Compulsive Buying

Sample details Pages: 24 Words: 7204 Downloads: 4 Date added: 2017/06/26 Category Statistics Essay Did you like this example? Above all, it should be noted that shopping is big business. Shopping centers employ approximately 8% of the US workforce. These portion of the workforce helps drive the machine that creates about of each states tax revenues and there are currently more malls and shopping centers that US high schools (Farrell, J. 2003, pp. xi-xii). Seemingly powering this juggernaut of commerce is ever increasingand apparently insatiable appetite of the modern consumer. Behind the4x growth in the number of shopping centers and the over 3x growth inretail square footage during the 30-year period of 1970 2000, is thefact that Americans (and likely other civilized consumers) areconsuming goods at twice (2x) the rate as they did in 1950 and ten-time(10x) as just over seventy years ago (Farrell, J. 2003, pp. xii-xiii).It is also worth noting that this increase in consumption is evidencedacross all income levels though not necessarily equally across allsegments (Gini, A. 2003, p. 85). In fact, more severe cases aresignificantly correlated to a lower the level of income, a greaterlikelihood of having below-average income and spending a lowerpercentage of income on sale items, suggesting overall an inability tohandle financial issues well (Black, D. 2001, p. 23) Don’t waste time! Our writers will create an original "Compulsive Buying | Psychology" essay for you Create order As a counter-statistic, Americans have a level of production that iscurrently at approximately 2x that of the same period (1950). Thisimplies that, we could consume the same amount as in 1950 and work halfas much or, as reality has it, work even more to consume over twice asmuch (Gini, A. 2003 p. 82). Similarly, in a predictably correlationalfashion, the not only has the number of shoppers and shopping centersincreased but there has been a sharp increase in the number of newproducts, particularly in the advertised must have category as wellas the emergence of the entirely new disposable category (Pooler, J.2003, p. 9). As shoppers and products have changed, the relationship that existedbetween them has also morphed into something new. With theproliferation of retail venues that profer an ever increasing number ofproducts and categories, the arrival of the disposable product shouldnot go unnoticed. Though without question, many if not most productsare very high quality and manufactured to very exacting standards, manyproducts are less durable or are designed for obsolesce. Durabilitywas the characteristic that was promoted while the products of todaypush a message of convenience. In a society rampant with such explicitand implicit messages, it is no wonder that the emotional connectionsto most any product are decreasing (Pooler, J. 2003, p. 10). Productssuch as cameras or contact lenses were highly contemplated purchasesthat were expected to last a significant period of time. Likely more important than simple the volume of shopping is itsintensityshopping means more than it did in the past. Previously,people shopped for items that they needed. Now, such shopping stilloccurs but it occupies a small fraction of the process. Studiesestimate that as much as 2/3 of consumer purchases are unnecessary(Pooler, J. 2003 p.2). This excess is bought from a want rather thanneed. As an additional sign of the times, consumer research has evenindicated that over half of all gift purchases are actually gifts forme (Pooler, J. 2003, p. 11). Shopping used to be a more utilitarian and logical task in whichpurchases were planned and for the most part, the consumer focused onneeds. Contrasted with the modern shopper for whom it has beenestimated that only about 1/3 of purchases are necessary, it is clearthat unfulfilled desire must play a very much larger role (Pooler, J.2003, pp. 2, 6). For example, as Pooler states, people have a needfor a new pair of pants but a desire to buy designer-label pants isa want (Pooler, J. 2003, p. 22). Today, brands are power, disposablecontacts are the norm and OTUC, one-time use camera, are almostalways within arms reach. It is important to note these products arenot inferiorin many ways, they are functionally far superior toyesterdays products, rather, simply illustrative of a pervasivementality that merits acknowledgement and consideration. Understandingthe mentality that these wants, in the minds of individual consumers,are likely felt to be needs. The eye of the would-be beholder ispart icularly relevant. By utilizing the Hierarchy of Needs, it is possible to shedsignificant insight into how some of these psychological shifts areoccurring. Developed by noted psychologist Abraham Maslow over 75years ago, this pyramid of hierarchically ordered needs is fundamentalto many issues with psychological affect. At the base of the pyramidare basic needs such as food, shelter and clothing. Above the basic,physiological level are needs that could be classified as safety andwould include anything that can provide psychological security andstability. Above this are social needs such as the need for friendsand companionship. Nearing the top of the pyramid are needs under thelabel of self-esteem in which feeling such as pride and respectbecome important. Finally, the highest level of needs is characterizedas being self-actualization needs in which a person has the desire tomake the most of themselves and to be more. A key component of Maslows influence is his belief that higher needscannot be addressed until lower needs are satisfied. This isespecially salient as most people living in