Deck 8: Foundations of Group Behaviour

Question 1

Which one of the following characteristics is NOT part of a definition of a group?

A)interdependent
B)organisationally assigned goals
C)interacting
D)two or more members

Answer 1

B

Question 2

Three employees from different departments who regularly eat lunch together are an example of a(n)________ group.

A)formal
B)informal
C)task
D)command

Answer 2

B

Question 3

Members in a group work interdependently.

Answer 3

True

Question 4

Fred,Vera,Martin,Susan and Chen all bump into each other at a wedding.They start to talk and soon realise that they share certain bonds.Fred and Vera both support the local cricket team.Vera,Susan and Martin went to the same university.Martin and Chen both go to the same church.Also,Fred and Susan both held their first jobs together at the same McDonald's store.Further,Fred and Martin were born in the same week,went to the same high school and their mother's know each other. In this group of five people,what characteristic of social identity is likely to cause Vera and Susan to bond?

A)similarity
B)distinctiveness
C)status
D)uncertainty reduction

Question 5

When two people bond because they feel they are different from other members of the group,these people are likely to be responding to which characteristic of social identity theory?

A)similarity
B)distinctiveness
C)status
D)uncertainty reduction

Question 6

A person is more likely to claim their affiliation with a university if it is a well-regarded university.This is an example of which characteristic of social identity theory?

A)similarity
B)distinctiveness
C)status
D)uncertainty reduction

Question 7

The types of interactions among individuals,even though informal,deeply affect their behaviour and performance.

Question 8

Informal groups:

A)are defined by the organisation structure.
B)should be formed outside working hours.
C)are detrimental in the workplace.
D)appear in response to the need for social contact.

Question 9

People maintain a single identity throughout their lives.

Question 10

Probably the biggest downside of social identities is that they encourage in-group favouritism.

Question 11

Which of the following is NOT a characteristic that makes social identity important to a person?

A)similarity
B)distinctiveness
C)uncertainty reduction
D)age

Question 12

A group must have at least two members and one or more objectives.

Question 13

People are able to switch their identities when the situation calls for it.

Question 14

Social identities help us understand who we are and where we fit in with other people.

Question 15

________ groups are defined by the organisation's structure.

A)Informal
B)Friendship
C)Interest
D)Formal

Question 16

Fred,Vera,Martin,Susan and Chen all bump into each other at a wedding.They start to talk and soon realise that they share certain bonds.Fred and Vera both support the local cricket team.Vera,Susan and Martin went to the same university.Martin and Chen both go to the same church.Also,Fred and Susan both held their first jobs together at the same McDonald's store.Further,Fred and Martin were born in the same week,went to the same high school and their mother's know each other. Fred and Vera are very proud that their cricket team has just made it into the final test match.Which of the following characteristics of social identity theory is likely to cause Fred and Vera to bond?

A)similarity
B)distinctiveness
C)status
D)uncertainty reduction

Question 17

Differentiate between formal and informal groups.

Question 18

Formal groups have natural formations.

Question 19

Fred,Vera,Martin,Susan and Chen all bump into each other at a wedding.They start to talk and soon realise that they share certain bonds.Fred and Vera both support the local cricket team.Vera,Susan and Martin went to the same university.Martin and Chen both go to the same church.Also,Fred and Susan both held their first jobs together at the same McDonald's store.Further,Fred and Martin were born in the same week,went to the same high school and their mother's know each other. Which of the following characteristics of social identity theory is likely to cause Fred and Martin to bond?

A)similarity
B)distinctiveness
C)status
D)uncertainty reduction

Question 20

Social identity theory proposes that people have emotional reactions to the failure or success of their group because their self-esteem is tied into the performance of the group.

Question 21

Temporary groups with deadlines follow the ________ model.

A)five-stage group development
B)five-stage general
C)punctuated equilibrium
D)transitional group

Question 22

In the second stage of group development:

A)the job task is performed.
B)close relationships are developed.
C)intragroup conflict often occurs.
D)the group demonstrates cohesiveness.

Question 23

The norming stage of group development is characterised by camaraderie.

Question 24

According to the punctuated equilibrium model,groups tend to experience ________ about halfway between the first meeting and the official deadline.

A)reinforcement of the initial fixed course
B)inertia
C)a midlife crisis
D)stagnation

Question 25

What is social identity theory and how does it work?

Question 26

When the group energy is focused on the task at hand,the group has moved to the ________ stage.

