IN MIXED COMPANY
9th edition
TEST BANK
This Test Bank has now grown to almost 600 questions, about evenly divided between multiple-
choice and true-false. In addition, sample exams for the movies “Twelve Angry Men” and “The
Dream Team” push the total number of Test Bank questions to almost 700. Please note that
multiple-choice questions at the beginning of the main set are all single answer questions; those
at the end of the set are multiple answer questions. Traditionally, multiple-choice questions have
only a single right answer, so the bulk of this Test Bank is composed of single-answer multiple-
choice questions. Why allow more than one answer to be correct on some multiple-
choice questions? There are at least two reasons cited earlier but repeated here in case you
overlooked the previous rationale in the Instructors Manual:
1. Departing from the standard single-response to a multiple-choice question
requires precise knowledge from students. Guessing is minimized. In the
standard format, a student doesn’t need to read all the answers once the
correct answer is ascertained. If they know “a” is correct, why read any
further? No critical thought need be exercised concerning answers b, c,
and d. Thus, these answers become mere filler.
2. Most importantly, students receive credit for everything they do know. In
the standard single-answer format, a student might know that answers “a”
and “b” are incorrect but be uncertain whether “c” or “d” is correct. If the
student answers “c” but “d” is correct, he or she loses all points for that
question. The multiple-response format in which more than one answer may
be correct gives credit for everything students know (wrong answers left
unselected or correct answers circled).
Simply put, the multiple-response version of multiple-choice questions seems more precise,
challenging, and fair than the standard single-answer only version. Nevertheless, if instructors
still prefer the standard format, test questions included in the test bank can be rewritten to allow
only a single correct answer, or questions with only a single correct answer already included in
the test bank can be chosen for the exam.
Another possible variation some may wish to try is requiring explanations for all FALSE
answers on true-false questions. (There is no point in asking for an explanation of true answers).
If you choose this option, you may want to wait until the second exam to implement it. This
permits students to get used to the examination format, especially if you choose cooperative
testing.

Chapter 1
MULTIPLE-CHOICE
1. When we assume that everyone has the same meaning for a word, this is called
a. equilibrium
b. bypassing
c. a transaction
d. polarization
2. Asian cultures are typically
a. collectivist and cooperation
b. individualist and competitive
c. collectivist and competitive
d. individualist and cooperative
3. Status and connection dimensions of conversations typically produce different
expectations and communication patterns, such as
a. status produces a desire for interdependence and intimacy
b. connection produces cooperation and consensus seeking
c. status produces empowerment
d. connection produces a competitive urge to control conversations
4. The We-not-Me orientation of the communication competence model means that
a. your family rarely makes sacrifices for any individual family member
b. your individual goals should not be met within a group context
c. your independence is more important than the well-being of your
relationship with your group members
d. when your personal goal to spend time alone hiking in Death Valley clashes with
your family’s goal to spend time together at the beach tossing a frisbee and
watching the family dog chase seagulls, the family goal will usually receive
priority.
5. Hindsight bias is
a. giving too much emphasis to information that is current and not enough
emphasis to information that is older.
b. letting past accomplishments overly influence present choices made in
groups
c. allowing past events to dictate present decisions
d. the tendency to look back after the fact or when an outcome has been
revealed and say, "I knew that all along"

6. Ethical standards for determining competent communication include
a. providing choice where possible
b. sound judgment
c. absolute integrity, no exceptions
d. evaluating the sender of the message
7. When one group member says to another in a frustrated tone of voice,
"Your report must be on my desk tomorrow," she/he
a. exhibits communication incompetence
b. engages in unethical communication
c. may be communicating incompetently, but it can’t be determined until
the context is known
d. shows no sense of context
8. Effectiveness of our communication as one variable of competent communication
a. is Me, not We oriented
b. varies from deficiency to proficiency
c. is determined as either competent or incompetent based on goal achievement
d. is manifested as a concern for self
9. Which of the following contributes strongly to grouphate?
a. Frequent meetings that accomplish little.
b. Conducting group meetings incompetently
c. Social loafing of some members
d. All of the above
10. Commitment is one of the general ways to improve your communication competence in
groups. This commitment means
a. knowing a lot about group communication
b. exhibiting skillful communication in a variety of contexts
c. exhibiting sensitivity to other group members
d. demonstrating a passion for excellence, a strong desire to improve your
communication with other group members
11. Which of the following are essential values that should serve as ethical guides for our
communication in groups?
a. honesty
b. respect
c. choice
d. fairness

