Group Dynamics & Leadership Ch.2

Motivation recognizes and financially compensates group members for work well done.

False

The frustration and personality conflicts that occur in groups as members compete for acceptance and status are the source of primary tension.

False

Which is the correct order for Tuckman's five group development stages?

Forming, storming, norming, performing, adjourning

_______ occur(s) when members' private goals conflict with the group's common goals and represent what people really want rather than what they say they want.

Hidden agendas

Destructive nonconformity occurs when a member resists conforming to norms without regard for the best interests of the group and its goals.

True

During the norming stage of group development, groups primarily deal with the conforming ↔ nonconforming dialectic and the structure ↔ spontaneity dialectic.

True

Locke and Latham's Goal Theory emphasizes the value of setting group goals.

True

Most groups experience some form of primary and secondary tension during the forming and storming stages of group development.

True

Primary tension deals with the social unease that accompanies the getting-acquainted stage of group development.

True

Socialization is more likely to succeed if the newcomer's characteristics and motives align with the group's expectations.

True

Some norms can work against a group and its goals.

True

Specific goals lead to higher performance than do generalized goals.

True

Stanley Milgram and Philip Zimbardo's classic studies demonstrated that people in authority positions exert enormous pressure on people to conform

True

When a group develops its own goals, members are more likely to be motivated to accomplish that goal.

True

When there is enormous pressure for group members to conform, a disruptive member can help the group by not conforming to group norms.

True

Your text divides norms into four categories: interaction norms, procedural norms, status norms, and achievement norms.

True

Which of the following items identifies the category of norms that dictates how a group operates and manages its tasks?

procedural

Implicit norms are

rarely discussed by members.

In terms of Thomas's four categories of motivators, you can promote a sense of meaningfulness by:

volunteering for worthwhile group tasks that interest and inspire you.

Although group norms are often difficult to express in words, they are real and have a major effect on group productivity and member satisfaction.

True

Constructive nonconformity occurs when a member resists a norm while still working to promote a group goal.

True

During the assimilation phrase of newcomer socialization, established members and newcomers blend into a comfortable state of working together to achieve a common goal.

True

During the forming stage of Tuckman's Group Development Model, the group's most important job is to "orient itself to itself."

True

During the storming stage of group development, groups primarily confront the conflict ↔ cohesion dialectic and the leadership ↔ followership dialectic

True

Face-to-face meetings may be desirable in the early stages of virtual team development in order to reach the norming and performing stages sooner and more effectively.

True

Finding an appropriate balance between existing norms—which may be old, rigid, or useless—and new, untested norms presents a challenge to well-established groups.

True

Groups can exert enormous pressure on members to conform even when a norm is unethical or dangerous.

True

Groups resolve primary tension by being positive, energetic, patient, open-minded, and well prepared.

True

Hidden agendas occur when a member's private goal conflicts with the group's goal.

True

In Carl Larson and Frank LaFasto's three-year study of characteristics that explain how and why effective groups develop, they put "a clear and elevated goal" at the top of their list.

True

In some groups, discriminatory norms exclude people because of race, gender, age, ethnicity, religion, or personal philosophy.

True

When a group is having difficulty deciding and the leader has the right to make the final decision, the group is abiding by a status norm.

True

When group members are motivated by a shared feeling that they are pursuing a worthy goal, they are experiencing a sense of meaningfulness.

True

When groups experience apathy, intrinsic motivators—such as a sense of meaningfulness and progress—are minimal or missing.

True

When other groups were using the accepted research method they'd been told to use, one courageous group decided to use a different, more sophisticated method. Their result was a much better study that could boast better and more useful data. The ecstatic and exhilarated successful was motivated by sense of choice

True

When setting goals, groups should ask questions about the goal's clarity, difficulty, meaningfulness, and cost.

True

Motivation provides the inspiration and/or incentives that move group members to work together toward achieving

a common goal

constructive nonconformity

can improve group performance

When other groups were using the accepted research method they'd been told to use, one courageous group decided to use a different, more sophisticated method. Their result was a much better study that could boast superior and more useful data. The group's exhilaration and eagerness to do more research can be attributed to

A sense of choice

Which aspect of group motivation best represents the a shared feeling that the group is doing excellent high-quality work?

A sense of competence

At the conclusion of a meeting, Florence asks, "How are we doing?" His question represents which aspect of group motivation?

A sense of progress

Which of the following items identifies the category of norms that determines the quality and quantity of work expected from group members are called

Achievement norms

Which of the following strategies can help you motivate other members by promoting a sense of choice in your group?

