Deck 13: Power and Politics

Question 1

Which of the following terms best represents a point of difference between power and leadership?

A) control
B) potential
C) cognitive dissonance
D) goal compatibility
E) negative affect

Answer 1

D

Question 2

Power is a function of ________.

A) goal congruency
B) realization
C) inheritance
D) dependence
E) altruism

Answer 2

D

Question 3

Which one of the following is not implied in the definition of power?

A) influence
B) potential
C) dependency
D) actualization
E) control

Answer 3

D

Question 4

Leadership focuses on the lateral and upward influence patterns.

Question 5

Larry can assign Oliver work activities that Oliver finds unpleasant. Larry possesses ________ power over Oliver.

A) reward
B) expert
C) legitimate
D) coercive
E) referent

Question 6

Leadership focuses on the ________.

A) importance of lateral and upward influence patterns
B) elimination of dependency in relationships
C) downward influence of a leader on his or her followers
D) ways to increase a leader's following
E) resolution of conflicts among followers

Question 7

The two general groupings of power are ________.

A) informational and personal
B) formal and informal
C) informal and legitimate
D) personal and formal
E) direct and indirect

Question 8

Leadership requires ________.

A) congruence between the goals of the leader and those being led
B) focus on tactics for gaining compliance
C) a dependency of those being led on the leader
D) followers who share behavioural traits with their leaders
E) a dependency of the leader on those being led

Question 9

Your colleagues at work are constantly talking about the vice president in your region. He is perceived throughout the organization as a ruthless man who is not to be antagonized. It is necessary for you to bring him a report, and you are very nervous about having to deal with him. The vice president's major base of power seems to be ________.

A) reward
B) coercive
C) referent
D) expert
E) personal

Question 10

For power to exist, one person must have control over ________.

A) people
B) property
C) knowledge
D) finances
E) all of the above

Question 11

Power does not require goal compatibility.

Question 12

Which of the following statements is true regarding power?

A) A is said to have power over B if B controls something that A desires.
B) The greater A's dependence on B, the greater A's power in the relationship.
C) If A has the capacity to influence the behaviour of B, then A is said to have power over B.
D) A can have power over B only if A is B's leader.
E) A can have power over B only when A and B have similar goals.

Question 13

The opposite of coercive power is ________ power.

A) referent
B) reward
C) legitimate
D) charismatic
E) expert

Question 14

If your superior tells you that she will offer you a raise provided you perform additional work beyond the requirements of your job, she is exercising ________ power.

A) legitimate
B) coercive
C) reward
D) personal
E) reflective

Question 15

When a bank robber points a gun at a bank employee, his base of power is ________.

A) coercive
B) referent
C) positional
D) authoritative
E) expert

Question 16

Contrast leadership and power.

Question 17

________ power is based on the fear of the negative results from failing to comply.

A) Legitimate
B) Coercive
C) Punitive
D) Referent
E) Abusive

Question 18

At the organizational level, if Jenn can dismiss, suspend, or demote Colby, assuming Colby values his job, Jenn has ________ power over Colby.

A) reward
B) legitimate
C) coercive
D) expert
E) referent

Question 19

Unlike leadership research, research on power tends to focus on ________.

A) individual styles in using power
B) strategies for goal attainment
C) tactics for gaining compliance
D) the administration of rewards
E) gaining dependency

Question 20

Unlike power, leadership requires a significant degree of goal compatibility.

Question 21

John is good with numbers, but he wasn't sure what he wanted to study in college. During his senior year in high school he had a math teacher, Mr. Roury. John liked his teaching style and got interested in numbers. He also joined the Math Club to spend more time with Mr. Roury. As a result, John went on to study math and later engineering in college, and today tells his kids that he owes his career to Mr. Roury. Mr. Roury exhibited ________ power over John.

A) positional
B) referent
C) coercive
D) reward
E) legitimate

Question 22

Which of the following types of power requires acceptance of the leader's authority by members of the organization?

A) referent
B) coercive
C) legitimate
D) expert
E) charismatic

Question 23

Legitimate power is based on ________ in the organization.

A) the ability to provide rewards
B) interpersonal trust
C) structural position
D) expert knowledge
E) respect and admiration

Question 24

You know that the vice president has the authority to accept or reject your report. This is part of his ________ power.

A) reward
B) coercive
C) expert
D) legitimate
E) personal

Question 25

________ power is based on identification with a person who has desirable resources or personal traits.

A) Coercive
B) Legitimate
C) Referent
D) Expert
E) Reward

Question 26

Most of us follow our doctor's advice because our doctor has ________ power.

A) legitimate
B) reward
C) referent
D) expert
E) coercive

Question 27

Of the bases of power, research indicates that ________ power is most effective.

A) personal
B) coercive
C) reward
D) legitimate
E) positional

Question 28

The power that the college dean has been granted by the university over the faculty is referred to as ________ power.

A) academic
B) positional
C) legitimate
D) referent
E) charismatic

Question 29

Legitimate power is influence wielded as a result of expertise, special skill, or knowledge.

