Deck 3: Human Behavior in Groups: Theories and Dynamics

Question 1

Conflict often characterizes the beginnings stage of task group development, as well as the _____ stage.

A) endings and evaluation
B) stabilization and working
C) assessment
D) ending and evaluation

Answer 1

assessment

Question 2

Which theory provides a means for understanding human behavior in many contexts, including the interactions of individuals, groups, families, organizations, and communities in the macro social environment?

A) Learning
B) Field
C) Systems
D) Psychoanalytic

Answer 2

Systems

Question 3

Which term refers to the group process wherein members establish some consensus regarding role structure and group standards for behavior?

A) Norming
B) Performing
C) Storming
D) Calming

Answer 3

Norming

Question 4

Rajesh was recently elected Lieutenant Governor. He has _____ power.

A) reward
B) expert
C) legitimate
D) coercive

Question 5

Which feature of emotional intelligence refers to the ability to control troublesome emotions both in oneself and in others?

A) Self-awareness
B) Self-management
C) Social awareness
D) Relationship management

Question 6

Which stage of a task group development is sometimes referred to as the performing phase?

A) Stabilization
B) Assessment
C) Evaluation
D) Working

Question 7

Whenever Benjamin arrives late to work, his coworker says, "Must be nice to sleep in!" in an annoying singsong voice. For a few days, Benjamin arrives to work on time and his coworker says nothing. From then on, Benjamin is punctual. This is an example of:

A) modeling.
B) negative reinforcement.
C) positive reinforcement.
D) punishment.

Question 8

Which theory conceptualizes the social environment in terms of behavior, its preceding events, and its subsequent consequences?

A) Learning
B) Cognitive-Behavioral
C) Systems
D) Psychoanalytic

Question 9

Which of the following is NOT a skill required of effective task group leaders?

A) Taking action
B) Providing counseling for members
C) Collecting and assessing information
D) Promoting group functioning

Question 10

Which of the following is true regarding confidentiality?

A) Confidentiality is not as important in groups as it is in other aspects of social work.
B) Everything shared within a group setting should be kept confidential.
C) Leaders can ensure confidentiality on behalf of everyone in a group.
D) Confidentiality is crucial to the success of a group.

Question 11

Which theory emphasizes the impact of early life experiences on current feelings and behavior?

A) Empowerment
B) Social exchange
C) Systems
D) Psychoanalytic

Question 12

Which type of power is that held as a result of other group members' respect and high esteem?

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

Question 13

Which type of power is based on established authority in a particular domain?

A) Expert
B) Legitimate
C) Coercive
D) Referent

Question 14

If a group member screams, "FIRE!", other members likely will run out of the room. This is an example of:

A) respondent conditioning.
B) modeling.
C) operant conditioning.
D) negative reinforcement.

Question 15

Which term, closely related to power, refers to the relative rank assigned to members within the group?

A) Status
B) Dominance
C) Empowerment
D) Resistance

Question 16

Which conceptual framework was initially developed by Karl Lewin and focuses on the relationship between the group and its environment?

A) Learning
B) Field
C) Social Exchange
D) Empowerment

Question 17

Which feminist theory stresses the particularity of women's experiences in specific cultural and historical contexts?

A) Radical
B) Liberal
C) Postmodern
D) Socialist

Question 18

Which of the following terms refers to the communication skill that involves stating what another person says, but by using different words?

A) Clarification
B) Reiteration
C) Regurgitation
D) Rephrasing

Question 19

Which term, used in feminist theories, refers to the process of accepting a person and a person's actions as justifiable and relevant?

A) Validation
B) Consciousness raising
C) Worthiness
D) Empathy

Question 20

Which of the following statements regarding confidentiality is FALSE?

A) Confidentiality is important as a way of demonstrating respect for protecting the personal disclosures of other members.
B) Group leaders should describe at the outset the limits of confidentiality.
C) Leaders must avoid sanctions for violations of confidentiality as these have proven ineffective deterrents.
D) Leaders can only ensure confidentiality on their part, not on the part of others in the group.

Question 21

Empowerment theory stresses how group members can help each other through mutual aid.

Question 22

Self-disclosure is most appropriate during the group's initial sessions.

Question 23

In groups, relations-oriented roles are those where members seek their own satisfaction and control.

Question 24

An important concept in the social exchange theory is cohesion.

Question 25

Reward power is held because of the ability to provide positive reinforcement to others.

Question 26

Social exchange theory views a group as a single entity, stressing its functioning as a unit.

Question 27

Talking about the group's termination ahead of time just causes unnecessary anxiety and disrupts the progress of the group.

Question 28

The working phase of task group development is sometimes referred to as norming.

Question 29

Laissez-faire leaders take control of group functioning.

Question 30

Self-disclosure always improves group members' positive feeling about themselves.

Question 31

Conflict often characterizes the third and fourth stage of task group development.

Question 32

Cognitive-behavioral theory has rarely been applied to task groups.

Question 33

From the feminist's perspective, the personal and the political aspects of consciousness raising cannot really be separated.

Question 34

Group leaders need to help members understand the importance of maintaining confidentiality as a way of demonstrating respect for protecting the personal disclosures of other members.

Question 35

A group is at least two individuals gathered together because of some emotional bond, to meet members' social and emotional needs, or to fulfill some mutual purpose.

Question 36

The beginnings stage of task group development is the first stage.

Question 37

Incidents occurring in a group's history may shape norms.

Question 38

All information shared within a group setting should be kept confidential.

Question 39

Norms are expected behavior patterns based on individuals' status or position within the group.

Question 40

Valances are forces that push one toward or pull one away from group involvement and participation.

Question 41

From a feminist's perspective, what is meant by the concept of personal as political? Of diversity as strength?

Question 42

List the stages of task group development.

Question 43

Briefly describe the following feminist theories: liberal feminism, socialist feminism, radical feminism, and postmodern feminism.

Question 44

Cite examples of barriers to communication. How do they impact effective communication in groups?

Question 45

Identify four theoretical perspectives on groups and explain the major concepts involved.

Question 46

Define the concept of group and list three reasons why groups are relevant in social work.

Question 47

Compare and contrast field theory and social exchange theory.

Question 48

Cite an example of an instance where it would be appropriate for self-disclosure, and construct an example of inappropriate self-disclosure.

Question 49

Of all the theories discussed (field, social exchange, learning, psychoanalytic, systems, empowerment, and feminist), which concepts do you think are most relevant in understanding how groups work? Explain why.

Question 50

Identify and define the five sources of power in groups.

Question 51

How might group leaders encourage confidentiality in group members?

Question 52

Explain the norming, performing, and storming phases of a group.

Question 53

Picture some formal group with which you've been involved:
A. In what kind of specific activities did the group participate?
B. How would you explain the interactions of group members?
C. How would you describe the sentiments experienced by yourself and other group members?
D. What norms did the group assume for how you should behave?

Question 54

Imagine that you are the leader of a task group. How would you structure your environment to use verbal and nonverbal communication most effectively?

Question 55

Picture some group with which you've been involved. What kind of group was it? Who was the leader of that group? What kinds of power (legitimate, reward, coercive, referent, and/or expert) did that leader bring to the group? How would you describe the leader's style-more leader-directed or group-directed? To what extent did the leader empower group members? If so, what specific techniques did the leader use?