organizational behaviour

201203_met_antw.pdf

Exam March 20, 2012, questions and answers

Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam | Organizational Behavior

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1.

Phineas Cage was an unfortunate rail worker who had a terrible accident: an iron pin rushed right through his skull. He survived, but as a result of this accident he became brain damaged and unable to experience or express emotions. In later years of his life, he became an important scientific study-object. What scientific conclusions were drawn from studying his behavior?

A. Emotions hurt our ability to think rationally

B. Our emotion and our ratio are completely separate systems in our brain (they do not influence on another)

C. Emotions are somewhat important for rational thinking, but its effect is marginal

D. Emotions are critical for rational thinking

Answer D; Chapter 8, page 206

2.

Most humans have the tendency to experience a mildly positive mood at zero input (when nothing in particular is going on). In the chapter on emotions, the OB book provides a name for this phenomenon. What is the name of this phenomenon?

A. Positive moodiness

B. Positivity offset

C. Positivity bias

D. The positivity effect

Answer B. Chapter 8, page 205

3.

Which attribute can be considered a personality characteristic?

A. Positive/negative affect

B. Positive/negative moods

C. Positive/negative emotions

D. Positive/negative feelings

Answer A; lecture 5

4.

In a famous experiment on group conformity 42% of the participants denied obvious visual stimuli just to remain consistent with the group. Which conditions tend to decrease the behavior of going along with the group despite obvious information?

A. When respondents answers are invisible to others

B. When someone else, a confederate, agrees with you

C. Individualism/collectivism aspects of national culture

D. All of the above.

Answer D; Chapter 9, page 239; Lecture 3


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5.

Which personality characteristics are associated with entrepreneurship (i.e. setting up your own company)?

A. Perfectionism, narcissism, Type A personality, (relatively) high testosterone

B. Narcissism, Machiavellianism, Psychopathy, (relatively) high testosterone

C. High conscientiousness, low agreeableness, openness to experience, (relatively) high testosterone

D. Risk propensity, high agreeableness, high conscientiousness, (relatively) low testosterone

Answer C; Chapter 4, page 92

6.

Which needs are most likely to be associated with a Type A personality?

A. McLellands need for affiliation

B. Mclellands need for achievement

C. Maslows need for safety

D. Aldelfers need for growth

Answer B, Chapter 4, page 91

7.

What is the theoretical mechanism behind negative reinforcement (R-)?

A. We are motivated by compliments and attention

B. We motivated by punishment

C. We are motivated by NOT getting the desired reward

D. We are motivated by avoiding a particular punishment

Answer D, chapter 6, Lecture 10 on behavior modification

8.

Which three personality characteristics are associated with the emergence of leadership (e.g., being chosen/selected as leader).

A. Openness to experience, Neuroticism, Type A personality

B. Openness to experience, conscientiousness, extraversion

C. Openness to experience, conscientiousness, agreeableness

D. Openness to experience, proactive personality, agreeableness

Answer B, Chapter 4, page 88


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9.

Regulatory focus theory by Tory Higgins says that our motivation generally has two dimensions: (1)______________of something you want and (2)__________ of something you do not want. In personality theory, this distinction is found in two brain systems. Element 1 (as indicated in the blank above) is associated with the behavioral ____________ system, while element 2 is associated with the behavioral ___________ system. Having a weak behavioral ___________ system, is associated with counterproductive work behavior. Fill in the blanks in the right order

A. Approach, avoidance, Activation, inhibition, inhibition

B. Approach, avoidance, Activation, inhibition, activation

C. Activation, inhibition, approach, avoidance, avoidance

D. inhibition, activation, avoidance, approach, approach

Answer A: Lecture 5, slide 19

10.

In the Schwartzs value diagram, what is the opposite of the pro-social value domain (including positive, active concern for the welfare of others, altruism, benevolence, kindness, being helpful, forgiving, loving, belief in equality)?

A. Enjoyment domain (Pleasure principle, comfortable life, enjoyment)

B. Social power domain (Dominance, status, influence, social control, power, leadership, authority)

C. Achievement domain (Achievement, competence, success)

D. Both B and C are opposite

Answer D, Lecture 5, slide 32

11.

Which value dimension in Hofstedes model of national culture is MOST similar to the distinction outlined above in question 10?

A. Collectivism-individualism

B. Femininity-Masculinity

C. Power distance

D. Uncertainty avoidance

Answer B; Chapter 4, page 98; see also lecture 5, slide 32; Lecture 12


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12.

