Using Empirical Research Evidence, Explain the Effects

Using empirical research evidence, explain the effects of one neurotransmitter on human behavior. Neurotransmitters are chemical messengers, which send signals and communicate information through neurons (nerve cells), cells, our brains and our bodies. Neurotransmitters are released and travel through terminals in the brain until they reach certain receptors. Neurotransmitters and their functions are located and carried out in different sections of the brain. It uses neurotransmitters to make your body carry out certain functions, such as making your heart beat and your lungs breathe.Scientists are not sure of how many neurotransmitters actually exist, but they can be sorted into two main different types. These are called exitatory neurotransmitters and inhibitory neurotransmitters. Exitatory neurotransmitters stimulate different parts of the brain. Three wellknown types of exitatory neurotransmitters are dopamine, norepinephrine, epinephrine. Inhibitory neurotransmitters calm the br ain and create balance. Three different types of inhibitory neurotransmitters are serotonin, gaba and dopamine.Although dopamine was already mentioned as an exitatory neurotransmitter, it is special because it is considered to be both exitatory and inhibitory. Dopamine affects the 5 different dopamine receptors: dopamine 1 (D1), dopamine 2 (D2), dopamine 3 (D3), dopamine 4 (D4) and dopamine 5 (D5), and helps to control parts of the brain that react to pleasure and reward. It helps the brain not only to see rewards, but to motivate a person to obtain those rewards, or at least try to move towards them. It also helps to motivate humans to perform the actions again, to acquire the same rewards.This involves activities such as eating, sex, and other such activities that create a rush of adrenaline. Along with that, dopamine also helps the body to move and have emotional responses to certain objects or situations. A lack of the dopamine neurotransmitter can have a number of negative effe cts, one main illness being Parkinson's disease. Also, people that are low in or lacking in dopamine activity are more likely to have addictions or become chemical dependent. When dopamine is not produced correctly in the frontal lobe of the brain, attention, focus, memory and the ability to analyse can all be negatively effected.The dopamine neurotransmitter can also effect people socially. Studies have shown that anxiety in social situations and a lack of dopamine 2 receptors can very often be linked, also, people with bipolar disorder are given drugs known as ‘anti-psychotics', which block dopamine, in an aim to reduce mania. A study was carried out on May the 2nd and was published in the Journal of Neuroscience. The scientists that worked on the study included a team of Vanderbilt University scientists, medicine student Michael Treadway and professor of psychology, David Zald.The aim of the experiment, was to test whether ambitious and hard working ‘go getters' in th e workplace, who were willing and able to work hard to obtain the reward they want, had a different level of dopamine release in the brain (or certain parts of the brain), than workers that tended to slack off more and were less willing to work towards obtaining a reward. The team of scientists used a Positron emission tomography (or PET scan), which is a medical imaging technique, used to produce 3D images of functions taking place in the brain, and other parts of the body.The scientists discovered that the ambitious workers, working towards a reward, had a larger release of the dopamine neurotransmitter in the parts of the brain that, studies have shown, are linked to motivation and obtaining reward. These parts of the brain are called the striatum and the ventromedial prefrontal cortex. Not only did they find out this, but they also uncovered that less motivated people in the workplace had a high release of dopamine also, but in a completely different part of the brain. This dopa mine release was happening in the anterior insula of the brain, which is the section that is linked to emotion and risk perception.Many different types of studies have proven that dopamine affects going after rewards, and motivation in the brain, but the speciality of this particular study is that it proves that dopamine is not only linked to rewards in hardworkers, but also can be linked to emotions and risk perception in less ambitious workers. This empirical research study clearly shows that dopamine has an affect on human behaviour by effecting the ambition, or lack of it, in the workplace when it comes to working towards reaching a goal and obtaining a certain reward.

Ethnomethodology and symbolic interaction perspectives differ in their approach Essay

Ethnomethodology and symbolic interaction perspectives differ in their approach. Explain how these perspectives differ  Ethnomethodology and Symbolic interaction are both sub-categories in the social theory of interaction. Interactionism focuses on the details of people’s everyday lives and how people use symbolism to communicate but also to maintain our character and the impression others have of us as individuals. Both perspectives study similar parts of social interaction and look at behavioral and social norms in modern society. However they differ slightly in both their approach to analyzing social norms but also have different perspectives on the basis of modern social norms. Symoblic interaction studies and theorises the way in which individuals in society act towards each other based on the meaning that they have for different actions and processes. The meaning we attach to certain actions is the product of the individual’s previous social interaction and therefore the individual continues to handle and modify their own interpretation during all their social encounters. One of the founding theorists of the symbolic interaction was Herbert Blumer and he suggested that we attach meaning to the actions of other individuals and therefore we do not only respond to the actions of the individual but also to the meaning we attach to that action. Therefore people behave and react, in social interaction, because of what they believe and not by what is taking place at the time. Thus the construction of society is based on human interpretation of social action and therefore social bonds are only formed through two individuals interpretation of behaviour. The theory and meaning of Ethnomethodology can be formed by breaking down the word into its component parts. Ethno meaning people, method meaning method and ology meaning the study of makes Ethnomethodology the study of the method of people. A better definition of the theory is the study of society in everyday life and the analysis of the use of knowledge, actions and interpretations in social situation. Ethnomethodlogists are interested in understanding how an individual makes sense of the social world and is  linked to phenomenology. Harold Garfinkel emphasised the use of language and communication as way of analysing the way people make sense of their environment. This focus on language and communications gives us one of the key differences in the approach of both theories. Whilst Ethnomethodology puts emphasis on the role of language and communication, symbolic interaction puts greater emphasis on actions and interpretations of the individual in social interaction. The nature of meaning of social interaction is fundamental in both symbolic interaction and ethnomethodology. The definition of meaning and how it used and analysed is considerably different between the two perspectives. In symbolic interaction meaning is the interpretation given by the actor to the setting they are in therefore the meaning is the product of the individual’s social interactions but is interpreted on during the interaction. Blumer says ‘meanings are handled in, and modified through, an interpretative process used by the person in dealing with the things he encounters’1. Despite ethnomethodologists agreeing with symbolic interactionists that meaning is formed in social interaction they differ in the fact that they insist that meanings only exist in certain circumstances and that developing and changing through differing forms of social interaction. This difference in the interpretation of meaning results in different views on certain types of research method and what data is used and the validity of that data. In ethnomethodology the focus is put on the social interaction or communication, they are studying, whilst it takes place and therefore video recording, live observation and audio recordings are used as the key methods of research and analysis. However in symbolic interaction there is much more focus put on field notes and post social interaction recollections such as interviews and group discussions which in the field of symbolic interaction is valid enough to gain the point of view of the actor. This is in stark contrast to ethnomethodology who believe that the actor’s point of view is irrelevant in sociological study. There is much criticism of the symbolic interactionist method as there is no set structure in their methods  and they rely heavily upon the actor to give his or her point of view which is conside red not valid by the ethnomethodologists. Both the theories have different perspectives on the role of the actor in a social interaction and he or she makes sense of their setting. Symbolic interactionists believe that the individual is the fundamental part to the processes and meaning of social interaction. Roles and identities are therefore attributed by the actor in social interaction and the social interaction happens in an internalised orientation where the actor can also take on the role of the other and has appreciation for the role of the other. Ethnomethodology has an alternative theory to the role of the actor and disagrees entirely with the role of the actor that is given by symbolic interactionists. Counter to symbolic interaction theory, ethnomethodology suggests that is not the actor that dictates the setting and meaning of a social interaction rather that the setting is self-organised and that organisation gives the roles of the actors and the others rather than it being chosen by their own consciousness. As w ell as this ethnomethodologists rarely refer to the â€Å"actor† in social interaction but rather chose to refer to each individual as a â€Å"member†. As such the â€Å"members† in a social interaction do not build it themselves rather they become a product of the interaction, this is in contrast to symbolic interaction where the actor builds the interaction from the inner self. In symbolic interaction each social interaction happens in a particular context and this can either be a lay context or a professional context. All contexts in symbolic interaction can be defined using ethnographic investigation by studying the context features of that interaction. Ethnomethodologists on the other hand believe that context is a product of the interaction and that any contextual features of an interaction are not clear beforehand but become clear during the interaction. Ethnomethodoligists such as Garfinkel do not believe that the symbolic interactionism’s view of context does not give and accurate description of every form of interaction and therefore the use of context in Ethnomethodology is merely an extra interactional feature. Ethnomethodologists study behavioural norms not only by looking at the individual interactions, like symbolic interaction, but by attempting to break these norms and studying how society and the individual react. Through this theory Ethnomethodologists believe you get a clearer consensus of what is the norm as people find it difficult to describe what is the norm as most of it is in the sub-conscious. Ethnomethodlogists believe that it is only when these norms and behavioural patterns are broken that the norms become more apparent as people are not become accustomed to react to the new form of behaviour. A famous example of this method was when college students in the US were asked to act like guests in their own homes. They were told to be impersonal but formal and to study the reaction of their parents and family. After explaining the experiment to their parents many parents described different reactions. Some parents believed they wanted something, others thought it was a joke and some believed they were hiding things. This experiment allowed the students to see that even informal norms that we take for granted in the home are carefully structured and by disrupting these norms they become clearer. However Ethnomethodology and Symbolic Interaction do have their similarities and despite their different approaches they do study the same area from similar perspectives. Both theories study the micro world of interaction theory and despite the fact that both are criticised for having a very narrow field of research they do look at very similar things. Although there is one area in which symbolic interaction is studied in the macro world and that is in Goffman’s study of ritual. Despite the fact that both theories study the perspective from the micro world, Ethnomethodology is rarely studied outside of two areas, the first being the household and the second being conversational. Ethnomethodology puts great emphasis on the role of communication in social interaction and therefore limits the field of study they can look at. Symbolic interaction covers a much broader field of study in the micro world. It does not only look at communicational interaction but also at the action and interpretation of the forms of social interaction. In conclusion it is obvious that these perspectives differ on how they  approach the subject of social interaction but there differences do not mean that they are not very similar fields of study. Mary Gallant suggests that both ethnomethodology and symbolic interactionism share a ‘verstehen’2 approach and that they both ‘interpret behaviour by taking actors’ meanings into account’3. However where they differ is in their approach to the topic of social interaction and therefore they gain different kinds of understanding due to the fact that they are seeking answers to different questions. This is due to the fact that Ethnomethodology studies social interaction from a largely ‘phenomenological’4 viewpoint and looks at how individuals look at the real world with particular focus on communication and speech. Whereas symbolic interactionism is part of the ‘critical tradition’5 and looks more at how people give meaning to the wo rld around them. Despite the fact that as Dennis suggest the Ethnomethodological approach means that the symbolic interactionists focus on actor, meaning and context is ‘unnecessary’6 it does see it as a ‘valid sociological perspective’7. So although there are many differences in the perspectives the theories have on social interaction they do have similar ways of looking at the world and they do both study the same micro field of sociology. Word Count 1675 Bibliography 1. Blumer, Herbert. Symbolic interactionism: Perspective and method. Univ of California Press, 1986. 2. Dennis, Alex. â€Å"Symbolic Interactionism and Ethnomethodology.† Symbolic Interaction 34.3 (2011): 349-356. 3. Denzin, Norman K. â€Å"Symbolic interactionism and ethnomethodology: A proposed synthesis.† American Sociological Review (1969): 922-934. 4. Gallant, Mary J., and Sherryl Kleinman. â€Å"SYMBOLIC INTERACTIONISM VS ETHNOMETHODOLOGY.† Symbolic Interaction 6.1 (1983): 1-18 5. Goffman, Erving. Interaction ritual: Essays in face to face behavior. Aldine Transaction, 2005. 6. Mead, George Herbert. Mind, self, and society: From the standpoint of a social behaviorist. Vol. 1. University of Chicago press, 2009.

