Chapter 2
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. Negative synergy occurs when
2. Larger groups compared to smaller groups typically have
3. There are two variables that influence the “ideal” group size. They are
4. Group synergy occurs when
5. When the action of one group member creates a ripple effect on the entire group, this is an
6. As group size increases, which of the following typically occurs?
7. Entropy is
8. Synergy occurs in groups primarily by
9. Dynamic equilibrium
10. The “rule of seven” refers to which of the following?
11. Throughput in a system refers to
12. In your small group, you have a social loafer who has gradually de-motivated and frustrated almost
every other group member with his lackluster effort. This is an example, in systems terms, called
13. When a small group is so dysfunctional that it produces a worse result than would be expected based
on perceived individual skills and abilities of members, this is called
14. Synergy is the result of
15. Deep diversity refers to
16. A system sustains dynamic equilibrium by regulating
17. Dealing with a difficult group member requires, among other things,
18. The best size for a group is
19. Your group has a difficult group member. He complains repeatedly, bullies group members into
supporting his positions during discussions, and dominates the discussion, often interrupting other
members. Your group should address this difficult individual by
20. Groups establish boundaries and thus regulate change by
21. Which of the following affects a group’s ability to adapt successfully to change?
23. A rule
24. A system is
25. According to “bad apple” research,
TRUE-FALSE
1. Your symposium group increases in size from 6 members to 11. Group satisfaction
2. All systems attempt to maintain stability and to achieve a state of dynamic equilibrium by
3. Smaller groups inhibit overt disagreement and signs of dissatisfaction more than larger groups.
4. The best size for a decision making group is the smallest size capable of performing the task
6. A group should tighten its boundaries when both the quantity and type of outside influences place an
9. A clear line can be drawn that distinguishes exactly when a small group becomes a large group.
11. Your group creates a specialized language that is mostly incomprehensible to outsiders. This is an
12. A group should strive to remain completely open to input. Otherwise it might make poor
13. Openness in a system should always be encouraged and closedness in a system should
always be discouraged to produce the most effective decision making and problem solving.
14. High levels of stress and tension, divisive conflicts, boredom, and poor productivity are just
16. There are usually more non-participating group members in smaller groups than in larger
19. If speed in decision making is a chief concern, then a group of at least 7 members or more is
20. Negative information to the top of a traditional organizational hierarchy tends to be
23. Distortion of information is usually a bigger problem in small groups than it is in large
organizations because large organizations have more resources to prevent such distortion.
24. Deep diversity in groups means that members have strong values in common in a world
25. Groups can find that perfect, ideal balance point between stability and change if they try hard
28. Structuration theory posits that a system such as a small group establishes structures
for discussion and problem solving in the form of rules, roles, norms, and power distribution.
29. According to structuration theory, structures established in small groups both permit throughput to