WGU C715 ORGANIZATIONAL BEHAVIOR
STUDY GUIDE 2026 OBJECTIVE
ASSESSMENT OA PRACTICE QUESTIONS
AND CORRECT ANSWERS WITH DETAILED
RATIONALES COMPREHENSIVE EXAM
REVIEW
Institutionalization - CORRECT ANSWER -A condition that occurs when an
organization takes on a life of its own, apart from any of its members, and
acquires immortality.
Socialization - CORRECT ANSWER -A process that adapts employees to the
organization's culture.
prearrival stage - CORRECT ANSWER -The period of learning in the
socialization process that occurs before a new employee joins the
organization.
encounter stage - CORRECT ANSWER -The stage in the socialization process
in which a new employee sees what the organization is really like and
confronts the possibility that expectations and reality may diverge.
metamorphosis stage - CORRECT ANSWER -The stage in the socialization
process in which a new employee changes and adjusts to the job, work
group, and organization.
,Rituals - CORRECT ANSWER -Repetitive sequences of activities that express
and reinforce the key values of the organization, which goals are most
important, which people are important, and which are expendable.
Material Symbols - CORRECT ANSWER -What conveys to employees who is
important, the degree of egalitarianism top management desires, and the
kinds of behavior that are appropriate.
Positive Organizational Culture - CORRECT ANSWER -A culture that
emphasizes building on employee strengths, rewards more than punishes,
and emphasizes individual vitality and growth.
Workplace Spirituality - CORRECT ANSWER -The recognition that people
have an inner life that nourishes and is nourished by meaningful work that
takes place in the context of community.
leadership - CORRECT ANSWER -The ability to influence a group toward the
achievement of a vision or set of goals.
trait theories of leadership - CORRECT ANSWER -Theories that consider
personal qualities and characteristics that differentiate leaders from non-
leaders.
behavioral theories of leadership - CORRECT ANSWER -Theories proposing
that specific behaviors differentiate leaders from non-leaders.
,initiating structure - CORRECT ANSWER -The extent to which a leader is
likely to define and structure his or her role and those of subordinates in
the search for goal attainment.
consideration - CORRECT ANSWER -The extent to which a leader is likely to
have job relationships characterized by mutual trust, respect for
subordinates' ideas, and regard for their feelings.
employee-oriented leader - CORRECT ANSWER -A leader who emphasizes
interpersonal relations, takes a personal interest in the needs of employees,
and accepts individual differences among members.
production-oriented leader - CORRECT ANSWER -A leader who emphasizes
technical or task aspects of the job.
Fiedler contingency model - CORRECT ANSWER -The theory that effective
groups depend on a proper match between a leader's style of interacting
with subordinates and the degree to which the situation gives control and
influence to the leader.
least preferred co-worker (LPC) questionnaire - CORRECT ANSWER -An
instrument that purports to measure whether a person is task or
relationship oriented.
leader-member relations - CORRECT ANSWER -The degree of confidence,
trust, and respect subordinates have in their leader.
, task structure - CORRECT ANSWER -The degree to which job assignments
are procedurized.
position power - CORRECT ANSWER -Influence derived from one's formal
structural position in the organization; includes power to hire, fire,
discipline, promote, and give salary increases.
Fiedler's three contingency or situational dimensions - CORRECT ANSWER -
1.) leader-member relations 2.) task structure 3.) Position power
situational leadership theory (SLT) - CORRECT ANSWER -A contingency
theory that focuses on followers' readiness.
path-goal theory - CORRECT ANSWER -A theory that states that it is the
leader's job to assist followers in attaining their goals and to provide the
necessary direction and/or support to ensure that their goals are
compatible with the overall objectives of the group or organization.
leader-participation model - CORRECT ANSWER -A leadership theory that
provides a set of rules to determine the form and amount of participative
decision making in different situations.
leader-member exchange (LMX) theory - CORRECT ANSWER -A theory that
supports leaders' creation of in-groups and out-groups; subordinates with
in-group status will have higher performance ratings, less turnover, and
greater job satisfaction.
