Deck 10: Group Processes and Civil Communication

Question 1

Which of the following is not likely to be an implicit rule for interaction in problem-solving groups?

A) thinking critically
B) coming prepared to meetings
C) using objectivity
D) insisting on using lateral thinking techniques

Answer 1

D

Question 2

You had a long day at work, where you were involved in three different meetings that were focused on problem solving. You also had to reprimand someone and put that person on progressive discipline. When you get home, your spouse asks you where you want to go to dinner. You say, "I don't care. You choose." This is most likely because

A) you really don't care
B) your spouse never listens to your suggestion
C) you're too tired to think about it
D) you're decision-fatigued

Answer 2

D

Question 3

Nathan is the supervisor of a four-person group. The people in the group do not communicate directly with one another. All their work goes through Nathan, and if one needs something from the other, the request goes through Nathan. The communication network that bests fits this situation is the

A) circle
B) wheel
C) Y
D) chain
E) concom

Answer 3

B

Question 4

Beatrice is the leader of an advertising agency group. The group works in an open area with no barriers between their desks, and they talk to whomever they must to get their part of the ad campaign done. The communication network that bests fits this situation is the

A) circle
B) wheel
C) Y
D) Chain
E) concom

Question 5

When a leader has information the group does not and is confident that the decision will be accepted, he/she should

A) have the group make the decision by voting or coming to consensus
B) consult with the group but then make a final decision
C) make the decision and announce it
D) make the decision, announce it, and tell people why

Question 6

Which of the following is not a type of problem-solving group?

A) a family
B) a number of people standing in line at the Motor Vehicle Department
C) an Alcoholics Anonymous group
D) a task force in an organization

Question 7

Which is not a step in Dewey's Reflective Thinking method?

A) define the problem
B) identify criteria for an acceptable solution
C) apply intuition and emotion
D) implement the solution

Question 8

Which is not a step in the SCRIPTS method?

A) define the problem
B) find the cause
C) evaluate the risks
D) consider the time frame

Question 9

Which of the following is likely to stifle creativity in a group?

A) cultural norms
B) a supportive climate
C) knowledge of creative problem-solving methods
D) talkative members

Question 10

Which of the following is not true of creativity?

A) it may be the key to a better society
B) it is limited to a special few
C) it enhances our group experiences
D) it is associated with higher levels of health

Question 11

Which of the following is true of creativity?

A) it is limited to a special few
B) any kind of creativity training helps us
C) people can learn to be creative
D) creativity makes us feel good but doesn't increase our productivity

Question 12

SCRIPTS and Dewey's Reflective Thinking method are examples of _____ thinking.

A) lateral
B) spatial
C) horizontal
D) vertical

Question 13

When you approach a problem by trying to figure out how you might create it, you are using the _____ technique of problem solving.

A) vertical thinking
B) fractionation
C) reverse brainstorming
D) six hats

Question 14

When you break a problem into smaller pieces and deal with each piece of the problem one at a time, you are using the _____ technique of problem solving.

A) vertical thinking
B) fractionation
C) reverse brainstorming
D) six hats

Question 15

When you ask questions about a problem from different perspectives, you are using the _____ technique of problem solving.

A) vertical thinking
B) fractionation
C) reverse brainstorming
D) six hats

Question 16

When you approach problem solving in a step-by-step fashion, completing each step before going onto the next, you are using the _____ technique of problem solving.

A) vertical thinking
B) fractionation
C) reverse brainstorming
D) Six Hats

Question 17

You are in a problem-solving group. In the course of the discussion, you ask "How many people are affected by this problem?" You are operating from the _____ hat perspective.

A) blue
B) red
C) yellow
D) white
E) green

Question 18

You are in a problem-solving group. In the course of the discussion, you ask "How do you think this problem makes people feel?" You are operating from the _____ hat perspective.

A) blue
B) red
C) yellow
D) white
E) green

Question 19

You are in a problem-solving group. In the course of the discussion, you ask "Have we really explored everything we can about the problem?" You are operating from the _____ hat perspective.

A) blue
B) red
C) yellow
D) white
E) green

Question 20

You are in a problem-solving group. In the course of the discussion, you ask "What kind of solution will best reflect our values and beliefs?" You are operating from the _____ hat perspective.

A) blue
B) red
C) yellow
D) white
E) green

Question 21

You are in a problem -solving group. In the course of the discussion, you ask "If you were the problem, how would you like to be solved?" You are operating from the _____ hat perspective.

A) blue
B) red
C) yellow
D) white
E) green

Question 22

What is something to avoid when creating a mind map?

A) using color
B) using pictures
C) making connections between ideas
D) thinking slowly and deliberately

Question 23

When those in the problem-solving group think their group is more moral than people outside the group, they may be on their way to

A) delusional thinking
B) the Lucifer effect
C) the Abilene paradox
D) groupthink

Question 24

When those in the problem-solving group fear being separated from the group, they may be on their way to

A) delusional thinking
B) the Lucifer effect
C) the Abilene paradox
D) groupthink

Question 25

When those in the problem-solving group feel as though the circumstances they are in are more powerful than themselves, they may be on their way to

A) delusional thinking
B) the Lucifer effect
C) the Abilene paradox
D) groupthink

Question 26

You and I are in a group together. I present an idea. Which of the following statements is mostly likely to provoke an instrumental/task-oriented conflict?

