Critical and Creative Thinking Of Law Essay

Ever been stuck on that one level of Candy Crush and cannot seem to get past it? Then, to make things worse, you notice all the other players on levels 254, 386, or some other outrageous level, while you have been stuck on level 46 for months. How on earth are these people so talented and smart? The answer is simple. It is called critical and creative thinking. Critical and creative thinking are two methods used to formulate a genuine response to a situation, which the decision could affect the future. This article identifies how important critical and creative thinking is in the hands of a judge, the characteristics of both thinking processes, and how it leads to higher intellectual thinking and decision making. Experience in Critical and Creative Thinking Every person is faced with a point in their life when they are left with no other means of a decision rather than to critically and creatively think about the situation. Many people use these types of thinking techniques on an everyday basis, while others may just live on the edge. According to James, N., Hughes, C., & Cappa, C (2010), â€Å" Within the discipline of law, critical thinking is frequently emphasized but often defined with a lack of precision or not at all† (P. 287). James, Hughes, and Cappa identify the process of legal critical thinking, also known as CLT, below: â€Å" Type 1: The judgement of specific claims and arguments (including claims about the law and legal arguments) according to the criteria of accuracy and logic. Type 2: The judgement of disciplinary knowledge (including legal doctrine, legal rules and legal processes) according to the criteria of consistency with theoretical and ideological standards (including jurisprudential and liberal standards). Type 3: The judgement of norms, decisions and processes (including laws, legal decisions and legal processes) according to the criterion of equity of outcome.† (2010). In The Mind of a Judge When people do not weigh the positives and negatives of the actions they are about to perform, the consequences could result in a criminal record. Think of one person that has never broken the law. Any luck? Most likely, the answer is no. Let’s be honest; it is illegal to remove those ridiculous caution stickers that come on just about anything you purchase. On another note, not all people use their common sense on what will happen if you stick a fork in a toaster or drop a hair dryer in the bathtub full of water. The point is if one does not use critical thinking before they act; the consequences could be a lot bigger than anyone may wish for. The cost of something that seems as little as a speeding ticket could always lead to the unexpected. Imagine role-playing a judicial position for a day. At first, it appears to be a piece of cake. Here is this giant book of rules and if you break them, you will get whichever consequence the book says. It is not quite that simple. Decision process. After the first few months on the job as the judge’s administrative assistant, a very difficult case came up that dealt with a past relationship between a man and a woman and a sexual assault case. The case left the judge and I puzzled and not sure on the verdict. He called for a recess, and we took a little while to discuss the nature of the situation. Not only did we use critical thinking, but also, creative thinking. We took out a piece of paper and step-by-step we went through the evidence to clarify how the story lines up. Then, we viewed the perspectives of both sides and the problems of possible scenarios. This was a very difficult situation because both of us knew the man that was being accused of the crime. After we finished laying out the steps of our critical thinking process, we then moved forward to our creative state of mind. How would the outcome of our decision affect others? What will be accomplished in our decision-making? What behavioral patterns will be eliminated? After, writing out all of the details to both sides of the story and examining possible motives, we  concluded that the defendant was not guilty. There was not enough evidence to prove the defendant guilty and the story of the victim did not add up. The pressure of making these paramount decisions is not a job anyone should wish for. Any wrong decision could affect the life of another individual, or worse, more than one person. This is only one prime example why critical and creative thinking is an important factor in an effective decision-making process. The critical and creative thinking must be used by those who have the power to determine whether or not an individual is guilty or not guilty and how the guilty will pay for the consequences they brought upon themselves. Critical and Creative Thinking Characteristics With the variety of everyday challenges that may spontaneously occur, critical and creative thinking is a wise choice in the decision-making process for those important choices that must be made. Learning the characteristics of both thinking processes is vital in understanding how to practice critical and creative thinking effectively. Some of the characteristics of each will be discussed below. Critical thinking. The unbiased study and evaluation of a situation used to form a decision sums up the definition of critical thinking. Some characteristics that identify the clarity of critical thinking are as follows: 1) thinking that evolves to an accurate, precise, and depth decision, 2) thinking that develops higher intellectual traits, 3) thought that helps the thinker recognize the fundamentals of thought that exist in every problem, and 4) thinking involves the answering of questions before the decision is made. These are just a few characteristics to consider when using critical thinking. To effectively pursue this thought process one must be able logically to connect the fundamentals of each problem (Rusbult, 2008). Creative thinking. According to NC State University, creative thinking is, â€Å"the generation of new ideas within or across domains of knowledge, drawing upon or intentionally breaking with established symbolic rules and procedures. It usually involves the behaviors of preparation, incubation, insight, evaluation, elaboration, and communication† (2014). Creative thinkers obtain a sum of common characteristics. Each thinker must contain a solid  conscious of self-adequacy and are keen on taking risks. We often refer to these as â€Å"risk takers† rather than â€Å"critical thinkers†, but both can be used in specific problem solving. Summary of Intellectual Thinking In conclusion, not every important decision in life can be made by critical thinking but are better off using creative thinking to solve the problem. How would you feel if you were in a life or death situation in the hands of a doctor and they decided to kick back for a little to assess the situation, define possible negativities and outcomes and then compare and contrast them with the positives? You may not be here. Some decisions in life are best prepared based on creative thinking. However, if one practices critical thinking often, the intellectual ability to make bigger and wiser choices will develop. These abilities will help the creative state of mind become more natural and easier. Hence, why it was more difficult for me to determine the verdict of the trial earlier. Critical and creative thinking requires a higher intellectual ability and confidence. In order to posses these skills, one must be able to ignore the natural instinct to protect your personal beliefs. Anyone could be incorrect; critical and creative thinkers need to be ready to face that possibility. After the knowledge of critical and creative thinking, your intellectual thoughts will thicken and create your own knowledge of the world. Rather than seeking the thoughts of others and their assumptions, your brain will provide you with the proper knowledgeable toolkit to make your own conclusions based on the information provided. References James, N., Hughes, C., & Cappa, C. (2010). Conceptualising, developing and assessing critical thinking in law. Teaching In Higher Education, 15(3), 285-297. NC State Univeristy. (2014). Critical and Creative Thinking Definitions. Adapted from John Dewey; Richard Paul and Lind Elder; Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi, and M.A. Rosenman and J. S. Gero. Retrieved from http://accreditation.ncsu.edu/critical-creative-thinking-definitions. Rusbult, C. (December 2008). Critical Thinking Skills In Education and Life. The American Scientific Affiliation. Retrieved from http://www.asa3.org/ASA/education/think/critical.htm#critical-thinking

