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Sample/practice exam 2020, questions and answers
Organizational Behaviour (MGMT 2008)
The University of the West Indies Mona
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Organizational Behavior, 14e (Robbins/Judge) Chapter 14 Conflict and Negotiation
If no one is aware of conflict, it is generally agreed that ________. A) employee-employer relations will be good B) conflict is subversive C) no conflict exists D) conflict is inevitable E) conflict is psychologically driven as opposed to physically manifest Answer: C Explanation: Common to most is the idea that conflict is a perception. If no one is aware of a conflict, then it is generally agreed no conflict exists. Diff: 1 Page Ref: 454 Topic: A Definition of Conflict Skill: AACSB: Analytic Skills Objective: Conflict Quest. Category: Concept/Definitional LO: 1
Which of the following is not included in the definition of conflict? A) perception B) disruption of tasks C) something that is cared about D) negative effects E) incompatibility Answer: B Explanation: Conflict is defined as a process that begins when one party perceives that another party has negatively affected, or is about to negatively affect, something that the first party cares about. Disruption of tasks is not a part of the definition. Diff: 1 Page Ref: 454- Topic: A Definition of Conflict Skill: AACSB: Analytic Skills Objective: Conflict Quest. Category: Concept/Definitional LO: 1
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The traditional view of conflict is the belief that conflict is ________. A) harmful B) natural C) necessary D) situationally-dependent E) neutral Answer: A Explanation: The traditional view has argued that conflict must be avoided, that it indicates a malfunctioning within the group. In this school of thought conflict is viewed negatively and discussed with such terms as violence, destruction, and irrationality to reinforce its negative connotation. Diff: 2 Page Ref: 455 Topic: Transitions in Conflict Thought Skill: AACSB: Analytic Skills Objective: Traditional View of Conflict Quest. Category: Concept/Definitional LO: 2
The traditional view of conflict argues that conflict ________. A) cannot be avoided B) helps to generate discussion C) can be avoided D) improves productivity E) must be avoided Answer: E Explanation: The traditional view has argued that conflict must be avoided, that it indicates a malfunctioning within the group. In this school of thought conflict is viewed negatively and discussed with such terms as violence, destruction, and irrationality to reinforce its negative connotation. Diff: 2 Page Ref: 455 Topic: Transitions in Conflict Thought Skill: AACSB: Analytic Skills Objective: Traditional View of Conflict Quest. Category: Concept/Definitional LO: 2
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According to the interactionist's perspective, a group that functions without conflict is ________. A) living up to behavioral ideals B) prone to becoming static and apathetic C) likely to be responsive to the need for change and innovation D) the most productive E) a rare phenomenon Answer: B Explanation: The interactionist view of conflict encourages conflict on the grounds that a harmonious, peaceful, tranquil, and cooperative group is prone to becoming static, apathetic, and unresponsive to needs for change and innovation. Diff: 2 Page Ref: 455 Topic: Transitions in Conflict Thought Skill: AACSB: Analytic Skills Objective: Interactionist View of Conflict Quest. Category: Concept/Definitional LO: 2
The ________ view of conflict argues that conflict is necessary for a group to perform effectively. A) human relations B) interactionist C) traditional D) functional E) reactive Answer: B Explanation: The interactionist view of conflict encourages conflict on the grounds that a harmonious, peaceful, tranquil, and cooperative group is prone to becoming static, apathetic, and unresponsive to needs for change and innovation. The major contribution of this view is recognizing that a minimal level of conflict can help keep a group viable, self critical, and creative. Diff: 2 Page Ref: 455 Topic: Transitions in Conflict Thought Skill: AACSB: Analytic Skills Objective: Interactionist View of Conflict Quest. Category: Concept/Definitional LO: 2
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Encouraging group leaders to maintain an ongoing minimum level of conflict is part of the ________ view of conflict. A) functional B) traditional C) human relations D) interactionist E) conjunctivist Answer: D Explanation: The interactionist view of conflict encourages conflict on the grounds that a harmonious, peaceful, tranquil, and cooperative group is prone to becoming static, apathetic, and unresponsive to needs for change and innovation. Diff: 2 Page Ref: 455 Topic: Transitions in Conflict Thought Skill: AACSB: Analytic Skills Objective: Interactionist View of Conflict Quest. Category: Concept/Definitional LO: 2
