Monday, September 30, 2019
Critique of the medical research Essay
Introduction (2) What is the purpose of the study?            The purpose of this study is to demonstrate the various factors for the prolonged pre-hospital delay in African-American with Acute myocardial infarction. Another purpose of the study is to demonstrate the manner in which perceived racism (experience of racial discrimination) affects the pre-hospital delay. Is the purpose of the study clearly presented?            The study has demonstrated to a certain extent that several related factors such as ethnic background, medical insurance, presence of a witness (relative or a family member during the attack), marital status, general health status, presence of any systemic disease and perceived racism, do play a very important role in prolonging the time period between the onset of the symptoms and hospitalization. However, further studies are required to provide more detailed information about these factors. Problem Statement (5) What problem was the study conducted to resolve?            The study was conducted to determine the factors associated with prolonged pre-hospital delay in African-Americans with acute myocardial infarction than Whites. It was found that death due to cardiovascular disease claims were significantly higher in African-Americans than any other group. Besides, the study was also conducted to demonstrate the extent to which perceived racism affects the pre-hospital delay in African-Americans with acute myocardial infarction. How is the problem important for nursing practice?            Acute myocardial infarction is one of the main causes of death in both, men and women, living in developed countries. Fatalities due to cardiovascular disease are significantly higher in African-Americans than any other racial group. The outcome following acute myocardial infarction varies depending on the rapidity at which with reperfusion therapy is provided. In this treatment intervention, the blood supply to the heart is restored back to normal. Agents that chemically dissolve thrombi (clots formed within the blood vessels) or expand blood vessels (vasodilators) are administered. Besides, surgical procedures such as angioplasty (reconstruction of the blocked artery), catheterization (insertion of an inflatable balloon-tipped tubular device) or coronary artery bypass (grafting a section of a vein), may also be performed to restore the blood supply to the cardiac tissues. Reperfusion therapy seems to be most valuable when provided within one hour following the development of symptoms and signs of myocardial infarction. Delay in providing treatment may play an important role in increasing the morbidity and mortality rates of acute myocardial infarction. As African-Americans take longer time in seeking treatment for the symptoms and signs of acute myocardial infarction than Whites, the outcome will definitely be less favorable in African-Americans. Hence, measures to lower delay times can be instituted in African-Americans with acute myocardial infarction. Is the problem statement clearly stated? Describe.            The delay in seeking treatment for the symptoms and signs of acute myocardial infarction are longer in African-Americans than Whites. As the period between the onset of the symptoms and signs of acute myocardial infarction and institution of treatment plays a very critical role on the outcome of the disorder, the specific factors associated with prolonged pre-hospital delay in African-Americans should be determined. The problem statement is clearly mentioned. Research Question(s) What is the research question? If not stated, what would you say the research question is?            A good research question would be â€Å"To study the causes or factors associated with prolonged pre-hospital delay in African-Americans with acute myocardial infarction†. Hypotheses What is the hypothesis? If not stated, what would you say the hypothesis is?            From the study, it is clearly evident that African-Americans take longer time to seek emergency medical help for acute myocardial infarction than whites. However, perceived racism (actual experience of racial discrimination) did not play an important role. Study Variables What are the independent and dependent variables? Or, if it is a descriptive or correlational design, what are the research variables?            In this study, a descriptive design is used.  To determine the factors associated with prolonged pre-hospital delays independent t tests and chi square tests were used. The independent variable includes ethnic group. The dependent variables include experience of racial discrimination, sex (males and females), presence of a witness, insurance, marital status, etc. Review of Literature In what way(s) does the literature review support the need for this study?            The literature obtained during the study only demonstrates the various factors that may prolong the pre-hospital delay in African-Americans. These factors are however not specific to the African-American group only. Further studies are needed to show how similar factors could play a role in prolonging the pre-hospital delay in other racial groups. Does the review of literature guide you to the study?            The review of the literature does guide to the study. The review demonstrates the current incidence and mortality scenario of acute myocardial infarction in the African-American race. It also demonstrates the need for immediate reperfusion treatment. The study also shows how individuals of the African-American race are at a greater risk of developing acute myocardial infarction than Whites. However, more details need to be provided. Are there existing gaps in the literature identified by the author(s)?            No, the gaps in the literature are not identified by the author. The author could have also tried to study other factors that could play an important role in prolonging pre-hospital delays such as educational levels, socio-economic status, urban/rural divide, etc. Theoretical/Conceptual Framework Does the study have a conceptual or theoretical framework? If so, briefly describe the model or framework?            The study is based on a conceptual framework. The framework describes several factors associated with prolonged pre-hospital delay such as ethnic group, sex, general health status, insurance status, marital status, etc. These variables cannot be clearly defined, and only the possible role they play, can be described. Is a rationale stated for the conceptual/theoretical framework? Explain            The various factors associated with prolonged pre-hospital delay include sex, ethnic group, general health status, insurance position, etc. As these cannot be clearly defined and only their possible roles are defined, a conceptual framework is suggested. Ethodological aspects Research design What study design is used?            A descriptive design is being used. In what way(s) is the design used an appropriate one?            The author is justifying a phenomenon. Certain variables are being studied which can be determined earlier and later in time. Were pilot study findings used to design the major study? No, pilot studies were not being used. However, references were being made to previous studies. Name and describe at least two threats to the internal validity of the study design.            The two threats to the internal validity of the study design include history threat (in which some historic event has occurred which makes the individual aware) and testing threat (in which some form of pretest may make the individual aware of any similar tests in future). Name and describe at least two threats to the external validity of the study design.            Three threats to the external validity of the study design include different people (results of the study may be due to unusual people), different places (were perhaps the educational background was different) or different time (at which the incidence of acute myocardial infarction were higher than normal). What are the extraneous variables in this study? How are they being controlled for in this study?            The extraneous variables in this study are the time period between the onset of symptoms of acute myocardial infarction and provision of reperfusion therapy. African-Americans take significantly longer than whites in seeking treatment for the symptoms of acute myocardial infarction (3.2 hours to 2 hours). Target Population, Sample, and Setting Who is the target population for the study?            The target population of the study is African-Americans who had acute myocardial infarction. What sampling method was used?            Quota sampling is being used in this study. The stratums of the population that have the criteria are selected. From this stratum, convenience or judgment is used to select the 64 subjects for the study. What are the sample inclusion and exclusion criteria? If not stated, what would you say they are? Inclusion criteria – African-Americans, who had acute myocardial infarction, 18 years and older, who could understand and speak English, conscious and properly oriented, living as in their communities independently, had a steady circulatory system. Exclusion (not mentioned) – Whites, individual below 18 years of age, non-English speaking, those who were not properly oriented. In what way(s) is the sample large enough?            The study was reasonably large enough as it was conducted in 5 hospitals, in 2 areas of a state. In what way(s) is the sample representative of the population?            The sample represents an important portion of the population. This group is one that acute myocardial infarction can occur. African-Americans are a major group of USA. Adults are being used in the study. Besides, English-speaking portion of the population is being studied. Is the setting appropriate for this study? Explain your answer.            Yes, the settings are appropriate for this study. The study s being conducted within a month after the individual had myocardial infarction. This ensures full recovery from the attack and also fresh memories of the event. Data Collection Describe data collection instrument/measurement tools.            Data was being collected by personal interview a month after the acute myocardial infarction. In what way is the support for instrument validity and reliability adequate for use in this study?            The study was being conducted on individuals who were alert, properly oriented, above 18 years of age and who could speak and understand English. The chance of the results being not reliable was less. However, some individuals may not exactly remember the pre-hospital delay. In what way(s) are the instruments used appropriate for this study?            The instruments used were appropriate for the study, as most of the question being asked were based on general facts (such as marital status, insurance, general health status, etc). Describe procedures used for data collection.            Before conducting the study, approval had been sought from the appropriate institutional review board and all other participating groups. Then the patients who met the criteria were being selected, from 5 hospitals in 2 areas of the State. They were being studied from April, 2003 to June, 2004. The subjects were appropriately diagnosed for acute myocardial infarction based on the history, laboratory tests, ECG and a surgical intervention. They were interviewed within a month after the attack, to ensure that they had recovered fully, as well as not forgotten details of the event. Data Analysis Are the statistical tests used identified and the values reported?            Yes, statistical tests are being used in this study, namely: – independent t tests and chi square tests. Values were also being provided from the 2 groups being compared (namely: – males V. females, insured V. non-insured, single V. married, etc). Are the statistics appropriate for the level of measurement of each variable, sample size, sampling method, and research questions/hypotheses?            Yes the statistics are appropriate for each variable, sample size, sampling method and research hypothesis. What is the level of statistical significance used in interpreting the study results? Was this stated or implied?            