Complexometric Determination of Water Hardnesss Essay

Introduction/Background: This lab was about determining water hardness. Water hardness is the amount of metal ions in the water. The most common found ion in the water is calcium ions and typically with a charge of +2. Water hardness plays a big significance in our daily life because to many metal ions in our drinking water can have adverse effects on our body. You can measure the water hardness by EDTA titrations. EDTA is a disodium salt that stands for ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid and it is a chelating agent. Chelation is the process of a ligand forms a complex with a metal ion. Eriochrome Black T is an indicator you add to the water sample that will turn the water pink if metal ions exist. Through the process of titration, carefully adding EDTA to the water sample with the Eriochrome Black T will cause a chemical reaction to occur, slowly changing the water color from pink to violet and then violet to a light blue which will be the end of the chemical reaction. Once the titration is complete you can ca lculate your water hardness. Above in the formula V represents the actual delivered volume of Na2EDTA solution and M is your actual molarity. Procedures: Start by preparing 500mL of 0.004 disodium EDTA solution. This is what will be added to the buret. Next take a 250-mL Erlenmeyer flask and add 10.00mL of standardized calcium and 30mL of deionized water. Place a magnetic stir-bar in the flask and set on top of a piece of white paper on a magnetic stirrer. After place 3mL of ammonia/ammonium chloride buffer (pH10) inside the flask and let it stir for thirty seconds. Lastly add four drops of Eriochrome Black T indicator to the solution which will turn it a pink color. Begin titration and watch as the color changes from pink to violet and then violet to a light blue color. Record the data when the color turns a light blue and repeat the process two more times. Fill the buret with the same 500mL of 0.004 disodium EDTA solution. Take 25.00mL of an unknown water sample and add it to a 250mL Erlenmeyer flask. Mix in 20mL of deionized water. Set a magnetic stir-bar inside the solution and place on the magnetic stirrer. Next add 3mL of ammonia/ammonium chloride buffer (pH10). After thirty seconds of stirring add four drops of the Eriochrome Back T indicator and watch as the solution turns pink. Begin your titration by slowly adding small droplets of the 0.004 disodium EDTA solution. The color will slowly change to a violet color and then to a blue color which will be the stopping point. Record the data and repeat two more times. With the data collected calculates the hardness of each sample, then the average water hardness of all three samples, and lastly the precision of each trial. Compare your data to the expected range of a local cities water hardness. Results and Discussion: The first three titrations involved the known Calcium stock, titration 1 used 22.91ml of Na2EDTA solution before the titration complete. The second Titration used 21.91ml while the third and final used 21.55ml of solution. During the procedure a 250ml Erlenmeyer flask was used as well as a 50ml burette, the buret was filled with our Na2EDTA solution while the flask was filled with 30ml of DI water, 3ml of ammonia, and 4 drops of an indicator, in this case Eriochrome Black T. Experimental error was calculated by taking the sum of all absolute deviations/3 than divided by the mean concentration of Na2EDTA, in this case the mean concentration was .00452M, and lastly, multiplied by 1000 to get the answer in PPT. Table 1 below shows the readings of both solutions before and after titration. The mean concentration of these titrations is 0.00452, This figure was used to find the estimated precision which came out to 23.270% off of 100% meaning the experiment was 76.73% accurate. Finally the volume of the unknown was calculated to find the ppm for each titration and the mean of all three titrations was used to find the estimated precision of the unknown in ppm. The mean in ppm for the unknown came to 212ppm, this number was plugged into the equation for estimated precision which is the sum of all absolute value deviations/ number of trials, all of which is divide by the mean and multiplied by 1000ppt. The final figure came out to 25.2% off of 100% meaning that the experiment was 74.8% accurate. Conclusion: In conclusion the water hardness of a solution can be found by titrating a known solution containing metal ions and using a chelating agent such as EDTA to determine the impurities of each of the water samples. Also, using the data collected from each titration the concentration and mean can be found from each titration and used to determine the water hardness in ppm. The estimated precision of this experiment can be found by running multiple titrations on the same sample more than one time. The results obtained in this experiment include a mean concentration for the Calcium stock of .00452M, and an estimated precision of 76.73% and the average water hardness was 400.39ppm. The estimated precision for the unknown was 74.8% and an average water hardness of 204ppm. In this experiment 500ml of a known solution EDTA was prepared; a 10ml pipet was used to transfer a standard calcium ion stock solution into a 250ml Erlenmeyer flask. 30ml of DI water was added to the flask and the contents were than stirred using a magnetic stirrer and stirring rod. 3ml of Ammonia was added to the flask mixed for a few seconds underneath the fume hood and 4 drops of an indicator was added, in this case Eriochrome Black T. The contents of the flask were stirred for thirty seconds before titration began, as the titration progressed, the color changed from pink to violet and finally to a sky blue color indicating that the titration was complete. This process was completed with minor changes for the Unknown #141, 25ml of the unknown was placed in the flask and 20ml of Di water was used rather than 30ml, the rest of the titration however, used the same steps as above. Work Cited Klenck, Thomas. â€Å"How It Works: Water Softener.† Popular Mechanics 1 Aug. 1998: n. pag. 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Is Hamlet a Tragic Hero Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Is Hamlet a Tragic Hero - Essay Example According to Aristotle, there are six major elements required to make up a tragic hero – three character elements and three behavioral elements. To begin with, the hero must have a noble stature. He must also have excessive pride in some aspect of his being. Finally, he has to have a tragic flaw, usually something related to his source of pride. These three character traits combined lead the character to his or her downfall through a three-step process that comprises the behavioral aspect of Aristotle’s definition. This process begins with a mistake in judgment or action that will eventually cause the hero’s ruin. The second event is when the hero realizes where he made his mistake. The final event is the reversal of fortunes the hero experiences as a result of his mistake (â€Å"Aristotle†, 1998). With this definition in hand, it is easy to see how Shakespeare’s character Hamlet fits within this definition. Hamlet meets all three of the character requirements to be defined as a tragic hero. He is noble first because he is truly of noble blood being the only son of the reigning king and queen and second because he is dedicated to doing the right thing. Although everyone else has come out of mourning less than two months after King Hamlet’s death in honor of the new royal couple, Hamlet is accused of wearing black to seem more upset than the others, showing that he is still mourning the death of the old king which was only proper this early after he died. A lot of his inability to act throughout the play is based on this insistence that he act correctly rather than allowing himself to be fooled by the devil. Hamlet’s pride is in his intellectual abilities. However, his fatal flaw is in allowing himself to analyze a situation too much, which slows his actions considerably and provides his uncle with the knowledge that Hamlet suspects his actions. Hamlet also meets all of the behavioral requirements of Aristotle’s definition of

Pricing Strategies of Tiger Airways Research Paper

Pricing Strategies of Tiger Airways - Research Paper Example The Tiger Airways is divided into services and brands such as the marketing and customer services which comprise the in flight services, the marketing service and cabin crew (Albers, Auerbach, & Baum, 2005, p. 154). Furthermore, the operational services comprise flight operations, catering, aviation services, and operation planning and control services. The other section of the airline is the commercial service section. The airline has operations in countries like China, Hong Kong, Thailand, and Australia. Amongst all its destinations mentioned above, Thailand stands out as its major market. The company has a well-established website that enables passengers and other clients to book tickets cheaply online. This and other pricing strategies will be discussed in subsequent sections. This project, therefore, aims to explore the pricing strategies used to sell the Tiger airways tickets as well as other products. To successfully explore its pricing strategies, the discussion will also capture the factors influencing tiger airway’s pricing strategies and the positive and negative impacts of the pricing strategies used by Tiger airways. The pricing strategies used to sell the Tiger airways tickets and other product Tiger Airways employs a mix of pricing strategies coupled with unbeatable deals on airfares aimed at helping passengers to reach their destinations safely and cheaply. In addition to their competitive airfares, they also offer superb deals on hotels. Some of these strategies are discussed below. 2.1 Low-fare pricing Strategy Tiger Airways employ a low-fare pricing strategy. By definition, according to Graham (2008) the low-fare airlines also employ low cost strategies lowering their costs in relation to the pricing and cost strategies of their rivals. The business model of Tiger airways is primarily characterized by the simplicity of products and services, low costs of operation as well as a specific positioning, allowing them to offer their customers prices that are low, without offering many of extra services. The low prices provided by Tiger Airways have been appealing and attracting new clients in the market and even the airports such as Changi Airport in Singapore have adapted and transforming relative to the growth of the airline (Carrilho, 2010). Based on the fact that low cost air companies require reduced or lower airfares, airports are also assigned to this particularly segment by paying close attention to the income generated by activities that are non aeronautica l in nature as commercial services due to the income gen

