Jem and Scout in “To Kill a Mockingbird” Essay

Lawrence Kohlberg developed six culturally universal levels of moral development that can be applied to To Kill a Mockingbird. This book tells a story of the children growing up and their lives changing so we can observe the ascension of them through morality levels and the events that cause or show this. The main characters of this book were Jem and Scout who we first meet with morality levels 0 to 1. It is their experiences which cause them to ultimately arrive at a high level of morality and exhibiting characteristics of level 6. Early in the story Jem and Scout act with a level of 0 and 1 in my opinion for many reasons. The first indicator is their bluntness when they first met Dill. They don’t meet a whole lot of kids their age except at school for Jem, so when they talk to Dill they don’t show a lot of tact by outright asking him about things like his father. They are guided by what they want and not by others. Another is when Scout â€Å"beats up† Walter because he gets her in trouble so her motivation is based on consequences and she doesn’t have a real sense of others feelings but Jem starts his growth already as he invites Walter to eat with them. Jem has already started to grow and scouts begins to get a notion of fairness and what is right when she is condemned by her teacher for knowing how to read. This doesn’t make sense to her because she can read, which she thinks is good, but her teacher gets mad. Jem defends the teacher by saying she’s trying a new way but scout and Jem both know that it’s a good thing to read. This is the start of Scouts growth because Kohlberg believes that events shape the morality level and it is natural to ascend these levels as you grow. One of the big things that helps form the children’s morals throughout the book is Boo Radley. The children play games that portray their beliefs about Boo but Atticus scolds them for this and they might start to see him in a different way. Once they are in the middle of a thing at night and Jem loses his pants on the fence, when he goes back to get them the pants are mended and he is at first bothered by this. I think that this is the first time Jem realizes that Boo isn’t only the character that they see him as. He fixes the pants  so he may even care about the children. Another thing that shows that he cares is when he covers the children with a blanket. Scout still seems afraid but I think she sees that he might not be such a monster and that he was kind to them. One of the biggest themes in the book was also one of the events that definitely changed the way Jem saw things. When they are told to never kill a mockingbird Jem understands that your actions affect people and u have to think. If somebody helps you it is a sin to do anything to hurt somebody or something like that. Later on we see that Scout got some of the meaning but has to be reminded by Jem not to harm things without reason, this is why we know that Jem is rising through the levels. I think that it is hard to classify them by the end but they definitely do display level six characteristics. We can see this realization when Scout and Dill talk to Mr. Dolphus Raymond. Scout understands that it wouldn’t be socially acceptable and that society isn’t right to judge people like it does. She learns that injustice can happen all the time like Jem then does. He sees this in the conviction of an innocent man. Everyone knows that Tom Robinson did not do anything but because of social status he was condemned. Jem is distraught and shows that he knows this is wrong and that it was not right logically or morally to convict Tom Robinson. Scout show high morals at the end in seeing the hypocrisy in the town’s views on democracy and the racism. Scouts final realization of morality comes when she knows that it is Boo Radley who saved her and Jem. She sees that he is a man and that people shouldn’t be judged no matter how different. It is Boo who ultimately shows her this. Something I found interesting was that scout and Jem both achieved a high level long before the should have but it supported that life experiences shape a persons morals and even youth can have a high grasp of what is right and wrong. LEVEL STAGE SOCIAL ORIENTATION Pre-conventional 1 Obedience and Punishment 2 Individualism, Instrumentalism, and Exchange Conventional 3 â€Å"Good boy/girl† 4 Law and Order Post-conventional 5 Social Contract 6 Principled Conscience

Adolf Loos Design Culture Essay

There are, or were, better arguments than Loos’s against the misuse of ornament. It could be considered morally dubious, because it is a means of showing off one’s wealth. That historical argument was made in the days when hand-crafted decorations were very expensive, but it no longer applicable, now that ornament can be machine-made at a modest cost. In any case, good ornamentation has never been valued solely as ostentation; traditionally, it has also been seen to have real aesthetic merit. Sometimes, excessive ornamentation could be said to be unaesthetic; and in my perspective, some extreme art creations fall into this error. Art plays a particularly important and influential role in culture. It does not simply reflect culture; it creates culture. By studying ornamentation in different periods of design history, we can understand more about how it has manifested itself and why it is a vital part of our history. Window displays, if used effectively, can bring retailers new customers, create customer loyalty, and enhance the image of the business. By decorating and furnishing the display windows, retailers can attract more customers into their stores, increase the sales and revenue, because the majority of purchase decisions are made on impulse. Window displays continue to have a massive influence even until now. It is one of the most important tools to draw customers’ attention. Even from an economic perspective, ornamentation is not necessarily a waste of labour, money, and materials. The 19th century definitely is the century of decorative arts. At the beginning of the century, the arts were ornamental subjects in the education of young ladies and gentlemen. Artistic accomplishments were displayed in pleasing social performances that appeared effortless but demonstrated good taste and ideal values, knowledge, and skills. Art education was one component of a process of secular refinement that spread from the wealthy to the middling sort and included the beautification of houses, churches, as well as school buildings. The art of interior decoration and design was at the same time intimate and luxuriant. Loos argues that ornamentation is uncivilized and primitive, and would hinder the development of national culture. However, ornamentation meant more than just decoration at that time, and the acceptable use of ornament, and its precise definition became the source of aesthetic controversy in academic Western architecture, as architects and critics searched for appropriate styles. â€Å"A plain, functional form generally signified the often harsh necessities of work, and as such was tolerated in its place, but art, in the form of decoration and ornament, represented for many people a deep aspiration for a better life† (Heskett, 56). Ornamentation at that time brought not only the sense of beauty but also mentally content to its user. What do vehicles, vacuum cleaners, ironers, planes, and ships have in common? Obviously, the streamlined design. In the 20th century, streamlined design has evolved from a scientific to an ornamental purpose. While Loos argues that ornamentation is crime and designers should focus on functions, streamlined design actually improves the functionality and the durability of a product. The goal for the future is to improve aerodynamic efficiency by greatly reducing drag while maintaining and, wherever possible, increasing down-force† (Ferrari. com). As a result of using aerodynamic streamlined design, Ferrari has become one of the best hyper-sport car brands in the world for fifty years, best known for its speed and handling. â€Å"In fact, Fordism turned the factory into a kind of super-machine in its own right, with both human and mechanical parts† (Wollen, P66). Fordism is the economic period that turned craftsmanship into the mass production of standardized objects. Under Fordism, production entailed an intensified division of industrial labor; increased mechanization and the coordination of large-scale manufacturing processes to achieve a steady flow of production, and shifted toward the using of less skilled labour. This system effectively reduces the costs of producing large quantities of products and, consequently, makes the sale price significantly lower than the craftsman’s. An ornament is not considered to be a prior-determined mask anymore, to create a significance, or, to have a certain meaning, as it was during the postmodern period. It does not have the role of concealing things, as it did in different historical periods before the modern period, when its existence was futile. A good example of modern design is a wall clock. A clock is meant to draw our attentions through its function. With a fancy design, it also serves as a decoration in the environment. But no matter how fancy the design is, a clock is always meant to be seen easily and quickly. Practical and ornamental designs oftentimes intersect. In those cases, the design elements involved can either work well together or hinder each other. Loos’s argument about decoration is degenerate and inherently criminal does not stand up. Given the time in he is writing, we can forgive Loss his racist assumptions about the black and the Papuans. However, his assertion that primitive people decorate themselves in tattoos so, therefore decoration must be a degenerate practice is completely unfounded and holds no weight at all. I appreciate modern design just as much, if not more than the ordinary person, but truth be told, I am not really interested in decoration. Adolf Loos Design Culture Essay There are, or were, better arguments than Loos’s against the misuse of ornament. It could be considered morally dubious, because it is a means of showing off one’s wealth. That historical argument was made in the days when hand-crafted decorations were very expensive, but it no longer applicable, now that ornament can be machine-made at a modest cost. In any case, good ornamentation has never been valued solely as ostentation; traditionally, it has also been seen to have real aesthetic merit. Sometimes, excessive ornamentation could be said to be unaesthetic; and in my perspective, some extreme art creations fall into this error. Art plays a particularly important and influential role in culture. It does not simply reflect culture; it creates culture. By studying ornamentation in different periods of design history, we can understand more about how it has manifested itself and why it is a vital part of our history. Window displays, if used effectively, can bring retailers new customers, create customer loyalty, and enhance the image of the business. By decorating and furnishing the display windows, retailers can attract more customers into their stores, increase the sales and revenue, because the majority of purchase decisions are made on impulse. Window displays continue to have a massive influence even until now. It is one of the most important tools to draw customers’ attention. Even from an economic perspective, ornamentation is not necessarily a waste of labour, money, and materials. The 19th century definitely is the century of decorative arts. At the beginning of the century, the arts were ornamental subjects in the education of young ladies and gentlemen. Artistic accomplishments were displayed in pleasing social performances that appeared effortless but demonstrated good taste and ideal values, knowledge, and skills. Art education was one component of a process of secular refinement that spread from the wealthy to the middling sort and included the beautification of houses, churches, as well as school buildings. The art of interior decoration and design was at the same time intimate and luxuriant. Loos argues that ornamentation is uncivilized and primitive, and would hinder the development of national culture. However, ornamentation meant more than just decoration at that time, and the acceptable use of ornament, and its precise definition became the source of aesthetic controversy in academic Western architecture, as architects and critics searched for appropriate styles. â€Å"A plain, functional form generally signified the often harsh necessities of work, and as such was tolerated in its place, but art, in the form of decoration and ornament, represented for many people a deep aspiration for a better life† (Heskett, 56). Ornamentation at that time brought not only the sense of beauty but also mentally content to its user. What do vehicles, vacuum cleaners, ironers, planes, and ships have in common? Obviously, the streamlined design. In the 20th century, streamlined design has evolved from a scientific to an ornamental purpose. While Loos argues that ornamentation is crime and designers should focus on functions, streamlined design actually improves the functionality and the durability of a product. The goal for the future is to improve aerodynamic efficiency by greatly reducing drag while maintaining and, wherever possible, increasing down-force† (Ferrari. com). As a result of using aerodynamic streamlined design, Ferrari has become one of the best hyper-sport car brands in the world for fifty years, best known for its speed and handling. â€Å"In fact, Fordism turned the factory into a kind of super-machine in its own right, with both human and mechanical parts† (Wollen, P66). Fordism is the economic period that turned craftsmanship into the mass production of standardized objects. Under Fordism, production entailed an intensified division of industrial labor; increased mechanization and the coordination of large-scale manufacturing processes to achieve a steady flow of production, and shifted toward the using of less skilled labour. This system effectively reduces the costs of producing large quantities of products and, consequently, makes the sale price significantly lower than the craftsman’s. An ornament is not considered to be a prior-determined mask anymore, to create a significance, or, to have a certain meaning, as it was during the postmodern period. It does not have the role of concealing things, as it did in different historical periods before the modern period, when its existence was futile. A good example of modern design is a wall clock. A clock is meant to draw our attentions through its function. With a fancy design, it also serves as a decoration in the environment. But no matter how fancy the design is, a clock is always meant to be seen easily and quickly. Practical and ornamental designs oftentimes intersect. In those cases, the design elements involved can either work well together or hinder each other. Loos’s argument about decoration is degenerate and inherently criminal does not stand up. Given the time in he is writing, we can forgive Loss his racist assumptions about the black and the Papuans. However, his assertion that primitive people decorate themselves in tattoos so, therefore decoration must be a degenerate practice is completely unfounded and holds no weight at all. I appreciate modern design just as much, if not more than the ordinary person, but truth be told, I am not really interested in decoration.