Frans de Waal shows that monkeys can show pro-social behavior. See, for example, the film with the monkeys who can choose between a pro-social token and a selfish token. An overwhelming percentage of monkeys choose the pro-social token (i.e., the monkey next door gets food as well). In which case does the monkey choose the selfish token?

A. When the monkey next door has lower social status

B. When the monkey next door is invisible

C. When the monkey next door is a stranger

D. Both B and C are true

Answer D, Lecture 7, slide 10 (youtube)

13.

Jenny wants to take over her mothers child day care business. To achieve this goal, she is unsure whether she should choose to study International Business Administration (IBA), or not study at all and start working at a lower level in her mothers business. A couple of worries keep her awake at night. First, shes unsure whether studying hard would result in good performance during exams. So whats the chance shell successfully finish IBA? Second, she wonders whether studying IBA is valuable at all to achieve her personal goal, which is taking over her mums business. You just had your OB course and met Jenny a couple of hours after your exam. Her problem makes you think of a motivation theory which might be very applicable. Which theory of motivation fits the nature of her worries in the best way and might help her to make a choice between these two alternatives?

A. Goal setting theory

B. Reinforcement theory

C. Self-determination theory

D. Expectancy theory

Answer D, Lecture 7, on Motivation II; Chapter 6

14.

Equity sensitivity is a personality characteristic. What are people like who are characterized as equity sensitives? Choose the best option.

A. These individuals hate to be compared to others. They want to be seen as individuals.

B. These individuals have a sense of entitlement. They always want to have the better end of the deal compared to others. Being overrewarded is what they expect.

C. These individuals are especially reactive to being underrewarded in comparison to others.

D. These individuals feel very insecure when other peoples performance is compared with their own performance.

Answer C, Lecture 7, Motivation


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15. The Job Demand Control Model by Hackman & Oldman specifies 5 characteristics of a motivating job. Which element does NOT belong to these 5 characteristics?

A. Feedback

B. Task enjoyment

C. Task identity

D. Task significance

Answer B, see Chapter 7, page 173-174

16.

Ridicule, sexual harassment, bullying are examples of counterproductive work behavior (CWB). To which type(s) of CWB do these examples belong?

A. Organizational CWB

B. Overt CWB

C. Interpersonal CWB

D. Both B and C are correct

Answer D, lecture 3, slide 7

17.

Why does CWB occur? Choose the best option

A. As reactions to experiences at work

B. As reflections of employees personalities or primal instincts

C. As adaptation to the socio-hierarchical or institutional context

D. All of the above

Answer D, lecture 3, slide 8

18.

In the opening lecture, I explained Organizational Behavior can be interpreted as either oB or Ob. Select which example(s) would fit the Ob interpretation.

Example I: When John enters his employing organization (Royal Dutch Shell), he exerts the role of manager. In his role as a manager, he acts differently compared to his private situation.

Example II: John exerts the role as manager at Royal Dutch Shell and infuses his role act with his own Type A personality, narcissism and perfectionism.

A. Example I fits the Ob perspective

B. Example II fits the Ob perspective

C. Neither example I nor II fit the Ob perspective

D. Both example I and II fit the Ob perspective

Answer A, Lecture 1, slide 10


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19.

The discovery of so-called mirror neurons meant a break-through in neuro-psychological sciences. To which aspects of behavior are mirror neurons relevant?.

A. They are the neurological basis for empathy and nurturing

B. They directly explain the incidence organizational citizenship behaviors

C. They explain our capacity for imitation

D. Both A and C are true


20.

Which description is NOT an example of Organizational Citizenship Behavior (OCBs)?

A. Working extremely hard to increase ones productivity

B. Tolerance of less-than-ideal circumstances without complaining

C. Preventing conflict with others

D. Helping a colleague

Answer A, Lecture 4, slide 21

21.

In which situations does being unemotional result in the best performance? Choose the best option.

A. When making decisions on behalf of the organization

B. When negotiating on behalf of the organization

C. When organizations need to lay-off (i.e., fire) employees

D. When the organization needs leaders with more concern for production.

Answer B, Chapter 8, page 217; lecture 4, slide 10

22.

Consider the following story.

After watching his favorite player win in the semi-final of a grand prix tennis tournament, Rafe

contentedly stood in line under a hot August sun waiting to get a cool drink. As the glow of his

vicarious victory faded, the heat the humidity become more and more oppressive. Suddenly, Rafe felt

a piercing pain from a blow to his lower back. Rafe turned rapidly with an angry oppression and

clenched fist. Rafe saw that he had been hit by Rebecca, a person with hemiplegia whose wheelchair

had gone out of control and caused her to crash into Rafe and spill her drink on her dress. Rafes

understanding of the cause of his pain was an uncontrollable event that had embarrassed Rebecca

immediately changed is anger to sadness and sympathy. Though still in pain, he began helping

Rebecca recover from the accident.


