Deck 11: Power and Political Behavior

Question 1

To coerce someone into doing something means to:

A)engage in role modeling.
B)promise reward for his or her work.
C)threaten his or her self-esteem.
D)force the person to do it.

Answer 1

D

Question 2

Enlarging an individual's zone of indifference is best accomplished with _____.

A)authority
B)reward
C)power
D)dominance

Answer 2

C

Question 3

In the context of power, the person using the power is known as the _____.

A)agent
B)target
C)source
D)subject

Answer 3

A

Question 4

Which of the following is true of coercive power?

A)It is based on an agent's ability to cause a target to have an unpleasant experience.
B)It is based on an agent's ability to control rewards that a target wants.
C)It is based on position and mutual agreement.
D)It is based on interpersonal attraction.

Question 5

Managers who use coercive power are most likely to:

A)offer reward on completion of work.
B)assign work based on mutual agreement with employees.
C)verbally abuse employees or withhold support from them.
D)find a solution to his or her employees' problems.

Question 6

Which of the following is true of people who use referent power?

A)They are most often individualistic and respected by their targets.
B)They often force their targets into doing some task.
C)They perceive their employees to be experts at work.
D)They influence performance of employees by offering rewards.

Question 7

_____ is the range in which attempts to influence a person will be perceived as legitimate and will be acted on without a great deal of thought.

A)Zone of indifference
B)Zone of influence
C)Zone of reference
D)Zone of legitimacy

Question 8

For expert power to work, _____.

A)an agent's knowledge must be relevant and useful to a target
B)an agent must trust that the expertise given is accurate.
C)both an agent and a target must agree that they have the right to influence each other
D)an agent's perception of a target as an expert is crucial

Question 9

To use reward power effectively, a manager should:

A)make the connection clear between the behavior being rewarded and the reward.
B)force employees to perform specific tasks.
C)aim at reducing unproductive hours by minimizing interaction among employees.
D)select subordinates of his or her choice.

Question 10

In the context of interpersonal forms of power, charismatic individuals are often thought to have _____.

A)reward power
B)coercive power
C)referent power
D)expert power

Question 11

Which of the following statements is true of reward power?

A)It is effective as long as managers do not explicitly make a clear connection between behaviors and rewards.
B)It is an elusive power that is based on interpersonal attraction.
C)It can lead to better performance, but only as long as an employee sees a clear and strong link between performance and rewards.
D)It is based on a manager's ability to cause the employees to have unpleasant experiences.

Question 12

Which of the following is true of expert power?

A)It is the power that is based on an agent's ability to control rewards that a target wants.
B)It is the power that exists when an agent and a target agree that the agent has the right to influence the target.
C)It is the power that is based on an agent's position and his or her mutual agreement with a target.
D)It is the power that exists when an agent has specialized knowledge or skills that a target needs.

Question 13

In the context of power, the recipient of the attempt to use power is known as the _____.

A)target
B)influencer
C)agent
D)source

Question 14

If a manager makes a request to his or her employee and the employee thinks that the manager has no right to make that request, then the request falls outside the employee's:

A)zone of tolerance.
B)zone of indifference.
C)zone of influence.
D)zone of reference.

Question 15

Which of the following is true of legitimate power?

A)It is based on an agent's ability to cause a target to have an unpleasant experience.
B)It is based on an agent's ability to control rewards that a target wants.
C)It is based on an agent's position and mutual agreement with a target.
D)It is based on interpersonal attraction between an agent and a target.

Question 16

Referent power is an elusive power that is based on _____.

A)interpersonal attraction between an agent and a target
B)mutual agreement between an agent and a target
C)authority of an agent
D)persuasion capabilities of a target

Question 17

Which of the following is a difference between power and authority?

A)Power is the ability to influence while authority is the right to influence another person.
B)Power is based on interpersonal attraction while authority is based on mutual agreement.
C)Power reflects arrogance while authority reflects confidence.
D)Power involves threatening subordinates while authority involves recognizing subordinates' concerns.

Question 18

For legitimate power to be effective:

A)managers and employees must gain access to and control over important information.
B)employees' perception of their manager as an expert is crucial.
C)managers should withhold support from employees.
D)employees must believe that their manager has the right to tell them what to do.

