Question 1

All of Nathan's co-workers are urging him to submit a False quality report so that they can go home early at the start of a three-day weekend. Based on the outcome of the Asch line experiments, how would most people respond if they were in Nathan's place?
A) They would say yes and submit the False report
B) They would report the incident to their boss
C) They would accept a bribe
D) They would say no
E) They would quit their job

Accepted Answer

The Asch conformity experiments demonstrate that individuals are likely to conform to the majority opinion or behavior in a group setting, even if it goes against their own beliefs or the truth. In this scenario, most people would submit the false report due to peer pressure.

Question 2

Bo is the manager of a watch-making plant, and he wants to develop a group staffed with a mix of specialists focused on designing a new line of watches for the coming season. What kind of group should he implement?
A) Quality circle
B) Cross-functional team
C) Multi-occupation group
D) 360 degree team
E) Virtual team

Accepted Answer

Bo should implement a cross-functional team as it consists of individuals with different areas of expertise who come together to work on a specific project. This type of team would be best suited for designing a new line of watches as it would allow for a diverse range of skills and perspectives to be integrated into the design process.

Question 3

The process of complying with role expectations and norms is called
A) conformity.
B) ostracism.
C) groupthink.
D) culture.
E) cohesiveness.

Accepted Answer

Conformity refers to the process of adjusting one's behavior to match the expectations and norms of a group or society. It involves following the established rules and standards, and avoiding deviant or nonconforming behavior.

Question 4

____ describes a group likely to be victimized by groupthink.
A) Very cohesive
B) Made up of independent thinkers
C) Very large
D) Open to outside "expert" opinions
E) A participative and open-minded leader

Accepted Answer

Group cohesion is a key factor in groupthink. When a group is very cohesive, members become more focused on maintaining good relationships within the group than on critically evaluating ideas or decisions. This can lead to groupthink, where the group makes faulty decisions because they don't consider all available information or alternative viewpoints.

Question 5

A cross-functional team can be best described as
A) a mix of employees and outside consultants.
B) someone assigned devil's advocate role.
C) no more than three members.
D) both managers and nonmanagers from the same department.
E) a mix of specialists.

Accepted Answer

A cross-functional team is a group of individuals from different functional areas or departments of an organization who work together towards a common goal or project. The team is made of individuals who possess different specialties and expertise, hence, the answer is E - a mix of specialists.

Question 6

A statistical analysis of 133 Asch conformity studies across 17 countries concluded that blind conformity is a greater problem in ____ cultures than in ____ cultures.
A) socialist; capitalist
B) socialist; individualistic
C) communist; totalitarian
D) individualistic; collectivist
E) collectivist; individualistic

Accepted Answer

The study indicates that blind conformity is a greater problem in collectivist cultures than in individualistic cultures. This aligns with the cultural dimensions theory by Hofstede, which suggests that collectivist cultures prioritize group harmony and conformity while individualistic cultures prioritize individual autonomy and independence.

Question 7

At a U.S.-based automobile company, a group of managers lied and cheated in order to get a particular sports car model on the road. This is an example of
A) posturing.
B) competition.
C) organizational politics.
D) apple-polishing.
E) storming.

Accepted Answer

This scenario represents organizational politics, where individuals or groups engage in deceptive or manipulative behavior to advance their own interests or agendas within the organization.

Question 8

Political behaviors that are widely accepted as legitimate would not include
A) forming coalitions.
B) touching bases.
C) sabotage.
D) exchanging favors.
E) seeking sponsors at upper levels.

Accepted Answer

Sabotage is not a legitimate political behavior and goes against ethical and moral principles. The other options (forming coalitions, touching bases, exchanging favors, seeking sponsors at upper levels) are common political behaviors that are generally considered acceptable in many contexts.

Question 9

Your supervisor at the campus cafeteria asks you to draw upon your management studies and recommend a way to limit political behavior in his department. All of these recommendations would be appropriate except
A) build trust.
B) create a climate of openness.
C) separate individual and organizational goals.
D) measure performance results.
E) try job rotation.

Accepted Answer

Separating individual and organizational goals can actually increase political behavior because it might lead to conflicts of interest and a lack of alignment between what employees want and what the organization aims to achieve. Building trust, creating a climate of openness, measuring performance results, and trying job rotation are all strategies that can help reduce political behavior by fostering a transparent and fair work environment.

Question 10

____ were not found by researchers to be associated with increased political activity.
A) People in marketing
B) Smaller organizations
C) Higher levels of management
D) Reorganizations
E) Staff personnel

Accepted Answer

Smaller organizations were not found by researchers to be associated with increased political activity, as opposed to factors like higher levels of management or reorganizations.

Question 11

Which of these was not among the rules for winning at office politics?
A) Avoid cliques
B) Gain power through allies and create IOUs
C) Don't make enemies without a very good reason
D) Whenever possible, hire family member
E) Find a mentor

Accepted Answer

Hiring family members is not a rule for winning at office politics. It can actually create conflicts of interest and harm professional relationships.

Question 12

How do experts describe political behavior at work?
A) Both positive and negative
B) Inevitably destructive
C) Usually negative
D) Mostly positive
E) Eventually positive

Accepted Answer

Experts generally see political behavior at work as both positive and negative. On the positive side, political behavior can help individuals advance their careers and achieve organizational goals. However, on the negative side, it can lead to unethical behavior, power struggles, and a toxic work environment.

