Deck 3: Communication and Organizational Encounter

Question 1

Vertical (hierarchical) metaphors are often used in our everyday talk about organization without us realizing it.

Answer 1

True

Question 2

Uncertainty reduction theory is older than uncertainty management theory.

Answer 2

True

Question 3

The information seeking strategies of observing and surveillance do not require direct communication.

Answer 3

True

Question 4

Telling a coworker that work was done in a particular way at one's last job could be an information-seeking strategy known as testing.

Question 5

Role innovators change their roles to better suit their interests.

Question 6

Rebels ignore their own interests and needs for the benefit of the organization.

Question 7

According to uncertainty management theory, which one of the following is not true when a person meets a new coworker?

A) The person may try to ignore the discomfort due to the uncertainty.
B) The person may try to reduce uncertainty based on previous experience alone.
C) The person may not seek information to maintain his or her image.
D) The person will automatically be motivated to seek information to reduce his or her uncertainty.

Question 8

According to the original concepts of uncertainty reduction theory, which one of the following is true when a person meets a new coworker?

A) The person may try to reduce uncertainty based on previous experience alone.
B) The person may not seek information to maintain his or her image.
C) The person will try to ignore the discomfort due to the uncertainty.
D) The person will be motivated to seek information to reduce his or her uncertainty.

Question 9

Which of the following is a good definition of organizational socialization?

A) the process of acquiring the social knowledge and skills needed to join an organization
B) socializing with coworkers after work
C) socializing with family and friends on the phone at work
D) the process of applying skills learned in college to the work place

Question 10

Which of the following is not a good definition of organizational socialization?

A) The process of learning how to do one's job and understanding the organizational culture.
B) The process of learning how to communicate with peers and supervisors and finding a place in the communication network.
C) The process of learning how to socialize with coworkers at work and away from work.
D) The process of acquiring the social knowledge and skills needed to succeed in an organization.

Question 11

Which of the following is not an assumption about the process of socialization for newcomers?

A) It is always an easy, smooth process.
B) It includes official and unofficial information.
C) It involves learning new roles and behaviors.
D) It is stressful or anxiety producing.

Question 12

Collective socialization can be defined as

A) putting the newcomers through training separately.
B) putting the newcomers through training together as a group.
C) treating newcomers as if their opinions are not valued.
D) treating newcomers as if their opinions are valued.

Question 13

Informal socialization can be defined as

A) training that occurs for newcomers while on the job.
B) training that gives newcomers a sense that they are valued.
C) training that give newcomers a sense that their opinions are valued.
D) training that occurs before newcomers get to do real work.

Question 14

Serial socialization can be defined as

A) separating newcomers from others while they learn their roles.
B) training newcomers in a large group.
C) providing a mentor or role model for newcomers.
D) leaving newcomers on their own to learn their roles.

Question 15

A random versus sequential socialization strategy refers to

A) training that occurs in no particular order versus training in a particular pattern.
B) training that varies in how long it takes versus training that always takes the same amount of time.
C) training by oneself versus training with a number of other people.
D) training by oneself versus training with a mentor or person who previously held the position.

Question 16

An investiture versus divestiture strategy of socialization refers to

A) on the job training versus training away from the actual work.
B) training by oneself versus training with a number of other people.
C) training that allows people to be themselves versus training that attempts to change characteristics of the individual.
D) training that follows a particular time pattern versus training that can take an indefinite period of time.

Question 17

A fixed versus variable socialization strategy refers to

A) training that occurs in no particular order versus training in a particular pattern.
B) training by oneself versus training with a number of other people.
C) training that varies in how long it takes versus training that always takes the same amount of time.
D) training by oneself versus training with a mentor or person who previously held the position.

Question 18

A person who assumes a custodial or team player role tends to

A) accept the values, practices, and behaviors of the organization.
B) try to find innovative ways to change his or her job to improve it.
C) try to negotiate changes in his or her work situation.
D) reject many of the norms and values of the organization.

Question 19

A person who assumes a content innovator role tends to

A) accept the values, practices, and behaviors of the organization.
B) try to find innovative ways to change his or her job to improve it.
C) try to negotiate changes in his or her work situation.
D) reject many of the norms and values of the organization.

Question 20

A person who assumes a role innovator role tends to

A) accept the values, practices, and behaviors of the organization.
B) try to find innovative ways to change his or her job to improve it.
C) try to negotiate changes in his or her work situation.
D) reject many of the norms and values of the organization.

Question 21

A newcomer is uncertain about what her supervisor wants in a report. Not wanting to look bad, she asks a peer what to do. This is an example of which information-seeking strategy?

A) direct inquiry
B) indirect inquiry
C) third-party inquiry
D) testing

Question 22

A newcomer is uncertain about his supervisor wants in a report. During a conversation with the supervisor he comments that in his old job the report usually included just three things. This is an example of which information-seeking strategy?

A) direct inquiry
B) disguising conversation
C) third-party inquiry
D) observation

Question 23

A newcomer is uncertain about the department norms for lunch breaks. Rather than ask anyone, she simply keeps track of when people leave and return for about a week and decides lunch breaks are for about 30-40 minutes. This is an example of which information-seeking strategy?

A) disguising conversation
B) third party inquiry
C) observation
D) testing

Question 24

A newcomer is uncertain about ordering supplies. Rather than ask his supervisor, he asks the delivery person the next time supplies arrive about how it usually works. This is an example of seeking information from which type of source?

A) workgroup sources
B) other organizational sources
C) impersonal sources
D) external sources

Question 25

A newcomer is uncertain about how to get a raise and promotion in this company. Over time, she develops a relationship with a supervisor in another department. She talks to her about what to do. This is an example of seeking information from which type of source?

A) workgroup sources
B) other organizational sources
C) impersonal sources
D) external sources

Question 26

At the end of his second week at work, a newcomer is invited to join a group of coworkers for happy hour Friday after work. This is most clearly an example of crossing which type of boundary passage?

A) functional boundary
B) hierarchical boundary
C) inclusionary boundary
D) status boundary

Question 27

Each time Peter has a computer problem and calls the information technology department for help, he has trouble understanding what they tell him to do, and so he needs help the next time the problem occurs. This language problem is most clearly an example of what type of boundary?

A) functional boundary
B) hierarchical boundary
C) inclusionary boundary
D) status boundary

Question 28

By the end of her second week at work, Amanda realizes that her coworkers are much friendlier than in her previous job. This is an example of which concept?

A) uncertainty management
B) information seeking
C) crossing organizational boundaries
D) differences between experiences and expectations

Question 29

Explain how uncertainty management theory differs from the earlier uncertainty reduction theory.

Question 30

Organizational newcomers experience four types of uncertainty (e.g., task uncertainty). Define three of these types of uncertainty and provide examples.

Question 31

Describe three sources besides their supervisors and peers from whom newcomers can seek information to manage their uncertainty. Include an example of the type of information those sources might provide to assist the newcomer.

Question 32

Define divestiture. Then, explain two strategies that institutions use to create divestiture.

Question 33

Identify and define three information-seeking strategies that newcomers can use without needing to ask the source of uncertainty directly, such as a manager.

Question 34

Using the concept of boundaries, explain two possible boundaries between a chief executive officer and a frontline employee.

Question 35

Functional boundaries symbolically separate organizations into departments or divisions. Identify two ways that communication creates these boundaries for organizational members.