Question 30

Which of the following types of power can be categorized as personal power?

A) coercive
B) legitimate
C) reward
D) referent
E) positional

Question 31

Expert power develops out of admiration of another and a desire to be like that person.

Question 32

Your immediate supervisor is a nice person. He helps you solve your problems and gives valuable advice. You admire your supervisor and aspire to become like him. The power that your supervisor possesses over you is known as ________ power.

A) transactional
B) coercive
C) expert
D) reward
E) referent

Question 33

List and discuss the bases of personal power.

Question 34

List and discuss the bases of formal power.

Question 35

Which of the following types of power is most likely to be negatively related to employee satisfaction and commitment?

A) expert power
B) reward power
C) legitimate power
D) coercive power
E) referent power

Question 36

Which of the five sources of power is most likely to negatively affect an employee's job satisfaction?

A) reward
B) legitimate
C) coercive
D) expert
E) referent

Question 37

Celebrities are paid millions of dollars to endorse products in commercials because the advertisers believe the celebrities have ________ power.

A) coercive
B) referent
C) expert
D) legitimate
E) reward

Question 38

Which of the following statements is true regarding legitimate power?

A) Legitimate power develops out of admiration of another and a desire to be like that person.
B) Legitimate power comes from an individual's unique characteristics.
C) Legitimate power is broader than the power to coerce and reward.
D) Celebrities who endorse products in commercials wield legitimate power over people.
E) Legitimate power is a type of personal power.

Question 39

Personal power is based on an individual's position in an organization. It can come from the ability to coerce or reward, or from formal authority.

Question 40

People especially likely to comply with soft power tactics tend to ________.

A) be more action oriented
B) have a greater desire for control
C) be extrinsically motivated
D) have low self-esteem
E) be more focused on getting along with others than with getting their own way

Question 41

Power tactics are defined as ________.

A) approaches for influencing goal setting
B) techniques for translating power bases into specific action
C) strategies for gathering and maintaining support
D) characteristics of organizational structure
E) approaches for reducing conflict

Question 42

Joe comes to you with a request for funds for a project. He reminds you that company policy supports his position. He is using the tactic of ________.

A) coalition
B) consultation
C) ingratiation
D) legitimacy
E) pressure

Question 43

Which of the following power tactics involves increasing the target's support by involving him or her in decision making?

A) personal appeals
B) exchange
C) consultation
D) ingratiation
E) pressure

Question 44

Individuals from individualistic countries tend to see power as a means of ________ while those from collectivist countries tend to see power as a means of ________.

A) advancing their personal ends; helping others
B) advancing their personal ends; gaining advantage over others
C) gaining advantage over others; advancing their personal ends
D) helping others; advancing their personal ends
E) helping others; gaining advantage over others

Question 45

Evidence indicates people in different countries tend to prefer different power tactics. Chinese managers prefer ________.

A) rational persuasion
B) exchange
C) ingratiation
D) coalition
E) inspirational appeals

Question 46

Which of the following power tactics emphasizes rewarding the target with benefits or favours in exchange for following a request?

A) exchange
B) consultation
C) inspirational appeal
D) ingratiation
E) coalition

Question 47

Which of the following power tactics can be used most effectively for exerting lateral influence?

A) legitimacy
B) inspirational appeal
C) coalition
D) ingratiation
E) pressure

Question 48

Which of the following power tactics is more effective when the audience is highly invested in the outcomes of a decision process?

A) ingratiation
B) consultation
C) personal appeals
D) exchange
E) pressure

Question 49

Jin approaches his supervisor with data and a logical presentation supporting his request for additional personnel. Which of the following power tactics is used by Jin?

A) consultation
B) legitimacy
C) rational persuasion
D) inspirational appeal
E) exchange

Question 50

You're more likely to be effective if you begin with "harder" tactics and move to "softer" tactics only if the harder tactics fail.

Question 51

Which of the following power tactics tends to backfire and is typically the least effective of the nine power tactics?

A) coalitions
B) exchange
C) pressure
D) rational persuasion
E) consultation

Question 52

Which of the following influence tactics is considered a "harder" tactic that emphasizes formal power and incurs greater costs and risks?

A) personal appeal
B) coalition
C) rational persuasion
D) inspirational appeal
E) consultation

Question 53

The power tactic of using flattery and creating goodwill before making a request is known as ________.

A) ingratiation
B) consultation
C) inspirational appeal
D) motivational appeal
E) affective appeal

Question 54

When the power tactic of ________ works, it's generally downward only.

A) exchange
B) coalition
C) ingratiation
D) pressure
E) legitimacy

Question 55

Rational persuasion is the only power tactic that is effective across all organizational levels.

Question 56

Vivian has not been handling one portion of her duties in a satisfactory manner. As a result, her manager threatens to withhold her promotion. Which power tactic is being used by Vivian's manager?

A) exchange
B) ingratiation
C) pressure
D) personal appeals
E) inspirational appeals

Question 57

Which of the following is not considered to be a power tactic?