The results have been interpreted to the 0.01 level, thus showing that they are reliable. This was implied. Ethical aspects Ethical issues What way(s) have the rights of human subjects been adequately protected during this study? The human subjects were being adequately protected during the study. No identity of any subject has been given. 3 out of the 64 chosen from the study were being allowed to opt out. The subjects were being adequate amount of time to fully recover from the acute myocardial infarction. Besides, only individuals above the age of 18 and those who were conscious, alert and well-oriented were chosen. 2. was the research approved and monitored by an Institutional Review Board or similar ethics review committee?            Yes, only after seeking prior approval from the appropriate institutional review board and all the participative groups, was the study being conducted. Interpretive Aspects Discussion What are two major strengths of the scientific rigor of the study?            The two major strengths of the scientific rigor of this study includes:- The sampling method used was a quota sampling method, in which the stratums of the population that have the criteria are selected. From this stratum convenience or judgment is used to select the 64 subjects for the study. Independent t tests and chi square tests were being employed to study the several factors associated with prolonged pre-hospital delay.            These were most appropriate in this case.       Do the figures and tables illuminate the presentation of results?            The figures give us an exact idea of the role each and every factor was playing on the pre-hospital delay. The figures suggest that the findings are more reliable.  Are study limitations identified? If so, what are the two major limitations of the scientific rigor of the study?            The two major limitations of the scientific rigor of this study:- The chances of errors in this study are high as the data collecting methods are not appropriate (subject may not remember the period of the pre-hospital delay). The factors associated with prolonged pre-hospital delays may not be specific to the African-American group. The study did not concentrate on several other associated factors such as socio-economic status, rural-urban divide, educational levels, etc. In what way(s) are the implications of the study findings appropriate?            The study shows that the pre-hospital delay was longer than one hour. This meant that the individual was not going to benefit much from reperfusion therapy. The study also showed that perceived racism did not affect the pre-hospital delay much. What recommendations for nursing practice and future research have been made?            Some of the recommendations that have been made include: – Educating the patients and their families. Lowering the pre-hospital time. Further research in studying the role of other associated factors. Summary and Conclusions In what way(s) are the conclusions of the study appropriate?            The study goes on to show the present state of affairs in African-Americans. As the pre-hospital delay was significantly longer than one hour, they are not going to benefit much from reperfusion therapy (the benefits of such therapy is best when administered within an hour after the onset of symptoms and signs of acute myocardial infarction). Besides, the study has also suggested that only through adequate education and counseling of the patients and their families, could the outcome be improved (to enable shorter pre-hospital delays). The study has not only shown, the various factors that play an important role in prolonging the pre-hospital delay, but has also suggested that such delays should be decreased in order to improve the benefits, prognosis and survival rates. Do the benefits of the study outweigh the risks?            Yes, the benefits of the study definitely outweigh the risks. Many studies conducted in the past have shown that African-Americans take longer time than Whites to seek medical help for the symptoms of acute myocardial infarction. However, it is the first study that has demonstrated the various factors associated with prolonged pre-hospital delay in African-Americans. Presentation and Stylistic Aspects Title Does the title of the article accurately describe the study? In what way does it or does it not?            The title describes the study. It demonstrates the various factors responsible for the prolonging the pre-hospital delay in African-American with the symptoms of acute myocardial infarction. However, such factors may not be specific only to the African-American Community. They could even exist in other communities. Further studies are required to assess the role of similar factors on other communities and the role of other factors on the African-American community. Is the language used in the title understandable and informative?            Yes, the language used in the title is simple, understandable and informative. Complicated words are seldom being used. Is the title clear and concise?            Yes, the title is clear and concise. It gives us an idea briefly of the problems and the factors the study is going to assess. Researcher Qualifications Are researcher(s) qualifications presented?            Yes, the researches full qualifications are presented in the Abstract. Angela D. Banks is a Registered Nurse and has completed her PhD. Kathleen Dracup is also a Registered Nurse and has done her DNSc (Doctor of Nursing Science). Are researcher(s) qualified to conduct the research? Justify your answer.            Yes, both researchers are qualified to conduct research in this field. Emergency management of acute myocardial infarction requires appropriate Nursing Services. Evidence-Based Nursing Management will help solve problems encountered by the nurses through:- Identifying the problem using current and appropriate nursing information and practices. Searching relevant research data for a suitable option Studying the option for evidence using criteria established. Choosing the most appropriate intervention. This study is conducted using scientific methods and current nursing knowledge. The conclusion suggested is also based on current medical evidence. Abstract Does the abstract contain enough information about the study so the reader understands essence of article?            Yes, the abstract contains enough information so as to give the reader an idea of the article. Does the abstract state the purpose of the study, problems investigated, research question or hypothesis, study design and methods used, sample, instruments used, results or findings?            Yes the abstract brieflTitle of Articley states the purpose of the study, problems investigated, research question, hypothesis, study design and methods used, sample, instruments used, results. It eve suggests ways the problem can be solved. Is the abstract 100 to 200 words in length?            The abstract is about 225 words in length and is roughly within its limits. Presentation Does the format of the article follow the research process?            Yes, the format follows the research process.  Is the article organized and sufficiently concise?            No, the article is not well-organized. The article is concise.  Is the article written using correct grammar and sentence structure?            Yes, the grammar is reasonably correct and the sentence structure is normal.  Do cited references appear in reference list?            Yes, the references do appear in the list.  Are cited references current?            Some of the references are not current. References Allende, J.E. (2004), â€Å"Rigor – The essence of scientific work†, Electron. J. Biotechnol, vol. 7, no. 1. http://www.scielo.cl/scielo.php?pid=S0717-34582004000100001&script=sci_arttext&tlng=en Banks, A.D. and Dracup, K. (2006), â€Å"Factors associated with prolonged prehospital delay of African Americans with acute myocardial infarction.†, Am J Crit Care, vol. 15, no. 2, March. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=16501134&dopt=Abstract http://goliath.ecnext.com/coms2/gi_0199-5363827/Factors-associated-with-prolonged-prehospital.html Emden, C. and Hancock, H. (1996), Oral presentation: Scientific rigor and qualitative research, [Online], Available: http://www.cochrane.org/colloquia/abstracts/adelaide/ADELO218.htm, [Accessed: 2006, October 31]. Gurtwiz, J.H. et al (1997), â€Å"Delayed Hospital Presentation in Patients Who Have Had Acute Myocardial Infarction†, Annals of Int Med, vol. 126, no. 8, 15th April, pp. 593-599. http://www.annals.org/cgi/content/abstract/126/8/593?ck=nck Indiana University (2001), Unit 4: Descriptive Designs, [Online], Available: http://www.indiana.edu/~educy520/topic_intro/520topic_4.html#designs, [Accessed: 2006, October 31]. JJEC (1998), Glossary, [Online], Available: http://www.jrsa.org/jjec/resources/definitions.html, [Accessed: 2006, October 31]. Stat Pac (1997), Survey Sampling Methods, [Online], Available: http://www.statpac.com/surveys/sampling.htm, [Accessed: 2006, October 31]. Trochim, WM.K. (2006), External Validity, [Online], Available: http://www.socialresearchmethods.net/kb/external.htm, [Accessed: 2006, October 31]. Trochim, WM.K. (2006), Single Group Threats, [Online], Available: http://www.socialresearchmethods.net/kb/intsing.htm, [Accessed: 2006, October 31]. University of Minnesota (2001), Evidence Based Nursing, [Online], Available: http://evidence.ahc.umn.edu/ebn.htm , [Accessed: 2006, October 31].
Sunday, September 29, 2019
Customer Service and Hard-to-get Auto Air-conditioning
Hill’s Automotive, Inc. Hill’s AutomotiveInc. , is an aftermarket producer and distributor of automotive replacement parts. The business slowly expanded which began as a supplier of hard-to-get auto air-conditioning units for classic cars and hot rods. The firm has limited manufacturing capability but a state-of-the-art MRP system and extensive inventory and assembly facilities. Components are purchased, assembled and repackaged. Profits have fallen considerably. In addition, the customer service level has declined, with late deliveries now exceeding 25% of orders.And to make matters worse, customer returns have been rising at a rate of 3% per month. I. Point of View Art Hill II. Time Context At present III. Statement of the Problem The main problem of the study pertains to the declining profitability of the company and how will this decline be solved. IV. Statement of the Objectives * To be able to prepare a plan that will help the firm back on course toward improved p rofitability. * To be able to identify the symptoms, the problems and the specific changes to be implemented in the firm. * To be able to show the importance of MRP played in the plan. V. Assumptions * Hill’s Automotive Inc. s known as a supplier of hard-to-get auto air-conditioning units. * Hill’s Automotive Inc. is a financial stable manufacturing company. * The whole management of the Hill’s Automotive Inc. is responsible and effective employees. * The slow expansion of the business is consistent. VI. Areas of Consideration SWOT Analysis Strengths * Hill’s Automotive Inc. is a supplier of hard-to-get replacement parts. * Hill’s Automotive Inc. is a financial stable manufacturing company. * The manufacturing company has a state-of-the-art MRP system and extensive inventory and assembly facilities. * The firm has accurate bill of materials. Weaknesses The firm has a limited manufacturing capability. * The company’s discretionary segment has put downward pressure on volume and margins. * The company is suffering from considerably fallen profits. * Customer service level declines. * Customer returns are rising. * The firm has poor quality control and low productivity resulting to acquire high cost. Opportunities * The firm has a limited manufacturing capability. * The company is suffering from considerably fallen profits. * Level of customer service and returns. * Quality level and standards Threats * Competitors * Economic change * Declining customer service level. * Doubtful quality
Saturday, September 28, 2019
Sexual Assault on campus Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words