The Theory And Practice Of Natural Managment Environmental Sciences Essay

In the latest Living Planet Report building and route edifice was noted as being one of the largest drivers of biodiversity loss due to human activities ( WWF, 2008 ) . As planetary concern about society ‘s impact on the environment rises, the force per unit area on administrations to work to a higher environmental criterion is increasing. With the of all time turning consciousness and significance of environmental impact the successful execution of an effectual Environmental Management System ( EMS ) is going more of import that of all time earlier. The principle for this thesis is that by successfully implementing an EMS administrations can better their environmental public presentation and hence aid cut down the negative effects human activity has on the environment. Integrating an EMS will non assist pull off the environment straight but alternatively dressed ores on put ining environmental ends into mundane processs with the purpose of cut downing an administrations negative impacts ( Sheldon, Yoxon, 2006, page 2 ) . Developing a civilization of attention through environmental preparation, consciousness and communicating may help administrations in bettering their environmental public presentation. BS EN ISO 14001 provides counsel for organisations â€Å" concerned with accomplishing and showing sound environmental public presentation † to develop systems to pull off their environmental duties. Developing an environmental policy without enfranchisement to criterions with the purpose of stand foring an EMS is possible ( Hyde and Reeve, 2006 ) . However, conformity to criterions provides a figure of benefits. For an administration to run into the demands of an ISO based EMS it must besides integrate â€Å" preparation, consciousness and competency † . As BS EN ISO 14001 provinces any individual who ‘s responsibilities may do important environmental harm must be able to conform to the preparation consciousness and competency demands as stated in the EMS. Almost all functions within the building industry will impact on the environment in one manner or another for illustration physical during the building stage or indirectly during the design procedure. Therefore it is critical that each member of an administration regardless of place or function must be cognizant and take duty for environmental direction. In bend this will besides relieve some of the force per unit areas placed upon specialized environmental sections leting them to work more expeditiously. Puting duty across all squad members in this mode can be achieved through preparation, consciousness and communicating strategies that are relevant to the day-to-day patterns of the administration. Through implementing consciousness based EMS ‘s that are compliant with certified criterions administrations may be able to develop a civilization of attention for environmental consciousness and commit to bettering their environmental public presentation. As stated in the authoritiess Strategy for sustainable building, 2008, page 1, â€Å" It is clear that we can non run into our declared environmental marks without dramatically cut downing the environmental impact of edifices and substructure building ; we have to alter the manner we design and build † Purpose The purpose of this thesis is to research the spread between EMS theory and pattern in building and develop schemes for bridging the spread utilizing preparation, consciousness and communicating strategies. Aims What constitutes an EMS? i.e. EMAS, ISO14000 etc. Determine the troubles that are faced when implementing an EMS in the building industry. Investigate the altering relationships between hierarchal degrees and environmental consciousness and how this relationship can impact an administrations environmental public presentation. Identify the normally used schemes for implementing the preparation, consciousness and competency elements of an EMS in building undertakings. Develop a typical preparation strategy that could be used to implement a successful EMS in a site based environment. Methodology Brief description of the methodological analysis used in the survey. Outline Explanation of and debut to the construction of the survey. Chapter 2 – Environmental Management Systems? ISO14001/ EMAS Importance of Environmental Management. Over the past few old ages both public and corporate attending has been drawn towards the negative impacts that humanity is holding on the planet. What is an EMS? Environmental Management Systems are used by administrations to supervise and command any negative impacts that they may hold on the environment. As with most direction systems the chief aim of an EMS is to let relevant information to be conveyed efficaciously through an administration. As Sheldon and Yoxon ( 2006 ) place this allows countries of concern to be assessed with the relevant information in topographic point before the issue can decline. An EMS will normally contains the organizational construction, duties, patterns, processs, procedures and resources for finding and implementing environmental policy ( Netherwood, 1996 ) . Through developing an EMS administrations will be able to place the most important impacts that are relevant to the company. This will in bend allow resources and processs to be focused and prioritised on the issues with the highest demand. The Defra place statement on EMS province that to lend to improved environmental public presentation, a good EMS should: Be implemented at a strategic degree and integrated into corporate programs, and policies. Top-level committedness is required so that senior direction understand their function in guaranting the success of an EMS. Identify the administration ‘s impacts on the environment and set clear aims and marks to better their direction of these facets every bit good as the administration ‘s overall environmental public presentation. Be designed to present and pull off conformity with environmental Torahs and ordinance on an on-going footing, and will rapidly incite disciplinary and preventive action in instances of legal con-compliance. Deliver good resource direction and fiscal benefits. Incorporate assured public presentation prosodies that demonstrate the above and that can be communicated in a crystalline mode in one-year studies. What are the differences between ISO14001, EMAS, etc. ? Administrations that implement standardised EMS ‘s are faced with the determination on which criterions to attest their EMS under. Presently the two most normally used criterions are the European Eco-management and Audit Scheme ( EMAS ) and the worldwide ISO 14001 series. As portion of the ISO household of criterions ISO 14001 is the most recognized and normally enforced system. Further to a recent amendment to EMAS, conformity to ISO 14001 is now required to go certified with EMAS. In add-on to ISO14001 conformity companies must besides carry through extra responsibilities merely ( e.g. cogent evidence of complete legal conformity with national environmental Torahs, and publication of an environmental statement ) to have proof as an EMAS participant every bit good. ( Freimann and Walther, 2002 ) Why implement EMAS? EMAS is a voluntary strategy, therefore the inquiry why would companies take to take part in the strategy must be asked. R. Starkey as edited by Welford ( 1998 ) notes that although full administrations can be in conformity with ISO 14001, merely sites where industrial activities are taking topographic point can be certified by EMAS Administration How does the administration of a company impact their EMS ‘s? Environmental Law and duties EMS jurisprudence developed out of EIA jurisprudence? ? ? ? A common ground for implementing an EMS is due to troubles in keeping environmental due diligence within the parametric quantities of the jurisprudence ( Sheldon, Yoxdon, 2006 ) . During the debut of EMSs they were chiefly centred around maintaining administrations working patterns within environmental statute law and legal conformity ( Watson and Emery, 2007 ) . Although the focal point of EMS may now be towards aˆÂ ¦ it sill remains and of import to place relevant statute law and maintain this at the bosom of the system. Defra ‘s place statement states that a good EMS should be â€Å" designed to present and pull off conformity with environmental Torahs and ordinance on an on-going footing, and will rapidly incite disciplinary and preventive action in instances of legal con-compliance † . It effects over eight different elements of ISO 14001 and even further in EMAS as companies can be â€Å" de-registered † for any breach relevant regulative demands ( Sheldon, Yoxdon, 2006, pg 78 ) . Typically, environmental legislative acts set up a regulative construction consisting of a system of licenses and licenses ( frequently described as â€Å" control and bid † , or â€Å" the right to foul † ) ( Yarnell, 1993 ) . Execution Planing Execution and operation Checking Management Review Environmental Policy Continual Improvement Based on the ISO 14001 theoretical account for execution. Training consciousness and competency How make you mensurate competency? What are the usual or recommended methods of preparation? How cognizant do squad members need to be? Communication Chapter 3 – Research Methodology Aims Qualitative/ quantitative benefits of each Questionnaires Case Study Justification of chosen method What type of research was used? Why was this attack chosen? What type of informations was gained by the research? Who was involved and how were participants selected? What equipment/ instruments were used? Where and when did the probe take topographic point? How was the probe conducted and why was it done this manner? How was data collected, analysed and presented? Phase 1 – Literature research This survey will reexamine the relevant literature on the affair of Environmental direction systems in peculiar looking at execution, care, consciousness, preparation and communicating. Initial research indicates that there is varied scope of literature available to reexamine. This includes legislative publications, text editions, and diaries such as â€Å" Using a communication-mapping theoretical account for environmental direction ( CMEM ) to better environmental public presentation in undertaking development procedures † ( Tam, Shen, Yau, Tam, 2007 ) . Research commence seeking in Athens, INFORMAWORLD, Engineering and Technology, Environmental Engineering, Environmental Management Plans Demystified, Civil Engineering and Environmental Systems Phase 2 – Case Study and Exploratory Questionnaires The inquiries shall center around the countries mentioned in the aims supra. To have the highest possible degree of response, a multi-choice format will be used and the figure of inquiries will be limited to about 20 – 30. Open inquiries will non be used as they can bring forth a broad assortment of replies depending on the respondent ‘s reading of the inquiry. Furthermore, with potentially varied and drawn-out responses, the analyses of the consequences can be well more hard. Phase 3 – Writing up This phase involves composing up the content of the thesis and should cover the chapters proposed below. Chapter 4 – Case Study ( M80 ) Aims M80 Stepps to Haggs overview Reappraisal of Environmental Management Plan Review of other relevant certification Review of Roles and Duties Chapter 5 – Discussion of Finding Reappraisal of literature findings Case Study Does pattern fit literature reappraisal? Gap analysis How can the spread be filled? Chapter 6 – Decisions Recommendations

