Questions on Psychology of Aging Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2250 words

Questions on Psychology of Aging - Essay Example The SOC theory "involves an orchestration of selection, optimization, and compensation." When an individual decides on the path or goal he wants to achieve, this process is called selection. "During ontogeny, there are several additional sources for selection: individuals and societies sample from a population of possibilities or opportunities (.), limited individual capacity in time and resources, incompatibility of goals and outcomes, and age-related changes. The activities he will do to hit the target is optimization. If the individual can no longer keep his goal he resorts in goal-relevant means to maintain success - this is compensation. An aging journalist who used to go on field for a daily beat applies the theory of SOC in continuously writing news stories (selection), he ensures that he meets with the right sources to beat his deadline and be able to deliver a good output (optimization), but old age hinders him from doing field work everyday, hence, he opted to have a bi-weekly column in a broadsheet to maintain his keenness and visibility in the world of news (compensation). 2. Schaie (1994) asked whether there are differences in life-course patterns for various intellectual abilities with age (i.e., whether different abilities show different trajectories with age). Briefly discuss the answer to this question based on his results (6 points). Also note when reliable decrements in intellectual ability are detectible (2 points) and what role cohort effects might play (2 points). Answer: In his study, K. Warner Schaie (1994), have shown that "there is no uniform pattern of age-related changes across all intellectual abilities, and that studies of an overall index of intellectual ability () do not suffice to monitor age changes and age differences in intellectual functioning for either individuals or groups." The uniqueness of human mind, as well as, cohort, and gender are among the factors that makes the non-uniform pattern of age-related changes in the IQ. The age of 60 is the usual retirement age in most countries. Schaie's study shows "decrements in most psychometric abilities" mostly occur at the age of 60 onwards. Regardless of the individual pathology or genetic factors, "reliable average decrement can be found for all psychometric abilities by age 74. Cohort, generation, or peers also affect an individual's intellectual ability. Although "() patterns of socialization unique to a given sex role is specific historical period may be a major determinant of the pattern of change in abilities." 3. Imagine that you are asked by congress to develop a nation-wide training program that would enhance older adults' cognitive functioning. Based on the results from the Schaie and Willis (1986) study, where they trained reasoning and spatial ability in older adults, would you tell congress that a training program would work (5 points) Why or why not (5 points) Answer: I would be very glad to recommend to the Congress a training program to enhance adults' cognitive functioning. Based on Schaie and Willis (1986) study, "inductive reasoning training help improve everyday problem solving ability, particularly for older adults in their late 70s or early 80s. In the present time where a lot of concerns arise, that even a primary pupil encounter various perplexing matters (classroom and family politics), a cognitive training would be of help. It will boost the future, as well as the present generation's

Types of Behaviors Essay Example for Free

Types of Behaviors Essay Description: In this assignment, you will apply the principles of classical and operant conditioning, as well as the notions derived from cognitive explanations of learning. You will write a paper on one of two types of behaviors that can be readily explained from a learning perspective. Using a Microsoft Word document, write a 500- to 750-word paper that explains the development of one of the following behaviors. (Be sure to specify the behavior you are discussing in your paper.) *Fear-driven reactions to insects *Cigarette smoking *Aggression For the chosen behavior, use the models of learning to explain how the behavior may develop and be maintained, so that it seems to occur automatically. Learning is the only perspective considered so do not attempt to use other explanations (i.e., the psychodynamic or biological approach) in your answer. When preparing your paper, consider the following questions: * How might classical conditioning principles apply to the origins of the behavior and maintenance of it? Clearly indicate what the unconditioned and conditioned stimuli are in your answer. * How might the principles of reinforcement discussed in operant conditioning apply to the behavior? Don’t forget that reinforcement can be either positive or negative in nature. * How do cognitive principles apply to the behavior? Specifically consider Albert Bandura`s ideas regarding imitational learning. Your paper should be well-written, original, free of grammar and spelling errors, and follow APA format.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Behavior can be defined as the sum total of all the actions and reactions performed by an individual in a given circumstance or situation in the environment.   Aggression is a behavior intended to cause harm or pain to others or the self.   It may be in the form a physical action or verbal.   The models of learning attempt to describe the manner in which an individual learns a particular behavior.   Some of the models of learning through which an individual develops aggressive behavior include classical conditioning, operant conditioning and social learning theory.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Classical conditioning was a model of learning defined by Pavlov following his studies on dogs.   Pavlov found that when dogs were shown food their salivation increased (Braslau-Schneck, S., 1998).   Food in this case was an unconditioned stimulus that produced an unconditioned response (salivation) (Braslau-Schneck, S., 1998).   He then repeatedly presented a stimulus to the dogs which was slowly associated with food (such as footsteps).   Slowly the dogs began to associate the footsteps (which after constant repetition became a conditioned stimulus) and began to produce a conditioned response (salivation). In this way several other emotions such as fear and aggression can be conditioned in an individual (Braslau-Schneck, S., 1998).   In the famous JB Watson’s experiment over little Albert, Watson initially presented a loud sound (unconditioned stimulus) that made the body frightened and cry (unconditioned response) due to fear.   He then presented two stimuli simultaneously, that is a rat and a loud sound.   Over a period of time the boy began to associate the rat with the loud sound.   The rat with repetition became a conditioned reflex producing a conditioned response (symptoms of fear). A good instance of this with relevance to aggression includes presentation of an artificial hand that snatches away the food whilst a hungry dog is eating.   The dog would exhibit an aggressive reflex (such as barking which is an unconditioned response) to the artificial hand (unconditioned stimulus).   The dog is then presented a high-frequency sound (audible only to dogs followed) by the appearance of the hand.   Following repetitions, the dog would bark (conditioned response) after it hears the high-frequency sound (conditioned stimulus), and would not wait until it is presented with the unconditioned stimulus.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   According to Skinner’s operant theory, the individual when performing an action in the environment, experiences a stimulus (that encourages or discourages such behavior) which will directly affect the performance of such actions again in the environment.   It consists of a action and the results.   If positive reinforcement occurs following the action, the individual will perform the similar action again in the environment, and will also increase its frequency (Boeree, G. C., 1998).    However, if the action is followed by an aversive stimulus or negative reinforcement, there will be reduced chances of performing the same behavior in the future.   A good example of aversive stimuli is punishment, which can follow several aggressive acts.   Rigorous imprisonment can be pronounced for several criminal activities so that it can act as a negative reinforcement.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Albert Bandura discovered the ‘social learning theory of behavior’ (Isom, M. D., 1998).   He considered that aggressive behavior is usually learned through a process known as ‘behavior modeling’, which can occur in different ways (especially by observing elders perform in case of children) (Isom, M. D., 1998).   A child may become aggressive and certain reinforcements may be experienced such as financial gains, rewards, praises from parents, reduction in internal stress, etc.   Parents and family members were often considered as models by the children, and acts performed by them were likely to be imitated.   The child will only perform the action of its model if the model was successful or is rewarded.    A classical experiment to demonstrate the social learning theory is the famous Bobo doll experiments in which the children observed elders attacking a doll, and later imitated the action of the elders.   This type of observational learning was known as ‘modeling’.   Children who have a tendency to demonstrate aggressive behavior should be identified immediately in order to prevent aggressive behavior and criminal activity, later in life (Isom, M. D., 1998). Bandura’s theory was comparable to Skinner’s theory because observational learning (as the child would learn only the actions that were successful or were being rewarded) is similar to a positive reinforcement.   An individual is most likely to learn criminal behavior during the adolescent stage.   Children tend to follow the actions of the same sex parents (Bjorkqvist, K., 1997).   Studies have shown that children who tend to watch TV (especially those programs that show violence) are at a higher risk of demonstrating aggressive behavior later in life. References: Bjorkqvist, K. (1997). Learning aggression from Models: from a social Learning toward a Cognitive theory of Modeling. In Feshbach, S., Zagrodzka, J. (Ed), Aggression: Biological, Developmental, and Social Perspectives, New York: Plenum Press. http://www.vasa.abo.fi/svf/up/articles/Learning_Aggression_From_Models.PDF Boeree, G. C. (1998). Albert Bandura: Personality Theory. Retrieved December 26, 2006, From Shippensburg University Web site: http://www.ship.edu/~cgboeree/bandura.html Boeree, G. C. (1998). B. F. Skinner: Personality Theory. Retrieved December 26, 2006, From Shippensburg University Web site: http://www.ship.edu/%7Ecgboeree/skinner.html    Braslau-Schneck, S. (1998). An Animal Trainers Introduction to Operant and Classical Conditioning. Retrieved December 26, 2006, Stacys Wag and Train   Web site: http://www.wagntrain.com/OC/ Isom, M. D. (1998).   The Social Learning Theory. Retrieved December 26, 2006, FSU College of Criminology and Criminal Justice Web site: http://www.criminology.fsu.edu/crimtheory/bandura.htm

Liberty Defined Essay -- Slavery

Liberty, can be defined as freedom from control, captivity, or restraint; where all are equal and have the ability to do whatever is in their will, that none can be hindered by race, class or sex. While freedom is mostly brought within the ideas of slavery, as is within the contexts of Olaudah Equiano and Phillis Wheatley's works, it can also be that of women from their husbands and places in life, as with Mary Astell's work. Equiano has a firsthand account on the effects of slavery and the necessity of freedom. While describing a childhood that was ended quickly by being snatched and placed into slavery, his story is a reflection of one within many stories that are no doubt similar in fashion. The most memorable, and possibly disturbing narration involves his experiences within the slave ship. "One day, when we had a smooth sea, and a moderate wind, two of my wearied countrymen, who were chained together (I was near them at the time), preferring death to such a life of misery, somehow made through the nettings, and jumped into the sea: immediately another quite dejected fellow, who, on account of his illness, was suffered to be out of irons, also followed their example; and I believe many more would soon have done the same, if they had not been prevented by the ship’s crew, who were instantly alarmed. Those of us that were the most active were, in a moment, put down under the deck; and there was such a noise and confusion amongst the people of the ship as I never heard before, to stop her, and get the boat to go out after the slaves. However, two of the wretches were drowned, but they got the other, and afterwards flogged him unmercifully, for thus attempting to prefer death to slavery." (Equiano 749) It is almost unbeliev... ... and unsubstantiated. Works Cited Astell, Mary. "A Serious Proposal To The Ladies." The Broadview Anthology of British Literature: The Restoration And The Eighteen Century. Joseph Black [et all]. Peterborough, Ontario: Broadview Press, 2006. Print. Pages 291-296. Astell, Mary. "A Reflections Upon Marriage." The Broadview Anthology of British Literature: The Restoration And The Eighteen Century. Joseph Black [et all]. Peterborough, Ontario: Broadview Press, 2006. Print. Pages 297-301. Equiano, Olaudah. "Olaudah Equiano." Handout. Print. Equiano, Olaudah. "Interesting Narrative Of The Life Of Olaudah Equiano." The Broadview Anthology of British Literature: The Restoration And The Eighteen Century. Joseph Black [et all]. Peterborough, Ontario: Broadview Press, 2006. Print. Pages 743-750. Wheatley, Phillis. "Poems On Various Subjects." Handout. Print.

