Work Teams and Groups

Question 1

Several conditions contribute to a member’s conformity to _______________.

Answer 1

Group norms.

Question 2

Task Demands: Conformity to group norms is greater in _____________ situations, highly complex situations, situations involving a problem that has ________________, and when group members must work together to achieve a common goal.

Answer 2

• Ambiguous
• No solution

Question 3

Group Characteristics: Conformity increases as the consensus of group members ______________, and the presence of even a single dissenter can significantly ___________ conformity. A high degree of conformity is also likely when norms are enforced through ____________________ and when group members are perceived as being highly credible and trustworthy.

Answer 3

• Increases
• Decrease
• Close supervision

Question 4

Participation in Defining Norms: Members conform more to a group’s norms when they have __________________. By participating in their development, members understand the norms better, feel more _______________ with them, and are more likely to perceive the norms as equitable.

Answer 4

• Helped define them
• Ego-involved

Question 5

A member who violates group norms is ordinarily faced with disapproval or rejection; however, the exception to this rule is that a person may occasionally be allowed to violate norms when he/she has gained ___________, status, and ___________ by functioning ________________ in the group, serving as the group leader, or consistently conforming to group norms in the past. This is called accumulating _____________________.

Answer 5

• Prestige
• Respect
• Competently
• Idiosyncrasy credits

Question 6

The following 3 factors have been found to affect group cohesiveness:

• _______________
• _______________
• __________

Answer 6

• Group size
• Homogeneity
• Goals

Question 7

The optimal group size depends on the nature of the ___________, but, in general, groups are most cohesive (and most effective) when they include ___ to ___ members.

Answer 7

• Task
• 5 to 10

Question 8

Groups whose members are ______________ in terms of SES, interests, values, attitudes, abilities, and personality characteristics are more likely to be cohesive.

Answer 8

Similar.

Question 9

Cohesiveness is maximized when members ___________________ goal and norm-setting, and when members must depend on one another to achieve ____________ goals. Cohesiveness is also increased when members believe that participation in the group will help them achieve their ________________, and when the group has a history of successful goal achievement.

Answer 9

• Participate in
• Common
• Personal goals

Question 10

When group cohesiveness is high, the group’s level of performance depends on whether ________________-related norms are high or low; when cohesiveness is low, norms have ______ impact on the group’s performance.

Answer 10

• Performance
• Less

Question 11

The positive effects of cohesiveness on performance tend to be strongest for tasks that require _____ levels of interaction and cooperation among group members.

Answer 11

High.

Question 12

Steiner (1976) describes ___ types of group tasks.

Answer 12

5.

Question 13

On an ___________________ task, the individual contributions of group members are added together to form the group product.

Answer 13

Additive.

Question 14

When performing a ______________ task, the inputs of group members are averaged together to create a single product.

Answer 14

Compensatory.

Question 15

For a ________________ task, group members must select the solution or decision offered by one of the group members (ideally, that of the best member).

Answer 15

Disjunctive.

Question 16

When working on a _______________ task, the group’s overall performance is limited by that of the worst-performing member.

Answer 16

Conjunctive.

Question 17

On a ______________ task, group members decide how to combine the contributions of individual members.

Answer 17

Discretionary.

Question 18

In terms of productivity, group performance is _______________ to individual performance for additive and compensatory tasks; is ___________ the performance of the best member on disjunctive tasks, and is ____________ the performance of the worst member on conjunctive tasks.

Answer 18

• Superior
• Equal to
• Equal to

Question 19

For ______________ tasks, group productivity depends on how effectively the contributions of group members are combined.

Answer 19

Discretionary.

Question 20

Another factor that affects group productivity is group ______________: Groups that are homogenous with regard to knowledge, skills, and certain other characteristics are likely to be more cohesive and perform better on simple tasks and tasks that require cooperation and quick action.

Answer 20

Composition.

Question 21

Groups that are _________________ tend to perform better on complex tasks and tasks that require creativity and/or complementary skills and information.

Answer 21

Heterogenous.

Question 22

_______________ is one of the potential negative outcomes of participation in a group, and occurs when an individual exerts less effort as a group member than he/she would have exerted if working alone.

Answer 22

Social loafing.

Question 23

Social loafing is most likely when members know their contributions __________________ or believe that ______________ do not depend on their effort (which is most likely when the task is ________________).

Answer 23

• Will not be recognized
• Outcomes
• Additive

Question 24

_____________________ occurs when the mere presence of others increases task performance and is most likely to occur when the task is simple and well-learned.

Answer 24

Social facilitation.

Question 25

___________________ occurs when the presence of others decreases performance and is more likely when the task is complex or new (unlearned).

Answer 25

Social inhibition.

Question 26

The changes in a groups challenges, goals, and interactions over time can be described in terms of ___ changes, according to Tuckman and Jensen (1977).

Answer 26

5.

Question 27

During the _____________ stage members become acquanted and attempt to establish “ground rules.”

Answer 27

Forming.

Question 28

The ______________ stage is characterized by conflict as group members resist the control of the group leader(s).

Answer 28

Storming.

Question 29

The ________________ stage begins when group members accept the group, establish ground rules and individual roles within the group, develop close relationships with eachother, and begin to work together to achieve group goals.

Answer 29

Norming.

Question 30

During the __________________ stage, group members have accepted each other’s strengths and weaknesses, are clear about their own roles, and are focused on “getting the job done.”

Answer 30

Performing.

Question 31

Finally, in the ________________ stage, the group disbands because the group’s goals have been met or because group members have left.

Answer 31

Adjourning.

Question 32

A ___________________ is the pattern of communication between group members or between positions or departments in an organization.

Answer 32

Communication networks.

Question 33

In ________________ networks (such as the wheel, the Y, and the chain), all communication must pass through a central person or position.

Answer 33

Centralized.

Question 34

In ____________________ networks (e.g., the circle and all-channel), information flows more freely between members without going through a central person.

Answer 34

De-centralized.

Question 35

Although centralized networks are more efficient for simple tasks, _______________ networks are better for complex tasks because they provide greater flexibility and exchange of ideas. Additionally, the satisfaction of all participants tends to be higher when the network is ___________________.

Answer 35

Decentralized.