Schema adjustment in cross-cultural encounters: A study of expatriate international aid service workers

Presenter ： Yi-Chun Vivian TsaiInstructor ： Dr. Pi-Ying Teresa Hsu

April 13, 2010

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Chang, W. W. (2009). Schema adjustment in cross-cultural encounters: A study of expatriate international aid service workers. International Journal of Intercultural Relations, 33(1), 57-68.

An associate professor at Graduate Institute of International Workforce Education and Development, National Taiwan Normal University

Contents

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I. Introduction

II. Methodology

III. Results

IV.

Implications

V. Reflection

Introduction

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Definition of Schema

The schema has been defined as a mental structure that stores people’s common knowledge learned from their life experiences.

(Bartlett, 1932)

Introduction

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Definition of Schema

A schema has been described as general knowledge, and it is stored in people's mind, affecting how they select, perceive, interpret, and respond to information from the outside world.

(Chang, 2009)

Introduction

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Background of the Study

For expatriate workers and sojourners who physically go abroad to pursue their goals and missions, learning how to function well in a new culture is a major task.

(Chang, 2009)

Background of the Study

Each curve represents a part of adjustment reality that was derived from different sample populations.

Introduction

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Low to high line

W-shaped curve

U-shaped curve

1955

Lysgaard

1963

Gullahorn & Gullahorn

1998

Word, Okura, Kennedy, & Kojima

Introduction

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Statements of the Problem

Cultural adjustment involves a psychological process of reaching a harmonious status between the individual and environment, such an explanation covered the environmental aspect but overlooked the psychological influence within individuals.

(Hannigan, 1990)

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Introduction

Purposes of the Study

to explore the expatriate workers’ cross-cultural experiences

to identify the components that influenced the expatriate workers’ schema adjustment

Participants

Age

Male: Female

Organizations

Working experience

Methodology

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22 expatriate workers

11:11

15 (68%) 3-5 years4 (18%) 6-10 years2 (9%) 11-15 years1 (5%) 20 years

30 to 60 (1 was below 30)

Educational assistance services (13)International medical (9)

Working locations

Methodology

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Burma the Dominican Republic India Malawi

Pakistan Panama Thailand Vietnam

Methodology

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Theoretical Framework

• Beamer’s schemata model

• to explain the events and phenomena in practice

Semi-structured Interviews

Field Observation

• Critical incident analysis

• 6 interview questions

• 4 days in Vietnam

• General understanding of daily basis

Data Collection

Methodology

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Data Analysis

•To break down, examine, and categorize the original data•To create small categories

•To group data in a higher level category•To use the software Atlas/ti to code

•To review the data by the researcher, two research assistants and three parties

InterviewTranscripts

Open Coding

Axial Coding

Triangulation

Results

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Schema awareness Mental tension

Mental dialogue Culturally relevant others

Cross-cultural

interaction

Results

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Schema Awareness ： Cultural shock

Dr. BetiDr. Beti

In my idea, it was rude to ask people's age when you barely knew them. However, later I realized that this is just a common way to begin a social conversation in their culture.

Results

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Mental tension ： Uneasy emotions

ShineShine

In international work, you would find many things that you always took for granted were not what you thought. You would challenge your own limitations.

Results

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Mental dialogue ： New perspective

Dr. BetiDr. Beti

“How you would face yourself and solve the problems.” Through these challenges and conflicts, “I felt I grew a lot.”

Culturally relevant others ： Information

Results

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Kui & ShingKui & Shing

You have to keep in contact with them [local people].

Hanging out with local people and being friends with them is one of the best ways to learn their values

Results

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Cross-cultural incidents & schema adjustment

Implications

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Creating opportunities for schema awareness

Practicing schema adjustment through

scenarios and cognitive task analysis

Including positive and negative experiences in learning resources

Reflection

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Reflection

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