Nurses use of water-filled gloves in preventing heel pressure ulcer in Essay - 1

Nurses use of water-filled gloves in preventing heel pressure ulcer in the University College Hospital, Ibadan, Nigeria - Essay Example By employing percentages in an appropriate manner to represent the correlations among the variables, the descriptive statistics used give clear meaning to the paper. In the study undertaken to assess the nurses’ use of water-filled gloves in preventing heel ulcer in the university college hospital, Ibadan Nigeria, statistical analysis to assess the threats to the study’s validity were not undertaken which act as a crucial aspect in influencing the integrity of the research. Through application of inferential statistics like, â€Å"Nurses who have been in practice for 11 years and above preferred the use of WFGs as against those with less years of practice (1–10 years)† (Adejumo & Ingwu, 2010, p. 475). The research can generalize the study to enable it applies to all the nurses other than the study sample alone. Thus makes the recommendations of the research to applicable to other hospitals. The use of multivariate procedures in the analysis of the data like the chi-square as a means of testing correlations is significant for the assessment of the relevant P-values. This makes the research to have a definitive claim to the recommendations it makes, thus can be effectively used in influencing of policies. Provision of information concerning hypothesis testing gives the research more validity as was presented in the study, according to the study, â€Å"Hypotheses were tested using chi-square analysis at a significance level of 0.05, whereas the manual content analysis was used to analyze the qualitative data† (Adejumo & Ingwu, 2010, p. 472). Testing of the hypothesis is equally crucial in ensuring that the research topic is in line with the actual problems on the ground. Risk indexes were not clearly reported in the study; nevertheless, reporting of risk indexes in a study is essential for the implementers of the research to know the magnitude of the population the research can be

English (reading) Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

English (reading) - Essay Example For those who require serious medical attention, the situation is even more pathetic since they expectedly ring up higher medical bills. â€Å"Almost 30% of the U.S. population either had a high financial burden of healthcare costs or were uninsured.† (Cunningham, 2006). According to (U.S. Government, 2009), the average household spent 2500$ on out-of-pocket medical expenses. Also tight economic conditions result in a great number of layoffs and medical expenses become quite difficult to bear for the unemployed persons. So the help from the government naturally becomes mandatory to resolve the issue. There is a huge body of evidence suggesting the healthcare issues, to be the ultimate responsibility of the government, since the healthcare expenses are spiraling out of control. Who is going to take all the blame if even the government, with all its powers and resources becomes impassive in such circumstances? Recently in November 2009, President Obama finally got the healthcare reform passed. The point of the bill is to make healthcare a completely government-controlled system. Still the bill seems a bit likely to relieve the problem because many families would still find their healthcare expenses rise beyond what they feel they can easily afford. â€Å"I ended up spending over 4000$ out of my own pocket despite having what’s considered high quality, employer-sponsored health insurance.† (Bradford, 2010). Also the government plans to increase the healthcare costs of the average American family by 4000$. â€Å"For the average single American, the cost of healthcare insurance today is about $4,600. The report found that this cost will rise to $8,200 in 2019.† (Gingrich, 2009). Still the bill is an innovative approach from the government to taper the healthcare crisis. The main problem is a group of corrupt people who are keen to maintain the sour issues. â€Å"High-ri sk individuals face notorious difficulty in accessing private health

The Layoff Procedure and the Effect of Layoff on Remaining Workers Assignment

The Layoff Procedure and the Effect of Layoff on Remaining Workers - Assignment Example Any organization especially those formed for the purpose of profit has different stakeholders (like shareholders, owners, the top management, employees, creditors etc). it could be said that workers have conflicting interests with the management and or stakeholders and owners. The former seeks to hold a secure job with maximum compensation and other benefits while the latter group is focused on cutting costs and developing a lean organization able to cope up the increasingly global business environment. If the economy is healthy, a fine balance can be achieved between these two conflicts. But factors beyond the control of an organization like competition and more severe recession on a national and global scale can force the management to bring down expenses through such procedures like layoffs. While the management generally goes about this procedure with a level of cold and inhuman attitude, it is the workers that bear the blunt (economic and social) of being left without a job. Thi s section deals with the attitude of the workers subject to layoffs. There could be genuine reasons why such an action is taken by the management. For example, a worker or a group of employees may not be up to the mark of performance criteria set up by the organization. According to a business article, such actions can even extend to acts of insubordination. These can be justified that workers have gone against the common good of that organization. But in other instances, layoffs occur due to no fault of the employee. In such cases, the mindset of those affected can be encapsulated as follows – â€Å"No matter the cause for dismissal, telling a worker that his or her services are no longer required is a difficult statement to make. You may cushion the blow with praise, you may justify it with numbers, or you may cite the worker's poor performance as the reason, but no matter what you say to the fired employee and no matter how you explain it, the end result can be devastatin g to both parties involved† (Davis, 2009).

The Kite Runner Directed by Marc Forster Movie Review

The Kite Runner Directed by Marc Forster - Movie Review Example Amir also struggled at the thought that his father blames him for his mother's death during his childbirth. However, he has a kind father in the person of Baba's very close friend, Rahim Khan, who understands him and is more supportive of his interests especially in writing stories. Assef, a notorious cruel, racist, and violent older boy with sadistic tendencies, blames Amir for socializing with a Hazara, which according to him is an inferior race and should not live amongst the rich and the "true people of Afghanistan." He and his friends prepare to attack Amir at one time after the two boys watched their favorite movie, but Hassan bravely stands up to him, threatening to shoot Assef in the eye with a slingshot, and although Assef and his henchmen backed off, but he vowed to take revenge. One successful and triumphant afternoon, Amir wins the local tournament, and finally gained Baba's praise. Hassan goes to run after the last cut kite, a great trophy for Amir and saying "For you, a thousand times over." Unfortunately, that was time Assef and his gang carried out their revenge as well. Amir running to look for Hassan, after realizing it was taking him so long, soon witnessed what Assef and his friends were doing to Hassan. But cowardice took over and so he hid. The afternoon of 1975 changed all their lives forever, consequently the lives of all of Afghanistan as the Russians started to march in to their well loved country. Time passes and Amir and Hassan started totally different chapters of their lives; Hassan and Ali went to live in Hazarajat, while Amir and Baba ended up in California. Until one day, sometime after Baba's death, Amir gets a call in the United States from a familiar voice from the past. Rahim Khan is asking Amir to visit him in Pakistan. This is foreshadowing the fact that Rahim Khan knows all about Hassan, and how he is Amir's brother and how he has always known about the tragic circumstances surrounding Hassan, being raped, and what Amir d id in the hopes of getting Hassan and Ali out of his and Baba's lives. Amir finally decided to go. Enigmatically he tells Amir that "there is a way to be good again," and so he goes to rescue Sohrab, Hassan's son, who became a captive of the most notorious pedophile in Afghanistan, who happened to be Assef. After a fight that Amir almost lost if not for Sohrab finally hitting Assef in the eye with the slingshot the way his father could have done many years back, Amir felt, after so many years, that he was finally free of the guilt of the injustice he did to Hassan. He and his wife, Soraya, adopted Sohrab, and in an effort to win his heart, Amir also goes after a cut kite in one kite-flying afternoon back in the United States, and in the end Sohrab only shows a lopsided smile, but Amir accepted it with all his heart as he runs the kite for Sohrab, saying, "For you, a thousand times over." In the story, the study of religion is evident in the course of Amir's life at school. In their school, they had a mullah who taught them about Islam, lecturing them about the virtues of the zakat and the duty of the hadj; the intricacies of performing the five daily namaz prayers, and made them memorize verses from the Koran. The morning prayers were also portrayed in several scenes of the movie.

Influential Legislation for Drug Related Crime Essay

Influential Legislation for Drug Related Crime - Essay Example Taking that into consideration, a key piece of legislation to observe is the documentation, which comes from the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime. Legislation when best presented can give the greatest potential for success achieved. The words inside the proposed legislation, while being strong on their own merit when written carefully, can also be further aided by the weight of an organization which can accomplish the task of carrying the message which is found when looking inside the words on the papers. Such an organization to fit this idea would be the United Nations. The United Nations is an organization whose sole purpose it to aid, through words as well as actions taken, the efforts designed to combat problems which can have an adverse effect on a country, as well as the rest of the world at large. This would of course include such things as drugs and crime, with the lethal reality of consequences being felt if each are interlocked with the other and used to form either greater havoc on the unsuspecting public, and the unsuspecting world. The following is a direct quote from the first paragraph of the documentation. "Recognizing the drug problem was still a global challenge and constituted a serious threat to health, development and security, the Ministerial Segment of the Commission on Narcotic Segment of the Commission on Narcotic Drugs concluded its two-day session with the adoption of recommendations to enhance the implementation of drug control measures," (UN ODC pg. 1). This in itself is the beginning of a document that outlines the motives of this particular branch of the United Nations. It reads of the intentions of this group in the continuing war against drug-related crime, and how best to alleviate the problem(s) which most definitely come as a result. What is this commission, and what influence does it have The document answers this when it says that, "The Commission, the central policy-making body within the United Nations system dealing with drug-related matters, analyzes the world drug situation and develops proposals to strengthen the international drug control system," (UN ODC pg. 1). This statement alone begins to allude to the overall idea and purpose of this legislation, and the purpose of this group. It also begins to take a closer look at the UN's purpose itself in combating drug-related crimes. It shows itself as a dominant player in the war against drugs and the interlocking relationship that it holds with the criminal world. Drugs can have such a devastating impact on those who are forced to be in the situation. It can end lives, kill dreams, and leave lasting effects which can stay present for decades, and even centuries afterwards. Obviously, there are those who are willing participants in the act of drug trafficking, and the link between those drugs and the crime world. These are people who feel they have nothing to loose, and aren't afraid of those honest people who are out to avenge the wrongs committed against those who are defenseless. During the meeting which this document addresses it makes light of this fact. That is, "At that meeting, over 150 Governments adopted a Political Declaration, committing themselves to achieving significant and measurable reductions of the illicit supply and demand for drugs by the year 2008. The current ministerial segment constituted a