A)norming
B)storming
C)adjourning
D)performing

Question 27

The stages of group development are:

A)pre-stage,introduction,acceptance,high productivity and decline.
B)forming,storming,norming,performing and adjourning.
C)initiation,evolution,maturation,development and decline.
D)introduction,idea generation,planning,implementation and termination.

Question 28

Which is the stage of group development characterised by close relationships and cohesiveness?

A)norming
B)bonding
C)storming
D)performing

Question 29

In the punctuated equilibrium model,the group's direction is re-examined frequently in the first half of the group's life and is likely to be altered.

Question 30

According to the punctuated equilibrium model,all of the following are true about groups EXCEPT:

A)a transition takes place at the end of the first phase,which occurs exactly when the group has used up one third of its allotted time.
B)the group's last meeting is characterised by markedly accelerated activity,which is considered normal for temporary groups.
C)the first phase of group activity is one of inertia,which occurs as they are locked into a fixed course of action.
D)the first meeting sets the group's direction,while a framework of behaviours and patterns become apparent.

Question 31

By the end of which stage of a group's development has the group formed a common set of expectations of member behaviours?

A)norming
B)performing
C)forming
D)storming

Question 32

Temporary groups with task-specific deadlines follow the five-stage model of group development.

Question 33

Most conflicts are resolved by the completion of the first stage in a group's development.

Question 34

Some individuals resist the constraints imposed by the group,resulting in high levels of conflict.

Question 35

The stages of group development must occur sequentially and will never occur simultaneously.

Question 36

Which is NOT one of the stages in the five-stage group development model?

A)norming
B)storming
C)adopting
D)forming

Question 37

During which stage of a group's development is there a likely chance of intragroup conflict within the group?

A)forming
B)performing
C)storming
D)norming

Question 38

The five-stage model of group development sees groups progressing through the five stages at different rates.

Question 39

The stage in group development which is characterised by uncertainty is:

A)norming.
B)storming.
C)performing.
D)forming.

Question 40

For permanent work groups,performing is the last stage in their development.

Question 41

What is the punctuated equilibrium model?

Question 42

The ________ defines mutual expectations along with behavioural expectations that go with every role.

A)group norm
B)role stereotype
C)role expectation
D)psychological contract

Question 43

Zimbardo's simulated prison experiment involving 'normal' students at Stanford University illustrated:

A)individual communication.
B)the sudden adaptation of new roles.
C)a conflict of interest.
D)group conformity.

Question 44

Astro Inc.is reorganising and your new work group begins working together on Monday morning.Your university course in organisational behaviour contained information about the stages of group development,and your supervisor has asked your advice about the predictable stages of group development. You should warn your supervisor that in the first stage of group development,the team members will probably:

A)be in conflict.
B)be uncertain.
C)be their most productive.
D)focus their energy on performing the task at hand.

Question 45

We can be counted on to select roles in our lives that are in harmony with one another.

Question 46

List and briefly describe the stages in the five-stage model of group development.

Question 47

Compare and contrast the five-stage model for group development with the punctuated equilibrium model.

Question 48

The psychological contract defines behavioural expectations between managers and employees.

Question 49

A ________ is a set of expected behaviour patterns associated with a particular position in a social unit.

A)norm
B)stereotype
C)role
D)status hierarchy

Question 50

When an individual is confronted by divergent role expectations,the result is role conflict.

Question 51

Which of the following does NOT describe a psychological contract?

A)It is an unwritten agreement that exists between employees and employer.
B)It addresses status issues in an organisation.
C)It sets out mutual expectations between management and workers.
D)It defines the behavioural expectations that go with every role.

Question 52

One's view of how one is supposed to act in a given situation is a role perception.

Question 53

Astro Inc.is reorganising and your new work group begins working together on Monday morning.Your university course in organisational behaviour contained information about the stages of group development,and your supervisor has asked your advice about the predictable stages of group development. The final stage for this permanent work group should be:

A)performing.
B)adjourning.
C)norming.
D)storming.

Question 54

All group members can be said to be actors,each playing a role.

Question 55

When an individual finds that compliance with one role requirement may make the compliance with another more difficult,the result is role:

A)conflict.
B)perception.
C)expectation.
D)identity.

Question 56

When a person faces different and sometime contradictory roles,he or she is experiencing role perception.

Question 57

How others believe you should act in a given situation is a:

A)role expectation.
B)norm.
C)role perception.
D)stereotype.

Question 58

Astro Inc.is reorganising and your new work group begins working together on Monday morning.Your university course in organisational behaviour contained information about the stages of group development,and your supervisor has asked your advice about the predictable stages of group development. You are predicting the most productive stage will be:

A)norming.
B)forming.
C)performing.
D)storming.

