Adulthood case study

Mr. Mort Philman is a 64-year old Caucasian male. His wrinkles, grey hair, and slightly stooping stance reflect his age. According to him, his body no longer functions the way it had for the past years. His renal heart failure gradually declines his health and his most recent surgery seriously affected his daily routine.Being bedridden for weeks deprived him of the pleasure of doing the activities which he used to be engaged in. As for his cognitive functioning, his memory is still intact; he can still recognize his caregiver, sons, and other relatives. He is also updated when it comes to current events despite being homed in an institution for the elderly.He had been happily married to his wife for 31 years, until his wife passed away in 2006 due to breast cancer. They were blessed with two sons who now have families of their own. They visit him in the institution once every two weeks.However, Mort still feels weary and sad because of loneliness and constant feeling of nostalgia. Th e more he grows old, the more he feels futile about living.Coming from a working-class family, Mort had to work to fund his schooling. When he was in his early 20’s, he was working as a bartender and at the same time attending college in California. He was an outgoing type of person and wanted to be with his friends most of the time, but his work schedule did not allow him to do that.Also, he did not have much time for love relationships at such an early time because he focused on his studies and work. He learned to drink because of his job, but only did it occasionally because of his health condition. He was also advised by his doctor not to smoke because this would affect his heart ailment badly.Fortunately, Mort was able to finish college with a degree in Accountancy. He got a good-paying job in an accounting firm located in New York where he met his first girlfriend/future wife. At this point, he was living independently albeit he couldn’t afford to buy his own hou se.He got married at a practical age of thirty-two and his wife gave birth to their first son, Jed, a year after their wedding. His wife quitted her job to become a full-fledged housewife and mother to their son. Before Jed’s 2nd birthday, his wife gave birth to another boy named Lloyd. They were living a simple yet happy family life until his first heart attack when he was 48 years old.This had an immense impact on his career and home life as well because his sickness was incapacitating. Nevertheless, he was able to recover and go back to work for another six years. By that time, his health was deteriorating and had to stay home. This stagnation greatly affected his personality wherein he felt helpless and had to depend on his eldest son.Several years later, his wife was diagnosed of having breast cancer and eventually died because of it. This became another mishap in his life which made him more depressed and alone. This build-up of negative feelings caused him another hear t attack which required surgery for him to survive.Since his sons were afraid that no one can attend to him when another heart attack occurs, they admitted him to an institution that cares for the elderly.Analyzing Mort’s development from early to late adulthood, there are different areas to be discussed. Concerning his physical development, Mort underwent the normal changes in an individual: decline of physical performance, noticeable wrinkling and sagging of the skin, grey hair, and reduced perceptual acuity like blurred vision (Santrock, 2002).His main health concern is his heart condition which he has been nursing since he was young but eventually became severe when he experienced emotional difficulties during middle adulthood. For his cognitive development, it is observed that Mort’s functioning is in the reflective, pragmatic and realistic according to Piaget’s view of human cognitive development (Plotnik, 1999).These characteristics are manifested by his capacity to introspect, make logical assumptions and address his present situation.Delving into Mort’s moral development, with regards to Kohlberg’s theory of moral progression, it can be inferred that he has reached Stage 5 (Social Contract). With his experiences and wisdom, Mort has appreciated and evaluated the government laws since he believes that it promotes equity and human rights.To give a concrete example, he succumbed to his sons’ decision of placing him in an institution for the elderly because he is aware that it is for the common good (Santrock, 2002). Lastly, taking into account Erikson’s psychosocial stages of development, Mort was able to achieve intimacy during young adulthood.However, he stagnated during middle adulthood due to his heart condition and this developed into despair just recently catalyzed by his wife’s death. Moreover, even though he has accepted what happened in his life, his pessimism and feelings of inadequacy rem ain.It is recommended that Mort continue having medical check-ups to address his heart condition. It is also advised that he join a support group for people of his age and be given the opportunity to perform worthwhile activities.His family should also allot more time for him and be involved in some of his activities. Such recommendations could help him restore his self-esteem and let him enjoy the remaining years of his life.References:Plotnik, R. (1999). Introduction to Psychology (5th ed.). USA: New York Publishing Inc.Santrock, J.W. (2002). Life-Span Development 8th ed. New York: McGraw-Hill

Why was the Thirty Years War fought?

The Thirty Years War is a series of wars fought between 1618 to1648 for reasons that range from religious to territorial. It devastated most of Europe especially Germany and ended with the Treaty of Westphalia in 1648. It began with the resistance of Protestant nobles in Bohemia against the Hapsburgs, the family which headed the Holy Roman Empire. Since its beginning, political affiliations among states played a role in the causes and the outcomes of the series of wars. When the war started, the German Protestants allied with Austria. They were defeated by another alliance, that of Brussel and Spain, which was sent by King Ferdinand II. In 1625, Denmark renewed the war but was defeated by General Wallenstein's army, also sent by Ferdinand. Wallenstein was a Bohemian, but who sided with the Roman Empire in return for the spoils of war. The final phases of the war were initiated by Denmark, Sweden and France, all of whom were led to the fray in concern with the increasing Hapsburg power in their territories. The Peace of Westphalia, two treaties which ended the war, returned the German states which were seized by the Holy Roman Empire in the duration of the war to their former rulers. It also allowed them to practice and choose their religions. Countries like Switzerland and Netherland were granted independence. The treaty introduced religious tolerance and ended religious warfare. Matters could have been resolved earlier during the conflict, avoiding the death and destruction that it inflicted upon the affected countries has the Holy Roman Empire been not driven by ambition and greed for more land. The reason why states waged the wars against the empire was their fear of the increasing power of the Hapsburg over Europe threatening their very borders. King Ferdinand could have also appeased the Protestants within Germany; that he would leave them alone, way before the war expanded outside Germany. Reference The Columbia Encyclopia, (2001) Sixth Edition, 2001-2007. Columbia University Press. Retrieved on May 21, 2008. http://www. bartleby. com/65/th/ThirtyYe. html.

Compare and contrast the influence on employment policy of the Essay

Compare and contrast the influence on employment policy of the European Union and NAFTA on their respective member states. Evaluate their likely impact on the practice of International HRM - Essay Example nd being two of the world’s largest economies for instance, there are widespread differences in terms of complexity in decision making process and distinctiveness in terms of policies and organizational framework. However, the existence of such apparent similarities as well as differences to certain extent do not prevent or hamper the objective of this paper that seeks to offer a comparison between the two unions. This paper examines, discusses and analyses the influence on employment policy of the European Union (EU) and North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) on their respective member states and also the subsequent and likely impact on the practice of international HRM. It also offers an overview of the impact of EU and NAFTA’s employment policies on the labor market of their respective member states. The North American Free Trade Agreement or NAFTA, is a trilateral free trade deal which came into force in January 1994, which was established with an aim of eradicating the huge amount of tariffs that were levied on products or goods which formed a part of trade between the three North American countries namely Mexico, Canada and the United States1 while the European Union or the EU is a conglomeration of several sovereign states merged together for various economic benefits. The main goal of the EU is the progressive integration of Member States economic and political systems and the establishment of a single market based on the free movement of goods, people, money and services2. This paper discusses the impact of such associations on the labor market, economy, and employment and discusses key concerns faced by them. It further discusses the extent of benefits, if any, or challenges and opportunities faced by them and trace the factors that highlight the similarities as well as differences between them. The European Union is constantly facing challenges from the enlargement of the Central and Eastern European states3 on account of transition as well

Descartes theory Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Descartes theory - Essay Example The essential property of a mind is that it thinks; the essential property of body is that it is "extended." Each thought is a modification of mind; each physical object, a modification of matter. Since mind is different from body (otherwise, they would not be two distinct substances), its essential characteristics must be different from those of body. This means that minds cannot take up space or be extended. If they were, they would be forms of body. Body, in contrast to mind, is that which is extended. Every form in which a material object can exist can be defined or described in forms of its extensional features-size, shape, position, movement. 2. Explain how Descartes' method of doubt was supposed to insure certain knowledge. What is the special role of innate ideas in Descartes' theory of knowledge Which ideas did Descartes considered to be innate How are innate ideas different from other types of ideas Descartes' method of doubt says that he wishes to examine those things which he thinks to be true and set aside all those beliefs of which there might be some doubt.

