Group Communication and Groupthink Theory

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Questions and Answers

What is the primary focus of Group Communication Theory?

Leadership styles

Communication functions within groups (correct)

Organizational hierarchy

Individual behavior

Groupthink is characterized by:

Open discussion and debate

Critical evaluation of ideas

Diverse opinions

Lack of consideration for alternative viewpoints (correct)

Who developed the Groupthink theory?

Daft & Lengel

George Gerbner

Irving Janis (correct)

Paul Lazarsfeld

The illusion of invulnerability is a symptom of:

Groupthink (C) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a measure to prevent Groupthink?

Limit discussions to one viewpoint (B) Signup and view all the answers

What are the main functions of organizational communication?

Management, feedback, information, persuasion, emotional sharing (A) Signup and view all the answers

How does modern organizational communication differ from classical communication?

Recognition of flexibility and human relations (C) Signup and view all the answers

Media Richness Theory was developed by:

Daft & Lengel (D) Signup and view all the answers

Which medium is considered the richest according to Media Richness Theory?

Face-to-face communication (A) Signup and view all the answers

Normative communication theories provide:

Ethical guidelines for responsible communication (A) Signup and view all the answers

The Social Responsibility Theory asserts that media organizations must:

Serve the public interest (C) Signup and view all the answers

Authoritarian Theory suggests:

All communication is under government control (C) Signup and view all the answers

Agenda-Setting Theory indicates that:

Media shapes public perception by highlighting certain issues (A) Signup and view all the answers

Cultivation Theory was developed by:

George Gerbner (C) Signup and view all the answers

According to Cultivation Theory, heavy media consumers:

May adopt views portrayed in media content (D) Signup and view all the answers

Uses and Gratifications Theory focuses on:

Why individuals consume media (A) Signup and view all the answers

Hypodermic Needle Theory suggests that:

Media messages have a direct and immediate effect (C) Signup and view all the answers

The Two-Step Flow Theory challenges which earlier theory?

Hypodermic Needle Theory (C) Signup and view all the answers

In the Two-Step Flow Theory, who plays a crucial role in shaping public opinion?

Opinion leaders (A) Signup and view all the answers

Selective Exposure Theory suggests that individuals:

Seek content that aligns with their beliefs (D) Signup and view all the answers

Confirmation Bias refers to:

The preference for information that supports existing beliefs (A) Signup and view all the answers

Cognitive dissonance occurs when:

There is discomfort from holding conflicting beliefs (B) Signup and view all the answers

Echo chambers are created when:

Individuals only hear similar opinions (B) Signup and view all the answers

Filter bubbles result from:

Algorithms showing content that aligns with past behavior (C) Signup and view all the answers

Selective Retention refers to:

Remembering information that supports beliefs (D) Signup and view all the answers

Group Communication Theory primarily examines:

Communication within teams (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is a key characteristic of Groupthink?

Desire for consensus (C) Signup and view all the answers

A devil's advocate is appointed to:

Challenge prevailing viewpoints (B) Signup and view all the answers

The impact of Groupthink on communication includes:

Suppression of dissenting viewpoints (A) Signup and view all the answers

The negative consequences of Groupthink include:

Increased commitment to failing actions (B) Signup and view all the answers

Encouraging open communication aims to:

Foster an environment for critical thinking (D) Signup and view all the answers

Media Richness Theory emphasizes:

Matching communication media to tasks (C) Signup and view all the answers

The most effective communication occurs when:

The medium matches task requirements (B) Signup and view all the answers

Normative communication theories focus on:

Ethical standards and guidelines (D) Signup and view all the answers

What type of media theory emphasizes the media's role in serving public interest?