Which of the following types of conflict identified by the interactionist view is the least functional and the most damaging to productivity? A) task B) organizational C) relationship D) process E) institutional Answer: C Explanation: Relationship conflict focuses on interpersonal relationships. Studies demonstrate that relationship conflicts are almost always dysfunctional. It appears that the friction and interpersonal hostilities inherent in relationship conflicts increase personality clashes and decrease mutual understanding, which hinders the completion of organizational tasks. Diff: 2 Page Ref: 455 Topic: Transitions in Conflict Thought Skill: AACSB: Analytic Skills Objective: Interactionist View of Conflict Quest. Category: Concept/Definitional LO: 2
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________ conflicts are almost always dysfunctional. A) Task B) Job C) Relationship D) Process E) Functional Answer: C Explanation: Relationship conflict focuses on interpersonal relationships. Studies demonstrate that relationship conflicts are almost always dysfunctional. It appears that the friction and interpersonal hostilities inherent in relationship conflicts increase personality clashes and decrease mutual understanding, which hinders the completion of organizational tasks. Diff: 2 Page Ref: 455 Topic: Transitions in Conflict Thought Skill: AACSB: Analytic Skills Objective: Relationship Conflict Quest. Category: Concept/Definitional LO: 2
For process conflict to be productive, it must be ________. A) kept high B) kept low C) kept at low-to-moderate levels D) kept at moderate levels E) subject to managerial control Answer: B Explanation: Low levels of process conflict and low to moderate levels of task conflict can be functional, but only in very specific cases. For process conflict to be productive, it must be kept low. Diff: 2 Page Ref: 455 Topic: Transitions in Conflict Thought Skill: AACSB: Analytic Skills Objective: Process Conflict Quest. Category: Concept/Definitional LO: 2
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For task conflict to be productive, it should be ________. A) kept high B) kept low C) kept at low-to-moderate levels D) kept at moderate levels E) subject to managerial control Answer: C Explanation: Task conflict relates to the content and goals of the work. Low to moderate levels of task conflict stimulate discussion of ideas. This means task conflicts relate positively to creativity and innovation, but not to routine task performance. Task conflict is related to positive outcomes only when all members share the same goals and have high levels of trust. Diff: 2 Page Ref: 455 Topic: Transitions in Conflict Thought Skill: AACSB: Analytic Skills Objective: Task Conflict Quest. Category: Concept/Definitional LO: 2
Which of the following is not one of the problems that occurs when conflict is encouraged? A) increased group viability B) time lost on the job C) lingering hurt feelings D) increased employee stress E) reductions in cooperation Answer: A Explanation: Workplace conflicts are not productive, they take time away from job tasks or interacting with customers, and hurt feelings and anger often linger. Conflicts produce stress. Studies show that all conflicts reduce trust, respect, and cohesion in groups, which reduces their long-term viability. Diff: 2 Page Ref: 456 Topic: Transitions in Conflict Thought Skill: AACSB: Analytic Skills Objective: Traditional View of Conflict Quest. Category: Concept/Definitional LO: 2
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The categories of causes or sources of conflict include all of the following except ________. A) communication B) structure C) group interaction D) personal variables E) All of the above are causes or sources of conflict. Answer: C Explanation: The conditions (causes or sources of conflict) have been condensed into three general categories: communication, structure, and personal variables. Group interaction is not considered a source of conflict. Diff: 2 Page Ref: 457 Topic: The Conflict Process Skill: AACSB: Analytic Skills Objective: Sources of Conflict Quest. Category: Concept/Definitional LO: 3
Which of the following is not considered one of the potential sources of conflict? A) too much communication B) group size and specialization C) value similarities D) short job tenure E) too little communication Answer: C Explanation: The potential for conflict increases when either too little or too much communication takes place. Size and specialization can stimulate conflict. Tenure and conflict have been found to be inversely related; the potential for conflict is greatest when group members are younger and when turnover is high. Value similarities do not cause conflict. Diff: 2 Page Ref: 457- Topic: The Conflict Process Skill: AACSB: Analytic Skills Objective: Sources of Conflict Quest. Category: Concept/Definitional LO: 3
