Think Interpersonal Communication 1st Canadian Edition By Isa N. Engleberg – Test Bank

11.1 MULTIPLE CHOICE
Ans: a
Pages: 195
Difficulty: 2

1 The primary goal of a jury is to
a. reach a decision.
b. solve a problem.
c. determine the whole truth.
d. answer a question of conjecture.
e. answer a question of value.

Ans: c
Page: 196
Difficulty: 2
2. Problem solving occurs when a group
a. reaches a conclusion or makes a decision.
b. passes judgment on an issue under consideration.
c. develops and agrees to a plan that reduces or eliminates the harmful effects of a problem.
d. chooses among alternatives.
e. analyzes the background, causes, and effects of an immediate problem.

Ans: a
Page: 196
Difficulty: 1
3. “What causes acid rain?” is an example of a question of
a. fact.
b. conjecture.
c. value.
d. policy.
e. all of the above.

Ans: d
Page: 196
Difficulty: 2
4. “Which candidate should we support as president of the student government association?” is an example of a question of
a. fact.
b. conjecture.
c. value.
d. policy.
e. all of the above.

Ans: b
Page: 196-197
Difficulty: 2

5. According to your textbook, the following three prerequisites should be in place whenever a group seeks to make an important decision or solve a significant problem:
a. skilled chairperson, conscientious members, clear structure
b. clear goal, quality content, structured procedures
c. questions of fact, value, and policy
d. voting, seeking consensus, authority rule
e. quantity, quality, and validity of research

Ans: e
Page: 197
Difficulty: 1

6. The key to becoming a well-informed group lies in the ability of members to
a. assess the group’s current knowledge.
b. identify areas needing research.
c. assign research responsibilities and deadlines.
d. determine how to share information effectively.
e. do all of the above.

Ans: d
Page: 198
Difficulty: 2

7. According to Irving Janis, groupthink is the deterioration of group effectiveness caused by
a. group disagreement and conflict.
b. lack of appropriate group roles.
c. failure to get beyond the storming stage of group development.
d. in-group pressure to conform.
e. lack of a structured procedure for problem solving.

Ans: d
Page: 198
Difficulty: 2
8. Which symptom of groupthink is expressed when a group member confronts another by saying: “Why aren’t you in favor of this? You’re the only one who’s against it. Give it up!”
a. rationalization
b. self-censorship
c. mindguarding
d. pressure on dissent
e. illusion of invulnerability

Ans: e
Page: 198
Difficulty: 3
9. Which symptom of groupthink is expressed when a group member says “Of course, we’re right. We have a perfect safety record, have done this many times, and nothing’s gone wrong.”?
a. morality
b. stereotyping Outsiders
c. mindguarding
d. illusion of unanimity
e. illusion of invulnerability

Ans: d
Page: 198
Difficulty: 3

10. Groupthink has been implicated in all of the following policy-making fiascos except
a. the failed Bay of Pigs invasion of Cuba.
b. the Challenger space shuttle disaster.
c. George W. Bush’s decision to invade Iraq in 2003.
d. the decision of Americans to send money to help Hurricane Katrina victims.
e. all of the above were caused by groupthink.

Ans: c
Page: 198
Difficulty: 2
11. All of the following methods are appropriate for minimizing the potential for groupthink except
a. ask each member to serve in the role of critical evaluator.
b. if possible, have more than one group work on the same problem independently.
c. avoid asking questions and do not demand justifications from others.
d. discuss the potential negative consequences of any decision or action.
e. before finalizing the decision, give members a second chance to express doubts.