Sexual Assault on campus - Research Paper Example 2013). The controversy continues on the critical topic because of the overlap that exists between theory and empirical research. There is much theory, but little research has been done on the topic. For instance, there are only a few documented studies on the effects of sexual assault (Exner & Cummings, 2011). The issue has been denied the attention it deserves like other crimes in the campus environment. This paper will be at analyzing the controversy in sexual assault in campus and the different issues related to it. Sexual assault in campuses is a reality with women being the major victims of this vise. There exist studies exploring gender differences when it comes to sexual assault (Wilcox, Jordan & Pritchard, 2006). These studies have shown that women in college are the main victims; however, the effects are worse to males (Exner & Cummings, 2011). When males are sexually assaulted, the outcomes are severe because of the climate in campus where men have been empowered. Therefore, there is a controversy on the widely affected gender and the intensity of outcomes on the different genders. College populations are said to be major victims of sexual assault because they are in the age group that experiences most of the social activities and dating. Through dating and the social activities, students end up being sexually assaulted by people close to them when they fail to satisfy their wants. According to Casey & Nurius (2006), sexual assault peaks at adolescence. This makes sexual assault to be more prevalent in colleges than in the general population. Substance use is also common among college students (Hayes et al. 2013). This further increases the risk of victimization by reducing the ability to ignore or resist unwanted advances. Statistics, on the other hand, show that a sexual assault in campus is at around 25% with women being major victims of this. Scholars like Casey & Nurius (2006) claim that these statistics do not give a real picture of the
Friday, September 27, 2019
Compare marx's notion of liberation with mill's notion of liberty Essay
Compare marx's notion of liberation with mill's notion of liberty - Essay Example In Part II of The Communist Manifesto (II - Proletarians and Communists), Marx gets down to the brass tacks, as it were, of Communism’s intentions and, in doing so, blows the lid off of much that societies and individuals have traditionally admired, even revered. If the liberation of the individual is a part of Marx’s world view, one is hard pressed to locate it. In demonizing capitalists - the bourgeois – Marx is clearly willing to deny an individual their rights or at least their preferences by giving those entitlements to a group, i.e. robbing Peter to pay the Proletariat. His concept of liberation is critically narrow to avoid philosophical messiness, for the only freedoms he stresses are those antithetical to Communism’s a priori assumption that Property is the root of societal evil. On page [pt II, paragraph 27] he specifies that the freedom he refers to is â€Å"free trade, free selling and buying,†as if those evils of capitalism constitute the extent that freedom needs to be discussed or valued. 1) Abolition of property; 2) Progressive or graduated income tax; 3) Abolition of inheritance rights; 4) Confiscation of emigrant and rebel property [which would certainly leave German-born Karl with even less than he had!]; 5) State monopoly of banking; 6) State monopoly of communication and transportation; 7) State monopoly of factories and agriculture; 8) Obligation of all to work; 9) Abolition of the distinction between town and country by redistributing population [no doubt the Cambodian Khmer Rouge loved that one]; 10) Combining education with industrial production. One does not have to have the politics of a George Orwell to perceive in Marx’s list a profound mistrust of individual initiative and responsibility. And, though it is not in this paper’s scope, to ask why a respect for individuality is absent is not
Thursday, September 26, 2019
Criminology Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words - 6
Criminology - Essay Example Wade. Romney overtly expressed his distaste for abortion and was proud of his Pro-Life views. He actively sought the support of people who wished to overturn the Roe vs. Wade and further established that his presidency would discontinue the Federal funding provided to organization that supported abortion. On the other hand, democratic nominee Obama had openly criticized Romney for his lack of consistency over the matter, as he had expressed an inclination towards the Pro-choice stance on the matter; Obama campaign was quick to criticize this move on Romney’s part and accused him of ‘playing politics’. (CNN, 2012) It was indeed ostensible that Romney, a former proponent of the Pro-choice stance on the matter had quickly molded his views according to the Republican point of view. This was a questionable move on part of the Romney campaign that may have lead to the loss of support, however Obama campaign had not only promised to preserve the Roe vs. Wade ruling but also gave people the hope that they would actively work to reduce the need for abortion in the society (CNN, 2012). He believed in maintaining the federal funding provided to family planning agencies, but he had elucidated on the fact that he wished to protect women’s interest without infringing upon their rights and wanted to embolden the efficacy of other methods that would prevent an unwanted conception. From a sociological perspective, Abortion represents a symbolic interactionist social issue, because it is an issue that entails multiple facets that has to be taken into account and rouses several different interpretations that leads to a disparity in public opinion. In other words, individuals may regulate their opinion on an issue according to their interpretation of the matter, which is subjected to change. Abortion is a multifaceted issue, it legalization and
Wednesday, September 25, 2019
Code of Ethics for Psychologists Coursework Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words
Code of Ethics for Psychologists - Coursework Example However, the use of deception can be methodologically and psychologically justifiable which, according to Pittinger (2003), validates the revision of this code. I think that the code should be revised to excuse deceptive practices that aim to acquire accurate results or findings. The second code is 2.03 or Maintaining Competence which states that â€Å"psychologists undertake ongoing efforts to develop and maintain their competence.†The principle expressed by this code is Principle B (Fidelity and Responsibility). Declining competence over the course of therapy or in clinical assessments would harm clients severely, particularly those who are highly vulnerable, such as individuals with mental illness. For example, a mentally ill individual agreed to take part in a study but his condition worsens while the study progresses, so the relatives decided to withdraw him from the study. The right decision then depends on the competence of the psychologists.
Tuesday, September 24, 2019
New York City Zoning Regulations Vs The Death and Life of American Assignment
New York City Zoning Regulations Vs The Death and Life of American Great Cities - Assignment Example The New York City Zoning Regulations provides rules and guidelines for shaping the city. If compared to architecture and planning, zoning has a short history in it being a means of organizing how land is used. Zoning puts into place the use and size of buildings, the location of the buildings and to a greater extent the diverse neighborhoods’ density of the city. In line with the city’s tax, ability to budget and property condemnation, zoning is an important tool for undertaking planning policy. New York City is known to be a pioneer regarding zoning from the time the first nation’s comprehensive zoning was enacted in 1916. Considering the New York City zoning regulations, we can gauge that, some of these regulations reflect what Jane Jacobs is talking about in her book while some regulations do not reflect her ideas as we are going to discuss them. In her book, Jacobs praised density and concentration as opposed to dispersal and decentralization. Jacobs announces that housing activist Catherine Bauer has derived a perfect term meant for attacking regional planners for example Lewis Mumford. Decentrists proposed decentralizing big cities like New York. They wanted to squeeze them, disorient their enterprises, and dislocate their populations into smaller and separated cities. Decentrists felt that urban streets are bad environment for humans; hence, they recommended building houses away from the street. However, they suggested building houses inward in the direction of sheltered greens. These ideas took over mainstream thinking until Jacobs shoved them away in her book. Jacobs understood the meaning that density gives critical mass. Density means good services, good stores, restaurants and cafes. It also means safety in thatthere is life in the street and round the clock activity. NYC zoning regulations reflect this idea by allowing centralization in its policy. This has greatly improved safety in the city nowadays not only because of security by the police department in fighting crime strategically but because there are always people in the streets whether its day time or night time. This idea is one of Jacob’s brilliant contributions. As she writes, â€Å"There must be sufficiently dense concentration of people, for whateve4r purposes they may be there. This includes dense concentration in the case of people who are there because of residence†. Within this concept that is critic lays several others as we continue. Greenwich Villag e was another of Jacob’s important urban lab, the denser but mainly low-rise, working-class neighborhood. As a small-town girl, she took her lessons with respect to proper urban behavior as shown by her neighbors. Like Bernie Jaffe, who owned the candy store and who guides small children traversing the street; Joe Cornacchia, who owned corner deli and kept her keys in case of visitors and emergencies; the locksmith Mr. Lacey, the one who bawled the son of Jacob for running into traffic then he reported him to his dad. Jacobs respected and celebrated working class households plus their conservative, old-world although socially attentive morals. Ethnic neighborhoods emptied out into the suburbs, either voluntarily or coercively under urban renewal. However, Jacobs for saw tragedy in their departure, she admired their territoriality and their commerce enterprises which were frequently held in contempt to be too parochial and insignificant by intellectuals and the government offi cials. Divisively
Monday, September 23, 2019
Critique of Psychoanalytic Literacy Criticism Research Paper
Critique of Psychoanalytic Literacy Criticism - Research Paper Example In psychoanalytic criticism, the intention of the analyst is the overall background of the author and how it might have speculatively influenced the work of the same author. It also identifies the fact that the difference between these subjects of psychological and psychoanalytic criticisms is broadly similar and could be addressed by three main facts about this form of analysis. The facts are to do with the unconscious mental process of an individual. This includes the fact that human behavior is being motivated by own sexuality and the norm that are associated with sexuality in different cultures shaping or repressing the desire of these individuals. In Freud’s original argument, the process of dreaming is controlled by the sub-conscious mind and cannot be manifested in the wake status of an individual. However, according to Lacan, one of the proponents and developers of the psychoanalytic criticism, the sub-conscious mind can be manifested in the wake status. This can be derived from the comments that individuals joke with or the slips of the tongue or other unintended actions like puns. The works by Lacan further developed the concept of psyc hoanalytic criticisms that has evolved over time to be employed in different forms of art. The concept of psychoanalytic literary criticism is the psychoanalysis of the author or a particular interesting character is a given work. Just like other forms of literary criticism, psychoanalytic criticism can results to important clues to the something baffling symbols actions and setting s of literary work. Early psychoanalytic literary criticism most of the time treat the text as if it were a kind of a dream. That is; the text inhibits its original content beyond obvious content. It is worth noting that this process of changing the text is regarded as dream work and is characterized by concentration and displacement. Critics consider language and symbolism of a text to reverse the process of the dream and instead
Sunday, September 22, 2019
