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Communicating in Groups: Applications and Skills, 5/e

Katherine L. Adams, California State University Fresno
Gloria J. Galanes, Southwest Missouri State University

Groups as Structured Open Systems

Chapter Quiz


1	General systems theory was originally developed to study and explain:
		A)	small group communication.
		B)	the Internet.
		C)	worldwide economic markets.
		D)	channels of communication in large organizations.
		E)	complex living organisms.


2	A(n) _____ developed general systems theory.
		A)	rhetorician
		B)	biologist
		C)	sociologist
		D)	computer scientist
		E)	economist


3	A system is a set of elements that function:
		A)	interdependently.
		B)	independently.
		C)	randomly.
		D)	individually.
		E)	efficiently.


4	When a committee presents its report to the members of an organization, the report is the group's:
		A)	environment.
		B)	output.
		C)	inputs.
		D)	throughput processes.
		E)	life cycle.


5	The company in which a self-managed work team exists is part of the team's:
		A)	environment.
		B)	output.
		C)	inputs.
		D)	throughput processes.
		E)	life cycle.


6	Information about the task and expertise that members bring to a group are part of the group's:
		A)	environment.
		B)	output.
		C)	inputs.
		D)	throughput processes.
		E)	life cycle.


7	The heart of a group's ____ is interaction.
		A)	environment
		B)	output
		C)	inputs
		D)	throughput processes
		E)	life cycle


8	Examples of small group throughput processes include:
		A)	solutions and decisions.
		B)	group members' personal satisfaction.
		C)	group norms.
		D)	group members' abilities and skills.
		E)	personal growth of members.


9	Examples of small group inputs include:
		A)	solutions and decisions.
		B)	group members' personal satisfaction.
		C)	group norms.
		D)	group members' abilities and skills.
		E)	personal growth of members.


10	Recognizing that groups are influenced by and shape their environments is called the ____ perspective.
		A)	feedback
		B)	bona fide group
		C)	open system
		D)	closed system
		E)	group basic element


11	All of the following are TRUE of open systems EXCEPT:
		A)	Open systems have free exchange of information with their environments.
		B)	Inputs flow back and forth between the system and its environment.
		C)	Outputs flow back and forth between the system and its environment.
		D)	Such openness is generally an advantage for small groups.
		E)	Such openness is generally a distinct disadvantage for small groups.


12	____ refers to the idea that there is usually more than one way to reach a goal or objective.
		A)	Multiple paths
		B)	Multiple causes
		C)	Nonsummativity
		D)	Interdependence
		E)	Feedback


13	Positive and negative synergy in a group stem from the concept of:
		A)	multiple paths.
		B)	multiple causes.
		C)	nonsummativity.
		D)	interdependence.
		E)	feedback.


14	Because of ____ in small groups, one member of the group cannot achieve the group's goal alone.
		A)	multiple paths
		B)	multiple causes
		C)	nonsummativity
		D)	interdependence
		E)	feedback


15	____ allows groups to monitor their progress toward their goals and make corrections if necessary.
		A)	Multiple paths
		B)	Multiple causes
		C)	Nonsummativity
		D)	Interdependence
		E)	Feedback


16	Systems exist in a vacuum.
		A)	True
		B)	False


17	Group cohesiveness is an example of an intangible small group output.
		A)	True
		B)	False


18	Living organisms, such as humans and small groups, remain in a constant state.
		A)	True
		B)	False


19	Group member interaction is the mutual influence that occurs when members communicate with one another.
		A)	True
		B)	False


20	Small groups are primary components of complex organizations.
		A)	True
		B)	False

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