Police brutality Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Police brutality - Essay Example Police have a clearly defined mandate, to prevent crime. In the execution of their duties, the police are obliged to remain within the confines of the law. Failure to abide by the requirements of the law, which stipulates their role, should attract independent investigations and prosecution in a court of law. It is unwarranted for a police officer to use force even for instances where it is not necessary. However, in some instances where there is rebellion from the offenders, the police are required to use reasonable force. In busting and preventing criminal activities, the police have to respect the bill of rights (Johnson 12). In essence, police brutality should be discouraged and taken seriously by the relevant authorities. In the course of their trainings, the police should also be sensitized on this issue such that they are able to understand the scope of execution of their mandate. Despite having to be fair, there is need for the police to ensure they use all the means possible to prevent criminal activities. Brutal police officers should be made to be responsible for their actions. It is important that a police officer act within the scope of the law. Otherwise, non-adherence to the law should attract the relevant punishment as provided. It is unlawful to use excessive force especially when dealing with non-violent and harmless individuals. In such a scenario, it seems that motivation of the police is to stamp their authority and not to discharge their duties as required. Those that are implicated having demonstrated brutal acts should first be investigated and prosecuted in a court of law. Reports have shown that police brutality is mainly directed towards the minorities in the United States (Abbott 60). It is inappropriate for a police officer to think that they are above the law; they forget that the same law is the one that gives them the mandate to discharge their duty. Police brutality

Small hospitality businesses Essay Example for Free

Small hospitality businesses Essay Hotel firms provide products which include tangible and intangible elements that combine into an exclusive combination of production and service. While room provision is a pure service activity, food and beverage functions involve processing and retailing processes. This might signify that the actual delivery of hospitality services may diverge widely and that the benefits derived are associated with feelings or emotions. The repercussions are that consumers use biased and contradictory frames of reference to judge the quality of services, presenting difficulties for the hotel operative in satisfying the customer. Customer prejudice is emphasized in Day and Peters comments that â€Å"Quality is rather like pornography in this respect. We may not be able to describe it easily, but we know it when we see it†. Its ambiguity is amplified because high quality service is often delivered by impulsive and since reacts by hotel staff which cannot simply be practiced or scripted, but are even so an important means of client satisfaction. In order to endure and be successful, a business has to make sure that it is producing the goods or services that the customer wants, that it gets its quality right, and that it brings on time. There is a growing body of evidence which suggests that are straight links with the satisfaction of the server and customer, repeat sales and profits. Heskettet al. implies that quality, repeat usage, profits and investment form a self-reinforcing rotation. As a result, despite the apparently indefinable nature of the hotel product, service improvement can represent an important source of competitive advantage because quality in service delivery can lead to more repeat custom and greater sales revenue. Augmented presentation may also benefit managers and staff whose tangible and intangible benefits include job satisfaction, profit sharing and esteem. Small businesses are imperative to the financial health of both developed and developing countries. Gavron et al. (1998) makes a note of the vitality of the hospitality and tourism sector in this regard, in which low barrier to access generally ensure a steady supply of new businesses; at the same time as unproductive or inefficient ones are going through difficulty. Quinn et al. (1992) remarks on the somewhat low capital investment required to start new small tourist businesses. Entry costs can be abridged even for relatively asset-intensive businesses such as hotels, through leasing or through mortgage/loan agreements. Welshand White (1981) describe as resource poverty the inclination of small hospitality businesses to be short of financial backing and management skill and Gavron et al. (1998) refer to this as the reason why 64 per cent of UK small businesses fall short within four years. In Germany, where an inspection is required before an industrialist can start up in business, the rate is 32 per cent. Specific tourism-related statistics are limited, but, for example, Chelland Pittaway (1997) report that almost 50 percent of restaurants did not endure the first two years in their study. The British Venture Capital Association (1996) makes a note that many small business managers are provoked by life style rather than economic and success issues. While this does not automatically mean that they function to insufficient professional standards, it does simply that they may not be motivated to endeavor further improvement in a business which already produces adequate profits. Eggers et al. (1994) note that businesses either look for stabilization or have an expansion orientation. They categorize a series of central business stages and comment that a business which is thriving at one stage may not have the knowledge crucial to uphold success in others. Thus, although small businesses have a vital part in creating tourist satisfaction, they are neither a homogeneous group, nor able to give constantly high service delivery. Benchmarking Camp (1989) and Zairi (1996) observe benchmarking as a way to contrast organizational practice and produce improvement. Smithet al. (1993) classifies the benefits of benchmarking as: †¢ presenting an organization how to better meet client requirements; †¢ recognizing an organization’s strengths and weaknesses; †¢ Inspiring incessant operational enhancement; and †¢ A cost-effective means of gathering inventive ideas. The key classifications of benchmarking are among internal/external and generic/functional (Zairi, 1992). Internal benchmarking contains the sharing of performance pointers between sections of an organization or between divisions in a group (Cross and Leonard, 1994). External benchmarking involves assessment with challengers or peers working in the same industry (Karlof and Ostblom, 1994). Generic/functional benchmarking looks for comparison against organizations or sectors performing parallel activities or facing comparable problems, not essentially in the same industry (Breiter and Kline, 1995; Cook, 1995). Thus the benchmarking of small hospitality/tourism businesses may possibly involve comparison with other such businesses, or with a certain service characteristic such as customer care, in another business segment, such as airlines. Benchmarking in the hospitality industry Organizations have to attain an overall level of performance in order to be competitive. Categorization and grading schemes and awards such as IiP and Excellence through People can act as external enablers that circuitously sway the performance level of an organization as a yield. All these grading and award systems can be acknowledged as benchmarks signifying how businesses execute against a variety of standards. In theory they make it achievable to perk up both systems and service outputs on a continuing basis. To profit from external benchmarking, small tourism businesses must be inspired to reflect and scan. It is essential that external bodies such as TECS, tourist boards and associations, professional bodies and organizations such as British Hospitality Association participate in presenting the benchmarking procedure as a positive and important support to business efficiency. Local bodies involved in destination identification plans which are harmonious with the future plans for the destination. Management needs to build up award and given the instability in the small hospitality sector, it may be that those small businesses which can most profit from benchmarking are the very ones that are deficient of the assets and partiality to carry it out (Micklewright, 1993). Either way, the benchmarking of small organizations against one another is improbable to make a genuine impact on destination preference and tourist satisfaction. It is also noteworthy that the inadequate examples of benchmarking carried out among small tourism businesses have almost all been carried out by external third parties (Coker, 1996; Department of National Heritage, 1996; Johns et al. , 1996;Johns et al. , 1997). Such studies involve small businesses only to give data to external researchers and then gain from the data; there is no need for them to carry out any lively research themselves. Externally instigated approaches to benchmarking comprise classification/grading schemes and awards, which can likewise be used to gauge the performance of small hospitality businesses and to lift standards. In theory, grading schemes create universal benchmark standards against which the individual small businesses are evaluated. They also supply consumers with important information about hotels and other businesses.

Film vs Literature :: Technology, Film, DVD

Since the beginning of film, technology has played an important role in the evolution of the medium. Film, much more so than literature, relies on the ever-changing nature of technological development to stay relevant. In 1980 when Seymour Chatman wrote â€Å"What Novels Can Do That Films Can’t (And Vice Versa),† there were no such thing as DVD players and the VCR was a newly introduced, and thus non-perfected, product. Today when viewing a film, one has the luxury of returning to previous scenes immediately and effortlessly in order to further soak in and contemplate filmic choices. In his essay, Chatman focuses too heavily on narrative drive and, in saying that film cannot describe, does not give full merit to the idea of returning to and repeating a film for purpose of textual analysis. In direct contrast to Chatman’s views are those of Laura Mulvey. In her book â€Å"Death 24x a Second,† she champions the delay of film as a way to inscribe significance onto the piece. This delay is achieved mostly through the act of rewatching scenes or freezing frames to parse through some of the more subtle details of the shot. Chatman agrees that â€Å"looking at a single frame enables us to examine it at our leisure,† but he does not find a contradiction in this act (448). His argument involves looking at a short story that is also a film of the same name, â€Å"Une Partie de campagne.† He says that films do not allow time to â€Å"dwell on plenteous details,† but only after he dwells on the plenteous details of a shot in the film (448). Details are a point both Chatman and Mulvey spend time discussing. Mulvey says that the mise en scà ¨ne is where â€Å"the ‘unsaid’ and ‘unspeakable’ find cinematic expression† (Mulvey 146). The â€Å"unsaid† and â€Å"unspeakable† are undoubtedly the minute details of the scene that may only become apparent after multiple viewings or through pausing. She goes on to say that the mise en scà ¨ne â€Å"[contributes] a kind of cinematic commentary or description, inscribing into the scene significance that goes beyond the inarticulate consciousness of characters† (Mulvey 147). For Mulvey, the key is for viewers to find meaning in a film through the details of the scene, which may not be evident the first time. But is the â€Å"pressure from the narrative component† that Chatman refers to so insurmountable that details cannot be explored in a film?

