- Communication is usually a linear process.
Answer: False
Topic: 1.1.1: Communication
Learning Objective: 1.1.1: Describe the process of communication
Skill: Understand the Concepts
Difficulty: Easy
2. If a group member sits in stone silence, he/she is exerting no influence on the group’s climate.
Answer: False
Topic: 1.1.5: Exerting Influence
Learning Objective: 1.1.5: Identify the characteristic of exerting influence on others as an essential element of small group communication
Skill: Analyze It
Difficulty: Moderate
3. A team is a coordinated group of individuals organized to work together to achieve a specific, common goal.
Answer: True
Topic: 1.2.1: Characteristics of an Effective Team
Learning Objective: 1.2.1: Describe an effective team at work
Skill: Understand the Concepts
Difficulty: Easy
4. An effective team member fears conflict and avoids accountability.
Answer: False
Topic: 1.2.2 Characteristics of Effective Team Members
Learning Objective: 1.2.2: Identify effective teammates by their actions
Skill: Analyze It
Difficulty: Moderate
5. Often, it is better to work in a group than to work alone because we learn more about ourselves from the experience.
Answer: True
Topic: 1.3.1 Advantages of Working in Groups
Learning Objective: 1.3.1: Describe the advantages of group work
Skill: Apply What You Know
Difficulty: Moderate
6. When you work in a group, you are more likely to be satisfied with a decision you help to make.
Answer: True
Topic: 1.3.1 Advantages of Working in Groups
Learning Objective: 1.3.1: Describe the advantages of group work
Skill: Apply What You Know
Difficulty: Moderate
7. Generally, study groups do not accomplish as much toward the learning task as those who study alone.
Answer: False
Topic: 1.4.2 Secondary Groups
Learning Objective: 1.4.2: Characterize secondary groups
Skill: Analyze It
Difficulty: Moderate
8. A therapy group is a group of five to fifteen employees who meet regularly to examine work processes with the goal of improving productivity.
Answer: False
Topic: 1.4.2 Secondary Groups
Learning Objective: 1.4.2: Characterize secondary groups
Skill: Understand the Concepts
Difficulty: Easy
9. Virtual small group communication is communication among group members who are not together in the same physical location.
Answer: True
Topic: 1.5 Communicating in Virtual Groups
Learning Objective: 1.5: Use methods to make virtual group meetings effective
Skill: Understand the Concepts
Difficulty: Easy
10. To enhance communication competence, one must be motivated, have appropriate knowledge, and have the skill to act appropriately.
Answer: True
Topic: 1.6.1 Nine Core Competencies of Group Communication
Learning Objective: 1.6.1: Describe two problem-oriented, three solution-oriented, two discussion-management, and two relational group problem-solving competencies
Skill: Apply What You Know
Difficulty: Moderate
Multiple-Choice Questions
1. Generally, group work can be more productive than individual efforts because groups
A. have less information and knowledge available than an individual.
B. stimulate creativity.
C. have the potential for agreement with an idea just to avoid conflict.
D. take more time.
Answer: B
Topic: 1.3.1: Advantages of Working in Groups
Learning Objective: 1.3.1: Describe the advantages of group work
Skill: Analyze It
Difficulty: Moderate
2. Which of the following best meets the criteria for being labeled a “small group”?
A. Four college professors from the Communication Department listening to an address by the college president
B. Four people waiting for a bus
C. Four persons waiting in a line in a fast-food restaurant
D. Four office managers from various branches of a large corporation holding a conference telephone call to decide a question about a company policy