Business plan Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words - 2

Business plan - Essay Example Efficient planning of business activities helps in the determination of the most efficient way of allocating resources such as inventory, assets and budgets. The information contained in a business plan helps in maintaining focus. Such information includes product information, financial estimates and the plans for the future (Chwolka and Raith, 2012). Any updates in a business plan assist an entrepreneur to understand how changes affect the entire business. A business plan enables an entrepreneur to secure financing. Banks, private investors or majority of the lending institutions depend on the business plan to understand the plans that an entrepreneur possesses in running the business, business expenses and revenues as well as future plans for growth. Chwolka and Raith (2012) assert that preparing a business plan fuels ambition for inexperienced entrepreneurs because the business is presented in an organized fashion. Adhering to the business plan enables an entrepreneur to acquire c onfidence and motivation on the future success. Additionally, business plan enhances the effectiveness of the business through enlightening the executives on the areas that requires focus for future as well as the present business progress. The two most salient aspects of an effective business plan are the marketing plan and financial information (Chwolka and Raith, 2012). The marketing plan enables the business to enhance competitiveness in the market through identifying the competitors and determining how the business products differ from similar products in the market. Financial information will help to attract investors in the business. From this discussion, it is clear that a plan is a compulsory tool for a successful business. Therefore, what are the necessary steps involved in the formulation of an affective business

Negative Effects of Advertising on American Youth Essay

Negative Effects of Advertising on American Youth - Essay Example One of the ways through which companies use technology is through advertising and marketing. Through this, companies communicate with consumers, mainly creating awareness about their new products, or promoting their companies, for increased profitability. Marketing and advertising benefits the company the most, since this promotes company products, hence more sales for the company. On the other hand, consumers too benefit from marketing and advertising, as this makes them aware of the products in the market by different companies, thus are able to make their purchasing decision, after comparing various products in the market. However, advertising and marketing is also known to have negative influences on the target population for which the adverts are aimed. Marketing and advertising has negative effects on the youth in America, and these include eating disorders and obesity, body dissatisfaction, violence, and consumerism. Commercial broadcasting is highly used by different companie s today. The television is the most known for airing most commercials advertisements today. This is probably because more people have access to the television; therefore, companies can reach a larger number of people through the television. On the other hand, print magazines are also a channel for advertisements, which is used by different companies. Most youth, especially the females, are highly attracted to fashion magazines, which are available and produced by various companies. Similarly, outdoor advertising, which involves different outdoor activities planned by a company, are mainly aimed at promoting the company and its products. Other forms of outdoor advertising include transit posters, bus adverts, bench advertising, and highway billboards, which communicate various messages from a company to the public. Nonetheless, apart from promoting and boosting company sales, these different forms of advertising have negative effects on the youth in America. Advertisements and the ap proach used therein are considered to brainwash most people and affect the perspective of people on morals and self-image (Harper, Brit and Tiggemann 645). In the United States, there is the right to freedom of speech for advertisers, and this could probably be the reason why these sometimes ignore the negative implications of most of their advertisements. With regard to body dissatisfaction, most youth in America are influenced by the body images in various advertisements, and therefore, think of those as the ideal body images (Hargreaves and Tiggemann 469). In television advertisements for beauty products for both male and females, model women and men are used. In the past, women models were portrayed as plumb and healthy, however, today, models are portrayed as skinny (Sparks 217). On the other hand, male models on television advertisements today are portrayed as men with steroidal masses, with muscles, and great strength. According to Hargreaves and Tiggemann, the exposure to th e model body images in television advertisements has a negative impact on the perceptions of the youth about their bodies (470). These might therefore, look for ways of attaining the â€Å"ideal† body, as portrayed in television advertisements. The second negative effect of advertisements to the youth in America is obesity and eating disorders. Obesity is a growing problem in the United States today. This problem affects the youth also, and this is highly attributed to the massive advertisements shown on the television and other advertising platforms, promoting fast food. Obesity is lethal, since this could lead to type 2 diabetes. The main factor promoting this in the United Sta

Week #7 Article Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Week #7 - Article Example Nature’s standards include productivity, but also require that the land be used well and that people are willing and able to use it well† (Bring It To The table, p.3). I strongly agree with Berry’s core belief towards being responsible caretakers of Mother Nature so as it will also be kind to us humans. This is especially relevant today, highlighting the need for humans to be more educated towards how to treat and use our natural resources well because of the many natural disasters that have taken many lives and livelihood from people. â€Å"Bring It To The Table† & â€Å"Jorge Luis Borgers: Funes, His Memory† for me has a lot of correlated ideas. In the line of the narrator to Funes that said â€Å"this rhapsody of unconnected terms was precisely the contrary of a system of enumeration. Funes did not understand me, or did not wish to understand me" (Jorge Luis Borgers:Funes, His Memory, p.113). Just like how we have a tendency to just take from the world or Mother Nature and disregard the proper processes such as in agriculture, in the end, nature will take its toll on us in such a way, perhaps, that it produces harmful produce that through years of intake would cause our bodies serious harm. Therefore, based on these two readings, I would say that there are no exemptions to the Golden Rule. â€Å"Do not do unto others, what you do not want others to do unto

Research the history, demographics, agenda, primary target choice of Paper

The history, demographics, agenda, primary target choice of Irish Republican Army - Research Paper Example In order to let this happen, the Easter Rising, a very significant insurgence in the Irish history was initiated, during the Easter Week. The Easter Rising aimed to revolt against the British rule in Ireland, and claim independence for Ireland. At this point, the Irish Republican Army came into being. Although, the British government appeased the movement of revolution shortly, revolutionists reassembled themselves under leadership of Michael Collins, and became the military part of the Sinn Fein, an Irish political party (Books LLC, 2010). History: After the establishment of the Irish Republican Army, a lot of unrest began; huge campaigns of insurgence were began opposing the British domination over Ireland, which included military raids, bombardments and more operations of the same kind. At last, 1922 bought the much awaited success for the Irish Republican Army and Ireland gained its much anticipated independence. Although the Irish Republican Army succeeded in achieving its await ed independence from the British rule, it came at a huge cost (Books LLC, 2010). The Anglo-Irish treaty signed in 1921, divided the Irish Republican Party itself in two parts. The Anglo-Irish treaty agreed on establishing Ireland as an independent, Free State, but it also considered Ireland as a territory under the British Empire (Derkins, 2003). Moreover, it also gave Northern Ireland the option of opting out of the Irish Free State, which it practiced. As a result, there was much resentment amongst the Irish Republican Army itself, resulting in a partition among the army itself. One of the groups under the management of Michael Collins, supported the treaty; while the other group established the anti-treaty counterpart, petitioned against the signing of the treaty. This headed to further unrest into the Irish lands, resulting in a civil war amongst both the parties of the Irish Republican Army, which lasted for the next nine months. The civil war ended with the defeat of the anti- treaty group of the Irish Republican Army and a huge increase in the death toll at the battlefields from both the sides. After the civil war, the Irish Republican Army, remained mostly irregular with its hangings, until in 1950s, when it again came in the news due to its efforts of regaining the Northern Ireland from the British rule (Derkins, 2003). The Irish Republican Army attacked the British infrastructure in the Northern Ireland to make the British army more vulnerable to the Irish Republican Army attacks. In spite of the series of attempts to conquer the Northern Ireland, and massive support from the Irish political parties and armies, the operation ended up being a massive failure for the Irish Republican Army, resulting in no fruitful results for them (Books LLC. 2010). Later in 1969, the Irish Republican Army split up again in two groups, but this time conspiring of the â€Å"officials† and the â€Å"provisionals† (Shanahan, 2009). The officials advocated the idea of a united and independent state of Ireland, but through peaceful proclamations, provisionals on the other hand, believed terrorism to be a prerequisite to attain an independent state. In accordance to their ideas, the provisionals launched a series of terrorist attacks on the Northern Ireland and on Britain as well. They tried to dismantle the British rule over the Northern Ireland and continued with their terrorist campaigns that aimed to weaken the

Consultation Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Consultation - Essay Example providing nursing services for a while and hence is qualified to provide advice and information about rehabilitation to organizations dealing with different forms of rehabilitation and their providers (Harmsen, 2008). Even before becoming a fully qualified CNS, the preceptor started her education and gathered much experience as a registered nurse where she worked in different settings including a hospital and even in different rehabilitation centers. Her passion to reform addicts led her to write her thesis based on rehabilitation centers and this required numerous research in that area including also dedicating time to work as a volunteer nurse in the centers where she was collecting data from (Fulton, Lyon and Goudreau, 2009). The years of experience combined with the educational expertise in rehabs has led her to become one of the top consultants and teacher in that field and that is why she is sought after by many rehabilitation organizations and the practitioners in the rehabilitation centers and even well-wishers wishing to invest in different forms of rehabilitation. Her caring nature contributed by her nursing career also has made her a consultant with a passion who follows up on her consultees to ensure that they understand issues and problems in rehabilitation (Hamric, Spross and Hanson,

