Contingency Theories of Leadership: A Guide for Nursing Students

Question 1

In Fiedler's Contingency Theory, effectiveness of leadership depends on:

Accepted Answer

Least Preferred Coworker and situational favorableness

Answer

Leadership style and task structure

Answer

Follower characteristics and organizational culture

Answer

Only the leader's personality traits

Question 2

According to the Path-Goal Theory, when tasks are highly structured, which leadership style is most effective?

Accepted Answer

Directive

Answer

Participative

Answer

Supportive

Answer

Achievement-Oriented

Question 3

The Situational Model of Leadership postulates that:

Accepted Answer

Effective leadership depends on the maturity level of followers.

Answer

Leaders should prioritize relationship-building over task accomplishment.

Answer

Leadership style should remain consistent regardless of the situation.

Answer

Situational factors have no impact on leadership effectiveness.

Question 4

Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of Transformational Leadership?

Accepted Answer

Transactional exchange

Answer

Idealized Influence

Answer

Inspirational Motivation

Answer

Individualized Consideration

Question 5

Contingency theories of leadership emphasize that:

Accepted Answer

A combination of situational factors and leader's style determines effectiveness.

Answer

The optimal leadership style is determined solely by leader traits.

Answer

The most effective leadership style is independent of situational factors.

Answer

Leadership style should be fixed and unchanging.

Question 6

Which of the following is NOT a situational factor that can influence leadership effectiveness?

Accepted Answer

Leader's personality

Answer

Organizational culture

Answer

Follower experience

Answer

Task complexity

Question 7

According to the Charismatic-Leadership Theory, charismatic leaders typically exhibit:

Accepted Answer

Visionary thinking and exceptional communication skills

Answer

Self-centeredness and a lack of empathy

Answer

Transactional and bureaucratic behaviors

Answer

Uninspiring and pessimistic attitudes

Question 8

A primary benefit of using contingency theories of leadership is:

Accepted Answer

Providing a framework for understanding leadership effectiveness in different situations.

Answer

Eliminating the need for leadership development programs.

Answer

Guaranteeing successful leadership outcomes in all cases.

Answer

Making leadership a simple and straightforward process.

Question 9

When choosing a leadership style for a team tasked with a highly complex and ambiguous project, which contingency factor should be given the most weight?

Accepted Answer

Complexity and ambiguity of the task

Answer

Experience and competence of followers

Answer

Organizational culture

Answer

Size of the team

Question 10

Hersey and Blanchard's Situational Leadership Theory suggests that when a follower demonstrates high enthusiasm but limited ability, the most appropriate leadership style is:

Accepted Answer

Coaching

Answer

Directing

Answer

Supporting

Answer

Delegating

Question 11

A criticism commonly associated with contingency theories of leadership is:

Accepted Answer

Oversimplifying the complexities of leadership

Answer

Being overly complex and impractical

Answer

Ignoring the importance of leader traits

Answer

Focusing exclusively on situational factors

Question 12

In which scenario would a transformational leadership style be most suitable?

Accepted Answer

A team facing challenges, lacking direction, and experiencing low morale

Answer

A team with exceptional competence and motivation

Answer

A team undertaking a routine task with clear objectives

Answer

A team requiring close supervision and guidance

Question 13

In the context of nursing management, how can contingency theories of leadership assist nurse managers in making informed decisions?

Accepted Answer

By considering situational factors that influence leadership effectiveness

Answer

By providing a definitive formula for selecting the optimal leadership style

Answer

By eliminating the need for leadership training and development

Answer

By guaranteeing high levels of follower satisfaction

Question 14

Revised: Which contingency theory of leadership emphasizes that the effectiveness of a leadership style varies depending on situational factors?

Accepted Answer

Corrected: Fiedler's Contingency Model

Answer

Path-Goal Theory

Answer

Situational Leadership Theory

Answer

Transactional Leadership Theory

Question 15

Revised: Situational Leadership Theory suggests that the most effective leadership style is contingent upon:

Accepted Answer

Enhanced: All of the above

Answer

Simplified and Corrected: Follower maturity

Answer

Task complexity

Answer

Organizational climate

Question 16

Revised: Which characteristic is not associated with transactional leadership?

Accepted Answer

Revised and Corrected: Transformational approach to change

Answer

Short-term goal orientation

Answer

Emphasis on rewards and punishments

Answer

Focus on follower development

Question 17

Revised: A nurse manager is guiding a group of skilled and experienced RNs. Which leadership style would be most suitable in this situation?

