Accession Number:

AD0776629

Title:

Scientists and Crew: A Case Study in Communications at Sea. 2. The Social Efficiency of Conflict Aboard an Oceanographic Research Vessel,

Descriptive Note:

Corporate Author:

WEST VIRGINIA UNIV MORGANTOWN DEPT OF SOCIOLOGY AND ANTHROPOLOGY

Personal Author(s):

• Bernard,H. R.
• Killworth,Peter D.
• Collins,Anne

Report Date:

1974-04-01

Pagination or Media Count:

35.0

Abstract:

Elements of conflict between scientists and crew on a research vessel are described. It is suggested that conflict between these two groups is the inevitable result of extending the intellectualworker class conflict of our society to a closed space at sea. The controlling mechanism of the conflict may be called subcultural privacy, a mechanism worked out by mariners to cope with the disrupting effects of a constant stream of strangers into their sea-going home. The mechanism takes the form of institutionalized bitching and systematic physical separation of scientists and crew during critical periods of the day. It is suggested that attempts to create greater crewscientist harmony by forcing greater interaction and thus a breakdown of sub-cultural privacy will be counterproductive. Author

Descriptors:

• *Group dynamics
• *Shipboard
• *Scientists
• *Crews
• *Conflict
• Behavior
• Sociology
• Research ships

Subject Categories:

• Psychology

Distribution Statement:

APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE