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Organizational Behavior 12th Edition

Schermerhorn Test Bank


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Package Title: Test Bank
Course Title: Sample Schermerhorn OB 12e
Chapter Number: 08

Question Type: True/False

1. An essential criterion of a true team is that the members feel “collectively accountable” for
what they accomplish.

Answer: True

Difficulty: Easy
Learning Objective 1: Describe the characteristics of high performance teams, the team building
process, and its alternatives.
Section Reference: High-Performance Teams

2. High-performance teams turn a general sense of purpose into specific performance


objectives.

Answer: True

Difficulty: Easy
Learning Objective 1: Describe the characteristics of high performance teams, the team building
process, and its alternatives.
Section Reference: High-Performance Teams

3. Members of high-performance teams have the right mix of technical, problem-solving,


decision-making, and interpersonal skills.

Answer: True

Difficulty: Easy
Learning Objective 1: Describe the characteristics of high performance teams, the team building
process, and its alternatives.
Section Reference: High-Performance Teams

4. High-performance teams have strong core values that help the team members guide their
attitudes and behaviors in directions consistent with the team’s purpose.

Answer: True
Difficulty: Easy
Learning Objective 1: Describe the characteristics of high performance teams, the team building
process, and its alternatives.
Section Reference: High-Performance Teams

5. High-performance teams’ members focus on individual effort and excellence.

Answer: False

Difficulty: Medium
Learning Objective 1: Describe the characteristics of high performance teams, the team building
process, and its alternatives.
Section Reference: High-Performance Teams

6. Teamwork usually happens naturally in a group, without much effort on the part of members
and leaders.

Answer: False

Difficulty: Easy
Learning Objective 1: Describe the characteristics of high performance teams, the team building
process, and its alternatives.
Section Reference: High-Performance Teams

7. Specific objectives provide a clear focus for solving problems and resolving conflicts.

Answer: True

Difficulty: Medium
Learning Objective 1: Describe the characteristics of high performance teams, the team building
process, and its alternatives.
Section Reference: High-Performance Teams

8. Team building is a sequence of planned activities designed to gather and analyze data on the
functioning of a group and to initiate changes designed to improve teamwork and increase
team effectiveness.

Answer: True

Difficulty: Easy
Learning Objective 1: Describe the characteristics of high performance teams, the team building
process, and its alternatives.
Section Reference: High-Performance Teams

9. Team building is an effective way to deal with teamwork difficulties when they occur or to
help prevent them from occurring in the first place.

Answer: True

Difficulty: Easy
Learning Objective 1: Describe the characteristics of high performance teams, the team building
process, and its alternatives.
Section Reference: High-Performance Teams

10. The first step in the team-building process is data gathering and analysis.

Answer: False

Difficulty: Easy
Learning Objective 1: Describe the characteristics of high performance teams, the team building
process, and its alternatives.
Section Reference: High-Performance Teams

11. The second step in the team-building process occurs when members work together in
planning for team improvements.

Answer: False

Difficulty: Medium
Learning Objective 1: Describe the characteristics of high performance teams, the team building
process, and its alternatives.
Section Reference: High-Performance Teams

12. The last step in the team-building process occurs when members work together to evaluate
the results.

Answer: True

Difficulty: Medium
Learning Objective 1: Describe the characteristics of high performance teams, the team building
process, and its alternatives.
Section Reference: High-Performance Teams
13. The team building process is highly collaborative.

Answer: True

Difficulty: Easy
Learning Objective 1: Describe the characteristics of high performance teams, the team building
process, and its alternatives.
Section Reference: High-Performance Teams

14. Team building in the formal retreat approach takes place in the firm’s headquarters facility,
typically over a weekend, when the building is quiet.

Answer: False

Difficulty: Easy
Learning Objective 1: Describe the characteristics of high performance teams, the team building
process, and its alternatives.
Section Reference: High-Performance Teams

15. The formal retreat approach to team building offers opportunities for intense and
concentrated effort to examine group accomplishments and operations.

Answer: True

Difficulty: Easy
Learning Objective 1: Describe the characteristics of high performance teams, the team building
process, and its alternatives.
Section Reference: High-Performance Teams

16. The outdoor experience approach to team building places group members in a variety of
physically challenging situations that must be mastered through teamwork, not through
individual work.

Answer: True

Difficulty: Easy
Learning Objective 1: Describe the characteristics of high performance teams, the team building
process, and its alternatives.
Section Reference: High-Performance Teams
17. In a continuous improvement approach to team building, the team members commit
themselves to monitoring group developments and accomplishments on an ongoing basis and
making the day-to-day changes needed to ensure team effectiveness.

Answer: True

Difficulty: Easy
Learning Objective 1: Describe the characteristics of high performance teams, the team building
process, and its alternatives.
Section Reference: High-Performance Teams

18. In a continuous improvement approach to team building, the manager, team leader, or group
members themselves take responsibility for regularly engaging in the team-building process.

Answer: True

Difficulty: Easy
Learning Objective 1: Describe the characteristics of high performance teams, the team building
process, and its alternatives.
Section Reference: High-Performance Teams

19. Special problems relating to team processes may arise as more and more jobs are turned over
to teams and as more and more traditional supervisors are being asked to function as team
leaders.

Answer: True

Difficulty: Medium
Learning Objective 2: Discuss problems relating to team processes.
Section Reference: Improving Team Processes

20. Effective teams have no further need for leadership efforts, after team building, to improve
team processes.

Answer: False

Difficulty: Medium
Learning Objective 2: Discuss problems relating to team processes.
Section Reference: Improving Team Processes

21. Problems regarding participation, goals, control, relationships, and process are likely to occur
in a new team or when new members join existing teams.
Answer: True

Difficulty: Easy
Learning Objective 2: Discuss problems relating to team processes.
Section Reference: Improving Team Processes

22. According to Schein, the friendly helper is insecure, suffering uncertainties of intimacy and
control.

Answer: True

Difficulty: Easy
Learning Objective 2: Discuss problems relating to team processes.
Section Reference: Improving Team Processes

23. In coping with the challenge of entering a team, tough battlers are those individuals who are
frustrated by a lack of identity in the new group and who may act aggressively or reject
authority.

Answer: True

Difficulty: Easy
Learning Objective 2: Discuss problems relating to team processes.
Section Reference: Improving Team Processes

24. In his studies of how people cope with the challenge of entering a team, Edgar Schein labeled
individuals who act in a passive, reflective, and even single-minded manner while struggling
with the fit between individual goals and group directions as disruptive entrants.

Answer: False

Difficulty: Medium
Learning Objective 2: Discuss problems relating to team processes.
Section Reference: Improving Team Processes

25. Research in social psychology suggests that the achievement of sustained high performance
by groups requires that members’ task needs and maintenance needs are met.

Answer: True

Difficulty: Medium
Learning Objective 2: Discuss problems relating to team processes.
Section Reference: Improving Team Processes

26. Distributed leadership is the sharing of responsibility, by all members, for meeting individual
needs.

Answer: False

Difficulty: Medium
Learning Objective 2: Discuss problems relating to team processes.
Section Reference: Improving Team Processes

27. Maintenance activities directly contribute to the performance of important group tasks.

Answer: False

Difficulty: Medium
Learning Objective 2: Discuss problems relating to team processes.
Section Reference: Improving Team Processes

28. A role is a set of expectations associated with a job or position on a team.

Answer: True

Difficulty: Easy
Learning Objective 2: Discuss problems relating to team processes.
Section Reference: Improving Team Processes

29. Role ambiguity occurs when a person is uncertain about his or her role in a job or on a team.

Answer: True

Difficulty: Easy
Learning Objective 2: Discuss problems relating to team processes.
Section Reference: Improving Team Processes

30. Role conflict occurs when someone is unable to meet the expectations of others.

Answer: True

Difficulty: Medium
Learning Objective 2: Discuss problems relating to team processes.
Section Reference: Improving Team Processes

31. The norms of a group or team represent ideas or beliefs about how members are expected to
behave.

Answer: True

Difficulty: Easy
Learning Objective 2: Discuss problems relating to team processes.
Section Reference: Improving Team Processes

32. The performance norm conveys expectations about how hard group members should work
and what the team should accomplish.

Answer: True

Difficulty: Easy
Learning Objective 2: Discuss problems relating to team processes.
Section Reference: Improving Team Processes

33. A leader can establish positive norms within groups and teams by acting as a positive role
model, reinforcing and rewarding desired behaviors, selecting members who can and will
perform, and providing support and training for members.

Answer: True

Difficulty: Easy
Learning Objective 2: Discuss problems relating to team processes.
Section Reference: Improving Team Processes

34. The statement “on our team, people always try to work hard” is an example of a positive
high-achievement norm.

Answer: True

Difficulty: Easy
Learning Objective 2: Discuss problems relating to team processes.
Section Reference: Improving Team Processes

35. The statement, “People on this committee are good listeners and actively seek out the ideas
and opinions of others” reinforces the negative support and helpfulness norm.
Answer: False

Difficulty: Medium
Learning Objective 2: Discuss problems relating to team processes.
Section Reference: Improving Team Processes

36. Cohesiveness of a group or team is the degree to which group or team members are attracted
to and motivated to remain a part of the group or team.

Answer: True

Difficulty: Easy
Learning Objective 2: Discuss problems relating to team processes.
Section Reference: Improving Team Processes

37. Generally, the more cohesive the group, the greater the conformity of members to group
norms.

Answer: True

Difficulty: Easy
Learning Objective 2: Discuss problems relating to team processes.
Section Reference: Improving Team Processes

38. In terms of team productivity, the best-case scenario of a work team’s performance norms
and cohesiveness occurs with high performance norms and high team cohesiveness.

Answer: True

Difficulty: Easy
Learning Objective 2: Discuss problems relating to team processes.
Section Reference: Improving Team Processes

39. From a manager’s perspective, the worst-case scenario of a work team’s performance norms
and cohesiveness occurs with negative performance norms and high team cohesiveness.

Answer: True

Difficulty: Easy
Learning Objective 2: Discuss problems relating to team processes.
Section Reference: Improving Team Processes

40. Team cohesiveness tends to be low when members are similar in age, attitudes, needs, and
backgrounds.

Answer: False

Difficulty: Medium
Learning Objective 2: Discuss problems relating to team processes.
Section Reference: Improving Team Processes

41. Group cohesiveness tends to decrease when groups are physically isolated from others and
when they experience performance success or crisis.

Answer: False

Difficulty: Medium
Learning Objective 2: Discuss problems relating to team processes.
Section Reference: Improving Team Processes

42. A key negative aspect of inter-team dynamics is that the members of each team may divert
energies toward their mutual animosities rather than on the performance of important tasks.

Answer: True

Difficulty: Medium
Learning Objective 2: Discuss problems relating to team processes.
Section Reference: Improving Team Processes

43. A positive aspect of intergroup competition occurs when the members of each group work
harder, become more focused on key tasks, and develop more internal loyalty.

Answer: True

Difficulty: Easy
Learning Objective 2: Discuss problems relating to team processes.
Section Reference: Improving Team Processes

44. Inter-team dynamics are relationships between groups cooperating and competing with one
another.
Answer: True

Difficulty: Easy
Learning Objective 2: Discuss problems relating to team processes.
Section Reference: Improving Team Processes

45. Decentralized communication networks create high levels of member satisfaction and work
best when team tasks are complex and non-routine.