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High job specialization can lead to ________ conflict. A) communication B) structural C) personal-variable D) job-related E) team Answer: B Explanation: Structural conflict includes variables such as size, degree of specialization in the tasks assigned to group members, jurisdictional clarity, member–goal compatibility, leadership styles, reward systems, and the degree of dependence between groups. Diff: 2 Page Ref: 458 Topic: The Conflict Process Skill: AACSB: Analytic Skills Objective: Structure Quest. Category: Concept/Definitional LO: 3
Stage II of the conflict process deals with conflict being ________. A) perceived and felt B) apparent and experienced C) expressed and perceived D) overt and covert E) internalized Answer: A Explanation: The potential for opposition or incompatibility becomes actualized in the second stage. Because a conflict is a perceived conflict does not mean it is personalized. It is at the felt conflict level, when individuals become emotionally involved, that parties experience anxiety, tension, frustration, or hostility. Diff: 2 Page Ref: 459 Topic: The Conflict Process Skill: AACSB: Analytic Skills Objective: Perceived Conflict and Felt Conflict Quest. Category: Concept/Definitional LO: 3
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In assessing intentions, cooperativeness is the degree to which ________. A) one party attempts to satisfy the other party's concerns B) one party attempts to resolve conflict C) both parties work toward a common goal D) there is an absence of conflict E) one party can empathize with the other Answer: A Explanation: Cooperativeness is the degree to which one party attempts to satisfy the other party's concerns, and assertiveness is the degree to which one party attempts to satisfy his or her own concerns. Diff: 2 Page Ref: 459 Topic: The Conflict Process Skill: AACSB: Analytic Skills Objective: Cooperativeness Quest. Category: Concept/Definitional LO: 3
The dimension of assertiveness refers to situations ________. A) in which one party attempts to satisfy his/her own concerns B) in which there is an expression of competition C) involving a major behavior change D) that lead to conflict E) in which one party behaves generously Answer: A Explanation: Cooperativeness is the degree to which one party attempts to satisfy the other party's concerns, and assertiveness is the degree to which one party attempts to satisfy his or her own concerns. Diff: 2 Page Ref: 459 Topic: The Conflict Process Skill: AACSB: Analytic Skills Objective: Assertiveness Quest. Category: Concept/Definitional LO: 3
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Which is not one of the five conflict-handling intentions? A) collaborating B) competing C) accommodating D) avoiding E) resisting Answer: E Explanation: We can identify five conflict-handling intentions: competing (assertive and uncooperative), collaborating (assertive and cooperative), avoiding (unassertive and uncooperative), accommodating (unassertive and cooperative), and compromising (midrange on both assertiveness and cooperativeness). Diff: 2 Page Ref: 459 Topic: The Conflict Process Skill: AACSB: Analytic Skills Objective: Conflict-Handling Intentions Quest. Category: Concept/Definitional LO: 3
The conflict-handling intention of collaborating is ________. A) assertive and uncooperative B) assertive and cooperative C) unassertive and uncooperative D) unassertive and cooperative E) affective and reflective Answer: B Explanation: Collaborating intentions are assertive and cooperative. Diff: 3 Page Ref: 459 Topic: The Conflict Process Skill: AACSB: Analytic Skills Objective: Collaborating Quest. Category: Concept/Definitional LO: 3
The conflict-handling intention of avoiding is ________. A) assertive and uncooperative B) assertive and cooperative C) unassertive and uncooperative D) unassertive and cooperative E) assertive and reflective Answer: C Explanation: Avoiding intentions are unassertive and uncooperative. Diff: 3 Page Ref: 459 Topic: The Conflict Process Skill: AACSB: Analytic Skills Objective: Avoiding Quest. Category: Concept/Definitional LO: 3
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Angelina feels that her cubicle neighbor talks too loudly on the phone, but in other ways she is a great neighbor. Angelina gets annoyed every time her neighbor's phone rings, but she has decided it's simply not worth the trouble to talk to her neighbor. Angelina's conflict intention is called ________. A) competing B) avoiding C) accommodating D) compromising E) collaborating Answer: B Explanation: A person may recognize a conflict exists and want to withdraw from or suppress it. Examples of avoiding include trying to ignore a conflict and avoiding others with whom you disagree. Diff: 2 Page Ref: 460 Topic: The Conflict Process Skill: AACSB: Analytic Skills Objective: Avoiding Quest. Category: Application LO: 3