Encourage members to make decisions about how to organize and do the job.

Which of the following items identifies the category of norms that determines how group members communicate with one?

Interactive norms

Which of the following examples depicts an implicit norm?

Members agree that no one should be allowed to consult their cell phones during a meeting without permission.

In which phase of the socialization process do members of an established group determine if a newcomer is likely to contribute effectively and meet group needs

Acquainting phase

In which phase of the socialization process do members try to fit in and adjust to group norms and expectations?

Adaptive phase

In which of Tuckman's Group Development Stages do members disengage and relinquish responsibilities?

Adjourning

In which phase of the socialization process do newcomers become fully integrated into the group's culture?

Assimilation Phase

Which of the following strategies is recommended as an effective method for dealing with destructive nonconformity in groups?

Confront the disruptive member and try to modify his or her behavior.

As their meeting is about to get underway, Carlos says to the group, "I know we always ask the newest group member to take minutes during the meeting, but we may be losing the insight of an experienced member and skilled note taker by continuing this practice." His comment is an example of what type of nonconformity?

Constructive nonconformity

Which of the follow items exemplifies a clear, elevated goal?

Every member of our group will earn instructor praise and an on this project

Which of the following examples depicts an explicit norm?

Everyone abides by the "be on time; be out on time" rule set on the first day of the group meetings.

A leader's ban on the use of cell phones and other interactive technologies during meetings is an example of an explicit procedural norm.

False

According to group development theory, all groups move through each successive stage systematically.

False

During Tuckman's performing stage of group development, feelings of trust and clear goals emerge as members become more comfortable with one another and agree upon group procedures.

False

During the preliminary phase of newcomer socialization, new members adjust to group expectations and assume needed roles.

False

Explicit norms are rarely discussed or openly communicated, whereas implicit norms are put in writing or stated verbally.

False

Groups should avoid discussing hidden agendas openly to avoid member embarrassment and the potential for interpersonal conflict.

False

In Carl Larson and Frank LaFasto's three-year study of characteristics of highly effective groups, "the ability to change group norms" was included in their list of eight key characteristics.

False

Locke and Latham's Goal Theory concludes that groups function best when their goals are easy to accomplish and are set by a strong leader

False

Members who engage in disruptive or nonconforming behavior should always be confronted about their behavior as soon as possible.

False

The usual order for the five stages in Tuckman's Group Development Stages is forming, performing, storming, norming, adjourning

False

Virtual groups develop much faster than face-to-face groups due to the ease of technology.

False

When a highly disruptive member prevents a group from achieving its common goals, a group should use the following strategies—in the following order—to deal with the troublesome member: confront, exclude, and accept.

False

When group members expect and receive an agenda in advance of meetings and follow the agenda during meetings, they are abiding by an interaction norm.

False

When working in a group, primary tensions are often more difficult to resolve than secondary tensions.

False

Which developmental factor requires special and added attention in virtual teams?

Members technical expertise and attitudes about using technology

In which of Tuckman's Group Development Stages do members resolve status conflicts and learn to work as a cohesive team?

Norming

In what stage of Tuckman's Group Development Model are most members fully engaged and focused on collaborating to achieve group goals?

Performing

Because most members of a new group want to create a good first impression, they tend to be overly polite with one another during their initial meetings. They don't interrupt one another and avoid expressing strong opinions. These behaviors are characteristic of

Primary tension

Which of the following items identifies the category of norms that specifies that all group decisions will be made by a majority vote?

Procedure norms

Which of the following items identifies the category of norms that distinguishes the levels of influence and power among group members?

Status norms

In which of Tuckman's Group Development Stages are members most likely to compete for social acceptance and status, become argumentative and emotional, and openly disagree with one another?

Storming

According to Locke and Latham's Goal Theory, all of the following criteria are critical for developing effective group goals EXCEPT

The goals are simple and easy to achieve

Under which of the following conditions is a group more likely to develop collective intelligence and become a "smart" group?

The group includes one or more female members

If your group has discussed and decided that members will take turns recording and typing the minutes from each meeting, it has established a(n) ____________.

explicit norm

All of the following statements are true about hidden agendas EXCEPT

hidden agendas occur when there is poor group leadership.

At all department staff meetings, the supervisor always sits at the head of the table. If group members know they should not take the seat at the head of the table even though they have not been told to avoid that seat, they are adhering to a(n) __.

implicit norm

Kenneth Thomas describes four categories of intrinsic motivation needed to energize and reinforce work. They are

meaningfulness, choice, competence, and progress.