Working at the Interface of Cultures [antikvár]

Working at the Interface of CulturesSocial scientists study people and society yet, too often, the view is put forward that there is some kind of culture-free, objective reality that can be observed. This collection of essays, by leading cross-cultural researchers, puts the personal experience of the observer back at centre stage.Each contributor relates his or her own personal experience of working with different cultures and examines the influence this encounter has had on his or her way of thinking, way of working and way of perceiving the world. The contributors have all been stimulated and inspired to reflect on and rediscover their culture of origin by attempting to understand and write about the cultures they lived in, and each essay describes the process of this intellectual growth and development.Working at the Interface of Cultures lifts the objective mask of science to reveal the subjective encounter with difference that shapes scholarly understanding. These autobiographies offer encouragement to younger social scientists embarking on the cross-cultural journey by showing how personal and academic transformation can occur. Each also offers a unique introduction to the work of a well-known cross-culturalist. A fascinating collection to read for fun, these essays are also an important contribution to the discussion of reflexivity within the social sciences.Michael Harris Bond has taught social psychology for the last two decades at the Chinese University of Hong Kong, where he is Professor of Psychology. His previous publications include the Handbook of Chinese Psychology (1996) and Social Psychology across Cultures (1993), with P.B. Smith.