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Western Governors University
9 .HC • 517C
WGU College of Business · C715 Organizational Behavior
A NEW KIND OF U. · AFFORDABLE, ACCREDITED, ONLINE.
EST. 1997
C715 — Chapter 9: Foundations of Group Behavior
K E Y CO N C E PTS , D E F I N I T I O N S & H I G H -Y I E L D P R A C T I C E Q U E ST I O N S
INSTITUTION Western Governors University (WGU) COURSE CODE C715
CHAPTER Chapter 9 — Foundations of Group ACADEMIC YEAR
Behavior
RESOURCE TYPE Chapter Study Guide & Practice Exam TOTAL QUESTIONS 25 Questions
COURSE TITLE Organizational Behavior FORMAT Multiple Choice — Select the Single Best
Answer
CHAPTER 9 STUDY INSTRUCTIONS
▸ This study guide covers group dynamics: types of groups, development stages, roles, norms, status, cohesiveness, and decision-
making techniques.
▸ Questions are mapped to C715 Chapter 9 learning objectives and OA blueprint.
▸ Select the single best answer for each question. Correct answers and detailed rationales follow each question.
▸ Key terms: social identity theory, punctuated-equilibrium model, groupthink, social loafing, group shift, nominal group
technique.
SECTION I — GROUP FOUNDATIONS, DEVELOPMENT, ROLES & DECISION- Questions 1 –
MAKING 25
1. A group is defined as two or more individuals, interacting and interdependent, who have come together to achieve:
A. Social contact only
B. Individual goals independently
C. Particular objectives
D. Organizational hierarchy
CORRECT ANSWER C — Particular objectives
RATIONALE By definition, a group consists of two or more individuals who interact, are interdependent, and have come
together to achieve particular objectives. This distinguishes groups from random collections of individuals.
Social contact alone describes informal groups but is not the full definition. Individual goals independently
describes work groups, not true teams. Organizational hierarchy is a structure, not a defining purpose of
groups.
, 2. A designated work group defined by an organization's structure with assigned tasks is known as:
A. Informal group
B. Formal group
C. Reference group
D. Interest group
CORRECT ANSWER B — Formal group
RATIONALE A formal group is defined by the organization's structure, with designated work assignments establishing
tasks. Examples include departments, committees, and project teams. Informal groups emerge naturally for
social contact and are not formally structured. Reference groups are groups individuals identify with or aspire
to join. Interest groups form around shared concerns but may or may not be formally designated.
3. Social identity theory helps explain:
A. How groups make decisions under time pressure
B. When and why individuals consider themselves members of groups
C. The five stages groups go through from formation to adjournment
D. How status hierarchies develop within formal organizations
CORRECT ANSWER B — When and why individuals consider themselves members of groups
RATIONALE Social identity theory is a perspective that considers when and why individuals consider themselves
members of groups. It proposes that people have emotional reactions to the failure or success of their group
because their self-esteem is tied to group performance. Related concepts include ingroup favoritism (seeing
one's own group as better than others). The five-stage model is Tuckman's group development theory. Status
hierarchies relate to status characteristics theory, not social identity theory.
4. Ingroup favoritism refers to the tendency to:
A. Treat all group members equally regardless of group membership
B. See members of our ingroup as better than other people and outsiders as all the same
C. Prefer members of outgroups for leadership positions
D. Resist joining any group to maintain independence
CORRECT ANSWER B — See members of our ingroup as better than other people and outsiders as all the same
RATIONALE Ingroup favoritism is the perspective in which we see members of our ingroup as better than other people,
and people not in our group as all the same (outgroup homogeneity). This is a key concept in social identity
theory. It explains discrimination, stereotyping, and intergroup conflict. It does not involve equal treatment,
preference for outgroups, or resistance to joining groups.
5. The five-stage group development model includes which sequence of stages?
A. Performing, storming, norming, forming, adjourning
B. Forming, storming, norming, performing, adjourning
C. Norming, forming, storming, performing, adjourning
D. Storming, forming, performing, norming, adjourning
CORRECT ANSWER B — Forming, storming, norming, performing, adjourning
RATIONALE Tuckman's five-stage group development model proceeds in this exact order: (1) Forming — uncertainty
about purpose and structure; (2) Storming — intragroup conflict; (3) Norming — close relationships and
cohesiveness develop; (4) Performing — fully functional and working toward goals; (5) Adjourning — wrap-up
and disbanding. This sequence is fundamental to understanding group development and is highly testable on
the C715 OA.