Answer: True

Difficulty: Easy
Learning Objective 3: Explain communication networks, including their use in a team setting,
ways they can be improved, and how proxemics and use of space impact communication.
Section Reference: Improving Team Communication

46. The counteracting team pattern results in a decentralized communication network in which
all team members communicate directly and share information with one another.

Answer: False

Difficulty: Medium
Learning Objective 3: Explain communication networks, including their use in a team setting,
ways they can be improved, and how proxemics and use of space impact communication.
Section Reference: Improving Team Communication

47. In the co-acting team pattern, information flows to a central person and is redistributed to
form a centralized communication network.

Answer: True

Difficulty: Easy
Learning Objective 3: Explain communication networks, including their use in a team setting,
ways they can be improved, and how proxemics and use of space impact communication.
Section Reference: Improving Team Communication

48. Wheel communication networks and chain communication network are other names for a
centralized communication network.

Answer: True

Difficulty: Medium
Learning Objective 3: Explain communication networks, including their use in a team setting,
ways they can be improved, and how proxemics and use of space impact communication.
Section Reference: Improving Team Communication

49. Problems of destructive competition in inter-team dynamics are likely in restricted


communication networks.

Answer: True

Difficulty: Hard
Learning Objective 3: Explain communication networks, including their use in a team setting,
ways they can be improved, and how proxemics and use of space impact communication.
Section Reference: Improving Team Communication

50. Proxemics refers to the use of space as people interact.

Answer: True

Difficulty: Medium
Learning Objective 3: Explain communication networks, including their use in a team setting,
ways they can be improved, and how proxemics and use of space impact communication.
Section Reference: Improving Team Communication

51. Virtual communication networks allow team members to be in electronic contact with one
another and empower team members.

Answer: True

Difficulty: Easy
Learning Objective 3: Explain communication networks, including their use in a team setting,
ways they can be improved, and how proxemics and use of space impact communication.
Section Reference: Improving Team Communication

52. In decision by lack of response, one idea after another is suggested without any discussion
taking place. When the team finally accepts an idea, all others have been bypassed and
discarded by simple lack of response rather than by critical evaluation.

Answer: True

Difficulty: Medium
Learning Objective 4: Discuss the ways teams make decisions, the assets and liabilities of team
decisions, groupthink symptoms and remedies, and team decision techniques.
Section Reference: Improving Team Decisions

53. In decision by minority rule, the chairperson, a manager, or a leader makes a decision for the
group. This can be done with or without discussion and is very time efficient.

Answer: False

Difficulty: Medium
Learning Objective 4: Discuss the ways teams make decisions, the assets and liabilities of team
decisions, groupthink symptoms and remedies, and team decision techniques.
Section Reference: Improving Team Decisions

54. In decision by majority rule, all team members agree totally on the course of action to be
taken.

Answer: False

Difficulty: Medium
Learning Objective 4: Discuss the ways teams make decisions, the assets and liabilities of team
decisions, groupthink symptoms and remedies, and team decision techniques.
Section Reference: Improving Team Decisions

55. Teams will make decisions by consensus when discussion leads to one alternative being
favored by most members and the others members agreeing to support it.

Answer: True

Difficulty: Easy
Learning Objective 4: Discuss the ways teams make decisions, the assets and liabilities of team
decisions, groupthink symptoms and remedies, and team decision techniques.
Section Reference: Improving Team Decisions

56. To achieve group consensus, members should not argue blindly and should consider others’
reactions to one’s points.

Answer: True

Difficulty: Medium
Learning Objective 4: Discuss the ways teams make decisions, the assets and liabilities of team
decisions, groupthink symptoms and remedies, and team decision techniques.
Section Reference: Improving Team Decisions
57. Teams will make decisions by unanimity when all team members agree totally on a course of
action.

Answer: True

Difficulty: Easy
Learning Objective 4: Discuss the ways teams make decisions, the assets and liabilities of team
decisions, groupthink symptoms and remedies, and team decision techniques.
Section Reference: Improving Team Decisions

58. The potential advantages of group decision making include more knowledge and expertise
being applied to the problem, more alternatives being considered, greater understanding and
acceptance of the final decision, and more commitment among group members to making the
final decision work.

Answer: True

Difficulty: Medium
Learning Objective 4: Discuss the ways teams make decisions, the assets and liabilities of team
decisions, groupthink symptoms and remedies, and team decision techniques.
Section Reference: Improving Team Decisions

59. The potential disadvantages of group decision making include social pressure to conform,
minority domination, and time delays.

Answer: True

Difficulty: Medium
Learning Objective 4: Discuss the ways teams make decisions, the assets and liabilities of team
decisions, groupthink symptoms and remedies, and team decision techniques.
Section Reference: Improving Team Decisions

60. When groupthink occurs in highly cohesive groups, poor decisions may result from the
members’ unwillingness to criticize one another’s ideas and suggestions, overemphasis on
agreement, desire to hold the group together, underemphasis on critical discussion, and desire
to avoid unpleasant circumstances.

Answer: True

Difficulty: Medium
Learning Objective 4: Discuss the ways teams make decisions, the assets and liabilities of team
decisions, groupthink symptoms and remedies, and team decision techniques.
Section Reference: Improving Team Decisions

61. Groupthink can be avoided by having the leader express his/her pSection Reference for a
particular course of action.

Answer: False

Difficulty: Hard
Learning Objective 4: Discuss the ways teams make decisions, the assets and liabilities of team
decisions, groupthink symptoms and remedies, and team decision techniques.
Section Reference: Improving Team Decisions

62. Groupthink can be avoided when team leaders hold “second-chance” meetings after
consensus is apparently achieved.

Answer: True

Difficulty: Medium
Learning Objective 4: Discuss the ways teams make decisions, the assets and liabilities of team
decisions, groupthink symptoms and remedies, and team decision techniques.
Section Reference: Improving Team Decisions

63. The guidelines for brainstorming include ruling out all criticism, welcoming “freewheeling,”
emphasizing quantity of ideas, and encouraging “piggy-backing” on others’ ideas.

Answer: True

Difficulty: Medium
Learning Objective 4: Discuss the ways teams make decisions, the assets and liabilities of team
decisions, groupthink symptoms and remedies, and team decision techniques.
Section Reference: Improving Team Decisions

64. The nominal group technique is a group decision-making approach that involves structured
rules for generating and prioritizing ideas.

Answer: True

Difficulty: Medium
Learning Objective 4: Discuss the ways teams make decisions, the assets and liabilities of team
decisions, groupthink symptoms and remedies, and team decision techniques.
Section Reference: Improving Team Decisions
Question Type: Multiple Choice

65. A high-performing team can be created by doing the all of the following EXCEPT:
a) communicating high-performance standards.
b) having members spend time together.
c) creating a sense of urgency.
d) setting a clear/challenging direction.
e) ensuring that new information is kept to a minimum.

Answer: e

Difficulty: Medium
Learning Objective 1: Describe the characteristics of high performance teams, the team building
process, and its alternatives.
Section Reference: High-Performance Teams

66. Each of the following is a characteristic of high-performance teams EXCEPT:


a) high-performance teams have strong core values.
b) high-performance teams turn a general sense of purpose into specific performance objectives.
c) high-performance teams have members who focus on individual effort and excellence.
d) members of high-performance teams have the right mix of skills.
e) members of high-performance teams feel “collectively accountable.”

Answer: c

Difficulty: Hard
Learning Objective 1: Describe the characteristics of high performance teams, the team building
process, and its alternatives.
Section Reference: High-Performance Teams

67. Researchers point out that collective intelligence is _________ in teams whose processes
result in social sensitivity and absence of domination by one or a few members.
a) higher
b) lower
c) a constant
d) nonexistent
e) none of the above

Answer: a

Difficulty: Medium
Learning Objective 1: Describe the characteristics of high performance teams, the team building
process, and its alternatives.
Section Reference: High-Performance Teams

68. __________ is a sequence of planned activities designed to gather and analyze data on the
functioning of a team and to initiate changes designed to improve teamwork and increase
team effectiveness.
a) Team enhancing
b) Team building
c) Team structuring
d) Team championing
e) Team organizing

Answer: b

Difficulty: Easy
Learning Objective 1: Describe the characteristics of high performance teams, the team building
process, and its alternatives.
Section Reference: High-Performance Teams

69. Which of the following accurately describes the sequence of steps in the team-building
process?
a) Establishing a team mission statement; team goal setting; data gathering and analysis;
implementing team goals; and evaluation of results
b) Planning for team effectiveness; data gathering and analysis; establishment of team goals and
objectives; implementing team goals; and evaluation of results
c) Establishing a team mission statement; team cohesiveness training; data gathering and
analysis; actions to improve team functioning; and implementing team goals
d) Planning for team effectiveness; team goal setting; implementing team goals, evaluation of
results; and reassessment of team goals
e) Problems or opportunity in team effectiveness; data gathering and analysis; planning for team
improvements; actions to improve team functioning; and evaluation of results

Answer: e

Difficulty: Medium
Learning Objective 1: Describe the characteristics of high performance teams, the team building
process, and its alternatives.
Section Reference: High-Performance Teams

70. In the __________, team building takes place during off-site meetings.
a) formal retreat approach
b) informal withdrawal approach
c) privacy approach
d) informal isolation approach
e) formal seclusion approach

Answer: a
Difficulty: Easy
Learning Objective 1: Describe the characteristics of high performance teams, the team building
process, and its alternatives.
Section Reference: High-Performance Teams

71. Which of the following is the third step in the team building process?
a) Data gathering and analysis
b) Problem or opportunity in team effectiveness
c) Actions to improve team functioning
d) Planning for team improvements
e) Evaluation of results

Answer: d

Difficulty: Easy
Learning Objective 1: Describe the characteristics of high performance teams, the team building
process, and its alternatives.
Section Reference: High-Performance Teams

72. The __________ to team building offers opportunities for intense and concentrated effort to
examine group accomplishments and operations.
a) informal withdrawal approach
b) privacy approach
c) informal isolation approach
d) formal seclusion approach
e) formal retreat approach

Answer: e

Difficulty: Medium
Learning Objective 1: Describe the characteristics of high performance teams, the team building
process, and its alternatives.
Section Reference: High-Performance Teams

73. In a(n) __________ to team building, the manager, team leader, or group members
themselves take responsibility for regularly engaging in the team-building process.
a) formal retreat approach
b) employee participation approach
c) outdoor experience approach
d) continuous improvement approach
e) incremental enhancement approach

Answer: d

Difficulty: Medium
Learning Objective 1: Describe the characteristics of high performance teams, the team building
process, and its alternatives.
Section Reference: High-Performance Teams

74. The __________ approach to team building places group members in a variety of physically
challenging situations that must be mastered through teamwork, not individual work.
a) formal retreat
b) outdoor experience
c) continuous improvement
d) rustic experience
e) informal withdrawal

Answer: b

Difficulty: Easy
Learning Objective 1: Describe the characteristics of high performance teams, the team building
process, and its alternatives.
Section Reference: High-Performance Teams

75. Which of the following statements about improving team processes is NOT accurate?
a) Team members must be prepared to handle more members.
b) As more and more jobs are turned over to teams, special problems relating to team processes
may arise.
c) As more and more traditional supervisors are being asked to function as team leaders, special
problems relating to team processes may arise.
d) Effective teams have no further need, after team-building, for leadership efforts to improve
team processes.
e) Team members must be prepared to handle disagreements on rules and responsibilities

Answer: d

Difficulty: Medium
Learning Objective 2: Discuss problems relating to team processes.
Section Reference: Improving Team Processes
76. To improve team processes, both team leaders and members must be prepared to deal with all
of the following EXCEPT:
a) introducing new members.
b) handling disagreements on goals and responsibilities.
c) handling reward distribution issues.
d) resolving delays and disputes when making decisions.
e) reducing friction and interpersonal conflicts.

