Akeelah and the Bee

Akeelah was very successful in her Spelling Bee competitions. How many different learning skills are there in this movie to help all the spellers learn? Akeelah’s learning skills are what help her move further and further into the spelling bee. Basically, everyone in this movie has a different way of studying or learning. Akeelah, is a smart 11 year old girl who attends Crenshaw Middle School. She didn’t need to study for her spelling test, because she didn’t make mistakes on her tests. Akeelah doesn’t really fit in at school, she’s afraid of acting like she’s smarter than her friends or classmates.Before she goes for the Crenshaw School wide Spelling Bee, she studies alone. This makes her a Intrapersonal Learner in the beinging of the story. The principle wanted Dr. Larabee to coach her for the Regional Spelling Bee. Akeelah tells her principle no that does not need to be coached. She wanted to study alone. When Akeelah finally agrees to mee t with Dr. Larabee. She still very standoffish. She acted stubborn and hardheaded that she doesn’t need any help. So she ends up study by herself for the District Spelling Bee. She was very scared and nervous when she goes on the stage to spell because of all the people.She won tenth and made to the Regional Bee. There at the District Spelling Bee she befriends Javier a Mexican boy and fellow speller. He invites her to a spelling club at his school. The spelling club conducts itself outside on a basketball court as they pass the ball to each other to spell words. That makes me think that Javier is a Body/ Kinesthetic learner because he learns through body sensation moves around by playing basketball and spelling words. He also falls into Naturalistic learner because he’s outside while playing basketball and spelling words.Akeelah falls under the same two category but she does it a little different. She bounces the balls as she spells each letter. Another reason why I f eel this way is because she likes to be outside when studies her words. She overcomes her stage fright at the Regional Spelling Bee she’s a lot more confident. This is where I noticed that Akeelah is Verbal/ Linguistic learner. I then noticed another habit that she taps her hand on her leg as she says each letter. Just like when she was bouncing the basketball, again another example of her being a Body/ Kinesthetic learner.Dr. Larabee gives her a jump rope to spell the words as she spells, because she keeps time to spell better. This would make her musical/ rhythm because she’s keeping the rhythm as she jumps even when she taps on the side of her leg. Akeelah finally decides to apologize to Dr. Larabee so he can coach her. He doesn’t only want her to learn the words but life lessons as well. Dr. Larabee seems to be a Verbal/ Linguistic learner because he is a teacher and he communicates well through language and is a good speller. He was a former spelling bee co mpetitor when he was younger.Dr. Larabee also seems to be a Intrapersonal learner like Akeelah towards the end of the movie. The reason why I feel this way is because ,he wants to be alone doesn’t want to teach Akeelah any more. Dr. Larabee feels that teaching her is unpredictable. He gives her 5,000 flashcards to learn on her own. Akeelah gets overwhelmed with all those words, that she loses her motivation. With all the help of the neighborhood she learned all the words. As she was learning all these words she was using her jump rope outside going up and down the street.This is another example of her being a Body/ Kinesthetic and a Naturalistic learner. Because she moving her body and she’s outside while she does it. She makes it to National Spelling bee in Washington, D. C. Everything goes great because of her using a fake jump rope on stage to spell her words. The two finalist were Akeelah and Dylan, a Chinese boy who has won second place in the last two National Sp elling Bee’s. He is very contemptuous of her. Dylan’s father will not settle for second best.Dylan seems to be a Visual/ Spatial learner because he memorizes his words instead of learning them. They both win the National Championship. Mnemonic devices were used by all the spellers in this movie, because they would learn the spelling words. Then they use them when they would need them. For example they would use the word when they were ask to spell it In conclusion, most of the characters’ in this movie all had different learning style’s. But was also about the pursuit to pursuit to excellence the speller’s used. The difference between cramming and learning.

Closing a person centred counselling session Essay

Explain the importance of closing a session Each counselling session is likely to be emotive which will leave the client vulnerable to the outside world of the counselling room. Since some difficult topics are likely to be discussed and the client is likely to express a variety of emotions, it can be hard to bring a session to an end. Sometimes it can feel that the timing of the endings is insensitive to the clients needs. It is extremely important to summarise accurately and sensitively to confirm to the client that they have been heard. It demonstrates empathy and understanding and it allows for clarification where necessary. Even when a client is aware of the time boundary, they can be so absorbed in talking about something deeply emotional. It is important to re- assure the client that they are welcome to discuss this in more depth at the next meeting. Closing the session gives the client opportunity to confirm practical details for further sessions, such as dates, times, number of further sessions needed. This will define boundaries and make the client feel safe and establish trust that the counselor has a commitment to helping the client resolve their Explain the possible impact of diversity on the use of counselling skills in a session. Prejudice is, for good or ill, a part of our nature. It is instilled in us from birth onwards. All we can hope to do is to combat it, and the first tool in our armoury must be that of awareness. Without this, it is very difficult, perhaps impossible, for the counsellor to explore how it might be influencing the counselling relationship. Difference, prejudice and discrimination are issues that all counsellors need to address as part of their personal and professional development. Counsellor need support and training on these complex issues as this will help the counselor understand the experience of discrimination, as well as explore their own – often unconscious – attitudes to others, based on gender, sexuality, race, culture or mental health, social class, biological sex, gender-role identity, marital status and values and religion.

