Eustress Is Your Friend

Eustress is your Friend Not all stress is bad. There are positive effects of stress and it has its own unique characteristics. When it comes to feelings such as anxiety, worry, fear, pain or anger then these are linked to negative stress and this is what many people associate stress with. However, the positive effects of stress are something that can help motivate individuals to accomplish something good. Positive stress helps an individual to make any necessary changes in their lives. So therefore, in my own personal opinion, stress is not such a bad thing. According to thefreedictionary. om, eustress by definition is a positive form of stress. Eustress is a balance between selfishness and altruism through which an individual develops the drive and energy to care for others. This refers to the constructive stress that helps keep you motivated and driven in all aspects of your life. For example, positive stress gives us a feeling of excitement when presented with a demanding situatio n in an area in which we are comfortable like runners on the track, taking a ride on the roller coaster, taking up a challenging project at workplace. Positive stress may fill you with energy to tackle the demands of your task. Positive stress helps to keep us healthy and fills us with contentment. Eustress also reminds us that we can view many of the stressors in our lives as ‘challenges' rather than ‘threats', and have extra vital energy to handle these stressors, without a feeling of being overwhelmed or unhappy. There are many positive effects of stress including the ability to realize when things are wrong and need to be fixed. Positive stress also helps our body tell us when we need to do things such as put a sweater on when it is too cold, scratch an itch, move to a new location when necessary and other needs of everyday life. Positive stress is also an excellent way of initiating the invention and problem solving process by providing more creative solutions. As a result positive stress has been linked to many scientific discoveries, technological advances and creative designs. Positive stress can also help us to know when we need medical care by altering us to when we are experiencing discomfort or other medical concerns. There are many examples of positive stressors. College students face a major stressor at the end of semesters. For instance, Megan is a freshman in a local community college. She is the first in her family to attend school at this level. Her schedule is overwhelming but it is to be expected in order to obtain an associate’s degree. The semester is quickly closing in and Megan is having difficulties with her math class. She is already maintaining a C average and in order to pass, she must make an A on her final. Megan knows that she is feeling stress about this final but realizes that she needs to buckle down and concentrate. Approaching exams enhance a student's concentration and learning capability. Therefore, this stress she is feeling is considered a ‘eustress. If Megan is able to obtain an A on this final, she will pass the class. But in passing the class, Megan will also be able to advance into the next math needed to obtain her degree. In the end, the stressors that Megan is dealing with will have positive effects on her life and future. Stay-at-home moms may seem to have an easy job, but in reality, it's a wonderful job that includes q uite a bit of stress. Many people may think that the life of a stay-at-home mom is all Everyone has their own personal opinion in regards to this statement, ‘Stress is always bad. I feel that stress always begins as positive stress. You just have to be willing to give your best and try to step up to the challenge. Almost all of the life’s important moments are experienced under positive stress. Your positive stress can turn to negative, but you must be willing to accept responsibility for the role you play in creating or maintaining that stress. So in my own personal opinion, I would have to disagree. Stress is only considered bad if you handle and cope with it badly. In the end, stress isn’t always bad.

How Has Healthy Living Culture Brought About Changes in Fast Food Industry

Brands, menus and packaging. Packaging: As you can see from these two differing Big Mac packages McDonalds has had to change the appearance of its packaging in order to continue to compete with the new healthy living culture. McDonalds now puts full colour pictures of there burgers on the box, so as to give the impression that all the meat and other ingredients in the burger are genuine. By having the very pleasant picture of the burger and indeed the various vegetables used, makes the burger seem fresher and generally healthier.It is not just the burgers that McDonald’s have applied this method to, there original red and yellow French fries boxes will now have a full colour of a peeled potato so as to try and emphasise the use of real potatoes in the fries and take the consumers attention away from the high levels of fat and salt that are used. McDonald’s now also pays a lot of attention to saying that there burgers are made from 100% beef, so as to appeal more to heal thier people, and the number of health conscious people has certainly increased with the current emergence of the healthy living culture.Another way that a fast food company has had to change its packaging due to the emergence of the healthy living culture is showing how many calories and levels of fat and salt are in there products. Subway is a relatively new fast food chain (more so in the UK) but is now actually larger globally than McDonalds. Subways healthier image combined with the emergence of a healthier living culture must surely have played a major role in its success. Subway lists all of the ingredients and calories that are in each of there different flavour sandwiches.This is again to try and make the newer, more health conscious person feel more comfortable about knowing exactly what it is that they’re eating. Subway has even gone to the lengths of comparing the calorie count of there meals to that of McDonald’s and Burger King. Menus: Possibly one of the biggest things that fast food chains have had to change due to the emergence of this healthy living culture is the quite simple idea of their menus. Whereas when firms like McDonalds will have started out they were just selling burgers and chips, but that will now not suffice for the modern day healthy person.This is why you can now buy salads with your burgers, and instead of say an ice cream for your desert you can have a bag of chopped fruit, you are also able to have a healthy wrap as a posed to a full fat beef burger. Perhaps the biggest change of any of the fast food chains is the removal of the supersize option from the McDonald’s menu. The supersize option was simply the larger version of a large meal, giving you even more French fries (7 ounces) and a larger drink (42 ounces). McDonald’s removed this option from its menu in 2004 after the very public and now infamous documentary â€Å"Supersize me† by Morgan Spurlock.The documentary consisted of Spurlo ck eating a McDonald’s for breakfast, lunch and dinner for 30 days, and if offered to take the supersize option he would have to accept it. As a result of the diet Spurlock became very ill, thus creating a lot of bad press for McDonalds as a brand. Before the emergence of the healthy living culture, the supersize option increased revenue a lot for McDonald’s as the employee would always ask the customer: â€Å"would you like to make that a supersize? †.So I think it is almost entirely down to the emergence of the healthy living culture and the growing concern over healthiness of certain foods that has caused McDonald’s to have to remove the supersize option from their menus. However, it may be argued that it was simply the â€Å"supersize me† documentary that caused McDonald’s to remove their supersize option from their menus and not in fact the emergence of the healthy living culture. This may be an option as Burger King, one of McDonaldâ⠂¬â„¢s biggest rivals in the fast food industry if not it’s biggest, still has a supersize option.So perhaps McDonald’s may not have removed the option from their menu had it not been for the documentary. Brands: The emergence of healthy living has also certainly had an impact on the branding of a lot of fast food chains, not necessarily all of them but certainly a few. As is shown in the healthy living section, the covers of magazines are littered with the so called â€Å"beautiful people† who are healthy and in good shape. Therefore if we are now in an age where most people are striving to have those kinds of bodies, but they can only get them by being nd eating healthy then fast food chains are surely going to struggle? However McDonald’s have simply changed their style of advertising and branding to help over come this problem. When McDonald’s first started in the 1940’s there original branding was a small fat chef with a hamburger for a head called â€Å"speedee†. Now this could simply not work for McDonald’s today with the emergence of the healthy living culture, as the name even suggests its just fast food, whereas now they concentrate on saying on all there boxes things such as 100% beef etc.It wouldn’t even just be the name that would be a problem for McDonald’s branding, it would also be the appearance of the mascot, he is small, fat and has a hamburger for a head. McDonald’s now have a host of celebrity spokespersons ranging from Michael Jordan, arguably the greatest sportsman in the world in the 90’s, the epitome of a healthy person, he and Larry Bird starred in a commercial for McDonald’s in the 90’s. More recently they had an advertising campaign fronted by Justin Timberlake, a pop star who is regarded as very attractive and again a very healthy person.So it is clear to see that the emergence of healthy living has certainly affected how McDonald†™s brands itself. However, it could once again be argued that the emergence of healthy living has not really affected the branding of fast food chains because other hugely successful fast food companies such as KFC (Kentucky Fried Chicken) and Burger King have not used healthy celebrities or sportsmen to brand their products. In fact KFC still have their original mascot of Colonel Sanders, a quite chubby older man, which would not be hugely associated with being the picture of health, say compared to someone like Michael Jordan or Justin Timberlake.

ORGANISATIONAL BEHAVIOR Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

ORGANISATIONAL BEHAVIOR - Essay Example Having an experience of over 40 years, I had the ability to manage work place diversity because in the marketing section I met a lot of people with different backgrounds. Since employees act as the image of the firm, by properly treating the customers it also promoted the image of Holden Company. Holden’s employees clearly comprehended their individual goals and objectives and how they relate to the greater goals of the company, were found to be naturally engaged in their work. Most firms have to the realization that achievements are associated with their ability to manage, track and communicate goals and aims-informing their employees and connecting reward system with group and individual performance in order to keep them engaged in their work. Since I am also an Australian, I was able to note that the process of setting goals and objectives, aligning them with the corporate aims and tracking them made the Holden Company to easily focus on strategy and greater execution of business. Therefore, there is always a direct relationship between financial and non financial rewards with respect to motivation and employee satisfaction (Bruce & Pepitone, 1999:104-108). This includes both the younger employees like Mike and older employees like me. Motivation is what makes people to have that drive to do something thus the driving force of human behavior. Motivation within an individual accounts for the direction, level, and persistence of the effort expended at work. The level refers to the intensity of effort put forward by a person. Direction represents the individual’s choice when faced with several alternatives. Persistence is determined by how long an individual will stick with a given action. As a result it initiates, guides and maintain the goal oriented behaviors hence motivation it is what drives one to take a cause of action (Laubly,

Complexity and Contradiction in Architecture Essay

Complexity and Contradiction in Architecture - Essay Example Accordingly, we will have to see everything logical as a violation of these rules. This chapter is, an interesting parallel, with Robert Venturi - who, it turns out, also was speaking in "Complexity and Contradiction in Architecture" about rules of the absurd exactly - and about the need to respect them. Venturi contemplates the "complex" and "contradictory" ways architecture relates to people, cultural contexts, and its own history. The "Both-And" is the mainstream of architecture away from modernism. In this chapter, "Contradictory Levels: The Phenomenon of "Both-And" in Architecture", he called for an architectural tension arising from perceptual ambiguity - an ambiguity engendered by what he termed a "both/and" style. The both/and concept requires an excess of both form and meaning in order to create a complex, contradictory architecture: "It can include elements that are both good and awkward, big and little, closed and open, continuous and articulated, round and square, structu ral and spatial." In this chapter, he prefers "both-and" to "either-or," black and white, and sometimes gray, to black or white. A valid architecture evokes many levels of meaning and combinations of focus: its space and its elements become readable and workable in several ways at once.

