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In Mixed Company: Communicating in Small Groups 9th Edition Test Bank

In Mixed Company: Communicating in Small Groups 9th Edition Test Bank helps you prepare efficiently by breaking down difficult concepts into easy-to-understand sections.

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    IN MIXED COMPANY 9 th edition TEST BANK This Test Bank has now grown to almost 600 questions, about evenly divided between multiple - choice and true - false. In addition, sample exam s for the movie s “Twelve Angry Men” and “The Dream Team” push the total number of Test Bank questions to almost 700 . Please note that multiple - choice questions at the beginning of the main set are all single answer questions; those at the end of the set are multiple answer questions. Traditionally, multiple - choice questions have only a single right answer , so the bulk of this Test Bank is composed of single - answer multiple - choice questions . Why allow more than one answer to be correct on some multiple - choice questions? There are at least two reasons cited earlier but repeated here in case you overlooked the previous rationale in the Instructors Manual : 1. Departing from the standard single - response to a multiple - choice question requires precise knowledge from students. Guessing is minimized. In the standard format, a student doesn’t need to read all the answers once the correct answer is ascertained. If they know “a” is correct, why read any further? No critical thought need be exercised concerning answers b, c, and d. Thus, these answers become mere filler. 2. Most importantly, students receive credit for everything they do know. In the standard single - answer format, a student might know that answers “a” and “b” are incorrect but be uncertain whether “c” or “d” is correct. If the student answers “c” but “d” is correct, he or she loses all points for that question. The multiple - response format in which more than one answer may be correct gives credit for everything students know (wrong answers left unselected or correct answers circled). Simply put, the multiple - response version of multiple - choice questions seems more precise, challenging, and fair than the standard single - answer only version. Nevertheless, if instructors still prefer the standard format, test questions included in the tes t bank can be rewritten to allow only a single correct answer, or questions with only a single correct answer already included in the test bank can be chosen for the exam. Another possible variation some may wish to try is requiring explanations for all FALSE answers on true - false questions. (There is no point in asking for an explanation of true answers). If you choose this option, you may want to wait until the second exam to implement it. This permits students to get used to the examination format, especially if you choose cooperative testing.

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    Chapter 1 MULTIPLE - CHOICE 1. When we assume that everyone has the same meaning for a word , this is called a. equilibrium b. bypassing c. a transaction d. polarization 2. Asian cultures are typically a. collectivist and cooperation b . individualist and competitive c . collectivist and competitive d. individualist and cooperative 3. Status and connection dimensions of conversations typically produce different expectations and communication patterns, such as a. status produces a desire for interdependence and intimacy b. connection produces cooperation and consensus seeking c. status produces empowerment d. connection produces a competitive urge to control conversations 4. The We - not - Me orientation of the comm unication competence model means that a. your family rarely makes sacrifices for any individual family member b. your individual goals should not be met within a group context c. your independence is more important than the well - being of your relationship with your group members d. when your personal goal to spend time alone hiking in Death Valley clashes with your family’s goal to spend time together at the beach tossing a frisbee and watching the family dog chase seagulls, the family goal will usually receive priority. 5. Hindsight bias is a. giving too much emphasis to information that is current and not enough emphasis to information that is older. b. letting past accomplishments overly influence present choices made in groups c. allowing past events to dictate present decisions d. the tendency to look back after the fact or when an outcome has been revealed and say, "I knew that all along"

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    6. Ethical standards for determining competent communication include a. providing choice where possible b. sound judgment c. absolute integrity, no exceptions d. evaluating the sender of the message 7 . When one group member says to another in a frustrated tone of voice, "Your report must be on my desk tomorrow," she/he a. exhibits communication incompetence b. engages in unethical communication c. may be communicating incompetently, but it can’t be determined until the context is known d. shows no sense of context 8 . Effectiveness of our communication as one variable of competent communication a. is Me, not We oriented b. varies from deficiency to proficiency c. is determined as either competent or incompetent based on goal achievement d. is manifested as a concern for self 9 . Which of the following contribute s strongly to grouphate? a. Frequent meetings that accomplish little. b. Conducting group meetings incompetently c. Social loafing of some members d. All of the above 10 . Commitment is one of the general ways to improve your communication competence in groups. This commitment means a. knowing a lot about group communication b. exhibiting skillful communication in a variety of contexts c. exhibiting sensitivity to other group members d. demonstrating a passion for excellence, a strong desire to improve your communication with other group members 11 . Which of the following are essential values t hat should serve as ethical guides for our communication in groups? a. honesty b. respect c. choice d. fairness

