Thursday, October 31, 2019

Marketing discussion Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Marketing discussion - Essay Example The present-day Oscar Mayer campaign is still working to lure moms in similar fashion. Plus, much of it is tapping into current parents' feelings of nostalgia. The target consumer being moms makes a sense, as they are the decision makers of what their child will eat. They establishes relationships with kids by getting the brand name in their vocabulary, and by simultaneously establishing trust with parents. The Internet provides a wealth of new opportunities for solidifying those bonds. Once a target market is identified, the key is to focus on reaching those markets and try not to worry about who you might be missing. The more important aspect is to focus on improving service to your primary customer base. In the long run that is what will make a company successful. After establishing what your message is and whom you are targeting, the brand owner should use all communication from napkins and uniforms to signage and employee conduct to reinforce that connection. The idea is to get the communication going and way it is been established. It can be TV, Internet, magazine or hoardings etc. No matter what medium is in use, main focus should be on the way it is being done and getting the message straight. Successful brands are always serving, learning and caring about their customers; these companies realize that their business and their brands will die if they take their customers for granted or confuse them with conflicting messages. Your message must be credible, unique, and relevant to the needs of your target customer. Your message will be a combination of direct (tag lines, copy, special offers, etc) and indirect (style, brand, images, relational, ease of call-to-action, uniqueness, clarity, etc.) You must best present your message according to the information and marketing preferences of your most profitable target

Tuesday, October 29, 2019

Strategic managment Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Strategic managment - Essay Example In emergent strategy the organization evolves as it learns through experiences. Robin Hood’s group had advanced from the emergent strategy and in the second year his band grew. The increasing band size was of concern as the discipline became difficult to maintain and expenses did not commensurate with the loot. According to Cook and Macaulay (2007) as the team grows the focus of team effectiveness starts to dull. The new members do not share the same sense of understanding the purpose of the group and the mission, and the objectives are no longer clear and relevant. Strategic drift started occurring because Robin’s lieutenant’s resisted the idea of a transit tax on the travelers. Lorsch and Tierney (n.d.) contend that professionals develop their own perspectives irrespective of what the leaders might think. Looking through the lenses dissolves the dilemma in strategy (Scholes, 2005). The lenses are different ways of viewing the strategy development. In the Robin Hood case, the strategy has been viewed through the lens of experience. It is adaptation born through the political process. It cannot be through the lens of design as it was not planned or logical and it has not been perceived through the lens of ideas because it has not emerged from diversity or variety. It was out of a vengeance and conflict. Here the individual and collective experience is central and culture and history strongly influence the strategic thinking and choices. Strategy developed with time and there high chances of strategic drift, which has occurred in this case. Negotiation also influences the strategic direction when seen through this lens. Hence the analysis of this case shows that the experience element has determined the strategy. In times of strategic drift, organizations can either experience performance problems or opt for strategic management development programs. There is an increased commitment to strategic management and leads to

Sunday, October 27, 2019

Green marketing: Promoting environmentally friendly products

Green marketing: Promoting environmentally friendly products Abstract Green marketing is marketing of products that are environmental safe. Companies market ­ing their green achievements were once a small segment of forward-thinking organisations, but since grown into a group of unlikely advocates that includes an oil company and the worlds largest retailer. Environmental friendly production is vital in running future economies. By nature, plants take carbon dioxide from the air and give oxygen in respiration process. By doing this, they make ecology sensible and sustainable. Companies should stop polluting the environment and make their existence sensible and sustainable. They should go green. This paper discusses what is green marketing, and to what extent are companies inte ­grating its principles into their communications i.e. positioning green and green thinking into their operations? Paper also focuses on what is the effect of green marketing in the satisfaction of the needs and wants of consumers. The challenges in an effort of going green are also put in the paper. Positioning strategies for Green i. e environment-friendly products are suggested in the paper. Keywords: Green marketing, positioning green, environment Introduction According to the American Marketing Association, green marketing is the marketing of products that are presumed to be environmentally safe. Thus green marketing incorporates a broad range of activities, including product modification, changes to the production process, packaging changes, as well as modifying advertising. Yet defining green marketing is not a simple task where several meanings intersect and contradict each other; an example of this will be the existence of varying social, environmental and retail definitions attached to this term. Other similar terms used are Environmental Marketing and Ecological Marketing Green marketing refers to the process of selling products and/or services based on their environmental benefits. Such a product or service may be environmentally friendly in itself or produced and/or packaged in an environmentally friendly way. The obvious assumption of green marketing is that potential consumers will view a product or services greenness as a benefit and base their buying decision accordingly. The not-so-obvious assumption of green marketing is that consumers will be willing to pay more for green products than they would for a less-green comparable alternative product an assumption that, in my opinion, has not been proven conclusively. While green marketing is growing greatly as increasing numbers of consumers are willing to back their environmental consciousnesses with their dollars, it can be dangerous. The public tends to be sceptical of green claims, to begin with and companies can seriously damage their brands and their sales if a green claim is discovered to be false or contradicted by a companys other products or practices. Presenting a product or service as green when its not is called greenwashing. Green marketing can be a very powerful marketing strategy though when its done right. Also Known as: Environmental Marketing, Ecological Marketing, Eco-Marketing. Common Misspellings: Geen marketing, gren marketing. Example: Chads green marketing campaign bombed bec Environmental Product Strategies There are a large number of environmental issues impacting on the production of goods and products. For example: What is the impact of production, sourcing of materials and packaging on the environment? Can minimum levels of packaging and/or environmentally friendly packaging be achieved without compromising product quality or appeal? Supplier practices i.e. are they at least as environmentally friendly as the organisation they are supplying? Environmentally friendly products can increase and decrease production costs; environmentally friendly production may increase costs for organisations and their suppliers but this may be offset by lower fuel bills through energy efficiency measures or an increase in sales caused by a positive product image. An organisation may able to pass increases in production costs (caused by EFS) to consumers. However, this will depend on the level of increase, type of consumer, competitor prices for the same type of product and the strength of the economy. For example during times of recession consumers will place price above many if not all of the factors making up the marketing mix. Environmental Place Strategies All organisations will need to carefully time when their product reaches consumers; exact time of distribution will depend on the product or service being distributed. Such timing may have an environmental implication. Some products will need to reach the consumer shortly after production for example fresh food in order to retain freshness, taste or nutritional value. The fastest method of distribution may damage the environment. Conversely a more environmentally friendly method e.g. via canals may impact on speed of distribution and consequently quality of the product. A method of distribution that combines speed with environmentally friendliness may increase distribution costs as some of these processes are still under development e.g. electric vehicles. In addition to the type of transport used for distribution, an organisation will need to review distribution techniques; For example timing deliveries so that they occur during off peak hours and do not contribute to congestion. Some organisations attempt to make fewer deliveries, whilst others promote concentrated products (e.g. fabric conditioner) as they increase the number of products that can carried in each delivery vehicle. Even if environmentally friendly distribution is not at the top of an organisations list of priorities, government policies may elevate it to the top. Congestion charging and low emission zones have been introduced in the London. Apart from the obvious increase in costs emanating from observance of such policies, a failure to observe environmentally friendly rules and regulations will lead to fines and sanctions and consequently negative publicity. After reviewing internal distribution methods an organisation will need to review supplier and subcontractor distribution as consumers and the media expect organisations claiming environmental credentials to only liaise with other environmentally friendly organisations.. For example do the subcontractors use Bio-fuel? Are the subcontractors actively managing their carbon footprint or energy use? Environmental Promotion Strategies Due to the consumer, celebrity and government appetite for protecting the environment environmentally friendly practices are used as promotional tools. For example the award of ISO 14001 (which certifies that an organisation has certain environmental standards, as certified by an independent external auditing organisation) is often quoted in marketing literature. Product packaging that can be recycled will have a message on the packaging clearly stating the recycling properties for the packaging. Similarly organic products will be labelled, not only on the packaging but also around the shelving displaying the organic produce. Some organisations have sought to reduce costs through the promotion of environmentally friendly strategies. The use of carrier bags has changed dramatically in the UK over the last 2-3 years. Retailers actively promote the benefit of reusable bags as they have many benefits Lower costs for the retailer Consumers feel good as they believe that the use of a reusable bag is helping the environment Fewer carrier bags go to landfill Another example is hotels offering guests the opportunity to engage in fewer linen and towel changes. Such strategy is environmentally friendly as it reduces the use of detergents and energy but it also reduces costs for the hotel and improves corporate image. Some organisations providing products and services which may harm the environment have added off setting methods to their portfolios and marketing literature. The idea behind off setting is that the consumer is offered the opportunity to indirectly engage in an activity (such as tree planting) that benefits the environment and therefore balances/evens out the damage they caused for example through flying. Such schemes attempt to ease the consumers conscience and retain a positive image for the organisation providing the environmentally unfriendly product or service. Environmental Pricing Strategies Throughout this article we have discussed how environmentally friendly strategies can either increase or decrease organisational costs. The ideal marketing mix is a reduction in costs and/or an increased in costs which is exceeded by an increase in profits. Pricing must reflect the demand for the product an incorrectly priced product will reduce demand; this is now further complicated by the impact environmental issues have on pricing. If an organisation is paying more for raw materials because the supplier is environmentally friendly it may decide to pass on this price increase to the consumer, the amount the ideal amount will be dictated by the target consumer. On the other hand companies cutting costs and increasing profits at the expense of the environment may be risking negative publicity, fines, sanctions or may simply lose out to organisations actively promoting their environmentally friendly practices even if such competitors offer more expensive products and services. Summary The environmental marketing mix is becoming extremely important in todays business world. Firms will have to carefully manage this mix if they are to successfully operate in a world which is becoming increasingly aware of climatic changes. Wheres the beef? may not be the most accurate phrase, but its the first that comes to mind. Seriously, thats the only thought I could come up with in the face of this news: McDonalds is swapping out the red in its logo for a deep hunter green to tout its environmental credentials in Europe. From an Associated Press article by Mary MacPherson Lane: About 100 German McDonalds restaurants will make the change by the end of 2009, the company said in a statement Monday. Some franchises in Great Britain and France have already started using the new color scheme behind their Golden Arches. This is not only a German initiative but a Europe-wide initiative, Martin Nowicki, McDonalds Germany spokesman, told The Associated Press. [] The company has warmed to greener practices, including environmentally friendly refrigeration and converting used oil into biodiesel fuel. With this new appearance we want to clarify our responsibility for the preservation of natural resources. In the future we will put an even larger focus on that, Hoger Beek, vice chairman of McDonalds Germany, said in the statement. Leaving aside the fundamental unsustainability of the fast food industry as a whole, this is not to say that there is nothing behind McDonalds claims of environmental action the company is working on green buildings, electric vehicles and published a report earlier this year highlighting its best green efforts. Who are the green consumers? Understanding the demographics of green consumerism can help entrepreneurs explore the environmental market, and home in on likely prospects. Research has shown that green consumers: are sincere in their intentions, with a growing commitment to greener lifestyles; almost always judge their environmental practices as inadequate; do not expect companies to be perfect in order to be considered green. Rather, they look for companies that are taking substantive steps and have made a commitment to improve. However, they also: tend to overstate their green behaviour, including the number of green products they actually use; want environmental protection to be easy, and not to entail major sacrifices; tend to distrust companies environmental claims, unless they have been independently verified; lack knowledge about environmental issues, and tend not to trust themselves to evaluate scientific information about environmental impacts. However, at the same time they are eager to learn, and this means that consumer education is one of the most effective strategies that entrepreneurs can use. The most responsive age group tends to be young adults, many of whom are influenced by their children. In addition, women are a key target for greener products, and often make purchases on behalf of men. The best green customers are people with more money to spend. As a result, the most promising products for greening tend to be at the higher end of the market. The most promising outlets for green products are retail stores frequented by better-off shoppers. In general, green consumers have the education and intellectual orientation to appreciate value; they will understand evidence that is presented in support of environmental claims. In the US, children and teens are generally more concerned than adults about the environment, and are more knowledgeable about green alternatives. Increasingly, they influence their parents purchasing decisions. Equally importantly, millions of them will reach adulthood in the next decade, and gain purchasing power of their own. At the opposite end of the age spectrum, US consumers born before the 1950s are the least green. As their numbers diminish, their share of consumer purchases will dwindle. In Canada, children and parents alike tend to have strong environmental concerns. Older people, too, tend to be active green purchasers.