Question 59

Zimbardo's simulated prison experiment is most important because it demonstrates individuals:

A)can easily and rapidly assume new roles very different from their inherent personalities.
B)assumed normal identities and emotional stability as an adaptive measure.
C)reflected on their own personal experiences at home,at work and in social situations.
D)performed better when a lower-fidelity prison setting simulation was used.

Question 60

The punctuated equilibrium model characterises groups as exhibiting long periods of inertia interspersed with brief revolutionary changes triggered primarily by members' awareness of time and deadlines.

Question 61

________ norms include things like appropriate dress and when to look busy.

A)Social arrangement
B)Allocation of resources
C)Appearance
D)Performance

Question 62

Antisocial actions by organisational members that intentionally violate established norms and that result in negative consequences for the organisation,its members or both are referred to as:

A)ethical dilemmas.
B)voluntary behaviour.
C)norms.
D)deviant workplace behaviour.

Question 63

Norms that dictate assignment of difficult jobs and allocation of new tools and equipment are norms dealing with:

A)financial standards.
B)resource allocation.
C)corporate objectives.
D)informal arrangements.

Question 64

When a psychological contract is broken,both parties renegotiate to create a new contract.

Question 65

Several years ago,you began a small retail store to sell computer parts.The store grew and the business expanded to offer computer repair and custom computer programming.You have noticed that employees have definite expectations about what their appropriate role within the expanding company should be. You can help them understand their roles and the role of other people by explaining some common facts about roles.All of the following statements are true EXCEPT:

A)It may be helpful for them to view role expectations through the perspective of a psychological contract.
B)Role perception is how others believe people are expected to act in their given role.
C)Most employees are simultaneously in occupations,work groups,divisions and demographic groups,and these different identities can come into conflict.
D)Each person will be expected to play a number of diverse roles.

Question 66

________ norms include how to get the job done and the level of output.

A)Performance
B)Allocation of resources
C)Social arrangement
D)Appearance

Question 67

One example of work group norms deals with performance-related processes.Examples of performance norms include all of the following EXCEPT:

A)how hard the employee should work.
B)level of output.
C)appropriate levels of tardiness.
D)appropriate dress.

Question 68

Several years ago,you began a small retail store to sell computer parts.The store grew and the business expanded to offer computer repair and custom computer programming.You have noticed that employees have definite expectations about what their appropriate role within the expanding company should be. To clear up confusion,you have decided that you must come to an unwritten agreement with each employee about your mutual expectations.You are developing a(n):

A)employment contract.
B)role expectation contract.
C)role playing document.
D)psychological contract.

Question 69

Differentiate the terms role perception,role expectations and role conflict.

Question 70

Several years ago,you began a small retail store to sell computer parts.The store grew and the business expanded to offer computer repair and custom computer programming.You have noticed that employees have definite expectations about what their appropriate role within the expanding company should be. John is expected to help customers in the retail store as well as perform computer repair work.He feels that every time he gets started on a repair,he is interrupted and doesn't know whether to finish his repair or wait on the customer.John suffers from role:

A)perception.
B)expectations.
C)conflict.
D)identity.

Question 71

Norms that dictate with whom group members eat lunch and whether to form friendships on and off the job are norms dealing with:

A)social arrangements.
B)ethical issues.
C)group activity.
D)appearance factors.

Question 72

Explain the psychological contract.

Question 73

Only some groups have established norms.

Question 74

Acceptable standards of behaviour that are shared by the group's members are called:

A)opinions.
B)sanctions.
C)norms.
D)rules.

Question 75

Norms tell members what they ought and ought not to do under certain circumstances.

Question 76

Which is NOT a common class of norms appearing in most work groups?

A)termination
B)appearance
C)social arrangements
D)performance

Question 77

The major contribution of the Asch study was to demonstrate the impact of:

A)the Hawthorne effect.
B)seating arrangements.
C)group pressures for conformity.
D)status on group performance.

Question 78

Performance norms include things like appropriate dress and when to look busy.

Question 79

The Hawthorne studies:

A)began by examining the relationship between the physical environment and productivity.
B)began with illumination experiments with various groups of workers.
C)did a third study to ascertain the effect of a sophisticated wage incentive plan.
D)all of the above.

Question 80

________ groups are characterised as ones where a person is aware of the others.The person defines himself or herself as a member or would like to be a member.

A)Status
B)Normative
C)Role
D)Reference