Article: What Do We Tell the Sheriff? Determining Minimum Numbers of Individuals (MNI) for a Scatter of Human Bones. — Phoebe R. Stubblefield and Elizabeth A. Scharf It is a gorgeous fall day, and people are enjoying it by bicycling, hiking, and picnicking at Itasca State Park. The day's mood changes, however, when you receive a phone call from the local sheriff's office asking your forensic anthropology team to come out to the state park. "A hiker found some bones near Lake Itasca and wants us to come out and identify them. We're wondering if these are the three brothers who disappeared last summer. Can you help us?" You tell them that you'll be there as soon as possible and quickly place a few calls to other members of your forensic team. You load your SUV and drive over to Itasca State Park to meet your colleagues and investigate the situation. The sheriff's officers and the hiker lead you to the scene. By the time you arrive, there is only half an hour of daylight remaining. In t

low context culture   (lc.):

association:    

relationships begin and end quickly. many people can be inside one's circle; circle's boundary is not clear.

things get done by following procedures and paying attention to the goal.

one's identity is rooted in oneself and one's accomplishments.

social structure is decentralized; responsibility goes further down (is not concentrated at the top).

interaction:

low use of nonverbal elements. message is carried more by words than by nonverbal means.

verbal message is explicit. context is less important than words.

verbal message is direct; one spells things out exactly.

communication is seen as a way of exchanging information, ideas, and opinions.  

disagreement is depersonalized. one withdraws from conflict with another and gets on with the task. focus is on rational solutions, not personal ones. one can be explicit about another's bothersome behavior.

territoriality:

space is compartmentalized and privately owned; privacy is important, so people are farther apart.

temporality:

things are scheduled to be done at particular times, one thing at a time. what is important is that activity is done efficiently.

change is fast. one can make change and see immediate results.

time is a commodity to be spent or saved. one’s time is one’s own.

learning:

reality is fragmented and compartmentalized. one source of information is used to develop knowledge. thinking is inductive, proceeds from specific to general. focus is on detail.

learning occurs by following explicit directions and explanations of others.

an individual orientation is preferred for learning and problem solving.

speed is valued. how efficiently something is learned is important.

hope that                                         : )