Accepted Answer

Revised: Delegating

Answer

Telling

Answer

Participating

Answer

Selling

Question 18

Revised: In a critical situation requiring quick and decisive action, which leadership style is most appropriate?

Accepted Answer

Revised: Authoritarian

Answer

Democratic

Answer

Laissez-faire

Answer

Transformational

Question 19

Revised: A nurse manager is leading a team struggling to meet performance targets. Which leadership style could be effective?

Accepted Answer

Revised: Directive

Answer

Supportive

Answer

Participative

Answer

Laissez-faire

Question 20

Which contingency theory of leadership emphasizes the importance of matching leadership style to follower maturity?

Accepted Answer

Hersey-Blanchard Situational Leadership Model

Answer

Path-Goal Theory

Answer

House's Path-Goal Theory

Answer

Fiedler's Contingency Model

Question 21

According to Fiedler's Contingency Model, which type of situation is most favorable for effective leadership?

Accepted Answer

Situations with high task structure, high leader-member relations, and high positional power

Answer

Situations with high task structure, low leader-member relations, and high positional power

Answer

Situations with low task structure, low leader-member relations, and low positional power

Question 22

Path-Goal Theory suggests that leaders should adjust their behaviors to which of the following situational factors?

Accepted Answer

Task characteristics, follower characteristics, and environmental characteristics

Answer

Organizational culture and climate

Answer

Industry and market dynamics

Question 23

Which leadership style is characterized by high consideration for followers and a focus on creating a supportive and collaborative work environment?

Accepted Answer

Transformational Leadership

Answer

Autocratic Leadership

Answer

Transactional Leadership

Answer

Laissez-Faire Leadership

Question 24

Contingency theories of leadership emphasize that:

Accepted Answer

The most effective leadership style depends on situational factors.

Answer

Leaders should always be directive and controlling.

Answer

There is one universally effective leadership style.

Question 25

Which of the following is NOT a situational factor considered in Hersey-Blanchard's Situational Leadership Model?

Accepted Answer

Leader's personality

Answer

Environmental uncertainty

Answer

Follower maturity

Answer

Task structure

Question 26

Contingency theories of leadership can help nurse leaders to:

Accepted Answer

Make informed decisions about the most appropriate leadership style for a given situation.

Answer

Avoid making mistakes in leadership

Answer

Become more charismatic leaders

Question 27

Which fundamental principle underpins contingency theories of leadership?

Accepted Answer

Contingency theories guide the selection of the most suitable leadership style based on situational factors.

Answer

Leadership effectiveness depends solely on the leader's traits.

Answer

A single leadership style is universally effective.

Answer

Situational factors have no influence on leadership outcomes.

Question 28

Which contingency theory of leadership emphasizes the significance of task structure, position power, and leader-member relationships?

Accepted Answer

Fiedler's Contingency Theory

Answer

Leader-Participation Model

Answer

Path-Goal Theory

Answer

Situational Leadership Theory

Question 29

According to Path-Goal Theory, which leadership style is most suitable when tasks are well-structured and clear?

Accepted Answer

Directive Leadership

Answer

Participative Leadership

Answer

Supportive Leadership

Answer

Achievement-Oriented Leadership

Question 30

Which contingency theory suggests that the optimal leadership style is contingent upon the level of maturity exhibited by followers?

Accepted Answer

Hersey and Blanchard's Situational Leadership Theory

Answer

Fiedler's Contingency Theory

Answer

Path-Goal Theory

Question 31

The Vroom-Yetton-Jago Model is primarily used to ascertain the appropriate level of:

Accepted Answer

Leader Participation

Answer

Follower Motivation

Answer

Task Structure

Question 32

As per Path-Goal Theory, what is the primary function of a supportive leader?

Accepted Answer

Establishing a positive work environment

Answer

Setting challenging goals

Answer

Delegating tasks effectively

Answer

Providing clear instructions

Question 33

According to Situational Leadership Theory, which leadership style is most appropriate for followers with low maturity levels?

Accepted Answer

Telling

Answer

Selling

Answer

Participating

Answer

Delegating

Question 34

Which contingency factor is considered the most significant in Fiedler's Contingency Theory?

Accepted Answer

Leader-Member Relations

Answer

Leader Intelligence

Answer

Position Power

Answer

Task Structure

Question 35

Which contingency theory suggests that the effectiveness of a leadership style depends on the maturity level of followers?

