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THE DREAM TEAM
The Dream Team is an alternative to the Twelve Angry Men essay exam. This
is a very entertaining and amusing film (circa 1989) that exhibits a wide variety of small
group communication processes.
INSTRUCTIONS: As a group, answer three (3) of the questions below.
Maximum length for each answer per question is TWO (2) typed pages (about
700 words). NOTE: typing is mandatory. No exceptions.
1. Apply the communication competence model to the group depicted in the
movie. Discuss whether each group member’s communication is relatively
proficient or deficient. Provide details from the movie to support your analysis.
2. Discuss explicit and implicit norms exhibited by the Dream Team. Were
norms violated? If norms were violated, how did the group and outsiders
respond? Did norm violation (deviance) result in any/all of the typical ways
groups respond to nonconformity? Explain and provide examples.
3. A group is a system. Explain how this statement is true in terms of the
Dream Team. Discuss interconnectedness, adaptability to change, and
influence of size. Was there group synergy? Explain.
4. Discuss the Dream Team in terms of conflict management communication
styles. Which styles were used by whom in which situations? Were they
effective? Should other styles have been used? Explain and justify.
5. Discuss defensive versus supportive communication patterns exhibited by
the Dream Team. Be specific (i.e., evaluative vs. descriptive, contro vs. problem orientation, etc.).
What were the consequences of these patterns?
6. Discuss concepts of competition, cooperation, and teamwork exhibited by
the Dream Team. Be specific and connect your analysis to the research on
competition and cooperation.
INDIVIDUAL ACCOUNTABILITY QUESTION
(if exam taken as a group):
Discuss roles and leadership. Which informal roles were exhibited by members
of the Dream Team? What were the results? Did leadership emerge in the
standard pattern found in small groups? Was leadership effective? Which
leadership styles were used? Explain and defend with examples.
HOW TO TAKE A COOPERATIVE ESSAY EXAM
1. Assemble your group. One person should direct the group during the
discussion of each question.
2. Brainstorm possible responses to each question before deciding which
questions to choose for the exam.
3. One group member should record brainstorming responses for future reference.
4. Once the group has decided which three questions will be answered for the
exam, split the group into thirds. Each subgroup will work on a single question.
5. Assemble to subgroups into the full group and discuss each subgroup’s
preliminary answer. Critique the answer before a final draft is undertaken.
This is a critical step. Do not skip it.
6. One member from each subgroup will volunteer to type the final draft of the answer
for each subgroup’s question. Combine the three answers. The entire group should
read the final draft before turning it in to make certain that there are no mistakes.
If mistakes are found, make corrections, include on the final draft the names of all
group members who participated actively in the process, and turn in the exam.
7. NOTE: the group may vote to exclude any group member who did not pull
his or her weight in the process of answering the questions. Exclusion, however, will
not occur if the group is split. This must be a unanimous decision from all members
(excluding the person in question). If a group member is excluded from the group’s
final paper, that excluded member will receive a ZERO for the group portion of the
exam grade. Partial credit, however, can be obtained for answering the individual
accountability question and turning it in on time.
EXAM #4: “THE DREAM TEAM”
http://www.amazon.com/The-Dream-Team-Michael-Keaton/dp/B00009AOAZ
(Cooperative)
NAMES:
Choose the correct answer or answers for each question. There may be more than one correct answer
for each question.
A. Dr. Weitzman (psychiatrist) handles Billy’s outbursts of anger (e.g., throwing the chair through
the glass window; voting on Henry’s lobotomy) by
B. Albert plays the following informal group roles
C. Henry’s communication is mostly incompetent because he
D. Dr. Weitzman uses the following power resources
E. Which of the following characters exhibit assertiveness as a consistent communication pattern?
F. Billy’s communication was mostly incompetent because he was
G. Jack exhibited the following defensive communication patterns:
H. Billy exhibited the following defensive communication patterns:
I. Dr. Weitzman defuses the defensiveness exhibited by Billy, Jack, and Henry by
J. The members of the Dream Team ultimately work together cooperatively because
K. Dr. Weitzman deals effectively with four difficult group members by
L. Jack played the following informal disruptive roles
M. Billy played the following informal disruptive roles
N. In the absence of Dr. Weitzman, Billy becomes team leader because
O. Billy’s anger is generally destructive not constructive because
P. Dr. Weitzman exhibits empathic listening skills because he
Q. Billy communicates contempt for other team members in the following ways
R. Albert primarily uses the following communication styles of conflict management
Identify each statement as TRUE or FALSE. For every FALSE answer provide a reason why it is false.
B. Billy emerges as leader of the Dream Team in the absence of Dr. Weitzman. The pattern of his
D. Billy and Henry clash often. These clashes are examples of dominance-prevention power
F. There are no power imbalances among the four primary team members (Billy, Jack, Henry, &
G. Conflict among Dream Team members was not constructive because it was contentious, difficult,
H. Having to appear for group therapy with Dr. Weitzman was an example of an implicit norm for
I. When Billy disagreed with team members he was exhibiting the devil’s advocate informal role.
J. Dream Team members exhibited mostly resistance (passive aggression) strategies rather than
K. When Henry is tossed out of the bar by two patrons sitting on both sides of him, these patrons are
M. Henry’s chief communication style of conflict management is competing (power-forcing).
EXAM #4
“THE DREAM TEAM”
(Individual Exam)
NAME:
Choose the correct answer or answers for each question. There may be more than one correct answer for
each question.
A. Conflict exhibited by the Dream Team is mostly destructive, not constructive, because
B. Henry exhibits the following defensive communication patterns:
C. The Dream Team truly became a team when they rescued Dr. Weitzman. Which of the following
teambuilding elements did the Dream Team exemplify?
D. Jack uses the following communication styles of conflict management:
Identify each statement as TRUE or FALSE. For every FALSE answer provide a reason why it is false.
A. When Albert gave answers only in baseball lingo, he was exhibiting the resistance strategy of
