure. 
C)  low level of collegiality. 
D)  casual office culture.

Question 12

While negative face threat is inevitable and understandable in many workplace relationships, positive face threat is often malicious and rarely serves a useful role in a work environment.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 13

Tensions between in-groups and out-groups in the workplace:

Accepted Answer

A)  can be worked out by stressing the groups' shared goals in the company. 
B)  are fairly rare and usually work themselves out. 
C)  are generally petty and not detrimental to the company as a whole. 
D)  should be contained within departments so they don't affect the entire organization.

Question 14

Olga's assistant, May, is working on a new, exciting project she's been assigned when Olga asks her to call some clients and get their support for a new ad campaign. May hates calling clients, but she must put aside her project and make the calls. For May, this is:

Accepted Answer

A)  an abuse of the hierarchy. 
B)  a positive face threat. 
C)  a negative face threat. 
D)  outside the norm.

Question 15

Which of the following is an example of positive face threat?

Accepted Answer

A)  Jonah tells his manager that he can't be disturbed because he is hard at work on a big report, but his manager later catches him in the break room drinking coffee and telling jokes with his friends. 
B)  Tomas is looking forward to his day off but has to cancel his plans when there is an emergency in the office and his manager tells him he must come to work. 
C)  Isabelle does not understand the jargon that her coworker is using to explain a new system to her, but she nods along as though she does in order to appear in control of the situation. 
D)  Beth is considering calling off work during inventory until her coworker tells her about how their boss yelled at him when he asked for time off during inventory week.

Question 16

Describe some specific situations in which a company might use decision-making teams, division of labor, employee strengths, and sheer capacity to get a job done. Do you think one type of team is generally superior to the others? Why or why not?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Describe some specific situations in which a...

Question 17

As part of the marketing group, Leslie has trouble getting information from the production group because they are resentful due to their perception that they do all the work while the marketing group reaps the rewards. With respect to the production group, Leslie is:

Accepted Answer

A)  a superior. 
B)  part of the out-group. 
C)  part of the in-group. 
D)  collegial.

Question 18

A large warehouse handling a high quantity of orders would most likely use:

Accepted Answer

A)  decision-making teams. 
B)  division of labor. 
C)  employees who have special skills in order to capitalize on their strengths. 
D)  sheer capacity.

Question 19

Though it is acceptable among friends in the workplace, humor should be used sparingly among superiors and subordinates in work settings because it often causes misunderstandings.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 20

Barbara, the owner of a bakery, received an order for a very intricate wedding cake with delicate details, and she needs to assign a team for the order. In deciding who will work on the cake, Barbara will likely have to:

Accepted Answer

A)  use a decision-making team. 
B)  use a division of labor. 
C)  capitalize on strengths. 
D)  rely on sheer capacity.

Exam 11: Workplace Interactions

Darnelle is conducting an annual evaluation of his employee Clarissa, and he must tell her that she is not getting a raise this year. The best way for Darnelle to start out would be to:

Though her new office didn't have a formal dress code, Cassie's coworkers laughed when they told her about how the person who previously held her position always wore jeans to work. This is an example of:

Consider the issue of face threat. What are some instances when you have tried to present positive or negative face in the workplace or a school setting? How was that presentation threatened? What was your response?

Stories, humor, and jargon together help to define:

When delivering bad news in the workplace, it is best to:

Though some workplace hierarchies may be more rigid and extensive than others, most work environments have some form of hierarchical structure.

Which of the following would be part of an effective bad-news message in the workplace?

When he gets to work, Andy reports to Letitia. She gives him his tasks for the day, and at the end of the day, she checks his work to ensure its quality. Andy is Letitia's:

Teamwork is most effective when it is face-to-face. Teams that are geographically separate are less effective and develop fewer interpersonal relationships.

In a workplace environment, indirect messages are best used to communicate important information or when giving instructions.

A clearer, and possibly more rigid, hierarchy is generally found in a workplace with a:

While negative face threat is inevitable and understandable in many workplace relationships, positive face threat is often malicious and rarely serves a useful role in a work environment.

Tensions between in-groups and out-groups in the workplace:

Olga's assistant, May, is working on a new, exciting project she's been assigned when Olga asks her to call some clients and get their support for a new ad campaign. May hates calling clients, but she must put aside her project and make the calls. For May, this is:

Which of the following is an example of positive face threat?

Describe some specific situations in which a company might use decision-making teams, division of labor, employee strengths, and sheer capacity to get a job done. Do you think one type of team is generally superior to the others? Why or why not?

As part of the marketing group, Leslie has trouble getting information from the production group because they are resentful due to their perception that they do all the work while the marketing group reaps the rewards. With respect to the production group, Leslie is:

A large warehouse handling a high quantity of orders would most likely use:

Though it is acceptable among friends in the workplace, humor should be used sparingly among superiors and subordinates in work settings because it often causes misunderstandings.

Barbara, the owner of a bakery, received an order for a very intricate wedding cake with delicate details, and she needs to assign a team for the order. In deciding who will work on the cake, Barbara will likely have to: