Question 1

After Jennifer's group in her communication class had met twice, they finally began to get serious about selecting a topic for their project. Several of the group members wanted to do a project concerning the parking situation on campus, because they thought it would be easy to understand. Tyler, a member of student government, wanted to do a project on the use of student fees, because he had worked on that already and had a lot of information. Each person in the group had a favorite topic, and no one wanted to consider the other topics. Most of the discussion revolved around trying to persuade the others to choose a given topic. Which phase is this group experiencing?
A) Orientation
B) Conflict
C) Emergence
D) Reinforcement

Accepted Answer

The group is in the conflict phase, as they are experiencing disagreements and trying to persuade each other to choose their preferred topic.

Question 2

George, Paul, and Sue tend to sit together at meetings and seem to like telling stories to each other, sharing private jokes, and sometimes talking about other group members. The trio would be known as a _____.
A) group deviate
B) referent group
C) clique
D) blocker

Accepted Answer

The term "clique" refers to a subgroup within a larger group that is particularly close-knit and exclusive, often sharing information and socializing among themselves more than with other members of the group. This describes the behavior of George, Paul, and Sue, who tend to sit together and engage in private conversations during meetings. Options A, B, and D do not accurately reflect this behavior.

Question 3

Which of the following is a characteristic of a group with low cohesiveness?
A) They stress individual accomplishment more than group accomplishment.
B) Everyone in the group is encouraged to participate.
C) They maintain and establish group traditions.
D) They set goals and establish guidelines.

Accepted Answer

A group with low cohesiveness tends to focus more on individual accomplishments rather than working towards a collective goal or purpose as individuals are less likely to feel connected to the group.

Question 4

Which of the following correctly depicts the relationship between group cohesiveness and group productivity?
A) As cohesiveness increases, productivity increases.
B) As cohesiveness increases, productivity decreases.
C) When a group is too cohesive, productivity can suffer.
D) The relationship between productivity and cohesiveness is linear.

Accepted Answer

While some level of cohesiveness can be beneficial for a group's productivity, when a group becomes too cohesive, members may prioritize social harmony over productivity and may resist bringing in new ideas or perspectives. Therefore, in cases where cohesiveness is too high, productivity can suffer.

Question 5

If a person had the power to influence people by making them uncomfortable, he or she has _____ power.
A) legitimate
B) referent
C) expert
D) coercive

Accepted Answer

Coercive power is the ability to influence or control others through fear, threat, or punishment. Making others uncomfortable can be a form of coercion if it elicits fear or the threat of negative consequences. Legitimate power comes from one's position or title, referent power is based on admiration and respect, and expert power comes from knowledge or expertise.

Question 6

The opposite of coercive power is which of the following?
A) Reward power
B) Legitimate power
C) Status power
D) Expert power

Accepted Answer

The opposite of coercive power, which involves the use of threats or punishment to influence behavior, is reward power, which involves the use of incentives or rewards to motivate behavior. Legitimate power refers to the authority or position held by an individual, status power refers to the influence or status held within a group, and expert power refers to the knowledge or expertise possessed by an individual.

Question 7

Vlad is the leader of a group; he receives most of the messages from the group members, and he provides most of the information the group members receive. This is an example of a(n) _____ network.
A) all-channel
B) chain
C) wheel
D) clear-channel

Accepted Answer

This network is best described as a wheel network, where a single person (Vlad) acts as the central hub, receiving and disseminating information to and from all other group members.

Question 8

Teachers who use bonus points to get students to attend public speeches outside of class are making use of what type of power?
A) Referent
B) Coercive
C) Expert
D) Reward

Accepted Answer

Teachers who use bonus points to incentivize student attendance at public speeches outside of class are employing reward power. Reward power is the ability to provide positive outcomes or benefits, such as grades or bonus points, to incentivize compliance or good behavior.

Question 9

Which of the following accurately describes an all-channel network?
A) Groups use chat rooms for their meetings.
B) All members make comments to the high status members, but rarely to low status members.
C) The norms of the group include raising one's hand when one wants to make a comment or ask a question.
D) Everyone talks to everyone else and no cliques or subgroups emerge.

Accepted Answer

An all-channel network is characterized by everyone talking to everyone else, without the emergence of cliques or subgroups. Choices A, B, and C describe different types of communication norms and patterns, but do not accurately describe an all-channel network.

Question 10

Although Ali was quiet and spoke up rarely in his class project group, the group knew he was a pre-med major and respected his academic success. When the group decided to use the topic of genetic research for their project, they listened carefully to Ali's ideas on appropriate sources. Given these circumstances, what type of power does Ali have in his group?
A) Coercive
B) Referent
C) Expert
D) Reward

Accepted Answer

Ali's power in the group comes from his expertise and knowledge as a pre-med major. The group respected his academic success and listened carefully to his ideas on appropriate sources for their project. This is a clear example of expert power. Ali does not have coercive power (the ability to punish or withhold rewards), referent power (the ability to be liked or admired by others), or reward power (the ability to provide rewards or benefits to others).

Question 11

When Morgan's teacher divided her class into groups, Morgan ended up in a group with four other people who were all strangers to each other. At first, they took turns introducing themselves and telling the others their majors. Although the discussion was pleasant, it was somewhat strained and uncomfortable. Morgan wondered who in the group would be motivated to work and who would be a slacker. This group is most likely experiencing _____.
A) primary tension
B) secondary tension
C) high cohesiveness
D) communication breakdown

Accepted Answer

The group is experiencing primary tension, which is the initial discomfort and awkwardness that can arise when strangers come together to form a group. This is characterized by polite and superficial communication as members try to establish social norms and expectations.