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    12 . Given Tannen's perspective on gender differences in communication, what would you expect to find r egarding salary negotiation and gender ? a. Women negotiate for higher starting salaries far more than men because they wish to prove their worth b. Men and women negotiate for higher starting salaries about equally c. Men far more than women negotiate for higher starting salaries because salary is a sign of status d. None of the above is true 13 . “Communication is transactional.” This means that each person communicating is a. either a sender or a receiver b. both a sender and receiver simultaneously c. senders of messages influence receivers but receivers do not influence senders d. none of the above 14 . Which of the following is a difference between small groups and large organizations? There is a. greater formality in organizations b. greater chance of information distortion in organizations c. greater flow of negative information to the top of the organizational hierarchy d. “a” and “b” 15 . Communication competence is defined as engaging in communication with others that is both a. effective and dynamic b. effective and appropriate c. appropriate and powerful d. elaborate and sensitive 16 . If you were describing a collectivist culture you would use words such as, a. independence and competitiveness b. privacy and individuality c. community and loyalty d. all of the above 17 . In a collectivist culture, typically a. self - promotion to get employment is encouraged b. competition not cooperation is emphasized c. personal goals are less important than advancing the goals of a valued group d. all of the above

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    18 . Sensitivity as presented in the communication competence model means a. receptive accuracy whereby you can detect, decode, and comprehend signals and emotional cues b. treating everyone in a group with respect and compassion c. a persistent effort to achieve goals and produce excellence d. “a” and “b” 19 . A small group is a. composed of two or more individuals b. composed of no more than seven members c. an aggregation of individuals waiting in line to buy tickets d. none of the above 20 . A group a. is composed of no fewer than three individuals b. is unlikely to be successful if members are primarily interested in their own individual accomplishment within the group c. has a common purpose d. all of the above 21 . Communication competence is a. a matter of degree b. Me - oriented not We - oriented c. dependent on appropriateness d. one way to combat grouphate 22 . The individualism - collectivism continuum is an important dimension for comparing cultures. According to research , the following can be said regarding this continuum: a. Most people in the world live in strongly individualist cultures b. Individualist cultures tend to emphasize the autonomy of the individual and collectivist cultures tend to emphasize commitment to groups c. Americans should strive to be far more collectivist than individualist d. In most cultures, either individualism or collectivism tends to predominate 23 . “Communication is transactional” means that a. senders transmit information to receivers but not vice versa b. senders and receivers enter into a relationship any time they communicate c. communication involves both content and relationship dimensions of messages d. each party to the communication acts as either a sender or a receiver but not both

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    24 . In mixed - sex groups, the following patterns of communication usually occur: a. Men talk more than women b. Women interrupt more than men c. Men tell more jokes than women d. Women give greater weight to the connection dimension and men give greater weight to the status dimension of conversations 25 . Based on research, which of the following is an accurate statement about individualist and collectivist cultures? a. All cultures have individualist and collectivist influences b. Despite strong cultural pressure, no population uniformly accepts its culture’s values c. Excessive individualism can be faulted, but excessive collectivism also has it dangers d. The Unites States needs to become a collectivist culture to make groups work TRUE - FALSE 1. Communication appropriateness is defined as how well the group progresses toward the achievement of goals. FALSE 2. Interrupting an interview by a search panel to answer a cell phone is an example of inappropriate communication because common rules and expectations for how one should conduct oneself during a job interview are violated. TRUE 3. Ethical standards for competent communication of honesty, respect, fairness, choice, and responsibility should be applied absolutely, with no exceptions. FALSE 4. The United States is an individualist culture. As such, levels of conformity to group norms are extremely low. FALSE 5. When you assume that other group membe rs have the same meaning for a word as you do without checking to see if diffe rences exist, this is called a mixed message. FALSE 6. A person's communication is either competent or incompetent. FALSE 7. We tend to overestimate our prior knowle dge on a subject such as group communication once we have been told the correct answers. This is called the hindsight bias. TRUE 8. If groups are to succeed, individual goals and agendas should be of secondary, not primary importance. TRUE 9. Communication competence in groups necessitates behavior that is both effective and appropriate. TRUE