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When Rafe turned rapidly with an angry oppression and clenched fist, this was an expression of___________________. Fill in the blank with the best option.

A. Affect

B. His neurotic personality

C. Emotion

D. A fight-flight response

Answer D, Chapter 8, 206; Lecture 4, Lecture 12

23.

Rafe displayed a(n)_____________ shift from anger to sympathy. Fill in the blank with the best option from the choices below.

A. Dispositional

B. Emotional

C. Moody

D. Attitudinal

Answer B, see chapter 8, Lecture 4

24.

In one of the lectures we talked about the role of different parts of the human brain in dealing with events. Rafes understanding of the cause of his pain was an uncontrollable event. From an evolutionary perspective, from which part of the brain originated this more refined judgment of the situation?

A. From the neo-cortex, the system in the human brain which developed the latest in the course of human evolution.

B. From the limbic system/amigdala, systems which developed relatively early in the course of human evolution.

C. From the reflexive part of the human brain, the system which developed earliest in the course of human evolution.

D. None of the above

Answer A, see lecture 4 (spoken content)

25.

Maslows hierarchy of needs has received quite some scientific critique with regard to its validity. What is the most important critique to Maslows theory?

A. Needs do not turn out to be organized in an hierarchical manner

B. The needs are formulated in far too specific terms

C. People rarely reach the top of the pyramid (self-actualization needs). As such, the theory is not very realistic.

D. The theory does not recognize cultural differences in how human needs are experienced.

Answer A, Chapter 6, page 161-162. Lecture 6


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26.

Which aspect is a true motivator in Herzbergs two-factor theory?

A. Pay,

B. Job security,

C. Relationships with others

D. Responsibility

Answer D, Chapter 6, page 143-144; lecture 6

27.

What is the best corresponding colloquial (i.e. every day language) term for self-efficacy?

A. Responsibility

B. Self-acceptance

C. Self-confidence

D. Selfishness

Answer C, Chapter 6, page 151

28.

Which item is NOT necessarily part of a persuasive speech, as discussed in the lectures?

A. Persuasive arguments

B. Emphasizing small, doable steps

C. Appealing to emotions

D. Communicating a larger vision

Answer A, lecture 6, Lecture 9 (repeatedly spoken material)

29.

Most students like the idea that exam correction is a transparent process. Which OB concept best explains why this is a satisfying element of an examination procedure?

A. Equity

B. Interactional justice

C. Informational justice

D. Procedural justice

Answer D, chapter 6, page 157-158; Podcast by Joel Brockner; Lecture 6


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30.

Receiving money for an intrinsically motivating task (e.g., baking cookies, reading your OB book) might change ones motivation from intrinsic to an extrinsic nature (thus, decreasing intrinsic motivation). Which theory deals with this phenomenon?

A. Cognitive dissonance theory

B. Self-determination theory

C. Cognitive evaluation theory

D. Regulatory focus theory

Answer C, Chapter 6, page 146

31.

For which type of leadership is the ability to hold a persuasive speech an indispensible (i.e., cannot do without) quality? Choose the best option.

A. Servant leadership

B. Authentic leadership

C. Transformational leadership

D. Charismatic leadership

Answer C, see lecture 9 on Leadership II (spoken content)

32.

Amir Erez argues in his podcast that charismatic leaders are like social magnets. To what theoretical construct does he attribute this quality in charismatic leaders?

A. Emotional intelligence

B. Social skills

C. Emotional contagion

D. Communication

Answer C, Amir Erezs podcast on charismatic leadership

33.

John holds the opinion that: A good manager should leave his emotions aside in his professional work. This is an example of a strong

A. Role conflict

B. Role perception

C. Role expectation

D. Role identity

Answer C, chapter 9, page 234-235


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34.

Inspect Johns opinion again: A good manager should leave his emotions aside in his professional work. The combination of the word manager and the word his (rather than her) in Johns opinion might be interpreted as an instance of a_______________. Fill in the blank by choosing the best option below.

A. Gender stereotype

B. Role perception

C. Role identity

D. Role expectation

Answer A; Jenny Hooblers podcast on The glass ceiling

35.