The West, Middle East And Orientalism Essay Example for Free

The West, Middle East And Orientalism Essay The Middle East has become a focal point in the last fifty years because of concerns regarding the regions role in economics, international security and politics. There is urgency in developing peace and development for the region: its position in the world’s oil markets and its role as gateway between Europe and Asia are critical reasons for the interest. There has been an exhaustive amount of literature aiming to analyze and develop solutions for the region developing a consensus to what has to be done has proven to be difficult and even if accomplished, implementation has been problematic. One point of suggests that the difficulty in the region stems from cultural reasons. Orientalists contend that the culture of the people in the Middle East which is predominantly Islamic is one of the reasons for the developing conflicts. The purpose of this paper is to survey existing views on this perspective and to assess the validity of the arguments presented. In doing so, the paper will be able to define how culture affects the peace, order and development in the Middle East based on historical and current studies of the region. Perspectives of Orientalism The term orientalism was coined to delineate the geographical divide between the Europe and the Americas with Asia. This reflects the more recent use of the â€Å"west† to refer to the occident and â€Å"east† to refer to the orient particularly during the colonial expansion in the 20th century. Though the term was originally developed as a geographical term, the more significant application is in its use to imply a cultural divide that in turn is the core of conflicts held against the â€Å"west†. In Cole’s review of Bernard Lewis What Went Wrong: Western Impact and Middle Eastern Response, he cites that Lewis uses orientalism to characterize and develop his insights regarding the Middle East’s situation . Lewis uses the west as a standard to define what is wrong with the policies in the region. The approach is not just used to assess the current state of affairs in the region but reaches back historically with the study of the Ottoman Empire versus Central and Western Europe. According to Ismael Hossein-Zadeh, orientalist perspectives have had resurgence after the September 11th attacks. He considers that development an effort to understand the reasons behind the tragedy and at the same time an effort to develop the protagonists and antagonists of what was to be the war against terrorism. In this light, the Middle East and Afghanistan were modeled according to their difference with the Allies and the most distinct difference being the culture of the region . Stefan Lovgren reflects that this view of the Middle East is steeped and history as evidenced as far back by the Crusades . Ideologically, there are significant similarities: in the middle ages, the focus was to deliver the region from the domination of Arabs of Christendom’s birthplace and today, the objective to liberate the region from the supporters of terrorism. Evaluating Orientalism In Edward W. Said’s review of Samuel Huntingtons article The Clash of Civilizations he criticizes the War of the Worlds scenario presentation of the cultural and religious conflicts . Huntingtons approach is distinctively orientalist because of his use of cultural or civilizations to illustrate his theories. Said’s view is that Huntington is only â€Å"reinforcing defensive self-pride than for critical understanding of the bewildering interdependence of our time† . One of the key difficulties in orientalism is that there seems to be too much focus on superficial differences. This is not to imply that cultural differences have to be considered but rather, there is little historical perspective given to the economic, political and strategic factors. For example, Nanda Shrestha and Kenneth Gray reflect that the current conflicts between the West and the Middle East and all other conflict in recent history belie a two hundred years of good relations in terms . Using an orientalist approach, one culture or group is evaluated based on what is considered a more superior culture. In such a scenario, one group ultimately is considered to be superior to another thus its use as a standard. This then leads to conflict because either of the perception that a culture is being judged as inferior or because of the action on enforcing judgment or the will of the â€Å"superior† nation to the other in what is seen as in consideration of the interest of the other. It should be noted that this is not the motive of orientalism but is often used as the justification of extraterritorial action not just in the Middle East but the rest of the world as well. Conflict and Orientalism Cole points out that one of the difficulties in orientalism is that it tends to lumps together issues and then gives it a cultural or ethnic label that rarely represents all the individuals involved in the issue. According to him, when the terms Middle East is used the connotation is of Islamic insurgency which does not represent the majority of the countries in the region in either religion or sentiment . Bernard Lewis considers the current points out that this has lead for Moslems to fell that they are being persecuted and has led to resentment and mistrust of the west, particularly the United States . The cycle then continues on with Middle Eastern leaning towards orientalist views in dealing with other countries. Which, to be expected only further encourages conflict and misunderstanding among the parties involved. In Shrestha and Gray’s evaluation of Huntingtons article clash of civilization theory is that it should be considered as an â€Å"ideological work underpinning a neoconservative agenda for a global American Empire than a work of scholarship or accurate representation of historical reality† . Evaluating the Conflicts Lewis suggests that the evaluation of the conflicts should not focus so much on the disparities suggested by orientalist but rather on the competition because of common interests in terms of economy, politics and security . His view is supported by Lovgren whose study of the city of Jerusalem, one of the most contested cities in history and a goof microcosm of the region, reflect that history has shown that various cultures and civilization have co-existed well enough. He cites that most conflict has developed from territorial, economic and political disputes rather than from cultural differences . Furthermore, Kunihiko Imai that there has been greater tension not only in the Middle East but in the world as a whole because of greater exposure and interdependence among nations . Common stakes and conflicting interests are considered as one of the main causes of conflict. The discrepancies between the developed and lesser developed countries is creating tension and brings to the surface questions regarding the fairness of today’s global economics and politics . At the same time, J. J. Nance points out that there is also realization that issues like terrorism are global issues that have gained the attention of the international community that may not necessarily be in the interest of some country’s sovereignty . Nance uses as an example the aviation industry which has been among the hardest hit after the September 11th attacks: the aviation industry is typically one the highest grossing industries of any country, generating billions of dollars in tax revenue. Educator Henry A.  Giroux also points out that the conflicts that develop can also be attributed to the lack of cultural literacy which is the development of context and understanding of other cultures which has created â€Å"politics of difference† that gives little margin for real communication . Hossein-Zadeh supports this view: he believes that there has been little effort in addressing the root of the conflicts and religion and culture are used as a convenient scapegoat for the conflicts . There is no denying the impact of culture and civilization. It affects all aspects of society, creating the dimensions and forces that shape individuals . Orientalists’ perspectives have merit in that societies have their own motivations and capacities that either allows them to become more developed than another. However, considering communication and technology today which has created unprecedented channels for global interaction the distinction of what the West and Middle East encompasses is becoming blurred. As much as one would want to consider the Middle East as a far off and alien region to the West, the irony is that most recent leaders of the region have been educated in the West . Conclusion It is easy, if not convenient, to use cultural or regional characterizations to explain conflicts but this provides little option for the creation of satisfactory solutions. The real albeit more difficult issues to deal is whether there is fairness in economic policies; whether there is basis of foreign military presence; whether there is religious, racial and social discrimination; whether there tolerance for differences; and whether issues are not being misconstrued because of differences in perspective or objectives. There is little consideration of the underlying issues that was created the existing status quo and leaves too much to speculation and assumption. Therefore, any attempt to tackle with the issues in the Middle East must not be limited to this perspective and if used, should not consider it as indicative for the region. In conclusion, issues can not be fully assessed and solution can not be fully developed from orientalist perspectives alone. These perspectives consider only a snapshot of the issues that have to be dealt with. Reference http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/533230/posts http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2004/10/1028_041028_jerusalem_conflict.html

