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ACM Tropical Field Research in Costa Rica

A listing of topics and abstracts from Tropical Field Research program participants, arranged by subject area. Copies of these papers and projects are kept on file at the ACM office in Costa Rica for use by ACM program participants only.

Each entry includes: student's name, topic, advisor's name, student's college, year of participation, length of paper, abstract.

Psychology

Coriell, Alyssa, "Sizing Up Reality: The Cultural Influences on Body Image in a Costa Rican Rural Community." Advisor: Ivelina Romagosa. Beloit. 2005. 41pp.

Recent studies demonstrate that the media influences negatively body images and this is an increasing problem in the United States. This study explores the cultural and psychological influences on the beliefs, ideas and body images for the female students in the10th grade at Potrero Grande High School. Participant observation, interviews and surveys were used to determine that there was no significant difference between the actual body size of the girls and their opinions of their own body size. Further, the ideas of the men and women about the ideal body for women were not significantly different demonstrating that the opinions of the males are influential for the girls as well. In conclusion, there are not yet negative body images in Potrero Grande, and the influencing factors are mainly cultural coming from men and families.

Hansen, Wesley, "The Role of National Culture in the Workplace of Chiquita Brands International Inc. in Puerto Viejo de Sarapiquí, Costa Rica." Adv. Aixa Ansorena. St. Olaf. 1999. 30pp.

This investigation addresses the increasing amount of diversity in the international workplace in the context of globalization, and emphasizes the importance of understanding national cultures. In particular, this study focuses on the national characters between Nicaraguan and Costa Rican banana workers, and the cultural conditions that influence their behaviors and social expectations. Through the two months of fieldwork and living in the banana plantations, distinct behaviors and characteristics between Nicaraguans and Costa Ricans were conveyed. These attributes and their originations were obtained by interviewing 47 informants from both nationalities. Cultural conditions such as: nation?s history, migration, education, household composition, and recreation were uncovered as central national character differences between the two cultural groupings. In conclusion, by understanding national cultural conditions that distinguish Nicaraguans and Costa Ricans, it is possible to recognize the conditions that can be adjusted and sympathize with those that cannot, in order to minimize cultural misunderstandings and improve industrial relations.

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Social sciences ... anthropology ... archaeology ... economics ... education ... public health and nutrition ... political science ... psychology ... sociology ... women's studies
Humanities ... art and music ... history ... literature