Test Bank - Group Dynamics for Teams,
6th Edition (Levi, 2026/27), Chapter 1-17 |
All Chapters
Foundations of Teams & Development
Q1: Which of the following best distinguishes a "team" from a standard "work group"?
A. A team shares a leader, while a work group is self-managed.
B. A team has individual accountability, whereas a work group has mutual
accountability.
C. A team focuses on synergy and shared goals, while a work group focuses on
individual performance.
D. A team is always temporary, but a work group is permanent.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The best answer is C because Levi defines teams specifically by their
emphasis on collective performance, synergy, and shared objectives, whereas work
groups are primarily defined by individual contributions.
Q2: According to Tuckman’s model of team development, which stage is characterized
by members being polite, cautious, and unclear about their roles?
A. Storming
B. Performing
C. Forming
D. Adjourning
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: This aligns with the Forming stage, where members are dependent on the
leader for direction, behavior is guarded, and the primary concern is orientation to the
task and one another.
Q3: A project manager creates a team of engineers from different departments to solve
a specific technical problem, after which the team will disband. This is best described as
a:
A. Parallel team
B. Project team
C. Work team
D. Management team
Correct Answer: B
,Rationale: Project teams are specifically formed to tackle a unique, one-time task and
are dissolved once the project is completed, unlike work teams which perform ongoing
tasks.
Q4: During a meeting, a team member suggests that the team should "brainstorm
without criticism" to generate ideas. This suggests the team is trying to manage which
primary disadvantage of group decision-making?
A. Social loafing
B. Groupthink
C. Production blocking
D. Process loss
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Production blocking occurs when members cannot express ideas because
others are speaking; brainstorming rules aim to mitigate this, though they also aim to
reduce evaluation apprehension.
Q5: Which of the following is a key advantage of using teams in organizations?
A. Teams always make decisions faster than individuals.
B. Teams eliminate the need for leadership.
C. Teams provide increased diversity of views and expertise.
D. Teams prevent social loafing entirely.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Levi highlights that one of the primary strengths of teams is the aggregation
of diverse knowledge, perspectives, and skills, which generally leads to better
problem-solving than individuals working alone.
Q6: In the context of team composition, what does the term "heterogeneity" refer to?
A. The similarity of team members' backgrounds.
B. The degree of difference among team members.
C. The size of the team.
D. The level of agreement within the group.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Heterogeneity refers to diversity in team composition, including differences in
skills, experiences, and demographics, which can enhance creativity but also increase
initial conflict.
Q7: [Mini-Case] A newly formed software development team is arguing intensely about
which coding standards to adopt. Some members are frustrated that their preferences
are being ignored, while others are trying to enforce strict rules. The leader is trying to
mediate but feels overwhelmed. According to Tuckman, what is the most appropriate
action for the leader to take?
, A. Step back and let the team resolve it to encourage autonomy.
B. Enforce the rules immediately to stop the conflict.
C. Acknowledge the conflict as a natural part of the Storming stage and facilitate a
compromise.
D. Dissolve the team and reform it with new members.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The best answer is C because the conflict described is characteristic of the
Storming stage; effective leaders use this phase to establish ground rules and help
members navigate differences rather than suppressing them.
Q8: The "punctuated equilibrium" model of group development suggests that:
A. Groups progress linearly and smoothly through stages.
B. Groups experience long periods of inertia punctuated by a sudden transition at the
midpoint of the timeline.
C. Group development is random and unpredictable.
D. Teams must go through Storming before they can reach Performing.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The punctuated equilibrium model, championed by Gersick, posits that teams
do not gradually evolve but rather experience a distinct shift in approach and
productivity at the halfway point of their existence.
Q9: Which of the following is an example of a "process loss"?
A. A team member fails to understand the instructions.
B. The team generates a creative solution that saves money.
C. The team spends more time coordinating than working on the task.
D. A team member works harder to compensate for others.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Process loss refers to energy and resources wasted on coordination,
procedures, or interpersonal issues rather than the task itself, reducing overall
efficiency.
Q10: When comparing teams to individuals, teams are generally LEAST effective at:
A. Solving complex problems.
B. Detecting errors.
C. Executing simple, routine tasks quickly.
D. Gaining commitment to a decision.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: While teams excel at complex tasks and creativity, simple routine tasks are
often performed more efficiently by individuals to avoid the time costs of coordination
and meetings.