The Protectionist Policies of Developed World Essay Example for Free
The Protectionist Policies of Developed World Essay Globalization is the process of rapid global economic integration by both developed and undeveloped countries. The principle of globalization aims to facilitate lower transaction costs and barriers of the movement of capital and goods (Cable, 1999; in Manning and Baines, 2004), in which the said countries are involved.  It can be said that globalization is the world market and the supply chain is the pipeline that channels the flow of supply. However, globalization may cause smaller and weaker economic role players (such as developing countries) to be at a disadvantage whenever they trade with highly developed and more influential countries.            From the point of view of participating poor countries from Asia, Africa and the Middle East to the world market, the negotiations on economic protectionist policies have been formulated and executed through the GATT-WTO (Government Agreement on Tariff and Trade of the World Trade Organizations). The protectionist policies of participating economies representing the developed countries are embodied in the said organization. The negotiations, as cited, has been framed primarily on: (1) integration of agricultural trade rules of non-agricultural sectors, (2) incorporation of developing countries into the trade system, (3) management of trade impact of cash-out in farm support to countries under OECD (Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development), and (4) provision of assurance on health and safety for consumers (Josling, 2003). In short, the framers of the negotiations under the GATT-WTO sufficed as the protective principles or safety net to the rules on participating in the world market. However, it is common knowledge within the agricultural and agro-industrial sector that among the impacts of the GATT-WTO to the poor and developing economies is its incapability to meet the volume of supply to the exporting countries, to which the efficiency of production is unable to sustain the given supply contract of exports. In this predicament, the ‘relatively poorer’ or developing countries would then cooperate with direct economic resource managements, exemplified by joint venture investments in the form of import and exportâ€â€wherein foreign traders’ capital investment in manufacturing basically gains from cheap raw materials and labor. In effect, the poor and developing countries are dictated by the commodity pricing together with the ruling on supply regulation that has affected the domestic revenue generation. Another consideration on the impacts of the GATT-WTO to the poor and developing economies is its incapability to meet the volume of supply to the exporting countries, to which the efficiency of production is unable to sustain the given supply contract of exports. To cite an example, the withdrawal of cotton subsidy to several countries of Eastern and Western Africa has largely affected the production performance, in which cotton production in developing countries has significant role in poverty alleviation (Gillson, Balcombe, and Page, 2004). To cite, the GATT-WTO is taking part in agricultural trade reforms being represented by the rich and developed countries but benefit low-income farm households (Hertel, et.al., 2007). In this regard, it may be said that the protectionist policies of developed countries protect their interest at the global distribution and acquisition of economy. Therefore, despite the continuing negotiation on GATT-WTO, the restriction on agricultural trade has great impact to the poor and developing countries. On the other hand, the oversupplying of imported agricultural equipment and technologies that claim to enhance production efficiency serves the ploy of powerful countries to impose the requirements on exports and imports. The imposition of the so-called efficient and qualitative agricultural products remains a barrier to the poor and developing countries to compete in the world market. Thus, the ultimate impact is the over-dependency of the poor and developing countries to export-import economic orientation and controlling of the rich countries to the overall economic supply chain that amass the domestic distribution of economy and, in effect, leaves the poor countries in extreme poverty. List of References  Gillson, I., Poulton, C., Balcombe, K. and Page, S. (2004). Understanding the impact of Cotton Subsidies on developing countries. Working Paper [29 Febraury 2008] Josling, T. (2003) Key Issues in the World Trade Organization Negotiation on Agriculture.            American Journal of Agricultural Economics, 85(3), 663-67, American Agricultural            Economics Association. [29 February 2008] Leclair, M. (2002) Fighting the Tide: Alternative Trade Organizations in the Era of Global Free            Trade. World Development Vol. 30, No. 6, pp. 949–958, 2002. Available from            www.elsevier.com/locate/worlddev [29 February 2008] Manning L. and Baines, R.N. (2004) Globalization: a study of the poultry-meat supply chain.            Available from [http://www.emeraldinsight.com/0007-070X.htm [29 February 2008] Steinberg, F. (2008) The Impact of the Emerging Powers on the World Economy. Real Instituto            Elcano (ARI) International Economy and Trade, Issue: 1 January 2008. [29 February 2008] Thomas W. Hertel, T., Keeney, R., Ivanic, M. and Winters, L.A. (2007) WTO agricultural reforms.            Economic Policy, Printed in Great Britain [29 February 2008]
Saturday, September 21, 2019
Meditation Essay Example for Free
Meditation Essay Meditation Sit as you wish on a chair or on the floor with your back straight. Turn the palms of your hands up Close your eyes. Take a deep breath, inhaling through your nose and exhaling from your mouth. With each breath, in and out, release the tension in your body more and more. Smile, and imagine each organ in your body, in turn, smiling back at you. Think of what you have to be grateful for in your life. Now start visualizing a fluid white light entering your body through your feet and moving slowly pward, toes to feet to ankles, legs to thighs and hips saying to yourself I open myself to the light, to the teacher within and without or I honor the divinity that resides within me. Continue to visualize the light rising, filling every inch, every muscle- hips to waist, belly, back, shoulders lingering everywhere you feel tension or pain -your arms, elbows, hands and fingers. Feel the light move up, neck to chin, to lips, eyes, forehead and hair. Now see how your entire body glows with white light. See a spark of that light leave your body through the top of your head. You are that spark of light. See that spark of light you flying high to the sky, to the clouds. Repeat I open myself to the light, to the teacher within and without or I honor the divinity that resides within me. Continue to fly, higher and higher, until you are in a magical place, unseen before, a place of beauty almost beyond imagining. Colors so vibrant they seem unreal, lakes, mountains, waterfalls, flowers, birds and butterflies and unicorns, fanciful creatures of all kinds. Create your imaginary garden, your magical place you will always go to. Here everything is peaceful, and everything possible. When a thought comes to mind Just focus on your breath or repeat and let the thought go like clouds in the sky. Be gentle with yourself. Imagine now a bright white light shining down upon you, reflecting and intensifying your own light giving you unconditional love. Love as you have never known it before. Rest in this place. Rest here, and magic will happen. When it feels right, begin the return to your body n the same way you left it slowly, until you are ready to end your meditation. But before you end it, visualize your body filled with light, enter it and stay with for a few minutes. Then, with your hands in prayer position, lift them to your forehead to remind yourself to be aware of your thoughts. Drop them to your lips to remind yourself to be conscious of your words. Drop them to your heart to remind yourself to be conscious of your actions. And last, bow to yourself to honor the master within you You are saluting the God By satharmk
Friday, September 20, 2019
Detecting Deception From Nonverbal Behaviours
Detecting Deception From Nonverbal Behaviours Deception involves various factors that influence behaviours (Kraut, 1980). Three theoretical perspectives (the emotional, cognitive effort and attempted behavioural control) are often used to explain the relationship between deception and behavior. Depaulo, Lindsay et als (2003) meta-analysis of cues to deception summarized 158 indicators of cues and 1338 estimates from previous studies, compared to truth tellers, liars tend to have more tense voice, less pleasant looking faces, more lip pressing, show more word and sentence repetitions and speech errors. The results provided general support for the theoretical perspectives, but most of them only show a weak relationship with deception. With regard to nonverbal behavior, there is no single behavior that all liars show each time they lie, and no theoretical perspective that directly exams nonverbal behavior correlates with deception (DePaulo, Stone, Lassiter, 1985; Vrij, 2000). There are a number of physiological ways to determine whether a person is lying or not, some of them involved the use of machines, such as lie detectors; Nonverbal cues to deception vary from person to person, depending on the interpersonal differences (Ekman, 1972; Feldman Phillipot, 1993). Considering all these facts, this review is limited to nonverbal behavior cues to deception that can be detected by humans without the aid of any special equipment. It is also limited to studies of adults. However, the theoretical perspectives on nonverbal cues to deception will be summarized, the accuracy rate of detecting lies through all different types of studies will be outlined, and the reason for why only a few and rather weak relationship between nonverbal behavior and deception. Theories of deception Ekman and Friesen (1969) published the first influential theoretical statement about cues to deception. They described two categories of cues: leakage cues (the nonverbal act reveals a message otherwise being concealed) and deception cues (the nonverbal act suggest that deception is occurring but doesnt reveal the concealed message). Ekman and Friesen (1969, 1974) proposed that certain aspects of nonverbal behaviour are less controllable than others. They noted that these parts of the body such as hands and legs are rarely used in conscious communication. Hence, these parts emit more leakage than the face, because deceivers pay less attention to controlling the body. However certain paralinguistic aspects of speech, such as tone, pause and pitch, may be less controllable than either face or the body. Therefore, they are more likely to leakage (Scherer, 1986). Ekman and Friesen (1974) hold the belief that deception is associated with an increase in body movements, but research evidence showed a decrease in hand, foot and movements in actual deception (Vrij, 1995; Ekman, 1989; Depaulo, 1992). Zuckerman, Koestner and Driver (1981) found that people hold many incorrect beliefs about those specific cues to deception. People from different countries and with different professional background share beliefs about how liars behave and what they say. Therefore, measuring beliefs about cues to deception might predict which cues people use in actual lie deception (Granhag Hartwig, 2004). Forrest, Feldman and Tyler (2004) found that people with more accurate beliefs about cues to deception make better lie detectors than people with less accurate beliefs. The explanation for showing a decrease in movements might be due to stress, and behave nervously when they lie. Three theoretical perspectives that are particularly important for predicting and explain the nonverbal deceptive behaviour are emotional reactions, cognitive effort and attempted behavioural control (Zuckerman, Depaulo Rosenthal, 1981; Vrij, 2000). Although research has revealed there is no typical deceptive behaviour, some behaviours are more likely to occur during deception, for example, liars waited longer before giving an answer than truth tellers (Depaulo, Lindsay et al, 2003; Sporer Schwandt; 2006). In the emotional approach, to the extent that telling a lie is most commonly associated with three different emotions: guilt, fear and excitement (Ekman, 1989), liars experience guilt about lying as well as fear about being caught, more often than truth tellers, or they may feel excited because of the opportunity to fool others. Zuckerman et al, (1981) suggested liars might fidget more than truth tellers and make less eye contact. They also suggest fear may result in increased ph ysiological arousal, and this might lead to an increased in cues such as an increased speech hesitations (mms and ers) and speech errors. Excitement may result in behaviour sighs of joy, e.g. an increase in movements and in smiling. The cognitive effort approach assumes that it is cognitively difficult to formulate a lie consistent with what others already know. Liars will be more inclined than truth tellers to monitor and control their demeanour to make them look honest (Depaulo Kirkendol, 1989). There are evidences to suggest that people engaged in cognitive complex tasks make more speech hesitation, longer response latencies, more gaze aversion and fewer hand and arm movements (Ekman Friesen, 1972). The attempted behavioural control approach assumes liars are stressed so that may attempt to control their behaviour in order to avoid giving nonverbal cues to deception (Buller Burgoon, 1996; Ekman, 1989). For example, people hold the beliefs that liars tend more often to make spe ech hesitations, errors so that they will deliberately try to avoid making such behaviours. Nevertheless, this controlled behaviour may appear planned, rehearsed and lacking in spontaneity. However, some behaviours are not easy to control, because they are linked to strong felt emotion or high stress, such nonverbal cues may betray a lie (Ekman, 1985, 2001). Darwin (1872) suggested that muscles that are difficult to activate voluntarily might escape efforts to inhibit expression, revealing true feelings. Ekman, Roper Hager (1980) found that fewer than 25% of their subjects were able to deliberately produce several facial actions. Thus, nonverbal behaviours may nonetheless be the best source of emotional leakage of deception (Ekman Friesen 1969, 1975). All three of these processes could occur simultaneously. The occurrences of these processes should depend on the type of a lie. Emotional cues (e.g. nervous behaviours) are more likely to occur in high stake lies (Ekman Frank, 1997). Liars have to think hard when the lie is complex, therefore, cognitive load are more likely to occur in complicated lies than in easy lies (McCornack, 1997). Attempting to control behaviours may often occur in motivated liars, who actively address their behaviour and try to appear credible (Depaulo Kirkendol, 1989). However, Depaulo, Lindsay et, al,s (2003) self-presentation perspectives point out that truth tellers may also experience emotion or cognitive load. That is, they may also show nonverbal cues associated with emotion or cognitive load. Because both truth tellers and liars could face negative consequence if they are not be believed (Ofshe Leo, 1997). Moreover, truth tellers are less likely to think that it is important to make a convincing im pression on others. Therefore, they could probably show behaviour that appears suspicious (Vrij Mann, 2001). However, those theoretical perspectives may lead to opposite behaviours, for example, the emotional and cognitive load predicted an increase in speech hesitation and speech errors, whereas, the attempted control approach predicted that liars will try to control those speech disturbances in order to make them look honest, and therefore their speech will sound fluent and smooth. Buller and Burgoons (1996) interpersonal deception theory suggested that deceptive behaviour may not only be influenced by psychological variables such as emotion or motivation but also interpersonal communicative process. It emphasized that while managing their emotions and displaying credible nonverbal behaviour simultaneously, they may also monitor targets behaviours and make the appropriately turn-taking. Therefore, Buller and Burgoon (1996) predicted that deceivers in interactive contexts will display increasing fluency, smooth turn-taking and composure during the face to face communication. Based on the Zuckerman et als (1981) three perspectives, they further proposed two type of deceivers behaviours: strategic behaviours (intentional behaviours and plans to protect liars image and avoiding relationship problems) ¼Ã…’ non-strategic leakage (unintentional leakage such as physiological arousal and nervousness). As a result, motivated liar used more strategic behaviours than i nstrumentally motivated liars. Accuracy in detecting deception by observing its behaviour correlates In research studies of nonverbal cues to deception, observers are typically given video footage or sometimes audiotapes from a number of people who are either lying or telling the truth. Average accuracy in detecting deceit has rarely been above 60%, and some groups have done even worse than chance, where 50 % is chance level (Kraut, 1980; Depaulo, Zuckerman Rosenthal; 1980; Vrij Graham; 1997). Similarly accuracy rates are reported by Vrij (2000), who reviewed a series of 39 studies investigating laypersons accuracy at detecting deception and found the overall accuracy rate of 56.6%.The accuracy range in most studies is the 54% to 56%, and in none of the experiment either lower than 30% or higher than 64%. The observers showed higher accuracy rate for truthful statement (67%) compared to deceptive statement (44%), which indicated that observers are more likely to consider that messages are truthful than deceptive. It has been suggested that because most participants were lay person s, who are more often confronted with truthful than with deceptive statements in daily life (OSullivan, Ekman, Friesen, 1988). However, these findings may not be applicable to the performance of professional detectors, such as police officers. Because they are more practiced, this may increase their detection accuracy. Ekman and OSullivan (1991) examined 509 professional lie catchers to detect deceit, including law-enforcement personnel, such as members of the Secret Service, police officers, as well as college students and working adults. The results showed that certain group do better than others, it has shown that members of Secret Service (64% accuracy rate), Central Intelligence Agency (73% accuracy rates), and Sheriffs (67% accuracy rates) were better lie detector than other groups. The findings suggest that lie catchers used different information than did the inaccurate ones. They relied on more varied behaviours, and emphasized nonverbal more than verbal ones. The finding also showed that accuracy in identifying micro-expression test was correlated with overall accuracy. According to this assumption, researchers (Zuckman, Koestner Alton, 1984; Kohnken, 1987) provided information to observers based on behavioural measurements and trained them in recognizing micro-expression. They also repor ted this benefit only in judging by person they had received training. However, one reason for why even professional lie detectors showed low accuracy rates is probably because they dont know where to look at and hold the false cues to detect deceit. For example, most of police officers in this experiment used gaze aversion as a useful tool to detect deceit, but results showed is significant negatively correlated with use of gaze aversion. It has been argued that the disappointing accurate rates may due to the artificial laboratorial setting, and the negative consequences of getting caught are not high enough for liars to exhibit clear deceptive cues to observers. Mann, Vrij and Bull (2002) conducted the first real life study to examine police officers skills when they detect lies and truths that are told in real life situations. There were two limitations (suspect and police officers spoke different languages; they were of different nationalities). Mann, Vrij and Bull (2004) re-did the experiment and overcame the limitations in previous study. They exposed British police officers to fragments of videotaped real life police interviews with English-speaking suspects and asked them to detect truths and lies told by these suspects during their interviews. The result showed the accuracy rates for lies (66.16%) and truth (63.61%). The accuracy rates were higher than those found in laboratorial researches, and it also showed that accuracy was significantly positively correlated with perceived interview experience and negatively correlated with the use of stereotypical cues, e.g. gaze aversion. However, the deception real life studies that have been published are often of poor quality, most of the researchers were not able to obtain video footage, establish the ground truth satisfactorily, and fail to select comparable truth (Depaulo Friedman, 1998; Vrij, Mann, Bull, 2006). Some researchers have raised the stakes in laboratory experiment by offering money when they get away with their lies or telling them that being a good liar is an important indicator of success in a future career (Vrij, 1995; Ekman Friesen, 1974). However, the most impressive experiment with even higher stakes is conducted by Frank and Ekman (1997). Participants were given the opportunity to steal US $50. If they could convince the interviewer that they had not taken the money, they could keep all of it. If they fail to convince the interviewer and being judged as lying, they had to give the US $50 back and also lost their US 10$ participation fee, and some participants faced an additional punishment, they were told that they could have to sit on a cold metal chair inside a cramped, darkened room ominously labelled XXX, where they would have to endure anything from 10 to 40 randomly sequenced 110-decibel starting blasts of white noise over the course of one hour. The results showed that ability to detect high stake lies generalizes across high-stake situations and is most likely to produce emotional cues. However, a study like this raises ethical issues, and the punishments are never realistic. Therefore, it may not be possible to exam high-stakes lies in laboratory experiments. Reasons for the weak relationship between nonverbal cues and deception The theoretical perspective, outlined above, already predicted that research would reveal only a few relatively reliable nonverbal behaviour indicators of deception (DePaulo, Stone, Lassiter, 1985; Ekman, 1992; Vrij, 2000). Many explanations have been emerged for this limited accuracy, and several of these reasons will be discussed. One explanation for not finding infallible cues is that the scoring systems used to measure them are not detailed enough. Research on detecting accuracy showed that many nonverbal behaviours such as gaze aversion, fidgeting, and speech pause are commonly related to deception, but they are not valid cues (Vrij Semin, 1996). For example, frequency and duration of pauses combine were not related to deception. But it appeared liars pause longer but no more often than truth tellers when examining them separately. Also, Smith and Clark (1993) found that ums indicates higher cognitive load than uhs. Therefore examining them separately may be indicative of lying. But research (Davis, Markus et al, 2005) indicates that ums and uhs are associated with truthful answers rather than false ones. The distinction between cues accepted as invalid and cues validated through research is important. Ekman, Friesen and OSullivan (1988) found that liars make more false smiles than truth tellers, and truth tellers make more felt smiles. If the distinction between false and felt smiles is not made, the results would have shown that truth tellers smile as frequently as liars. Some researchers also failed to notice some specific movements liars make. Ekman and Friesen (1969, 1972) made a distinction between three hand movement categories: emblems (gestures with meaning, such as thumb up), illustrators, and self-adaptors. It has been investigated In Depaulos meta-analysis, and showed that emblems were not a diagnostic cue to deceit (Depaulo, Lindsay et al, 2003). However, Researcher may also failed to notice some others cues that are subtle and hard to detect by untrained observers (Davis, Markus et al, 2006). For example, micro-expressions of emotions are present only for a short period time, within 1/25 of a second. The second explanation could be that different people show different nonverbal cues to deceit. The nonverbal cues to deception people display may be influenced