Q&A Hero

Q: As explained in your textbook, which of the following is a defining trait of a small group? a. The group assembles for a specific purpose. b. The group contains a minimum of three members. c. The group has a designated leader. d. all of the above e. a and b only

Q: As explained in your textbook, a group member to whom other members defer because of his or her rank or expertise is called a(n) a. implied leader. b. specific leader. c. emergent leader. d. designated leader. e. appointed leader.

Q: Miriam is the only member of her small group with professional experience on their subject, so her group naturally looks to her to guide the project. What kind of leader is Miriam? a. implied leader b. maintenance leader c. emergent leader d. designated leader e. task leader

Q: As the vice president for employee relations, Johan is the only company executive to attend informal small group meetings where employees are considering proposals to revise the companys personal leave policies. Beginning at its first meeting, the group looks to Johan for leadership. What kind of leader is Johan? a. task leader b. emergent leader c. authoritative leader d. maintenance leader e. implied leader

Q: The person who assumes a leadership role in a small group because of her or his ability, personality, or talkativeness is termed a(n) a. specific leader. b. implied leader. c. emergent leader. d. insistent leader. e. designated leader.

Q: Randall is talkative and offers his opinions freely during small group meetings. Because he participates more than the other members, he has assumed a leadership role within the group. What kind of leader is Randall? a. task leader b. implied leader c. emergent leader d. designated leader e. accidental leader

Q: Rochelle was appointed by her boss to chair a small committee to draft a policy statement on personal use of company computers. She called a meeting of the group for 9 a.m. Wednesday morning. According to your textbook, what kind of leader is Rochelle? a. emergent leader b. designated leader c. implied leader d. dominant leader e. task leader

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

Q: T F According to your textbook, the best approach to brainstorming in a small group is for each member to write down her or his ideas before sharing them with 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 The ideal of small-group discussion is to reach a majority decision on major issues facing the group.

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

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 work of a problem-solving group ends with the last stage of the reflective-thinking process.

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

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

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

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

Q: T F A panel discussion is an especially effective way to present the findings of a problem-solving small group.

Q: T F Because a panel discussion involves speaking impromptu, the best preparation for such a discussion is no preparation at all. Multiple-Choice Questions (Students are to indicate the best answer for each question by circling the correct letter.)

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

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

Q: T F The question for a problem-solving group discussion should usually be phrased as a question of policy.

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

Q: T F What steps should be taken to reduce gun violence in the United States? 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 the city take to redevelop the land currently occupied by the vacant mall? 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 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 Helping group members get along with one another is an example of a maintenance need in a small group.

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

Q: T F In addition to the group leader, the individual members of a small group have a responsibility to commit themselves to the groups goals and to keep the discussion on track.

Q: T F As in other forms of communication, effective listening is vital to communication in small-group discussion.

Q: T F As your textbook explains, disagreements among members of a small group should be kept on a personal level so they wont interfere with the groups ability to complete its task.

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 makes clear, personal conflicts are essential if a small group is to function successfully.

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

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

Q: T F The maintenance needs of a small group include such matters as researching the discussion topic, keeping the group on track, and helping the group reach consensus.

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

Q: T F The procedural needs of a small group include such matters as whether members get along with one another 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 procedural need in a small group.

Q: T F Deciding when and where the group will meet is an example of a procedural need 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 According to your textbook, task needs involve the communicative actions necessary to maintain interpersonal relations in a small 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 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 Deciding when and where the group will meet is an example of a task need in a small group.

Q: T F Helping group members get along with one another 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 the group reach consensus on its final decision is an example of a task need in a small group.

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

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

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

Q: T F According to your textbook, a small group is a collection of 3 to 12 people who find themselves discussing a particular topic.

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

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

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

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

Q: T F Each member of a small group should be prepared to assume a leadership role when necessary.

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: Identify the flaw(s) in each of the following questions for a problem-solving small group. Rewrite each question so as to eliminate the flaw(s). a. Ineffective Question: What should be done to eliminate the incredibly dirty and corrupt campaign techniques of modern politicians? Flaw(s): More Effective Question: b. Ineffective Question: Should our state pass a new law to combat child abuse? Flaw(s): More Effective Question: c. Ineffective Question: What should our school do to offset the loss of student loan money from the federal government and to help students find jobs after they graduate?

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

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

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

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

Q: A(n) _______________ consists of a moderator and several speakers, each of whom presents a prepared speech on a different aspect of the same topic. A(n) _______________ also consists of a moderator and several speakers, but rather than presenting formal prepared speeches, the speakers essentially carry on a conversation in front of the audience.

Q: The five steps in the reflective-thinking method for discussion in problem-solving small groups are:

Q: Sylvia was part of a small group attempting to deal with a wave of thefts in the campus dorms. Because the group was a problem-solving group, it would be unlikely to present its results in a. a convocation b. a panel discussion c. a seminar d. an open forum e. a symposium

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