Question 1

A norm is a set of expectations associated with a job or position on a team.

Accepted Answer

A norm is a standard or pattern of behavior that is typical or expected within a group, not specifically tied to a job or position.

Question 2

A key negative aspect of inter-team dynamics is that the members of each team may divert energies toward their mutual animosities rather than on the performance of important tasks.

Accepted Answer

This is a common negative aspect of inter-team dynamics that can hinder productivity and performance.

Question 3

Role overload occurs when a person is uncertain about his or her role in a job or on a team.

Accepted Answer

Role overload occurs when a person has too many responsibilities or tasks to handle, not when he or she is uncertain about their role.

Question 4

The statement, "People on this committee are good listeners and actively seek out the ideas and opinions of others" reinforces the negative support and helpfulness norm.

Accepted Answer

The statement actually reinforces a positive support and helpfulness norm by highlighting the committee members' active listening and inclusive behavior.

Question 5

The performance norm conveys expectations about how hard group members should work and what the team should accomplish.

Accepted Answer

The performance norm sets expectations for the level of effort and achievement to be reached by the group.

Question 6

The statement "on our team, people always try to work hard" is an example of a positive high-achievement norm.

Accepted Answer

The statement encourages and promotes hard work, which is a positive high-achievement norm.

Question 7

Team cohesiveness tends to be low when members are similar in age, attitudes, needs, and backgrounds.

Accepted Answer

This statement is false. Team cohesiveness tends to be higher when members have similar attitudes, values, and goals. This creates a sense of shared purpose and understanding among the team. However, diversity in age, background, and experiences can also be beneficial to a team, as it allows for a wider range of perspectives and ideas to be shared.

Question 8

Distributed leadership is the sharing of responsibility, by all members, for meeting individual needs.

Accepted Answer

Distributed leadership involves the sharing of leadership roles and responsibilities among members of an organization or team, focusing on achieving the group's collective goals rather than meeting individual needs.

Question 9

Cohesiveness of a group or team is the degree to which group or team members are attracted to and motivated to remain a part of the group or team.

Accepted Answer

Cohesiveness refers to the extent to which team members are committed to the team and motivated to continue working together.

Question 10

From a manager's perspective, the worst-case scenario of a work team's performance norms and cohesiveness occurs with negative performance norms and high team cohesiveness.

Accepted Answer

Negative performance norms indicate that the team has developed a culture of poor performance, while high cohesiveness means that team members are unwilling to break away from the group and may resist change. This combination can make it difficult to improve performance as the team may resist making necessary changes.

Question 11

Role conflict occurs when someone is unable to meet the expectations of others.

Accepted Answer

Role conflict arises when an individual is faced with conflicting expectations, duties, or demands of different roles such as work, family, social, and personal obligations. It can lead to stress, frustration, and difficulty in performing the duties of the roles.

Question 12

The roles of a group or team represent ideas or beliefs about how members are expected to behave.

Accepted Answer

The answer of The roles of a group or team...

Question 13

Group cohesiveness tends to decrease when groups are physically isolated from others and when they experience performance success or crisis.

Accepted Answer

Group cohesiveness tends to increase when groups are physically isolated from others and when they experience performance success or crisis.

Question 14

In terms of team productivity, the best-case scenario of a work team's performance norms and cohesiveness occurs with high performance norms and high team cohesiveness.

Accepted Answer

High performance norms establish clear expectations for productivity and quality, while high team cohesiveness fosters strong relationships and communication among team members. Together, these factors contribute to a productive and efficient team.

Question 15

Research in social psychology suggests that the achievement of sustained high performance by groups requires that members' task needs and maintenance needs are met.

Accepted Answer

Research in social psychology has found that in order for groups to achieve sustained high performance, both task needs (related to achieving the group's goals) and maintenance needs (related to interpersonal relationships and group cohesion) must be met. Balancing both types of needs helps create a positive group climate that fosters productivity, creativity, and satisfaction among members.

Question 16

Generally, the more cohesive the group, the greater the conformity of members to group norms.

Accepted Answer

Cohesion in a group can create a strong commitment to group norms, which leads to a higher likelihood of conformity among members.

Question 17

A leader can establish positive norms within groups and teams by acting as a positive role model, reinforcing and rewarding desired behaviors, selecting members who can and will perform, and providing support and training for members.

Accepted Answer

A leader plays a critical role in establishing and reinforcing positive norms within teams and groups. This can be done through various means, including acting as a positive role model, rewarding desired behaviors, selecting members who can and will perform, and providing support and training for members.

Question 18

Maintenance activities directly contribute to the performance of important group tasks.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Maintenance activities directly contribute to the performance...

Question 19

A positive aspect of intergroup competition occurs when the members of each group work harder, become more focused on key tasks, and develop more internal loyalty.

Accepted Answer

Intergroup competition can lead to positive outcomes such as increased effort, focus, and loyalty within each group.

Question 20

In his studies of how people cope with the challenge of entering a team, Edgar Schein labeled individuals who act in a passive, reflective, and even single-minded manner while struggling with the fit between individual goals and group directions as disruptive entrants.

Accepted Answer

Edgar Schein labeled such individuals as passive entrants, not as disruptive entrants.

Quiz 8: Teamwork and Performance