Fast Food Industry Essay

1. Executive Summary This report provides an analysis of the international marketing environment of fast- food industry in US and evaluates the international marketing activities of McDonald’s, which is considered a key player. Firstly, the PEST framework is used to analyse external environmental factors influencing the industry. The Porter’s Five Forces framework is utilised to analyse the competitive rivalry within the industry, and its attractiveness for potential new entrants. Key players and their positioning was identified using a strategic-groups model, mapping brand value against global presence. Based on the industry analysis, McDonald’s was identified as the market leader and an examination of their market entry modes was carried out. Their international marketing mix was evaluated to identify success factors, drawing focus upon international branding, international distribution, international communications and standardisation vs. adaptation of the service offering. An internal analysis identified the firm’s strengths and weaknesses whilst an external analysis considered the opportunities and threats posed to McDonald’s as market leader. Finally, short and long term strategic and tactical recommendations were outlined in order to enhance McDonald’s competitive position within the global fast-food industry. These recommendations are both realistic and well supported, based upon the evaluation of their current strategy and activities. 2. Introduction The global fast-food industry is dynamic with a variety of competitors. This report identifies the current factors influencing the industry before specifically focusing on McDonald’s Corporation, who is considered as the current global leader. Based on this analysis, the report identifies several areas for improvement and makes strategic recommendations for McDonald’s to enhance its position. 3. International Marketing Analysis†¨3.1. PEST Analysis and Environmental Impact Matrix (Macro Environment) The following framework provides an analysis of the external international marketing environment, relating to the fast-food industry: *These ratings are based on the authors’ subjective judgement Political Global fast-food firms must comply with country-specific political requirements, such as national minimum wage regulations, affecting costs. Hygiene and quality regulations vary significantly between nations and may influence the quality of products provided by fast-food outlets (FDA, 2012). Different countries set varying regulations regarding labelling and packaging. For instance the UK government pressured firms to promote healthy eating, and several fast-food companies have voluntarily included calorie information on their products (BBC, 2011). Economic Despite the 2008 recession and the resulting decrease in consumer confidence across the globe, average consumer fast-food spending has increased (The Economist, 2010) due to convenience and low-cost. Consumers are still looking for the convenience of eating out, but are drawn to the low prices of fast-food over table-service restaurants (Financial Times, 2009). Many fast-food chains have capitalised upon the recession by introducing new deals in addition to their already low-priced menus. Between 2005 and 2010, Latin America, Asia Pacific, Eastern Europe and Russia accounted for 89% of global growth in the fast-food industry (Passport, 2012). Social Increasing consumer awareness about healthy lifestyles has pressured many fast-food players to offer healthier selections within their menus (BBC, 2011). This includes offering low- calorie options and salads alongside burgers, and prominently displaying nutritional content. The fast-food industry has also been heavily criticised for targeting young children by including toys within children’s meals (New York Times, 2003). Recently in the UK, the broadcasting of ‘junk food’ adverts during commercial breaks in children’s programmes has been banned (BBC, 2007), following increasing childhood obesity. Technological As consumer familiarity with new technology increases, fast-food firms are using channels such as social media websites to engage with their customers. For example, McDonald’s is the 9th most ‘liked’ brand on Facebook (CNBC,  2012) (Appendix 1). Additionally, digital displays allow outlets to change their menus efficiently, to suit the time of day (NRA, 2012) and self-service ordering points have increased service speed and reduced labour costs. Environmental Environmental lobbyists and governments are pressuring the fast-food firms to become more ‘green’ (Greenpeace, 2012). Rainforests are being destroyed to increase the area of land for beef production to meet the demand for beef-burgers (Kline, 2007). Recycling is a prominent global issue and in response, McDonald’s adopted recyclable packaging. Increased environmental awareness among consumers provides firms with a significant opportunity to position themselves as ‘green’ to garner customer loyalty (National Pollution Prevention Centre for Higher Education, 1995). Legal Global operators must comply with country-specific regulations and legislation. This includes opening hours, taxation and employment regulations such as the National Minimum Wage Regulations (1999) in the UK. Firms are often required to meet national food standards such as the requirements set out by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Furthermore, authorities are becoming increasingly worried about childhood obesity associated with the industry (WHO, 2012) and have tightened regulations regarding targeting children. 3.2. Porter’s Five Forces – Fast-food Industry This framework identifies the competitive forces affecting the fast-food industry: THREAT OF NEW ENTRANTS Industry dominated by global chains with very high brand values High brand awareness and loyalty Retaliation from strong incumbent players Low initial capital outlay Low fixed costs Economies of scale POWER OF SUPPLIERS Many undifferentiated suppliers Fast-food chains have high purchasing power due to high volume COMPETITIVE RIVALRY IN THE FAST-FOOD INDUSTRY Fragmented market Low exit costs Low margin, high turnover – drives competition High brand power POWER OF BUYERS High product differentiation Target many segments High price sensitivity THREAT OF SUBSTITUTIONS Alternative foodservice options Ready meals and home cooking ingredients Main players quite differentiated No switching costs Convenience is the value adding component which is difficult to substitute Threat of New Entrants – Moderate The industry is dominated by a number of international Quick Service Restaurant (QSR) chains, including McDonald’s, Burger King, Pizza Hut, KFC and Domino’s (Datamonitor, 2010). These global brands are extremely valuable, boasting strong customer loyalty and recognition; indicating consistent quality and service. Key players including McDonald’s, adapt their marketing orientation to suit local cultures and social norms (Datamonitor 2010), strengthening the brand and avoiding consumer alienation. New players struggle to compete with incumbent firms, as their brands are unknown and advertising campaigns are expensive. Established chains have the resources to retaliate aggressively through pricing promotions, deterring new players from entering the marketplace. New entrants lack economies of scale, which existing chains have developed over time, and utilise to remain competitive in this low-margin, high-turnover industry. However, social media websites have evened the playing field in terms of marketing communications; they allow firms to efficiently communicate their message inexpensively. Initial capital outlay and fixed costs are low, encouraging new entrants (Datamonitor, 2012). Threat of Substitutions – Moderate Substitutes are readily available: food can be purchased almost anywhere, through foodservice or retail. However, convenience is the value-adding component of the service which reduces the threat of substitutes. Consumers can cook at home cheaply, but this lacks the convenience element which people require nowadays. Ready-meals are therefore a more substantial threat, competing with fast-food on price as well as convenience  (Datamonitor, 2012). If you are ‘on-the-go’ however, without access to a microwave, QSRs are almost uncontested if you want a hot meal in a short timeframe. With many differentiated players (Datamonitor, 2012) and varying service offerings, customers can select the best value option. Competitive Rivalry – Strong Although McDonald’s and Burger King almost hold a duopoly in the ‘burger segment’, the market as a whole is fragmented with many global chains and independent operators (Datamonitor, 2012). Competition is primarily cost-based with firms continuously investing in their production and service processes to undercut competitors. Exit costs are low and capacity is easily increased through franchising. Branding is the most prevalent weapon for competing; McDonald’s spent over $650 million on global advertising in 2009 (Datamonitor, 2012). Power of Buyers – Moderate Figure 1 shows sales and growth of the top ten fast-food companies (Euromonitor International, 2012). The market’s competitiveness increases buyer power and customers are price sensitive (Muhlbacker et al., 1999) with no switching cost between providers. However, key players attempt to reduce buyer power, offering a product range which caters for the entire demographic, rather than one specific segment. For example, McDonald’s target children with ‘Happy Meals’ and professionals with breakfast options and take-away coffee (McDonald’s, 2012). Firms are increasingly promoting differentiated products: McDonald’s â€Å"Big Mac†, Burger King’s â€Å"Whopper† and offers such as Domino’s â€Å"Two for Tuesday† campaign. High brand value and customer loyalty has reduced buyers’ bargaining power. The 2011 ranking of the top 100 brands indicates McDonald’s’ success (Interbrand, 2011). 10 Power of Suppliers – Moderate Figure 1: Top Ten Fast-food Companies by Growth. With a competitive global supply chain, supplier power is limited. â€Å"17,500 British and Irish farms that provide us with top-quality ingredients.† (McDonald’s – UK, 2012) These farms supply Tier 1 suppliers who transform raw materials into food items, ready for McDonald’s to cook and serve. Due to the number of suppliers in the industry, it is difficult for them to  leverage significant power over fast-food firms. The supply of soft-drink is dominated by Coca-Cola (McDonald’s and Burger King) and Pepsi (KFC) due to their global distribution channels. Additionally, Coca-Cola and Pepsi provide fast-food chains with equipment such as refrigerators and drink dispensers. This markets their brand and aligns it with fast-food brands, reducing costs for customers, which would otherwise be passed onto them (SMO, 2011). 3.3. Identification of Key Players and their Competitive Position 3.3.1. Strategic Groups The following framework identifies the key players in the international fast-food industry and identifies which firms are in the most direct competition with each other: Brand value and the chain’s global presence (Appendix 2) are significant indicators of overall performance. The above strategy-group chart maps the firms’ performance. Brand value (US$) is plotted against the chain’s global presence, in terms of the number of outlets worldwide. The strategy-grouping shows that McDonald’s has the highest global market value and revenue in the industry, despite Subway having more international outlets. 4. Key Player – Evaluation of International Activities 4.1. Identification of Key Player Based upon their global presence, market value and revenue, McDonald’s is identified as the key player in the industry. 4.2. McDonald’s International Market Entry Modes In 1940, McDonald’s operated only one QSR but today has restaurants at 33,000 locations in 119 countries. McDonald’s utilises a variety of international market entry modes for rapid expansion: sole ventures, franchising, master franchising and joint ventures. 15% of McDonald’s branded restaurants are operated as sole ventures. This involves a significant capital commitment but allows the highest degree of control.†¨Most restaurants are operated as franchises, allowing rapid expansion without high capital requirements. Franchising has also allowed McDonald’s to benefit from local knowledge, demonstrated by the menu differences by country. However, McDonald’s maintains control over crucial aspects such as the supply chain, marketing mix and staff training. Master Franchising introduces a third party as a ‘go-between’ to overcome geographical and cultural barriers. The combination  of the master franchisee’s local knowledge and McDonald’s brand and model has been a successful formula, allowing expansion whilst maintaining significant control. McDonald’s has also expanded internationally through joint ventures. Again, this allows for rapid expansion and utilises the knowledge of firms in closely-linked markets. Both firms invest equity in the project, there is a lower financial risk for both parties; however, many joint ventures end in hostility and conflict due to firms taking advantage of one another (Brown and Harwood, 2010).

Hard Core Hypothesis Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Hard Core Hypothesis - Assignment Example In essence, the auxiliary hypothesis has laid major emphasis on the role of geographical propinquity and self-protective military technological innovations. Hence, this has played a significant role in the provision of quality international relations (Dunne, et. al. 105). In simple terms, reductionism refers to the earlier realist explanations, which dwelt on features or characteristics of individual states along with their leaders (Mearsheimer 130). In this sense, reductionism embraces the fact that we can deepen our comprehension of a complex international political system by dividing it into simple sub-units and then study the behavioral characteristics each of them in isolation. The subunits can include features such as states, firms or the preference of the cabinet members. In general, reductionism is of great significance particularly in the development of a theory related to the international political economy (Waltz 120). Research indicates that structuralism entails the twist to realistic international relations. This is characterized by instability, war and poor constitutional structures of countries. The result of this is a significant rise in the levels of corruption in the affected states. It is essential to acknowledge that structuralism has played a significant role in the existence of a more stable, bipolar or multipolar system of government. Furthermore, the idea of structuralism has provided significant assists between the respective structuralists particularly on microeconomic theories related to imperfect competition (Dunne, et. al. 105). In simple terms, theory refers to a well-organized set of universal statements that bring together or combine features relating to logical truth and to predictive accuracy (Gilpin 88). Logical truth signifies that some of the assumptions (statements) rationally imply the other statements.  

The British Economy Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words - 5

The British Economy - Essay Example In this process, the accuracy and efficiency have enhanced but complexities have also increased significantly. International trade has a great economic importance as it helps to bring economic prosperity to a country. International trade activities include import and export which influences foreign and domestic exchanges. Besides, certain economic risks are also associated with international trade and hence, the government always try to control international trade-related activities. This paper will attempt to deal with foreign exchanges policy of UK. Earlier, the UK pound was used to be determined using the fixed exchange rate policy by comparing to other foreign currencies. However, due to certain shortcomings of fixed exchange rate policy, the UK Government has shifted to floating exchange rate policy. This paper will present explanations on fixed and floating rate policies and how the UK Government plays a crucial role in controlling and deciding the foreign and domestic currency policies. The UK is one of the leading economies in Europe and it belongs to the category of first world country. It is a â€Å"leading trading power and financial center is the third largest economy in Europe after Germany and France†. Since last two decades, the Government is playing a very crucial role in the growth of agriculture, services, and industrialization. Its GDP as per purchasing power parity was nearly $2.189 trillion and GDP as per official exchange rate was nearly $2.259 trillion. The per capita GDP was nearly was $35,100 with real GDP growth rate of 1.6% in 2010. Regulatory authorities including the central bank (Bank of England) is responsible for managing and controlling the economic affairs. The inflation and unemployment in 2010 were 3.3% and 7.9%. During the financial crisis of 2007-2008, the UK’s economy was heavily affected.