by their personality. The empirical evidences show that extraverts display different and few clues to deception than introverts (Riggio Friedman, 1983; Siegman Reynolds, 1983). It might be reasoned that introverts feel more uncomfortable in social interactions than extraverts. For people high in Machiavellianism, lying is a normal and acceptable way of achieving their goals, and they typically feel less guilt then others while lying, and they also dont find lying too cognitively complicated (Kashy Depaulo, 1996). It was also found that Machiavellians are more likely to engage in strategic self-presentation to influence others. Exline, Thibsuy et al, (1970) found people high in Machiavellianism kept more eye contact when lying than those in low Machiavellianism. People who find themselves good at acting also find lying easier (Gozna et al, 2001), and less intelligent people find it harder to lie (Ekman Frank, 1993; Vrij Mann, 2001). According to Buller and Burgoons Interpersonal Deception Theory, people who are high in Public Self-Conscious, e.g. politicians, try particularly hard to control their behaviour to make a good impression, such as exhibiting less eye contact or avoiding speech pause (Baumeister, 1984; Gallaher; 1992), but the findings couldnt be replicated in a deception experiment (Vrij, Edward, Bull, 2001). However, the nonverbal cues to deception can also be affected by ethnic origins and gender differences. For ethic origins or culture, as already discussed, people of different ethnicities hold different beliefs about cues to deception. Research (Sitton Griffin, 1981; Vrij Winkel, 1991) compared cues to deception in participants of different ethnic group, and no differences between ethnic groups were found. The difference in behaviour displayed by people from different ethnic origins may be the reason to lead to errors in lie detection, e.g. looking conversation partners in the eye. However, most of deception studies have been carried out in Western countries, and may lack cross-culture. Researchers rarely report gender differences in their detection experiment, because gender differences between truth tellers and liars are unlikely to occur, and there are no theoretical reasons why differences may occur in many situations (Hall, 2006). Although researches show no diagnostic cue to deception, a pattern emerges when the combination of cues is taken into account. Frank and Ekman (1997) found up to 80% of truths and lies could be detected when a trained observers paid attention to micro-expression, but 86% of truths and lies could be detected on the basis of a combination of micro-expression and the tone of voices (Ekman OSullivan, 1991). Its also supported by Vrij, Edward et al. (2002), found that accuracy rate 70.6% (truths) and 84.6% (lies) at detecting deceit when combines four nonverbal cues (illustrators, hesitations, latency period, and hand/finger movements). Other studies (Davis, Markus et al. 2005; Vrij, Akehurst et al, 2004) also showed high accuracy rates, which is the 71% to 78% range when researchers investigated a combination of behavioural cues. However, researchers suggest that more accuracy lie detection can be made if a combination cues is examined rather than each of cues individually. Summary and Conclusion This review focused on three major issues: (1) theoretical cues that associated with deception; (2) accuracy of lie detection based on nonverbal cues ;( 3) reasons for weak relationship and low accuracy between nonverbal behaviors and deception. The theoretical perspectives discussed above make clear that the relationship between nonverbal behavior and deception is complicated. In an extension of leakage hypothesis, outlined above (Ekman Friesen, 1969), three theoretical perspectives (the emotional, cognitive load and attempted control approach) are believed that can influence a liars nonverbal behaviors (Zuckerman, Depaulo Rosenthal, 1981). Deceivers may experience specific affects (e.g. guilt), they may be engaging in a more complicated processing, and they may also try to control their nonverbal displays. Depaulo, Lindsay et al.s (2003) meta-analysis of cues to deception provided general support for the theoretical perspectives discussed previously that cues associated with those three states may be most likely the indicators of deception. None of these approaches claim that the presence of these signs necessarily indicates deception. There are no theoretical perspectives that predict the diagnostic nonverbal cues that may only occur when people lie. Research show that human ability to detect deception simply by observing the senders behavior is poor, by showing accuracy rate vary from 45% to 60%. The professional lie detectors (e.g. police officers) also seem to perform poorly, none of the experiments showed accuracy rate higher than 75%. It has been argued that observers in experiments lack of skill and have false beliefs about cues to deception. Research has shown that observers improve their skills in detecting deceit if they received some information about relationship between nonverbal behavior and deception. Moreover, there are a number of methodological concerns. Most of the experiments are laboratory studies. Participants do not choose to lie but instructed to do by experimenter, and the stakes are never really high, but the deception filed studies also show the problem with video footage, ground truth, and comparable truths. Research showed that examining a combination of cues provided a high hit rate in accurately detecting whether someone was lying or telling the truth. Many explanations for few nonverbal cues to deception, most of the cues are invalid. It may be the result of inadequate scoring systems. It will be easier to find the agnostic cues to deception if observers examine nonverbal response in more detail. It may further make a difference if the frequency of occurrence or the duration of each deliberate behavior can be measured. For example, the onset time, offset time of micro-expression. Furthermore, group differences should also be taken into account, e.g. Machiavellianism, self-monitoring. The gender differences are also necessary to distinguish, but there is no theoretical evidence to support any of the hypotheses (Hall, 1980). More valuable information can be found by using a cluster of nonverbal cues, it can also explain why behaviors such as tension, ambivalence, pupil dilation, and lip pressing are emerged as cues to deceit. The situational factors may also affect to draw the conclusion, such as high or low stakes, motivation of li ars. Therefore, observers need to consider the individual differences and circumstances by examining their changes in behavior under similar situation. The scope of review is limited to adults, the effectiveness of deceiving may be markedly different in children. For future research on the cues to deception, more filed studies should be examined in order to have high stakes, and should also focus on the way that a person is interviewed in the real life in terms of the Interpersonal Deception Theory. A number of questions also needed to be addressed. For example, which behaviors should be clustered? Can the results of a combination of cues generalize across different situations?
Thursday, September 19, 2019
Data WareHouse :: Technology, Database
Being a market leader today requires competitive advantage over rival organizations. By investing in data warehouses, organizations can better predict the trends in market and offer services best suited to the needs of their customers. A Data Warehouse (DW) can be defined as a subject-oriented, non-volatile database having records over years [1,2]. DWs support the strategic decision-making process and help to answer questions such as "Who was our best customer for this item last year?"[3]. Different DW systems consists of different components, however, some core components are shared by most DW systems. The first component is the data sources. DW receives input from different data sources (such as Point-Of-Sales (POS) systems, Automated Teller Machines (ATM) in banks, checkout terminals etc). The second component is the data staging area. The data comes from data sources and it is placed in the staging area, where the data is treated with different transformations and cleansed of any anomalies. After this transformation, the data is placed in the third component which is known as storage area, which is usually a Relational Database Management System (RDBMS). This process of data extraction from data sources, transformation and finally loading in storage area is regarded as Extract, Transform and Load (ETL). The saved data from the storage can be viewed by reporting units. Different On-line Analytical Processing (OLAP) tools assist in generating reports based on the da ta saved in the storage area [4,5,6,7,8]. We believe that testing should be ingrained in DW development. Thus, each of the DW components should be tested. One of the main challenges in testing the DW systems is the fact that DW systems are different among organizations, each organization has its own DW system that conforms with its own requirements and needs, which leads to having differences between DW systems in several aspects (such as database technology, tools used, size, number of users, number of data sources, how the components are connected, etc.)[9]. Another big challenge that is faced by the DW testers is regarding the test data preparation. Making use of real data for testing purpose is a violation of citizen’s privacy laws in some countries (for example, using real data of bank accounts and other information is illegal in many countries). For a proper testing of a DW, presence of a huge amount of test data is necessary. In real-time environment, the system may behave differently in the presence of terabyt es of data [10].
Wednesday, September 18, 2019
8th Fire: Indigenous in the City Analysis: One Step Forward, One Step B
8th Fire: Indigenous in the City, is part of a documentary series that describes the challenges that aboriginal people face when moving to the large cities from reservations. The documentary begins by describing the stereotypes that English Canadians as well as other visible minority groups perceive aboriginal people to be. They show how damaging the stereotypes are to the First Nations, especially in the area of education. The documentary concludes by offering a few some solutions of how to change and improve the relationship between the aboriginal community and the rest of Canada. The two main aspects of the film that I will focus my analysis on is the education system from past to present and the negative impacts it has had on the First Nation’s people as well as aboriginal stereotyping. These two themes were the most prominent topics brought up throughout the film, and while one topic was well argued and framed, the other I will argue was more damaging than educationa l. I should mention that due to my ethnicity being of aboriginal decent, Mà ©tis in particular, I was extremely critical of the film because though these issues need to be addressed publicly, if they are presented in the wrong light, it can cause more negative implications than positives. Though the film mentioned the impact that residential schools had and still has on the aboriginal people, I felt that this issue needed to be stressed further because the legacy of the schools is still extremely prominent in aboriginal communities today. The film refers to the fact that residential schools harmed the aboriginal people because they were not able to learn their culture, which has resulted in the formation of internalized oppression within in the group. â€Å"The... ...t Kids Docs Radio TV. Web. 1 Apr. 2012. . Fleras, Augie. â€Å"Aboriginal Peoples in Canada: Repairing the Relationship.†Chapter 7 of Unequal Relations: An Introduction to Race, Ethnic and Aboriginal Dynamics in Canada. 6th ed. Toronto: Pearson, 2010. 162-210. Print. King, Thomas. â€Å"Let Me Entertain You. The Truth About Stories: A Native Narrative. Minneapolis: University of Minnesota Press, 2005. 61-89. Print. Ruth, Seà ¡n. â€Å"Theories of Internalized Oppression.†Leadership and Liberation: A Psychological Approach. London: Routledge, 2006. 155-173. Print. Schissel, Bernard, and Terry Wotherspoon. â€Å"The Legacy of Residential Schools.†Inequality in Canada: A Reader on the Intersections of Gender, Race, and Class. 2nd ed. Ed. Valerie Zawilski. Don Mills: Oxford University Press, 2010. 102-121. Print.
