Deck 3: The Small Group As a System

Question 1

The characteristics or dimensions of a system are its

A) multifinality.
B) communication.
C) equifinality.
D) components.
E) interdependence.

Answer 1

components.

Question 2

A closed system has relatively little interchange between the group and its environment.

Answer 2

True

Question 3

Groups, as systems, exhibit interdependence - each component affects each other component.

Answer 3

True

Question 4

The energy, information, and raw material used by an open system that are transformed into output by throughput processes is called an input.

Question 5

An entity made up of components in interdependent relationship to each other, requiring constant adaptation among its parts to maintain organic wholeness and balance is called a ______________.

Question 6

When a group performs above its apparent potential (determined from member characteristics), that is an instance of positive ______________.

Question 7

An evaluation of a committee is usually made on the basis of its input components rather than on its outputs.

Question 8

The bona fide group perspective states that groups have stable, but permeable boundaries. What four factors cause this permeability?

Question 9

The strategy of ______________ is characterized by actions by the group to close itself off from the environment.

Question 10

Critics of systems theory complain of its focus on homeostasis.

Question 11

A recommendation by a committee to an administrator is an example of a group output.

Question 12

Lois is particularly good about keeping the parent organization aware of what is happening in the work group of which she is a part. Lois is known as a

A) group initiator.
B) problem-solver.
C) group norm.
D) boundary spanner.

Question 13

Anything that is produced by a system, such as a tangible product or a change in the system is known as a throughput component.

Question 14

General systems theory was developed from an analysis of

A) living entities-including groups and organizations-as they attempt to remain in dynamic balance with the environment by making constant adjustments.
B) the ways in which human societies develop and function.
C) historical trends that develop over long periods of time.
D) small groups of humans and other animals.
E) the functioning of complex machines such as engines.

Question 15

What components include funds?

A) Input components
B) Throughput components
C) Output components

Question 16

Groups, as systems, exhibit interdependence-each ______________ affects each other.

Question 17

In order to accomplish the objectives assigned to them, committees of an organization may need which of the following from the organization?

A) all of these
B) expert consultants
C) information about the budget and other physical resources available to the committee
D) none of these
E) a program about how to work as a committee member

Question 18

__________________ states that the whole is not the sum of its parts.

Question 19

The status and power relationships in a group constitute which type of environmental component?

A) output component
B) input component
C) processes
D) throughput component
E) resources

Question 20

Ideal input components include

A) members understand and accept the group's basic purpose.
B) the group's meeting is comfortable and allows members to discuss without distractions.
C) None of these answers are correct.
D) members share basic beliefs and values about the purpose of the group.
E) All of these answers are correct.

Question 21

A brotherhood commune is a(n)

A) open system
B) closed system

Question 22

Input variables are:

A) the energy, information, and raw material used by an open system.
B) anything that is produced by a system.
C) all of these.
D) a system's characteristics or dimensions.
E) none of these

Question 23

Interdependence states that the parts of a system operate in isolation and do not have an affect on each other or the system as a whole.

Question 24

A group's rules, the procedures it follows, its leadership, and communication among members are

A) input variables.
B) processes.
C) output variables.
D) feedback.
E) throughput variables.

Question 25

Changing just one characteristic of a group, such as by adding a new member, will result in many other changes.

Question 26

Which are challenges faced by bona fide virtual groups?

A) Group membership often fluctuates, with old members leaving and new members joining the group.
B) All of these.
C) Group identity formation refers to the varying levels of commitment and belonging members feel to different groups they belong to.
D) Group members represent other groups, whether they want to or not.
E) Group members have multiple group memberships-they belong to several groups at once, and sometimes their roles conflict.

Question 27

What components include solutions?

A) Input components
B) Output components
C) Throughput components

Question 28

What components include cohesiveness?

A) Input components
B) Throughput components
C) Output components

Question 29

Explain how bona fide group perspective is impacted by groups that do not meet face to face.