12. Given Tannen's perspective on gender differences in communication, what would you expect to find
regarding salary negotiation and gender?
a. Women negotiate for higher starting salaries far more than men because they wish to
prove their worth
b. Men and women negotiate for higher starting salaries about equally
c. Men far more than women negotiate for higher starting salaries because salary is a
sign of status
d. None of the above is true
13. “Communication is transactional.” This means that each person communicating is
a. either a sender or a receiver
b. both a sender and receiver simultaneously
c. senders of messages influence receivers but receivers do not influence senders
d. none of the above
14. Which of the following is a difference between small groups and large organizations? There is
a. greater formality in organizations
b. greater chance of information distortion in organizations
c. greater flow of negative information to the top of the organizational hierarchy
d. “a” and “b”
15. Communication competence is defined as engaging in communication with others that is both
a. effective and dynamic
b. effective and appropriate
c. appropriate and powerful
d. elaborate and sensitive
16. If you were describing a collectivist culture you would use words such as,
a. independence and competitiveness
b. privacy and individuality
c. community and loyalty
d. all of the above
17. In a collectivist culture, typically
a. self-promotion to get employment is encouraged
b. competition not cooperation is emphasized
c. personal goals are less important than advancing the goals of a valued group
d. all of the above

18. Sensitivity as presented in the communication competence model means
a. receptive accuracy whereby you can detect, decode, and comprehend signals and emotional
cues
b. treating everyone in a group with respect and compassion
c. a persistent effort to achieve goals and produce excellence
d. “a” and “b”
19. A small group is
a. composed of two or more individuals
b. composed of no more than seven members
c. an aggregation of individuals waiting in line to buy tickets
d. none of the above
20. A group
a. is composed of no fewer than three individuals
b. is unlikely to be successful if members are primarily interested in their own
individual accomplishment within the group
c. has a common purpose
d. all of the above
21. Communication competence is
a. a matter of degree
b. Me-oriented not We-oriented
c. dependent on appropriateness
d. one way to combat grouphate
22. The individualism-collectivism continuum is an important dimension for comparing cultures.
According to research, the following can be said regarding this continuum:
a. Most people in the world live in strongly individualist cultures
b. Individualist cultures tend to emphasize the autonomy of the individual and
collectivist cultures tend to emphasize commitment to groups
c. Americans should strive to be far more collectivist than individualist
d. In most cultures, either individualism or collectivism tends to predominate
23. “Communication is transactional” means that
a. senders transmit information to receivers but not vice versa
b. senders and receivers enter into a relationship any time they communicate
c. communication involves both content and relationship dimensions of
messages
d. each party to the communication acts as either a sender or a receiver but not both

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24. In mixed-sex groups, the following patterns of communication usually occur:
a. Men talk more than women
b. Women interrupt more than men
c. Men tell more jokes than women
d. Women give greater weight to the connection dimension and men
give greater weight to the status dimension of conversations
25. Based on research, which of the following is an accurate statement about individualist and
collectivist cultures?
a. All cultures have individualist and collectivist influences
b. Despite strong cultural pressure, no population uniformly accepts its culture’s values
c. Excessive individualism can be faulted, but excessive collectivism also has it dangers
d. The Unites States needs to become a collectivist culture to make groups work
TRUE-FALSE
1. Communication appropriateness is defined as how well the group progresses toward the achievement
of goals. FALSE
2. Interrupting an interview by a search panel to answer a cell phone is an example of inappropriate
communication because common rules and expectations for how one should conduct oneself during
a job interview are violated. TRUE
3. Ethical standards for competent communication of honesty, respect, fairness, choice, and
responsibility should be applied absolutely, with no exceptions. FALSE
4. The United States is an individualist culture. As such, levels of conformity to
group norms are extremely low. FALSE
5. When you assume that other group members have the same meaning for a word as you do without
checking to see if differences exist, this is called a mixed message. FALSE
6. A person's communication is either competent or incompetent. FALSE
7. We tend to overestimate our prior knowledge on a subject such as group communication once we
have been told the correct answers. This is called the hindsight bias. TRUE
8. If groups are to succeed, individual goals and agendas should be of secondary, not
primary importance. TRUE
9. Communication competence in groups necessitates behavior that is both effective and
appropriate. TRUE