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    10. Designating a group member as a “competent communicator” is a judgment of that individual’s inherent, natural, communication capabilities that the person is simply born with. FALSE 11. Communication becomes inappropriate if it violates rules and expectations of the group when such violations could have been avoided without sacrificing a goal by choosing different communication behaviors. TRUE 12. Communication is a process of sending messages to receivers. FALSE 13. One of the difficulties with communicating in virtual groups is the absence of nonverbal cues that typically accompany verbal messages. TRUE 14. Context is a central element of verbal communication. TRUE 15. Appropriateness means complying with rules and their accompanying expectations. TRUE 16. To be effective you have to combine knowledge with skill. TRUE 17. A dyad is another name for a group. FALSE 18. Grouphate is a problem in all groups. FALSE 19. Communication can solve all problems in groups if group members would simply try hard enough to be competent communicators . FALSE 20. The two dimensions of every message are its content and the relationship element. TRUE 21. Joseph says to Carolyn, “You shouldn’t have missed our last group meeting.” Carolyn replies, “Well look who appointed himself group emperor. I missed the meeting because I was sick in bed, so back off.” The content of this interchange is the issue of missing a meeting and the relationship element is the conflict and tension that is apparent from the way Carolyn responds. TRUE 22. The meaning of words depends on common agreement of users. TRUE 23. Assuming that everyone has the same meaning for a word and not checking to see if important differences occur is called bypassing. TRUE 24. Mixed messages occur when there is positive verbal and negative nonverbal communication, or vice versa, at the same time. TRUE 25. The two main variables that define communication competence are effectiveness and appropriateness . TRUE

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    26. You communicate via e - mail with a friend in another country. This is an example of a virtual team. FALSE 27. You are at the beach working on developing a nice case of skin cancer for your later years. You ask three strangers sitting next to you if they would each like to have a Coke from your cooler. They say yes, take a coke, and return to their beach blankets and become sun potatoes. For that brief time, the 4 of you constituted a group. FALSE 28. Language is a structured system of symbols for sharing meaning. TRUE 29. Research shows that one of the biggest challenges facing virtual groups with members from various countries is mastering English, the dominant language of the Internet. TRUE 30. Both verbal and nonverbal communication can be ambiguous, resulting in serious misunderstandings. TRUE Chapter 2 MULTIPLE CHOICE 1 . Negative synergy occurs when a. one group member creates a disruption b. group members working together give more significance to negative not positive information c. group members working together produce a significantly worse result than expected if individual skill levels and abilities are considered . d. group members often disagree among themselves producing stalemate 2 . Larger groups compared to smaller groups typically have a. fewer isolates (non - participants) b. fewer factions and members splintering off from the group’s general point of view c. greater difficulty working cooperatively d. greater group satisfaction 3 . There are two variables that influence the “ideal” group size. They are a. quality of decisions and quantity of information b. quantity of information and speed of decision making c. quality and formality of decision making d. quali ty and speed of decision making

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    4 . Group synergy occurs when a. a majority of the group members outperforms the minority b. the group as a whole outperforms the sum of expected individual performances by members c. groups perform more poorly than individuals d. groups and individuals perform equally well 5 . When the action of one group member creates a ripple effect on the entire group, this is an example of a. negative synergy b. diffusion of responsibility c. interconnectedness within a system d. group synergy 6 . As group size increases, which of the following typically occurs? a. Complexity increases b. Factions develop c. The number of no nparticipating members in creases d. All of the above 7 . Entropy is a. a measure of the degree of movement within a system toward greater organization b. an example of throughput c. a measure of a system’s movement toward disorganization and eventual termination d. the end effect of increasing input into a system 8 . Synergy occurs in groups primarily by a. group members working competitively to achieve a common goal b. deep diversity within the group membership c. looking for group members who have very narrow, specialized skills, knowledge, and abilities d. happenstance; it’s mostly luck 9 . Dynamic equilibrium a. is a range in which systems can manage change effectively to promote growth and success without destroying the system with too much instability b. recognizes that there is a perfect balance point between stability and change in a system c. is sustained in a system by regulating the degree, rate, and persistence of change d. all of the above