The Darlie Routler murder case Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

The Darlie Routler murder case - Research Paper Example The death of her sons happened on the night of June 6, 1996. However, several loopholes are evident in the case history that might help Darlie in getting justice. These include murder weapon not traceable, crime scene being tempered badly before securing the place, motive could not be established, among others. However, police investigators argued that Darlie had self-inflicted stab wounds, while she wanted to get rid of her sons, as they did not like her lifestyle. Darlie had a new hope, as Texas Court of Criminal Appeals gave a ruling in June, 2008 for conducting new DNA tests, which could prove her claim of an intruder responsible for the double murder. The new DNA technology may throw fresh light on the evidences that relate to analysis of bloodstains on her nightshirt and socks of the boys. Introduction The case of Darlie Routier is intriguing in many ways, as investigators and prosecutors have not paid heed to the defense pleas for tracing of the missing murder weapon, which is supposed to be knife from the kitchen of Darlie. Although she was convicted for killing her two sons, based on the financial problems her family was facing, Darlie has petitioned before the Texas Criminal Court for retesting of blood samples using the latest DNA technology. The petition of appeals has requested the court to test the bloodstains from tube sock found in the alley, which was not tested earlier. Similarly, investigators had not tested other possible evidence earlier. These included bloodstains on the nightshirt worn by Darlie, blood swabs present on the butcher’s knife in the kitchen of Darlie. While prosecutors had assumed it to be the murder weapon, the testing was not done on this evidence earlier. In addition, there are many loopholes in this case, which may need further investigation, as the court has agreed for DNA retesting. (Direct appeal, 2008) Further to the above, The Texas Criminal Court has laid down, in its order of 13 April 2012, the exact procedu re to be followed for conducting the new DNA tests at the Department of Public Safety Laboratory in Austin, Texas.(Order, 2012) Case Summery and Overview In the absence of any established motive and eyewitness, the case remains a mystery. This is further complicated by the fact that Darlie has continuously denied the charge. However, the fifteen-second â€Å"Silly String† tape, as recorded by a local news station could not establish her innocence. Media had accused Darlie of using sex toys, taking drugs and child abuse. Nevertheless, no evidence could be established to prove these charges. While State prosecutors found it easier to present such arguments to the jury, family and friends describe Darlie as a compassionate female, who cares for her family and others. (The Darlie Routier Case, nd) Prosecution may not be right The police investigation has been doubtful. While only 400 out of total 1000 photos taken from the crime scene were allowed for examination by the defense, the remaining 600 photos had evidence of trampled blood and tempered blood stained items like blankets. There are blood fingerprints of the alleged intruder at the exit along with blood prints on boots that did not belong to any police person. In addition, a sock having a boy’s blood print was found 75 yards away from the home of Darlie. The answer to the question of sock reaching

The Impact of Inward FDI on Host Countries Essay

The Impact of Inward FDI on Host Countries - Essay Example Discussion The impacts of inward FDI on host countries Transfer of resources Inward FDI has various effects on host countries. Grimwade (2000) indicates that inward FDI has the effect of transferring resources whereby resources such as technology, capital and management are transferred during investment. Capital transfer increases the capital stock in a host country while the transfer of management leads to the improvement of management skills in this country. Moreover, during transfer of resources, host countries may benefit from new technologies from the foreign investors. Overall, the transfer of the aforementioned elements leads to an increment in the host country’s productive potential as it leads to the increase of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Host countries have witnessed substantial economic growth due to FDI. This growth, alongside other benefits, has heavily depended on various factors. The multinational corporations in host countries have raised funds in these countries through bank loans, issuing shares or issuing bonds to the investors in these countries. However, such a move has not yielded the result of transfer of capital and it has instead pushed the costs of raising capital for the firms in the host countries. ... (2004) indicate that some MNCs from industrialized countries have introduced capital-intensive methods in countries that require labor-intensive methods owing to abundance in labor there. Furthermore, management skills and technologies brought to the host countries may have a little benefit to their economy in case they are not passed on to the employees in the local firms. Balance of payments and trade Buckley and Casson (2002) reveal that through inward FDI, host nations have been able to enjoy positive effects on their balance of payments in the short run. The inflow of foreign capital has benefited the capital account of balance of payments, with the current account improving due to a decrease in imports or an increase in exports. Foreign companies also face the need to import various parts and components from their parent companies during their early stages. Moreover, there is a possibility of large inflows emanating from the foreign countries pushing the exchange rates, which r enders the exports less lucrative and increases competition. Appreciation in the exchange rates may have the effect of attracting speculative capital inflows, which may push the rate further and lead to its overshooting. In case the central bank wants to prevent the rise of the rate through selling currency to foreign money holders, there will be an increase in the supply of money, which culminates into inflation. In the end, there will be an outflow of FDI when the parent companies are paid dividends and interest payments (Jones, 2005 ). Employment Dicken (2007) highlights that inward FDI has the effect of increasing employment in the host countries. This is a direct effect of FDI as the foreign firms in these countries are able to employ workers who might not have attained any form of

Globalization and Internation Financial Crisis Essay

Globalization and Internation Financial Crisis - Essay Example This consolidation of global relationships is at the level of  individuals,  companies,  institutions  and countries (Campenhout and Cassimon, 2012).  The main causes of the process of globalization are the  technical progress in the communications and transportation sections, as well as, the  political  decisions on  liberalization  of  world trade. The study of International Finance is of particular significance in today’s globalized financial marketplace. International finance is a branch of  international economics and focuses on the monetary side of the international  economy. The subject matter of international finance is useful for students of economics, finance and business studies.  Ã‚  It is theorized that increasing globalization has played a role in creation of a wave of international financial crises in contemporary times (Schmukler and Vesperoni, 2006). The paper critically evaluates the supposition of globalization’s role in in ternational financial crisis and assesses the question whether international financial stability is feasible in an increasingly globalised economy. In addition, the paper critically appraises international financial crisis and ensuing policy responses to maximize economic and welfare consequences.   Discussion The degree of change brought about by the globalization of financial systems has been termed as financial globalization  by several researchers. Globalization of financial systems leads to the creation of a regional market integration of external financing.  According to Mishkin (2009), the financial aspect of  globalization  has three dimensions: geographical aspect of financial globalization refers to mobility of capital from one country to another, functional aspect of globalization relates to  capital markets which are compartmentalized through shifts in money markets and  stock markets. Obadan (2006) mentions that under the influence of financial globalizati on, global financial institutions are created, as well, like the  IMF, World Bank  and the European Community. Globalization’s effect on international financial markets also includes deregulation, abolition of  exchange controls  and restrictions on capital movements. Globalization also encourages financial innovation, disintermediation and direct access operators to funding without going through  intermediaries (Cline, 2010). The impacts of globalization on the financial systems are dealt under heads: Market Development Financial globalization has facilitated the financing of companies and that the  balance of payments. This has eliminated barriers to capital flows and has given an unprecedented boost to  financial markets worldwide (Rose, Prasad and Terrones, 2009). Today financial information is processed and disseminated around the  world, which leads to increased speculations in the financial markets and a high  volatility  of  capital round the glo be.  This provides a flow of investment opportunities based on  economic factors (Mishkin, 2009). These effects are sometimes seen as uncontrollable by the regional banking system  and the  international fina