Tuesday, September 17, 2019
International Politics Essay
The ongoing violence between the indigenous communities of Peru on the one hand and the government on the other has been cited as the one of the country’s worst political crises. For a considerable period, the communities have not only expressed their opposition against the government, but have also engaged in acts of civil disobedience in the recent past. In June this year, confrontations between indigenous protestors and the state police left nearly a hundred people dead and hundreds injured, the majority of the casualties and fatalities being civilians (Romero, 2009). This followed a government decision to end the massive demonstrations by launching an aggressive military campaign against those protesting on the country’s roads. In essence, the communities’ initiative of holding peaceful demonstration so as to protest against the exploitation of the Amazon rain forest, and the deliberate government efforts to counter such protests can be described as a global crisis precipitated by the unprecedented struggle to exploit the few natural resources available in the environment. Though the conflict is occurring at the national level, its effects will inevitably be felt at the international front, considering the central position of the Amazon as a focal biodiversity epicenter. Globalization has been defined as the process of blending or homogenization by which individuals and organizations of the world are unified into one society and work together without restrictions, through a combination of economical, technological, socio-cultural and political forces. It also entails the reduction or elimination of enforced restrictions of countries on international exchanges hence increasing integrated and complex global system of production and exchange (Christian, 2002). Indeed, globalization has served to shape the world economy. Individual economies which were originally isolated from each other are currently being influenced by the each other’s actions, as well as policies and circumstances in the global markets, which in turn assist them to devise their own policy measures. One of the characterizing attributes of globalization is the process of merging and integrating the economies of world economies. Over the past half century, the western countries, and particularly United States and Europe have been vocal in the establishment of a global market economy characterized by the free flow of people and capital, and free trade. However, a skeptical view depicts global integration as only beneficial to the developed world, but harmful to poor nations, the environment as well as native populations. In the face of many, the process is increasingly worsening the global environmental crisis that has prevailed with the intensification of industrialization (Christian, 2002). From a practical point of view, this appears to be the case in Amazon basin of Peru. In April 2006, the United States and Peruvian governments signed a Free Trade Agreement intended to foster bilateral trade between the two countries. Even at its outset, the agreement was heavily criticized by environmental organizations, citing potential environmental and labor concerns. The FTA became effective in February this year, and precipitated a number changes in Peru’s law so as to facilitate increased access to the Amazon forest (Cabello, 2009). Although the Peruvian Congress approved the initiation of such legislative changes, the indigenous people living in the expansive Amazon region were not consulted, thus contravening the 169th convention of the International Labor Organization. Describing the regulations as a deliberate move to invite foreign companies to exploit the natural resources within the forest zones, the native communities held massive protests in August 2008. Subsequently, the Congress was forced to repeal two of the laws, and additionally pledged to reexamine the others. The apparent failure to abide by the promise eventually led to an eruption of renewed protests starting April 2009. Since then, they have been remained persistent in advancing their cause: that the legislative provisions which inevitably undermine their land and water rights have to be abolished (Romero, 2009). Central in the current conflict between the indigenous people and the Peruvian government is the controversy surrounding the idea of allowing multinational oil corporations, particularly those of American origin, to explore as well as mine oil and other mineral resources in the Amazon under the 2006 agreement (Romero, 2009). From a basic point of view, the physical clashes represent the conflicting interests between these two parties. On the one hand, the government led by President Garcia purports to exploit the natural resources in the Amazon in order to bring economic wealth for all citizens. Notably, the potential geographical zones to be explored for their oil and gas deposits cover about seventy two percent of the country’s rain forests (Chauvin, 2009). Similarly, the government also intends to open up the water resources and forest lands to other economic activities such as large-scale farming and extensive mining explorations. From the side of the incumbency, such a move should not elicit any local opposition, considering that the government’s ownership of all subsoil rights. The exploration of these vast lands by multinational corporations would definitely accrue immense economic wealth. On the other hand, the indigenous people see the move as a threat to their ancestral land, their own security, and the environment in general. This is so considering the fact that the mineral exploration initiatives could end up affecting more than thirty thousand natives spread across six of Peru’s provinces (Chauvin, 2009). An estimated 50 percent of Peru is covered by the Amazon rain forest, which houses more than sixty ethnic groups. In the recent past however, the Amazon region has attracted numerous oil, gas, and other mining corporations with the objective of exploring the natural resources found within the forest. Since 2005 for instance, the regions selected for gas and oil concessions have significantly increased (from an estimated fifteen to seventy percent) (Cabello, 2009). Early this year, the country’s oil licensing organization signed contracts with several multinational oil corporations, permitting them to explore natural resources in the Amazon. Although such initiatives will promote economic growth in the country, a critical observation reveals the activities of these international companies jeopardize the very existence of the Amazon, which is widely recognized as an important center of biodiversity, even at the global front. Indeed, the Amazon Basin is an extremely important resource especially when we consider international issues such as the realities of environmental pollution and global warming. Generating close to twenty percent of the earth’s fresh water, the basin is home to numerous indigenous Peruvian communities. Despite their continued habitation of the forest regions for many years, the natural resources have been well-preserved, thus promoting environmental sustainability. Additionally, the Amazon has been cited as vital in the regulation of atmospheric emissions, particularly carbon dioxide responsible for environmental pollution, besides stabilizing rainfall and guarding against desertification (Chauvin, 2009). Seen in this sense, Amazon has served to mitigate the devastating impacts of climate change that are often associated with global warming. Recent government reports highlight continued overlap between the concession lands (those designated for hydrocarbon extraction) and the natural protected areas occupied by the indigenous population (Chauvin, 2009). United States’ oil companies such as Burlington and Hunt Oil are currently mining fossil fuels in areas that were traditionally reserved as natural lands. With no hope of a possible retreat of the current trends, the indigenous Peruvians continue to face numerous environmental problems including soil and water pollution, which in turn impacts negatively on their health. In essence, continued investment in the Amazon rainforest appears to contradict what world nations, including the U. S. nd Peru postulate as viable strategies of mitigating the currently witnessed global climate change. It is apparent that the continued extraction and transportation of fossil fuels will lead to an unprecedented release of toxic materials into the soil and increasing the percentage of greenhouse emissions in the atmosphere. Additionally, these multinational companies are also contributing to deforestation via the establishment of infrastructures such as roads and oil pipelines. It is indeed ironical that bilateral and international agreements such as the one between the U. S. nd Peru could actually end up fueling the global climate crisis and threatening the very livelihoods of indigenous populations, rather than initiating measures towards its alleviation and encouraging sustainable development. It is questionable that the Peruvian government should take advantage of the natives who lack title deeds and therefore direct claims to the land they have lived in for many years. Instead of focusing on the immediate economic benefits, the government ought to consider the potential harm to the Amazon Basin, as well as the life it has supported for a prolonged duration.
Monday, September 16, 2019
Tuck Everlasting Book Reveiw
Tuck Everlasting Winifred Foster Winifred (Winnie) Foster was born into an affluent family. Her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Foster owned the nearby forest. One day while she was catching lightning bugs Winnie was visited by a peculiar man in a yellow suit, he was looking for someone, but he didn't say who. The next day Winnie ran away after getting annoyed by her parents†¦ The Tucks The Tucks had a secret. In the forest owned by the fosters there is a fresh water spring if you drink this water you will stay the way you are forever and never die.Without knowing about the defect the Tucks drunk some of the water out of the spring. Now in the 1880's, 85 years later from when they drunk from the spring they were still alive without their secret being discovered yet†¦ Both Worlds Collide Until Winnie Foster sees Jesse Tuck drinking from the spring. To keep her from telling the secret the Tucks temporarily â€Å"kidnap†her promising to take her back home once she understood the reason why she could not tell anyone about the spring.Soon rouble rises when the peculiar man in the yellow suit hears Mae Tuck telling Winnie about the spring. What will happen to the Tucks and Winnie? Read this book to find out. My Opinion This book was not one of my favorites because I like books that have more mystery and romance in them and Tuck Everlasting is a little more historical fiction. Movie vs. Book People always say the book is always better than the movie but in my opinion this was not the case with Tuck Everlasting. After watching the movie I was a bit isappointed that the book was not better.I actually liked the movie's plot better than the books because of the following reason's. 1. In the book Winnie is 10 turning 11 but, in the movie Winnie was 14 going on 15. 1 think that 15 was a good age for Winnie to because of the events that happened it seemed more likely for a girl who is 15 to experience all these things rather than a girl who was 11 . 2. In the book al l the main events happened in a span of 3 days while in the movie he events happened in a time span of weeks.
Sunday, September 15, 2019
Godden and Baddeley (1975) Psychology Essay
Godden and Baddeley (1975) Godden and Baddeley under took a field experiment in which they investigated if being in the same environment when learning/remembering something affects their recall in appose to being in a different environment from where the words are learnt. They did using an independent group design. Godden and Baddeley found 18 deep-sea divers whom were given 38 unrelated two or three syllable words, they all had the same time to try and remember these words. They were then randomly allocated to 4 conditions, one being to learn and recall the words on the beach, the second being to learn and recall the words underwater, the third being learn on the beach and recall underwater and the last being learn under water and recall on the beach. The mean number of results recalled for dry land learning and recall were 13.5, the mean number of results recalled for underwater learning and recall was 11.4, the mean number of results recalled for under water learning and dry land recall was 8.4 and the mean number of results recalled for dry land learning and under water recall was 8.6. The results of this experiment resulted in proving that when learning something in a certain environment, that when recalling/being tested on in that same environment, the results will be better than recalling in a different environment. Godden and Baddeley’s experiment had many strengths, one being that the experiment had ecological validity, meaning the experiment can be generalised to real-life situations, another being that order effects are limited, as the participants are less likely to suffer boredom as they were each assigned 1 condition therefore the validity of the test is not affected, a final strength being that Godden and Baddeley randomly allocated the divers to their conditions making the experiment unbiased. With much strength, the experiment had a few limitations, these being that the participant variables may have affected the experiment as some divers may generally be more intelligent or have good memory, therefore their results would be better than most in either environment, also, when divers were travelling to a different environment from which they learnt their words, they may have been distracted causing them to forget. Finally, the results cannot be applied to the whole population, only divers as the test was specifically done on divers, and not average people.
