Q&A Hero

Q: Shawandas new supervisor tells her, I have an open door policy. If you need to talk about anything, even personal stuff, Im hear to listen. This comment is an example of a(n) __________. a. collegial story b. corporate story c. enhancement rite d. interaction ritual e. personal story

Q: Not long after Tim had been on the job, a co-worker told him, Joanne gets crazy if youre not here on time. I was late from lunch one time and she let me have it! The co-workers comment is an example of a(n) __________. a. enhancement rite b. corporate story c. personal story d. collegial story e. interaction ritual

Q: In my sorority we recognize the sisters that make the deans list each semester by putting a mini-box of Godivas chocolates next to their dinner plates, Amy says. That way, everyone realizes who has done well academically. This is an example of __________. a. a rite b. a task ritual c. a policy d. an organizational obligation e. a rule

Q: E-mail chatting and forwarding of jokes are examples of __________. a. social rituals b. task rituals c. organizational rituals d. corporate story e. corporate rites

Q: Recurring hostile behaviors used by people with greater power over people with lesser power is known as __________ __________.

Q: Explain and differentiate between the concepts of rites and rituals.

Q: Compare the U.S. workplace of today and that in the time of the Industrial Revolution. Discuss differences in organizational attitudes and in the character of workers.

Q: Discuss three important challenges for communicating in organizations today, as discussed in Chapter 12. Which challenge do you think poses the biggest difficulty for most people? Justify your answer.

Q: Which of the following is true about organizations? a. All organizations are linked to and are influenced by the context in which they are embedded. b. An organization cannot be understood simply by looking at its internal structure. c. Communication occurs within networks that connect members to one another. d. Most modern organizations rely on a hierarchal structure. e. all of the above

Q: The way of thinking, acting, and viewing work shared by members of an organization that reflects the organizations identity is known as __________. a. communication networks b. structure c. rituals d. organizational culture e. rites

Q: Which of the following is NOT a communication practice that reflects and upholds organizational culture? a. rites b. rituals c. vocabulary d. schema e. all of the above reflect and uphold organizational culture

Q: Hierarchical language is best illustrated by which of the following? a. use of first names on the job b. workers who use titles to address each other c. telling corporate stories d. engaging in team-building rituals e. focusing on climate communication

Q: Masculine language __________. a. consists of rumors b. is a product of years and years of organizations being run by men c. reflects traditional masculine experiences d. may normalize sexist practices e. all but a

Q: __________ are responsibilities and behaviors associated with a specific position in an organization.

Q: Examples of masculine language that are common in many workplaces include __________. [p. 247, III] a. level playing field b. battle plan c. give birth to a plan d. a and b e. all of the above

Q: __________ __________ link members of an organization through formal and informal kinds of interaction.

Q: __________ are formal statements of practices that reflect and uphold the overall culture of an organization.

Q: __________ __________ __________ are standard methods of dealing with differences and discord.

Q: Ways of thinking, acting, and understanding work that are shared by members of an organization and that reflect an organizations identity is known as __________ __________.

Q: __________ __________ is used to designate status within an organization communicate rank.

Q: In organizations, __________ provides predictability for members so that they understand roles, procedures, and expectations.

Q: Organizational cultures include rites that blame people. a. True b. False

Q: Social rituals are routine behaviors that individuals use to express their organizational identities. a. True b. False

Q: An example of a regulative rule in an organization would be when participating on the companys softball team is interpreted as showing pride in the company. a. True b. False

Q: An organizational chart is an example of corporate policies. a. True b. False

Q: Research on organizations tells us that the grapevine is not a reliable source of information. a. True b. False

Q: Complaining about what has happened on the job during the previous week is a social ritual. a. True b. False

Q: Friendships between co-workers, and even between supervisors and subordinates, often enhance job commitment and job satisfaction. a. True b. False

Q: The formal and informal linkages that connect organizational members when they communicate are called communication __________.

Q: __________ __________ are repeated activities that help members of an organization perform their jobs.

Q: Firings, demotions, and reprimands are all forms of __________. a. rites of passage b. rites of integration c. enhancement rites d. blaming rites e. conflict resolution rites

Q: Marks wife asked him how his first day at work went. He smiled and said everyone he met told him about how Jed McClusky single-handedly saved the company from the brink of disaster. Mark had learned what the people he worked with really valued through their use of __________. a. corporate stories b. task rituals c. communication contexts d. chains of command e. personal relationships on the job

Q: An organization is best understood by simply looking at the organizations operation. a. True b. False

Q: Workers can belong to physical networks and virtual networks. a. True b. False

Q: Rites are communication practices that occur regularly in organizations and are routine parts of organizational life. a. True b. False

Q: Define and discuss four kinds of groups which are prevalent in business and civic life as mentioned in Chapter 11. Give examples of each type.

Q: Describe the potential strengths and weaknesses that derive from working in groups. In your opinion, do you feel that group work is more effective than individual work in most cases? Support your answer.

Q: Discuss the four types of communication that are involved in group interaction. Discuss how each type of communication either improves or hinders group activities.

Q: Name and discuss the five stages in the Standard Agenda method for group decision making. Give an example of a situation in which a group might use this method and why it should be appropriate.

Q: Name and discuss the five stages of the nominal group technique of group decision making by creating a hypothetical example of how and why this technique is appropriate for the group to use.

