COMM 106 Midterm – UCSB Questions and
Answers
Successive-stage models Correct Ans-Groups move through a series of separable stages as
they develop. (Tuckman). forming, storming, norming, and performing (later added adjourning)
Cyclical models Correct Ans-Groups repeatedly cycle through stages during their lifetime,
rather than just moving through each stage once. (McGrew, Bilotta, & Deeney, 1999)
Punctuated equilibrium models Correct Ans-Found from 8 naturally-occurring teams that
teams did not accomplish their work by progressing gradually through a series of stages as
traditional group development models would predict. (Gersick, 1988)
How is cohesion measured? Correct Ans-The degree to which members desire to remain in a
group; attitude or feeling members have about their group
How does cohesion affect the team's behavior? Correct Ans-Focus more attention to one
another
• Show signs of mutual affection
• Display coordinated patterns of behavior
• Give due credit to their team members
• Easier to maintain
• More productive
, How does cohesion affect the team's performance? Correct Ans-In general, cohesive groups
perform better than non cohesive ones. The cohesion effect is positive when a group's task
requires coordination, high levels of interaction, and joint performances from members
How could a team build/improve their cohesion? Correct Ans-Help the team build identity
• Make it easy for the team to be close together
• Focus on similarities among team members
What is psychological safety and what did Edmonson's research find regarding psychological
safety? Correct Ans-A belief that one will not be punished or humiliated for speaking up with
ideas, questions, concerns, or mistakes Edmonson found (accidentally) that better teams made
more mistakes and wondered why.
How is psychological safety measured? Correct Ans-Sample questions
• Members of this team are able to bring up problems and tough issues.
• It is difficult to ask other members of this team for help. (reverse-coded)
How could a team foster their psychological safety? Correct Ans-Manager or leaders can
• Frame the work as a learning problem, not an execution problem
• Acknowledge your own fallibility - "I may miss something. I need to hear from you"
Employees or members can
Answers
Successive-stage models Correct Ans-Groups move through a series of separable stages as
they develop. (Tuckman). forming, storming, norming, and performing (later added adjourning)
Cyclical models Correct Ans-Groups repeatedly cycle through stages during their lifetime,
rather than just moving through each stage once. (McGrew, Bilotta, & Deeney, 1999)
Punctuated equilibrium models Correct Ans-Found from 8 naturally-occurring teams that
teams did not accomplish their work by progressing gradually through a series of stages as
traditional group development models would predict. (Gersick, 1988)
How is cohesion measured? Correct Ans-The degree to which members desire to remain in a
group; attitude or feeling members have about their group
How does cohesion affect the team's behavior? Correct Ans-Focus more attention to one
another
• Show signs of mutual affection
• Display coordinated patterns of behavior
• Give due credit to their team members
• Easier to maintain
• More productive
, How does cohesion affect the team's performance? Correct Ans-In general, cohesive groups
perform better than non cohesive ones. The cohesion effect is positive when a group's task
requires coordination, high levels of interaction, and joint performances from members
How could a team build/improve their cohesion? Correct Ans-Help the team build identity
• Make it easy for the team to be close together
• Focus on similarities among team members
What is psychological safety and what did Edmonson's research find regarding psychological
safety? Correct Ans-A belief that one will not be punished or humiliated for speaking up with
ideas, questions, concerns, or mistakes Edmonson found (accidentally) that better teams made
more mistakes and wondered why.
How is psychological safety measured? Correct Ans-Sample questions
• Members of this team are able to bring up problems and tough issues.
• It is difficult to ask other members of this team for help. (reverse-coded)
How could a team foster their psychological safety? Correct Ans-Manager or leaders can
• Frame the work as a learning problem, not an execution problem
• Acknowledge your own fallibility - "I may miss something. I need to hear from you"
Employees or members can