Question 19

_____ is the right to influence another person.

A)Coercion
B)Authority
C)Ingratiation
D)Expertise

Question 20

Jenny, a manager at ThetaLearn, offers her employees an incentive of $15 for every blog post on the company's website. This helps the company display new blog posts every day on their website. In the context of interpersonal forms of power, Jenny is using _____.

A)coercive power
B)reward power
C)referent power
D)expert power

Question 21

Which of the following statements is true of information power?

A)It has the strongest relationship with performance and satisfaction.
B)It is based on an agent's ability to control rewards that a target wants.
C)It can flow upward from subordinates to managers as well as downward from managers to subordinates.
D)It is based on an agent's ability to cause a target to have an unpleasant experience.

Question 22

According to David McClelland, _____ is used to create motivation or to accomplish group goals.

A)personal power
B)social power
C)expert power
D)coercive power

Question 23

Which of the following is a guideline for managers for the ethical use of expert power?

A)They should avoid threatening subordinates' self-esteem.
B)They should avoid administering punishment consistently.
C)They should select subordinates similar to oneself.
D)They should discourage offering rewards that are desirable by subordinates.

Question 24

Which of the following is true of Rosabeth Moss Kanter's symbols of power?

A)They are useful in coercing employees to do a task.
B)They are useful in helping people in trouble.
C)They are useful in budget cutting.
D)They are useful in exercising authority over employees.

Question 25

In the context of information power, _____ is the spin that managers put on information.

A)ingratiation
B)coercion
C)networking
D)framing

Question 26

In the context of interpersonal power, _____ has been called the power of the future.

A)legitimate power
B)referent power
C)expert power
D)social power

Question 27

In the context of positive versus negative power, which of the following is true of dissenters?

A)They can serve as checks on employees voicing issues within an organization.
B)They can prevent the exposure of any wrongdoings within an organization.
C)They can influence employees in favor of organizational goals.
D)They can create a climate conducive to the ethical use of power within an organization.

Question 28

In the context of using power ethically, managers should _____ for the ethical use of referent power.

A)select subordinates different from oneself
B)treat subordinates fairly
C)offer rewards desired by subordinates
D)punish subordinates in public

Question 29

For expert power to work, a target's perception of an agent as an expert is crucial. Which of the following helps increase a target's trust in an expert?

A)Using easy-to-understand language by an agent
B)Minimizing interaction between a target and an agent
C)Emphasizing compliance by a target
D)Forcing a target to perform a task

Question 30

Anne, a manager at Punst, increases the salary of Susan, one of her employees, by 30 percent because she likes Susan. But for the other employees, she increases the salary by only 20 percent regardless of their performance. In this scenario, Anne's behavior is unethical as it violates the criterion of:

A)individual rights.
B)utilitarian outcomes.
C)distributive justice.
D)information rights.

Question 31

According to David McClelland, the two faces of power are:

A)coercive power and reward power.
B)legitimate power and illegitimate power.
C)personal power and social power.
D)interpersonal power and intrapersonal power.

Question 32

Tess, a real estate broker, has access to details regarding houses for sale in her locality. Prospective buyers can approach Tess to inquire about the availability of houses and their rates. In this scenario, Tess exercises _____.

A)referent power
B)coercive power
C)reward power
D)information power

Question 33

According to McClelland, people who approach relationships with an exchange orientation often use _____ to ensure that they get at least their fair share-and often more-in the relationship.

A)personal power
B)social power
C)legitimate power
D)expert power

Question 34

In the context of forms of interpersonal power, vital skills, abilities, and knowledge are passed on within an organization through _____.

A)reward power
B)coercive power
C)expert power
D)referent power

Question 35

Which of the following is a guideline for managers for the ethical use of legitimate power?

A)They should select subordinates similar to oneself.
B)They should make sure that information flows downward in an organization.
C)They should exercise power consistently.
D)They should engage in role modeling.

Question 36

In the context of intergroup sources of power, _____ are activities that other groups depend on to complete their tasks.

A)task functions
B)strategic contingencies
C)maintenance functions
D)influence tactics

Question 37

Clara, a supervisor at Shoesion, installed audio surveillance microphones in the workplace to monitor discussions among her subordinates. Clara also warned her subordinates of strict action in case of small talk during working hours. In this scenario, Clara's behavior is unethical as it violates the criterion of:

A)utilitarian outcomes.
B)individual rights.
C)distributive justice.
D)information power.