Production and Cost Relationships Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Production and Cost Relationships - Essay Example Profit is measured as the difference between the revenue generated deducted with the costs incurred. Thus, in order to maximize profits, the company could either ensure that it is generating the highest revenue possible by increasing price and quantity demanded or minimize the costs that it incurs (Pindyck and Rubinfeld 2005). This paper will focus on the latter. The following chapters will look at the relationship of average cost, marginal cost, and marginal product in the aim of helping a business organization attain its goal of profit maximization. In the course of its operation, a business organization incurs various costs in order to ensure that products are designed, manufactured, and distributed to customers (Cepeda 2005). In order to understand average total cost, it is best to have a comprehension of what comprises the total cost that a business organization faces. In general, the company is faced with two different costs which make up its total cost namely fixed cost and variable cost (Brue and McConnell 2005). Fixed cost, as the name implies is fixed and does not vary with the level of production. An example of fixed cost is the payment for rent of production plant or retailing store. On the other hand, variable costs are those costs which changes when the quantity of production is changed (Cepeda 2005). Examples of these are the cost of materials and labor which are needed in the production of one unit of a product. The sum of the total fixed cost and the total variable cost is the total cost. Dividing the total cost with the number of quantity produced by the business organization will yield the average total cost (Brue and McConnell 2005). Table 1. Numerical Example for Average Total Cost Quantity Total Fixed Cost Total Variable Cost Total Cost Average Total Cost 50 $600 $1250 $1850 $37 100 $600 $2500 $3100 $31 150 $600 $3750 $4350 $29 200 $600 $5000 $5600 $28 250 $600 $6250 $6850 $27.4 300 $600 $7500 $8100 $27 In order to illustrate fixed cost, it is best to come up with a numerical example. Suppose that a company manufactures figurines and incurs fixed cost as follows in a month: $200 for building rent; $300 for administrative expense; and $100 for utilities. On the hand, it incurs the following variable cost per unit: $10 direct material and $15 direct labor. The company's production capacity is 300 units per month. Table 1 shows the company's variable cost and fixed cost at each level of quantity produced. On the other hand, Figure 1 shows the short run average total cost curve. It should be noted that as the quantity produced is increased, ATC declines because of economies of scale, managerial specialization, and use of more efficient labor. Figure 1. ATC Curve in the Short-run However, in the long run, ATC curve will begin to inflect because of the diseconomies of scale as production expands further (Pindyck and Rubinfeld 2005). Thus, the long run ATC curve will tend to slope downward at first and begin to

