Question 1

Problems that get in the way of effective team operations include interpersonal conflicts and lack of clear objectives.

Accepted Answer

Interpersonal conflicts can create tension and disrupt communication within a team, while unclear objectives can lead to confusion and inefficiency in working towards a common goal.

Question 2

Team development works best when the OD practitioner makes process interventions and the team members concentrate on their task while avoiding the observations of the practitioner.This method provides a good source of data that can be part of a diagnosis at a future time.

Accepted Answer

Effective team development involves both the OD practitioner and team members actively engaging in the process. The practitioner's observations and interventions are crucial for addressing team dynamics and issues in real-time, not just for future diagnosis. Active participation and reflection by team members on the practitioner's feedback are essential for immediate improvements and learning.

Question 3

Problem situations in an organization require a higher degree of team member interaction than complex and simple situations.

Accepted Answer

In problem situations, there is often a sense of urgency and a need for collaboration and communication among team members to identify and address the underlying issues. In contrast, complex situations may require specialized knowledge and skills from individual team members, while simple situations can often be addressed independently by a single team member.

Question 4

Team development is an activity that typically occurs once a week for the first month,then once a month for the next 11 months,and one time a year thereafter.

Accepted Answer

There is no set schedule for team development activities. The frequency of such activities will depend on the needs and goals of each team.

Question 5

Basketball is more of a team sport than baseball because each basketball player is likely to be physically close to and contact any of their own players.In baseball,however,players are physically separated from one another.

Accepted Answer

Basketball players are in constant physical contact with each other and must coordinate their movements and strategies to successfully play the game. In contrast, baseball players have specific positions where they are spread out and have less direct physical interaction with each other.

Question 6

Team development is more appropriate when the problem in question is not in the area of just one person but rather when the problem is clearly in the area of more than one person.

Accepted Answer

Team development involves focusing on the development of a group of people to address a problem that is beyond the capability of one person to solve. It is more suitable when the problem lies within the domain of several people and requires a collective effort to resolve it.

Question 7

Because of time constraints and the need to move quickly on changes,there is a decrease in the use of committees and project teams.

Accepted Answer

Committees and project teams are often used more frequently in organizations to address complex issues, leverage diverse expertise, and ensure thorough decision-making, even when facing time constraints.

Question 8

Team building examines group concerns such as culture,structure,goals,and interpersonal relationships.On the other hand,team development is more concerned with training of individuals.

Accepted Answer

The statement wrongly defines team development. Team development involves more than just training of individuals, but also collective learning, problem-solving, and improvement of team effectiveness.

Question 9

Illusion of morality,a characteristic of groupthink,refers to a group viewing an opposing group as being too uninformed or unsophisticated to be capable of reasonable negotiations to resolve differences.

Accepted Answer

The illusion of morality is actually a characteristic of moral superiority, not groupthink. It refers to a group believing that their beliefs and values are inherently more ethical or virtuous than those of an opposing group.

Question 10

Team development should be required even in situations in which members of a division may only occasionally consult with colleagues and do not involve others in their work.The logic of this position is that team development can only help and can do no harm.

Accepted Answer

Team development is not universally beneficial and can be resource-intensive. In situations where collaboration is minimal, the costs and time invested in team development may not yield sufficient benefits to justify the effort, potentially diverting resources from more critical tasks.

Question 11

Mind guards are a way for a group to pressure its members from thinking in ways counter to the group's position.

Accepted Answer

Mind guards are individuals or tactics within a group that prevent dissenting opinions or information from being heard or considered, and instead promote the group's official position or beliefs.

Question 12

Conflict in work teams is unnatural and managers should be able to recognize the types of conflict and prevent it from occurring.

Accepted Answer

Conflict is a natural and inevitable part of working in teams. Managers should instead learn how to manage and resolve conflicts effectively.

Question 13

Isolates is a term used to describe group members who have little to do with the other members and seem to have little interest in and need for observing the group norms.

Accepted Answer

This is a correct definition of isolates within a group.

Question 14

Conflict can be healthy in work teams when the conflict is related to the issues and not the personalities of team members.

Accepted Answer

Conflict allows for different perspectives and ideas to be voiced and can ultimately lead to better solutions and outcomes. However, if the conflict becomes personal and attacks individual team members, it can be detrimental to the team's productivity and morale.

Question 15

The term "virtual teams" applies to teams that have no goals,objectives,or purpose.

Accepted Answer

The term "virtual teams" refers to teams that work together despite being in different locations or working remotely. They have specific goals, objectives, and a purpose, but they communicate and collaborate through technology instead of face-to-face interactions.

Question 16

The application of laboratory learning theories is the historical base for team building.

Accepted Answer

Laboratory learning theories, such as Tuckman's stages of group development, have informed the development of team building practices. These theories emphasize the importance of effective communication, goal setting, and collaboration for successful teamwork.

Question 17

The term "group cohesiveness" refers to a team that operates in close physical proximity to one another and therefore requires a high degree of team building.

Accepted Answer

Group cohesiveness refers to the extent to which individuals in a group are bound together and attracted to the group. It is not necessarily dependent on physical proximity, but can also be influenced by factors such as shared goals, communication, and interpersonal relationships.

Question 18

The terms "team building" and "team development" have distinctly different meanings and should not be used interchangeably.

Accepted Answer

While "team building" and "team development" can have nuanced differences, they are often used interchangeably to refer to activities and processes aimed at improving team performance and cohesion.

Question 19

A work team that consists of 15 to 30 members is generally considered the most effective size as it is large enough so that any one member will not be able to take over and dominate the team.

Accepted Answer

Research and best practices suggest that smaller teams, typically between 5 to 10 members, are more effective because they allow for better communication, stronger cohesion, and easier decision-making. Teams of 15 to 30 members are often too large for efficient collaboration and can lead to coordination difficulties and diminished individual accountability.

Question 20

An important and fundamental concept of organization effectiveness is that no matter what the work situation,team member interaction and team development is a complex activity recommended by OD practitioners for all work situations.

Accepted Answer

While team member interaction and team development are important aspects of organizational effectiveness, they are not universally recommended for all work situations. The appropriateness of these strategies depends on the specific context, goals, and needs of the organization. OD practitioners recommend tailored approaches based on a thorough assessment of each unique situation.

Quiz 10: Team Development Interventions