
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. Power can be defined as _____.
a. the ability to influence the behavior of others
b. the actualization of the dependency of others
c. congruence between the goals of the leader and those being led
d. downward influence on one’s followers
e. upward influence on one’s leaders
2. The most important aspect of power is probably that it _____.
a. is needed to get things done in an organization
b. is a function of dependency
c. tends to corrupt people
d. is counterproductive
e. involves control
3. Which of the following statement is true concerning power?
a. Trust and mistrust affect the expression of power.
b. A person can have power over you only if he or she controls something you desire.
c. Power requires some congruence between the goals of the leader and those being led.
d. To be effective, power must be actualized.
e. In order to have power, a person must impose their control over others.
4. Leaders achieve goals, and power is _____.
a. defined by leaders’ hopes and aspirations
b. usually used by poor leaders
c. a means of achieving goals
d. a goal in and of itself
e. a strong influence on leaders’ goals
5. Leadership requires _____.
a. some congruence between the goals of the leader and those being led
b. strong two-way communication between the leader and those being led
c. a dependency of those being led on the leader
d. a dependency of the leader on those being led
e. followers to share behavioral traits with their leaders
6. Leadership focuses on the _____.
a. downward influence of a leader on his or her followers
b. importance of lateral and upward influence patterns
c. elimination of dependency relationships
d. all of the above
e. none of the above
7. _____ power is based on an individual’s position in an organization.
a. Leadership
b. Formal
c. Informal
d. Influential
e. Static
8. One reacts to _____ power out of fear of the negative ramifications that might result if one fails to comply.
a. legitimate
b. coercive
c. punitive
d. referent
e. abusive
9. The opposite of coercive power is _____ power.
a. referent
b. reward
c. legitimate
d. charismatic
e. resourcive
10. When your superior offers you a raise if you will perform additional work beyond the requirements of your job, he/she is exercising _____ power.
a. legitimate
b. coercive
c. reward
d. personal
e. reflective
11. Your physician has advised you to take a series of medications. You comply because of her _____ power.
a. referent
b. information
c. formal
d. expert
e. personal
12. Most organizations develop multiple suppliers rather than give their business to only one in order to _____.
a. increase knowledge and information
b. reduce dependency
c. maximize power
d. develop interdependence
e. avoid uncertainty
13. Dependency is decreased when the resource you control is _____.
a. important
b. scarce
c. easily replaced
d. insufficient
e. static
14. Power tactics can be defined as _____.
a. the only legitimate sources of power
b. techniques for translating power bases into specific actions
c. strategies for gathering and maintain support
d. organizational structural characteristics
e. approaches for winning arguments
15. Which of the following is not considered to be a power tactic?
a. consultation
b. substitution
c. rational persuasion
d. ingratiation
e. enforcing legitimacy
16. If individual efforts at gaining power fail, an alternative response is _____.
a. intimidation
b. to form a coalition
c. ingratiation
d. promotional moves
e. none of the above
17. Successful coalitions have been found to do all of the following except _____.
a. contain fluid membership
b. form slowly and deliberately
c. disappear quickly
d. achieve their target issues
e. appear quickly
18. Most studies confirm that the concept of _____ is central to understanding sexual harassment.
a. power
b. sex
c. reasonableness
d. abuse
e. love
19. Activities that influence the distribution of advantages and disadvantages within an organization are known as _____.
a. human resources
b. political behaviors
c. sexual harassment
d. influential power moves
e. interactive initiatives
20. Political behaviors usually _____.
a. lie outside of an individual’s specified job requirements
b. are counterproductive to individual goals
c. are seen only in large organizations
d. are frowned upon by organizational leaders
e. are expect as part of each job requirement
TRUE/FALSE
1. Power is a function of dependency.
2. Formal power is a measure of an individual’s ability to control organizational resources.
3. An understanding of interdependence is central to understanding power.
4. Coalitions in organizations often seek to keep their size small in order to more effectively use their power.
5. Political behavior encompasses efforts to influence organizational decision-making.
SHORT DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
1. Contrast leadership and power.
2. What is political behavior?
