Question 1

In which of the following grapevine patterns do grapevine members communicate randomly with one another?

Accepted Answer

The answer of In which of the following grapevine patterns...

Question 2

Mark finds out that his colleague, Mae, will soon be quitting the company and joining a rival firm. He immediately passes this information on to his team mate Josh, who tells Craig, who in turn mentions it to his secretary. In this way the message spreads from one person to the next, until the entire department knows about it. This is an example of the ________ grapevine.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Mark finds out that his colleague, Mae,...

Question 3

In which of the following grapevine patterns does information travel only to selected individuals?

Accepted Answer

In cluster grapevine pattern, information travels only to selected individuals who are part of a specific group or cluster. The information sharing is confined within the group, and not spread to the rest of the organization. Therefore, E is the correct choice.

Question 4

The members of a company's marketing team regularly meet with their peers from the R&D department to share information and insights on customer product preferences that they have gathered through market research. This is an example of which of the following types of communication?

Accepted Answer

This is an example of lateral communication as it involves communication between peers from different departments who have similar levels of authority and responsibility.

Question 5

Which of the following is the major reason for the establishment of informal communication networks?

Accepted Answer

The major reason for the establishment of informal communication networks is the desire for information that is not furnished formally. Informal communication networks can provide employees with information that they cannot get through formal communication channels. This can include gossip, rumors, and other informal sources of information. While other factors such as the lack of formal organizational communication channels and the vertical nature of the organizational structure may contribute to the establishment of informal communication networks, they are not the major reasons.

Question 6

Which of the following grapevine patterns tends to distort messages the most?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Which of the following grapevine patterns tends...

Question 7

One of the characteristics of the grapevine is that it ________.

Accepted Answer

The grapevine is an informal communication network that exists largely to serve the self-interests of the people within it. It is not controlled or monitored by managers, and it often follows a horizontal or diagonal communication channel rather than an upward one. While top executives may influence the grapevine, they do not control it.

Question 8

Henry just heard a rumor from one of his coworkers. He immediately goes out to the water cooler and passes the information on to the first person who happens to walk by. This is an example of the ________ grapevine.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Henry just heard a rumor from one...

Question 9

Organizational communication that does not follow the lines of the organizational chart is specifically called ________.

Accepted Answer

Informal communication refers to the communication that occurs between employees at the same or different levels of an organization but outside the formal communication channels. It is also known as grapevine communication, and it does not follow the organizational chart or hierarchy.

Question 10

An effective listener should go easy on arguments and criticism because being critical ________.

Accepted Answer

Being critical can put the talker on the defensive, making them less likely to share their thoughts and opinions. This can hinder effective communication and lead to an unproductive conversation.

Question 11

Employee A passes information to everyone else on the grapevine. This pattern is known as the ________ grapevine.

Accepted Answer

The term "grapevine" refers to the informal communication network within an organization that spreads information through gossip and rumor. When information is passed to everyone on the grapevine, it is known as the "gossip" grapevine. The other options (B) cluster, (C) single-strand, (D) probability, and (E) serial do not accurately describe this pattern of communication.

Question 12

Malcolm, an accounts clerk, is all set to make a presentation on how his team can improve their productivity by changing certain work practices. His manager asks the employees not to be too critical of Mark's suggestions and to avoid arguing with him. The manager most likely said this because being critical ________.

Accepted Answer

The manager's statement indicates that he wants to prevent any potential conflict or argument that could arise from employees being overly critical of Malcolm's suggestions. He wants to ensure that the presentation goes smoothly and that Malcolm feels supported. Therefore, being critical could put Malcolm on the defensive and create unnecessary tension during the presentation.

Question 13

Which of the following is true regarding the circular pattern of organizational communication?

Accepted Answer

In a circular pattern of communication, information tends to move slowly as it passes through each member of the circle before reaching its destination.

Question 14

How can managers promote formal organizational communication?

Accepted Answer

Managers can promote formal organizational communication by actively listening to messages that come through formal channels, acknowledging and responding to them in a timely manner. This helps to set the tone for the importance of formal communication channels and encourages other employees to use them as well. Eliminating informal communication channels is not always possible or desirable, as they often serve important social and informational functions. Instituting a circular pattern of communication may be effective in some organizations, but is not a necessary or universal solution. Strictly regulating employee access to formal channels can create a culture of fear and avoidance of communication, which is counterproductive. Using low involvement channels instead of high involvement channels may be appropriate for some types of communication, but not for all.

Question 15

Sandra finds out that a rumor about her is doing the rounds in the office-she supposedly had a rift with her manager over her performance review and is now planning to quit the company. Though completely untrue, she sets out to find out the person who started the rumor. She confronts several of her colleagues about the matter and everyone tells her that they heard it from Sheela, her boss's secretary. This is an example of the ________ grapevine.

Accepted Answer

The information in this scenario is an example of the gossip grapevine, which is characterized by the spread of rumors or unverified information through informal communication channels. The fact that several colleagues heard the rumor from Sheela, the secretary, suggests that it is being spread through gossip rather than a formal or structured communication channel.

Question 16

What is emotional intelligence? Why is it important in organizations?

Accepted Answer

The answer of What is emotional intelligence? Why is it...

Question 17

Which of the following helps managers encourage the flow of formal organizational communication?

Accepted Answer

When leaders are trusted by the workforce, employees are more likely to take their messages seriously, increasing the flow of formal organizational communication.

Answer: B
 Discouraging informal communication channels such as the grapevine can help to ensure that messages are conveyed through formal channels, leading to increased flow of formal communication.

Answer: D
 Limiting access to communication channels by proper monitoring can help to keep the flow of communication formal and regulated.

Therefore, choices A, B, and D help managers encourage the flow of formal organizational communication.

Question 18

Which of the following is a formal organization communication pattern that involves passing information from one individual to another in a sequence?

Accepted Answer

Serial transmission involves passing information from one individual to another in a sequence, like passing a baton in a relay race. Lateral communication refers to communication between colleagues at the same hierarchical level, parallel conversations refer to multiple conversations happening at the same time, grapevine refers to informal communication among employees, and chainmail is not a communication pattern in organizations.

Question 19

WePharma, Inc., a biopharmaceutical company, develops targeted therapies for the treatment of cancer and inflammatory diseases. Mara Alarcon, the CEO of the company, insists that employees communicate only through formal channels. Despite these restrictions, she observes many informal networks within the organization. Which of the following is the most likely reason for establishment of these informal networks?

Accepted Answer

The answer of WePharma, Inc., a biopharmaceutical company, develops targeted...

Question 20

Which of the following instructions is considered the first and last commandment of good listening, because all other commandments depend on it?

Accepted Answer

Stopping talking is fundamental to good listening because it allows you to fully focus on the speaker without interrupting or letting your own thoughts interfere.

Quiz 15: Influencing and Communication