Communicating in Small Groups: Principles and Practices, 12th Edition Test Bank

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1Chapter One: Introducing GroupPrinciples andPracticesChapter SummaryChapter 1 provides an introduction to communication in small groups and teams. Afterdefiningsmall group communication, this chapter then explores the meaning ofhuman communication. The importance of teams and the characteristics of aneffective team and team members are discussed; strategies to enhance teameffectiveness are also addressed.The chapter outlines several advantages and disadvantages of working in small groupsand teams. The students should identify the problems they may have encountered in thegroup to which they belong. On the other hand, they should also discuss the benefits.This discussion gives students a realistic assessment of small group work—the virtuesof small groups and teams as well as some of the pitfalls. The chapter includes a sectionon differences in varying cultures’ approach to group work, comparing collectivistic andindividualistic assumptions. It continues with a discussion of primary and secondarygroups and introduces the concept of collaboration in groups and teams.Virtual small group communication gives rise to discussion about having meetings thatare electronically mediated as opposed to face to face. The competencies of membersof small groups and teams are also listed and discussed as well as a brief view ofproblem-solving criteria. You may want to note to students that a small groupcommunication course is designed to build their small group communicator motivation,knowledge, skills, and, thus, competence.Chapter ObjectivesAfter studying this chapter, the students will be able to:1.1 Define small group communication1.2 Evaluate teams for effective practices1.3 Identify the advantages and disadvantages of participating in small groups1.4 Compare primary and secondary groups1.5 Use methods to make virtual group meetings effective1.6 Describe competencies of small group communication

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2Chapter Outline1.1: Communicating in Small Groups1.1.1: CommunicationCommunication Is About Making SenseCommunication Is About Sharing SenseCommunication Is About Creating MeaningCommunication Is about Verbal and Nonverbal MessagesCommunication Is TransactionalCommunication Includes Several ElementsCommunication May Be MediatedMediated Communication Can Enhance Group CommunicationCommunication Is Essential for Effective Group Outcomes1.1.2: A Small Group of PeopleTwo People are DyadicSmall Group1.1.3: Meeting with a Common Purpose1.1.4: Feeling a Sense of Belonging1.1.5: Exerting Influence1.2: Communicating in TeamsFour Attributes that Define Teams○Teams Develop Clear, Well-Defined Goals○Teams Develop Clearly Defined Roles, Duties, and Responsibilities○Teams Have Clearly Defined Rules and Expectations○Teams Are Coordinated and Collaborative1.2.1: Characteristics of an Effective TeamIdeal Teams Characteristics○A Clear, Elevating Goal○A Results-Driven Structure○Competent Team Members

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3○Unified Commitment○A Collaborative Climate○Standards of Excellence○External Support and Recognition○Principled Leadership1.2.2: Characteristics of Effective Team MembersExperiencedSkilled Problem-SolversOpen to New IdeasSupportivePositiveAction-OrientedAdaptive1.2.3: Strategies for Becoming an Effective Team MemberBe ThereTalk About the Importance of Trusting One AnotherTalk About the TaskBe ClearListenTalk “Backstage”LaughDon’t be NegativeDon’t Use Mean HumorDon’t Verbally Express Your BoredomDon’t Grab Credit1.3: Communicating Collaboratively in Groups: Advantages and Disadvantages1.3.1: Advantages of Working in GroupsMore InformationEnhanced Creative Problem-SolvingGreater ComprehensionEnhanced Satisfaction

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4Enhanced Self-Understanding1.3.2: Disadvantages of Working in GroupsPressure to ConformIndividual DominationUneven Work DistributionTime1.3.3: When Not to CollaborateWhen There is Limited TimeWhen an Expert Has the AnswerWhen the Information Needed is Readily AvailableWhen Conflict Unmanageable1.4: Communicating in Different Types of Groups1.4.1: Primary GroupsFamily GroupsSocial Groups1.4.2: Secondary GroupsProblem-Solving GroupsDecision-Making GroupsStudy GroupsTherapy GroupsCommitteesFocus Groups1.5: Communicating in Virtual Groups1.5.1: Differences between Virtual and Non-virtual CollaborationTime○Asynchronous Message○Synchronous Message○Social PresenceVarying Degrees of AnonymityPotential for Deception