Long Term Care-Hospice Essay Example for Free

Long Term Care-Hospice Essay Hospice is a process to end-of-life care and a kind of support facility for terminally ill patients. It provides comforting care, patient-centered care and related services. Comforting care relieves discomfort without improving the patient’s condition or curing his illness. Hospice is extended in a healthcare facility or at home. Its objective is to provide compassionate, emotional, and spiritual care for the dying patient. The origin of the word â€Å"hospice† in medieval times meant â€Å"way station for weary travelers† (Perry). The first hospices were run by members of religious orders in the medieval times that cared for weary travelers whom found refuge with them until their death. Modern hospices are believed to have started in the United Kingdom in the mid-19th century in Dublin, Ireland. Roman Catholic Sisters of Charity provided a clean and caring place for the terminally ill. The name hospice was first applied to the care of dying patients by Mme Jeanne Garnier who founded the Dames de Calaire in Lyon, France, in 1842. The name was next introduced by the Irish Sisters of Charity when they opened Our Ladys Hospice in Dublin in 1879 and St Josephs Hospice in Hackney, London 1905. The practice became popular in England, Asia, Australia and Africa. It was only in the early 70s that the hospice concept was introduced and accepted in the United States through the efforts of physicians Cicely Saunders and Elisabeth Kobler-Ross. These practices included effective pain management, comprehensive home care services, counseling for the patient, and acceptance of death as the natural end of the care delivery by health care professionals, bereavement counseling after the patient’s death, and continued research and education (Wexler Frey). Quality care at the end of life soon combined with grief counseling and bereavement care. The government stepped in to contain health-care costs when reimbursement for inpatient hospitalization was significantly reduced. Home-based hospice care also became popular as a more inexpensive alternative to hospitalization or care in a nursing facility (Wexler Frey). The hospice concept was not immediately accepted by conservative health professionals. The concept emphasizes caring more than curing. It also allows interaction with complementary and alternative medicine practitioners. A hospice’s primary function or service is to enable the patient and his family to accept death as a natural part of the life cycle (Wexler Frey, 2004). In addition, it provides pain management and psycho-spiritual support and complementary and alternative therapies. Approximately 80% of hospice patients are in the terminal or end-stage of cancer. Traditional medical facilities provide pain medications when requested, a hospice administers these medications regularly and before they are needed. The intention is to prevent pain from recurring. Furthermore, the problem of addiction and other long-term consequences is not a concern in the case of terminal illness. The concern is to provide effective relief to the greatest degree possible (Wexler Frey). A second major service of a hospice is to relieve physical, psychological, emotional and spiritual discomfort to the patient’s family and others close associates (Wexler Frey, 2004). It relies on members of the clergy, pastoral counselors, social workers, psychiatrists, massage therapists and other trained volunteers to alleviate the discomfort. A hospice also provides grief and bereavement counseling and support groups to assist family members in expressing or resolving emotional tensions. And it allows the use of complementary and alternative therapies, in addition to conventional medicine, in the control of symptoms and in improving the patient’s well-being. A 2002 study conducted on the inclusion of such therapies showed that patients who received them expressed more satisfaction with hospice care than those who did not receive them. These therapies include acupuncture, music therapy, pet therapy, bodywork, massage therapy, aromatherapy, Reiki or energy healing, Native American rites, herbal treatment and similar methods intended to soothe the patient and his family and friends (Wexler Frey). A survey was conducted in 2000 on more than 9,000 patients discharged from more than 2,000 hospices on the services they received (Carlson, 2007). It revealed that 22% of them received five major palliative care services, which varied among the hospices. These palliative care services were nursing care, physician care, medication management, psychological care, and caregiver support. Approximately 14% of the hospices provided all five services and 33% provided only one or two services. Only 59% of these patients received medication management services. These included administering medication, dispensing correct dosages, and setting and following dosage schedule. Growth Projections The National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization reported that, as of 2003, there were 3,139 hospice programs in operation in the United States, Guam and Puerto Rico (Wexler Frey, 2004). The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention National Center for Health Statistics said that, in 2000, there were 11,400 combined home health and hospice care agencies, which served 1.5 million patients. It also reported that, at present, more than 90% of hospice care is delivered at home, although based in medical facilities. Hospital-based programs often provide hospice care in a wing or a floor in the building. There are also independent and for-profit hospices exclusively for the care of the terminally ill. Most programs offer both inpatient and home care and allow patients to use one or both types of service (Wexler Frey). In 2005, the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization reported that more than 4,100 hospice programs were operating nationwide (Marshall, 2007). A third of these were for-profit companies. The rise in figures led financial analysts to view the hospice industry as among the strongest growing areas in healthcare. Hospice is cost-effective and more people are getting aware of the concept. Records showed that hospice spending had grown at 26% annually since 1989 as compared with 7% increase in overall health expenses in the same period. Despite this statistical increase, the hospice market has yet to be substantially tapped. Of the approximately 2 million apparent deaths in 2003, only 710,000 were in hospice. But new government regulations in the 80s boosted the growth of hospices. These regulations allowed hospice providers into assisted living centers and nursing facilities. Since their exposure to the patients, the industry became a more attractive enterprise. The hospice concept has grown from a voluntary effort to a highly profitable industry worth $9 billion today. It is predicted to continue growing as baby boomers opt for the â€Å"good death.† Of the 47 hospices in Colorado, 53% are non-profit and 36% are for-profit. Nationwide, for-profit hospices multiplied four times between 1994 and 2004 at six times the growth of non-profit hospices (Marshall). Issues and Approaches Hospices operate on thin investment margins of only 8 to 12% on the average and receive Medicare payments of only $125 per day per patient for routine home care (Marshall, 2007). They are lucky to have thousands of volunteers to support operation. But making a profit can be difficult. Medicare regulations state that hospice can be used only up to six months. Yet many patients die just weeks from arrival. If death comes within two weeks of admission, the costs go quite high. Another problem that for-profit hospices confront is maintaining a level of quality care (Marshall). Most hospices require physicians to estimate that the patient is unlikely to survive to six months (Wexler Frey, 2004). This intention is to maintain Medicare eligibility. This disqualifies terminal patients with uncertain prognoses, the homeless and isolated patients. Moreover, health care costs constrain patients to limit their stay in hospices. The shortened stay reduces the chance and time for pastoral and psychological counselors to help the patient and the family to deal with the situation effectively (Wexler Frey). Short stay also incurs more and more costly care (Solnik, 2002). Medicare and private insurers pay per diem, which means that reimbursements remain the same and hospices must cover the rest of the expenses. Furthermore, the patient may not need much care at times and that increases the delivery cost per day. But hospices realize they have to live with this reality (Solnik). Other problems arise when staying too long in a hospice (Solnik, 2002). Prior to admission, two physicians must agree that the patient probably has six months or less to live. The patient must also agree to replace the use of life-saving equipment and treatments with palliative ones. The purpose is to keep him comfortable. If he survives the six-month limit, Medicare payments drain and the hospice must eventually reimburse some of the payments (Solnik). The cost of more effective pain medication has added to the cost of hospice care (Solnik, 2002). Hospices admit they are losing money because of the treatment modes applied to end-of-life care. Regulations must cover all the expenses incurred in all the stages of terminal illness. Medical procedures, like chemotherapy and radiation, are frequently used to alleviate pain and symptoms and for cure. Intravenous medications tackle pain but are also costlier than other forms. The appearance of new and costlier drugs blurs the fine line between life-saving and mere comfort-giving. Chemotherapy can shrink a tumor to allow swallowing and radiation can ease or reduce pain. If the hospice is not well financed, one or two patients who demand these procedures can bring cost problems to the hospice. Shareholders who fear that the return on their investment is jeopardized may decide to cut down on staff. They may also shed off community grief centers, extensive bereavement care, alternative therapies, and inpatient care centers. The multicultural view of death is another issue in hospices in the United States and Western Europe (Wexler Frey, 2004). Migrants with Easter cultures have an entirely different perspective from those with Western cultures. The Chinese’s concept of death is a sharp example. The views of death and end-of-life values of other cultures should be incorporated into the policies of hospice care programs (Wexler Frey). The low rate and significant increase of physician services are additional troubles for hospices (Carlson Morrison, 2007). In most cases, hospice physicians participate only in care planning meetings, not in direct or actual patient care. The 6% increase in the number of patients receiving physician services was not considered significant. Still less than a third of these patients received hands-on physician services. This could be the offshoot of the original and non-medical concept of hospice care (Carlson Morrison). The range of hospice services provided in different regions has also been found to vary by region (Solnik, 2002; Wexler Frey, 2004). Patients in the Northeast received a significantly narrower set of services than those in other regions. Alternative forms of palliative care for end-of-life patients are quite common in the Northeast. These forms have recently expanded as hospital-based palliative care programs more than in other regions. This trend could have influenced the role and scope of hospice care offered in that region (Solnik, Wexler Frey). One more issue or problem is regulation of hospices itself (Solnik, 2002). In order to pay for hospice care, Medicare or a private insurer requires two physicians to sign a document that the patient has only six months or less to live. It then pays only for palliative treatment or management of symptoms and pain, not for the cure of the disease. This compels the patient to choose comfort or care over cure. The hospice industry has been by lobbying for a change in the regulation to allow or include curative treatment in hospice care. In collaboration with this initiative, the National Hospice and Palliative Care Association has also been lobbying for increased insurance reimbursements to include payments for costly procedures, like chemotherapy and radiation therapy (Solnik). Some approaches to these issues have been noted. Increased disease complexity, the diversity of diagnoses and symptom burden are likely to increase direct physician care (Carlson Morrison, 2007). The patient’s primary care physician may continue to monitor the patient’s condition but he is also unlikely to possess appropriate training, knowledge and skills on palliative care (Carlson ^ Morrison). Consolidation efforts in the industry has helped hospice care providers gain greater access to fund sources (Solnik, 2002). This is illustrated by the merging of hospice services among the Charles Hospital and Rehabilitation Center, Mercy Medical Center and Good Samaritan. They created Good Shepherd. They, however, found that reducing the costs of products and services would not sustain them without extensive financing or fund-raising (Solnik). Some studies focused on the availability of hospice care to the elderly in the rural areas (Solnik, 2002). Findings showed that the range of hospice services in the areas were comparable with those in the urban areas. The probability of fewer services in the rural areas can be dealt with by increasing reimbursement to cover trave l expenses and attract skilled health professionals (Solnik). A New York legislation would expand Medicaid payment for freestanding hospices in response to the six-month limit requirement (Solnik, 2003). The initiative encouraged the construction of freestanding hospices, such as The Visiting Nurse Service Hospice of Suffolk, Inc. on Long Island and the Hospice Care Network in Manhasset. Freestanding hospices would create and provide facilities for the exclusive use of hospice care. Hospice beds in hospitals and nursing homes are currently only a small part of the overall facility. This would provide family support to take care of patients who do not have it and need it in their condition. Hospice care providers consider freestanding hospices a potentially important part of their industry (Solnik). Community Assessment The City of South Bend in Indiana is the seat of St. Joseph County in a region known as â€Å"Michiana (Answers.com, 2008).† The region covers counties in Indiana and Michigan. South Bend is famous for the University of Notre Dame and the winning football team, â€Å"The Fighting Irish.† It has a 107,789 population as of 2000. The City’s has nine medical centers, prominently the Hospice of St. Joseph County (McMahon, 2008). Employment in the health care and social services is 13.4% of the total.(McMahon). The Indiana Hospice Palliative Care Organization supervises hospice care in the City. Among the issues it confronts are treating the homeless at the end-of-life, the costs of end-of-life care to elderly patients, pain management, care-giving at the end-of-life, and futile care (2007). Treating the homeless at the end-of-life is a major concern for the City. They can seldom access hospice service for lack of resources for inpatient hospice, a home or social supp ort (Indiana Hospice Palliative Care Organization, 2007). In addition, these homeless are already beset with substance abuse problems and mental illness. Their need for hospital care is 3-4 times greater than expected and 36% longer than poor patients who have homes and encounter similar health problems. Some organizations offer them medical respite, short-term shelter with basic services for those too sick to function on the street. These organizations cannot, however, care for those who are nearing death. (Indiana Hospice Palliative Care Organization). Keeping to a medication regimen is a critical problem among homeless patients. They lack the money to buy them, lose their belongings or suffer from symptoms of mental illness or substance abuse (Indiana Hospice Palliative Care Organization, 2007). Other problems they confront are the control of pain, the inability to discuss death and dying at home. Because of drug abuse, they may be opioid-tolerant and, thus, may need higher doses. If they stop taking drugs, they need specific treatment to handle withdrawal reactions. The homeless also less willing to discuss death on account of what they have been denied in life. A study found that the homeless expect to die suddenly and violently. This expectation affects their willingness to discuss death. The homeless are also unlikely to have a surrogate or confidant who can make decisions for them in the event of incapacitation. Ethics committees or court-appointed guardians take their place for the function. And dying at home is not an option because they have no home. They are also unlikely to observe house rules in hospices. Experts recommend that homeless patients at the end-of-life be encouraged to form trusting relationships to insure or enhance curative and palliative care at that period (Indiana Hospice Palliative Care Organization). City laws are slated for revision to respond to these issues ((Indiana Hospice Palliative Care Organization, 2007). One will direct the Health Department to name a commission, which will â€Å"enact rules for physicians to order for life-sustaining treatment.† The other revision will further strengthen healthcare powers of attorney. Living wills merely provide instructions concerning life-sustaining treatment. Powers of attorney concerning the end-of-life wishes of a patient belong to the spouse as first priority, followed by adult children and then close friends ((Indiana Hospice Palliative Care Organization).# BIBLIOGRAPHY Carlson, M. D. A., et al (2007). Hospice care: what services do patients and their Families receive? Health Services Research: Health Research and Educational Trust. Retrieved on November 20, 2008 from http://findarticles.com./articles/p/mi_m4149/os_4_46/ai_n27331524?tag=content;col1 Indiana Hospice Palliative Care (2007). Crossroads. Indiana Hospice Palliative Care, Inc. Retrieved on November 20, 2008 from http://www.ihpco.org/January%2007%20crossroads.pdf McMahon, P. M. (2008). Economic development for South Bend, Mishawaka and St. Joseph County. Project Future. Retrieved on November 20, 2008 from http://www.projectfuture.org/index.htm Marshall, L. (2007). The business of dying. ColoradoBiz: Wiesner Publications, Inc. Retrieved on November 20, 2008 from http://findarticles.com/articles/p/mi_hb6416/is_8_34/ai_n29369110?tag=content;col1 Solnik, C. (2002). Hospice industry: struggling despite being busier than ever. Long Island Business News: Dolan Media Newswires. Retrieved on November 20, 2008 from

