Deck 4: Systems and Critical Approaches to Organizational Communication

Question 1

___________ is credited with introducing general systems theory.

A) Ludwig von Bertanlanffy
B) Norbert Wiener
C) Karl Weick
D) Karl Marx

Answer 1

A

Question 2

___________ is a control and communication theory that examines both machine and animal.

A) Cybernetics
B) Equivocality
C) Interdependence
D) Topology

Answer 2

A

Question 3

__________ refers to there being more than one meaning or interpretation in an environment.

A) Cybernetics
B) Equivocality
C) Interdependence
D) Topology

Answer 3

B

Question 4

The assimilation of information in a system is considered a(n)

A) input.
B) throughput.
C) output.
D) gestalt.

Question 5

The products that are released to the public from an organization would be considered a(n)

A) input.
B) throughput.
C) output.
D) gestalt.

Question 6

The idea that a system is more than just the sum of its parts is a term referred to as

A) holism.
B) interdependence.
C) equivocality.
D) equifinality.

Question 7

___________ is the recognition that the parts of a system are mutually reliant on one another.

A) Holism
B) Interdependence
C) Equivocality
D) Equifinality

Question 8

Closed systems tend to get run down because they are more prone to

A) negative entropy.
B) entropy.
C) equifinality.
D) equivocality.

Question 9

Energy that is created for work in a changing system, so that the system can endure and grow, is referred to as

A) negative entropy.
B) entropy.
C) equifinality.
D) equivocality.

Question 10

Different departments in an organization are components of that system's

A) inputs.
B) outputs.
C) subsystems.
D) suprasystems.

Question 11

Which of the following is a characteristic of a closed system?

A) outputs
B) equifinality
C) negative entropy
D) entropy

Question 12

___________ is defined as the reaction or response to a particular process of a circuit or system.

A) Feedback
B) System goals
C) Hierarchical order
D) Negative entropy

Question 13

The managing of organizational variables to promote production efficiency is called

A) control.
B) hegemony.
C) distributive justice.
D) procedural justice.

Question 14

When those who are oppressed develop a sense of hopelessness and acceptance of their situation, they are experiencing

A) distributive justice.
B) procedural justice.
C) emancipation.
D) hegemony.

Question 15

___________ is the perception of what is fair and equitable in the workplace.

A) Hegemony
B) Oppression
C) Emancipation
D) Organizational justice

Question 16

Dennis feels like the raise he received was fair when he compares that raise to the raises of his colleagues. He is experiencing ___________ justice.

A) distributive
B) procedural
C) interactional
D) hegemonic

Question 17

Karly asks if she can provide input about her work performance as decisions about raises are being made. She is concerned about ___________ justice.

A) distributive
B) procedural
C) interactional
D) hegemonic

Question 18

Alex feels like he was not treated with respect when given an explanation for why he did not receive a raise. He is experiencing a violation in ___________ justice.

A) distributive
B) procedural
C) interactional
D) hegemonic

Question 19

Which of the following are the three Ps of the triple bottom line?

A) production, profit, people
B) production, planet, people
C) people, planet, profit
D) people, planet, production

Question 20

When one part of a system is struggling, it is perhaps most devastating for which type of organization?

A) for-profit
B) nonprofit
C) small businesses
D) government sector

Question 21

Describe general systems theory.

Question 22

What is equifinality?

Question 23

Describe the impact of negative entropy on a system.

Question 24

In what ways does feedback influence an organizational system?

Question 25

What is the value of using critical theory to study communication in organizations?

Question 26

What is organizational justice, and how might it help to improve organizational environments?