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    10 . The "rule of seven" refers to which of the following? a. Seven members is the ideal size of a small group b. It takes at least seven minutes for a group to focus directly o n a group task c. Each member added to a decision - making group that starts with seven members reduces decision effectiveness by about 10% d. Seven members is the maximum number to be defined as a small group. 11 . Throughput in a system refers to a. the output of a system measured in productivity b. what all living systems must combat to survive c. the process of transforming input into output to keep the system functioning d. the structure of a system 12 . In your small group, you have a social loafer who has gradually de - motivated and frustrated almost every other group member with his lackluster effort. This is an example, in systems terms, called a. social compensation b. ripple effect c. boundary control d. equifinality 13 . When a small group is so dysfunctional that it produces a worse result than would be expected based on perceived individual skills and abilities of members, this is called a. negative synergy b. ripple effect c. negative throughput d. equifinality 14 . Synergy is the result of a. deep diversity b. highly motivated group members c. group effort with members working in concert with each other d. all of the above 15 . Deep diversity refers to a. including a high percentage of under - represented minorities as group members b. making sure there is gender equity in a group’s composition c. substantial variation among group members in task - relevant skills, knowledge, abilities, beliefs, values, perspectives, and problem - solving strategies d. all of the above

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    16 . A system sustains dynamic equilibrium by regulating a. degree of change affecting the group b. desirability of change affecting the group c. the rate of change affecting the group d. all of the above 17 . Dealing with a difficult group member requires, among other things, a. creating a cooperative group climate b. ostracizing the difficult member c. avoiding the bad behavior, hoping it will subside d. providing many opportunities for the difficu lt member to express himself/herself to the group 18 . The best size for a group is a. the smallest size capable of performing the task effectively b. seven members with diverse skills c. twelve members, based on the jury model d. none of the above 19 . Your group has a difficult group member. He complains repeatedly, bullies group members into supporting his positions during discussions, and dominates the discussion, often interrupting other members. Your group should address this difficult individual by a. letting the troublemaker have his way so these initial “victories” might incline him to be less combative b. trying to change the difficult member into a likeable person c. allowing the troublemaker to voice complaints to the entire group whenever disgruntled, hoping he will “run out of steam” d. confronting the difficult member about his unacceptable behavior 20 . Groups establish boundaries and thus regulate change by a. speaking a group lingo or specialized language b. making some members feel like outsiders and not real group members c. establishing roles for members d. all of the above 21 . Which of the following affects a group’s abil ity to adapt successfully to change? a. Degree of change b. Desirability of change c. Rate of change d. Equifinality of change

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    22 . We join groups because of a. interpersonal attraction b. need to belong c. attraction to the activities of the group d. attraction to group goals 23 . A rule a. should always be followed in groups if a group hopes to be effective b. is a prescription that indicates what you should or shouldn’t do in specific contexts c. is central to determining appropriateness of your communication d. is one way to establish a boundary in groups 24 . A system is a. a set of relatively unrelated parts working separately to accomplish a common goal b. a set of interrelated parts working together to form a whole in the context of a changing environment c. generally composed of input, output, and throughput d. destroyed if input ceases 25 . According to "bad apple" research, a. bad apple members are an example of negative synergy b. those groups that had to deal with a bad apple member scored 30% to 40% lower on challenging tasks than groups with no bad apple member c. bad apple behavior is highly contagious, easily infecting other group members d. negative influence of one bad apple member is usually not great when most group members are highly talented individuals. TRUE - FALSE 1. Your symposium group increases in size from 6 members to 11. Group satisfaction will likely increase because you have far more resources available. FALSE 2. All systems attempt to maintain stability and to achieve a state of dynamic equilibrium by resisting change. TRUE 3. Smaller groups inhibit overt disagreement and signs of dissatisfaction more than larger groups. TRUE 4. The best size for a decision making group is the smallest size capable of performing the task effectively. TRUE