Impact of Socialization on Academic Performance

Impact of Socialization on Academic Performance CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION This chapter identifies and states the problem which this study seeks to probe. It also presents the significance and objectives of the study. It is therefore important to note that although considerable efforts have been made to improve Lower sixth form students’ academic performance and retention, students’ success in the Unit 1 CAPE examination continues to vary. The inability to connect the socialization effective domain in student academic performance has resulted in poorly prepared students in society. Secondary education in Trinidad and Tobago has been significantly expanded in the Post-Independence era. This was articulated in the 1968-1983 Education Plan. As a consequence, there was large-scale construction of junior, senior secondary and senior comprehensive schools. In addition, there are five-years, seven-years and private secondary schools. In the these five and seven years secondary schools, measures of academic performance at the school and individual level have always been calculated using grades in examinations such as CXC at Form Five Level and CAPE at Sixth Form Level across the country. The CAPE examinations, which replaced the Cambridge Advanced level examination, is today used as the main basis for judging a student’s ability and also as a means of selection for educational advancement and employment. Annually, hundreds of secondary school students write the Caribbean Proficiency Examination (CAPE). All students admitted to sixth forms have on an average a good CXC certificate of five or more subjects which is an indication of their ability and performance. To be admitted into sixth form at all secondary schools, the Ministry of Education in Trinidad and Tobago has stipulated the following: A student must not be become 20 years old during the calendar year of entry; A student must have obtained a minimum of Grade C in English Language â€Å"O† level or Grade I in C.X.C. General Proficiency exam; and A student must have obtained 4 other â€Å"O† level passes or Grade II in the C.X.C. General Proficiency will be accepted if there is at least one A in the grade profile. Lower sixth form students write an examination at the end of their first year. The results of this examination have revealed that some students are more successful than others at this level. Although students may have comparable abilities, been schooled in the same environment and follow the same syllabus, there still exists variation in their educational performance. A student who performs poorly will not be able to gain admission into University, since matriculation policy stipulates higher grades. For the purpose of this study, the word teenager will be used interchangeably with adolescent. A sixth form student is a teenager who is experiencing changes in their social and psychological life. This period is referred to as the adolescence period. Adolescence is a time of transformation in many areas of an individual’s life. In the midst of these rapid physical, emotional, and social changes, the young adult begins to question adult standards and their need for parental guidance. It is also a time for individuals to make important decisions about their commitment to education, family, and perhaps religion. Students begin to ask questions such as, â€Å"Is school important to me?† and â€Å"How do I want to spend my time?† According to Ryan (2000), the choices that adolescents make regarding their motivation, engagement, and achievement in school and the satisfaction they obtain from their choice depend, in part, on the context in which they make such choices. It is fair to say that school-aged children are assured of equality of access to secondary school. In society the agents of socialization have had differential impacts on the lives of young children and teenagers. If this is the case, there is a need therefore to examine very closely the educational performance and life chances of individual students. The interest of this research therefore, focuses on how socialization variables can be associated with the variations in the educational performance of Lower Six Form students who are 17- 20 years old. These students are assumed to be self-motivated when it comes to succeeding at the CAPE Unit 1 examination. The situation is debateable and can have serious social ramifications for the society as a whole. 1.1 BACKGROUND TO THE STUDY The variation in academic performance has its genesis in students’ early educational socialization. Research has shown that early years of exposure to Mathematics and English Language creates the foundation for later academic performance. If students enter kindergarten at a disadvantage, early gaps in understandings of literacy or mathematics tend to be sustained or widened over time (Aunola et al 2004). Research further shows this phenomenon is particularly true for children from lower income households (McLoyd and Purtell 2008). What parents can do with their children at home has far greater significance than any other factor open to educational influence (Tucker 2010). Similarly, Wood and Attfield (2005) argued that early years were particularly important for developing children’s ability and enthusiasm in mathematics. In Trinidad and Tobago, Mathematics and English Language are considered to be the two main prerequisite subjects that are common to all schools and to all students from various ethnic backgrounds. Table 1 shows a CSEC Mathematics grade distribution of the four schools in the study while Table 2 shows a CSEC English grade distribution. CSEC Mathematics and English Language are subjects, which all secondary students must pass in order to secure a place in the A-level class. These subjects covered the whole curriculum at the secondary schools. TABLE 1: VARIATIONS IN CSEC MATH GRADES FROM EACH SCHOOL 2011. SCHOOL GRADE 1 GRADE 2 GRADE 3 GRADE 4 GRADE 5 TOTAL SCHOOL D 52 90% 6 10% NIL NIL NIL 58 SCHOOL C 25 63% 10 25% 5 12% NIL NIL 40 SCHOOL B 15 50% 9 30% 4 13% 2 7% NIL 30 SCHOOL A NIL 0% 3 14% 9 41% 6 27% 4 18% 22 TOTAL 92 28 18 8 4 150 SOURCE: CARIBBEAN EXAMINATIONS COUNCIL HEADQUARTERS 2011 TABLE 2: VARIATIONS IN CSCE ENGLISH GRADES FROM EACH SCHOOL. 2011 SCHOOL GRADE 1 GRADE 2 GRADE 3 GRADE 4 GRADE 5 TOTAL SCHOOL D 57 98% 1 2% NIL 0% NIL 0% NIL 0% 58 SCHOOL C 36 90% 4 10% NIL 0% NIL 0% NIL 0% 40 SCHOOL B 21 70% 8 27% 1 3% NIL 0% NIL 0% 30 SCHOOL A 5 23% 9 41% 7 32% 1 4% NIL 0% 22 TOTAL 119 22 8 1 NIL 150 SOURCE: CARIBBEAN EXAMINATIONS COUNCIL HEADQUARTERS 2011 The results of the CAPE Unit 1 examinations (see Figure 1) can therefore be assumed to be indicators of early childhood socialization to the above subject matter. It can therefore be further hypothesized that students who did well at CSEC examinations would do well at the CAPE Unit 1 examinations based on their early socialization which will include the involvement of the independent variables of the study. FIGURE: 1 SOURCE: CARIBBEAN EXAMINATION COUNCIL HEADQUARTERS 2012 The data in Figure (1) revealed that the type of secondary school that students attend has a significant part to play in their academic performance. In other words, the home is the primary socializing agent where the desire for an education is internalized while the school, as the the secondary socializing agent (Parsons 1951) is where the students fulfilled that internalized desire with the help of the family and teachers. This dissertation will argue that the variation in Lower sixth form students’ academic performance is dependent on their individual socialization. 1.2. STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM Educational data in Trinidad and Tobago has revealed that some students are performing better than others at the Lower sixth form CAPE Unit 1 examination (See Figure 2, which represents a distribution of; grades one, two and three from 2005 to 2011). The percentage pass rates for Unit 1 ranged from between 57% and 63.5%. The pass rates for these same students at Caribbean Examination Council level (CXC) Examination was higher. This paradox reveals a disparity in academic performance of these students between the CAPE Unit I level and the CXC level. This results in a variation in the grades’ distribution within and among these secondary schools. The existence of a variation in educational performance for this examination has become a serious social phenomenon which can later create adverse educational imbalances among and between the different groups within the society. If, left unchecked, one can imagine the ramification this problem can have for the social stability of the so ciety. This examines how specific socializing variables can be implicated in the socialization of lower sixth form students. Psychology has shown that everyone is born with some potential, or abilities which could be utilized to the optimum for the development of their personal life. Therefore, all lower sixth form students may be exposed to the same teachers and the same conditions in the school, yet, there are remarkable differences in their academic performance at the Unit 1 examination of CAPE. Lower sixth form students, because of their age (17-20 years old) are older adolescents who are assumed to be more responsible and more independent than the younger students. What, therefore, are some of the reasons that are responsible for the variations in educational performance? As noted by the researcher before, the interconnectedness of many variables maybe the cause. Some of these variables have been identified as major contributors for the variations in academic performance. The researcher has identified the most likely socializing variables that will guide the thesis statement. They are as followed; the socio-economic status (SES), race/ethnicity, sex/gender, peer group and parental involvement. The aim, therefore of the study is to investigate socialization with its inherent social, cultural, and psychological learning processes as the main contributing factor for the existing variation in academic performance of lower sixth form students at the Unit 1 of the Caribbean Prof iciency Examination (CAPE) examination. FIGURE 2. Units I and II: Grades I-III ranged between 52.1% and 65.5% SOURCE: CARIBBEAN EXAMINATION COUNCIL HEADQUARTERS 2011 1.3. SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY This research is significant for both practical and scientific reasons. From the practical significant point of view, the study will help explain the behaviour associated with the variation in academic performance at the Lower sixth form Unit 1 level Caribbean Proficiency Examination (CAPE) in terms of the socializing variables in the form of parents’ socioeconomic status, race/ethnicity, sex/gender, peer group’s influence and parental involvement in students’ academic performance. Each is believed to play a major role in the socialization of Lower sixth form students and ultimately, the education process. Each of us proceeds through life in a manner we often believe is under our immediate control and influence. It seems logical that the actions we take and the impact of those actions is based upon a series of logical, rational, and emotionally loaded decisions influenced by choice and chance. Although this seems a reasonable manner in which to assess one’ s lot in life, it is far from reality, particularly in the area of education. Children have equal opportunities to do the same subjects and extra-curricular activities. They have similarly qualified teachers and they study these subjects for the same length of time (i.e. five years for CXC). The idea that each child enters school with the same opportunities that foster success is not a valid assumption. This is particularly true of the formative years from preschool through secondary school where the impact of these socializing forces can vary dramatically from person to person, depending on their life circumstances and social class status. 1.4. Objective of the Study As indicated in the introduction, there are many factors which can influence the academic performance of Lower sixth form students at the CAPE Unit I examination. However the researcher has confined this study within certain limits, concentrating on the examination of variables which have also been highlighted as important by other studies. These variables are; socioeconomic status, race/ethnicity, sex/gender, peer group, and parental involvement. The objectives are as followed: To investigate the socializing relationships, between academic performance of Lower sixth form students and socio-economic status, race/ethnicity, sex/gender, peer group, and parental involvement? To what extent are these research variables; academic performance, socioeconomic status, race/ethnicity, sex/gender, peer group, and parental involvement are mutally influential in the socializing of Lower sixth form students. 1.5. Definition of Important Terms Academic performance: refers to the overall excellence in all academic disciplines; represented in this study as an average of 50% pass mark in each subject. Academics: refer to student dispositions on school and grades and can be influenced by adult expectations Adolescence: refers to the period that begins with the onset of puberty and ends somewhere around age 18 or 20. In this research, adolescent is used interchangeabley with teenager and young adult. The study’s main focus will be on adolescents between 17 and 20 years of age. Achievement motivation: refers to the striving to increase or to keep as high as possible, one’s own capabilities in all activities in which a standard of excellence is thought to apply and where the execution of such activities can, therefore either succeed or fail (Heckhausen 1967). Parental involvement is very crucial for achievement motivation. Race/Ethnicity: in this study will be used interchangeably. However ethnicity which is assumed to share common cultural practices and history will also include religion. Extreme cases: In this study refer to those lower sixth form students who have acquired grade four and under in the Unit 1 CAPE examination. Gender: the significance a society attaches to biological categories of female and male. In this study it will be used interchangeably with sex. Mass media: impersonal communication directed toward a vast audience. In this case, the internet and the games associated with it. Parental involvement: in this research refers to the things that parents do to form behaviours that are directed toward children’s academic performance. Peer group: a social group whose members have interests, social positions and ages in common. In this study, peer group will include all individuals with similar demographic characteristics. Religion: a social institution involving beliefs and practices based upon the conception of the sacred. It will also be included in the definition for ethnicity. Sex: refers to the biological distinction between females and males. In this study it will be used interchangeably with gender. Socialization: refers to the lifelong social experience by which individuals develop human potential and learn patterns of their culture. Socio-economic status: refers to a composite ranking based on education, and occupation Social class: In Trinidad and Tobago, the upper class refers to the highest socioeconomic bracket in the social hierarchy and is defined by its members’ great wealth and power. Members of the upper class accumulate wealth through investments and capital gains, rather than through annual salaries. Households with net worths of $1 million or more may be identified as members of the upper-most socioeconomic demographic. The middle class is divided into the upper middle class and the middle middle class. The upper middle class consists of highly educated salaried professionals whose occupations are held in high esteem, such as attorneys, engineers, and professors. The middle middle class is generally thought to include people in the mid-level managerial positions or relatively low status professional positions, such as school teachers, nurses, policemen, and small business owners. The working class generally refers to those without university degrees, who perform low income servic e work, such as sales clerk, domestic worker and include most people whose income falls below the poverty line. Variation: the extent to which the Unit 1 examination results vary as it relates to each student’s academic performance.

