Chap 1: Introduction to group communication – Flashcards
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Which of the following situations best represents group communication as defined in the textbook? a. People talking in an elevator. b. People discussing the weather at an airport. c. Fans cheering at a baseball game. d. Jury members deliberating a court case. e. A congregation listening to a sermon.
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d. Jury members deliberating a court case.
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A group with 7 members has the potential for _______ different types of interactions. a. 9 b. 90 c. 666 d. 900 e. 966
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e. 966
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What is the ideal group size for a problem-solving discussion? a. 3-5 people b. 4-6 people c. 5-7 people d. 6-9 people e. 8-12 people
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c. 5-7 people
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According to your textbook, the most important factor separating successful groups from unsuccessful ones is a. having a minimum of 5 and a maximum of 12 members in a group. b. a clear goal. c. strong leadership. d. member independence and interdependence. e. group morale.
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b. a clear goal.
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According to your textbook, a group's context refers to a. the type and size of the group. b. the group's physical and psychological setting. c. the group's purpose, history, and status. d. the characteristics of and relationships among group members. e. all of the above.
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e. all of the above.
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To which basic element of communication is Grace giving special attention when she prepares for an important group meeting by making sure her business suit is pressed, that her hair is well-groomed, that her perfume is pleasant but subtle, and that she takes a breath mint before entering the meeting room? a. channels b. external noise c. feedback d. verbal message e. internal noise
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a. channels
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In a communication transaction, feedback represents a. a group's physical and psychological environment. b. anything that interferes with or inhibits effective communication. c. the media through which group members share messages. d. the response or reaction to a message. e . ideas, information, opinions, and/or feelings that generate meaning.
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d. the response or reaction to a message
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Which of the following examples best illustrates the systems theory principle that "systems try to maintain balance in their environment"? a. Members may take time off to "play" when work becomes too intense. b. Members may unexpectedly come up with new ideas and techniques. c. Effective groups have clear goals. d. Groups suffer if members fail to cooperate. e. Groups rely on member input to achieve a common goal.
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a. Members may take time off to "play" when work becomes too intense.
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The cooperative interaction of several factors that results in a combined effect greater than the total of all individual parts is referred to as a. interaction. b. common goals. c. interdependence. d. synergy. e. working.
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d. synergy.
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A stamp collecting club is an example a a. self-help group. b. social group. c. learning group. d. service group. e. public group.
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b. social group.
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Your family is an example of a a. primary group. b. social group. c. public group. d. service group. e. none of the above
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a. primary group
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A local Alcoholics Anonymous chapter is an example of a a. primary group. b. self-help group. c. learning group. d. service group. e. public group.
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b. self-help group.
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Guests who appear on talk shows and interact with other guests for the benefit of an audience are participating in a a. symposium. b. forum. c. panel discussion. d. governance group. e. service group.
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c. panel discussion.
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A group of police officers presenting short, uninterrupted speeches on different aspects of community safety are participating in a a. symposium. b. forum. c. panel discussion. d. governance group. e. self-help group
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a. symposium.
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with the opportunity to ask questions and express their concerns regarding a roposed increase in tuition. This setting for group communication is an example of a a. symposium. b. forum. c. panel discussion. d. governance group. e. service group.
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b. forum.
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A college's Board of Trustees that makes public policy decisions may be classified as a a. symposium. b. forum. c. panel discussion. d. governance group. e. service group.
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d. governance group.
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Which of the following characteristics demonstrates one of the disadvantages of working in groups? a. Groups make better decisions when working on complex tasks. b. Working in groups enhances member learning. c. Groups require significant time, energy, and resources. d. Groups are often more creative than members working alone. e. Members usually enjoy working with others in groups.
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c. Groups require significant time, energy, and resources.
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A virtual group is one which a. relies on technology to communicate. b. exists only for a short period of time. c. lacks a leader. d. lacks a clear purpose. e. has the same dynamic as other groups.