Accepted Answer

Hersey and Blanchard's Situational Leadership Theory

Answer

Path-Goal Theory

Answer

Fiedler's Contingency Theory

Question 36

According to Fiedler's Contingency Theory, which leadership situation is most conducive to effective performance?

Accepted Answer

When the leader's power is aligned with the situation

Answer

When the leader's personality matches the followers' expectations

Answer

When the task is highly ambiguous and stressful

Question 37

Which contingency theory emphasizes the importance of aligning leadership style with task requirements?

Accepted Answer

Path-Goal Theory

Answer

Transactional Leadership Theory

Answer

Hersey and Blanchard's Situational Leadership Theory

Answer

Fiedler's Contingency Theory

Question 38

According to Transformational Leadership Theory, leaders who are able to inspire and motivate followers are most effective in:

Accepted Answer

Highly dynamic and uncertain environments

Answer

Low-pressure and routine environments

Answer

Well-structured and stable environments

Answer

Bureaucratic and hierarchical environments

Question 39

According to the Contingency Theory of Leadership, which of the following is NOT a key situational factor?

Accepted Answer

Economic conditions

Answer

Task requirements

Answer

Organizational culture

Answer

Follower characteristics

Question 40

In which situation would a participative leadership style be most appropriate?

Accepted Answer

When followers are highly skilled and motivated

Answer

When followers are unskilled and unmotivated

Answer

When the task is highly structured

Question 41

Which contingency theory suggests that the most effective leadership style is one that matches the leader's personality with the situational demands?

Accepted Answer

Fiedler's Contingency Theory

Answer

Path-Goal Theory

Answer

Hersey and Blanchard's Situational Leadership Theory

Question 42

According to the contingency theory of leadership, which of the following is NOT a contingency factor?

Accepted Answer

Leader's age

Answer

Follower maturity

Answer

Power distance

Answer

Task structure

Question 43

Which leadership theory suggests that leaders should focus on creating a clear and supportive work environment that motivates followers to achieve organizational goals?

Accepted Answer

Path-Goal Theory

Answer

Transactional Leadership Theory

Answer

Hersey and Blanchard's Situational Leadership Theory

Answer

Fiedler's Contingency Theory

Question 44

According to Fiedler's Contingency Model, which leadership style is most effective in situations characterized by high task structure, strong leader-member relations, and high position power?

Accepted Answer

Task-oriented

Answer

Transformational

Answer

Relationship-oriented

Answer

Transactional

Question 45

A nurse manager is implementing a new patient care protocol. The team initially expresses resistance, citing concerns about its feasibility. The manager addresses these concerns, clarifies the protocol's benefits, and provides ongoing support. Which contingency theory concept is most relevant in this situation?

Accepted Answer

Follower Readiness

Answer

Task Structure

Answer

Leader-Member Relations

Answer

Position Power

Question 46

Which of the following is NOT a key factor considered in the Path-Goal Theory of leadership?

Accepted Answer

Leader's personality traits

Answer

Follower characteristics

Answer

Work environment

Answer

Task structure

Question 47

A nurse manager has cultivated strong relationships with team members, fostering trust and open communication. According to the Leader-Member Exchange Theory, in which type of situation is this manager likely to be most effective?

Accepted Answer

High task uncertainty and complexity

Answer

Low task structure and low follower motivation

Answer

High position power and low task complexity

Answer

Low follower readiness and high task structure

Question 48

A new nurse manager is implementing a new patient care system. The manager involves the team in the planning, training, and implementation phases, actively encouraging their input and participation. Which contingency theory concept is being applied in this scenario?

Accepted Answer

Participative leadership

Answer

Achievement-oriented leadership

Answer

Supportive leadership

Answer

Directive leadership

Question 49

Which of the following is a limitation of contingency theories of leadership?

Accepted Answer

They can be complex to apply in real-world practice.

Answer

They emphasize the importance of strong leader-member relationships.

Answer

They are supported by empirical research and evidence.

Answer

They provide a framework for understanding situational influences on leadership effectiveness.

Question 50

Which of the following is NOT a component of a successful contingency leadership approach?

Accepted Answer

Focusing solely on the leader's personality traits

Answer

Assessing the situation and its demands

Answer

Adapting leadership style to the specific situation

Answer

Identifying follower characteristics and readiness