Smartphone Competition

Sizable market: Nowadays, more and more people tend to spend more time on telephone, from exhibit 1 we can see that each person almost spend 14 minutes on smart phones for playing games (Shane Richmond, 2012). What is more, 33% of people are playing games via smart phone and 25% people are playing games via handled devices (esa, 2012). These data indicates that more people prefer to play games on smart phones than other devices, and people are willing to spend more time on smart phones to play games.Especially, from the survey we can know that all respondents they hold smart phones, which means this market is extremely sizable based on the large users. What is more, Phantom Company is small company, which means that they do not have enough funds to create games on diverse devices, and they do not have sufficient resources and experts to create games on diverse devices. Therefore, smartphones can be the proper platform for Phantom Company to create games. Opportunistic market: Further more, if the company can focus on creating games on smart phones in Canada, the market size will be attractive.That’s because there are 10. 5 million smart phone users in Canada, the number of users may increase to 16. 4 million by 2016 (Innovation Report 2012 Trend Watch, 2012), and 60% of smart phone adults users prefer using cell phones to play games, which means that all of these user can be the potential target customers for Phantom Company. Especially, all of them are adults, they have purchasing power for the game apps, if the company can attract these people, and they can have lucrative market in the smart phone game industry. Profitable market:Based on the survey we can see that most respondents are willing to pay more money on quality games, especially most of them has purchasing power, therefore, as long as the games are attractive for these people, this smart phone market can be profitable. Competition: The smart phone game market is good news for customers, becau se it creats convenience, flexibility, and more entertainments for life. However, the fierce competition will put pressures on companies. Firstly, which brand Phantom should launch their phones. There are divers brands of phones in the arket, these brands possess diverse kinds of games on their phones, for example, Samsung Electronics, LG Electronics, HTC, Apple, Motorola, and RIM. The highest market share smartphone is Samsung, which is 26. 0%, and LG’s is 17. 7%, Apple occupy 17. 5%, Motorola is 10. 9% and HTC is 6. 2%( Eric Abent, 2012). This fact shows that Phantom should choose carefully for which brand to launch their games in order to game more people to play and have profitable market in the future. Secondly, the video game competition in Canada is fierce. There are currently 348 video game companies operating in Canada.The average Canadian Video Game Company employs 45 people, and there are more game companies in Ontario than other provinces, which mean that all of t hese companies are Phantoms’ direct competitors (Matt Hartley, 2011). Especially, there are lots of famous companies in Montreal, which means it will be tough for Phantom to compete with these mature video companies based on its scarcity of expert resources and innovation capabilities, and brand recognitions. Competitions during the industry: There are diverse competitors in the video game industry in Canada.There are three famous video game companies, where were listed top 10 video game companies in 2012. These companies are Toronto’s XMG Studio, Montreal’s Gamerizon, and Toronto’s Capybara Games (Knowlton Thomas, 2012). These companies are well-known companies that lead to high reliability and loyalty in the market. What is more, famous and big companies posse sufficient expert sources and innovation capabilities, which are the key successful factors for the video game companies. Especially, these companies have sophisticated experiences on developing m obile games in the past.Subsequently, these company posse diverse advantages, which Phantom needs and lacks. In addition, more and small companies are established these days in Canada, they are also competing with Phantom now. They may have similar capabilities with Phantom, or they may have more funds than Phantom to develop more innovative games than Phantom. These companies also threaten to Phantom’s future. Appendixes: Exhibit 1: Source: Shane Richmond, 2012 http://www. telegraph. co. uk/technology/mobile-phones/9365085/Smartphones-hardly-used-for-calls. html References Shane Richmond, June 29, 2012.Smartphones hardly used for calls. Retrieve on November 8, 2012 from: http://www. telegraph. co. uk/technology/mobile-phones/9365085/Smartphones-hardly-used-for-calls. html esa, 2012. Game player data. Retrieve on November 8, 2012 from: http://www. theesa. com/facts/gameplayer. asp Innovation Report 2012 Trend Watch, August 2012. Retrieve on November 18, 2012 from: http://www. newmediatrendwatch. com/markets-by-country/11-long-haul/45-canada? start=2 Eric Abent, November 2012. Comscore deliver mobile market share report for September 2012. Retrieve on November 8, 2012 from: http://androidcommunity. om/comscore-delivers-mobile-market-share-report-for-september-2012-20121102/ Matt Hartley, May, 2011. Canada’s gaming industry is kicking  butt. Retrieve on November 18, 2012 from: http://business. financialpost. com/2011/05/30/canadas-home-grown-video-game-industry-shines-on-international-stage/ Knowlton Thomas, March 30, 2012. Three Canadian Companies Named in Worldwide List of Top 10 Mobile Game Developers to Watch in 2012. Retrieve on November 18, 2012 from: http://www. techvibes. com/blog/three-canadian-companies-named-in-worldwide-list-of-top-10-mobile-game-developers-to-watch-in-2012-2012-03-01

Incremental Analysis Essay

Incremental in comprehensive analyses both serve similar purposes in decision making in the workplace. The argument is that incremental is more economical than and just as effective as comprehensive analyses. Since both are used to make important decisions within a company, which one will serve the best purpose while still being justifiable and cost effective to complete? Both will complete the same task, but one will do it better and we will be explaining why incremental analyses are the better ones to use. Incremental Analysis Incremental analysis is important and standardized approach to determine various business decisions concerning cost and revenue. This tool is very crucial and time saving; it leads in a systematic way to identify the probable effects of decisions on future earnings in order to make better decisions concerning the profitability of the company. Management utilizes incremental analysis to identify relevant information related to costs and revenues associated and impacted by the decision; this information is further compared to make the most profitable decision. Examples of decisions best made through incremental analysis include – whether to accept an order at special price, make-or-buy, sell or process further, retain or replace equipment, eliminate an unprofitable segment decision and allocate limited resources, and decisions (Kimmel et.al, 2011). Comprehensive Analysis Comprehensive analysis is the financial term used for evaluating every financial detail of the entire operation in a company. The purpose of conducting comprehensive analysis is to determine a company’s present financial position as well as its expected financial standing in the future. In conducting comprehensive analysis, both current and historical fiscal reports must be collected to analyze the status of the company’s investments. These reports are also needed to calculate the financial ratios of different companies. Determining the financial ratios is the next step when conducting comprehensive analysis as these ratios will determine the company’s performance and its effectiveness. The ratios will give a snap shot of the company’s overall financial condition, strengths and weaknesses of its financial activities which will help creditors and investors decide  whether company is worth investing in. And finally, compare the company’s ratio, to the ratio of another organization with similar production processes to determine if the company will succeed or needs enhancement. Disagree/ or Agree According to our research we have come to an agreement that Incremental Analysis is the best decision and focus tool that we have. The reasoning is because it reveals faster results and cost less. Another two are when reports are shown and analysis are done it reveals the same results. It also focus on a specific subject or topic. Incremental analysis also pulls reports and help management make decisions whether to accept orders, to make a product or purchase, sell and process products furthers, or even the retaining and replacement of equipment that are used by the business. References JIm, B., & Hughes, M.C. (2014, April). What is comprehensive analysis. Wise Geek, (). Retrieved from http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-comprehensive-analysis.htm Virtual Advisors Inc. (2011) Analyzing your financial ratios retrieved from http://www.bbt.com/bbtdotcom/business/small-business-resource-center/growing-a-business/financial-ratios.page

Hardings Death and Postâ€mortem Legacy †Government (300 Level Course)