Karl Marx and Max Weber Different Views on Capitialism

Karl Marx and Max Weber speak about capitalism and social class. They both agree that modern methods of organization have tremendously increased the effectiveness and efficiency of production. However they both have different concept of theories. Karl Marx speaks about Alienation and Critique of Capitalism . Marx argued that this alienation of human work is precisely the defining feature of capitalism. He regards alienation as product of the evolution of division of labor, private property and the state: When these phenomena reach an advanced stage, as in capitalist society the individual experiences the entire objective world as a conglomerate of alien forces standing over and above them. Marx with Hegelian notion of alienation but developed a materialist concept. For Marx the possibility that one may give up ownership of one’s own labor, one’s capacity to transform the world- is tantamount to being alienation from ones own nature; it is a spiritual loss. Marx noted that alienation can only be overcome by revolutionary abolition of the economic system based on private property. In his â€Å"Preface a Contribution to the Critique of Political Economy†, Marx had expressed this economic dialectic by saying that it was when â€Å" the materials productive forces of society† came into conflict with â€Å" the existing relations of production† that historical upheavals resulted ( Marx, 1976,page 3. ). Marx critique of capitalism is that it still produce inequality, reduces family relationship, destroys small business, enslaves and reduces all human relations to commercial relations. Marx states that, for the bourgeois man, the wife is reduced to a mere instrument of production. Moreover, once the exploitation of laborer by the manufacturer has finished, then he is set upon, says Marx by other segments of the bourgeoisie the landlord, the shopkeeper, the pawn broker in bourgeois society â€Å"capital is independent and has individuality, while the living person is dependent and has no individuality (Marx and Engels, 1952, pages 51, 53, 65-70). Marx critique of capitalism was dialectical. He regarded capitalist society as an unprecedented historical advance from centuries of benighted feudalism. In 1848 Karl Marx wrote the Communist manifesto which was a formal statement of the communist party. The history of all Hitherto existing society is the history of class struggles and we find it everywhere a complicated arrangement of society into various orders, manifold graduation of social rank, (Cohen and Fermon, 448). Marx believed that throughout the past the great societies of the world have all experienced class struggles in all their internal conflict. Marx felt that the class struggle that exists in illustrated class distinctions in both ancient histories. Marx explained in ancient Rome we have patricians, knights, plebeians and slaves; in middle ages, feudal lords, vassals, guide masters, journeymen and apprentices. (Cohen and Fermon, 448). Marx makes this point to show that if a knight fought a slave then it was a class struggle, the oppressor vs. the oppressed. In the term of social class Marx’s theories postulate that the owners or means of production exploit those who produce goods and services, while the working class becomes alienated consumers. Most of it centered upon what has been described as Marx’s oversimplification of the dialectical approach in which history is described as little more than series of conflict between the owning and working classes. Capitalism is the idea of a company or corporation owning and controlling all means bourgeoisie control the socioeconomic system and has the proletariat work under them, if the proletariat wanted change; it was not possible because of how the system was designed. In order to gain a capitalist society, the bourgeoisie must first take complete control of the situation and become distinguished owners in a society. After they own a big and successful corporation they then have workers in which they train and make their workers believe that in order to survive they must work and brainwashing the workers mind, this is all they will know how to do and will teach their children to do the same, therefore letting the main owners continue to remain the main owners of society. Marx understood this struggle between these two classes, he knew this soon would become unacceptable to workers and they would come to realization of the inequity in their society. Max Weber theory of class is that capitalist and the proletarian meet in a market and come into it in different ways as purchaser of labor power and as seller, as someone able to wait, not compelled to buy or sell merely to survive another day that’s the capitalist and as someone who must sell his services today or starve. Therefore Marx two classes, in Weber view are distinguished essentially by their relation to a market and precisely by their bargaining power. Bargaining power is matter of monopoly or lack of it. Weber then analyses class mainly in terms of â€Å"monopoly†. To Max Weber, writing in the early 1900s, Marx’s view was too simple –he agreed that different classes exist but he thought that â€Å"Status† or â€Å"Social Prestige† was the key factor in deciding which group each one of us belongs to. Where we live, our manner of speech, our schooling, our leisure habits, these and many other factors decide our social class. He thought that the way each person thinks about his/her â€Å"Life Chances†- if we feel that we can become a respected and highly valued member of the society, then this is likely to put us in higher social class than some others. Max Weber his studies of rationalization in the Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism (1985) in which he argued that the redefinition of the connection between work and piety in the Protestantism that shifted human effort towards rational efforts aimed by achieving economic gain. He later works, notably his studies on bureaucracy and on the classifications of authority into three types: legitimate, traditional and charismatic. In these works Weber described what he saw as society’s movement toward rationalizations. Weber believed that alienation document by Marx little to do with ownership of the mode of production but was a consequence if bureaucracy. Antony Giddens in his Introduction to the Protestant Ethic in and the Spirit of capitalism (1985) says Weber’s work can be approached on several levels. It can see as a specific historical thesis, claiming a correlation between Calvinism and entrepreneurial attitudes, or a casual analysis of the influence of Puritanism upon capitalist activity. It can also be viewed as an interpretation of the origins of the key components of modern Western society as a whole. It can also be seem finally as part of an attempt to identify divergent courses in the rationalization of culture. Weber’s view was that religion answered man’s need for a coherent account of his situation. He focused on religion ideology, in particular the Protestant Ethic and how it brought about rationalization of conduct in everyday life. His ideas had unanticipated consequences foe economic development. Weber was concerned with â€Å"the influence of those psychological sanctions which originating in religious belief and practice of religion gave direction to practical conduct and held the individual to it† Karl Marx and Max Weber in Social Class Most societies throughout history and the world have developed a notion of social class. It is refers to hierarchical distinctions between individuals or groups within society. How these social classes have been determined has been a common topic among social scientist throughout time. Two individuals who have headed this long standing debate are Karl Marx and Max Weber. In this section we will compare and contrast Marx and Weber’s theories on social class; how they determined, their interest and problems that may exist among groups. Marx first sets up his arguments on class by referring to the historical class struggles. â€Å"Freeman and slave, patrician and plebeian, lord and serf, guild-master and journeyman in a word, oppressor and oppressed (n, d: 474). He believes society has spilt into two classes know as the Bourgeoisie and Proletariat. This is a key point because he defines class by their control over the mode of production. The mode of production refers to the specific organization of economic production in given society. A mode of production includes the means of production o used by society, such as factories, facilities, machines and raw materials. The Bourgeoisie is those in control of the means of production while the Proletariat must sell their labor. This was referred to as the market exchange value and was reflected in wages. The