Question 1

MUST criteria should be rank ordered from most desirable to least desirable.

Accepted Answer

MUST criteria are non-negotiable requirements that must be met, so they are not ranked by desirability but rather by necessity.

Question 2

Groupthink is a critical way of thinking that is characteristic of some groups.

Accepted Answer

Groupthink is a phenomenon where the desire for harmony or conformity in a group results in irrational or dysfunctional decision-making, rather than critical thinking.

Question 3

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.

Accepted Answer

The group in question is exhibiting groupthink, which occurs when a group prioritizes unanimous agreement over the critical evaluation of alternative viewpoints. This can lead to flawed decision-making or a lack of creativity and innovation. The fact that this group always agrees with the leader's opinions and does not consider feasibility suggests that they are more concerned with maintaining harmony and pleasing authority figures rather than engaging in constructive debate and problem-solving.

Question 4

When BRAINSTORMING,groups should strive for a higher quality list rather than the longest list possible.

Accepted Answer

Brainstorming encourages generating as many ideas as possible without immediate concern for quality, to foster creativity and innovation.

Question 5

Small group communication works best when groups are no larger than eight persons.However,the optimum group size is
A) three.
B) four.
C) five.
D) seven.

Accepted Answer

While small group communication can be effective with groups of up to eight people, studies have shown that the optimal group size is typically around five individuals. This is because groups of five tend to have a good balance of individual contributions, diverse perspectives, and efficient decision-making processes. Additionally, it is easier for group members to build strong relationships and communicate effectively when the group is not too large.

Question 6

PROBLEM SOLVING is a procedure that groups use to move from a current problem to a desired solution or goal.

Accepted Answer

Problem solving is indeed a procedure used to move from a current problem to a desired solution or goal.

Question 7

TASK criteria include the basic group procedures needed for smooth operation (such as how soon the group decision should be reached).

Accepted Answer

The answer of TASK criteria include the basic group procedures...

Question 8

The key to the basic problem solving procedure is to LIST ALTERNATIVES.

Accepted Answer

The answer of The key to the basic problem solving...

Question 9

"Should we encourage students to complete an Associate's Degree before transferring" DOES NOT fit the criteria for an effective problem solving question.

Accepted Answer

The question is specific, relevant and has multiple possible solutions which meets the criteria of an effective problem solving question.

Question 10

For effective brainstorming to take place,both positive and NEGATIVE comments must be permitted.

Accepted Answer

The answer of For effective brainstorming to take place,both positive...

Question 11

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

Accepted Answer

The answer of The reservations department of a major airline...

Question 12

Multicultural groups are an ADVANTAGE when problems are complex,because members are less likely to engage in groupthink.

Accepted Answer

Multicultural groups bring diverse perspectives and ideas to the table, which can help prevent groupthink - the tendency for groups to prioritize harmony and consensus over critical thinking and independent decision making. When faced with complex problems, having a variety of viewpoints can be a great advantage in finding innovative and effective solutions.

Question 13

The NOMINAL GROUP TECHNIQUE is a means to silently generate ideas in writing.

Accepted Answer

The Nominal Group Technique involves individuals writing down their ideas silently before sharing them with the group, which helps in generating a wide range of ideas without the influence of group dynamics.

Question 14

The elaboration likelihood model explains that the CENTRAL route is used by computer mediated communication teams and the PERIPHERAL route is used by face-to-face communication teams.

Accepted Answer

The answer of The elaboration likelihood model explains that the...

Question 15

QUESTIONS OF POLICY require the group to base the solution on both researched facts and value judgments.

Accepted Answer

Questions of policy typically involve finding a solution to a problem by considering both factual evidence and value judgments, such as ethical considerations or social priorities. This is because policy decisions often involve balancing competing interests and. Therefore, a comprehensive approach that integrates both quantitative and qualitative data is required to make informed decisions.

Question 16

If the discussion topic involves value judgments and is likely to be emotional,it is best to establish criteria BEFORE listing alternatives.

Accepted Answer

Establishing criteria beforehand can help keep the discussion focused and objective, especially when dealing with emotionally charged topics. It provides a framework for evaluating alternatives and reduces the chances of personal biases influencing the judgment.

Question 17

Advantages to group decisions include all of the following except one.Which one does not belong?
A) Resistance to change is reduced.
B) Decisions may be superior.
C) Personal satisfaction and job enjoyment are greater.
D) Decisions can be made more quickly.

Accepted Answer

The only option that does not belong is D - Decisions can be made more quickly. While group decision-making can lead to better decisions, the process can also take longer than individual decision-making as multiple opinions and viewpoints must be considered, making decision-making slower.

Question 18

One ADVANTAGE of group problem solving is that so little time is required.

Accepted Answer

This statement is false. One advantage of group problem solving is that it allows for multiple perspectives and ideas to come together, but this process can often take more time than an individual working alone.

Question 19

Compared to traditional brainstorming and nominal group technique,electronic brainstorming generally produces significantly FEWER ideas.

Accepted Answer

Electronic brainstorming generally produces significantly MORE ideas than traditional brainstorming and nominal group technique due to its ability to allow for simultaneous idea generation from multiple individuals and the removal of social inhibition.

Question 20

In QUESTIONS OF FACT,the group tries to assess the worth or desirability of some object,idea,or person.

Accepted Answer

Questions of fact are concerned with determining the truth or falsehood of a statement, not assessing worth or desirability.

Quiz 9: Small Group Communication and Problem-Solving