Hardings Death and Post–mortem Legacy – Government (300 Level Course) Free Online Research Papers Harding’s Death and Post–mortem Legacy Government (300 Level Course) Warren Gamaliel Harding was elected as the twenty-ninth president of the United States of America on March 4, 1921. Simply put by author H. L. Mencken, â€Å"no other such a complete and dreadful nitwit is to be found in the pages of American history.† It is been common understanding that the man that was our president for a little over two years was a prime example of incompetence yet feeble good nature. Having a way with words, Harding coined the phrase â€Å"normalcy† which was an error on the word normality, and little else, the time Harding spent in office was largely unsuccessful and notably full of corruption. Therefore his death is a question for debate. Some scholars feel that president Harding died of natural causes. Others feel that perhaps there was more too it than that, that maybe his death was aided. There are two sides of this story and definite reasons supporting each theory. So just what did happen to our president nearly a century ago? During the summer of 1923, in the middle of his term as president and an oncoming scandal within his administration, Warren Harding decided to set out on a speaking tour. The tour took him all the way from Washington D.C. to Alaska. While in Alaska, he was the first American president to travel there, he took on a lot of heat about the ways and means that Albert Fall his secretary of the Interior was handling things. Just before leaving he received a long, coded message from Washington that clearly upset him, so much so that he appeared near collapse for some three days. On the journey back, he met with then commerce secretary Herbert Hoover and told him that a great controversy was brewing within the administration. He asked Hoover if he should cover it up or expose it to the public. Hoover felt that exposing it would â€Å"at least gain integrity for Harding.† After reaching San Francisco, Harding was worn out both in mind and body and was resting comfortably in the Palace Hotel with his wife Flossie. On the evening of August 2, 1923, as his wife sat next to him reading aloud, Harding twitched, shook, and with mouth agape, fell lifeless to his side. His family had a history of heart failure so the doctors simply concluded that he died of a stroke. His wife fervently refused permission for an autopsy. Here is where the debate begins. Many authors, biographers, and historians leave the death of Harding at that. These are the people who are afraid to make waves in the water and who back away when the questions are being asked. These people believe that the president who was only fifty-seven years of age and in good health would be so stricken by grief in a mere three days that it would lead to his sudden death. While not improbable, there may be merit elsewhere. Robert Murray writes that while traveling to San Francisco, Harding suffered a cardiac malfunction that was later diagnosed as a mild heart attack, which was treated to accordingly. As the president rested, he was apparently responding well to both bed rest and medication. Yet suddenly three days later the end came. But this version of Harding’s death does not coincide with all of the other explanations of his death. Others omit this early diagnosis of a heart attack altogether. Could there be another side of the story? The other explanation for the death of Warren Harding, while inconclusive yet plausible, was that he was not killed, but assisted in death. Some contemporary scholars feel that his wife with the aid and knowledge of his physician, Charles â€Å"Doc† Sawyer, in fact perpetrated this. This theory is based on the assumption that Flossie Harding had poisoned her husband to spare him from public disgrace. While the country was grieving the loss of their leader, which proved to be a severe loss at the time, no one was going to try and blame the president’s wife for his death. Yet Flossie had refused permission for an autopsy to be performed, so the charge could never be disproved. What would be the possible motivation for this theory? It proved to be two fold. First, Harding’s death did in fact help him to immediately avoid being tarnished by the looming scandal. Second, and most importantly, his death was a godsend for the Republican Party. It allowed the part y to pass of culpability for all of the scandals, including Teapot Dome onto the dead president and all of his associates. However this forever buried Harding and his reputation. Albert Fall was sentenced to prison time along with trials of Edwin Denby and Harry Daugherty, both of whom narrowly escaped jail time but only further buried their former friend and boss in the muck, even after his death. In conclusion, while the truth surrounding Warren Harding’s death may never be told, there are simply too many details and inconsistencies to not at least question foul play in his â€Å"natural death.† While it is possible that Harding did die from natural causes, his legacy and political usefulness posthumously weave an intricate tale that may lead some to believe that his death was planned and carried out. Warren Harding was a hard worker who had worked his way up from a small time printer to a legislator to the president of the United States. Still he was not the first choice for the Republican Party in 1920 and it soon appeared that he may have been in over his head. Sometimes arguably labeled unfairly as a â€Å"bad president† because of a short uneventful tenure in office and a variety of scandals surrounding him, he was in no way a great president. It could be said for Harding that he was just there, nothing more and nothing less. Whatever his lega cy while living may have been, it is clear today that Warren Harding was much more useful in death than he ever was in the office of the president. Unfortunately in life there needs to be a scapegoat, someone that blame can be pinned upon. Perhaps if one looked closely they could see the dishonest â€Å"friends of Harding† pinning their remaining guilt to his chest as his casket was being closed. Burying the controversy with the man that trusted them. Research Papers on Harding’s Death and Post–mortem Legacy - Government (300 Level Course)Arguments for Physician-Assisted Suicide (PAS)The Masque of the Red Death Room meaningsMind TravelBook Review on The Autobiography of Malcolm XHip-Hop is ArtCapital PunishmentBringing Democracy to AfricaNever Been Kicked Out of a Place This NiceQuebec and CanadaThe Effects of Illegal Immigration

American Presidents Who Owned Slaves

American Presidents Who Owned Slaves American presidents have a complicated history with slavery. Four of the first five presidents owned slaves while serving as president. Of the next five presidents, two owned slaves while president and two had owned slaves earlier in life. As late as 1850 an American president was the owner of a large number of slaves while serving in office. This is a look at the presidents who owned slaves. But first, its easy to dispense with the two early presidents who did not own slaves, an illustrious father and son from Massachusetts: The Early Exceptions John Adams:  The second president did not approve of slavery and never owned slaves. He and his wife Abigail were offended when the federal government moved to the new city of Washington and slaves were constructing  public buildings, including their new residence, the Executive Mansion (which we now call the White House). John Quincy Adams:  The son of the second president was a lifelong opponent of slavery. Following his single term as president in the 1820s he served in the House of Representatives, where he was often a vocal advocate for the end of slavery. For years Adams battled against the gag rule, which prevented any discussion of slavery on the floor of the House of Representatives. The Early Virginians Four of the first five presidents were products of a Virginia society in which slavery was a part of everyday life and a major component of the economy. So while Washington, Jefferson, Madison, and Monroe were all considered patriots who valued liberty, they all took slavery for granted. George Washington: The first president owned slaves for most of his life, beginning at the age of 11 when he inherited ten enslaved farm workers upon the death of his father. During his adult life at Mount Vernon, Washington relied on a varied workforce of enslaved people. In 1774, the number of slaves at Mount Vernon stood at 119. In 1786, after the Revolutionary War, but before Washingtons two terms as president, there were more than 200 slaves on the plantation, including a number of children. In 1799, following Washingtons tenure as president, there were 317 slaves living and working at Mount Vernon. The changes in slave population are partly due to Washingtons wife, Martha, inheriting slaves. But there are also reports that Washington purchased slaves during that period. For most of Washingtons eight years in office the federal government was based in  Philadelphia. To skirt a Pennsylvania law that would grant a slave freedom if he or she lived within the state for six months, Washington shuttled slaves back and forth to Mount Vernon. When Washington died his slaves were freed according to a provision in his will. However, that did not end slavery at Mount Vernon. His wife owned a number of slaves, which she did not free for another two years. And when Washingtons nephew, Bushrod Washington, inherited Mount Vernon, a new population of slaves lived and worked on the plantation. Thomas Jefferson: It has been calculated  that Jefferson owned more than 600 slaves over the course of his life. At his estate, Monticello, there would have usually been an enslaved population of about 100 people. The estate was kept running by slave gardeners, coopers, nail makers, and even cooks who had been trained to prepare French cuisine prized by Jefferson. It was widely rumored that Jefferson  had a longtime affair with Sally Hemings, a slave who was the half-sister of Jeffersons late wife. James Madison:  The fourth president was born to a slave-owning family in Virginia. He owned slaves throughout his life. One of his slaves, Paul Jennings, lived in the White House as one of Madisons servants while a teenager. Jennings holds an interesting distinction:  a small book he published decades later is considered the first memoir of life in the White House. And, of course, it could also be considered a slave narrative. In A Colored Mans Reminiscences of James Madison, published in 1865, Jennings described Madison in complimentary terms. Jennings provided details about the episode in which objects from the White House, including the famous portrait of George Washington that hangs in the East Room, were taken from the mansion before the British burned it in August 1814. According to Jennings, the works of securing valuables was mostly done by the slaves, not by Dolley Madison. James Monroe:  Growing up on a Virginia tobacco farm, James Monroe would have been surrounded by slaves who worked the land. He inherited a slave named Ralph from his father, and as an adult, at his own farm, Highland, he owned about 30 slaves. Monroe thought colonization, the resettlement of slaves outside the United States, would be the eventual solution to the issue of slavery. He believed in the mission of  the American Colonization Society, which was formed just before Monroe took office. The capitol of Liberia, which was founded by American slaves who settled in Africa, was named Monrovia in honor of Monroe. The Jacksonian Era Andrew Jackson:  During the four years John Quincy Adams lived in the White House, there were no slaves living on the property. That changed when Andrew Jackson, from Tennessee, took office in March 1829.   Jackson harbored  no qualms about slavery. His business pursuits in the 1790s and early 1800s included slave trading, a point later raised by opponents during his political campaigns of the 1820s. Jackson first bought a slave in 1788, while a young lawyer and land speculator. He continued trading slaves, and a considerable part of his fortune would have been his ownership of human property. When he bought his plantation, The Hermitage, in 1804, he brought nine slaves with him. By the time he became president, the slave population, through purchase and reproduction, had grown to about 100. Taking up residence in the Executive Mansion (as the White House was known at the time), Jackson brought household slaves from The Hermitage, his estate in Tennessee.   After his two terms in office, Jackson returned to The Hermitage, where he continued to own a large population of slaves. At the time of his death Jackson owned approximately 150 slaves. Martin Van Buren:  As a New Yorker, Van Buren seems an unlikely slave owner. And, he eventually ran on the ticket of the Free-Soil Party, a political party of the late 1840s opposed to the spread of slavery. Yet slavery had been legal in New York when Van Buren was growing up, and his father owned a small number of slaves. As an adult, Van Buren owned one slave, who escaped. Van Buren seems to have made no effort to locate him. When he was finally discovered after ten years and Van Buren was notified, he allowed him to remain free. William Henry Harrison:  Though he campaigned in 1840 as a frontier character who lived in a log cabin, William Henry Harrison was born at Berkeley Plantation in Virginia. His ancestral home had been worked by slaves for generations, and Harrison would have grown up in considerable luxury which was supported by slave labor. He inherited slaves from his father, but owing to his particular circumstances, he did not own slaves for most of his life. As a young son of the family, he  would not inherit the familys land. So Harrison had to find a career, and eventually settled on the military. As military governor of Indiana, Harrison sought to make slavery legal in the territory, but that was opposed by the Jefferson administration. William Henry Harrisons slave-owning was decades behind him by the time he was elected president. And as he died in the White House a month after moving in, he had no impact on the issue of slavery during his very brief term in office. John Tyler:  The man who became president upon Harrisons death was a Virginian who had grown up in a society accustomed to slavery, and who owned slaves while president. Tyler was representative of the paradox, or hypocrisy, of someone who claimed that slavery was evil while actively perpetuating it. During his time as president he owned about 70 slaves who worked on his estate in Virginia. Tylers one term in office was rocky and ended in 1845. Fifteen years later, he participated in efforts to avoid the Civil War by reaching some sort of compromise which would have allowed slavery to continue. After the war began he was elected to the legislature of the Confederate States of America, but he died before he took his seat. Tyler has an unique distinction in American history: As he was actively involved in the rebellion of the slave states when he died, he is the only American president whose death was not observed with official mourning in the nations capital. James K. Polk:  The man whose 1844 nomination as a dark horse candidate surprised even himself was a slave owner from Tennessee. On his estate, Polk owned about 25 slaves. He was seen as being tolerant of slavery, yet not fanatical about the issue (unlike politicians of the day such as South Carolinas John C. Calhoun). That helped Polk secure the Democratic nomination at a time when discord over slavery was beginning to have a major impact on American politics. Polk did not live long after leaving office, and he still owned slaves at the time of his death. His slaves were to be freed when his wife died, though events, specifically the Civil War and the Thirteenth Amendment, interceded to free them long before his wifes death decades later. Zachary Taylor:  The last president to own slaves while in office was a career soldier who had become a national hero in the Mexican War. Zachary Taylor also was a wealthy landowner and he possessed about 150 slaves. As the issue of slavery was beginning to split the nation, he found himself straddling the position of owning a large number of slaves while also seeming to lean against the spread of slavery. The Compromise of 1850, which essentially delayed the Civil War for a decade, was worked out on Capitol Hill while Taylor was president. But he died in office in July 1850, and the legislation really took effect during the term of his successor, Millard Fillmore (a New Yorker who had never owned slaves). After Fillmore, the next president was Franklin Pierce, who had grown up in New England and had no history of slave ownership. Following Pierce, James Buchanan, a Pennsylvanian, is believed to have purchased slaves whom he set free and employed as servants. Abraham Lincolns successor, Andrew Johnson, had owned slaves during his earlier life in Tennessee. But, of course, slavery became officially illegal during his term of office with the ratification of the 13th Amendment. The president who followed Johnson, Ulysses S. Grant, had, of course, been a hero of the Civil War. And Grants advancing armies had freed a vast number of slaves during the final years of the war. Yet Grant, in the 1850s, had owned a slave. In the late 1850s, Grant lived with his family at White Haven, a Missouri farm which belonged to his wifes family, the Dents. The family had owned slaves who worked on the farm, and in the 1850s about 18 slaves were living on the farm. After leaving the Army, Grant managed the farm.  And he acquired one slave, William Jones, from his father in law (there are conflicting accounts about how that came to happen). In 1859 Grant freed Jones.