Bourgeoisie in this society tries to extract as much surplus value as to keep them alive and productive. This capitalist mode of production was the basic of class struggle. The worker or Proletariat approaches work as a mean of survival and not personal satisfaction because the products of labor no longer belong to him. â€Å"Modern industry has converted the little workshop of the patriarchal master into the great factory of the industrial capitalist. Masses of laborers, crowded into the factory, are organized like soldiers. They are daily and hourly enslaved by the machine, by the over looker and above all the individual bourgeois manufacturer himself (Marx: 479). † With the growth of industrialization the specialized skills of individuals are no longer useful all of those who do not own a means of production are forced into the Proletariat class. Competition between these workers allows wages to fluctuate often and working conditions worsen. To better these situations the Proletariat form trade unions to keep up rate ages. He believes humans meet their needs of existence by using labor as a sense of wee being. In this capitalistic system of private ownership the workers are robbed of their self worth and identity. The worker is estranged from the products he creates which will lead to revolution. This idea of revolution is where the objective and subjective interests of class’s interests may be objectively determined. An outsider observer should be able to determine a course of action for someone within that class. In the case of the proletariat it is in their objective interest to revolt. The reason for this is that most of the individuals within this class group want better conditions of life and work. They want better job security, improved wages and inexpensive consumer goods. The only way to achieve this goal would be revolt, forcing things to change. The problem lies within their subjective class interests which are on a more personal level. The members of the working class believe the bourgeoisie is acting in their best interests and to achieve financial well being they just need to continue to work hard, competing with one another. Some positives of Marx argument is the idea of class exploitation. He believes that proletariat should revolt due to the goals of the bourgeoisie. He refers to this struggle as the oppressed and the oppressor. This common historical theme of the oppressed and oppressor is covered thoroughly in his argument and he uses a good economical model to show this struggle. In this case it is the working class versus the owners. This type of societal dynamic can be mapped out in most societies. It can be the parent versus the child, boss versus worker, coach versus player, teacher versus student or any other situation in which one may feel oppressed by another. A Marx idea of class interest is a good basis of social protest and provides the ability to fight exploitation. An obvious negative part of his argument is the simplistic idea of class. He places everyone within two categories and this isn’t so easy. There is an example of the person who runs the factory in which the working class provides labor for. This supervisor can be seen as a member of the working class but does not participate in such manual labor and have such harsh working conditions and is paid more. On the other hand Max Weber had a problem with Marx’s simplistic view if social class distinctions. He believed that more factors went into determining ones social class along with there being more than two classes. Weber states â€Å"The way in which social honor is distributed in a community we may call the social order† (n. d. :181). This social honor is made up classes, status groups and parties. Power may also be derived from prestige or property but do not always run hand in hand. Rich people tend to be more powerful than poor people as well as being held in high regard more often. Property may bring prestige but it an also come from athletic or intellectual ability. Karl Marx and Max Weber in Capitalism Karl Marx and Max Weber, both born in 19th century and after comparing their sayings and way each one was thinking and analyzed the case of capitalism in societies an affair that still remains a main condition nowadays. Sociology stands through the years on what important persons (Weber and Marx) said in the past and most of others’ ideas are builded that o capitalism and industry, which is still relevant and linked somehow to capitalism. As we all may have realized in modern society through experience and facts, routine is something that we get used to it from the early years of our existence and routine is what we actually repeat like a music, either weekly or yearly or it might be even more frequently (e. g. daily). In such a period of time, our programmed is full of work, duties, responsibilities, leisure activities and many other tasks that could give as a living, a living which needs a bit everything in order to survive. During our lives (which are bombed daily from useless information) through the past years decades years, â€Å"we† (on behalf of our ancestors) changed that way we view, the way we face, we acknowledge, we define and accept the reality in the way it is. Having an income just for living is not our main goal but it is just one of those many targets we have, probably for a promise to help our families to help our families but still not the main one. In the past, many decades ago, having your home fully or somewhat with just the appropriate furniture could give you a prestige that meant something for the rest of the people in the whole society. Ti could integrate you in a higher social class and make you more acceptable from an larger scale â€Å"audience†. In the modern society social class changed criteria while now a person who is not working is faced off as an insignificant human being. Unfortunately this happens again even if a person works, but his or her job is not a â€Å"chic† one, like a top manager etc. Life aims to easy entertainment buying things etc, as consumption is the â€Å"central role† of life; and because of that people want to buy and use their available time not only for working but also for having a â€Å"personal ife† which everybody has and deserves, society started working more â€Å"in ordered to be to afford to buy goods, services, ideas etc†. This need of everyone who wants to work (for his or her own personal reasons each one), brought to the industrial society the concern of capitalism. Working environments changed as human and natural collapsed. Capitalism is the new â€Å"fashion† of every single developed modern society. Capitalism is the field of battle of social classes, the reason of which people with economic case, â€Å"rich† people getting richer and poor, poorer. People with money started giving job opportunities to people with less money and want to work, to people who appreciate life and its advantages and want to live it with pride, respectability and honorableness. In that way,† rich† people where (they are still) using the elbow grease of others in order to earn more money and others where taking just a little income to survive with their families. Here, the two important persons mentioned before, two worldwide know sociologists of 19th century come to give their personal perspective on the fact of capitalism. Max Weber believes that capitalism is not a significant problem and do not reprehend it as Karl Marx. Weber believed that capitalist development â€Å"depended on the systematic application of impersonal rules and regulations in the pursuit of people with money, lead them in the inhuman laws of work which wanted people working (in the past and modern society) in sweatshops for a piece of bread and â€Å"mangers† (they) or people owing the machinery and all required things needed, sitting and waiting for their own income against poor people’s elbow grease. In that sense, Karl Marx theory is quite similar with Weber’s. As mentioned before, Karl Marx believed stronger than Weber that capitalism it was a problem with high significance. He believed that when capitalism occurs, social classes are somehow mixed up and a disparity of them appears in society. He faced in part capitalism with emotional way, trying to give to the workers hope and certitude. Exploitation of workers was the biggest effect of capitalism and as capitalism was continuing exploitation would not only follow but being increased. Weber’s thesis was supporting the opinion that while capitalism continues, capitalists would benefit more (earnings) but workers wouldn’t earn ever more than what they need to reach the survival level. These cause workers to loose their personality. Capitalism is cause of this case. It’s the main issue and many sociologists tend to analyze it such persons were Marx and Weber

