Question 1

Which of these characteristics makes a collection of people a "group?"
A) It has at least 8 members.
B) It has common goals.
C) It is a collection of people.
D) It functions in the same way in individualistic and collectivistic cultures.

Accepted Answer

A collection of people alone does not necessarily make a group, as they could be randomly gathered and have no shared purpose. However, when a group has common goals, it means they are organized around a specific purpose or objective, which is a key characteristic of a group. The number of members or cultural context does not necessarily determine whether a collection of people is a group.

Question 2

A team is
A) the same as a group.
B) not committed to productivity.
C) more cohesive than a group.
D) less productive than a group.

Accepted Answer

A team is a type of group that is more cohesive, committed, and focused on achieving common goals and objectives. A team is made up of individuals with complementary skills and experiences who work together interdependently toward a common vision. They share accountability for the team's performance and are committed to achieving results together. Therefore, option C is the correct answer.

Question 3

In an online class, Abdul is assigned to a virtual team. To maximize his team's success, he should provide what advice to his team-mates?
A) The team does not need to meet face-to-face.
B) Face-to-face meetings are most important at the beginning of the project.
C) Face-to-face meetings are more important if the team-mates have worked together in the past.
D) Face-to-face meetings are most important at the end of the project.

Accepted Answer

Face-to-face meetings are most important at the beginning of the project because it helps team members to establish personal connections, build trust, and clarify roles and responsibilities. This can help prevent communication breakdowns and conflicts later on in the project. While technology can be helpful in facilitating communication, it cannot completely replace face-to-face interactions in building strong working relationships.

Question 4

Which of the following is most true of teams in the United States, as compared to teams in other countries?
A) Americans expect people to be task-oriented.
B) Americans do not approve when other members speak up to disagree.
C) Americans do not view male and female team-members as having equal status.
D) Americans are more concerned with face-saving.

Accepted Answer

Americans tend to prioritize task accomplishment over building relationships within the team. This is often reflected in the way American teams are structured, with a clear leader and a focus on goals and objectives. This differs from some other cultures, where building relationships and establishing trust within the team is seen as more important than task accomplishment.

Question 5

Workplace task forces are which type of group?
A) Learning
B) Self-maintenance
C) Problem-solving
D) Service-learning

Accepted Answer

Workplace task forces are created to tackle specific problems or issues within an organization. They are formed for the purpose of problem-solving, making choice C the correct answer. Learning groups are focused on gaining knowledge or skills, self-maintenance groups are focused on maintaining the social or emotional needs of the members, and service-learning groups are focused on performing community service while also learning skills.

Question 6

Individual decisions work best when
A) fast decisions are needed.
B) the decision is complex.
C) the decision will affect many people.
D) quality is essential.

Accepted Answer

Individual decisions are often most effective when quick decisions are needed, as they can be made without the need for extensive consultation or group consensus.

Question 7

Which of the following is true about conflict in groups?
A) Relationships can avoid conflict.
B) Conflict can be productive if handled correctly.
C) Conflicts always waste time and energy.
D) Ignoring conflicts is the best way to make the problem disappear.

Accepted Answer

Conflict can be productive if handled correctly through open communication, active listening, and solution-focused problem solving. Ignoring conflicts may lead to unresolved issues and tension within the group. Building relationships can help prevent conflicts, but it cannot guarantee the absence of conflicts. Conflict can sometimes lead to innovation and growth in groups, making it untrue that conflicts always waste time and energy.

Question 8

When do group decisions work best?
A) When fast decisions are needed
B) When accuracy is crucial
C) When the decision will only affect a few people
D) When tasks are simple

Accepted Answer

Group decisions work best when accuracy is crucial because it allows for multiple perspectives, ideas, and expertise to be considered before making a decision. This can lead to better outcomes and avoid potential mistakes or oversights that may occur with individual decision-making.

Question 9

At your workplace, the management creates a team of employees from different departments to develop a new policy that will affect all employees. A team rather than individual decision is best here because
A) employees enjoy meetings.
B) employees like opportunities to vary their work routine.
C) a large group will need to accept the new policy.
D) the task is simple.

Accepted Answer

Since the new policy will affect all employees, it is important that a large group of employees is involved in its development to ensure acceptance and buy-in from everyone. Additionally, having employees from different departments with varying perspectives can lead to a more well-rounded and effective policy. The other options (A, B, and D) are not relevant or necessary for the decision to use a team approach.

Question 10

Which of the following is most likely to be true of a group composed only of a dyad?
A) The group can quickly research a complicated problem.
B) Conflict will pit one-against-one.
C) Researching a complicated problem will happen more quickly.
D) Having three members provides a tie-breaking vote.

Accepted Answer

A dyad is a group composed of only two members. Conflict in a dyad is more likely to happen as there are only two perspectives and no third-party to mediate or provide a tie-breaking vote.

Question 11

Which decision-making method results in no member of a group getting a complete win?
A) Majority vote
B) Compromise
C) Consensus
D) Self-maintenance

Accepted Answer

Compromise involves each party giving up something to reach a solution, meaning no one gets everything they want, which is different from a complete win.