Steve Bannon Bio - Media and Political Careers

Steve Bannon Bio - Media and Political Careers Steve Bannon is an American political strategist and  the primary architect of Donald Trumps successful campaign for president in 2016. He is  a former executive  at the controversial  Breitbart News Network, which he once described as a  platform for the alt-right,  a loosely connected group of young, disaffected Republicans and white nationalists  who rose to prominence on Trumps coattails.   Bannon is one of the most polarizing figures in modern American politics and has been accused of allowing Breitbart and the Trump administration to bring racist and anti-Semitic views into the mainstream. Bannon essentially has established himself as the chief curator for the alt right. Under his stewardship, Breitbart has emerged as the leading source for the extreme views of a vocal minority who peddle bigotry and promote hate, states the Anti-Defamation League, which works to defend Jewish people and stop anti-Semitism. Breitbart, however, has dismissed the alt-right, calling it a fringe element and a bunch  of losers. â€Å"These guys are a collection of clowns,† he said in 2017. Bannon has described himself as a strong American nationalist. Executive at Breitbart News Bannon took over Breitbart News when its founder, Andrew Breitbart, died in 2012. He routinely promoted stories designed to alarm readers about illegal immigration and Shariah Law. â€Å"We’re the  platform for the alt-right,† Bannon told a reporter for Mother Jones in 2016. Bannon left Breitbart and worked for Trump for a year; he returned to Breitbart in August 2017 and served as the news networks executive chairman until January 2018. He resigned after igniting a firestorm with the Trump family by calling   Donald Trump Jr. â€Å"treasonous† and â€Å"unpatriotic† for meeting   with a Russian lawyer who claimed to have dirt on Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton in the 2016 election campaign. Strategist in Donald Trumps 2016 Presidential Campaign Bannon was brought on as the chief executive officer of Trumps presidential campaign.in a major shakeup just months before the 2016 election. He left his job at Breitbart News but  was believed to have used website popular with alt-right as a way of inciting its extreme-right audience and rallying them behind the Trump campaign. â€Å"If you look at Stephen Bannon and what they’ve built at Breitbart, it’s win at all cost, and I really think that makes people on the left very afraid because they are willing to say and do things that others in the mainstream media wouldn’t do,† former Trump campaign manager Corey Lewandowski said at the time. Top Adviser in Donald Trump White House Bannon is largely responsible for Trumps resistance to compromise on immigration issues such as the proposed wall along the United States border with Mexico. Bannon believed compromise would not help the president gain ground with detractors, and only soften his support among Trumps base. Bannon felt the only way Trump could expand his support among Americans was to hold onto his rigid ideological beliefs. Bannons chief policy concern was what he called the United States economic war with China and a belief that, as he put it, globalists gutted the American working class and created a middle class in Asia. Bannon, in perhaps the clearest statements on his anti-globalist crusade,  told The American Prospects Robert Kuttner: â€Å"We’re at economic war with China. It’s in all their literature. They’re not shy about saying what they’re doing. One of us is going to be a hegemon in 25 or 30 years and it’s gonna be them if we go down this path. On Korea, they’re just tapping us along. It’s just a sideshow. ... To me, the economic war with China is everything. And we have to be maniacally focused on that. If we continue to lose it, were five years away, I think, ten years at the most, of hitting an inflection  point from which well never be able to recover. ...  We’ve come to the conclusion that they’re in an economic war and they’re crushing us.† Bannon is also quoted as saying about his agenda: Like Andrew Jacksons populism, were going to build an entirely new political movement. Its everything related to jobs. The conservatives are going to go crazy. Im the guy pushing a trillion-dollar infrastructure plan. With negative interest rates throughout the world, its the greatest opportunity to rebuild everything. Ship yards, iron works, get them all jacked up. Were just going to throw it up against the wall and see if it sticks. It will be as exciting as the 1930s, greater than the Reagan revolution - conservatives, plus populists, in an economic nationalist movement. Bannon was forced out of the job in August 2017 following Trumps botched response to a white nationalist rally in Charlottesville, Virginia, that turned violent, killing one counter protester. The president was widely criticized for his response, in which he claimed both sides were to blame for violence. Bannon had also made disparaging remarks about some members of the Trump White House to journalists, which hastened his exit. Bannons exit, however, also came amid reports that he had clashed with Jared Kushner, Trumps son-in-law and senior White House adviser, as well as other key members of the presidents leadership team. Banking Career Perhaps the least known aspect of Bannons career is the time he spent in banking. Bannon began his Wall Street career in 1985 in mergers and acquisitions with Goldman Sachs and was promoted to Vice President about three years later. Bannon told the Chicago Tribune in a March 2017 profile that his first three years at Goldman Sachs was to respond to a boom in hostile takeovers. Goldman Sachs took the side of companies under attack from corporate raiders and leveraged buyout firms. Bannon had to come up with strategies to protect companies from unwanted suitors. He broke with the mega-firm in 1990 to launch his own  investment bank,  Bannon Co., which invested primarily in movies and other intellectual property. Military Career Bannon served seven years in the U.S. Navy, enlisting in the Reserve in 1976 and leaving in 1983 as an officer. He served two deployments at sea and then served three years at the Pentagon working on Navy budgets. His fellow officers saw him as something of an investment  sensei, according  to a Washington Post profile of Bannons military service. Bannon was known to scour The Wall Street Journal for investments and often advised his fellow shipmates, the newspaper reported.   Filmmaker Bannon is listed as being the producer of 18 ideologically driven documentaries. They are: The Last 600 Meters, about the two biggest battles of the Iraq war, in Najaf and Fallujah   Torchbearer, about Duck Dynasty star  Phil RobertsonClinton Cash, an expose on the Clinton FoundationRickover: The Birth of Nuclear Power, a profile of  Admiral Hyman G. RickoverSweetwater, a drama about a blood triangle on the rugged plains of the New Mexico TerritoryDistrict of Corruption, about government secrecy in Washington, D.C.The Hope the ChangeThe Undefeated, a profile of Sarah PalinBattle for America, a political documentary about Constitutional conservativesFire from the Heartland, a documentary about women conservativesGeneration Zero, about the economic crisis of 2008The Steam Experiment, thriller about global warming and the mediaTradition Never Graduates: A Season Inside Notre Dame FootballBorder War: The Battle Over Illegal ImmigrationCochise County USA: Cries from the Border, a documentary about illegal immigrationIn the Face of Evil: Reagans War in Word and DeedTitus, a historical thriller The Indian Runner, a drama about a Vietnam veteran featuring Sean Penn Controversies One of the biggest controversies to erupt in the Trump presidency was his use of an executive order  in January 2017 to authorize Bannon  to serve on the National Security Councils principals committee. The committee is made up of the secretaries of the departments of State and Defense, the director of Central Intelligence, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the chief of staff to the president and the national security adviser.   The appointment of Bannon, a political strategist, to a panel responsible for ensuring national security caught many Washington insiders by surprise. â€Å"The last place you want to put somebody who worries about politics is in a room where they’re talking about national security,† former Defense Secretary and CIA Director Leon E. Panetta told  The New York Times. Bannon was removed from the National Security Council in April 2017, less than three months later. The controversy that led to Bannon estrangement from the Trumps, though, was his accusation that Donald Trump Jrs meeting with a Russian lawyer was treasonous.   â€Å"The three senior guys in the campaign thought it was a good idea to meet with a foreign government inside Trump Tower in the conference room on the 25th floor – with no lawyers. They didn’t have any lawyers, Bannon is quoted as saying.  Ã¢â‚¬Å"Even if you thought that this was not treasonous, or unpatriotic, or bad [expletive], and I happen to think it’s all of that, you should have called the FBI immediately.† Bannon made the remarks to journalist  Michael Wolff, who published them in the 2018 blockbuster book  Fire and Fury: Inside the Trump White  House. Breitbart was largely silent on Bannons departure; it issued a prepared statement from CEO  Larry Solov stating: â€Å"Steve is a valued part of our legacy, and we will always be grateful for his contributions, and what he has helped us to accomplish.† Bannon later apologized for his remarks about the president and his son. â€Å"Donald Trump, Jr. is both a patriot and a good man. He has been relentless in his advocacy for his father and the agenda that has helped turn our country around. My support is also unwavering for the president and his agenda - as I have shown daily in my national radio broadcasts, on the pages of Breitbart News and in speeches and appearances from Tokyo and Hong Kong to Arizona and Alabama,† Bannon said in January 2018. Education Heres a quick look at Bannons educational background. Class of 1972 at Benedictine High School, a Roman Catholic military school in Richmond, Virginia.Bachelors degree in urban affairs in 1976 from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, where he was elected Student Government Association president in 1975.Masters degree  in national security studies from  Georgetown Universitys School of Foreign Service in 1983.Master degree in business administration from Harvard University in 1985. Personal Life Bannons full name is Stephan Kevin Bannon. He was born in 1953 in Richmond, Virginia. Bannon has married and divorced three times. He has three grown daughters. Quotes About Steve Bannon It is almost impossible not to hold an opinion on Bannons political views, his role in the Trump White House or even his appearance. Heres a look at what some prominent figures have said about Bannon.   On his appearance: Bannon was unlike most other strategists who worked in the top echelons of politics. He was known for his unkempt appearance, often showing up for work at the White House unshaven and wearing informal attire unlike his peers, who wore suits. Bannon gleefully threw off the strictures of the working stiff and adopted a singular personal style: rumpled oxfords layered over multiple polo shirts, ratty cargo shorts, and flip-flops - a sartorial middle finger to the whole wide world, wrote journalist Joshua Green in his 2017 book about Bannon, Devils Bargain. Trump political adviser  Roger Stone once said:  Steve needs to be introduced to soap and water.   On his agenda in the White House: Anthony Scaramucci, hired as Trumps communications director and fired a few days later, accused Bannon in a profanity-laden rant of trying to forward his own self-interests on the presidents coattails.  Ã¢â‚¬Å"I’m not trying to build my own brand off the [expletive] strength of the president, Scaramucci said, suggesting Bannon was. On his work ethic:  Ã¢â‚¬Å"A lot of intellectuals sit back and write columns and let other people do the work. Steve is a believer in doing both,† said David Bossie, president of the conservative group Citizens United. On his character: â€Å"He is a vindictive, nasty figure, infamous for verbally abusing supposed friends and threatening enemies. He will attempt to ruin anyone who impedes his unending ambition, and he will use anyone bigger than he is – for example, Donald Trump – to get where he wants to go,† said Ben Shapiro, a former editor at Breitbart. Controversial Quotes From Bannon On apathy and getting people engaged politically: â€Å"Fear is a good thing. Fear is going to lead you to take action.† On racism in the alt-right movement: â€Å"Are there racist people involved in the alt-right? Absolutely. Look, are there some people that are white nationalists that are attracted to some of the philosophies of the alt-right? Maybe. Are there some people that are anti-Semitic that are attracted? Maybe. Right? Maybe some people are attracted to the alt-right that are homophobes, right? But that’s just like, there are certain elements of the progressive left and the hard left that attract certain elements.† On upending the Republican Party:  Ã¢â‚¬Å"We don’t believe there is a functional conservative party in this country and we certainly don’t think the Republican Party is that. It’s going to be an insurgent, center-right populist movement that is virulently anti-establishment, and it’s going to continue to hammer this city, both the progressive left and the institutional Republican Party.†