Question 12

Which communication network is characterized by everyone talking to everyone else?
A) Wheel network
B) All-channel network
C) Chain network
D) Primary network

Accepted Answer

An all-channel network is characterized by everyone talking to everyone else, whereas a wheel network has a central figure who is the focus of communication, a chain network has a linear communication flow, and a primary network is a small group of individuals who communicate frequently and intimately with one another.

Question 13

Ian is a member of a smaller group of people within his group who formed a common bond among themselves. This smaller group is known as which of the following?
A) A wheel
B) A chain
C) A clique
D) A deviation

Accepted Answer

A clique is a small, exclusive group of people who have formed a close bond with each other. They often share similar interests, values, or backgrounds and may isolate themselves from the rest of the larger group.

Question 14

The four phases of Aubrey Fisher's model of group communication are orientation, conflict, emergence, and _____.
A) reinforcement
B) attitude
C) hierarchy
D) assumption

Accepted Answer

The four phases of Aubrey Fisher's model of group communication are orientation, conflict, emergence, and reinforcement. Reinforcement is the phase where the group solidifies its decisions and actions.

Question 15

Laird's project group in his communication class selected the topic of improving services for nontraditional students on campus. Each member in the group had volunteered to talk to a different member of the university staff, and several members had volunteered to search the Internet for what other schools might be doing. Ricardo had volunteered to be moderator and was efficient at running the group meetings. On their fifth meeting, members of the group shared information they had gathered. What phase is this group experiencing?
A) Orientation
B) Conflict
C) Emergence
D) Reinforcement

Accepted Answer

The group is experiencing the emergence phase, where members begin to share information and work together towards a common goal. This phase usually comes after the orientation phase where members get to know each other and the task at hand. The conflict phase comes when members have differing opinions, and the reinforcement phase comes when the group achieves its goal and celebrates its success.

Question 16

Which of the following is a collectivistic assumption?
A) The individual should work primarily for the group.
B) The individual should work primarily for the individual.
C) Planning should be done by group leaders.
D) Meetings are for sharing information with others.

Accepted Answer

A collectivistic assumption emphasizes the importance of the group over the individual. Choice A reflects this by suggesting that the individual's primary focus should be on working for the benefit of the group.

Question 17

Leonard is a group member who holds a different opinion than the other group members, and the other members spend a lot of time talking to him to try to change his mind. Leonard would be known as a _____.
A) clique
B) group deviate
C) status-seeker
D) rewarder

Accepted Answer

Leonard is a group deviate because he holds a different opinion from the rest of the group. The other members are trying to change his mind, which indicates that his opinion is deviating from the group's consensus.

Question 18

Which of the following is an example of primary tension?
A) After voting on the new bylaw, many of the group members split into groups to talk about why they agreed or disagreed with the decision.
B) Even though the group had been meeting for almost a year, they still couldn't agree on a leader.
C) At the first meeting of the study group, Sylvia and John were anxious about what was going to happen, since they didn't know anyone else in the group.
D) It was difficult to get everyone in Kim's work group to agree on the next project, so she decided to take a leadership role.

Accepted Answer

Primary tension refers to the anxiety and discomfort felt by individuals when they first come together in a group, such as at the first meeting of a study group. Option A is an example of secondary tension, which arises after a decision has been made and group members split into groups to discuss it. Option B is an example of a task conflict, while option D is an example of a role conflict.

Question 19

Teachers who lower grades because of unexcused absences are using what type of power?
A) Referent
B) Coercive
C) Expert
D) Reward

Accepted Answer

Coercive power is the use of punishment or threat of punishment to influence behavior. Lowering grades due to unexcused absences is a form of punishment and therefore falls under coercive power.

Question 20

When a group becomes familiar with its members and the group task, this is known as the _____ phase of group development.
A) orientation
B) conflict
C) emergence
D) reinforcement

Accepted Answer

The orientation phase of group development is when group members become familiar with one another and the group task. They begin to establish goals and policies and clarify member roles and responsibilities. Conflict, emergence, and reinforcement phases come after the orientation phase.

Quiz 9: Understanding Group and Team Performance

George, Paul, and Sue tend to sit together at meetings and seem to like telling stories to each other, sharing private jokes, and sometimes talking about other group members. The trio would be known as a _____.

Which of the following is a characteristic of a group with low cohesiveness?

Which of the following correctly depicts the relationship between group cohesiveness and group productivity?

If a person had the power to influence people by making them uncomfortable, he or she has _____ power.

The opposite of coercive power is which of the following?

Vlad is the leader of a group; he receives most of the messages from the group members, and he provides most of the information the group members receive. This is an example of a(n) _____ network.

Teachers who use bonus points to get students to attend public speeches outside of class are making use of what type of power?

Which of the following accurately describes an all-channel network?

Which communication network is characterized by everyone talking to everyone else?

Ian is a member of a smaller group of people within his group who formed a common bond among themselves. This smaller group is known as which of the following?

The four phases of Aubrey Fisher's model of group communication are orientation, conflict, emergence, and _____.

Which of the following is a collectivistic assumption?

Leonard is a group member who holds a different opinion than the other group members, and the other members spend a lot of time talking to him to try to change his mind. Leonard would be known as a _____.

Which of the following is an example of primary tension?

Teachers who lower grades because of unexcused absences are using what type of power?

When a group becomes familiar with its members and the group task, this is known as the _____ phase of group development.