Question 1

Which statement correctly depicts the relationship between group cohesiveness and group productivity?
A) Productivity and group cohesion are unrelated.
B) As cohesiveness increases, productivity decreases.
C) When a group is too cohesive, productivity can suffer.
D) The relationship between productivity and cohesiveness is linear.

Accepted Answer

Research suggests that a moderate level of group cohesiveness is associated with higher productivity, but if a group becomes too cohesive, members may become more concerned with getting along and maintaining group harmony rather than focusing on the task at hand, which can negatively impact productivity. Therefore, it is important to strike a balance between group cohesion and productivity.

Question 2

Which of the following is a characteristic of a group with low cohesiveness?
A) They stress individual accomplishment more than group accomplishment.
B) Everyone in the group is encouraged to participate.
C) They maintain and establish group traditions.
D) They set goals and establish guidelines.

Accepted Answer

A group with low cohesiveness tends to stress individual accomplishment more than group accomplishment. This is because there is less sense of belonging and commitment to the group as a whole. Individuals in low cohesive groups may feel more like they are working for themselves rather than working as part of a team.

Question 3

Christa and her friends enjoy making unique desserts. They gather in one of their kitchens once a month to bake and eat their latest creation. This group is an example of a _____ group.
A) study
B) social
C) focus
D) therapy

Accepted Answer

The group is primarily focused on socializing and enjoying each other's company while engaging in a hobby they all enjoy, rather than studying a particular subject or working towards a specific goal.

Question 4

What occurs in an all-channel network?
A) Groups use chat rooms for their meetings.
B) All members make comments to the high status members, but rarely to low status members.
C) The norms of the group include raising one's hand when asking a question.
D) Everyone talks to everyone else and no cliques or subgroups emerge.

Accepted Answer

In an all-channel network, everyone talks to everyone else and there are no cliques or subgroups that emerge. This is because communication flows freely in all directions, rather than being restricted to certain members or channels. Options A, B, and C describe norms or patterns of behavior that are found in other types of networks, but not in all-channel networks.

Question 5

Some experts recommend a _____ balance between task and social roles for a successful group.
A) 20/80
B) 50/50
C) 60/40
D) 80/20

Accepted Answer

A moderate balance of task and social roles, such as 60% task and 40% social, is recommended for a successful group. This allows for enough focus and productivity on the task at hand while also promoting positive relationships and a supportive group dynamic. Options A and D skew too heavily towards either task or social roles, while option B may lead to too much socializing and not enough task completion.

Question 6

A campus organization planning group is brainstorming possible themes for their homecoming float. The ideas are flowing freely, when Katie enters the group late. Without regard for the group's brainstorming session, she begins discussing her recent breakup with her boyfriend. Katie is displaying which type of group role?
A) individual role
B) task role
C) social role
D) procedural role

Accepted Answer

Katie is exhibiting an individual role by focusing on her personal issues instead of contributing to the group's task or social dynamics.

Question 7

George, Paul, and Sue tend to sit together at meetings and like telling stories to each other, sharing private jokes, and sometimes talking about other group members. Within the larger group, the trio would be known as a _____.
A) group deviate
B) referent group
C) clique
D) blocker

Accepted Answer

A clique is a small group of people within a larger group who share common interests, goals, or preferences, and tend to exclude others. This description fits the behavior of George, Paul, and Sue, who form a social subgroup within the larger group. The other answer choices do not apply to this situation: a group deviate refers to someone who violates group norms or expectations, a referent group is a group that individuals admire or seek to emulate, and a blocker is a member who stops the group from making progress or reaching a decision.

Question 8

Meghan is the only person in the group who tries to "keep the peace" and make other group members feel better when their feelings get hurt. Meghan is displaying a _____ role in her group.
A) task
B) social
C) individual
D) reward

Accepted Answer

Meghan is focused on managing the social dynamics of the group and reducing conflict or tension between members. This is a social role, as opposed to a task role which is focused on achieving specific goals or outcomes for the group.

Question 9

Vlad is the leader of a group; he receives most of the messages from the group members, and he provides most of the information the group members receive. This is an example of a(n) _____ communication network.
A) all-channel
B) chain
C) wheel
D) linear

Accepted Answer

In a wheel communication network, one central member acts as the hub, receiving and distributing information to other group members. This is consistent with the description given of Vlad as the leader of the group who receives and provides most of the information to the group members.

Question 10

Gretchen decides to join a study group. She attends the group for the first time and arrives about 10 minutes early for the meeting. She is surprised to see that no other group members have arrived. In fact, no one showed up until ten minutes past the posted start time. Gretchen realizes that arriving late is deemed appropriate behavior by the group. This would be an example of a group _____.
A) norm
B) role
C) rule
D) power

Accepted Answer

This scenario describes a norm, which is an unwritten, but agreed upon rule or expectation of behavior within a group. In this case, the norm is that it is acceptable to arrive late to the study group.

Question 11

Mikala often takes the minutes of the meetings; Gary often asks others to contribute new ideas; Keri offers pros and cons about the suggested solutions. All of these would be examples of _____ roles.
A) individual
B) procedural
C) social
D) task

Accepted Answer

These are all examples of task roles, as they relate to the accomplishment of the group's goals and tasks. Individual roles focus on the individual's needs; procedural roles focus on logistics and process; social roles focus on group cohesion and relationships.

Question 12

Clara thinks Carlo's idea for organizational outreach is impractical and cannot be implemented effectively. The discussion becomes heated and things seem to be getting out of control, so Chad suggests that the group take a break to rethink the issue. Chad is fulfilling which type of group role?
A) individual role
B) task role
C) social role
D) therapeutic role

Accepted Answer

Chad is fulfilling a social role by suggesting a break to cool down the situation, which helps maintain positive relationships within the group.