Industrial Process Control Lab Report Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Industrial Process Control - Lab Report Example The controllers were analyzed in relation to how effective they were in ensuring optimization in the functioning of the industrial processes. The general realization is that the On-Off controllers were the least effective and were only applicable in few systems, the proportional controllers were found to introduce instability in systems, while the integral and derivative controllers were found to stabilize the amplitude and stability of industrial systems. Introduction The best way to attain control of industrial processes is to ensure that effective and efficient controllers are incorporated in the processes. One major aspect of consideration according to Patrick (2009), is to ensure that the controller is able to keep the processes within optimal working conditions and to be able to employ a corrective feedback mechanism. Competitiveness of industrial processes depends on their efficiency which ensures that a higher output is registered using a lower input. The objective of the exp eriment is to conduct an analysis on various industrial controls and techniques used in modern industries. The controller that was analyzed was an electrical air heater simulator. The experiment used a combination of PT 326 Feedback process trainer and the PCS 327 process controller. The experiment was divided into four sections where the first section consisted of a two-step closed control loop with the power button being turned on and off with respect to temperature at given values. The second experiment concerned the proportional control where the ability of the controller to maintain optimal levels with variations in measurements was observed. The third experiment involved the introduction of an external stressor to the system and then observing the response of ths sytem to the external stressor. The fourth experiment involved the application of several fundamental changes that the system might experience and observing the stability and response of the system to the changes. Lit erature Review The understanding of industrial processes has always been the key factor driving the design for instruments meant to ensure control of the processes. Technological advancements have always aimed at designing control instruments that improve the efficiencies of industrial processes with minimal supervision from technicians. According to Dunn (2009), the basis to any industrial control process lies in the instrumentation. Dunn outlines that the most common industrial processes that are usually controlled are temperature, pressure, distance, and rate of flow. Current approaches have been aimed at designing automatic controllers with the capacity of controlling simultaneously the most of the variables if not all while at the same time ensuring efficiency. Dunn defines process control as the automatic process that involves the sensing of variations in the process against a pre-set value and then providing accurate feedback to the control for effective adjustments to be mad e (2009). Therefore, a process control should incorporate mechanisms and gadgets that allow it to sense variations, provide feedback and implement corrective measures. The most basic form of a control system can be found in the On-Off control system. The system works on a simple procedure where with respect to any variations with regard to the pre-set value the system will either shut on or off. The best example is the water heater system controller. When the temperature of the heater goes above a pre-set temperature the system

Employee Relations- 'Finder' Case Study Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words

Employee Relations- 'Finder' Case Study - Essay Example This has meant anarchy of sorts and with the soft warning that the union ‘UNITE’ has given to the management and top heads goes to show the problem is more than skin deep and a major catharsis is required which will solve the issue once and for all. From the organizational standpoint, management is stuck as to how it can retain its employees whilst asking them to attend office on a consistent basis. This is a problem which has haunted Finder Industries for a long time and a solution needs to be found to tackle the issue at hand. However, the problems are many and the alternatives in the wake of solutions are less (Willman, 2009). This paper will try to establish where the problem actually lies within Finder Industries and what the solutions should be. Also it will aim to determine where and how the directives need to be changed so that the employees can stop taking the company for granted and give it their best in even the most trying of times and circumstances. Further, there will be recommendations that would address the problems at hand and consideration would be paid towards the barriers that have a say in a very destructive manner towards the outcome of the issue. Also a reflective statement would be mentioned that would add on to the discussion so that the end results are comprehensible, engaging and decisive as far as solutions are concerned. The problem with Finder Industries is that the employees are not respecting the workplace at the moment. What is even more distressing to know is that the company is not doing much for itself to get respected within the eyes of the employees and workers. This respect comes from empathy for one another that would eventually act as a symbiotic force for the long term solutions that could be found for the sake of the Finder Industries. What is a problem now could be treated as one of the pathways towards finding a solution – if only there is such a comprehension achievable in the first place. The re spect factor must start from the top; however there are times when this respect issue could be understood by incorporating motivation and providing incentives to the middle and lower middle management domains. One can be sure when the respect factor for the sake of the Finder Industries would be available, many problems would automatically get resolved, and that too in an amicable fashion (Bruno, 2005). The need right now is to find out what would motivate the employees to start respecting where they work and how they can live up to the organizational name and raise its stature more and more. Moving ahead with the debate, Finder Industries is going through a tough time at the present because its rules and policies as far as the sick leaves are not properly designed. If this can be done in a proper way, perhaps there could be a pathway to finding new solutions to tackle the issue at hand. Finder Industries needs to know why its rules and policies regarding sick leaves and absenteeism of employees is not drafted in a proper way but then again this would mean that the company has not gone forward but is geared to go back. This must not happen (Moriconi, 2011). The approach should always be positive because it sends good enough signals to one and all within the organization. The best foot forward would be to determine if there is room to devise rules and policies which would be deemed as agreeable by the union ‘

Social Responsibilities of Private Sector Businesses Essay

Social Responsibilities of Private Sector Businesses - Essay Example From this paper it i clear that  private enterprises are formed with a basic purpose of generating profits to the shareholders. This is different from organizations in the public and voluntary sectors whose main purpose is not to make profits but to serve the public. This is because the revenues for setting up of setting up organizations in public sector come from the general public through taxation.This study highlights that  public organizations do not prioritize making profit over the quality of services or products offered to the general public. On the other hand, private enterprises prioritize making profits to the shareholders. This is because the revenues used in setting up the organizations come from individuals, who risk their resources in order to get benefits. It is also worth pointing out that employee in the private enterprises work in accordance to the aims of their employers. This means that employees in the private enterprise aim to increase profits while adhering to the society needs that are either set as rules in a country or as a way of promoting good company image to the public. In short, employees in the private enterprise are agents of the owners and whatever they do is based on the desires of the proprietors of the enterprise. While carrying out social responsibilities in the industry, the main aim is to appeal to the public in order to improve business relations and hence better sales of products and services.

