1. “Group culture” refers to:
2. Which pattern of behaviors occurs during initial primary tension?
3. The best way to treat extended periods of secondary tension in a small group is to
4. When you think a norm that is hurting the output of a group to which you were recently appointed, Effective
Group Discussion recommends that you
5. During a fantasy chain, interaction usually becomes
6. The theory of symbolic convergence explains how members
7. Symbolic convergence theory rests on the belief that humans are
8. A high level of cohesiveness is indicated by a
9. LaDonna is a hardworking member of her group. She is responsible, articulate, organized, and encouraging.
Once in a great while LaDonna is late to a meeting. While this is generally unacceptable behavior in the group,
the other members rarely say anything because LaDonna is such a vital and important member. The group
members are extending _____________ to LaDonna.
10. The student government association elections committee had a productive and positive year. The year,
however, was coming to an end and the group would soon dissolve and the member would leave for the
summer. The discussion in the last moments of the last meeting turned to childhood memories of favorite pets.
What can best describe what was really happening in that final group meeting?
11. The pattern of values, beliefs, norms, and behaviors that are shared by group members and that shape a
group’s individual “personality” is called
12. The committee to select a new faculty member for the department has accomplished its task. What phase of
group socialization does Anderson and colleagues suggest the committee will enter?
13. Although there may be unpleasant consequences for group members who do not follow the group’s rules,
there is no law. What assumption of structuration theory is this an example of?
14. What theory explains how the structures of computer technology get used during small group
decision-making when group decision support systems are used?
15. Symptoms of __________________ tension include extreme politeness, apparent boredom, yawning and
sighing, lots of long pauses, and tentative statements uttered in soft tones.
16. Secondary tension is work-related tension that results from:
17. The position of a member in the hierarchy of power, influence, and prestige within a small group is:
18. A discussion about the health of various plants that occupy the meeting room of a particular group with
members adding their own views and observations is an example of:
19. The content of a fantasy is called the:
20. The notion that humans are storytelling creatures who create and share meaning through talk is articulated in
the theory of:
21. Fantasies perform functions for small groups. What are the functions?
22. more likely to speak to individuals than to the group
23. likely to speak up more often
24. more likely to speak to members of the same status
25. more likely to be interrupted by other members
26. expected to work especially hard to achieve group goals
27. more likely to be given “idiosyncrasy credit” to break rules
28. open disagreement is less common
29. more behaviors like those of primary group members
30. more able to pressure members to conform to opinion of high-status member(s)
31. less likely to share a sensory metaphor
32. “That’s a great idea! One problem I see with it is.”
33. “Right now I’m leaning toward option A, but I’d like to know what you all think”
34. “Here’s what I’ve decided we’re going to do.”
35. “Don’t you think it would be better if”
36. “What do you all think we should do?”
37. member and group goals are negotiated
38. the group disbands
39. member have worked out a comfortable fit with each other
40. includes the individual member characteristics
41. includes the members’ initial expectations about each other
42. Cohesiveness is a group-level (as opposed to individual-level) characteristic.
43. During discussions, low-status members of a group tend to speak more often to other low-status members
than to high-status members.
44. Low-status members are usually not considered valuable members by higher status members of a small
group.
45. Group members perceived as leaders are more likely to be given idiosyncratic credit than members not
perceived to be leaders.
46. Requiring unanimous decisions is more likely to produce groupthink than was requiring a majority.
47. In the United States, open expression of disagreement is more common in groups characterized by low
(rather than high) cohesiveness.
48. Highly cohesive groups perform tasks requiring a high level of coordination among members better than
groups low in cohesiveness.
49. Many fantasies do not develop into fantasy chains.
50. Fantasy chains are a means by which a group can develop values, norms, and other features of its culture.
51. Competing for high-status positions and influence in decisions is an example of secondary tension.
52. The best action for a group experiencing high secondary tension is to act as if it did not exist, for it will
usually dissipate without directly confronting the issue.
53. The book Robert’s Rules of Order includes rules for members of small groups formed by an organization
that adopts Robert as its parliamentary authority.
54. Primary tension can result from both uncertainty about other members and from struggles for power and
authority in a group.
55. Any group norm applies to every member of the group.
56. Group members often seem to be unaware of norms governing their behaviors as members.
57. Tension is normal when members disagree about what solution to adopt or propose.
58. After completing a tough task, members of a group are usually less cohesive than before.
59. Poole and DeSanctis conclude that when using group decision support systems that the technology itself
becomes a part of producing and reproducing the group system.
60. An informal rule for member behavior, often not written anywhere or formally adopted, is called a
______________.
61. Tension arising from the need to decide among differing interpretations or proposals is called
______________ tension.
62. Secondary tensions result from ______________.
the need to make decisions; issues over which members disagree; conflicts about interpretations or
63. Norms are enforced by pressures exerted by ______________.
peers; fellow group members
64. __________________ structuration theory is used to show how the structures of computer technology get
used during small group decision making when group decision support systems are used
65. ______________ is displayed in behavior such as extreme politeness, apparent boredom, yawning and
sighing, frequent long pauses, and tentative statements uttered in soft tones.
66. The attraction of members to the group (and each other) is called the ______________ of the group.
67. ______________ is the term often used to represent planned activities designed to increase a group’s
cohesiveness and performance.
68. Sometimes high-status group members are given a little leeway to bend the rules. This is called
_____________.
69. Bormannn believed that all humans are storytelling creatures who create and share meaning through talk. He
called this ___________________ theory.
70. Explain the differences between primary and secondary tensions, including what produces each type and the
observable symptoms of it.
71. Three assumptions of the theory of structuration:
72. List and explain two types of member behaviors that are good evidence that a norm exists.
73. A committee member arrives twenty-three minutes later than the time at which the meeting was called. As
he sits down other members are staring at him; he apologizes profusely for being so late, explaining that he
witnessed a serious traffic accident, and was required to undergo a lengthy interview with a traffic officer before
he could continue on his way to the meeting. Other members then say, “That’s okay,” “We’re sorry you had to
go through all that,” and “We understand.” About thirty minutes later in the meeting, someone suggests that
meeting times be changed from 7 to 7:30 P.M. Another member responds, “that’s a stupid idea!” Three persons
glare at the person who said “stupid idea” and shake their heads. One of the three says, “I can see some good in
changing to a later meeting time. Why did you propose the later meeting time, Jan?” From the above description
of a part of the meeting you should be able to write (in correct language and format) at least three norms of this
group.
74. What conditions influence conformity to group norms?
75. List and explain the functions of group fantasies.
76. How does a status hierarchy develop in a group in which members all begin with equal power and status?
77. List and briefly explain as many of the techniques for increasing cohesiveness mentioned in Effective Group
Discussion as you can recall.
78. Effective Group Discussion provided five guidelines for planning teambuilding activities. LIST and briefly
EXPLAIN as many of these guidelines as you can.
