Thursday, November 28, 2019
Absorption of Nuclear Radiation free essay sample
Abstract Nuclear physics was practiced to find the value of tat. After 8 trials of using a G-M counter and 8 different mass thicknesses of polyethylene, a graph was formed and tat was calculated to be 0. 1931 ECMA/g, an error of 3. 57% from the accepted value of 0. 2 ECMA/g. Experiment was also used as an intro to using basic lab equipment, computer programs and calculating errors. With many different calculation, the latter was easily fulfilled and more practice with the equipment and programs will lead to a ore experienced familiarity to the physics lab. Objectives Group 7 was instructed to observe the absorption of beta particles when passing through different thicknesses of polyethylene absorbers. This also helped group 7 practice how to use basic instrumentation of nuclear physics. Procedure It was necessary to determine the operating voltage for the G-M counter. Group 7 put the beta source right underneath the sensor and started with a voltage of 200 V, then slowly added more and more voltage until the rate of electrons counted was constant. We will write a custom essay sample on Absorption of Nuclear Radiation or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page (This number was 257 V. To this number, 75 more volts were added for a voltage of 232 V. This was left as a constant for the remainder of the experiment. The background radiation was calculated next. This was done by removing the beta radiation and letting the sensor run for ten minutes to pick up what radiation different sources in the room would let off. The number was was 12. 2 counts.
Monday, November 25, 2019
social issue essays
social issue essays The population of our planet will quickly reach a point, where there will not be an adequate amount of resources to support life on Earth. Population control must be enforced to avoid such a catastrophic occurrence. Many, economic, social and environmental problems are either affiliated with or are increased due to overpopulation. With an exponentially increasing world population, the problems created by overpopulation grow correspondingly. In order to stabilize the massive population, the world must work together to maintain population stability. Population- the inhabitants of a given area, but perhaps most importantly, the human inhabitants of the Earth (numbering about 5.4 billion in 1992), Who by their increasing numbers and corresponding increasing needs can seriously affect the global ecosystem. The idea that population growth is the key cause of ecological problems is extremely commonplace. Truth.(Dean Fraser, The People Problem). Capitalism is the main cause of both overpopulation and ecological crisis. Population growth, far from being the cause of poverty, is in fact the result of it. Obviously, immediately provide better education and access to contraceptives across the planet as well as raising the elite by keeping the cost of labor. To see such developments as primary causes of population growth is to ignore the central role played by poverty, the disruption of cultural patterns, and the need for cheap labor due to capitalism(Murray Bookchin). General population increase in the world was non-existent until the Industrial Revolution. From the time of the Roman Empire to the colonialization of America, the world population grew from about a quarter billion to a half-billion persons. By the mid- 19th century, however, it had grown to about one billion, and by 1930 it had risen to about 2 billion; the United Nation estimates the current world ...
Thursday, November 21, 2019
Accounting Applications Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words
Accounting Applications - Essay Example Value addition allows firms to effectively market their products and services, while putting emphasis on the power of brand rather than the commodity. Through value additions, firms can charge higher prices and enjoy competitive advantage. This is because products and services with higher added value are less price-elastic and difficult to be copied by the rival companies. Addition of value can either enhance the productââ¬â¢s value or price. For example, offering one month of free support on new software would be a value-added attribute (Pramanik 2005).The primary purpose of job functions in MYOB is to group certain transactions into a reportable entry. This is achieved by assigning a job for each profit centers, which for the case of the printing business can be assumed to be the two divisions including Hamilton and Auckland. Henceforth, every transaction that belongs to each division (profit center) is assigned to a job that is associated with it. Job reports, which represent t he profit centers, are used to report the activity of each job. A job function is set up to follow income and expenses associated with service jobs. This function is especially helpful when performing multiple jobs for a particular customer. A suitable job number is allocated to each amount every time the user executes a transaction. This feature allows the user to relate different jobs with different amounts in a single transaction. By creating a jobs budget analysis, a profit and loss statement for each job and actual results can be prepared and compared with the budgeted values, for each profit center. Ideally, job function is useful for companies that perform more than one job for the same customer, for example the printing business could be performing different jobs in the two divisions, but for the same customer. This is made possible by MYOB because it allows such jobs to be created underneath the name of the customer. Furthermore, a printing business can use job function for each service performed or goods transacted in order to track the services and products that are most profitable and those that eventually generate losses. This information can be used to prepare comprehensive reports, which enables the company to analyze all the transactions they have made with the business during a certain period (MYOB 2006). The business of printing can assume each of its two divisions as distinct profits centers, for which it can track income and expanses separately. The jobs function can be used to group transactions belonging to each division (profit centers). The performance of each division can then get tracked and relevant reports generated accordingly. Additionally, to breakdown a job into distinct parts, a firm can use sub-jobs (MYOB 2006). Category function The category function allows firms to track profitability of properties, offices and other segments associated with the business in question. For every time users input a transaction, they are require d to assign the category that suits its description. For the case of a printing business with two divisions, we can take each division as an individual category and then track the profitability of the products they produce: say, product A, product B, and product C for Hamilton and product A, product B, and product C for Auckland division. Thereafter, a profit and loss statement can be prepared for each division. Examples of transaction that can be assigned categories include: general journal entries, receive money, historical sales and purchases, inventory adjustments, inventory transfers, purchases,
Wednesday, November 20, 2019
Strategic Financial Management Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3250 words
Strategic Financial Management - Case Study Example As a result, the share prices listed in the stock market do not always reflect the true market value of a company. This perception has gained such currency that people who invest in stocks are driven more by speculation than certainty. The thinking that the stock market is not always a reliable indicator of firm value works against the interests of the company seeking capital for expansion because it may not be able to attract as many investors as it wants. One such firm is the fast-growth airline EasyJet plc, which was ranked No. 72 by Business Week in the list of the World's Most Innovative Companies in 2006. In the view of its officers, the airline's share prices have been distorted by the current volatilities that they fail to represent the true market value of the firm. Since the firm's formal listing in the London Stock Exchange in 2000, exactly five years after its establishment in 1995, EasyJet has worked hard to create value for shareholders but it seems unconvinced by the s hare prices reflected in the trading floor. For the benefit of investors and its board of directors that needs accurate financial data for decision-making purposes, EasyJet would naturally want to establish the correct market value of the firm. This paper affects a strategic financial analysis for and in behalf of EasyJet to find the true stock market value o... Then we chronicle how EasyJet plc has delivered such value to shareholders for the past five years and the trajectory of change in its equity value over the last 12 months, with the market value picking up in 3-4 months and then dropping without warning. To determine the firm's true market value, this paper evaluates EasyJet's equity at current prices using the firm's net asset value, price-earnings ratio and discounted cash flow for 10 years. Finally, we attempt to reconcile any differences in value obtained from these financial analysis methods. Based on the results, we set the correct stock market value for the firm. Strategic Financial Management Through strategic financial management, the company may find its true stock market value by isolating the sum of all expected future cash flows discounted to the present and then dividing the sum of these discounted cash flows with the number of available shares. Equity valuation can also be done by comparing the firm's current share price with its net asset value, price-earnings ratio and its discounted cash flows for the next 10 years. Strategic financial management is defined as the identification of strategies that can maximize an organization's present net value in order to increase shareholder value (Leading Concepts, 2006). Its key objective is precisely to create shareholder value. According to Grundy & Scholes (1998), strategic financial management seeks control of the company's bottom line through proactive, involved and customized means in a manner that is dynamic, forward-looking and outward-oriented. In effect, the firm looks at the links between corporate strategy and strategic financial management to see how the process can play a positive and proactive role in