A famous experiment (by Harvard professor Elton Mayo) led to the widespread agreement on the importance of norms and positive attention. That is, it was concluded that worker behavior and worker sentiments were closely related. In this experiment, workers performance in a local firm was closely monitored in reaction to the exposure to different levels of illumination at work (i.e., how light it is in the room). They found that workers could uphold the same performance even under very low levels of illumination (i.e., when workers could see very little). The reason for this extraordinary performance was the mere fact that these employees were closely monitored. That is, close monitoring by the experimenters was interpreted as a form of positive attention, which made them work extraordinarily hard, even in adverse circumstances. What was the name of this famous experiment?

A. The Asch experiment

B. The Stanford Prison Experiment

C. The Milgram Experiment

D. The Hawthorne studies

Answer D, Chapter 9, page 237-238

36.

As discussed earlier in this exam, another famous experiment showed that 42% percent of the subjects ignored obvious visual stimuli in order to stay consistent with the group. What phenomenon did this experiment describe? Choose the best option.

A. Group think

B. Group distortion

C. Group norms

D. Group conformity



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37.

Leadership, social status, power, and social influence are all broad and mutually related terms. Which one of these terms is the most general (i.e., the most all-inclusive)?

A. Leadership

B. Social status

C. Power

D. Social influence

Answer D, Lecture 9, Leadership II, spoken content

38.

National culture greatly affects followers reactions to leadership. However, some follower reactions are not influenced by national culture. Which one are we talking about?

A. Followers reactions to a domineering leader

B. Followers reactions to a leaders social status

C. Followers reactions to transformational leadership

D. Followers attitudes toward a leader taking risks

Answer A, see podcast by Bradley Kirkman

39.

When we talk about group size and group performance, we can be confident about one important conclusion: size matters! . However, how size impacts group performance depends on what variable you look at. For instance,___________ groups are faster at completing tasks than ________ones. However, for groups engaged in problem solving, ____________ groups consistently get better marks than their __________ counterparts. Fill in the blanks with one of the options below.

A. Smaller, larger, larger, smaller

B. Larger, smaller, smaller, larger

C. Larger, smaller, larger, smaller

D. Smaller, larger, small, larger

Answer A, chapter 9, page242

40.

Groups of approximately_______________ members tend to be more effective for taking action. Fill in the blank with one of the options below.

A. 3

B. 7.

C. 13

D. 17

Answer B, chapter 9, page242


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41.

The American culture attaches great importance to the rags to riches storyline, where the low-class guy/girl works him- or herself up from the gutter and achieves great successes and riches as a result of his/her qualities. The prototypical rags to riches storyline contrasts with the Indian caste society where individuals born in a certain classes cannot get out of it. This contrastive distinction resonates with one of Fons Trompenaars and Charles Hampden-Turners dimensions of national culture. Choose the one option which best resonates with this distinction.

A. Achievement vs. Ascription

B. Individualism vs. Collectivism (communitarianism)

C. Particularism vs Universalism

D. Neutral vs. Emotional

Answer A, see lecture 11

42.

In the same model as discussed above, Trompenaars and Hampden-turner also specify that national cultures can differ on a spectrum ranging from Specific to Diffuse. The spectrum indicates how separate we keep our private and working lives in a given national culture. This resonates nicely with the names of different strategies to achieve work-home balance in the OB literature. Which work-home balancing strategy resonates best with the Specific end of this cultural spectrum?

A. Particularization

B. Overlap

C. Spill-over

D. Segmentation


43.

Which statement(s) with respect to work-home balance is/are true?

Statement I: In general, individuals report higher levels of work-home conflict than of home-work conflict

Statement II: The prevalence of home-work enrichment is higher than that of work-home enrichment

A. Only statement I is true

B. Only statement II is true

C. Both statements are true

D. Both statements are false

Answer C, Lecture 12, slide 22


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44. According to OReilly et als model of organizational culture, organizations can differ on a set of key characteristics. Among other characteristics, organizational cultures can differ in their emphasis on assertiveness and competition rather than on (being) easy-going. How is such an organizational culture called in OReilly et al.s model, mentioned in the OB book? Choose the exact name OReilly et al. have used.

A. An agentic culture

B. A testosterone culture

C. A tough-guy culture

D. An aggressive culture

Answer D, Chapter 17, page 458

45.

The company Aegon internally adopts the following mission statement: Make money, respect, and have fun. The purpose of this mission statement is to communicate Aegons purpose and values: This is what were all about. If these values are truly shared by the majority of the employees, this mission statement reflects a _____________. Fill in the blank with the best fitting term.

A. Core ideology

B. Company slogan

C. Monoculture

D. Shared meaning

Answer A; Chapter 17, page 459; Lecture 11, slide 41

46.

Small entrepreneurial organizations tend to revolve around a single person (i.e., the owner/founder) with rays of influence spreading out from that central figure. How is this state of affairs called in Charles Handys model of organizational culture?