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    5. No group, not even a cult, can survive without some input from outside the system. TRUE 6. A group should tighten its boundaries when both the quantity and type of outside influences place an undue stress on the group. TRUE 7. In human systems, change cannot cease. TRUE 8. Setting boundaries is a critical group function. TRUE 9. A clear line can be drawn that distinguishes exactly when a small group becomes a large group. FALSE 10. A system sustains dynamic equilibrium when it r egulates the degree, rate, and consistency of change. FALSE 11. Your group creates a specialized language that is mostly incomprehensible to outsiders. This is an example of using a psychological barrier to exercise group boundary control. FALSE 12. A group should strive to remain completely open to input. Otherwise it might make poor decisions. FALSE 13. Openness in a system should always be encouraged and closedness in a system should always be discouraged to produce the most effective decision making and problem solving. FALSE 14. High levels of stress and tension, divisive conflicts, boredom, and poor productivity are just some indicators of excessive openness or closedness in a system. TRUE 15. Seven group members is the ideal sized group according to research. FALSE 16. There are usually more non - participating group members in smaller groups than in larger groups . FALSE 17. Larger groups inhibit overt disagreement more than smaller groups. FALSE 18. Group climate often suffers in large groups of 10 members or more. TRUE 19. If speed in decision making is a chief concern, then a group of at least 7 members or more is critical . FALSE 20. Negative information to the top of a traditional organizational hierarchy tends to be restricted. TRUE 21. As groups increase in size, formality in processes and procedures decreases. FALSE 22 . Systems are never in a static, unchanging state. TRUE

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    23 . Distortion of information is usually a bigger problem in small groups than it is in large organizations because large organizations have more resources to prevent such distortion. FALSE 24 . Deep diversity in groups means that members have strong values in common in a world marked by great variation in values. FALSE 25. Groups can find that perfect, ideal balance point between stability and change if they try hard enough . FALSE 26. All living systems must combat entropy and they achieve this with input. TRUE 27. Throughput is the process of transforming input into entropy. FALSE 28. Structuration theory posits that a system such as a small group establishes structures for discussion and problem solving in the form of rules, roles, norms, and power distribution. TRUE 29. According to structuration theory, structures established in small groups both permit throughput to occur while also constraining the process. TRUE 30. The ripple effect in a system is always a negative experience for group members. FALSE Chapter 3 MULTIPLE CHOICE 1. You’re a member of [instructor’s name] Dark Beer Drinking Social Group. You observe a pattern of behavior among group members that discourages loud talking and laughter during discussions. This shows a. an explicit norm b. secondary tension c. an implicit norm d. entropy 2. The Twenty Percent Rule refers to a. the amount of time that group members, on average, should spend engaging in casual conversation to reduce primary tension b. the proper proportion of time that a grou p should spend socializing when working on a task c. the minimum standard for the proport ion of minority and female group members necessary to discourage discrimination d. the maximum standard for the proportion of competitive opportunities in a group compared to cooperative opportunities for groups to function effectively

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    3 . There are two primary dimensions of every group. They are a. cohesiveness and conformity b. productivity and task c. task and functional d. task and social 4 . Groups can build cohesiveness among members by a. encouraging compatible membership b. developing strong, competitive goals c. threatening expulsion of any members who trigger disagreement d. focusing most efforts on task accomplishment 5 . Cliques a. encourage nonconformity from members b. can provide social acceptance, support, companionship, and recognition for members c. have no positive social influence on members d. typically are non - hierarchical and non - competitive 6 . Which of the following is a condition that promotes conformity in groups? a. The stronger the cohesiveness, the greater the conformity b. The weaker the cohesiveness, the greater the conformity c. Conformity decreases as the task importance increases d. Conformity is less when individuals expect to be group members for a long time 7 . Groups typically respond to nonconformity from a member by using four strategies. These are a. reason, seduction, deviance, and conflict management b. reason, ostracism, isolation, and persuasion c. reason, seduction, coercion, ostracism d. peer pressure, ostracism, coercion, isolation 8 . The Collective Effort Model suggests that a. group members are strongly motivated to perform well in a group if they are convinced that their individual effort will likely help in attaining valued results b. group members working together can produce strong cohesiveness c. group members must be wary of social compensation influences to be effective d. social loafers are the product of little concern for members’ social welfare in the group

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