Deck 9: Small-Group Communication and Problem Solving

Question 1

A major electronics firm holds various committee meetings to improve employee morale. However,upper management discovers that one group always delivers quick decisions,agrees with the leader's opinions,and does not thoroughly consider the feasibility of the solutions.This group most likely exhibits​

A)Poor leadership
B)Low morale
C)Groupthink
D)​Poor organization  

Answer 1

A

Question 2

The idea that people choose to continue to be a part of a group when the rewards outweigh the costs.​

A)Learning groups
B)Groupthink 
C)Social rewards theory
D)​Elaboration Likelihood Model 

Answer 2

C

Question 3

The characteristics that define a small group or team are:

A)Size,type of interaction,and action toward a common goal​
B)Attention,cooperation,and independence
C)Size,independence,and action toward a common goal
D)​Cooperation,type of interaction,and action toward a common goal

Answer 3

A

Question 4

The reservations department of a major airline meets weekly to discuss ways to improve the sales quota.Whenever they meet,Sam (a new employee),is the only one to express a differing opinion.At first the leader just asked him not to rock the boat,but as time went on,the group began to ignore Sam and speak as though he had not said anything.This is a sign of what symptom of groupthink?​

A)Self-censorship.
B)Rationalization.
C)Illusion of unanimity.
D)​Direct pressure.

Question 5

Which of the following meets the requirements for a small group?

A)Four employees discussing ways to encourage the boss to give a Christmas bonus
B)Three people sitting in an office waiting to be interviewed for a position.
C)Five personal assistants typing papers for their boss.
D)​Four people discussing the weather while sitting on a park bench waiting for a bus.

Question 6

Compared to individual problem solving,with group problem solving:

A)Less time is required. 
B)Hostility is increased.
C)Productivity is increased.
D)​There is less personal satisfaction. 

Question 7

In questions of fact,the group tries to assess the worth or desirability of some object,idea or person.​

Question 8

The basic problem solving procedure works best when:

A)The leader is trained in the process
B)The group is large
C)The members are trained in the process.
D)​Both the leader and the members are trained in the process.

Question 9

Small group communication works best when groups are no greater than:

A)Eight people
B)Twelve people
C)Ten people
D)Fifteen people 

Question 10

It's advisable to establish criteria before listing alternatives in all of the following situations EXCEPT:​

A)If the task is complex.
B)If team members have a lot of problem solving experience. 
C)If the topic is emotional.
D)​If the topic involves value judgments.

Question 11

To give all members a chance to participate and to minimize group pressure,the recommended method for generating ideas is​

A)Nominal group technique
B)Brainstorming
C)Panel
D)​Roundtable Discussion 

Question 12

The elaboration likelihood model explains that the peripheral route processing means people take time to thoroughly consider the argument.​

Question 13

Once a team reaches a solution,it must​

A)Continue to meet periodically
B)Follow up on implementation 
C)Appoint an implementation team
D)​Disband 

Question 14

In effective brainstorming,only words of praise and encouragement should be allowed because negative comments usually put an end to creative thinking.

Question 15

Teams participating in decision making with people from other parts of the world require additional effort because not all cultures view or solve problems in the same way.

Question 16

Group decisions are often less accurate than individual decisions.​

Question 17

Which of the following is the most effectively worded question for use by a problem-solving group?

A)What position should Zee Company take? toward noncompany use of its facilities? 
B)Should smoking on the job be allowed to continue? 
C)What are some suggestions for saving energy in our company?
D)​What can the union do to stop the unfair practice of merit pay?

Question 18

Effective teams​

A)Follow an organized,rigid procedure.
B)Avoid overlapping or backtracking.
C)Always move smoothly from step to step of the problem solving sequence.
D)​Accomplish their process in a cyclical manner. 

Question 19

Which of the following "must" criteria are really "operational" in nature?

A)The childcare facility selected must be independently owned. 
B)The childcare facility selected must have five years of experience in corporate daycare. 
C)The childcare facility selected must employ experienced teachers.
D)​Selection of the child care facility must be completed in one month.

Question 20

Annie doesn't agree with her boss,but she is reluctant to speak against the proposal,because she doesn't want to be seen as putting her boss on the spot at the staff meeting.Annie decides not to say anything.This is a sign of what symptom of groupthink?​

A)Self-censorship.
B)Shared stereotypes. 
C)Illusion of invulnerability.
D)​Rationalization. 

Question 21

List the steps of the basic problem-solving procedure.Which if these steps,if any,can be skipped? Why or why not?​

Question 22

What are the four pairs of questions in step two of the basic problem-solving procedure that are helpful to ask if the cause of a problem is unclear or unknown? What are two additional questions for each pair?​

Question 23

What are three important differences between face to face (FTF)teams and teams that operate with the help of computer-mediated communication (CMC)?​

Question 24

What are the three categories of groups generally used within an organization? Define and give an example of each.

Question 25

What are two things a group can do to decrease the chances that groupthink will negatively affect its decisions? What are at least two things a leader can do to keep from unduly influencing the team?​