Cask of Amontillado

However, in any situation, it would be more beneficial to let the anger go, instead of plotting a huge revenge plan. And what can be scary, is the intellectual people who know what they want and how to achieve that. It's very hard to escape an intelligent persons plan for revenge against you, especially when they are 100% set on seeking their revenge. In Edgar Allan Pope's short story, an idea is conveyed that cunning and sly people, when wronged by others, will use their intelligence to pursue the goal of revenge.! While this story is an entertaining piece of work, it also includes symbols to keep he reader engaged throughout the story.Poe writes with the idea that pride could lead us to do unthinkable things, which can also lead us into becoming too naive and blind toward our own actions. Mentors approaches Fortunate during the carnival. And the carnival can be seen as a symbol for the madness going through Mentor's head. Mentors claims that Fortunate inflicted a â€Å"thousand in juries† on him, and we never really find out what these Injuries were. Perhaps Fortunate TLD even mean to Insult Mentors, but Mentors Just takes Fortune's loopy Ignorance for Insults.Or maybe Fortunate has In fact been inflicting injury on Mentors since days of childhood, and the carnival symbolizes that Mentors has literally gone mad, and he wants to use his knowledge about his previous revenge plots to kill Fortunate. Poe also uses Fortune's clothing as a symbol â€Å"he had on a tight-fitting party-striped dress, and his head was surmounted by the conical cap and bells,† a court Jester or clowns outfit to symbolize that Mentors is to make a fool out of Fortunate and humiliate him to death, and low him to think about his actions as he dies a long, slow death.This Just goes to show how evil and cunning Mentors and his thoughts can be.! To start, in the title including the word â€Å"cask† in it. A cask is a wine barrel, but cask is also a short form for casket, which is a coffin. Therefore, cask figuratively represents Fortune's casket. Fortune's name is also related to irony, because it means â€Å"fortunate† in Italian. This means that he is one of good fortune and luck, however, he about to face his slow and inhumane death.Dramatic irony is occurring when the deader becomes painfully aware of what will become of Fortunate even though the character continues his descent into the catacombs in pursuit of the Amontillado. There are also numerous examples of verbal irony within Mentor's sentences. Mentors expresses concern about Fortune's health, and several times he suggests that they should turn back for fear that Fortune's cough will worsen as a result of the cold and dampness of the catacombs (this is also Mentors using reverse psychology to keep Fortunate wanting to emerge deeper into the catacombs).One of the most memorable lines of the story is given by Mentors in response to Fortunate saying, â€Å"l will not die of a cough. † Mentors says, â€Å"True, true†¦. † Other examples can be seen when Mentors toasts Fortune's long life as well as when he says that he is a mason, but not in the sense that Fortunate means. â€Å"In pace requisites! † (â€Å"Rest in peace! â€Å") is the last bit of irony in the tale. â€Å"In pace† also refers to a very secure monastic prison. Poe uses irony to reveal how Mentors is only masking his true intentions and covers it with sugar-coated-kindness to keepFortunate thinking the two are good friends.! The use of imagery is great in this story, because it helps create multiple tones and moods throughout Mentors and Fortune's walk into the catacombs. When the story is first set in a carnival, the mood is bright and happy with all the flashing lights and smiling people around having a good time. And as the two â€Å"friends† reach farther into the catacombs, it starts to get more dark and musky, setting a more horrid and dark mood. The piles of skeletons represent the death and decline of the noble family over the years.The Motto said meeting about how no one could insult the family and live; these both give a clue both to the history of family pride and insanity, and to hint at the fact that the protagonist is imagining his â€Å"thousand injuries†. It is also thought that the setting of the story represents Mentor's soul, where he appears to be bright and happy on the In conclusion, this story reminds us that when we stop to think about our actions, as Mentors did not, we would realize that violence is never the right answer to solve our problems. Poe uses great literally devices in his story to put more emphasis on the theme of revenge.The type of revenge Mentors sets out is evil and should not have been the way to achieve vengeance, nobody deserves to die because of something they did. It's weird though, how at the end of the story, I felt a sense of accomplishment for Mentors. And I felt k with Fortuna te dying, perhaps this is because of how Fortunate insulted Mentors and it seemed like Mentors had to get revenge to feel that sensation. This makes it even more clear that Mentors uses his sly personality and intellectual behavior to accomplish his plot of revenge on his use to be friend, by burying him alive.