Working Groups and Teams Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Working Groups and Teams - Essay Example Within that group, teams may be formed to achieve specific tasks in the way of achievement of the overall goal of the group. Group is a larger term as compared to a team. Another fundamental difference between a group and a team is that individual members of a group do not need to have concern with the achievement of the other members of the group whereas people forming part of a team have concern with and are affected by the performance of other members of the team. Challenges of communicating in a team are more than those in a group. Groups normally have a well-established and organized system of communication. There is a process through which message is conveyed and received, e.g. through emails or letters. The challenge of communication in a group is that it is more time consuming as compared to communication in a team. For example, let’s suppose the member of a political group writes a letter to the chairman of the party. The chairman might take long to reply. On the other hand, people working in a team are generally in constant connection with one another. Even if they are working separately at different places, they communicate through cell phones. Since the performance of one team-member affects that of all others, team-members are concerned to maintain constant contact with one another. However, communication in a team is very challenging since the team-members develop friction among one another while constantly working together. â€Å"Conflicting goals can quickly turn into personal dislike† (Mind Tools, 2012). Team members become agitated, develop attitude problems, and enter into dysfunctional conflicts. These team members avoid talking to one another and if they have to, there is always a risk that the conversation might end up in an argument. Effective collaboration within teams is more difficult to achieve as compared to the groups. The leader of the group can generate a

Respond to post Article Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 1

Respond to post - Article Example (Nomensa 2009) According to Capital Community College Foundation (2004), â€Å"a sentence fragment fails to be a sentence in the sense that it cannot stand by itself. It does not contain even one independent clause. There are several reasons why a group of words may seem to act like a sentence but not have the wherewithal to make it as a complete thought: (1) it may locate something in time and place with a prepositional phrase or a series of such phrases, but its still lacking a proper subject-verb relationship within an independent clause; (2) it describes something, but there is no subject-verb relationship; (3) it may have most of the makings of a sentence but still be missing an important part of a verb string; and (4) it may even have a subject-verb relationship, but it has been subordinated to another idea by a dependent word and so cannot stand by itself. Regardless of the rationale, fragmented sentences have tendencies of creating confusion, miscommunication, and ineffective transmission of messages. Well spoken and written languages should follow the correct grammatical rules to avoid communication problems. Procrastination means deferring or delaying action till another day or time. There have been several studies identifying the causes of procrastination – from being perfectionist, to having negative feelings and anger at the time when one is supposed to undertake certain tasks. In this regard, when one has identified the exact cause for procrastination, the person would be able to move on and to take positive action in preventing it to happen. One of the recommended measures to address procrastination is to take small steps, to wit: â€Å"remind yourself to take small steps, as each small step makes up the bigger picture. It will also help you to plan out your work schedule, and make the work seem a lot more manageable and less threatening. Similarly, even for

Reflection Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 1

Reflection - Research Paper Example Increasing affordability of the smartphones is the most fundamental factor that has contributed to their growth in Philippines. MP3 players have already reached the stage of maturity in their lifecycle. One of the biggest drawbacks of MP3 players has been their short battery life. In order to sustain their sales in the contemporary age when products that contain the function of MP3 players along with many others of their own are omnipresent, MP3 players need to provide the customers with an added benefit that the new devices have yet not managed to. Extending the battery life of the MP3 players is a potential way to increase their life cycle because most of the new products contain a multitude of features but with a compromise over the battery life. Text messaging has been in use for all kinds of purposes particularly business since the middle of the first decade of the 21st century. To take the text messaging to the next level, mobile companies need to make the text messaging experience more convenient for the customers. Traditionally, customers experience inconvenience in text messaging because they have to deal with very short-sized keypads on the mobiles. Text messaging experience of the customers can be enhanced by enlarging the key boards on the mobile devices. If increasing the size of the mobile devices is difficult for some technical reasons, an alternative solution to it can be manufacturing portable USB keyboards to be connected with the mobile devices. To extend the lifecycle of the pressure cookers, companies need to add useful features to the pressure cookers. Features that the customers would like to see added to the pressure cookers may include but are not limited to the reading of pressure developed inside the pressure cooker varying with time, and the reading of temperature inside the pressure cooker. Pressure and temperature inside the pressure cooker are a key concern in

Global operations management Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Global operations management - Essay Example To increase its influence and reach more customers in various parts of the world, Huawei has also entered into partnerships with numerous companies. Theories of Internalisation The term internationalisation is descriptive of the methods that are used by business organisations to adapt their numerous operations, in regards to company policies, resources and organisational structure, to suit foreign environments (Dunning 2006). Before embarking on the process of internationalisation, business organisations have to take into account factors such as the geographic distance of the overseas market being considered, the different company associated operations that the company will engage in the foreign branch, and the level to which the company would like to integrate corporate activities (Mitgwe 2006). There are different theories that seek to explain the ways through which internationalisation may occur. ... Dunning’s Theory in the Internationalisation of Huawei According to Dunning’s OLI model, foreign subsidiaries usually demonstrate higher productivity rates than their local counterparts due to the existence of ownership competitive advantages (Dunning 2006). Dunning’s eclectic (OLI) model stipulates that there are three critical elements that are evident in any firm that invests in a foreign branch or subsidiary. The three factors are location advantages, ownership advantages, and internalisation advantages (Dunning 2009). Ownership advantages have to do with the existing conditions that accompany of foreign direct investment (Contractor 2007). For example, to be successful in foreign investment, a firm has to have comparative advantages over other foreign corporations before it determines that a branch will be set up in a foreign nation. Location advantages have to do with the extent to which foreign business-related conditions are favourable to the company in q uestion (Sethi, Guisinger, Phelan, and Berg 2003). Internalisation factors, on the other hand, have to do with how well the multinational corporation can internalise ownership advantages in order to prevent the escalation of transaction costs which are naturally incurred in the course of international production. The Huawei Technological Corporation is a firm that was launched long after other telecommunications corporations had already been launched in the Western nations (Dunning 2009). Huawei therefore focused more on meeting particular objectives in order to realise its internationalisation. Huawei has traditionally used low cost as a technique to enter markets in both developing and developed nations. Huawei also invests in developed nations mainly to realise the adoption of new technologies.

Cultural Anthropology Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Cultural Anthropology - Essay Example Language being one of the most powerful tools of communications, it acts as a connection between two or more people hence enhancing knowledge of the society, as well as the residents of South Korea. Korean, being the official language spoken by South Koreans, is not only spoken in this country, but also all over the world. Moreover, English is taught in both middle and high school. Recently, Chinese has been increasingly popular as the South Koreans rediscover their ancient ties to China as a trading partner. Almost all the schools teach English due to the country’s tight diplomatic ties with United States of America. It is in this country where literacy level is as high as 98 percent and due to its homogeneity; almost everyone speaks Korean. Here, the education system is organized in a 6-3-3-4 pattern, with six grades of elementary school, where kindergarten is not included in the formal education system, three grades in the middle school, another three in high school and fou r years of higher education. With effect from 1953, elementary education was made free and compulsory for all children between the ages of 6 and 11 years. Practical and fine arts, social studies, arithmetic music natural science, physical education, moral education and Korean language are the basics of the curriculum. Admissions into middle school have been through a lottery system by zones so as to ease distinctions between schools of different quality. A curriculum includes 11 required subjects, electives and extra-curricular activities. High school education is a bit advanced as it provides advanced general and specific training based on middle school work. Also, it is based on entrance examination and is not free. Higher education institutions include four year colleges, universities and miscellaneous colleges such as seminaries. About 80 percent of these institutions are private but supervised by the Ministry of Education (pp.110). Â  The traditional Buddhist and Christianity are the two predominant religions practiced in South Korea. However, these religions have been influenced significantly by the native Korean peninsula, Joseon Dynasty, shamanism and the Korean Confucianism that was the official ideology for over 500 years. However, the most recent estimates show that approximately 46 percent of Koreans have no affiliations to any religion. Among the Christians, Protestants have outnumbered the Roman Catholics. Christianity was introduced here in the 18th century by the Jesuit Missionaries. While 17 protestant missionaries operate in the country, Catholics have only six missionary groups and 15 dioceses. Most of the people here who are Buddhists are members of the Mahayana school that is also practiced in China, Vietnam and Japan. Confucianism was the official religion from the 14th to the 20th centuries and also ensured Korean social order. It encouraged devotion to family, friends, worship of ancestors and family, peace, harmony, justice and ethica l living. Shamanism is the country’s oldest religion and still exists in many, diverse forms such as shamanism organizations throughout the country. Other religions include the Jesus Morning Star Church, Mormons, Jehovah’s Witness, Muslims and Taoism (pp. 107). Many Koreans hold to the belief that certain foods are eaten to treat various illnesses. Many South Koreans dislike iced beverages, and many avoid milk products as they are lactose intolerant. Here, vegetables and rice are the staple foods. A typical meal is comprised of steamed rice (pap), a type of soup known as kuk and raw vegetables (banchan). Meals are eaten in silence as it is inappropriate to speak while eating especially in the presence of an elder. Rice is eaten with a spoon and lifting the rice bowl to the mouth is ill manners. Kimchee, a Korean

Subverted 19th Century Traditional Social Mores and Norms in Dracula Essay Example for Free