Answer: c

Difficulty: Medium
Learning Objective 2: Discuss problems relating to team processes.
Section Reference: Improving Team Processes

77. Which of the following is NOT one of the problems that face new group members?
a) Participation
b) Goals
c) Lack of originality
d) Control
e) Process

Answer: c

Difficulty: Hard
Learning Objective 2: Discuss problems relating to team processes.
Section Reference: Improving Team Processes

78. Edgar Schein identified three common behavior profiles that may hinder group operations
when people try to cope with individual entry problems in self-serving ways. These three
profiles are __________.
a) passive, aggressive, and regressive
b) focused, unfocused, and mid-focused
c) tough battler, friendly helper, and objective thinker
d) primal, emotional, and rational
e) thoughtful, aggressive, and modal

Answer: c

Difficulty: Medium
Learning Objective 2: Discuss problems relating to team processes.
Section Reference: Improving Team Processes
79. In coping with the challenge of entering a team, __________ are individuals who act in a
passive, reflective, and even single-minded manner while struggling with the fit between
individual goals and group directions.
a) friendly helpers
b) tough battlers
c) objective thinkers
d) amiable entrants
e) thoughtful newcomers

Answer: c

Difficulty: Medium
Learning Objective 2: Discuss problems relating to team processes.
Section Reference: Improving Team Processes

80. __________ is the sharing of responsibility for meeting group task and maintenance needs.
a) Participative partnering
b) Conjunctive leadership
c) Authentic leadership
d) Empowered leadership
e) Distributed leadership

Answer: e

Difficulty: Medium
Learning Objective 2: Discuss problems relating to team processes.
Section Reference: Improving Team Processes

80. __________ directly contribute to the performance of important group tasks.


a) Task activities
b) Assignment mandates
c) Directive activities
d) Responsibility activities
e) Maintenance activities

Answer: a

Difficulty: Medium
Learning Objective 2: Discuss problems relating to team processes.
Section Reference: Improving Team Processes
81. A team member contributes __________ leadership by encouraging the participation of
others, trying to harmonize differences of opinion, praising the contributions of others, and
agreeing to go along with a popular course of action.
a) task
b) functional
c) transactional
d) maintenance
e) directive

Answer: d

Difficulty: Medium
Learning Objective 2: Discuss problems relating to team processes.
Section Reference: Improving Team Processes

82. All of the following statements about maintenance activities are true EXCEPT:
a) maintenance activities support the social and interpersonal relationships among group
members.
b) when maintenance leadership is poor, members become dissatisfied with one another.
c) in an effective group, maintenance activities support the relationships needed for team
members to work well together over time.
d) when maintenance leadership is weak, the value of group membership may diminish.
e) maintenance activities include initiating discussion, sharing information, asking information of
others, clarifying something that has been said and summarizing the status of a deliberation.

Answer: e

Difficulty: Hard
Learning Objective 2: Discuss problems relating to team processes.
Section Reference: Improving Team Processes

83. Disruptive behaviors that can harm group process include all of the following EXCEPT:
a) being overly aggressive toward other members.
b) trying to recognize others and give them attention.
c) withdrawing and refusing to cooperate with others.
d) horsing around when there is work to be done.
e) talking too much about irrelevant matters.

Answer: b

Difficulty: Medium
Learning Objective 2: Discuss problems relating to team processes.
Section Reference: Improving Team Processes
84. _________-role conflict occurs when a person’s values and needs come into conflict with
role expectations.
a) Intrasender
b) Intersender
c) Person
d) Inter
e) Outer

Answer: c

Difficulty: Medium
Learning Objective 2: Discuss problems relating to team processes.
Section Reference: Improving Team Processes

85. All of the following statements regarding role ambiguity are true EXCEPT:
a) to do any job well in a group, people need to know what is expected of them.
b) in a new group or team situation, role ambiguities may create problems as members find that
their work efforts are wasted or unappreciated by others.
c) even in mature groups and teams, the failure of members to share expectations and listen to
one another may create a lack of understanding.
d) role ambiguity cannot be managed through awareness of role dynamics and their causes.
e) being asked to do too much or too little as a team member can create problems.

Answer: d

Difficulty: Hard
Learning Objective 2: Discuss problems relating to team processes.
Section Reference: Improving Team Processes

86. __________ occurs when too much is expected and the individual feels overwhelmed with
work.
a) Role conflict
b) Role indifference
c) Role encumberment
d) Role overload
e) Role frustration

Answer: d

Difficulty: Medium
Learning Objective 2: Discuss problems relating to team processes.
Section Reference: Improving Team Processes
87. All of the following are part of four common forms of role conflict EXCEPT:
a) intrasender role conflict.
b) extrasender role conflict.
c) intersender role conflict.
d) person-role conflict.
e) interrole conflict.

Answer: b
Difficulty: Easy
Learning Objective 2: Discuss problems relating to team processes.
Section Reference: Improving Team Processes

88. __________ occurs when different people send conflicting and mutually exclusive
expectations.
a) Person-role conflict
b) Intrasender role conflict
c) Parallel role conflict
d) Interrole role conflict
e) Intersender role conflict

Answer: e

Difficulty: Easy
Learning Objective 2: Discuss problems relating to team processes.
Section Reference: Improving Team Processes

89. __________ occurs when the expectations of two or more roles held by the same individual
become incompatible, such as the conflict between work and family demands.
a) Interrole conflict
b) Person-role conflict
c) Correspondent role conflict
d) Divergent role conflict
e) Intersender role conflict

Answer: a

Difficulty: Medium
Learning Objective 2: Discuss problems relating to team processes.
Section Reference: Improving Team Processes

90. Which of the following statements about norms is NOT correct?


a) Norms help clarify the expectations associated with a person’s membership in a group.
b) Although important, norms are not considered to be rules or standards of conduct.
c) Norms allow members to structure their own behavior.
d) When someone violates a group norm, other members typically respond in ways that are
aimed at enforcing the norm.
e) Norms allow members to predict what others will do.

Answer: b
Difficulty: Medium
Learning Objective 2: Discuss problems relating to team processes.
Section Reference: Improving Team Processes

91. Role __________ is a process for discussing and agreeing upon what team members expect
of one another.
a) negotiation
b) agreement
c) overload
d) expectation
e) cooperation

Answer: a

Difficulty: Medium
Learning Objective 2: Discuss problems relating to team processes.
Section Reference: Improving Team Processes

92. Positive norms within groups and teams can be established by doing all of the following
EXCEPT:
a) acting as a positive role model.
b) reinforcing and rewarding desired behaviors.
c) encouraging principled dissenters to join the group.
d) selecting members who can and will perform.
e) providing support and training for members.

Answer: c

Difficulty: Easy
Learning Objective 2: Discuss problems relating to team processes.
Section Reference: Improving Team Processes

93. All of the following statements about group norms are correct EXCEPT:
a) in order for a task force to operate effectively, group norms regarding attendance at meetings,
punctuality, and preparedness are needed.
b) groups also commonly have norms regarding how to deal with supervisors, colleagues, and
customers.
c) norms for establishing guidelines for honesty and ethical behaviors are important for groups to
discuss.
d) norms should be identified by the management team only.
e) norms are expressed in everyday conversations

Answer: d

Difficulty: Easy
Learning Objective 2: Discuss problems relating to team processes.
Section Reference: Improving Team Processes

94. Which of the following statements does the best job of reinforcing positive “ethics” norms?
a) “In our department, people are always looking for better ways of doing things.”
b) “People on this committee are good listeners and actively seek out the ideas and opinions of
others.”
c) “We try to make fair and just decisions, and we expect others to do the same.”
d) “On our team, people always try to work hard.”
e) “It is a tradition around here for people to stand up for the company when others criticize it
unfairly.”

Answer: c

Difficulty: Hard
Learning Objective 2: Discuss problems relating to team processes.
Section Reference: Improving Team Processes

95. Which of the following statements does the best job of reinforcing positive “organizational
and personal pride” norms?
a) “In our department, people are always looking for better ways of doing things.”
b) “People on this committee are good listeners and actively seek out the ideas and opinions of
others.”
c) “Our company strives for both efficiency and effectiveness.”
d) “On our team, people always try to work hard.”
e) “It is a tradition around here for people to stand up for the company when others criticize it
unfairly.”

Answer: e
Difficulty: Hard
Learning Objective 2: Discuss problems relating to team processes.
Section Reference: Improving Team Processes
96. __________ refers to the tendency to reduce effort when working in groups.
a) Social mooching
b) Social management
c) Social loafing
d) Social contract
e) Social engagement

Answer: c

Difficulty: Easy
Learning Objective 2: Discuss problems related to team processes.
Section Reference: Improving Team Processes

97. In contrast to less cohesive groups, members of highly cohesive group members display all
of the following EXCEPT:
a) being more energetic when working on group activities.
b) tending to leave work early when possible.
c) remaining less likely to be absent.
d) enduring more likely to be happy about performance success.
e) continuing more likely to be sad about performance failures.

Answer: b

Difficulty: Easy
Learning Objective 2: Discuss problems related to team processes.
Section Reference: Improving Team Processes

98. In terms of team productivity, the best-case scenario of a work team’s performance norms
and cohesiveness occurs with __________ performance norms and __________ team
cohesiveness.
a) high; high
b) positive; high
c) negative; high
d) negative; low
e) positive; low

Answer: b

Difficulty: Medium
Learning Objective 2: Discuss problems related to team processes.
Section Reference: Improving Team Processes
99. From a manager’s perspective, the worst-case scenario of a work team’s performance norms
and cohesiveness occurs with __________ performance norms and __________ team
cohesiveness.
a) high; high
b) high; low
c) negative; high
d) negative; low
e) positive; low

Answer: c

Difficulty: Medium
Learning Objective 2: Discuss problems related to team processes.
Section Reference: Improving Team Processes

100. All of the following techniques increase group or team cohesiveness EXCEPT:
a) getting agreement.
b) increasing team diversity.
c) making the team smaller.
d) isolating the team from other teams.
e) rewarding team results.

Answer: b
Page: 186

Difficulty: Medium
Learning Objective 2: Discuss problems related to team processes.
Section Reference: Improving Team Processes

101. The positive aspects of inter-team competition include all of the following outcomes
EXCEPT:
a) the members of each team may work harder.
b) the members of each team may become more focused on key tasks.
c) the members of each team may develop more internal loyalty and satisfaction.
d) the members of each team may achieve a higher level of creativity in problem solving.
e) the members of each team may use their energies toward their mutual animosities.

Answer: e

Difficulty: Medium
Learning Objective 2: Discuss problems related to team processes.
Section Reference: Improving Team Processes
102. Organizations and their managers can discourage the negative aspects and encourage the
positive aspects of inter-team dynamics by doing all of the following EXCEPT:
a) refocusing the teams on a common enemy or a common goal.
b) training members to work more cooperatively.
c) promoting direct negotiations between teams.
d) using win-lose reward systems.
e) focusing reward distribution on contributions to the total organization.

