C715 Organizational Behavior Questions
With All Correct & Verified Answers
Group Correct answer-2 or more individuals, interacting and interdependent, who have come
together to achieve particular objectives(collection of ppl coming together - not necessarily with any
acumen)
formal group Correct answer-a designated work group defined by an org. structure
informal group Correct answer-like the ladies group -
it is neither formally structured nor organizationally determined; such a group appears in response to
the need for social contact
Social Identity Theory Correct answer-perspective that considers when & why individuals consider
themselves member of groups
(some level of self esteem when group does well or poorly, it gets tied into the performance of the
group)
Five stage model of group Correct answer-1st) forming- characterized by much uncertainty about
purpose, structure leadership
2nd)storming-intragroup conflict, resists constraints individuality
3rd)norming-cohesiveness, when group structure solidifies
4th)performing - fully functional & accepted
5th)adjourning - final stage for temporary groups, concern with wrapping up activities rather than
task performance
6 properties of groups - roles Correct answer-significant source of stress for most people -
set of expected behavior patterns attributed to someone occupying a given position in a social unit
Role perception-how we view
Role Expectation-how other view
Role Conflict- role you play in one aspect of your life can come into conflict with the role you play in
another aspect of your life(ie..role at work and role at home)
Stanford Prison Experiment Correct answer-Guards, inmates
people started becoming their roles
Asch Study Correct answer-rather be wrong but part of the group then right & alone - 75% will
chose to wrong but part of the group
Norming Correct answer-where the group decides what normal behavior is
Conformity Correct answer-Adjusting one's behavior or thinking to coincide with a group standard.
Deviant Correct answer-as part of group - antisocial behavior or workplace incivility
Cheating & stealing more in a group than by yourself because voluntary behavior that violates
significant org. norms in so doing threatens well being of org or its members
status characteristics theory Correct answer-1)power person wields over others
2)persons ability to contribute to groups goal
3)individual personal characteristic (positively valued by group)
, Equity Theory - Status inequity Correct answer-perceived inequity creates disequilibrium & can
create resentment among those at lower end of status continuum - results - poorer ind performance,
lower health, higher intent to leave the group
Size Correct answer-yes it does affect groups overall behavior.
Small groups faster completing tasks, Individual performance better in smaller groups
Social Loafing Correct answer-sometimes people in a group don't work very hard
because they think they can ride for free on the backs of harder working membrs
- to minimize - use peer evaluation
Cohesiveness Correct answer-degree to which the people in the group are on the same page
ie-if high norm/high cohesiveness=high production
high norm/low cohesiveness=moderate prodution
low norm/high cohes=low production
low norm/low cohes=moderate to low prodution
Groupthink Correct answer-loudest voice is heard - is a communications dynamic where dissenting
views aren't given a lot of time, counter evidence isn't heard or given airing - listen to the most
powerful voices & opinions
everyone nods heads to agree even if they don't - shot down if disagree
Groupshift Correct answer-Extreme version of self -
Groups can wind up being more extreme than an individual If religious - become MORE religious and
excited and act differently you get Tuned up
Group Decision Making Correct answer-Strengths - more complete knowledge & info offer increase
diversity of views & acceptance of a solution
Weaknesses - time consuming - takes more time to reach a solution, conformity pressures, can be
dominated by one or a few members, ambiguous responsibility
Brainstorming Correct answer-an idea generation process that specifically encourages any and all
alt while withholding any criticism of those alt - no criticism allowed
A process in which group members freely suggest any creative solutions that come to mind
Nominal group techniques 4 steps Correct answer-Restricting of discussion, independent - Better
performing
a group decision making method in which individual members met face to ace to pool their
judgement in a systematic but independent fashion
1)before any discussion-ind. writes idea on problem
2)after silent period, each presents 1 idea to group, no discussion until all ideas presented &
recorded
3)group discusses ideas for clarity & evaluates them
4)ea member silently rank orders ideas - with highest aggregate rank determines final decision
Interactionist View of conflict Correct answer--belief that conflict is not only a positive force in a
group but also an absolute necessity of a a group to perform effectively
-functional conflict-supports the goals of the group & improves its performance(devils advocate)
-dysfunctional conflict-hinders group performance
