This study replicated Kleinman's research on family-based popular health care in Taiwan among the Puyallup Indians of Washington. Standardized interviews were conducted among 80 Puyallup families to determine family health practices and beliefs, and the patterns of referral to professional practitioners. Comparisons are made between the Puyallup and Taiwanese family health care practices and health care seeking processes. The author concludes that the relative absence of folk medicine and the availability of free medical care among the Puyallup are the most important factors causing the variance between the rates of family treatment and the patterns of health care seeking behaviors between the Puyallup and the Taiwanese.
A formal observation technique was used in an urban classroom context to assess the verbal and nonverbal-visual behavior of 17 Navajo and 7 Caucasian children. Two stat is t ica I techniques revealed sign i f ica n t intergroup differences in verbal and nonverbal-visual style. A four-stage adaptation model is offered to show the differential adjustment of Navajo children to the urban classroom. Finally, the four behavioral types attributed to Navajo children in the urban classroom are related tentatively to Navajo households, representing four stages of acculturation to urban life. NAVAIOS, CLASSROOM, VERBAL BEHAVIOR, NON VERBA L-VISUAL BEHAVIOR.The purpose of this research was to measure the frequency and the direction of Navajo and Caucasian children's verbal and nonverbal-visual behavior in an urban classroom. Researchers have frequently reported that American Indian children are more quiet in classroom situations than Caucasian children (). However, in each of the studies cited, the data collected or reviewed were qualitative rather than quantitative in nature. This in no way implies that the above data are inferior. It is understood that a gain in variable control can lead to a loss in an understanding of context (Edgerton and Langness 1974). In spite of this potential prob lem, it was this researcher's view that a quantitative assessment of Navajo and Caucasian children's verbal and nonverbal-visual behavior in a classroom setting would enhance the existing body of research.
Research ContextThis study was conducted in the preschool and day-care classrooms of the Tribal American Consulting Corporation (TACC), an Indian-operated, community-action organization located in the Los Angeles area. TACC provides a number of services to 210 Indian children and their families in greater Los Angeles. A smaller number of Caucasian and Mexican-American children also receive services from this corporation. At present, Tribal American is operating two preschools and a day-care program, and providing tutorial services in reading, mathematics and Native American culture for elementary school children. They are also running a community library, providing adult classes in
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