Answer: d

Difficulty: Hard
Learning Objective 2: Discuss problems related to team processes.
Section Reference: Improving Team Processes

103. The interacting team pattern results in a __________ in which all team members
communicate directly and share information with one another.
a) decentralized communication network
b) centralized communication network
c) restricted communication network
d) synergistic communication network
e) vertical communication network

Answer: a

Difficulty: Medium
Learning Objective 3: Explain communication networks, including their use in a team setting,
ways they can be improved, and how proxemics and use of space impact communication.
Section Reference: Improving Team Communication

104. Wheel communication network and chain communication network are other names for
__________.
a) restricted communication networks
b) parallel communication networks
c) centralized communication networks
d) synergistic communication networks
e) hierarchical communication networks

Answer: c

Difficulty: Easy
Learning Objective 3: Explain communication networks, including their use in a team setting,
ways they can be improved, and how proxemics and use of space impact communication.
Section Reference: Improving Team Communication
105. Tasks that are routine and easily subdivided lend themselves to:
a) hierarchical communication networks.
b) parallel communication networks.
c) decentralized communication networks.
d) restricted communication networks.
e) centralized communication networks.

Answer: e

Difficulty: Medium
Learning Objective 3: Explain communication networks, including their use in a team setting,
ways they can be improved, and how proxemics and use of space impact communication.
Section Reference: Improving Team Communication

106. __________ form when subgroups emerge within a team due to issue-specific
disagreements.
a) Co-acting teams
b) Counteracting teams
c) Interacting teams
d) Disparate teams
e) Countervailing teams

Answer: b

Difficulty: Medium
Learning Objective 3: Explain communication networks, including their use in a team setting,
ways they can be improved, and how proxemics and use of space impact communication.
Section Reference: Improving Team Communication

107. The counteracting team pattern involves a __________ in which polarized subgroups
disagree with one another’s positions and maintain sometimes antagonistic relations.
a) countervailing communication network
b) counteracting communication network
c) centralized communication network
d) decentralized communication network
e) restricted communication network

Answer: e

Difficulty: Hard
Learning Objective 3: Explain communication networks, including their use in a team setting,
ways they can be improved, and how proxemics and use of space impact communication.
Section Reference: Improving Team Communication
108. When workspace architecture is studied as an influence on communication behavior, this
is part of:
a) cohesiveness.
b) proxemics.
c) virtual communication networks.
d) team building.
e) relationships.

Answer: b

Difficulty: Medium
Learning Objective 3: Explain communication networks, including their use in a team setting,
ways they can be improved, and how proxemics and use of space impact communication.
Section Reference: Improving Team Communication

109. GE’s launch of the “Tweet Squad” is an example of a:


a) study in proxemics.
b) vertical communication network
c) virtual communication network.
d) centralized network.
e) all of the above.

Answer: c

Difficulty: Hard
Learning Objective 3: Explain communication networks, including their use in a team setting,
ways they can be improved, and how proxemics and use of space impact communication.
Section Reference: Improving Team Communication

110. Decision by __________ occurs when one idea after another is suggested without
discussing them and the team finally accepts an idea without any critical evaluation.
a) majority rule
b) lack of response
c) authority rule
d) consensus
e) minority rule

Answer: b

Difficulty: Easy
Learning Objective 4: Discuss the ways teams make decisions, the assets and liabilities of team
decisions, groupthink symptoms and remedies, and team decision techniques.
Section Reference: Improving Team Decisions

111. Decision by __________ is often done by providing a suggestion and then forcing quick
agreement by challenging the group with such statements as “Does anyone object?...No?
Well, let’s go ahead then.
a) majority rule
b) lack of response
c) authority rule
d) consensus
e) minority rule

Answer: e
Difficulty: Medium
Learning Objective 4: Discuss the ways teams make decisions, the assets and liabilities of team
decisions, groupthink symptoms and remedies, and team decision techniques.
Section Reference: Improving Team Decisions

112. All of the following statements about majority rule are true EXCEPT:
a) formal voting may take place or members may be polled to find the majority viewpoint.
b) all group members will feel successful as a result of the majority rule.
c) some people will feel like “winners” and others will feel like “losers” when the final vote is
tallied.
d) the very process of voting can create coalitions.
e) this method parallels the democratic political system and is often used without awareness of
its potential problems.

Answer: b

Difficulty: Medium
Learning Objective 4: Discuss the ways teams make decisions, the assets and liabilities of team
decisions, groupthink symptoms and remedies, and team decision techniques.
Section Reference: Improving Team Decisions

113. To achieve group consensus, members should adhere to all of the following guidelines
EXCEPT:
a) don’t argue blindly; consider others’ reactions to your points.
b) don’t change your mind just to reach quick agreement.
c) don’t use voting, coin tossing, and bargaining to avoid conflict.
d) don’t try to involve everyone in the decision process.
e) don’t focus on winning versus losing; seek alternatives acceptable to all.

Answer: d
Difficulty: Medium
Learning Objective 4: Discuss the ways teams make decisions, the assets and liabilities of team
decisions, groupthink symptoms and remedies, and team decision techniques.
Section Reference: Improving Team Decisions

114. __________is a “logically perfect” group decision making method because all team
members agree totally on a course of action.
a) Consensus
b) Unanimity
c) Majority rule
d) Minority rule
e) Lack of response

Answer: b

Difficulty: Easy
Learning Objective 4: Discuss the ways teams make decisions, the assets and liabilities of team
decisions, groupthink symptoms and remedies, and team decision techniques.
Section Reference: Improving Team Decisions

115. In regards to decision-making, the best teams:


a) let the smartest person in the group make most of the decisions.
b) stay together as a group all of the time because they work well together.
c) take decisions spontaneously, without much discussion.
d) do not limit themselves to just one decision-making method, using it over and over again
regardless of circumstances.
e) do not encourage exchange of ideas.

Answer: d

Difficulty: Hard
Learning Objective 4: Discuss the ways teams make decisions, the assets and liabilities of team
decisions, groupthink symptoms and remedies, and team decision techniques.
Section Reference: Improving Team Decisions

116. When groupthink occurs in highly cohesive groups, poor decisions may result from the
members’ tendencies to do all of the following EXCEPT:
a) being unwilling to criticize one another’s ideas and suggestions.
b) underemphasizing agreement.
c) desiring to hold the group together.
d) underemphasizing critical discussion.
e) seeking to avoid unpleasant circumstances.
Answer: b

Difficulty: Hard
Learning Objective 4: Discuss the ways teams make decisions, the assets and liabilities of team
decisions, groupthink symptoms and remedies, and team decision techniques.
Section Reference: Improving Team Decisions

117. Groupthink can be avoided by doing all of the following EXCEPT:


a) assigning the role of critical evaluator to each group member.
b) creating subgroups that each work on the same problem.
c) inviting outside experts to observe and react to group processes.
d) having the leader express his/her preference for a particular course of action.
e) writing alternative scenarios for the intentions of competing groups.

Answer: d

Difficulty: Hard
Learning Objective 4: Discuss the ways teams make decisions, the assets and liabilities of team
decisions, groupthink symptoms and remedies, and team decision techniques.
Section Reference: Improving Team Decisions

118. Historical examples of groupthink according to Janis include all of the following
EXCEPT:
a) space shuttle disasters.
b) decision-making during the Vietnam War.
c) American intelligence regarding weapons of mass destruction in Iraq.
d) the lack of preparedness by U.S. forces at Pearl Harbor before entry into WWII.
e) Cuban Missile Crisis.

Answer: e

Difficulty: Hard
Learning Objective 4: Discuss the ways teams make decisions, the assets and liabilities of team
decisions, groupthink symptoms and remedies, and team decision techniques.
Section Reference: Improving Team Decisions

119. Of the following, which is a symptom of teams displaying groupthink?


a) Illusions of invulnerability
b) Rationalizing unpleasant and disconfirming data
c) Belief in inherent group morality
d) All of the above

Answer: d
Difficulty: Medium
Learning Objective 4: Discuss the ways teams make decisions, the assets and liabilities of team
decisions, groupthink symptoms and remedies, and team decision techniques.
Section Reference: Improving Team Decisions

120. The guidelines for brainstorming include all of the following EXCEPT:
a) all criticism is ruled out.
b) “freewheeling” is welcomed.
c) quantity is important.
d) quality is important
e) “piggy-backing” on others’ ideas is encouraged.

Answer: d

Difficulty: Hard
Learning Objective 4: Discuss the ways teams make decisions, the assets and liabilities of team
decisions, groupthink symptoms and remedies, and team decision techniques.
Section Reference: Improving Team Decisions

121. The team decision technique of __________ asks everyone to respond individually and in
writing to a basic question such as: “What should be done to improve the effectiveness of this
work team?”
a) statutory technique
b) nominal group technique
c) brainstorming technique
d) freewheeling technique
e) Delphi technique

Answer: b

Difficulty: Medium
Learning Objective 4: Discuss the ways teams make decisions, the assets and liabilities of team
decisions, groupthink symptoms and remedies, and team decision techniques.
Section Reference: Improving Team Decisions

122. A group decision-making approach developed by the Rand Corporation for use in
situations where group members are unable to meet face to face is
a) electronic brainstorming.
b) the nominal group technique.
c) the Delphi technique.
d) the freewheeling technique.
e) computer-mediated analysis.
Answer: c

Difficulty: Easy
Learning Objective 4: Discuss the ways teams make decisions, the assets and liabilities of team
decisions, groupthink symptoms and remedies, and team decision techniques.
Section Reference: Improving Team Decisions

Question Type: Fill in the blank

123. __________ teams are able to turn a general sense of purpose into specific performance
objectives and the members feel collectively accountable for moving together in a
compelling direction toward a goal.

Answer: High performance

Difficulty: Medium
Learning Objective 1: Describe the characteristics of high performance teams, the team building
process, and its alternatives.
Section Reference: High-Performance Teams

124. __________ is the ability of a team to perform well across a range of tasks.

Answer: Collective intelligence

Difficulty: Easy
Learning Objective 1: Describe the characteristics of high performance teams, the team building
process, and its alternatives.
Section Reference: High-Performance Teams

125. When difficulties occur within a group or team, __________ can help in addressing
problems and resolving issues.

Answer: team building

Difficulty: Easy
Learning Objective 1: Describe the characteristics of high performance teams, the team building
process, and its alternatives.
Section Reference: High-Performance Teams
126. In his studies on how people cope with the challenge of entering a team, Edgar Schein
labeled individuals who show extraordinary support for others, behave in a dependent way,
and seek alliances in subgroups or cliques as __________.

Answer: friendly helpers

Difficulty: Easy
Learning Objective 2: Discuss problems relating to team processes..
Section Reference: Improving Team Processes

127. Research in social psychology suggests that the achievement of sustained high
performance by groups requires that both __________ needs and __________ needs be met.

Answer: task; maintenance

Difficulty: Medium
Learning Objective 2: Discuss problems relating to team processes.
Section Reference: Improving Team Processes

128. __________ include initiating discussion, sharing information, asking information of


others, clarifying something that has been said, and summarizing the status of a deliberation.

Answer: Task activities

Difficulty: Easy
Learning Objective 2: Discuss problems relating to team processes.
Section Reference: Improving Team Processes

129. Activities that support the team’s social and interpersonal relationships are called
__________.

Answer: maintenance activities

Difficulty: Easy
Learning Objective 2: Discuss problems relating to team processes.
Section Reference: Improving Team Processes

130. Behaviors that harm the team process like talking too much about irrelevant matters are
called __________.

Answer: disruptive behaviors


Difficulty: Medium
Learning Objective 2: Discuss problems relating to team processes.
Section Reference: Improving Team Processes

131. __________ occurs when a person is uncertain about his or her role in a job or on a
team..