With All Correct & Verified Answers
Group Correct answer-2 or more individuals, interacting and interdependent, who have come
together to achieve particular objectives(collection of ppl coming together - not necessarily with any
acumen)
formal group Correct answer-a designated work group defined by an org. structure
informal group Correct answer-like the ladies group -
it is neither formally structured nor organizationally determined; such a group appears in response to
the need for social contact
Social Identity Theory Correct answer-perspective that considers when & why individuals consider
themselves member of groups
(some level of self esteem when group does well or poorly, it gets tied into the performance of the
group)
Five stage model of group Correct answer-1st) forming- characterized by much uncertainty about
purpose, structure leadership
2nd)storming-intragroup conflict, resists constraints individuality
3rd)norming-cohesiveness, when group structure solidifies
4th)performing - fully functional & accepted
5th)adjourning - final stage for temporary groups, concern with wrapping up activities rather than
task performance
6 properties of groups - roles Correct answer-significant source of stress for most people -
set of expected behavior patterns attributed to someone occupying a given position in a social unit
Role perception-how we view
Role Expectation-how other view
Role Conflict- role you play in one aspect of your life can come into conflict with the role you play in
another aspect of your life(ie..role at work and role at home)
Stanford Prison Experiment Correct answer-Guards, inmates
people started becoming their roles
Asch Study Correct answer-rather be wrong but part of the group then right & alone - 75% will
chose to wrong but part of the group
Norming Correct answer-where the group decides what normal behavior is
Conformity Correct answer-Adjusting one's behavior or thinking to coincide with a group standard.
Deviant Correct answer-as part of group - antisocial behavior or workplace incivility
Cheating & stealing more in a group than by yourself because voluntary behavior that violates
significant org. norms in so doing threatens well being of org or its members
status characteristics theory Correct answer-1)power person wields over others
2)persons ability to contribute to groups goal
3)individual personal characteristic (positively valued by group)
, Equity Theory - Status inequity Correct answer-perceived inequity creates disequilibrium & can
create resentment among those at lower end of status continuum - results - poorer ind performance,
lower health, higher intent to leave the group
Size Correct answer-yes it does affect groups overall behavior.
Small groups faster completing tasks, Individual performance better in smaller groups
Social Loafing Correct answer-sometimes people in a group don't work very hard
because they think they can ride for free on the backs of harder working membrs
- to minimize - use peer evaluation
Cohesiveness Correct answer-degree to which the people in the group are on the same page
ie-if high norm/high cohesiveness=high production
high norm/low cohesiveness=moderate prodution
low norm/high cohes=low production
low norm/low cohes=moderate to low prodution
Groupthink Correct answer-loudest voice is heard - is a communications dynamic where dissenting
views aren't given a lot of time, counter evidence isn't heard or given airing - listen to the most
powerful voices & opinions
everyone nods heads to agree even if they don't - shot down if disagree
Groupshift Correct answer-Extreme version of self -
Groups can wind up being more extreme than an individual If religious - become MORE religious and
excited and act differently you get Tuned up
Group Decision Making Correct answer-Strengths - more complete knowledge & info offer increase
diversity of views & acceptance of a solution
Weaknesses - time consuming - takes more time to reach a solution, conformity pressures, can be
dominated by one or a few members, ambiguous responsibility
Brainstorming Correct answer-an idea generation process that specifically encourages any and all
alt while withholding any criticism of those alt - no criticism allowed
A process in which group members freely suggest any creative solutions that come to mind
Nominal group techniques 4 steps Correct answer-Restricting of discussion, independent - Better
performing
a group decision making method in which individual members met face to ace to pool their
judgement in a systematic but independent fashion
1)before any discussion-ind. writes idea on problem
2)after silent period, each presents 1 idea to group, no discussion until all ideas presented &
recorded
3)group discusses ideas for clarity & evaluates them
4)ea member silently rank orders ideas - with highest aggregate rank determines final decision
Interactionist View of conflict Correct answer--belief that conflict is not only a positive force in a
group but also an absolute necessity of a a group to perform effectively
-functional conflict-supports the goals of the group & improves its performance(devils advocate)
-dysfunctional conflict-hinders group performance