Fredrick Douglas Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Fredrick Douglas - Essay Example nfairness, and he points out the undeserved whippings, extreme physical exertion, inconsistent punishments, killings, and the taking away of children from their mothers as incongruous brutality (Douglass ch 1). However, the narrative offers an interesting awareness of how to overcome adversity by revealing how knowledge especially through education can be a powerful tool in which people can free themselves from any form of mind control and oppression. Therefore, the aim of this response paper is to explain how Douglass narration is unique and effective in demonstrating the physical and mental outcome of slavery for a wide range of audiences, and how his use of several styles has enabled him to describe the sickness of abhorrence which can make human beings to treat their fellow humans as beasts of possessions. The main target audience for Douglass work seems to be the then Northern audience who were mainly educated whites, and had a greater conviction for greater social freedom. This is evident in chapter 4, whereby he reveals how the northern cities allowed him to freely connect with diverse kinds of individuals with novel intellectual ideas (Douglass). Also, in the preface he elaborates this by asserting that the debate in the north regarding slavery focused on the masters, and such a biased perspective without providing the real accounts of the slaves themselves only sustained the Southern slavery through its real and contrived approaches of imprisoning blacks (Douglass ch 1). Secondly, he also wanted the southern slave owners to read his works and in his conclusion, he asserts that hopefully his works will make the slaveholders to be more frantic regarding any thoughts of hidden antagonists around them, who are set to take away their slaves or obstruct them in reclaiming their runaway slaves (Douglass ch 10). However, one gets a perception that he was also targeting the slaves themselves since he has come out very strongly regarding what he calls the

The Different Stages of Prenatal Development Essay

The Different Stages of Prenatal Development - Essay Example In the psychological profession, there are those that take part in Prenatal & Perinatal psychology. Individuals that seek to educate others about psychological development. From the first moment that an individual learns that they are pregnant, there often times are a wide variety of emotions that are experienced by not only themselves but those closest to them. The sense of wonder as to how something like this could have happened but also, an equally felt sense of attention being paid to what the pregnancy would mean to their life, both in the present and going into both the labor and post-delivery, as well as their new child. Over the course of the 40 weeks that a woman experiences pregnancy, the psychological developments that occur are just as relevant, as the fetal developments that are occurring for their child. How psychological responses can be nurtured from the time of development and continue on through the rest of a lifetime. The stages of pregnancy are classified into three categories. According to Buzzle.com (2000-2009, 2010), they are; Conception stage- The conception stage occurs in the first 2 weeks of pregnancy. What it implies is that the body is preparing itself for pregnancy and is taking the necessary steps in order to enhance the process. A prenatal development week by week study shows that in these first 2 weeks the body grows a thick layer of blood perfused tissue in the womb. The process of conception takes about 2 weeks, and after that the egg reaches the uterus where it starts growing. Embryonic stage- Once the egg has reached the uterus, the embryonic stage begins. This continues till about the 11th week of pregnancy, and is the most important of all the stages of prenatal development. The foundational development of the embryo begins in this stage, and as such, due care and precautions must be taken. By around the 4th week, the cellular division is in full flow, and the divisions are made between the cells that will make up the baby, and the cells that will make up the placenta. By the 6th week of pregnancy, the baby develops a heartbeat and arms and legs, so this is a very important stage of prenatal development. The process continues and by the 8th week the teeth and the intestines begin to form as well. By the time the embryonic stage ends at the 11th week, the child has started the development of all major organs, the central nervous system, various joints in the body, and the irises in the eyes. Fetal Development- From the 11th week onwards, the child is called a fetus, and this stage is the last amongst the prenatal development timeline, and it ultimately culminates in the birth of the child. Till about the 16th week the fetus develops hair, nails, vocal cords, genitals, hardened bones, and a functioning liver and kidneys. By about the 20th week fat starts accumulating under the skin, the heart starts pumping more amounts of blood each day, and the baby also starts experiencing hiccups. Prenatal development then slows down a bit, and by the 24th week, the child has formed eyelids and eyebrows, and it weighs about 6 kilograms (1.3 pounds). The development then continues and slowly the lungs start developing, and by the 28th week the

Film Critique Double Indemnity (1944) Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Film Critique Double Indemnity (1944) - Essay Example The protagonist cannot hear his steps, as if he were dead already. The greatest irony is that the crime which seemed to be perfect has been solved by the insurance company in order not to lose its money. The supporting character Keyes manages to outshine the main ones in some scenes. Anyway, there is one more reason to value this film – Barbara Stanwyck created an image of a femme fatale, who is impossible to forget. Could Wilder fancy his adaptation of a non-fiction novella by J.Cain to become one of the brightest examples of film noir genre, though it failed to win at least one out of seven nominations for an Academy Award? It is doubtful. However, Double Indemnity is a classic of the genre possessing all its indispensable attributes – low-key lightning, monochromic visual style, flashback framing of the narrative, voiceover intrusions, tense atmosphere of fatalism and desperation, urban setting with its labyrinth of streets (even the drugstore seems to be a small labyrinth), well-developed archetypal characters. The storyline is rather convoluted. Wilder understood the risk of letting the murderer confess his crime at the very beginning of the film – his hopes to hold viewer’s attention were put on the twists of the plot and constantly increasing tensions. Some elements of the storyline have many times been exploited by other directors working within this genre, that is why it may seem familiar or even predictable. Dealing with insurances of any kinds, the protagonist lacks his own one in case of meeting a femme fatale. The consequences are voiced as the film begins â€Å"I didn’t get the money and I didn’t get the woman†. Perfectly elaborated dialogues cannot be left without attention – some phrases were destined to be quoted. Film characters and their relationship become canonical. A fatal blond with a

Comparison of Two In-Home Child Care Programs Essay

Comparison of Two In-Home Child Care Programs - Essay Example Generalized reading and alphabet reinforcement was grounded in the small volume of teaching methods used here. Most business was word-of-mouth referrals, though it was properly licensed. The second in-home program was operated by Veronica Peters also in Corona, California. (ADD PHONE AND ADDRESS HERE). This service, Marona DayCare, was instrumentally larger than Beck’s in-home program, offering services for up to ten children with specialized assistance. The provider maintained a Bachelor’s Degree in childhood education, similarly the same as one of her most reputable assistants. Parents paid considerably more for this service than Beck’s program since it reinforced fundamentals of early childhood learning and offered extended service hours. The majority of clients hailed from management or executive level positions, thus expecting higher levels of service and competency. Only observational research occurred at both in-home services and there was no direct interv ention during regular operating hours. Program Development in Both Services Beck’s program, despite its limitations, did maintain generalized knowledge regarding childhood development. However, the majority of this learning was founded on what would likely be considered early university lessons associated primarily with social learning theory. Beck identified her efforts to impose social learning theory as a means to gain positive behavioral control and also facilitate learning effectively. Social learning theory suggests that learning occurs as a result of role modeling in which children learn based on whether observed behavior of a reference individual is rewarded or punished (Neubert et al., 2009). Even though Cassandra Beck did not maintain the credentials of a qualified instructor as part of her daycare program, the interview results identified that it was a goal of the program to ensure that well-adjusted peers in the group were highlighted publicly and identified for p ersonalized rewards based on affirmation of positive attitudes and social abilities. Beck was rather proud of this structure and felt it had significant results on reducing egocentric behavior, commonly found in children of the late preoperational stage of development as suggested by Jean Piaget (Huitt & Hummel, 2003). Otherwise, this rather unstructured program consisted of circle time activities commonly found in kindergarten and preschool classrooms to facilitate better social learning with the children. Reading and basic comprehension of alphabet characters was facilitated by Beck in order to promote more group-oriented involvement. Otherwise, her role was much like that of a supervisor similar to that of a caring grandparent. Because of the credentials available with Veronica Peters at Marona DayCare, teaching was a regular part of the system and was directed for pre-school-aged children as well as students in elementary age. Two of these students were recipients of in-home lea rning provided by qualified parents and did not attend regular elementary school classrooms. Thus, there was a diverse mix of students at Marona DayCare. Peters believed in the vitality of visual learning, using graphs, visual images and reinforcement techniques for self-esteem development. This concept is supported by Robson (2006) who identifies that having the opportunity to display their unique work