Question 30

Group members who check out the environment to see who supports the group; bring in information from the environment in summary form; and may also attempt to persuade outsiders to the desires, goals, and importance of the group are called _________________________.

Question 31

What components include time?

A) Input components
B) Throughput components
C) Output components

Question 32

An international missions group is a(n)

A) closed system
B) open system

Question 33

When a new baby enters a household, every family member is affected. This is an example of

A) summativity.
B) multifinality.
C) interdependence.
D) equifinality.
E) small group communication.

Question 34

St. Stephen's monastery is a(n)

A) open system
B) closed system

Question 35

Open systems are less common than are closed systems.

Question 36

For its smaller groups to function well, an organization should ______________ their accomplishments.

Question 37

The PBS pledge drive group is a(n)

A) closed system
B) open system

Question 38

The Boeing 767 airplane was the result of a partnership between engineers from a variety of firms in a variety of countries. This type of working together is called a

A) technology group.
B) boundary spanner.
C) collaborating group.
D) none of these
E) system variable.

Question 39

The three broad categories of system components are

A) input, throughput, and output.
B) input, throughput, and feedback.
C) input, output, and feedback.
D) individual, output, and process.
E) individual, system, and multi-level.

Question 40

What components include communication networks?

A) Input components
B) Output components
C) Throughput components

Question 41

A small group is formed and that it uses to do its work, including the members; the reasons for the group's formation; resources and environmental conditions is called

A) output.
B) similarity.
C) input.
D) throughput.
E) feedback.

Question 42

When thinking about the small group as a system, what is the key component that connects all of the system's relevant parts?

A) communication
B) multifinality
C) equifinality
D) multiple causation
E) summativity

Question 43

An ideal throughput component of group members is that they are dependable and Reliable

Question 44

A member of a group who generally scans the outside for relevant information and ideas that can be used by the group, including figuring out what the competition is doing is what type of boundary spanner?

A) task coordinator
B) scout
C) guard
D) ambassador
E) none of these

Question 45

The components of a group were classified into three major categories, inputs, throughputs and ______________.

Question 46

What components include beliefs and values of the members?

A) Throughput components
B) Input components
C) Output components

Question 47

A boundary spanner is constantly monitoring the group's _________________ to bring in and take out information relevant to the group's success.

Question 48

Those members who constantly monitor the group's environment to bring in and take out information relevant to the group's success. are called

A) reporters.
B) interfacers.
C) boundary spanners.
D) marginal persons.
E) liaisons.

Question 49

Feedback is

A) closed system characteristics.
B) open system characteristics.
C) information that helps the system determine whether or not it needs to make adjustments to reach its goals.
D) the setting in which the group exists.
E) none of these

Question 50

An ideal environment is one in which cohesiveness is high.

Question 51

There should be clear status distinctions among group members, in a hierarchy from highest to lowest.

Question 52

A documentary film class is a(n)

A) open system
B) closed system

Question 53

Procedures followed by a small group in making major decisions are classified as throughput components.

Question 54

Responses to a system's output are collectively referred to as ______________.

Question 55

The function(s) of a boundary spanner is (are) to

A) All of these answers are correct.
B) respond to the initiatives from outsiders.
C) initiate transactions between the group and its environment to import and export resources.
D) initiate temporary or permanent group membership.
E) None of these answers are correct.

Question 56

Describe the characteristics of an IDEAL small group on the following five input components: member's beliefs about the purpose; number of members; time; meeting place.

Question 57

Channel Six news team is a(n)

A) closed system
B) open system

Question 58

If a small group is an open system, then

A) it produces a high degree of interchange between the system and its environment.
B) members are open-minded toward new ideas.
C) some members are periodically replaced, such as is done in most standing committees.
D) nonmembers, such as reporters, may attend meetings.
E) the group tends to degenerate (second law of thermodynamics).