Consciousness as a Function of Knowledge and Culture.

The study of consciousness requires a language for exact and precise communication. This research project investigated how workers from different cultural contexts value information that is relevant to their job performance. Thirty-five randomly selected mechanics, from Sweden, England, West Germany, Italy, and the United States, were selected as research subjects. This study was based on the premises that: (1) consciousness is related to knowledge and culture; (2) what people observe as essential for becoming conscious of their environment is accentuated by their verbal descriptions; and (3) use of natural language is the best method to express an intentional and oriented schematization process. The subjects were asked open-ended questions regarding organizational information transfer and dissemination, and differences in subjects' responses by countries were emphasized and compared. Swedish workers related information use to their work-load within the context of ergonomic conditions, while English workers were conscious of the mediation of information. West German workers demonstrated the ability to acquire information, and Italians showed a need for persons to demonstrate how to choose correct alternatives. U.S. workers' consciousness centered around each individual's responsibility to gain access to information concerning the latest developments in his career field. U.S. workers' understanding of job goals was clear and direct. The study concluded that this moral point of view places the U.S. worker in an advantageous position in comparison to workers who have been forced to relinquish responsibility or have not yet adopted it. Tables and figures are included. (JHP)