cmst2064ch1 – Flashcards

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Which of the following situations best represents group communication as defined in the textbook?
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Jury members deliberating a court case.
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A group with 7 members has the potential for ____different types of interactions.
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966
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What is the ideal group size for a problem-solving discussion?
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5-7 people
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According to your textbook, one of the most important factors separating effective groups from ineffective groups is
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a common goal
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According to your textbook, a group's context refers to
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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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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?
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channels
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In a communication transaction, feedback represents
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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"?
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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
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synergy
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A stamp collecting club is an example a
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social group
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Your family is an example of a
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primary group
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A local Alcoholics Anonymous chapter is an example of a
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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
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panel discussion
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Members of a PTA getting together to hold a carnival for elementary school students represents what type of group.
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civic group
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A college appoints a moderator and holds an open discussion to provide students with the opportunity to ask questions and express their concerns regarding a proposed increase in tuition. This setting for group communication is an example of a
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forum
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A college's Board of Trustees that makes public policy decisions may be classified as a
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governance group
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Which of the following characteristics demonstrates one of the disadvantages of working in groups?
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c. Groups require significant time, energy, and resources
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A virtual group is one which
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a. relies on technology to communicate
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Statements that explain or predict how people communicate are
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theories
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When seeking to resolve group tensions, the dialectic approach recommends a approach.
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both/and
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All of the following pairs of common folk proverbs illustrate the contradictory nature of dialectic tensions EXCEPT:
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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." D
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In group dialectic terms, effective groups balance structure and
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Spontaneity
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In dialectic terms, effective groups balance conflict with
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cohesion
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In dialectic terms, effective groups balance task dimensions with
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Social demensions
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The open system ↔ closed system group dialectic can be described as
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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
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b. balancing member similarities and differences.
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The engaged ↔ disengaged group dialectic can be described as
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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
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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
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"i believe"
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All of the following principles of ethical communication are included in the National Communication Association's Credo for Ethical Communication EXCEPT:
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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 A
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A group with 5 members has the potential for different types of interactions
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90
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The ideal size of a small group is dependent upon:
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a. member knowledge. b. attitudes. c. skills. d. task. ALL^^
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Theory which describes a collection of interacting, interdependent elements working together to form a complex whole.
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Systems
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The purpose or objective towards which a group is directed is called
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goal
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The following are each examples of synchronous communication EXCEPT: a. audioconferences. b. email. c. videoconferences. d. test conferences. e. webinars.
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email
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The following are advantages of working in a group EXCEPT: a. member satisfaction. b. cultural understanding. c. more time. d. creativity. e. learning.
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more time
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The contradictory tensions groups experience as they work together are known as
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group dialects
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The following are examples of group dialectics EXCEPT: a. conflict cohesion. b. conforming-nonconforming c. task-social. d. membership-followership. e. homogenous-heterogeneous.
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D
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In optimal group experiences, members a. are focused. b. perform at a high level. c. are highly motivated. d. creative thinkers. e. all of the above.
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E
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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
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true
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Employers view proficiency in a field of study as more important than group communication skills.
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False
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Your textbook defines group communication as the interaction of 5 to 7 people working to make a good decision.
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False
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The basic components of group communication are members, interaction, independence, goals, and working.
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true
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A group of 5 members has the potential for 90 different types of interaction.
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true
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In groups with more than 15 members, coordination and control become difficult
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true
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According to your textbook, leadership is the single factor that separates successful groups from unsuccessful groups.
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false
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As groups grow larger, member satisfaction increases.
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false
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Generally, there are 2 sources of noise: external and internal
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true
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A soft speaking voice can create noise in a communication transaction.
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true
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Feedback is always verbal rather than nonverbal.
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false
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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.
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true
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Your biases, distracting thoughts about other activities, fatigue, and hunger can cause noise in a communication transaction.
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true
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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 members interacting with one another.
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false
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Systems theory assumes that groups and their members are unpredictable.
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true
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The term synergy comes from the Greek word synonym which means "similar meaning."
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false
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Synergy refers to a situation in which "the whole is greater than the sum of its individual parts."
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true
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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.
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false
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On college campuses, intramural athletic teams as well as sororities and fraternities are examples of social groups.
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true
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Work groups collaborate to achieve specific goals on behalf of a business or organization.
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true
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Ad hoc committees remain active in order to accomplish ongoing tasks on behalf of a larger group.
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false
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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.
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true
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In a group symposium, group members interact with one another on a common topic for the benefit of an audience.
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false
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Asynchronous group communication occurs simultaneously and in real time
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false
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When a task is complex and the answers are unclear, an effective group will perform better than individuals working alone.
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true
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Generally, a smart person can generate more innovative ideas and creative solutions than a group can.
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false
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When a task is fairly simple and routine, it may be more efficient for an individual working alone to accomplish the task.
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true
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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.
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true
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Resolving group dialects requires an either/or approach rather than a both/and approach.
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false
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Relational Dialectics Theory claims that relationships are characterized by ongoing tensions between the contradictory and complex elements of human experiences.
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true
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In the best of groups, individual goals support the group's common goal.
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true
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"Two's company; three's a crowd" and "Music makes the world go 'round" are examples of dialectic tensions.
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false
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Groups without constructive conflict have difficulty analyzing the wisdom of their decisions.
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true
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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.
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true
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Heterogeneous groups include members who are different from one another
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true
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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.
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false
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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
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true
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The leadership-followership dialectic emphasizes the point that leadership is a solo task
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false
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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.
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true
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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.
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true
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People assembled together in an elevator represent a group.
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false
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In large institutions such as megachurches, one of the keys to their success is the use of small groups
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true
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The ideal size for a group working to achieve a common goal is nine.
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false
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According to research, groups of more than nine members are generally less productive than smaller groups.
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true
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While some groups have freedom to develop their own goals, other groups are assigned a goal.
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true
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According to research, virtual groups that communicate synchronously are more effective than groups which communicate asynchronously.
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false
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When a task is fairly simple and routine, it may be more efficient for an individual working alone to accomplish the task.
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true
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The social benefits of group work can be just as important as task achievement.
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true
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Successful groups balance dialectical tensions by using a with/or approach
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false
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Conflict is avoidable in effective groups.
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false
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The task dimension offers the best indicator for assessing a group's level of productivity
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true
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