Question 1

When Sally Winters started as a data input clerk, she enjoyed the fact that other workers surrounded her and they could chat as they worked without affecting their productivity. Sally was recently promoted to the quality control position for her work group, but she is still at the same desk. Her coworkers' chatter now is a source of irritation to her as she checks for errors. Which of the following BEST explains the change in the effect of Sally's working conditions on her performance?

Accepted Answer

The change in Sally's task from routine data input to novel quality control has changed the effect of social facilitation from a benefit to a detraction. Social facilitation is the tendency for people to perform better on simple or well-learned tasks when in the presence of others. However, for complex or novel tasks, the presence of others can be distracting and can impair performance. This is likely the reason why Sally's coworkers' chatter has become a source of irritation for her. The other choices are not supported by the information given in the passage.

Question 2

________ are the effects of passive spectators on individual performance.

Accepted Answer

Audience effects refer to the impact of spectators on an individual's performance. The mere presence of an audience can lead to increased arousal, self-consciousness, and anxiety, which can either enhance or impair performance depending on the task and individual.

Question 3

________ is the effect the physical presence of others has on an individual's performance.

Accepted Answer

Social facilitation refers to the phenomenon where the presence of others can enhance an individual's performance on tasks they are already skilled at, while it can reduce their performance on tasks they are not skilled at. This effect is also known as the audience effect. Therefore, social facilitation is the best choice for this definition. Social pressure, social expectancy, and social sensibility are all related to social influence but do not specifically refer to the effect of physical presence on performance.

Question 4

A computer specialist came into an office to fix a technical problem. The manager asked the specialist if the work was complicated, and the specialist boasted that it was a piece of cake and he was very experienced in the matter. When he begins his work, many of the office members stand next to him and observe his actions. The manager should be aware that being watched in this situation will MOST LIKELY cause the computer specialist to ________.

Accepted Answer

The presence of an audience can lead to improved performance on tasks that are well-practiced or simple, due to social facilitation. Since the specialist is experienced and finds the task easy, being watched will likely enhance his performance.

Question 5

A(n) ________ is a set of behaviors or tasks a person is expected to perform by virtue of holding a position in a group or organization.

Accepted Answer

A role is defined as a set of behaviors or tasks that a person is expected to perform by virtue of holding a position in a group or organization. Norms refer to the expectations or standards of behavior that govern how people should act in a given situation. Rules are specific guidelines or directives that must be followed. Operating procedures are the step-by-step processes used to accomplish a task or goal. While all of these concepts are related, only a role specifically refers to the set of behaviors or tasks associated with a particular position.

Question 6

Role ________ dictate the way members should interact with one another to perform their specific roles.

Accepted Answer

Role relationships dictate how members should interact with one another to perform their specific roles, as they define the expected behaviors and interactions between different roles within a group or organization.

Question 7

A manager should know that if his employees are being watched by other group members while they are performing their tasks, this can lead to a decreased performance if ________.

Accepted Answer

When a task is difficult or complex, the presence of others can create social pressure and distract the employee's focus, leading to a decreased performance. This phenomenon is known as social facilitation. However, when the task is simple and well-practiced, the presence of others may enhance the employee's performance instead of hindering it. The size of the audience or the relationship between the observer and the performer may also affect the performance but are not the determining factors.

Question 8

The two types of social facilitation effects are known as ________.

Accepted Answer

The two types of social facilitation effects are audience effect (being in the presence of an audience enhances performance) and co-action effect (working alongside others enhances performance), which are both included in option B. None of the other options accurately describe the two types of social facilitation effects.

Question 9

The entire set of behaviors expected of an individual assigned to a role constitutes the role occupant's ________.

Accepted Answer

Responsibilities refer to the set of behaviors and tasks that are expected of an individual in a particular role, including duties, tasks, and obligations. Norms are shared expectations or guidelines for behavior within a group or culture, and may not be specific to a particular role. Rules and operating procedures may be specific to the organization or job, but do not encompass the entire set of behaviors expected of an individual in a role.

Question 10

When individuals are stimulated by the presence of other group members, their performance of ________ is enhanced.

Accepted Answer

The presence of other group members tends to enhance the performance of well-learned tasks and behaviors, as individuals are able to rely on social facilitation - the phenomenon where the presence of others improves task performance through increased arousal and motivation. However, for novel, unstructured, or difficult tasks, the presence of others can actually hinder performance due to factors like social loafing, evaluation apprehension, and distraction.

Question 11

________ may be formally specified in a written job description or emerge informally over time as members work out methods for getting the job done.

Accepted Answer

Role relationships may be formally specified in a written job description or emerge informally over time as members work out methods for getting the job done. This encompasses how individuals interact within their roles, including expectations and behaviors that are either explicitly defined or evolve naturally.

Question 12

Dave notices that no one in his group writes an agenda for the meetings or takes minutes, so he begins performing these tasks. In a few months, he is in an indispensable position. In what process did Dave engage?

Accepted Answer

Dave engaged in role making, as he took on new responsibilities and tasks that were not previously designated to anyone in the group.

Question 13

To maximize the benefits of social facilitation and minimize the drawbacks, an office designer should design offices that ________.

Accepted Answer

Social facilitation can result in increased productivity and performance when individuals are working on simple or well-known tasks. However, it can also lead to distraction and decreased performance when working on complex or unfamiliar tasks. Therefore, a balance between open and private workspaces can allow for social interaction and collaboration when needed, but also provide individuals with the ability to work autonomously and without distraction when required.

Question 14

________ is the process of taking the initiative to create a role by assuming certain responsibilities that are not part of an assigned role.

Accepted Answer

Role making is the process where individuals take the initiative to create a new role by assuming responsibilities beyond their assigned tasks, thereby shaping their role within a group or organization.

Question 15

________ is the work that a group contributes to the accomplishment of organizational goals.

Accepted Answer

Group function refers to the collective efforts and activities that a group engages in to achieve the objectives and goals of an organization.

Question 16

The performance of responsibilities that are associated with an assigned role is referred to as ________.

Accepted Answer

Role taking involves understanding and performing the responsibilities that come with a specific role.

Question 17

Roles can only form in groups after ________ has occurred.

Accepted Answer

A division of labor is necessary for the formation of roles in a group. This involves the allocation of tasks and responsibilities within the group based on individual skills and abilities. Without a clear division of labor, there would be confusion and overlap in responsibilities, making it difficult for roles to emerge. Communication, workplace stress, and normalization may all play a role in the functioning of roles within a group, but a division of labor is the key factor in their formation.

Question 18

________ is the shared belief group members have about the ability of the group to achieve its goals and objectives.

Accepted Answer

Group efficacy refers to the shared belief among group members that the group can accomplish its goals and objectives. It is an important factor in group performance, as it influences motivation, effort, and persistence. Group mode, group dynamism, and group mindset are not commonly used terms in this context.

Question 19

Which of the following statements is FALSE?

Accepted Answer

Group efficacy is not automatically present when a group forms; it is something that develops over time as group members work together and achieve successes.

Question 20

The more important the task performed by a group, the higher the group's ________ in the organization.

Accepted Answer

Status refers to the level of importance or authority a group holds within an organization. The more important the task performed by a group, the higher its status in the organization. The other options do not directly relate to the importance of the group's task within the organization.

Quiz 10: The Nature of Work Groups and Teams