The Labyrinth of Life in The Garden of Forking Paths by Yu Tsun Essay

The Labyrinth of Life in The Garden of Forking Paths by Yu Tsun A labyrinth is classically a human construction designed to confuse. It can trap our lives, hiding our past and future and constantly forcing us to make choices, even though we may not know what the consequences of those choices might be. The confusion of the puzzle may even tempt us to run blindly through the labyrinth, ending in disaster. Life itself is often considered such a labyrinth, and by adopting the strategies of travelers who came before and choosing our path cautiously while playing close attention to the patterns of our lives, we may find the right path through the maze. Although the Labyrinth appears to be an intellectual challenge, every turn is accompanied by an ethical dilemma as well. 'The Garden of Forking Paths' is both an ethical and intellectual riddle. Consideration of Yu Tsun's intellectual choices must be accompanied by consideration of his ethical choices. The most terrifying aspect of the garden of forking paths is that the ending of the maze is never in sight. Often, we are aware of only the obvious consequences of taking any particular turn, while the obscure consequences are rarely anticipated. As a result, we cannot be sure where the next turn will bring us until we have made the choice. An action of tremendous personal significance, such as Stephen Albert's murder, may have no greater consequences than a winning a battle in a war that the German's could possibly end up losing. Ts'ui PÃ ªn himself was murdered by a stranger before he had a chance to explain the nature of his labyrinth, while the current war was started by another homicidal stranger. The choices made by these men within their labyrinths have brought Yu Tsun to Stephen Albert's home, to become the stranger who will kill Albert. The action of the story seems inevitable, yet such inevitability is a deception. The path we have chosen may appear to be the only path tha t can be taken, but in reality, the possibilities are far more complex, as Albert explains that Ts'ui PÃ ªn ?did not believe in a uniform, absolute time. He believed in an infinite series of times, in a growing, dizzying net of divergent, convergent, and parallel times . . .[where] time forks perpetually toward innumerable futures?(579). If we could see consequences of each decision we made before forced to make the decision, taking... ...ze. Furthermore, avoiding one hazard may cause us to fall subject to another. The labyrinth is infinite in size, and we are only aware of a very minute fraction, but contemplating too much on the unlived possibilities can cause us to be unaware of the present. However, to completely ignore these possibilities, and to ?imagine a future as irrecoverable as the past? (575) will leave us just as lost and trapped. Every decision we make within our garden of forking paths opens up another set of possibilities, possibly leading us into another labyrinth. If we allow our ethical sense to become clouded, we may even find ourselves in a labyrinth of our own making, a maze where the compass points are lost and every decision only serves to trap us more securely. There will always be choices never made, turns never taken, discoveries lost forever to the twists and turns of fate. We will never discover the innumerable fates of our counterparts in Ts'ui PÃ ªn's endless series of possibilities. Works Cited Borges, Jorge Luis. ?The Garden of Forking Paths.? The Norton Introduction to Literature. Ed. J. Paul Hunter, Alison Booth,and Kelly J. Mays. New York: W.W. Norton & Company, 2002.

Harmful Effects and Implications of Accent Discrimination

Harmful effects and implications of accent discrimination Harmful effects on ESL learners As concluded by Munro (2003), accent discrimination has played a negative effect on many situations. Some of the most common cases include discrimination in hiring process, in employment, and even resulting in harassments. As a harmful result, second language users are facing negative forces that may cause them to question beyond the issue. One example is these learners start questioning their own characteristics.Aspects such as skin color, dress, and other behaviors fall into the category, and soon, these second language users will show decrease in self-esteem, questioning if the issue is more than just accent. When this happens, most people with low confidence and unwilling to confront issues, will chose to avoid situation that requires oral communications, resulting the stage of avoiding contact with native speakers. The second stage starts when these low self-esteem learners seek companion.A nd because their lack of effort in talking with their ESL teachers, it is more likely that they find people with similar situations. These second language learners, who have experienced accent discrimination, will form a self-protective group. Inside this group, they are free to communicate in their first language and regain self-confidence. Unfortunately, as a result, they begin losing interest in improving their English and focus their social lives within the group. This can be summarized as lose of motivation.If no one interferes with this group of people, sooner or later, the group of people will start to feel isolated and disconnected with the native Canadians, leaving the accent discrimination issue unsolved, and even causing reversed effects, such as hostility and more discrimination towards the nation. This is the end of the cycle where people lose faith in believing Canada is an equal opportunity country that welcomes diversified culture. As we can see, the issue has turned from an accent level into a national prejudice level.Implication Despite some people are experiencing the process described above, more and more people with accent issues are taking their steps to reduce the problem. To speak with a more accurate and understandable language, many learners are investing both their time and money so they might have a better future. Over the past few years, enrollment in classes that help reduce accent has increased significantly (Gorman, 2007). In some situations, poor second language speakers are being placed responsible for their oral English ability.In the US, it is consider that graduate teaching assistants must achieve a certain level of proficiency in spoken English, as this is a developing policy by the Institutions of higher education (Thomas, 1993). For some institutions, teaching assistants with low oral English teaching skills are required to first successfully complete courses in English before they can serve as a teaching assistant. Acco rding to Statistic Canada, it is predicted that a steady increase in the number of immigrants to this country will occur throughout the decade. By 2006 there are over 1. 4 million Chinese in Canada (Stat. ca, 2006). The size is projected to double within 20 years. As Canada becomes a globalized country with increasingly multicultural exposure, the notion of an â€Å"accent† may change and increase in types. As a nation, only by becoming increasingly skilled in our ability to understand English spoken with various accents and be warm in attitudes toward all accents, can we live up to the reputation of welcoming diversity. Communication is a two-way process. Both the speaker and the listener have a responsibility for the act of communication.While different or foreign accents can sometimes interfere with the listener's ability to understand the message, accents can conjure up negative evaluations of the speaker, reducing the listener's willingness to accept their responsibility in the communication process. Sometimes, it becomes easy to say, â€Å"I simply can't understand you,† placing full responsibility for the communication process on the speaker. We all have standards and preferences about the spoken language; and certain accents can take more effort to understand.It is to be hoped, though, that we can make an effort to hear the content of the message and look beyond the stereotypes associated with the way the message is being spoken. Friedman (2004) suggests several steps for ESL teachers when working with someone who is difficult to understand. First, don't pretend to understand. Ask the person to slow down a bit because you are having difficulty understanding them. Second, don't rush. Slow down yourself. Third, resist the temptation to shout. The speaker is not hard of hearing. Fourth, avoid being rude. Ask for help from others if you need it.As a global citizen, we interact with newcomers to the communities, with businesspersons from aroun d the globe, and with individuals and families who are at various stages in the process of developing Standard English speaking skills. I believe respect for diversity can be extended over language and speech. Modeling supportive behavior ourselves is an important step. Further, we can encourage others to confront the stereotypes and prejudices that are often associated with specific speech patterns. ————————————————- Bibliography Friedman, N. (2004).How to handle foreign accent. Networking Today. Retrieved Nov 3, 2012, from: http://www. networkingtoday. ca/articles/foreignaccent. htm Gorman, A. (2007). Accenting the ‘American' in their speech. Los Angeles Times, Retrieved Nov 3, 2012, from: http://mobile. latimes. com/detail. jsp? key=57283&rc=null&p=1 Munro, M. (2003). A primer on accent discrimination in the Canadian context. TESL Canada Journal, v20, n2, p38-51 Thomas, C. F. , & Monoson, P. K. (1993). Oral English language proficiency of ITA's: Policy, implementation, and contributing factors. Innovative Higher Education, 17 (3), 195-209.

Blue Beach and Like Water for Chocolate essays

Blue Beach and Like Water for Chocolate essays In both the play, Blue Beach by Victor Hugo Rascn Banda and the novel Like Water for Chocolate, by Laura Esquirel symbolism plays a vital role throughout the central ideas. In both of these pieces of literature the symbolic objects are a hotel with everything in it and the use of cooking respectively. These objects reflect the families. In the play Blue Beach, the hotel portrays the breaking down of the Garza family, while in the novel Like Water for Chocolate, the use of cooking by Tita gives the reader the idea that the Tita is being held against living her own life, and instead living the life which her mother wishes to put upon her. Throughout the play Blue Beach, the reader gets the idea that the family is very broken down and is being held by a very thin string. The members of the family seem very bitter towards each other and very resentful toward each other. Within the play the author gives numerous examples of how the family is bitter and not caring. The Garza family is anything but normal. It seems that the son, Sergio and the mother, are the most unemotional out of the whole family. One example that shows how bitter Sergio can be is when he asks Matias to bring him a coconut. Matias gives Sergio the coconut drink and instead of Sergio being satisfied with it he says, Crazy Bastard. Whats this? (65). He spits out his drink because he believes it to be sour, but when he asks the others to drink it to prove himself right they see nothing wrong with it. I believe that this is showing that no matter what Sergio touches it seems foul and disgusting. This is due to what he went through when he was you nger. The author takes it upon himself to direct many of the symbolic objects within the play toward the mother. This includes when the mother asks Matias to bring her flowers, and when he does this she is anything but satisfied. Matias asks her how the flowers are, and she says that they...

New Freedom essays

New Freedom essays After the end of the American Civil War and the failures of Reconstruction African-Americans had finally been granted the freedom of which they had long dreamed. There was great optimism and hope amongst the former slaves as they had long been ready for independence. But the euphoria was short lived as Booker T. Washington wrote, The great responsibility of being free, or having charge of themselves, of having to think and plan for themselves and their children, seemed to take possession of them (Bailey, 6). African-Americans were quick to realize that freedom was a more serious thing than they had expected to find it (Bailey, 6). Freedom had not come with instructions and most white Americans were unwilling to help ease the growing pains these new citizens were about to experience. In fact many whites would do everything they could, including murder and terrorism, to knock the African-Americans back down every time they tried to stretch their wings. From local lynchings to seg regationist rulings by the Supreme Court almost every attempt by blacks to exercise their liberty was hindered and fought. Frederick Douglass wrote since poverty has, and can have, no chance against wealth, the landless against the landowner, the ignorant against the intelligent, the freedman was powerless (Bailey, 25). With little or no help coming from white America, including the Federal government, blacks would have to develop their own communities, institutions, and strategies to help themselves. The African-American responses to their position in an oppressive white dominated society generally took one of three forms. The first form was accommodation to the white dominated systems. This view was championed by Booker T. Washington, founder of the Tuskegee Institute. Washington felt that if black Americans were too vocal or violent then the white response would be even more violent. His Tuskegee Inst...

