Question 1

A ________ is a small number of people with complementary skills who are committed to a common purpose,performance goals,and approach for which they hold themselves mutually accountable.

Accepted Answer

The definition provided describes a team, which is a group of individuals working together towards a common goal, with shared accountability and complementary skills. A formal group refers to a group established by an organization or management for a specific purpose, while an informal group develops spontaneously and is not necessarily task-oriented. A mature group refers to a group that has gone through stages of development and established a high level of trust and communication, but this does not necessarily imply a shared purpose or goals. A virtual team refers to a team that works together electronically, without being located in the same physical space.

Question 2

In a study of executives from 300 companies,the most desirable soft skill named was

Accepted Answer

The answer of In a study of executives from 300...

Question 3

Teams are task groups that have matured to the _____ stage.

Accepted Answer

Performing is the stage where teams have matured and are fully focused on achieving their goals. This is the stage where they have resolved their conflicts and established their roles and responsibilities.

Question 4

During group meetings,Patty feels that everyone should have their say whenever the group makes an important decision.She makes sure that every group member gets the chance to put forth his or her own ideas during the meeting.Which of the following maintenance roles is Patty performing?

Accepted Answer

Patty is performing the gatekeeper maintenance role by ensuring that everyone gets a chance to speak and putting forth ideas during group meetings.

Question 5

Norman is elected president of the debate club.He is known as a team player.That means that Norman is

Accepted Answer

Being a team player typically involves being committed to the team's goals, collaborative in working with others, and competent in one's abilities.

Question 6

Jeff says _____.He is performing a task role.

Accepted Answer

Jeff's statement is focused on the task at hand and goals, indicating a task role.

Answer: D 
 Jeff is trying to solicit input and opinions from everyone, indicating a task role.

Answer: B, C, E 
 These statements are focused on the group dynamics and interpersonal relationships, indicating a social-emotional role.

Question 7

Carol takes over as CEO of Sandstorm Jeans,a company on the verge of bankruptcy.She institutes radical changes and eliminates 35 percent of the positions.Even after this,the remaining employees resist her ideas.This represent the ____ stage; it is a time of testing.

Accepted Answer

The situation where the remaining employees resist Carol's ideas represents the storming stage. In this stage of team development, there can be conflicts and disagreements as members adjust to the changes and establish their roles and responsibilities. This is a time of testing for the team and its leader, which can determine whether they will move on to the next stages of norming and performing.

Question 8

In which stage of the group development process do group members resolve their power struggles so that something can be accomplished?

Accepted Answer

In the norming stage of group development, group members establish norms and rules for the group, which helps to address power struggles and conflicts. This allows the group to move towards a more productive stage of working together towards a common goal.

Question 9

Which of the following statements is about Tuckman's five-stage model of group development?

Accepted Answer

Tuckman's five-stage model of group development includes forming, storming, norming, performing, and adjourning. While the model suggests a linear progression between these stages, the duration and intensity of each stage can vary. Therefore, option B is the correct statement. Option A is incorrect because the model has been widely used in various fields of study. Option C is incorrect because the punctuated equilibrium model is a separate model of group development. Option D is incorrect because it does not accurately describe Tuckman's model. Option E is incorrect because it lists five stages not mentioned in Tuckman's model.

Question 10

As part of a work team in his office,it is Larry's job to make photocopies of relevant materials and hand them out to the team members during meetings.Which of the following task roles is Larry performing in his work team?

Accepted Answer

Larry is performing the task role of a procedural technician, which involves performing specific tasks such as making photocopies and distributing materials during meetings.

Question 11

Tracy has been part of a work group for some weeks now.She has slowly become well-acquainted with the other members and even made some new friends.Although in the beginning there were a few arguments and fights,they were resolved with time and Tracy feels a definite sense of team spirit that gets her excited about work.According to Tuckman's five-stage model of group development,which of the following stages is Tracy's group experiencing?