Monday, November 18, 2019
Critical and Post-Modern Organization Theory Essay
Critical and Post-Modern Organization Theory - Essay Example They state that Critical Theory strives hard to liberate and enslave human beings through transformation of various conditions and circumstances. This theory also aids in descriptive and normative base in social inquiry where it seeks to reduce command and power, and increase freedom in all respective manners. Critical theories have gone through different historical phases and have passed several generations (Fellunga, 2002). Critical theory has set its aims, methods, theories, and explanations in both natural and social sciences and thus this theory is extended to ethics, political philosophy, and philosophy of history. Furthermore, critical theorists argue that enterprises do not have a practical approach in instrumental sense, but rather they have a keen interest in the moral sense. They do not strive to achieve some independent goal but instead they seek human liberation in coercion, repression, and domination. While the formulation of materialism stated, that critical theory has all the rights to function within the boundaries of division of labor. But within this scenario, philosophy normative stance has the right to condemn the ethics, principles and embodiment of reason (Stanford encyclopedia of philosophy, 2005). On the other hand, post modern theory or post modernism has been derived after modernism but both these terms have a wide distinction among each other. Modernism is concerned with identity, unity, authority, and certainty while post modernism reflects difference, separation, textuality, and skepticism. Post modernism originated from architecture and covered two main theories; deconstruction and post structuralism. This theory is used not only in art-related fields but it also assists in marketing & business, law and culture fields. Basically post modernism are those group of critics who are inspired by the postmodern culture in which they live
Friday, November 15, 2019
The War on Drugs: Illegal Opium Markets
The War on Drugs: Illegal Opium Markets Introduction Opium (and opioids) which are obtained from the sap of the poppy plant have routinely been used to control pain in countries throughout the world over many centuries. Opium, also, has historically been used in a social context illustrated by the opium dens in China which has lead to it becoming a trade-able commodity with high values over recent eras. Opioids have therefore developed both legal and illegal global markets and through studying where this stands in society both now and historically it will assist the reader to interpret what is determined to be crime and subsequently justice. The notion of Crime has traditionally been regarded as an offence which goes beyond the personal and into the public sphere, breaking prohibitory rules or laws, to which legitimate punishments are attached and what a society considers to be a crime is socially constructed (Scott Marshall, 2009). Crime, however must not be considered in isolation and can be defined by the power inequalities amongst stakeholders in both how local and global relations cause tensions or aid policies and practice which result in violence, the so called white-collar crime. Wars have been attributed to the opium trade and these contested matters on both individual and national levels cause both social and personal harms (The Open University, 2009(a)). In order to critically analyse opiate use we must understand what constitutes legal and illegal drug use. Legal use can be considered to be prescription drugs, drugs available over the counter (OTC) and other socially accepted means whereas in contrast what is construed to be illegal has constantly in flux and is determined by those in power who attempt to isolate and control behaviours that are out-with social norms (The Open University, 2009 (b)). It is perhaps not by coincidence then that throughout history certain cultures, communities and specific groups have been actively targeted and by penal measures in the justice system or other socially constructed ones held accountable for wrongdoings whereas those in power both in (inter)national corporations and governments have often remained unaccountable for their actions. The war on drugs, who does it really affect? The link between global relations and the illegal opium markets have recurring themes through history. War is one of these and in America in the 1970s there was a real threat to the stability of the preceding government so a decision was made by President Richard Nixon to declare a nationwide war on drugs across the whole of America. Under the guise of this war the regime targeted dissident groups including the Black Panthers and those who canvassed support against the Vietnam War (The Open University, 2009(c)). Wars have both intended and unintended consequences, in this case the government has assisted indirectly in encouraging more violent traits with emerging gangs seeking fresh territory in order to traffic drugs illegally (The Open University, 2009,(c)). On a local level drug trade can be essential for the community to be self-sufficient, especially in poverty stricken areas and those with higher crime and deprivation levels. Such complex relations and competing power balances allow for corruptness to occur in high level positions of authority therefore benefiting those who are involved in dealing or importation, the counter argument provided by individuals living in these deprived areas of Afghanistan are that if work was provided, housing and other human essentials then they wouldnt need to be involved in illegal activities. It is clear that these communities are treated less favourably than more powerful corporations and governments who also break or influence the law. Crime involving drugs are generally associated with anti-social groups, the underclass or those with low income as opposed to the wealthier and subsequently more influential classes, therefore there is just cause in suggesting that class bias occurs when treatment is needed involving opioids. A further relative example is that in the USA black people were, and remain, disproportionally represented in the jails (The Open University, 2009(c)). Why are the powerful able to get away with Crime? The powerful, those with money, those in high positions or with influential sway are seemingly able to get away with crimes which affect locals, crimes against humanity, they hold the responsibility for punishing and regulating others. The question that must be asked is who regulates them? The truth is that they arent and if they are found at fault the problem can be made to go away. The Open University (2009, (b)) argue that there is there is a clear difference between how the justice system treats the perceived legal and illegal elements. There appears to be no regulation in how the pharmaceutical industry can be allowed without question to be involved in the Prescription Drug User Fee Act from 1992 which is linked to the Food and Drug Administration, therefore its accountability to be examined. From this it is clear that large influential corporations whom evade any punishment through the justice system, but internal corruption is more prevalent due to the lack of regulation or risk of punitive sanction within the trade. Corruption is a key area in how corporations and the illegal hierarchy together are able to by-pass the justice system allowing for the trading in opiates to continue despite strict measures attempting to prevent it (The Open University, 2009(b)). Another example in quantitative terms of justice being avoided is highlighted when Purdue Pharma, an international company was fined $600 million because they had deliberately misled their customers by stating that Oxycontin was less addictive that other competitors products. This deception caused several people to lose their lives and many people to subsequently become addicted, all from what consumer would of believed to be a reputable organisation (The Open University, 2009(b)). Again no custodial terms were handed out to the persons responsible which is in stark contrast to the less powerful groups who in the main are targeted as being accountable. This also demonstrates how the global (international) can affect the local (national). Global relations in the form of large corporations and drug cartels, those who together both distribute drugs when analysed actually are more similar that dissimilar, together they want to: provide a reputable service leading to repeat custom; sell their product (often for a profit); manage the risk of harm, violence or penal sanction by having management structures in place, for example those at the top have the most assets but are never seen getting their hands dirty, where the foot soldiers are placing themselves at the higher end of the risk spectrum increase professionalism in product manufacture and marketing (The Open University, 2009(b)) Why do drugs go where the trade goes? The production and use of opium has a complex interrelationship with the 19th Century colonisation where the British began to import opiates into China from its Indian colonies. The Chinese Emperor banned this import of opium due to his country suffering high addiction levels. The British government believed in free trade and took action to ensure that the Chinese would accept opium imports whether it was legal or not (The Open University, 2009(b)). Because Britain was able to exercise this power it continued to be detrimental to China. Ironically centuries later the British Prime Minister Tony Blair cited the same example the Chinese emperor had used in that Britain was being harmed therefore it was necessary to start military action in Afghanistan in order to destroy the Afghanistan opium crops. Both times our government was answerable for causing harm to another nation but not held at legal or moral fault. Instead it was held that it