Question 1

Which of the following refer to group characteristics that may influence group outcomes?

Accepted Answer

Group size and member diversity are characteristics intrinsic to the group itself that can significantly influence group outcomes, such as performance, cohesion, and satisfaction. Group size affects dynamics like participation and cohesion, while member diversity can impact creativity, problem-solving, and conflict.

Question 2

Which of the following refer to group process variables that may influence group outcomes?

Accepted Answer

D

Question 3

According to the model of group productivity presented in Chapter 10, which of the following variables links group and member characteristics with group outcomes?

Accepted Answer

C

Question 4

Mary always prefers working with a group on class projects as opposed to working alone. Which of the following statements would best describe her?

Accepted Answer

Mary's preference for working in groups suggests a high need for affiliation, which is the desire to be in the company of others and to work in a team environment. This need is more about being part of a group and less about leadership, sociability, or social loafing.

Question 5

One benefit of working in a larger, rather than smaller, groups is

Accepted Answer

Larger groups have the capacity to fill more specialized roles due to the greater diversity of skills and perspectives among their members. This allows for more efficient task allocation and the ability to tackle complex projects that require specialized knowledge.

Question 6

One potential advantage for groups that are made up of diverse members is that they may

Accepted Answer

Diverse groups are less likely to experience strong conformity pressures and groupthink because the presence of diverse perspectives and experiences can challenge uniform thinking and encourage more critical and independent thought.

Question 7

Bill is the leader of his sales team at work, and he wants to increase the amount of revenue the team generates. Which of the following would probably not be useful, according to research reported in the text?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Bill is the leader of his sales...

Question 8

In research reported by Richard Hackman, which of the following was found concerning the use of a planning session in working groups?

Accepted Answer

Richard Hackman's research found that planning sessions were particularly beneficial for tasks that required the sharing of information among group members. This implies that the effectiveness of planning is contingent on the nature of the task, especially in terms of the necessity for information exchange within the group.

Question 9

The most useful kind of goals for social groups are

Accepted Answer

Specific, challenging, and attainable goals are most useful for social groups because they provide clear direction, motivate members through challenge, and are realistically achievable, fostering a sense of accomplishment and progress.

Question 10

Which of the following represents an example of a potential outcome of the illusion of group effectivity?

Accepted Answer

The illusion of group effectivity can lead to overconfidence in the group's abilities, resulting in hasty decisions without thorough discussion of all relevant information.

Question 11

In general, the more the group discusses and considers the issues at hand, the better the group's __________ will be.

Accepted Answer

The more a group discusses and considers the issues at hand, the better equipped it is to make a well-informed and considered final decision. This is because thorough discussion allows for diverse viewpoints to be considered, leading to a more comprehensive understanding of the issue.

Question 12

In a group setting where not all members have been given all information, the shared information is more likely to be _____ whereas the unshared information is more likely to be _____.

Accepted Answer

In group settings, information that is known to all members (shared information) is more likely to be discussed, as it forms a common ground for conversation. On the other hand, information that is not known to all members (unshared information) is more likely to be forgotten or overlooked, as it might not be brought up or emphasized during discussions.

Question 13

According to research using the hidden profile task, which of the following information is most likely to be shared in a group discussion?

Accepted Answer

Information that everyone in the group knows about is most likely to be shared in a group discussion, according to research using the hidden profile task. This phenomenon occurs because shared information is more readily brought up and discussed, as it is more accessible and familiar to all group members.

Question 14

A good group leader might do which of the following to enhance group performance?

Accepted Answer

Soliciting unshared information from all members of the group can enhance group performance by ensuring that all perspectives and information are considered, leading to more informed and comprehensive decision-making.

Question 15

Based on the results of Van Zelst's study of bricklayers and carpenters, one might infer that a team of construction workers would be most productive when

Accepted Answer

Van Zelst's study suggests that social cohesion, or how much team members like each other, can significantly impact productivity. This implies that a team of construction workers who have positive interpersonal relationships would likely be more productive.

Question 16

Groups that are highly sociable and express a lot of emotion early on may be more likely to exhibit

Accepted Answer

Highly sociable groups that express a lot of emotion early on may prioritize harmony and emotional expression over critical evaluation, leading to poorer decision-making abilities due to groupthink or lack of critical analysis.

Question 17

A jury that must reach a unanimous decision will

Accepted Answer

Juries that must reach a unanimous decision often take longer to deliberate and may face difficulties in reaching a verdict due to the need for complete agreement among all members. This can lead to situations where a verdict is less likely to be reached, especially in cases where opinions among jurors are divided.

Question 18

Which statement is true of a six-member jury as opposed to a 12-member jury? The six-member group might be more likely to

Accepted Answer

A smaller group, such as a six-member jury, might be more likely to be homogenous in terms of values and beliefs due to the reduced diversity that comes with a smaller sample size. This can lead to a jury that is less diverse in thought and background.

Question 19

Which of the following describes a working group that is highly specialized and whose members are highly interdependent.

Accepted Answer

A team is characterized by its high level of specialization and interdependence among its members, which is essential for achieving common goals and tasks.

Question 20

Specialized knowledge may be particularly important for teams that

Accepted Answer

Specialized knowledge is particularly important for teams that are working with advanced technology because they need to understand the technology in order to use it effectively.

Quiz 10: Effective Working Groups