Social Responsibility Theory (A) Signup and view all the answers

The key assumption of Agenda-Setting Theory is that:

Media filters and shapes public perception (D) Signup and view all the answers

Cultivation Theory's main idea is that:

Prolonged exposure shapes perceptions of reality (B) Signup and view all the answers

Uses and Gratifications Theory explores:

Audience motivations for media consumption (B) Signup and view all the answers

The Hypodermic Needle Theory assumes that audiences are:

Passive recipients of media content (B) Signup and view all the answers

The Two-Step Flow Theory suggests that:

Opinion leaders mediate media effects (C) Signup and view all the answers

Selective Exposure Theory indicates that people tend to:

Avoid content that contradicts their beliefs (B) Signup and view all the answers

Confirmation Bias can lead to:

Reinforced existing beliefs (D) Signup and view all the answers

Cognitive dissonance can result in:

Avoiding content that challenges beliefs (C) Signup and view all the answers

Echo chambers are often formed by:

Algorithms that filter information (D) Signup and view all the answers

Filter bubbles create:

Limited exposure to differing viewpoints (D) Signup and view all the answers

Selective Retention strengthens:

Existing beliefs over time (C) Signup and view all the answers

The primary goal of Group Communication Theory is to:

Understand group dynamics (C) Signup and view all the answers

Groupthink can lead to:

Flawed decisions (D) Signup and view all the answers

A key symptom of Groupthink is:

Collective rationalization (D) Signup and view all the answers

To mitigate Groupthink, groups should:

Foster an environment for dissent (C) Signup and view all the answers

What does Group Communication Theory focus on?

Communication within groups or teams (C) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following describes Groupthink?

Making decisions without critical evaluation (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is one symptom of Groupthink?

Illusion of invulnerability (C) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a way to prevent Groupthink?

Self-censorship (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of organizational communication?

Improving efficiency and team performance (D) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a function of organizational communication?

Emotional sharing (D) Signup and view all the answers

How does modern organizational communication differ from classical approaches?

Classical is hierarchical, while modern values adaptability (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is the richest communication medium according to Media Richness Theory?

Face-to-face communication (A) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is an example of a low-richness medium?

Flier or bulletin (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is the main purpose of normative theories?

Providing ethical guidelines for media and communication (D) Signup and view all the answers

What does the Social Responsibility Theory emphasize?

Media's duty to serve public interest (A) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following describes the Authoritarian Theory?

Media is controlled by the government (C) Signup and view all the answers

Which theory promotes media independence and freedom?

Social Responsibility Theory (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is one key concern of normative communication theories?

Ethical standards in communication (B) Signup and view all the answers

What does the Agenda-Setting Theory suggest?

Media shapes what issues people think about (B) Signup and view all the answers

Who developed the Cultivation Theory?

George Gerbner (C) Signup and view all the answers

What does the Uses and Gratifications Theory focus on?

How media satisfies individual needs (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is a key assumption of Cultivation Theory?

Heavy media consumers adopt views from media content (C) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a function of mass communication?

Limiting freedom of speech (B) Signup and view all the answers

What does the Hypodermic Needle Theory suggest?

Media messages directly and powerfully influence audiences (D) Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Group Communication (Groupthink) Theory

Examines individual learning and communication within teams or groups.
It's not focused on government speech regulations or one-on-one conversations.

Groupthink

Characterized by a lack of critical evaluation of ideas and a reluctance to consider alternative viewpoints.
This leads to poor decision-making within groups.
Irving Janis developed Groupthink Theory.

Symptoms of Groupthink

Illusion of invulnerability
Belief in inherent morality of the group
Rationalizing warnings
Stereotyping those opposed to the group's ideas
Self-censorship
Illusion of unanimity
Direct pressure on dissenters
Mindguarding, which protect members against adverse information

Preventing Groupthink

Encouraging open communication
Seeking external input
Appointing a devil's advocate

Organizational Communication

Includes management, feedback, sharing information and persuasion.
It is also important to take into consideration emotional sharing.
It involves organizing, leading, and controlling.

Media Richness Theory

Focuses on matching communication media to specific tasks.
Face-to-face conversations are considered the richest medium, followed by telephone calls, memos, and email.
This theory helps organizations choose the most effective communication medium for a specific situation.

Normative Communication Theories

Focus on ethical standards and guidelines for media production.
This encompasses historical media practices and audience reception.
These theories focus on how the media serves the public interest, rather than profit-making.
Examples include Authoritarian theory, Libertarian theory, Social Responsibility theory, and Cultivation Theory.

Agenda-Setting Theory

This theory suggests that the media has a role in shaping public perception.
The media can influence what issues people think about and how strongly they feel about those issues.
The theory proposes that the media shapes public perception by highlighting certain issues rather than reflecting reality.

