Unit 3: Chapter 4 Multiple Choice Questions

(Communication Within Group) Psyc344: Group Dynamics

What is the broad definition of group communication?

A) Verbal behavior only

B) Any verbal or nonverbal behavior perceived by other group members

C) A message sent to one receiver

D) Messages that affect group morale

B

In group communication, the commonly defined process involves:

A) Sending a message to one or more receivers with the intent to affect behavior

B) Nonverbal communication only

C) A message from one receiver to another

D) Avoiding feedback from group members

A

Effective communication occurs when:

A) The receiver interprets the message the way the sender intended

B) The sender’s message is unclear

C) Feedback is not required

D) The message is delivered without emotion

A

The complexity of multi-person communication is primarily influenced by:

A) The number of people in the group

B) The topic of conversation

C) The number of messages sent

D) The group’s behavior

A

Which of the following is NOT a way to send messages effectively?

A) Use "I" or "my" to own your message

B) Make your verbal and nonverbal messages congruent

C) Be vague about your feelings to avoid conflict

D) Check for understanding

C

What does "considering the receiver’s frame of reference" mean in communication?

A) Ensuring the message is clear to the sender

B) Understanding how the receiver views the world and interprets messages

C) Avoiding feedback from the receiver

D) Ensuring the message matches your personal beliefs

B

How should you describe others’ behaviors when communicating effectively?

A) By interpreting their feelings

B) By describing their behaviors without evaluation

C) By assuming their motives

D) By ignoring their nonverbal cues

B

In receiving messages effectively, what is essential when paraphrasing the content?

A) Rewording the message based on personal feelings

B) Paraphrasing accurately without evaluating the message

C) Adding your opinions to the message

D) Ignoring nonverbal cues

B

What is the importance of negotiation in group communication?

A) To ensure that everyone agrees immediately

B) To allow for the message’s meaning to be clarified and agreed upon

C) To avoid all misunderstandings

D) To ignore differing viewpoints

B

Which of the following is a level of interaction analysis?

A) The total length of the message

B) The relative frequency and length of communication

C) The emotional tone of the message

D) The number of words used in communication

B

What does the structure of communication networks influence?

A) The color of the room

B) Leadership emergence, group morale, and problem-solving efficiency

C) How long meetings last

D) Group membership size

B

Which communication network is more efficient for complex tasks?

A) Centralized network

B) Decentralized network

C) Linear communication network

D) Direct feedback network

B

In a one-way communication system without feedback, what is the likely consequence?

A) Clearer understanding for everyone

B) Reduced interaction and lack of understanding

C) More group participation

D) Increased efficiency in decision-making

B

Why is one-way communication with feedback still less effective than two-way communication?

A) Group members can’t understand the message at all

B) Group members can give feedback, but not share their opinions on agreement

C) It requires too much time to be efficient

D) It frustrates the sender and receiver equally

B

Which process involves the distortion of messages as they get passed along?

A) Channeling

B) Assimilation

C) Feedback

D) Leveling

B

What is 'leveling' in communication?

A) The receiver adds their personal opinion to the message

B) The message is reduced or shortened as it passes through communicators

C) Key points are sharpened for better retention

D) The message stays intact and unchanged

B

What does 'sharpening' refer to in group communication?

A) Simplifying the message to reduce its content

B) Highlighting the key points while the rest of the message is forgotten

C) Adding new details to the message

D) Reducing the emotional impact of the message

B

What is 'assimilation' in communication?

A) Altering the message to fit the receiver’s frame of reference

B) Adding more details to the message to make it clearer

C) Directly copying the sender’s message without change

D) Ignoring the receiver’s response

A

Which communication type is described as a reciprocal process?

A) One-way communication without feedback

B) Two-way communication

C) Nonverbal communication

D) Groupthink communication

B

Two-way communication is generally considered to be:

A) Less frustrating for the chairperson

B) More time-consuming but more effective in the long run

C) Inefficient for the group

D) Only necessary when discussing factual topics

B

Which of the following can negatively influence the group communication climate?