Saudi Women Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Saudi Women - Essay Example The newspaper knows the female psychology very well. Women usually are interested more in hearing praising words from others especially from the male community. Even an agitated woman may calm down while somebody praises her beauty or appearance. The newspaper uses this technique very well to settle the growing tensions among Saudi women. â€Å"A pampered life is impossible for Saudi women unless they stop working, cooking, doing errands, carrying out chores outside the home, contributing financially and making the lives of Saudi men more comfortable† (Almansour). Saudi’s social systems are trying to tie down the females within the boundaries of their home. Saudi laws, customs and religious beliefs are one sided; helping only the male community. CNN has reported an incident from Saudi recently. Samar Badawi, a 30-year-old mother of one, forced to spend seven months in jail for disobeying her father. She was physically abused by her father from the age of 14 after her mo ther died of cancer. She forced to leave her house because of the tortures from her father. However, of Saudi Arabia's guardianship laws, force women to gain permission from their father, husband or even adult son for many daily activities. As a result of that she forced to spend seven months in jail after her father brought a "disobedience" case against her and she refused to return to his home. Her father even refused to conduct her marriage which forced her to change her guardianship from father to her uncle (Maktabi & Elwazer). From this incident, it is evident that Saudi women are not getting safe shelter even under their fathers. Saudi fathers treat their female children differently. They see female children as... â€Å"A pampered life is impossible for Saudi women unless they stop working, cooking, doing errands, carrying out chores outside the home, contributing financially and making the lives of Saudi men more comfortable† (Almansour). Saudi’s social systems are trying to tie down the females within the boundaries of their home. Saudi laws, customs, and religious beliefs are one sided; helping only the male community. CNN has reported an incident from Saudi recently. Samar Badawi, a 30-year-old mother of one, forced to spend seven months in jail for disobeying her father. She was physically abused by her father from the age of 14 after her mother died of cancer. She forced to leave her house because of the tortures from her father. However, of Saudi Arabia's guardianship laws, force women to gain permission from their father, husband or even adult son for many daily activities. As a result of that, she forced to spend seven months in jail after her father brought a "disobedie nce" case against her and she refused to return to his home. Her father even refused to conduct her marriage which forced her to change her guardianship from father to her uncle(Maktabi&Elwazer). From this incident, it is evident that Saudi women are not getting safe shelter even under their fathers. Saudi fathers treat their female children differently. They see female children as a burden and male children as an asset. Under such circumstances, The Arabic newspapers argument about the pampered life of Saudi women seems to be totally wrong.

Summary In Your Own Words Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Summary In Your Own Words - Essay Example The music and instrument were used to pass the beliefs, traditions, and customs of a society from generation to another. Moreover, the different type of music genre were associated to different social group and relayed important messages pertaining such group. The artists that used to play music instrument in the early days had a thorough knowledge of the instruments that defined each geographic characterises, such as African music, Asia and European music. The Procortesian music, for example, was classified into different ways; these includes ritual, war, and hunting religious and imitative music. The way the flute play in Asia was different as was done in Africa though using the same instrument. The dancing also was unique and differed during different occasions (Music Pre-Cuauhtemoc Era). Music in the ancient time was not for everyone as it has a divine and spiritual origin. Chroniclers who talk about music says that those who engaged in it behaved well and had great discipline of their native language and customs. In conclusion, the indigenous music had its important characteristics which include the use of interludes and introductions, music started with a tune before beginning, there was thematic unity, melodic variety and the use of different and antiphonal (Music Pre-Cuauhtemoc

Data analysis and discussion Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Data analysis and discussion - Essay Example Thus, the responses from the participants greatly varied according to one’s opinion on a particular question. The variance and standard deviation for all the baseline variables is relatively low. For instance, a standard deviation of 0.41 for the first question implies that the data points are very close to the real mean. On the other hand, the seventh question’s standard deviation of 0.50 implies that the data points are far apart from each other; spread out in larger ranges of the variables. Looking at the correlation matrix from excel sheet 3, a number of baseline variable have a correlation of 1 whereas others have -1. For instance, variable 1 and 2, 1 and 7, 1 and 5, 1 and 6, 2 and 5, 2 and 6, 2 and 7, 3 and 8, 4 and 8, 5 and 6, 5 and 7 have a correlation of 1 which implies that they have a strong positive linear relationship. Other combinations have a strong negative linear relationship as shown in excel file. It has six questions or variables that seek to know the level of self-efficacy on students’ performance. Just like locus control, this was done on 35 participants (students) who gave different responses for the baseline variables; as shown by their means: 6.43, 6.66, 6.51, 1.97, 6.40 and 6.29 for question 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 respectively. The standard deviation for the second variable is 0.48 implying that the data points in this baseline variable are close to the mean. The highest standard deviation is 1.25 for the fourth baseline variable. This shows that the data points for this variable are far from the mean. From the excel sheet 3, the correlation coefficient differ greatly. For instance, baseline variable 1 and 2 have a correlation of 1 which shows that they have a strong positive correlation. Variable 2 and 8 have a strong negative relationship, a correlation of

Interracial Marriages Essay Example for Free

Interracial Marriages Essay In any marriage relationship, it is usual or rather natural to have some adjustments in its early stage. This is so because there is a high degree of expectations in both parties; and so, because these expectations are mostly â€Å"unrealistic,† to modify or adjust them are somewhat difficult to both sides. It is a fact that when two individuals come into a marriage union, they bring with them two different perspectives in almost all respects, and this is no different with interracial marriages. However, there are more at stake when racial backgrounds or ethnicity is the core issue, as studies reveal. Marriage and the fruit of the union – the family – is the basic unit of society and regarded as one of the most principal institutions of the social order. When marriages fail and families disintegrate, there is without a doubt a â€Å"ripple† effect on the community’s functioning in terms of that community’s solidity, and law and order. Although many facets of the relationship operate as components to the enjoyment and development of the marriage bond, the common and usual fundamental rationale for the union is intimacy. It is this vital ingredient that draws couples from different persuasions, race, or creed together despite the potential drawbacks and heartaches that will soon shake the very foundations of that union. This paper dwells on these potentialities in terms of the advantages and disadvantages of interracial marriages. The author believes that despite the difficulties and at times the impossibilities that complications beset interracial marriages, for as long as both parties or the individuals involved have explored beforehand the complexities, and settled for the facts and realities, their relationship is off to a better start. This paper then offers to describe and explain the polarities that entail in a marriage coming from two different ethnic or racial backgrounds. Definition demographics In US history, many things that speak of the American way of life are deeply affected and influenced on the issue of race and especially on cross-cultural marriages. Since its â€Å"pioneer† days, being attached with another not your own color, creed, or race is neither new, nor surprising. A study of endogamy’s other extreme, i. e. mixed marriage then and now is still quite of interest to many (Rosenfeld, 2007). To tackle the subject matter that this paper endeavors to explore, the author starts by defining the main concepts used throughout the study. Definition Marriage is defined as a â€Å"socially recognized and approved union between individuals† with the idea that both will commit themselves to a lifetime of togetherness in the hope that there will be stability and happiness that the couple will enjoy in their intimate relationship (Microsoft Encarta, 2005). Such relationship has legal, cultural, economic, moral, and psychological dimensions that may impinge on its eventual longevity and permanence. Miscegenation or â€Å"intermarriage between races†, according to Encarta, is defined as â€Å"marriage or cohabitation between people of different races† (2005). Demographics According to a study by Kara Joyner, assistant professor of policy analysis and management at Cornell and co-author of a study on interracial relationships in a recent issue of the American Sociological Review (Vol. 70:4), â€Å"Hispanics had the highest rate of interracial relationships: 45 percent of 18- to 19-year-olds and 33 percent of 24- to 25-year-olds were in interracial relationships in the early 2000s, compared with blacks (20 and 14 percent, respectively) and whites (16 and 12 percent, respectively† (Lang, 2005). Although Asians are comparatively the same with Hispanics in the aspects of interracial union in Joyner’s study, the ethnic group was not included due to lack of research yields when it comes to as when they likely get into their liaisons and when these end. However, in some studies, the case of Asians engaging in interracial marriage, demographics painted a different picture. Whereas in the case of Hispanics, Blacks, and Whites who intermarry, the surveys say that as they age, the tendency of these relationships’ potential to last dwindles, the Asians’ marriages tend to increase and last longer (Lang, 2005). The US Bureau of the Census points out that intermarriage is still â€Å"relatively uncommon† basing on a 2002 survey because only 2. 9 percent of all marriages come from interracial unions (Lang in Joyner study, 2005). Review of Literature Family Values Every home has its set of beliefs or tradition that they hold in high esteem. This is referred to as family values. Anything that the family believes is important comprises a family values system. This paper attempts to explain what family values are and how people uphold their beliefs and what makes them hold on to those beliefs in a highly individualistic country such as ours. Among the values an individual possesses, the most important I believe is that a person must regard most his/her values about family as the most significant. Many people don’t usually pause and contemplate what their values are. They may not know whether these values they already have are still practical or useful in a modern day world. Moreover, they do not think how their values fit in with their kind of milieu that they evolve in. (â€Å"Values: what are they? †2007). There are families that take time out though to impart to their children what had been passed on to them when they too were yet very young. The values may not be as strong as when were yet children because the person may have adapted to his world and adjusted his values that others may be accommodated. Through the years, a family value system may be a combination of what had been passed on to an individual and the values system of one’s friends or colleagues at work. Why are family values important? The primary reason is that what we hold as important affects how we use time, money and energy or how we interact with people. If a family believes the importance of education then parents try to save for the schooling of their children which includes books among others. Family values influence how we spend our resources and make decisions. Parents then need to communicate what their own family values are, why these are important and the specifics of what are most essential that the children must also adopt or follow. Children also need to respect others who have dissimilar value system as compared to their own. Most likely values will evolve but when parents lead the children and model these beliefs, their children will be able to learn and pass these on to the next generation (â€Å"Values: what are they? †2007). Social Clock The belief that there are descriptive and prescriptive age norms concerning adults during their developmental shift involves the concept of the social clock. The social clock hinges on its description of society’s expectations where time to get married and have children at the same time attaining more of life’s burdens. For example, the traditional or what has been considered as the perception of women who have not yet entered into matrimony as individuals who are negatively appraised during their middle adulthood stage in contrast to the young adults. Social clock has something to do with an expectation that a person must somehow behave or conduct him/herself according to established developmental milestones or else, risk the consequences that may happen because the individual has allowed it to slip through (Altenbernd, 2004).

