Deck 6: Task Groups

Question 1

Which of the following is a characteristic of the problem-solving strategy for resolving conflict?

A)Each side seeks solutions which will meet only its needs.
B)Each side attempts to force the other side into submission.
C)Each person seeks to find solutions which will meet the needs of all members.
D)Changes in position are made very slowly, in an effort to force concessions from the other side.

Answer 1

C

Question 2

Which of the following statements is true of brainstorming?

A)To be effective, brainstorming sessions should last for at least two hours.
B)Criticism and evaluation of all ideas is strongly encouraged.
C)Wild and even absurd ideas are encouraged.
D)The quality of the ideas generated is more important than the quantity.

Answer 2

C

Question 3

The two-thirds or three-fourths majority votes require a high percentage majority vote to make a decision. Which of the following characterizes a high-percentage vote?

A)It takes less time than a simple majority.
B)It takes more time than consensus.
C)It is often used by government units to pass emergency requests for special funds.
D)All of these are correct.

Answer 3

C

Question 4

According to the guidelines for leading task groups, addressing individual goals of the members should be discussed for the first time when ​

A)establishing the group goals.
B)selecting potential members.
C)orienting members to the group.
D)holding the first meeting.

Question 5

_____ is a problem-solving process in which proposals are accepted without a critical, careful review of the pros and cons of the alternatives, and in which considerable social pressure is brought to bear against those expressing opposing points of view.

A)Negative pressure
B)Groupthink
C)Mass decision-making
D)Majority mentality

Question 6

When a meeting is near the ending time, the leader should summarize what has been accomplished during the meeting and future agenda items should be specified and recorded.

Question 7

The first step in the problem-solving process is

A)assessing the size and causes of the problem.
B)developing alternative strategies or plans for solving the problem.
C)selecting and implementing the most desirable strategy.
D)identifying and defining the problem.

Question 8

The "Law of ______" states that if a person continues to creatively come up with new ways of responding to conflict, eventually the aggressor will grow tired of the turmoil and will finally decide to bury the hatchet.

A)The Jungle
B)The Land
C)Requisite Variety
D)Endurance

Question 9

The leader of a task group has an obligation to keep the members focused on the task and to move the meeting along to make progress on completing the agenda items.

Question 10

Which of the following is a characteristic of the win-lose strategy for resolving conflict?

A)Each person cooperates with others to find mutually acceptable compromises.
B)Each person equalizes his power by emphasizing mutual interdependence.
C)Third parties are sought to help in problem solving.
D)Each side attempts to force the other side into submission.

Question 11

______ is a technique for resolving conflicts in which each person expresses his or her opinions or views only after restating the ideas and feelings of the opposing person.

A)Role reversal
B)Empathy
C)Inquiry
D)I-messages

Question 12

Task groups are most often convened for the purpose of team building.

Question 13

When a problem is defined precisely and accurately, it is easier to solve.

Question 14

One approach to decision-making is the "simple majority" vote. What is a strength of this approach?

A)Minority opinions are safeguarded.
B)An expert is designated to make the final decision.
C)Decisions are arrived at much faster than other approaches to decision making.
D)All members agree with the final outcome.

Question 15

_____ involves finding some truth in what the other person (side)is saying and then expressing your "agreement" even if you feel the other person is largely wrong.

A)Role reversal
B)Empathy
C)Disarming
D)Stroking

Question 16

Which of the following statements about "groupthink" is not true?

A)Members have an illusion of being invulnerable, which leads them to take extraordinary risks.
B)Members fail to respond to clear warnings of danger.
C)Members tend to ignore the ethical consequences of their decisions.
D)Members give careful consideration to members with dissenting views.

Question 17

A committee that is a temporary creation instead of a more permanent part of an organization is called a(n)_____ committee.

A)standing
B)ad hoc
C)ad litum
D)quorum

Question 18

Group decision making is usually superior to individual decision making because

A)a group of novices can outperform an expert.
B)group members do not worry about having to please others in the group.
C)subjective influences enhance group members' quality of decision making.
D)the knowledge, abilities, and resources of each member are pooled.

Question 19

All of the following are considered barriers to effective problem solving except

A)lack of motivation.
B)inadequate definitions.
C)poor communication.
D)lack of personality differences.

Question 20

Blades developed a five-step model for mediating conflicts, in which _____ is the final stage.

A)agreement
B)contracting
C)deployment
D)consensus

Question 21

The stroking technique for resolving conflict involves saying something genuinely positive to the person (or side)you are in conflict with, even in the heat of battle.

Question 22

Having an invalid hypothesis is a barrier to effective problem solving because the group acts on faulty theories about the causes of the problem.

Question 23

Conflicts in groups only produce negative results and should be avoided.

Question 24

One of the major functions of a task group is problem solving. Explain the difference between the Win-Lose Strategy versus the Problem-Solving Strategy. Describe a time in which you were part a task group that implemented one of the strategies, and your views on the outcome of the process.

Question 25

Caucusing is a technique used by mediators to allow parties to vent intense emotions privately or to seek clarification of a party's interests.

Question 26

When groupthink is occurring, members tend to re-examine selected courses of action when they learn of risks, drawbacks, and unintended consequences which they had not previously considered.

Question 27

Imagine you are an intern in the Health Services office at your university and have been asked to convene a task group to determine the needs of college students diagnosed with ADHD. In an essay, describe two methods by which you would recruit members. Then, explain two topics you would address in the group's first meeting.

Question 28

The ground rules of brainstorming generally discourage the expression of unusual or poorly thought-out ideas.

Question 29

Most decisions are made on the basis of objective facts and figures, rather than on values and assumptions.

Question 30

Multiple voting requires consensus on the final decision.

Question 31

Subjective influences can substantially reduce the quality of group decision making.

Question 32

The second major function of a task group is decision making. Describe three approaches to decision making, elaborating the pros and cons of each approach.

Question 33

When groupthink is occurring, members tend not to limit themselves to obtaining facts and listening to opinions that support their preferred policy, but instead are more likely to pay closer attention to facts and opinions that do not.