Strategic Management of HR Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Strategic Management of HR - Essay Example This paper will present a short report on this company from theoretical perspectives on SHRM while focusing on external factors based on information available in the company’s website and other literature sources before identifying some key challenges and proposing recommendations to tackle those challenges along with concluding opinions. 2. The Walt Disney Company: As per their website, the Walt Disney Company and its subsidiaries group is a world leading international family entertainment and media enterprise with five business segments: media networks, parks and resorts, studio entertainment, consumer products and interactive media. Disney’s vision statement is ‘To make people happy’ (Plenert 2002; 77), and this they wish to accomplish through their mission, which states, ‘To be one of the world's leading producers and providers of entertainment and information. Using our portfolio of brands to differentiate our content, services and consumer produ cts, we seek to develop the most creative, innovative and profitable entertainment experiences and related products in the world,’ (Erling, 23). ... hile strategic management models strive to address company’s internal and external factors, the external factors stand out even before starting a business and also throughout the life cycle of the business. 3.1 Life cycle model: Considering the life cycle model, put forth by Sisson and Storey (2000 cited Marchington & Wilkinson, 2005), Disney can be categorized in the maturity phase after its rapid growth into locations worldwide during last decade; its standardized policies and procedures have been translated to suit the local needs and obligations. Although Disney continues to acquire and grow, its growth strategies seem to be in saturated markets, considering the evolution of advanced technology and systems, favourable economic conditions and regulations, which in turn are only sufficient to sustain its business. The recent acquisition of Lucasfilm and all of its franchisees, which has not only added greater value to Disney’s brand but also increased its share value in the US market (Cieply, 2012) also indicates that the company still continues to grow and expand while maintaining its standardized policies. The life-cycle perspective shows Disney fluctuating between growth and maturity phases. Resistance to change, adaptability of old strategies to new conditions and employee motivation and commitment are common issues that need to be addressed. 3.2 Harvard model: Gaining an understanding of the external factors is crucial for strategic decisions that can eventually spell the success, or performance of the organisation. The Harvard strategic management model, proposed by Beer and his associates (1984, cited Marchington & Wilkinson, 2005) identifies two critical factors that influence management, namely, situational and stakeholders’ interests, with the former

Ethanol production in Brazil may drive deforestation in Amazon Term Paper - 1

Ethanol production in Brazil may drive deforestation in Amazon - Term Paper Example Our extreme weather temperatures (heat waves and extreme cold temperatures), super typhoons, droughts, floods, and similar occurrences have all been traced back by scientists and other experts to global warming. Due to these concerns, efforts to cut back on fuel or oil use have also been conceptualized and strong support for the use of alternative sources of fuel has been suggested. One of these methods is the use of ethanol from sugarcane as an alternative fuel source. Ethanol can be blended with or used directly as fuel and its properties create less pollution and environmental damage. Ethanol is already being utilized in different countries, including Brazil, Scandinavia, United States, Germany, Japan, and New Zealand, among others and many car manufacturers have made the necessary adjustments and accommodations in their cars in order to ensure that they would run well on ethanol fuel (Peyton and Nalco, p. 298). The use of ethanol is however, not without its problems. Brazilâ€⠄¢s ethanol is mostly made from sugarcane and some environmentalists have pointed out that the growing demand for the fuel may push sugarcane growers into the Amazon. Hence, the global demand for ethanol may threaten the Amazon rain forest in Brazil, causing large scale deforestation of the area. This paper shall now discuss the negative impacts of the ethanol production in Brazil’s Amazon rainforest. It shall also conceptualize possible solutions in order to alleviate these problems. Surveys reveal that from the years 1960 to 2007, the land area in Brazil planted with sugarcane increased from 1.4 million to 7 million hectares. With this increase in land cover for sugarcane plantations, the production of sugarcane also increased from 45 to 75 Mg/ha. Such an increase in productivity was caused by improved agricultural techniques and improved breeding programs (Martinelli and Filoso, p. 886). In recent years, the increase in

Book Publishing Industry Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Book Publishing Industry - Assignment Example Their role is especially threatened with the availability of self-publishing options for the authors, an aspect that puts them out of the picture, with an added value of cheaper services for the authors (Bradley & Bartlett, 2012). Nevertheless, those publishers who will be willing to embrace the online trend and establish online services for the publishing of works, they are likely to survive. Such a trend is already evident with various publishers embracing online platforms through which they provide online versions of their publications to meet the online demand. The agents’ position and role are also threatened with the changes towards increased online services as the author have a choice of being in direct contact with the online platforms (Bradley & Bartlett, 2012). For them, they are likely to be intermediate, this time advocating the traditional publishing as it is only through this type of publishing that they role holds significance. An increase in the online demand f or reading material has a definitive impact on the print media. This means that with the increase in information technology, the printers are bound to be disintermediated from the book publishing industry as their role will be consumed by online publishing and accessibility of the books. On the other hand, the distributors are likely to be cyber-mediated through the development of online distribution platforms in the form of e-Libraries that would enhance the accessibility of eBooks (Bradley & Bartlett, 2012).