Information Technology Questions Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Information Technology Questions - Essay Example The idea of "capital" is a central concept of capitalism, the overwhelmingly dominant economic system in the world today. Q: 2 In the past, people believed that "knowledge is power" and they sometimes used such knowledge to "build empire that resulted in isolated, dysfunctional organizational units. In the new knowledge-sharing environment, illustrate how this tendency to hoard knowledge and expertise could be minimized or eliminated To me our knowledge of the way things work, in society or in nature, comes trailing clouds of vagueness. Vast ills have followed a belief in certainty, whether historic inevitability, grand diplomatic designs, or extreme views on economic policy. When developing policy with wide effects for an individual or society, caution is needed because we cannot predict the consequences. The development of ways to deal with complex systems is now taking place in many disciplines, but slowly and not without controversy. Complexity theories fell into some disrepute when some management "gurus" tried to map complex adaptive system theories onto business management and market trading strategies - with less than successful results for investors. It now seems likely that the level of similarity in adaptation strategies between, say, populations of sharks and populations of stock-market day-traders is less than some have "seen." But the broad outlines of all complex systems appear to be tantalizingly analogous and can give us some clues for new things to try - even if we cannot predict in advance that these things will work just like they do in other systems. REFERNCE Alexander Kouzmin and Alan Jarman, "Crisis Decision Making: Towards a Contingent Decisions Path Perspective," in Uriel Rosenthal, Michael T.Charles, and Paul T. Hart, eds., Coping With Crisis: The Management of Disasters, Riots and Terrorism, Springfield IL: Charles C. Thomas Publishers, pp. 397-435 Q: 3 Although it is legal to discover trade secrets through reverse engineering, evaluate whether or not it really should be illegal. ANSWER: Because reverse engineering can be used to reconstruct source code, it walks a fine line in intellectual property law. Many software

Letter of Interest Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Letter of Interest - Essay Example The career as a college professor would allow me to extend to students the same opportunities I received as a graduate student pursuing my Master of Arts Degree. These included attending professional conferences and being selected as a Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA) Grant Recipient. In addition, I have been taught by parents and my graduate professors, that whatever I accomplish in life, I should help other students also attain their goals in their lives. While I am teaching, I will focus on the historical perspective of the field of education, as well as my research interest. I strongly feel that research in the field of counseling is vital because the field is constantly changing. Throughout the course of my career, I would like to mentor adolescents as well as adults, who are mentally disabled, by volunteering my time at a community center. Because of my vast experience at Georgia regional and South Carolina Vocational Rehabilitation, I possess the necessary knowledge to teach. I believe that giving back is a strong trait of my character and this perspective about life has motivated me a lot to become a teacher. I treat such an opportunity as the accomplishment of the goals and other objectives that I have set for myself. While undergoing my Masters at South Carolina State University, I was a counselor and mentor for project FLAVA (Families Linked Against Violent Activities). The children were a K-8 grade, varying in age and academic ability. My designated tasks included helping the students to complete their homework, and constructing academic charts to monitor their progress as well as evolving special educational plans so as to offset the areas where students are weak. With the assistance of other individuals, I helped the children to prepare for the Palmetto Achievement Challenge Test (Pact).  

Case study Article Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Case study - Article Example Ultimately, it is Ms. Tranita Jackson’s unwillingness to cooperate that lead to Rhonda’s academic failures. The tension between Ms. Jackson and Ms. Lakisha Mills, especially the former’s antagonism, over the lessons and schedules jeopardized Rhonda’s opportunity to succeed in her subjects. As an administrator, it will be helpful to review the case and to conduct another IEP meeting considering all the events that transpired. It might prove more than helpful to give it another try, preferably where Rhonda will be placed in a different 3rd-grade regular teacher other than Ms. Jackson. There must be a conscious effort by those involved that the LRE is a matter of law. There are no shortcuts and an unfavorable decision to terminate it may be easier but it is not always the right answer. The same is true even if the parents themselves have already agreed to it. Where the regular class teacher may be inconvenienced by it is not reason in itself to forego of the entire system

Letter of Interest Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Letter of Interest - Essay Example The career as a college professor would allow me to extend to students the same opportunities I received as a graduate student pursuing my Master of Arts Degree. These included attending professional conferences and being selected as a Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA) Grant Recipient. In addition, I have been taught by parents and my graduate professors, that whatever I accomplish in life, I should help other students also attain their goals in their lives. While I am teaching, I will focus on the historical perspective of the field of education, as well as my research interest. I strongly feel that research in the field of counseling is vital because the field is constantly changing. Throughout the course of my career, I would like to mentor adolescents as well as adults, who are mentally disabled, by volunteering my time at a community center. Because of my vast experience at Georgia regional and South Carolina Vocational Rehabilitation, I possess the necessary knowledge to teach. I believe that giving back is a strong trait of my character and this perspective about life has motivated me a lot to become a teacher. I treat such an opportunity as the accomplishment of the goals and other objectives that I have set for myself. While undergoing my Masters at South Carolina State University, I was a counselor and mentor for project FLAVA (Families Linked Against Violent Activities). The children were a K-8 grade, varying in age and academic ability. My designated tasks included helping the students to complete their homework, and constructing academic charts to monitor their progress as well as evolving special educational plans so as to offset the areas where students are weak. With the assistance of other individuals, I helped the children to prepare for the Palmetto Achievement Challenge Test (Pact).  

Discussion on developmental Democracy Research Paper

Discussion on developmental Democracy - Research Paper Example To better comprehend the strands of republican impression it is crucial to understand its origin in early liberal thought (Held, 2006). The concept of ‘social democratic’ politics has emerged from the beliefs and theories of developmental democracy but it actually fructified in the real politics and policies of the popular Keynesian and interventionist state only after the 2nd World War. The fast economic development after the 2nd World War helped finance a program of make-believe sort of greater welfare but the worldwide economic recession of the 1970s reduced the appeal of the welfare program for not serving the cause of common welfare by both the left and the right. Various stakeholders of the concept of greater social welfare such as politicians, trade unionists and industrialists could not hold the torch together any more but the concept of equality and justice for all cleared the path of a comprehensive program of state intervention in civil society. But no decisiv e limitations were stipulated for the state intervention, thus promoting paternalism, bureaucracy and hierarchy throughout the state politics, which had their own outcomes on the dynamics of democracy (Held, 2006). Developmental democracy is one of the classical models of democracy. It holds that people can bring about change for the better in society through participation in government and community matters for the common welfare of all. Developmental is a part of democracy that states the process used by people to inculcate human prowess to help in creating consciousness of their actions aimed at people themselves to take care of their overall welfare. Citizens play an active role in government and local administrative matters via voting and sharing their opinion with the elected representatives, and also with the government spokespersons. Democracy becomes a medium of educating people and increasing their self-welfare potential. Politics offers a platform to them to use their pow er of taking crucial decisions in other fields. The developmental model employs indirect representation just for the reason that direct involvement is not practically possible like participatory democracy. Developmental democracy offers the possibility of political and social equality. In general, the development model takes it for granted that people can gain civic traits and improve upon their human virtues by actively playing their part in democracy (Library, Think Quest). The purpose of electoral democracy is to promote social and political awareness but this notion inclines to provide greater attention to the ‘professionalization of public policy’ by laying increased focus on political parties and civil society ignoring the fact that democracy is not only of the people and by the people but for the people. Worldwide, a new inclination is being observed towards consumer democracy taking the place of citizen democracy with citizens playing various roles such as consu mers, customers, users, and observing of government offerings as products available in the reach of those only who have the resources to buy (Edigheji, 2005). Thus, negative trends can be observed in the form of sectarian disputes, parties divided on the distribution of private wealth, and disinterest of