Identity and Postmodernism | Essay

Identity and Postmodernism | Essay Critically assess the contention that identities are, plural, unstable, situationally enacted, and sites of contestation. The stability or otherwise of identity has become a major battleground for sociological theorists in recent times. The infamous ‘postmodern’ turn has rendered identity a deeply problematic phenomenon. In this paper I will investigate the claim that identities are unstable sites of contestation. I will do this by examining the dissolution of identity within postmodern theory before examining both the negative and more importantly, the positive consequences of this.[1] This will enable a deeper understanding of precisely what is meant by this fluid notion of identity, and where possible criticisms and inconsistencies can be located within this theory. The debate over the stability of identity is one that is inseparably linked to postmodernism. This diverse group of theories centre around, in Lyotard’s (1984:xxiv) famous phrase, ‘incredulity toward meta-narratives.’[2] Postmodernists maintain that the project of modernity has failed, and that no single source or body of knowledge can legitimise itself as a universal measure of value or identity. This obviously has some profound effects on the ways in which we would normally think about the world. Postmodernism no longer allows us to theorise society into homogenous identities which can then be totalised in a grand-theory or meta-narrative. This is also the case when it comes to the identification of the self. Rather than the self maintaining a stable core of identity, from a postmodern perspective identity is fluid and is dependant upon where the self is historically and culturally situated. As Luntley (1985:185) notes, this conception of the self threatens the very possibility of self-identity: The loss of self-identity is threatened because if we situated the self in real historical circumstances, we would situate it in things that are contingent and constantly changing. Therefore, the self would also be constantly changing. It would be in flux and would have no continuing identity. Once the very identity of the self comes under threat, then so does the possibility of any coherency in social theorising. A postmodern society is one in which the identities of the social actors are undergoing constant transformation. Identity then becomes open to contestation as there is no longer any ultimate referent (truth, science, God etc.) to provide universal legitimation. In Lyotard’s terms, the impossibility of a grand or meta-narrative leads to the social being constructed of small narratives, none of which are necessarily more valid than another. Any theory that aims at totalising society should only be seen as one constructed from a particular perspective (e.g. one that still remains in the logic of modernity), rather than a totalising theory as such. Whilst postmodernism can be viewed as liberating and opening up seemingly limitless opportunities for re-theorising society, it does at the same time impose new problems. Firstly, there seems to be an inconsistency in the postmodernist stance, as it could be argued that the theory of the dissolution of meta-narratives is a type of meta-narrative itself. This criticism can also be applied to the postmodernist take on identity, for in arguing that identity is ultimately unstable and fluid postmodernists inadvertently provide a certain rigid structure in which identity operates (i.e. that all identity must be unstable). So whilst postmodernism is liberating on the one hand, on the other it sets limits to the very possibility of any meaningful social theory or practice. This is exemplified in the disparity between postmodern theorists, some of which view postmodernism as opening up huge opportunities for getting rid of authoritarian grand theories, others view it as essentially debilitating as the only thing that can prevail in postmodern societies is a sense of meaningless flux. Within this disagreement the postmodern analysis of identity remains reasonable intact, both sides of the argument larg ely accept that identity is fluid and unstable. By analysing this disagreement we can therefore obtain a better understanding of the various aspects of fluid identity. Jean Baudrillard (1990:160-164) for example, argues that the dissolution of identity is a process that started in the nineteenth century and was exacerbated in the twentieth. In the postmodern era, historical processes have undermined the stability of identity, so that it becomes impossible to meaningfully theorise about social identity. Rigid identity and meaning are destroyed due to the rise of global capitalism and the demise of the referents from modernity (truth, purpose, meaning and so on). ‘Gone are the referentials of production, signification, affect, substance, history, and the whole equation of â€Å"real† contents’ (Baudrillard 1988:125). Identity now becomes a radically fluid and empty vessel, which becomes temporarily filled with content that has no foundation or ultimate meaning. Whilst for Baudrillard this cannot be thought of as a particularly positive or negative phenomenon, as ‘good’ or ‘bad’ no longer have any real mea ning in postmodernity, it does render theoretical and political action largely impotent.[3] This is why in postmodernism we are presented with numerous texts heralding the end of theory, history, meaning and so on.[4] The dissolution of identity means for many postmodernists that theory and meaningful political action are no longer possible: The end of history is, alas, also the end of the dustbins of history. There are no longer any dustbins even for disposing of old ideologies, old regimes, old values †¦ Conclusion: if there are no more dustbins of history, this is because History itself has become a dustbin. It has become its own dustbin. Just as the planet itself is becoming its own dustbin. (Baudrillard 1994b:26) The negative aspects of the lack of fixity and grounded meaning in identity are thus very evident. Laclau and Mouffe on the other hand, in Hegemony and Socialist Strategy, positively embrace the fluidity and instability of identity. Indeed, they argue that the impossibility of the closure of identity is what makes the social possible (1985:112). Society as such is therefore an impossible object for Laclau and Mouffe, as the field of identities is never fixed, but the continuing attempt to do this renders the possibility of the social. Society resists closure and remains eternally negotiable as the meanings produced to bind the social together are only temporarily fixed at nodal points by articulation (1985:11). Articulation is where social relations and identities are modified. Many differing types of articulations (political, cultural, scientific an so on) are capable of doing this, but the important thing for Laclau and Mouffe is that no one particular articulation totalises and re stricts the ability for other articulations to operate freely. Laclau and Mouffe (1985:13) argue that their concept of hegemony recognises the plurality of struggles and attempts to engage with it: The concept of ‘hegemony’ will emerge precisely in a context dominated by the experience of fragmentation and by the indeterminacy of the articulations between different struggles and subject positions. Hegemony for Laclau and Mouffe refers to the ‘battleground’ of identity. As the identity of the social is fluid and open to negotiation, different types of social articulations and struggles will attempt to hegemonise society to gain recognition. While this attempt at hegemony in itself is not a negative practice for Laclau and Mouffe, successfully achieved hegemony is. It is therefore imperative that a strong egalitarian and democratic framework is in operation for this site of social hegemony. The advent of democracy is therefore a pivotal moment in social history. Here Laclau and Mouffe (1985:186-187) concur with Claude Lefort’s analyses of the ‘democratic revolution’. Society prior to democracy was thought of as a unified body with power being embodied through that of a sovereign monarch, who was the representative of a god or gods. After the democratic revolution, power becomes an empty space without reference to a transcendental guarantor or a r epresentation of substantial social unity. A split occurs between the instances of power, knowledge, and the foundations of law which are no longer absolute. Without these foundations, no law can be fixed and everything is open to questioning. Society cannot be apprehended or controlled, the people become sovereign but their identity can never be totally given. But once we are in a democratic society, we are in danger of totalitarianism. This is because a purely social power can emerge after democracy has destroyed extra-social powers, which presents its power as total and extracts from itself alone the principles of law and knowledge. As there are no longer any foundations or a centre to political power, it becomes necessary to bind together political spaces through hegemonic articulations. But these articulations will always remain partial, as they have no ultimate foundation. Any attempt to deny the radically open nature of the social will lead to totalitarianism, be it a politic s of the ‘left’ according to which every antagonism can be eliminated and society rendered transparent, or a fascist authoritarian fixing of the social into a rigid hierarchical state system. The democratic logic of equivalence can therefore be hegemonised into totalitarianism. The radical openness of identity is therefore impinged with the danger of totalitarianism for Laclau and Mouffe.