Starting Up a Business That Involves The Supply of Green And Organic Assignment

Starting Up a Business That Involves The Supply of Green And Organic Groceries - Assignment Example The researcher states that he wants to start his business of natural and organic grocery delivery service which will mainly focus on the supply of fruits and vegetables because of the recent interest in fresh and green farm produce. The society is increasingly becoming aware of the need for environmentally friendly production of food and disposal of food waste. In addition, recent health concerns about junk food and unhealthy eating mean that there will be a special interest in green groceries. The business will fill the need of environmental and health conscious individuals who prefer greengroceries over genetically modified or junk food. In addition, there is a food shortage in some regions, and the never-ending need to eat means that there will always be a constant demand for food. A lesson from Bakers Edge and Shark Tank is that networking is essential in any business. The Shark Tank investors largely focus on networking as integral to the success of any business. A network is a structure that attracts and informs potential customers of the existence of a business. The network involves such things as aggressive marketing and endorsements from celebrity personalities. In addition, it is essential to identify potential investors and their networks. Bakers Edge interview on the Shark Tank show gave them considerable exposure and mileage in the bakery business. Oprah also hosted and endorsed their product.

Ten Critical Steps for Risk Managers Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words - 3

Ten Critical Steps for Risk Managers - Essay Example These may include services like having political risk intelligence. Next, risk managers as a way to protect their business in Congo DRC should make a list of the expected political risks and combine them in order to reduce the premiums to be paid for them as a way of protection whether in insurance protection or any other form of protection offered for the business in that country. Communication as another step is very important. This is communication by the risk managers to other stakeholders of the company on issues to do with the company including liability and property coverage, regular updates of the political situation and other logistics issues that may come in handy in prevention of losses from political chaos (Cook, Alston and Raia, 2004). Contract on the issue of risk coverage and any terms of payment in that line should be constantly reviewed and updated. This is a necessary step to be taken by the risk managers who really aim at protecting the business and preventing any form of political loss in this foreign country. Other than contract reviewing, it is necessary for a risk manager to have political risk intelligence which incorporates aspects like political risk insurance of economic and also political events that may occur in that country anytime and that may disrupt the business. This may require working with national intelligence services outside Congo DRC and other trade associations to make this step effective. The country has its own market standard policy conditions and rates that have to be followed if political risk is to be avoided for the business. These may include among others policies on currency conversion or licensing. Export market has its shares of risks that have to be addressed by the risk manager and especially in such a politically unstable country. This includes risks like nonpayment or even frustration of contracts and which may prove detrimental to the business if not effectively addressed by the risk

Learning Activity Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Learning Activity - Essay Example aifi, and Khanfar (2013) talked about women’s â€Å"lapses in employment† that occur when they leave work to give birth and take care of their young children that, in turn, reduce the work experience that is needed for higher pay and job promotion (p.243). In addition, numerous women persist in feeling bound to traditional gender roles and responsibilities, so they feel less aggressive in the workplace. Shriver (2009) mentioned women who are raised to be inferior to their brothers and to focus on home and family activities, thus, when they grow up, they do not exactly want an engaging career or business environment. In the workplace, these kinds of women are not seen and promoted equally as men because of social mindsets and practices that curtail their abilities to be effective employees or businesspeople. When these attitudes and practices about women interact, equal employment is not fully felt and applied at work. I agree that there is a correlation between how women are treated in society and how they are treated in the workforce. If women are socially perceived as capable and confident individuals who can get their jobs done despite multiple tasks, then HR managers or owners will hire them because of their positive attitudes and employability. If women are seen as lacking confidence and unreliable at work, then they will also be hardly hired and developed for more competitive jobs. Parcheta, Kaifi, and Khanfar (2013) noted that if society sees women as emotionally, or even, intellectually weaker, than men, it will pay women less and will not recognize their management potential (p.242). In addition, if society sees women as doing only gender-stereotyped roles and responsibilities, then they will also be hired for these kinds of â€Å"feminine† work only, such working in caring and educational roles (Parcheta, Kaifi, Khanfarm, 2013, p.243). However, if society sees women as equally ca pable in personal and work life, then their gender will not be a hindrance

Equity and trusts assignment (law) Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words

Equity and trusts assignment (law) - Essay Example Sadhia owns 1,000 shares in Yorkshire Water and owns and runs a retail clothes shop. She also owns a number of freehold commercial properties in Bradford and London, in addition to a cottage in Devon and a cottage in Scotland. Sadhia is admitted to hospital shortly before the anticipated birth of the baby because her symptoms of infection were widespread and she needed constant medical care; she was advised by her consultant that she only has a few weeks to live. She calls her brother and her eldest children Irfan and Safeena to a family meeting in the hospital at which she says she wishes them both to take over the retail shop and run it together. Sadhia also says that Irfan is to have her recently acquired Audi estate car. 6. I give to my husband the balance standing to the credit of my Barclays bank account for his sole use and what is left or that he no longer needs shall be held on trust for the children in equal shares. 9.I give to my trustees my collection of original Indian prints upon trust for sale and I direct that they should allow any member of my family to choose one of the paintings before the collection is sold. In order to be able to advise the parties with regard to the dispositions in the will and the trust deed it is necessary to consider which of the bequests can be regarded as valid and which might fail due to having not been properly constituted. In an express trust the person making the bequest must adhere to certain formalities in order for the will and the trust document to be regarded as valid. In relation to determining the validity of the will an the trust deed the court will need to consider whether the requirement of the three certainties has been satisfied. One of the first considerations that will be made by the court will be in respect of the capacity of the person making the will. This is governed by the Family Law

Dumping in our Waters Essay Example for Free

Dumping in our Waters Essay Water is probably one of the most important resources we have. People can survive without food for several weeks but without water we couldnt live for more than a week. Millions of liters of water are needed every day worldwide for washing, irrigating crops, and cooling industrial processes, not to mention leisure industries such as swimming pools and water sports centers. (Internet Source) Despite our dependence on water, we use it as dumping ground for all sorts of waste, and do very little to protect the water supplies we have. There are several threats to our water resources. Oil spills kills thousands of seabirds and can wreck water desalination plants and industrial plants drawing their water from affected coastline. (EBSCO CD-ROM source) Poor management of existing water resource can lead to these resources running out or at least shrinking. Much of the pollution in the rivers and seas comes from chemicals, mainly from agriculture. Another pollution issue, which is not brought up often, is thermal pollution. As you can see we have many problems in our waters and we need to protect the waters. In the long run water pollution is going to harm us more than we now it, because a little bit of our ocean is dieing and sometime in the future its going to kills us. The thing thats worries me the most is the animals. The animals in the ocean are dieing everyday in the ocean because of the bad pollution we have right now. Every year millions of animals dies because of the water pollution we have and 65% of the sea animals die because of the pollution. (Internet source) Companies, industries and people litter in our waters and for sure that is not a good thing. We need to learn that we are not going to live very long if we keep doing this. Every year it has gotten worse, the water pollution has gone about 3% every year and that a whole lot more litter and killing that we do. (Internet source) People like us cause water pollution. Dumping our trash into the ocean is one thing that causes this problem. Another is an oil tanker spilling oil in the ocean or not recycling our trash is seriously destroying the waters even more. The effect by all this water pollution is killing the waters but also a big part is killing our animals. Sea animals are very important to our lives. One of the main problems is the oils spill we have every year. People call this oil slicks a common name for oil spills. One of the hugest media surrounding oil spills was Saddam Hussein in the Gulf War. (Internet Source) He caused many oil spills during the war and that serious killed many of the animals in the ocean. Although measures have been taken to prevent spillage from oil tankers, there will still be accidents as the world use oil, and there is always the possibility of oil being spilled in war or by terrorist activity. (EBSCO CD-ROM source) Oil also gets into the sea from many other sources. On a graph 37% of oil pollution comes from industrial discharges and urban run-off. 33% from vessel operation, 12% on tanker accidents, 9% on atmosphere, 7% on natural sources, and last 2% from exploration production. (Internet source) Oil pollution is a major problem in water pollution and there is really no simple solution to this problem but what we can do is try to prevent, come up with ideas to stop the pollution and protect our waters. For many years has been used as coolant in industry, especially in power stations. It was never though of as a problem back in the day, because nothing was actually added to the water. However, higher temperatures can cause enzymes and microbes to speed up, and can eventually kill sea animals. Change in temperature can cause fish to migrate to regions where the water is best for them, but kill any species, which cannot move away. (Internet Source) Recently people have realized that only small changes in temperature are need to have considerable environment impact. One possible solution is to use the excess heat from industry to heat home. (Internet Source) In the book Water is everyones business it says this might sound very attractive but it is only practical when the homes are fairly close to the power station, and even promise cheap heating is not enough to persuade many people to live next door to a power station. (Behrman A.S. 121) This subject brings me up to my next one, which is a world without trout. If water temperatures keep rising such possibly thing might happen. Unless something is don trout and salmon will be eventually killed because of thermal pollution. The primary cause of this warming water trend and cold water fishery decline is by carbon dioxide. Although transportation produces whopping amounts of atmospheric pollution, fossil fueled power plants alone  generate 40% of the carbon dioxide in our air. Ways to prevent this is to find other sources to light up our houses. Now a days companies and industries have found other resources and it has been helping a little bit at a time. Last of all Drugs in the waters has cause many problems as well. Most drugs are in local streams, rivers, and perhaps even farms, as sewage bio solids used as fertilizer. Most drugs that are not used or have been used are being trashed in our oceans. Now what kind of people does that? This is serious is harming the waters, animals, and even us. Chemicals that come from drugs float around in the water and you dont even now about this. How does that make you feel because, many people have gotten sick of this pollution and even died. If people have gotten sick of this it takes a while before it kicks in but for sure you get a good dose of sickness. This serious is a big problem that we can easily prevent. Its so simple just dont trash the waters with the drugs, anywhere than the waters that we so need. This student from West Torrance high school sponsored a poll asking the students whether they think water pollution wills damage our ocean in the long run? 96% of the students think it would. The other question was do you think we should take care of the ocean more because of all the pollution? 87% of the students said yes and 13% said no. (Poll) This poll shows you that we should take care of our waters and think about what pollution is going to do to us in the long run. In conclusion all these problems that we have in the world should try to be prevented or stopped. We all can be a part of this by not littering because you really dont now where that trash is going. Most of it goes to the ocean and it kills the waters. Slowly and slowly the waters are going to be destroyed and we really need it. Water is probably the most important that we need to live. Without water we would die, animals would die and everything would die. This essay should be consider by all of the people because in the long run we are not going to live very long if we still pollute the waters. We need water in many different ways and we cannot live without it. Also the animals that we have should not go through the pain of dieing because we are polluting the waters. They have not done anything to  us so we shouldnt do anything to them. Prevent the water pollution in the world as little but as you can because you never now what possibilities it can do.