Irma does not like a few of the standard operating procedures adapted for the new project. However, she discussed the items with the team and told them that she realized she was in the minority and that she would adapt the new procedures to maintain smooth operations within the team. This type of intention is called ________. A) sacrificing B) accommodating C) collaborating D) compromising E) competing Answer: B Explanation: A party who seeks to appease an opponent may be willing to place the opponent's interests above his or her own, sacrificing to maintain the relationship. We refer to this intention as accommodating. Supporting someone else's opinion despite your reservations about it, for example, is accommodating. Diff: 2 Page Ref: 460 Topic: The Conflict Process Skill: AACSB: Analytic Skills Objective: Accommodating Quest. Category: Application LO: 3
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In which stage of the conflict process does conflict become visible? A) illumination B) intentions C) potential opposition or incompatibility D) behavior E) cognition and personalization Answer: D Explanation: When most people think of conflict situations, they tend to focus on Stage IV because this is where conflicts become visible. The behavior stage includes the statements, actions, and reactions made by the conflicting parties, usually as overt attempts to implement their own intentions. Diff: 2 Page Ref: 461 Topic: The Conflict Process Skill: AACSB: Analytic Skills Objective: Behavior Quest. Category: Concept/Definitional LO: 3
Conflict management techniques can ________ conflict. A) resolve B) stimulate C) lead to a higher probability of concurrent D) both resolve and stimulate E) none of the above Answer: D Explanation: Techniques of conflict management include major resolution and stimulation techniques that allow managers to control conflict levels. Conflict-handling intentions are a person's methods of translating intentions into comparable behaviors. Diff: 2 Page Ref: 461 Topic: The Conflict Process Skill: AACSB: Analytic Skills Objective: Conflict-Management Techniques Quest. Category: Concept/Definitional LO: 3
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What is the overall goal of conflict management? A) achieving the desired conflict level B) resolving conflict C) stimulating conflict D) identifying conflict E) assessing the source of conflict Answer: A Explanation: Conflict management is defined as the use of resolution and stimulation techniques to achieve the desired level of conflict. Diff: 2 Page Ref: 461 Topic: The Conflict Process Skill: AACSB: Analytic Skills Objective: Conflict Management Quest. Category: Concept/Definitional LO: 3
Which one of the following might not be a functional outcome of the conflict process? A) stimulates creativity B) increases innovation C) fosters environment of self-evaluation D) relieves tensions E) avoids risk Answer: E Explanation: Conflict is constructive when it improves the quality of decisions, stimulates creativity and innovation, encourages interest and curiosity among group members, provides the medium through which problems can be aired and tensions released, and fosters an environment of self-evaluation and change. Diff: 2 Page Ref: 462 Topic: The Conflict Process Skill: AACSB: Analytic Skills Objective: Functional Outcomes of the Conflict Process Quest. Category: Concept/Definitional LO: 3
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Conflict is dysfunctional when it ________. A) provides a medium to release tension B) reduces group cohesiveness C) fosters an environment of self-evaluation D) provides a means for expressing frustration E) leads to change Answer: B Explanation: Among the more undesirable consequences of dysfunctional conflict are hampered communication, reductions in group cohesiveness, and subordination of group goals to the primacy of infighting among members. Diff: 2 Page Ref: 464 Topic: The Conflict Process Skill: AACSB: Analytic Skills Objective: Dysfunctional Outcomes of the Conflict Process Quest. Category: Concept/Definitional LO: 3
Negotiation can be defined as a process in which two or more parties exchange goods or services and attempt to agree upon ________. A) the exchange rate for those goods and services B) acceptable bargaining strategies for obtaining the goods and services C) a model of the negotiation process for resolving differences D) effective arbitrators for disputes E) the monetary value of the exchanged items Answer: A Explanation: Negotiation can be defined as a process that occurs when two or more parties decide how to allocate scarce resources and agree on an exchange rate for the resources. The terms negotiation and bargaining can be used interchangeably. Diff: 2 Page Ref: 465 Topic: Negotiation Skill: AACSB: Analytic Skills Objective: Negotiation Quest. Category: Concept/Definitional LO: 4
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Sample/practice exam 2020, questions and answers
Course: Organizational Behaviour (MGMT 2008)
University: The University of the West Indies Mona
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