served as in the interest of the nation rather than criminally wrong (The Open University, 2009(b)). Trade boundaries in global affairs are not only influenced by their respective governments. Both Turkey and India contribute to the destruction of Opium crops in Afghanistan and consequentially by restricting this market globally they have control over pricing of opioids, as opposed to higher competition lowering the cost of each unit. Violent clashes followed involving the farmers and government officials but this action only harmed locals by physical violence but taking their only available source of income. By examining Tajikistan which is a country lying to the north of Afghanistan it will assist in understanding how illegal trafficking occurs. It has isolated borders and no road networks between border nations but it is the gateway to the rest of Asia and then Europe. The Tajikistan authorities seize more illegal shipments than all the other Asian counties together (The Open University, 2009(c)). When the Soviet Union collapsed, Tajikistan was devastated and they were exposed to incentives to support illegal activities by trafficking drugs. This meant that more drugs are freely available which has altered the patterns of consumption and the need for stronger drugs like heroin. Global trade in different cultures and countries therefore affects both the illegal and legal methods of importation and drug usage / dependency (The Open University, 2009(a)). Tajikistan itself is a large scale drug industry that again shows how corruption at all levels of society and particular within the police and governments i.e. Border guards and their senior officers demonstrates a blurring of who is at fault, social harms are being created at all levels and if faced with the option to survive or not locals are always going to be found at fault by influential officials (The Open University, 2009(b)). Conclusion Today, we live in a world of global trade and national exchange. I have demonstrated that where open trade occurs then so does the illegal drug market, you cant have open trade and no drugs. Crime is therefore to be considered as a global concern not a local one. In critically reviewing both legal and illegal opium markets it is fair to argue that the power disparities within localities allows for social harms to be created, on a global level what takes place in one country can have a direct impact on another leading to violence and damaged communities. Power is a key theme and is shown during the closing of the Chinese boundaries but Britain still continued to force trading relations alongside the destruction of communities in the USA, Tajikistan and Afghanistan as a result of poverty and corruptness by authorities. The definition of crime at the start is given as its socially constructed and personal, this essay opens up this theory and shows that crime through illegal and legal methods of opioid use is actually a global concern; Tajikistan following Soviet collapse shows the global implications of Crime and Justice. Approximately 1750 words not including the question or brackets. Types of Abuse: Domestic, Financial and Technological Types of Abuse: Domestic, Financial and Technological Abuse occurs when people mistreat or misuse other people. Abusive behaviors are used to manipulate others. But the uncommon types of abuse are just as important as the common ones. They include economic, academic, and psychological abuse. Economic abuse is a form of abuse when one intimate partner has control over the other partners access to economic resources, which diminishes the victims capacity to support him/herself and forces him/her to depend on the perpetrator financially. Economic and financial abuse. Examples of economic abuse are removing or keeping property without consent, dispasing of property against another persons wishes and without lawful excuse, preventing access to joint financial assets, such as a joint bank account for the purposes of meeting normal household expenses. Economic abuse can include an abuser preventing victims from working and accessing bank accounts, credit cards or transportation among other isolating tactics as mentioned before. Money gives us a voice but most survivors of abuse already feel silenced by their experience. Lack of money intensifies feelings of being trapped, developed and alone. People living below the poverty line are the most vulnerable to economic abuse. For those manage to escape the abuse and survive initially, they often face overwhelming odds in obtaining long term security and safety, ruined credit scores, sporadic employment histories and legal issues caused by the battering make it extremely difficult to gain independence safety and long term security. Getting out of economic abuse involves opening separate bank accounts from the abuser. Creating a private account or find a safe place to store cash since saving up in and itself can trigger abuse, victims are tasked with finding ways to make and save money without the abuser finding out. Dean emphasizes that someones ability to save money will depend on the degree to which their adviser exerts control over them. For someone who is bei ng watched 24/7 the money saving process may be much slower. As with any abusive relationship victims must consider their safety after theyve left. Stopping economic abuse is an extremely complicated task because each familys financial situation and relationship is different. Economic abuse is rarely talked about and misunderstood by people but we simply cant afford to talk about it anymore.. Technology abuse is digital partner violence when technology is used such as cell-phones, computers, and location technologies to bully, harass, stalk or intimidate a partner. Often this behavior is a form verbal or emotional abuse perpetrated online, through texts, calls Etc. The internet is one of the most popular dynamics shaping our social, intellectual and moral spheres. The internet empowers individuals with immediate information to collaborate, engage, and participate. Technology abuse is extremely common in abusive relationships. Abusers often misuse technology as a way to control and monitor, or humans victims. Many states have responded to this misuse of technology by passing specific laws to address the behaviors. In other states these acts can come under criminal laws such as harassment, stalking, eavesdropping, unlawful surveillance, etc. There are different types of technology abuse such as sexting, which is the act of sending and receiving sexually explicit text messa ges, photographs or videos mainly through a mobile device. There Is always a risk that a sext could be shared or distributed with additional people electronically without your consent. Another is impersonation, impersonation generally refers to when someone uses a false identity and commits acts that will result in personal gain or that will deceive or harm another person. Some states have laws that criminize impersonating another person with the intent to defraud someone. One more example of technology abuse is Electronic surveillance. Electronic surveillance is a broad term used to describe when someone watches another person actions or monitors a persons conversations without his/her knowledge or consent by using one or more electronic device. Electronic surveillance can be done by misusing cameras, recorders, wiretaps, social media, or email. It can also be done by the misuse of monitoring software (Known as Spyware) which can be installed on a computer, tablet, or smartphone to secretly monitor the activity without users knowledge. Young people are increasingly being subjected to technology abuse. Teen violence prevention organization day one says half of the people ages 14-24 have experienced it. Lesbians, gays bisexuals users are more than twice as likely than straight users, to experience abuse online. The study found that also men and women are subject to similar levels of abuse, the attacks on women were often of a more serious nature of the 20 categories of harassment the researchers looked at. Men were most likely to report being called names and being embarrassed online. Psychological abuse (also referred as psychological violence, emotional abuse or mental abuse) is a form of abuse, characterized by a person subjecting, or exposing another person to behavior that may result in psychological trauma, including anxiety, chronic depression or post-traumatic stress disorder. Psychological abuse is common and yet few understand the psychological abuse definition enough to spot it without the visible signs of physical abuse can stay hidden for years. Psychological abuse though can be just as worse as physical abuse. psychological abuse can affect your inner thoughts and feelings as well as exert control over your life. You feel uncertain of the world around you, and unsafe in your own home, physiological abuse can destroy intimate relationship with yourself psychological abuse also applies to children and may impair their development into a healthy adult. The abuse signs and symptoms may start small at first as the abuser test the waters to see what the other person will accept, but before long the psychological abuse builds into something that can be frightening and threating. Signs include name calling, yelling, insulting the person, threating the person or something that is important to them, ignoring, isolating the excluding them from meaningful events. CITATIONS Campbell, Rebecca. Code to Inspire: Bitcoin Gives Afghan Women Financial Freedom. Bitcoin Magazine. N.p., 14 Apr. 2016. Web. 23 Mar. 2017. Written by Britni De La Cretaz.Britni Has Also Written: How Budgeting Improved My Relationship, Making Financial Amends in Alcoholics Anonymous and My Shopping Addiction Nearly Destroyed My Life More from This Author. How to Rebuild After Escaping Financial Abuse. Daily Worth. N.p., 28 Jan. 2017. Web. 23 Mar. 2017. Technological Abuse, Harassment on the Rise for Teens. CBS News. CBS Interactive, 22 Oct. 2016. Web. 23 Mar. 2017. Tracy, Natasha. Psychological Abuse: Definition, Signs and Symptoms. Healthy Place. N.p., July-Aug. 2012. Web. Mar.-Apr. 2017. Soong, Jennifer. When Technology Addiction Takes Over Your Life. WebMD. WebMD, 12 Nov. 2011. Web. 23 Mar. 2017.