Study on the selection process

Study on the selection process According to R.D. Gatewood and H.S. Field, employee selection is the process of collecting and evaluating information about an individual in order to extend an offer of employment. In an organization, it is the main part of overall staffing process. This includes all the activities from Human Resource Planning, Recruitment to Retention. (By doing human resource planning, the organization projects its likely demand for personnel with particular knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs), and compares that to the anticipated availability of such personnel in the internal or external labour markets.) Job Analysis: Pearn and Kandola (1993, p1) defines job analysis as a form of research and a systematic procedure for obtaining detailed and objective details about the job, task or role that will be performed in future or is currently being performed. Job analysis is the first step in the selection process of the employee for a job. This is also known as Occupational Analysis. Job Analysis is a process of examining a job in detail. The main purpose of Job Analysis is to determine and identify the duties and requirements of a particular job. It also helps us to provide information about the job description and person specification. http://www.hr-guide.com/data/G000.htm People Resourcing, Stephen Taylor, 4th edition, Pg.No.187 Job Description: Description which is also known as Job summary explains the role of a person and accountability. It gives the detailed description of job and its expectations. It also gives idea about the training needs for the job and determination of pay rates to the employees. It is a tool in recruitment and selection process. http://www.businessballs.com/jobdescription.htm http://www.businessbureau-uk.co.uk/personnel/recruitment/job_description.htm. People Resourcing, Stephen Taylor, 4th edition, Pg. No. 194 Person Specification: It describes the need of a person to perform the job. Therefore, it is the basis for selecting a person who fits the job. Person specification also helps the organisation to review and re-design the job if required. It also tell us what are the skills the person should have to do the job in good manner. http://tutor2u.net/business/people/recruitment_personspecification.asp People Resourcing, Stephen Taylor, 4th edition, Pg. No. 198 Recruitment: This is the process of attracting the candidates for employment. Recruitment process involves searching for the candidates and selection of the candidate who is suitable for the job. In recruitment there are many steps to follow from Attracting, Screening, Assessing, Short listing, Interviews, Testing and final selection. Selection: Selection is the final stage in the selection process where the final candidates who are suitable for the job will be selected. Before giving appointments or offers the organisation has to do the background check of the candidate. In that they have to check the qualifications, criminal records and previous experience. Appointment: Appointment is the next process where the selected candidates will be offered a job and the task to perform. If there is a need for the candidate has to take a training then the organisation has to provide training program before placing him in the job. (Reference: People Resourcing, Stephen Taylor, 4th edition, Pg.No.187) Selection: Organisations are made of people and in an age of increasingly complex technology, organisations are stating that employees are our greatest asset (Sue Newell and Viv Shackleton). The job requirements of organisations vary and some people are best suited for some roles and organisations than others. Therefore, as per CIPD, it is important to have an effective recruitment and selection system which will thereby help in selecting the right person, at the right time, in the right place is crucial to organisational performance. There are several definitions for Selection. F.W Taylor (1911), one of the earliest management writers, stressed the importance of, best man for the job. He was of the opinion that people should be selected for their particular skills and abilities which should be tested prior to the selection decision rather than based on who they knew or who was in the queue first. According to Hackett selection is concerned more with predicting which candidates will make the most appropriate contribution to the organisation now and in the future. Gupta (2006) defines it as a process of choosing the most suitable persons out of all participants. Selection according to Roberts, G (2005) is the most important element in the organisations management of people. Where there is faulty selection, the organisation suffers waste of time, money and choosing the wrong candidates leading to absenteeism and labour turnover. Different selection methodology: Application Forms: The information of the individual is collected systematically and presented in a consistent format in an application form thereby making it easier to assess the candidates suitability for the job (CIPD). There has been a rise in the usage of application form as a basis for employment decisions. CIPD (2003) also reports that 80% of the organisations surveyed use applications forms. While it acted as a useful preliminary to interviews and decisions, it also made sorting of applications and shortlisting easier. According to Huczynski and Buchanan (2007), application form provides background but is also impersonal. Interviewers used this as a basis for their interviews with information from the application form being taken and improved upon during the interview. The predictive validity of application form is 0.2 which is a fairly low predictive validity (Roberts, 2005). According to Gareths, the low rating is more of a reflection on the poor use of application forms. He further goes to say that if it is used to screen acquired competencies, then application forms can be considered as an effective technique especially if used properly with a clear rating system. Interviews: The individual interview is the most familiar and most commonly used method of selection. It provides for face to face discussion and also provides the best opportunity for the organisation to establish a good rapport with the candidate (Armstrong, 2003). According to Pilbeam Corbridge (2006), interview is more than a selection method. It is a forum where information about the organisation and about the job is given to the candidate. There is however, more scope for bias if one interviewer is used. There are two classifications of interviews structured and unstructured interviews. While the predictive validity of unstructured interviews is 0.2, structured interviews have a predictive validity of 0.4. Recent studies have also shown that behaviorial interviews which are based on experience are more effective predictors of success as compared to situational which is based on future scenario interview (Roberts, 2005). Although, there has been research done to suggest that traditional i nterviews are poor predictors of performance, one of the reason as to why they are still popular is the fact that they are cost effective (Taylor, 2002). Personality Tests: Personality tests are used mainly for management, professional and graduate jobs. CIPD (2005) states that personality test can be useful as an added dimension to decision-making but only when practitioners generally use those instruments that have been rigorously developed and for which thoroughly researched validation evidence and norms are available. Taylor (2002) states that when used carefully and professionally, personality test has a useful role to play in the selection process. According to a report by IRS (1997d:13), personality testing remained a stable selection procedure in the 1990s with approximately three-fifths of the organisation stating that it was used as one of the process for selection for certain positions. Biodata: Biodata provides a highly structured method of sifting applications. It consists of demographic details like the age, sex and family circumstances, education and professional qualifications, previous employment history, Assessment Centre: Assessment centres are used by organisations for various purposes like selection of candidates for jobs, for promotion and for decisions about the potential development of individuals over a long period of time (Fletcher, 1991). In UK, many organisations use this method of selection especially for the recruitment of graduates (Keenan, 1997). According to Robertson (1996), assessment centres not only ensure that the organisations appoint, develop and promote only people who are effective in their job, it also benefits the individual in terms of greater job satisfaction, good career prospects and enhanced earnings. For the organisation, this tool enables the effectiveness of the job holder to be reflected in terms of organisational effectiveness and therefore considerable financial gains. PSYCHOMETRIC TESTS: What are Psychometric Tests? The British Psychological Society definition of a psychometric test: a psychological test is any procedure on the basis of which inferences are made concerning a persons capacity, propensity or liability to act, react, experience, or to structure or order thought or behaviour in particular ways. Who uses psychometric tests? Large, medium, and an increasing number of small firms use psychometric tests. Over 70 % of larger companies are currently using psychometric tests to gather vital information from potential and current employees. More and more companies are using psychometric tests for: graduate recruitment filtering out candidates when there are large numbers of applicants Over 70% of large companies use them in their recruitment process and small companies are using them increasingly. They are also used to assess existing employees for: training and staff development needs promotion What do psychometric tests measure? Psychometric tests may measure aptitude, personality or interests: Aptitude Tests these measure how people differ in their ability to perform or carry out different tasks. (these are the type you are most likely to find at the first stage of a selection process). Interest Tests these measure how people vary in their motivation, in the direction and strength of their interests, and in their values and opinions (these are less likely to be used on new graduates but are sometimes). Personality Tests these measure how people differ in their style or manner of doing things, and in the way they interact with their environment and other people (personality). Whereas aptitude tests measure your maximum performance capacity, the other tests examine typical or preferred behaviour. Why are Tests Used? If psychometric tests are to be useful as indicators of shifts in the demand for skills, then it is important that organisations use of tests is linked to their wish to measure the skills of prospective employees. If tests are in use for other reasons, then this would undermine their usefulness as indicators of skill demands. Do organisations in the UK make use of tests in order to measure work force skills, or have they adopted tests for some other reason, or set of reasons? Here we look at the rather limited evidence available on this question. There are a few surveys which have asked organisations why they make use of tests, and there is a more speculative literature dealing with change in test use over time. We take each of these in turn. Some past results suggest that the perceived objectivity of tests, their predictive abilities, as well as their ability to filter out unsuitable candidates were important reasons for test use by companies and local authorities. Some quite similar results were obtained in the IRS (1997) survey. The data show that companies believe the tests are valid measures of something useful, although it gives us no insight into what exactly the companies are, or think they are, measuring through the tests. It also does not explain why there have been such sizeable changes in test use since the 1980s. In what follows we divide the current literature on changes in test use into those which concentrate on changes in the labour market, and those which focus on other possible reasons for changes in the use of tests, or indeed changes in recruitment and selection practices more generally. Why use psychometrics in an employment setting? The main advantages of using psychometric tests are: Objectivity they dramatically reduce bias and personal perspective. Clarity they provide a robust framework and structure. Equality and fairness for all individuals (tests are standardised so that all individuals receive the same treatment). Increase the likelihood of being able to predict future job performance (they have a high level of predictive validity). The identification of training needs. Encourage employers to do thorough job analysis in order to identify appropriate skills and abilities. This helps to ensure that candidates for a position are assessed on skills only relevant to the job. What are psychometric tests used for? Some uses of psychometric tests are: Selection of candidates to jobs Personal development/identification of training needs/staff development Careers guidance Building and developing teams Psychometric tests have been used since the early part of the 20th century and were originally developed for use in educational psychology. These days, outside of education, you are most likely to encounter psychometric testing as part of the recruitment or selection process. Tests of this sort are devised by occupational psychologists and their aim is to provide employers with a reliable method of selecting the most suitable job applicants or candidates for promotion. Psychometric tests aim to measure attributes like intelligence, aptitude and personality. They provide a potential employer with an insight into how well you work with other people, how well you handle stress, and whether you will be able to cope with the intellectual demands of the job. Most of the established psychometric tests used in recruitment and selection make no attempt to analyze your emotional or psychological stability and should not be confused with tests used in clinical psychology. However, in recent years there has been rapid growth (particularly in the US) of tests that claim to measure your integrity or honesty and your predisposition to anger. These tests have attracted a lot of controversy, because of questions about their validity, but their popularity with employers has continued to increase. Psychometric testing is now used by over 80% of the Fortune 500 companies in the USA and by over 75% of the Times Top 100 companies in the UK. Information technology companies, financial institutions, management consultancies, local authorities, the civil service, police forces, fire services and the armed forces all make extensive use of use psychometric testing. As an indicator of your personality, preferences and abilities, psychometric tests can help prospective employers to find the best match of individual to occupation and working environment. As a recruitment and selection tool, these tests can be applied in a straightforward way at the early stages of selection to screen-out candidates who are likely to be unsuitable for the job. They can also provide management with guidance on career progression for existing employees. Because