Friday, October 25, 2019

The Lion and the Mouse who Returned a Kindness :: Aesop, Aesops Fables

  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Aesop among many other prominant authors wrote tales of animals taking on human characteristics, but none is so prevelant as the reputation of the mighty lion. Known as the king of animals, the lion appears as an object of strength and nobility in countless aspects of life including history, literature, art, astronomy, movies, and dance.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Who is this amazing creature? According to the Encyclopedia Britannica, the lion (Panthera Leo) is a flesh-eating animal that live cheifly in sandy plains and rocky places where there are thorn thickets and tall grass. Male lions can reach a length of 2.50m (8ft), and a weight of 250kg (550lb). They can live for 15 years, but in captivity some have reached an age of up to 30 years. They mainly eat larger herbivores such as buffalo, zebra, and in cultivated areas an occasionally human. There strength is amazing, and both parents take great care in tending to their young, often referred to as cubs (168-69).   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Much is to be said about the mannerisms and personalities of lions, and no one has summed this up as well as Aesop. There are four fables listed in our textbook dealing with the qualities humans believe to be true about lions. These assumptions may have begun with Aesop’s fables, but really knows.   Ã‚  Ã‚     Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚     Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  In the first fable, The Lioness and the Vixen, the saucy personality of the lioness is shown. When denounced for the birth of only one cub, the lioness quickly snaps back aat the vixen, â€Å"Only one, she said, but a lion†(Aesop 607). This answers the question of quality over quanity; and for most the lion is considered the best in quality the â€Å"cream of the crop† as some would say. Aesop iterprets here that the lion knows he is the best, and doesn’t mind sharing it with the rest of the animal kingdom.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Aesop again illustrates the lion as being king in The Lion, The Wolf, , and The Fox. Aesop clearly writes â€Å"all the animals came to pay respect to their king,† (Aesop 607). Even in the title of the fable Aesop lists the lion first before the wolf and fox. This could just be by mishap, or as seen in other fables the animals could be listed in order of appearance in the text. Regardless of the title Aesop gives the lion dominating powers of the other animals. He writes â€Å"the lion demanded to know at once what cure he had found,†(Aesop 608).

Thursday, October 24, 2019

Married Women On Condom Use Health And Social Care Essay

This survey aims to research perceptual experience and attitude of married adult females on rubber usage to forestall HIV & A ; AIDS, and to understand how this perceptual experience and attitudes influence rubber usage pattern among married adult females. However, there are some restrictions of this survey. The restriction of this survey is on the range of country, figure of respondent who interviewed and besides in term of the limited clip to carry on the survey. Therefore, the consequence and decisions must be considered as preliminary findings.5.1. DecisionSpecific decisions of this survey are as follows: This survey finds that HIV & A ; AIDS cognition on married adult females is low. The low HIV cognition is caused by limited entree of married adult females on HIV & A ; AIDS information, so they merely get the HIV information from telecasting particularly intelligence and some documentaries, such as soap opera, which is the quality of the information, is sometimes inaccurate. The determination from this survey shows that married adult females have low hazard perceptual experience because they belief that they do n't make something in hazard, or they said they belief their hubby, so they non make pattern safer sex ( condom usage ) . This low perceptual experience is caused by low cognition of HIV and ne'er sees people who have HIV make married adult females feel that HIV is happened in â€Å" other † people, non in them. This survey finds that rubber cognition on married adult females is low. Percept that rubber is something absurd is one of the manner married adult females show that rubber is something unusual and unfamiliar for them. The other misperception is for married adult females, rubber is indistinguishable with contraceptive method, even though rubber usage in FSW, and they still think it related to forestall gestation. In add-on, from one of focal point group treatment in low instruction and immature married adult females, they raised the sentiment that another sort of contraceptive method method besides has the similar map as rubber to forestall HIV & A ; AIDS transmittal. The determination from this survey shows that the high degree of instruction, more likely to hold self efficaciousness that affect the manner of communicating, they feel more confident to discourse with the partner about gender, include communicating about HIV and rubber usage. While the respondent from low degree instruction told that for them, discourse about rubber to conserve is forbidden. However, in term of rubber usage, they can negociate to conserve, but the concluding determination is depend on the hubby, and in the degree of attitude this survey found some married adult females agree to utilize rubber for double protection, but when one ask about their purpose to utilize rubber, they said the have no purpose at all to utilize rubber because hubby do n't wish to utilize rubber. This statement make clear that in the twosome relationship particularly matrimony, hubby is have a strong influence on determination doing procedure related rubber usage. This related to sentiment of married adult females that work forces is a family leader, and married adult females have belief that the good married woman is who follow what hubby want. This survey found that no 1 usage rubber to forestall HIV & A ; AIDS. Even though they who have possible high hazard, cipher usage rubber to forestall HIV & A ; AIDS. The ground of non utilizing rubbers is varied, that is they feel non at hazard so no demand to utilize rubber to forestall HIV & A ; AIDS, hubby do n't desire to utilize rubber, rubber usage struggle with the desire to reproduction, rubber can do some practical job, rubber interrupt sexual activity. However, married adult females raised some ground or state of affairs they will be agree to utilize rubber, when they can non utilize another sort of prophylactic method except rubber, or in the state of affairs they do non utilize any other prophylactic methods ( for illustration: after giving birth ) , when they perceived a demand of protection from the disease, and for funny reasoned.5.2 Recommendations5.2.1 Policy RecommendationsBased on the findings, cognition on HIV/AIDS on married adult females is remains low, it is r elated to limited entree of married adult females on HIV & A ; AIDS information. The Ministry of Health, HIV/AIDS Commission and NGOs should beef up runs or circulating information and cognition on HIV/AIDS through telecasting, wireless, cyberspace or web site, newspaper, and magazine to increase married adult females ‘s cognition. The findings revealed that married adult females cognition of rubber is really low, this taking to misperception about rubber. Almost of married adult females identify rubber as prophylactic method, non in the disease bar country. The Ministry of Health, HIV/AIDS Commission and NGOs should beef up runs or circulating information and cognition on rubber usage through telecasting, wireless, cyberspace or web site, newspaper, and magazine to increase adult females ‘s cognition. The determination shows work forces have a large part on determination doing procedure on rubber usage in all features of married adult females. The Ministry of Health, Ministry of Education, AIDS Commission and National Family Planning and Population Board should beef up promote information, instruction and communicating and behavior alteration communicating plans which target high hazard adult male which can assist them increase their cognition about safe sex including STIs and HIV/AIDS. And besides adult females ‘s authorization plans are really of import to better their ability to pass on with their hubbies on sexual behaviour and safe sex. Therefore, the Ministry of Women Empowerment and Child Protection, NGOs ( Non-Governmental Organizations ) and societal groups should carry on adult females ‘s empowerment plans. The determination shows that perceived hazard of HIV & A ; AIDS among married adult females is low, and no 1 in this survey utilizing rubber even have purpose to utilize rubber to forestall HIV & A ; AIDS. The Ministry of Health, Ministry of Education, AIDS Commission and National Family Planning and Population Board should beef up promote information, instruction and communicating and behavior alteration communicating plans which target married adult females which can assist them increase their cognition about safe sex including HIV/AIDS, particularly foregrounding the exposure of adult females who get HIV infection from promiscuous spouses which can promote them to hold safe sexual behaviour. It can promote and advance gender equity and generative wellness rights.5.2.2 Recommendations for Further ResearchsResearch on status, cognition, perceptual experience, attitude, and behaviour on the married adult females is still limited, particularly among high hazard adult male ‘s reg ular spouses whose hazard perceptual experience is low but whose hazard is related to the behaviour of their hubby. Including rubber usage as one of HIV & A ; AIDS bar methods will finish the image in turn toing married adult females ‘s job and demands sing their sexual behaviour. Future research has to analyze and turn to affectional and contextual issues in disease spread and bar in context of matrimony, including household wellness and cultural facet of gender and power, in the attempts to hold the spread of HIV infection.