Wednesday, November 13, 2019
Microraptor Zhaoianus Discovery Strengthens the Dinosaur-Bird Connectio
Microraptor Zhaoianus Discovery Strengthens the Dinosaur-Bird Connection Theory The evolutionary connection between dinosaurs and birds (that birds evolved from theropod dinosaurs) has long been theorized and is today generally accepted as a scientifically viable school of thought. Furthermore, several monumental discoveries have recently been made (21st century) in the area of the fossil record which have acted to solidify this evolutionary connection, drawing the evidentiary ties between dinosaurs and birds even closer together. Paramount among these new unearthings is the recent discovery (in 2000) of the Microraptor zhaoianus. In the following analysis I will attempt to summarize both the discovery of this unusual specie, and the impact the discovery has had on the school of thought regarding the evolution of birds. The discovery expressed in the original article of my research is that of a Microraptor zhaoianus fossil. The Microraptor zhaoianus is classified as a non-avian, dromaeosaurid (swift lizard), which is a subgroup of the theropods1[1]. The theropods were a group of raptors whose characteristics included small size, bipedalism, and a close relation to birds2[2]. Certainly, there is no doubt that the Microraptor fits this description. The size of the Microraptor is indeed a large part of what makes its discovery so important. On the whole, non-avian dinosaurs are classified as medium to large sized entities. However, the Microrapto is unusually small as its body measures a mere 47 mm3[3]. In fact, it is the first fully mature non avian dinosaur on record that has been found to be smaller (only slightly) than the earliest known bird, Archaeopteryx4[4]. Furthermore, in addition to its comparabl... ...arning.com/subjects/dinosaurs/glossary/Dromaeosaur.shtml> (15 March 2004). 3[3] Xu, 705-708. 4[4] Xu, 705-708. 5[5] Anna Salleh, ââ¬Å"Chinese macroraptor looks like bird-dinosaur linkâ⬠8 December 2000, < http://www.abc.net.au/science/news/stories/s221244.htm> (15 March 2004). 6[6] Xu, 705-708. 7[7] Xu, 705-708. 8[8] Xu, 705-708. 9[9] Salleh,1. 10[10] Xu, 705-708. 11[11] Xu, 705-708. 12[12] Xu, 705-708. 13[13] Xu, 705-708 14[14] Richard Prum, ââ¬Å"Paleontology: Dinosaurs take to the air,â⬠Nature 421, no. 6921 (2003): 323. 15[15] Prum, 323. 16[16] Xu, 705-708. 17[17] Paul Willis, ââ¬Å"Dinosaur fossil with proto-feathers,â⬠8 March 2001, < http://www.abc.net.au/science/news/stories/s256326.htm> (5 April 2004). 18[18] Paul Willis, ââ¬Å"Missing link from fur to feathers,â⬠27 April 2001, < http://www.abc.net.au/science/news/stories/s283717.htm> (5 April 2004).
Monday, November 11, 2019
How Golding Uses Symbols in Lord of the Flies Essay
William Goldingââ¬â¢s book, Lord of the Flies (published in 1954) tells the story of a group of boys, who are stranded on an unknown island, when their plane crashes. On the surface, it is an interesting story of how the civilised English boys, during their time on the island, gradually lose their veneer of respectability and ââ¬Å"decentâ⬠behaviour and devolve to the basest and barest form of humanity. Eventually, the boys almost entirely shake off the civilisation of the world they once knew. If we scratch beneath that surface, what we find is a much more complicated observation of society, laden with corporeal, philosophical and religious symbols. Indeed, the superb use of symbolism in the book is one of the contributing factors to the profundity of the book. The symbols that stand out the most are the conch; the gradual destruction of the island; Piggyââ¬â¢s spectacles; fire, and how it is used; and the beast, or the Lord of the Flies (another name given to the Devil), the crucial symbol, used throughout the book. All of these will be looked at into more detail, and, also, whether the beast is real or a physical manifestation of the boysââ¬â¢ fears, as well as the key comment that it is the evil which resides within man, will also be discussed. First, is the conch. This is the shell, which is discovered by Ralph and Piggy, and is used to represent power, authority and rules. From the very first time it is mentioned, Golding describes it as: ââ¬Å"pretty and a worthy playthingâ⬠. It is, like everything else on the island, a simple and innocent object: and immediately afterwards, it becomes something so precious, due to its apparent beauty. Also, in the beginning, it is a mere utility: Piggy suggests that, when blown, it would be able to ââ¬Å"callâ⬠the other boys, scattered around the area of the crash, to have a meeting. The fact that it is used to call already highlights its importance in the book, as it has instant results. The sound is, as Jack later says, like that of a trumpet, using the metaphor of summoning the boys: it has an authority all on its own. By the time of the next meeting, in the afternoon of that same day, Ralph, now elected leader, decides that it will be used during meetings, where only the person with it may speak. ââ¬Å"ââ¬ËIââ¬â¢ll give the conch to the next person to speak. He can hold it when heââ¬â¢s speakingâ⬠¦And he wonââ¬â¢t be interrupted. Except by me.'â⬠Rules have been established, and the conch is at the centre if them, so it, now, is the means of putting across oneââ¬â¢s feelings and/or ideas. Naturally, everyone agrees, including Jack. Golding puts this into the book, commenting on manââ¬â¢s need for rules within a society, and a code of behaviour, thus demonstrating what the conch symbolises. As well as these, it also symbolises democracy and free speech in our modern society, one of the few positive statements on humanity within the book, in the fact that all the boys are able to say something, as opposed to rule by force, or an autocracy, as demonstrated by Jackââ¬â¢s leadership, later on in the book. By chapter Five, things have already drastically changed among the boys. The threat of the beast has been lurking among them all for some time, now, and it has been left to grow to such an extent, that more and more people are behaving differently towards the island and each other. When Ralph has to call an assembly concerning these issues, he finds it difficult to get anything across, or even to be listened to, without brandishing the conch, or repeatedly reminding them that he has it. This symbolises that the power and authority of the conch is weakening, as the boys are tiring of adhering to the rules. Ralph even comments on this during his speech, when he says: ââ¬â ââ¬Å"things are breaking upâ⬠¦We began well; we were happy. And then-ââ¬Å". It also makes a sly comment on rules and authority among real human societies, saying that we are unable to keep to them because of our nature as ââ¬Å"freeâ⬠beings, and therefore, the very idea of a rule, something that will confine us, is only temporarily effective, because we just cannot rigidly or lastingly keep to them. Many have argued for and against this theory, and much of it has to do with where we believe our origins as humans lie. For instance, if one believes in the Christian God, they believe that we are the way we are, because of the Original Sin; if Atheist, one may believe in evolution, and that we should, possibly each of us, create our own rules and boundaries, and not let any one person or body decide for us. It is, indeed an interesting debate. The idea of power corrupting, and being corruptible in return, is also evident in the way that Jack speaks out openly against Ralph, repeatedly, either with or without the conch. He even says, during the assembly scene in chapter Five, ââ¬Å"bollocks to the rules!