Answer: Role ambiguity

Difficulty: Medium
Learning Objective 2: Discuss problems relating to team processes.
Section Reference: Improving Team Processes

132. __________ occurs when too little work is expected and the individual feels
underutilized.

Answer: Role underload

Difficulty: Medium
Learning Objective 2: Discuss problems relating to team processes.
Section Reference: Improving Team Processes

133. __________ occurs when the same person sends conflicting expectations.

Answer: Intrasender role conflict

Difficulty: Hard
Learning Objective 2: Discuss problems relating to team processes.
Section Reference: Improving Team Processes

134. The __________ of a group or team represent the ideas or beliefs about how members are
expected to behave.

Answer: norms

Difficulty: Medium
Learning Objective 2: Discuss problems relating to team processes.
Section Reference: Improving Team Processes

135. The __________ conveys expectations about how hard group members should work.
Answer: performance norm

Difficulty: Hard
Learning Objective 2: Discuss problems relating to team processes.
Section Reference: Improving Team Processes

136. __________ is a process for discussing and agreeing upon what team members expect of
one another.

Answer: Role negotiation

Difficulty: Easy
Learning Objective 2: Discuss problems relating to team processes.
Section Reference: Improving Team Processes

137. The rule of __________ states that the greater the team cohesiveness, the greater the
conformity of members to team norms.

Answer: conformity

Difficulty: Medium
Learning Objective 2: Discuss problems relating to team processes.
Section Reference: Improving Team Processes

138. __________ is the degree to which group or team members are attracted to and motivated
to remain a part of the group or team.

Answer: Cohesiveness

Difficulty: Medium
Learning Objective 2: Discuss problems relating to team processes.
Section Reference: Improving Team Processes

139. All-channel or star communication networks are other names for __________.

Answer: decentralized communication networks

Difficulty: Medium
Learning Objective 3: Explain communication networks, including their use in a team setting,
ways they can be improved, and how proxemics and use of space impact communication.
Section Reference: Improving Team Communication
140. __________ are work arrangements where members work on tasks independently, while
linked through some form of central coordination.

Answer: Co-acting teams

Difficulty: Hard
Learning Objective 3: Explain communication networks, including their use in a team setting,
ways they can be improved, and how proxemics and use of space impact communication.
Section Reference: Improving Team Communication

141. The attention to office design in building spaces conducive to communication needed by
teams today is part of __________.

Answer: proxemics
Difficulty: Medium
Learning Objective 3: Explain communication networks, including their use in a team setting,
ways they can be improved, and how proxemics and use of space impact communication.
Section Reference: Improving Team Communication

142. __________ is the process of choosing among alternative courses of action.

Answer: Decision making

Difficulty: Easy
Learning Objective 4: Discuss the ways teams make decisions, the assets and liabilities of team
decisions, groupthink symptoms and remedies, and team decision techniques.
Section Reference: Improving Team Decisions

143. In decision by __________, when the group finally accepts an idea, all others in the
group have been bypassed and discarded by simple __________ rather than by critical
evaluation.

Answer: lack of response; lack of response

Difficulty: Hard
Learning Objective 4: Discuss the ways teams make decisions, the assets and liabilities of team
decisions, groupthink symptoms and remedies, and team decision techniques.
Section Reference: Improving Team Decisions

144. Decision by __________ is being used when a chairperson, leader, or manager makes a
decision for the team.
Answer: authority rule

Difficulty: Easy
Learning Objective 4: Discuss the ways teams make decisions, the assets and liabilities of team
decisions, groupthink symptoms and remedies, and team decision techniques.
Section Reference: Improving Team Decisions

145. Decision by __________ is being used when two or three people can dominate the
majority or “railroad” the majority into agreeing to a solution.

Answer: minority rule

Difficulty: Easy
Learning Objective 4: Discuss the ways teams make decisions, the assets and liabilities of team
decisions, groupthink symptoms and remedies, and team decision techniques.
Section Reference: Improving Team Decisions

146. Teams will make decisions by __________ when discussion leads to one alternative
being favored by most members and the others members agree to support it.

Answer: consensus

Difficulty: Easy
Learning Objective 4: Discuss the ways teams make decisions, the assets and liabilities of team
decisions, groupthink symptoms and remedies, and team decision techniques.
Section Reference: Improving Team Decisions

147. __________ is the tendency of members in highly cohesive groups to lose their critical
evaluative capabilities.

Answer: Groupthink

Difficulty: Easy
Learning Objective 4: Discuss the ways teams make decisions, the assets and liabilities of team
decisions, groupthink symptoms and remedies, and team decision techniques.
Section Reference: Improving Team Decisions

148. In __________, group members actively generate as many ideas and alternatives as
possible, and they do so relatively quickly and without inhibitions.
Answer: brainstorming

Difficulty: Easy
Learning Objective 4: Discuss the ways teams make decisions, the assets and liabilities of team
decisions, groupthink symptoms and remedies, and team decision techniques.
Section Reference: Improving Team Decisions

149. When President Kennedy chose to absent himself from strategy discussions by his
Cabinet during the Cuban Missile Crisis, he avoided the tendency for his Cabinet members to
figure out what he wanted and give it to him, thereby avoiding __________.

Answer: groupthink

Difficulty: Hard
Learning Objective 4: Discuss the ways teams make decisions, the assets and liabilities of team
decisions, groupthink symptoms and remedies, and team decision techniques.
Section Reference: Improving Team Decisions

150. The __________ is a group decision-making approach that involves structured rules for
generating and prioritizing ideas.”

Answer: nominal group technique

Difficulty: Easy
Learning Objective 4: Discuss the ways teams make decisions, the assets and liabilities of team
decisions, groupthink symptoms and remedies, and team decision techniques.
Section Reference: Improving Team Decisions

151. __________ involves generating decision-making alternatives in groups through a series


of survey questionnaires.

Answer: The Delphi technique

Difficulty: Easy
Learning Objective 4: Discuss the ways teams make decisions, the assets and liabilities of team
decisions, groupthink symptoms and remedies, and team decision techniques.
Section Reference: Improving Team Decisions

Question Type: Essay

152. Describe the characteristics that enable a high-performance team to excel at teamwork.
Answer: Specific characteristics of high-performance teams enable them to excel at teamwork.
First, high-performance teams have a set of members who believe in teams’ goals and are
motivated to work hard to accomplish them. Second, high-performance teams turn a general
sense of purpose into specific performance objectives that engender commitment, provide a clear
focus for solving problems and resolving conflicts, set standards for measuring results and
obtaining performance feedback, and help members understand the need for collective effort.
High-performance teams have the right mix of skills among team members, including technical
skills, problem-solving and decision-making skills, and interpersonal skills.

Difficulty: Hard
Learning Objective 1: Describe the characteristics of high performance teams, the team building
process, and its alternatives.
Section Reference: High-Performance Teams

153. Discuss the following approaches to team building: the formal retreat approach, the
continuous improvement approach, and the outdoor experience approach.

Answer: In the formal retreat approach, team building takes place during an off-site retreat.
During the retreat, which may last from one to several days, group members work intensively on
a variety of assessment and planning tasks. In a continuous improvement approach, the manager,
team leader, or group members themselves take responsibility for regularly engaging in the team-
building process. This method can be as simple as periodic meetings that implement the team-
building steps; it can also include self-managed formal retreats. Finally, the outdoor experience
approach places group members in a variety of physically challenging situations that must be
mastered through teamwork, not individual work. By having to work together in the face of
difficult obstacles, team members are supposed to experience increased self-confidence, more
respect for others’ capabilities, and a greater commitment to teamwork.

Difficulty: Medium
Learning Objective 1: Describe the characteristics of high performance teams, the team building
process, and its alternatives.
Section Reference: High-Performance Teams

154. Describe the differences between role ambiguity, role overload, role underload, and role
conflict.

Answer: Role ambiguity occurs when someone is uncertain about what is expected of him or her.
Role overload occurs when too much is expected and the individual feels overwhelmed with
work. In contrast, role underload occurs when too little is expected and the individual feels
underutilized. Finally, role conflict occurs when someone is unable to meet the role expectations
of others.
Difficulty: Medium
Learning Objective 2: Discuss problems relating to team processes.
Section Reference: Improving Team Processes

155. What are norms? What is cohesiveness? How are norms and cohesiveness related?

Answer: Norms represent ideas or beliefs about how members of a group or team are expected to
behave. Cohesiveness refers to the degree to which group or team members are attracted to and
motivated to remain a part of the group or team. Cohesiveness and norms can be related through
the rule of conformity in group dynamics which states that the more cohesive the group, the
greater the conformity of members to group norms.

Difficulty: Medium
Learning Objective 2: Discuss problems relating to team processes.
Section Reference: Improving Team Processes

156. What is groupthink? Why can groupthink be detrimental to effective group functioning?

Answer: Groupthink refers to the tendency for members of highly cohesive groups to lose their
critical evaluative capabilities. When groupthink occurs, group members tend to be unwilling to
criticize one another’s ideas and suggestions. Group members also desire to hold the group
together and to avoid unpleasant disagreements. This leads to an overemphasis on agreement and
an under-emphasis on critical discussion. In turn, poor decisions may ultimately result, thereby
undermining effective group functioning.

Difficulty: Medium
Learning Objective 4: Discuss the ways teams make decisions, the assets and liabilities of team
decisions, groupthink symptoms and remedies, and team decision techniques.
Section Reference: Improving Team Decisions
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Tämän ylhäisen ylenkatseen kukistamana Crainquebille seisoi
pitkän aikaa tyhmistyneenä ja sanattomana, jalat katuojassa. Ennen
menoansa hän yritti antaa selitystä:

— En minä teitä tarkoittanut, kun sanoin: "Alas lahtarit!" En teitä


enkä muitakaan. Se oli vain eräs aate.

Poliisi vastasi vakavalla sävyisyydellä:

— Olipa aate tai mikä tahansa, mutta niin ei olisi pitänyt sanoa;
sillä kun ihminen tekee velvollisuutensa ja saa kärsiä paljon vaivaa,
ei häntä saa loukata tyhmillä sanoilla… Minä kehohan teitä
uudestaan menemään.

Pää kumarassa ja kädet kupeella retkuvina katosi Crainquebille


sateeseen ja pimeyteen.
PUTOIS

Lapsuudenkotimme puutarha, sanoi herra Bergeret, tuo puutarha,


jota oli parikymmentä askelta laidasta laitaan, oli meille ääretön
maailma täynnä riemuja ja kammoja.

— Lucien, muistuuko vielä Putois mieleesi? kysyi Zoé hymyillen


erikoiseen tapaansa, huulet suljettuina ja nenä kouristuneena yli
neulomuksen.

— Muistuuko hän mieleeni!… Kaikista olennoista, jotka ovat


kulkeneet silmieni editse lasna ollessani, on juuri Putois parhaiten
säilynyt muistossani. Kaikki hänen kasvojensa ja luonteensa piirteet
ovat ilmielävinä edessäni. Hänellä oli suippo pää…

— Matala otsa, lisäsi Zoé.

Ja veli ja sisar luettelivat vuorotellen, yksitoikkoisella äänellä ja


kujehtivalla juhlallisuudella, jonkinmoisen tuntomerkki-ilmoituksen
kohta kohdaltaan:
— Matala otsa.

— Mulkosilmät.