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5Nonverbal MessagesWritten MessagesDistance1.5.2: Virtual Group TheoriesCues-Filtered-Out TheoryMedia Richness TheorySocial Information-Processing Theory1.5.3: Strategies for Participating in Virtual GroupsParticipating in Virtual Groups○Start Early○Communicate Often○Multitask Skillfully○Respond to Others’ Messages○Use Technology Skillfully○Be Clear○Be Flexible○Set DeadlinesLeading Virtual Groups○Provide the Right Resources○Provide Technology Training○Provide Good Tech Support○Openly Reward and Compliment Team Members○Ensure Effective Communication Skill1.6: Communicating Competently in Small GroupsCompetent Small Group CommunicatorMotivationKnowledgeSkill1.6.1: Nine Core Competencies of Group CommunicationProblem-Oriented Competencies○Define the Problem

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6○Analyze the ProblemSolution-Oriented Competencies○Identify Criteria○Generate Solutions○Evaluate SolutionsDiscussion-Management Competencies○Maintain Task Focus○Manage InteractionRelational Competencies○Manage Conflict○Maintain a Positive Climate1.6.2: Ethically Communicating in Small GroupsDiscussion Questions1.Ask students the differences between a small group and a team. List on board or flipchart.2.Discuss students’ use of virtual communication. Which channel do they use mostoften? What are the benefits and disadvantages of virtual communication? Howdoes this apply to small groups?3.Discuss the continuum of media-rich and media-lean methods of communication.4.One-minute paper: Students submit a sheet of paper completing the followingthoughts:a.What do I like about working in groups?b.What do I dislike about working in groups?c.What specifically would I like to learn about group/team work?5.Discuss collaboration via social media with the students. In groups, have them selecta particular social media platform and create a pros/cons list concerningcollaboration using that platform.

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7Study Guide Activities1.Agree–Disagree StatementsAs you participate in small groups, it is useful to understand your assumptions abouthow groups function and to compare your own assumptions with the assumptions ofother members in your group.iRead each of the following statements once. Indicate whether you agree (by marking A)or disagree (by marking D) with each statement and then compare your answers withthose of your group members.1.______ A primary concern of all group members should be to establish anatmosphere in which all feel free to express their opinions.2.______ In a group with a strong leader, an individual is able to feel more personalsecurity than in a leaderless group.3.______ Individuals who are part of working groups should do what they think is right,regardless of what the groups decide to do.4.______ It is sometimes necessary to use autocratic methods to obtain democraticobjectives.5.______ Sometimes it is necessary to push people in the direction you think is right,even if they object.6.______ It is sometimes necessary to ignore the feelings of others in order to reach agroup decision.7.______ One should not openly criticize or find fault with leaders who are doing theirbest.8.______ Democracy has no place in a military organization such as an air task forceor an infantry squad, when it is engaged in battle.9.______ When everybody in the group has to be considered before making adecision, much time is wasted talking.10.______ Almost any job that can be done by a committee can be done better bygiving one individual responsibility for the job.11.______ By the time most people reach maturity, it is almost impossible for them toincrease their skills in group participation.After you have marked the statements, form small groups and try to agree or disagreeunanimously with each statement. Try especially to find reasons for differences ofopinion. If your group cannot reach agreement or disagreement, you may change thewording in any statement to promote unanimity.

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82.Rating Your TeamEvaluate your team using the eight team characteristics are based on the work of CarlLarson and Frank LaFasto, as described in their bookTeamwork: What Must GoRight/What Can Go Wrong. Rate your team using a 1-10 scale in which 10 = high and 1= low.3.Get-Acquainted Scavenger HuntYour instructor will ask you to find people in your class or your group who match asmany of the following descriptions as possible. When you meet someone who matchesa particular description, write his or her name on the line opposite it. Use this as a wayof getting better acquainted with people with whom you will be working or studying.ii1.Someone with your eye color _________2.Someone born in the same state you were _________3.Someone whose astrological sign is the same as yours _________4.Someone who likes the same sport you do _________5.Someone who likes your favorite food _________6.Someone who has the same number of letters in his or her name _________7.Someone who feels it is okay to cry in public _________8.Someone who is the youngest in the family _________9.Someone who would like to write a book _________10.Someone who has seen the same movie at least three times _________11.Someone who has traveled outside the United States _________12.Someone who likes to ski _________13.Someone who is an only child _________14.Someone who can speak two languages _________15.Someone who likes to cook _________Experiential Exercises1.Ice Breaker Activity: Talk to MeGoalThe Talk to Me exercise has the primary purpose of students getting to know one