Book Report The Essential Guide to Writing a Catchy Book Report

Book Report The Essential Guide to Writing a Catchy Book Report WHAT IS A BOOK REPORT? A book report is a kind of essay that sums up, explains or reviews a given book. It can be either factual, asking the student to state and enumerate the facts or analytical, where the student is required to analyze plot, characters, themes, ideas etc. How to Get Ready to Write a Book Report Writing a book report is unthinkable about actually reading the book. The sad part about it is that proper preparation requires you to read the book at least once or more (sorry if you don’t like to read!).  So, the first part is just reading for enjoyment. You should get a general feeling, understanding of what the author is trying to say in the text and grasp its main message. You should get acquainted with the setting, plot, and characters of the book, pick major themes, understand the general setting. If you are an advanced reader and are able to work on the go, you can grab a pencil and a sheet of paper and write down your thoughts and ideas regarding what you have read. These notes will later become an important part of your book report.  In case you are not so experienced with reading and analysis on the go, the best way to work with the book is to read it once, then put it aside for a day or two and then come back to it. That way the information you process will settle down and you will be able to generate ideas. As soon as you feel you are ready, get that book in your hands for a second pass. Ideally, you will need to scan through the book bearing the topic of your book report in mind. Concentrate on what your teacher wants you to do, take notes. HOW TO WRITE A BOOK REPORT Formatting Structure Formatting your book report is probably the easiest part of the paper. It is best to work on it once you are totally done with the entire text. Formatting a book report is generally done according to APA standards; however, MLA formatting is not uncommon. As to the structure, the book report format is a kind of essay and will, therefore, take the basic essay structure and format. Reiterating what has been said, the structure of your book report should include the following parts: an introduction (with the thesis), several body paragraphs and a conclusion. BOOK REPORT FORMAT Language and Tone A book report is completely factual. It has to revolve around facts from the book, and should also include the following information on: Author Title Place and year of publication A brief summary of the content of the book For this reason, language and tone should be objective, impartial and impersonal. Please note, however, that should your teacher require a personal book report format, you will be required to write using the first person, so once again – please check with your instructor prior to starting the actual work. TOP 25 BOOK REPORT IDEAS Book Report: Tips on Writing Post-Writing TIP 1. It’s a good idea to start writing by preparing an outline. If you have done some preparatory reading, the notes you have taken are ideal for this. Once you are done jotting down the points you want to mention, proceed by putting some flesh on the bones, provide details and develop the main ideas. TIP 2. In order to write an effective book report, you will need to elaborate your outline into a draft. The draft doesn’t necessarily have to be tidy and neat – its main purpose is to embrace all the ideas that come up to your head in the process. TIP 3. Once your first draft is finished, read through it and make sure it is relevant and logical. Throw out thoughts that interrupt the logic and flow of the paper. It’s a good idea to review your paper again within several hours after you complete your draft (don’t do it immediately unless absolutely necessary). TIP 4. After your draft has been polished into the final version of your paper, check your grammar and spelling. Try to use a word processor if possible. Typed book reports look better than handwritten ones. They are easier for your teacher to read and they are easier for you to correct. BOOK REPORT TEMPLATE If you feel like you need  additional assistance with crafting your book report,  feel free to contact any of our custom essay writing professionals.  Our writers are experts in book report writing; they are only taking on assignments on the books they have personally read. In addition, there is a number of writers who specialize in book report writing; there are also some who have professionally explored and researched certain areas of literature and are experts in the field.  Whatever your requirement is, we know how to write the perfect book report! is available 24/7 to help and guide you through the writing process.

English Grammar in Context Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

English Grammar in Context - Essay Example When I compared the two analysis between the spoken text and the written text, I was able to realize that there were several differences between the two texts. This is because of spoken text and written text both have different grammatical structures. Written language is significantly more complex than spoken language. This because written text uses the more complex grammatical structure as compared to spoken words. The written text consists of 126 words with 20 noun clauses as compared to 201 words with 27 noun clauses from the spoken text. Further analysis proved that the spoken text had 33 noun phrases and the spoken text had 41 with the first 126 words only having 30. From the comparison, it can be concluded that written texts are shorter than spoken texts. Written texts also comprise more complex, longer phrases and words. [142 words]. A comparison between the two texts written and spoken reveals that there is a large discrepancy between the two. To start with written text is qu ite different from spoken text due the lexical density and complexity. This means that the words in a written text hold more content in per clause as compared to spoken text. For example, this text â€Å"and we were determined to launch this service† carries more content when compared to. The section of coordinators reveals that spoken text has more speaking requires more coordination between the many independent clauses that the speaker uses. As a result, there was eight coordination in the spoken text as compared to three in written text.... S 3 Logica’s SMS solution 4 the new messaging 5 GSM subscribers 6 send receive e-mails 7 mobile Phone 8 demand SMS In Oman 9 OmanTel the new text messaging 10 the primary Benefits 11 that User’s 12 greater accessibility 13 increased Communication 14 business personal use 15 text Messaging Fastest growing segments 16 the Region’s telecommunication market 17 this service 18 an innovative e-mail 19 GSM subscribers 20 general manager Discussion When it comes to written text, there is an enormous level of grammatical complexity. Words are systematically arranged, and all parts of noun clauses can be clearly identified. It is also common for written texts to have complete sentences that have a definite meaning. The above text on OmanTel network contains 126 words. After analysing the text, I was able to identify 20 noun clauses, 33 noun phrases, one pre-modification phrase, seven determiners, nine describers 14 classifiers and three post-modifiers. The noun such as â⠂¬Å"As part of the new text-messaging service† and â€Å"GSM subscribers in Oman†. Some of the noun clauses contain single noun phrases while most contain two noun clauses, for example â€Å"And the primary benefits†. There are other few noun clauses that contain up to three noun phrases such as â€Å"With Logica being the key element to the success of the new service†. [146 words] Noun phrase Pre-modification determiners describers classifiers Post-modification Written text 33 1 7 9 14 3 2: Spoken Text analysis Lori: Uhh, I came across this really funny website the other day†¦ It’s, umm, designed to where people can anonymously send an e-mail to an annoying coworker†¦ Michael: Mmm hmm†¦ L: Saying things like, â€Å"You really need to use deodorant [laughter]†¦but we’re too shy to tell you†Ã¢â‚¬ ¦ and they,

Comparing Policies of UK and Germany Research Proposal

Comparing Policies of UK and Germany - Research Proposal Example (Hofmann 78) For short term visits to engage in non work business activities, U.S. citizens do not need a visa to enter Germany. For longer term work assignments on the other hand, Germany offers a broad selection of employment authorization visa categories. (Gunlicks 67) As is the case with Germany, U.S, citizens do not currently need to have a visa to travel to the United Kingdom (UK) for short business visits. The individual may remain in the UK for up to six months. However, the UK government recently announced that it is considering the introduction of a new business visa that would reduce a permission to remain from six months to three months. (Schulte- Peevers 92) The UK has a number of specialized programs available for various types of work such as; training and work experience, business entrepreneurs, highly skilled migrants; however, the workhorse option for most companies sending U. S. citizens to the UK is the work permit Scheme. Under this system, a work permit may be issued for up to five years. Work permits are generally issued only where the job requires relatively advanced skills and or experience, or where resident labor is unavailable. The work permit Scheme is divided into two tiers; Tier One and Tier Two. (Szarka 83) Tier One work permit applications are exempt from any requirement to recruit for the position within the European Economic Area (EEA), which consists of the 27 EU member states plus Iceland, Norway, and Liechtenstein. (Boehmar- Christiansen 84) Tier Two applications do not fall within the various Tier One categories automatically come within Tier Two. For Two workers, the employer must document that it conducted a recruitment search for the position and was unable to find a suitable employee from either the UK or EEA labor market. (Chick 100) With both Tier One and Tier Two applications, once the work permit has been issued, in most cases an individual will apply for entry clearance to the UK at the British Embassy in his home country. The individual may then come to the UK to take up the contemplated employment. (Goodman 87) Under Germany, good option for multinational corporations allows transfer of personnel to Germany if it can be shown that the German company has employees working abroad; allows for a replacement of these employees, so that if five German employees are working abroad, five employees can be brought into Germany; valid for one year; extensions available for up to three years; no labor market opinion required. (Hofmann 82) Short term assignments on the other hand allows persons to enter Germany for up to three months in any 12 month period for specific purposes; a good choice for persons responsible for software installation, machine delivery or equipment repair; no labor market opinion required. (Szarka 90) Moreover, U.S. citizens enjoy a privileged status in Germany; in special cases, a work permit may be issued regardless of the requirements above; a labor opinion is required. (Chick 105) b) Why different/ Similar Different since UK's work permit is divided into two tiers and once the work permit has been issued, the individual is required to apply for entry clearance to the UK at the British Embassy in his home country and thereafter he or she may come to UK to take up the contemplated employment thus inconvenient. (Schulte- Peevers 96) c) Which better, and

MGT599 MoD 2 TD WEEK 2 Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

MGT599 MoD 2 TD WEEK 2 - Essay Example This paper mainly tries to accomplish a brief analysis of the industry of food. However, in order to do so, PEST analysis and Porter’s Five Forces model are used. With the help of these analytical techniques, the recent opportunities and threats are evaluated about the food industry. After analyzing the opportunities and threats, the ways in which, these are effective for the Kraft Food Group is also evaluated within this paper. Moreover, in what ways, the Kraft Food Group might mitigate the risks and threats presented by the political, social or economic factors as well as threat of new entrants are also evaluated, so as to enhance its position and demand in the market among many other rival players. Threat of Entry: the threat of entrance of new players within the industry of food is quite tough due to excess capital requirements. In order to present differentiated products, high technology machineries are required that are generally out of the budget to the new entrants (Enz, 2009). Moreover, if the new entrants fail to offer, high quality products, then the customers may not prefer these products and their market share and profitability may not be increased (Ma, 2014). However, due to presence of these barriers, the rate of new entrance is low and this act as one of the strengths for the Kraft food group that offers a high impact on growing market share of the company. Rivalry: the extent of competitive rivalry among the existing players of food industry is extremely high (Kotler, 2008). However, in order to mitigate such rivalry, most of the existing players such as General Mills and Nestle always try to offer high attention over its research and development department to introduce new products frequently. This might prove effective for the existing players of food industry to amplify its demand and position in the market (Jones & George, 2004). However, because of high attention over research department, both of these organizations