Wednesday, October 23, 2019

What does Safety Mean To Me

The second definition was first used in 1881. â€Å"Safety' has quite some history, but my definition has I Tots Of meanings. To me, safety means protecting from danger that may hurt us or endanger o r lives. Unsafe practice is a great risk to life and property. For example, a two wheeler who RI des recklessly not only risks his own life, but the others on roads. That's because of their lack of know ledge about overall safety, be it â€Å"die† road. While crossing the road, you mustn't run across in blind d panic.Wait until the raffia policeman or the Walk' signal appears. Even then look for some vehicle drivers who jump signals and cross â€Å"die† road with the others. So always be cautious, and some one once said, â€Å"Better a thousand times careful than once dead. † Next, be safe at work. This is really important, because once you know the par testicular hazards of your job or workplace, you can take steps to reduce your risk of workplace I injury or illne ss. Also always stay awake while working at dangerous places, for example, at fire deep rodents.If you don't, when you are rescuing lives in a burning house, you'll risk your life and the pee pole's too. So, you need to always stay awake. Something that happened recently over the past years is accessibility. Lots o f kids and teens keep getting bullied online, and sometimes it can go from never leaving your home to almost committing suicide. I just feel really bad for those people, and it's sad to hear stories about that. Everyone is different in the world and that's a great thing.There is no need of anyone to be getting bullied because no one is the same, everyone is unique. Therefore, you need to extra safe on the internet. You can do this by never talking to strangers when you are social me As you can see, safety means a lot to me. Now you should stop and think ABA UT what it means to you. Of course, we will have different meanings, but some may be alike. On e of my favorite quot es are â€Å"Out of this nettle, danger, we pluck this flower, safety. † by William Shakes pare. What does safety mean to you?

Tuesday, October 22, 2019

buy custom Exploration of the Concept of the Enduring Self essay

buy custom Exploration of the Concept of the Enduring Self essay Introduction The concept of the Enduring Self has been discussed variously with intellectual efforts seeking to explore the real existence of this idea or concept. Various scholars have therefore explored the idea of the Enduring Self from different perspectives. Most of these approaches have tended to take the approach of the philosophical and religious perspectives. This paper seeks to discuss the concept of The Enduring Self drawing from the contentions of various scholars such John Locke, Aristotle, Hume and Descartes. The paper will attempt to draw a comparison between the basic ideas that are advanced by every scholar in relation to the concept of the enduring self. John Locke and the Concept of the Enduring Self According to John Locke, the enduring self is that aspect of the self that remains stable across time and space. The enduring self thus makes one person uniquely distinct from another. John Locke identified the self that is stable with a conscious thinking thing. Locke makes it clear that the kind of substance that the self, spiritual or material, simple or compound, does not matter. To Locke, the consciousness that people have of themselves as the enduring self is paramount in understanding the concept of the enduring self (Velasquez, 2011). The enduring self to Locke is therefore the consciousness that is dependent on the memories that one has now relative to the past. Locke builds an understanding of the enduring self based on the memory criterion. The enduring self does not coincide with the circumstances and experiences for the physical or bodily identity. Rather it is that aspect of human life that is guided by memories and conciseness that is not in any way based on the external factors, whether physiological or biological. Instead, the enduring self is the inward awareness that a person has a conscious being with inherent and innate ability to endure across time. In the words of Locke, the enduring self is that aspect of the self that is concerned for itself as far as that consciousness extends (Cottingham, 2002). The enduring nature of the self in the contentions of Locke is founded in the internal connectedness of consciousness. It is kept stable across time through memory processes, that is, the memory of the experiences that we have across time and space (Velasquez, 2011). The continuity of consciousness is thus the factor to be considered in the analysis of the enduring nature of the self across time and space. The enduring self is thus the inherent nature of an individual to display the same personality traits because of the stable consciousness of the memory of our experiences. Aristotle and the Concept of the Enduring Self Aristotles conceptualization of the idea of the enduring self overlaps with that of Locke albeit, to a small extent. In his postulations, the enduring self is that aspect of our personality that tends to be stable especially as guided by moral reasoning and rational ability of an individual. Aristotle argues that our personalities may be enduring becase of the need to maintain the principle of rationality at all times. This rationality is caused by reasoning that results from exposure of an individual to the rational society. Thus, Aristotles philosophy on the enduring self tends to concur with Locke who emphasized underlying consciousness and memories. This consciousness could encompass the internal awareness of the norms and values that people rationally relate to. This second part is the perspective that Aristotle advances. Aristotles philosophy of the self was biased towards the understanding of the self in terms of the soul. In understanding the enduring self, Aristotle posits that the stable part of the self that makes one distinct from another is hidden in the soul. To some extent this is similar to the postulations of Descartes (Velasquez, 2011). The rationality of human beings is contained in the soul and it is this part of us that remains stable. Although the soul has four sections comprising the calculative, scientific, and desiderative and the rational component, Aristotle explained that the enduring self remains stable because of the stability of the human soul that is responsible for rational behavior across time and space. The level of rationality may increase but the self remains generally unchanged across time and space. Hume and the Concept of the Enduring Self David Humes exploration of the concept of the enduring self was significantly aloof. Hume starts his debate from the theoretical standing point that the concept of the enduring self is an ambiguous concept existing only in conceptualization but not in essence. Velasquez (2011) observed that enduring self therefore is non-existent according to David Hume. He contends that the existence of the self implies there exists something stable and enduring. However, Hume disagrees with Locke, Aristotle and Descartes that people have the enduring part of the self (Spada, 2002). He indicates that nothing is stable and constant, not even the memories, the soul or thoughts. To Hume, the concept of the self in the first instance is non-existent. In fact, Hume categorically states that the idea of the self is nothing but simply a philosophical fiction (Velasquez, 2011). Hume contends that we are self-conscious beings that are only aware of the dynamic nature of our thoughts, perceptions and innate feelings. This implies, according to Hume, that the concept of the enduring self does not exist because we lack the impression of the self or thinking substance within us. Kant tended to concur with Humes philosophy when he added that identity is not located in a persons self-consciousness (Velasquez, 2011). The enduring self according to these philosophers is thus not an object of personal experience across time and space as Locke and his allies postulated. Rather our perceptions and feelings are more transcendental. The philosophical contention of David Hume with respect to the nature of the self is founded on deep belief that self is in a constant state of flux (Cottingham, 2002). This constant flux gives no room for the development of an enduring self. Hume thus insists that no human impression can be long enduring. The human self thereefore keeps on changing from one moment to the next. The experiences that a person has across life and in a variety of environments weaken the enduring personalities, perceptions and attitudes. Velasquez (2011) cited that the self is vulnerable to invasion by feelings, perceptions and experiences in the course of life. Hume refutes Lockes ideas on the concept of enduring self which was based on the consciousness and memories. Spada (2002) observes that Hume differs with this view and posits that much of what people experience is forgotten and human memory, which is claimed to be stable and leads to enduring self according Locke and his supporters, is not always accurate. Descartes and the Concept of the Enduring Self The ideas of Rene Descartes on the enduring self are more reflective of the contentions of Aristotle, although Aristotles philosophy followed the works of Descartes. Like Aristotle, Descartes perceived the soul as the enduring self. The real self is that part of the individual that is inherently internal. This part does not change with perceptions and feelings as Hume contended. Descartes argues that the self is uniquely individual and remains stable. The inner qualities of a person are independent of other people or the environment. It is thus not subject to change whether with others or when one is independent. According to Descartes, the self is a thinking thing and if one ceases to think then the self ceases to be (Green Walker, 2010). Descartes claimed that the thinking mind or soul is the part of the self that is enduring across time and space. Therefore as long as the soul remains, the enduring part of the self persists and not subject to change. Descartes thus opposes the arguments advanced by Hume that the self is non-existent. If the self is non-existent then the ability to think, which is hidden in the mind/soul, is also a fiction. Human beings have the ability to think and make decisions that are independent and based on individual reasoning and thinking that is not held hostage by any external forces. The self is thus enduring and is the guiding force that influences perceptions, feelings, behaviors and attitudes. The environment and change in time may function only to sharpen the thinking self but does not render it extinct. This explains why the thinking of an adult is different from that of an infant. But the underlying consideration is the postulation of Descartes that the self is stable in terms of th inking based on the processes of the mind/soul. Conclusion Most philosophers have conceded that the enduring self is existent and explains why people are different from one another and why people rarely change. There may be differences in the approach like Locke emphasizes the experiences and consciousness; Aristotle emphasizes rationality while Descartes explained enduring self in terms of the mind/soul. The contention of Hume that there is nothing constant is sensible. However, the fact that the self is subject to change does not imply that the enduring self is totally non-existent. Every individual has inherent unique aspect of the self that does not change and not influenced by external factors. Buy custom Exploration of the Concept of the Enduring Self essay

