Participant Observation

Participant Observation KaitlynJolley

Styles of Communication Communication, the sending and receiving of messages, is an integral part of culture Communication problems, especially misunderstanding and misinterpretation, are one of the most common frustrations experienced.

Because people in high contextcultures already know and understand each other quite well, theyhave evolved a more indirect style of communication. Indirect/High Context

Less can be assumed about theother person in a heterogeneous society, and less is known aboutothers in a culture where people prefer independence, self-reliance,and a greater emotional distance from each other. Direct/Low Context—

Peace Corps Volunteer- • It would be a social insult for • a campesino to tell a gringo • that he’s not going to come to • a meeting. He says “yes,” • and so the meeting is • scheduled. Twenty-five • people said they’d come and • two show up, and those two • are not among the twenty five • who said they’d come.

From this quote, the style of the two cultures have clashed. And I’m sure this is bound to happen with our experience as well.

Gestures Eye Contact And conversation style. We may do things that at home, no one would think twice about the action. But over in Jamaica we may cause some controversy. Which is why we study the culture before going into it.

Touching your face at the table/ eating. Strong shaking of the hand Looking into a person of powers eyes

Looking anyone in the eye Openly saying your opinion Constantly being on the phone

Culture in the Workplace Culture comes into its own in human interactions, and one of the greatest arenas for such interaction is the place where people work.

People in these cultures accept that inequalities in power andstatus are natural or existential. High Power Distance—

People in these cultures see inequalities in power and status aslargely artificial; it is not natural, though it may be convenient,that some people have power over others. Low Power Distance—

PCV As Americans, we think we can pretty much do whatever we set our minds to.

In these doing cultures, people are looked up to and respectedbecause of their personal and especially their professional accomplishments. Achieved Status—

In these being cultures, a certain amountof status is built into the person; it isautomatic and therefore difficult to lose. Ascribed Status—

Workplace values • Power Distance • Uncertainty avoidance • Source of status • Concept of work • Motivation • Ideal worker • I feel that Jamaica and the U.S. hold the same values when is comes to work.

Education • Education in Jamaica Starts at age 2. • Basic or Infant School  •  Kindergarten • Primary Education  • Secondary Education • 2 major exams that determine future schooling.

Children in the schools of Jamaica

Reference Page • http://www.my-island-jamaica.com/education_in_jamaica.html • http://www.fhi360.org/NR/rdonlyres/emgox4xpcoyrysqspsgy5ww6mq7v4e44etd6toiejyxalhbmk5sdnef7fqlr3q6hlwa2ttj5524xbn/datacollectorguideenrh.pdf • http://wws.peacecorps.gov/wws/publications/culture/pdf/chapter3.pdf • http://wws.peacecorps.gov/wws/publications/culture/pdf/chapter4.pdf

END • Thank you for your time.

Participant Observation