Education in United States Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Education in United States - Research Paper Example The article provides an effective argument about the benefits of chemical sunscreens in an effort to insight opposing views. Moreover, the authors, Collaris and Frank, are professors of dermatology who have adequate skills and knowledge when it comes to studying photo effects. Their expertise in the field of dermatology influences every reader to select their publications because they always give credible information. The second source of importance in the discussion of chemical sunscreens is the American Academy of dermatology (AAD) website. The following website provides credible sources that give information about the dangers of chemical sunscreens and their effects on the environment. In order to get quality information on a certain topic, a researcher should look at the most recent publications because they focus not only on the past effects but also on the current issues. The Journals of American Academy of Dermatology have updated information related to global warming and its connection to chemical sunscreens. In addition, the journals give credible information on mitigation measures and diagnosis for the problem (Pride et al 22-33). For example the journal on â€Å"Sunscreens: An overview and update† touches on current issues about medical education on preventing chemical sunscreens (Divya & Ratner 748-758). This source is of great significance because it gives the reader some preventive measures in case you face sunscreen effects. The sources on American Academy of Dermatology also provide quality explanation to issues on chemical sunscreens by providing various examples and diagrams for more clarification. A credible source should ensure the researcher... This essay talks that from the above discussion, it can be depicted that only credible sources make a research work worthwhile. It is important to select effective sources that touch on the topic of discussion in order to ensure the research does not go out of topic. In addition, the importance of using credible sources is seen when it comes to doing class assignments because the lecturer might demand to know the exact place where the information was found. Moreover, when selecting an information source it is important you ensure it relates to the topic and fairly rece. The paper approves that researchers also believe that a credible source should focus on both the benefits and disadvantages of the topic being discussed. The EPA brochure gives the reader enough details on the advantages of studying chemical sunscreens to the community and the environment in general. In addition, the agency gives a clear warning to people who are ignorant of the environmental effects. The two issues provide the research with more information on how to educate the society on the importance of knowing the universe through its goods and worst. The credibility of this source occurs where the EPA provides situations where such occurrences took place and the adverse effects it created to the society. The Environmental Protection Agency provides credible information on the dangers of utraviolets with different methods of avoiding their effects. According to the author of the brochure, â€Å"Sunscreen: The burning facts† chemical sunscreens have significant negative e ffects on the body of a person and these rays affect the body slowly without the person realizing.

The Silk Routes and its Influences on Ancient and Medieval Commerce Essay

The Silk Routes and its Influences on Ancient and Medieval Commerce and International Relations - Essay Example â€Å"Silk Road†: Its Expansion over Different Centuries Indeed, the term, â€Å"Silk Road†, is a modern adoption which is used to refer to the commercial communication networks existing among the countries of the world during the ancient and medieval periods. Especially, it was a set of communication routes which were connected to the main route between Changan and Europe (especially the Port of Venice). Since the â€Å"Silk Road† was not any single route of communication, modern historians have preferred using the term, â€Å"Silk Routes† in order to refer to the whole communication network between China and the West. Many people claim that the name, ‘Silk Road’, has been used because ‘Silk’ was the most precious product which was being traded along the road. Indeed, such assumption about the name is not wholly true. Rather, it is a partial truth. Though ‘Silk’ was the most attractive product which the Chinese were selling the whole world, it was not the only important products where were being traded among the nations. Indeed, this name became popular in the modern world after Ferdinand von Richthofen had introduced the East-West communication network as `Seidenstrasse’ (silk road) or `Seidenstrassen’ (silk routes). In this regard, Joshua Mark notes, â€Å"Both terms for this network of roads...were coined by the German geographer and traveler, Ferdinand von Richthofen, in 1877 CE, who designated them `Seidenstrasse’ (silk road) or `Seidenstrassen’ (silk routes)† (Pars. 1). Commodities and Ideas, Exchanged by the Nations

Education in United States Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Education in United States - Research Paper Example The article provides an effective argument about the benefits of chemical sunscreens in an effort to insight opposing views. Moreover, the authors, Collaris and Frank, are professors of dermatology who have adequate skills and knowledge when it comes to studying photo effects. Their expertise in the field of dermatology influences every reader to select their publications because they always give credible information. The second source of importance in the discussion of chemical sunscreens is the American Academy of dermatology (AAD) website. The following website provides credible sources that give information about the dangers of chemical sunscreens and their effects on the environment. In order to get quality information on a certain topic, a researcher should look at the most recent publications because they focus not only on the past effects but also on the current issues. The Journals of American Academy of Dermatology have updated information related to global warming and its connection to chemical sunscreens. In addition, the journals give credible information on mitigation measures and diagnosis for the problem (Pride et al 22-33). For example the journal on â€Å"Sunscreens: An overview and update† touches on current issues about medical education on preventing chemical sunscreens (Divya & Ratner 748-758). This source is of great significance because it gives the reader some preventive measures in case you face sunscreen effects. The sources on American Academy of Dermatology also provide quality explanation to issues on chemical sunscreens by providing various examples and diagrams for more clarification. A credible source should ensure the researcher... This essay talks that from the above discussion, it can be depicted that only credible sources make a research work worthwhile. It is important to select effective sources that touch on the topic of discussion in order to ensure the research does not go out of topic. In addition, the importance of using credible sources is seen when it comes to doing class assignments because the lecturer might demand to know the exact place where the information was found. Moreover, when selecting an information source it is important you ensure it relates to the topic and fairly rece. The paper approves that researchers also believe that a credible source should focus on both the benefits and disadvantages of the topic being discussed. The EPA brochure gives the reader enough details on the advantages of studying chemical sunscreens to the community and the environment in general. In addition, the agency gives a clear warning to people who are ignorant of the environmental effects. The two issues provide the research with more information on how to educate the society on the importance of knowing the universe through its goods and worst. The credibility of this source occurs where the EPA provides situations where such occurrences took place and the adverse effects it created to the society. The Environmental Protection Agency provides credible information on the dangers of utraviolets with different methods of avoiding their effects. According to the author of the brochure, â€Å"Sunscreen: The burning facts† chemical sunscreens have significant negative e ffects on the body of a person and these rays affect the body slowly without the person realizing.

The consumption of ice cream increases, so do the instances of Essay

The consumption of ice cream increases, so do the instances of drowning - Essay Example Ice-cream consumption (first variable) and the incidence of drowning (second variable) may show a positive correlation, but the consumption does not cause the incidence. This may be common sense, but this simple example demonstrates the issue of spurious correlation being taken as evidence for implying causality. In Correlation Theory, the coefficient of correlation simply measures the ‘goodness of fit’ of sample of the data for the two variables i.e. how well they correlate together. It â€Å"does not necessarily indicate a direct dependence of the variables† (Spiegel, M). â€Å"The problem of interpretation is always very much more difficult to deal with than the statistical manipulations, and for this side of the work there is no substitute for detailed practical acquaintance with every aspect of the problem.† (Moroney, M) Conclusions based on the correlation findings are only good as the interpretative ability of the analyst and his or her acquaintance with every detail or aspect of the problem. The possibility of other variables affecting the ones being compared should always be considered to account for the relationship being tested if there is any inkling of a spurious correlation. In our example, a third variable of temperature relates to both the existing variables of ice-cream consumption and instances of drowning and better explains the phenomenon. More ice-cream is consumed in hot weather especially during the summer heat. This tendency to consume more during hot weather is understandable my most people, and can easily be ascertained by examining the sales figures of ice-cream parlours. These are well known to show seasonal fluctuations being higher in summer and lower in winter. As for drowning, this too can be explained as being a more common occurrence in summer simply because more people like to and do spend more time either in or near water. This can be near lakes, rivers, seasides, and