Saturday, September 14, 2019
Police Patrol Essay
Section 1 – Introduction Indeed, the safety and prosperity of local communities is dependent upon, in large part, a prevention of criminal activity. It is in safe communities that businesses grow and prosper, people bring their families to live, and others like to visit. With this in mind, the classic way to ensure that communities are free of crime is through the use of police patrol. It is the police presence that has typically kept crime in check (Sklansky). However, the financial cost of police patrol often makes such protection quite difficult to put into action. In this research, the cost of police patrol will be examined through the discussion of the following article: Farrell, Graham, Erin Lane, Ken Clark, and Andromachi Tseloni. â€Å"What Does the World Spend on Policing? [*].†International Journal of Comparative Sociology (2001): 59. Conversely, alternative methods of crime prevention, aside from the use of the conventional police patrol will be examined through the discussion of this article: Rubin, Herbert J. â€Å"Economic Partnering with the Poor: Why Local Governments Should Work with Community-Based Development Organizations to Promote Economic Development.†International Journal of Public Administration 23.9 (2000): 1679. Additional sources will be cited where necessary to ultimately make the point that while police patrol is important, it is costly, and there are other methods/resources that can be tapped into to complement the effectiveness of police patrols without exceeding budgets or overextending the ability of small police forces to accomplish what they need to accomplish. Section 2  The Main Points of the Two Articles Farrell, Graham, Erin Lane, Ken Clark, and Andromachi Tseloni. â€Å"What Does the World Spend on Policing? [*].†International Journal of Comparative Sociology (2001): 59. The main point of this article are that internationally, in small and large nations alike, the total amount of money spent on policing and crime prevention totals in the hundreds of billions of dollars, and with that, the question of whether or not that money is well spent. Additionally, the article discusses the role of civilians in the process of preventing crime, which reduces the burden on the conventional police patrol. Rubin, Herbert J. â€Å"Economic Partnering with the Poor: Why Local Governments Should Work with Community-Based Development Organizations to Promote Economic Development.†International Journal of Public Administration 23.9 (2000): 1679. In close relation to the first article, this article makes the point that among other governmental organizations, local police agencies should work with community-based, civilian organizations to achieve the goal of fighting crime, which is one of the main reasons for the existence of police patrols themselves. Section 3 – Comparison and Contrast of the Two Articles The two articles chosen for this research do in fact possess similarities and differences which, ironically, all contribute to making the point that police patrols are effective and necessary, but would not be effective, and indeed cannot be effective, if they are overburdened by too much work for too few officers, or if the police organizations are unduly restrained by a lack of economic resources. First, the Farrell article weighs the cost of police patrol against the results that are obtained for the money that is spent. Far from saying that police patrols are ineffective, the article says that overburdened police patrols are ineffective, and therefore, in lieu of money that does not exist, police patrols should be aided by community/civilian resources whenever possible. Following on the heels of the first article, the Rubin article makes the very important point that local police agencies, if faced with a lack of funds, should work more closely with community organizations in order to achieve effective crime prevention and apprehension of criminal offenders after the fact. In a roundabout way, both articles do in fact make the same point; if police patrols are to be effective in the future as they have been in the past, they will need some help. The answer is not to overextend patrols or to cut them due to underfunding, but rather to collaborate more closely with the community for the mutual benefit of both. The modern police force faces challenges that those of the past did not; increasing need for diversity in police forces, additional personnel because of the increases in crime, and population increases make the scope of the traditional police patrol much more complicated and expensive than ever before (Sklansky). Also significant is the huge cost of the processing of criminal cases in courts of law due to the increasing complexity of criminal law (Frodsham) Section 4 – Conclusion Based on the analysis of these articles and accompanying additional resources, the conclusion has been reached that police patrols are very effective, if and only if they are either properly funded or if they are assisted by civilians and community organizations in the absence of adequate funding. Therefore, in conclusion, police patrols should be continued, and should be supported by communities if they are to continue to properly function.
Altruism Essay Example for Free (#2)
Altruism Essay Essay Topic: Sociology Choose cite format: APA MLA Harvard Chicago ASA IEEE AMA company About StudyMoose Contact Careers Help Center Donate a Paper Legal Terms & Conditions Privacy Policy Complaints The statement â€Å"People never intentionally act to benefit others except only to obtain some good for themselves†is often described as Altruism or an Altruistic act. This statement is not entirely true. It is possible for someone to intentionally act to benefit others, but this is something that does not happen very often. There are multiple theories as to why people do and do not perform altruistic acts. If someone is a member of your family you are more likely to help a person in need, if you feel sympathetic towards someone you are likely to help a person in need or if it is a social norm you are likely to help them. If in a certain situation helping someone is not a social norm then you are less likely to help this person. Even if someone wanted to perform an altruistic act it is very difficult to do so in our society because we reward people who we perceive to be good, or to have done good things. If you perform an Altruistic act towards a member of your family would be acting within Hamilton’s kin selection theory (1960s). The kin selection theory which states that you are much more likely to perform an altruistic act if the person you are helping is a member of your family. An example of this is recently in Melbourne there was a wall collapse. Three people died as a result of this incident; a woman in her thirties and an eighteen and nineteen-year-old siblings, the older brother and his sister. The older woman died upon impact, as did the brother, but only after he shielded his sister from the collapsing wall. His sister also died later in hospital. (ABC News, 1st April 2013) This is an example of the kin selection theory. Instead of doing what benefited himself, he tried to save his sister, despite it having dire consequences. This would be considered an act of altruism as it did not benefit him, and in this case even had negative consequences, especially as his sister later died in hospital. Another reason people perform altruistic acts is out of sympathy. Sympathy is a natural feeling of concern for a person. Even if you can’t relate to the person you feel bad for them, or concerned for them. An example of someone feeling sympathetic is Julio Diaz, who when a mugger came up to him one night with a knife he handed over his wallet without complaint. When the mugger went to walk away he stopped him and offered him his coat as well, saying he didn’t want the mugger to get cold. He then continued to offer to buy the mugger dinner. (Huffington Post, 17th November 2011). Diaz obviously felt sympathy towards the mugger, or he wouldn’t have given over his wallet, jacket and paid for his dinner. Diaz ended up getting his wallet back from the boy who handed it over after they had eaten. Diaz felt sympathy towards the boy due to the fact that the boy had almost nothing, where as Diaz had enough money to comfortably live. Sympathy makes people feel like they have a moral obligation to help someone in need – the person they feel sympathetic towards. – Sometimes people help others because it is considered a social norm. An example of this is saying please and thank you. This is considered normal in most societies and it is often frowned upon if you don’t use these. A social norm is something people often take for granted and a lot of people are shocked when someone doesn’t follow what they consider to be normal. Another example of a social norm in our society is to wear clothes in public. If you were walking down the street and you say someone walking towards you naked you would not think this was normal. You would wonder why they were naked and often avoid walking to close to, making eye contact with, or speaking to this person. If you were in some traditional aboriginal culture you would wear nothing but animal skin, or even walk around naked. This is/was considered a social norm within that society. There are some internationally recognized social norms, like not engaging in cannibalism, and dressing modestly. While not all societies, past or present, follow these social norms most of the world does. There are also norms within society, religion and individual families. A social norm in our society is mate-ship, not letting down your friends, family, or community. There are plenty of social norms in religion, such as in Christianity it is not exactable to love someone of the same sex. This is an example of a social norm that is slowly changing over time, as do most social norms. It was a social norm in Britain in the 1800’s that you attended church, where as in 2002 only 18. 6% of people in the United Kingdom attended church regularly. (Tearfund report, 2007) This is an example of how social norms change over time, and what we consider to be social norms at the moment may not be considered normal in 40,50,60,70 or more years. These things cannot be considered an altruistic act because you would benefit poorly from not doing these things, so it is good for you to say please and thank you, bringing it back to the first example. There are also plenty of things people do not do to help others because it is considered outside of the social norms. If you saw a drunk person on the street you probably wouldn’t help them because society has shaped us to think that these people brought the state they are in on themselves, therefore it is not our problem to help them once they are in this situation. Social norms can be beneficial, but they can also detrimental. Another instance where helping someone is not considered an altruistic act is if the act is mutually beneficial. This can cover a range of things, from the benefit to you being a smile from someone, to a bravery award. If you see a child drowning and you swim out and save them and when you get back their mother says thank you and buys you an ice cream then you are benefiting, the ice cream being the benefit. If while trying to save this child you drown you do not benefit in anyway, and this even has a negative affect on you. This would be an act of altruism because there is no mutual benefit. A benefit for you may be something as small as a good feeling inside, or a smile, but these are benefits of saving the child, there for there is mutual benefit. You walk away with a good feeling and maybe an ice cream and the child walks away with his life. A real life example of this is Don Richie, who lived just across the road from one of Australia’s most notorious suicide locations. It is estimated that Richie saved more than 160 lives in his lifetime. He received the title of Australia’s local hero in 2011(ABC Radio, 14th May 2012). This is something he got out of stopping these people commit suicide. Despite the fact that he had no knowledge he was going to receive this award when he started saving people, because he received this award it is not an act of altruism. Some would argue that even if he hadn’t received this award these would still not be acts of altruism, as he felt good about saving these people, and it made him a happier person. This is his benefit, making it mutually beneficial and not an act of altruism. People do act to benefit others, without obtaining good for themselves, but this is a rare situation. Whether the person wanted to obtain some good for themselves or not they almost always do, as acts of kindness are rewarded in most societies. While people can intentionally act to benefit others without obtaining good for themselves this almost never happens, simply because of the way our society is shaped. Altruism. (2016, Sep 29).
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