Subverted 19th Century Traditional Social Mores and Norms in Dracula Essay Bram Stoker’s Dracula remains one of the more recognizable novels of its genre despite being published in 1897. A classic horror story which has been retold and produced over and over again since its original publication, Dracula was especially disturbing when it originally was released because of how Stoker attacks Victorian era social mores and norms throughout the entire novel. Stoker subverts traditional 19th Century social mores and norms in Dracula through the portrayal of sexually aggressive and assertive females, Jonathan and Mina’s relationship, and the inverse of Maternity. One of the first examples of Stoker’s subverting of traditional social mores and norms in his novel is Dracula’s Wives. Our first encounter with the â€Å"weird sisters† comes when they approach Jonathan Harker at the Count’s mansion. Christopher Craft described the scene in his reflection as so â€Å"Immobilized by the competing imperatives of ‘wicked desire’ and ‘deadly fear,’ Harker awaits an erotic fulfillment that entails both the dissolution of the boundaries of the self and the thorough subversion of conventional Victorian gender codes,† (Stoker, Auerbach, and Skal 444). Craft is correct that this is a clear subversion of conventional Victorian gender norms. Both Jonathan and the Dracula’s Wives represent a total reversal of what would have been considered normal or appropriate in the 19th Century. Dracula’s Wives are the aggressors in this sexual scene while Jonathan is the passive or cautious sexual partner. His anticipation of the bite from one of the weird sisters is similar to that of a virgin woman waiting for her partner to penetrate her for the first time. The weird sisters represent the total opposite of what a proper Victorian woman is supposed to resemble. They are sexually aggressive and assertive instead of passive and prude. Another female character that occasionally reveals what would be considered very disturbing at the time of the novel’s publication is Lucy. Lucy at one point mentions to Mina that she wishes she didn’t have to choose just one man to be with and that she wishes she could be with all of them. Such a thought was considered scandalous during the time period and even though Lucy is aware that what she is saying is inappropriate she is not able to keep from expressing her true desires to Mina. The wives and Lucy are a few of the key xpressions of subverted 19th century norms in Bram Stoker’s Dracula. Jonathan and Mina’s relationship is another example of Stoker’s subverting of traditional 19th century social mores and norms in his classic story. Throughout the book we see Jonathan and Mina’s characters switch gender roles from a more traditional representation to an inverted r epresentation. Mina is no ordinary Victorian age female. She does desire to serve her husband and unlike Lucy doesn’t express the desire to be with any other partners, but Mina is special in the eyes of the male characters in the story. Van Helsing and the other men believe Mina’s mind to be like that of a man. This would be considered a huge compliment at the time because women were not often thought of being capable of thinking on the same intellectual level as men. On the other hand, Jonathan begins to fall apart. He suffers from fevers which cause him to have fits of almost insanity. During this time he certainly is not thinking on the intellectual level that he once did and it is clear that Mina is the more enlightened of the two lovers. This represents one inversion of traditional gender norms. People didn’t considered that a woman could be the more capable mind in a relationship but that is precisely what Mina is during the majority of the novel. That is not the only example of gender reversal in Dracula, at one point Jonathan becomes faint in public and to keep him from falling Mina supports him. It would have been considered very odd to see a woman in public supporting a man like this. Stoker uses Mina and Jonathan’s relationship as another subversion of 19th century traditional social mores and norms in Dracula. Perhaps the most disturbing aspect of Stoker’s Dracula is the inverse of maternity. The inverse of maternity represents an almost perfect subversion of traditional 19th century social mores and norms. Craft also wrote is his reflection, â€Å"Stoker emphasizes the monstrosity implicit in such abrogation of gender codes by inverting a favorite Victorian maternal function,† (Stoker, Auerbach, and Skal 453). Maternity hasn’t changed much sense the 19th century, women are expected to care for the children above all other responsibilities. Needless to say the feeding on defenseless children by Lucy and Dracula’s Wives is a complete opposite of maternity. The feasting on children is particular disturbing and shocking no matter what era one is born in and represents what is a predominate theme in Dracula the inverse of Maternity. Another example of the inverse of Maternity is the scene in which Dracula cuts his own breast and forces Mina to drink from his wound. Craft writes, â€Å"We are at the Count’s breast, encouraged once again to substitute white for red, as blood becomes milk,† (Stoker, Auerbach, and Skal 458). This interpretation is consistent with what I found. Clearly Stoker is creating a disturbing image that resembles a mother feeding her baby and totally turns maternity on its head. Craft goes on to suggest that perhaps the scene represents more than just an inverse of maternity and that the blood Mina drinks from the Count is actually semen. I agree that the scene resembles forced fellatio but the resemblance to a mother feeding her baby is too obvious a connection not to be made. Inverse of maternity is the true symbol of this scene. In many ways Dracula can be viewed as ahead of its time. Many of the story’s developments, which were considered to be horrifying during the Victorian age, don’t cause many to bat an eyelash in today’s society. Stoker subverts traditional 19th century social mores and norms in Dracula through the portrayal of sexually aggressive and assertive females, Jonathan and Mina’s relationship, and the inverse of Maternity.

Chapter 16 Summary Essay Example for Free

Chapter 16 Summary Essay In this chapter we are going to learn about therapy, treating psychological disorders, evaluating psychotherapies, the biomedical therapies, and preventing psychological disorders. You have three ways on how to treat disorders. They are psychotherapy, biomedical therapy, and eclectic approach. Psychotherapy is treatment involving psychological techniques consisting of interactions between some seeking to overcome difficulties and a trained therapist. Biomedical therapy is prescribed medicine that acts differently on every persons physiology. Lastly eclectic approach is an approach on the clients problems which uses various forms of therapy. Sigmund Freuds psychoanalysis was the first of the therapies to be formed. The techniques that we have are resistance, interpretation, and transferring. Interpretation is noting supposed dream meanings and other significant behaviors and events in order to promote insight. We have psychodynamic therapies which is a tradition that views on individuals when they respond to unconscious forces and childhood experiences. There are three psychotherapy skeptics which are people often need therapy when they are in crisis, clients need to believe that doing therapy will eventually help them with their problems, and clients need to speak kindly to their therapist and to respect what they have to say. Many studies are digested by what they call meta-analysis. Various therapies which have three benefits. These benefits are hope for demoralized people, a new perspective of the way we look at things, and a trusting, caring, empathetic relationship. The emotion between the client and his/her thera pist is called therapeutic alliance which is a key concept to being a therapist. In our world we have antipsychotic drugs, antidepressant drugs, and mod-stabilizing medications. Antipsychotic drugs are drugs used to schizophrenia and other severe disorders. While antidepressant drugs are used to treat depression and anxiety disorders. Electroconvulsive therapy is a therapy for severely depressed patients which is a brief electric current sent through the brain.

