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1.
Define the term group.
2.
What three characteristics do all groups have in common?
3.
Provide an example of a problem-solving group.
4.
List the five stages of group development.
5.
Describe one of the norms that has developed in one of your groups.
6.
Name three of the challenges a group faces as it grows larger.
7.
Contrast the meaning of clique and countercoalition.
8.
Define social loafing.
9.
Contrast the difference between centrality and isolation in a network.
10.
Briefly describe an example of a chain network.
11.
In a(n) _________ network, all members are an equal distance from one another and all
members interact with one another.
12.
What purpose does an elaborator serve in a group?
13.
A(n) _______ seeks to smooth over tension in a group by settling differences among
members.
14.
List and describe two antigroup roles.
15.
How does your textbook suggest that you can determine the cohesion of a group?
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16.
What three steps are recommended for diplomatically redirecting a group that has
developed negative and unproductive norms?
17.
In a(n) ________ culture, members of a group seek consensus and group harmony.
18.
What are the three identified causes of communication apprehension within a group
communication context?
19.
List and explain the characteristics that all groups share. Analyzing a group that you
belong to, explain how each of these characteristics plays out in that group.
20.
Use a group that you have belonged to, either in the past or currently, to illustrate how a
group moves through each of the five stages of Tuckman’s model of group development.
Describe specific examples to illustrate how the group functioned at each stage.
21.
Explain the ways in which an increase in group size affects communication among
group members.
22.
Synthesizing what you have learned throughout the chapter, how do you think that an
increase in group size and the type of network a group uses affect cohesion and climate?
23.
Describe a group you have participated in—anything from an informal study group to a
highly structured team. How cohesive was the group? What factors do you believe
encouraged or discouraged cohesion? Describe the group’s norms.
24.
List and describe the task roles and social roles that help a group function effectively.
What roles do you think are most important to group cohesion? Are there any roles that
you think a group can function well without? Why?
25.
Joan has recently taken over as chair of a highly disorganized and dysfunctional
committee. She is passionate about the group’s mission, and she knows others are, too.
However, every meeting seems to devolve into chaos and they never get anything done.
What would you explain to Joan about antigroup roles and other common challenges
that groups face to help her understand what is preventing her group from succeeding?
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26.
Synthesizing what you have learned in this chapter and others, what do you think a
group leader can do to set up a group to succeed? What verbal, nonverbal, and listening
skills would you suggest a group leader use to foster cohesion and a positive group
climate and to ensure that the goals of the group are clear?
27.
Describe a group you have either been a part of or have observed that has been
unproductive identifying the norms that lead to the group’s ineffectiveness. Synthesizing
what you have learned throughout the chapter, describe some steps the group’s leader, as
well as other members of the group, could take to help the group become more
productive.
28.
Synthesizing what you have learned about culture and gender from this chapter and
others, describe some of the ways that culture might influence communication within a
group.
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Answer Key
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