Question 1

A transformational leader influences the group by _____.

Accepted Answer

A transformational leader is someone who motivates and inspires their followers to achieve more than they thought was possible. They do this by giving the group a new vision or energizing its culture. They focus on helping their followers change their perspectives, beliefs, and attitudes to achieve a common goal.

Question 2

Mallory told the other club officers that she wanted to find a solution that everyone in the group could agree on. In other words, Mallory wanted _____.

Accepted Answer

Mallory's goal was to find a solution that everyone in the group could agree on, indicating that she wanted to reach a consensus among the club officers.

Question 3

The text suggests that successful groups have goals which are both clear and _____.

Accepted Answer

Successful groups have goals that are not only clear but also elevating, meaning they inspire or uplift the group members towards achieving them.

Question 4

Tomas considered some ideas about possible solutions to his group's problem before he related the ideas aloud to the group. The technique Tomas used is called silent brainstorming or _____.

Accepted Answer

The technique described is known as nominal group technique, in which group members generate ideas individually and then share them with the group without discussion or criticism. This allows for a variety of ideas to be presented and considered before any one idea is given too much weight or influence. Silent brainstorming is another term for this technique. The other options listed (vigilant thinking, cognitive dissonance, and groupthink) do not match the description of the technique used by Tomas.

Question 5

An authoritarian leader is more likely to _____.

Accepted Answer

An authoritarian leader is one who exerts rigid control over the decisions and actions of others. This type of leader is more likely to direct and control others rather than solicit input, disengage, or focus strictly on process functions.

Question 6

If a group is organized in a way that allows the group to achieve its goal, it is an example of a(n) _____ structure.

Accepted Answer

A results-driven structure is one that is specifically designed to help a group achieve its goals. This structure may be authoritarian or democratic, but the primary focus is on achieving results rather than maintaining a particular power dynamic or avoiding conflict. Therefore, the best choice is D.

Question 7

What is the nominal group technique?

Accepted Answer

The nominal group technique is a brainstorming method where individuals first generate ideas silently and independently, and then share them with the group without discussion or criticism until all ideas have been presented. This allows for individual creativity and avoids the influence of dominant members in the group, leading to a more diverse range of ideas.

Question 8

A leader who guides and facilitates discussion rather than dominating it demonstrates which style of leadership?

Accepted Answer

A democratic leadership style involves the leader encouraging participation and input from all members, while facilitating discussion and decision-making. This style contrasts with authoritarian leadership, which involves the leader dictating decisions and control, and laissez-faire leadership, which involves the leader giving little direction or guidance. The passive leadership style is generally not considered effective as it involves the leader taking a backseat and not providing much guidance or support to the group.

Question 9

The ability to influence the behavior of others through communication in order to achieve a goal is the definition of _____.

Accepted Answer

The ability to influence others through communication in order to achieve a goal is the definition of leadership. Power and control may be components of leadership, but they do not capture the entirety of the concept. Groupthink is a phenomenon where individuals prioritize group harmony over critical thinking; it is not related to the ability to influence behavior.

Question 10

Even though Kimball had the title of group leader, he preferred a more "hands off" approach and allowed the group to work together and only provided advice when he was asked. What leadership style does Kimball use?

Accepted Answer

Kimball's preference for a "hands off" approach and allowing the group to work together indicates the use of a laissez faire leadership style.

Question 11

When a group establishes standards for evaluating possible solutions, they are developing their _____.

Accepted Answer

Standards for evaluating possible solutions are criteria, not goals or solutions. Relationships are not mentioned as part of the question.

Question 12

Carlos is trying to get some of his fellow college students to join him in cleaning up the three campus parks. Each student will earn one credit hour in general studies if they volunteer. Which of the following would be a restraining force in this situation?

Accepted Answer

The fact that students don't know where to volunteer is a restraining force as it creates a barrier to participation.

Question 13

In the force field analysis technique, forces that increase the likelihood that a desired goal will occur are called _____ forces.

Accepted Answer

Driving forces are the forces that support or encourage the achievement of a goal. They push towards the desired outcome and increase the likelihood of success. Therefore, A) driving is the correct answer. The rest of the options do not describe forces that increase the likelihood of achieving a goal.

Question 14

During a recent school board meeting, members of the community and teachers shared in a give-and-take discussion regarding a proposed change in the school calendar. They were all responsive to the comments of board members during the discussion. This type of discussion demonstrates the concept of _____.

Accepted Answer

The give-and-take discussion involving members of the community and teachers with the school board members represents an interactive discussion.

Question 15

Once the best solution has been identified by the group, what is the next step in Dewey's reflective thinking process?

Accepted Answer

The next step after identifying the best solution is to take action, which involves implementing the solution and evaluating its effectiveness.

Question 16

James, Matt, Karla, and Ann have formed a research group to study a chemical engineering process. They meet in the library and identify twelve articles that deal with the process. They divide up the articles, and schedule a meeting in which they will give a report to the other group members about their specific articles. They are using which group function effectively?

Accepted Answer

The group is effectively using the function of gathering and sharing appropriate information by dividing up the articles and preparing to report back to the group. They are not evaluating ideas or developing options yet, as they are still in the process of gathering information. While they do have a goal in mind (to study the chemical engineering process), they have not specifically identified a clear, elevating goal at this point.

Question 17

The instructor assigned Jan to be the group's leader, but she has become a "dictator" in group meetings. She makes most of the group's decisions and always controls how much gets accomplished. What's the term for Jan's leadership style?

Accepted Answer

Jan's leadership style is authoritarian because she is controlling and making most of the decisions without consulting the other members of the group.

Question 18

Sanjay's group begins brainstorming ideas. Renata states an idea and Sanjay says, "I think that's the best idea I've heard yet." Based on this example, what should Sanjay keep in mind while brainstorming?

Accepted Answer

While it is important to offer constructive criticism during brainstorming, Sanjay's initial response to Renata's idea indicates that he is evaluating ideas too early in the process. It is more effective to generate a large quantity of ideas before evaluating them, which is what Sanjay should keep in mind during brainstorming.

Question 19

According to the functional approach to leadership, what are the two functions of a leader?

Accepted Answer

The functional approach to leadership suggests that leaders have two main functions: task and process. The task function involves ensuring that the group achieves its goals and objectives, while the process function involves managing the relationships and interactions among group members. The other answer choices are not relevant to the functional approach to leadership.

Question 20

While not all members of the environmental group supported the idea of removing trees from the park, they wanted to avoid conflict with the bossy group leader, so there was very little disagreement during the brief discussion. This is an example of _____.

Accepted Answer

This situation describes groupthink, which occurs when group members prioritize the desire for harmony and conformity over critical discussion and dissent. In this case, members may have allowed the bossy group leader's opinion to dominate and avoided expressing their own concerns or opinions about removing trees from the park.

Quiz 10: Enhancing Group and Team Performance