A Comparison Between Charlotte Brontës Jane Eyre and John :: English Literature

A Comparison Between Charlotte Brontà «'s Jane Eyre and John Steinbeck's Of Mice And Men looking closely at the themes of Friendship, Loyalty and Integrity I have recently read Charlotte Brontà «s 'Jane Eyre' and John Steinbeck's 'Of Mice And Men' novels. They are both clearly different novels. First are both set in different time spans, the settings are different, Jane Eyre was set in rural Victorian England countryside, in comparison, Of Mice And Men was set in the Agricultural side of the U.S.A. Finally both genders of each novel are the same i.e. Charlotte Brontà « and Jane Eyre to John Steinbeck and George Milton and Lennie Small. I will be looking closely at the three themes and similarities between the two novels; these are Friendship, Loyalty and Integrity. I shall also be looking in detail at the differences between the two novels. Both these novels have many differences, The first main difference is the time and settings between the two novels, first of all Jane Eyre was set in 1847 in the rural Victorian countryside placed in England during the nineteenth century. Then the main character Jane Eyre and then the writer Charlotte Brontà «. This novel has been written in a first person narrative point of view, this attempts the readers to focus on the style of writing and emotions that occurred through the novel. This style of writing will enable the readers to get up close to the characters and the details given by them. " I don't know, I asked Aunt Reed once, and she said possibly I might have some poor low relations called Eyre, but she knew nothing about them". This shows how Charlotte Brontà « decided to write the novel in the first person narrative, this will again enable the readers to get up close and personnel, this will also get the readers some of her life as they were with her as it happened. This is one of the advantages of writing in the first person narrative. However a disadvantage of this style of writing is that us the readers our only able to read one point of view, but to me this is also another advantage because this novel suits the style of a first person narrative, Charlotte Brontà « has done this deliberately, so the reader can focus more on Jane Eyre and her life. In comparison John Steinbeck's 'Of Mice And Men' was set in the agricultural side, in the heart of the 1937 U.S.A. Also John Steinbeck wrote the novel during the great depression. John Steinbeck made the two main characters 'George Milton and Lennie Small'. This is another difference form Jane Eyre as the gender is all male however the main

Jehovahs Witness Essay -- essays research papers

Jehovah’s Witnesses Jehovah’s Witnesses are a people known widely throughout the world. They are well-dressed people who come knocking at your door on different occasions offering religious literature for sale or trying to introduce their beliefs through carefully prepared conversation. People young, old, rich, poor, well educated and non-educated have embraced them. Their enthusiasm as proclaimers of God’s Kingdom has impressed even their harshest critics. Their love toward one another makes some non-witnesses hope and pray that more people would act in that manner. Yet, some may still wonder, who really are the Jehovah’s Witnesses? What is their history, their practices and their beliefs? Why are they the most attacked new religious group today? Even many former group members have written books or created web sites that project a negative perspective on the Jehovah’s Witnesses. Due to the fact that this group has such a large following, it is not surprising that they would be attacked or their faith be denounced. It has been proven that the bigger in numbers of a group, the more controversial the group, and the larger the tension between them and society. Also, the more individuals who belong to a group, the more individuals there are who will denounce that faith and become active apostates. These apostates publish books and establish web sites proclaiming the wickness of the group to whose teachings they once adhered. When looking at it with this point of view, it seems natural that the Jehovah’s Witnesses would be heavily criticized. However, the fierceness of attack is still frightening. My thesis is that based on the questionable characteristics and backgrounds of the Jehovah’s Witnesses leaders and teachings, this criticism are not unfounded. Information on the teaching of the religion and the leaders themselves can be found in the following books: Jehovah’s Witnesses, Teachings of Jehovah Witnesses, Crisis of Conscience, Wha t You Need to Know About Jehovah’s Witnesses, Counting the Days to Armageddon, and Jehovah’s Witnesses: Answered Verse by Verse.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  In order to examine the controversies we must examine their history, organization, practices and their beliefs. We must first start at the beginning at the leadership of the Jehovah’s Witnesses with its founder Charles Taze Russell. The Allegheny, Pennsylvania boy had been... ...ir followers into doing what they are told. They have repeatedly changed their doctrines and contradicted previously held beliefs, all while claiming that it alone has the truth. This religion takes a person’s ability to think for himself, his ability to make rational decisions, and his free will.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  During my research on the Jehovah’s Witnesses the more material I read the more questions I had. How do they convert even the intelligent and God fearing people? Why are Jehovah Witnesses considerably successful in retaining their children within their belief system? Why are Jehovah’s Witnesses less likely to attend college? Why are 55% of Jehovah Witnesses women? Why would any parent allow their child to die instead of receiving a blood transfusion when their death would not be necessary? Do they put such little value to human life? If your religion causes you to separate from your family is your religion really worth it? These questions and others were raised throughout my paper. However, the fact is that the Jehovah Witnesses and the Watchtower Society are successful in converting people to their religion and have the ability to maintain their membership. Jehovahs Witness Essay -- essays research papers Jehovah’s Witnesses Jehovah’s Witnesses are a people known widely throughout the world. They are well-dressed people who come knocking at your door on different occasions offering religious literature for sale or trying to introduce their beliefs through carefully prepared conversation. People young, old, rich, poor, well educated and non-educated have embraced them. Their enthusiasm as proclaimers of God’s Kingdom has impressed even their harshest critics. Their love toward one another makes some non-witnesses hope and pray that more people would act in that manner. Yet, some may still wonder, who really are the Jehovah’s Witnesses? What is their history, their practices and their beliefs? Why are they the most attacked new religious group today? Even many former group members have written books or created web sites that project a negative perspective on the Jehovah’s Witnesses. Due to the fact that this group has such a large following, it is not surprising that they would be attacked or their faith be denounced. It has been proven that the bigger in numbers of a group, the more controversial the group, and the larger the tension between them and society. Also, the more individuals who belong to a group, the more individuals there are who will denounce that faith and become active apostates. These apostates publish books and establish web sites proclaiming the wickness of the group to whose teachings they once adhered. When looking at it with this point of view, it seems natural that the Jehovah’s Witnesses would be heavily criticized. However, the fierceness of attack is still frightening. My thesis is that based on the questionable characteristics and backgrounds of the Jehovah’s Witnesses leaders and teachings, this criticism are not unfounded. Information on the teaching of the religion and the leaders themselves can be found in the following books: Jehovah’s Witnesses, Teachings of Jehovah Witnesses, Crisis of Conscience, Wha t You Need to Know About Jehovah’s Witnesses, Counting the Days to Armageddon, and Jehovah’s Witnesses: Answered Verse by Verse.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  In order to examine the controversies we must examine their history, organization, practices and their beliefs. We must first start at the beginning at the leadership of the Jehovah’s Witnesses with its founder Charles Taze Russell. The Allegheny, Pennsylvania boy had been... ...ir followers into doing what they are told. They have repeatedly changed their doctrines and contradicted previously held beliefs, all while claiming that it alone has the truth. This religion takes a person’s ability to think for himself, his ability to make rational decisions, and his free will.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  During my research on the Jehovah’s Witnesses the more material I read the more questions I had. How do they convert even the intelligent and God fearing people? Why are Jehovah Witnesses considerably successful in retaining their children within their belief system? Why are Jehovah’s Witnesses less likely to attend college? Why are 55% of Jehovah Witnesses women? Why would any parent allow their child to die instead of receiving a blood transfusion when their death would not be necessary? Do they put such little value to human life? If your religion causes you to separate from your family is your religion really worth it? These questions and others were raised throughout my paper. However, the fact is that the Jehovah Witnesses and the Watchtower Society are successful in converting people to their religion and have the ability to maintain their membership.

Caliban Portrayed as a Child in The Tempest Essay example -- Tempest e

Caliban Portrayed as a Child in The Tempest      Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Can a grown adult develop and act like a child?   Shakespeaer's answer would have been yes.   This fact is depicted through the character of Caliban.   Caliban's speech and manners, as well as his thought, all display the very basic reactions and notions of human beings.   He is also controlled by a parent figure who comes in the form of Prospero.   An analysis of Caliban can hold him up to Piaget's Theory of Cognitive Development, which focuses on the development of children.   Caliban, unquestionably, fits one of Piaget's developmental stages.   Jean Piaget developed his Theory of Cognitive Senses in 1952.   According to Piaget, as children develop, they must make constant mental adaptations to new observations and experiences.   Piaget's theory was made up of four stages; the sensorimotor stage, the preoperational stage, the concrete operations stage, and the formal operations stage.   If children can be defined by these stages, it is important to note that Shakespeare's character Caliban can also be defined by Piaget's theory because he is presented ultimately as a child.   Part of his child-like demeanor stems from the fact that he is comparable to the primitive savage who does not understand the Western European world.      Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Caliban fits directly into Piaget's second stage of development, the preoperational stage   (Lamming 87).   According to Piaget, this describes most two to seven year old humans.   Although children in this stage can think, they are largely limited by what they can actually do.   They cannot reason, and they lack the mental abilities necessary for understanding abstract principles or cause and effect. Piaget called these missing abilities operatio... ...s of cognitive development, which suggests that Caliban has the mannerisms, actions, and ideas of a child around six or seven years old.   This is important to consider, because Caliban's actions have also been compared to the notion of Freud's id; he asks like the compulsive, troublemaking child.   Hence, the idea of the sympathetic but frustrating child is presented in the character of Caliban.    Works Cited Griffiths, Trevor R., "This island's mine: Caliban an Colonialism," Yearbook of English Studies 13(1983), pp. 159-80    Lawrence, Erol.   "Just plain common-sense: The roots of racism," in CCCS, 1982, pp. 47-92.    Lamming, Geroge.   The Pleasures of Exile.   London and New York: Allsion and Busby, 1984.    Mannoni, O., Prospero and Caliban: The Psychology of Colonizaiton, trans. Pamela Powesland (New York, Praeger, 1964).      

