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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

Managing Conflicts Productively

Chapter Quiz


1	Which one of the following is TRUE about conflict?
		A)	Conflict can improve group decisions.
		B)	If people will just talk about the problem, all conflicts can be resolved.
		C)	Conflict stems from communication breakdowns.
		D)	Conflict should be avoided in small group work.
		E)	Conflict will decrease group cohesiveness.


2	Conflicts over ____ are easier to resolve than other types of conflicts.
		A)	scarce resources
		B)	basic values
		C)	fundamental beliefs
		D)	what specific goals should be
		E)	how to reach a goal


3	Faulty decision making is a failure of a group's ____ processes in effectively handling disagreement and conflict.
		A)	output
		B)	life cycle
		C)	input
		D)	throughput
		E)	intrapersonal


4	One symptom of groupthink is:
		A)	Group members become too open-minded.
		B)	The group becomes well integrated with its outside environments.
		C)	Group members experience a pressure to conform.
		D)	The group underestimates its power and ability to reach its objectives.
		E)	Group members do not believe strongly enough in their cause.


5	One strategy for preventing groupthink is:
		A)	Invite outside experts to present information.
		B)	Achieve consensus on the problem as quickly as possible.
		C)	Have the leader state her/his preferences for a solution when the group first meets.
		D)	Discourage members from expressing disagreement.
		E)	Make sure the leader is always present when the group meets.


6	The devil's advocate in a group:
		A)	fosters creative thinking.
		B)	supports popular proposals.
		C)	promotes the conditions that lead to groupthink.
		D)	challenges ideas.
		E)	emphasizes group members getting along.


7	With the ____ style of conflict management, group members have a high motivation to meet their own needs and a low motivation to meet others' needs.
		A)	competition
		B)	avoidance
		C)	accommodation
		D)	collaboration
		E)	compromise


8	The ____ style of conflict management is considered a win-win style.
		A)	competition
		B)	avoidance
		C)	accommodation
		D)	collaboration
		E)	compromise


9	The ____ conflict style is also called appeasement.
		A)	competition
		B)	avoidance
		C)	accommodation
		D)	collaboration
		E)	compromise


10	The ____ conflict style works well when all involved believe the solution is fair and no one has won.
		A)	competition
		B)	avoidance
		C)	accommodation
		D)	collaboration
		E)	compromise


11	The ____ conflict style is the basis of groupthink.
		A)	competition
		B)	avoidance
		C)	accommodation
		D)	collaboration
		E)	compromise


12	One suggestion for disagreeing productively in small groups is:
		A)	Wait until the deadline for completing the project is near.
		B)	Use neutral language.
		C)	Criticize the person with whom you disagree.
		D)	React to disagreement by defending your own ideas.
		E)	Use offensive words to get others' attention.


13	The single most important strategy for maximizing influence when expressing disagreement in small groups is:
		A)	Make sure all arguments are consistent.
		B)	Use high quality arguments.
		C)	Strongly defend the arguments against all attacks.
		D)	Form coalitions with others who agree with your position.
		E)	Avoid listening to other points of view.


14	The nominal group technique:
		A)	allows lazy or shy members to let others do all the work.
		B)	helps create a sense of teamwork.
		C)	begins with group members working together to brainstorm solutions for a problem.
		D)	produces high levels of cohesiveness and satisfaction among groups using this technique.
		E)	neutralizes the negative effects of domineering members.


15	Principled negotiation involves:
		A)	using subjective criteria to evaluate the problem.
		B)	discouraging people from expressing their emotions.
		C)	identifying creative solutions that combine participants' interests.
		D)	personalizing the issue under discussion.
		E)	having the negotiator impose standards for evaluating the final solution.


16	Conflict in a small group must be expressed for members to experience it.
		A)	True
		B)	False


17	When group members convince themselves they cannot fail they are likely experiencing groupthink.
		A)	True
		B)	False


18	The collaboration style of conflict management is the best style to use in small groups.
		A)	True
		B)	False


19	In the nominal group technique, group members form nominal coalitions that present a united front on a particular issue to the rest of the group.
		A)	True
		B)	False


20	Principled negotiation encourages individuals in conflict to respect their relationship as well as meet their needs.
		A)	True
		B)	False

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