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10. Designating a group member as a “competent communicator” is a judgment of
that individual’s inherent, natural, communication capabilities that the person is
simply born with. FALSE
11. Communication becomes inappropriate if it violates rules and expectations of the group
when such violations could have been avoided without sacrificing a goal by choosing
different communication behaviors. TRUE
12. Communication is a process of sending messages to receivers. FALSE
13. One of the difficulties with communicating in virtual groups is the absence of
nonverbal cues that typically accompany verbal messages. TRUE
14. Context is a central element of verbal communication. TRUE
15. Appropriateness means complying with rules and their accompanying expectations.
TRUE
16. To be effective you have to combine knowledge with skill. TRUE
17. A dyad is another name for a group. FALSE
18. Grouphate is a problem in all groups. FALSE
19. Communication can solve all problems in groups if group members would simply try hard
enough to be competent communicators. FALSE
20. The two dimensions of every message are its content and the relationship element. TRUE
21. Joseph says to Carolyn, “You shouldn’t have missed our last group meeting.” Carolyn
replies, “Well look who appointed himself group emperor. I missed the meeting because I
was sick in bed, so back off.” The content of this interchange is the issue of missing a
meeting and the relationship element is the conflict and tension that is apparent from the way
Carolyn responds. TRUE
22. The meaning of words depends on common agreement of users. TRUE
23. Assuming that everyone has the same meaning for a word and not checking to see if
important differences occur is called bypassing. TRUE
24. Mixed messages occur when there is positive verbal and negative nonverbal communication,
or vice versa, at the same time. TRUE
25. The two main variables that define communication competence are effectiveness and
appropriateness. TRUE

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26. You communicate via e-mail with a friend in another country. This is an example of a virtual team.
FALSE
27. You are at the beach working on developing a nice case of skin cancer for your later years.
You ask three strangers sitting next to you if they would each like to have a Coke from your
cooler. They say yes, take a coke, and return to their beach blankets and become sun
potatoes. For that brief time, the 4 of you constituted a group. FALSE
28. Language is a structured system of symbols for sharing meaning. TRUE
29. Research shows that one of the biggest challenges facing virtual groups with members from various
countries is mastering English, the dominant language of the Internet. TRUE
30. Both verbal and nonverbal communication can be ambiguous, resulting in serious
misunderstandings. TRUE
Chapter 2
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. Negative synergy occurs when
a. one group member creates a disruption
b. group members working together give more significance to negative not
positive information
c. group members working together produce a significantly worse result than
expected if individual skill levels and abilities are considered.
d. group members often disagree among themselves producing stalemate
2. Larger groups compared to smaller groups typically have
a. fewer isolates (non-participants)
b. fewer factions and members splintering off from the group’s general point of view
c. greater difficulty working cooperatively
d. greater group satisfaction
3. There are two variables that influence the “ideal” group size. They are
a. quality of decisions and quantity of information
b. quantity of information and speed of decision making
c. quality and formality of decision making
d. quality and speed of decision making

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4. Group synergy occurs when
a. a majority of the group members outperforms the minority
b. the group as a whole outperforms the sum of expected individual performances by
members
c. groups perform more poorly than individuals
d. groups and individuals perform equally well
5. When the action of one group member creates a ripple effect on the entire group, this is an
example of
a. negative synergy
b. diffusion of responsibility
c. interconnectedness within a system
d. group synergy
6. As group size increases, which of the following typically occurs?
a. Complexity increases
b. Factions develop
c. The number of nonparticipating members increases
d. All of the above
7. Entropy is
a. a measure of the degree of movement within a system toward greater organization
b. an example of throughput
c. a measure of a system’s movement toward disorganization and eventual termination
d. the end effect of increasing input into a system
8. Synergy occurs in groups primarily by
a. group members working competitively to achieve a common goal
b. deep diversity within the group membership
c. looking for group members who have very narrow, specialized skills, knowledge, and
abilities
d. happenstance; it’s mostly luck
9. Dynamic equilibrium
a. is a range in which systems can manage change effectively to promote growth and
success without destroying the system with too much instability
b. recognizes that there is a perfect balance point between stability and change in a system
c. is sustained in a system by regulating the degree, rate, and persistence of change
d. all of the above