Monday, October 21, 2019

Find the separation between two cones of the same type on the fovea of the eye by using the resolving power of the eye Essays

Find the separation between two cones of the same type on the fovea of the eye by using the resolving power of the eye Essays Find the separation between two cones of the same type on the fovea of the eye by using the resolving power of the eye Essay Find the separation between two cones of the same type on the fovea of the eye by using the resolving power of the eye Essay Objective: Find the separation between two cones of the same type on the fovea of the eye by using the resolving power of the eye. Introduction: The retina contains two types of light detecting cells: rods and cones. Cones provide the eyes colour sensitivity, rods, though more sensitive than cones do not detect colour. There is an area on the retina with a much higher density of cones called the fovea. When an object is observed its image is focused on the fovea. The fovea is a 0.3mm diameter area containing on rods and very thin densely packed cones. Cones can be divided into three types; one type detects each of red, green and blue light. The green and red cones are concentrated in the fovea centralis. : To measure the separation between two cones in the eye we can use the resolving power of the eye, for two objects to be resolved optically the viewer must be able to clearly differentiate two distinct bodies. (Rayleighs criterion:? = ?/d) Critical case shown where objects are just resolved For two light sources of the same wavelength to be resolved the light must stimulate two cones on either side of one unstimulated cone. Resolving power due to a circular aperture can be calculated by: ? = 1.22? d Where: ? = resolving power of optical instrument ? = Wavelength of light d = diameter of aperture The resolving power of the eye will not be as high as this calculated theoretical resolving power as although the optical equipment of the eye may be of this power the eyes detection facilities give the brain discreet not continuous signals and so the actual resolving power of the eye will never reach this theoretical value even if the optical facilities of the eye are perfect. As a result we must calculate the separation between two cones using: ? = s Where: s = separation r r = distance Plan: Factors identified affecting the experiment: * The separation of the two light sources. I will vary this to produce a range of distances from which the objects can be resolved. * The perpendicular distance that the viewer of the light sources can be from them and still completely resolve them. This will vary as a direct result of changes to the separation of the light sources. * The size and shape of the light sources. I will control this by shining the light through measured apertures made in black acrylic. I will control the size of the apertures by using a 1mm drill bit to create the holes through which the light sources will be shone, this will also ensure the sources are of a constant shape. * The amount of light that is reflected. I will use a black background surrounding the light sources to ensure that only a minimal amount of light is reflected. * The brightness of the two light sources must be equal to each other, I will achieve this by connecting the light sources in series to the same power source. * The brightness of the light sources must be constant as it is easier to resolve brighter objects. I will control this factor by keeping the voltage of the power source constant. * The wavelength of light must be kept constant by using the same equipment (same L.E.D.s) for each repeat of the experiment. This must be controlled as different colours of light stimulate different cones on the retina and also the wavelength of light affects the calculated value for the resolving power of the eye. * The height of the eye relative to the light sources must be constant and perpendicular. This will be controlled by having the light sources at a height of 1 metre and having the viewer use a metre ruler as a guide to the height of their eyes when resolving the light sources. * The size of the eye and the strength of eyesight must be constant throughout the experiment. This will be achieved by using the same observer throughout the procedure and carrying out the procedure in a single session. * The brightness of the environment must be constant. This will be kept constant by carrying the experiment out in a single session. Also the environment will be kept as dark as possible to maximise the resolving power of the eye and so optimise the accuracy of the results. * The diameter of the pupil must be kept constant and as large as possible to allow as much light into the eye as possible. This will be kept constant as a direct result of controlling the brightness of the environment. (Variation of 1mm to 10mm possible.) Method: Set up the apparatus as shown in the previous diagram, switch on the power pack at 3.00v. Turn off the lights in the room and block out daylight coming from any windows or doors. Allow 2 minutes for the eyes to adjust to this darkness and do not allow any light into the room from this point up until the end of the procedure. The viewer of the lights must then stand on the masking tape and back away from the light sources following the masking tape using a metre ruler as a guide to the height of their eyes. The viewer must back away until they are at the point where they can just resolve the two light sources. This point must then be marked on the masking tape using the metre ruler as a guide. Repeat the experiment for this separation three times to obtain a reliable result and eliminate any anomalous results. Three is enough results to obtain a good average result as long as all the results are relatively close together. Remove the acrylic and replace with another piece of acrylic with holes of different separations and repeat the above procedure. 5 different separations must be used as six results are sufficient to plot a straight-line graph and the sixth result can be 0,0. Less results than this may not produce an accurate gradient and more results would be surplus to requirements. When the experiment is completed measure the marks recorded on the tape for distances and then calculate an average distance for each separation. Plot a line graph of separation against average distance. The graph is plotted to produce a gradient to obtain a value for the resolving power of the eye the graph will reduce any overall errors in the experiment. Separation of apertures is to be measured with a travelling microscope accurate to ?0.005mm, this measuring equipment is to be used as it is the most accurate available to me in the lab and so will reduce the errors in my results by as much as possible. The other measurement to be taken is the distance from the objects from whence they can be resolved. This is to be measured using a measuring tape accurate to ?0.5cm this is sufficiently accurate as it is a very small error compared to the overall distance and so will not detract significantly from the accuracy of my results. When the results have been taken the calculation shown overleaf will be used to calculate the separation of two cones on the fovea. Safety: Electrical equipment must be used with care and it must be ensured that no water is brought into contact with it. Care must be taken whilst carrying out a procedure in a darkened room, ensure all sharp corners and protruding objects are cleared. Calculation: Equation 1: ? = s R ? = resolving power of the eye in radians s = separation of apertures r = Distance away from light sources when resolving is just possible Equation 2: s = r? s = separation of 3 cones r = radius of the eye ? = resolving power in radians Separation between two cones = s 2 Theoretical ? = 1.22? D ? = wavelength of light D = Diameter of pupil Assumptions: * Assume pupil size is constant * Assume diameter of the eye is 26mm * Assume no aberrations of the eye * Assume room is pitch black * Assume L.E.D.s are of constant brightness * Assume apertures are spherical * Assume all eyes work the same * Assume average green wavelength * Assume only one wavelength from L.E.D. * Assume pupil size is constant * Assume light source is perpendicular * Assume light crosses at the centre of the eye * Assume cones are all of equal size and shape. We can assume this as cones are densely packed in the fovea * Assume refraction at the entrance to the eye is zero. We can assume this as distance r is relatively large compared to the separation of the light sources so we can assume that the light entering the eye is perpendicular to the lens. As a result we can assume similar triangles: Test: I carried out a preliminary experiment using this procedure and found the separation of two cones to be 3.57?10-4m. As this is a factor of 10 away from the literature value for separation I will now alter my procedure by increasing the voltage of the power pack to 6.00v to increase the brightness of the L.E.D.s and so optimise the resolving power of the eye. I will test the accuracy of my results by carrying out the experiment in a bright room, resolving two black objects of a similar size to the apertures used in my procedure. Resolving power in this situation should be less than resolving power calculated in the results. Conclusion: ? = s = gradient = 3.125?10-4 r Separation of cones = r ? ? r = 1.3?10-2 = 4.062?10-6m = separation between 3 cones ?2 = 2.03?10-6m = separation between 2 cones Errors: This value is appropriate but it must be taken into account that the following errors will affect the final value: Equipment Tape measure accurate to ? 0.01m 0.05 ? 100 = 3.13% Use of tape measure accurate to ? 0.05m 1.60 Travelling microscope accurate to ? 0.01?10-3m 0.01?10-3m ? 100 = 2.27% Use of travelling microscope: error as above. 0.44?10-3m Other errors Assumption that the eye is 1.3 ?10-2 radius is a statistical average value and so may vary considerably. Refracted angle is negligible is an assumption which will affect the accuracy of the results as using this assumption we can use similar triangles to calculate the separation of two cones. Given these errors be taken into account my value is close enough to the literature value for the separation of two cones to confirm that my procedure was valid.