Question 13

Alex helped his colleague Robert at work one day by covering up one of his mistakes. Afterward, he tells Robert, "you owe me one." This is an example of which political tactic?
A) Empire building
B) Posturing
C) Engaging in destructive competition
D) Creating power and loyalty cliques
E) Collecting and using social IOUs

Accepted Answer

Alex's statement of "you owe me one" indicates that he is collecting a social IOU from Robert. This means that Alex is using his relationship with Robert to build social support and influence for himself in the future when he may need it.

Question 14

Michelle steps on anyone and everyone to get a bigger budget and increase the size of her staff. She believes this will make her job more secure. Which political tactic is she using?
A) Social engineering
B) Empire building
C) Destructive competition
D) Posturing
E) Collecting and using social IOUs

Accepted Answer

Michelle is using the tactic of empire building, which involves expanding one's own power and resources within an organization. She is trying to increase the size of her team and budget to make her position more secure, even at the expense of others.

Question 15

Hank, a citrus grove manager, wants to know how to avoid groupthink. What advice should you give?
A) Decrease the size of the group
B) Have someone play the devil's advocate
C) Make all key decisions yourself
D) Make sure everyone likes one another and gets along
E) Avoid conflict

Accepted Answer

Having someone play the devil's advocate can help the group consider alternative perspectives and avoid the pitfalls of groupthink. Decreasing the size of the group can also be helpful, but it may not always be feasible or effective. Making all key decisions yourself, making sure everyone likes one another and gets along, and avoiding conflict are not effective ways to avoid groupthink as they may actually contribute to it.

Question 16

Which of the following is traditionally referred to as "apple polishing?"
A) Making the supervisor look good
B) Creating power and loyalty cliques
C) Collecting and using social IOUs
D) Empire building
E) Destructive competition

Accepted Answer

"Apple polishing" traditionally refers to the act of trying to make the supervisor or authority figure look good, often through flattery or excessive praise.

Question 17

Groupthink tends to occur when a group has all of these characteristics except
A) strong desire for unanimity.
B) excessive optimism.
C) assumption of inherent morality.
D) extensive use of outside experts.
E) suppression of dissent.

Accepted Answer

Extensive use of outside experts actually helps to prevent groupthink by providing different perspectives and challenging assumptions made by the group. Therefore, this option does not fit with the other characteristics that are associated with groupthink.

Question 18

The idea of ____ is to face superiors and competitors as a cohesive group rather than alone.
A) destructive competition
B) posturing
C) creating power and loyalty cliques
D) empire building
E) collecting and using social IOUs

Accepted Answer

The concept of "creating power and loyalty cliques" involves banding together as a unified group to confront higher-ups and rivals, leveraging collective strength and loyalty within the group to navigate challenges and competition more effectively than one could do individually.

Question 19

____ refers to blind conformity in cohesive in-groups, when the desire for unanimity overrides the motivation to realistically appraise alternative courses of action.
A) Groupthink
B) Synergy
C) Politicking
D) Apple polishing
E) Posturing

Accepted Answer

The definition provided matches the concept of groupthink. It is a phenomenon where individuals in a group prioritize harmony and conformity over critical evaluation of alternatives. This can lead to flawed decision-making that overlooks important factors or risks.

Question 20

Carl always takes credit for the good work and accomplishments of his employees and peers. Which political tactic is he using?
A) Social engineering
B) Posturing
C) Collecting and using social IOUs
D) Friendly competition
E) Empire building

Accepted Answer

Carl is using the political tactic of posturing. Posturing involves taking credit for the accomplishments of others in order to enhance one's own image and influence.

Quiz 13: Group Dynamics and Teamwork

All of Nathan's co-workers are urging him to submit a False quality report so that they can go home early at the start of a three-day weekend. Based on the outcome of the Asch line experiments, how would most people respond if they were in Nathan's place?

Bo is the manager of a watch-making plant, and he wants to develop a group staffed with a mix of specialists focused on designing a new line of watches for the coming season. What kind of group should he implement?

The process of complying with role expectations and norms is called

____ describes a group likely to be victimized by groupthink.

A cross-functional team can be best described as

A statistical analysis of 133 Asch conformity studies across 17 countries concluded that blind conformity is a greater problem in cultures than in cultures.

At a U.S.-based automobile company, a group of managers lied and cheated in order to get a particular sports car model on the road. This is an example of

Political behaviors that are widely accepted as legitimate would not include

Your supervisor at the campus cafeteria asks you to draw upon your management studies and recommend a way to limit political behavior in his department. All of these recommendations would be appropriate except

____ were not found by researchers to be associated with increased political activity.

Which of these was not among the rules for winning at office politics?

How do experts describe political behavior at work?

Alex helped his colleague Robert at work one day by covering up one of his mistakes. Afterward, he tells Robert, "you owe me one." This is an example of which political tactic?

Michelle steps on anyone and everyone to get a bigger budget and increase the size of her staff. She believes this will make her job more secure. Which political tactic is she using?

Hank, a citrus grove manager, wants to know how to avoid groupthink. What advice should you give?

Which of the following is traditionally referred to as "apple polishing?"

Groupthink tends to occur when a group has all of these characteristics except

The idea of ____ is to face superiors and competitors as a cohesive group rather than alone.

____ refers to blind conformity in cohesive in-groups, when the desire for unanimity overrides the motivation to realistically appraise alternative courses of action.

Carl always takes credit for the good work and accomplishments of his employees and peers. Which political tactic is he using?