Q: The semi-annual meeting of the board of directors of No-Doz Corporation is always held in the companys executive conference room. This special practice is an example of __________. a. a personal ritual b. organizational rules c. corporate culture d. a structural ritual e. a task ritual

Q: The connections that link members of organization together through formal and informal forms of interaction are __________. a. communication networks b. communication structures c. chains of command d. communication contexts e. communication practices

Q: Among the challenges for effectively participating in organizational life are __________. [pp. 254256, II] a. adapting to diverse needs, situations, and people b. moving in and out of teams c. managing personal relationships on the job d. a and c e. a, b and c

Q: Bob was telling everyone in the break room that he thought it was a big mistake to hire Laurie because it was clear to him that she was not qualified for her position. Even though Laurie had the credentials and previous experience for the job, Bob was angry that his girlfriend had not been hired instead. He called Laurie inept and under qualified despite her fine performance on the job so far. This is an example of __________. a. a personal ritual b. a social ritual c. workplace bullying d. constitutive roles e. organizational networking

Q: Which of the following is NOT true about employee mistreatment? a. 23% of mistreated employees are white males b. 38% of those who engage in bullying are women c. 35% of those in the workplace have experienced workplace bullying d. people who are unfairly treated tend to have decreased morale e. in New York state, workers let workers sue due to abusive treatment on the job

Q: Javiers job description listed duties that include being responsible for assessing needs and providing training for the staff in his division. This represents which structure that expresses and upholds organizational culture? a. roles b. rules c. policies d. networks e. all of the above

Q: __________ __________ occurs when members understand that disagreements are natural and can help them achieve their shared goals.

Q: A time-tested method for effective problem solving based on John Deweys model of reflective thinking is called the __________ __________.

Q: __________ power is influence based on personal charisma and personality.

Q: __________ __________ occurs when members of a group exert less effort in the group than they would have working alone.

Q: Based on Chapter 11, define both a group and a team. Discuss the similarities and differences between the two.

Q: Groups are generally more creative than individuals. a. True b. False

Q: If social climbing doesnt increase the status of those doing it, they often may become marginal participants. a. True b. False

Q: Leadership may be provided either by one member or several members. a. True b. False

Q: Leaders are born, not developed. a. True b. False

Q: Conflict within a group is unnatural and is always counterproductive. a. True b. False

Q: Groups have the potential to suppress individuality and encourage __________.

Q: __________ is the special kind of energy that enlarges the efforts, talents, and strengths of individual group members.

Q: The degree of closeness among members is referred to as __________.

Q: __________ exists when members cease to think critically and independently about ideas generated in groups or teams.

Q: A __________ power structure exists when all members of a team have relatively equal power.

Q: __________ communication is used to block others or to call attention to oneself.

Q: Groups and teams consist of individuals who have a common goal. a. True b. False

Q: All groups are teams, but not all teams are groups. a. True b. False

Q: In brainstorming, its more important to generate high quality ideas rather than just a large number of ideas. a. True b. False

Q: The attempt to increase personal status in a group by winning the approval of high-status members is known as __________. a. group think b. power over c. social climbing d. power to e. synergy

Q: In describing how she sees her work as a team leader, Robin says that her goal is to help members reach their goals and accomplish objectives that advance them. Robin is expressing which orientation to power? a. power to b. power over c. power for d. derived power e. earned authority

Q: Group norms __________. a. are established protocols b. are guidelines that regulate how group members act c. are established by the group leader d. grow directly out of interactions within a group e. b and d

Q: Brian says in his work team, I think we need to finish talking about the history of this issue before we get into possible solutions. Brian made which type of contribution to discussion? a. task b. procedural c. climate d. egocentric e. dynamic

Q: Next, Shiv says, Thats not how I see it. I think the research indicates that the market is pretty stable, but there are new competing products. Shivs comment is which type of contribution? a. task b. procedural c. climate d. egocentric e. dynamic

Q: In response to Brians suggestion, Virginia says, I agree with Brians suggestion about how we should proceed. Thanks for keeping us on track, Brian. Virginia made which type of contribution? a. task b. procedural c. climate d. egocentric e. dynamic

Q: Lucinda sighs, Im sick of talking about markets and products. I feel frustrated with the drudgery of this group. Lucindas comment is which type of contribution? [p. 236, III] a. task b. procedural c. climate d. egocentric e. dynamic

Q: Which of the following is (are) characteristic(s) of disruptive conflict in groups and teams? a. personal attacks on another member b. focus on issues of self-interest c. open climate d. win-win approach e. a and b

Q: Sol wanted to impress his boss. He planned ahead, read-up on the topics that would be covered at the next conference meeting, and worked out a strategy with a co-worker so that he could talk more during the meeting. Sols attempt at gaining more power is called __________. a. power over b. power to c. social climbing d. group think e. none of the above

Q: Disruptive conflict in groups or teams is marked by communication that __________. a. is competitive b. attempts to wield influence c. reflects a self-interested focus d. fosters defensiveness e. all of the above

Q: Marnie was used to getting her way. She had a way with people and could charm almost anyone into going along with her. Not only was she pleasant and vivacious, she had a reputation of being trustworthy that appealed to those around her. This enabled her to rely strongly on __________. a. coercive power b. legitimate power c. expert power d. referent power e. group power

Q: A group is characterized by different and complementary resources of members and by a strong sense of collective identity. a. True b. False

Q: A small group can exist without interaction among members. a. True b. False

Q: The most significant potential disadvantages of group discussion are __________. a. time required and excessive cohesion b. time required and lack of leadership c. conformity pressures and time required d. conformity pressures and lack of leadership e. lack of leadership and excessive cohesion

Q: Potential advantages of group discussion over individual work include ALL EXCEPT which of the following? a. greater creativity b. greater commitment to decisions made c. greater resources on which to draw d. greater thoroughness e. all of the above are potential advantages of groups