Dynamic system development methodology Essay Example for Free

Dynamic system development methodology Essay Various industries handled information and data manually until 1960 when the first software development methodology was hinted. Software development methodologies are key steps in development of information system. Different methodologies have different requirements in terms of cost, time frame, expert requirement, size of the business, maintenance cost, and flexibility in case of changes in the future among others. Therefore, organizations evaluate each methodology in order to come up with the most effect one for their information system development. Software methodology involves a structural framework to plan and manage the processes that are involved in development of information system.Prototyping and dynamic system methodology will be critically evaluated to understand the role of software methodologies in information system development. Dynamic system development methodology                   The method ensures frequent delivery of information system in businesses. The methodology is can be reversed during development in case of errors, and the requirement is based on high level and integrated testing throughout lifecycle, which allows collaboration and cooperation between all stakeholders (Association of Modern Technologies, 2014 Software Development Methodologies) Figure: 2 Baguio central University,2011. Dynamic System Development Methodology      Critical evaluation                   Since this methodology involves end users and teamwork decision, it forms the best choice for information system development. Future changes can be accommodated since changes are reversible. This methodology follows PRINCE concept since it start with initiation of a project and conclude with crossing of the project. Prototype methodology                  In this methodology, incomplete software is created, which differs with the final product (software development and engineering, 2012 n.p.). The methodology makes it possible to evaluate the software during the development process and design before it gets to the final step. The software can also be tried before integration in an organization. This method allows involvement of the users and evaluation during designing phase and thus increasing the likely hood of easier implementation in any organization. Critical evaluation                  In this methodology, users, builder and system interaction are mandatory. It requires expertise for both builders and end-users. With this model, time and cost are decreased compared to traditional method, which becomes a major consideration when developing information system. This methodology is applied mostly in situations there is risk uncertainty. This methodology is best applied in managerial systems, as its main objective is planning, direction, controlling and decision-making. This forms one of the choices for information system since users can be able to do a value analysis and investment can be made at relative increments.                Prince plays an important role in information system development since it establishes the management, control, and application of the appropriate software for information system. It gives more insight about the software developed and provides authenticity of the software, which is important in making information system decisions. Question 2 According to (Bantra et al, (2010 p 383) agile methodology is based on various values such as Individual and interaction over processes and tools, Working software under comprehensive documentation, Customer or end user collaboration over a contract negotiation the and Responding to changes over following a plan                      The agile methodology builds flexible information systems that can be upgraded or changes in future (Rao, Naidu, Chakka, 2011 p. 42). For example, if an organization wants to expand its system, it can build its new information system on the existing system. Hence, the methodology is adopted where future changes in the information system are expected. Time aspect makes this approach cost effective. The methodology involves the end users at every stage making software development process effective and accurate (Aitken Ilango 2013 4758). In addition, the process is fast and efficient thus ensuring that the information system development easy and economical.                   The traditional methodologies are fixed and do not allow future changes (Aitken Ilango 2013 p. 4756). That means that once the information system is developed using the traditional methodology, it will be hard to build a new system using it. The expansions or future changes in the information system require engineers and software developers to start a new system. This is not cost effective for business since they are always in a constant growth and keep on improving their information systems. Thus, agile methodology best suits development of a flexible information system that can be upgraded easily. Question 3                     The Structured systems analysis and design method, (SSADM) is one of the widely used methodologies in computer applications in private and public sectors since its inception in 1981. The methodology operates under three principle techniques known as logical data, flow data, and event modelling (Al-Humaidan, Rossiter, 2011, p 3).                  Logical data modelling (LDM) technique involves identification and documentation of the necessary data for business or organization information system. The information that the business wants to record on the information systems is identified and documented for inclusion in software development. Consequently, the data flow modelling (DFM) techniques involves identification, modelling and documentation of how the identified data using LDM technique will flow in the information system. It gives details on how various data will be transformed in the system. Then, event modelling (EM) technique identifies and documents the sequence of events in DFM.                     The techniques help the engineers to develop information system that meets the end users need since it allows participation of all the stakeholders. However, inadequate research may result to development of poor information systems, which may be cost to the business. The SSADM uses various tools that are important in development of information system. Data flow diagram, (DFD) highlights all the data pathways, while other tools such as data dictionary, decision trees and tables give guidelines on data classifications. The tools make operation of the information easier for the end users.                      Unified modelling language, (UML) is a language used in software engineering. It helps the developers to create a system using a standardized language that can be understood easily by both the participants and the system. The main techniques and tools used are diagram and language structures such as class, interactions and activity diagrams (Al-Humaidan, Rossiter, 2011, p 4).                      The main difference between SSADM and UML is that the former interfaces are composed of design dialogue while the latter utilises components and classes of modelled diagrams as interface (Al-Humaidan, Rossiter, 2011 p. 24-29). In addition, SSADM uses requirement catalogue as the data resources while UML uses modelled stereotype features as data sources. Question 4                     Software development approach entails identification the information system issues and making decision of how the issues should be solved and the solution remains viable. Waterfall approaches Figure1: Winston W. Royce waterfall approach and its analogous waterfall (Habib, 2013 n.p) Critical evaluation                      The approach helps to develop software in a top down development consisting of independent steps that are completed sequentially. The engineers are able to evaluate each step independent and develop consecutive phases based on completed ones. The methodology is fast and effective for development of small information systems. However, methodology is not suitable to develop large information system because it is slow and cumbersome. In addition, the approach is costly and a short term. According to Stoica et al, (2013, p. 68) this method requires product definition, clear understanding of requirements and technology, and expertise and the system is short lived. End users approach                     In this approach, the end user is the focus in the development of the information system. The information system is designed in such a way that it is able to meet the end-users needs. The approach may involve modification of commercial off-shelf software (COTs). Critical evaluation                     The approach does not involve formal designing of the information system. The approach does not require documentation of the project. The end user is the main controller of the information system developed from this approach. However, it is not fit for large business and lack of documentation limits future changes of the information system would be very hard. Thus, the approach is not economical especially of growing enterprises.                   When the size of the project is large, the software development approach is based on the cost or budget limitations, timeframe taken by the approach, and the flexibility of the approach. This is because, the organizations designs information systems that are economical in that they does not affect their profitability and operations. Approaches that are cheap and are executed in a short span of time are preferred to others that are costly and take long time before completion Reference Aitken, A., Ilango, V. 2013. A comparative analysis of traditional software engineering and agile software development. In  System Sciences (HICSS), 2013 46th Hawaii International Conference on  (pp. 4751-4760). IEEE.Al-Humaidan, F., Rossiter, B. N. 2011. A Taxonomy and Evaluation for Systems Analysis Methodologies in a Workflow Context: Structured Systems Analysis Design Method (SSADM), Unified Modelling Language (UML), Unified Process, Soft Systems Methodology (SSM) and Organisation Process Modelling (OPM).  Technical Report Series-University Of Newcastle Upon Tyne Computing Science. Baguio central University 2011.Dynamic System Development Methodology.[Online]. http://www.slideshare.net/mayjoyce89/dynamic-system-development-method. Batra, D., Weidong, X., VanderMeer, D., Dutta, K. 2010.Balancing Agile and Structured Development Approaches to Successfully Manage Large Distributed Software Projects: A Case Study from the Cruise Line Industry. Communications Of The Association For Information Systems, 27 383. Habib M, 2013. Agile software development methodologies and how to apply them. [Online] Retrieved from http://www.codeproject.com/Articles/604417/Agile-software-development-methodologies-and-how-t.accessedRao, K. N., Naidu, G. K., Chakka, P. 2011. A study of the agile software development methods, applicability and implications in industry.  International Journal of Software Engineering and its applications,  5,2, 35-45. Stoica, M., Mircea, M., Ghilic-Micu, B. 2013. Software Development: Agile vs. Traditional. InformaticaEconomica, 17,4, 64-76. Source document