Employee Development Case Study

Employee Development Case Study Companies of the 21st century have to engage in Employee Development, in order for the organisation to achieve its goals. It has to develop its main core of the company which is the employees which are the assets that drives the company to its goals. Therefore it is important to place employee development in the context of the business strategies. Employee development includes training and skill development of the employee, an emphasis on the internal advancement of the entry-level or low-skilled workers (Insight 2009). Encouraging employees to acquire new or advanced skills, knowledge and viewpoints by providing learning and training facilities and avenues where new ideas can be applied. Development is a specific state of growth or advancement. Employee development or career development is an on-going refinement of job mastery and professional development coupled with career planning activities. Job mastery is necessary skills to successfully perform one job. (Guide to Human Managing Resources) Learning is the acquisition of knowledge or skills through study experience or taught. Information is knowledge and knowledge requires learning. In this era of the century, there is a strong emphasis on human capital despite financial and physical assets. Training means giving new and current employees the skill they need to perform their jobs (Human Resource Management Text Book) Training are able to improve employees efficiency and motivation leading the organization to gain productivity and job satisfaction. Chapter Two Company background Dutch Lady Milk Industries Berhad (Dutch Lady Malaysia) the leader in branded quality dairy business in Malaysia. Incorporated in 1963, Dutch Lady was the first milk company in Malaysia to be listed on Bursa Malaysia, the local Stock Exchange in 1968. Its holding company is Royal Friesland Campina, a Dutch multinational corporation and one of the largest milk companies in the world. Permodalan Nasional Berhad is the second largest shareholder in the Company. (Figure 1) Dutch Lady Malaysia manufactures and sells a variety dairy products and fruit juices for the home and export market such as Infant Formula, Growing-up Milk, Powdered Milk, Condensed Milk, UHT Milk, Sterilised Milk, Pasteurised Milk, Cultured Milk, Yoghurt and Fruit Juice Drinks. The Companys dairy products have a strong consumer following and are represented by strong brands such as Dutch Lady, Frisolac, Friso, Completa, Omela and Joy. Dutch Lady motto is Great ready for Life as it applies to the products that they carry is also applies to the employees of Dutch as they use employee development to build the employees. At Dutch Lady Office in Malaysia, the 600 employees continue to discover ideal environment for lively, approachable team players who combine initiative with a genuine enthusiasm to learn. In Dutch Lady Human Resource faces challenges from all levels from executives to managers, and these employees are being challenged daily by frustrated employees. Human resource challenges is costing the company time, money, resources, lost opportunities, and reduced productivity, (taken from www.dutchlady.com.my) Chapter Three Literature Review In order for the organization to perform effectively training needs analysis (TNA) needs to assist in identifying the needs of the employee that needs to be trained is it at departmental or organizational level. Training needs analysis need to ensure that training addresses existing problems, and is tailored to organisational objectives, delivered in an effective and cost efficient manner. (Chartered Management Institute 2005) Training is one of the most important strategies for organizations to help employees gain proper knowledge and skills needed to meet the environmental challenges. (European Journal of Social Science 2010) Employee development program and activities can be costly in terms of time and resources that organizations devote to them. Often such programs and activities must be justified by demonstrating their potential for adding value to the organization. (Employee Perceived Cost, 2008) This will help strengthen the organization by increasing motivation and current information about the organization, helps employees makes their career development goals more realistic. Opportunities for promotion and/or lateral moves contribute to the employees career satisfaction and attention to career development helps you attract top staff and retain valued employee (Guide to Human Managing Resources). It can also be looked into another direction whereby the organization will create a condition where employees believe that their organization value their contribution and care about their employment. It creates an obligation by the employees towards the organization and in turn willingness by employees to work hard to increase the organizations effectiveness (International Journal of Human Resource Management). (Arthur 1994; Woods and de Menezes 1998). According to Grawitch, et al. (2006), the practices that contribute to employee development have been linked to employee commitment to the organization, increased productivity and decreased absenteeism and turnover. Skill development contributes to learning opportunities. (Guide to Human Managing Resources) The disadvantage of development is performance pay which is based on individual performance rating, and not the group coordination or organizational productivity (Kerr, 1995; Kohn, 1993) Journal of Human Resources Education Performance Appraisal Reappraised: Its Not All Positive 2007 The challenge that is always encountered is retaining employees. In order to in still commitment the employees, organizations have resorted to promoting long term career path through development programs. (SAM Advanced Management Journal 2001) Previously, it was common to have in-house training or reimbursing employees for the cost of taking classes at the school. But such general skills acquired were not enough for employees to perform specific jobs or future jobs in the future. By General Motors and McDonalds pioneering the university concept allows employees to access their skills and compare them against organization and industry standards. This encourages the employees to cultivate skills in both their current employment and future employment. With this employees appreciate the ability to improve their skill, but for much discipline are difficult to maintain. (SAM Advanced Management Journal 2001) Knowledge is regarded as key asset of employees and ability to acquire and use it as a core competence. (New Zealand applied business journal) (Argyris, 1991; Drucker 1992; Ulrich, 1998) A learning organization works in an environment in which people continually expand their capacity to create the results they truly desire, where new and expansive patterns of thinking are nurtured, where collective aspiration is set free, and where people are continually learning how to learn together. (Journal of Workplace Learning 2008) Peter Senge (1990, p. 3), the learning organization concept in his book, The Fifth Discipline, Those who are learning oriented will find great value in activities that will assist them in developing and improving their skills. (Journal of Management Development 2008) (Dweck and Leggett, 1988 The negative employees with a low learning-orientation do not value this kind of emphasis on growth and learning, and as a result are not highly committed to the organization. (Journal of Management Development 2008) Challenges that were encountered with learning are that computer based training programs tend to be entirely self-directed. The program results to have low rate of success. Experts believe that the human element needs to be involved. (SAM Advanced Management Journal 2001) In technology-based training several companies, like Honeywell, and QUALCOMM employees tend to resist technology based training as the employees do not understand the method it is conducted and fair returns will not be possible. Example, some employees are hand-on learners and do not adapt to computer-based training, when developing a training program, keep in mind that the workforce has many different types of learners. (SAM Advanced Management Journal 2001) In a relationship between commitment and training a sample of the numerous possible backgrounds that have been explored include perception, and benefits such as career, job related, personnel (Mathieu and Martineau,1997), satisfaction (Tannenbaum et al,1991), self-efficacy (Saks,1995), individual variables, such as age, education level , and gender (Meyer and Allen ,1984; Collarelli et al,1987;Mathieu and Zajac,1990) European Journal of Social Science Vol 14 No 1 2010 Training can also be considered as employee turnover. If the new skills that have been acquired by the employee and the skill are of high value to other organization, the organisation will risk losing their trained employee. (European Journal of Social Science Vol 14 No 1 2010) The ability to manage the cost of training and keep within the budget of the organization proves to be a challenge. Trying to prove to the management that training is part of the organization even when organization is not into training. (European Journal of Social Science Vol 13 2010) In today fast pace technology era, technology is changing the way the organization is operated. Technology devices that employees are trained to use today will be obsolete tomorrow. The organization has to train the staff to keep abreast with the changing technology. (European Journal of Social Science Vol 13 2010) In order for training to be a success in the strategic human resource management literature, training is an important factor for lowering turnover and improving organizational performance (Richard Devinney, Yip, and Johnson, 2009). One way in which this can be achieved in the provision of training and fostering high organizational commitment to enhance the retention of employees and customers. Schlesinger and Heskett (1991) views high employee turnover as a factor of cycle of failure. The result of it is that discourages management from investing in hiring, training, which leads to ineffective performance and it, will also affect service quality and customer loyalty. Chapter Four Proposed Employees Development Plan The reason for conducting a TNA is to ensure the training effectiveness (Blanchard and Thacker, 2003; Goldstein and Ford, 2002; and Noe, 2005), ensure return of investment in the training, minimise errors made in the training programs (Elbadri, 2001)., try to solve performance problems and in the absence of TNA the training program will have little or no contribution to the achievement of the organization objectives. (International Review of Business Research Papers 2007) The systematic method of conducting needs analysis is that the process is based on specific method of information gathering technique whereby it is conducted in stages with one affecting (Directory Journal 2007) another and helping to shape the next stage, there is no short-cut is available to carry out the process because every situation requires observing, probing, analysing and deducting. When completed, needs analysis would be a wise investment for the organization by saving time, finance and resources on solving the right problems. Organizations that do not support needs analysis make costly mistakes training is either used in an effective, non-effective manner or too little or there is no follow up. (Directory Journal 2007) The data collection method can be divided into two categories quantitative and qualitative. Quantitative will be the using of survey questionnaire; where else qualitative will involve interviews. (Wagonhurst 2002). Questionnaire is an interview on paper (Figure 2). Advantages of conducting a questionnaire is that every person input can be included. Employees can complete the questionnaires as and when they choose to. The data that is compiled and analyse is easily done because every employee are asked the same question (Directory Journal 2007) Interviews (Figure 3) are able to ensure that the types of data collected from all sources are consistent and this information can be one persons opinion, or the entire organization. Questions that are selected help the organization to understand what they are trying to learn (Directory Journal 2007). In order to obtain a full understanding of the performance deficiencies it is important to obtain the employees comments. By asking intelligent questions and listening to them will build credibility from your interviewees. Personal involvement and commitment would be able to establish personal relationship with potential trainers that will be important to succeed as an analyst and trainer (Directory Journal 2007). This will be a four step process using Task Analysis (Figure 4) The analysis stage which is the first step involves accessing new employees training needs. The aim is to give new employees the skill and knowledge to do the job. Job description and job specification are important here as it will list the specific duties and skill which will be the reference points in determining the training required. By uncovering the training needs by reviewing the existing performance standards, performing the job and question the current job holders. The instructional Design, second step will consist of the duration which will take 4-12 weeks depending on size of the department. Involvement will be HR executives and manger conducting the ground work together with HR director at the final stage before feed back to the management on the result of each department. Cost will be minimal as the process of the data collection will conducted by the Human Resources department. The third step, program Implementation method that I would recommend for the different types of training methods is On the job training is the most popular or widely used method in todays organizations, it is the most familiar method whereby the experienced worker or trainee supervisor trains the employee. Job Instruction training Informal training, covers 80% of what employees learn on the job is not through formal training but informal means on a daily means while in collaboration with their colleagues Lecturers, lectures can be boring but it is a quick and simple way to present knowledge to a large group of trainees or when the sales force is being introduced to a new product. Computer based training, trainers use interactive computer systems to increase the knowledge or skills. By using an interactive multimedia training which uses text, video, graphics, photos, animation and sound to allow the employee to interact. Evaluation is the final or fourth step. This process will involve determining the participant reaction to training program, how much participants have learned and transfer of the training back to the job. This information gathered is then used in the next cycle of training needs assessment. Ranking, the approach is relatively simple and if there are few jobs involved it tends to work. Identify the key jobs and interpolate where each is in ranking order. Job ranking will be difficult in large organizations because of unfamiliarity of the job. Grading is another form of ranking. Defined as a predetermined classification system in rising order of importance. It is widely used, simple to understand and simple to administer and implement. Point assessment developed to evaluate managerial and technical jobs. Popular and wide used because of its points factor, whereby enables inter-company job and pay comparison. Job analysis also identifies the expertise and experience required, accountabilities, freedom to decide and act, number of staff supervised and position within the organization (Managing People Manual) Chapter Five Critical Success Factors As Dutch Lady continue to create awareness as a collective responsibility, that its employees will continue to practice prevention of injuries and occupational health hazard as an assurance to the public when carrying out business activities. Talent Assessment Programme continues to identify and develop future leaders, therefore results obtained from TNA will assist to identify and develop young employees into Dutch Lady Graduate Trainee Programme that will have excellent leadership and managerial qualities. Long term service appreciation will continue to be practised at Dutch Lady for employees that served for 10 to 25 years. Moreover special retirement awards are also handed out to retiring employees. As an organization with diversity in its employees Dutch Lady believes in strengthening bonds of friendship and relationship creating a sense of belonging among the employees. Annual Dinner, Family Day and Sports Club are some of the many ways of bringing families of all hierarchy in the organization to commune together as a family are some of the objectives that are achieved. Conclusion Employee development will always be an on-going process for the organization. In order to continue to retain employees, the organization has to make employee development part of its core objectives and also to keep ahead of the business environment. A learning organization is always a fruitful and ever evolving in its industry and worldwide.

Not Just for Kicks: Expressing Difficult Content Using Comics Essay

A common description of comic books comes from their appearance in cartoons and comic strips, where a teacher catches a child reading a comic book tucked between the pages of their schoolwork. Prevailing attitudes formed off of this kind of perception render the idea of the comic form as a diversion, lacking serious content, and perhaps immature. However, the comic form uses many techniques to explore subject matter that is difficult to deal with in traditional educational ways. This paper will look to examine how immersion and symbolism within the comic form can be an effective tool to reproduce otherwise difficult situations, concepts, and ideas by using examples of texts from our class that make excellent use of these techniques, in particular Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind, The Photographer, and Bound by Law. The graphic novel is grounded in stereotypes that belie their true expressive power, and the deconstruction of those stereotypes is the first step in accessing concepts that are misconstrued and difficult. As Scott McCloud states in Understanding Comics, "Sure, I realized that comic books were usually crude, poorly drawn...but they don't have to be" (McCloud 3), something we have witnessed through the sophistication of our texts this semester. By investigating how the comic form interacts with the reader, we can find many benefits that often position comics as an optimal vehicle for delivering informative and educational content where other mediums only barely suffice. However, separating the medium of comics from the content widely associated with them is a difficult task, and one that can only be changed by effective content delivered with effective comic technique. The main benefits of the graphic novel and comi... ...t is possible to express difficult material through methods other than comics, the examples presented in this essay prove that with proper use of techniques and an awareness of the content itself, graphic narrative can provide a much deeper and enriching experience than text or visual representation alone. Works Cited McCloud, Scott. Understanding Comics: The Invisible Art. New York: William Morrow Paperbacks/HarperCollins, 1994. Print. Miyazaki, Hayao. Nausicaa of the Valley of Wind. Volume 1. San Francisco, CA: Viz Communications, Inc., 1995.2nd Ed. 2004. First published by Nibariki/Tokuma Shoten, Japan, 1994. Print. Guibert, Emmanuel, et al. The Photographer: Into War-Torn Afghanistan with Doctors without Borders. New York and London: First Second, 2009. Print. Aoki, Keith, James Boyle, Jennifer Jenkins. Bound by Law. Duke Law School. 2006. Print.