modern civilizedcountries have all the more basic needs met. Consequently and withfew exceptions, most can spend their days in pursuit of thesatisfaction of higher needs such as self-esteem andself-actualization. As America or any modern society has evolved, psychologist andphilosopher Eric Fromm indicates that society and its members have alsoevolved to a point at which being is confused with having (Gini,A. 2003, p. 84). Such as materialist possessive mindset will leavevacant the needs at the top of the pyramid and individuals will exhibitfeelings associated with not having these innate needs unfulfilled.Fromm further indicates that much of the symptoms of this empty questare typical of a western mindset and ultimately result in a mentalityof to be much is to have much (Gini, A. 2003, p. 82). To have a high standard of life means to enjoy a pleasure intensely and tire of it quickly. Simon Patten (Hine, T. 2002 p. 17) The fact that people, in general, are consuming more, that there aremore products and more places to buy them go a long way in describingin somewhat imprecise yet accurate terms that context of modernsociety. Maslows hierarchy of needs also provides significant insightinto the circumstances of the continuing patterns of increasingconsumption that indicated a struggle to satisfy a need that cannot besatiated through the mechanism of acquiring things. At this point, afurther differentiation between needs and wants can be drawn: aneed is often physical and should be satisfied externally; a want ismost likely a psychological, internally manifested desire. In the sameway that you could not satisfy a real, physical hunger withpsychological fish and chips, attempts to quench a psychological desirewith a tangible object are likely short-lived and misguided and willend in psychological frustration. This misguided attempts to assuage ones highest psychological needs isnot unreasonable given the mixed messages in society of which there isa clear emphasis placed upon highly superficial qualities. Shopping issimply the process whereby one attempts to execute these omnipresentmessages. As a cultural phenomenon, shopping is the proceduralexecution of economic decision-making. This decision-making takesplaces in a sea of in which image and emotion are perhaps more likelyto take precedence of narrowly defined economic and functionalutility. The price tag on an item reflects a certain value but thereal value is in the eye of the consumer and is the item worth thatmuch to me. Using economic terms such as opportunity cost andopportunity benefit are especially relevant as a purchase decisionhangs in the balance: what will my friends think?, does it make memore attractive?, does it make me happy? are examples of what goesthrough the new consumer mind. The fact that a product will do thejob is, at best, necessary but not sufficient and, at worst, totallyirrelevant. As noted above, the process of shopping along with the acquiredresultant booty are a reflection of a changing culture and valuesystem. Shopping is part of a manner by which a person defines whothey are. What is bought, where it came from and the motives define aperson for themselves and, probably in large measure, to others aswell. Just as important as what, where and why that someone boughtsomething are the facts of omission: that they did not buy it at acertain store, etc. is as relevant as the facts of commission.Consider the following telling examples of self-expression: the shopper purchases prominently labeled Pampered Chef cookware in lieu of functionally equivalent store merchandise, the man who purchases a Polo sweater with its distinctive logo over the perhaps even pricier/better nondescript brand, the person who chooses name-brand drinks when company is expected over the undistinguishable other brand. While the rationale for purchases are intriguing issues, it isinteresting to note that everyone thinks they are good at it (Pooler,J.2003, p. 4). This is all the more interesting in light of how onemight possibly define good or success. Certainly, in the mind ofthe above average or even good consumer, it would be a short-livedexperience as the satisfaction of a successful hunt only fuels thethirst for additional quarry. That this ubiquitous activity is seldomrelegated to being considered just a functional activity in whichfunctional products are the goal is consistent with the fact that itis now something of a recreational pursuit in which objects of deeppsychological desire are hunted with a relish most often associatedwith sports participation. As most activities in which there is the reward, shopping can go tofar. For many the allure of shopping can be a bit too much. Theattraction of shiny products, sexy packaging, tempting displays,glamorous advertisements, ever-so-helpful service staff and the extremeease by which one can proffer payment, it is no wonder that someover-succumb to the retail sirens. Given a society that isbehaviorally and cognitively conditioned respond to the stimulus ofretail, it is no surprise that some spend beyond their means. Othersmay have the means to financially afford the habit but are continue toseek fulfillment in a venue that cannot provide anything else thantransitory happiness until the cycle begins again. The idea of more, of ever increasing wealth, has become the center ofour identity and our security, and we are caught by it as an addict byhis drugs. Paul Wachtel (Gini, A. 2003 p. 81) The idea that shopping can get out of hand does not escape theattention of either popular press such as Essence or more scholarlytomes such as the Journal of Consumer Research or CNS Drugs [CentralNervous System]. Behind the urge to splure reads Essence, is often aperson who some degree, find that they cannot help themselves. Forsome, a certain purchase is simply merchandise, even if a bit priceyand fashionable. For others, it may represent a conscious orunconscious sense of entitlement or it may be a form ofself-medication that is termed in some circles to be retail therapy(Bridgeforth, G. 2004, p. 156). This so-called therapy is likelycaused by the psychological frustration from the lack of lastingfulfillment of pasting attempts to achieve self-actualization viashopping as a compensation mechanism. While a problem in itself,shopping for psychological satisfaction may be masking serious issuessuch as a clinically-qualifying depression or just regular issuesfor which shopping is sim ply a surrogate means to attain a bit ofself-esteem through good shopping. Though many in the popular press refer to someone as being a shoppingaddict, it is important to note that there are different types ofaddiction. Commonly, when one refers to someone as an addict, themind conjures up the person who is addicted to cocaine,methamphetamines or even alcohol. These types of addictions areundoubtedly very real and, because of their nature, are referred to asphysiological addictions. The chemicals in the abused substanceshyper-stimulate certain receptors in the central nervous system andtheir prolonged use created a deficit in the bodys production of itsendogenous analog. Such a deficit is augmented by a strong desire forsuch chemical stimulation as well as certain psychological needs orperhaps more accurately, compunctions. If it were the case thatshopping was addictive in the same way that drugs are, we might expectto find that purchases of various persons showed little trends in thatthe same types or categories of items did not construe a consistentpurcha se incidence. In actuality, items that tend to be moreemotional in nature have a distinct tendency for a greater purchasefrequency that items with than items with less potential for attachment(Pooler, J. 2003, pp. 24-25). For example, duct tape or milk areitems that would not be likely to be on a shopping addicts listwhereas items such as jewelry, fashion items or elegant undergarmentsare strong contenders. Though not quite like a drug addiction, shopping for certainindividuals can be maladaptive or pathological in nature. Though itcannot be deemed a physiological addiction, as we will discuss in moredetail later, there are physiological consequences and manifestationsof what is otherwise a psychological presentation. For theseindividuals, the entire shopping experience is different: to someonewho has not experienced it, it would seem almost inconceivable that aperson could be out of control to the extent that those sufferingfrom compulsive spending disorder report as being. As Black reports,compulsive shoppers often describe their experiences as beingenhanced by color, lighting or the odor of stores, as well as thetextures of clothing [with] some even describing the experience asbeing sexually exciting (Black, D. 2001, p. 23). According to thesesame reports, 83% of compulsive shoppers report that it makes them feelhappy while 71% indicate a powerful feeling. This feeling persistin the face of the guilt and consequences following their purchaseswhich, in many cases, are either returned or given away and notretained (Black, D. 2001, p. 23). In determining if someone should be fitted with the label laypersonsterms being of a shopping addict or a shop-a-holic, a key qualifieris the expression of consumer demand that could be considered to beirrational. Such classification must be considered in the context ofthe consumers lifestyle and income. With this in mind, it is not theobject of demand so much as an extreme emotional or otherwiseinappropriate level of demand within a reasonable framework ofacceptability (Pooler, J. 2003, p. 26). For example, the strong desireof a comparatively wealthy person or perhaps the elite harrier whowants the very latest in performance athletic footwear isinsufficient to earn such a label. On the other hand, the individualwho is not, by any stretch of the imagination, remotely athletic andwhose income in inconsistent with shoes whose price exceeds ten hourswages would likely be labeled irrational. Such information inconjunction with other facts and the overall context would be in linewith cons ideration for such a designation. Another consideration in the determination of the appropriateness of anon-clinical label such as a shopping addict is the overall magnitudeof the behavior. A common behavior is that people, when they feel theyhave done a good job with some task will self-reward. Thisconstruct is could generally be termed to be a more benign presentationof the self-medicating label often is implemented in regards to awork-related behavior. This psychological pat on the back, whether aalternative compensation mechanism or a pure positive reinforcement ofa selected behavior. Regardless, there is an intuitive level ofreasonableness in relation to the magnitude of the reward with thedegree of difficulty or relative greatness of task achievement.Depending on a number of factors, one employee may seekself-gratification through treating themselves to lunch while anothercould give them a license to splurge and run up a disproportionatelyhefty bill. All in all, though it would be exceeding convenient if there were ablood test to determine if one were an addict, it is simply not thecase. Despite this, there are certain patterns that do fit thecriteria for shopping being an addiction. While there are