Theoretical Perspectives Within Psychology

Theoretical Perspectives Within Psychology Showing a greater understanding for the different theoretical perspectives within psychology, brings the psychologist or scientist closer in understanding the complexity of human nature and the variety of personalities within society. This paper will focus on 6 of the perspectives [see appendix 1 for a list of theoretical perspectives]. The different theoretical perspectives of psychology have come to exist through the works of different schools of thoughts, who have worked on assessing behavioural patterns as well as human nature. Each of these areas have focused on the byzantine human mind in a number of different ways, through the process of employing a range of methods to analyse the brain and human mind. This has revealed remarkable details of the different human personalities. One of the important theoretical perspectives is known as the cognitive approach/Learning. This field has been influenced by John Watson and his Baby Al experiment, Skinners rat experiments (operant conditioning) and Albert Banduras social cognitive theory and experiments. Because the cognitive approach is scientific, psychologists within this field typically use laboratory experiments under strictly controlled conditions, to study behavior, which critics argue lack ecological validity. Behaviourists have criticised the cognitive approac h, because they believe individuals are born a blank slate, and not with cognitive functions like perception and memory. Finally, it does not always place importance on the physical and environmental factors when determining behaviour, like biological psychology and behaviourism do. In the 1960s Albert Bandura discovered that learning is sometimes possible without reinforcement, if the learner observes the behaviour of others and imitate it. Psychodynamics, proposed by Sigmund Freud, came to exist to describe the processes of the mind as flows of psychological energy within a complex brain. Freuds theories were clinically derived, as they were based on what his patients told him during therapy. This area studies the interrelationship between personality and the mind, by focusing on the conscious and the unconscious entities of the human mind. Based on Freuds beliefs, ego lies at the core of all psychological processes, where human behaviour displays the emotional processes active within a individuals mind. Freuds psychoanalysis was the original psychodynamic theory, but overall the psychodynamic approach includes all theories that were based on his ideas, established by Adler (1927), Erikson (1950) and Jung (1964) (Simply Psychology (2007) [online]). Within medical praxiss, psychodynamic therapies rely upon a theory of inner conflict within an individual, wherein repressed behaviours and emotions come to the surface in t he patients consciousness. The psychodynamic therapist would usually be using this approach to treat the patient for depression or anxiety related disorders. The greatest criticism of this approach is that it is unscientific in its analysis of human behaviour, as the theories are subjective; one cannot scientifically test the unconscious mind. Also, when reading about his research it becomes clear, that his case studies focused, in detail, on individuals who were often middle aged women from Vienna. Thus, the psychodynamic perspective becomes unfalsifiable because the theories cannot be empirically investigated. Biological psychology can be defined as followed: [à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦] the study of behavior and experience in terms of genetics, evolution, and physiology, especially the physiology of the nervous system. (Helium (2009) [online]) Thus, one can state that the biological perspective uses biology as an approach to understand animal and human behavior. It is important to realise, in order to understand how psychology and biology can coexist, that animals and humans have the ability to evolve as a result of their environment in order to secure their survival. Thus, they can change to better adapt their new surroundings, which is an important factor. This area is relevant to the study of psychology in the following way. The comparative method, looks upon comparing and studying different species, which in the end can give us knowledge in understanding human behaviour. Physiology focuses on the nervous system, comprising brain and spinal cord, and the endocrine system, comprising a number of ductless glands that secrete hormones into the bloodstream influence mental processes and behaviour in humans and animals. Many biological scientists today believe that these structures are actually the source of conscious awareness and that they do not just shape consciousness (William James [n.k.] [online]). One of the fundamental biological processes, which have important implications for psychology is genetic transmission/inheritance, ie. the nature-nurture problem relies heavily upon what geneticists have revealed that can be given from parents to offspring, and how genetic factors can intermingle with environmental factors. Each of the ab ove mentioned aspects, the comparative, the physiological and the genetic can all contribute to explaining human behaviour. Through research on the nervous system, scientists have been able to analyse brain functioning under a range of conditions, while also being able to map its relationship to human psychology. Hence, behaviour is regarded as a result of biological and biochemical processes. It is evident that this perspective has expanded significantly in recent years as the technology used to study the nervous system and brain has gradually become more advanced. MRI and PET scans are daily used to look at the effects of drugs, diseases and brain damage, and study its effect on cognitive functioning and general behaviour. Criticisms of this theory are, amongst others, that it often uses a reductionist approach because it specifically focuses on neurological processes. Also, it does not take other possible explanations of behaviour into account like cognitive processes or the impact of the surrounding environment. The biological approach supports a number of theories that originally establish and create d the physiological/biological perspective. Dualism, first used by Descartes, argues that the mind and body are separate entities, but that they interact via the pineal gland in the brain, however today most psychologists ignore this assumption. Materialism believes that the body and mind are the same and further argues that all behaviour is based on physiology, because the mind appears to exist in the brain, thus all feelings, behaviours and thoughts ultimately have a biological and physical cause. Also, they believe that behaviour has a genetic basis, because genes have evolved over millions of years to adapt behaviour to the environment. Heredity, focuses on the biological transmission of personal characteristics from one generation of individuals to the next. Natural selection is: [à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦] a process resulting in the survival of those individuals from a population of animals or plants that are best adapted to the prevailing environmental conditions. The survivors tend to produce more offspring then those less well adapted, so that the characteristics of the population change over time, thus accounting for the process of evolution. (World English Dictionary (2009) [online] As an admirer of Charles Darwins theory of evolution, Dr. Louis Leakey believed studying chimpanzees might bring great insight into our own evolutionary past, and helped fund Jane Goodalls field research with Gombe chimpanzees in 1957. Here she discovered, as expected, that chimpanzees exemplify behaviors similar to that of human cultures around the world. Adult behavior is reflected in the infants; not transmitted genetically but culturally, as variations occur from one group of chimpanzees to another, like scientists assume also occurred with our distant human ancestors. (Leakey Foundation (2012) [online]). Chimpanzees in certain parts of West Africa crack open nuts with a piece of wood. Others use a stone, or place the nuts on a wood or stone anvil first. Chimps in other areas dont use any such tools, although theres no lack of wood, stones, or the same kinds of nuts. On the west side of the Sassandra River in the Ivory Coast, nut-cracking is popular. No chimpanzees do it on the east side of the river, although the two groups are closely related genetically. Researchers use such criteria to rule out the possibility that nut-cracking behavior is inheritable. (The Harvard University Gazette (1999) [online]) When looking upon a biological model, one may find The Medical of Abnormality model, which has been of great importance to the psychiatric profession the past one hundred years. This model operates from the belief that mental illnesses resemble physical illnesses, thus they can equally be diagnosed and treated: Just as physical illnesses are caused by disease producing germs, genetic factors, biochemical imbalances or changes to the nervous system, it is assumed that this is also true of mental illnesses. (AS Psychology (2007) [online]) A patient with symptoms of depression could be diagnosed with an imbalance of brain chemicals. Because this is viewed as a physical illness, cures could be medication to re-establish the balance of chemicals or in severe cases Electro Convulsive Therapy (ECT) (AS Psychology (2007). A problem with this perception of mental illnesses is that physical illnesses can rely on objective symptoms such as broken bones and blood pressure, whereas mental illnesses produce subjective symptoms, such as hearing voices and depression I am of the belief that if the patients symptoms cannot be measured, the treatment given to the patient can only be based on a judgement of experience by the doctor, hence its general effect is questionable, as most individuals react differently to given situations, and may portray symptoms of one mental illness, but suffer from a yet unknown mental illness. Physiologies influence on behavior Scientists have discovered that there are specific areas in the brain that operate particular behaviors and abilities; i.e. the cerebrum, frontal lobe is concerned with behaviour. Hypothalamus is in charge of sexual maturation, moods and motivation and finally hormonal body processes control the pituitary gland. Thus: Physical damage to the brain (biological) can result in mental disorders (psychological). Psychological factors can be mental disorders, predispositions (which are largely biological), sense of well-being, motivation, perception, cognition, etc. (Yahoo Answers (2009) [online]) One of the major discussions within psychology is the nature-nurture debate, which is concerned with the extent to which particular aspects of behavior are a product of either inherited (genetic/nature) or acquired (learned/nurture) characteristics (Simply Psychology (2007) [online]). (Simply Psychology (2007) [online]) As seen above, some schools of thought believe that behavior can be changed/influenced through physiological influences, where as others believe that everyone is simply born with specific behavioral traits. In studies including rats, the role of the hippocampus in learning and memory has been studied. This can be achieved through surgical removal of the hippocampus from a rats brain followed by an assessment of memory tasks by that same rat. The Maguire study (2000) used MRI technology to scan living brains, and thereby investigate the relationship between the hippocampus and memory. This MRI technique enabled the researchers to gain lots of quantitative and objective data and they discovered that the hippocampus plays an especially important role in processing and remembering spatial and contextual information short-term, which does affects behavior to some extent, when certain things can/cannot be processed or remembered. Additionally, as our knowledge within genetics expands, new discoveries are made. The Human Genome Project for example has focused on tracing types of behavior to particular strands of DNA located on specific chromosomes, but studies within this field have also started with animal experiments, who have set the path for humans: [à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦] the genetic mechanisms of many species (nematode worms, fruit flies, fish or mice) work in precisely the same manner as in humans, and in the mouse there are counterparts for most human genes. (Nuffieldbioethics [n.k.] [online]) Some scientists argue that much of the research in this area is very beneficial, as it can be used to diagnose and develop treatments and therapies for illnesses or problems. The main applications of the physiological approach in modern days, have been the development of anti-depressant drugs, where changing a chemical in the brain causes changes in complex emotions, however known side effects of the drugs are still an issue (Holah [n.k.] [online]). However, treatments excluding drugs and merely focusing on the psychological aspects within depressions also exist. Some of the main treatments include: Mindfulness Therapy; a form of self-awareness training taken from Buddhist mindfulness meditation, focusing on mood regulation and preventing relapses and accepting things for what they are. Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT); people learn to logically look upon their negative thoughts about the world and themselves, and how these negative thoughts affect their mood. CBT perceive negative thoughts as a habit that can be changed. Interpersonal Therapy (IPT); this area aims to change an individuals interpersonal behaviour by enabeling amendments to existing interpersonal situations and roles. Psychotherapies; extended treatment where a bond between a therapist and patient is created, alongside and appreciation and focus on the past and present, is believed to resolve the patients depression. Councelling; here the patient is being helped with problems arising in the family or at work. If the incident is very resent, crisis counseling is sometimes used. Nerrative Therapy; this area helps patients focus on their strengths in past situations and build on their resilience rather than the nagatives. The patient describes his problems as stories, and is helped to discover how these may restrict the patient in overcoming his difficulties in life. (Google Docs [n.k.] [online]) Underpinning concepts within the evolutionary psychology approach The evolutionary perspective focuses on the connection between psychology and evolution, stating that the sole purpose of mental processes is to help survival and enable evolution (Buzzle (2011) [online]). This approach is strongly allied to the biological approach, as they both value the importance of biological factors. One cannot mention the word evolutionary without mentioning Charles Darwin. Although his initial aim was to comprehend the diversity of species in the world, he gradually came to realise that his theory went beyond basic biology, and he eventually set out to establish the evolutionary elements to modern human behaviour. Darwins aim was to uncover the function and structure of the mind, however the basic concept behind the theory of evolution was that all species originate from simple life forms, and these first developed more than three billion years ago, roughly 1.5 billion years after the Earth was created. The theory is based on five key observations and conclusions, which have been drawn from them: 1) Species have great fertility. They make more offspring than can grow to adulthood. 2) Populations remain roughly the same size, with modest fluctuations. 3) Food resources are limited, but are relatively constant most of the time. 4) In sexually reproducing species, generally no two individuals are identical. Variation is rampant. 5) Much of this variation is heritable. (Space Motion (2010) [online]) From reading these observations, one can argue that within environments, individiduals would have to struggle to survive, and not all their young will survive, thus those with the best genes and traits, are more likely to survive so their genes can be passed on to their young, and these can be carried on and combined with other strong traits from other individuals when reproducing. This is also known under the term natural selection, which will be looked at further on in the paper. The moderations to Darwins evolutionary theory came after his passing, thus sociobiology came to be out of the work of evolutionary biologists in the 1960s. Edward O. Wilson (1975) attempted to explain all animal and human social behaviour in terms of evolution and a range of other biological principles. This area concentrated on the evolutionary origins of behaviour, and often implied rigid genetic control. He applied the principles of sociobiology and evolution to comprehend and explain the behavior of social insects and other animals, including humans, and this established sociobiology as a new scientific field. Wilson believed that free will is an illusion, and that behaviour is a combined product of past experiences, heredity and environmental stimuli. Ever since, many principles have been applied to study topics addressed by the social sciences, including psychology. Evolutionary psychologists have criticised sociobiologists for ignoring the crucial part the mind plays in estab lishing the bond between behaviour and genes. Thus, evolutionary Psychology is a side product of sociobiology, however it is also known under the names neo or modern Darwinism. Evolutionary psychology is a method to the psychological sciences, where results and principles arise from cognitive sciences, neuroscience, evolutionary biology and anthropology and these areas are integrated with basic psychology to gain knowledge of human nature. Rose (2000) explains: The declared aim of evolutionary psychology is to provide explanations for the patterns of human activity and the forms of organisation of human society which take into account the fact that humans are animals, and like all other currently living organisms, are the present-day products of some four billion years of evolution [à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦] (Gross, R. (2009) P.31) The purpose of evolutionary psychology is to bring the functional way of thinking about biological mechanisms (immune system) into the subject of psychology, and to approach psychological mechanisms likewise. It is closely related to biology (sociobiology), however key differences between the two are still evident, one of them being the importance of the mismatch theory, supported by the evolutionary approach. This mismatch occurs, when organisms are suited to an ancestral environment, and are brought into a new and changed environment. For instance, more people are annually killed by guns than snakes, however majority of people have learned to fear snakes, more than lizards for instance. One reason could be that snakes were a risk to our human ancestors who lived in a Pleistocene environment, where guns did not exist. Thus, a mismatch is created between our modern environment and our learned- fear reaction from our ancestors. Also, biological principles rely heavily on the present a nd what can be studied today, whereas evolutionary approach compares the past with the present, hoping to uncover unknown information. Some concepts within evolutionary psychology come from general evolutionary theory, also known as evolutionary biology. For instance, what evolutionary biologists have discovered on mating and sexual behaviour, have been discovered through a range of observations and experiments on, for instance, the consequences of altering the parental investments in offspring and seeing what effect this will have on the offspring later on in life. Leda Cosmides and John Tooby, argued that the human brain functions like a computer, hence mental processes act as computational operations, thus a visual image of a spider will lead to a reaction; possibly a reaction of fear of, perhaps, dangerous insects. Therefore evolutionary psychologists argue that human beings and some animals are biologically prepared to acquire certain kinds of fear at different times of their life span. Some scientists argue that our fear reaction to certain animals, can be remains of ancient primate ancestors, who evolved a fe ar response to dangerous animals, and this mechanism has been passed on to the modern human being. Additionally, we may be subject to the same reactions to snakes, as in an experiment where Rhesus monkeys who were raised within a laboratory showed no fear of snakes, however this changed immediately after they experienced a wild Rhesus reaction when exposed to a snake (Google Docs (1998). This was also experienced in the little Albert experiment in 1920 by John B. Watson, where 9 month old Albert was exposed to certain stimuli such as a rat, a monkey, a rabbit, burning newspapers and finally masks, while observing his reactions to these stimuli. To begin with he showed no signs of fear, however after Watson began to hit a piece of metal every time the boy was shown one of the animals, he came to associate the animals with the sounds, which made him cry with fear. However, one can argue that this computerised theory can be highly difficult to test, because we cannot conclusively know how our ancestors reacted mentally, and therefore we cannot know to what extent we have differed in brain capability in comparison to our ancestors or similarities in fear reactions; we can only assume what their mental states and reactions were like. The law that an organism can learn to associate any stimulus to any response with equal ease thrived, was supported by Pavlovs hound experiment. However this law was disproved in the 1950-60s by John Garcia and his rat experiments, where they were exposed to X-ray radiation that made then ill, and because of this they stopped drinking their sweetened water. This occurred although they did not feel the extent of the X-ray sickness until later, although Pavlov had stated that the reward/punishment should be given straight after the occurrence, for the animal to learn. Additionally, experiments that have been carried out on birds, to discover if they could separate what is good for them and what will make them sick, have illustrated that, because birds are highly visual like us humans and associate visual cues with sickness, they can learn to avoid geen food pellets (which make them sick), and eat only yellow pellets which are okay. If they were presented with pellets half-coloured geen and half-coloured yellow, the birds would peck at the pellets until they split into halfs and only eat the yellow part. Thus, the experiment proved that birds are biologically cued to associate a visual cue with sickness (Google Docs (1998). Natural Selection, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and Animal Therapy Darwins theory of natural selecetion originates from a belief that conception does not always have birth as an outcome, and only a number of those who survive will reach an age where they themselves can reproduce. An examples can be alligators, where I know from work, that from the age of 12 when a wild female will reach maturity, she will lay approximately 40 eggs a year, however out of all the eggs she will lay in a lifetime, it is estimated that only three of her young will reach maturity and get to reproduce. An assumption within Darwins theory is that the young who get to reproduce, will also be those with the best traits and be better adapted to the existing environment and pass on these traits; thus each generation will be better adapted to the given environmental changes. An astonishing examples of adaption can be seen in H. B. D. Kettlewells observations of peppered moths in the 19th Century. Because of the industrial activity and burning of coal in England around this perio d, tree trunks turned from light to soothed dark colours and the peppered moth could not hide as easily. In 1848, reports of a new form of the peppered moth (Dark-coloured peppered moth) were made, which was darker and could easily hide on the darkened tree trunks. However in recent years, the burning of cleaner fuels have once again changed the environment, and the peppered moth has returned in great numbers and some biologists now believe that the dark-coloured peppered moth will be extinct in England in a few decades (Miller Levine (1999) [online]) Natural selection also focuses on a primal instinct, where we not only physically but also mentally are challenged, where only the strongest individuals will survive. I believe that in our modern day and age, we challenge this natural process by allowing the weak to live and pass on their genes, creating a more vulnerable species, both physically and mentally. Thus, we continue to develop medicines, surgeries and therapies to counteract these issue, and try to get a greater understanding of how they came to be. Through the help of medicine and psychological therapies, one can interfere with mental states, where a therapist can help modify a patients way of though, to go against his/her primal destructive instincts. Cognitive Therapy focuses on the assumption, that mentally and the way we think about things, can be the cause of mental health problems as phobias, which can have physical symptoms as well (nausea, stomach aches, hyperventilation etc.). Within this form of therapy the patient is made aware of what thoughts are destructive, worsening their condition, and they get a greater understanding of how their thought processes work. When these aims have been accomplished, the patient can work on changing the way he/she thinks and work on avoiding destructive thoughts. Within this field, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy is found, containing traits of both Behavioural Therapy and Cognitive Therapy, thus CBT helps the patient change how they think (cognitive) and how they react to those thoughts (behavioural), and this form of therapy is thought to be one of the most beneficial treatments for depression, anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder (NHS (2010), however Dr. Oliver James has strongly cr iticised CBT and has quoted Professor Drew Westons findings in 2004, that: [à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦] two years after treatment, two-thirds of those who had CBT have relapsed or sought further help. (Psychminded (2009) [online]) Furthermore, James argues that cognitive analytic therapy and the Hoffman Process are far better alternatives than CBT, when attempting to solve problems relating to depression and anxiety, as these focus on the patients childhood and the origin of the depression/anxiety, where CBT focuses more on the here-and-now aspects of the disorders. For centuries people have been aware of the unconditional bonds that can be created between humans and animals, and pets have been used in medical settings for more than 150 years, however evidence of the physical, emotional and mental benefits have not been scientifically proven until recent years. This area is now known under the term Animal Therapy, and is to some extent an integration of animal behaviour and cognitive therapy. The animals, such as dogs, elephants, dolphins etc., help to heal humans, young and old, physically, emotionally and mentally. It has been proven through experiments and observations, that: Having an animal around reduces stress, creates a relationship, helps people feel loved and needed, provides a listening ear without judgment and it can improve social skills and boost the confidence of an individual. (World Wide Health (2006) [online]) Recently, studies at the Research Center for Human/Animal Interaction have discovered that interacting with animals can increase peoples level of the hormone oxytocin, which help us feel happy. Also, this hormone does not only benefit us mentally but also physically, as it is part of the process when the body grows new cells. Animal Therapy can also be applied to only the animal, where animals presenting abnormal behaviour, can be helped by talks with the owners, psychological/physical training and zone therapy. Abnormal and uncontrollable behaviour of pets is also a rising problem in Denmark, where it is estimated that majority of danish pet owners have encountered problems with their pets behaviour. In a study carried out in 2000-2001, a range of pet owners were asked if they had encountered behavioural problems with their dogs, and 28% answered yes, where 17% stated that they had previously encountered problems. Furthermore, vetenarian Jà ¸rgen Mikkelsen estimates that each year 1 / 4 of all the dogs being euthanized in Denmark (roughly 200 danish clinics), were because of behavioural problems, and 2 / 5 of the dogs never reached the age of 3. Therefore a rough estimate concludes that 10-15.000 dogs are euthanized every year in Denmark because of behavioural problems (Dansk Veterinà ¦rtidsskrift (2006) [online]). However, animal therapy is gaining more and more ground in Denmark, and more clinics are opened within the country, proving that people are seeking this form of treatment more than before, and the awareness of the animals needs are more widely accepted, encouraging a closer animal-human bond. The relationship between scientific research and psychology as a discipline Eventually psychology was accepted as a science, although its subject matter was restricted. In the late 1950s and early 1960s, attention was placed upon mental processes and the mind. Behaviourists focused on observing phenomenon, where psychologists concentrated on studying the mental processes used to retrieve, store and acquire knowledge. Although mental processes cannot be observed as such, evidence can be gained by using a number of tests concerned with memory, perception and problem solving. Here cognitive psychology becomes of great importance, as it studies mental processes such as intelligence, memory, perception and thought. Because psychology operates with what cannot always be seen, at least in the past before we invented ways of discovering brain activities and their reactions to the surroundings we can see (MRI scans). Part of this has helped psychology become a scientific field, because it can be observed, measured and compared. Without this bond, psychology would never have been accepted as a science, and areas which are being researched today (for instance physiologies influence on behaviour), would never have existed or been made possible, and would have limited the ongoing knowledge that we posses within this area today. Also, medicine and biology have benefitted from the merger, as mental illnesses have been identified through psychological practices and treatments have been found. Many mental illnesses are approached with medicine as well as therapy, illustrating this merger in reality. Traditional and historical theories within psychology have all undergone changes throughout history, when knowledge has been gained in common ground areas, or new psychologists have decided to approach the matter from different angles. Darwins theory of evolution was challenged by believers, who approached evolutionary psychology from different views, which, as mentioned previously has resulted in sociobiology, physiological psychology and biology psychology, amongst others. I believe that therapies as mentioned above, can be perceived as a result of Darwin, Tinbergen, Lorenz Karl von Frisch, Wilson and Trivers, amongst others, theories which have influenced and challenged each other, and resulted in treatments and knowledge which benefits this branch of modern psychology, as illustrated in the number of therapies offered to patients today. Specialisms where integration is evident Specialisms where integration is evident in practice is for instance evolutionary psychology, which is a combination of evolutionary as well as cogn

