Q&A Hero

Q: The term lex mercatoria refers to the principles of law common to the worlds legal systems.

Q: Conventions are legally binding agreements between states sponsored by international organizations.

Q: A formal binding agreement between two states is called a multilateral treaty.

Q: Equity is the practice between states of treating each other with goodwill and civility.

Q: T F A symposium is essentially a conversation in front of an audience.

Q: T F In a symposium, each participant in turn delivers a prepared speech on a different aspect of a common topic.

Q: T F Like other speeches, an oral report from a problem-solving group should have an introduction, a body, and a conclusion.

Q: T F An oral report from a problem-solving small group is usually delivered by one person.

Q: T F The work of a problem-solving group ends with the last stage of the reflective-thinking process.

Q: T F The best way to reach a consensus decision in a problem-solving group is to take a vote on the issue in dispute.

Q: T F The ideal of small-group discussion is to reach a consensus decision on major issues facing the group.

Q: T F Brainstorming for potential solutions requires that a small group wait until all potential solutions have been presented to begin evaluating them.

Q: T F Brainstorming is especially useful when a problem-solving small group is trying to generate potential solutions.

Q: T F A common failing of problem-solving groups is that they start to discuss solutions before agreeing on criteria for the solutions.

Q: T F A common failing of problem-solving groups is that they often start to discuss solutions before they fully understand the problem.

Q: T F What should the City Council do to keep greedy land developers from ruining our town? is an example of a well-worded question for a problem-solving group discussion.

Q: T F Should our city build a new recreation center? is an example of a well-worded question for a problem-solving group discussion.

Q: T F What steps should the city take to improve our local parks? is an example of a well-worded question for a problem-solving group discussion.

Q: T F What steps should be taken to reduce gun violence in the U.S.? is an example of a well-worded question for a problem-solving group discussion.

Q: T F Questions for problem-solving discussions should usually be phrased so as to allow for yes-or-no answers.

Q: T F Generating potential solutions is the first step in the reflective-thinking method for small group discussion.

Q: T F Defining the problem is the first step in the reflective-thinking method for small group discussion.

Q: T F As your textbook makes clear, personal conflicts are essential if a small group is to function successfully.

Q: T F Disagreements among group members should be kept at the task level rather than the personal level.

Q: T F As your textbook explains, hidden agendas are necessary for effective group discussion.

Q: T F Helping group members get along with each other is an example of a maintenance need in a small group.

Q: T F Collecting information about the discussion topic is an example of a maintenance need in a small group.

Q: T F The maintenance needs of a small group include such matters as whether members get along with each other and feel good about their roles in the group.

Q: T F Helping the group reach consensus on its final decision is an example of a task need in a small group.

Q: T F Collecting information is an example of a task need in a small group.

Q: T F Helping group members get along with each other is an example of a task need in a small group.

Q: T F Deciding when and where the group will meet is an example of a task need in a small group.

Q: T F The task needs of a small group include such matters as encouraging full participation in the group, settling interpersonal conflicts, and helping members feel good about their roles in the group.

Q: T F The task needs of a small group include such matters as distributing the workload among group members, keeping the group on track, and helping the group reach consensus.

Q: T F According to your textbook, task needs involve the communicative actions necessary to maintain interpersonal relations in a small group.

Q: T F Setting the agenda for each meeting is an example of a procedural need in a small group.

Q: T F Helping the group reach consensus on its final decision is an example of a procedural need in a small group.

Q: T F The procedural needs of a small group include such matters as whether members get along with each other and feel good about their roles in the group.

Q: T F The procedural needs of a small group include such matters as deciding when the group will meet, taking notes during the meeting, and summarizing the groups progress at the end of the meeting.

Q: T F The procedural needs of a small group revolve around interpersonal relations among the groups members.

Q: T F A small group that meets for only one session should almost always have a designated leader.

Q: T F A person who by ability, force of personality, or simply by talking the most, takes on a leadership role in a small group is called an emergent leader.

Q: T F The newest or least experienced member of a small group is usually referred to as the implied leader.

Q: T F To function effectively, a small group needs capable leadership.

Q: T F An important feature of a small group is that all participants potentially function as speakers and listeners.

Q: T F According to your textbook, a small group is a collection of three to twelve people who find themselves discussing a particular topic.

Q: T F One of the defining traits of a small group is that its members assemble for a specific purpose.

Q: T F Most experts set the maximum number of members for a small group at seven or eight.

Q: T F There is a great deal of research to show that if members of a small group work well together, they can almost always resolve a problem better than a single person can.

Q: Compare and contrast a symposium and a panel discussion. In your answer, be sure to explain the responsibilities of the moderator and the speakers in both kinds of presentations.

