Chapter 7: Group Structure

Question 1

Members of larger groups report lower satisfaction due to:

Answer 1

Conflict increases as group size increases
Social inhibition increases as group size increases
e.g., social anxiety can be higher in larger groups
Individual contributions harder to recognize in larger groups
e.g., can reduce identification with group

Question 2

3 types of tasks

Answer 2

1. Additive Tasks
2. Disjunctive Tasks
3. Conjunctive Tasks

Question 3

Additive Tasks

Answer 3

Larger groups perform better up to a point, but individual efficiency decreases (building a house)

Performance depends on the sum of individual contributions.

Question 4

Disjunctive Tasks

Answer 4

Larger groups perform better due to the likelihood of including top performers ((e.g., error detection in coding)

Performance depends on the best member.

Question 5

Conjunctive Tasks

Answer 5

performance decreases as group size increases because of weak links (assembly-line operations)

Question 6

Advantages of Diversity

Answer 6

• multiple perspectives
• greater openness to new ideas
• multiple interpretations
• increased creativity
• increased flexibility
• increased problem-solving skills

Question 7

Disadvantages of Diversity

Answer 7

• ambiguity
• complexity
• confusion
• miscommunication in early stages
• difficulty in reaching a single agreement

Question 8

Deep diversity

Answer 8

differences in attitudes toward work/goals, harm cohesiveness

Question 9

Surface diversity

Answer 9

age, gender, race, minimal negative impact or diminishes over time

Question 10

Roles (definition and 2 types)

Answer 10

positions in a group with a set of expected behaviors attached to them

1. Assigned Roles:
   o Formally prescribed by the organization to divide labor and responsibility (cashier)
2. Emergent Roles:
   o Develop naturally to meet social-emotional needs or assist in tasks (class clown)