Participant Observation Paper

In this paper, I discuss my experience with observing a group counseling session with the purpose of evaluating it in terms of how it is set up, how it is run, interventions used, culturally sensitivity, and the contribution toward my professional development as a social worker. The group setting plays a critical role in social work outside of the individual session and can be largely beneficial for clients in the forms of therapy, counseling, self-help, and support. By attempting to better understand group interventions, I will learn how to apply this strategy in aiding clients for whom this method is appropriate by increasing their social supports.

In this group there were no disruptive members. I filled the role of an observer, I offered feedback at the end of the session. The counselor filled the role of standard setter. There was an encourager, a harmonizer, an expediter, and a follower.

Consider a black person, or any other minority, who enters a room for an interview in hopes of earning a position within an aerospace company at an entry level position. Sitting across from him or her could be three white employees: possibly one from human resources, another was the area supervisor, and lastly the teams’ lead in the area looking to hire. Consider the applicant a black man who grew up in Southern Georgia; however, he then sat at a table in Norther California seeking employment. Understanding the difference in culture and region, the panel of interviewers diverge the conversational tone to accommodate the applicant. According to Ayoko, Härtel, and Callan (2002), “Communication Accommodation Theory (CAT) examines the

Does the race/ethnicity of Saint Mary’s students affect the interactions to the Sodexo workers? This question was inspired through a book called, The Hungry Cowboy, by Karla A. Erickson, who participated in her own observations in a restaurant viewing the social interactions among the people in the restaurant. The idea of observing and participating in social observations involved more than just asking people questions or sending out a survey, it is actively being a part of the observation and interacting with others that are also being influenced by the social norms of the restaurant. Race/ethnicity at Saint Mary’s is an issue being ignored by many, but also being addressed in small ways which provokes an interesting concept in viewing interactions among the people who work for the students versus college students who may or may not take it for granted.

For the cultural immersion project, I decided to study Hispanics because they have a very rich, diverse culture, and I enjoy listening to their music. Also, I felt like this group of people deals with many stereotypes, especially with the media portraying negative images of countries like Mexico. Initially, I felt that this culture would be very bold and outgoing. I assumed that they placed a higher value on relationships and hard work rather than education. In order to observe them, I went to the Fiesta Market in Bolingbrook. First, I observed the workers. They would lift crates and boxes without any hassles. While working, they seemed to cooperate well as a team. The workers seemed to enjoy engaging in interpersonal communication as compared

The researchers goal was to know if the effects of small-group reading interventions implemented positive behavior in support model, on elementary students that show any emotional and behavior disorders or that do not show any emotional and behavior disorders. The following are the research questions they addressed: (a) the differences in reading instruction in a general classroom for students at risk and to compare schools that combine behavior/reading risk. (b) differential effects with small-group instruction. (c) how do any of the observable differences translate to the outcome of students’ growth in reading.

I decided for my social observation the mall would be a good place to start. I came there on a Friday evening when there should be plenty of people to watch. I also sat in the Barnes and Noble café after that to observe. I expected to see a lot of people shopping and conversing. A few things did stand out to me within the few hours I was there. Some things I didn’t expect to see. We are expected to behave a certain way in public determined by our culture as to what is acceptable. Some people stay well within the lines while some might stray outside the norms but never too far typically. Usually the ones to travel to the extremes are adolescents and teenagers. This is what I observed.

My participant observation research project is on sex offenders. A few topics I would be interested in is different type of offenders, such as pedophilic and non-pedophilic. I know sex offending is horrible all together but I really hate when I hear about children and teens being hurt. My questions would be what causes their urge to offend children? How do they know the victim? How to help the offender?

In the article, “Researching Dealers and Smugglers,” Patricia Adler discusses her and her husband’s experience using participant observation to collect data from drug dealers and the problems this qualitative method brought. A qualitative method focuses on collecting rich, non-statistical data. This method involves face-to-face interviews and actual participation with the group being researched. The Adlers use this method because it is almost impossible to gather accurate information on people who smuggle drugs. This is true because they are such private and deceitful people. The only way to get the real facts is if the smugglers trust the person. Unfortunately, participant observation brought problems such as the dealers and smugglers

Jayden King Jr. is a seven-year-old boy who is currently in a District 75 program. Jayden Jr. is classified as emotionally disturbed since 2014 and is currently placed in an 8-1-1 second-grade class. Jayden Jr. has a one to one crisis paraprofessional to ensure the safety of the student’s and himself. The crisis paraprofessional works closely with the student to provide assistance with assignments, staying on task and transitioning throughout the building.

present. Most come for the free pizza. It sounds funny, but it is true. I pay attention

Roller skating rinks and bowling alleys are two places that people visit for recreational purposes. Although I have gone bowling a couple of times, I have never gone roller skating at a rink. Some people do go by themselves, while others take along a friend or family member(s). I visited both of these facilities in order to conduct field research and do a micro-level analysis so as to gather primary data from the natural environment about society and patterns of social behavior. While in public, there are certain rules of behavior that are generally followed, which are considered acceptable by the members of society (McLeod, 2008). Individuals who do not follow these norms may be shunned or suffer some type of ramification (McLeod, 2008).

In July, on two consecutive days, I attended two group sessions for two and three year-old children that took place at the libraries in various parts of San Antonio. The library setting of these groups additionally emphasized the importance of early literacy through a series of interactive and entertaining activities. The goal of these sessions was to offer a great variety of educational and entertaining activities to encourage development through play and learning through sensory stimulation, storytelling, and movement.

My practicum took place on September 7,2016 from nine thirty to ten thirty. The practicum took place at Impact Early College High School in Baytown. The class I observed was Ms. Nguyen’s class of juniors and seniors that contained twenty students, seven boys and thirteen girls. The class appeared to be alert and ready to learn. Since this was their second period class they already had enough time to shake off their fatigue. The subject was Pre-Calculous and the topic was operations of functions. Students entered the classroom in a calm manner and socialized until it was time to start class. The teacher instructed the students to take their seats and take five minutes to write their assignments into their academic calendar. The teacher went

There are two major cultural divisions, Hispanic and Caucasian, to further complicate the work environment the ratio of Male to female workers is 20 to 1. No effort from either group of being sensitive to the others existence is apparent. (DuBrin, 2004, p. 67). Management’s main concern is for “ethnic diversity” to the point of not having issues with the equal employment opportunity act.