The Body, Meaning and Symbols in Medical Anthropology Essay examples --

In the course of the study of medicine from an anthropological perspective, there are several themes which are repeatedly encountered. These include the body and its representation, meaning and a person’s response to that meaning, and finally, the symbolic images which construct and shape both meaning and the bodily representation. Each of these themes are addressed throughout medical anthropological texts, and are connected to and build on each other in a variety of ways. The body is the site of medicine, because the body is the site of all cultural practices. As Byron Good states, â€Å"medicine formulates the human body and disease in a culturally distinctive fashion†. (Good, 65) It is the cultural fashion of western medicine to objectify the body by constructing it in purely biochemical and molecular terms. As Shiehisa Kuriyama shows us in his work, this is the result of the historical development of Greek medicine and its intersection with the western scientific sentiment. Kuriyama says, â€Å"conceptions of the body owe as much to particular uses of the senses as to particular ‘ways of thinking.’† (Kuriyama, 12) He goes on to explain how a tradition of empiricism and a belief that â€Å"only [literal speech] can insure limpid understanding; [figurative speech] is profoundly unreliable† (Kuriyama, 75), informed the development of the western medical culture. With the obsession with clear and unambiguous language came a set of presuppositions, which, among other things, created a hierarchy of bodily representation. Kuriyama describes this in terms of western obsessions with musculature or the Chinese emphasis on how the skin looks. When the West undertook its various imperialistic projects across the globe this hierarchy of the... ...sm for a lack of modernity. Villagers were keenly aware of what the shaman meant not only to their own culture, but also what it meant to those in the transnational space, and their conception changes because of this. Thus we see how medical anthropology studies and provides analysis on the issues of the body, bodily perception, and the representation of the body, as well as meaning and symbolism. Also we see how medical anthropology takes these interpretations and uses them to critique the system’s practices. The biomedical system largely ignores the social aspects of illness, and this does a disservice to the suffering individual it seeks to restore. It emphasizes a biological reductionism which limits the care it can bring to the person it reconstructs as a patient, and in doing so, it discounts the multiple meanings medical symbols can hold for the patient.

Gore Vidal’s Lincoln :: Gore Vidal Lincoln

Gore Vidal’s â€Å"Lincoln† Gore Vidal’s â€Å"Lincoln† was an excellent narrative of the Presidency of Abraham Lincoln. Through Vidal’s portrayal of the personality of Lincoln and the people surrounding him it was easy to get an idea of the leadership role that Lincoln played during presidency. After reading many accounts of Lincoln during my research for my paper, I found that Vidals account was extremely accurate. Most interesting was the commanding yet passive relationship that Lincoln had with the members of his cabinet and his generals. Vidal also gave a portrayal of the capitol during the 1860’s that is seldom mentioned in any of the Literature that I have read. These accounts really help to get a feel for the environment in which Lincoln made his decisions. Lincoln’s family life was also revealed in some detail in the novel which helps us to see the personal dilemmas and tragedies that Lincoln had to overcome while he was president. Overall Vidal’s portra it of Lincoln was interesting and accurate to my knowledge. It gives an extraordinary view of the leadership of President Abraham Lincoln. In the book Vidal shows us a picture of the capitol at the time. It seemed as it the entire town was unfinished. The capitol building was without the dome and the streets had just been paved. From the accounts of Mary Lincoln in the book, it seemed if the White House was hardly a luxurious mansion and was barley fit for a president. Also in the atmosphere in Washington D.C. at the time was the Attitude of the place itself. Since Washington was a neutral state much of the population was against Lincoln and sided with the confederacy. Lincoln cabinet was strategically chosen by Lincoln, he chose those in his party who ran against him in the election or were close to the Republican Party. Vidal’s Lincoln reveals Lincolns thinking about these people and how he places them in. I have read in other readings including, The Unfinished Nation, byAlan Brinkley, that Lincoln picked these people to have a diversety of ideas in his cabinet. He wanted to keep these people close to him so that they would be working for him and not against him. The fictional character Lincoln in Vidal’s book in regards to to Salmon P.

Psychodynamic Theory

Psychodynamic Theory Review In the article â€Å"The Future of Psychodynamic Psychotherapy,† Cortina (2010) reviews past and current issues concerning psychodynamic theory in relation to therapy practices. He describes how and why a once widely accepted and common method of psychological treatment has since suffered a swift weakening in popularity and reliability. Cortina (2010) also speaks about the basic concepts that underlie the psychodynamic theory so that possible interpretations can be drawn as to why this theory has succumbed to such criticism over the decades. Although, the psychodynamic theory does not have a good reputation, Cortina (2010) examines past and current research on how psychodynamic theory is making a comeback, and it’s now supposed effectiveness. The Deterioration of Psychodynamic Theory According to Cortina (2010), one of the tell-tale signs that psychodynamic theory has taken a dive in the world of psychotherapy is because of the decline in related book sales. Not even a decade ago, the bestselling psychoanalytical books were sold by the tens of thousands. Over the past few years, less than 500 have been taken off the shelves and found their way into the hands of appreciating scholars. A proposed reason for this is that Freud’s credibility has been lost. Although there was not adequate scientific evidence to back up his theories back in the day, a lot has changed in the past century. Unfortunately, Freud’s theory has become nothing more than a â€Å"postmodern-deconstructive philosophy† (Cortina, 2010, The Decline of Psychoanalysis, para. 4). Concepts of Psychoanalytical Theory Shendler (2010), as referenced by Cortina (2010), list some basic concepts of the psychoanalytical theory. People act according to unconscious processes and impulses. When those processes become conflicted with one another, trouble ensues. People also respond to emotional processes. Recognizing and accepting conscious and unconscious emotions are essential to psychoanalytical theory. This theory focuses on defense mechanisms. People tend to behave in ways that are not in context with what is going on. Psychoanalytical theory has a tendency to pay close attention to the development of the mind. How a person thinks and perceives can reveal a lot about what is going on in the mind. Social processes are also important especially how individuals relate to and communicate with one another. Lastly, psychoanalytical theory focuses on dreams and a person’s imagination. These are the doors to the unconscious. Research Cortina (2010) provides evidence from past and current research that favors psychoanalytical theory. Science has come a long way in the past decade; therefore, scientists have a better understanding about what is really going on in the human mind. With the use of tools such as the MRI, they can make connections between thoughts, emotions, actions, and specific areas of the brain and other physiological processes. Researchers have also obtained a wealth of information from case studies. Although many are still skeptical about the reliability of psychoanalytical theory, evidence has shown many strengths and benefits of this theory. Conclusion Regardless of the unpopularity of psychoanalytical theory, opinions and attitudes are starting to change. There is a considerable amount of evidence that supports the ideas behind and the benefits of this theory. Since only a small percentage of practitioners receive specialized training in psychoanalytical therapy, much has to be done to convince the public and academic sector that psychoanalytical theory is not a fairytale. Personal Perspective I believe that the psychoanalytical perspective to psychotherapy has many good qualities, as well as, some questionable qualities. I agree with Cortina (2010) that this theory is making some great strides to prove itself worthy in the scientific field. I do not fully adhere to the notion that many of our actions are driven by unconscious motives because that tends to take accountability and choice away from the individual. I am fascinated by this theory only for the purpose of study, not in practice. Reference Cortina, M. (2010). The future of psychodynamic psychotherapy. Psychiatry: Interpersonal and Biological Processes, 73(1), 43-56. doi:10. 1521/psyc. 2010. 73. 1. 43 Psychodynamic Theory Psychodynamic theory is a view that explains personality in the terms of unconscious and conscious forces, such as beliefs and unconscious desires. Sigmund Freud in the early 20th century proposed a psychodynamic theory according to which personality consists of the ID. The ID is responsible for instincts and pleasure-seeking. He also proposed the idea of the superego which attempts to obey the rules of society and parents.The superego is split into two parts, conscience and the ego ideal. The conscience tells what is right and wrong, it forces the ego to control the id and it directs the individual into morally acceptable and responsible behaviors, which could not be pleasureable. Lastly the Ego which mediates between the id and the superego according to the demands of reality. What psychodynamic theories do are they commonly hold that childhood experiences shape one’s personality. Such theories are associated with psychoanalysis which is a type of therapy that attempts to re veal unconscious desires and thoughts.Not all psychologists use or accept psychodynamic theories, critics claim that the theories lack scientific data that supports the theories. Other theories of personality include humanist and behavioral theories (Siegel, 2013). Psychodynamic theorists believe that offenders have id-dominated personalities. They can lose control the ego and the id’s need for instant gratification will then take over. This will then cause impulse control problems and increased pleasure-seeking drives. Other problems that are associated with a damaged ego are poor social skills, immaturity, and excessive dependence on other people. The idea with this is that negative experiences in an offenders childhood will damage the ego, therefore, the offender is then unable to cope with conventional society (Siegel, 2013).This theory can be attached to Bowbly’s theory of Attachment. Bowlby had proposed that the ability to form meaningful social relationships in adulthood was merely dependent on a close, warm and continuous relationship with the mother in the first few years of life. Since this relationship serves as a prototype for all future relationships, disruption to this could impair a person’s ability to relate to others therefore causing roots of criminality, and lead to â€Å"affection less psychopathology†. So therefore, this explains crime by the root causes of crime because it depends on relationships with your mother when you are young (1-5 years old). The key  subjects are juveniles. As talked about previously, this theory correlated with Bowlby’s Attachment theory (Maxwell, Spielmann, Joel & MacDonald, 2013).At early stages the key subjects are juveniles, because they’re out lashing due to the lack of emotional attachment at the early stages in life, and then adults because they never got to experience an emotional attachment throughout the early and then later years of life.There are various way s that psychodynamic theory and attachment theory have been tested throughout the years. After much research, one study that was found was a Relationship Attachment Syle Text. The main basis of this tests background is how from the beginning years of life, we develop an attachment to our primary caregivers that tends to remain constant if it is present. It has a profound effect that is not only on our emotional development, but is also upon the health of our relationships.In this test attachment styles that are conveyed are Secure, Dismissive-Avoidant, Fearful-Avoidant, Codependent, Dependent, and Anxious Ambivalent. This will assess your relationship style and it will show how it affects your relationships in your personal life all just by taking this test. It asks you a serious of questions that you rate 1 being the most true and 5 being the most false about you (Haggerty, 2010). This has been used as a basis for public programs, and also private programs. It can be assessed simpl y in a classroom setting when learning about the psychodynamic/ attachment theory, and it can be used in a clinical setting where the therapist is trying to see where the client is relationship wise in their life.This test is important, and it is widely used , and it is grounded in a valid and well-established theory. There was evidence that this is a valid test. With research by (Brennan et al., 1998; Fraley & Waller, 1998) that the greatest weight of the results that were found were deriving from multi-item dimensional measures because they have demonstrated greatly the best precision and validity. They strongly encourage more researchers that are interested in peer relationships to continue to use and explore the old measures that are used and determine the advantages and their limitations. They also encourage them to continue to concern themselves with measurement issues in this certain domain, seeing there are still gaps that are waiting to be filled and improvements to be made while assessing attachment (Brennanet al., 1998; Fraley & Waller, 1998).This test has found to have a wide range of uses, especially for the environment that it is used in (personal, clinical, educational etc). It is not necessarily used for all crimes, but it can be used with juveniles in crime because it can help determine their psychosis and what environmental factors could be associated with their behavior.After extensive research of the psychodynamic/attachment theory and the culture conflict theory, these theories do not belong in the same class of theories. Though they do look at crime and can help explain the root causes or explain why crimes have happened, they are different theories that do not belong in the same class. The psychodynamic theory is an evolutionary theory and attachment theory is a psychological theory. Culture conflict theory is an environmental-based theory. The similarities that these theories share are the fact that bonding has a very important lasting psychological implications. Also another similarity that these theories share is showing how in an overall setting, society creates these bonds and they stick completely together.Culture conflict occurs when rules are expressed in the criminal law clashes with the demands of group conduct norms, therefore this theory is an outcome of an event. Psychodynamic theories focus on the time of the event, on their instinctive drive and forces (from their id, superego, ego), so this in objective, and also can be an outcome. That goes for attachment theory as well, because attachment theory is the ability to bond to other people has important lasting psychological implications across someones life span, so this is the outcome of previous behaviors and attachments with people in ones life.A typology of crime that is believed to to explain psychodynamic theory in some sort of way that is also integrated with Bowlby’s theory of attachment is underage drinking. This kind of crime could be well-explained with this theory because of the reaction people have to the lack of control over their id, ego and superego as well as lack of attachment which leads them to leaning onto something else to get the pain away. Through a study to begin research has indicated that peer and maternal bonds play important but sometimes competing roles in the outcomes of kids. This study hypothesized  that secure parental attachment predicted anti-alcohol attitudes and behavioral control. Norms, alcohol attitudes and behavioral control are each uniquely explained variance in intentions, which has forecasted a significant increase in alcohol behavior a month later.Peer and parental attachment were each indirectly predicted future behavior. The results obtained from the longitudinal research were theoretically and practically informative for recognizing the contrasting interpersonal forces of peers and parents on the high risk beliefs of young adults. After research, the protective benefits t hat arose from attachment bonds to parents extended even into early adulthood. The findings support recommendations for interventions designed to curtail the risky levels of underage drinking based on the tenets of attachment theory (Lac, 2012). A scenario that fits this type of crime is the parents that influence the child are heavy drinkers.The environment of the child growing up around excessive alcohol drinking will lead to the influx of the child thinking it’s okay to drink, and want to drink because it’s ‘cool’ and their parent’s do it as well. The influence of this could potentially lead to children starting to drink as early as possibly age 13. This can lead into possibly getting into drugs as well. Getting caught with underage possession of alcohol can be a slap on the wrist at first, however if they get into a vehicle and they are driving and get in an accident the consequences arise drastically. You could potentially get jail time if you kill someone, get your license revoked, points on your license and quite a big fine.The theory could be challenged in the fact that underage drinking could be because of the influence of other teens, and not completely the parents influence. It could be argued in the psychodynamic theory that the id is taking over and telling the person that it will be fun, and there will be no consequences or it could be considered a normal thing, so when it comes to the ego (the reality principle) nothing will seem wrong to them, when actually, it is a morally wrong act with consequences because the legal drinking age is 21 years old.Psychodynamic theory overall, is an insight-oriented therapy that focuses on unconscious processes as they are manifested in a person’s present behavior. Goals of this therapy are a client’s self-awareness and the understanding of the influence of the past on present behavior. The goal  of psychodynamic therapy are a client’s self-awareness and the understanding of the influence of the past on present behavior. The approach of this theory will enable the client in a therapy setting to examine unresolved conflicts and symptoms that arise from dysfunctional relationships and manifest themselves in the need and the desire to abuse substances and other criminal behaviors. It is by far one of the oldest modern therapies/theories.It is extremely developed and multi-faced theory of human development and interaction (Haggerty, 2010). Because of the extensive research there is on this theory, how old this theory is, and the validity of this theory/therapy, this theory is a more useful/valuable to preventing, approaching and evaluating crime. Having Bowlby’s work correlating with this theory shows how much more extensive it can get because of how close attachment theory correlates. Basically, attachment theory as stated previously is the emotional bond to another person. Attachment as Bowlby stated is a â€Å"lasting psychol ogical connectedness between human beings† (Lac, 2012).Developing a bond in your early years of life with your caregivers (especially your mother) has a huge impact that will follow someone throughout their life. Bowlby stated that attachment serves to keep the infant close to their mother, thus improving the child’s chances of survival (Schaffer & Emerson, 1964). One social problems that this theory could help try to solve or possibly prevent is substance or alcohol abuse. When children have a lack of emotional stability in their lives, they turn to something that they will feel connected with, and will replace the hole that the lack of parental involvement in their lives. Then once they become addicted to the substance they use or alcohol they feel a sense of fulfillment which helps cope with their lack of relationships with people.This theory can help prevent or transition their lives and fill the hole of abandonment and help create a healthy emotional stance in thei r lives which will help prevent the addictions.

