Dissertation Information for Lynn Cockett NAME: - Lynn Cockett
DEGREE:
- Ph.D.
DISCIPLINE:
- Library and Information Science
SCHOOL:
- Rutgers University (USA) (2000)
ADVISORS: - Hartmut Mokros
COMMITTEE MEMBERS: - Marie Radford - Maureen Taylor - Mark Aakhus
MPACT Status: Fully Complete
Title: Self, other, and situation in collaborative contexts: A study of personhood in a group decision-making meeting
Abstract: This dissertation examines the utility of the concept of personhood for understanding the dynamics of group interaction in collaborative decision-making situations and shows how personhood may be studied empirically through a case study of one decision-making meeting. "Personhood" is an ineffable guide to interaction and refers to an individual's beliefs about self, other, and the social world. This dissertation takes a constitutive theory of communication, in which the multi functionality of language is recognized, and in which realities (including identities) are thought to exist not prior to, but in, moments of communication.
The study employs a natural history and interpretive microanalytic methodology in order to examine the unfolding of a 25 minute meeting and the personhood orientations from which the individuals approach the situation. This approach treats the empirical analysis of sequential and structural features of the meeting as a context approach to empirically explore issues of personhood in the group decision-making situation. Examination of the sequence and structure reveals differences in how participants define the situation. Shifts in the meeting structure are observed, and participants' contextual orientations to one another are observed. These shifts and orientations point to issues of personhood regarding equity, individuality and leadership. Through the morphological study of the meeting structure, four "key" participants in the meeting are identified.
The interpretive microanalytic methodology is employed to examine the four key participants. Differences in these four participants' approaches to the situation are revealed through close attention to the content of their talk and are associated with these participants' orientations toward autonomy and togetherness--personhood concerns underlying human relationships. Status within the group is examined as this relates to the participants' approaches to the situation, and status is interpreted as one factor that mediates between a participant's personhood orientation and communicative strategies.
Through the recognition of personhood in work environments, this dissertation suggests that it is possible to rethink the nature of work, and our current approaches to professional education, group communication studies, and the development of appropriate methodological tools for the study of interaction.
| |
MPACT Scores for Lynn Cockett A = 0
C = 0
A+C = 0
T = 0
G = 0
W = 0
TD = 0
TA = 0
calculated 2008-01-31 06:11:08
Advisors and Advisees Graph
generating graph, please reload |