Question 13

If you have power because people like you, it is called _____ power.
A) referent
B) coercive
C) expert
D) reward

Accepted Answer

Referent power is based on an individual's charisma, likability, and ability to create positive feelings in others. This type of power comes from a person's perceived attractiveness, worthiness, and right to respect from others. Thus, if someone has power because of their likability or popularity, it would be referred to as referent power. Coercive power is based on the use of threats and punishment. Expert power is based on a person's specialized knowledge or skills in a particular area, and reward power is based on a person's ability to provide incentives or rewards to others.

Question 14

Teachers who use bonus points to get students to attend events outside of class are making use of what type of power?
A) referent
B) coercive
C) expert
D) reward

Accepted Answer

Using bonus points to encourage attendance is an example of using reward power.

Question 15

Leroy was recently elected to the position of chair of his department at the university. With regard to department business, Leroy now has which type of power?
A) reward
B) expert
C) legitimate
D) coercive

Accepted Answer

Leroy has legitimate power, which is based on his formal authority within the organization as the elected chair of his department at the university. Reward power is the ability to grant rewards, expert power is based on expertise or knowledge, and coercive power is the ability to punish. While Leroy may have some level of these powers as well, his primary power in this role is legitimate power.

Question 16

During the first team meeting, the coach told the players that practice would be from 3:30 to 5:30 every day after school and everyone needed to wear their practice shirt. The coach was providing _____ so players knew what to expect.
A) team ground rules
B) task roles
C) social roles
D) task assignments

Accepted Answer

The coach was providing team ground rules by setting the time and dress code for practice.

Question 17

Groups such as Alcoholics Anonymous which meet to offer mutual support to members are types of _____.
A) study groups
B) problem-solving groups
C) therapy groups
D) primary groups

Accepted Answer

Alcoholics Anonymous is a therapy group that meets to provide support to individuals struggling with alcohol addiction.

Question 18

After another disappointing month in sales, the manager told the sales team that if they didn't meet their quota by the end of the next quarter, they would lose their annual bonus. The manager is demonstrating _____ power.
A) reward
B) referent
C) expert
D) coercive

Accepted Answer

The manager's statement of taking away the bonus is an example of punishment or negative consequences, which falls under coercive power. The manager is using fear of losing something valuable as a way to motivate the sales team to perform better.

Question 19

Carlos has been asked to participate in a study on the quality of food in the dorm cafeteria. He will be in the study with 20 other students and they will all be able to offer their opinions on the food. This is an example of a _____ group.
A) primary
B) study
C) problem-solving
D) focus

Accepted Answer

This is an example of a focus group, which is a type of research group that gathers opinions and attitudes about a particular product or service. In this case, the focus is on the quality of food in the dorm cafeteria. The group is usually small, around 6 to 12 participants, but can be up to 20 as in this case. The participants are selected because they are representative of a larger population and can provide valuable insights and feedback for the researchers.

Question 20

Which of the following describes the difference between a team and a group?
A) Teams are structured deliberately to achieve a goal; not every group is highly organized.
B) Teams usually are created by an outside organization; groups are not.
C) Teams have a designated leader; groups do not.
D) Teams are only found in sports; while groups are found only in business.

Accepted Answer

Teams are deliberately structured to achieve a goal, while groups may not be highly organized or structured in the same way. The presence of clear goals and a deliberate structure is a key difference between a team and a group. The other options are not accurate, as teams can be created by organizations or arise spontaneously, may or may not have a designated leader, and can exist in a variety of contexts beyond sports or business.

Quiz 9: Understanding Group and Team Performance

Which statement correctly depicts the relationship between group cohesiveness and group productivity?

Which of the following is a characteristic of a group with low cohesiveness?

Christa and her friends enjoy making unique desserts. They gather in one of their kitchens once a month to bake and eat their latest creation. This group is an example of a _____ group.

What occurs in an all-channel network?

Some experts recommend a _____ balance between task and social roles for a successful group.

George, Paul, and Sue tend to sit together at meetings and like telling stories to each other, sharing private jokes, and sometimes talking about other group members. Within the larger group, the trio would be known as a _____.

Meghan is the only person in the group who tries to "keep the peace" and make other group members feel better when their feelings get hurt. Meghan is displaying a _____ role in her group.

Vlad is the leader of a group; he receives most of the messages from the group members, and he provides most of the information the group members receive. This is an example of a(n) _____ communication network.

Mikala often takes the minutes of the meetings; Gary often asks others to contribute new ideas; Keri offers pros and cons about the suggested solutions. All of these would be examples of _____ roles.

Clara thinks Carlo's idea for organizational outreach is impractical and cannot be implemented effectively. The discussion becomes heated and things seem to be getting out of control, so Chad suggests that the group take a break to rethink the issue. Chad is fulfilling which type of group role?

If you have power because people like you, it is called _____ power.

Teachers who use bonus points to get students to attend events outside of class are making use of what type of power?

Leroy was recently elected to the position of chair of his department at the university. With regard to department business, Leroy now has which type of power?

During the first team meeting, the coach told the players that practice would be from 3:30 to 5:30 every day after school and everyone needed to wear their practice shirt. The coach was providing _____ so players knew what to expect.

Groups such as Alcoholics Anonymous which meet to offer mutual support to members are types of _____.

After another disappointing month in sales, the manager told the sales team that if they didn't meet their quota by the end of the next quarter, they would lose their annual bonus. The manager is demonstrating _____ power.

Carlos has been asked to participate in a study on the quality of food in the dorm cafeteria. He will be in the study with 20 other students and they will all be able to offer their opinions on the food. This is an example of a _____ group.

Which of the following describes the difference between a team and a group?