WGU C715 Organizational Behavior Exam –
WGU College of Business – 2026/2027
Academic Year – Study Questions and
Answers
Section 1: Foundations of Organizational Behavior
Question 1
According to the heredity approach to personality, what is considered the primary
determinant of an individual's personality?
A) Social background and upbringing
B) Molecular structure of genes
C) Economic environment
D) Peer group influences
Correct Answer: B) Molecular structure of genes
Rationale: The heredity approach argues that personality is primarily determined by
genetics—specifically, the molecular structure of genes present at conception. While
environmental factors play a role, this approach emphasizes that biological inheritance
is the dominant factor shaping an individual's personality traits. This is a foundational
concept in understanding the nature vs. nurture debate in organizational behavior .
,Question 2
Which concept describes the tendency to underestimate the influence of external
factors and overestimate the influence of internal factors when judging the behavior of
others?
A) Self-serving bias
B) Fundamental attribution error
C) Selective perception
D) Halo effect
Correct Answer: B) Fundamental attribution error
Rationale: The fundamental attribution error occurs when we attribute others'
behaviors to internal characteristics (personality, ability) while underestimating external
situational factors. For example, if a coworker is late, we might assume they are lazy
rather than considering traffic. This is distinct from the self-serving bias, where we
attribute our own successes to internal factors and failures to external factors .
Question 3
In Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs, which level must be substantially satisfied before an
individual is motivated to pursue social and esteem needs?
A) Safety needs
B) Physiological needs
C) Self-actualization
D) Belongingness needs
Correct Answer: B) Physiological needs
,Rationale: Maslow's hierarchy proposes that lower-level needs must be substantially
satisfied before higher-level needs become motivating. Physiological needs (food, water,
shelter) are the most basic; safety needs come next, followed by social/belongingness
needs. The hierarchy progresses: Physiological → Safety → Social → Esteem → Self-
actualization .
Question 4
During which stage of the five-stage group development model do members typically
experience intragroup conflict as they resist the constraints the group imposes on
individuality?
A) Forming
B) Storming
C) Norming
D) Performing
Correct Answer: B) Storming
Rationale: The five-stage model includes Forming, Storming, Norming, Performing, and
Adjourning. The Storming stage is characterized by conflict as members resist the
group's constraints and jockey for position. This is a natural and often necessary phase
where group members clarify roles, establish norms, and work through differences
before achieving cohesion in the Norming stage .
Question 5
, Which leadership theory argues that because of time pressures, leaders establish a
special relationship with a small group of their followers, known as the "in-group"?
A) Path-Goal Theory
B) Fiedler's Contingency Model
C) Leader-Member Exchange (LMX) Theory
D) Trait Theory
Correct Answer: C) Leader-Member Exchange (LMX) Theory
Rationale: LMX Theory proposes that leaders develop different quality relationships
with different followers. The "in-group" receives more attention, trust, and resources,
while the "out-group" receives less. This in-group/out-group distinction develops
quickly due to time pressures, and these relationships significantly affect employee
outcomes and organizational effectiveness .
Question 6
Who is generally considered the ultimate source of an organization's culture?
A) Middle management
B) The organization's founders
C) Human Resources department
D) The senior leadership team
Correct Answer: B) The organization's founders
Rationale: Founders are considered the ultimate source of organizational culture
because they establish the organization's original values, assumptions, and beliefs. They
hire like-minded individuals and create the initial culture that becomes institutionalized
WGU College of Business – 2026/2027
Academic Year – Study Questions and
Answers
Section 1: Foundations of Organizational Behavior
Question 1
According to the heredity approach to personality, what is considered the primary
determinant of an individual's personality?
A) Social background and upbringing
B) Molecular structure of genes
C) Economic environment
D) Peer group influences
Correct Answer: B) Molecular structure of genes
Rationale: The heredity approach argues that personality is primarily determined by
genetics—specifically, the molecular structure of genes present at conception. While
environmental factors play a role, this approach emphasizes that biological inheritance
is the dominant factor shaping an individual's personality traits. This is a foundational
concept in understanding the nature vs. nurture debate in organizational behavior .
,Question 2
Which concept describes the tendency to underestimate the influence of external
factors and overestimate the influence of internal factors when judging the behavior of
others?
A) Self-serving bias
B) Fundamental attribution error
C) Selective perception
D) Halo effect
Correct Answer: B) Fundamental attribution error
Rationale: The fundamental attribution error occurs when we attribute others'
behaviors to internal characteristics (personality, ability) while underestimating external
situational factors. For example, if a coworker is late, we might assume they are lazy
rather than considering traffic. This is distinct from the self-serving bias, where we
attribute our own successes to internal factors and failures to external factors .
Question 3
In Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs, which level must be substantially satisfied before an
individual is motivated to pursue social and esteem needs?
A) Safety needs
B) Physiological needs
C) Self-actualization
D) Belongingness needs
Correct Answer: B) Physiological needs
,Rationale: Maslow's hierarchy proposes that lower-level needs must be substantially
satisfied before higher-level needs become motivating. Physiological needs (food, water,
shelter) are the most basic; safety needs come next, followed by social/belongingness
needs. The hierarchy progresses: Physiological → Safety → Social → Esteem → Self-
actualization .
Question 4
During which stage of the five-stage group development model do members typically
experience intragroup conflict as they resist the constraints the group imposes on
individuality?
A) Forming
B) Storming
C) Norming
D) Performing
Correct Answer: B) Storming
Rationale: The five-stage model includes Forming, Storming, Norming, Performing, and
Adjourning. The Storming stage is characterized by conflict as members resist the
group's constraints and jockey for position. This is a natural and often necessary phase
where group members clarify roles, establish norms, and work through differences
before achieving cohesion in the Norming stage .
Question 5
, Which leadership theory argues that because of time pressures, leaders establish a
special relationship with a small group of their followers, known as the "in-group"?
A) Path-Goal Theory
B) Fiedler's Contingency Model
C) Leader-Member Exchange (LMX) Theory
D) Trait Theory
Correct Answer: C) Leader-Member Exchange (LMX) Theory
Rationale: LMX Theory proposes that leaders develop different quality relationships
with different followers. The "in-group" receives more attention, trust, and resources,
while the "out-group" receives less. This in-group/out-group distinction develops
quickly due to time pressures, and these relationships significantly affect employee
outcomes and organizational effectiveness .
Question 6
Who is generally considered the ultimate source of an organization's culture?
A) Middle management
B) The organization's founders
C) Human Resources department
D) The senior leadership team
Correct Answer: B) The organization's founders
Rationale: Founders are considered the ultimate source of organizational culture
because they establish the organization's original values, assumptions, and beliefs. They
hire like-minded individuals and create the initial culture that becomes institutionalized