6th Edition (Levi, 2026/27), Chapter 1-17 |
All Chapters
Foundations of Teams & Development
Q1: Which of the following best distinguishes a "team" from a standard "work group"?
A. A team shares a leader, while a work group is self-managed.
B. A team has individual accountability, whereas a work group has mutual
accountability.
C. A team focuses on synergy and shared goals, while a work group focuses on
individual performance.
D. A team is always temporary, but a work group is permanent.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The best answer is C because Levi defines teams specifically by their
emphasis on collective performance, synergy, and shared objectives, whereas work
groups are primarily defined by individual contributions.
Q2: According to Tuckman’s model of team development, which stage is characterized
by members being polite, cautious, and unclear about their roles?
A. Storming
B. Performing
C. Forming
D. Adjourning
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: This aligns with the Forming stage, where members are dependent on the
leader for direction, behavior is guarded, and the primary concern is orientation to the
task and one another.
Q3: A project manager creates a team of engineers from different departments to solve
a specific technical problem, after which the team will disband. This is best described as
a:
A. Parallel team
B. Project team
C. Work team
D. Management team
Correct Answer: B
,Rationale: Project teams are specifically formed to tackle a unique, one-time task and
are dissolved once the project is completed, unlike work teams which perform ongoing
tasks.
Q4: During a meeting, a team member suggests that the team should "brainstorm
without criticism" to generate ideas. This suggests the team is trying to manage which
primary disadvantage of group decision-making?
A. Social loafing
B. Groupthink
C. Production blocking
D. Process loss
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Production blocking occurs when members cannot express ideas because
others are speaking; brainstorming rules aim to mitigate this, though they also aim to
reduce evaluation apprehension.
Q5: Which of the following is a key advantage of using teams in organizations?
A. Teams always make decisions faster than individuals.
B. Teams eliminate the need for leadership.
C. Teams provide increased diversity of views and expertise.
D. Teams prevent social loafing entirely.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Levi highlights that one of the primary strengths of teams is the aggregation
of diverse knowledge, perspectives, and skills, which generally leads to better
problem-solving than individuals working alone.
Q6: In the context of team composition, what does the term "heterogeneity" refer to?
A. The similarity of team members' backgrounds.
B. The degree of difference among team members.
C. The size of the team.
D. The level of agreement within the group.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Heterogeneity refers to diversity in team composition, including differences in
skills, experiences, and demographics, which can enhance creativity but also increase
initial conflict.
Q7: [Mini-Case] A newly formed software development team is arguing intensely about
which coding standards to adopt. Some members are frustrated that their preferences
are being ignored, while others are trying to enforce strict rules. The leader is trying to
mediate but feels overwhelmed. According to Tuckman, what is the most appropriate
action for the leader to take?
, A. Step back and let the team resolve it to encourage autonomy.
B. Enforce the rules immediately to stop the conflict.
C. Acknowledge the conflict as a natural part of the Storming stage and facilitate a
compromise.
D. Dissolve the team and reform it with new members.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The best answer is C because the conflict described is characteristic of the
Storming stage; effective leaders use this phase to establish ground rules and help
members navigate differences rather than suppressing them.
Q8: The "punctuated equilibrium" model of group development suggests that:
A. Groups progress linearly and smoothly through stages.
B. Groups experience long periods of inertia punctuated by a sudden transition at the
midpoint of the timeline.
C. Group development is random and unpredictable.
D. Teams must go through Storming before they can reach Performing.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The punctuated equilibrium model, championed by Gersick, posits that teams
do not gradually evolve but rather experience a distinct shift in approach and
productivity at the halfway point of their existence.
Q9: Which of the following is an example of a "process loss"?
A. A team member fails to understand the instructions.
B. The team generates a creative solution that saves money.
C. The team spends more time coordinating than working on the task.
D. A team member works harder to compensate for others.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Process loss refers to energy and resources wasted on coordination,
procedures, or interpersonal issues rather than the task itself, reducing overall
efficiency.
Q10: When comparing teams to individuals, teams are generally LEAST effective at:
A. Solving complex problems.
B. Detecting errors.
C. Executing simple, routine tasks quickly.
D. Gaining commitment to a decision.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: While teams excel at complex tasks and creativity, simple routine tasks are
often performed more efficiently by individuals to avoid the time costs of coordination
and meetings.
