Questions and Answers
What defines a formal group?
Informal groups are always defined by an organization's structure.
False
What does social identity theory help explain about individuals in groups?
It explains when and why individuals consider themselves members of groups.
___ occurs when we perceive members of our group as superior to those outside of it.
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Which of the following factors affects group performance?
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Match the following terms with their definitions:
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Cohesiveness in group dynamics can contribute to effectiveness.
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Explain why individuals have emotional reactions to their group's performance.
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What does the term 'social identity threat' refer to?
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Ingroup members can never be part of an outgroup.
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What is 'role conflict'?
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Individuals may lose confidence and performance effectiveness due to __________.
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Match the following concepts with their descriptions:
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Which of the following best describes the Punctuated Equilibrium Model?
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Philip Zimbardo’s prison experiment showed that individuals do not easily adopt roles that differ from their inherent personalities.
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Define 'ingroup'.
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What can lead to positive outcomes in group norms?
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People in collectivist cultures share the same norms as those in individualist cultures.
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What does status characterize in a group setting?
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The theory that explains how status is derived from power, contribution, and personal characteristics is called ______.
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Which of the following is NOT a source of status according to status characteristics theory?
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Match the following group dynamics with their descriptions:
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Smaller groups are better at gathering diverse input than larger groups.
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What impact does perceived status inequity have on group behavior?
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What is social loafing?
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Diversity within a group always leads to improved performance immediately.
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What is one strength of group decision making?
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___ occurs when group pressures for conformity deter critical appraisal of unusual views.
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Match the following terms with their definitions:
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Which of the following is a weakness of group decision making?
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Culturally diverse groups are less likely to be open-minded and creative compared to homogenous groups.
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What is one potential negative outcome of group decision making?
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What is a primary characteristic of interacting groups?
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Brainstorming allows for criticism of ideas during the session.
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What is the main advantage of the nominal group technique (NGT) over traditional brainstorming?
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In the nominal group technique, each member __________ their ideas on the problem independently before discussing them with the group.
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Match the following group decision-making methods with their characteristics:
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Which of the following best describes the process of brainstorming?
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In a brainstorming session, one idea can help stimulate others.
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What is the final decision based on in the nominal group technique?
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Study Notes
Foundations of Group Behavior
- Groups consist of two or more individuals who are interdependent and aim for common goals.
- Groups are categorized into formal (defined by organizational structure) and informal (not formally structured) types.
Different Types of Groups
- Social Identity Theory: Explains why individuals identify with groups, influencing self-esteem based on group success or failure.
- Ingroups and Outgroups: Ingroup favoritism can lead to viewing ingroup members as superior and outgroup members as homogeneous.
- Social Identity Threat: Association with a devalued group can lead to negative evaluations, affecting individual confidence and performance.
Punctuated-Equilibrium Model of Group Development
- A model used to describe the phases groups undergo, particularly in its formation, productivity, and time constraints.
Role Requirements Change
- Role: Expected behavior patterns related to an individual's position within a group.
- Role Conflict: Occurs when conflicting expectations arise from different groups.
- Role Play: Demonstrated through Zimbardo’s prison experiment, where participants adopted roles opposite to their personalities.
Norms and Individual Behavior
- Norms are influenced by cultural contexts; collectivist and individualist societies have differing norms.
- Cultural orientation can shift even after extensive exposure to a given culture.
Status and Group Performance
- Status: Defined rank or position within a group, determined by power, contributions, and personal characteristics.
- High-status individuals can deviate from norms, while status inequity can create resentment.
- Group size influences behavior; larger groups offer diverse input, while smaller groups are more efficient in implementing ideas.
- Social Loafing: Describes reduced effort from individuals in group settings compared to working alone.
Cohesiveness and Diversity in Groups
- Groups with diverse members face initial conflict but may enhance performance over time by promoting creativity and open-mindedness.
- Faultlines: Subgroups that form within diverse groups, which can lead to conflict.
Group Decision Making
- Strengths: Complete information, diverse views, and increased acceptance of solutions.
- Weaknesses: Time consumption, pressure to conform, dominance by a few individuals, and unclear responsibility.
- Groupthink: Lack of critical evaluation within groups due to conformity pressures.
- Groupshift: Divergence between group decisions and individual decisions.
Enhancing Group Decision Making
- Brainstorming: Encourages free thinking and idea sharing without criticism, promoting creativity.
- Nominal Group Technique (NGT): Allows independent thinking with limited group discussion, often leading to better outcomes than brainstorming.
- Steps of NGT include independent idea generation, sharing, discussing for clarity, and ranking ideas for decision-making.
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Description
Test your understanding of group behavior concepts, including types of groups, the punctuated-equilibrium model, and the impact of norms on individual behavior. This quiz covers role requirements, status and size differences, and the effects of cohesiveness on group performance. Use this opportunity to solidify your knowledge on group dynamics.