Evaluation Proposal Prospectus Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Evaluation Proposal Prospectus - Essay Example The present study will be conducted on the basis of participant observation, where the researcher has planned to interview eight elderly patients and healthcare staff members each to explore the nature of diseases as well as the method of care provided to the aged. The researcher looks for completing his research within 3 to 4 weeks. The participant observation will also be supported with the questions established in the interview schedule, so that psychological problems could also be revealed. The research will be supported with the studied carried out in past on the same or relevant topics and the researcher will add the relevant literature in the study. After the completion of the paper, the findings will be analyzed by applying statistical tests. The senior citizens are an important part of every social set up, which have rendered noteworthy services for the political, social, cultural and economic growth of their country. Since they are not capable of playing their role in the same effective manner as they had performed it at their young age, they are being neglected and ignored by an overwhelming majority of society. â€Å"Abuse and neglect of elderly persons†, Mildenberger & Wessman submit, â€Å"particularly by adult family members, is a serious social and health phenomenon that cannot be ignored. Physical therapists who deal with elderly persons must prepare themselves to recognize signs of abuse and neglect and to become familiar with existing intervention agencies and outlets for prevention. (1986: 2) Political authorities have established healthcare centers and institutions for the adequate look after of the aged people. In addition, private sector is also working efficiently in this field on non profit basis to provide them with care and supervision under a comfortable environment. Hence, the health improvement of the aged community is vital both for public and private health sectors.

Goldman Sachs Group Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Goldman Sachs Group - Essay Example Goldman Sachs emerged in 1869 when founder Marcus Goldman founded the company; his son-in-law Samuel Sachs would join the organization in 1885, giving the company its modern moniker. In this early incarnation, the company primarily functioned as a commercial paper manufacturer for entrepreneurs. They were highly successful and joined the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) in 1896 (Lindskoog). In the early 20th century the company moved into the financial market, a path that would come to characterize the organization. Their first substantial contributions to this market were in terms of managing initial public offerings (IPOs). For instance, they managed the Sears, Roebuck and Company IPO in 1906 (Lindskoog). At the time this was the largest market IPO that had occurred on the NYSE. The next great shift in the company occurred in 1930 when Stanley Weinberg joined the organization. Weinberg’s major contribution was shifting the company emphasis from trading and more into the field of investment banking. While Goldman had suffered a hit in reputation during the 1929 stock market crash, Weinberg had worked to restore much of the company’s brand. One considers a similar parallel with the 2008 economic recession (Lindskoog). ... In 1990 future Treasury Secretary under the Clinton administration Robert Rubin joined the firm. In 1994 he would leave and Jon Corzine would assume leadership; Corzine was proceeded by Henry Paulson, another former Treasury Secretary (Lindskoog). In 1999 the company issued its own IPO, releasing 48% of its stock publicly. Still, the most notable elements of the company occurred in the 2007-2008 subprime mortgage crisis. During this period the company profited on the collapse in subprime mortgages by short-selling subprime mortgage backed securities; this garnered significant questions of ethics (McGee). Still, the company experienced significant financial hardship during the recession and received over $10 billion in government bailout (McGee). The company has a large variety of financial products and services. In its contemporary incarnation the company has three main divisions: investment banking, asset management and securities services, and trading and principal investments (Coh an). The investment banking division involves financial advising; such practices include mergers and acquisitions, restructuring, and avoiding hostile. They also participate in underwriting public offering and private placements of equity. Another division is asset management and securities service. The asset management division offers investment advice and financial planning (Cohan). The securities service includes clearing, financing, custody, and securities lending. The third division is the trading and principal investment division. This is understood as the most developed of the organization’s divisions and operates as the organization’s greatest source of profit (Cohan). This division is divided into the further subsections of fixed income, currency,

Death penalty Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words - 2

Death penalty - Essay Example From the above, an individual may ask why others would go through while others do not. To answer this question some scholars have managed to find out the racial discrimination that take place in passing out judgements. The race of the victim and that of the defendant determines the judgement passed. One significant problem is the fact that prosecutors are capable of choosing death penalty cases without review. This allows racial discrimination to continue occurring. Results show that 81 percent of all death penalties involve white victims while only half of the total murder cases countrywide entail the white victims. This implies that the chances for getting a death penalty for murdering a white a high. This is even worse when the murderer involved is a black. From 1987, 211 blacks were accorded a death penalty for killing whites while only 14 whites got the same punishment for killing blacks. This racial biasness against blacks and Latin Americans continues as efforts to stop the act has proven unsuccessful. Prosecutors, according to research, have concealed evidence and even at times using threats to coerce confessions. Race, in this country, is a basis for passing a death sentence. Regardless of prosecutor’s immunization against law suits, the government should put more effort in cubing this

