Question 1

Organizational charts are accurate representations of how communication actually flows in organizations.

Accepted Answer

Organizational charts represent the formal structure and reporting relationships but often do not accurately depict the informal communication networks and how communication actually flows within an organization.

Question 2

Upward communication can be stifled when subordinates fear retribution from management.

Accepted Answer

Subordinates may hesitate to communicate upwards if they fear negative consequences or retribution from management, leading to stifled upward communication.

Question 3

Upward communication distortion is always the result of conscious efforts to deceive management.

Accepted Answer

Upward communication distortion can also occur unintentionally due to misunderstandings, lack of clarity, or the filtering of information as it passes through different levels of an organization, not just because of deliberate attempts to deceive.

Question 4

Supervisors believe they communicate more information than subordinates perceive they receive.

Accepted Answer

Research in organizational behavior and communication consistently shows that supervisors often overestimate the amount and clarity of information they provide, while subordinates frequently report receiving less information than they need or believe they were given. This discrepancy is known as the "mum effect" or communication gap.

Question 5

A common strategy for collecting network data involves asking employees, "Who have you communicated with in the last week in this organization?"

Accepted Answer

This method is a common social network data collection strategy known as a "name generator" technique, used to map out communication or social networks within organizations by asking participants to identify their contacts.

Question 6

An organization characterized by strong network "multiplexity" might have employees who work together, volunteer together, and attend the same religious service.

Accepted Answer

Multiplexity in a network refers to the multiple types of connections or interactions that exist between nodes (e.g., individuals or organizations). An organization with strong network multiplexity would indeed have employees who engage in various types of interactions beyond just working together, such as volunteering together and attending the same religious services.

Question 7

Which of these is a possible use of downward communication?
A) discussing work problems with a manager
B) feedback to upper management
C) reasons for doing jobs certain ways
D) progress reports to other team members

Accepted Answer

Downward communication refers to the flow of information from higher levels of the organization to lower levels, such as managers explaining to their employees the reasons for performing tasks in certain ways.

Question 8

Which of these is not a possible use of downward communication?
A) reasons for doing jobs certain ways
B) attempts to create a certain culture
C) directions for what jobs to do
D) feedback to upper management

Accepted Answer

Downward communication flows from higher levels of an organization to lower levels, typically involving directives, instructions, and information dissemination. Feedback to upper management is an example of upward communication, where information flows from the lower levels of an organization to the higher levels.

Question 9

Which of the following is a common problem with upward communication?
A) Lower level employees receive more information than they give.
B) Same level managers share information with each other.
C) Managers often give their subordinates too much feedback.
D) Only positive information is usually reported.

Accepted Answer

Upward communication often faces the issue of filtering, where only positive information is reported to higher levels to avoid negative repercussions or to present oneself or one's team in a favorable light. This can lead to a lack of awareness about problems at the lower levels of the organization.

Question 10

Which of the following is not a common problem with upward communication?
A) It is frequently ignored.
B) Lower level employees prefer receiving to giving information.
C) Only positive information may be given.
D) Same level managers share information with each other.

Accepted Answer

Upward communication refers to the flow of information from lower levels of a hierarchy to the upper levels. Problems with upward communication typically include it being ignored, a preference among lower-level employees for receiving rather than giving information, and a tendency to share only positive information. Sharing information among same-level managers, however, is an example of horizontal communication, not upward communication.

Question 11

Which of these is an example of horizontal or lateral (peer) communication?
A) A shift manager provides the next shift manager with production details after the shift.
B) A supervisor and subordinate provide each other with feedback about their work.
C) A group of subordinates confront their manager about a problem they all face.
D) Subordinates from two departments share an idea with upper management.

Accepted Answer

Horizontal or lateral communication occurs between individuals at the same level within an organization, such as a shift manager passing information to another shift manager.

Question 12

Which of these is not an example of horizontal or lateral (peer) communication?
A) Subordinates from two departments share an idea for improving coordination between the departments.
B) A supervisor and subordinate provide each other with feedback about their work.
C) A shift manager provides the next shift manager with production details.
D) Two assistant department heads work on new ways to market products.

Accepted Answer

Horizontal or lateral communication refers to the exchange of information between individuals, departments, or units at the same level within an organization. Choice B describes vertical communication, which occurs between different levels of the organization, such as between a supervisor and a subordinate.

Question 13

Which of these is an example of integrative communication?
A) Two assistant department heads work on their own to develop new ways to market products and increase sales for the company.
B) One shift manager provides the next shift manager with production details and problems as they transition between shifts.
C) Managers and subordinates from two departments serving on a temporary committee look into ways to improve coordination between the departments.
D) A supervisor and subordinate have an annual meeting in which they provide each other with feedback about their work.

Accepted Answer

Integrative communication involves collaboration and coordination among different parties to achieve a common goal, as seen in option C where managers and subordinates from two departments work together to improve coordination.