Answer: D
Topic: 1.1.2: A Small Group of People
Learning Objective: 1.1.2: Describe the characteristics of a small group
Skill: Understand the Concepts
Difficulty: Easy
3. A group whose sole purpose is to associate with one another for the joy of fellowship may be described as a
A. study group.
B. primary group.
C. therapy group.
D. committee.
Answer: B
Topic: 1.4.1: Primary Groups
Learning Objective: 1.4.1: Explain how primary groups fulfil their purpose
Skill: Understand the Concepts
Difficulty: Easy
4. “I think group work is just terrific,” gushed Lucy after a particularly harmonious and productive group meeting. “Yes,” replied Marla, “but you also have to realize that group work has its disadvantages, including
A. less information and knowledge available than an individual would have.”
B. less chance of comprehending and remembering information.”
C. the potential for agreement with an idea just to avoid conflict.”
D. less chance of understanding your interpersonal behavior and communication style.”
Answer: C
Topic: 1.3.2: Disadvantages of Working in Groups
Learning Objective: 1.3.2: Explain how to overcome the disadvantages of working in small groups
Skill: Apply What You Know
Difficulty: Moderate
5. Which of the following is NOT one of the common characteristics of the definition of small group communication?
A. Members exert influence upon one another.
B. Members feel a sense of control.
C. Members meet with a common purpose.
D. Members feel a sense of belonging.
Answer: B
Topic: 1.6.2: Ethically Communicating in Small Groups
Learning Objective: 1.6.2: Identify attributes of ethical small group communication
Skill: Understand the Concepts
Difficulty: Easy
6. To be a truly competent communicator, the following element(s) is/are involved
A. you must be motivated.
B. you must have appropriate knowledge.
C. you must have the skill to act appropriately.
D. all of the above.
Answer: D
Topic: 1.6: Communicating Competently in Small Groups
Learning Objective: 1.6: Describe competencies of small group communication
Skill: Understand the Concepts
Difficulty: Easy
7. A medium or method of communication is said to be “media rich” if it has all of the following characteristics EXCEPT
A. a focus on a mass of people.
B. potential for feedback.
C. the variety of language that communicators use
D. several verbal and nonverbal cues that can be processed by senders and receivers.
Answer: A
Topic: 1.5.2: Virtual Group Theories
Learning Objective: 1.5.2: Apply theories to virtual groups
Skill: Understand the Concepts
Difficulty: Easy
8. Characteristics that enhance team success include all of the following EXCEPT
A. experienced team members.
B. problem-solving abilities.
C. supportiveness.
D. strategic pondering.
Answer: D
Topic: 1.6.2: Ethically Communicating in Small Groups
Learning Objective: 1.6.2: Identify attributes of ethical small group communication
Skill: Understand the Concepts
Difficulty: Easy
9. Collaboration is not necessary when
A. conflict becomes unmanageable.
B. information is readily available.
C. team has limited time.
D. not necessary for all of the above reasons.
Answer: D
Topic: 1.3.3: When Not to Collaborate
Learning Objective: 1.3.3: Determine when group work is unnecessary
Skill: Apply What You Know
Difficulty: Moderate
Essay Questions
1. Discuss the differences between a small group and a team.
Topic: 1.2: Communicating in Teams
Learning Objective: 1.2: Evaluate teams for effective practices
Skill: Evaluate
Difficulty: Difficult
2. What are the characteristics of an effective team?
Topic: 1.2.1: Characteristics of an Effective Team
Learning Objective: 1.2.1: Describe an effective team at work
Skill: Understand the Concepts
Difficulty: Easy
3. By understanding both the advantages and disadvantages of working in groups, one is more likely to develop realistic expectations of group work. List and provide examples that describe five advantages and four disadvantages of working with groups.
Topic: 1.3.1: Advantages of Working in Groups
1.3.2: Disadvantages of Working in Groups
Learning Objective: 1.3.1: Describe the advantages of group work
Learning Objective: 1.3.2: Explain how to overcome the disadvantages of working in small groups
Skill: Apply What You Know
Difficulty: Moderate
4. Define and discuss virtual small group communication. Give three examples and state whether these would be considered media rich or media lean and why.
Topic: 1.5.2: Virtual Group Theories
Learning Objective: 1.5.2: Apply theories to virtual groups
Skill: Evaluate
Difficulty: Difficult