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a. relies on technology to communicate
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Statements that explain or predict how people communicate are a. theories. b. strategies. c. skills. d. resources. e. rules.
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a. theories.
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When seeking to resolve group tensions, the dialectic approach recommends a __________________ approach. a. compromise b. either/or c. both/and d. approach/avoidance e. task/maintenance
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c. both/and
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All of the following pairs of common folk proverbs illustrate the contradictory nature of dialectic tensions EXCEPT a. "Opposites attract" and "Birds of a feather flock together." b. "Two's company, three's a crowd" and "The more the merrier." c. "Look before you leap" and "He who hesitates is lost." d. "Waste not, want not" and "Music makes the world go 'round. " e . "To know him is to love him" and "Familiarity breeds contempt."
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d. "Waste not, want not" and "Music makes the world go 'round. "
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In group dialectic terms, effective groups balance structure and a. heterogeneity. b. disengagement. c. spontaneity. d. engagement. e. individual goals.
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c. spontaneity.
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In dialectic terms, effective groups balance conflict with a. conformity. b. cohesion. c. structure. d. closed systems. e. social dimensions.
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b. cohesion.
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In dialectic terms, effective groups balance task dimensions with a. conformity dimensions. b. cohesion dimensions. c. structure dimensions. d. closed dimensions. e. social dimensions.
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e. social dimensions.
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The open system ↔ closed system group dialectic can be described as a. balancing a commitment to group norms and standards with a willingness to differ and change. b. balancing member similarities and differences. c. balancing external support and recognition with internal group solidarity and rewards. d. balancing member energy and labor with the group's need for rest and renewal. e. balancing members' personal goals with the group's goal.
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c. balancing external support and recognition with internal group solidarity and rewards.
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The homogeneous ↔ heterogeneous group dialectic can be described as a. balancing a commitment to group norms and standards with a willingness to differ and change. b. balancing member similarities and differences. c. balancing external support and recognition with internal group solidarity and rewards. d. balancing effective leadership with responsible followership. e. balancing members' personal goals with the group's common goal.
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b. balancing member similarities and differences.
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The engaged ↔ disengaged group dialectic can be described as a. balancing a commitment to group norms and standards with a willingness to differ and change. b. balancing a motivation to complete tasks with promoting member relationships. c. balancing external support and recognition with internal group solidarity and rewards. d. balancing effective leadership with responsible followership. e . balancing member energy and labor with the group's need for rest and renewal.
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e. balancing member energy and labor with the group's need for rest and renewal.
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A both/and approach to resolving dialectic tensions in groups empowers members. Which of the following examples demonstrates the characteristics of autonomy in an empowered group? a. The group believes it has the ability to achieve its common goal. b. The group believes that its common goal is important and worthwhile. c. The group has the freedom to make decisions and implements its decisions. d. The group believes that its work produces significant benefits for other people and organizations. e . The group has high morale and understands the value of play as well as work.
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c. The group has the freedom to make decisions and implements its decisions
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In Latin, the word credo means a. "I believe." b. "I mean." c. "I am." d. "I create." e. "I accuse."
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a. "I believe."
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All of the following principles of ethical ommunication are included in the National Communication ssociation's Credo for Ethical Communication EXCEPT a. We endorse freedom of speech only when the truth does not cause detrimental results or harm others. b. We advocate truthfulness, accuracy, honesty, and reason as essential to the integrity of communication. c. We strive to understand and respect other communicators before evaluating and responding to their messages. d. We are committed to the courageous expression of personal conviction in pursuit of fairness and justice. e. We promote a communication climate of caring and mutual understanding.