— Vilhuva katse.

— Pieniä ryppyjä ohimolla.

— Terävät, kiiltävän punaiset poskipäät.

— Korvalehdet aivan uurteettomat.

— Ilmeettömät kasvonpiirteet.

— Ainoastaan kädet, jotka olivat alati liikkeessä, ilmaisivat hänen


ajatuksiaan.

— Laiha, hieman koukkuselkäinen, hintelä vartaloltaan.

— Mutta silti tavattoman väkevä.

— Taivutti helposti viidenfrangin rahan etusormen ja peukalon


välissä…

— Joka hänellä oli julma.

— Hänen äänensä oli laahaava…

— Ja puhe mesimakeaa.

Kesken kaiken herra Bergeret huudahti vilkkaasti:

— Zoé, mehän unohdimme: "kellahtava tukka, harva hiuskasvu".


Alottakaamme uudestaan.
Pauline, joka ihmetellen oli kuunnellut tätä omituista luetteloa,
kysyi isältään ja tädiltään, kuinka he olivat voineet oppia ulkoa tuon
pitkän hokemaisen ja miksi he lukivat sitä noin ikäänkuin mitä
messua.

Herra Bergeret vastasi vakavasti:

— Pauline, se mitä äsken kuulit on pyhitetty, voisinpa sanoa


liturginen teksti Bergeret-sukua varten. On paikallaan, että se siirtyy
sinun huostaasi, jotta se ei hukkuisi tätisi ja minun kerallani. Sinun
isoisäsi, tyttöseni, sinun isoisäsi Éloi Bergeret, joka ei mielistynyt
mihin hyvänsä, piti tätä "hokemaista" suuressa arvossa, varsinkin
katsoen sen syntyyn. Hän nimitti sitä "Putois'n anatomiaksi". Ja hän
sanoi monesti pitävänsä Putois'n anatomiasta, eräissä suhteissa,
enemmän kuin Laskiais-ukon. "Jos kohta Xenomaneen tekemä
kuvaus", sanoi hän, "onkin oppineempi ja rikkaampi harvinaisista ja
valikoiduista määräsanoista, niin menee Putois'n kuva paljon sen
edelle ajatusten selvyydessä ja tyylin läpikuultavuudessa"… Hän
ajatteli täten siitä syystä, että tohtori Ledouble Tours'ista ei vielä ollut
selittänyt Rabelais'n neljännen kirjan kolmattakymmenettä, yhdettä-
ja kahdettaneljättä lukua.

— En ymmärrä rahtuakaan, sanoi Pauline.

— Syy on siinä, ettet tunne Putois'ta, tyttöseni. Tiedätkös, että


Putois oli kaikkein tutuin olento meidän lapsuudessamme, Zoé-tätisi
ja minun. Isoisäsi kotona puhuttiin alinomaa Putois'sta. Joka ikinen
kohdastaan uskoi nähneensä hänet.

— Kuka tuo Putois sitten oli? kysyi Pauline.


Vastauksen asemesta herra Bergeret purskahti nauruun, ja
myöskin neiti
Bergeret nauraa hihitti yhteenpuristetuin huulin.

Pauline silmäili toisesta toiseen. Hänestä oli outoa nähdä tätinsä


nauravan näin sydämen pohjasta, ja vielä oudompaa, että hän
nauroi samalle asialle kuin velikin. Se oli todellakin kummallista, sillä
veljellä ja sisarella oli muutoin hyvin erilainen käsitystapa.

— Isä rakas, sano, kuka tuo Putois oli. Koska minun se muka
kuitenkin pitää tietää, niin sano se sitten.

— Putois, tyttöseni, oli puutarhuri. Hän oli kunnioitettavan


maanviljelijä-perheen poika Artois'sta ja asettui Saint-Omeriin
taimitarhuriksi. Mutta tarvitsijat eivät olleet häneen tyytyväisiä, ja liike
ei luonnistunut. Hän lopetti sen kokonaan ja rupesi päivätyöläiseksi.
Niiden, jotka häntä käyttivät, ei aina kestänyt kehua kauppojaan.

Tässä neiti Bergeret keskeytti yhä nauraen:

— Muistatko, Lucien, kun isän pöydältä mustetolppo, kynät,


kirjelakka tai sakset olivat kateissa, niin hän sanoi: "Luulenpa, että
Putois on taas pujahtanut täällä."

— Niin, virkkoi herra Bergeret, Putois ei juuri ollut hyvässä


maineessa.

— Siinäkö kaikki? kysyi Pauline.

— Ei, tyttöseni, ei vielä aivan. Putois oli siitä merkillinen, että hän
oli meille tuttu, kotoinen, ja kuitenkin…

— … hän oli olematon, sanoi Zoé.


Herra Bergeret katsahti sisareensa nuhtelevasti:

— Kuinka sinä puhut, Zoé! Ja miksi rikkoa lumous tuolla tavoin?


Vai oli Putois olematon? Uskallatko väittää niin, Zoé? Ja pysyä
väitteessäsi? Oletko kyllin ajatellut olemassaolon ehtoja ja olemisen
muotoja voidaksesi vakuuttaa, että Putois oli olematon, ettei häntä
koskaan ole ollut? Ei, Putois oli olemassa, siskoseni. Mutta
myönnettäköön, että se olemassaolo oli aivan erikoista laatua.

— Minä ymmärrän yhä vähemmän ja vähemmän, sanoi Pauline


lannistuneella mielellä.

— Saat hetikohta havaita oikean asianlaidan, tyttöseni. Tiedä siis,


että Putois syntyi täysikasvuisena tähän maailmaan. Minä olin vielä
lapsi, tätisi jo pikkuneidiksi venähtämässä. Asuntonamme oli
pienoinen talo eräässä Saint-Omerin esikaupungissa. Siellä
vanhempamme viettivät rauhaista ja syrjäänvetäytynyttä elämää,
kunnes heidät löysi muuan vanha Audomarin asuja, leskirouva
Cornouiller, joka eli Monplaisir nimisellä sukutilallaan parin
peninkulman päässä kaupungista ja joka osui olemaan äitini isän
täti. Hän käytti sukulaisoikeuttaan vaatiakseen, että vanhempamme
joka sunnuntai tulisivat syömään päivällistä Monplaisiriin, niissä
heidän oli herttaisen ikävä olla. Hän sanoi kuuluvan hyvään tapaan
kokoontua perhepäivällisille sunnuntaisin, ja että ainoastaan
halpasäätyiset ihmiset eivät noudattaneet tätä vanhaa tapaa. Isä oli
aivan itkeä ikävästä Monplaisir-vierailuilla. Oli sydäntä vihlovaa
nähdä hänen epätoivoaan. Mutta rouva Cornouiller ei sitä nähnyt.
Hän ei nähnyt mitään. Äiti oli urheampi. Hän kärsi yhtä paljon kuin
isänikin, ehkäpä vielä enemmän, mutta hän hymyili.

— Naiset ovat syntyneet kärsimään, sanoi Zoé.


Zoé, kaikki, mitä elää tässä maailmassa, on määrätty kärsimään.
Turhaan vanhempamme kieltäytyivät näistä kovanonnen kutsuista.
Rouva Cornouiller'n ajoneuvot saapuivat heitä noutamaan joka
sunnuntai sydänpäivän jälkeen. Heidän oli täytymys lähteä
Monplaisiriin; se oli velvoitus, jonka kiertäminen oli ehdottomasti
kielletty. Se oli vahvistettu järjestys, jonka ainoastaan ilmikapina
saattoi rikkoa. Viimein isä teki kapinan ja vannoi pyhästi ei enää ikinä
ottavansa kuuleviin korviin rouva Cornouiller'n kutsuja. Äidin huoleksi
hän jätti keksiä kulloinkin sopivia verukkeita ja syitä näihin kieltoihin,
mutta tähän toimeen äiti ei lainkaan soveltunut. Hän ei osannut
teeskennellä.

— Sano ennemmin, Lucien, ettei hän tahtonut. Hän olisi osannut


valehdella kuin muutkin.

— Totta kyllä, että jos hänellä oli hyvät syyt tukena, niin hän veti
ne ennemmin esille kuin sepitti huonoja. Muistatko, sisko, kuinka hän
kerran tuli sanoneeksi päivällispöydässä: "Luojan kiitos, että Zoé on
saanut hinkuyskän; nyt emme voi pitkään aikaan lähteä
Monplaisiriin."

— Niin, se on totta! sanoi Zoé.

— Mutta sinä paranit taas, Zoé. Ja rouva Cornouiller tuli eräänä


päivänä sanomaan äidillemme: "Ystäväiseni, odotan teitä varmasti
sunnuntaiksi päivälliselle Monplaisiriin miehenne kanssa." Äitimme,
jolle hänen miehensä nimenomaan oli antanut toimeksi keksiä
pätevän kiellon aiheen, sepitti tässä äärimmäisessä ahdingossa
esteen, jota ei ollut olemassa. "Olen hyvin pahoillani, rakas täti.
Mutta meidän on mahdoton tulla. Odotan puutarhuria sunnuntaiksi."
Tämän kuullessaan rouva Cornouiller vilkaisi salin lasiovesta
villiytyneeseen puutarhapahaseen, missä syreenit ja kuusamet
osoittivat olevansa ventovieraita tarhurinveitselle eikä, kaikesta
päättäen, ikinä tulevansakaan sen tuttavuuteen.

"Vai odotatte puutarhuria? Mitä varten?"

"Työhön puutarhaamme."

Ja kun äitini tahtomattansa tuli katsahtaneeksi tuohon


nelikulmikkoon hoidotonta nurmea ja puolimetsistyneitä kukkia, jota
hän juuri ikään oli sanonut puutarhaksi, käsitti hän kauhistuen,
kuinka epätodennäköinen hänen esteensä oli.

"Tuo mies", sanoi rouva Cornouiller, "voi yhtä hyvin tulla työhön
teidän… puutarhaanne maanantaina tai tiistaina. Muutoinkin se on
parempi. Ei pidä tehdä työtä sunnuntaina."

"Hän ei pääse viikolla muilta töiltä."

Olen usein huomannut, että kaikkein mielettömimmät ja


hassunaikaisimmat syyt kohtaavat vähimmin vastaväitteitä: ne
ällistyttävät vastustajan kokonaan. Rouva Cornouiller jätti
kärttämisen paljon vähemmälle, kuin olisi odottanut henkilöltä, jolla
oli niin vähän taipumusta antamaan myöten. Nousten lähtöön
nojatuolistaan hän kysyi:

"Mikä hän on nimeltään, ystäväiseni, tuo teidän puutarhurinne?"

"Putois", vastasi äitini arvelematta.

Putois oli mainittu nimeltä. Siitä hetkestä hän oli olemassa. Rouva
Cornouiller lähti pois, mutisten mennessään:
"Putois! Se nimi tuntuu minusta tutulta. Putois? Putois! Hänet
tunnen aivan varmaan. Mutta en saa oikein mieleeni… Missä hän
asuu?"

"Hän käy päivätöissä. Kun häntä tarvitaan, lähetetään sana sinne,


missä hän milloinkin on työssä."

"Kuten arvasinkin: laiskuri ja maankiertäjä… hulttio. Älä luota liioin


häneen, ystäväiseni."

Siten Putois myöskin oli saanut oman luonteensa.