The proccess of assimilating Essay Example for Free

The proccess of assimilating Essay This essay explores the proccess of assimilating into the American society after a famiy moves to the USA from China in In The American Society, by Gish Jen. It also explores the irony in the title of the piece. In The American Society, by Gish Jen, is a lurid portrayal of an Asian-American family who immigrated to the United Statesaddressing both the struggles and fortunes that Americas opportunities have offered the family as they leave their old life in China. Now, the father must make something of himself and his family, in a time when America meant vast possibilities, but also being labeled as a foreigner. The mother in the story smugly declares, But this is the U-S-of-A! (542), proclaiming her pride in the opportunities accessible in her new home. Though, as the family begins to assimilate into the American society, they find that while success brings them respect and affluence, it may not automatically make them fit into the new culture. The title itself is a direct inference to the transformation the family is forced to undergo. The first half of the story is suitably entitled His Own Society, describing the familys journey towards coming to terms with the American society. When the mother is thinking of joining the country club she states, Your father doesnt believe in joining the American Society. He wants to have his own society (542). This line echoes the ever-present theme in the story of assimilation, and the fathers hesitation with adjustment. For people who come from cultures that are significantly different from the freethinking America, the process of acculturation can be awkward and even caustic. In the story, the father opens his own pancake house, and the family begins to encounter success. They then attempt to fit into their new society by buying a station wagon and recliner: typical American items. Throughout the rest of this first section of the story you see the actual internal core of His own society: His work relations, friends, and family in both America and China. His Society works well for himhes successful and happy. The second half of the storys title is fitting as well: dubbed The American Society(548). This section is where you really see the heart wrenching  depiction of the familys attempt to fit into their new society. A symbolic image found in the account, that most directly represents the familys integration into society is seen in the fathers clothing. It explains that the father, has no use for nice cloths, and would wear only ten-year-old shirts, with grease-spotted pants, to show how little he cared about what anyone thought(542). Yet, later in the story, he finds himself wearing an expensive suit to a country club affair. This sudden change shows the fathers eventual willingness to modify when left with no choice. Although at first he seems to blends in, one predicament sets off his insecurities and he launches his expensive jacket into the pool (550). With this gesture, he seems to give up on The American Society and resort back to his own familiar one with his familyit was good enough for him. In actuality, I think that is truly the best thing about America: There isnt really an American Society. We have so many diverse people and we are therefore free to choose our own society; the title of the story almost falsely suggests that there can be just one culture, while also satirizing the fact that some believe there to be one. The most interesting part of this story was that along the journey towards assimilation he finds that His Own Society was essentially the best one for him and his family to be members of, and that our country permits this because we have freedom, liberty, and justice for all! Through this story, you follow the Asian-American family as they encounter struggles as well as luck, as they assimilate into the American Society. You meet the same turmoil that the family stumbles upon as they enter a completely new world. The title suggests that there is an exact way to act while living in the American society, but as Jen depicts the fathers own society, readers come to realize that this unique society works just as well.

Analysing the Plot and Sub Plot of A Dolls House by Henrik Ibsen Essay

Analysing the Plot and Sub Plot of A Dolls House by Henrik Ibsen As another year goes by I am now writing a piece of coursework for AS drama, this particular piece will be about a not so well known play called ‘A dolls house, written by Henrik Ibsen. In particular I will by studying carefully and analysing the plot and subplot of the play. The play was wrote in the 1800’s and was first performed in Copenhagen during the winter of 1879. Most of Ibsens plays were based around the issues during that era, as was a dolls house covering forgery, feminism, freedom, independence, love?, stereotypes, and duty all in the main plot. The subplot covered issues like; loneliness, widowed, manipulation, deception/secrets and the new woman. To convey the issues there where two characters in the main plot, these were Nora and Torvald (the husband and wife living in the â€Å"dolls house†. As the story unravels we discover many different things but we also find out that Nora is in every scene to show how she has adapted to living her lifestyle and how she is slowly moving out of it and into another. Torvald is also in most scenes but always seems to be in his office hard at work trying to earn money for Nora and the family, as most families would be in this century. Then there are two other characters running the subplot these are Mrs Linde and Krogstad both of these convey how Nora’s life could be if she were to separate from he husband, Torvald, showing how hard it is to be a part of society. Mrs Linde feels that Nora leads the perfect lifestyle with a happy family where as Nora feels that Mrs Linde has the better lifestyle, being free. The features of the subplot are shown via the main plot, this is to show a variety o... ...bsen had to re-write the play with an alternate ending, as they did not want to show that women can be more powerful than men. The ending was that Nora broke down in tears and stayed after Torvald forcing her to see her children. The normal ending was described as an act of barbarous violence. Through researching and thoroughly studying the play act by act I have learnt that not only was the subplot just as important as the main plot but how they were run through each other and the impact it had. I also gathered more information on what life was like during the 1800’s and how controlling the male was over the female during them times. The play also gave a great insight to how widowed and/or single adults were treated back in them days. So if you ever read the play I hope you enjoy it as much as I did and get a good understanding of all the key issues.

Formation of the Greek Empire :: essays research papers

"Our constitution is called a democracy because power is in the hands not of a ministry but of the whole people." Pericles was one of the many people who helped shape Ancient Greece to what we know of it today. The famous Greek Empire has bits and pieces from each ruler or group of people who once occupied it: the Mycenaean's, Dorian's, Pericles, Phillip 2, and Alexander the Great. In ancient times, Greece wasn't a united country but more of a group of lands where Greek-speaking people lived. Around 2000.B.C. the Mycenaean?s settled on the Greek mainland seeking to form a civilization. Already having the geography provide to the Greek culture, they put in many ideas and developed a writing system with the help of the Minoans, a group of people who were native to the Greek mainland. They fought a ten-year war against Troy known as the Trojan War. Although they were victorious, the weakened civilization collapsed and a new group of people, the Dorian?s took Greece into what is known as the Dark Age of Greece. Being less advanced than the Mycenaean?s, the writing system was dropped and a new way to tell history was formed through word or epics. Two major city-states or polis formed: Athens and Sparta. Athens developed a limited Democracy, which was ruled by the people through representatives. This proved to be most efficient because all people were treated equal ly. Its was kept under control with a set of laws that harshly punished citizens for even the simplest crimes created by Draco in 621B.C. Solon came into power in 594 B.C., and took out Dracos? wicked methods by making four social classes based on wealth and abolishing debt slavery. Around 500 B.C., Cleisthenes created the Council of Five Hundred in which council members were randomly chosen by only citizens could be in a limited democracy. He also rearranged the social classes formed by Solon into ten groups based on where a citizen lived rather on wealth. Education in Athens was only given to males and when they became of age they then went on to serve in the military. Athens honored cultural things such as art and literature. Sparta was a military state run by an oligarchy government or rule by a small group of citizens based on wealth. Social order in Sparta consisted of citizens, noncitizens and helots. Sparta had the strongest army in Greece.

An analysis of The Flea written by John Donne Essay

The flea, written by John Donne is another poem containing love, sex and religion. One of John Donne’s characteristics is to always include these three main subjects in his poems. The Flea represents lust, but a lust with respect for women. The subject of this poem is about a couple of lovers lying in bed. He wants to take her virginity away from her. In essence, the meaning of this quote: â€Å"And in this flea our two bloods mingled be† means that the flea has bitten both lovers and that their blood is mingled in the flea. The act of having sexual intercourse is considered to be an exchange of bodily fluids, not necessarily being all about love and lust. The lover also feels some kind of jealousy because the flea has already mingled with her before their marriage, and he has not, or in the poem referred to as to befroe â€Å"woo†. The vocabulary used in this poem is quite old, I would say it dates back to the 17th century, it does not contain a lot of complicated words, but the old English used made it necessary to translate the poem in a more contemporary language. Imagery is widely present. â€Å"two blood mingled be† is very clear link to exchanging bodily fluids, the equivalent of having sexual intercourse. Another clear link to the sexual side is â€Å"And pamper’d swells with one blood made of two† The flea symbolizes a different thing every stanza. In the first stanza, the flea represent the two lovers united together in the flea, â€Å"This flea, you and I† is a metaphor simply stating what the greatest part of the poem is about. The flea contains both their blood, and in it, they are together. Then in the second stanza, the flea is not simply them being together, but it means the whole world to them. In the third and last stanza however the flea’s symbol is that of sin and suddenly gets demoted to simply being a flea again. â€Å"And cloister’d in these living walls of jet† immediately cretes an image of a small, dark place, most probably in this case being the inside of the flea. There is quite a lot of repetition in this poem, especially â€Å"Mark but this flea, and mark in this† creates an emphasizing effect and attempts to get the readers attention on the flea. The structure is mostly consistent throughout the whole poem, except for the last 3 lines. The poem is a closed-form poem, and the rhyming pattern is AABBCCDDD. † This, is, thee, be† in the first stanza clearly shows this rhyming pattern is present in the poem. The effect of this rhythm is that makes it easier to remember this poem, as it in some way sounds like a song when the rhythm is followed. The tone in this poem is one of deep intimacy and curiosity, especially in the first stanza; the tone is one of curiosity. He is jealous of the flea that already has mingled their â€Å"bloods†. â€Å"And this, alas! Is more than we would do.† Suggests that the lover finds it a pity that they did not have intercourse yet, but it doesn’t bring him down so to speak. In the second stanza however, the tone changes from curiosity to pity for the flea and is more impassionate, as in the second flea it becomes clear that the woman wants to kill the flea because it has her blood already. The lover presents an argument and tries to seduce her into not killing the flea seeing that she would committing 3 sins as she would be killing â€Å"three sins in killing three† the flea, the lover, and herself. So it also carries some sadness with it. In the third and last stanza the tone is set to a more playful mood again. Sinfulness in this poem is clearly present. To stress the flea’s innocence, â€Å"Wherein could this flea guilty be?† It changes the image of the flea to that of just an insect again, that is not smart enough to realize what it has done. Overall, the tone is a lot like the process of sexual intercourse. It has the foreplay, and then it builds up to the climax and finally relaxes again. The first stanza represents the foreplay, a small thing such as the flea sucking the blood of both, with a sexual connotation â€Å"it suck’d me first, and now sucks thee† is a playful connotation of for example intimate kisses. Then it builds up in intensity as the man attempts to persuade her but fails at protecting the innocent flea’s life; finally the woman kills it, which would be the climax. The final stanza is simply reflecting upon what just happened and the pace slows down again, the r elaxation. To conclude this essay, I believe this poem is about two people who deeply love each other and the lover tries to persuade the woman into losing her virginity to him. This poem is about the intimate relationship, love, and sex and religion. Religion as in the marriage bed and marriage temple and not having sex before â€Å"woo†. It refers to human nature as all of us have the same desire and feelings in us. Most of us will find their true love at some point and experience the mingling of their blood. Not necessarily of course, but I believe that for most of us this is true.

