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Dissertation Information for Cheryl S. Ajirotutu

NAME:
- Cheryl S. Ajirotutu

DEGREE:
- Ph.D.

DISCIPLINE:
- Anthropology

SCHOOL:
- University of California, Berkeley (USA) (1989)

ADVISORS:
- None

COMMITTEE MEMBERS:
- None

MPACT Status: Incomplete - Not_Inspected

Title: Communicative competence in employment interviews

Abstract: This ethnographic study investigates the communicative behaviors of African-Americans in employment interviews. In these bureaucratic meetings discourse is constrained by rules, roles and responsibilities which regulate the interaction. Employment interviews are 'key situations' whereby evaluations are made and decisions are reached as an outcome of the proceedings. African-Americans often experience differential treatment because of prejorative attitudes incurred in response to differences in communicative behavior. Ethnographic data documents a historical review of attitudes toward Black English. This study used ethnographic description and conversational analysis of thirteen interview questions to uncover instances in which Black English might lead to prejorative judgements in employment interviews. Findings reveal that candidates in employment interviews are expected to have social knowledge about the event. This includes familiarity with terminology, and the ability to make subtle distinctions in questioning strategies. Additionally, in cross-cultural encounters interviewers were unfamiliar with the stylistic subtleties of communicative behaviors amongst African-Americans. Miscommunication in these settings can be lessened by an awareness on the part of both job-seekers and interviewers that differences in communication patterns do exist, and that they do not necessarily indicate a lack of ability on the part of the applicant.

MPACT Scores for Cheryl S. Ajirotutu

A = 0
C = 1
A+C = 1
T = 0
G = 0
W = 0
TD = 0
TA = 0
calculated 2008-01-31 06:33:13

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