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9another in a small group environment.TimeStudents should be given fifteen minutes for their conversation.ProcedureBreak the class down into small groups of five. Give out a snack, for example, pretzels.Have the students take as many as they would like; however, they should be cautionednot to eat any of them. Then they should reveal a fact about themselves for each pretzelthey took. Group members can then discuss how they form first impressions. They canalso share important facts that they learned about their group members.2.Impression Formation: High PointGoalThe High Point activity has a twofold purpose. The students will get to know one anotherand the instructor will be able to use this activity to help place the students incomplementary personality/lifestyle/culture groups through this analysis.Time VariesThe instructor may choose to limit the amount of time for each participant to two to threeminutes.ProcedureA High Point in a team/group situation is defined as any positive experience oneremembers while working in a team. Include the number of participants in the group and theresult of this project. The project can be recent, past, high school related, work related, familyrelated or university related.This exercise can be repeated once a week or at the beginning of each session, and thetopic can be related to the chapter topic. The instructor should take notes as to the orderin which each student participates (who speaks first, last, etc.). The topic chosen shouldalso be noted.3.Elevator ExerciseGoalTo demonstrate the definition of small groups.Group SizeFiveTime RequiredTen to fifteen minutesProcedureA group of five students is chosen for this role-play. The instructor sets the scenario—

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10they are waiting for an elevator; the door opens and the instructor says, “Please enter.Watch your step. The elevator continues going up 2nd, 3rd, and 4thfloor until it suddenlystops between floors.” The students must now decide what to do. Let them talk up to fiveminutes as to how to resolve this dilemma. (Cell phone coverage is blocked).Follow-up DiscussionThe class observes the group experience wherein they go from a group of individuals toa group who share a common goal or purpose. They determine who exerts influenceover whom. They decide what form of leadership has evolved. Has a leader emerged orhave the students proceeded to solve this common problem democratically?4.GroupMe ExerciseGoalTo introduce students to the idea of virtual collaboration.Time RequiredThirty to Forty MinutesProcedureDivide students into groups. Have them create a GroupMe using their phones andbegin a new discussion using ONLY GroupMe messaging. Students can remain silentlyin the classroom or have them spread out in the halls. Give students the task ofbrainstorming strategies for succeeding in this small group course and determining howthey might attain their desired grade. Again, this should be done in silence so as tobetter simulate social media interaction.In addition, have them discuss some of the issues that may face. What concerns dothey have? What challenges may arise?Follow-Up DiscussionTogether as a class, have each group briefly summarize their strategies and expresstheir concerns so as to allow each group to see both commonalities and differencesbetween small groups.iDeveloped by Alvin Goldberg, University of Denver.iiD. W. Johnson, Reaching Out: Interpersonal Effectiveness and Self-Actualization(Boston: Allyn & Bacon, 2000).

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1Chapter 1: Introducing GroupPrinciples and PracticesTrue or False Questions1.Communication is usually a linear process.Answer: FalseTopic: 1.1.1: CommunicationLearning Objective: 1.1.1: Describe the process of communicationSkill: Understand the ConceptsDifficulty: Easy2.If a group member sits in stone silence, he/she is exerting no influence on the group’sclimate.Answer: FalseTopic: 1.1.5: Exerting InfluenceLearning Objective: 1.1.5: Identify the characteristic of exerting influence on others as anessential element of small group communicationSkill: Analyze ItDifficulty: Moderate3.A team is a coordinated group of individuals organized to work together to achieve aspecific, common goal.Answer: TrueTopic: 1.2.1: Characteristics of an Effective TeamLearning Objective: 1.2.1: Describe an effective team at workSkill: Understand the ConceptsDifficulty: Easy4.An effective team member fears conflict and avoids accountability.Answer: FalseTopic: 1.2.2 Characteristics of Effective Team MembersLearning Objective: 1.2.2: Identify effective teammates by their actionsSkill: Analyze ItDifficulty: Moderate5.Often, it is better to work in a group than to work alone because we learn more aboutourselves from the experience.Answer: TrueTopic: 1.3.1 Advantages of Working in GroupsLearning Objective: 1.3.1: Describe the advantages of group workSkill: Apply What You KnowDifficulty: Moderate

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26.When you work in a group, you are more likely to be satisfied with a decision you help tomake.Answer: TrueTopic: 1.3.1 Advantages of Working in GroupsLearning Objective: 1.3.1: Describe the advantages of group workSkill: Apply What You KnowDifficulty: Moderate7.Generally, study groups do not accomplish as much toward the learning task as thosewho study alone.Answer: FalseTopic: 1.4.2 Secondary GroupsLearning Objective: 1.4.2: Characterize secondary groupsSkill: Analyze ItDifficulty: Moderate8.A therapy group is a group of five to fifteen employees who meet regularly to examinework processes with the goal of improving productivity.Answer: FalseTopic: 1.4.2 Secondary GroupsLearning Objective: 1.4.2: Characterize secondary groupsSkill: Understand the ConceptsDifficulty: Easy9.Virtual small group communication is communication among group members who are nottogether in the same physical location.Answer: TrueTopic: 1.5 Communicating in Virtual GroupsLearning Objective: 1.5: Use methods to make virtual group meetings effectiveSkill: Understand the ConceptsDifficulty: Easy10. To enhance communication competence, one must be motivated, have appropriateknowledge, and have the skill to act appropriately.Answer: TrueTopic: 1.6.1 Nine Core Competencies of Group CommunicationLearning Objective: 1.6.1: Describe two problem-oriented, three solution-oriented, twodiscussion-management, and two relational group problem-solving competenciesSkill: Apply What You KnowDifficulty: ModerateMultiple-Choice Questions1.Generally, group work can be more productive than individual efforts because groupsA.have less information and knowledge available than an individual.B.stimulate creativity.