Saturday, October 19, 2019

Analyze the reasons for the United States involvement in Vietnam Essay - 2

Analyze the reasons for the United States involvement in Vietnam between 1953 and 1968 - Essay Example This therefore became a fully-fledged war and escalated drastically requiring the US to either withdraw or put more effort into the war and the effort was tripled. The US therefore entered Vietnam to fight USSR (Wiest 56). The taking over of the whole of Vietnam by the Northern Vietnamese would mean that the whole nation would fall under the communists rule. USA was heavily opposed to communism and hence would not stand aside and watch the South Vietnamese also drawn into this type of economic rule. US therefore fought so vehemently in order to prevent the whole of Vietnam falling under the communism system which they saw as oppressive of the hard working people while giving free pass of survival to others (Weatherbee 176). They therefore engaged the part of Vietnam that had yet to fall under communism and this was South Vietnam. They trained their soldiers and later fully joined them in fighting the North Vietnamese soldiers to prevent takeover. USA wanted to support France in still regaining control of Vietnam and expanding its reign to the northern part of Vietnam. It had already captured the South and the only difficult location was the North. Since France was anti-communist similar to USA, its support would mean a complete end to communism in the region and it would be a win for US (Peake 73). All this support was however only a faà §ade as US wanted to outdo USSR and show its military superiority to enforce its superiority among the two superpower nations. The fall or capturing of North Vietnam and the end of communism in that area would mean a fall in part of USSR and communism in general which was what US wanted from the beginning. The above mentioned reasons were the reasons in the 1950s but they later changed with change of administration. As the war in Vietnam continued, the North Vietnamese’s war strategy started leading to the defeat of the US and the South Vietnamese military forces.

Friday, October 18, 2019

Ethics reflection paper Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Ethics reflection paper - Essay Example Application or action enables one to implement ethical decisions in one’s daily personal and professional life. This A3 approach makes a leader understand the needs of the stakeholders and cater to them with heightened vision. My ethical perspective has evolved throughout the program as I have been able to know what ethical standards I follow and where I need improvement. I have been able to decide between right and wrong and decide among alternatives. I consider that person to be good who wants to do good deeds on a consistent basis. The moral standards of right and wrong are the guidelines that tell us how to take steps toward the betterment of the whole society. Ethical conduct is improved by developing a basic respect for others. Organized ethical attempts addresses the needs of the whole society whose fulfillment is better for the majority of people. My future ethical perspective tells me that I look forward to respect all people from all backgrounds without making any discrimination of color, cast and creed. I have also learnt that rational thinking is important to achieve best ethical results. Treating people at equal basis is all about giving importance to those who have not been listened to in th e past. A person should know how to give respect to others and their decisions and should have the ability to involve others in decision-making process. This is important to conduct oneself ethically. This ethical conduct defines the ways a person ought to live in the society and work toward the betterment of the whole society where all persons are treated on a fair basis. All ethical policies have the same objective to maintain the integrity of the whole society rather than focusing on one individual person. I believe that today’s adolescents need such role models that teach them how to make ethical decisions and live such a life that is respectful to

Development of an internet based housing demand database system for Essay

Development of an internet based housing demand database system for the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Human Settlements - Essay Example The research methodology employed assisted in obtaining data relating to the current business processes in the Department of Human Settlements (DHS), that is to capture the functional requirements of the system and the users’ perceptions of the proposed system to develop an internet based housing demand database system for the KwaZulu-Natal DHS for improved housing service provisioning. Cooper and Schindler state that the research design is necessary for fulfilling research objectives and answering research questions. Research design indicates the techniques to be used in gathering data, the type of sampling to be used and how to deal with time and cost constraints, hence the need to focus on a specific research design. Saunders, Lewis and Thornhill explain that there are two approaches to research, each with its own underlying philosophy and views namely, the quantitative approach and qualitative approach. According to Neill, quantitative research is a type of approach that a ssigns numerical data to answers, confirms evidence and produces findings based on fixed closed questions. He adds that qualitative data sets are made up of non-numerical material such as transcripts or audio-recordings of interviews, field notes of researcher observations, records of conversations, and any kind of social text such as books, newspapers and advertisements. Qualitative research is typically used to answer questions about the complex nature of phenomena often with the purpose of describing and understanding the phenomena from the participant’s point of view. ... Qualitative research allowed the researcher to identify the users’ view of the system and also allowed the researcher the opportunity to understand the users’ personal experience of the system. The following section discusses the target population of the study. 3.4Target Population According to Saunders, Lewis and Thornhill (2009), the population is the full set of cases from which the sample is drawn. The target population for this study was the employees of the housing demand database section, municipality employees and the IT section of the DHS. The target population for the study comprised of 70 individuals. As it was impossible to focus on the entire population, it was necessary to use a sample to obtain the relevant data. 3.5 Sampling According to Welman and Kruger (2005:18), great care should be taken to obtain a representative sample in order to prevent a biased result. There are two types of sampling namely probability and non-probability sampling. Welman and K ruger (2005: 56) explain that in the case of probability sampling, the probability that any element or member of the population will be included in the sample can be determined, whereas in non-probability sampling by contrast, this probability cannot be specified. This study used a non-probability sampling method. The advantage of non-probability sampling is that it is less complicated and more economical in terms of time and cost. The researcher opted for this sampling technique as this allowed her to focus on specific individuals that were familiar with the system (Saunders et al., 2009:237). To develop an IT system, it was necessary to gather the requirements from the users of the system such as data capturers, administrative staff, managers of

Thursday, October 17, 2019

World History I Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 1

World History I - Essay Example However as we very well know, that situation is not true and Diamond (1997) presents some very interesting insights into how and why the development of societies took place as it did. The explanations given by him are quite interesting since they are logical and appear to make perfect sense. For instance, the argument about technology appeals considerably because today we live in a world which is very technology oriented and it is clear that countries which have taken modern technology to be an integral part of their economies have gained a lot from it. For example, in recent years both India and China have become economic giants mainly due to the investment in technology made by their respective governments and due to the technological contacts they have had with western powers like America and Europe. Of course the development of America is simply a result of the development of the European powers and their ability to create a food surplus from agriculture and domestication of animals. Diamond (1997) is correct when he says that African armies on rhinos and hippos could have decimated European cavalry charges but horses were domesticated while rhinos and hippos still remain wild and dangerous animals. The food surplus created by effective management and agriculture caused populations to expand which often meant that the chances of a region producing a thinker, inventor or discoverer were also increased. Additionally, the argument about human contact improving societies is very true since the contact between the Europeans, the Arabs, the Indians and the Chinese eventually took technologies like cartography, paper, numbers, and many other developments from one end of the globe to the other. The example of Australia in its relative isolation is quite correct since Australia did not know about these developments there was little chance of them developing these technologies on the same lines as the Eurasians. So the two fundamental

Strategic Management - Southwest Airlines Essay

Strategic Management - Southwest Airlines - Essay Example Despite having having gone through some legal battles, it has nonetheless pulled from them to be a resounding airline company. However, there is need for a hallmark of strategies within its paradigm of domestic ridership. These strategies should be tailored around offering in flight luxuries such as in flight meals and entertainment, and providing different seating options such as first & business class accommodations (Jackson, 2011). This will go along way in providing what Karami (2003) reckons as a significant component to a firm’s achievement. His view of strategic management is of encompassing the establishment of the groundwork objectives of an organization, by selecting the best goals towards those aims, and seeking to satisfy them with time (Karami, 2003). Strategic formulation, for Southwest Airline Company which will consider and enhance competition for primary categories of customers namely: Travel agents, corporate travel managers, as well as individual travelers, should be the best way forward (Jackson, 2011). Of course, tagging them along that line would lead to adopting strategies that take care of that, and will certainly go along way in being concomitant with what Karami refers to as†¦``prioritizing strategies to pursue’’ (Karami, 2003). ... Beyond that is used to reflect on the Opportunities and Threats exposed by information accrued usually through an evaluation research, the outside environment and by means of comparative studies. In so doing, the team members of an organization as well as the managers employ its usage in the development of a plan (Bohm, 2008). Indeed, it is used in the circumstances of wanting to formulate a strategic plan or often times, crafting out a solution to revert a situation. (Bohm, 2008) So how is SWOT analysis being useful is Southwest Airline? First has been its usefulness in Internal Analysis, which involves the study of the organization’s strengths and weaknesses in a number of theoretically formulated ways (Bohm, 2008). a. Management Capabilities One such is on organizational structure, where the point of focus is usually to examine if the structure limits or enhances flow of information and client responsive mechanisms are in place (Bohm, 2008). Southwest has often demonstrated quick response to clients when their flight delays or a possibility of a flight not taking off due to weather conditions. Besides, the organizational organ gram is such the pecking order is clear and so flow of information to the right people is promptly facilitated for action (Daft, 2008). Beyond this, the strength in communication is further compounded by the fact that Southwest Airline has internet presence. It was indeed one of the first airlines to have a website. However, one the weakness within its website is that prices are not outlined to enable customers have knowledge in advance just by the click of ‘mouse’. Regardless of this, it is reported that it is so far the largest in terms of