â⬠In chapter Eleven, by which time Jack has succeeded in taking almost complete control over the island, the idea of the conch has become a laughing stock, and it has physically become worn and faded, and less beautiful. Golding shows how everyone, including Ralph and Piggy, regards the conch. Despite them knowing, and seeing in practice, that the conch is virtually useless, Piggy still tells Ralph to call an assembly, and use it, because he is so rule-rigid and loyal to Ralph, that he refuses to undermine him by abandoning the rules; while even Ralph only uses it, under the direction of Piggy: ââ¬â â⬠ââ¬Ëâ⬠¦You call an assembly, Ralph, we got to decide what to do.ââ¬â¢ ââ¬ËAn assembly for only us?ââ¬â¢ ââ¬ËItââ¬â¢s all we gotâ⬠¦Blow the conch,'â⬠This strict allegiance of Piggyââ¬â¢s, even now, to Ralph and the conch proves to be his fatal feature, as, when he, Ralph, Sam and Eric go up to the Castle Rock of Jackââ¬â¢s tribe, among jeers, insults and being ignored, Piggy still says: ââ¬Å"Iââ¬â¢ve got the conch!â⬠This annoys Jack and Roger so much, that both he, and the conch, now having ââ¬Å"lost its glowâ⬠, are destroyed by the boulder, the conch being: ââ¬Å"exploded into a thousand white fragments and ceas[ing] to exist.â⬠Although there has been no real authority or rules for some time, by now, apart from Jackââ¬â¢s, the end of the conch marks the real end, as even the husk, the last remaining vestige of organisation and rules, has been done away with. The fact that it is destroyed along with its one true follower, and the way that Golding writes it, links it with the idea of a murder: not only of Piggy, but of the conch, itself. Golding cleverly emphasises how insignificant it has become by putting its destruction into half of a sentence, and concentrating on the main part of the event, Piggyââ¬â¢s death. The next symbol to be discussed in the book is that of the island, and its gradual and subsequent ruin. Like the conch, it is a beautiful, peaceful and untouched world, but it is constantly affected by the boysââ¬â¢ actions throughout, even from before the book. From the first paragraph, the site of the crash is referred to as the scar, as if it were an injury to a living being, which, it could be argued, it is. Nevertheless, in chapter One, Golding creates a beautiful image of the island as a whole, using vivid description to emphasise itââ¬â¢s natural beauty, and this is continued right up to the point of the discovery of the conch: ââ¬Å"a great platform of pink graniteâ⬠; ââ¬Å"a criss-cross pattern of trunks, very convenient to sit onâ⬠; ââ¬Å"bright with the efflorescence of tropical weed and coralâ⬠; ââ¬Å"a golden light danced and shattered just over his faceâ⬠; ââ¬Å"the brilliance of the lagoonâ⬠. Goldingââ¬â¢s intense description of t he lagoon and the watery areas all create the calming effect of water, due to his detailing their appealing aspects. The boysââ¬â¢ initial reactions to it are similar to what the reader should have. They find it amazing and exotic, seeing their whole situation as an adventure, likening it to popular adventure stories, aimed, mainly, at boys, such as Swallows and Amazons, Treasure Island, and Coral Island, which they say. Their excitement overpowers their sense of reality, and the fact that they are alone, without any parents or adults, which piggy reminds them of. But in chapter two, only just after Jack, Ralph and Simon have surveyed the island, and told everyone else how big and beautiful it is, their enthusiasm leads them to make an irreparable mistake. In an attempt to make some sort of signal to the outside world, they start a fire, which subsequently ends up scorching a large chunk of the islandââ¬â¢s vegetation. This clearly symbolises manââ¬â¢s effect on the natural world, and how selfish and inconsiderate we have been, in furthering our own society. The excitement and vigour with which the boys readily execute the fire also comments on this: ââ¬â ââ¬Å"ââ¬ËA fire! Make a fire!ââ¬â¢ At once half the boys were on their feet.â⬠Just like the young and carefree boys, man has created and used industry and technology to advance his own civilization, without the slightest thought for anything else. Already the intrinsic beauty of the island has been permanently tarnished twice. Piggy says, sarcastically, when commenting on the fire: ââ¬â ââ¬Å"You got your small fire all right.â⬠This theme of the gradual destruction of the island is continued throughout the rest of the book, which charts, in a way, the time and scale of manââ¬â¢s destruction of the Earth. In chapter Six, the mother pig is brutally murdered, meaning that, now, although there will be plenty of meat, there wonââ¬â¢t be any new pigs to hunt, when they are all hunted down. And, of course, it all comes to an end, when the fire courses through the island, at the end, in chapter Twelve, finally completely obliterating anything natural, or pure, about the island. ââ¬Å"[Ralph] heard a curious trickling soundâ⬠¦as if someone were unwrapping great sheets of cellophaneâ⬠¦Smoke was seeping through the branches in white and yellow wispsâ⬠¦and then the smoke billowed around him.â⬠Concerning the island, and what it represents, Golding has used such vivid imagery in his description, that, when the island is being razed to the ground, the reader is left to feel slightly sorrowful about its end, and it encourages the reader to reflect on what has happened on it ever since the boys arrived. This ties in very well with the religious connection, the island even being described as an ââ¬Å"Edenâ⬠: the idea of the Original Sin being the cause of manââ¬â¢s present physical and moral condition. At the beginning, the boys enjoy the island and are treating the whole experience as a great big adventure; after time elapses, and the boys have become afraid of the beast, lurking around the island, their terror and fear causes them to fight back against the island, thus doing things which, though they are not fully aware of it, are ruining their environment. Towards the end, they are conducting an all-out attack on the island, with the beast on it (though, with the leadership of Jack, this is somewhat directed against Ralph). Another distinctive symbol in the book, is Piggyââ¬â¢s spectacles. Not only are these a utility, when being used as the means to start a fire, but they also symbolise more: Piggyââ¬â¢s (or just, on its own) intelligence. It is the only asset that Piggy has over the others on the island, and it also ties in with him, his behaviour, and what they symbolise. Like the conch, and what it symbolises, Piggy holds dear his spectacles: this can be argued as natural, for realityââ¬â¢s sake, but he is not the only boy who has such high esteem for them. Jack seizes them from him twice, and it could be said that Jack only does it partly for their usefulness, partly for what they symbolise (intelligence and foresight), and partly because Jack just hates Piggy and will do anything to cause harm or suffering towards him. When in chapter Four, they are damaged, with one of the lenses being broken, he doesnââ¬â¢t care, as he mimics Piggyââ¬â¢s cry of ââ¬Å"Just you wait.â⬠And, in chapter Ten, Jack behaves triumphantly, when it is revealed that he and a couple of members of his tribe have raided the huts, and stolen Piggyââ¬â¢s spectacles: ââ¬â ââ¬Å"The chief led themâ⬠¦exulting in his achievementâ⬠¦From his left hand dangled Piggyââ¬â¢s broken glasses.