STUDY GUIDE 2026 OBJECTIVE
ASSESSMENT OA PRACTICE QUESTIONS
AND CORRECT ANSWERS WITH DETAILED
RATIONALES COMPREHENSIVE EXAM
REVIEW
Institutionalization - CORRECT ANSWER -A condition that occurs when an
organization takes on a life of its own, apart from any of its members, and
acquires immortality.
Socialization - CORRECT ANSWER -A process that adapts employees to the
organization's culture.
prearrival stage - CORRECT ANSWER -The period of learning in the
socialization process that occurs before a new employee joins the
organization.
encounter stage - CORRECT ANSWER -The stage in the socialization process
in which a new employee sees what the organization is really like and
confronts the possibility that expectations and reality may diverge.
metamorphosis stage - CORRECT ANSWER -The stage in the socialization
process in which a new employee changes and adjusts to the job, work
group, and organization.
,Rituals - CORRECT ANSWER -Repetitive sequences of activities that express
and reinforce the key values of the organization, which goals are most
important, which people are important, and which are expendable.
Material Symbols - CORRECT ANSWER -What conveys to employees who is
important, the degree of egalitarianism top management desires, and the
kinds of behavior that are appropriate.
Positive Organizational Culture - CORRECT ANSWER -A culture that
emphasizes building on employee strengths, rewards more than punishes,
and emphasizes individual vitality and growth.
Workplace Spirituality - CORRECT ANSWER -The recognition that people
have an inner life that nourishes and is nourished by meaningful work that
takes place in the context of community.
leadership - CORRECT ANSWER -The ability to influence a group toward the
achievement of a vision or set of goals.
trait theories of leadership - CORRECT ANSWER -Theories that consider
personal qualities and characteristics that differentiate leaders from non-
leaders.
behavioral theories of leadership - CORRECT ANSWER -Theories proposing
that specific behaviors differentiate leaders from non-leaders.
,initiating structure - CORRECT ANSWER -The extent to which a leader is
likely to define and structure his or her role and those of subordinates in
the search for goal attainment.
consideration - CORRECT ANSWER -The extent to which a leader is likely to
have job relationships characterized by mutual trust, respect for
subordinates' ideas, and regard for their feelings.
employee-oriented leader - CORRECT ANSWER -A leader who emphasizes
interpersonal relations, takes a personal interest in the needs of employees,
and accepts individual differences among members.
production-oriented leader - CORRECT ANSWER -A leader who emphasizes
technical or task aspects of the job.
Fiedler contingency model - CORRECT ANSWER -The theory that effective
groups depend on a proper match between a leader's style of interacting
with subordinates and the degree to which the situation gives control and
influence to the leader.
least preferred co-worker (LPC) questionnaire - CORRECT ANSWER -An
instrument that purports to measure whether a person is task or
relationship oriented.
leader-member relations - CORRECT ANSWER -The degree of confidence,
trust, and respect subordinates have in their leader.
, task structure - CORRECT ANSWER -The degree to which job assignments
are procedurized.
position power - CORRECT ANSWER -Influence derived from one's formal
structural position in the organization; includes power to hire, fire,
discipline, promote, and give salary increases.
Fiedler's three contingency or situational dimensions - CORRECT ANSWER -
1.) leader-member relations 2.) task structure 3.) Position power
situational leadership theory (SLT) - CORRECT ANSWER -A contingency
theory that focuses on followers' readiness.
path-goal theory - CORRECT ANSWER -A theory that states that it is the
leader's job to assist followers in attaining their goals and to provide the
necessary direction and/or support to ensure that their goals are
compatible with the overall objectives of the group or organization.
leader-participation model - CORRECT ANSWER -A leadership theory that
provides a set of rules to determine the form and amount of participative
decision making in different situations.
leader-member exchange (LMX) theory - CORRECT ANSWER -A theory that
supports leaders' creation of in-groups and out-groups; subordinates with
in-group status will have higher performance ratings, less turnover, and
greater job satisfaction.