Q: Define and explain each of the following methods of presenting the recommendations of a problem-solving small group: a. oral report b. symposium c. panel discussion

Q: Explain the following statement: In some ways, defining the problem for a small group discussion is similar to determining the specific purpose for a speech.

Q: Explain the five stages of the reflective-thinking method for discussion in problem-solving small groups.

Q: Explain the following statement: It is not necessary that members of a small group agree all the time, but they should keep disagreement at the task level.

Q: What is a hidden agenda? Why is a hidden agenda a barrier to effective group discussion?

Q: Explain the five major responsibilities of all members of a small group. Why are all five so important that every participant in a small group should take them as personal objectives?

Q: Explain the differences among procedural needs, task needs, and maintenance needs in a problem-solving small group. Give an example of each kind of need.

Q: Explain the following statement: A small group can function effectively without a specific leader, but never without leadership.

Q: Explain each of the following kinds of leaders for small group discussion: a. implied leader b. emergent leader c. designated leader

Q: The best way to define the problem for a small-group discussion is to phrase it as a question of _______________ .

Q: The first step in the reflective-thinking method for discussion in problem-solving groups is to _______________ .

Q: When one member of a small group has a personal goal that conflicts with the goals of the group as a whole, he or she is said to have a(n) _______________ agenda.

Q: The five major responsibilities of the members of a small group are to a. b. c. d. e.

Q: The _______________ leadership needs of a problem-solving small group include such matters as how well members get along with each other and whether members feel good about their roles in the group.

Q: The _______________ leadership needs of a problem-solving small group include actions necessary to help the group complete its work. Such actions include analyzing the issues facing the group, keeping the group on track, and formulating criteria for the most effective solution.

Q: The _______________ leadership needs of a problem-solving small group include such housekeeping requirements as deciding when and where the group is to meet, reserving a room, and taking notes during the meeting.

Q: A(n) _______________ leader is someone who takes on a leadership role through her or his ability, force of personality, or simply by talking the most during group meetings.

Q: A group member to whom other members defer because of her or his rank or expertise is known as a(n) _______________ leader.

Q: A(n) _______________ leader of a small group is appointed or elected when the group is formed.

Q: A(n) __________ is composed of participants who talk to each other loudly enough for the audience to hear. a. convocation b. oral report c. symposium d. panel discussion e. open forum

Q: A(n) __________ is essentially a conversation in front of an audience. a. panel discussion b. oral report c. convocation d. symposium e. open forum

Q: Having reached consensus on a policy for increasing child safety in the homes of gun owners, Stefanos small group decided to have each member deliver a prepared speech on a different aspect of the groups work. According to your textbook, what method of presenting its recommendations did Stefanos group use? a. an open forum b. a convocation c. a panel discussion d. an oral report e. a symposium

Q: According to your textbook, a public presentation in which several people present prepared speeches on different aspects of the same topic is called a(n) a. panel discussion. b. oral report. c. town hall meeting. d. open forum. e. symposium.

Q: In a symposium, the participants a. speak briefly, informally, and impromptu. b. talk to each other loudly enough for the audience to hear. c. deliver prepared speeches on different aspects of the topic. d. frequently interrupt each other to make a point. e. begin by responding to questions from the audience.

Q: According to your textbook, a(n) __________ is a public presentation in which several people present prepared speeches on different aspects of the same topic. a. oral report b. roundtable c. panel discussion d. symposium e. open forum

Q: If Max is designated to present the findings and recommendations of his small groups deliberations to a large group of stockholders, he will most likely need to a. prepare an oral report. b. create a panel discussion. c. give an impromptu presentation. d. plan a town hall meeting. e. moderate a symposium.

Q: According to your textbook, an oral report of a small groups recommendations should contain a. an introduction, a body, and a conclusion. b. the criteria used for evaluating solutions. c. brief biographies of the groups members. d. all of the above. e. a and b only.

Q: Amys group for her speech class was following the reflective-thinking method for problem-solving small groups. When it came time to choose the best solution, the group decided early on to take a vote, with the majority winning out, rather than drag out the discussion until the group could reach a decision that pleased everyone. According to your textbook, was this the best way for Amys group to proceed? a. Yes. Voting is the recommended procedure for reaching a decision in small groups. b. No. A small group should try every method to reach consensus before resorting to a vote. c. Yes. Continuing to discuss solutions usually leads to interpersonal conflicts in the group. d. No. Rather than voting, a group should brainstorm about rephrasing the question for discussion. e. Yes. Voting is the most effective way to reach a decision and maintain group harmony.

Q: As your textbook explains, a decision that is acceptable to all members of a small group is called a __________ decision. a. prudent b. consensus c. deliberative d. compromise e. judicious

Q: The ideal in small group discussion is to reach a __________ decision. a. compromise b. consistent c. communicable d. consensus e. communal