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3C.have the potential for agreement with an idea just to avoid conflict.D.take more time.Answer: BTopic: 1.3.1: Advantages of Working in GroupsLearning Objective: 1.3.1: Describe the advantages of group workSkill: Analyze ItDifficulty: Moderate2.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 addressby the college presidentB.Four people waiting for a busC.Four persons waiting in a line in a fast-food restaurantD.Four office managers from various branches of a large corporation holding aconference telephone call to decide a question about a company policyAnswer: DTopic: 1.1.2: A Small Group of PeopleLearning Objective: 1.1.2: Describe the characteristics of a small groupSkill: Understand the ConceptsDifficulty: Easy3.A group whose sole purpose is to associate with one another for the joy of fellowshipmay be described as aA.study group.B.primary group.C.therapy group.D.committee.Answer: BTopic: 1.4.1: Primary GroupsLearning Objective: 1.4.1: Explain how primary groups fulfil their purposeSkill: Understand the ConceptsDifficulty: Easy4.“I think group work is just terrific,” gushed Lucy after a particularly harmonious andproductive group meeting. “Yes,” replied Marla, “but you also have to realize that groupwork has its disadvantages, includingA.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: CTopic: 1.3.2: Disadvantages of Working in Groups

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4Learning Objective: 1.3.2: Explain how to overcome the disadvantages of working in smallgroupsSkill: Apply What You KnowDifficulty: Moderate5.Which of the following is NOT one of the common characteristics of the definition of smallgroup 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: BTopic: 1.6.2: Ethically Communicating in Small GroupsLearning Objective: 1.6.2: Identify attributes of ethical small group communicationSkill: Understand the ConceptsDifficulty: Easy6.To be a truly competent communicator, the following element(s) is/are involvedA.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: DTopic: 1.6: Communicating Competently in Small GroupsLearning Objective: 1.6: Describe competencies of small group communicationSkill: Understand the ConceptsDifficulty: Easy7.A medium or method of communication is said to be “media rich” if it has all of thefollowing characteristics EXCEPTA.a focus on a mass of people.B.potential for feedback.C.the variety of language that communicators useD.several verbal and nonverbal cues that can be processed by senders and receivers.Answer: ATopic: 1.5.2: Virtual Group TheoriesLearning Objective: 1.5.2: Apply theories to virtual groupsSkill: Understand the ConceptsDifficulty: Easy8.Characteristics that enhance team success include all of the following EXCEPTA.experienced team members.

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5B.problem-solving abilities.C.supportiveness.D.strategic pondering.Answer: DTopic: 1.6.2: Ethically Communicating in Small GroupsLearning Objective: 1.6.2: Identify attributes of ethical small group communicationSkill: Understand the ConceptsDifficulty: Easy9.Collaboration is not necessary whenA.conflict becomes unmanageable.B.information is readily available.C.team has limited time.D.not necessary for all of the above reasons.Answer: DTopic: 1.3.3: When Not to CollaborateLearning Objective: 1.3.3: Determine when group work is unnecessarySkill: Apply What You KnowDifficulty: ModerateEssay Questions1.Discuss the differences between a small group and a team.Topic: 1.2: Communicating in TeamsLearning Objective: 1.2: Evaluate teams for effective practicesSkill: EvaluateDifficulty: Difficult2.What are the characteristics of an effective team?Topic: 1.2.1: Characteristics of an Effective TeamLearning Objective: 1.2.1: Describe an effective team at workSkill: Understand the ConceptsDifficulty: Easy3.By understanding both the advantages and disadvantages of working in groups, one ismore likely to develop realistic expectations of group work. List and provide examplesthat describe five advantages and four disadvantages of working with groups.Topic: 1.3.1: Advantages of Working in Groups1.3.2: Disadvantages of Working in GroupsLearning Objective: 1.3.1: Describe the advantages of group workLearning Objective: 1.3.2: Explain how to overcome the disadvantages of working in smallgroupsSkill: Apply What You KnowDifficulty: Moderate

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