Cultivation Theory

This theory examines how prolonged exposure to media shapes perceptions of reality.
This theory suggests that heavy media consumers are more prone to adopting the views portrayed in media content.

Uses and Gratifications Theory

Explores how individuals use media to satisfy their needs and fulfill their desires.

Hypodermic Needle Theory

This theory suggests that media messages directly and powerfully influence audiences, impacting them without any internal considerations or analyses.

Two-Step Flow Theory

This theory proposes that media messages pass through opinion leaders first, who then influence others.
This model recognizes that media effects occur indirectly through intermediaries.

Selective Exposure Theory

This theory states that people tend to consume media content that aligns with their beliefs and perspectives.

Selective Retention

This emphasizes that people tend to remember media information that aligns with existing beliefs.

Echo Chambers

These comprise groups in which people only hear similar perspectives and opinions, often through algorithms or intentional choices.

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Description

This quiz explores the Groupthink Theory and its implications on decision-making within teams. It examines the symptoms, consequences, and strategies to prevent Groupthink, emphasizing the importance of open communication and diverse viewpoints. Ideal for students studying organizational communication or psychology.

Group Communication and Groupthink Theory

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Podcast

Questions and Answers

What is the primary focus of Group Communication Theory?

Groupthink is characterized by:

Who developed the Groupthink theory?

The illusion of invulnerability is a symptom of:

Which of the following is NOT a measure to prevent Groupthink?

What are the main functions of organizational communication?

How does modern organizational communication differ from classical communication?

Media Richness Theory was developed by:

Which medium is considered the richest according to Media Richness Theory?

Normative communication theories provide:

The Social Responsibility Theory asserts that media organizations must:

Authoritarian Theory suggests:

Agenda-Setting Theory indicates that:

Cultivation Theory was developed by:

According to Cultivation Theory, heavy media consumers:

Uses and Gratifications Theory focuses on:

Hypodermic Needle Theory suggests that:

The Two-Step Flow Theory challenges which earlier theory?

In the Two-Step Flow Theory, who plays a crucial role in shaping public opinion?

Selective Exposure Theory suggests that individuals:

Confirmation Bias refers to:

Cognitive dissonance occurs when:

Echo chambers are created when:

Filter bubbles result from:

Selective Retention refers to:

Group Communication Theory primarily examines:

What is a key characteristic of Groupthink?

A devil's advocate is appointed to:

The impact of Groupthink on communication includes:

The negative consequences of Groupthink include:

Encouraging open communication aims to:

Media Richness Theory emphasizes:

The most effective communication occurs when:

Normative communication theories focus on:

What type of media theory emphasizes the media's role in serving public interest?

The key assumption of Agenda-Setting Theory is that:

Cultivation Theory's main idea is that:

Uses and Gratifications Theory explores:

The Hypodermic Needle Theory assumes that audiences are:

The Two-Step Flow Theory suggests that:

Selective Exposure Theory indicates that people tend to:

Confirmation Bias can lead to:

Cognitive dissonance can result in:

Echo chambers are often formed by:

Filter bubbles create:

Selective Retention strengthens:

The primary goal of Group Communication Theory is to:

Groupthink can lead to:

A key symptom of Groupthink is:

To mitigate Groupthink, groups should:

What does Group Communication Theory focus on?

Which of the following describes Groupthink?

What is one symptom of Groupthink?

Which of the following is NOT a way to prevent Groupthink?

What is the purpose of organizational communication?

Which of the following is a function of organizational communication?

How does modern organizational communication differ from classical approaches?

What is the richest communication medium according to Media Richness Theory?

Which of the following is an example of a low-richness medium?

What is the main purpose of normative theories?

What does the Social Responsibility Theory emphasize?

Which of the following describes the Authoritarian Theory?

Which theory promotes media independence and freedom?

What is one key concern of normative communication theories?

What does the Agenda-Setting Theory suggest?

Who developed the Cultivation Theory?

What does the Uses and Gratifications Theory focus on?

What is a key assumption of Cultivation Theory?

Which of the following is NOT a function of mass communication?

What does the Hypodermic Needle Theory suggest?

Study Notes

Group Communication (Groupthink) Theory

Groupthink

Symptoms of Groupthink

Preventing Groupthink

Organizational Communication