Wednesday, October 16, 2019

Environmental Policy and Law Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Environmental Policy and Law - Essay Example (House of Lords, 2000) The scenario in the house where the Oakleys were tenants was such: the bathroom next to kitchen was devoid of a washbasin, therefore forcing the inmates to wash their hands in the kitchen sink. Contamination of food and foul smell were one of the few complaints that arose from this state of affairs. Taking place over a period of five days, the case closed on the decision that the appeal would be allowed. According to the case, there was a grave health hazard in the state of the premises. It was left upto the Justices to determine whether the risk was sufficient to constitute a statutory nuisance. The case went onto explore the legislative history of statutory nuisance, from the time of its mid-Victorian roots, and concluded that "prejudicial to health" should be interpreted in line with its "sanitary" origins; and that section 79(1)(a) of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 is directed to the presence of some feature of premises which is in itself prejudicial to health, by way of being the source of possible infection, illness or disease. (Chartered Institute of Environmental Health, 2000) This brings us to the issue of the origin of nuisance at Common Law. A conclusion to the contrary, i.e.

Strategic Management - Southwest Airlines Essay

Strategic Management - Southwest Airlines - Essay Example Despite having having gone through some legal battles, it has nonetheless pulled from them to be a resounding airline company. However, there is need for a hallmark of strategies within its paradigm of domestic ridership. These strategies should be tailored around offering in flight luxuries such as in flight meals and entertainment, and providing different seating options such as first & business class accommodations (Jackson, 2011). This will go along way in providing what Karami (2003) reckons as a significant component to a firm’s achievement. His view of strategic management is of encompassing the establishment of the groundwork objectives of an organization, by selecting the best goals towards those aims, and seeking to satisfy them with time (Karami, 2003). Strategic formulation, for Southwest Airline Company which will consider and enhance competition for primary categories of customers namely: Travel agents, corporate travel managers, as well as individual travelers, should be the best way forward (Jackson, 2011). Of course, tagging them along that line would lead to adopting strategies that take care of that, and will certainly go along way in being concomitant with what Karami refers to as†¦``prioritizing strategies to pursue’’ (Karami, 2003). ... Beyond that is used to reflect on the Opportunities and Threats exposed by information accrued usually through an evaluation research, the outside environment and by means of comparative studies. In so doing, the team members of an organization as well as the managers employ its usage in the development of a plan (Bohm, 2008). Indeed, it is used in the circumstances of wanting to formulate a strategic plan or often times, crafting out a solution to revert a situation. (Bohm, 2008) So how is SWOT analysis being useful is Southwest Airline? First has been its usefulness in Internal Analysis, which involves the study of the organization’s strengths and weaknesses in a number of theoretically formulated ways (Bohm, 2008). a. Management Capabilities One such is on organizational structure, where the point of focus is usually to examine if the structure limits or enhances flow of information and client responsive mechanisms are in place (Bohm, 2008). Southwest has often demonstrated quick response to clients when their flight delays or a possibility of a flight not taking off due to weather conditions. Besides, the organizational organ gram is such the pecking order is clear and so flow of information to the right people is promptly facilitated for action (Daft, 2008). Beyond this, the strength in communication is further compounded by the fact that Southwest Airline has internet presence. It was indeed one of the first airlines to have a website. However, one the weakness within its website is that prices are not outlined to enable customers have knowledge in advance just by the click of ‘mouse’. Regardless of this, it is reported that it is so far the largest in terms of