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10. The "rule of seven" refers to which of the following?
a. Seven members is the ideal size of a small group
b. It takes at least seven minutes for a group to focus directly on a group task
c. Each member added to a decision-making group that starts with seven members reduces
decision effectiveness by about 10%
d. Seven members is the maximum number to be defined as a small group.
11. Throughput in a system refers to
a. the output of a system measured in productivity
b. what all living systems must combat to survive
c. the process of transforming input into output to keep the system functioning
d. the structure of a system
12. In your small group, you have a social loafer who has gradually de-motivated and frustrated almost
every other group member with his lackluster effort. This is an example, in systems terms, called
a. social compensation
b. ripple effect
c. boundary control
d. equifinality
13. When a small group is so dysfunctional that it produces a worse result than would be expected based
on perceived individual skills and abilities of members, this is called
a. negative synergy
b. ripple effect
c. negative throughput
d. equifinality
14. Synergy is the result of
a. deep diversity
b. highly motivated group members
c. group effort with members working in concert with each other
d. all of the above
15. Deep diversity refers to
a. including a high percentage of under-represented minorities as group members
b. making sure there is gender equity in a group’s composition
c. substantial variation among group members in task-relevant skills, knowledge, abilities,
beliefs, values, perspectives, and problem-solving strategies
d. all of the above

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16. A system sustains dynamic equilibrium by regulating
a. degree of change affecting the group
b. desirability of change affecting the group
c. the rate of change affecting the group
d. all of the above
17. Dealing with a difficult group member requires, among other things,
a. creating a cooperative group climate
b. ostracizing the difficult member
c. avoiding the bad behavior, hoping it will subside
d. providing many opportunities for the difficult member to express himself/herself to the group
18. The best size for a group is
a. the smallest size capable of performing the task effectively
b. seven members with diverse skills
c. twelve members, based on the jury model
d. none of the above
19. Your group has a difficult group member. He complains repeatedly, bullies group members into
supporting his positions during discussions, and dominates the discussion, often interrupting other
members. Your group should address this difficult individual by
a. letting the troublemaker have his way so these initial “victories” might incline him to be less
combative
b. trying to change the difficult member into a likeable person
c. allowing the troublemaker to voice complaints to the entire group whenever disgruntled, hoping
he will “run out of steam”
d. confronting the difficult member about his unacceptable behavior
20. Groups establish boundaries and thus regulate change by
a. speaking a group lingo or specialized language
b. making some members feel like outsiders and not real group members
c. establishing roles for members
d. all of the above
21. Which of the following affects a group’s ability to adapt successfully to change?
a. Degree of change
b. Desirability of change
c. Rate of change
d. Equifinality of change

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22. We join groups because of
a. interpersonal attraction
b. need to belong
c. attraction to the activities of the group
d. attraction to group goals
23. A rule
a. should always be followed in groups if a group hopes to be effective
b. is a prescription that indicates what you should or shouldn’t do in specific contexts
c. is central to determining appropriateness of your communication
d. is one way to establish a boundary in groups
24. A system is
a. a set of relatively unrelated parts working separately to accomplish a common goal
b. a set of interrelated parts working together to form a whole in the context of
a changing environment
c. generally composed of input, output, and throughput
d. destroyed if input ceases
25. According to "bad apple" research,
a. bad apple members are an example of negative synergy
b. those groups that had to deal with a bad apple member scored 30% to 40% lower on
challenging tasks than groups with no bad apple member
c. bad apple behavior is highly contagious, easily infecting other group members
d. negative influence of one bad apple member is usually not great when most group members are
highly talented individuals.
TRUE-FALSE
1. Your symposium group increases in size from 6 members to 11. Group satisfaction
will likely increase because you have far more resources available. FALSE
2. All systems attempt to maintain stability and to achieve a state of dynamic equilibrium by
resisting change. TRUE
3. Smaller groups inhibit overt disagreement and signs of dissatisfaction more than larger groups.
TRUE
4. The best size for a decision making group is the smallest size capable of performing the task
effectively. TRUE