Accepted Answer

Tracy's group has resolved their conflicts and has developed a sense of team spirit, indicating that they have moved past the storming stage and are now in the norming stage. The performing stage involves the group working together seamlessly towards their goals, and adjourning refers to the group disbanding after completing their task. Forming is the initial stage where the group is just coming together and getting to know each other.

Question 12

What has been shown by research to reduce social loafing?

Accepted Answer

Hybrid rewards, which combine both individual and group incentives, have been shown to reduce social loafing by ensuring that individual contributions are recognized and rewarded, thus motivating all members to contribute effectively to the group's efforts.

Question 13

During a group meeting,Nadia comments,_____.She is performing a maintenance role.

Accepted Answer

Maintenance roles in a group are focused on maintaining harmony and cohesion. Praising various points of view helps to create a positive and inclusive atmosphere, which is a key aspect of maintenance roles.

Question 14

The ____ stage is often characterized by a climate of open communication,strong cooperation,and lots of helping behavior.Cohesiveness and personal commitment to group goals help the group achieve more than could any one individual acting alone

Accepted Answer

The performing stage is characterized by a high level of cohesiveness, open communication, strong cooperation, and personal commitment to achieving group goals, resulting in the group being able to accomplish more than any individual could on their own.

Question 15

A feeling of team spirit is sometimes experienced during the _______ stage because members believe they have found their proper roles.Group cohesiveness,defined as the "we feeling" that binds members of a group together,is the principal by-product of Stage

Accepted Answer

The norming stage is characterized by increased agreement and cohesion among group members. This is when they have found their roles and are working together effectively. The feeling of team spirit and a strong "we feeling" are common during this stage.

Question 16

As part of a work group,Bob's main job is to resolve conflicts between other group members.Whenever there is an argument,he tries to figure out a solution that benefits both parties,or he quickly defuses the tension with some jokes.Which of the following roles is Bob performing within his work group?

Accepted Answer

Bob is serving as a harmonizer by resolving conflicts between group members and attempting to find solutions that benefit everyone.

Question 17

Harriet is an active member of the large Freshman Orientation board.There are five separate teams on this board,and they all want Harriet as a member because she is good at keeping the team on track.Which of the following behaviors does Harriet exhibit?

Accepted Answer

Harriet exhibits the behavior of helping plan and organize work, monitoring progress, and providing constructive feedback. This is shown through her ability to keep the team on track.

Question 18

Sean is questioning his team's effectiveness.He asks himself "Is the group performing less than,equal to,or greater than the sum of its parts?" Once he thinks this through,he recognizes that two people are not contributing at all.What can be done to guard against social loafing?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Sean is questioning his team's effectiveness.He asks...

Question 19

Phil is part of a newly formed work group.He has been introduced to all the group members,but he still feels like he cannot trust them.The group has not yet chosen a leader,and Phil feels unsure about his exact role within the group.According to Tuckman's five-stage model of group development,which of the following stages is Phil's group currently in?

Accepted Answer

Phil's group is in the forming stage according to Tuckman's model. This is where members are just getting to know each other and are uncertain about their roles and responsibilities within the group. The group has not yet established trust, which suggests that they have not yet progressed to the norming or performing stages. The storming stage is characterized by conflicts and disagreements, which are not mentioned in the scenario. The adjourning stage occurs when the group has completed its task or project, which is not applicable to this situation.

Question 20

As a manager,Laurel has established a new work group to tackle a particular project.She has introduced all the members to each other and the group has elected a leader.However,lately Laurel has noticed that some group members are procrastinating on their duties.Two cliques have formed within the group and they are frequently arguing with and challenging the group leader's opinions.Which of the following stages of group development process is Laurel observing?

Accepted Answer

The formation of cliques and the challenges to the group leader's opinions suggest that the group is currently in the storming stage. This is a common stage in group development where conflicts and disagreements arise as members establish their individual roles and try to define the group's objectives. Procrastination by some members suggests some lack of motivation, which also indicates that the group has not yet fully established its goals and norms.

Quiz 8: Groups and Teams