â⬠This reaffirms how jack abuses intelligence, by stealing the spectacles, and glorifying his triumph. Another clear sign that the glasses represent intelligence is the fact that Piggy, the most rational and scientific boy there, is less confident, without them. In chapter Ten, after the damage, but before the raid, Piggy says, to Ralph: ââ¬Å"ââ¬ËI only got one eye, now. You ought to know that'â⬠. Despite his reliability, even Ralph is beginning to lose hope in Piggy, his spectacles, and the meaningless conch. Golding makes the glasses now represent hope, or the lack of it. Because Piggyââ¬â¢s sight is dimmer, no one can see a way out of their predicament. This links with what Golding is saying about how man needs rules, with the conch: so, man must also need hope, otherwise, listlessness and hopelessness set in. Therefore, the link between rules and authority, hope, intelligence and foresight, and rationality is strongly emphasised. Golding is saying that we, as ââ¬Å"civilisedâ⬠humans need all four, which have made up our present society. Itââ¬â¢s also telling that their present society is in the middle of a nuclear war, which could be argued as whatââ¬â¢s happening on the island, anyway. This is most clearly represented by the fact that, at the end, where the island has been devastated, and the conch, Piggy and the glasses have all been done away with, there is no moral code. The island now mirrors both their and our present society. The next major symbol in the book is the fire, and it has many different uses in the story. In chapter One, the boys have the idea of making a fire, to act as a signal to any passing ships, despite their lack of concern or consideration for the rest of the island, already discussed. But, towards the end of the chapter, the fire is described as being something different: dangerous and destructive, as it burns down a part of the mountain. This is a hint of what is to come, both in terms of the plot, and Goldingââ¬â¢s way of using fire to symbolise how destructive humanity can be. ââ¬Å"All at once the lights flickering ahead of him merged together, the roar of the forest rose to thunder and a tall bush directly in his path burst into a great fan-shaped flameâ⬠¦the heat beating on his left side and the fire racing forward like a tide.â⬠It is telling, also, to what Golding believes about manââ¬â¢s effect on the earth, as the fire has made the island a hell, compared to the paradise that it was at the beginning. When, in chapter Four, the fire goes out, it symbolises the loss of hope, in Ralph, as he is losing control of Jack and his hunters, and Jack is wresting the boys to his power. This is also where Piggyââ¬â¢s spectacles are damaged, and the chain of events, here, all symbolise the despair that Ralph is beginning to have. It also ties in with chapters Eight and Eleven, where Ralph speaks of Jack ââ¬Å"stealingâ⬠the fire, or hope, that was keeping him and the boys sane, and working together. Here Goldingââ¬â¢ is making another comment about our society: without hope, there is nothing worth fighting for or bothering with. The boys have become savage over a period of time, during which they were almost rescued, but due to their own selfishness in wanting to enjoy themselves, they have concerned themselves with fun and pleasure, seeing as there is no hope of anything else. And this is where fire, as a symbol, takes on a darker side. In chapter Nine, during the feast, and having used it to cook the meat of the mother-pig (though the utilisation of the fire for cooking the could be a positive thing), the boys dance around it, as if in some ritualistic sacrament: shouting, howling and chanting: ââ¬â ââ¬Å"Jack leapt on to the sand. ââ¬ËDo our dance! Come on! Dance!ââ¬â¢ â⬠¦A circling movement developed and a chantâ⬠¦the littluns ran and jumpedâ⬠¦Piggy and Ralph, under the threat of the sky, found themselves eager to take a place in this demented but partly secure societyâ⬠¦The movementâ⬠¦began to beat like a steady pulseâ⬠¦There was the throb and stamp of a single organism.â⬠The way that Golding describes it, conjures up the image of the boys transforming, literally, into the very same beast that they are all afraid of. The pace and the language of the words give off a feeling of great tension, signified by the coming storm in the scene. Also, the boys are described as a ââ¬Å"single organismâ⬠. Due to the nature the story, Golding deliberately dehumanises the boys, and turns them into a mob, to comment on humanity as it acts in a very closed society. When one looks into human history, it is evident that in any one group, as factions, we have done terrible things to each other and to our environment. Simonââ¬â¢s death, included here, is probably the most lucid example of how destructive human beings are en masse. The final, and most distinctive, symbol to be discussed is that of the beast. This is the most profound icon used by Golding to convey his overall message of the evils within man, and his pessimism towards human nature. The beast is first introduced by one of the littleuns in chapter Two, after Ralph and Jack have explained their situation to the other boys. â⬠ââ¬ËHe wants to know what youââ¬â¢re going to do about the snake-thing.ââ¬â¢Ã¢â¬ ¦Ã¢â¬â¢Now he says it was a beastie'â⬠The idea that the beast is a ââ¬Å"snake-thingâ⬠links in with the idea of the Original Sin: the Devil taking the shape of a serpent (snake) to tempt Eve, the ââ¬Å"motherâ⬠of humanity, into wrongdoing. As looked at in discussion of the conch, the island, and the fire, we already know that things go wrong on the island, and that Golding attributes this to human nature. The beast, and this idea of it being inescapable represents this. For instance, the different methods by which the boys dream up its presence (from water, air, snake-like) al are natural, or biblical references. Every idea of the form of the beast is a comprehensible, human, one. Also, during the frequent discussions among the boysââ¬â¢ meetings, as the fear of the beast increases among the boys, so, too, does Simonââ¬â¢s understanding. In chapter Five, he says: ââ¬â ââ¬Å"Maybe there is a beastâ⬠¦maybe itââ¬â¢s only usâ⬠This shows his comprehension of the idea of something evil and primitive growing within the society of the boys. This is made completely evident in chapter Eight, with his ââ¬Å"conversationâ⬠(in actual fact, an epileptic fit) with the beast. Simon is in his ââ¬Å"special placeâ⬠, originally a peaceful area of contemplation, abused by Jackââ¬â¢s placing the head of the hunted mother pig there, as an offering to the beast. The conversation itself is very insightful towards Goldingââ¬â¢s view of humanity and towards what Simon represents, also. The beast, or ââ¬Å"Lord of the Fliesâ⬠, as it is called, here, mentions Ralph, Jack, and Piggy, hinting at how they each represent an important aspect of human society (leadership, dictatorship, and rationality, respectively ââ¬â all of the ââ¬Å"secularâ⬠, or physical features of humanity). The fact that the pig/beast is named as the Lord of the Flies links in with Goldingââ¬â¢s view that it is humanityââ¬â¢s one true fault, that we have it in ourselves to be evil. Man is the beast; itââ¬â¢s simply the evil within the boys that motivates them to think of it. The Lord of the Flies says: ââ¬â ââ¬Å"You knew, didnââ¬â¢t you? Iââ¬â¢m part of you?â⬠¦Iââ¬â¢m the reason why itââ¬â¢s no go? Why things are what they are?â⬠Of course, Simon isnââ¬â¢t really talking to the Devil; the fact that itââ¬â¢s all taking place inside his own head highlights that he is merely seeing that this is the darker part of human nature. When Simon then goes up the mountain, to search for the truth about the ââ¬Å"beastâ⬠which he, Ralph and Jack ââ¬Å"seeâ⬠, Golding is showing us that Simon is representative of Christ. He is the one who sees the problem with humanity, right from the beginning. He tries to explain this to his fellow man, and is laughed at about it, and considered to be mad or a fool; he eventually reaches ââ¬Å"enlightenmentâ⬠, when he finds out the truth (the figure they saw was only the dead body of a parachutist); and when, again, he tries to make this clear to the other boys, he is killed, tragically, during the feast-turned-ritual, while they are out of control: ââ¬â ââ¬Å"the crowd surged after it, poured down the rock, leapt on to the beast, screamed, struck, bit, toreâ⬠¦the tearing of teeth and claws.â⬠Here, again, the boys are described as being the beast. Though extremely graphic and violent (as the death of Jesus was), Golding writes a beautiful aftermath, when describing the body being carried out to sea, paralleling the angelic ascension to heaven of Jesus: ââ¬â ââ¬Å"The edge of the lagoon became a streak of phosphorescence which advanced minutelyâ⬠¦The clear water mirrored the clear sky and the angular bright constellationsâ⬠¦the advancing clearness was full of strange, moonbeam-bodied creatures with fiery eyes.