[5] To avoid this, the diverse and fluid nature of identity should be embraced within an egalitarian and democratic framework, so no particular articulation may hegemonise social identity. This is difficult however as the ultimate lack of closure for identity leads to a necessarily antagonistic network of social relations. Antagonism is caused when a discursive form of one type of identity interrupts another’s discursive frame (1985:154). The inability of a particular identity to successfully assimilate the articulations of another leads to an internal antagonism that becomes the catalyst for a further modification of itself. Hence there is no stable core to any particular identity, identity is always shifting and changing. But this is also how a democratic framework can be constructed. As all identity is open, then democratic and egalitarian ideals can permeate diff erent articulations to avoid totalitarianism: [I]t is only from the moment when the democratic discourse becomes available to articulate the different forms of resistance to subordination that the conditions will exist to make possible the struggle against different types of inequality. (1985:154-155) The openness of identity, once incorporated into a democratic framework, is therefore a positive and progressive phenomenon for Laclau and Mouffe. The impossibility of totalising society is embraced as an opportunity for new fields of thought to be created, free from the tyranny of authoritarianism. We can therefore see a great disparity between Baudrillard’s and Laclau and Mouffe’s notions of the openness of identity. Both perspectives fully accept the lack of stability in identity, yet for Baudrillard this leads to sociological and political impotence, whereas for Laclau and Mouffe this is seen as an opportunity for sociological and political creativity and action. For many theorists however, the apparent differences or similarities between various postmodern theories of unstable identity are merely superficial.[6] They claim that there are deeper problems and inconsistencies within this notion of identity itself. Zizek (2000:106-107), for example, claims that whilst Laclau and Mouffe are vehemently opposed to all forms of essentialism, and seek to affirm the radical contingency of the political and irreducibility of the social, they nonetheless have to rely on a formal existential a priori, such as ‘the logic of hegemony’. In other words, one of the main problems with this type of discourse is that in maintaining that identity and the social is radically open, it has to rely on a certain formal logic. Laclau and Mouffe have to rely on a ‘logic of hegemony’ as the natural state of identity formation and articulation, as they deny that the fluidity of identity is a historical phenomenon: Only in contemporary societies is there a generalisation of the hegemonic form of politics, but for this reason we can interrogate the past, and find there inchoate forms of the same processes that are fully visible; and, when they did not occur, understand why things were different. (Laclau 2000:200) This proposes that all social identity was always-already the result of hegemonic struggles, whilst it is only in our ‘postmodern’ world that we can recognise this. So while the maintaining of the openness of identity is a form of anti-essentialism, it is nonetheless only operable within a rigid essentialist framework. Zizek criticises this approach for its lack of historical analysis. For Zizek (2000:95) it is the process of contemporary global capitalism that has created the conditions for the demise of essentialist politics, and has led us to the ‘recognition’ of the irreducible plurality of identities.[7] Zizek argues that Laclau and other proponents of this postmodern notion of identity do not analyse the logic that makes this possible, and therefore do not engage with any theoretical confrontation with it. In fact Zizek (1993:216) and other notable theorists argue that postmodern theories of identity are merely a product of capitalism and late modernit y:[8] Far from containing any kind of subversive potentials, the dispersed, plural constructed subject hailed by postmodern theory simply describes the form of subjectivity that corresponds to late capitalism.’ Rather than postmodern identity being a liberating and revolutionary new way of rethinking the social, from this perspective it is merely a reaction of late modernity which fails to seriously engage with the major problematic of our time. It is in this sense that Hardt and Negri (2000:138) argue that ‘the postmodernist and postcolonialist strategies that appear to be liberatory would not challenge but in fact coincide with and even unwittingly reinforce the new strategies of rule.’ Postmodern notions of the fluidity of identity bring us to a political and theoretical impasse.[9] But it could be argued that this is only the case if we accept postmodernism itself as a type of totalising theory. The notion of the fluidity of identity is useful and does open up new avenues of theorising and politicising. But as Zizek and others argue, the social and historical processes that have lead up to this should play a greater role in understanding modern or postmodern identity. Some postmodernists such as Baudrillard accept these historical processes, but insist that they are irreversible under a banner of the end of history. Others such as Laclau and Mouffe insist on the positive aspects of the instability of identity, and indeed even insist that it is unavoidable. But what both these positions share is the unavoidability of groundless identity, and the ultimate impossibility of creating positive content for identity. Laclau and Mouffe may argue that positive identity is possible, within a democratic framework. But the problem of failure remains unavoidable; all identity is either a failed attempt at hegemonising the social, or if successful then it is necessarily totalitarian as it denies the radical openness of identity as such. Even in this positive use of fluid identity, negativity is still very much inscribed into its operation. The lack of fixity in identity does indeed seem to correlate with modern or postmodern subjectivity, as Zizek argues above, but claims that make this a universal and necessary phenomenon are fraught with difficulties. References Baudrillard, J. (1988) Selected Writings. Cambridge: Polity Press Baudrillard, J. (1994a) Simulacra and Simulation. Michigan: University of Michigan Press Baudrillard, J. (1994b) The Illusion of the End. Cambridge: Polity Press Bauman, Z. (1992) Intimations of Postmodernity. London: Routledge Brockelman, T. (2003) ‘The failure of the radical democratic imaginary’, Philosophy and  Social Criticism, vol 29 no2, pp 183-2 Butler, J., Laclau, E. and Zizek, S. (2000) Contingency, Hegemony, Universality.  Contemporary Dialogues on the Left. London: Verso Grillo, R.D. (1998) Pluralism and the Politics of Difference State, Culture, and Ethnicity in  Comparative Perspective. Oxford : Clarendon Press Fukuyama, F.(1992) The End of History and the Last Man. London: Hamish Hamilton Hardt, M. and Negri, A. (2000) Empire. London: Harvard University Press Laclau, E. and Mouffe, C. (1985) Hegemony and Socialist Strategy. Towards A Radical  Democratic Politics. London: Verso Lefort, C. (1988) Democracy and Political Theory. Cambridge: Polity Press Lyotard, J-F. (1984) The Postmodern Condition: A Report on Knowledge. Manchester:  Manchester University Press Sim, S. (1986) ‘Lyotard and the Politics of Antifoundationalism’, Radical Philosophy,  Autumn no 44, pp 8-13 Zizek, S. (1993) Tarrying with the Negative. Kant, Hegel and the Critique of Ideology.  Durham: Duke University Press Zizek, S. (1999) The Zizek Reader. Oxford: Blackwell Publishers Zizek, S. and Daly, G. (2004) Conversations with Zizek. Cambridge: Polity Press 1 Footnotes [1] As the negative aspects of postmodern identity are clearly evident (lack of meaning, stability and so on), I will therefore concentrate more on the positive aspects of fluid identity to gain greater insight. [2] See Hardt and Negri (2000:139-140): ‘It is difficult to generalize about the numerous discourses that go under the banner of postmodernism, but most of them draw at least indirectly on Jean-Francois Lyotard’s critique of modernist master narratives †¦ [P]ostmodernist theories are defined by many of their proponents as sharing one single common denominator, a generalized attack on the Enlightenment.’ [3] ‘The dialectical stage, the critical stage is empty. There is no more stage no more stage either of mental or political solidarity.’ (Baudrillard:1990:164) [4] See for example Fukuyama (1992) [5] Here we can see parallels with Lyotard’s antagonism toward meta-narratives. [6] Grillo (1998:219) interestingly claims that there is another problem with postmodern theory: ‘There is an ambiguity in postmodernist writing in the social sciences: are we dealing with an intellectual stance (on language and so forth) or type of culture and society whose features are captured by the phrase postmodern? Or both?’ In other words, postmodernists are generally confused in their theorising, as they cannot adequately account for the origins of the dissolution of identity and meaning. [7] Zizek is not alone in this view. See for example Brockelman (2003:191): ‘[A]t the core of all social systems producing identities is a certain structure, a structure that alone makes possible the formation of diacritical or articulated identities.’ [8] See also Hard and Negri (2000:137-143) [9] Stuart Sim (1986:11) for example reproaches postmodernism for its political ineptitude, arguing that antifoundationalist political approaches are ‘uncoordinated guerrilla campaigns conducted by alienated solipsists – and one wonders how successful that would be.’