of their importance in making personnel decisions it is vital that the tests themselves are known to produce accurate results based on standardized methods and statistical principles. A psychometric test must be: Objective: The score must not affected by the testers beliefs or values Standardized: It must be administered under controlled conditions Reliable: It must minimize and quantify any intrinsic errors Predictive: It must make an accurate prediction of performance Non Discriminatory: It must not disadvantage any group on the basis of gender, culture, ethnicity, etc. VALIDITY Validity refers to the quality of a measure that exists when the measure assesses a construct. In the selection context, validity refers to the appropriateness, meaningfulness, and usefulness of the inferences made about applicants during the selection process. It is concerned with the issue of whether applicants will actually perform the job as well as expected based on the inferences made during the selection process. The closer the applicants actual job performances match their expected performances, the greater the validity of the selection process. (http://www.referenceforbusiness.com/management/Em-Exp/Employee-Screening-and-Selection.html) Face Validity Face validity is concerned with how a measure or procedure appears. Does it seem like a reasonable way to gain the information the researchers are attempting to obtain? Does it seem well designed? Does it seem as though it will work reliably? Unlike content validity, face validity does not depend on established theories for support (Fink, 1995). Criterion Related Validity Criterion related validity, also referred to as instrumental validity, is used to demonstrate the accuracy of a measure or procedure by comparing it with another measure or procedure which has been demonstrated to be valid. For example, imagine a hands-on driving test has been shown to be an accurate test of driving skills. By comparing the scores on the written driving test with the scores from the hands-on driving test, the written test can be validated by using a criterion related strategy in which the hands-on driving test is compared to the written test. Construct Validity Construct validity seeks agreement between a theoretical concept and a specific measuring device or procedure. For example, a researcher inventing a new IQ test might spend a great deal of time attempting to define intelligence in order to reach an acceptable level of construct validity. Construct validity can be broken down into two sub-categories: Convergent validity and discriminate validity. Convergent validity is the actual general agreement among ratings, gathered independently of one another, where measures should be theoretically related. Discriminate validity is the lack of a relationship among measures which theoretically should not be related. To understand whether a piece of research has construct validity, three steps should be followed. First, the theoretical relationships must be specified. Second, the empirical relationships between the measures of the concepts must be examined. Third, the empirical evidence must be interpreted in terms of how it clarifies the construct validity of the particular measure being tested (Carmines Zeller, p. 23). Content Validity Content Validity is based on the extent to which a measurement reflects the specific intended domain of content (Carmines Zeller, 1991, p.20). Content validity is illustrated using the following examples: Researchers aim to study mathematical learning and create a survey to test for mathematical skill. If these researchers only tested for multiplication and then drew conclusions from that survey, their study would not show content validity because it excludes other mathematical functions. Although the establishment of content validity for placement-type exams seems relatively straight-forward, the process becomes more complex as it moves into the more abstract domain of socio-cultural studies. For example, a researcher needing to measure an attitude like self-esteem must decide what constitutes a relevant domain of content for that attitude. For socio-cultural studies, content validity forces the researchers to define the very domains they are attempting to study. RELIABILITY Reliability is the extent to which an experiment, test, or any measuring procedure yields the same result on repeated trials. Reliability is concerned with the accuracy of the actual measuring instrument or procedure. ( http://writing.colostate.edu/guides/research/relval/pop2a.cfm) Equivalency Reliability Equivalency reliability is the extent to which two items measure identical concepts at an identical level of difficulty. Equivalency reliability is determined by relating two sets of test scores to one another to highlight the degree of relationship or association. In quantitative studies and particularly in experimental studies, a correlation coefficient, statistically referred to as r, is used to show the strength of the correlation between a dependent variable (the subject under study), and one or more independent variables, which are manipulated to determine effects on the dependent variable. An important consideration is that equivalency reliability is concerned with correlational, not causal, relationships. For example, a researcher studying university English students happened to notice that when some students were studying for finals, their holiday shopping began. Intrigued by this, the researcher attempted to observe how often, or to what degree, this these two behaviors co-occurred throughout the academic year. The researcher used the results of the observations to assess the correlation between studying throughout the academic year and shopping for gifts. The researcher concluded there was poor equivalency reliability between the two actions. In other words, studying was not a reliable predictor of shopping for gifts. Stability Reliability Stability reliability (sometimes called test, re-test reliability) is the agreement of measuring instruments over time. To determine stability, a measure or test is repeated on the same subjects at a future date. Results are compared and correlated with the initial test to give a measure of stability. An example of stability reliability would be the method of maintaining weights used by the U.S. Bureau of Standards. Platinum objects of fixed weight (one kilogram, one pound, etc) are kept locked away. Once a year they are taken out and weighed, allowing scales to be reset so they are weighing accurately. Keeping track of how much the scales are off from year to year establishes a stability reliability for these instruments. In this instance, the platinum weights themselves are assumed to have a perfectly fixed stability reliability. Internal Consistency Internal consistency is the extent to which tests or procedures assess the same characteristic, skill or quality. It is a measure of the precision between the observers or of the measuring instruments used in a study. This type of reliability often helps researchers interpret data and predict the value of scores and the limits of the relationship among variables. For example, a researcher designs a questionnaire to find out about college students dissatisfaction with a particular textbook. Analyzing the internal consistency of the survey items dealing with dissatisfaction will reveal the extent to which items on the questionnaire focus on the notion of dissatisfaction. Interrater Reliability Interrater reliability is the extent to which two or more individuals (coders or raters) agree. Interrater reliability addresses the consistency of the implementation of a rating system. A test of interrater reliability would be the following scenario: Two or more researchers are observing a high school classroom. The class is discussing a movie that they have just viewed as a group. The researchers have a sliding rating scale (1 being most positive, 5 being most negative) with which they are rating the students oral responses. Interrater reliability assesses the consistency of how the rating system is implemented. For example, if one researcher gives a 1 to a student response, while another researcher gives a 5, obviously the interrater reliability would be inconsistent. Interrater reliability is dependent upon the ability of two or more individuals to be consistent. Training, education and monitoring skills can enhance interrater reliability. There can be validity without reliability if reliability is defined as consistency among independent measures. Reliability is an aspect of construct validity. As assessment becomes less standardized, distinctions between reliability and validity blur. (Moss, 1994) The two most important and fundamental characteristics of any measurement procedure are reliability and validity. (Michael J. Miller, Ph.D.) (http://www.michaeljmillerphd.com/res500_lecturenotes/Reliability_and_Validity.pdf) From the above explanations by the authors it is clear that both validity and reliability is important aspect in the selection process where they rely on one other thing. It is also possible that there can be reliability without validity if the reliability is consistent in certain aspects. VALIDITY IN SELECTION METHODS: The attainment of validity depends heavily on the appropriateness of the particular selection technique used. Validity means the truthfulness of the test. We should use some test to know whether our selection process is valid or not. A firm should use a selection method that is reliable and accurate in measuring the needed qualifications of an employee. The reliability of a measure refers to its consistency. Reliable evaluations are consistent across both people and time. Reliability is maximized when two people evaluating the same candidate provide the same ratings, and when the ratings of a candidate taken at two different times are the same. When selection scores are unreliable, their validity is diminished. Some of the factors affecting the reliability of selection measures are: Emotional and physical state of the candidate: For example if the candidate is in tensed mood where he is not able to perform well in the interview then he may be not selected for the job. Lack of rapport with the administrator of the measure: If the candidate and the administer is not communicate well then there will be a problem which will affect the reliability. Inadequate knowledge of how to respond to a measure: If the candidate is illiterate or he dont know anything about the job or role. Individual differences among respondents: Each and every individual is different from others. If the administer uses the same technique for every individual then it will not be giving the same result expected. Question difficulty: If the interviewer is not clear in what he is doing then the reliability of the process is failed. Length of measure: If the length of measure is too long then there will be a conflict in the reliability and validity in selection process. The Validity of Tests While the immediate causes of test use may include a variety of factors internal and external to the company, the adoption of formal tests for selection rests on the belief that they provide reliable and valid information about a variety of relevant characteristics. Do the tests predict job performance i.e. do those who score well in psychometric tests go on to do well in the job? There is compelling evidence from the research literature that cognitive ability tests are successful in predicting performance. There is a long history of investigation of this topic amongst psychologists and a great deal of evidence had accumulated on the predictive power of measures of general intelligence, for example in Ghisellis (1966) well-known study. However, until about twenty-five or thirty years ago there was an apparent tendency for different measures to vary enormously in their predictive power, implying that the validity of a given measure was highly sector and indeed firm specific. This perception has now changed due largely to the work of Schmidt and Hunter (1998) who conducted meta-analytic studies which demonstrated the underlying consistency in this set of work. Schmidt and Hunter showed that the apparent variability was in fact largely the result of sampling error (deriving from small sample sizes) along with a number of other measurement artefacts. Cognitive tests were confirmed as good predictors of performance across a very broad range of jobs. The predictive validity of personality testing is more controversial. There has been a good deal of debate about whether personality measures are valid predictors, with some commentators suggesting that reported correlations in this field could be of little value, or even entirely spurious (Blinkhorn and Johnson, 1990). Meta-analysis has given some support to the use of personality tests in recruitment and selection. Tett et al (1991) conducted a meta-an alytic review of 494 studies in this field, and found significant correlations between personality scales and measures of job performance. Unlike the case of cognitive ability measures, however, there is no unifying g factor for personality measures, so that careful attention has to be paid to the relevant characteristics for each type of job. Indeed Tett et al found that studies which were confirmatory i.e. had clear prior hypotheses about the traits likely to be relevant for particular occupations obtained much higher validities than studies which were exploratory or data-driven. Studies that made use of job analysis so as to be clear about which characteristics were required for the job also obtained higher validities than those which made no use of job analysis. Growth in test use seems to have taken off at some point in the 1980s. By the late 1980s and early 1990s, researchers were beginning to discern substantial shifts in companies selection techniques. Shackleton and Newell (1991), comparing their survey results with those of Mabey five years previously, reported what they felt was an encouraging trend towards higher proportions of companies making use of more reliable and valid methods of selection. Since then surveys have continued to suggest that more organisations have adopted psychological testing. In the main, it is large organisations which have chosen to use tests. Psychometric testing is not unknown in smaller organisations, but they tend to be deterred by the costs of the tests and the low numbers of vacancies which they have. There are now a wide range of tests on the market, and new products are being introduced all the time. These may be completely new products, or up-dates of well established tests. Some tests measure broad skills while others are more narrowly focused on particular occupations, whether managerial, technical, or manual. There are tests of cognitive ability, literacy and numeracy skills, as well as personality questionnaires designed to assess softer, people-oriented competencies. The costs of tests are quite substantial, and suggest that employers which use them are likely to be drawing on them for a clear purpose, rather than just responding to some passing management fad. The rather limited survey evidence available on why tests are used does show that prediction of job performance is an important factor, as well as the perceived objectivity of the tests. Because most surveys are relatively small-scale, and only make very broad distin