II

Herrat Goubin ja Jean Marteau olivat tulleet parhaiksi keskelle


keskustelua, ja herra Bergeret opasti heidät mukaan:

— Puhuimme juuri hänestä, jonka äitini eräänä päivänä antoi


syntyä puutarhuriksi Saint-Omeriin ja jolle hän samalla pani nimen.
Siitä pitäin hän on ollut toiminnassa.

— Rakas ystävä, sanoisitteko sen vielä toistamiseen? virkkoi herra


Goubin hieroen lornettilasiaan.

— Mielelläni, vastasi herra Bergeret. Ei ollut mitään puutarhuria.


Puutarhuri oli olematon. Äitini sanoi: "Minä odotan puutarhuria." Ja
puutarhuri tuli. Ja ryhtyi toimimaan.

— Rakas ystävä, kysyi herra Goubin taas, kuinka hän saattoi


toimia, kun häntä ei ollut olemassa?
— Hänellä oli jonkinmoinen olemassaolo, vastasi herra Bergeret.

— Te tarkoitatte siis kuviteltua olemassaoloa, huomautti herra


Goubin halveksivasti.

— Eikö sitten kuviteltu olemassaolo muka olekaan mitään?


huudahti talon isäntä! Eivätkö taruperäiset henkilöt kykene
vaikuttamaan ihmiseen? Ajatelkaa mytologiaa, herra Goubin, ja te
näette, että ne ovat kuviteltuja, eivätkä suinkaan todellisia olentoja,
joilla on syvin ja kestävin vaikutus mieliin. Aina ja kaikkialla ovat
olennot, joilla ei ole enemmän todellisuutta kuin Putois'lla,
herättäneet kansoissa vihaa ja rakkautta, kammoa ja toivoa,
kehoittaneet rikoksiin, vastaanottaneet uhreja, säätäneet tapoja ja
lakeja. Herra Goubin, ajatelkaa vain ikuista mytologiaa. Putois on
myytiilinen henkilö, tosin vähimmin tunnettuja, sen myönnän ja
halvinta laatua. Kömpelö satyyri, joka muinoin istui
pohjoisranskalaisten talonpoikiemme pöydässä, havaittiin kyllin
arvokkaaksi esiytymään eräässä Jordaens'in taulussa ja La
Fontainen sadussa. Sycoraxin karvainen poika pääsi Shakespearen
ylhäiseen maailmaan. Putois ei ollut yhtä hyväonninen, taiteilijat ja
runoilijat jäävät aina ylenkatsomaan häntä. Häneltä puuttuu
suuruutta ja merkillisyyttä, tyyliä ja karakteria. Hän syntyi liian
järkiperäisissä mielissä, ihmisten keskuudessa, jotka osasivat lukea
ja kirjoittaa ja joilla ei ollut tuota lumoavaa mielikuvitusta, joka kylvää
satuja ympärilleen. Luulen jo, hyvät herrat, puheeni riittävän
osoittamaan teille Putois'n todellista luonnetta.

— Minä käsitän sen, sanoi herra Goubin. Ja herra Bergeret jatkoi


kuvaustaan:

— Putois oli olemassa. Sen voin vakuuttaa. Hän oli olemassa.


Ajatelkaa asiaa, hyvät herrat, niin te tulette vakuutetuiksi siitä, että
oleminen ei laisinkaan sisällä substansia, vaan merkitsee ainoastaan
attribuutin ja subjektin yhdyssidettä, ilmaisee vain suhdetta.

— Epäilemättä, sanoi Jean Marteau, mutta olla olemassa ilman


attribuutteja, se ei ole juuri paljon tyhjää parempi. Joku, en muista
enää kuka, on joskus sanonut: "Minä olen se, joka on." Antakaa
huono muistini anteeksi. Ei voi pitää kaikkea mielessään. Mutta tuo
tuntematon, joka puhui noin, menetteli siinä ylen ajattelemattomasti.
Antaessaan tällä varomattomalla puheella ymmärtää, että hän oli
vailla ominaisuuksia, vailla kaikkia suhteita, hän julisti, ettei häntä
ollut olemassa, ja tuhosi ajattelemattomuudessaan oman itsensä.
Lyön vetoa, ettei hänestä ole sen koommin kuultu puhuttavan.

— Olette menettänyt, vastasi herra Bergeret. Hän korjasi tämän


liian itsekkään sanansa pahat seuraukset omistamalla itselleen
kukkuramitalla määräsanoja, ja hänestä on puhuttu paljon,
useimmiten tolkuttomia.

— En ymmärrä, sanoi herra Goubin.

— Se ei ole tarpeellistakaan, vastasi Jean Marteau.

Ja hän pyysi herra Bergeret'n puhumaan Putois'sta.

Olette hyvin rakastettava, kun sitä pyydätte, sanoi isäntä.

— No niin. Putois syntyi yhdeksännentoista vuosisadan


jälkipuoliskolla Saint-Omer'ssa. Hänelle olisi ollut edullisempaa
syntyä muutamia vuosisatoja aikaisemmin Ardennien korvessa tai
Brocélianden metsässä. Silloin hänestä olisi tullut häijy henkiolento,
ihmeteltävä oveluudeltaan.

— Kuppi teetä, herra Goubin, suvaitsetteko? kysyi Pauline.


— Putois oli siis häijy henkiolento? uteli Jean Marteau.

— Niin, hän oli häijy, vastasi herra Bergeret; hän oli häijy
tavallaan, mutta ei kuitenkaan ehdottomasti. Hänen laitansa oli
niinkuin pirujen, joita sanotaan hyvin pahoiksi, mutta joissa tapaa
paljon hyviä puolia, kun heihin paremmin tutustuu. Ja olisin
taipuvainen uskomaan, että Putois'lle on tehty vääryyttä.

Rouva Cornouiller, joka tuntien vastenmielisyyttä häntä kohtaan


heti paikalla oli epäillyt häntä hulttioksi, juopoksi ja varkaaksi, alkoi
harkita, että koska äitini, joka ei ollut rikas, käytti häntä, niin hän ei
mahtanut olla isopalkkainen. Ja niin hän kysyi itseltään, eikö hänelle
olisi edullisempaa pitää Putois'ta työssä kuin Monplaisirin omaa
puutarhuria, jolla oli parempi maine, mutta myöskin suuremmat
vaatimukset. Alkoi juuri marjakuusien leikkaamisaika. Hän ajatteli,
että jos rouva Éloi Bergeret, joka oli köyhä, ei antanut paljoa
Putois'lle, niin hänen, rikkaan, tarvitsisi antaa vielä vähemmän, sillä
onhan tapana että rikkaat saavat helpommalla kuin köyhät. Ja hän
näki jo hengessä marjakuusensa leikattuina pensasaidoiksi, palloiksi
ja pyramiideiksi tuottamatta hänelle suuriakaan kustannuksia.

"Pidän kyllä silmät auki", sanoi hän itselleen, "ettei Putois saa
vetelehtää eikä näpistää mitään. En jätä mitään onnenkaupalle, ja
kaikki on sulaa voittoa. Nuo maankiertäjät ovat välistä taitavampia
työssään kuin muut kunnolliset työmiehet."

Hän päätti siis tehdä kokeen ja sanoi äidilleni:

"Ystäväiseni, lähetä Putois minun luokseni. Annan hänelle työtä


Monplaisirissa."
Äitini lupasi sen hänelle. Ja hän olisi tehnyt sen mielellään. Mutta
se ei todellakaan ollut mahdollista. Rouva Cornouiller odotti Putois'ta
Monplaisiriin, ja odottaa hän saikin. Mutta hänellä oli
johdonmukaisuutta ajatuksissaan ja lujuutta aikomuksissaan.
Tavatessaan taas äitini hän valitti, ettei Putois'sta ollut kuulunut
mitään.

"Ystäväiseni, et varmaankaan ole sanonut hänelle, että odotan


häntä?"

"Olen kyllä, mutta hän on oikullinen, eriskummainen…"

"Oh, minä tunnen nuo ihmiset. Osaan tuon Putois'nne ulkoa. Mutta
ei ole niin tolkutonta työmiestä, joka kieltäytyisi tulemasta
Monplaisiriin työhön. Minun taloni on tunnettu, toivoakseni. Putois
saa mukautua minun määräyksiini, ja viivyttelyittä, ystäväiseni.
Sanohan minulle vain, missä hän asuu; menen itse häntä
tavoittamaan."

Äitini vastasi, ettei hän tiennyt missä Putois majaili, ettei hänellä
ollut mitään vasituista olinpaikkaa, ei kotia eikä kontua. "En ole häntä
sen koommin nähnyt, tätiseni. Luulen että hän tahallaan
piilotteleikse…"

Olisiko hän voinut puhua todempaa?

Mutta rouva Cornouiller kuunteli häntä epäluulo mielessä; hän


epäili äitimme salaavan häneltä Putois'taan, pitävän häntä piilossa
tiedusteluilta, pelosta että menettäisi hänet tai saattaisi hänet
vaateliaammaksi. Hän piti äitiä todellakin liian itsekkäänä. Monet
koko maailman omaksumat ja historian vahvistamat tuomiot ovat
aivan yhtä hyvin perusteltuja kuin tämäkin.
— Se on toden totta se, sanoi Pauline.

— Mikä on totta? kysyi Zoé puolinukuksissa.

— Että historian tuomiot usein ovat vääriä. Muistan, isä rakas,


kuinka eräänä päivänä sanoit: "Madame Roland oli hyvin
yksinkertainen vedotessaan puolueettomaan jälkimaailmaan,
oivaltamatta että jos hänen omat aikalaisensa olivat ilkeitä apinoita,
niin heidän jälkeläisensä myöskin tulivat olemaan ilkeitä apinoita."

— Pauline, kysyi neiti Zoé ankarasti, mitä yhteyttä on Putois'n


historialla sen kanssa, mitä sinä juttelet?

— Hyvin suuri yhteys, täti hyvä.

— Sitä en saata huomata.

Herra Bergeret, joka ei suinkaan vihannut poikkeuksia aineesta,


vastasi tyttärelleen:

Jos kaikki vääryydet tulisivat lopullisesti hyvitetyiksi tässä


maailmassa, niin ei olisi tarvinnut kuvitella toista noita hyvityksiä
varten. Kuinka voit vaatia, että jälkimaailma arvostelisi oikeuden
mukaan kaikkia kuolleita? Millä keinoin kuulustella heitä siitä
pimeästä, jonne he ovat paenneet? Kun alkaisi voida tehdä heille
oikeutta, unohtaa jo heidät. Voiko yleensä kukaan noudattaa
oikeutta? Ja mitä on oikeus? Rouva Cornouiller ainakin tuli lopulta
käsittämään, että äitini ei häntä pettänyt ja että Putois pysyi
saavuttamattomissa.

Hän ei kuitenkaan hellittänyt tiedustelemasta. Hän kyseli kaikilta


sukulaisiltaan, ystäviltään, naapureiltaan, palvelijoiltaan,
tavaranhankkijoiltaan, tunsivatko he Putois'ta. Ainoastaan pari kolme
vastasi, etteivät he olleet koskaan kuulleet hänestä puhuttavan.
Enimmät muistelivat varmasti nähneensä hänet.

"Tuon nimen olen kuullut", sanoi kyökkipiika, "mutta en vain


yhtään muista hänen muotoaan."

"Putois! — tietystikin minä tunnen hänet", sanoi radanvartia,


raapien korvallistaan. "Mutta en osaa sanoa, kuka hän on."