Comparative Analysis Essay on Two Articles

Comparative Analysis Essay on Two Articles Introduction Here the selected two articles are Article 1: Basics about Employee Motivation written by Carter McNamara, Article2: Employee Motivation by Dr. Robert E. Wubbolding. As the assignment is to do a comparative analysis between two articles on a related topic, the selection was done on topic of employee motivation which is an essential topic in effective business administration. In the first article it is basically focuses on the new managers and supervisors. First it describes how to clear up the myths of employee motivation. Then it describes basic principles in employee motivation. Subsequently it provides the details of step you can take for employee motivation. The second article is starts with a serious problem in human resource management and then starts the discussion about the Ideas of the management that need to absolutely give up by the management. Then it opens up for a discussion of why employees succeed or fail and what we can do. Accordingly there are no clear cut similarities that we can find it these two articles. But after the reading and the understanding it will open-up for broader understanding of the area of employee motivation. Comparative Analysis As above said Article 1: Basics about Employee Motivation introduces the myths to clear up in the employee motivation. Those are as follows: I can motivate people- Not really they have to motivate themselves Money is a good motivator understand the motivation factor of each of employees Fear is a damn good motivator Fear is a great motivator for a very short time I know what motivates me, so I know what motivates my employees- Not really different people are motivated by different things. Increased job satisfaction means increased job performance- Increased job satisfaction does not necessarily mean increased job performance I cant comprehend employee motivation its a science -Supporting your employees to motivate themselves toward increased performance in their jobs.ÂÂ   Article 2: Employee Motivation also introduces the ideas which have to be given up by the management. Those are somewhat new when compare with the myths of article one. The following four ideas are ineffective and actually constitute barriers to increased quality. As a manager, I can force employees to do what I want them to do Increasing the compensation package is sufficient to keep people happy It is not necessary to reward people for doing what they are supposed to do. People are good, honest, and will always perform to the best of their ability In article one introduces specific steps that can help to go a long way toward supporting the employees to motivate them in an organization. 1.ÂÂ  Do more than read this article apply what youre reading here 2.ÂÂ  Briefly write down the motivational factors that sustain you and what you can do to sustain them 3.ÂÂ  Make of list of three to five things that motivate each of your employees 4.ÂÂ  Work with each employee to ensure their motivational factors are taken into consideration in your reward systems 5.ÂÂ  Have one-on-one meetings with each employeeÂÂ   6.ÂÂ  Cultivate strong skills in delegation 7.ÂÂ  Reward it when youÂÂ  seeÂÂ  it 8.ÂÂ  Reward it soon after you see it 9.ÂÂ  Implement at least the basic principles of performance management 10.ÂÂ  Establish goals that are SMARTER 11.ÂÂ  Clearly convey how employee results contribute to organizational results 12.ÂÂ  Celebrate achievements 13.ÂÂ  Let employees hear from their customers (internal or external) 14.ÂÂ  Admit to yourself (and to an appropriate someone else) if you dont like an employee In article two introduces this area as What you can do and it says like this, Write a description of the behaviour of two employees with whom you need help. Be specific about their negative behaviours. After you read Employee Motivation, return to these two employees, using your new skills. You will be surprised at your success in helping employees learn to modify their behaviours in positive ways-ways that will help their productivity and make them happier-a win-win for everyone! But in article one Basics about Employee Motivation introduces five basic principles in the employee motivation. Motivating employees starts with motivating yourself its amazing how, if you hate your job, it seems like everyone else does, too. If you are very stressed out, it seems like everyone else is, too. Enthusiasm is contagious. If youre enthusiastic about your job, its much easier for others to be, too. Also, if youre doing a good job of taking care of yourself and your own job, youll have much clearer perspective on how others are doing in theirs. Always work to align goals of the organization with goals of employees as mentioned above, employees can be all fired up about their work and be working very hard. However, if the results of their work dont contribute to the goals of the organization, then the organization is not any better off than if the employees were sitting on their hands maybe worse off! Therefore, its critical that managers and supervisors know what they want from their employees. Key to supporting the motivation of your employees is understanding what motivates each of them Each person is motivated by different things. Whatever steps you take to support the motivation of your employees, they should first include finding out what it is that really motivates each of your employees. You can find this out by asking them, listening to them and observing them. (More about this later on below.) Recognize that supporting employee motivation is a process, not a task Organizations change all the time, as do people. Indeed, it is an ongoing process to sustain an environment where each employee can strongly motivate themselves. If you look at sustaining employee motivation as an ongoing process, then youll be much more fulfilled and motivated yourself. Support employee motivation by using organizational systems (for example, policies and procedures) dont just count on good intentions Dont just count on cultivating strong interpersonal relationships with employees to help motivate them. The nature of these relationships can change greatly, for example, during times of stress. Instead, use reliable and comprehensive systems in the workplace to help motivate employees. For example, establish compensation systems, employee performance systems, organizational policies and procedures, etc., In article two also describes this in a different manner. It always focuses to speak to the heart of the reader as considering him or her as a manger rather than introducing concepts and approaches in employee motivation. It is as follows with some key areas that author needs to emphasize. That society believes this is illustrated by the actions of our institutions. Authorities believe that stiffer penalties will, of themselves, cure the drug problem; that more effective punishments will control student behaviour. And the world of employment, in which most people spend a high percentage of their time, has surpassed other institutions in affirming this fallacious theory-that people can be effectively controlled from above. The fact is that employees can be helped to become more productive, to show initiative, and to do quality work. But the use of force alone brings only temporary compliance. If you are willing to make a commitment to change, you can learn how to coach employees in an effective manner. You can learn effective ways to talk with employees who are apathetic, resistant, or who suffer from other negative traits or attitudes. If you have ever found yourself without words to respond to an employee, or getting defensive, or giving in to the urge to verbally attack an employee, you will benefit from implementing the ideas contained in this book. These skills can help you feel more comfortable about your job. You might even look forward to Monday mornings! Positive results depend on one condition-you must learn the technique and then put it into practice. Article always try to build a conversation with the reader. It introduces the employees behaviours where the need of the employee motivation will arise as follows. Do you have employees who Are consistently late to work? Perform below their potential? Lack initiative? Fail to follow through? Seem to be moody? Perform poor quality work? Conclusion Article 1 first start up with what a manager should give up if he wants to motivate the employees. After that author wants to clear the myths of motivation and then gradually input the fresh ideas of motivation. Article 2, Employee Motivation, is a tool book that addresses the concerns of anyone who ever wanted to Motivate anyone!. It first asks serious of question which readers mind will open to a new area. Then introduces basic principles in employee motivation and then things can do when implementing those principles. So more or less both the articles try to open the readers mind by thinking that the reader will implement what the authors have mentioned.

African Americans Essay -- History, Slaves, Slaveholders

A slave is an individual entirely subjected to his or her owners' will. Slaves were treated like merchandise. They could be purchased and sold, traded for other items, lent out to, or mortgaged like a form of domestic animal. Slavery differentiates from many types of mistreatment ranging from serfdom, manual labor, or the ranking of women in patriarchal society. In past history the conventional definition of slavery was legal and stated that â€Å"slaves were peoples' property and could be bought, sold, traded, leased, or mortgaged like a form of livestock (Gilder Lehrman, 2009).† Because slaves are under the private control and care of their owner they were often exposed to sexual abuse and cruel unusual punishment. In many cultures, especially the African American culture, slaves were representatively desecrated; for instance, many were branded, tattooed, or required to wear distinctive clothing that could represented a slave. Also, regardless of the place and time period, s ocieties had established certain common stereotypes on the qualification of a slave. They were seen as immoral, childish, lethargic, immature, dim-witted, and incapable of freedom (Gilder Lehrman, 2009). Originally, the English colonists relied on indentured white servants and the late seventeenth century there was a shortage of servants. In response to this, colonists’ progressively resorted to enslaved Africans, leaving the whites to freedom. Due to this there were three distinguishing systems of slavery that emerged in the American civilization. In Maryland and Virginia slavery was mostly used in harvesting the raise of tobacco and corn and worked under the "gang" system (Gilder Lehrman, 2009). â€Å"In the South Carolina and Georgia, slaves raised rice and indigo... ...nt standing would facilitate him to find other avenues should the boycott fail (A&E Television Network, 1996). His powerful speeches inspired many and within a year of protesting and preaching the city busses were desegregated. In today’s society slavery still exists but not in physical labor aspects. Now the largest slavery operation is human trafficking, where by victims are generally forced, defrauded or coerced into sexual or labor utilization. It is among the fastest growing criminal activitie occurring both worldwide and in individual countries. Slavery will always be around in one form or another. People need to make money and unfortunately after all the great strides made during the period of segregation it is not enough. There is still hope that individuals like Rosa Parks and Martin Luther King Jr. exist in this world and the suffering will stop.

The Case Against Science Essay -- Philosophy Religion Papers

The Case Against Science Science has become an unreliable epistemological resource for several reasons. First, the assumptions of science are suspect. Second, the scientific method exhibits narrow limits to the acquisition of universal knowledge. Third, the conclusions of the scientific community at large are questionable and inadequate. Fourth, the practice of science has developed a particular perspective about its place in the world of knowing that diminishes all other avenues of knowledge, to its detriment. Finally, the practice of science involves a philosophical approach which makes scientism and "pure science" hard to differentiate. Thus, science itself, as an epistemological discipline, has been discovered to be unworthy of the extreme admiration granted it by the present technology-loving world. 1. The assumptions of science are suspect. Historically and philosophically, empiricism has been shown to have clear limitations, since many persons recognize that reality consists of things which can be known through the human senses as well as things which are not known by them. In fact, the very foundational assumptions of science are suspect. Markos indicates that "many of the givens we take for granted (most notably, that the foundation of all true knowledge is material, empirical, and quantifiable) are as recent as they are unproven" [1]. There also appear statements that seem to indicate that scientific assumptions should not be challenged. "No one would today think to ask why the interior angles of a Euclidian triangle sum to precisely 180 degrees. The question is closed because the answer is necessary "[2]. The answer may be necessary but perhaps is not true; perhaps it is only a convention for the use of th... ...rk: New American Library and University of Chicago Press, 1986. Lewis. C.S. Miracles. New York: Macmillan, 1978. Markos, Louis A. "Myth Matters," Christianity Today. Christianity.com, 16 April 2002. Otto, Rudolf. The Idea of the Holy: An Inquiry into the Non- Rational Factor in the Idea of the Divine and Its Relation to the Rational. London: Oxford University Press, 1970. Park, Robert. Voodoo Science. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2000. Schleiermacher, Friedrich. On Religion: Speeches to its Cultured Despisers. New York: Harper and Bros, Publ., 1958. Singh, Jagjit. Great Ideas of Modern Mathematics. New York: Dover Publ., Inc., 1959. Trefil, James and Robert M. Hazen. The Sciences: An Integrated Approach. New York: John Wiley and Sons, Inc., 2000. Trueblood, D. Elton. Philosophy of Religion. New York: Harper and Bros. Publ., 1957.

Teaching Philosophy :: Education Learning School Essays

Me as a Teacher All through high school when I was debating my career I never considered becoming a teacher, especially since the majority of my teachers told my classes not to become teachers. My father is a civil engineer, and everyone expected me to become an engineer. Also, they had me convince that becoming an engineer was really what I wanted to do. I started my freshman year at Bluefield State College in the mechanical engineering field. I finished my first semester with good grades, but I learned that engineering wasn’t the career for me. My favorite thing in the world is history. It is always on my mind whether I’m reading a book, watching it on television, or talking to someone about it. So, I began to wonder what career I could choose that involved history. At first I thought I wanted to be a historian, but now I want to teach history to teenagers. I want these young adults to learn, appreciate, respect, and understand that history is a very interesting subject. Today in most high schools the teacher lectures in a monotone voice straight from the book about the chapter the class is on. When the lecture for that chapter is over most classes will do a worksheet where they look up the answers in the book. Then they turn it in for an easy 100 and usually don’t retain any of the knowledge. The next day they review for the test where the instructor tells them every answer that will be on the test; the students write the information down and memorize it for the test. The following day they take the test, which is filled with lower-order questions. Most of the students receive an A, and the rest a B. Monday they start the next chapter not being able to recall a single thing learned in the pervious chapter. I plan to incorporate a variety of philosophies in my classroom. Essentialism brings the classroom â€Å"back to the basics.† It is a conservative philosophy that accepts the traditional social, political, and economic structure of U.S. society. Essentialists believe that not only should the classroom material be taught, but the teacher should teach his students moral values and intellectual knowledge that the students need to become good citizens.