Shooting an Elephant, Critical Analysis Essay -- essays research paper

  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Throughout Orwell’s literary career, he avidly stood against totalitarian and imperialistic forms of government. His two most famous works (1984 and Animal Farm) both exemplify this point, but at the same time weaken it. These two works were written in protest of those governments, but in a fictional back ground. In Orwell’s essay Shooting an Elephant, he uses a personal experience to more clearly emphasize the impact of imperialism at the sociological and psychological level, in conjunction with other literary elements. This symposium of devices help drive the purpose of his paper and ultimately creates a more substantial impact on any reader.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The most obvious is his choice to illustrate his point through a very real and personal experience of his own. By doing so, it rendered an almost real and more tangible world for the audience to interact with. Orwell, being an Englishmen, was in a position to see both sides of imperialism’s harms to society, and present both to his audience. He told how both abused the other either physically or verbally, and how they ran each other’s actions. While it is possible to explain this by other means, the direct experience with it testified much stronger.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  In addition, this form of writing allowed Orwell’s voice to come more clearly to the reader. He was able to directly express his thoughts and views at the time. Weather they were a loathing toward h...

Beowulf - Pagan or Christian Epic? Essay -- Epic of Beowulf Essays

Beowulf Pagan or Christian Epic Beowulf: Pagan or Christian Epic? Although the story of Beowulf is filled with references to religion and faith, many discrepancies occur throughout the story that suggest that Beowulf is not a Christian epic. The character of Beowulf frequently speaks to God and obviously believes in His existence. However, pagan practices are mentioned in several places. Beowulf often refers to another being rather than the Christian God. Pagan practices of cremation and blood-drinking are included in the epic. There are also frequent allusions to the power of fate, the motive of blood revenge, and praise of worldly glory. All of these aspects make Beowulf a pagan tale with a few Christian elements. A key pagan reference in Beowulf is the entity Wyrd. â€Å"Now if Wyrd, Ruler of All, will permit, my stout sword will sing its greedy war-song....Wyrd always weaves as it must†. The Christian tradition clearly states the existence of only one supreme entity. It also states that anyone worshipping â€Å"false idols† is subject to punishment. If Beowulf was truly a Christian, he would not call to Wyrd for any type of assistance. One might argue that referring to Wyrd as â€Å"Ruler of All† suggests that this entity is the Christian God. But â€Å"God† is referred to throughout the epic. â€Å"For Grendel bore God’s anger...Mighty God rules mortals forever!†. These are two separate entities that serve different functions throughout the epic. A true Christian tale would not include any other â€Å"God† or all-powerful being rather than the one true God of the Christian teachings. The story also mentions that Hrothgar and his people mak e sacrifices to idols in an attempt to overcome the monster Grendel. â€Å"And so it came to pas... ... wealth. In conclusion, the epic tale of Beowulf is a pagan tale with a pagan hero. Although there are Christian images throughout the tale, the story is clearly pagan in nature. The Beowulf poet portrays the culture and people by separating the main ideas like a prism does with light. Although there are the Christian references surface throughout the tale, a look at the epic as a whole clearly shows its true pagan nature. No matter which end of the spectrum you are looking from, all the ideas prove that pagan concepts and principles prevail over the values of Christianity. It is shown on countless occasions through the material rewards, earthly fame, false idols, and burial practices. In the end, the separated lights in the prism come together and become one. This array of light in Beowulf is ultimately the strong presence of a pagan hero and a pagan culture.

Creative Writing – The Bliss Of Acceptance

The plane's contact with the ground woke me from my semi-conscious state and I looked around anxiously, to see where I was. We had finally landed, and I felt life flow back into my limbs as I stretched in my seat. A gentle murmur rose as the plane slowed down, and the reassuring sound of the pilot echoed through the plane. â€Å"Ladies and gentlemen, we have now arrived in Delhi, the temperature is a pleasant forty three degrees with cloudless skies, and local time is four fifteen PM†. Stewardesses strutted up and down isles collecting litter, and passengers began to abscond from the plane. As I lifted myself to my feet, still in a half alert state from jetlag-induced fatigue, I stumbled into the sunshine outside. The blue sky dazzled my agitated eyes, and I grumbled to myself in irritation. The scorching hot sun was already upon me, burning my unconditioned skin in a similar way to a magnifying glass burning an ant. Hours followed as we collected bags; showed passports and performed countless other tasks that made me want to curl up on the floor and lapse into hibernation. Whether I was in Delhi or London, I was still exhausted and cantankerous. Finally we managed to obtain our car, and, as I had suspected, a long trip hundreds of miles upwards to Northern India followed. On our journey, my irritation began to crumble. The first village we stopped at, where I could appreciate the scenery, was near the Punjab, in a rural area. The village itself looked primitive and simplistic, with buildings partially finished, abandoned with no roofs or waterproofing, like an unwanted animal abandoned on the street. Poverty reigned rampant, and incoherent languages flood towards me. We drew nearer to the village market, passing by unsavoury looking beggars and lone children. An old man peered at me through a half developed cataract, before falling into a coughing fit. The world around me seemed dismal. In a split moment, my impression changed. Just as the flood washes dirt from its path, so my notions about India changed. We turned the corner into the market square, and were met with a blissful scene; a crowded square full of laughing, shouting and commotion; stall owners bellowing at the top of their voices to advertise their goods, and amidst the joyful chaos young children scuttled around like playful insects. A rich variety of vivid colours met my eye in the form of scarlet apples, striking yellow bananas and earthy brown yams. Countless fruits held my gaze, which I had never known before. The poor no longer seemed menacing; a half smile on their face was noticeable, as if they were simply satisfied by the atmosphere. Everyone around me seemed happy; and the first question that I asked myself was, why? Back in London for a moment, the answer arrived. A grey sky enveloped the city, and people trudged in their various directions, minding their own businesses and keeping themselves to themselves. After living in my home for ten years, there were still people on my street I didn't know. However, the main question I was posed, which was how could people with little money, health care, and a low standard of living be happier than those living in a modernised world with excessive amounts of money and a high standard of living? The sad answer was, that we appear to have forgotten how to obtain happiness. Epicurus, a Greek philosopher living around 300 BC, spent much of his life finding out what was required to obtain true happiness. A well-known phrase of his is: The human soul is as material and mortal as the human body. To live a good life, is to exercise prudence and to enjoy life through stimulating the senses, subjecting oneself to tranquillity and scientific study. † Later, however, he concluded that to obtain true happiness one must have a number of things. Friends, a frugal lifestyle, time and thought were all considered prerequisites for happiness. Visualising the crowded metropolis of London in my mind, trying to ignore the shouting of the stall keepers intent on making me buy their spinach, I felt that we had all these. What was it that these people had that we did not? This question remained on my mind throughout my trip in India; through the bustle of the city in Jalundar; the peaceful tranquillity in the village; the faint sounds of gunshots near Kashmir; even during the humorous incident of seeing a man squat in the middle of a field only feet away from a road. Sitting back at home in London listening to the gentle drumming of the rain, I contemplated why it was so hard for the Western man to gain happiness. Like the correct document finally being found in a stack of papers, I finally produced the answer. A Ch'an (Zen) Buddhist once said: â€Å"Humans are afflicted with all external forms of life: we are subject to life and death, pleasure and pain, love and fear, good and evil, beautiful and ugly. We tend to sway, or strive towards one side, and reject its opposite. There is no real escape of one or the other, yet we somehow believe that sooner or later, we will be able to conquer the other side if we stay focused long enough. † The reason the average man in the West could not find happiness lies in acceptance. Driven relentlessly by the Capitalist machine, we are constantly told we must improve, do better, get promoted, find a better job, or save for the latest electronic gadget. The real obstacle in the way of happiness was an excess of opportunity in the West, which in turn sows the seeds in men's mind that they can achieve better all the time, leaving only a handful of people who achieve their goal, and reject the rest of the spoiled harvest of the population who are scarred with depression and left with an 'empty feeling' in life: that they have achieved nothing. It could be said that pain is essential for pleasure, if pleasure is to be known as pleasure. If we did not know of evil in the world, then how would we be able to distinguish good? Denial of one of these extremes is similar to denying the existence of both. If we believe that evil cannot exist, or that we can block it from our lives, then good cannot exist, because then there is nothing to measure it against. However, if we accept that both good and evil exist in our lives, it can allow us to feel more at home in the world, perhaps obtaining happiness. Looking back to India as evidence for this, I remembered an encounter with a family of peasants. The husband of the family was a peasant, working for the richer men as a farmer, constantly toiling at the fields every day with no hope of extra pay or advancement in his job. The wife of the family took care of their four children, all destined for the same lifestyle, in what many would call an endless, and pointless cycle. However, far from pitying them, I envied them. They were contented with their lives; they earned enough money to live under a roof with adequate food and drink. The end result of this was that they were happy; they had no ambitions to gain wealth, and were satisfied with their lot. To be truly happy we must not linger in the past, or hypothesise about the future, but live life for the moment, and enjoy its small pleasures. By losing the foresight of the future, or hindsight in the past, we open up that world of acceptance. Some people will steal because they see that they have something more in their future. Some people will perform good deeds because they desire to feel better about themselves. In this society, we can never truly be completely happy. From our first few years of life we have ambitions: to decide what we will be when we grow up, and how we will choose to live our lives. Without these ambitions society would, unfortunately, not function correctly; no one would have any motivation to do well at their jobs and get promoted, as the idea of a Marxist/Communist society shows. It seems to me the human population has dug itself into a pit where the light of true happiness is growing more and more remote as we dig further and further down. There will always be, even in the mind of a Buddhist monk or Christian nun, a growing desire to gain something else, no matter what it may be. This, I conclude, makes it impossible for anyone in the modern 21st Century to gain the status of ‘Buddha', or ‘The Enlightened, or Blissful One'.