Concern on environmental issues worldwide

Concern on environmental issues worldwide There has been a rising concern on environmental issues worldwide nowadays. Ministry of foreign affairs statistic shows that over the years, the temperature has been rise because of carbon dioxide trapped and green house gases have affected the global climate. This change will affect the people live all over the world. This also includes access to water, health, food and the well being of the environment. Todays consumers have started to recognize that their purchasing behaviors actually cause a big impact to the environment. Therefore, companies should practice offering environmentally friendly products and service to people to prevent this world become worse. Although, Malaysia has undergone an excellent development followed governmental efforts to attract foreign investor to come and invest for a green product development in Malaysia, the action of environmental responsible behavior among Malaysian consumers are still low. One of the examples of the lack of environmental responsible behavior is shown in an article in Bernama whereby garbage thrown by one of the state in Malaysia residents is the main cause of river pollution in the state. According to a survey which was handled on by global market insight and information group, only 8% of Malaysian respondents responded that they have changed their behavior in a greatest deal to benefit the environment on the aspect of eco-friendliness of habits and behaviors In addition 83% respondents reported that their views on a companys and their Colleges friendliness to the environment would influence them to purchases a green products and services. Studying the determinants of generation-Y consumers green purchase behavior will be definitely benefit green marketers. Generation-Y (also known as a millennial) is defined as A label attributed to people born during the 1980s and early 1990s. Members of Generation Y are often referred to as echo boomers because they are the children of parents born during the baby boom (baby boomers). Because children born during this time period have had constant access to technology (computers, cell phones) in their youth, they have required many employers to update their hiring strategy in order to incorporate updated forms of technology. In a simple word, generation-Y grew up with a technology and relies on those things to perform their job and their task. In addition, when going through a literature review in Malaysian context, there are still a gap existed between environmental knowledge, intention and behavior towards green product. [Said et al. (2005)]. Even though people that have vast knowledge about green products are not necessarily would buy a green product. Therefore, factors those determine and affect Generation-Y to purchase a green product would be worth to find out. 1.1 BACKGROUND OF THE RESEARCH Environment is defined as what surrounds a thing or an item or in other words it means the surrounding. It could be a physical element which is physical environment, that includes the built environment, natural environment such as air, water, land, atmosphere and etc or it could be human environment where people surrounding the item or thing which also known as the social environment. Today environment is getting worst and worst. Many environmental issues arise. Environmental concerns have been growing in recent years. One of the examples of environmental issue is global warming. Global warming and climate change refer to an increase in average global temperatures. Natural events and human activities such as burning garbage and waste are believed to be contributing to an increase in average global temperatures. This is caused primarily by increases in greenhouse gases such as Carbon Dioxide. The greenhouse effect keeps the earth warm when functioning normally. For the first time in h istory, human activities are altering the climate of our entire planet. According to (Jack, 2010), in less than 2 centuries, humans have increased the total amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere by 25% from the burning of fossil fuels and the destruction of forests. In addition to the natural fluxes of carbon through the Earth system, human activities, particularly fossil fuel burning and deforestation, are also releasing carbon dioxide into the atmosphere (The Carbon Cycle; the Human Role, Earth Observatory, NASA). Green product is define as a product that produce limited carbon footprints; they may require fewer resources to produce, consume less energy or emit fewer hazardous emissions.  Green product is also a product that is non toxic, water-efficient, and also recyclable and biodegradable. There are many green products that have been produce for people in the market. For example, a household cleaner. Nowadays its nearly impossible to go shopping without finding a plethora of products that claim to be environmentally and consumer friendly. Oddly enough, many cheap and eco-friendly substances, such as vinegar, have been used for years as home cleaners. Whether you buy a green cleaning product at a store or use something on hand in your pantry, you can reap the benefits of choosing products that are gentler on you and the environment. Phosphate-free dishwasher and laundry detergents are also consider a green product because they do not discharge environment-damaging phosphates into waterway s. Other examples of green cleaning products are those labeled certified biodegradable; these have passed several stringent tests relating to biodegradability and environmental impact conducted by an independent certifying agency. According to Consumer Reports, the certified biodegradable label is more meaningful than a general biodegradable label. Glass and metal cleaners, kitchen and bathroom cleaners, and laundry detergents are products that might carry this label. The rationale for going green is twofold. Clearly, the positive effects on the environment are a key driver for purchasing green product.  Green product provides myriad environmental benefits. They can replace toxic materials that may be harmful to people or animals. Also, some products save energy and water, while others limit solid waste and manufacturing releases. Green products create a healthier environment for people through reduced exposure to cleaners, solvents, paints and other hazardous substances. Green product also can reduce allergies. Many families find that their children are suffering from allergies, even though their family history does not necessary say that there are no allergies. In some situations, chemicals found within cleaning products contain allergens. Bleaches, toxic cleaning sprays and other chemicals used to clean the home commonly contain a variety of ingredients specifically able to cause or trigger allergies in people.   Generation Y are the cool generation, they embrace brand and live in the new world of digitize communication. Thus that might be interesting to find their perception and their level of awareness towards environmental issues that the world is facing nowadays. Gen Y has grown up in a very structure, busy and over planned world. Also, Gen Y is made up of confident, optimistic young people who feel valued and wanted. In a article of science daily, Gen-Y is a people that will go all the way when it comes to saving the environment as long as it benefit to world economic and environment. They are maturing into a pragmatic generation that wants to do the right thing for the environment but also has real economic concerns 1.2 PROBLEM STATEMENT Consumers or practically customers are the sellers and buyers that boost the countrys economy. Therefore, many firms are actually putting many efforts in order to attract more customers because these customers create businesses opportunities and generate profits to them. As the world nowadays facing so many problems regarding to an environmental issue, the consumers and their attitudes or behaviors to purchase a green product are the important factors to be considered. Consumers nowadays have more choices due to the effects of globalization. They will prefer the function of the product rather than the brand or whatsoever to ensure a healthier future. To determine the current level of Gen-y consumers preference towards the green products. To determine what are the determinants or factors of Gen-y consumer preferences towards the green product. To determine the consequences or effects of Gen-y consumer preferences towards the green product. To determine consumer level of awareness of Gen-y consumer towards green product. 1.3 RESEARCH OBJECTIVE Awareness towards environmental issue that the world nowadays facing play a major role encourage people to purchase a green product. Thus, this study is attempts to relate on the various variables that influence consumer especially generation-Y to purchase a green product. The objectives are as the following: * To study the factors affecting the consumer especially Gen-Y to purchase green product. Gen-y is a new generation and It is crucial to understand as they are more advance and modernize. Thus, several researches have been conducted in order to understand consumers in a way that how they behave, and what are the factors that cause them to behave or react to the responses of the products. Leading factors such as price and quality are always the top concerns to the consumers. Product attributes will moderate the effects of price on quality judgments. Partial of the consumers may focus on buying low prices goods and neglect the quality of the products. This group of consumers takes the price as a measure of sacrifice. For instance, consumers take the price served as the benchmark for comparing utility gains from the quality of the product. One the other hand, some portion of the consumers will be willing to pay a premium price for the quality and function of the products, as they are very sensitive to the signals of the quality of one product. Thus, it is hope that this stud y will contribute further to the understanding of factors of price and quality that may lead to the consumers prefer for a green product * To understand the awareness level of people about Go Green campaign. Nowadays, there are many environmental campaign have been organized by a government and private sector. This campaign is aim to encourage people to more concern about the environment. Thus, it is hope that this study will explore how people react to a environmental campaign and what is their level of awareness about the awareness campaign. * To examine the benefit for people involvement in Go Green program. We might be asking, how we will benefit from getting involved in this environmental campaign. Well, recently there has been an increase in events directly related to the availability of natural resources. For example energy shortages that resulted to load shedding, change in weather patterns and water shortages. As a result, civil society is recognizing the need to manage our natural resources more effectively and responsibly. In doing so, we can ensure positive effects on our health, quality of life and even the cost of living. Thus, this study will help people to getting known more about what they will gain if they participate in the environmental campaign. *To discover what consumer perception towards green product. In curiosity to identify what are the main components or criteria that consumer especially gen-Y are looking forward in order to purchase a green product. It is true that each and every one of us are special and unique in the way we are, thus, every consumer has their very own perception in purchasing a green product. Different people from different backgrounds may have different perceptions on these products. In addition to that, different demographic groups may have different perceptions to this kind of product as well. Thus, this study will help to identify whether the consumer especially gen-y prefer to buy a green product or not to safe a mother of earth. 1.4 SIGNIFICANCE OF STUDY This study is crucial as there are a lot of green products have been selling nowadays. Obviously, when we talk about green product, the price for that particular item might be so expensive. The study on factors affecting consumer especially Gen-Y buying a green product may allow us to know in depth why are previous efforts taken does not produce as it is thought it would be. Based on the study conducted, motivations towards the environment, knowledge on green product, social norm, awareness and self-image have an impact on the consumer especially Gen-Y buying a green product. Government may need to enhance its program in educating people green product. New and more interesting Go Green program and method is a definite necessity in motivating people to increase their interest/awareness on a green product and indirectly motivates them to purchase it. 1.5 SCOPE OF STUDY The research focus on students in Multimedia University (MMU) Melaka campus and teenagers from outside the campus which comes from various demographic backgrounds such as the faculty, ethnicity and nationality. The focused respondents are a great resemblance on the exact population in Malaysia. 1.6 ORGANIZATIONAL OF RESEARCH 1.6.1 Chapter 1: Introduction Regarding this chapter, it introduce the background of this research such as why do people as a consumer buy a green product. Thus, this will create a strong preference among the gen-y consumers locally and abroad to consume and purchase green products. These sections will explain in details in the of consumers preferences from the Malaysian perspective and as well from the global view for green products. This chapter also recognized the problem statement and the research objectives for this research. Finally, the justification of the research will help to justify the benefits and those who will gain in this research. Chapter 2 : Literature Review A thorough study will be conducted on the dependent variable and independent variables. The main purpose for this chapter is to weigh the pros and cons of the topic and to discuss in details on the ideas and knowledge concerned. In this chapter, every definition of the dependent variable and independent variables will be cited from the journals in order to strengthen every point mentioned. Several of arguments and various points of views from different authors in order to provide a stronger formation of each point can be founded in this chapter. In addition to that, this chapter explains the relationships on several independent variables relate to the dependent variables. 1.6.2 Chapter 3 : Research Methodology Research methodology is usually conducted after the thorough study of literature review. In this chapter, theoretical framework will be form to illustrate the relationships between the dependent variable and the independent variables. Hypotheses or a proposed explanation which were made on the basis of limited evidences will explain the relationships between two or more variables. All the hypotheses stated will be tested together with empirical data. This chapter also includes the description of the sampling data, data collections and as well as the development of the questionnaire for this research. Chapter 4 : Data Analysis After questionnaires are collected from all the respondents, then few tests will be conducted to test on the validity and reliability of the results. The responds of the questionnaires from the respondents are represented by a set of numbers that symbolize their own significant meanings. Whereas the tests that will be carry out are to analyze the responses from the respondents so that it will derive to a stronger conclusion at the end of this research. Chapter 5 : Conclusion This chapter will provide the final outcome of this research. Thus, the final results will be explained and we will be able to identify how the exact hypotheses that formed earlier are hold.