Criminal Case Defense

When a person gets arrested for a crime, that person will remain a suspect until proven guilty otherwise in court. This person will then have the chance to avail himself with the best legal representation available. â€Å"A defense consists of evidence and arguments offered by a defendant and his or her attorney(s) to show why that person should not be held liable for a criminal charge† (Schmalleger, 2010). Generally speaking, there are two types of defense: factual and legal. When talking about factual defense, this simply means that the defendant claims that there was no crime committed. An example of a factual defense is when the defendant claims that he or she was not in the crime scene, usually called an alibi or proof beyond reasonable doubt does not exist. There are two possible outcomes on a factual defense: acquittal or lesser punishment. A legal defense in contrast is when a defendant may confess to committing the crime but disagrees with his or her accountability because of a certain variable supporting the act such as mental incapacity or insanity. In a legal defense, factual guilt is immaterial for assertion and the defendant may defend his or her act with justifications, excuses or prove that constitutional rights or other laws have been violated by the government concerning evidence, relevant materials or witnesses about his or her case. A legal defense may have multiple outcomes such as acquittal, reduction in punishment, exclusion of evidence, exclusion of witnesses and more. There are two forms of legal defenses. The two forms of legal defenses are justifications, in which the defendant admits to committing the act in question but claims is was necessary in order to avoid some greater evil, and excuses, in which the defendant claims that some personal condition or circumstance at the time of the act was such that he or she should not be held accountable under the criminal law† (Schmalleger, 2010). To better understand the two forms, an example of a justification is when a son is trapped in the neighbors tree house and the father has to trespass and possible destroy his neighbors property to let his son free. The fathers reason for trespassing someone else’s home and also damaging property is justifiable because his intention was to save his sons life. An example of an excuse is killing someone while sleep walking. The excused actor admits to doing harm but claims an absence of personal culpability. â€Å"Justifications and excuses are affirmative defenses, that is, they must be raised or asserted by the defendant independently of any claims made by the prosecutor. This is a variance from the general rule that places the burden of production and persuasion on the government. For affirmative defenses, defendants bear the burden of production, that is, they must assert the defense at the time required by law. Failure to raise an affirmative defense in a timely manner acts as a waiver of the defense. States vary about the burden of persuasion placed on the defendant. Some require the defendant to prove the defense; others shift the burden to the prosecution to disprove defense† (Schmalleger, 2010). Many variables are included when the conduct in which the violated law may be justifiable. Six different defenses fall under justifications. Necessity for one is a justifiable defense to a criminal charge in which the defendant claims that it was necessary to commit some unlawful act in order to prevent greater evil or harm. If a man deemed that it was necessary to destroy windows in a burning house to vent the smoke and save victims in it from smoke inhalation and help them escape, he justifies his act on destruction of property to save lives and avoid harm. Another is self-defense simply means to defend one’s self from harm or threatening situations. To protect one’s self is a right and a natural response but has limitations. If an attacker for example punches a victim, the victim has the right to defend himself or stop the situation to progress by attacking the attacker as well until the threat is ended. In this example, if the threat was ended by the victim knocking the attacker unconscious and the victim is aware and still kept hitting the attacker until he dies is no longer self defense. If the threat no longer exists the victim should go away and call the authorities and let them handle the situation from there. In self defense, reasonable force must be presented when defending a case. When another person is being victimized and a person defends the victim from harm this defense is called defense of others or sometimes called defense of a third person. Defense of others always requires that the defender be free from fault and that he or she act to aid an innocent person who is in the process of being victimized. Defense of home and property also falls under justifications. Four situations which are protection of personal property, defense of home or habitation, defense of another’s property and use of mechanical device to protect property are justifiable means when using protection of property as a defense. In most jurisdictions, the owner of property can justifiably use reasonable non deadly force to prevent others from unlawfully taking or damaging that property† (Schmalleger, 2010). An example of unreasonable deadly force to protect property is shooting an unarmed trespasser but shooting while being robbed by an armed robber who has intent to kill is reasonable use of deadly force. The fifth defense that can be used as a justification is resisting unlawful arrest. This is a very sensitive case and requires factual and accurate evidence when resisting unlawful arrest from peace officers. Last defense to be covered under justifications is consent. â€Å"Consent is a justification offered as a defense to a criminal charge, that claims that the person suffering as injury either agreed to sustain the injury or accepted the possibility of injury before the activity was undertaken† (Schmalleger, 2010). In the remaining of this paper, the second major category of defenses which is â€Å"excuses† will be discussed followed by the analysis between the legal and medical perspectives on mental illness and insanity. In most cases, excuses are personal in nature. Defendants would claim that their actions were based on some disability or some abnormal condition such as intoxication, insanity or immaturity. There are several excuses recognized by law which includes: duress, intoxication, mistake, age, entrapment, insanity, diminished capacity and various syndromes to a limited degree. However, where a defendant suffers from a know disability, that disability alone is not sufficient to excuse him or her of criminal responsibility. Insanity and mental illness are probably two of the biggest issues and also hard to prove in court as an excuse. Many defendants throughout the years won a case using insanity and mental illness as an excuse. Some scientists and medical experts have been studying the human mind, and although the studies are far from complete and still difficult to fully understand, there are distinctions and differences concerning insanity and mental illness. On a medical perspective differentiating the two; â€Å"symptoms cause clinically significant distress or impairment in social, occupational or other important areas of functioning ight be a mental illness and when symptoms cause distress even beyond scope of problems mental illness comes with it might be considered insanity in which the person is no longer responsible for his or her actions† (Helium inc. , 2009). Insanity is a social and legal term rather that a medical one. Psychiatrists speak instead of mental disorders rather that use the term insanity which makes is difficult to fit into legal categories, either way, the legal concept of insanity has its basis in some disease of the mind. The lack of mens rea or showing that mens rea was present but accompanied by a mental disease of defect affects criminal liability in a case. In conclusion, a criminal defense consists of evidences and arguments offered in court by a defendant through an attorney to show why the defendant should not be held liable for crimes charged against him or her. There are many aspects in a criminal case defense a defendant needs to adhere to in order to prove innocence. Criminal defenses have two types and under legal defense, defenses may be built upon three bases which are alibis, justifications and excuses. Under excuses, insanity and mental illness was covered in a medical and legal perspective. In some jurisdictions due to the difficulties with assessing insanity from a legal perspective, insanity has been eliminated as an excuse in court in regards with a criminal charge. However defendants in all jurisdictions may still claim presence of mental disease at the time of the act which eliminates the mental culpability or mens rea needed for the criminal activity.

Paul Watzlawick’s First Axiom Essay

Paul Watzlawick was an Austrian-born psychotherapist, psychoanalytic, sociologist and philosopher. He was best recognized for his venture in schizophrenia, as well as his communication theory regarding the five axioms. (Sack, Herald) His first axiom – â€Å"one cannot not communicate† – states that no matter how much a person tries not to communicate, there will some forms of communication going on. (Blanford, Roxanne) Watzlawick believed that every little behavior sends a message, regardless whether it’s intentional or otherwise. Therefore, all behavior has communicative value. When I first read about his theory, I honestly thought that it was unreasonable. Personally, I thought that sometimes unintentional actions do not mean that one is sending any form of communication. However, according to Kit Welchlin, a well-known public speaker, he states that â€Å"no matter what you say, or don’t say, people apply a meaning to it†. He gave an example of his observation on how the value of a co-worker from a marble factory was recognized by the messages that the manager sent through his actions. In addition, Eric Myers, founder and C. E. O. of Myers Business Diagnostics and Solutions LLC, said that people can make â€Å"judgment calls† to the non-verbal actions that the other is showing. â€Å"Words is only 7% of communication, body language 55%, and tone 38%†, Myers’ said at one of his talks. Another person who agreed to the theory is Dr. Amy Gaffney, an assistant professor from University of Kentucky. She believes that many people don’t always realize that anything that they do could â€Å"potentially be perceived as a form of communication†. She gave a simple example of how a student who’s nervously presenting in front would react to her â€Å"funny face† that she made because of the other noisy students behind her class. Besides the three influential speakers/researchers that I’ve mentioned above, there were also many other researchers whom have agreed at some point towards Watzlawick’s theory. So, I decided to conduct a personal experiment, with my brother as the subject of matter. I purposely picked him up late from his work place one day, and I observed his actions and behavior – which includes expressions, as he walked towards my car. I found out that although he did not mention that he was a bit irritated by my lateness, but his little fidgets and frowning of the eyebrows gave away. The findings of this experiment, combined with some additional researches, changed my perception towards Watzlawick’s theory. In short – I agree to Watzlawick’s First Axiom of â€Å"One Cannot Not Communicate†. Since every of our behavior may be perceived as a form of communication, there will be times where our behavior doesn’t actually convey the message that we want to convey. These are called â€Å"unintentional communication†. One very good example is when someone is deep in thought, and so happen the person’s eyes are facing your direction. You would start to wonder why the person is looking at you, but in actual fact, the person isn’t. A man who’s wearing a suit and drives a luxurious car doesn’t necessarily mean that he’s rich. But to the eyes of others, that person might be misperceived as rich. In a nutshell, Watzlawick’s theory of â€Å"One Cannot Not Communicate† is true, but to a certain extent, because not all behavior actually conveys the message that the person wants to convey.