Exam 6: Groups and Organizations

Eric works for the All-Star Baseball Card Company.Bi-weekly,Eric and about twelve of his co-workers meet with the shift supervisor to discuss ways to improve the work setting and the company's product.This group is an example of a(n):

A(n) __________ is a collection of people who happen to be in the same place at the same time but share little else in common.

Total institutions,such as boot camps,prisons,and some mental hospitals,are examples of __________ organizations.

__________ may be praised for their expressive,supportive behavior toward group members,but they may also be blamed for being indecisive in times of crisis.

Because of the assumed relationship between size and importance,officials tend to press for larger budgets and more staff and office space.To justify growth,administrators and managers must come up with more tasks for workers to perform.This is an example of what type of problem associated with bureaucracies?

__________ focus on the instrumental tasks of the group and demand compliance from others.In times of crisis,such as a war or natural disaster,they may be commended for their decisive actions.In other situations,however,they may be criticized for being dictatorial and for fostering intergroup hostility.

The tragic 2003 explosion of the space shuttle Columbia while preparing to land has been cited as an example of:

Discuss the major shortcomings of bureaucracies and their effects on workers,clients or customers,and levels of productivity.

The assessment of outcomes based on quantifiable rather than subjective criteria is referred to as:

Some bureaucracies perpetuate inequalities of race,class,and gender because this form of organizational structure creates a specific type of work or learning environment.This structure was typically created for:

The "grapevine" spreads information (with varying degrees of accuracy) much faster than do official channels of communication,which tend to be slow and unresponsive.The "grapevine" is an example of:

Distinguish between the two functions of leadership and the three major styles of group leadership.

Almost __________ of Stanley Milgram's research subjects went all the way to what could have been a deadly jolt of electricity if the shock generator had been real.

According to social psychologist Irving Janis' theory on "groupthink," members usually want to be "team players." They may not want to be the ones who undermine the group's consensus or who challenge the group's leaders.Consequently,members often limit or withhold their opinions and focus on consensus rather than exploring all of the options and determining the best course of action.

__________ leadership is most appropriate when the group is dealing with emotional issues,and harmony,solidarity,and high morale are needed.

__________ are individuals who frequently serve as role models.These are people that are in our primary groups.

In the early 1980s,there was a movement in the U.S.to humanize bureaucracy-to establish an organizational environment that develops rather than impedes human resources.More humane bureaucracies are characterized by:

We voluntarily join __________ organizations when they can provide us with a material reward we seek.

A(n) __________ is an abstract model that describes the recurring characteristics of some phenomenon (such as bureaucracy).

A group composed of three members is referred to as a: