IIA IIA Certifications IIA-CIA-PART4 Questions & Answers

• Question 271:

  Which of the following is true with regard to norms?

  A. Norms are similar from culture to culture.

  B. Norms reinforce the group's values and common identity.

  C. Norms cannot be enforced by ridicule or criticism.

  D. Norms are often written in an organization's policy manual.

  Correct Answer: B

  Norms often provide a common identity for a group. Members feel they are part of a cohesive group with members who also share the same values.

• Question 272:

  Which of the following characteristics do both informal and formal groups share?

  A. Both groups are structured similarly.

  B. Commitment to both groups depends on the group's attractiveness and cohesiveness.

  C. Membership in both groups is usually the same.

  D. Both groups exist within the community to perform a productive activity.

  Correct Answer: B

  The commitment to a group depends on the group's attractiveness and cohesiveness. Employees are more likely to join a group that has a favorable view from the outside and whose group members adhere to the group and resist outside pressure.

• Question 273:

  There has been an increased emphasis on group decision making in organizations. Which of the following statements has been found to hold true in studies of individual decision making as compared to group decision making? Individual decision making tends to:

  A. Be more conservative.

  B. Evaluate more complete information.

  C. Generate more alternatives.

  D. Increase the perceived legitimacy of the decision.

  Correct Answer: A

  Group decision making is often characterized by greater acceptance of risk because of the dispersal of accountability. Individual decision making tends to be more conservative because accountability can be specifically assigned.

• Question 274:

  When compared to individuals, groups have advantages and disadvantages for decision making. Which of the following is true regarding group decisions? Advantages Disadvantages:

  A. Increased personalDisagreements do not accountability surface because of pressures to conform

  B. Increased Takes more time to acceptance ofarriveat a decision by participants

  C. Takes less time to Lack of personal arrive at adecisionalaccountability

  D. Increased diversity Reduced acceptance ofexpertise decisionby participants

  Correct Answer: B

  Group decision making and problem solving has the following advantages:1) The group has greater knowledge and experience than an individual:2) the group provides multipleperspectives:3) members participating in a group process tend to have a better understanding of the reasons for different actions:4) those actively participating in the group process tend to accept, and have ownership of, the result:and 5) group involvement provides training for the less experienced members. The following are the disadvantages:1) The social pressure to conform may inhibit creativity:) the group may be dominated by a few aggressive members:3) the decision or solution may be a product of logrolling political dealing):4) the goal of reaching a good decision or solution may be displaced by a secondary concern, e.g., competing with a rival:and 5) the process may suffer from groupthink, or preference for unanimity over the quality of the decision or solution.

• Question 275:

  Groupthink is defined as:

  A. The tendency to conform and ignore relevant individual Input that is at variance with the majority opinion.

  B. The guidance of groups based upon self-set standards of performance and behavior.

  C. The members of a group developing a solution to a problem after all the relevant information has been considered.

  D. A way of brainstorming ideas to address an issue presented to a group by management.

  Correct Answer: A

  Research into cohesive groups has revealed the prevalence of groupthink. Groupthink is conformity to a group's opinion despite information that it may be incorrect.

• Question 276:

  A weakness of cohesive groups may be:

  A. Conformity.

  B. Groupthink.

  C. The development of norms.

  D. Commitment by members.

  Correct Answer: B

  Groupthink occurs when a cohesive group's members tend to conform and ignore a relevant individual input that is at variance with the perceived group opinion.

• Question 277:

  Which of the following is not a characteristic of informal groups?

  A. Informal groups are developed to establish friendships.

  B. Informal groups tend to be small and very complex.

  C. Membership in informal groups lasts longer than membership in formal groups.

  D. Informal groups develop their own leaders.

  Correct Answer: C

  Membership in formal groups tends to last longer than membership in informal groups. Membership in both groups is usually different as well.

• Question 278:

  Formal groups are work groups within the organization assembled to perform a productive activity. How is a formal group similar to an informal group?

  A. Membership in both informal and formal groups tends to be permanent.

  B. Informal and formal groups develop their own leaders to fill the needs of the group.

  C. Informal and formal groups usually provide social satisfaction that supplements job satisfaction.

  D. Informal and formal groups are based on the organization's purpose and needs.

  Correct Answer: C

  The use of groups in organizations has often led to a higher degree of social satisfaction because members feel that they have contributed to a part of the group and gained the acceptance of their peers. Both informal and formal groups usually provide an employee with greater job satisfaction than the employee would otherwise have on his or her own.

• Question 279:

  Under "groupthink,"

  A. There is a tendency to conform to the majority's will and to ignore relevant individual input that is at variance with group opinion.

  B. The group is not required to reach consensus.

  C. The extent of groupthink is proportional to the size of the group.

  D. There are too many alternatives to facilitate decision making.

  Correct Answer: A

  Groupthink is the tendency to conform to the majority's will when individual input is at variance with the group opinion. Groupthink is a cause of faulty decision making in a group. Groups may not consider all alternatives because they desire unanimity at the expense of quality decisions. Groupthink occurs when groups are highly cohesive and under considerable pressure to make a decision.

• Question 280:

  During which stage of group development does a group exhibit a consolidation of power and reach an agreement among members about authority, structure, and procedures?

  A. Conflict and challenge stage.

  B. Disillusion stage.

  C. Acceptance stage.

  D. Cohesion stage.

  Correct Answer: D

  The consolidation of power shifts begun during the conflict and challenge stages occurs during the cohesion stage. Members often reach an agreement on authority, structure, and procedures.