ADHD Nutrition

ADHD is a disease which weakens the release and homeostasis of neurological chemicals. In full the initials stand for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder.Research shows that ADHD is a hereditary disorder that is it can be passed on through genes.Its occurrence comes with many other disorders such as being defiant, learning disorders and other behavioral disorders ( Paul, 2000 p.4 )There are no specific laboratory tests to establish this condition. The diagnosis can be made upon the parents careful evaluation of their past to see whether they could have had symptoms similar to those that are clear indicators of the disease.Useful tests to diagnose the condition can be through achievement tests that can be used to measure the learner’s learning disorders.Drugs used to treat the disorder are noted to be very addictive. However, psychological treatment can be very helpful. It is also important to note that the drugs used are only used to control the situation and not to treat it.Symptoms of this condition include being restless, lack of concentration, and if there is some, they last for a short time, the child is easily distracted, engagement in excess activities and being impulsive. It can also lead to many allergies to additives and food dyes.More boys are affected by this condition by girls, a phenomenon that has been explained as being as a result of the aggressive nature of boys as opposed to the girls. Many people believe that there is a relationship between food additives and hyperactivity which is seen in this condition called ADHD.The question as to whether there is a relation between nutrition is a claim that has no scientific proof. Many scientists have ended their researches inconclusively.Though claims that there are causes of ADHD that are related to diet–specifically a diet that contains food additives or is high in sugar–and allergies, these claims were seriously investigated by a number of scientists and according to Paul, ( 2000 ) â€Å"many parents whose children are affected by this condition participated† ( p.42 ) Their concern was whether sugar could cause the symptoms of ADHD.Scientific studies show that sugar and carbohydrates cannot cause the symptoms of ADHD, but rather children with this condition can react with sugars in differently from the rest. However, there are no marked effects identified. In fact in one study ADHD children’s reaction to carbohydrates was better than that for proteins surprisingly. This fact also applies with the vitamins and ADHD.Regulated intake can help the situation rather than the exaggerated belief that it causes ADHD related symptoms. Neither too much sugar nor deficiency in vitamins can cause ADHD. The condition cannot be improved by excessive intake of vitamins as the results might be negative since some vitamins when taken in excess can be harmful.  The other causes identified include lead poisoning which has been known for a long time as a major cause of psychological problems. Its interesting that even those children who have not consumed lead can develop the condition may be as a result of breathing in or rather inhaling fumes from the vehicles, nearby industries especially for those in urban centers.Even though many researchers try to dissociate ADHD with nutrition, there is further evidence that reduction of certain additives in foods can be a good way of reversing the c ondition.It has also been observed that the blood of children suffering from this condition has a low DHA fat level. In addition, beneficial nutrients from greens, certain fish, and an adequate level of the DHA fats is a superb way of reversing such conditions in children who suffer from this condition. Recommended dose for the DHA fat is 100mg to 600 mg, according to the age and condition of the child.