A) Cooperation and shared decision-making

B) A competitive environment with suspicion and hostility

C) Collaborative problem solving

D) Open discussions with feedback

B

What creates defensive communication in a group?

A) Neutral and supportive feedback

B) Evaluation, control, superiority, and certainty

C) Openness and equal participation

D) Encouraging self-disparaging humor

B

What is a common feature of cooperative communication?

A) Misunderstanding and confusion

B) More accurate, complete, and honest communication

C) Communication is only verbal

D) Information is not shared openly

B

How do seating arrangements influence group communication?

A) They have no impact on interaction

B) They create unconscious perceptions of status and leadership

C) They dictate the leader's behavior

D) They only affect the physical comfort of members

B

Where are members more likely to communicate with each other in a seating arrangement?

A) Members at opposite ends of a table

B) Members facing one another

C) Members sitting in a straight line

D) Members sitting in random order

B

What effect can humor have in a group setting?

A) It creates confusion and reduces clarity

B) It increases tension and division among group members

C) It encourages participation and reduces tension

D) It makes communication more formal

C

How does self-disparaging humor from leaders affect group members?

A) It discourages participation and creates barriers

B) It encourages participation and reduces tension

C) It causes resentment toward the leader

D) It results in less effective problem-solving

B

What kind of communication network is more likely to result in group morale issues?

A) Decentralized network

B) Centralized network

C) Formal network

D) Informal network

B

Which type of communication allows for open, candid membership and leadership distribution?

A) One-way communication

B) Two-way communication

C) Formal hierarchical communication

D) Communication with no feedback

B

What is the effect of a competitive group climate on communication?

A) Leads to more frequent and honest communication

B) Promotes a lack of trust, hostility, and misleading communication

C) Creates an environment of open feedback and cooperation

D) Encourages group members to share opinions freely

B

What is a major drawback of one-way communication without feedback?

A) It encourages collaboration

B) It causes frustration for receivers

C) It reduces the message’s impact

D) It speeds up decision-making

B

In a one-way communication system with feedback, what can the group members do?

A) Change the content of the message

B) Offer feedback on understanding, but not agreement

C) Change the message’s structure

D) Agree with the sender’s intentions without discussion

B

Which of the following is an example of effective message sending?

A) Ignoring the receiver’s frame of reference

B) Making sure your message is complete and clear

C) Avoiding feedback

D) Not using personal pronouns like “I” and “my”

B

What role does checking for understanding play in effective communication?

A) It ensures the message is received but not understood

B) It helps the receiver interpret the message in the same way the sender intended

C) It provides room for miscommunication

D) It focuses on getting feedback from the receiver’s emotions

B

What is an advantage of two-way communication over one-way communication?

A) It is faster and less frustrating for all members

B) It allows for more effective feedback and collaboration

C) It reduces the need for group leadership

D) It is more efficient for time-sensitive tasks

B

What effect does a defensive group climate have on communication?

A) It fosters open dialogue and feedback

B) It leads to confusion and inaccurate information

C) It encourages more cooperation and problem-solving

D) It improves understanding and trust

B

What should a leader consider when using humor in group settings?

A) Humor should only be formal

B) Humor can break tension and increase participation if used properly

C) Humor should not be used in any group setting

D) Humor can only be used to criticize others

B

How does a decentralized communication network impact group dynamics?

A) It limits group participation

B) It allows for more open communication and leadership distribution

C) It leads to unclear or ineffective messaging

D) It reduces the frequency of interactions

B

Which of the following best describes the effect of physical settings on communication?

A) They have no impact on group interactions

B) They influence perceptions of status, participation, and cooperation

C) They only affect physical comfort

D) They increase the formality of communication

B

Which of the following can be an effective strategy to improve group communication?

A) Ignoring feedback from group members

B) Ensuring messages are sent without understanding or clarity

C) Encouraging redundancy and verifying understanding

D) Using vague language to avoid misunderstandings

C