Argumentative Essay Against Euthanasia Essay

Introduction Euthanasia is the practice of deliberately killing a person to spare him or her from having to deal with more pain and suffering. This is always a controversial issue because of the moral and ethical components that are involved. This paper will discuss the arguments against euthanasia. Discussion Euthanasia is clearly against the Hippocratic Oath that all doctors have to fulfil. This oath basically states that doctors must never be involved in the killing of people because after all, they have been trained to ensure that people are able to recover from their diseases and injuries. Doctors are the ones whom people entrust their lives whenever there is something wrong with their health. Thus, it is the responsibility of the doctors to always do the best they can to help people live and enjoy their lives (Cavan 48). If their patients die under their supervision, the doctors can accept this for as long as they know and can prove that they really did their best and exhausted all possibilities to ensure the survival of the patients. There are just certain instances where the disease or the injury of the patients has become so serious that it is already difficult to treat and make the patients recover. In these cases, it is unfair to blame the doctors for the death of the patients. The Hippocratic Oath helps the doctors to realize how important their responsibilities are to the people in terms of their health. This oath also provides an assurance to the people that they can trust their doctors and be assured that they will do whatever is necessary to help them deal with their health problems. If euthanasia becomes legalized, then the effectiveness of the Hippocratic Oath will be negated and the doctors can have the option of immediately resorting to euthanasia especially in difficult cases instead of trying their best until the very end. Another argument against euthanasia is that it is essentially homicide because the doctors will kill the patient even if it has been approved by the patient himself or the family of the patient. Euthanasia is not that different from murder because they both involve killing a person. The only difference is that in euthanasia, there is mercy and consent involved while in murder there is none (Tulloch 82). If murder is prohibited by law because people take matters into their own hands and kill others, then euthanasia should also be banned because doctors take matters into their own hands and kill their patients even if there is consent from the patients and their families or relatives. Lastly, the continued improvements and innovations in the field of medicine and health care make euthanasia illogical to be implemented as an option. The reason why medical experts continue to work hard to come up with improved medical technologies, medicines and treatment methods is that they want to make sure that the sick people are able to recover faster and healthy people become even healthier. All of these efforts are being done to make the society become more productive due to the presence of healthy and strong people (McDougall 26). Thus, doctors will not have an excuse for not doing their best for their patients as they already have access to the best medical technologies, medicines and treatment methods that will prevent them from having to resort to euthanasia as the only option. Conclusion There is no doubt that euthanasia needs to be banned as based on the three arguments discussed above, it does not deserve a place in human society. Doctors must never give up on their patients no matter how hopeless the situation might be. They must exhaust all options to give their patients a fighting chance to survive and

“My Papa’s Waltz” by Theodore Roethke Essay

â€Å"My Papa’s Waltz† by Theodore Roethke, is an intriguing poem about a memory of a boy and his father waltzing around the house. The ambiguity in this poem can lead to two very different interpretations. It can be seen as a child terrorized by an abusive father or a child having a playful romp with his father before bedtime. In this poem, Roethke uses metaphors, similes, imagery, and structure to make a strong impression on the reader. In the beginning, the speaker shows that he might not be having as much fun with the waltz as he would have thought. â€Å"But I hung on like death: / Such waltzing was not easy.† (line 4). Since the boy must hang on â€Å"like death†, it shows that the waltz is not just â€Å"not easy†. This line is also an example of a simile. The boy is hanging onto his father so hard that he is as inescapable as death. If the waltz in the poem is thought of as an extended metaphor for the relationship between the boy and his fa ther, the son could be writing that his entire relationship with his father wasn’t easy. As the poem goes on, the waltz gradually gets more and more difficult as well as his relationship with his father. In the third stanza, the father keeps missing steps and scratches the boy in the process. This could also be a metaphor for all of the mistakes that the father has made in real life which could hurt the boy in nonphysical ways as well. By using imagery in this poem, Roethke helps the reader to connect with the boy. One use of imagery in the poem is when the boy and the father â€Å"romp† around the kitchen. The word romp means to play roughly or energetically. The reader can see here that not only tha â€Å"My Papa’s Waltz† has a simple rhyme scheme of ABAB. Although the rhyme scheme helps with the flow of the poem, there are many slant rhymes that disrupt the flow as well. For example the word â€Å"dizzy† sounds very similar to â€Å"easy† but they are not perfect rhymes. Roethke also writes this poem in an iambic trimeter. Similar to the iambic pentameter which has a classic five beats per line, each line in the poem consists of three beats. Not only is the poem about a waltz, but it is becoming one as well since there are three beats in a waltz. This contributes to how a  person reads the poem as well as the tone of the poem.