Private Wealth Management Internship Sample Writing Paper Essay Example for Free

Private Wealth Management Internship Sample Writing Paper Essay I am a business and economics major interested in interning in a Private Wealth Management institution in Washington. I plan to have a career in Private Wealth/Asset Management also known as Private Banking. Private Banks can either be a department in a larger bank or independent investment firms. In the past, they solely served wealth individuals. However, now former middle class entertainment stars, politicians, writers are now turning affluent overnight. They will need the services of a Private Banker to oversee. This is a crucial branch of the financial industry. In view of the current crisis rocking the financial and real estate markets, most property owners want to spend less and save more in case there is a recession. Therefore, Private Bankers are necessary to guide the high net worth individual to design and implement a beneficial financial portfolio for both parties. Private Bankers assist in the management of personal and business properties. First, they protect and preserve already existing assets by applying all the business or economic competencies, accounting skills and law knowledge that they acquired through education or experience, to ensure that the client’s portfolio does not diminish in value. Alternatively, they can work jointly with other professional such as lawyers and government agencies e.g. The Trust Department. Second, Private Bankers invest their client’s properties and monies in diverse investment vehicles to grow their clients’ portfolios while reducing the risks of losses and maximizing profits. Third, these Private Wealth Managers balance the investments of their’ clients with a view to finding them fair tax regimes creating enough income to cater for expenses.   Fourth, they advise clientele on personal finance decisions including the purchases of real estate, insurance etc. Fifth, some offer distinctive services such as: planned donations for charity; transfer and running of agricultural real estate; purchase, valuation, sale and administration of art collections; assessment of intellectual properties; and liquidation of royalties accrued from book or movie sales. ( Martinez and Martinez, 1-43) Initially, I want to get an internship as a Private Wealth Management Trainee in any of the major private Asset Management firms in Washington, then later move up the ladder and open up my own firm one day. Private Wealth Management is not just about multiplying dollars, but it also has a personal side, which is why I was attracted to it in the first place. It is remnant of the banking industry of the Wild West banking style when your banker was your friend and involved himself completely in the financial activities of his customers. I prefer Private Banking because of three reasons which have nothing to do with money. One is the personal service offered to the client. The Private Banker will interact intimately with his client. They share a cordial relationship based on trust. Finances are one of the most important issues in anyone’s life. Money is vital for survival. A client should be able to know who is handling this precious commodity by face and why this private banker makes those decisions for him. Two, the investment strategies are tailored to satisfy the needs of the customer. In private banking, the managers take into account the different backgrounds and goals of their clientele. Ultimately, the client is the own who determines what path his investments will take. This is because he shares his financial dreams with the private banker who designs financial plans based on these thoughts, invest the money and adjust the portfolio accordingly. Three, there is a degree of independence. The Private Banker does not work under the same time-space constraints as banker. They deal with their clients at different locations and may work in different deadline and schedules from a corporate or retail banker. They conduct business in different environments and are not confined to offices. This freedom of movement and spontaneity is very attractive to me.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   As much as Private Banking is personal, the principal in private management is making profit. I know how to calculate figures and combine varied investment media in such a way as to maximize on the benefits of the market. I make an excellent Private Banker because I already have the qualities for this career. I am patient, possess great people skills, have sound business and economic training and I am not afraid of dealing with large sums of money, prime property. My greatest asset is my good rapport with people. A Private Banker needs to have a convivial relationship with his clients and that description describes to a tee.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   While in Washington I plan to research on the diverse communication and relational methods that Private Bankers employ to attract, attain, and retain clientele. This is because the emphasis of Private Banking to me is based on not just portfolio management but client management.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   In conclusion, Private Banking is an area of the finance industry that has lived for many years with the unfair tag of snobbery. However, I believe that Private Banking is the way of future. I predict in 10 years time Private Bankers will be in high demand as the financial market grows in complexity and the public becomes more educated about the importance and relevance of asset or wealth management to assure their current financial freedom and that of their loved ones. Bibliography Martinez, Mike. and Michael, Martinez. Vault Career Guide to Private Wealth Management. Vault Inc. 2007.

Can Psychological Theories Be Compatible With One Another?