Apollo 13 Essay

For those not old enough to have lived through it, a story of shooting for a landing on the moon, suffering an explosion on the spacecraft on the way to the moon, not landing on the moon, and then narrowly making it home to Earth is the story of Apollo 13. When facing issues, conflicts, and the attainment of goals, having the resources of a fully functional manager and team are irreplaceable. A manager that has clear goals and strategies in place is more likely to succeed even when faced with the greatest types of adversity. Every employee of NASA should know about the tragic event of Apollo 13. The background of the team began with the completion between the U. S. and Russia and their space exploration programs. What started out as a routine trip to the moon and back soon became one of the biggest crises NASA had ever experienced. From understanding the plight of the spacecraft, to knowing what needed to be done, to creating a CO2 converter out of materials only available on the spacecraft, the flight is a clear lesson on how to manage a team in a crisis. In many projects, it always comes back to a stressful situation, where quick decisions must be made which have a major impact on the achievement of the task at hand. Many managers often ask for advice on how to handle such situations in order to be a good leader and achieve maximum results. In order to be an effective manager and to be able to influence other and exercise high degrees of control, some rules should be followed. I will give a few examples of how Gene Kranz managed to promote teamwork and to achieve the best possible solutions despite unprecedented problems, lack or resources and time pressure. One must remain optimistic and believe in themselves and the team to achieve a set goal. Without personal convictions managers will not be able to motivate the team to developed new solutions, continue to working and foster collaboration. Gene demonstrated principled management and a leadership in demanding the best from his team while respecting their efforts no matter the outcome. One great thing about Gene’s management was that is set a standard of excellence. With statements like â€Å"I don’t care about what anything was meant to do, I care about what it can do. This set in motion self-management by various supporting teams. This shows us important lessons that we can apply to other environments. Make sure to clearly identify roles and responsibilities of each and every team member. Communication is also a key in managing a team effectively. In the movie one of the team members unplugs his TV and takes his phone off the hook which cost everyone value time and inpu t in solving this crisis. Managers should make sure they can get in touch with employees. Create a policy if you must. An over authoritarian style of management with a top down principal is sometimes inappropriate. Managers often give instructions, tasks and fiat without asking the employee for their opinion. In contrast managers with a cooperative democratic style of management involve employees in decision making. Decisions are taken after detailed discussion in working groups. Information should be forwarded to a great extent through all communication channels. Gene Kranz was drawing at the board and listened to his team and their suggestions. And they all discussed the suggestions together. Without this democratic management style of Gene Kranz, the team would not have been as successful. Another issue is to work the problem correctly. Defining the problem is the hardest part of problem solving. As a manager it is important to define and communicate the problems which must be solved. Otherwise, no team will be able to find suitable solutions. Gene Kranz identified all the problems and formed special teams to address them. He made it clear to the teams which objects could be used. Only the objects that were available to the astronauts could be used. He wasted no time in complaining about what objects were not available or missing to solve the problem. He was action oriented and emphasized problem solving. It is also important to be a visible manager or leader. A good manager shoulders responsibility and conveys to all team members that they will work through the problem. Another trait of an effective manager is respect for others. Too often in today’s corporate environment, we don’t respect the judgment of those actually doing the work. Moreover, a crisis is not a time for accusations. The primary objective should be to handle the situation together and make the best of it. Gene Kranz did not ask at any time after the explosion, how such an explosion could have happened. Neither the astronauts nor Mission Control would have benefitted from the discussion of guilt, creative problem solving was much more important. In spite of all the negative talk, Gene told them failure was not an option, and they did not fail. Building trust must be combined with effective communication. Its benefit was evident in the film through the obstacles the team overcame. As a team grows together through strong management, their level of trust to achieve a collective goal, individuality becomes less important and the team’s objective is placed in the forefront. Action orientation becomes second nature, and feedback is open and honest. Combined, these improve the overall success and functionality of the manager, employee relationship. Finally, nobody wants to experience crisis such as the one in Apollo 13, however there will always be unpredictable problems and managers will have to challenge the situations. An effective manager should place themselves in Gene Kranz’s place for internalizing his way of leading a team. In addition, difficult situations that happen in the past should be analyzed for developing suggestions for managers to learn how to act in prospective situations. Every crisis is unique and demands an individual solution but for learning how to find the best solution, act right as a manager and motivate your team. Being successful and solving problems in a creative way is just but one aspect of being an effective manager and leader for your team.

Islamic Influences in the Philippines

Barter trade, equivalent exchange, and financial agreement, these words fall to the similar idea of agreeing to a set amount of items to exchange between two or more parties. A very underrated type of business, but very effective in the world of today. People see the world of business as a meaner to earn and make the most out of exchanges in order to buy more and more things for themselves, rather than the idea of getting the most out of a certain item purchased or traded.Barter in the Philippines had first been recognized in the lower regions such as Gambling, Zebu and Taw-Taw. The Filipinos there would encounter numerous people from around the world but most commonly would be the Chinese and the Muslims. The Muslims would often be known to be trading spices and silk to the Filipinos for fruits and rice, which became a very common trade throughout time. With this more and more Muslims even styled and taught many Filipinos the concepts Enid Trade and Commence between countries and cu ltures.Barter trade was an Islamic influence towards the Filipinos as it was a very common practice within the Middle East. Spices, Silk, Fruits, and Cattle were commonly traded among travelers in order to refill their stocks or to try new items. More so, Barter was a way of life in the early civilizations due to the fact that it allowed surplus foods and items to be traded for more useful items. In modern day Taw-taw, Gambling and Zebu, barter trade practices can still be en throughout the shores and towns along the coasts.Many countries such as the neighboring Malaysia have found these cities to be a well loved tender to all their needs for trading. Studies show how even families have relatives from both the Philippines and Malaysia due to the trade industry between relationships of the trading parties. The naturalistic relationship of the neighboring countries has brought many influences into the Philippines. Barter trade being one of the many, such as theIslamic religion, the sp ices in meals and the use of silk in clothing to name a few, have been significant markers to the development of the Filipino Culture. Even as the Philippines has been colonized multiple times by Spain, Japan and the United States, it still is a known fact that the Islamic culture has made quite an indention on the culture that is of the Filipino. Reference: http://pH. News. Yahoo. Com/Islamic-culture-barter-bind-Filipinos- Malaysian-134516022. HTML

Differences between Spearman and Gardner Essay

Edward Spearman’s name is almost synonymous with general intelligence, or â€Å"g† for short. He invented the first form of factor analysis, and proposed a two-factor theory of intelligence. He had sort of a math formula that said every activity involves a general factor plus a specific factor. (G + S). From these theories, he said that people who do well on intelligence tests also do well on a variety of intellectual tasks. â€Å"Vocabulary and mathematical and spatial abilities†. (Wilderdom, 2003). So for example of â€Å"g†, Spearman would theorize that people who score well on a verbal test have a lot of intelligence, but they are affected by their abilities to perform verbal tasks. In laments terms, if you scored well on a verbal test, you studied and have the brain capacity to understand and comprehend the material. Howard Gardner on the other hand has a different point of view on intelligence. Instead of one main intelligence to focus on, he has seven. â€Å"Verbal, Mathematical, Musical, Spatial, Kinesthetic, Interpersonal, and intrapersonal functioning’s† (Wilderdom, 2003). While these are all forms of intelligence, they function separately he argues. Gardner goes a different route than Spearman basing he theories on biological facts. â€Å"Premise 1: If it can be found that certain brain parts can distinctively map with certain cognitive functioning, then that cognitive functioning can be isolated as one candidate of multiple intelligences. Premise 2: Now it has been found that certain brain parts do distinctively map with certain cognitive functioning, as evidenced by certain brain damage leading to loss of certain cognitive function† (Washington U, 2002). These theories give a basis for multiple intelligences. Biologically, Gardner determines that the brain is the major player in the equation. For example; if a person was physically  handicapped, he determined that the particular part of the person brain that controlled motor functions was damaged. The differences between the two psychologist’s theories are basically the same, but explained differently. Spearman’s theories are narrow focusing on one general type of intelligence, G and reaction time. Gardner’s theories are essentially the same but broader focusing on multiple intelligences. Point here is that Gardner doesn’t believe that one intelligence can be sufficient to determine intelligence. As for overall use of these theories, Spearman’s theory has more evidence that it works compared to Gardner’s theory. The proof conquers that there is a connection between someone’s IQ and simple everyday tasks. The only place where Spearman’s theory is suspect is that it doesn’t account for all people. Example; if you gave a poor child an intelligence test, they would probably score poorly thus be deemed to have a below average intelligence. However, the child probably knows how to do basic math to survive and get by, consequently, it can’t take into account different talents that certain individuals have. Gardner also has the same critiques with his theory. A lot of people don’t prefer this method because it is too excessive and has too many components to gauge and measure. His theory has a very casual explanation, but due to the variety of different components to the theory, it’s difficult to pinpoint the exact cause and effect of a situation, and since no one has accurately figured out the complexities and diagramed an accurate depiction of the brain, I would have to call the theory hypothetical. References Spearman â€Å"g†, (2003). Retrieved on June 26th 2004, from, http://www.wilderdom.com/personality/L1-5KeyPlayers.html. Han S. Palik, One intelligence or many? (2002). Retrieved on June 25th 2004, from http://www.personalityresearch.org/papers/paik.html.

