Essentials of Organizational Behavior, 12e (Robbins/Judge)
Chapter 2 Diversity in Organizations
1) The two major forms of workforce diversity are ________ and ________.
A) surface-level diversity; deep-level diversity
B) surface-level diversity; lateral-level diversity
C) organizational-level diversity; individual-level diversity
D) lateral-level diversity; deep-level diversity
E) physical-level diversity; intellectual-level diversity
2) Differences in characteristics like education, ethnicity, regional background, and gender form
part of ________.
A) individual-level diversity
B) organizational-level diversity
C) lateral-level diversity
D) surface-level diversity
E) deep-level diversity
3) Differences in characteristics like personality, values, and beliefs form part of ________.
A) surface-level diversity
B) deep-level diversity
C) lateral-level diversity
D) organizational-level diversity
E) individual-level diversity
4) Which of the following issues was consistently the most significant concern of HR managers
in a survey by the Society for Human Resources Management?
A) providing work-life benefits for dual-career couples
B) developing multilingual training materials
C) the aging of the workforce
D) increasing wages
E) increasing training costs
5) Which of the following phenomena has not contributed to the change in demographic
characteristics of the United States workforce?
A) decreased costs in training existing employees
B) increased presence of full-time employed women
C) decreased gap of earnings between Whites and other ethnic groups
D) increased presence of workers over the age of 55
E) decreased or reversed differences between Whites and Asians
6) Which of the following statements is true regarding surface-level diversity?
A) Surface-level diversity will overcome fundamental differences and promote harmony.
B) Surface-level diversity can co-exist with deep-level diversity within an organization.
C) Surface-level diversity does not affect employees’ perceptions.
D) Surface-level diversity, not thoughts and feelings, is mostly reflected in Demographics.
E) Surface-level diversity in the workforce can be eliminated by effective diversity management.
7) Although diversity does present many opportunities for organizations, effective diversity
management means also working to eliminate ________.
A) surface-level diversity
B) unfair discrimination
C) ethnic diversity
D) irrelevant biographical characteristics
E) discrepancies in employee performance
8) Carol is over 55 years of age and is targeted for layoff because she is highly paid and has
lucrative benefits. Which of the following terms explains what she has been subjected to?
A) recessionary practice
B) mockery and insult
C) discriminatory practice
D) exclusion
E) incivility
9) Michelle and Addie are two White female college graduates from Harvard who recently
started working together. Primarily, they seem well matched and have the same work interests.
While Addie is introverted, risk-avoiding, soft-spoken, and likes the office quiet, Michelle is
extraverted, risk-seeking, assertive, and likes a busy, active, and energetic work environment.
Which of the following describes the diversity between these two?
A) lateral-level diversity
B) mental-level diversity
C) individual-level diversity
D) deep-level diversity
E) surface-level diversity
10) Sam and Clarke are two employees in an organization who recently started working together.
Sam is an older, long-tenured woman raised in rural Kansas, who achieved her current level in
the organization by starting as a high school graduate and working her way up the hierarchy.
Clarke is a young, recently hired male college graduate with a business degree, raised in a
Spanish-speaking neighborhood in Miami. However, both are deeply committed to their families,
share a common way of thinking about important work problems, like to work collaboratively,
and are interested in international assignments in the future. Which of the following describes the
diversity between these two?
A) lateral-level diversity
B) deep-level diversity
C) surface-level diversity
D) individual-level diversity
E) hierarchical-level diversity
11) To ________ is to note a difference between things, which in itself isn’t necessarily bad.
A) discriminate
B) analyze
C) rationalize
D) singularize
E) segregate
12) Which of the following is a type of discrimination that cannot be monitored or observed and
may occur simply because the actor is not aware of the effects of their actions?
A) randomization
B) inclusion
C) company policy
D) exclusion
E) sexual harassment
13) Which of the following is not a consequence of discrimination for employers?
A) reduced productivity
B) workplace diversity
C) citizenship behavior
D) negative conflicts
E) increased turnover
14) Martha claims that she has been assigned marginal job roles or light workloads that don’t
lead to promotion. Which of the following terms accurately explains the type of discrimination
she has been subjected to?