Question 14

Which of these is not be an example of integrative communication?
A) Two assistant department heads work on their own to develop new ways to market products and increase sales for the company.
B) An ad hoc committee from multiple departments and management try to determine the smoking policy within the building.
C) A group of employees across divisions and levels try to improve the quality of the product they all work on.
D) A task force is formed from across the organization to monitor the progress of the organization at meeting the goals of its annual plan.

Accepted Answer

Integrative communication involves collaboration and coordination across different departments or levels within an organization. Choice A is not an example of integrative communication because it describes two assistant department heads working independently, rather than collaboratively with others from different areas of the organization.

Question 15

Which of the following is not true of grapevine or informal communication?
A) It rarely follows the chain of command.
B) It is used by employees throughout the organizational hierarchy.
C) It tends to be more inaccurate than accurate.
D) It is usually faster than official communication.

Accepted Answer

Grapevine or informal communication can indeed be inaccurate at times, but it is not inherently more inaccurate than accurate. It serves as a significant source of information and can carry both accurate and inaccurate information. The statement that it tends to be more inaccurate than accurate is not universally true, as the accuracy can vary widely depending on the context and the information being shared.

Question 16

Which of the following is true of grapevine or informal communication?
A) It generally follows the chain of command.
B) It generally serves the organization's task functions.
C) It tends to be more accurate than inaccurate.
D) It is primarily used by lower level employees.

Accepted Answer

Grapevine or informal communication tends to be more accurate than inaccurate because it often involves the sharing of information among employees who are directly involved in the work, leading to a more realistic understanding of situations.

Question 17

This is a tough application question. Use logic to figure out the correct answer. When people played the phone tag game of passing information through a series of people, the final message is usually quite different than the initial messages. This problem occurs in organizational channels as well. This problem of distortion through serial reproduction in communication
A) occurs only in downward communication.
B) can be an effective way to communicate uncertainty.
C) occurs only when messages contain ambiguity.
D) can be the result of deliberate distortions.

Accepted Answer

The distortion of messages in serial reproduction, such as in the game of telephone or within organizational communication channels, can indeed be the result of deliberate distortions, where individuals may alter the message intentionally for various reasons.

Question 18

This is a tough application question. Use logic to figure out the correct answer. When people played the phone tag game of passing information through a series of people, the final message is usually quite different than the initial messages. This problem occurs in organizational channels as well. This problem of distortion through serial reproduction in communication
A) occurs only in upward communication.
B) can be an effective way to manage uncertainty.
C) occurs because people use strategic ambiguity.
D) can be the result of accidental miscommunication.

Accepted Answer

The distortion of messages in serial reproduction, such as in the game of telephone or within organizational communication channels, often results from accidental miscommunication. This is because each person may unintentionally alter, omit, or misunderstand parts of the message as it is passed along, leading to a final message that is significantly different from the original.

Question 19

A network approach to studying communication channels is different from a traditional communication channel approach because
A) it examines who actually communicates rather than who is supposed to communicate.
B) it examines communication throughout the organization.
C) it includes people from various departments and hierarchical levels.
D) it includes people external to the organization rather than just internal members.

Accepted Answer

A network approach focuses on actual communication patterns and interactions, rather than the prescribed or intended communication paths.

Question 20

Which of the following is not true of a network approach to studying communication channels?
A) It examines who actually communicates rather than who is supposed to communicate.
B) It examines communication throughout the organization.
C) It includes people from various departments and hierarchical levels.
D) It includes people external to the organization rather than just internal members.

Accepted Answer

A network approach to studying communication channels primarily focuses on the patterns and nature of communication within an organization, including across different departments and levels of hierarchy. It aims to understand actual communication flows rather than prescribed ones. However, it typically concentrates on internal communication networks rather than including external members.

Quiz 5: Communication Channels and Structures

Organizational charts are accurate representations of how communication actually flows in organizations.

Upward communication can be stifled when subordinates fear retribution from management.

Upward communication distortion is always the result of conscious efforts to deceive management.

Supervisors believe they communicate more information than subordinates perceive they receive.

A common strategy for collecting network data involves asking employees, "Who have you communicated with in the last week in this organization?"

An organization characterized by strong network "multiplexity" might have employees who work together, volunteer together, and attend the same religious service.

Which of these is a possible use of downward communication?

Which of these is not a possible use of downward communication?

Which of the following is a common problem with upward communication?

Which of the following is not a common problem with upward communication?

Which of these is an example of horizontal or lateral (peer) communication?

Which of these is not an example of horizontal or lateral (peer) communication?

Which of these is an example of integrative communication?

Which of these is not be an example of integrative communication?

Which of the following is not true of grapevine or informal communication?

Which of the following is true of grapevine or informal communication?

A network approach to studying communication channels is different from a traditional communication channel approach because

Which of the following is not true of a network approach to studying communication channels?