Question 1

The study of individual differences is the main focus of anthropology.

Accepted Answer

The study of individual differences is not the main focus of anthropology. The main focus of anthropology is the study of human societies and cultures, past and present.

Question 2

It is often how we behave in the midst of change that determines whether change will fail or result in success.

Accepted Answer

How we react and adapt to change can either hinder or aid in its success. A positive and proactive approach to change can promote success, while resistance and negativity can lead to failure.

Question 3

Globalization, workforce diversity, and __________ are three interrelated themes of importance for managing organizational behavior in the 21st century.

Accepted Answer

Globalization, workforce diversity, and moral and ethical behavior are interconnected themes in managing organizational behavior in the 21st century, as ethical considerations are increasingly important in a diverse and globalized work environment.

Question 4

Early research with individuals, groups, and organizations in the midst of environmental change found that change is often experienced as a threat which leads to a reliance on well-learned and dominant forms of behavior.

Accepted Answer

Early research has shown that individuals, groups, and organizations tend to perceive environmental change as a threat, which can result in a reliance on familiar and established behaviors.

Question 5

A questioning, probing attitude is at the core of:

Accepted Answer

A questioning, probing attitude is a key aspect of critical thinking, which involves analyzing information, evaluating arguments, and making sound judgments. While job performance and organizational reality may benefit from critical thinking, they are more broad concepts that do not solely rely on this attitude. Subjective knowledge refers to personal opinions and experiences, which may or may not involve critical thinking.

Question 6

Which of the following set of functional skills have been identified by the U.S.Department of Labor as necessary for success in today's workplace?

Accepted Answer

The U.S. Department of Labor has identified resource management, information management, and personal interaction skills as necessary for success in today's workplace. Option A lists all three of these functional skills. Option B lists two of these skills, but also includes conflict management instead of resource management. Option C includes system behavior and performance, which is not one of the skills identified by the U.S. Department of Labor. Option D includes critical thinking and information management, but again, lacks resource management.

Question 7

A complete understanding of organizational behavior requires only an understanding of the organizational context within which human behavior is acted out.

Accepted Answer

While the organizational context is certainly an important factor in shaping human behavior within organizations, a complete understanding of organizational behavior also requires an understanding of individual behavior, group dynamics, leadership, motivation, communication, and other factors that influence behavior in the workplace.

Question 8

Management involves the coordination of activities and human resources for the accomplishment of organization goals.

Accepted Answer

This statement accurately defines management as the process of coordinating resources and activities to achieve organizational objectives.

Question 9

Acquisition of objective knowledge and skill development can occur interactively through:

Accepted Answer

Experiential learning involves actively engaging in an activity to gain knowledge and skills, which is more effective than rote memorization, reading, or imitating others.

Question 10

Toyota lost its way in the late 2000s because it:

Accepted Answer

Toyota faced significant challenges in the late 2000s due to aggressive cost-cutting measures that ultimately impacted the quality of its vehicles, leading to widespread recalls and damage to its reputation for reliability.

Question 11

Each of the following characterizes the Six Sigma philosophy for company-wide quality improvement except:

Accepted Answer

The given options effectively characterize the Six Sigma philosophy except for option D, as it is specific to improving quality within the production process. However, the Six Sigma philosophy aims to improve quality across all aspects of the organization, not limited to just the production process.

Question 12

As an effective learner of organizational behavior knowledge and skills, the student:

Accepted Answer

As an effective learner of organizational behavior knowledge and skills, it is important to take responsibility for one's own learning, behavior, and actions. This involves actively seeking out new ideas and information and experimenting with them in order to improve understanding and skills. It also involves being open to feedback and being willing to make changes as needed. Relying primarily on the group process or passively accepting the direction of others may limit the individual's ability to learn and grow.

Question 13

In the midst of change, people often become rigid and reactive rather than open and responsive.

Accepted Answer

This statement is true. When faced with change, some individuals may struggle to adapt and instead become rigid in their thinking, resistant to new ideas and ways of doing things. They may also react defensively rather than being open and responsive to new information or feedback.

Question 14

Which of the following approaches to quality improvement would emphasize statistical modeling techniques?

Accepted Answer

Six Sigma is a data-driven quality improvement approach that emphasizes statistical modeling techniques, such as hypothesis testing, regression analysis, and design of experiments. These techniques are used to identify and eliminate sources of variation in processes and to achieve high levels of quality and performance. TQM, Taguchi's method, and the Shanin system also focus on quality improvement, but may not rely as heavily on statistical modeling techniques as Six Sigma does.

Question 15

Role set, norms, and intragroup and intergroup behavioral dynamics are key aspects of the study and field of psychology.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Role set, norms, and intragroup and intergroup...

Question 16

A significant aspect of total quality management is:

Accepted Answer

Continuous improvement and attention to customer needs are core aspects of total quality management. This involves continuously improving processes, products, and services to meet customer expectations and exceed their satisfaction levels. TQM emphasizes the importance of customer feedback and engagement to identify areas of improvement and ensure that quality is maintained throughout the organization. Employee-driven suggestion systems may be a part of TQM, but they are not the sole significant aspect. The use of computers is a tool that can be used to support TQM but is not an essential aspect. Suboptimization of resource allocation is not a part of TQM as it involves sacrificing the quality of certain aspects to achieve overall efficiency.

Question 17

Success in international competition requires organizations to be responsive to:

Accepted Answer

Success in international competition requires organizations to be responsive to changes in the marketplace, ethnic, religious, and gender diversity. This is because these factors impact the values, behaviors, and preferences of consumers, which organizations must adapt to in order to remain competitive. Changes in demography and wage structure can also be important, but they are often more localized and do not have the same broad impact as changes in the marketplace and diversity. Changes in information technology are also important, but they are often more of an enabler rather than a direct driver of success in international competition.

Question 18

Learning about organizational behavior can best be described as a(n):

Accepted Answer

Learning about organizational behavior is a multidimensional activity because it involves mastering basic knowledge, developing specific skills and abilities, and applying that knowledge and skills in various contexts.

Question 19

Developing skills is different from acquiring objective knowledge because it requires:

Accepted Answer

Developing skills involves actually practicing and applying the knowledge in a structured manner, receiving feedback, and making adjustments to improve. Objective knowledge can be acquired through empirical testing, induction, and deduction, but developing skills requires more hands-on practice and application. Therefore, the best choice is D, structured practice and feedback.

Question 20

Which of the following statements is most correct with respect to total quality management?

Accepted Answer

Total quality management is a customer-oriented philosophy that focuses on constantly improving the quality of products and services to meet or exceed customer expectations. It involves all aspects of organizational behavior, from employee training to supplier relations. Quality control is not limited to specialists, but rather is a responsibility of every employee within an organization. Quality improvements can come from a variety of sources, including use of advanced technology and equipment, but it is not solely machine-driven.

Quiz 1: Organizational Behavior and Opportunity