Framework for Rapid Situational Awareness in the Field
Abstract
This report outlines an approach for helping Soldiers to quickly develop situational awareness in unfamiliar cultural situations. Soldiers in the field engage in a variety of non-combat encounters with culturally different individuals, but it is often impossible to prepare Soldiers in advance for the cultural aspects of these encounters, even within a single country. The successful management of these encounters is, however, usually important for overall mission success. Because culture is essentially transactional, cultural differences appear as participants interact. This report describes the essential features of these interactions, as well as the main types of core cultural orientations that play a large role in how individuals approach such interactions. This report also examines situational awareness and how it can be used by Soldiers to promote successful encounters. A framework is presented that combines the components of a typical encounter with the salient characteristics of a number of cultural orientations. The framework is useful for identifying key elements that are likely to affect interactions, and for helping Soldiers learn quickly about them.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Mar 01, 2014
- Accession Number
- ADA597170
Entities
People
- Evelyn Latour
- Jennifer L. Klafehn
- Riall Nolan
Organizations
- Purdue University