Can Psychological Theories Be Compatible With One Another? Drawing on material from the lectures, and using the conceptual framework of ontology, explanation and methodology: Critically discuss the extent to which psychological theories and methodologies are compatible, conflicting or co-existing. Matthew Belmonte lecture topic (social cognition) Prof David Crundall lecture topic (risk taking/road traffic behaviour) Dr Florentia Hadjiefthyvoulou lecture topic (behavioural/drug addiction) Dr David Wilde lecture topic (introduction to a qualitative approach to psychology, critical health psychology, out of body experience) Conceptual framework: ontology, explanation and methodology. 9TH MAY. Psychologists may be interested in similar questions, what makes psychology unique? What makes this a psychological question? What are we learning about ourselves – social psychology, different components of who we are (bystander effect). Developmental psychology, following certain methodologies (a blank state/innate/genetics/nature vs nurture) Personality/individuality – construct generalisations in similar contexts – what makes us the same? (nomothetic approach) The normative functioning state of behaviour (able to recognise abnormal behaviour) How do psychologists go about studying what they study? Interested in the human being – who you are? Social/society/environment the relationship between them all, how do they fit together between the mind, behaviour and body (the mental state of mind, consciousness and physical aspect/body/brain as control centre?) Ontology – what is the nature/essential essence of the subject matter (what is the thing ‘in itself’?) What is it that needs explaining? Explanation (theory) – how do we explain the psychological phenomena? Language needs to coincide with ontology. How well does the explanation match ontology? What counts as appropriate evidence to support the explanation? Methodology – what methods do we employ to test (support/refute) psychological explanation (theory)? Evidence to support explanation to confirm ontology. Is this the best method of gathering the evidence to support the explanation? What is psychology? Is psychology†¦the scientific study of the human mind (thoughts and mental consciousness)? The study of the brain (helps to perceive reality (function) essence – neurological physical thing – made up of neurons)? The study of behaviour (intention and action fit in)? A QUESTION OF ONTOLOGY – WHAT IS THE MIND? WHAT IS THE BRAIN? WHAT IS BEHAVIOUR? Is te mind the same as the brain, or are they different? Is behaviour the same as movement? What about intention and action: how do they relate to behaviour? A QUESTION OF EXPLANATION – HOW DO WE EXPLAIN the relationship between mind, brain and behaviour. How is the mind related to the brain? How is the mind/brain related to behaviour? Is it that†¦ mind, brain, mind and brain CAUSE behaviour? A QUESTION OF METHODOLOGY – HOW DO WE STUDY the mind, the brain and behaviour. Take into account of historical context? If psychology is the (scientific) study of mind/brain/behaviour then where, in all of this, is the person? ONTOLOGY: Is the person their mind, their brain, their behaviour or all of these? EXPLANATION: How are these related to each other in the construction of a person? METHODOLOGY: How do we study a person? Placing psychological research in HISTORICAL CONTEXT: to understand the current state of psychology, why psychology is as it is. The origins of some of the issues and questions that relate to psychology and psychology as a science. To better understand why these issues and questions have arisen and also learn from those who preceded us. FH: Conceptual framework with addiction: Ontology – what causes addiction? Explanation – theories of addiction. Methodology – how do we study these theories? What causes addiction – many theories try to answer this complicated question. Sociocultural perspective (people form addictions under stressful living conditions), psychodynamic perspective, cognitive-behavioural perspective (operant conditioning is a key role in addiction), biological perspective (addiction is a disease that the individual has no control over) Is addiction nature (a disease = biological) or nurture (social learning phenomenon) Disease model of addiction: the individual has no control over drinking habits – treatments such as Alcohol Anonymous is based on theory as addiction is a disease because of genetic make-up. ‘The disease concept of alcoholism’ (Jellinek 1960) The inability to control drinking. ‘Addiction is a disease that originates from the biological, neurological and genetic makeup of an individual’. Disease model of addiction: where does the evidence come from? Genetic predisposition factors: Animal breeding studies, whereby animals showed a preference to alcohol, their offspring also (genetic makeup) (Carroll and Meisch 2011, Weiss, 2011) Human twins studies (inherit genetic predisposition) (Legrand et al., 2005, Tsuang et al., 2001) Kaij 1960. Adoption studies (gives support to disease model of addiction) (Walters 2002, Goldstein 1994) Genetic linkage strategies and molecular biology techniques. Abnormal dopamine-2 (D2) receptor gene in participants with substance use disorder (Cosgrove 2010; Blum et al., 1996) Disease model of addiction: where does this evidence come from? Psychological factors: the reward system or ‘pleasure pathway’: ‘a brain circuit that is involved in mediating the effects of reinforcement and is fundamental in initiating and maintaining behaviours important for survival’. Evidence from animal studies – Behaviours such as consuming food and alcohol that we enjoy doing kick start the brain reward system Particular neuron circuits light up during pleasure – neuron transmitter is dopamine (feel good hormones that give a pleasurable feeling – from MRI studies) that produces euphoria and reinforces the behaviour to be repeated (how addictive behaviours are maintained and reinforced). Is the disease model the only explanation for our question? The most important causes of addictive behaviour are psychological in nature and not biological. Robins (1979) importance of social setting on drug taking. Social learning theory ‘addiction is a learned behaviour and is the result of observation and modelling (social and family interaction)’ The individual: personality traits (Sher et al 1991; Terracciano et al, 2007; Wilson et al., 2010) low self-esteem, sensation-seeking, impulsivity, vulnerability, openness to experience, agreeableness and conscientiousness. Is there an addictive personality? Other high risk factors: permissive family attitudes to addictive behaviours. Addictive behaviours by parents or family members. Low commitment to school. Early peer rejection (alienation), attitudes favourable to addictive behaviours. Early onset of the behaviour – underlying depression, anxiety. The environment: the cultural context and customs underpinning the addictive behaviour. Extreme economic deprivation (mainly for drug addiction) ‘heroin is the ideal drug for the unemployed’. Substance cost and availability – the most significant predictor of use and peer associations. Family interaction model (Baer et al 1987) higher risk through: deficits in parenting, family tension, rejection, emotional distancing and parental alienation. The behaviour: once learned, addiction is maintained through cognitive factors, expectancies and cues. Operant Conditioning (Skinner), Classical Conditioning (Pavlov) Examples of factors reinforcing an addictive behaviour: positive reinforcement associated with: the psychopharamacology of the drug (relevant to substance addiction), crucial importance of the role of the dopaminergic system (reward), the social aspect of the behaviour – peer recognition, group identity, cultural norms etc. Negative reinforcement associated with: avoidance of withdrawal symptoms, some drugs/behaviours alleviate psychological distress/trauma, relief of boredom, coping with poor living conditions etc. Protective factors: a supportive family environment, a caring relationship with at least one adult, positive temperament, a social support system that encourages effort. So what causes addiction? Is addiction a disease? Is addiction a social learning phenomenon? Can both biological and psychological theories explain addiction? How well does the explanation (theories of addiction) match the ontology? Do methods of gathering evidence support the explanation? Are methods compatible, conflicting or co-existing? What does this say about the nature of psychology? Stress, Family Environment, and Multiple Substance Use Among Seventh Graders P. E. Baer, R. J. McLaughlin, M. A. Burnside, A. D. Pokorny, and L. B. Garmezy  Baylor College of Medicine. Psychology of Addictive Behaviours. 1987, Vol. 1, No 2. 92-103 Seventh graders reported using more alcohol, nicotine, or cannabis, singly or in combination, if they also reported having more stressful events occurring in their lives. This was the case whether the stressful events were of major proportion; Major life stressors had consistently a more reliable relationship to substance use than the minor irritants when the number of events that had occurred was considered. From a qualitative point  of view, the troublesomeness of daily irritants retains an independent relationship with usage apart from the frequency of stressors and does so apart from the correlation of usage and anxiety. Family support and stressors independently relate to substance usage.