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Contemporary Organizational Behavior (Elsbach)
Topic Summary 11 Diversity and Communication
1) How are diversity and communication related?
A) Diversity of experience must be maximized for effective communication
B) Communication about diversity should be minimized
C) Communication is easier when the target is very diverse
D) Effective communication requires understanding how individual diversity is associated with
the communication process
2) Evidence shows that diverse work groups make better decisions when group members hold
three feelings or beliefs. Which of the following is not one of these beliefs?
A) Group members feel they are valued and respected
B) Group members feel they have a good role diversity
C) Group members share a viewpoint that their work is significant
D) Group members hold strong interpersonal relationships
3) Organizations value the diversity of individuals in which key areas?
A) Experience, background, perspective
B) Training, critical thinking, background
C) Contribution, perspective, work ethic
D) Integrity, skills, perspective
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4) Which of the following outcomes should organizations not expect after implementing a plan
to value their employees’ backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences?
A) Organizations will be better able to respond to dynamic change because the organization
increases its ability to adapt
B) Organizations can consider a wider range of perspectives when making decisions
C) The shareholders’ value will improve
5) What is one way that an organization’s diversity efforts can promote fairness?
A) Employees in traditionally underrepresented groups gain access to positions of power
B) Employees in diverse groups are able to communicate better
C) Employees in traditionally underrepresented groups receive compensation packages similar to
other employees
D) Employees’ job expectations are equalized across different groups
Difficulty: Medium
6) Learning style, personality, and cognitive processes are examples of which type of diversity?
A) Demographics
B) Organization-based
C) Traits and characteristics
D) Beliefs and values
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7) Which of the following characteristics is an example of role diversity?
A) Personality
B) Motivation
C) Organizational position
D) Cognitive processing style
8) What factor creates differences between generations?
A) Work experiences
B) Type of education
C) Technological dependence
D) Environmental forces
9) The preferred method of communication differs between generations. Which generation
favors face-to-face communication?
A) Generation Y
B) Generation X
C) Millennials
Difficulty: Easy
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10) Which issue in communication is likely to appear between Millennial employees and those in
the Gen X and Baby Boomer generations?
A) Forms of communication
B) Formality of communication
C) Frequency of communication
11) When might understanding generational differences in the workplace be useful?
A) Understanding others’ perspectives
B) Deciding how and when to provide motivation and feedback
C) Forming teams or workgroups
D) All of the above
12) Which generation prefers to receive ample praise and feedback, are good collaborators, and
focus on achieving their individual goals?
A) Generation X
B) Millennials
C) Baby Boomers
D) Generation Z
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13) All of the following are communication style preferences of men except ________.
A) Make statements instead of ask questions
B) Use “I” instead of “we”
C) Offer criticism instead of compliments
D) Avoid talking about personal achievements instead of focus on achievements
14) Communication style has been defined as a culturally learned set of signals to communicate
meaning to other people. Which of the following regarding communication style is true?
A) Communication style is static for each culture
B) Management and front line employees have different communication styles because they are
from different cultures
C) Communication style is dynamic in each culture
D) The words are different between cultures, but the signals are the same
Difficulty: Medium
15) What communication problem does conversational learning help resolve?
A) Different communication styles
B) Parochialism
C) Information illiteracy
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16) Why is effective communication an essential process for organizations?
A) It is central to many organizational functions
B) Necessary to communicate with stakeholders
C) Necessary to communicate vision and direction
17) Which of the following is not a model of communication one can use in organizations?
A) Co-orienting
B) Sender-receiver
C) Conversational learning
D) Parochialism
Difficulty: Easy
18) Which of the following best describes big data?
A) Proliferation of data in daily life
B) A database of quantitative information
C) Complex problem solving in real world settings
D) Expanding number of data sources readily available
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19) Differences in communication can be present in all of the following situations except
________.
A) Selection interview
B) Work within a cohesive group
C) Performance appraisal
D) All of the above
20) What is the first step in the process of developing a targeted message?
A) Establish what the purpose of your message will be
B) Determine who you will deliver your message to
C) Determine how you will deliver your message (e.g. asynchronous, memo, live speech,
interactive presentation, hands on demonstration, etc.)
D) Choose questions to answer in your message
21) Targeted messages are particularly important when trying to communicate to a ________.
A) Coworker from a different generation
B) Struggling subordinate
C) Large and diverse group
D) Teammate with poor information literacy
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22) Which of the following can be used to support and verify a message?
A) Data
B) Storytelling
C) Climax
D) Targeting
Difficulty: Easy
23) Why is the component of storytelling particularly useful when communicating a core
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24) Why might a group of employees interpret the same message from management differently?
A) They are from different generations
B) They range in age
C) They are different genders
D) All of the above
25) Are the benefits from workplace diversity reserved for medium to large businesses or can