Question 12

Your teacher assigns a team project and randomly assigns class members to teams. Your group spends much time in social loafing, which indicates that it
A) has high commitment.
B) lacks cohesiveness.
C) shares work evenly.
D) lacks diversity.

Accepted Answer

Social loafing is when group members put in less effort and rely on others to complete the work. This is a clear indication of a lack of cohesiveness within the group.

Question 13

Cohesiveness is most likely to develop in groups that have
A) diversity.
B) hidden agendas.
C) no competition from other groups.
D) internal power struggles.

Accepted Answer

Diversity allows for different perspectives and ideas to be brought to the group, which can lead to a more cohesive group. Hidden agendas, internal power struggles, and no competition from other groups do not necessarily contribute to group cohesiveness.

Question 14

Which of the following is true in regard to cultural diversity in groups?
A) Overlooking cultural differences improves chances of success.
B) Mutual respect is not important.
C) Diversity makes the team more susceptible to groupthink.
D) Diversity often results in more creative solutions.

Accepted Answer

Diversity often leads to exposure to different perspectives and ideas, which can result in more creative and effective problem-solving. A and B are false as ignoring cultural differences and mutual respect can harm group dynamics and hinder success. C is also false as diversity can actually prevent groupthink by introducing diverse perspectives and preventing conformity.

Question 15

Groupthink happens
A) when group members are comfortable expressing diverging opinions.
B) when group members are uncomfortable expressing diverging opinions.
C) when group members want to cause conflict.
D) when groups are diverse.

Accepted Answer

Groupthink occurs when group members are uncomfortable expressing diverging opinions. This can lead to a lack of critical thinking and decision-making, as group members may prioritize conformity over thinking critically about alternative perspectives.

Question 16

Members of Keisha's book club are expected to read the chosen book before they attend a meeting. According to the group's bylaws, after neglecting to read the book two times, members will be asked to leave the club. This standard of expected behavior is a(n)
A) norm.
B) rule.
C) implicit standard.
D) reinforcement phase.

Accepted Answer

The statement describes a clearly defined expectation with a consequence for not meeting it, making it a rule rather than a norm or implicit standard. It does not involve a reinforcement phase, as that would imply a system for rewarding or incentivizing behavior, rather than punishing or correcting it.

Question 17

During a meeting with his team, Haruki says, "Well, it looks like we all agree on the solution to this problem." Haruki's statement may indicate groupthink if it expresses
A) an illusion of invulnerability.
B) self-censorship of dissenting opinions.
C) mind guarding.
D) an illusion of unanimity.

Accepted Answer

Haruki's statement suggests that the group has reached a unanimous decision, which may be an illusion of unanimity. This could be due to group members suppressing their dissenting opinions in order to conform to the group's consensus.

Question 18

Which is the phase of group work in which members move to considering a limited number of ideas?
A) Orientation
B) Conflict
C) Emergence
D) Reinforcement

Accepted Answer

The phase of group work in which members move to considering a limited number of ideas is called Emergence. In this phase, the group members evaluate the options and start to narrow down the choices by weighing the pros and cons of each. They also identify which ideas are the most feasible and can be executed effectively.

Question 19

A group of college professors is assembled to determine the winner of the school's annual "Outstanding Graduate Award." In choosing the winning student, the group is addressing a problem of
A) fact.
B) policy.
C) conjecture.
D) value.

Accepted Answer

The group is not determining a fact, policy, or conjecture. Rather, they are evaluating the value of each potential recipient of the award to determine who is most deserving of it. Therefore, the problem is one of value.

Question 20

Listing the issues needing discussion is part of which step in the group process?
A) Identifying the problem
B) Analyzing the problem
C) Establishing criteria
D) Ranking criteria

Accepted Answer

The answer of Listing the issues needing discussion is part...

Quiz 8: Communicating in Problem-Solving Groups

Which of these characteristics makes a collection of people a "group?"

A team is

In an online class, Abdul is assigned to a virtual team. To maximize his team's success, he should provide what advice to his team-mates?

Which of the following is most true of teams in the United States, as compared to teams in other countries?

Workplace task forces are which type of group?

Individual decisions work best when

Which of the following is true about conflict in groups?

When do group decisions work best?

At your workplace, the management creates a team of employees from different departments to develop a new policy that will affect all employees. A team rather than individual decision is best here because

Which of the following is most likely to be true of a group composed only of a dyad?

Which decision-making method results in no member of a group getting a complete win?

Your teacher assigns a team project and randomly assigns class members to teams. Your group spends much time in social loafing, which indicates that it

Cohesiveness is most likely to develop in groups that have

Which of the following is true in regard to cultural diversity in groups?

Groupthink happens

Members of Keisha's book club are expected to read the chosen book before they attend a meeting. According to the group's bylaws, after neglecting to read the book two times, members will be asked to leave the club. This standard of expected behavior is a(n)

During a meeting with his team, Haruki says, "Well, it looks like we all agree on the solution to this problem." Haruki's statement may indicate groupthink if it expresses

Which is the phase of group work in which members move to considering a limited number of ideas?

A group of college professors is assembled to determine the winner of the school's annual "Outstanding Graduate Award." In choosing the winning student, the group is addressing a problem of

Listing the issues needing discussion is part of which step in the group process?