Chapter 10 Group Communication Practice Test

In this situation, the method of decision making used is the authority rule. The company's vice president of operations ultimately chose a program other than the one recommended by the task force, indicating that the decision-making power rested with the authority figure. The task force gathered information and made a recommendation, but the final decision was made by the person in authority.

The correct order of the four steps in the Decreasing Options Technique is to first generate ideas, then post ideas, followed by sorting the ideas, and finally dotting the ideas. This sequence allows for a systematic approach to narrowing down options and finding the most suitable solution. By generating ideas first, individuals can explore a wide range of possibilities. Posting ideas allows for collaboration and gathering input from others. Sorting the ideas helps to organize and prioritize them based on their feasibility and effectiveness. Dotting the ideas is the final step, which involves marking or highlighting the most promising options.

Groups are often reluctant to think creatively because they have preconceived notions about what is possible and what is not. By using the "what if" method, the group is encouraged to break free from these preconceptions and explore new possibilities. This method prompts them to ask questions like "What if we tried a different approach?" or "What if we had unlimited resources?" This opens up the group to think outside the box, consider alternative solutions, and ultimately enhance their creativity.

The group is using the brainstorming decision-making method. Brainstorming is a technique where group members generate as many ideas as possible without criticizing or evaluating them. In this method, all ideas are welcomed and encouraged, fostering a creative and open environment for discussion.

The group members who say "if you think it's okay, then I'll do it" are most likely using the dependent decision-making style. This style suggests that they rely heavily on the opinions and guidance of others to make decisions, lacking the confidence or ability to make independent choices. They tend to seek validation and reassurance from others before taking action.

In order for the company's recycling task force to make decisions based on a consensus, all members must be in favor of the group decisions. Therefore, the correct answer is 15, as all 15 members must be in agreement for a decision to be made.

The signs of a false consensus are when every group member agrees to support a decision or action in order to avoid disagreement and conflict. This means that the agreement is not genuine and is only made to maintain harmony within the group. It suggests that the group members may not actually agree with the decision but are willing to go along with it to avoid any potential conflicts.

The correct answer is policy. This is because assisting employees with their childcare needs is a matter of implementing a set of guidelines or rules within the company. It requires establishing a formal policy that outlines the company's approach to supporting employees in balancing their work and childcare responsibilities. This policy may include provisions such as offering flexible work schedules, providing on-site childcare facilities, or offering financial assistance for childcare expenses.

In the authority rule, the decision is made by a single person or a small group of people with the authority to make the final decision. Therefore, only one member needs to be in favor of a proposal for it to be accepted when using the authority rule.

The correct answer is "policy" because the question is asking about how the company can assist employees with their childcare needs, which relates to the company's established guidelines, rules, and procedures for providing support in this area. It is not a question of procedure, fact, conjecture, or value, as it specifically relates to the company's policies regarding childcare assistance.

Group members who say "It just feels like the right thing to do" are most likely using the intuitive decision-making style. This style relies on gut feelings, instincts, and personal experiences rather than logical reasoning or analysis. Intuitive decision-makers trust their intuition and make decisions based on what feels right or aligns with their inner sense of knowing.

Problem solving involves finding a solution to a problem. Out of the given options, "develops a plan for reducing or eliminating the harmful effects of a problem" best describes the process of problem solving. This option implies that a group is actively working towards creating a plan to address the problem and mitigate its negative impacts. The other options, such as reaching a conclusion, passing judgment, choosing among alternatives, or analyzing the history, causes, and effects of a problem, may be steps within the problem-solving process but do not encompass the entire process itself.

The Standard Agenda is a problem-solving procedure that is based on John Dewey's Reflective Thinking Process. This process involves identifying and defining the problem, analyzing the problem by gathering relevant information, generating potential solutions, evaluating the solutions, and finally implementing and reflecting on the chosen solution. The Standard Agenda follows a systematic approach to problem-solving and encourages critical thinking and reflection throughout the process.

Analysis paralysis refers to the state of being overwhelmed or stuck in the process of analyzing a problem to the point where no progress is made. It occurs when individuals or groups spend excessive time and effort on gathering information, considering various options, and weighing pros and cons, but fail to make a decision or take action. This can hinder problem-solving and decision-making processes, leading to delays and missed opportunities.