â⬠The way in which Golding has crafted the language to create this imagery, is conjuring up the thought of Simonââ¬â¢s spirit, as it were, drifting up. It also emphasises the idea of the calm after the storm. A storm, during which, dark and violent events have occurred amongst the boys, and on the island. Now, as an irredeemable act has been carried out, Golding helps the reader reflect on this, with the serenity and beauty of the aftermath. As we know, after Simonââ¬â¢s death, everything happens very quickly. Within two days, Jackââ¬â¢s hunters raid Ralph, Piggy, Sam and Eric, and take Piggyââ¬â¢s glasses; Piggy is consciously murdered, in an attempt to retrieve them, and the conch is destroyed with him; Ralph is hunted down like a pig, and the island is destroyed completely by a raging fire, which, ironically, is the beacon that gets them rescued. The beast is Goldingââ¬â¢s main device, used to convey this overall theme of the evil within man and his society. Most of the events in the book revolve around it. Ralph, the leader, tries to reassure the boys that it doesnââ¬â¢t exist, while being unsure of that himself; Piggy, the rational scientist, completely denies itââ¬â¢s existence, and pins the boysââ¬â¢ behaviour down to things which he can be certain of; Jack, the dictator, pragmatically uses the beast as fodder for the boys, denying itââ¬â¢s existence at one point, then offering it gifts at others. While Simon, the philosopher, is aware of its true form all along, but is ignored and killed for his speaking out about it. In conclusion, Goldingââ¬â¢s exceptionally complex novel is, probably, one of the grimmest, pessimistic, cynical, and yet extremely profound literatures ever written. His view of humanity and human nature is unparalleled in the way he conveys it. Whether it is realistic or not would need another essay to discuss it, but by studying all of his injected symbols, and the different purposes he creates for them, we are given a very vividly bleak image. The conch, a beautiful shell, used for a noble purpose, is abused and ridiculed, eventually unceremoniously destroyed, by which point it is dirty and uncared for. Itââ¬â¢s symbolising hope, authority, rules and freedom of speech comments on how we use these ideas today, in our society. The island, a paradise world, untouched and naturally beautiful, is ruined right from the boysââ¬â¢ very entrance, and is progressively destroyed, due to their unconcern for it. This shadows manââ¬â¢s behaviour towards his surroundings and how he has advanced his own race without caution or care for the earth. Piggyââ¬â¢s glasses, rationality and intelligence, cherished by Ralph and Piggy, and abused by Jack, mirror how people have used science and philosophy for their own ends, so as to get away with terrible things. The fire is, at one point, a symbol of hope and rescue; and at other points, it symbolises destruction, danger, and fear. And, of course, the beast: Goldingââ¬â¢s main means. The evil within man, and how it is manifest. It is telling, however, that Lord of the Flies is only the first in a series of novels by Golding, used to convey his pessimistic view of humanity. As mentioned, there is so much to say about just the symbols he uses here, that makes this book one of literatureââ¬â¢s finest pieces.
Friday, November 8, 2019
Psychology Term Paper Topics
Psychology Term Paper Topics If you are having problems with your psychology term paper assignment ââ¬â this article might be able to help you. If you are confused with what to write about in your psychology term paper ââ¬â try not to panic, a good psychology term paper is just around the corner, and youll be able to write it easily. The first, and by far the hardest step in writing a psychology term paper is the psychology term paper topic. The topic of your psychology term paper is the one which will define your psychology term paper, and on which depends the further text of the psychology term paper. If you dont know what topic to choose for your psychology term paper, you can use your copy book on the web to gain some inspiration. Here is a list of topics for you to find your golden moment of inspiration: à à 1. Try to describe the life and way of thinking of a great psychologist or a philosopher. This is always a good topic, and is always handy. You may be able to find a lot of interesting facts if you have enough material. It is always interesting to read some interesting facts about some famous people of the past. If you include a proper part of the psychology analysis ââ¬â your psychology term paper will become golden and you will definitely get the highest grade for your psychology term paper. 2. Another easy way to come up with a good psychology term paper is to try to describe a famous experiment. The history of psychology is filled with various experiments, and you can always find something, which is unknown, yet needs to be known. All you need to do is analyze the motives of the experiment, the whole process and of course, the results of the experiment, and the effect of the knowledge gained out of this experiment. à 3. Another path you can go is try to analyze a group or an individual from the psychological point of view. You can never be dull with a psychology term paper of this type. Every person is an individual, and if you are able to find something interesting from this analysis ââ¬â is the best way to do the psychology term paper. 4. You can describe a specific occupation in the field of psychology. The best way is to write how psychology helps in a specific occupation. For example, if you are working as a promotional manager, or something in advertising, and how you can affect people using your own psychology knowledge. à à 5. Another good way to have a psychology term paper written is to make a critical analysis of some piece of literature. It is always popular to write a critique on a famous book in psychology. If you want to deep into classics you can analyze Freuds books, or you might want to consider something from the latest editions. It is always hard to write a literature critique, but the result is totally worth it. à 6. The best thing you can do in your psychology term paper is describe an experiment you would like to conduct. It is always fascinating to conduct a research with the help of experiments, and now you actually have a chance to conduct one. You can start of describing what would you like to achieve, and later ââ¬â explain the methods you are conducting your research. Nothing is more interesting than following an experiment. There is always a various range of topics, where you can conduct your research, and everything is just waiting for you. Here is a list of the most interesting psychology essay topics: 1. What is Psychology and Why it is Important? 2. Social Psychology: Do Humans control their attitudes? 3. History of Psychology 4. The Influence of Mechanism on the Science of Psychology 5. Anthropology vs psychology 6. Psychology: Can It Be Regarded As A Science? 7. Humanistic perspective of psychology 8. Environmental Psychology 9. The Effects on Human Psychology caused by Violent Music Lyrics 10. African Psychology 11. Forensic Psychology 12. Jungian Psychology 13. Development Psychology 14. Perspectives in Psychology 15. Psychology Disorders 16. Impact of Psychology on Finance and Traders 17. Cognitve Psychology 18. Psychology Types 19. Reverse Psychology 20. The Psychology of Death and Dying 21. Psychology Mental Abnormality
Wednesday, November 6, 2019
How to structure documents for busy readers
