Social Interaction

Abstract

A field study was conducted in the United States, England, and Ghana assessing the frequency of use and rated value of social interaction. Twenty-two American, twenty-six English, and nineteen Ghanaian workers from similar manufacturing plants participated in the study. Behavioral observations of the frequency of engaging in social interaction over a 14-day period as well as a survey of the importance of social interaction to the workers served as the dependent variables. The results confirmed the hypothesis that the frequency of use and rated importance of social interaction is culturally dependent. The role of societal norms and values is discussed within the framework of Organizational Behavior Modification.