T F 1. Ideally, intrinsic interest
is high in all members of a group assigned to solve a problem.
T F 2. When stated properly,
a problem question suggests the sort of solution needed.
T F 3. Immediately after someone
has stated a problem, it is common for another group member to suggest
a solution.
T F 4. Possible solutions should
be evaluated as soon as feasible after they have been suggested by a member
of a group.
T F 5. "Decision making" is an
approximate synonym for "problem solving."
T F 6. A group of persons which
has in it all important resources of knowledge about the problem may do
poorly at solving it if they lack knowledge of how to solve problems effectively
as a group.
T F 7. "Vigilant Interaction
Theory" and "Functional Theory" have the same referent.
T F 8. An outlined systematic
procedure is needed to be sure no vital step is missed while discussing
how to solve a complex problem.
T F 9. Almost no writers in the
area of small group communication have confused the terms "problem solving"
and "decision making."
T F 10. "Decision making" is
more complicated than "problem solving."
T F 11. With some complex problems
("wicked"), rigid adherence to a specific structured outline may be counterproductive.
T F 12. Scientific Method depends
on intuitive insights for deciding what is the best hypothesis or theory
to explain observations of the natural world.
T F 13. The most important guideline
for organizing problem-solving discussions to be sure that certain major
issues are discussed thoroughly, regardless of in what sequence.
T F 14. Unstructured problem-solving
group discussions produce solutions equal in quality to those produced
by highly structured discussions.
T F 15. It is not necessary to
consider possible negative consequences of a possible solution arrived
at by sudden insights following thorough discussion of the problem.
T F 16. Evidence from research
suggests that a procedural model or outline for organizing a problem-solving
discussion should be in view of group members. (e.g., on a chart or handout).
T F 17. A group would need to
give more consideration to the technical dimension of the problem when
discussing how to improve the seating than when discussing how to make
the fuel tanks of an airplane safer.
T F 18. A special committee charged
with selecting one of four computer systems proposed by salespersons would
have a decision-making (as contrasted to problem-solving) task.
T F 19. One procedure for creative
problem-solving discussion has been demonstrated to produce decisions superior
to those produced by following other structured sequences.
T F 20. Statements of criteria
should refer to observable or measurable characteristics of solutions.
T F 21. Every solution proposed
to a problem being discussed should be written down, preferably where every
member can see it.
T F 22. When discussants have
high intrinsic interest in a problem, they will likely prefer more procedural
control from the discussion leader than when they are not so interested.
T F 23. A fact-finding group
would need to go through fewer steps in the P-MOPS than would a policy-creating
group.
T F 24. If not previously discussed,
presented to the group, or previously understood by all members, criteria
should be discussed before talking about the relative advantages and disadvantages
of the proposed solutions.
25. "Acceptance dimension" of a problem refers
to the
A. importance a committee attaches to its
charge.
B. acceptance of facts and ideas presented
by members to each other.
C. extent to which a group has an acceptable
level of information about the problem.
D. extent to which a parent organization
accepts the recommendations of a committee.
E. level of acceptance of a solution by people
who must put it into effect and/or live with it.
26. During the second major phase of P-MOPS,
the group
A. analyzes causes of the problem.
B. establishes criteria to evaluate solutions.
C. shares information about details of the
problem.
D. generates and clarifies possible solutions
to the problem.
E. evaluates the workability, possible benefits,
and possible ill effects of each proposed solution.
27. Which problem would likely rank highest
in solution multiplicity?
A. A student's GPA is perilously close to
the minimum required to retain his scholarship.
B. A florist's delivery truck was wrecked
and a replacement is needed quickly.
C. A young couple are very displeased with
the decor of their newly rented apartment.
D. City water mains are leaking about 20
percent of the water supply.
28. Which is the preferable phrasing of a
problem facing an advisory committee of a city council?
A. Why aren't more conventions coming to
our city?
B. How can more conventions be attracted
to our city?
C. What could be done to attract more conventions
to our city?
D. What shall we recommend city council do
to attract more conventions to our city?
E. What would be a reasonable number of conventions
to attract to our city each calendar year?
29. Berg found that the average time spent
per theme discussed was about
A. ten to twenty seconds.
B. one minute.
C. five minutes.
D. ten minutes.
E. half an hour.
30. In chapter 10, a problem was defined
as consisting of
A. a feeling, a perception, and a projection.
B. an undesirable situation and a desirable
one.
C. a past situation, a present situation,
and a future situation.
D. an undesirable situation, obstacles, and
a desired situation.
E. facts, personal goals, causes, criteria,
and a change resulting in the goals.
31. Brainstorming is appropriate when a characteristic
of them problem is a high level of
A. solution multiplicity.
B. intrinsic interest.
C. task difficulty.
D. acceptance requirements.
E. population familiarity.
32. When cooperative requirements are high
for a problem, before discussing pros and cons of solutions the group needs
to
A. brainstorm.
B. map out the problem in detail.
C. discuss and agree on criteria.
D. evaluate all possible negative outcomes.
E. ventilate members' feelings about the
problem.
33. "Area of freedom" refers to
A. the purpose of creating a committee.
B. the size or scope of a problem a committee
is charged with solving.
C. the amount of flexibility in a proposal
given a parent organization by a committee.
D. limits on the authority given to a committee,
such as whether it can only recommend an action or take the action.
34. In the term "Vigilant Interaction Theory"
coined by R. Hirokawa, "vigilant" refers to ______________ during problem-solving
discussions.
A. being alert
B. applying critical thinking
C. using explicit criteria
D. thorough mapping of the problem
E. following a structured procedure
35. To "map" a problem means to answer questions
suggested by the words and phrases
A. could, might, shall be done.
B. who, what, when, why, where, and how long.
C. positive effects and negative consequences.
D. area of freedom, charge, and type of outcome.
36. PERT could be used to advantage in which
step of a problem-solving discussion?
A. I
B. II
C. III
D. IV
E. V
37. A flexible procedural model for problem-solving
discussion, in which the group creates an agenda of questions for structuring
discussion, is called
A. reflective thinking
B. vigilant interaction
C. P-MOPS
D. the single question format
E. the intuitive model
38. The failure in applying Vigilant Interaction
theory (VIT) which often leads to faulty solutions is
A. omission of one of the four issues in
VIT.
B. rearranging the step or issues of VIT.
C. the leader takes sides in an argument
over an issue.
D. failure to work out implementation.
E. faulty information is accepted as true.
39. Broome and Fulbright found that experienced
problem-solving group participants with considerable age and professional
status seemed to _____________ procedural methods such as P-MOPS.
A. oppose
B. resent
C. accept reluctantly
D. want
E. over-do