Question 38

According to Rosabeth Moss Kanter, which of the following is a characteristic of powerful people in organizations?

A)They do not try to intercede for someone in trouble.
B)They do not exceed budget limitations.
C)They seek advice solely from higher-level managers.
D)They procure above-average raises for employees.

Question 39

Which of the following helps a work group gain control over a strategic contingency within an organization?

A)Ability to seek guidance from other groups
B)Upward flow of information from subordinates to managers
C)Low degree of centrality within the organization
D)Ability to perform a function that is indispensable to the organization

Question 40

Which of the following powers has the strongest relationship with performance and satisfaction?

A)Reward power
B)Legitimate power
C)Referent power
D)Expert power

Question 41

_____ refers to actions not officially sanctioned by an organization that are taken to influence others in order to meet one's personal goals.

A)Principled dissent
B)External attribution
C)Political behavior
D)Distributive justice

Question 42

According to Michael Korda's tangible symbols of power, which of the following is true of managers who are really secure in their time power?

A)They wear intricate watches.
B)They insist of hourly updates from employees.
C)They wear no watch at all.
D)They force their subordinates to wear watches.

Question 43

In the context of influence tactics, flattery, opinion conformity, and subservient behavior are examples of _____.

A)ingratiation
B)exchange
C)rational persuasion
D)inspirational appeals

Question 44

The effects of political behavior in organizations can be negative when the political behavior is:

A)seen as the only means by which to accomplish something.
B)strategically undertaken to maximize self-interest.
C)used for impression management.
D)aligned with organizational goals.

Question 45

Which of the following influence tactics is often used on bosses to get them to evaluate employees more favorably?

A)Inspirational appeal
B)Ingratiation
C)Rational persuasion
D)Pressure

Question 46

MaxSpeed, a car accessories company, sees an increase in demand for its seat covers. To cater to the rising demand, Steve, the manager at the tailoring department of MaxSpeed, demands that all the employees must complete 150 products per day as opposed to the previous target of 100 products per day. He also threatens to reduce the salaries of employees who fail to meet the new target. In this scenario, which of the following influence tactics does Steve use?

A)Coalition tactic
B)Pressure tactic
C)Exchange tactic
D)Ingratiation tactic

Question 47

_____ is the process of affecting the thoughts, behavior, or feelings of another person.

A)Attrition
B)Submission
C)Domination
D)Influence

Question 48

Jim, a manager at FocusConc, was under pressure from the company's management as his project was running behind schedule. As a result, Jim subjected his employees to close supervision. He also initiated a reduction in pay for employees who took leaves until the completion of the project. According to Rosabeth Moss Kanter, Jim's action displays:

A)symbols of power
B)symptoms of powerlessness
C)lack of authority
D)signs of persuasion

Question 49

According to Michael Korda's tangible symbols of power, which of the following is a sign of powerful managers?

A)They have locked file cabinets in office.
B)They wear intricate watches to keep a constant track of time.
C)They do not impose their schedule on their subordinates.
D)They do not prefer large, expensive desks for conferences.

Question 50

In the context of political skill, which of the following is true of individuals with interpersonal influence?

A)They emphasize individual gains over organizational goals.
B)They are flexible in adapting their behavior to differing contexts in order to achieve one's goals.
C)They always keep a check on powerful people within an organization.
D)They prefer horizontal structure over vertical structure in organizations.

Question 51

In the context of political skill, _____ refers to an individual's ability to portray forthrightness and authenticity in all of his or her dealings.

A)social astuteness
B)sincerity
C)interpersonal influence
D)networking ability

Question 52

_____ refers to the ability to get things done through favorable interpersonal relationships outside formally prescribed organizational mechanisms.

A)Political skill
B)Individualistic skill
C)Competence skill
D)Competitive skill

Question 53

In the context of influence tactics, _____ is particularly effective for gaining support and resources for a new project.

A)consultation
B)rational persuasion
C)pressure
D)principled dissent

Question 54

In the context of influence tactics, _____ is used most often to get support from peers and superiors to change company policy.

A)rational persuasion
B)consultation
C)inspirational appeal
D)pressure

Question 55

Managers can prevent negative consequences of political behavior by:

A)maintaining secrecy about decision-making practices.
B)minimizing employee interaction within organizations.
C)creating an atmosphere of open communication within organizations.
D)setting clear expectations about performance and rewards.

Question 56

In the context of political behavior in organizations, _____ encourages political activity.

