An evaluation of the effectiveness of the culture assimilator in Thailand and Greece.

Abstract : American military and civilian advisors in Thailand and Greece were given culture training in the form of either the Thai or Greek Culture Assimilator. These groups were compared to similar groups of men who received a series of essays (Thailand) or no training at all (Greece). Background information as well as information on the subject's impression of his performance and adjustment in the foreign country was collected. The questions on this latter questionnaire constituted the main dependent measure. Assimilator-trained individuals felt that they were generally more productive and had somewhat better interpersonal relations with the Thais than did essay-trained subjects. The Assimilator was also seen as somewhat more interesting and helpful than was the essay. These results were replicated for Assimilator-trained subjects in Greece when their ratings were compared to subjects who received no training. These results were taken as an indication that the Culture Assimilator could serve a valuable function as a culture training device for Americans stationed abroad. (Author)