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5. No group, not even a cult, can survive without some input from outside the system. TRUE
6. A group should tighten its boundaries when both the quantity and type of outside influences place an
undue stress on the group. TRUE
7. In human systems, change cannot cease. TRUE
8. Setting boundaries is a critical group function. TRUE
9. A clear line can be drawn that distinguishes exactly when a small group becomes a large group.
FALSE
10. A system sustains dynamic equilibrium when it regulates the degree, rate, and consistency of
change. FALSE
11. Your group creates a specialized language that is mostly incomprehensible to outsiders. This is an
example of using a psychological barrier to exercise group boundary control. FALSE
12. A group should strive to remain completely open to input. Otherwise it might make poor
decisions. FALSE
13. Openness in a system should always be encouraged and closedness in a system should
always be discouraged to produce the most effective decision making and problem solving.
FALSE
14. High levels of stress and tension, divisive conflicts, boredom, and poor productivity are just
some indicators of excessive openness or closedness in a system. TRUE
15. Seven group members is the ideal sized group according to research. FALSE
16. There are usually more non-participating group members in smaller groups than in larger
groups. FALSE
17. Larger groups inhibit overt disagreement more than smaller groups. FALSE
18. Group climate often suffers in large groups of 10 members or more. TRUE
19. If speed in decision making is a chief concern, then a group of at least 7 members or more is
critical. FALSE
20. Negative information to the top of a traditional organizational hierarchy tends to be
restricted. TRUE
21. As groups increase in size, formality in processes and procedures decreases. FALSE
22. Systems are never in a static, unchanging state. TRUE

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23. Distortion of information is usually a bigger problem in small groups than it is in large
organizations because large organizations have more resources to prevent such distortion.
FALSE
24. Deep diversity in groups means that members have strong values in common in a world
marked by great variation in values. FALSE
25. Groups can find that perfect, ideal balance point between stability and change if they try hard
enough. FALSE
26. All living systems must combat entropy and they achieve this with input. TRUE
27. Throughput is the process of transforming input into entropy. FALSE
28. Structuration theory posits that a system such as a small group establishes structures
for discussion and problem solving in the form of rules, roles, norms, and power distribution.
TRUE
29. According to structuration theory, structures established in small groups both permit throughput to
occur while also constraining the process. TRUE
30. The ripple effect in a system is always a negative experience for group members. FALSE
Chapter 3
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. You’re a member of [instructor’s name] Dark Beer Drinking Social Group. You observe a
pattern of behavior among group members that discourages loud talking and laughter during
discussions. This shows
a. an explicit norm
b. secondary tension
c. an implicit norm
d. entropy
2. The Twenty Percent Rule refers to
a. the amount of time that group members, on average, should spend engaging in casual
conversation to reduce primary tension
b. the proper proportion of time that a group should spend socializing when working on a task
c. the minimum standard for the proportion of minority and female group members
necessary to discourage discrimination
d. the maximum standard for the proportion of competitive opportunities in a group compared to
cooperative opportunities for groups to function effectively

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3. There are two primary dimensions of every group. They are
a. cohesiveness and conformity
b. productivity and task
c. task and functional
d. task and social
4. Groups can build cohesiveness among members by
a. encouraging compatible membership
b. developing strong, competitive goals
c. threatening expulsion of any members who trigger disagreement
d. focusing most efforts on task accomplishment
5. Cliques
a. encourage nonconformity from members
b. can provide social acceptance, support, companionship, and recognition for
members
c. have no positive social influence on members
d. typically are non-hierarchical and non-competitive
6. Which of the following is a condition that promotes conformity in groups?
a. The stronger the cohesiveness, the greater the conformity
b. The weaker the cohesiveness, the greater the conformity
c. Conformity decreases as the task importance increases
d. Conformity is less when individuals expect to be group members for a long time
7. Groups typically respond to nonconformity from a member by using four strategies. These
are
a. reason, seduction, deviance, and conflict management
b. reason, ostracism, isolation, and persuasion
c. reason, seduction, coercion, ostracism
d. peer pressure, ostracism, coercion, isolation
8. The Collective Effort Model suggests that
a. group members are strongly motivated to perform well in a group if they are
convinced that their individual effort will likely help in attaining valued results
b. group members working together can produce strong cohesiveness
c. group members must be wary of social compensation influences to be effective
d. social loafers are the product of little concern for members’ social welfare in the group

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In Mixed Company: Communicating in Small Groups 9th Edition Test Bank

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