A) intimidation
B) sexual harassment
C) exclusion
D) inclusion
E) insult
15) Ashanti, an African-American employee, finds a noose hanging over her desk. She also finds
racist statements scribbled across her desk. Which of the following terms accurately explains the
type of discrimination she has been subjected to?
A) exclusion
B) mockery
C) intimidation
D) sexual harassment
E) inclusion
16) Mustafa, an Arab-American employee, has been asked if he is a terrorist. Which of the
following terms accurately explains the type of discrimination he has been subjected to?
A) exclusion
B) inclusion
C) intimidation
D) mockery
E) sexual harassment
17) Usually when we talk about discrimination, though, we mean allowing our behavior to be
influenced by stereotypes about ________.
A) ethnic majorities
B) ethnic minorities
C) new employees
D) groups of people
E) collection of organizations
18) The phrase ________ can refer to any characteristic that makes people different from one
another.
A) lateral diversity
B) individual diversity
C) organic diversity
D) workplace diversity
E) deep-level diversity
19) ________ also leaves qualified job candidates out of initial hiring and promotions.
A) Random segregation
B) Surface-level segregation
C) Unfair discrimination
D) Surface-level diversity
E) Deep-level segregation
20) ________ can be defined as actions taken by representatives of the organization that deny
equal opportunity to perform or unequal rewards for performance.
A) Intimidation
B) Exclusive practices
C) Sexual harassment
D) Discriminatory policies or practices
E) Inclusive practices
21) United States legislation, for all intents and purposes, outlaws mandatory retirement.
Consequently, United States workers today no longer have to retire at age ________.
A) 65
B) 70
C) 60
D) 80
E) 75
22) Which of the following statements is a strong reason for the relationship between age and job
performance to be an issue of increasing importance during the next decade?
A) The aging populace are fully covered against medical insurance and employers don’t have to
worry about that risk.
B) There is a widespread belief that job performance increases with age.
C) The workforce is aging and many employees recognize older workers as a huge potential pool
of high-quality applicants.
D) United States legislation has made semi-retirement as an option and allows people to work
part-time after their official retirement.
E) Workers who are aged are skilled and can pick up new skills due to their rich experience from
their previous jobs.
23) Which of the following statements represents findings from studies of the age-turnover
relationship?
A) The older you get, the less likely you are to be satisfied with your job.
B) The older you get, the less likely you are to quit your job.
C) The older you get, the more likely you are to equip yourself with new skills.
D) The older you get, the more likely you are to take a leave of absence.
E) The older you get, the less likely you are to be productive on the job.
24) Which of the following statements does not represent findings from studies between age and
job satisfaction?
A) They tend to be more satisfied with their work.
B) They tend to pick up more friends and reduce turnover.
C) They are more committed to their employing organization.
D) They tend to report better relationships with co-workers.
E) They tend to enjoy increasing levels of satisfactions in professional circles of employment.
25) Which of the following statements does not represent findings from studies between age and
productivity?
A) The store staffed by over-50 employees was significantly more productive in terms of sales
generated against labor costs.
B) The store managed by over-50 employees held its own against the other three stores.
C) Over-50 employees bonded well and encouraged each other to be more productive.
D) Age and job performance are unrelated.
E) Older employees are more likely to engage in citizenship behavior.
26) Which of the following statements is not an accurate representation of important differences
between men and women affecting job performance?
A) There are no consistent male-female differences in problem-solving ability, analytical skills,
competitive drive, motivation, sociability, or learning ability.
B) Research suggests that women believe sex-based discriminations are less prevalent than do
male employees.
C) Psychological studies have found women are more agreeable and willing to conform to
authority.
D) Working mothers are more likely than their counterparts to prefer part-time work, flexible
work schedules, and telecommuting in order to accommodate their family responsibilities.
E) After rethinking of what constitutes male and female roles, we can safely assume no
significant difference in job productivity between men and women.
27) One issue that does seem to differ between men and women, especially when the employee
has preschool-age children, is ________.
A) preference for work schedules
B) willingness to conform
C) willingness to learn new skills
D) the ambition to excel
E) greater employee participation
28) Which of the following statements is not an accurate representation of statistical findings
showing the relationship between women employees and absence and turnover rates?
A) Surprisingly, women have lower rates of absenteeism than men do.
B) Women are more likely to turn over than men.
C) Men are increasingly sharing responsibility for child care.
D) An increasing number of men report feeling a conflict between their home responsibilities
and their work lives.
E) Mothers were rated especially low in competence.
29) Which one of the following is not a classification of an individual’s racial category according
to the United States Bureau of Census?
A) Caucasian or Other Pacific Islander
B) Asian
C) Some Other Race
D) Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander
E) Two or More Races
30) ________ is defined as the biological heritage people use to identify themselves.
A) Race
B) Diversity
C) Culture
D) Civilization
E) Ethnography
31) ________ is the additional set of cultural characteristics that often overlaps with race.
A) Ethnicity
B) Civilization
C) Diversity
D) Anthropology
E) Acculturation
32) Evidence from a study of nearly 500,000 professional employees indicates significant
differences, with women more likely to turn over than men. Women also have higher rates of
absenteeism than men. Which of the following statements is the correct explanation for this
phenomenon?
A) The research was conducted in North America, and North American culture has historically
placed home and family responsibilities on women.
B) The research was conducted in North America, and North American women have low
ambition to excel.
C) The research was conducted in North America, and North American women have low job
commitment.
D) The research was conducted in North America, and North American culture lays greater
emphasis on extracurricular activities than on career.
E) The research was conducted in North America, and North American women are rated low in
competence.
33) Which of the following statements is not an accurate representation of statistical findings
showing the differences in outcomes and attitudes between Whites and African Americans?
A) African Americans and Hispanics also have lower turnover rates than Whites.
B) African Americans and Hispanics perceive discrimination to be more prevalent in the
workplace.
C) Substantial racial differences exist in attitudes toward affirmative action, with African
Americans approving of such programs to a greater degree than Whites.
D) African Americans generally fare worse than Whites in employment decisions.
E) Individuals tend to slightly favor colleagues of their own race in performance evaluations,
promotion decisions, and pay raises.
34) One of the most controversial aspects of the ADA is the provision that requires employers to
make reasonable accommodations for people with ________.
A) psychiatric disabilities
B) physical disabilities
C) learning disabilities
D) medical disabilities
E) speech and language disabilities
35) Which of the following is not an example of a physical or mental impairment that
substantially limits one or more major life activities?
A) Stockholm syndrome
B) alcoholism
C) Down syndrome
D) deafness
E) schizophrenia
36) Which of the following statements is not an accurate representation of research findings on
the impact of disabilities on employment outcomes?
A) Workers with disabilities receive higher performance evaluations, whether or not the
evaluations would be considered as objective.
B) Despite higher performance ratings, individuals with disabilities tend to encounter lower
performance expectations and are less likely to be hired.
C) For many employers, disability is a value imperative—they believe they must hire disabled
workers for legal or ethical outcomes.
D) Mental disabilities may impair performance more than physical disabilities.
E) Individuals with such common mental health issues as depression and anxiety are
significantly more likely to be absent from work.
37) Which of the following biological characteristics is a potent variable in explaining turnover?
A) turnover
B) religion
C) gender identity
D) sexual orientation
E) race
38) Which of the following statements does not contribute to the religious diversity issue in the
United States revolving around Islam?
A) For the most part, United States Muslims have attitudes different from those of other United
States citizens (though the differences tend to be smaller for younger United States Muslims).
B) Nearly 4 in 10 United States adults admit they harbor negative feelings or prejudices toward
United States Muslims.
C) Muslims vary hugely by ethnicity, faith, tradition, education, income and degree of religious
observance.
D) There is a wide variety of perspectives on Islam.
E) There is no such thing as a single American Muslim community, much as there is no single
Christian community.
39) Which of the following statements is not an accurate representation of the situation in the
United States regarding discrimination in the workplace based on sexual orientation?
A) Federal law does not prohibit discrimination against employees based on sexual orientation.
B) Many states and municipalities prohibit discrimination against employees based on sexual
orientation.
C) Many organizations have implemented policies and procedures protecting employees based
on sexual orientation.
D) More than half the Fortune 500 companies offer domestic-partner benefits for gay couples.
E) Due to employment gains, more lesbian, gay, and bisexual employees reveal their gender
identity to their employers and co-workers.
40) ________ is needed to perform mental activities—thinking, reasoning, and problem solving.
A) Dynamic flexibility
B) Extent flexibility
C) Static strength
D) Dynamic strength
E) Intellectual ability