A)clear goals
B)definitive lines of authority
C)abundant resources
D)autocratic decision making

Question 57

In the context of influence tactics, offering to do favors for someone in an effort to create a favorable impression is a(n)_____ tactic.

A)ingratiation
B)exchange
C)coalition
D)consultation

Question 58

In _____, individuals use influence tactics to control others' opinions of them.

A)impression management
B)behavioral management
C)conflict management
D)resource management

Question 59

According to Rosabeth Moss Kanter, which of the following behaviors is displayed by top executives as a symptom of powerlessness?

A)They tend to exceed budget limitations.
B)They use dictatorial, top-down communication.
C)They seek opinions from lower-level managers.
D)They procure above-average raises for employees.

Question 60

According to Rosabeth Moss Kanter, a symptom of powerlessness that first-line managers often display is:

A)an overly close supervision of employees.
B)an incessant focus on budget expansion.
C)a tendency to train employees rather than doing the job themselves.
D)a tendency to blame themselves for negative events.

Question 61

Reward power leads to better performance as long as an employee sees a clear and strong link between performance and rewards.

Question 62

To use reward power effectively, employees must believe that a manager has the right to tell them what to do.

Question 63

According to Jay Conger, which of the following is a guideline on how managers can empower employees in an organization?

A)Managers should set low performance expectations.
B)Managers should exclude employees from decision-making processes.
C)Managers should reinstate bureaucratic constraints in the organization.
D)Managers should encourage employees to take responsibility for goals.

Question 64

Legitimate power has the strongest relationship with performance and satisfaction in comparison to the other forms of power.

Question 65

According to David McClelland, the positive face of power is personal power.

Question 66

In the context of empowerment, _____ is a fit between a work role and an employee's values and beliefs.

A)self-determination
B)competence
C)impact
D)meaning

Question 67

Influence is exclusively exercised upward within an organization.

Question 68

Which of the following is most likely to be true of negative feedback in a problem-solving format?

A)It tends to make employees set unrealistic expectations regarding work.
B)It tends to bring about a closer employee-boss relationship.
C)It makes employees sensitive to external changes.
D)It has the strongest relationship with performance and satisfaction.

Question 69

Coercive power is power based on an agent's ability to control rewards that a target wants, such as salary increases, bonuses, and promotions.

Question 70

People who use referent power well are most often individualistic and respected by their targets.

Question 71

In the context of empowerment, _____ is the belief that one's job makes a difference within an organization.

A)impact
B)competence
C)self-determination
D)meaning

Question 72

Sean works as a manager at Furkeys. He threatens Will, one of the employees at Furkeys, with a decrement in salary if Will fails to complete his newly assigned project within a month. In this scenario, Sean is using his coercive power on Will.

Question 73

Which of the following is the first step that employees should take in managing their relationships with their boss?

A)They should try to understand as much as they can about their boss.
B)They should assess their own needs differently from the way they analyze their boss's needs.
C)They should inform their boss about their strengths and weaknesses.
D)They should provide positive and negative feedback to their boss.

Question 74

In the context of empowerment, _____ consists of the tasks and procedures necessary for doing a particular job.

A)job content
B)competence
C)job context
D)meaning

Question 75

Which of the following best defines competence?

A)It is a fit between work roles and employees' values and beliefs.
B)It is the belief that one has the ability to do a job well.
C)It is the belief that one's job makes a difference within an organization.
D)It is having control over the way one does work.

Question 76

Referent power is the power that exists when an agent has specialized knowledge or skills that a target needs.

Question 77

Which of the following is true of self-managed teams?

A)They take on decisions and activities that traditionally belong to managers.
B)They place individual interests ahead of organizational interests.
C)They discourage increased participation in decision making.
D)They remove bureaucratic constraints that stifle organizations' autonomy.

Question 78

A guideline for the ethical use of legitimate power is that managers should give clear instructions and follow up with employees to verify understanding.

Question 79

In the context of empowerment, _____ includes the way a job fits into an organization's mission, goals, and objectives.

A)job content
B)competence
C)job context
D)impact

Question 80

In the context of empowerment, which of the following best defines self-determination?

A)It is having control over the way one does work.
B)It is the belief that one's job makes a difference within an organization.
C)It is the belief that one has the ability to do a job well.
D)It is a fit between work roles and employees' values and beliefs.