How to structure documents for busy readers The 4-letter formula that makes writing much easier Some documents succeed or fail based on how well they get key points across in the shortest time possible. If you need to write a document like this, you must remember one crucial detail. A detail that people dont necessarily like to talk about. Here it is: Your document might not be read to the end. Yes, we said it. And theres no shame in it: its just a reality of life today ââ¬â and a reflection of how busy we all are. Many people ââ¬â either through time pressures or a lack of interest ââ¬â will stop reading partway through. In fact, this mirrors the way most of us typically read newspapers (or online news). We generally read them between ââ¬Ëmain activitiesââ¬â¢ ââ¬â on our way to work, waiting for the bus, and so on. We donââ¬â¢t have the time (or, usually, the inclination) to wade through masses of background or hold complicated concepts in our head. We just want to know what happened. At work, it can be the same: we just want the facts. We donââ¬â¢t want lots of background ââ¬â unless, of course, weââ¬â¢re particularly interested in the subject. So, if we want to make sure our research and insights arent lost, how can we adapt our writing in light of this fact of (working) life? Well, the answer is to look again to the news ââ¬â this time for inspiration. How news is written Newspaper news stories tend to put the most important information ââ¬â the news ââ¬â before the background. This allows busy readers to instantly pick out the key points of a story, and then to choose whether or not to read on for more detail. In fact, the structure is even more formulaic, with most stories following this pattern: Whatââ¬â¢s happened How it happened Amplify Tie up loose ends Youll see this ââ¬ËWHATââ¬â¢ formula used in the news sections of any paper. In fact, with a well-structured news story, you should be able to cut from the bottom up without losing any of the main sense. Its also one of the most efficient ways to transfer knowledge at work, as it makes the most of how the brain absorbs information. WHAT in action Heres an example of how the formula can appear in the news ââ¬â in this case, in an abridged version of a press release we put out last year. And if you read news stories, you wont have to look far to find this structure. Next time you pick up a newspaper or read online reports, see if you can spot the formula in action. Applying the WHAT formula at work So, how do you apply this journalist technique to the things you write at work? For some documents you can use the WHAT formula as it stands ââ¬â especially if you write blog posts, press releases or articles. But with only a little tweaking, you can also use the structure for: summaries briefings company updates presenting research and insights short reports presentations For these other kinds of document, you may need to adapt the formula as follows: Whatââ¬â¢s happened ââ¬â an outline of your main conclusions after evaluating the evidence How it happened ââ¬â an outline of the evidence that your conclusions are based on Amplify ââ¬â a more detailed description of your conclusions plus the supporting evidence Tie up loose ends ââ¬â any further information you think the reader needs to know. Unlock your documents Perhaps you have a long, in-depth report in desperate need of a summary that conveys the core message. Or you might have piles of research youve gathered so you can brief a colleague or line manager before an important meeting or presentation. But how do you go from a jumbled set of notes or a complex report full of background information to a well-structured and succinct document that produces results? Thats where the WHAT formula comes in. It can unlock your documents ââ¬â and your key insights or conclusions ââ¬â for your readers to take in. Readers can pick out the essentials of your message before they (potentially) stop reading. Of course, if you capture your readers interest with the conclusions in your first few paragraphs, they may just be engaged enough to keep reading for the finer detail. But, with WHAT, youre safe either way ââ¬â and your document can do its job. This post is an extract from a lesson in our online-learning programme, Emphasis 360, which is designed to transform your writing step by step, in practical, bite-sized lessons. You can try it out for free here. Image credit: qvist / Shutterstock
Monday, November 4, 2019
Explain how neuroscience research with humans and animals has advanced Essay
Explain how neuroscience research with humans and animals has advanced our understanding of the role of the amygdala in fear processing - Essay Example stifications for the fear/panic response is an evolutionary self-preservation mechanism with the obvious intent of preserving the organisms safety in situations of predation or other forms of physical danger. (Holt, 2008) the essentials of the mechanism that initiates the fear/panic response appears to be rooted in a signaling process directed towards the amygdala. This region upon receiving the signal appears to demonstrate a priority stimulus, by which the relative importance of a particular external phenomena is impressed into a neural cellular pattern that can trigger emotion ââ¬â based responses. This would include the fight or flight mechanism, common to virtually all chordates, including humans. (Blanchard, 2008) as well as other emotional states that are responsible for the regulation of the appropriate endocrine functions that would permit the appropriate response, such as increased output in the adrenal glands for instance. Researchers have found over the years that while a particular unpleasant stimulus can trigger the fear response in the amygdala of humans and other mammals, there is also the possibility of a fear stimulus based simply on the threat of an event; through the mechanism of fear conditioning. The fear response has been studied in regards to the contributions of the human amygdala; which demonstrates involvement at all stages of fear/panic conditioning or phobia acquisition. (Delgado et al. 2006) Classical studies have warned human subjects that a particular color presentation will presage a mild electric shock to the wrist, and the reactions garnered from the subjects prove that in humans physiological conditioning to fear can be easily achieved, in a process called instruction acquisition. (Hugdahl & Ohman, 1977) Activity in the left amygdala could be measured using functional magnetic resonance imaging even though during the course of the study, none of the subjects actually received the mild electric shock to the wrist that they were
Friday, November 1, 2019
Importance of Organization culture to organizations Essay
Importance of Organization culture to organizations - Essay Example Organizational Culture refers to a pattern of learned behaviors that is shared and passed on among the members of an organization. It comprises of the various assumptions, values, beliefs, norms, rituals, language, etc. that people in an organization share. Organizational culture can be thought of as an evolutionary process that has been established, accepted and internalized over a period of time, by a majority of members of the organization. Fred Luthans defined culture as ââ¬Å"the acquired knowledge that people use to interpret experience and generate social behavior.â⬠Culture helps people to interact and communicate with other members of the society. Cultural traits are acquired gradually over a period of time. The differences in values and beliefs held by people all over the world make adjustments and interaction with people belonging to other cultures very difficult for some. To be successful in the global economy, it is important for all managers to be sensitive to the differences between them. People orientation is one of the characteristics of Organization culture. This is one thing that is lacking at Camford University.
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