1. THE EXTENSION OFFICER IN PERSONAL DISCUSSION.
- Author
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Pieper, A. Houttuyn
- Subjects
- *
FARMERS , *AGRICULTURE , *AGRICULTURAL education , *AGRICULTURAL industries , *EMPLOYEES , *RURAL population - Abstract
The paper contains an exploratory effort to analy the factors which determine the effectiveness of personal discussion as an extension method. The basic data for the paper consist of an inquiry among a small number of farmers and extension workers, ad hoc observations during a workshop on methods of personal discussion at Wageningen, and experience. The point of departure for an analysis of the extension agent's behaviour in personal discussion is the client's expectations regarding his behaviour. A number of such expectations among Dutch farmers are presented. From these expectations, a number of variables (15) are developed which describe the conditions under which personal discussion occurs. These conditions allow the formulation of a number of sub-roles -- appropriate for the conditions -- which the extension worker can enact in personal discussion. The sub-roles presented are: 1. one who asks for information; 2. one supplying information; 3. one supplying cut and dried advice; 4. one who sustains the client's confidence in what he intended doing anyway; 5. one who helps the client to think rationally; 6. one who helps the client to overcome his emotions. Awareness of such sub-roles will allow the extension worker to play the appropriate one for the conditions which are present and to choose deliberately among the alternatives available. The paper ends with some practical suggestions on how best to conduct a personal discussion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 1973
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