Nature and control of grapevine – UGC NET Question

Statements A and D are correct, whereas B and C are wrong and therefore form the correct combination of wrong statements. A is true because informal talk often travels quickly across social networks. D is true as leaders may pay attention to recurring themes in unofficial conversations to understand morale and concerns. B is false since grapevine messages can be accurate, partly accurate or distorted, not always perfect. C is false because informal communication cannot be completely controlled by any single actor, including teachers or administrators.

Option A:
Option A identifies B only as wrong and ignores C, but C is also clearly incorrect in claiming total control over grapevine messages. By failing to include C, this option does not capture all wrong statements. Therefore B only cannot be accepted as the correct answer.

Option B:
Option B labels C only as wrong and overlooks B. While C is indeed wrong, the assertion in B that grapevine information is always perfectly accurate is also false. Consequently, selecting only C as wrong gives an incomplete response.

Option C:
Option C groups A, B and C as wrong statements and thereby misclassifies A, which correctly recognises the speed of grapevine communication. Including a correct statement among wrong ones makes this option inconsistent with organisational communication theory. Hence A, B and C only is not valid.

Option D:
Option D correctly brings together B and C as the wrong statements, leaving A and D as accurate descriptions of the grapevine’s speed and diagnostic use. It recognises that information accuracy and control are limited in informal networks. Therefore B and C only is the correct answer.