The DOT method helps reduce and refine a large number of suggestions into a manageable number of ideas. This means that it allows for a systematic approach to evaluating and organizing ideas, which is crucial in decision-making processes. By using the DOT method, members can carefully consider each suggestion and determine which ones are most viable and beneficial. This helps prevent overwhelming discussions and ensures that the group focuses on the most promising ideas.

The given answer is "groups usually take less time to make a decision than an individual working alone." This statement is incorrect because groups usually take more time to make a decision compared to an individual working alone. In a group, there are more opinions and perspectives to consider, which can lead to longer discussions and deliberations. Therefore, this statement does not accurately describe decision making in groups.

During phase 1 (Idea Generation) of Nominal Group Technique, members take turns presenting one idea from their privately written list. This allows each member to share their ideas individually, ensuring that everyone has an opportunity to contribute without being influenced by others. By presenting their ideas in turn, it promotes equal participation and prevents dominant individuals from overshadowing others. This step helps to gather a diverse range of ideas from the group members before further discussion and decision-making processes take place.

Functional theory is different from the standard agenda method of problem solving because it emphasizes the competent performance of each function, rather than strictly adhering to a specific order. Additionally, functional theory recognizes that group goals and unspoken assumptions can influence the choice of solutions, and it emphasizes the group's ability to consider both the advantages and disadvantages of a solution. Communication plays a crucial role in functional theory, as it is used to reach decisions and generate solutions, although success levels may vary. Therefore, all of the above statements accurately describe the ways in which functional theory differs from the standard agenda method of problem solving.

Voting works best when there is no other way to break a deadlock because it allows for a fair and democratic decision-making process. In situations where there is a stalemate or disagreement among group members, voting provides a method to reach a resolution. By allowing each individual to cast their vote, it ensures that everyone's opinion is considered and the decision is made collectively. This approach is particularly effective when other methods of reaching a consensus have been exhausted or are not feasible.

The correct answer is "identify the problem, create a collaborative setting, analyze the issues." This sequence of steps ensures that the problem is clearly defined and understood before moving forward. Creating a collaborative setting encourages teamwork and open communication, allowing for a more comprehensive analysis of the issues at hand. By analyzing the issues, the team can gather relevant information and insights to develop effective solutions.

The Decreasing Options Technique (DOT) is a method used when a group wants to ensure equal opportunities for input by all members. This technique is particularly useful when the group is small, with no more than 7 members, and when members cannot generate many ideas or solutions. It allows each member to contribute their thoughts and ideas, ensuring that everyone's input is heard and valued. This technique works best when the group has plenty of time to discuss multiple or controversial ideas, allowing for a thorough exploration of options.

The given correct answer for this question is "avoid combining ideas". This is because combining ideas is actually encouraged during brainstorming sessions as it helps to generate new and innovative solutions. By combining different ideas, individuals can build upon each other's suggestions and create more comprehensive and unique solutions. Therefore, avoiding the combination of ideas would go against the guidelines for effective brainstorming.

This question represents a question of fact because it is asking for a specific piece of information - the number of company employees who hire a daycare provider. The answer to this question can be determined through objective observation or data collection, making it a factual question.

The correct answer is task clarification, problem identification, fact finding. In order to effectively solve a problem as a group, it is important to first clarify the task at hand. This involves understanding the problem and what needs to be accomplished. Once the task is clarified, the group can then move on to identifying the problem itself. This step involves defining the problem and understanding its root causes. Finally, fact finding is necessary to gather relevant information and data related to the problem. By following these steps in order, the group can approach problem solving in a structured and systematic manner.

This question is asking about who will be the next student government president, which is not something that can be determined based on policy, procedure, fact, or value. It involves making an educated guess or speculation, which falls under the category of conjecture.

The Functional Theory approach to problem solving emphasizes the importance of preparation, competence, and communication. This means that individuals involved in the problem-solving process should be well-prepared, knowledgeable, and skilled in order to effectively contribute to finding a solution. Additionally, effective communication among group members is crucial to ensure that everyone's opinions and needs are heard and understood. By focusing on these factors, the Functional Theory approach promotes a collaborative and efficient problem-solving process.