A) "Well, that's another stupid one from you."
B) "I'm not sure that's the direction we need to go with this problem."
C) "We're not going to deal with that issue today."
D) "The last time we tried one of your ideas, we tanked."

Question 27

You and I are in a group together. I present an idea. Which of the following statements is mostly likely to provoke a relationship-oriented conflict?

A) "Well, that's another stupid one from you."
B) "I'm not sure that's the direction we need to go with this problem."
C) "We're not going to deal with that issue today."
D) "The last time we tried one of your ideas, we tanked."

Question 28

You and I are in a group together. I present an idea. Which of the following statements is mostly likely to provoke an identity-oriented conflict?

A) "Well, that's another stupid one from you."
B) "I'm not sure that's the direction we need to go with this problem."
C) "We're not going to deal with that issue today."
D) "The last time we tried one of your ideas, we tanked."

Question 29

You and I are in a group together. I present an idea. Which of the following statements is mostly likely to provoke a process-oriented conflict?

A) "Well, that's another stupid one from you."
B) "I'm not sure that's the direction we need to go with this problem."
C) "We're not going to deal with that issue today."
D) "The last time we tried one of your ideas, we tanked."

Question 30

Which statement is not true about conflict that occurs in groups?

A) it is best to address relationship conflicts first
B) instrumental/task-oriented conflict can be beneficial in the long run
C) it may or may not be overt
D) it's best understood by looking at the issue

Question 31

Which of the following statements is true about meetings?

A) they require little planning
B) they are best limited to under ten people
C) they are a good way for people to receive updates on what others are doing
D) they should be part of your business routine

Question 32

Which is not an example of surface-level diversity?

A) age
B) gender
C) ethnicity
D) intelligence

Question 33

Which is not an example of deep-level diversity?

A) work habits
B) beliefs and values
C) personality factors
D) intelligence

Question 34

Which statement is true about the effect of gender on meeting behavior?

A) women are humor-challenged
B) men use humor to create and reinforce hierarchy
C) women laugh less when in a group that is all women
D) men prefer equality over hierarchy

Question 35

Which statement is not true about the effect of gender on meeting behavior?

A) women use humor to build group cohesion
B) men use humor to create and reinforce hierarchy
C) women prefer norms that emphasize equality
D) men tell stories about failures in order to create cohesiveness

Question 36

Many groups operate according to an implicit code of ethics.

Question 37

The more decisions we make in a day, the more likely we are to become decision fatigued.

Question 38

The wheel communication network pattern is most effective when tasks are complex.

Question 39

The all-channel communication network pattern is most effective when tasks are simple.

Question 40

When you are the leader of a group, the best thing to do is make a decision and announce it.

Question 41

Reaching consensus provides the best option in decision making.

Question 42

Families are often focused on problem solving.

Question 43

Most jobs will require you to engage in group problem solving.

Question 44

Dewey's Reflective Thinking method is the best way for groups to solve problems.

Question 45

One way the SCRIPTS method differs from Dewey's Reflective Thinking method is the application of emotion and intuition in solving the problem.

Question 46

Vertical thinking is the process of making sense of a problem in a new way.

Question 47

A competitive group climate is a good way to encourage creativity in the group.

Question 48

Vertical thinking is the process of restructuring a problem to dig down deeper into possible solutions.

Question 49

Fractionation is the process of breaking down a problem into the smallest pieces and dealing with each piece one at a time.

Question 50

One problem-solving method that can help make your ideas visible is six hats.

Question 51

Mind mapping is best when only used individually.

Question 52

The Abilene paradox occurs when a group is very cohesive and members don't want to engage in conflict.

Question 53

The Lucifer effect occurs when people engage in Satan worship.

Question 54

You and I are in a group together. I present an idea. You say, "Well, that's another stupid one from you." This is most likely to create identity-oriented conflict.

Question 55

You and I are in a group together. I present an idea. You say, "I'm not sure that's the direction we need to go with this problem." This is most likely to create relationship-oriented conflict.

Question 56

You and I are in a group together. I present an idea. You say, "We're not going to deal with that issue today." This is most likely to create process-oriented conflict.

Question 57

There is very little scholarly research on the most effective way to run a meeting.

Question 58

It's a good idea to first ask whether a meeting even needs to be held.

Question 59

Deep-level diversity variables impact groups more at the beginning of group formation than at any other time.

Question 60

Researchers have concluded that women lack a sense of humor when in meetings.

Question 61

What is decision fatigue? Why is the concept a good one to understand?

Question 62

What is a communication network? Draw each of the five patterns.

Question 63

What are three ways groups can make a decision?

Question 64

What is the central task of groups?

Question 65

What are the six steps in Dewey's Reflective Thinking model?

Question 66

What are the seven steps in the SCRIPTS method?

Question 67

What is creativity? Provide an example that relates to group processes.

Question 68

What is the difference between vertical thinking and lateral thinking?

Question 69

What is the difference between groupthink and the Abilene paradox? Provide examples that illustrate your understanding.

Question 70

What is the Lucifer effect?

Question 71

Provide examples of the following group conflicts: instrumental/task-oriented conflict; relationship-oriented conflict; identity-oriented conflict; process-oriented conflict.

Question 72

Identify a problem that a group might be called upon to solve. Use the Dewey Reflective Thinking model or the SCRIPTS method to analyze it.

Question 73

Compare and contrast vertical thinking vs. lateral thinking. Provide an example of each. Why is it so important to use both in problem solving?

Question 74

What are the three barriers to effective decision making in groups? What should group members do to avoid them?