Emotional, Behavioral, and Physical Disabilities Essay

When it comes to students, teacher’s roles in determining how to teach a student with emotional and behavior disorder, Physical disabilities and Health Impairments, Traumatic Brain injury, Hearing impairments, and Visual impairments is to create an environment in which all students can feel safe and can participate to the best of their abilities. When it comes to proving a positive learning environment for students who has disabilities it can be a great challenge within the classroom cause each student has their very own needs, intellectual and physical abilities, perceptions and most of all learning styles which may vary for each student. It is very important to know the students needs and identify and areas of curriculum before teaching a student because may present problems for them. In order to do that a teacher most have some teaching strategies that they can modify in order to help teach their student who have disabilities where it can help identify the students special needs and it will offer strategies for the teachers to put within a lesson plan to teach and give all students a change to success in learning. There are lots of strategies teachers can use for example, when it comes to students with emotional and behavior disorders may students may have gifts or even learning disabilities in which case can divide from expectations or even from standards of behaviors. Some teaching strategies that teaching can use for a student with emotional and behavior disorders are a teacher need to work long term improvements without expecting immediate and strong success from the student, try to expose students with behavior disorder to students who are not special need. Try and allow students to walk around classroom and talk with the students about what they like or dislike helping learn about the student strength and weakness to be able to started making an outline of a lesson plan for them. Structure rules, a schedule for the student, arrange the room for students comfort for a more conductive learning environment for the students to learn in. teachers need to setup students a way to other outlets ways to reduce frustration and angry by model and role playing appropriate behavior for them to see. 2010 McGraw Hill) Most important I think a teacher and do also is create a cool off spot within the class for the student to calm down once they become frustrated or angry it can help model and reinforce proper behavior from the students one they have common down which will help the teacher to keep everyone else calm. Lastly they need to communicate with other teachers and the student parent to keep the line of communication open about the student educat ion. There are lots of different characters of students with emotional and behavior disorder and some examples are fighting and hitting, getting out of their sets, disturbing others by yelling and talking loud, destroying things by throwing, do not like to follow orders and some curses a lot in which cases some cannot help it. Next there are Physical disabilities and Health Impairments where student are not able to learning easy without help. For example students with Physical disabilities are those who have are orthopedic impairment in which one or more limbs are severely restricted and there are those who have health impairment. 2010 McGraw Hill) Some teaching strategies for teachers are to learn about special devices or procedures, help other students and adults understand and accept physically disabled students and to keep in mind that some students in wheelchairs have full uses of their hands and others do not. Most important allow student to participate in all activities like field trips, special events , projects and make sure they have full access to the classroom and nothing is blocked them in like them going down narrow hallways and heavy doors where they cannot get out. 2010 McGraw Hill) Some characteristics of Physical and health impairments are Mobility issues, fatigue, weak muscle, attention involvement and Hypotonic-low muscle tone. Lately there is traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a form of Acquired brain injury, occurs when a sudden trauma causes damage to the brain. TBI can result when the head suddenly and violently hits an object, or when an object pierces the skull and enters brain tissue. 2013 National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke) Some teaching strategies for teachers are reduce distractions in the student’s work area like remove extra pencils and books, Divide work into smaller sections where the teacher have the student complete one section at a time, Ask the student to summarize information orally that has just been presented, Use cue words to alert the student to pay attention like â€Å"listen,† â€Å"look,† and â€Å"name† lastly establish a nonverbal cueing system by using eye contact and touch to remind the student to pay attention. 2000 TBI Challenge Vol. 4, No. 2) Some Characteristics of a person who has traumatic brain injury are headache, confusion, behavioral or mood changes, and trouble with memory, concentration, attention, or thinking. A person with a mild TBI may remain conscious or may experience a loss of consciousness for a few seconds or minutes. 2013 National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke) In conclusion what can I do to nurture the self-esteem and self-determination, and enhance the self-advocacy skills, of students with emotional and behavioral disorders, physical and health impairments, and traumatic brain injury is to teach knowledge and skills to each students in other to become self determined. Also by set personal goals for each student and create actions plans to achieve the goals each and every day. Second Make good choices that re appropriated and that applies to the students everyday lives. When it comes completely down to the bottom line I will help my entire student achieve academic success. What can be done to help regular students understand, respect, and respond appropriately to students with disabilities in a class? I will post respect rules on my classroom walls, door, even in the school hallways. I will tell other students not to stereotype students that have disabilities because it is not nice to mock or tease students who are different and if I do catch them they will let them know that is disrespectful. I will tell them to show respect to them and try to get to know them better before making fun of the disable if that do not work and they are not trying to understand student with disabilities I will keep making sure that every student I come across so disrespect or even feel like they do not want to be around one of the student I will just tell them in a calm but nice voice â€Å"Try to walk in their shoes for once. †

Texting while driving Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Texting while driving - Research Paper Example Despite the best efforts from the part of governments and law enforcement agencies, there was a 28 percent increase in the number of accidents over the period from 2005 to 2008. Many people accept the fact that they resort to use cell phone while driving; a practice that takes away many lives and that makes many people incapacitated for their entire lives. It is surprising to note that in sharp contradiction with the popular belief, it is adults who are more likely to resort to texting while driving. According to the a Pew Research Centre study, 47 percent of adults do this while only 34 percent teenagers admit doing the same (Distraction.gov). When police officers find it easy to catch those who talk on phone while driving, it is difficult for them to find those who are texting. It is generally pointed out that enforcement of a texting ban is not an easy task as it requires officers to identify an act that usually takes place in a driver’s lap. Despite all these issues associ ated with the use of mobile while driving, it is rather ironic to note that the car manufacturers are not paying any attention to this issue at all. Instead, they are preparing their next generation vehicles with more entertainment. To illustrate, Ford rolls out Twitter and Pandora as a part of their dashboard console entertainment; an invitation card to disasters. It seems that despite the large numbers of accidents, people do not fully understand the graveness of the problem, or are unwilling to mend their ways as they are addicted to mobile. A study conducted by the Virginia tech Transportation Institute (cnet. News) found that those who send text message while driving are twenty-three times more likely to have a crash than the non-distracted drivers (LeBeau). However, the study found a much lesser possibility of accident when the driver is talking on a phone. In this case, the possibility of accident is 1.3 times higher than that of a non-distracted driver. At this juncture, it seems useful to look into the NHTSA study that reveals that 80 percent of crashes and 60 percent of near-crashes are the result of some sort of driver distraction. According to the study, the principal forms of distraction while driving are cell phone use, trying to handle moving objects inside the vehicle, giving attention to another event outside the vehicle, reading while driving, and trying to apply makeup. According to experts, texting is more dangerous than talking on phone. According to studies, drivers who resort to text messaging take 400 percent more time off the road. In addition, they are 70 percent less likely to keep proper lane. While the driver who talks on phone is able to watch the road, the one who is texting has to look at his or her hands, thus, unable to watch the road ahead. Despite all these frightening facts, people do not seem to change their habits. As reported by Bruno (in USA Today), the reason is simple in the opinion of James Katz, director of the Cent er for Mobile Communications at the Rutgers University. According to him, it is basic human nature to believe that they can handle a situation better than others even when they are aware of the dangers involved. As Pittman (66) points out, it is not possible for the US citizens to easily forget the 2008 train disaster that killed 25 people and injured 138 people. In the accident, a Metrolink Commuter Train collided with a Union Pacific freight train. According

Media Research - Discussion Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Media Research - Discussion - Essay Example The focus of the most desired effects studies would be on the content of video games as a mass media format and how it impacts youth personality and behavior. A recent study identified that the content of violent video games maintains the ability to lower player empathy toward others, in a survey of 307 adolescents between fourth and sixth grade (Funk, Baldacci, Pasold & Baumgardner, 26). It was cited as the â€Å"creative nature† of these games, accompanied with violent content, that changed how young individuals in society can lose their sense of compassion and kindness toward others with routine exposure (Funk, et al, 26). As identified, many varieties of this type of mass media contain advertising imagery that also alters attitudes and lifestyle focus, making effects studies absolutely fascinating. Offers one psychologist, â€Å"regular exposure to games actually rewires a child’s brand, making them more amenable to violence† (gamepolitics.com, 1). This, again, is why effects studies would be so critically important to understanding the role of different mass media formats on human behavior as they actually manage to create bio-physical changes to the human brain. Since there are many different formats of mass media other than video games, effects studies on all types of media could determine whether actual brain restructuring could be a potential and common outcome as a reason for why people change their attitudes and social behaviors. Effects studies related to video game media could be expanded to include the potential for television, radio and the social media found on the Internet to determine whether bio-physical changes occur after routine exposure to multiple media sources. By taking a larger sample of individuals who are not only children but include multiple demographics with different socio-economic backgrounds, actual brain measurements can be taken to witness whether structural changes occur after constant exposure to

Argument and Persuasion Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Argument and Persuasion - Essay Example This treatment is not acceptable in society to a greater extent. Only few reforms are laid down to help this category of children and a few has gained success but much is to be done to support this category of children. The question arises what made this category of children so vulnerable to exploitation and sufferings. It is common observation that poor nutritional uptake and lack of hygienic living conditions are pushing them to sufferings and ill-health. Therefore it is essential that policies must be laid down to uplift this category of children. They must encompass: 2. Proper hygienic environment: it is imperative that proper hygienic condition must be provided to these children so that they can have good health. For this, basic education must be given to keep themselves and their surroundings clean. 3. Education of parents: to make the future of the children parents play the crucial role. It is vital to educate the parents and make them aware about the health and hygiene and to keep themselves clean and keep the surroundings clean, not to let the water stagnate near their houses to avoid various diseases. This will not only keep them healthy but also enable them to save their money which would otherwise be wasted in hospital and medicines if they fall sick. 4. Education of children: it is the prime right of the citizen of any country to get good education and be the part of educated and literate population.