A. A person culture

B. A centralist culture

C. A power culture

D. A role culture

Answer C; Chapter 17, page 460

47.

The process where an initial outsider is transformed into a well-functioning insider in a particular organization, is a called:

A. In-group acceptance

B. Cultural adoption

C. Socialization

D. Sense making



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48.

Job satisfaction, organizational commitment, career commitment, and job involvement are examples of_________________. Choose the best option.

A. Workplace happiness

B. Work attitudes

C. Workplace dispositions

D. Being a hard worker

Answer B, lecture 4, slide 28

49.

Why is authentic leadership important? Choose the best option.

A. Authentic leaders have more power over others

B. Because followers hate leaders who are not themselves

C. For instilling trust in followers

D. Because it is ethical to do so.


50.

In Europe, Barack Obama is known for his enrolling speeches, humor and charisma. What kind of power usage do these qualities suggest?

A. Referential power

B. Expert power

C. Informational power

D. Coercive power

Answer A, chapter 14, page 373-376

51.

Select which type(s) of power is/are unrelated to the long-term commitment and performance of followers. Select the best option.

A. Reward power

B. Legitimate power

C. Expert power

D. Both A and B

Answer D, chapter 14, page 373-376


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52. Leaders who are assigned almost mythical qualities (e.g., Steve Jobs) often turn out to be not as great as we thought they were after conducting careful research on their actual leadership qualities and behaviors. For example, the recent biography on Steve Jobs shows that his behavior could be erratic, disrespectful to employees, or that he took credit for ideas that were not his own. Might it be that the extraordinary successes for Apple Inc. led merely to an appearance of Steve Jobs leadership qualities? Which theory best accounts for such discrepancies between actual accomplishments and the appearance of leadership qualities?

A. The discrepancy theory of leadership

B. Authentic leadership

C. Contingency theory of leadership

D. Attribution theory of leadership

Answer D, chapter 13, page 357

53. The key to power lies in the control of and/or dependency on resources. The greater Bs dependency on A, the greater the power A has on B. Which factor does NOT directly influence this dependency according the OB book?

A. Importance

B. Scarcity

C. Nonsubstitutability

D. Political skill


54.

Political behaviors are not required as part of a persons formal role. Yet, through political behavior individuals influence, or try to influence, the distribution of advantages and disadvantages within the organization. Which personality characteristic is least likely to be associated with political behavior?

A. Self-monitoring

B. Perfectionism

C. Internal locus of control

D. Machiavellianism

Answer B, Chapter 14, page382

55.

Fiedlers model of leadership states that in favorable situations (high control) a _________leader is most effective, in situations of moderate control a ______________ is most effective, and in unfavorable situations (low control) a ________________ leader is most effective. Fill in the blanks.

A. Task-oriented, Task-oriented, Task oriented

B. Relationship-oriented, task-oriented, relationship-oriented

C. Task-oriented, relationship-oriented, task-oriented

D. Relationship-oriented, relationship-oriented, relationship-oriented

Answer C, Chapter 12, page 322-323; Lecture 7, slides 36-37


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56.

Which of the following theories of motivation is truly rational (i.e., calculative) in nature?

A. Expectancy theory

B. Reinforcement theory

C. Goal setting theory

D. Self-determination theory

Answer A, Chapter 6, page 158-159; Lecture 7, Motivation II, Leadership I

57.

Joseph studies International Business Administration (IBA) at the VU, although initially he would have preferred to study Medicine. Unfortunately, his desire to study Medicine was blocked as he did not pass the stringent selection procedures. Now, two years later, he absolutely loves his IBA studies. He says: Its great to be able to know organizational processes on a more theoretical level. So much money is spilled in organizational inefficiencies. Hospitals need better managers, rather than better doctors. Joseph has rationalized his decision to study IBA such that his attitude is congruent with his present line of behavior. Which theory best explains what had happened in Josephs head?

A. Self-deception theory

B. Cognitive dissonance theory

C. Cognitive distortion theory

D. Self-serving bias

Answer B, Lecture 4, slide 29

58.

One of the most illuminating experiments in (done in the nineteen sixties) shows how quickly human beings can learn new roles and act accordingly. The experiment was so successful that it had to be aborted because subjects (including the experimenter!) were so immersed in their roles that they went out of line. What is the name of this famous experiment?

A. The Asch Experiment

B. The Milgram Experiment

C. The Stanford Prison Experiment

D. The Role Immersion Experiment

Answer C, chapter 9, page 235-236; Lecture 3


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