Human Resource Management Process Essay

Human Resource Management Process Introduction            The role of a Human Resource department is ever changing in today’s volatile business environment. Over the years HR have become strong strategic partners within an organization by providing functions such as recruitment, training and development and retention. Human Resource, in order to be strategic, works directly with all levels of management in an effort to help with strategy and the growth of the company to meet their vision. One very important aspect is talent acquisition. Having the right people in key roles within the organization is vital to the success and growth of any company. Performing this function includes job analysis, task and KSA statements, preparing job descriptions, recruiting, and then setting compensation. The entire process from job analysis to compensation is discussed as follows; Job analysis            When a new job is created or a vacancy occurs, it is the role of a HR representative to fill that void. In order to perform this function they need to first understand what role they are trying fill is and what skills and responsibilities this new role would require. By conducting a job analysis they are able to further define important elements of any job and then search for the person or people that are the most qualified and would be a good fit for the company. Job analysis is the process of describing and recording aspects of jobs and stipulating the skills and other requirements necessary to perform the job. It refers to the process of Gathering and collecting information about responsibilities, duties, skills, the outcomes and the environment that influences working in a particular job field. The job analysis process will help the HR managers find the ideal candidate for the position. Task statement            Task analysis is the process by which a task statement is derived. The task statement is the most important element of task analysis process because it provides a standardized, concise format to describe worker actions. It is a document that defines and describes the specific job to be performed by the candidate. The creation of these task statements may take considerable thought and insight. However, the rewards of conducting this due diligence before taking on the task of hiring a new employee, makes the process very simple and less stressful. Everything is clearly defined and above all, measurable in the future. KSA statement            KSA statements are the job related knowledge, skills and abilities that an applicant must perform successfully in a certain position. It is a statement that helps employees in the process of identifying the employee who best fits in a particular field. KSA statements help hiring managers identify the knowledge, skills and attributes needed to successfully perform a specific job. Knowing the tasks that have to be performed, helps you to identify the KSA that the candidate must possess in order to perform to the companies standards and in return hire the right candidate. Job description            Writing a job description is an important step in the human resource staffing plan. A job description typically outlines the necessary skills, training and education needed by a potential employee for a specified job. It provides an outline of what should be done by a particular employee in a specific position. It should give a brief overview of the role, how it relates to the organizational vision, a list of key responsibilities, requirements and qualifications.Once a job description is prepared, it can serve a basis for interviewing candidates, orienting a new employee and finally in the evaluation of overall job performance. By incorporating and utilizing job descriptions, an organization can better understand the experience and skill set needed to enhance the overall success of the company. Recruitment plan            Once the Job analysis, Task statements, KSA statements and the job description are completed, the next step is to search for candidates. A complete recruitment plan identifies vacant positions in an organization that need to be filled so that so that an adequate job advertisement can be created and placed appropriately for a specific period of time. Most recruitment plans include searching both internally and externally from the organization. When organizations choose the right people for the job, these people are not only great performers with their job, but also tend to stay with the organization longer. Selection method            The key to the selection process is to choose a strategy for screening candidates that will allow an organization to view the most qualified candidates for the vacant position. Employee selection process usually entails reviewing, screening, interviewing, testing then selecting the best available candidates for theavailable position. Organizations also make use of many outside agencies when completing the selection process. Drug screening and reference checks are often done by a third party. Many companies are beginning to incorporate assessment tests and activities into the selection process to insure additional training is not necessary for potential candidates. A selection method chosen by the organization should allow the selection panel of a company to pick the candidate that is most suited to fill the vacant position. Performance evaluation            A performance evaluation is a review and discussion of an employee’s performance of assigned duties and responsibilities. Performance evaluations need to be in place to support decisions made by management and the HR department. The appraisal is based on results obtained by the employee in their job. These evaluations can also be used to teach as they may show areas that need improvement as well as provide backup for recognition of a job well done. It measures skills and accomplishments with reasonable accuracy and uniformity.The performance evaluations need to be structured and performed in a timely manner as well and managers need to be trained appropriately has to how to conduct these evaluations. Compensation plan            Compensation is a systematic approach to proving monetary value to employees in exchange for work performed.Compensation may achieve several purposes assisting in recruitment, job performance, and job satisfaction. Job analysis can be used in compensation to identify or determine skill levels, compensable job factors, fiscal and supervisory responsibilities and required level of education which is related to salary level. Job descriptions are used as a tool for determining salary ranges.Many people associate compensation with money but when looking for a job, many compensation packages are designed with a package of products in mind. Due to the fact that compensation isn’t just about the dollar figure, compensation packages need to be discussed in great detail when hiring new employees.Overall compensation strategies have to be designed to meet the overall objectives of the organization.            Would you change anything in your process at this point? No I wouldn’t change anything. This is because of the following reasons:            I don’t think that I would change anything about my paper because I did do extensive research on a HR Receptionist position to determining the skills, qualifications and experience needed for this type of positions. There is a legal need to do a job analysis. Employers who wish to demonstrate that their selection processes are valid will need to start with the job analysis. There are also management reasons for doing the analysis. It yields an improved process for obtaining, retaining and managing organization’s work. Job description communicates the organization’s expectations to its employees. Conclusion            In conclusion, we have discussed the importance of the job analysis process which includes task statement, KSA statement and job description. Job analysis is the procedure used to determine tasks, duties and responsibilities of each job, and identify knowledge, skills and abilities appropriate to perform the job.The job analysis process can render positive outcomes like increased profits, employee retention and reaching overall organizational goals when implemented successfully within an organization.            We have also discussed importance of human resource department’s ability to recruit, select candidates appropriately and continue ongoing performance evaluations with the organization’s employees.An organization cannot build a good team of working professionals without good Human Resources. The key functions of the Human Resources Management team include recruiting people, training them, performance appraisals, motivating employees as well as workplace communication, workplace safety, and much more. As you can see, human resource plays a very big role in the foundation of an organization. Literature review on compensation Introduction            Compensation can be defined as any rewards obtained by employees in return for their labor. Compensation can be divided into three aspects, that is; direct financial compensation, indirect financial compensation and non-financial compensation. Direct financial compensation consists of pay received in the form of wages, salaries, bonuses and commissions provided at regular intervals. Indirect financial compensation includes all financial rewards which are not included in direct compensation, and form part of the social contract between the employer and employee such as benefits, leaves, retirement plans, education and employee services. Non financial compensation refers to topics such as career development and advancement opportunities, opportunities for recognition as well as work environment and conditions.            As much as many employees focus on direct financial compensation, it is the non-financial rewards that are more effective in the long term employee engagement. Job position covers the various duties such as interesting duties and responsibilities, autonomy, challenges, authority feeling of achievement, advancement opportunities and opportunities for recognition.            Work environment focuses on; competent supervision, fun and effective co-workers, flexible scheduling, modified retirement and fair and consistent practices and policies. Scholarly review            Levels of firms’ productivity widely depend on good compensation strategies. In small businesses, coordination between general resource management practices lacked, hence, diminished productivity levels. Besides, personnel related problems are arising as a result of unclear, outlined policies on human resource management and compensation in small businesses. Inadequate and inefficient management of human resources often adversely affects employee’s perception of equity, resulting in dissatisfaction, inadequate motivation, higher turnover and lower productivity (Tate, et al, 1982). Unlike small businesses, large businesses rely on a well organized, formal personnel development to ensure effective human resource management.            There are various policies that aid in proper human resource management and increment of productivity levels. These policies are based on both wage payment and other fringe benefits. In order for these policies to effectively work, one need to enact proper maintenance practices which include; appropriate induction of an employee, conducting performances review, providing employee service and instituting governance.            However, the surveys were done to come to a conclusion on the gap that was observed between ‘what could be’ and ‘what was’ (in terms of professional human resource management) might be caused by at least four factors; a lack of formal personnel management training, a lack of perception on the part of decision makers that productivity is improved by use of generally accepted human resource management practices, a lack of incentive because employers are family members or an inability to use human resource management practices effectively because of size and monetary constraints.            Compensation can also be achieved through recognition of personnel. Recognition of personnel is done by considering the following; the length of service, above and beyond program, peer to peer, retirements and sales. Rewarding of the recognized personnel is done through; certification and or plaques, cash gifts, certification and company logo merchandise. Recognition is meant to; salute years of service, create a positive work environment, encourage high performance, foster a culture of recognition and raise personnel morale.            Not all gestures succeed. Celebrating employees can also backfire, as far as the research conducted by Business Scholars at Harvard Business School. There were two reasons that emerged; first, â€Å"employees strategically gave the program improving timelines only when eligible for the reward, and call in sick to retain eligibility,† scholars explain. Secondly, â€Å"employees with perfect pre-program attendance or high productivity suffered 6.8% productivity decrease after program introduction, suggesting they were de-motivated by awards for good behavior they already exhibited.†            Compensation related issues have called for relevant compensation plans and decisions in order to cater equally for personnel. There are various decisions that human resource management makes concerning compensation as highlighted below;            Compensation decisions are essential in compensation strategies. Compensation of personnel depends on the market position (level of pay relative to competitors), internal versus external orientation, hierarchy (the pay structure and the basic-job versus skills-for the pay structure reward mix, and the basis of research performance versus seniority, groups versus individual and criteria used) (Lawler 1981). These are issues that determine decision of salary increment.            Increasing list of decisions has raised doubts about the efficacy of a strategic perspective. It brings to mind the multiple facts of job satisfaction that made the constraint more complex than originally conceived (Heneman, 1985), hence, t is necessary to differentiate decision which are strategic from those that are not.            Compensation decision making widely depends on the strategic policies as highlighted below;            Competitiveness, whose degrees vary among various organizations and among occupations within them, from a strategic perspective, competitiveness refers to positioning a firm’s compensation relative to its competitors (Belcher, et al, 1987). It deals with total return trade off decision.            Internal structure- the internal pay structure is a fundamental policy that requires strategic decisions. Typically it refers to the distribution of rates or internal pay differentials. (Simon, et al,1987.) Decisions involved depend on the issue of pay, equity and slope of the hierarchies.            Forms of pay- this is another policy that pertains the forms of the mix of various elements of total compensation (Heneman, et al, 1973). Decisions include the number of forms to offer, the degree to which each is contingent to employees maintaining their membership in the organization like entitlement, or performance like incentives, relative importance of each form and the proportion of the workforce eligible for each firm.            Basis for increase-decisions based on the strategic policies involved in granting pay increase are also involved; they range from an emphasis on short versus long term incentives (Caroll, et al, 1987).            Role in the human resource strategy- description of firm’s human resources strategies plays a very important role in decision making (Dyer, 1985).            Administrative style- this process is used to administer compensation decision, also referred to as strategic properties. It deals with issues such as employee participation, communication centralization and dispute resolutions mechanisms.            Compensation planning and administration has various challenges which require efficient decision making criteria. These compensation related decisions are formulated to do away with disputes that may result from pre hiring pay, ongoing employment, legal compliance, equal pay out and fair labor standards acts. Conclusion            From what we have seen in the scholarly articles, for one to improve business productivity, it is essential to have relevant compensation strategies to provide guidelines on personnel compensation. Many small businesses are characterized by inadequate and insufficient management of human resources which tend to affect employee’s perception of equity, resulting to dissatisfaction, inadequate motivation and lower productivity, hence, proper human resource management strategies are essential in building a well organized, formal, personnel department to ensure high productivity levels.            Compensation can also be achieved through proper recognition of personnel by considering different aspects as highlighted in the articles above. Recognition is essential as it fosters work environment and also encourages high performance through appraisal of morale among the staff.            In order to come up to a proper compensation plan, the human resource department needs to formulate clear policies and procedures to follow. These policies aid in decision making regarding various compensation incentives to personnel or employees. These decisions involve financial compensation which is in form of wages, salaries, bonuses and commissions, leaves, retirement plans and other employee services; non financial compensation decision on job positions and working environment related factors.            In short, it is essential for a good human resource management to have relevant policies which are essential in identifying when and how to compensate personnel properly. References Amba-Rao, S. C. &Pendse, D. (1985).Human Resource Compensation and Maintenance Practices. American Journal of Small Business, 10(2), 19-29. Belcher, D., &Atchinson, T. 1987.Compensation administration.Englewood Cliffs, N.J.: Prentice-Hall. Caroll S. (1987). Business strategies and Compensation Systems.In D.B Balkin&L.R. Gomez Mgia, New Perspectives in Compensation, Pp 343- 355, Prentice Hall. Dyer, L. (1985). Strategic human resource management and planning. InK. Rowland and G. Ferris (eds.), Research in Personnel and HumanResources Management, 3, pp. 1-30, Greenwich, CT: JAI Press. Freedman, S. (1978).Some Determinants of Compensation Decisions.Academy of ManagementJournal, 397-409. Heneman, H. G. (1985), Pay Satisfaction in K. M. Rowland & G. R. Ferns (eds), Research inPersonnel and Human Resource Management, vol 3, p 115-139. Lawler, E. E., III. 1981. Pay and organizational development. Reading, Mass.: Addison- Wesley. Tate, C. E., Jr., Megginson, L. C , Scott, C. R., Jr., &Tnieblood, L. R. (1985). Successful small business management. Piano, TX: Business Publications, Inc. Thompson, K. (2014). Honoring Employees is Good Business. Phi Kappa Phi Forum, 94(2), 26. Source document