Diseases During the Civil War Essay -- Health Military Papers

We are all aware of the tragedy that took place in our nation from 1861 to 1865. The Civil War resulted in needless, devastating deaths of thousands of soldiers. What we might not be aware of, however, is the number one killer throughout those years. More soldiers died from this single calamity than battle wounds or blood loss. The catastrophe that tragically affected more soldiers than any other element of the war was disease. Diseases did not only affect the soldiers in a tremendous way. As I will discuss in greater detail further in this paper, diseases gave an advantage to the Northern side of the war, and this played a role in their victory. Additionally, the treatments and discoveries that were made as diseases were treated led to spillover effects that have changed certain aspects of our lives today, providing advances in the realm of medicine. The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate how diseases played a larger role in the Civil War than is generally known. Diseases did not affect the soldiers fighting for the Northern side and the Southern side in an equal fashion. In contrast, the Confederate soldiers were hindered much more deeply than the Union soldiers. This gave an advantage to the Union side. Diseases played a role in the strength of the Union Army and the weakening of the Confederate Army, although it is impossible to say diseases alone were the cause of their victory. After realizing that diseases benefited the Union Army, one begins to wonder why. Why did the Union soldiers survive diseases more frequently that Confederates soldiers? Although that question is pressing and relevant, it is beyond the realm of this paper to thoroughly explain the answer. There were most certainly several factors that pla... ...ed. We cannot find soldiers left on the battlefield and correctly treat their wounds with knowledge that is readily available. We cannot cure diseased men with vaccinations that are now commonly used. In short, the past has been done. What we can do, however, is search for a way to make some good out of this horrendous situation that altered our history. What better way can we honor soldiers who have had their lives taken by diseases than to use discoveries made to save the lives of others? We cannot allow the men whose lives were overcome by sicknesses to die in vain. Soldiers who lost their lives to diseases during the Civil War did not only die for their country, (what else did they die for?). Their tragic deaths have allowed the lives of humanity today to be improved. Diseases during the Civil War did indeed play a bigger role than is commonly recognized today.

What Kind of Leader Is Ms. Condoleezza Rice? Essay -- informative essa

Dr. Condoleezza Rice was sworn in as Secretary of State on January 25, 2005. She is a clear example of a leader, which possesses certain traits that have led her to where she is today. In order to evaluate her as a leader, it is necessary to look at different aspects of her leadership. It is important to examine her personality traits and values, ethical challenges she will face, her candidacy, her leadership style, and her dark-side traits. The first way to evaluate her as a leader is to look at a detail description of what her personality and values are. Condoleezza Rice was born into a family that was disciplined in life and in religion. Generations of her family extend from college-educated teachers, preachers, and lawyers. Her parents were very well-respected in their communities. Her father was a Presbyterian Minister and her mother was a teacher of music and science. Condoleezza was born in Birmingham during a time when African-Americans struggled to receive a college education. Since Condoleezza Rice worked hard and excelled during her adolescence, she had the opportunity to attend college. The Rice family was known for â€Å"dedicating themselves to nurturing a strong, self-confident child by exposing her to all the elements of western culture including: music, ballet, foreign languages, and athletics† (Strobel, 2005, p.1-2). Rice’s grandmother stated, â€Å"Condoleezza has always been very focused, ever since she was very, very young† (Strobel, 2005, p.1-2). Condoleezza’s mother taught her at home to make her lessons more enlightening. This was very different compared to public schooling. Another value that Condoleezza Rice would proclaim to be her strongest is her faith. Condoleezza Rice, who is known to speak publicl... ...ew National Security Strategy and Preemption. Retrieved Jan 21, 2011 from http://www. Brookings.edu/printme.wbs?page=/comm/policybriefs/pb113.htm. Rice, Condoleezza. (2002, June 16). ‘Acknowledge that you have an obligation to search for the truth’. Retrieved Jan 21, 2011 from http://news-service.stanford.edu/news/2002/june19/comm_ricetext-619.html. Strobel, Warren P. (2005, Jan. 28). Condoleezza Rice. Retrieved Jan 21, 2011 from http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,2092-1367314,00. The Associated Press. (2000, December 17). Exceeding expectations, Rice returns to White House in top job. Retrieved Jan 21, 2011 from http://archives.cnn.com /2000/ ALLPOLITICS/stories/12/17/rice.profile.ap/ Whitelaw, Kevin. (2011, Jan 21). Getting It ‘Dead Wrong.’ U.S. News & World Report, 138 (32). Retrieved Jan 21, 2011, from Business Source Premier database.