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a. We endorse freedom of speech only when the truth does not cause detrimental
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According to a study commissioned by the Association of American Colleges and Universities, "teamwork skills and the ability to collaborate with others in diverse group settings" was ranked first as an essential learning outcome in 2 of 4 major categories. a. True b. False
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t
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Employers view proficiency in a field of study as more important than group communication skills. a. True b. False
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f
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Your textbook defines group communication as the interaction of 5 to 7 people working to make a good decision. a. True b. False
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f
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The basic components of group communication are members, interaction, independence, goals, and working. a. True b. False
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t
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A group of 5 members has the potential for 90 different types of interaction. a. True b. False
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t
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In groups with more than 15 members, coordination and control become difficult. a. True b. False
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t
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According to your textbook, leadership is the single factor that separates successful groups from unsuccessful groups. a. True b. False
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f
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As groups grow larger, member satisfaction increases. a. True b. False
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f
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Generally, there are 2 sources of noise: external and internal. a. True b. False
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t
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A soft speaking voice can create noise in a communication transaction. a. True b. False
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t
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Feedback is always verbal rather than nonverbal. a. True b. False
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f
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When group members work together to achieve a common goal, the size of the group, the physical setting, and the group's role and status in an organization are components of the communication context. a. True b. False
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t
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Your biases, distracting thoughts about other activities, fatigue, and hunger can cause noise in a communication transaction. a. True b. False
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t
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Unlike the digestive system, a computer system, or even the solar system, groups do not function as a system because they involve interdependent embers interacting with one another. a. True b. False
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f
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Systems theory assumes that groups and their members are unpredictable. a. True b. False
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t
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The term synergy comes from the Greek word synonym which means "similar meaning." a. True b. False
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f
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Synergy refers to a situation in which "the whole is greater than the sum of its individual parts." a. True b. False
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t
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PTAs, labor unions, veterans' groups, fire and police auxiliary groups, and neighborhood and community associations are examples of self-help groups. a. True b. False
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f
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On college campuses, intramural athletic teams as well as sororities and fraternities are examples of social groups. a. True b. False
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t
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Work groups collaborate to achieve specific goals on behalf of a business or organization. a. True b. False
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t
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Ad hoc committees remain active in order to accomplish ongoing tasks on behalf of a larger group. a. True b. False
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f
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In a panel discussion, several group members interact with one another on a common topic for the benefit of an audience. a. True b. False
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t
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In a group symposium, group members interact with one another on a common topic for the benefit of an audience. a. True b. False
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f
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Asynchronous group communication occurs simultaneously and in real time. a. True b. False
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f
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When a task is complex and the answers are unclear, an effective group will perform better than individuals working alone. a. True b. False
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t
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Generally, a smart person can generate more innovative ideas and creative solutions than a group can. a. True b. False
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f
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A Microsoft study found that nonproductive meetings can waste 2 of every 5 workdays. a. True b. False
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t
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Without understanding group communication theories, you will have difficulty understanding why a particular method works in one situation and fails in another. a. True b. False
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t
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Resolving group dialects requires an either/or approach rather than a both/and approach. a. True b. False
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f
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Relational Dialectics Theory claims that relationships are characterized by ongoing tensions between the contradictory and complex elements of human experiences. a. True b. False
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t
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In the best of groups, individual goals support the group's common goal. a. True b. False
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t
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"Two's company; three's a crowd" and "Music makes the world go 'round" are examples of dialectic tensions. a. True b. False
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f
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Groups without constructive conflict have difficulty analyzing the wisdom of their decisions. a. True b. False
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t
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The structure . spontaneity dialectic relies on both tested procedures to help a group achieve its goal as well as creative thinking. a. True b. False
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t
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Heterogeneous groups include members who are different from one another. a. True b. False
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t
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When a group functions as an open system, it guards its boundaries and discourages input from or interaction with the outside. a. True b. False
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f
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The key to balancing both the complex and competing elements in a group is a commitment to working toward the group's goal. a. True b. False
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t
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Empowered groups feel free to exert control over other groups in order to achievetheir personal goals. a. True b. False
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f
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The National Communication Association's Credo for Ethical Communication states that every group member should condemn communication that degrades individuals and that expresses intolerance or hatred. a. True b. False
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t
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The National Communication Association's Credo for Ethical Communication contends that group members should accept the consequences of their communication and expect the same of others. a. True b. False
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t