The globalization of media

The globalization of media The globalization of media is a pervasive phenomenon associated with several different theories and views about its characteristics and consequences. Due to the considerable amount of transnational media which originates in the U.S, many fear that globalization will lead to an Americanization of the world, while others fear the power imbalance in media flows will weaken national sovereignty (Straubhaar et. al 2009, 531). The article Indigenity, media and cultural globalization: The Case of Mataku, or the Maori X-Files by Kevin Glynn and A. F. Tyson supports the opposing view that globalization provides the opportunity for national cultures to counter the Eurocentrism in the global media market, though the Western domination of the market does act as an obstacle against the expansion of productions by lesser known cultures (Glynn et. al 2007, 210). Despite minor setbacks in the organization and flow of the article, Glynn provides developed and well-researched arguments in support of his view, and strengthens his thesis further through the analysis of an internationally known indigenous television drama, Mataku. From the first part of the article, the authors thesis is clear: contemporary media is comprised of a multidirectional flow of information and culture, rather than a homogenic and unilateral one. The global mediasphere is complex and differentiated, with evident cultural hybridity between local and global production (Glynn et. al 2007, 211). Firstly, analyzing the alternative view that globalization is an extension of colonization shows that it is an established view with strong points in support of it. Cultural imperialists believe globalization poses similar threats to indigenous population as colonization did during the early colonial period (Rodricks 2003, 81). Similarities between globalization and colonization, as outlined by Rodricks (2003, 49) include the idea that both phenomena involve a focus on financial gain, a competition for consumers, markets, and resources, and a suppression of indigenous cultures (Rodricks 2003, 50-57). Furthermore, knowledge, as presented by global media, is described as specialized, compartmentalized, and standardized (Kawagley et. al 1999, 121) which reflects the Eurocentric view that knowledge should provide universal definitions and categorized information (Henderson 2000, 35-37). This view of knowledge directly opposes the First Nations view that knowledge should involve collect ivity, and decision-making as a community (Rodricks 2003, 79), further exemplifying the biases and Eurocentrism, evident in the global market. Glynn, although he does not deny the struggles faced by First Nations mediamakers against racism and stereotypical portrayals of minority cultures in mainstream television, has a more positive outlook of globalization as a trend that creates opportunities for establishing public recognition of indigenous identities (Glynn et. al 2007, 220). At one point he even suggests, through a quote from a Maori producer, Tainui Stephens, that the inevitable struggles against more dominant cultures in the global media market, can be an aid, as opposed to a hindrance, to the Maori quest for self-determinism, since it makes [the Maori] that much more determined to succeed (Stephens 2004, 114). Glynn raises several points to support his claim that the indigenous public sphere is continuously expanding through global media systems (Glynn et. al 2007, 211), and each of the points are specific to his thesis and backed up with historical events, such as the establishment of Aboriginal television channels, or opinions of other scholars. For instance, he refers to Kraidys conclusion that through aspects such as immigration and colonial expansion, the local and the global have long been hybridized (Kraidy 1999, 459). He also refers to Stuart Halls view that the use of global media is key for cultural and political survival of indigenous cultures (Grossberg 1996, 143), and Lisa Parks view that global media does not need to act as a tool for Western cultural imperialism, but can instead be used to establish aspects of local culture and priorities (Parks 2005, 59). By providing an array of quotations and references to a number of people, some of whom are closely associated with the s ubject under discussion the Maori, Glynn presents a well-supported and thus, convincing position. The number of quotations and references which he presents depicts his analysis as one that is evidently well-researched. However, the implementation of this research at some points in the article, acts as an impediment to the organization and flow of his argument. Because of the various different views he references to from various people, there is a section in his article where he stacks, in a sense, one point after another, where each point counters the one preceding it. He begins with the dismissing of Marshall McLuhans concept of the global village as overly idealistic (Glynn et. al 2007, 209), counters this with the point that, despite this, the concept has a romanticism about it which disregards the issue that the global village is discriminatively governed by the West. Nevertheless, Glynn mentions as a counterpoint to this concept of power imbalance, neoliberalism promotes the idea of a free flow of information, and this point is then, in turn, countered with the argument that the concept of a free market is overly simplistic, and can have a suppressive effect on cultural self-expression. The fears associated with Western domination of the global media market is briefly discussed before finally arriving at the point which supports Glynns original thesis that such a view makes the fallacious presumption that indigenous cultures do not have the ability to withstand Western imperialist power (Glynn et. al, 210). The way these points, each of which are supported by a different authors opinion, are presented sacrifices clarity since the reader may be susceptible to losing track of Glynns primary thesis due to the bombardment of other points that are raised, each in succession to the other. Despite this shortcoming, overall, Glynn presents a strong argument, with a substantial amount of support given through other opinions and relative research. The second part of the article deals specifically with Mataku, an indigenous production which has received both domestic and international success; the popularity of this drama serves as an example which encompasses each of the points raised in Glynns thesis. A strength in Glynns discussion of the issue of globalization in relation to indigenous media production is, throughout the article, and primarily in the concluding section, Glynn does not present an overly idealistic view of the positive effects which globalization can have on the growth of national cultures. Rather, he reminds us that, despite the possibilities which globalization presents in regard to this issue, the undertakings involved in the production and popularization of indigenous media must be dealt with cautiously, and the struggles of First Nations mediamakers involving the establishment of institutions, the availability of funding, and the dominant Westernized views of mainstream media, are constant challenges. Glynn thus provides a convincing, optimistic yet practical view of the ways in which the globalization of media can contribute to the growth of the indigenous public sphere and the establishing of national cultures on a global scale. References: BATTISTE Marie and James Youngblood HENDERSON (2000). What is Indigenous Knowledge?, in Protecting Indigenous Knowledge and Heritage: A Global Challenge, Saskatoon: Purich Publishing Ltd, pp. 35 38. GLYNN, Kevin and A. F. TYSON (2007). Indigeneity, media and cultural globalization: The case of Mataku, or the Maori X-Files, International Journal of Cultural Studies, vol.10, no.2, pp. 205-224. GROSSBERG, Lawrence (1996) On Postmodernism and Articulation: An Interview with Stuart Hall, in Stuart Hall: Critical Dialogues in Cultural Studies. Edited by David Morley and Kuan-Hsing Chen. London: Routledge, pp. 131-150. Joseph STRAUBHAAR, Robert LaROSE, Lucinda DAVENPORT (2009). Media Now: Understanding Media, Culture, and Technology. Enhanced 6th Edition. Boston, Wadsworth/Cengage Learning. KAWAGLEY, Oscar, and Ray BARNHARDT (1999). Education Indigenous to Place: Western Science Meets Native Reality. in Ecological Education in Action: On Weaving Education, Culture, and the Environment. Edited by Gregory A. Smith, Dilafruz R. Williams. New York: SUNY Press. pp. 121. KRAIDY, Marwan (1999). The Global, the Local, and the Hybrid: A Native Ethnography of Glocalization, Critical Studies in Mass Communication, vol. 16, no. 4, pp. 456-76. PARKS, Lisa (2005). Cultures in Orbit: Satellites and the Televisual. Durham, NC: Duke University Press. RODRICKS, Warren (2003). Globalization and Corporization The Evolving Nature of Education Online at: , consulted on February 8th, 2010. STEPHENS, Tainui (2004). Maori Television, in Television in New Zealand: Programming the Nation, Edited by Roger Horrocks and Nick Perry, Oxford: Oxford University Press, pp. 107-15.

Designing Sound Characteristics :: Motorcyles Papers

Designing Sound Characteristics Early on a cloudless July morning in America's Great Plains, a farmer, clutching his warm cup of coffee, walks toward one of his tractors as he begins his work day. Before he reaches his goal, he hears the crisp exhaust note of a motorcycle, and out of the corner of his eye he notices a single headlight cresting the hill of the U.S. Highway that runs adjacent to his field. Long before the motorcycle gets close enough for him to read the name on the gas tank, the farmer knows that he is sharing this early morning moment with a rider aboard a Harley-Davidson, simply because of what he is hearing. The Harley-Davidson Motor Company has re-emerged as the leader in the heavyweight motorcycle industry because of countless stories of concise product recognition similar to this one. While improving the quality of their product line, the Motor Company has remained faithful to the styling cues that it was built upon, and in doing so has created an identity by which the rest of the cruiser genre is judged. Just what are some of these styling cues? Many of them are visual, like "Springer" front suspensions, peanut-shaped fuel tanks, and finned V-twin engines. And some are audible, for as Jon Thompson explains, "An essential element of the H-D equation is the charismatic feel and sound of the Harley engine--a sound one Honda spokesman characterized as, no kidding, 'potato- potato-potato!' " (Thompson 44) While this may not sound like the most flattering of descriptions, it is one that Harley has embraced completely, and takes very seriously. It is a cornerstone of their marketing strategy, for even their product guide exclaims: Potato, Potato, Potato. . . A Harley-Davidson at Idle. Has the wind ever carried a more satisfying sound?...The sound is unmistakable. The signature of a Harley-Davidson motorcycle... you instinctively know: this is the way a motorcycle ought to sound... This did not happen by accident... when we find something more pleasing than anything else, we stick with it. Like the exhaust note of a Harley-Davidson 45Â ° V-twin, the sweetest sound ever carried on the wind. Clearly, Harley believes that their V-twin exhaust rumble is instantly recognizable and discernible to the trained ear, and believes that it is a vitally important component of their strong product identity. Because of this, their design engineers are asked to create products that are technologically competitive and yet wonderfully nostalgic -- essentially, they are asked to design with an eye toward the future and an eye toward the looks and sounds of motorcycles long past.

Police Brutality: A Minority Group Concern Essay -- Use of Excessive Fo

"Relations between the police and minority groups are a continuing problem in many multiracial societies. Surveys consistently document racial differences in perceptions of the police, with minorities more likely than whites to harbor negative views." (Weitzer and Tuch, Race and Perceptions of Police Misconduct, 2004) A great deal of society views law enforcement officers as heroic and honorable individuals, whose main purpose is to protect and serve the community. For many officers, this description is accurate, however for others; violence and brutality against innocent citizens is part of getting the job done. For years, minorities have fallen victim to police brutality based on racial profiling, stereotypes and other unjustifiable reasons that has cost innocent lives. The involvement of officers in police brutality against minority groups causes tainted and negative views on policing. This reduces their ability to protect and serve the community. Police brutality is a violent incident involving an officer and a victim, usually including excessive force, unnecessary violence and sometimes resulting in a senseless fatality. Minority groups such as African Americans and Hispanics have often been the victims of this form of abuse by officers, however little justice has been done in order to protect these individuals from this form of cruelty by the hands of those with the most power. For many individuals, police brutality is a non-existent matter because it does not directly affect them or the community in which they live. Yet for others, this is an everyday occurrence and few limitations have been set as to what is unjust and malicious behavior of an officer towards the public, therefore, several officers are rarel... ..., 747-763. Simmons, K. C. (2008). The Politics of Policing: Ensuring Stakeholder Collaboration in the Federal Reform of Local Law Enforcement Agencies. The Journal of Criminal Law and Criminology (1973- ), 98(2), 489-246. Smith, B. W. & Holmes, M. D. (2003). Community Accountability, Minority Threat, and Police Brutality: An Examination of Civil Rights Criminal Complaints. Criminology, 41(4), 1035-1063. Tyler, T. (2005). Policing in Black and White: Ethnic Group Differences in Trust and Confidence in the Police. Police Quarterly, 8(3), 322-342. Weitzer, R. and Tuch, S. (2004) Race and Perceptions of Police Misconduct. Society for the Study of Social Problems, Inc. SOCIAL PROBLEMS, Vol. 51, No. 3, pages 305–325. ISSN: 0037-7791; online ISSN: 1533-8533 Web. 4 Sept. 2015. http://web.missouri.edu/~jlfm89/Race%20Perceptions%20of%20Police%20Misconduct.pdf