Tuesday, October 15, 2019

Race Colors Judgement Essay Example for Free

Race Colors Judgement Essay The criminal justice system in the United States is one of the many places that I believe stereotypes are formed. For example, African-Americans make up only 13% of the U. S. population but represent 46% of the inmate population who have received sentences of more than one year (Hart, 2006, p. 1). Another example of a racial disparity can be seen the percentage of African-Americans who are drug users (14%) and those sentenced for drug offenses (53%) (Sentencing Project, 2009 p. 3). More African-American men are in prison or jail, on probation or parole then were enslaved in 1850, before the Civil War began,† (Alexander, 2010). However, this is not just a problem within the African-American community. More than 60% of the people in prison are now racial and ethnic minorities and three-fourths of all persons in prison for drug offenses are people of color (www. sentencingproject. org). The Bureau of Justice Statistics shows, that the likelihood for an African-American or Hispanic to be imprisoned is, 18. % for African-Americans and 10% for Hispanics, while the likelihood for Whites is 3. 4% (Bureau of Justice Statistics, 2005). Brennan and Spohn (2009) showed in their study, â€Å"The Joint Effects of Offender Race/Ethnicity and Sex on Sentence Length Decisions in Federal Courts†, that African-American males received a significantly longer sentence (93 months) than White males (86. 2 months) (Brennan Spohn, 2009). These are just some of the numbers, which cannot be ignored. An important question to ask; why are these racial disparities happening? In the study â€Å"White juror bias: An investigation of racial prejudice against Black defendants in the American courtroom†, Sommers Ellsworth (2001) have a quote, which, I think, sums up the reasoning for studying race and its effect on juries, it came from one of my favorite movies: â€Å"In our courts, when it is a white man’s word against a black man’s, the white man always wins. They’re ugly, but those are the facts of life†¦The one place where man ought to get a square deal is a courtroom, be he any color of the rainbow, but people have a way of carrying their resentments right into the jury box† (From To Kill a Mockingbird, Lee, 1960, p. 20). The thinking by many social psychologists is â€Å"Racism still exists in our society today but is no longer endorsed by explicit racist beliefs or overt acts of prejudice† (Sommers Ellsworth, 2003). Instead it’s a â€Å"Subtle, implicit, or aversive form of racism† (Sommers Ellsworth, 2003). Whites in our society are taught to embrace egalitarianism (equality) and make a conscious effort to behave non-prejudice, or have non-bias beliefs. However, that does not mean that they still don’t harbor prejudicial attitudes. In a trial setting aversive racism and race salience, or racially charged vs. racially neutral, go hand and hand. Studies have concluded, a trial that is racially charged reminds jurors of their egalitarianism, but in a trial not racially charged a jurors’ motivation to avoid being prejudice is not triggered; instead they demonstrate their racial bias (Sommers Ellsworth, 2001). It is the run of the mill trials where juror biases are displayed. White jurors need to be â€Å"reminded† that they should not have a bias. By â€Å"reminding† them, by a racially motivated incident, jury voir dire, jury instructions before deliberation, and others, White jurors are less likely to demonstrate racial bias towards an African-American defendant. Jury composition or heterogeneity vs. homogeneity groups, is theorized to be a huge factor in overall group decision-making skills. This is especially important in the jury decision-making process and verdicts because minorities are underrepresented on a jury. Sommers’s study â€Å"Racial Diversity and Group Decision Making† (2006) concluded, a jury, which has heterogeneity, rather than homogeneity considers a wider range of perspectives and information (Sommers, 2006). It was the diversity of the group influence on the White juror more than the performance of the African-American juror in the group (Sommers, 2006). This is not to say that the African-American juror did not perform well. Since many juries are not racially diverse, Whites on a jury may forget their egalitarian values, may not consider a wider range of perspectives and information, and will spend less time on their decisions. In-group bias is when people show a strong preference for fellow in-group members and tend to malign out-group members (Sommers Ellsworth, 2000). Thomas Pettigrew, current Research Professor of Social Psychology at the University of California, in his 1979 study demonstrated that negative behaviors of in-group members were attributed to situational forces but negative behaviors of out-group members were attributed to inherent dispositions, which is the opposite from positive behavior attribution (Sommers Ellsworth, 2000). This is a particularly important theory because juries for criminal trials are taking in facts pertaining to the negative behavior of a defendant who is either from their in-group or out-group. Systematic information processing is conceptualized as â€Å"Comprehensive analytic orientation to inform processing in which perceivers access and scrutinize a great deal of information for its relevance to their judgment task† (Tamborini et al. , 2007) Heuristic processing is conceptualized as â€Å"A more limited mode of information processing that requires less cognitive effort and fewer cognitive resources than systematic processing† (Tamborini et al. , 2007) Simple stated, heuristic information processing are shortcuts using previous knowledge and stereotypes, which influences peoples’ judgments. During a trial, jurors take in enormous amounts of information and when deliberating they tend to fill in the missing information with past experiences or stereotypes about certain crimes and criminals. This is not their intention, however it is how people cognitively process information-we put information into or take it out of certain categories. There are three main research methods used to study race and its effects on juries (Sommers Ellsworth, 2003). Archival analysis of actual cases is ideal but there are a lot of confounding variables, which are hard to measure and control statistically (Sommers Ellsworth, 2003). Another method used is post-trial juror interviews. This method is useful because you are asking direct questions of the jurors, who were part of the real trials. However, it is time consuming, has a small sample size, and relies on self-reporting by jurors (which in unreliable) (Sommers Ellsworth, 2003). The third method is mock juror experiments, which relies on the experimental method of social psychology and allows the experimenters to control the confounding variables (Sommers Ellsworth, 2003). There are some downfalls to using mock juror experiments as well, such as using college students as participants, written trial summaries, instead of witnessing a real trial, and the decision made by mock jurors have no real consequences (Sommers Ellsworth, 2003). According to Sommers and Ellsworth (2003) it is best to use multiple methods. For example compare archival data to mock jury data. As I stated earlier, aversive racism and race salience (racially charged vs. racially neutral) in trials go hand and hand. Sommers and Ellsworth (both social psychologists) first studied race salience in their study, â€Å"Race in he Courtroom: Perceptions of Guilt and Dispositional Attributions† (2000). Since the theory of aversive racism (modern or subtle) states, Whites are more motivated to â€Å"appear† non-prejudice when racial issues are salient or prominent. They found that when a trial involves race salience the race of the defendant did not influence the White jurors (Sommers Ellsworth, 2000). However, when a trail did not have race salience, the African-American defendants were found to be more guilty, aggressive, and violent by the White juror then the White defendant. This could have a profound effect, since Whites are not caught up in the day to day of racial issues, they may not take notice to the most subliminal racial issues in a trial. It may cause them to revert back to the more overt form of racism without even consciously knowing they are being racist or displaying their biases. A more recent study, â€Å"Diversity and Fairness in the Jury System†, conducted for the Ministry of Justice Research Series, by Thomas and Blamer (2007) concluded when a trial is racially charged (race salience), conviction rates for African-American defendants were lower. However, the conviction rate between White jurors and African-American jurors for African-American defendants were no different (Thomas Balmer, 2007) (44% and 43%). In trials that were racially neutral, White jurors had low conviction rates for African-American defendants, while African-American jurors had high conviction rates for White defendants and low conviction rates for African-American defendants (Thomas Balmer, 2007). This was a very interesting finding because in the Sommers and Ellsworth studies (2000, 2001) African-American jurors showed leniency both in race salience and non-race salience trials. Thomas and Balmer (2007) point out that in the Sommers and Ellsworth study that jurors did not decide cases as part of a jury with any deliberations (Thomas Balmer, 2007). The results in the Thomas and Blamer study showed that individual jurors had difference conviction rates, but as a jury there was no difference between race salience and non-race salience trails (Thomas Blamer, 2007). None of the juries (there were 8 in all) in the Thomas and Blamer (2007) study convinced the White defendant, The juries in England and Wales where this study took place have the same makeup as juries in the United States, majority White (Thomas Balmer, 2007). That makes a nice segway into my next theory of jury composition because it appears that they dynamic of a racially mixed jury helped ensure individual biases were not allowed to dictate verdicts (Thomas Balmer, 2007). Justice Thurgood Marshall said, â€Å"Diverse juries enjoy wider ranging discussions because White and Black jurors bring different experiences and perspectives to the jury room† (Sommers, 2006). Not only do African-American jurors bring different experiences but also, as we saw in the Thomas and Balmer (2007) study a racially mixed jury might help to ensure individual biases are not allowed to dictate verdicts. Again, referring to a study by Sommers (the leading researcher in this field) in which he specifically studies â€Å"The multiple effects of racial composition on jury deliberations† (Sommers, 2006). Having African-Americans (or minorities in general) on a jury can bring two different types of diversity-deep-level diversity and surface-level diversity (Sommers, 2007). Both can affect information exchange in different ways. Deep-level diversity brings the expertise, attitudes, and values of the individual members to the deliberation room (Sommers, 2007). Surface-level diversity brings members’ demographics and social category membership into the deliberation room (Sommers, 2007). Sommers’ (2006) found diverse groups spent more time deliberating, made fewer factual errors, and if there was an error it was more likely to be corrected, more open-mindness, and less resistance to discussions of controversial race topics (Sommers, 2006). The homogenous jury was the opposite (Sommers, 2006). Those results showed the affect deep-level diversity could bring to a jury. However, another aspect, which will bring me back to the theory of aversive racism and race salience, is the affect having diversity has on a White juror. By having a racially diverse jury, the White jurors have the issue of race and egalitarian values in the forefront of their minds. The White jurors are avoiding seeming bias. Sommers et al. , (2008) conducted a study to see if there are â€Å"Cognitive effects of racial diversity in a group. † The study found that Whites in a diverse group process information more thoroughly. They had no interaction with a diverse group member, it was simply being aware of a diverse group composition, which impacted the cognition of White members. It even improved reading comprehension of race-relevant passages, especially when Whites expected to have race-relevant conversation. This is important in a legal context as well. If a White juror’s cognitive ability, and information processing is improved they will use systematic processing which is â€Å"A comprehensive, analytic orientation to information processing in which perceivers access and scrutinize a great deal of information for its relevance to their judgment task†, instead of heuristics processing or shortcuts in their decision making (Tamborini et al. 2007). The Supreme Court attempted to make juries more racially diverse â€Å"Batson prohibition against race-based peremptories was based on two assumptions: (1) a prospective juror’s race can bias a jury selection judgments; (2) requiring attorneys to justify suspicious peremptories enables judges to determine whether a challenge is, indeed, race-neutral† (Batson v. Kentucky, 476 U. S. 79 (1986). To summarize the findings, White jurors tend to show their bias towards African-American defendants when the trial is not racially charged because they are not motivated to conceal their bias (aversive racism and egalitarian views). In homogenous juries Whites are more like to be bias, spend less time on their decisions, make more errors, consider fewer perspectives, are not motivated to conceal their bias. Also, when there is information overload jurors use heuristics (shortcuts) to process information, rather than a systematic review of the information. Tis effect, of using shortcuts, produces bias judgment for both African-American jurors and White jurors. All the aforementioned could be cause for the bias decision making of jurors and juries. However, there are positives that can be found throughout these studies. For instance, racially diverse juries, and race salience trials can help alleviate the biases by jurors and juries. It also proves that not all White juries are affected by the race of a defendant (in certain situations). Race and its effect on jury decisions is a topic that will be studied for years to come because of the complex nature of a jury and modern racism. Although studies have shown bias decision-making by White jurors there is still not enough statistics to make a causal connection. Research has also shown ways in which a jury’s bias can be minimized. The jury is one of the backbones of the court system, because of this, it is imperative that we continue to study juror bias and how to minimize their bias through different trial techniques and policies and procedures.