Sri Lanka :: Politics, Sinhalese Majority

Obtaining true Independence for Sri Lanka as a nation from the British was a long struggle which began in 1915 due to a rivalry between the Sri Lankan Muslims and the Sinhalese Majority over commercial interests which led to a riot in Colombo, the administrative capital of what is then known to the world as Ceylon (Corporation, 2008). The British, in response to the riots among the Ceylonese and the Muslims, placed the sole blame of these riots on the Sinhalese and implemented strict punishments on the Sinhalese showing (IrÄ manÃŒ ²Ã„ tanÃŒ ², 1916). As a result anti British feelings began to increase among the Sinhalese majority, and an intense interest was placed in needing to be an independent nation (Corporation, 2008). However, it was just a work in progress until the LSSP Sri Lanka Socialist movement founded in 1935 demanded that the nation be freed from the British and the administrative language of English be replaced with Sinhala and Tamil (Tambiah S. J., 1992). However, the plan of Sri Lanka being an independent nation which addressed the needs of all ethnic groups of the nation, despite starting as a collectivist ideology soon began to deteriorate upon obtaining the long waited freedom in February 1948. This was due to the post colonial separatist mentality (LePoer, 2002). Additionally following the independence, vital questions as the citizenship concerns of Sri Lanka’s up country Indian Tamils and the National Language concerns were not addressed (Roberts, 1994). Furthermore when these questions were addressed during the S.L.F.P rule from 1956-1965 the methods used in addressing these imperative problems which gave the minorities of Sri Lanka their individual identity was slanted toward the Sinhala majority (Hennayake, 2006, pp. 76-91). Considering the fact that an ethnic identity in a nation being a result of long preserved traditions followed by a set of people, when combined as a state with multiple ethnic identities will possibly result in a conflict of interests. Furthermore, as mentioned by Authors David Lake and Donald Rothchild, in most cases, the small minority will adopt to the Majority but when considering a substantial seize minority it becomes hard to adopt in such manner (Lake & Rothchild, 1998, p. 48). This being the case of the Sri Lankan Tamils who is a large minority in comparison to other groups, and having key administrative roles during the colonial era began to protest on the new Sri Lankan legislation as the â€Å"Sinhala Only Act† (Tambiah S.

Catherine morland presented

Catherine being traced re the social, psychological, emotional and intellectual, in addition to her growth as a fully functional lady of society. The first chapter focuses on the Catherine's practicality, her intelligent, but not brilliant mind and her lack of experience in the world. Austen introduces Catherine as a realistic character, while contrasting that realism to her role as the heroine of a novel. Jane Austen presents Catherine Morland at the beginning of the novel, this opens the novel to a very interesting and yet peculiar start to the Northanger Abbey, â€Å"No one who had ever seen CatherineMorland in her infancy would have supposed her to be born an heroine†. This opening sentence leaves the reader expecting her to become a heroine as her life progresses. The author's careful diction characterises Catherine, â€Å"No one who had ever seen,† as though her outward appearance cannot righteously represent her true inner nature. The description of Catherine's a ppearance typifies this. When Austen describes Catherine in the opening of the novel, she suggests that she is an unlikely gothic heroine.Catherine isn't described as a stereotypical child, nevertheless, she ad a thin awkward figure, a sallow skin without colour, dark lank hair, and strong features, â€Å"so much for her person and not less unpropitious for heroism seemed her mind†. Austen presents Catherine to be as boring and plain, while at the same time encouraging the idea of her strong and courageous nature. By introducing her as a possible heroine, the contrasting description of her external features and the image of her heroism create a concept in the readers mind.In Chapter one of Northanger Abbey, Catherine is presented as naive and innocent, as Catherine is stereotyped as person who â€Å"never could learn or understand anything before she was taught. † This helps to paint a picture of Catherine being helpless and dependent for extended emphasis or exaggerat ion of the trials she must go through to reach maturity and independence. For if Catherine learns through the guidance and teaching of others, her gullibility in what she is taught is heightened, therefore she may be inclined to believe everything that she hears or reads.Austen describes Catherine, â€Å"She was fond of all boys, playing and greatly preferred cricket†. This relates to Mary Woolstone Craft, whereas Catherine's imagination runs away with her childhood because â€Å"she is kept in a state of perpetual childhood†. Austen presents Catherine's childhood as marked by energy, vitality and good temper, â€Å"She was moreover, noisy and wild†, Catherine wasn't interested in learning music or art she held the characterises of a young child who is immature and not very grounded on life. Young children at that age, however, are expected to be witty and charming.Catherine, however, is not accomplishment for 19th century women. Every household that could affor d one had piano, and the daughters of the house would be expected to learn to play and sing, so they could entertain the family and any visitors. Sketching and painting were considered elegant female accomplishments. Sewing was another one; girls would learn to do elegant embroidery. Speaking foreign languages was considered an accomplishment; girls would learn French and German and how this education plays a role in her position within society.Catherine Morland was the complete opposite of the stereotypical child; Jane Austen presented Catherine at the beginning of the ovel to the broad conflicting on how a heroine should act. Catherine Is more apparent when she turns fifteen years old, we gain an insight that Catherine has developed into a different character, â€Å"her love for dirt gave away' and â€Å"grows quite a good looking girl† this shows the maturity of Catherine and the stages into adulthood. Catherine's appearances change completed as, â€Å"her features were softened, by plumpness and colour†.Also, Catherine was â€Å"reading books of information†, Catherine is now showing traits of the â€Å"accomplished women† and the qualities of a eroine, nevertheless at the start of the novel Jane presents Catherine as nothing but a heroine and this shows how Catherine grows up and becomes more mature. In the first part of the novel, Catherine finds herself in the fashionable Bath where she is eager for adventures. She meets people who are in Bath for different reasons but mainly to find a suitable partner in life.Already after a couple of weeks in Bath, far away from her family, she is starting to mature. Her introduction to Bath society makes Catherine lose a little of her childish innocence. At one moment in Bath she is larmed and surprised at seeing Henry accompanied by another woman: â€Å"Catherine sat erect, in the perfect use of her senses and with cheeks only a little redder than usual† though Catherine does not reveal any emotions, quite the opposite of a Gothic heroine. When she meets Henry Tilney, instead of fainting with pure Joy she welcomes him quietly.Jane Austen presents Catherine Morland different around certain characters, as when we are first introduced to Isabella Thorpe she is presented as a admirable character at first, she comes across friendly, elegant and eautiful, as Catherine says in the novel, â€Å"her eldest daughter had great personal beauty'. Catherine's character changes when she meets Isabella Thorpe, Catherine admires her as a role model as Austen writes how Catherine, â€Å"most admirable girl† this helps Catherine's character to grow as she soon learns the social rules of how to behave whilst in Bath.As we know Isabella is four years older than Catherine so Catherine perhaps perceives Isabella as an older sister figure to Catherine. Catherine and Isabelle gain a friendship quickly which could suggest how Catherine is naive as he has not let herself get t o know Isabella as quick as she should have, â€Å"The progress of the friendship between Catherine and Isabella was quick as its beginning to get warm†.Isabella comes across as very manipulative character and also seeks male attention, when Catherine and Isabella catch the eye of two young men, † they set of immediately, as fast as they could walk, in pursuit of the two young men†, Catherine, however, doesn't want to follow the two young men and doesn't crave the male attention which Isabella does, this shows that Isabella manipulates what Catherine thinks and Jane presents this by showing that Isabella however Is in charge eventually drops her superficial friendship with Isabella in favour of a more mature friendship with Eleanor.In many ways, the mature and reasonable Eleanor represents the type of adult that Catherine makes some progress towards becoming an responsible adult. Eleanor is, after all, rational, kind, well-mannered, well-rea, and is capable to kee ping up with her brother's wit and if she's not as exciting and wildly entertaining as Isabella, well, that's probably a good thing. After all, she does get ewarded with her very own Viscount in the end, which Just proves that good deeds, like putting up with her difficult father, really can be rewarded.Catherine, who grows up considerably over the course of the novel, eventually drops her superficial friendship with Isabella in favour of a more mature friendship with Eleanor. In many ways, the mature and reasonable Eleanor represents the type of adult that Catherine makes some progress towards becoming, She is described as having a â€Å"good fgure, a pretty face and a very agreeable countenance† and is also described as having good anners and a good sense this foreshadows later on in the novel where Eleanor gives Catherine money to go home when General Tilney banishes Catherine from Northanger Abbey.Eleanor Tinley comes across as more of a heroine than Catherine Morland. Wh ereas the friendship between Eleanor and the characters also contrast in the way that Isabella enjoys having attention, whereas we are told that Eleanor is at the ball â€Å"without wanting to fix the attention of every man near her† which shows she is a much more mature character and would make a better role model to Catherine rather than Isabella. Overall the novel follows Catherine Morland's progress from innocence and delusion to understanding and clear sight.She never loses her honest and unaffectedness, which is what, makes her an attractive heroine despite being neither clever nor witty. At the beginning of chapter one Catherine isn't presented as a typical heroine and doesn't have the typical heroine traits as she does not bother to learn or has any talent at all, however, when Catherine grows to be older she begins to realise her maturity and she begins to have the qualities of an ‘accomplished women' traits about her.