Successes and Failures in Biotechnology Innovation Essay -- Business M

Successes and Failures in Biotechnology Innovation   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  When I first started this paper I would have to admit that I was pretty green in the field of Biotechnology, I had a brief understanding but nothing near an in depth understanding of the field. So when I first started looking for a success story, I tied my views on successful innovation in the areas that I am familiar with to the biotech field. The major theme that emerged was that successful innovation equals a product that produces quality profits for a company. After further research on the success of innovation, you do realize that profits may be the end goal of the company but success stems from a total company wide effort, that may start many years before a single cent of profit is ever realized.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  In my opinion, you have to look at three major areas to see if a company successfully manages their innovation; at the company level, customer level, and the impact the innovation had on society. From the company viewpoint, you have to look at how well management set the company up to be innovators in a given market. Did they choose an industry that would provide the company potential for continuous growth? How did they utilize their employee base and acquire a strong base of knowledge to continually come up with new ideas in the area of interest they are trying to enter? In addition once a product is developed did they manage their intellectual property in the in a manner which provided themselves maximum protection? Finally you have to look at the end results of the innovation. Did they introduce an innovation that allowed the company revenue to grow, were they able to achieve a strong segment of market share, did this innovation have a positive effect on the co mpanies stock price, etc?   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  From the prospective of the customer you have to look at if the innovation introduced by the company successfully met their needs. Would this product help them save time and money and improve their overall business? How did they manage the channels to which deliver their products to their customers? Your customer will ultimately impact your final sales figures, if they view the product as a benefit to them and if you can meet the needs that the customer has you can have your innovation viewed as a success.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Finally from the standpoint of how the companies innovation had an impact on society. Was... ...sequence can be felt. With the world population soaring you will continue to see the emergence of genetically engineered crops to continue and you will be able to see who the winners and losers are within that industry based on how they handle the introduction of their products. Works Cited Current Status of Starlink Corn. 3 Jun. 2002. Starlinkcorn.com. 2 Feb. 2005.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Estes, Lane. Economic Analysis of Roundup Ready Soybeans. Feb. 2002. 2 Feb. 2005. Geo-Pie Project. Am I eating Soy Beans. 16 Aug. 2004. Genetically Engineered Organisms. 2 Feb. 2005.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Harl, Neil, Roger Ginder, Charles Hurburgh and Steve Moline. The Starlink Situation   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  25 Oct. 2000. AG Biotech Info Net. 2 Feb. 2005.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Harris, Andrew. GE Corn Pollution Spawns 30 Lawsuits. 18 Sept. 2002. Organicconsumers.org. 2 Feb. 2005. Monsanto Inc. Simply the Most Profitable Way to grow Soy Beans. Jan. 2005. Monsanto Inc. 2 Feb. 2005. Ruen, Jim. Biotech R&D Isn’t Just About Traits. Jan. 2005. Dealer and Applicator. 2 Feb. 2005. Starlink Corn. FSANZ. 2 Dec. 2004. Foodstandards.gov. 2 Feb, 2005. US 2000/01 Corn Exports Dented by Starlink. 10 Sept. 2001. Planetark.com. 2 Feb 2005.

Cramming: Time and Long Term Memory

Universal Vice: Cramming â€Å"Whoops! It's the night before the big exam, and you haven't done a lick of studying all semester. Looking back on it, you know that you should have been hitting the books all those nights you were watching television, but there's nothing you can do about it now. Don't throw in the towel yet, though–it's time to get cramming. † How often do you do this? Most common among high school and college-aged students, cramming is often used as a means of memorizing and the practice of working intensively to absorb large volumes of informational material in short amounts of time.It is a widely-used study skill performed in preparation of an examination or other performance-based assessment. Best stated by H. E. Gorst in his book, The Curse of Education, â€Å"as long as education is synonymous with cramming on an organized plan, it will continue to produce mediocrity. † Students are often forced to cram after improper time utilization or in ef forts to understand information shortly before being tested. Improper time management is usually the cause for last-minute cramming sessions, and many study techniques have been developed to help students succeed in lieu of cramming.Generally considered as a negative study technique, cramming is becoming more and more common among students at the secondary and post-secondary level, not mentioning those who are as young as five years old. Pressure to perform well in the classroom and to engage in extracurricular activities in addition to other responsibilities often results in this kind of study habit, cramming. According to W. G. Sommer, â€Å"students in a university system often adapt to the time-constraints that are placed upon them in college, and often use cramming to perform well on tests†.In his article, Procrastination and Cramming: How Adept Students Ace the System, he states, â€Å"Many students outwardly adapt to this system, however, engage in an intense and priv ate ritual that comprises five aspects: calculated procrastination, preparatory anxiety, climactic cramming, nick-of-time deadline-making, and a secret, if often uncelebrated, victory. These adept students often find it difficult to admit others into their efficient program of academic survival. † Students have crammed for decades. What most of us don’t know is how many use this study strategy.The lit review in the article references a collection of studies that puts the percentage somewhere between 25 and 50. In this research sample, 45 percent were on the agree side of a scale that measured the extent of cramming. These are some of the very pragmatic questions explored empirically by the researchers: How widespread is cramming among students? Do students think cramming is an effective study strategy? Does cramming work, as in how does it affect course grades? And the really bottom line questions: How effective is cramming in the long run?What’s the impact on le arning and retention? Czarina Isabel F. de Leon, a freshman college student of University of the Philippines – Diliman states, â€Å"I believe that many students cram all the time. Maybe, this is due to lack of knowledge with regards to time management and discipline. But honestly speaking, I can say that cramming helps me in some way. I don’t know if it’s just me who feels that cramming stimulates my brain cells more. It seems like I am able to formulate more ideas and to absorb more information whenever I cram for some of my school works and tests.In spite of this, I don’t think that cramming has affected my grades that much because there are so many factors that can influence class marks. If I were to choose from cramming and not cramming, I would definitely choose the latter. This is because I know for a fact that if I wouldn’t cram, I’m sure that my work is clearly done and not just scrapped from somewhere. I do believe that cramming p roduces risky works, in such a way that a person who crams is not sure whether he did his job well or not. Perhaps the question that most needs addressing is this one: How come some exams can be mastered so successfully by students who’ve prepared by cramming? You might think it’s just a problem with multiple-choice exams. Not so. In this study and others, the amount of cramming students reported was not a function of exam type. Are teachers testing too much recall on their exams? It might be interesting to go through an exam and see how many questions can be answered with material you could memorize but not understand at all or well.Cramming is often discouraged by educators because the hurried coverage of material tends to result in poor long-term retention of material. In a 2007 study conducted by University of South Florida psychologist Doug Rohrer, it was determined that last minute studying reduces retention of material and may hinder the learning process in the long term. There is a biological reason for this. The problem is that cramming information places it into our brains in short term storage. This is where you put everyday information that is not really worth remembering.In order to learn we have to transfer information into long term memory. Once there, you can retrieve it far easier over a longer period of time. All information are processed in the brain and stored in short term memory. The problem is that these information sort of overloads the brain and are not kept for very long. Can you remember every single event that happened to you in a given day? Think of the literal thousands of bits of information you are exposed to every day. It's not necessary to remember it all, so the brain dumps it after a time.Can you remember what you had for breakfast the day before yesterday? What shirt you wore? How much lunch cost? How many steps there are in preparing for exams? No. What makes you think you will remember some factoid from clas s that you never heard of before? Sure you may remember it for a day or two, but that's it. Only when you make an effort to remember something repeatedly do you transfer that information into the other kind of memory, long term memory. Cramming fails because you’re relying on short term memory.In spite of these facts, cramming will always be an option for those who need to accomplish a large amount of task in a short period of time. Like any other vices, cramming can be very addictive and may supply us what we need for now, but we may not benefit from it for a long period of time. Since it is continuously done by most of us nowadays, not only by students but also by some adults as well, avoiding it will be very difficult for all of us. It’s like a universal vice that most of us used to live with and it can be applicable for everyone.Cramming is a vice that will forever be present in this world – it may be lessened but will never be eradicated, especially for stu dents like me. â€Å"While cramming probably won't get you an â€Å"A,† it can definitely save you from an â€Å"F. † So suck it up and get ready for a long, hard night. And vow to be a better student from now on. † Works Cited: â€Å"Cramming (education) -. † Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Web. 27 Sept. 2009. . Pangilinan, Candy. â€Å"Candidly  » Cramming and homecoming. † PEP. ph: The Number One Site for Philippine Showbiz | Home. 2 Dec. 2007. Web. 27 Sept. 2009. . â€Å"How to Cram for a Test – wikiHow. † WikiHow – The How-to Manual That You Can Edit. Web. 27 Sept. 2009. . Weimer, Maryellen. â€Å"Key Questions about Cramming  «. † Teaching Professor. 02 Dec. 2008. Web. 27 Sept. 2009. . â€Å"Cramming – Definition of cramming at YourDictionary. com. † Dictionary Definitions, Sentence Examples, Synonyms and More. Web. 27 Sept. 2009. . â€Å"Cram – Definition of cram verb (LEARN) from Cambr idge Dictionary Online: Free English Dictionary and Thesaurus. Cambridge Dictionary Online: Free English Dictionary and Thesaurus – Cambridge University Press – Cambridge Dictionaries Online – Cambridge University Press. Web. 27 Sept. 2009. . Handy, Edna Wells. â€Å"Why Students Fail. † Autoredirect to main site. Web. 27 Sept. 2009. . â€Å"The dangers of cramming for exams. † PSU BMB. Web. 27 Sept. 2009. . Weinberg, Tamar. â€Å"How to Cram for Exams – How To – Lifehacker. † Lifehacker, tips and downloads for getting things done. 02 Mar. 2008. Web. 27 Sept. 2009. . de Leon, Czarina Isabel . Personal Interview. 14 October 2009.