RESPONSE PAPER for Comparative Politics class Essay - 1

RESPONSE PAPER for Comparative Politics class - Essay Example According to the research article by Questia, the capacity of a party-state aimed at preserving both communist rule and social harmony was lightweight when placed close together against a global and interconnected world. The preference for a panoptic control shows strict constraints deserving a strong emphasis which is the nature of the medium in connection with political context requiring further exploration. This exploration is the communist heritage that is a matter of interdiction as of social mobilization. The Society of China has begun putting into use the resources of new information technology to put effectively pressure on the authority regarding social and economic issues (Questia, 2015). Wider patterns of social privileges and disadvantages remain as an influence on the public society. Some accounts show that new ways of state-society relations have reduced the influence of class and race on politics and policy (Orvis & Drogus, 2015). Shifts in modes of state-society relations have tampered with the mechanisms of racial influence and social class in ways that sometimes reward economic and social benefits. For example, business mobilization and citizens around economic development and environmental issues in some parts of France and USA has reinforced the local governance against most disadvantaged neighbor-hoods (Orvis & Drogus, 2015). Elsewhere, more so in the northern part of Europe, a great local participation is working to the advantage of marginal groups in social policy. In other developing cities in the world, a growing opposition from the middle and upper-class car owners are underestimating initiatives to curb vehicle pollution. How do institutions affect sate-society interaction? Although institutions are important, other types of institutions have emerged to control and regulate governmental and state-society relations.

Art Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 41

Art - Essay Example This blackboard is painted in black with some writings inside, and this creates attention to the viewer. On the left side below the blackboard is a chair, which seems to have been used in the ancient times. The chair is well decorated and design in a manner that creates attention to the viewer. On the right side is a cupboard and near to it is woman standing near to the cupboard. Additionally, on the forefront of the cupboard is a woman wearing a blue dress, which is not actually a dress but a painting decorated on the body; thus making it appear like a blue dress. The blue color offers the impression of hope, honesty and loyalty to the viewer. It also exhibit inner sanctuary and confidence; thus communicates or creates to the viewer the sense of calmness and peace. Down to the legs of the woman is a black painting, which appears like black shoes that she is wearing. The black color of these shoes communicates to the viewer about the power and authority. The black color can also imply submission because some experts argue that when a woman is wearing a black garment or shoes, the black to them implies submission to a man. The second art work which is written Sara Lighting is another artistic feature, which offers varied impressions to the viewer. First, the wall where the words are written has a smooth surface which glitters. In the middle of the wall is word written in block letters ‘Sara Lightening’ and immediately other words follows, which is ‘Courtney, Waiting Room, 2012, oil on canvas. This style of writing letters in block letters in the typography way is the core component of the design. Thus, it offers the reader or the viewer an insight or understanding the heritage behind the art work. It is one way through which the artists pass information to the viewers; thus making them to have a feeling of knowing more about what is inside the room. Axel and Nina (230) argue that one way of describing the technique of the

Indiviual Education Program (IEP) Research Paper

Indiviual Education Program (IEP) - Research Paper Example The IEP Standards document was devised by the US Ministry of Education in September 2000. (Ontario Ministry of Education, 2004). It is the requirement of law in US to prepare an IEP for children suffering from one of the disabilities recognized by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, as per the definition of U.S. Department of Education. (Beam, 2010). Such students are largely referred to as children with â€Å"special needs†. IEP pertains to students suffering from Autism and such other disorders. IEP is basically a whole plan of education meant to address the individualistic requirements of a student that coincide with his/her natural abilities. As the name implies, one IEP can not be applicable on more than one student. Meetings are arranged in which a team that includes but is not limited to the teachers, educationalists, parents and the student himself/herself conduct a discussion upon the issues with the student’s education and formulate the IEP through mutual consensus. The plan is prepared by educational specialists at the school of the student in mutual collaboration with the parents. The plan constitutes the division of everyday routine of the student into various activities that are essential for the attainment of education in the right manner. Activities are identified by the educational specialists keeping in view the interests and disabilities of the student. Goals to be achieved by the student in particular time limits are identified by the committee, and the provision of any services or additional facilities necessary for the attainment of the defined goals is ensured. The activities are scheduled carefully and parents are advised to confirm that their child complies with the activities as stipulated in the schedule. No one individual has a right to decide for the student. All members in the team concerned with the

I Need Time Management Advice Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

I Need Time Management Advice - Research Paper Example The steady decline is attributed to increased efficiency due to high level of technology, student evaluations methods and poor study habit among students. The students join colleges after they have achieved very good grades and above average performances leading to very high expectations but this are not to be realized in the long run because they fail to study immediately they set their feet on campus. The decline in the time of study affects all students equally irrespective of their race, sex, age, school size or their past performance. This is not limited to the type of school or the competency of the lecturers but the trend of the decline is widespread all over according to the research by the two economic professors which has elicited a number of varied reactions with some people doubting its accuracy. However the bottom line is that the declining trends is enormous and requires to be addressed urgently. Many reasons attributed to the trend include internet use, technological changes and change in campus demographic patterns, a claim that the two professors are quick to refute and instead they say that lack of challenge between both students and the lectures is the main contributing factor. There is a general decline in the workload that is given to students and as result they have a lot of free time to indulge in other activities other than personal studies and lack o self motivation to study. A research by Cooperative Institutional Research Program, or CIRP indicates that students develop poor study habits before they get to campus after which the trend worsens. Some have argued that the changing social patterns are responsible for the decline in the study time since some students are usually engaged in more than one activity at the time they are in campus as opposed to the early years where students devoted all their time to studies while in campus. It is also argued that technological advancements have

Grandfathers Journey by Allen Say Essay Example for Free

Grandfathers Journey by Allen Say Essay Question 1. Describe how the story is structured to influence your response to the text. Question 2. Describe one of the storys major settings. How is it constructed and what is its significance to the story and its ideas? North America is the major setting in this book. North America holds a lot of new technology and everything is new and spectacular to him, the trains, the enormous rock sculptures and an endless farming field are examples of this. There is also a bad side to this place; there are huge cities of factories and tall buildings with thick smoke coming out of each building. But above all, best place was California, where there were a strong sunlight, the Sierra Mountains and the seacoast. Along the way he had met and shook hands new people, which had different cultural backgrounds to him. This setting is constructed in a way that the more the grandfather travels the more he liked it and wanted to make the New World his home. This setting shows that the cultural barrier can be broken and people should go out and see the world and meet new people to develop more familiarity of the world they live in. Question 3. How are you positioned to respond to the major character/s of the story? What values are represented through them? Question 4. Describe the extent to which language and graphics are successfully used together to shape your response. Discuss with close reference to at lease two examples. In the Grandfathers Journey, there are a few pages where the graphics and the text connect together to give the reader a better understanding of situation. At the beginning (on page 4) the text was My grandfather was a young man when he left his home in Japan and went to see the world. On this page it shows the grandfather in Japanese clothes and the background had very dull colours because he is still in the Old World. On the next page it shows the transition to the New World. The background colours have changed from dull to bright and he had changed into European clothes. The wave that looks very unsteady shows the New World. All this happens when you want to see the world. On page 17, there is a picture of the grandfathers daughter holding a pram with a European doll sitting in it. The text that goes with the page was As his daughter grew, my grandfather began to think about his own childhood. He thought about his old friends. In the picture the author shows the contrast between the Asian girl and the European girl using different clothing and the cultural difference (seen through the colours of the hairs). When compared, the grandfather began to remember how his old friends in Japan were when they were little. This illustrates think about his own childhood. He thought about his old friends. Question 5. Discuss the attitudes and values of the text and your personal response to these. Question 6. Describe at least one link you can make between this book and another/other texts you have read or viewed. How do the texts compare in terms of the ideas presented and how do you respond to these ideas? One of the pages in this book makes us realise that we often label Japan as the enemy in World War II, whilst they were also the victim and had also suffered a large amount of devastation. In the film Pearl Harbour, one of the scenes was Japan bombing Pearl Harbour. This only shows the negative side of Japan, where they were attackers, but it did not show them as the victims suffering from the disaster. This movie is persuading the audience to blame Japan for the damages of the war, where Japan had to go through the emotional breakdowns and physical injuries. Even though the book tells us not to blame Japan for the damages and the movie shows us that Japan was the enemy in World War II, there is still a link between the two texts and that is after a war majority of the participating countries will have, no matter large or small, havocs. I think, because of this, we should not blame a certain country for the occurrence of the war, and should not blame any country since the countries that participated are both enemies and victims of the war.