Lesson 11: Group Structure

Question 1

Blocking roles

Answer 1

Unproductive behavior that hinders the group from achieving organizational objectives.

Question 2

Cliques

Answer 2

Subgroups of individuals within a larger group who share common goals, values, and expectations sometimes at odds with other subgroups and perhaps the larger group’s goals, values, and expectations.

Question 3

Cohesion

Answer 3

The strength of the bonds linking individuals to and in the group. It is sometimes referred to as the glue that keeps a group together.

Question 4

Group

Answer 4

Two or more persons who are interacting with one another in such a manner that each person influences and is influenced by each other while achieving a common purpose, mission, or task.

Question 5

Group norms

Answer 5

The social standards that regulate group members’ behaviors. A —— regulate the group’s activities by identifying what is acceptable and what is not

Question 6

Group roles

Answer 6

A coherent set of behaviors expected of people who occupy specific positions within a group.

Question 7

Group Structure

Answer 7

The underlying pattern of roles, norms, and relations among members of groups.

Question 8

Heterogeneous

Answer 8

A quality exhibited when members of the group are diversified in terms of their abilities, skills, resources, and /or social makeup that are required to accomplish the group’s task or mission.

Question 9

Homogeneous

Answer 9

A quality exhibited when members of the group are similar in terms of their abilities, skills, resources, and /or social makeup that are required to accomplish the group’s task or mission

Question 10

Interdependency

Answer 10

A characteristic of people being somewhat mutually dependent to accomplish a group task or goal.

Question 11

Relationship-building Role

Answer 11

The position of a group member who performs behaviors that improve the nature and quality of interpersonal relations among other group members.

Question 12

Role ambiguity

Answer 12

The perception and uncertainty due to unclear expectations by a group member about his or her purpose in the group.

Question 13

Role clarity

Answer 13

The perception and clear understanding demonstrated when a group member accurately performs his or her assigned purpose in the group.

Question 14

Role conflict

Answer 14

A state of tension, distress, or uncertainty caused by inconsistent or conflicting expectations associated with one’s role in the group.

Question 15

Social loafing

Answer 15

The reduction of individual effort exerted when people work in groups as compared to when they work alone.

Question 16

Status

Answer 16

The level of rights and privileges that members have within the group.

Question 17

Task-facilitating role

Answer 17

Any position in a group occupied by a member who performs behaviors that promote completion of tasks and activities.

Question 18

Team

Answer 18

Group members that are so tightly coupled that each member’s outcomes are inextricably tied to each other member’s outcomes.

Question 19

Rampart scandal

Answer 19

Refers to widespread corruption in the community resources against street hoodlums (or CRASH) anti-gang unit of the Los Angeles police department rampart division in the late 1990s.