Chapter 05 – Becoming a Group
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Chapter 05
Becoming a Group
Multiple Choice Questions
1. (p. 86–87) Verbal and nonverbal communication among members creates group norms and
climate. This is representative of which of the following theories?
A. group cohesion
2. (p. 86) Group A’s members have interacted with various groups throughout their lives, and
they all know how to act in a group. This most closely represents which characteristic of
structuration?
E. None of the answers is correct.
3. (p. 87) The first key issue that a group must address is the management of which two
concerns?
A. introductions and conclusions
B. assignment breakdown and grading policies
4. (p. 88) _____ tension is when group members experience anxiety that arises from meeting
new members.
D. Tertiary
E. Uncertainty
5. (p. 88) Some group members are arguing for three different recommendations the committee
might make. They are probably experiencing _____ tension.
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D. role
E. uncertainty
6. (p. 88) Which of the following is a kind of social tension that is similar to stage fright?
D. role
E. uncertainty
7. (p. 88) Two group members are arguing over leadership responsibilities. They are probably
experiencing which of the following tensions?
A. primary
B. secondary
8. (p. 90) Which of the following is the best method a leader can use to reduce tertiary tensions
in a group?
A. Deal with it indirectly.
B. Rely on any type of humor.
9. (p. 92) In the model of group development, Tuckman identifies _____ as the final stage in
group development.
A. forming
B. storming
10. (p. 94–95) The _____ stage of socialization involves becoming part of a group and
developing expectations about it.
D. assimilation
E. exit
11. (p. 94–95) Another stage of socialization in a group is called the _____ stage, and this is
where expectations and reality meet.
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A. antecedent
B. anticipatory
12. (p. 94–95) A group member who has had serious problems with past groups is probably in
which of the following stages of group socialization?
D. assimilation
E. exit
13. (p. 97) A group member is suggesting how to accomplish a task. This behavior would be
classified as a(n) _____ role.
A. hidden agenda
B. individual
14. (p. 97) Tobias says, “Let’s begin with the first item on the agenda.” Tobias is engaging in
D. information seeking.
E. harmonizing.
15. (p. 100) The major difference between rules and norms is that
A. rules are enforced by peer pressure, norms by leaders.
B. norms are written, rules are not.
16. (p. 101) Which of the following is NOT a way in which a group norm is set?
A. behaviors that occur early in the development of the group
B. through explicit statements
17. (p. 101) When members of a newly appointed tuition committee first met, they addressed
each other by title and family name (e.g., “Dr. Einfatt”). They continued to do so throughout
Chapter 05 – Becoming a Group
the life of the committee. This is an example of a group norm established by
D. reference to a general cultural norm.
E. a critical incident.
18. (p. 104) According to your textbook, what is/are the best way(s) of dealing with a deviant
member of a group?
A. Try to persuade the deviant member to conform.
B. Build solidarity among the members against the deviant.
19. (p. 108) Which of the following is characteristic of highly task-cohesive groups?
A. Members understand and accept tasks.
B. Members are committed to completing tasks.
20. (p. 108) “Group drive” refers to
D. motivation of a group to increase its influence over the parent organization.
E. competition among groups in an organization.
Fill in the Blank Questions
21. (p. 88–90) _____ tension results from a struggle for greater power/status in a group.
22. (p. 88–90) Tension felt when members disagree about substantive issues is called _____
tension.
23. (p. 90) A norm that says members should tolerate _____ can help control the level of
secondary and tertiary tensions among group members.
24. (p. 91)) The _____ model of group development describes typical stages in how groups
develop.
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25. (p. 94–95) The _____ phase of socialization is characterized by full integration into the
group.
26. (p. 97) Task, maintenance, and _____ are the three broad categories of roles found in small
groups.
27. (p. 100) Informal and implicit standards of behavior are called _____.
28. (p. 100) Sometimes norms are established by _____ statements that a leader or another
member makes.
29. (p. 106) Group _____ refers to the psychological atmosphere and the interpersonal
relationships within a group.
30. (p. 107) _____ refers to the general belief that members can rely on each other.
31. (p. 108) A private, unstated goal that a member wants to achieve through a group and which
is often harmful to group accomplishment is called a(n) _____ item.
32. (p. 108–109) _____ refers to the attachment group members feel toward each other.
33. (p. 109) The tendency not to thoroughly evaluate information is called _____.
34. (p. 111) In establishing a supportive climate, _____ statements try to search honestly for the
best solution.
35. (p. 109) In a _____ climate, members are inclined to try to control, manipulate, and criticize
each other as persons.
True/False Questions
36. (p. 87) Task and socioemotional concerns surface at predictable periods in a group’s life.
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37. (p. 86) Structuration is the idea that group communication creates, maintains, and recreates a
group’s norms.
38. (p. 86) Even though members know how to behave within their culture, laws do not enforce
this behavior.
39. (p. 90) Humor is never an effective way to handle tension within a group.
40. (p. 90) Technology makes managing task and socioemotional demands less complicated.
41. (p. 92) Some models of group development have been more linear than others.
42. (p. 94–95) In the assimilation stage of socialization, members of a group begin to work
together.
43. (p. 98–99) Individual roles work to maintain harmonious relationships among group
members.
44. (p. 99) Group members must reinforce each other’s roles if they are to become stable.
45. (p. 96–97) Roles in small groups are primarily formal—such as electing a chair of the group.
46. (p. 104) “Deviants” can be helpful to a group.
47. (p. 108) Tony can always be counted on to complete assignments in his group. He has
interpersonal trust.
48. (p. 108–109) Task cohesiveness is less likely to produce groupthink than is interpersonal
cohesiveness.
49. (p. 111) Superiority statements pull rank on other members, which can only strengthen a
group.
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50. (p. 110 & 112) Freedom of expression must be discouraged if a group is to get along.
Essay Questions
51. (p. 88–91) Explain the different types of factors that give rise to primary, secondary, and
tertiary tensions.
Answers will vary.
52. (p. 91) What is the best way to manage prolonged tertiary tension in a group?
Answers will vary.
53. (p. 94–95) Name the five stages of group socialization. Give examples of each stage.
Answers will vary.
54. (p. 103–104) A group finds that one member is highly deviant on an important issue or norm.
In the order in which they are likely to occur, describe the steps the group will probably take
until the member either conforms or the group gives up.
Answers will vary.
55. (p. 107–109) Two kinds of trust are essential for an open, productive climate when
communicating in a group. Name these types and explain why each is important.
Answers will vary.
56. (p. 108) What is a “hidden agenda” item? When might a hidden agenda item be beneficial
and harmful to a group?
Answers will vary.
57. (p. 109–110) What are the major differences between defensive and supportive group
climates?
Answers will vary.
58. (p. 100–102) Give three examples each of group rules and group norms. What are the four
common ways norms develop? Give an example of each.
Answers will vary.
59. (p. 110–112) Members need to pay attention to the ethics of their behavior, particularly as a
group’s roles and norms develop. Patterns that form early in a group’s life guide their future
interaction and can be hard to break. That is why it is critical for those patterns to be
productive and to adhere to the highest standards of ethical behavior. Name the four
suggestions in your textbook that support ethical group guidelines.
Answers will vary.