A) consultation
B) substitution
C) rational persuasion
D) ingratiation
E) coalition

Question 58

________ is the only power tactic that is effective for exerting upward influence, downward influence, and lateral influence.

A) Legitimacy
B) Exchange
C) Ingratiation
D) Pressure
E) Rational persuasion

Question 59

Which of the following power tactics emphasizes developing emotional commitment by appealing to a target's values, needs, hopes, and aspirations?

A) exchange
B) consultation
C) inspirational appeal
D) ingratiation
E) coalition

Question 60

Sally finds out that her salary is lower than her peers. She discusses this with her boss, showing him how her performance has increased company revenues. As a result, she gets a substantial raise. Which of the following power tactics did she use?

A) pressure
B) inspirational appeals
C) exchange
D) rational persuasion
E) legitimacy

Question 61

A journalist tells his editor, "My work on this celebrity divorce story was really a major boost to our sales" even though the story only made it to page 3 in the entertainment section. Which impression management technique is the journalist using?

A) self-promotion
B) enhancement
C) conformity
D) excuse
E) favour

Question 62

People in individualistic countries tend to see power in social terms and as a legitimate means of helping others.

Question 63

Jerrod is relatively new to Xenon Corporation and wants to make sure that he makes a good impression on his coworkers and supervisor. He agrees with the supervisor's opinion most of the time and constantly compliments others about their good work. Which of the following is most likely to help Jerrod earn higher performance evaluations?

A) apologies
B) ingratiation
C) excuses
D) buffing
E) self-promotion

Question 64

Jerrod is relatively new to Xenon Corporation and wants to make sure that he makes a good impression on his coworkers and supervisor. He agrees with the supervisor's opinion most of the time and constantly compliments others about their good work. Jerrod is engaging in which of the following impression management techniques as far as his supervisor is concerned?

A) enhancement
B) self-promotion
C) excuses
D) conformity
E) apologizing

Question 65

Jerrod is relatively new to Xenon Corporation and wants to make sure that he makes a good impression on his coworkers and supervisor. He agrees with the supervisor's opinion most of the time and constantly compliments others about their good work. Jerrod is attempting to use ________.

A) illegitimate political behaviour
B) impression management
C) defensive behaviour
D) referral power
E) expert power

Question 66

Reactive and protective behaviours designed to avoid action, blame, or change are termed ________.

A) zero-sum approach
B) defensive behaviours
C) protectionism
D) impression management
E) shielding bias

Question 67

________ occurs when people within organizations use whatever influence they can to taint facts to support their goals and interests.

A) Legitimate political behaviour
B) Politicking
C) Illegitimate political behaviour
D) Sabotage
E) Whistle-blowing

Question 68

If an individual ________, then he is less likely to engage in illegitimate political behaviour.

A) has invested a lot in the organization in terms of time and efforts
B) possesses a scarce skill or knowledge
C) has influential contacts outside the organization
D) does not expect any future benefits from the organization
E) has an external locus of control

Question 69

Which of the following factors encourages politicking?

A) clear performance evaluation systems
B) role clarity
C) zero-sum reward allocation practices
D) increase in organizational resources
E) low pressures for performance

Question 70

Extraverts tend to be more influential in team-oriented organizations.

Question 71

To avoid politicking during performance evaluations, an organization should ________.

A) use subjective criteria
B) use democratic decision making
C) use a single outcome measure
D) use objective criteria
E) allow a long time lapse between the time of an action and its appraisal

Question 72

Which of the following skills best represents the ability of people to influence others to enhance their own objectives?

A) analytical skill
B) critical thinking skill
C) political skill
D) reflective thinking skill
E) cognitive skill

Question 73

What are the various individual factors that make a person more likely to engage in political behaviour?

Question 74

Which of the following is a self-focused impression management technique?

A) flattery
B) enhancement
C) apology
D) excuses
E) conformity

Question 75

People especially likely to comply with hard power tactics tend to be intrinsically motivated.

Question 76

Which of the following statements is true regarding impression management (IM) techniques?

A) During interviews, applicants appear to use ingratiation more than self-promotion.
B) Ingratiation is negatively related to performance ratings.
C) Those who self-promote receive higher performance evaluations.
D) Ingratiation works well in interviews.
E) Giving excuses is considered as an assertive IM technique.

Question 77

Which of the following organizational factors encourages political behaviour?

A) use of objective criteria in the appraisal
B) using multiple outcomes to measure performance
C) allowing significant time to pass between the time of an action and its appraisal
D) avoiding the zero-sum approach for resource allocation
E) ensuring role clarity

Question 78

Political behaviours usually ________.

A) lie outside of an individual's specified job requirements
B) are counter-productive to individual goals
C) are seen only in large organizations
D) are frowned upon by organizational leaders
E) are expected as part of each job requirement

Question 79

Employees exhibiting which of the following traits are more likely to engage in political behaviour?

A) lack of sensitivity to social cues
B) external locus of control
C) low need for power
D) Machiavellian personality
E) low self-monitoring

Question 80

What power tactics can employees use to translate their power bases into specific actions and how does each one work?