Question 1

The opposite of coercive power is which of the following?

Accepted Answer

Coercive power is based on punishment or the threat of punishment, while reward power is based on the ability to give rewards or the promise of rewards. Therefore, the opposite of coercive power would be reward power. The other options are unrelated to the concept of coercive power.

Question 2

Ian,Mike,and Paul are assigned to work in a group.Ian is from England,Mike is from the United States,and Paul is from Australia.How will the group use assumptions noted in your book?

Accepted Answer

The group members are from countries (England, United States, Australia) that are typically considered individualistic cultures, where personal goals and individual rights are prioritized.

Question 3

Which of the following correctly depicts the relationship between group cohesiveness and group productivity?

Accepted Answer

While some level of cohesiveness is important for a group to function effectively, when a group becomes too cohesive, members may focus more on maintaining friendly relationships and avoid confronting issues or making necessary changes, which can negatively affect productivity. This suggests that a moderate level of cohesiveness is ideal for productivity, rather than an extreme level.

Question 4

Jennifer's project group in her communication class selected the topic of improving services for non-traditional students on campus.Each member in the group had volunteered to talk to a different member of the university staff,and several members had volunteered to search the Internet for what other schools might be doing.Ricardo had volunteered to be moderator and was efficient at running the group meetings.On their fifth meeting,members of the group shared information they had gathered.What phase is this group experiencing?

Accepted Answer

The group is sharing information they have gathered, which indicates they are in the emergence phase. They are beginning to identify potential solutions to their topic and are collectively deciding on the direction they want to take. The orientation phase is typically the first phase, where members get to know each other and establish goals. Conflict may arise during the group process, but it is not necessarily indicated in this scenario. Reinforcement is typically the final phase, where the group reflects on their accomplishments and recognizes the work of each member.

Question 5

Ian is a member of a smaller group of people within his group who formed a common bond among themselves.This smaller group is known as which of the following?

Accepted Answer

A clique is a smaller group of individuals within a larger group who share a common bond or interest. The other options do not fit this description.

Question 6

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

Accepted Answer

By offering bonus points, the teacher is making use of reward power to motivate students to attend public speeches outside of class.

Question 7

Mauri was working with a very diverse group at her new job.As they tried to identify and define their goal,tempers flared and emotions were tense.What is recommended to manage this conflict?

Accepted Answer

Taking a break can be helpful in managing conflict, as it allows people to step away from the situation and cool down. This can provide an opportunity for everyone to come back to the discussion with a clearer head and a willingness to work toward a resolution.

Question 8

Which communication network is characterized by members communicating messages hierarchically from one person to another?

Accepted Answer

The chain network is characterized by messages being passed hierarchically from one person to another, like a chain. This type of network is useful in organizations where information needs to be passed through specific channels and in a specific order.

Question 9

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

Accepted Answer

A group with low cohesiveness tends to prioritize individual accomplishment over the success of the group as a whole. The other options (B, C, and D) are characteristics typically associated with high cohesiveness.

Question 10

Leonard is a group member who holds a different opinion than the other group members,and the other members spend a lot of time talking to him to try to change his mind.Leonard would be known as a(n)_____.

Accepted Answer

Leonard is a group deviate because he holds a different opinion than the other members, which sets him apart from the group norm. The other members in the group are trying to persuade him to conform to their beliefs and values, making him a group deviate. A clique refers to a small, exclusive group within a larger group. A status-seeker is a member who seeks to improve their position or standing within the group. A rewarder is a member who gives rewards or incentives to other members of the group. None of these terms accurately describe Leonard's situation in the group.

Question 11

Teachers who lower grades because of unexcused absences are using what type of power?

Accepted Answer

Coercive power is used to punish or threaten punishment for noncompliance. Lowering grades based on unexcused absences is a form of punishment, which falls under coercive power.

Question 12

Which of the following accurately describes an all-channel network?

Accepted Answer

An all-channel network is a communication pattern in which everyone talks to everyone else and no cliques or subgroups emerge. This is the opposite of a chain network where communication flows only between specific members or a wheel network where communication flows only to a central hub member. Choice A describes a virtual network, choice B describes a hierarchical network, and choice C describes a centralized network.

Question 13

If a person had the power to influence people by making them uncomfortable,he/she has _____ power.

Accepted Answer

Coercive power is the power to influence through fear or punishment, which can make people uncomfortable. This type of power is often used in situations where someone has control over resources, rewards, or punishments. Other types of power, such as legitimate, referent, or expert power, do not necessarily involve making people uncomfortable in order to influence them.

Question 14

When a group becomes familiar with its members and the group task,this is known as the _____ phase of group development.

Accepted Answer

The orientation phase is characterized by group members becoming acquainted with one another and familiarizing themselves with the group's goals or task. In this phase, group members may also establish norms and roles within the group, which helps to facilitate cohesion and cooperation among members.

Question 15

Although Ali was quiet and spoke up rarely in his class project group,the group knew he was a pre-med major and respected his academic success.When the group decided to use the topic of genetic research for their project,they listened carefully to Ali's ideas on appropriate sources.Given these circumstances,what type of power does Ali have in his group?

Accepted Answer

Ali's power comes from his expertise in the pre-med field and the group's respect for his knowledge. Therefore, Ali has expert power in the group.

Question 16

After Jennifer's group in her communication class had met twice,they finally began to get serious about selecting a topic for their project.Several of the group members wanted to do a project on the parking situation on campus,because they thought it would be easy to understand.Tyler,who was in the student government,wanted to do a project on the use of student fees,because he had worked on that already and had a lot of information.Each person in the group had a favorite topic,and no one wanted to consider the other topics.Most of the discussion revolved around trying to persuade the others to choose a given topic.Which phase is this group experiencing?

Accepted Answer

The group is experiencing a conflict phase, as each person wants their own preferred topic to be chosen and is trying to persuade others to choose it.

Question 17

When Jennifer's teacher divided her class into groups,Jennifer ended up in a group with four other people who were all strangers to each other.At first,they took turns introducing themselves and telling the others their majors.Although the discussion was pleasant,it was somewhat strained and uncomfortable.Jennifer wondered who in the group would be motivated to work and who would be a slacker.This group is most likely experiencing _____.

Accepted Answer

Primary tension refers to the discomfort and awkwardness that occurs when a group of strangers first come together. This is exactly what Jennifer's group is experiencing as they take turns introducing themselves and getting to know each other. Secondary tension can occur later on when conflicts and disagreements arise within the group. The information given in the passage does not suggest high cohesiveness or communication breakdown, so choices C and D can be eliminated. Therefore, the best choice is A) primary tension.

Question 18

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)_____ network.

Accepted Answer

This is an example of a wheel network, where one person (in this case, Vlad) is at the center and the other group members communicate with him directly, rather than with each other. In a chain network, messages are passed sequentially from person to person, while in an all-channel network, all members communicate with each other equally. Clear-channel networks don't exist.

Question 19

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

Accepted Answer

A clique refers to a small group of individuals within a larger group who share a common interest, bond, or relationship. They tend to interact and communicate more frequently than with other members of the group and often engage in private conversations and humor. George, Paul, and Sue seem to fit this description as they tend to sit together, tell stories, and share private jokes, implying a closer bond with each other than with other group members. Therefore, the best choice is C) clique.

Question 20

A collectivistic assumption is that _____.

Accepted Answer

A collectivistic assumption is based on prioritizing the needs and goals of the group over the individual. Therefore, choice A is the best fit. Choices B, C, and D do not accurately reflect collectivistic assumptions.

Quiz 9: Understanding Group and Team Performance