Impact: Mass Media Essay

The presence and intensity of media influences—television, radio, music, computers, movies, videos, and the Internet—are increasingly recognized as an important part of the social ecology of children and youth, and these influences have become more visible and volatile in recent decades. The influence of the media on the psychosocial development of children is profound. Thus, it is important for parents to discuss with their children about their exposure to media and to provide guidance on age-appropriate use of all media, including television, radio, music, video games and the Internet. A child born in the 1930s might have spent as much as several hours a week listening to the radio; reading comic books, newspapers, or magazines; or watching a film at a local theatre. Since television was first introduced in the 1950s, the number of hours young people spend interacting in some way with media, as well as the range and capabilities of the many devices and activities that could be considered media experiences, have increased to an extent far beyond the imagining of today’s grandparents when they were young. Children today use electronic media from two to five hours daily, and infants—even in utero—are regularly exposed to a variety of media The objectives of this statement are to explore the beneficial and harmful effects of media on children’s mental and physical health, and to identify how physicians can counsel patients and their families and promote the healthy use of the media in their communities. Media: Media is the plural of medium and can take a plural or singular verb, depending on the sense intended. These are communication channels through which news, education, data, entertainment, or promotional messages are disseminated. Media includes very broadcasting and narrowcasting medium such as newspapers, TV, radio, magazines, billboards, direct mail, telephone, fax, and internet. Types of media: The four general types of media are * Print media * Electronic media Print media: Definition: Print media is a rather commonly used term referring to the medium that disseminates printed matter. In everyday life we refer to print media as the industry associated with the printing and mostly with the distribution of news through a network of media, such as newspapers and journals. People also refer to print media simply with the term â€Å"press;† it’s an intermediate communicative channel aiming at reaching a large number of people. History: The printing revolution started with Johann Gutenberg in the 15th century and became the base for the expanded role of the dissemination of news introducing the means that provide print media mass circulation. The physical presentation of most publications and print media in the 20th century has been very similar to those of the 18th and 19th centuries–printed on a large sheet of paper, and often folded to facilitate storing and carrying. Types: Print media include all printed forms of press: newspapers, newsletters, booklets, magazines and pamphlets as well as other printed publications such as books and printed literature. The vast majority of print media refers to the publications that sell advertising space to raise revenue. Most print media, with the exception of magazines and journals are local or national, while many magazines are international. Out-of-home media: Out-of-home media is also known as place-based media. This includes billboards, outdoor boards, transit posters, theatre and video ads, product placements in movies, aerial advertising, electronic kiosks, ads in elevators, banner displays on ATMs, sidewalk chalk messages, etc. Significance: Audiences learn and distinguish priorities from reading print media; it might be less obvious but the audiences committed to the press use it as a surrogate for their social entourage and the community. People adopt the press agenda of issues as their own. Different types of individuals become more focused on the same public issues, suggesting that the significance of print media is to draw people around the same particular public themes and issues. This role and function of print media has been important throughout the centuries and is likely to remain the same. Future: Towards the end of the 20th century, the sentence â€Å"press is dead† was found among many media panels around the world. In the 21st century, the development of Internet, electronic news and online publications have shown us that people resort to electronic media to gather information. However, reality indicates that although people read daily news online and check blogs and websites for information, they flock to the press stands when they want to hold news in their hands and want to read something they trust. Impact of print media on younger generations: The rapid growth of print media in almost all the major parts of the world was bound to create across-the-board changes in the life of people. Print media effects the youth both positively and negatively Followings are the positive effects of media: Language The first to benefit from the printed words is the language itself. Younger people are far from knowing the standard language of their land. The printing of books and letters in high number standardizes the languages and make them an effective tool of communication by setting certain meanings of words, phrases, symbols and signs. Knowledge of science and technology The newspapers and manuals proved a great success in highlighting the work of scientists and new ideas on technologies. Spreading the science ideas across the World, the print media worked as a catalyst for informing the youth as well as everyone about what’s going on around. Due to all this awareness, mostly younger people become enthusiastic to perform and help in the development of their homeland. Politics Print media plays a very important role in developing a sense of politics in youth. Gathering all the political news for print media such as newspapers, magazines etc. they become aware of their country’s political situation and about what’s best for their country. They understand who to keep and who to put away. In this way they become a key to their country’s success. Education The print media has been largely responsible for running educational campaign for ordinary people. Not only pieces of information or news are conveyed to readers, experts from almost all the major fields of life, medicine, education, environment, economists and religious scholars write in the print media. This is an enormous thing to be done by the media. Younger generations, after picking all this from print media, lean more towards education. So, print media helps in developing interest of education in youth. Bring world closer The media has been responsible to bring the world closer. It tells similarities in human living and the differences so that people intending to travel due to business, health or educational purposes know in advance about the new land. It tells interesting features, discoveries and historical heritage to urge people to visit each other’s lands and thus know each other better than before. In this way youth gets connected for education, health, business or just-for-fun purposes. In this way, the whole world excels better in every field. Promoting Literacy Print media such as newspapers and magazines can promote youth literacy. In rural communities in the developing world, for example, illiteracy rates may be high in the absence of any reading matter. In such cases, having any kind of readily available print media can be a great benefit. Sports and entertainment: Not that the media is always busy in serious and rather sober matters of education and politics, it has done a great deal of entertainment by reporting articles and information about music, sports and other recreational activities. Younger generation learning all about sports, become enthusiastic to work out and take active part in sports which makes healthy both physically and mentally. Followings are the negative effects of print media: Exploiting Wealth and Beauty: Unfortunately, print media can negatively affect youth. Magazines publish images of women who are abnormally tan, thin and blemish-free. Amid a wealth of such images, girls tend to believe they must look this â€Å"perfect† to be found attractive. Similarly, wealthy, muscular men are portrayed as the ideal in print media, which can emasculate financially struggling boys or men who don’t have â€Å"six-pack abs.† Publishers have set a standard for what â€Å"beauty† is and continue to send unrealistic messages about physical perfection. Promoting Unhealthy Lifestyles: The print media emphasis on wealth and beauty can lead to unhealthy behaviour. Fad diets, for example, may encourage people to lose weight too rapidly. And the status issues and consumerism encouraged by popular print media may encourage people to work longer hours, sacrificing sleep and exercise. And younger people are affected by all this the most as they are not very mature. Wrong Message: The negatives in society are highlighted with the purpose of awakening people about them. For example, the negative effects of addiction are portrayed through advertisements. But unfortunately sometimes, the message is misconstrued. It reaches the masses in the wrong way. What is shown with an intent to ‘spread a message’ ends up becoming a bombardment of the bad, the ugly. The bad is overinflated and the good goes unnoticed. Depiction of the bad has a negative impact on kids not mature enough to interpret what they are being shown. So they may indulge in negative activities. Electronic media: Introduction: In a world influenced by satellite and cyber-space technology, electronic media has a highly significant role to play in shaping the life and destiny of nations. The visual media, notably television, has a stupendous, impact upon moulding human minds and opinion. In the given scenario the electronic media has an onerous responsibility in addressing the socio-economic problems of societies and disseminating unbiased information. This responsibility can be effectively shouldered if the media treads the path of accuracy and objectivity in transmission of its programmes. Definition: Electronic media are media that use electronics or electromechanical energy for the end-user (audience) to access the content. Types: The primary electronic media sources familiar to the general public are better known as video recordings, audio recordings, multimedia presentations, slide presentations, CD-ROM and online content. Any equipment used in the electronic communication process e.g. desktop computer, game console, handheld device, television, radio, telephone, may also be considered electronic media. Electronic media can be subdivided into two main categories: Broadcast media: Broadcasting is the distribution of audio and video content to a dispersed audience via radio, television, or other, often digital transmission media. Receiving parties may include the general public or a relatively large subset of thereof. Broadcast media includes radio, television cable, satellite services and cinemas. Interactive media/Social media: Interactive media is two-way media that allows both companies and customers to send and receive messages between one another. This includes websites, mobile phones, telephone etc. Significance: Life is not a simple thing as it used to be in the past few centuries. People had less demands and less requirements in the past as compare to today. Today people know about their rights and they are also very well aware of their requirements and demands. The importance of education and science cannot also be denied. So far your question that what is the role of media in our life can be explained like this. Media is playing an important role in the systems of present life. People want to remain informed about everything and news, which is taking place anywhere in the world. The world has become a global village and this is because of media only. Now people living in different countries know everything about the people of other countries sitting at home with the help of media. Education has become very easy and understandable with the help of audio and video media because children understand things through them quite easily. The main advantage of media is current information, which is available round the clock and people remain informed about important news through radio, television and other sources. So we can say the role of media is very important in our life. Impact of electronic media on younger generations: The attentional demands of electronic media range from rapt (video games) to passive (much TV), but this is the first generation to directly interact with and alter the content on the screen and the conversation on the radio. Teenagers emotionally understand electronic media in ways that adults don’t — as a viral replicating cultural reality, instead of as a mere communicator of events. For example, portable cameras have helped to shift TV’s content from dramatic depiction’s to live theatre, extended (and often endlessly repeated and discussed) live coverage of such breaking events as wars, accidents, trials, sports, and talk-show arguments. What occurs anywhere is immediately available everywhere. Our world has truly become a gossipy global village, where everyone knows everyone else’s business. Here is how electronic media effects the youth negatively Blind Imitation: When you try to imitate your role models from the glamor industry, do you give a thought to whether you are doing right or wrong? It is often seen that young girls and boys imitate celebrities blindly. The impact of media is such that the wrong, the controversial, the bad is more talked about. Sometimes, little things are blown out of proportion thus changing the way they are perceived by the audience. Media highlights controversies and scandals in the lives of celebrities. The masses fall for this being-in-the-news and end up imitating celebrities without much thought. Those at a vulnerable age, especially children and teenagers are highly influenced by anything that is put before them in a jazzy way. At that age, they are attracted to anything that’s flashy and anything that can make news. Negativity: To some extent, media is responsible for generating negative feelings among those exposed to it. An early exposure to bold or violent films, books publishing adult content and news portraying ugly social practices has a deep impact on young minds. If children are bombarded with fight sequences, stunt work, sex and rape scenes, suicides and murders through books or movies, they are bound to leave a scar on these impressionable minds. And not just children, the unpleasant can impact even an adult’s mind. Adults may have the maturity to distinguish between the good and the bad, but bombarding only the bad can affect anyone at least at the subconscious level. Haven’t you had experiences of a bad dream after watching a violent movie? Or of imagining something scary happening to you after watching a horror film? Or a sudden fear gripping your mind after reading about a murder in your city? The reality should be depicted but not so gaudily that it’ll have a lasting impact on people’s minds. Health Problems: Media has negative effects on the physical and psychological well-being of society. People spending hours in front of a television or surfing the Internet experience eye problems. Lack of physical activity leads to obesity problems. Media influences public opinion and impacts the choices that people make. The media does play a role in portraying thin as beautiful and fat as ugly. It has led to a general opinion that size-zero is the in thing and fat and chubby are out. This makes the overweight feel out of place. They are ready to starve themselves to lose weight. This can and has led to increasing cases of anorexia. An inferiority complex and lowered confidence in people with not-so-perfect bodies can lead to eating disorders. In a survey done on fifth graders by the National Institute on Media and the Family, it was found that kids had become dissatisfied with their bodies after watching a video of a certain very popular artiste and a certain scene from a popular TV show (names omitted on purpose). Right or Wrong Dilemma: The media is so overwhelming that the masses end up believing everything it says/shows. Media sources are so many in number and all of them so convincingly make their point that it is hard to distinguish between right and wrong. The media is constantly bombarding us with information. How far do we go to check its authenticity? How deep do we dig to get to the root of something that’s making news? How critically do we judge the reality of reality shows and the truth behind true stories? We don’t think, we believe. We don’t judge, we get influenced. And that’s how impactive media is.