Tarkimman tiedon antoi herra Blaise, veronkanto-virkailija. Hän


ilmoitti käyttäneensä Putois'ta halonhakkuussa talollaan 19:nnestä
23:nteen päivään lokakuuta samana vuonna, jolloin pyrstötähti näkyi.

Eräänä aamuna rouva Cornouiller tulla tömähti huohottaen isäni


työhuoneeseen.

"Olen nähnyt Putois'n!"

"Oh, niinkö?"

"Olen nähnyt hänet."

"Luuletteko niin?"

"Aivan varmaan. Hän oli purkamassa herra Tenchant'in muuria.


Sitten hän poikkesi Abbedissain kadulle, hän kävi kiiruusti. Haihduin
jäljiltä."

"Oliko se varmasti hän?"

"Ei epäilemistäkään. Viisissäkymmenin iältään, laiha,


koukkuselkäinen, maankulkurin näköinen, likainen työmekko yllä."

"Tuo kuvaus saattaa tosiaankin soveltua häneen", sanoi isäni.


"Näettekös nyt? Muutoin huusin häntä nimeltä. Huusin: Putois! ja
hän kääntyi katsomaan."

"Se on juuri se tapa", sanoi isäni, "jota etsivät poliisit käyttävät


päästäkseen varmuuteen oikeasta henkilöstä pahantekijöitä
tavoittaessaan."

"Sanoinhan jo, että se oli hän!… Löytyipäs kuin löytyikin tuo teidän
Putois'nne; minä olinkin etsimässä. Niin, se on hyvin epäilyttävän
näköinen mies. Olette olleet kovin varomattomia, te ja vaimonne, kun
olette pitäneet häntä työssä. Minä osaan lukea kasvoista, ja vaikka
näinkin hänet vain selkäpuolelta, niin voisin vannoa, että hän on
varas ja ehkäpä murhamieskin. Hänen korvalehtensä ovat
uurteettomat, ja se on pettämätön merkki."

"Ah — te huomasitte, että hänen korvalehtensä olivat


uurteettomat?"

"Minä en päästä mitään silmieni sivuitse. Rakas herra Bergeret,


jollette tahdo tulla murhatuksi vaimonne ja lastenne keralla, niin
älkää päästäkö enää Putois'ta taloonne. Ja vielä viime neuvo:
vaihtakaa toiset lukot joka oveen."

Muutamia päiviä myöhemmin sattui rouva Cornouiller'lle se vaurio,


että varastettiin kolme meloonia hänen kyökkipuutarhastaan. Kun ei
voitu päästä varkaan jäljille, epäili hän Putois'ta. Santarmeja
kutsuttiin Monplaisiriin, ja se minkä he saivat selville vahvisti rouva
Cornouiller'n epäluuloja. Kokonaiset parvet maankiertäjiä verottivat
tähän aikaan paikkakunnan puutarhoja. Mutta tällä kertaa varkaus
näytti yhden ainoan henkilön työltä ja erikoisella oveluudella tehdyltä.
Ei merkkiäkään, mistä hän olisi murtautunut puutarhaan, ei kengän
jälkeä kosteassa mullassa. Varas ei voinut olla kukaan muu kuin
Putois. Se oli korpraalin arvelu, — hän tiesi pitkät jutut Putois'sta ja
terhentelihe saavansa talteen sen veitikan.

Saint-Omerin Sanomat omistivat kirjoituksen rouva Cornouiller'n


kolmelle meloonille ja julkaisivat kaupungista saatujen tietojen
mukaan Putois'n muotokuvan "Hänellä on", sanottiin lehdessä,
"matala otsa, mulkosilmät, vilhuva katse, pieniä ryppyjä ohimolla,
terävät, kiiltävän punaiset poskipäät. Korvalehdet ovat aivan
uurteettomat. Laiha, hieman koukkuselkäinen, hintelän näköinen
vartaloltaan, mutta todellisuudessa tavattoman väkevä: hän taivuttaa
helposti viidenfrangin rahan etusormen ja peukalon välissä."

"On hyviä syitä", vakuutti lehti, "panna hänen ansioluetteloonsa


pitkä sarja varkauksia, kaikki hämmästyttävällä oveluudella tehtyjä."

Koko kaupunki puhui Putois'sta. Eräänä päivänä saatiin kuulla,


että hänet oli otettu kiinni ja kiskottu vankilaan. Mutta pian päästiin
selville, että häneksi luultu mies olikin Rigobert niminen
allakankaupustelija. Koska ei voitu keksiä mitään kannetta tätä
miestä vastaan, pääsi hän vapaaksi, istuttuaan neljätoista kuukautta
tutkintovankeudessa. Ja Putois pysyi löytymättömissä. Rouva
Cornouiller joutui uuden, edellistä julkeamman varkauden uhriksi.
Hänen ruokasäiliöstään varastettiin kolme pientä hopealusikkaa.

Hän tunsi Putois'n käsialan, panetti suojaketjun makuukammionsa


ovelle eikä enää nukkunut öisin.

III
Kun Pauline kello kymmenen tienoissa illalla oli vetäytynyt omaan
huoneeseensa, sanoi neiti Bergeret veljelleen:

— Älä vain unohda kertoa, kuinka Putois vietteli rouva


Cornouiller'n kyökkipiian.

— Se oli kyllä mielessäni, sisko hyvä, vastasi herra Bergeret.


Olisihan paras kohta koko kertomuksesta hukattu, jos se jäisi pois.
Mutta kaikki järjestyksessään.

Oikeus haki Putois'ta innokkaasti käsiinsä, mutta teki työtä turhaa.


Kun huomattiin, ettei hän ollut löydettävissä, tuli jokaiselle
kunnianasiaksi löytää hänet; ja eräille ovelapäille se onnistuikin. Ja
kun oli paljon ovelapäitä Saint-Omerissa ja sen ympäristössä, niin
nähtiin Putois yht'aikaa kaduilla, viljavainioilla ja metsässä. Siten
liitettiin hänen luonteeseensa vielä eräs ominaisuus: tuo
kaikkiallisuuden kyky, joka on niin monella sadun sankarilla. Olento,
jolla on mahti vilahduksessa jättää taakseen pitkät taipaleet ja joka
äkisti ilmestyy siihen, missä häntä kaikkein vähimmän odotetaan,
saattaa säikähdyttää rohkeimmankin pahanpäiväiseksi. Putois'sta
tuli koko Saint-Omerin kauhu. Rouva Cornouiller, joka varmasti uskoi
että Putois oli varastanut häneltä kolme meloonia ja kolme
teelusikkaa, eli vavistuksessa Monplaisiriin sulkeutuneena. Ei
rautaveräjät, ei lukot eikä säpit saaneet häntä rauhoittumaan. Putois
oli hänelle kammottavan epäaineellinen olento, joka kulki lukittujen
ovien lävitse.

Eräs kotoinen tapahtuma sai hänen kauhunsa kaksinkertaiseksi.


Hänen kyökkipiikansa oli joutunut revonritaan, ja tuli aika, jolloin hän
ei enää voinut salata harha-askeltaan. Mutta hän kieltäytyi
itsepäisesti ilmaisemasta viettelijäänsä.
— Kyökkipiian nimi oli Gudule, sanoi neiti Zoé.

— Niin, hänen nimensä oli Gudule, ja hänelle olisi luullut riittävän


suojaksi lemmen vaaroja vastaan pitkän kaksijakoisen parran, joka
kasvoi hänen leuallaan. Äkisti putkahtanut parta varjeli sen
kuninkaantyttären neitsyyden, jota Pragin kaupunki palvelee
pyhimyksenään. Parta, joka ei enää ollut nuorta pahaista, ei riittänyt
suojaamaan Gudulen siveyttä. Rouva Cornouiller patisti Gudulea
sanomaan sen miehen nimen, joka ensin tehtyään hänelle tekoset
jätti hänet oman onnensa nojaan. Gudule hyrskyi yhtenä
kyyneltulvana, mutta oli vaiti. Eivät auttaneet ei rukoukset eikä
uhkaukset. Rouva Cornouiller pani toimeen pitkän ja seikkaperäisen
tutkimuksen. Hän tiedusteli ovelasti mies- ja naisnaapureiltaan,
tavaranhankkijoiltaan, puutarhurilta, radanvartialta ja santarmeilta; ei
mikään johtanut häntä rikollisen jäljille. Hän koetti uudelleen saada
Gudulen tunnustamaan kaikki.

"Oman etusi tähden, Gudule, sano minulle, kuka hän on."

Gudule pysyi mykkänä.

Yht'äkkiä välähti silloin rouva Cornouiller'n mieleen:

"Se on Putois!"

Kyökkipiika itki eikä vastannut.

"Se on Putois! Kuinka en sitä ennemmin arvannut? Se on Putois!


Poloinen! Poloinen! Poloinen!"

Ja rouva Cornouiller jäi siihen uskoon, että Putois oli toimittanut


hänen kyökkipiialleen pienokaisen. Koko Saint-Omer ylituomarista
lyhdynsytyttäjän koira-räyskyyn asti tunsi Gudulen ja hänen
torivasunsa. Kun kuultiin uutinen, että Putois oli viekoitellut Gudulen,
oli kaupunki täynnä hämmästystä, ihmettelyä ja iloisuutta. Putois'sta
tuli kuuluisa naistenkyttä, yhdentoista tuhannen neitseen ylkä.
Köykäisillä syillä pantiin hänen päähänsä vielä viiden kuuden muun
lapsen isyys, jotka tulivat maailmaan sinä vuonna ja yhtä hyvin
olisivat voineet olla tulematta, katsoen siihen huviin, mikä heitä
odotti, ja siihen iloon, minkä he tuottivat äideilleen. Eritoten mainittiin
herra Maréchalin, "Kalastajasovun" kapakan isännän, palvelijatar,
muuan leivänkuljettajatar ja pikku kyssäselkä olento Pont-Biquet'n
puolelta, jotka olivat suostuneet Putois'n puheisiin ja sittemmin
kartuttaneet kansaa kukin pienokaisellaan. "Tuo hirviö!" siunustelivat
kummitädit.

Ja Putois, näkymätön satyyri, uhkasi korjaamattomilla vaurioilla


kaikkea nuorta hamekansaa kaupungissa, jonka neitoset, niin
väittivät vanhat ihmiset, ikimuistoisista ajoista asti, aina olivat olleet
siveitä ja hiljaisia.

Mutta vaikka Putois siten oli levittäytynyt kaikkialle kaupunkiin ja


sen ympäristöön, kiinnitti häntä kuitenkin meidän kotiimme tuhannet
näkymättömät siteet. Hän liikkui porttimme ohitse ja hän kuuluu
toisinaan kiivenneen puutarhamuurimme ylitse. Ei koskaan nähty
suoraan hänen kasvojaan. Mutta alinomaa me huomasimme hänen
varjonsa, hänen äänensä, hänen askeltensa jäljet. Useammat kerrat
olimme erottavinamme hänen selkänsä hämärästä jossakin tien
käänteessä. Minuun ja sisareeni nähden hän muutti hieman
luonnettaan. Hän pysyi häijynä ja pahanilkisenä, mutta hän muuttui
samalla lapselliseksi ja hyvin yksinkertaiseksi. Hän tuli vähemmän
todelliseksi ja, uskallan väittää, runollisemmaksi. Hän astui
lastentarujen viattomaan piiriin. Hän vivahti Pöpöön, Vitsojais-äijään
ja Nukku-Mattiin, joka ripottaa illoin hietaa lasten silmiin. Hän ei ollut

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