Monday, October 14, 2019

Effect of Alcoholic Parent on Child

Effect of Alcoholic Parent on Child Behavioral Problems in Children with Alcoholic Parents Introduction Children tend to have behavioral problems when they have an alcoholic parent or parents. There are studies that link children of alcoholics to be at a higher risk of behavior problems, mental and physical health problems, social problems, and substance abuse problems later in life (Christensen, 2000 p.219 and Vernig, 2011 p.536). Alcoholism is a big issue when it comes to the development of children because some alcoholics tend to miss their children’s events, not be around all the time, or are too drunk to be mentally present. Children are also impressionable at young ages and tend to follow in their parents footsteps which is why children, especially young ones, need parents who are good, strong role models that set good examples and teach them. Alcoholic parents probably struggle in this department and set bad examples of how to cope with certain aspects of life. Children see this and act accordingly while developing many issues of their own throughout childhood and adultho od. The behavior of alcoholic parents has a huge impact on the way their children behave. Children of alcoholics have trouble with social situations and often have to do more help to keep the family together than normal families. They usually try to get attention, struggle in school, and are much more prone to mental and physical illnesses. Alcoholic parents often are associated with being absent in their children’s lives, whether they physically are not around, or they are mentally not around. This causes children to act out for attention. That could include getting into trouble at school, acting out at home, or other forms of acting out for attention. Parents who are absent because of their alcoholism cause their children to become important roles in the house to help out the â€Å"enabler† or the nonalcoholic parent, according to Peter Vernig (2011). Peter Vernig also states that oldest child often steps up to help the other parent. This causes issues mentally, physically, and socially with the child later in life. The entire family suffers from the parent’s habits (Vernig, 2011 p.535). Children other than the eldest child suffer as well, maybe to get attention from their siblings, or either parent. The other children in the family have their own roles and each has its own problems. For example, one often receives the least amount of attention and feels rejected because this child is often overlooked which causes mental illnesses from being neglected. The youngest child is typically a distraction from the heavy feelings of the family issues. Intelligence is not highly expected in this child. The second eldest child is used to draw attention away from the issue at hand. This child is the most prone to legal trouble, trouble in school, and they are most likely to be drug and alcohol abusers of all the children in a family. (Vernig, 2011 p.535-537) These categories break down which child is most likely to develop certain issues over the other children. Body One of the biggest problems with children of alcoholics is that they tend to be more prone to mental illnesses. Many children struggle with hyperactivity problems, anxiety, depression, low self esteem, and psychosomatic reactions (Christensen, 2000 p.219).   These emotional problems are a result of their parent’s actions. These children grow up seeing their parent in situations that create added stress for them. The parent may or may not be abusive, or may be absent for important things. Maybe the parent even argues with their children over certain matter that influence less support (Barerra, 1993 p. 603). This can lower the child or childrens’ self esteem. Low self esteem leads to or can lead to real mental health problems such as depression or anxiety. These children are much more likely to have substance abuse problems early in life. Some of the reasoning behind that is the genetics of mental health disorders, such as alcoholism, but some of it is because children with anxiety and depression can turn to drugs and alcohol to cope (Puttler 1998, Serec 2012, Vernig 2011).   Children of alcoholics’   mental health problems create issues for them not only during childhood, but also later in life (Vernig 2011, Serec 2012, Puttler 1998, Eiden 2009, Sher 2007). Their adulthoods often include some form of substance abuse often caused by their mental health problems. Alcoholics typically also have depression or anxiety of some form (Eiden 2009).   Children of alcoholics feel neglected because their parent or parents do not always pay attention to them, or they have to give up being a child in order to replace the support of their alcoholic parent. The oldest child steps up, while the younger children begin to feel neglected and ignored. These children act out and develop these mental problems as a result of the little attention they are paid. In early stages of development these children need more attention and care and often do not receive it. This causes anxiety, depression, and hyperactivity disorders (Eiden 2009, Vernig 2011, Puttler 1998). Physical illnesses are common in children of alcoholics just as the mental illnesses are. Children in these situations tend to become more prone to illnesses, especially in earlier childhood stages like infants, toddlers, preschool age, and middle school ages. These children need a lot of support, love, and help from their parents and lack of their basic needs causes more physical illnesses to occur. They need to be taken care of and given lots of attention. Studies show that alcoholic parents possess lower quality parenting skills than those of nonalcoholic parents (Eiden 2009). Children in preschool or of preschool age are 65% more likely to come down with illnesses such as colds and coughs more than other children. They are also more likely to have allergies and anemia or to be over or under weight   (Serec, 2012). Due to the poor parenting skills of alcoholic parents, children at young stages are more at risk to be hospitalized for their illnesses or injuries. They are more likely to spend more days in the hospital, need more medical treatment, and get more injuries than children without alcoholic parents (Serec, 2012). These children are not treated properly at home, or not as well as they should be taken care of. Physical illnesses occur in the children in adolescence as well, but are more common in those of the younger children. Aggravation of alcoholic parents towards their children is more likely than that of nonalcoholic parents, so that is possibly an aspect of why children tend to become sicker when their parents are alcoholics. Children of all ages try to get attention from their parent or parents when one or both of them are alcoholics. It is natural for the human body to need (or crave) love and attention. Younger children often need more love and attention as their brains develop, learn, and grow. Children cannot likely develop correctly when these needs are ignored. 8-27% of all children are said to have one or both parents that have an alcohol problem (Serec 2012). That means that 8-27% of the child population struggles with these problems and likely feels unwanted or wants attention and approval from their parents. Young children struggle more with attention problems because they have yet to establish a solid foundation or identity for themselves. They need the support from their parents. In order to get attention children will act out in school, get into trouble with the law, or just create trouble in general. They might intentionally fail in classes to get some attention. References Barrera, M., Chassin, L., & Rogosch, F. (1993). Effects of social support and conflict on adolescent children of alcoholic and nonalcoholic fathers. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 64(4), 602-612. http://dx.doi.org/10.1037/0022-3514.64.4.602 Christensen, H. B., & Bilenberg, N. (2000). Behavioural and emotional problems in children of alcoholic mothers and fathers. European Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, 9(3), 219-226. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s007870070046 Eiden, R. D., Colder, C., Edwards, E. P., & Leonard, K. E. (2009). A longitudinal study of social competence among children of alcoholic and nonalcoholic parents: Role of parental psychopathology, parental warmth, and self-regulation. Psychology of Addictive Behaviors, 23(1), 36-46. http://dx.doi.org/10.1037/a0014839 Eiden, R. D., Molnar, D. S., Colder, C., Edwards, E. P., & Leonard, K. E. (2009). A conceptual model predicting internalizing problems in middle childhood among children of alcoholic and nonalcoholic fathers: The role of marital aggression. Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs, 70(5), 741-750. http://dx.doi.org/10.15288/jsad.2009.70.741 Puttler, L. I., Zucker, R. A., Fitzgerald, H. E., & Bingham, C. R. (1998). Behavioral outcomes among children of alcoholics during the early and middle childhood years: Familial subtype variations. Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research, 22(9), 1962-1972. http://dx.doi.org/10.1097/00000374-199812000-00011 Serec, M., Ã…  vab, I., KolÃ… ¡ek, M., Ã…  vab, V., Moesgen, D., & Klein, M. (2012). Health-related lifestyle, physical and mental health in children of alcoholic parents. Drug and Alcohol Review, 31(7), 861-870. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1465-3362.2012.00424.x Sher, K. J. (2007). Psychological characteristics of children of alcoholics. Alcohol Health & Research World, 21(3), 247. http://web.b.ebscohost.com/ehost/detail/detail?vid=0&sid=8b877c18-70ab-46b2-9733-946de849a88f%40pdc-v-sessmgr01&bdata=JnNpdGU9ZWhvc3QtbGl2ZQ%3d%3d#AN=106080239&db=ccm Vernig, P. M. (2011). Family roles in homes with alcohol-dependent parents: An evidence-based review. Substance Use & Misuse, 46(4), 535-542. http://dx.doi.org/10.3109/10826084.2010.501676

Sunday, October 13, 2019

The Evolution of Character in John Knowles A Separate Peace :: essays papers

The Evolution of Character in John Knowles' A Separate Peace One of the most revered and utterly enigmatic topics present within humanity is the evolution of humankind itself. Collectively contrasting both the origins of man physically and the very beginning of complex thought processes has been an incredible task, which is currently undetermined. The exact methods of the mind and of human character are both delicate and completely beyond true understanding. The only ways we as a race retain the ability to even attempt to comprehend such processes is through experimentation and elaboration via written text and visual arts. The process of human mental evolution, the evolution of character, is well demonstrated within the novel A Separate Peace authored by John Knowles. Knowles creates such an atmosphere as to carry you as the reader into the minds of the characters. The characters, in a like manner, attempt to delve into their own understanding and determine the whole of an immense complexity of emotions shared between themselves and the other characters. The use of this type of perception is furthered by the narrator's transformation from the very beginning to the very end, and the stories entire basis upon a flashback. The story itself takes place years before the narrator, named Gene, begins to speak of the incidents of which it is composed. This maturation of the young Gene mentioned in the story and the older adult Gene we meet at the very beginning allows us a sense of how Gene as a character evolved. Everybody has their own methods and their own "style" in a manner of speaking, of evolving both physically and mentally. Once you as the reader understand a character's method of evolution, it becomes much easier to understand that character's thinking pattern and any actions he or she may take further into the story. Before I dive headfirst into the presence of character, I want to mention the incredible use of descriptive and artistic wording to create a rather fantastic sense of setting. The ability of Knowles to create an overwhelming sense of being and imagination allows for the story itself to be played out in real time, visually within the reader's mind. Collated with the immense diversity of readers' imaginations, the story and the characters themselves always appear in the reader's own isolated vision of what is being represented on the page. A very unique and rather brilliant aspect of novels that is thoroughly and well presented in A Separate Peace. The Evolution of Character in John Knowles' A Separate Peace :: essays papers The Evolution of Character in John Knowles' A Separate Peace One of the most revered and utterly enigmatic topics present within humanity is the evolution of humankind itself. Collectively contrasting both the origins of man physically and the very beginning of complex thought processes has been an incredible task, which is currently undetermined. The exact methods of the mind and of human character are both delicate and completely beyond true understanding. The only ways we as a race retain the ability to even attempt to comprehend such processes is through experimentation and elaboration via written text and visual arts. The process of human mental evolution, the evolution of character, is well demonstrated within the novel A Separate Peace authored by John Knowles. Knowles creates such an atmosphere as to carry you as the reader into the minds of the characters. The characters, in a like manner, attempt to delve into their own understanding and determine the whole of an immense complexity of emotions shared between themselves and the other characters. The use of this type of perception is furthered by the narrator's transformation from the very beginning to the very end, and the stories entire basis upon a flashback. The story itself takes place years before the narrator, named Gene, begins to speak of the incidents of which it is composed. This maturation of the young Gene mentioned in the story and the older adult Gene we meet at the very beginning allows us a sense of how Gene as a character evolved. Everybody has their own methods and their own "style" in a manner of speaking, of evolving both physically and mentally. Once you as the reader understand a character's method of evolution, it becomes much easier to understand that character's thinking pattern and any actions he or she may take further into the story. Before I dive headfirst into the presence of character, I want to mention the incredible use of descriptive and artistic wording to create a rather fantastic sense of setting. The ability of Knowles to create an overwhelming sense of being and imagination allows for the story itself to be played out in real time, visually within the reader's mind. Collated with the immense diversity of readers' imaginations, the story and the characters themselves always appear in the reader's own isolated vision of what is being represented on the page. A very unique and rather brilliant aspect of novels that is thoroughly and well presented in A Separate Peace.