Western Governors University
9 .HC • 517C
WGU College of Business · C715 Organizational Behavior
A NEW KIND OF U. · AFFORDABLE, ACCREDITED, ONLINE.
EST. 1997
C715 — Chapter 9: Foundations of Group Behavior
K E Y CO N C E PTS , D E F I N I T I O N S & H I G H -Y I E L D P R A C T I C E Q U E ST I O N S
INSTITUTION Western Governors University (WGU) COURSE CODE C715
CHAPTER Chapter 9 — Foundations of Group ACADEMIC YEAR
Behavior
RESOURCE TYPE Chapter Study Guide & Practice Exam TOTAL QUESTIONS 25 Questions
COURSE TITLE Organizational Behavior FORMAT Multiple Choice — Select the Single Best
Answer
CHAPTER 9 STUDY INSTRUCTIONS
▸ This study guide covers group dynamics: types of groups, development stages, roles, norms, status, cohesiveness, and decision-
making techniques.
▸ Questions are mapped to C715 Chapter 9 learning objectives and OA blueprint.
▸ Select the single best answer for each question. Correct answers and detailed rationales follow each question.
▸ Key terms: social identity theory, punctuated-equilibrium model, groupthink, social loafing, group shift, nominal group
technique.
SECTION I — GROUP FOUNDATIONS, DEVELOPMENT, ROLES & DECISION- Questions 1 –
MAKING 25
1. A group is defined as two or more individuals, interacting and interdependent, who have come together to achieve:
A. Social contact only
B. Individual goals independently
C. Particular objectives
D. Organizational hierarchy
CORRECT ANSWER C — Particular objectives
RATIONALE By definition, a group consists of two or more individuals who interact, are interdependent, and have come
together to achieve particular objectives. This distinguishes groups from random collections of individuals.
Social contact alone describes informal groups but is not the full definition. Individual goals independently
describes work groups, not true teams. Organizational hierarchy is a structure, not a defining purpose of
groups.
, 2. A designated work group defined by an organization's structure with assigned tasks is known as:
A. Informal group
B. Formal group
C. Reference group
D. Interest group
CORRECT ANSWER B — Formal group
RATIONALE A formal group is defined by the organization's structure, with designated work assignments establishing
tasks. Examples include departments, committees, and project teams. Informal groups emerge naturally for
social contact and are not formally structured. Reference groups are groups individuals identify with or aspire
to join. Interest groups form around shared concerns but may or may not be formally designated.
3. Social identity theory helps explain:
A. How groups make decisions under time pressure
B. When and why individuals consider themselves members of groups
C. The five stages groups go through from formation to adjournment
D. How status hierarchies develop within formal organizations
CORRECT ANSWER B — When and why individuals consider themselves members of groups
RATIONALE Social identity theory is a perspective that considers when and why individuals consider themselves
members of groups. It proposes that people have emotional reactions to the failure or success of their group
because their self-esteem is tied to group performance. Related concepts include ingroup favoritism (seeing
one's own group as better than others). The five-stage model is Tuckman's group development theory. Status
hierarchies relate to status characteristics theory, not social identity theory.
4. Ingroup favoritism refers to the tendency to:
A. Treat all group members equally regardless of group membership
B. See members of our ingroup as better than other people and outsiders as all the same
C. Prefer members of outgroups for leadership positions
D. Resist joining any group to maintain independence
CORRECT ANSWER B — See members of our ingroup as better than other people and outsiders as all the same
RATIONALE Ingroup favoritism is the perspective in which we see members of our ingroup as better than other people,
and people not in our group as all the same (outgroup homogeneity). This is a key concept in social identity
theory. It explains discrimination, stereotyping, and intergroup conflict. It does not involve equal treatment,
preference for outgroups, or resistance to joining groups.
5. The five-stage group development model includes which sequence of stages?
A. Performing, storming, norming, forming, adjourning
B. Forming, storming, norming, performing, adjourning
C. Norming, forming, storming, performing, adjourning
D. Storming, forming, performing, norming, adjourning
CORRECT ANSWER B — Forming, storming, norming, performing, adjourning
RATIONALE Tuckman's five-stage group development model proceeds in this exact order: (1) Forming — uncertainty
about purpose and structure; (2) Storming — intragroup conflict; (3) Norming — close relationships and
cohesiveness develop; (4) Performing — fully functional and working toward goals; (5) Adjourning — wrap-up
and disbanding. This sequence is fundamental to understanding group development and is highly testable on
the C715 OA.