diagnosticcriteria for the determination that an individual is a shoppingaddict, it is quite likely just as useful to define addictivebehavior as occurring when there is strong irrational desire based upona perceived need for some stimulus despite, in the long runpathological or maladaptive. The addict may likely know that thepursuit of such a stimulus is not in their best interests or they may,through ignorance or extreme desire, be blind to the negativeconsequences of continued consumption. Defined similarly as beingbehavior triggered by internal psychological tension and accompaniedby relief and frustration performed repeatedly despite its negativeconsequences by DeSarbo and Edwards in research conducted to moreaccurately ascertain related psychological factors, either definitionseems to adequately capture the intuitive connotation for such anassessment (DeSarbo, W. and E. Edwards 2004, p. 231). If 10% of the population have a problem and 9 of your friends are OKIs it YOU? While it may not, in fact, be 1 in 10, the incidence of compulsivebuying disorder has been estimated to be between 2-8% with theoverwhelming majority being female and with a comparatively young(30 years old) time of onset (Black, D. 2001, p. 21). Thoseafflicted with this compulsive shopping disorder are generally affectedaround the clock rather than simply when the urge hits them. Thispathological preoccupation with shopping and buying things occurs allthe time thought the actual incidence of overspending or emotionalspending varies from daily to a few times per year, depending on theindividual case (Glatt, M. and C. Cook 1987, p.1257). Before plunging headlong into the issue of shopping as an addiction, itis important to differentiate between compulsive and impulsivespending. The distinguishing feature between them is the source of theimpetus as being internal or external. Internal motivations such asanxiety or the seeking of increased self-esteem or gratification arethe motivations for compulsive spending. Impulsive spending isdifferentiated by the stimulus for purchase is being driven by anexternal mechanism such as a blinking package, prominent placement suchas an endcap or a special (DeSarbo, W. and E. Edwards 2004, p.233). Such as differentiation is important as it is not uncommon forcompulsive buyers to also be impulsive buyers yet there are discernabledifferences in their psychological makeup. Clearly, shopping can be addictive and merits attention and possiblyintervention. While there are common sense guidelines to assessing thesuch behavior as indicated previouly, more standard criteria have beendeveloped to aid both a person in determining that they ought to seekprofessional help as well as aiding mental health professionals inmaking a confirmatory diagnosis. Developed under the assumption thatmaterialism is a pervasive and global human trait, the Diagnostic Screener for Compulsive Buying Behavior (DSCB) was developed with seven key items: I made only the minimum payments on my credit cards. I wrote a check when I knew I didnt have enough money in the bank. I felt others would be horrified if they knew of my spending habits. If I have any money left at the end of a pay period, I just have to spend it. I bought things even though I couldnt afford them. I bought myself something in order to make myself feel better. I felt anxious on days I didnt go shopping (Kwak, H., G. Zinkman, M. Crask 2003, p. 166). These items had an approximate overall reliability of 0.75 and weresignificant at the p.05 level. Despite this, in trials withmultiple samples from both the US, represented individualized westernculture, and South Korea, representing more a community/group-driveneastern culture, the emergence of dimensionality in the data wasobserved. In US samples, the premise that the seven test items captureadequately the various psychological tensions and anxieties that aperson who suffers from compulsive buying issues is supported withoutmodification. However, South Korean samples, though supporting thehypothesis this instrument can reliably detect such issues, revealedbi-dimensionality in two constructs of: Financial outcomes (items 1,2 and 3), Unfettered spending (items 4,5 and 6) (Kwak, H. 2004, p. 167). Such a finding indicates that, in some cultures, consumers may seethat an certain issue has different or distinct angles. For example,either an problem with the financial outcomes of behaviors or the factthat one may not be very restrained in spending is likely seen as thesame issue by American consumers. In essence, the answers may be thesame and the result the same but the meaning that a certain cultureplaces upon one factor or another is relevant and only reiterates thechanging nature and that interpretation of such instruments cannot beremoved from the culture. Additional research by DeSarbo and Edwards published in the Journalof Consumer Psychology in which advanced statistical controls wereutilized provide significant additional insights in the both the natureof the problem of compulsive buying and the discernment of the problemitself. In this research the authors cite numerous previous studies inwhich the behavior of compulsive buying has been linked to a number ofpsychological personality characteristics such as: Dependence Denial Depression Lack of impulse control Low self-esteem Approval-seeking Anxiety Escape coping tendencies General compulsiveness Materialism Isolation Excitement-seeking Perfectionism In addition, the factors of family environment, childhoodexperiences with money and spending, family communication patterns, aswell as factors such as the number of credit cards regularly used,degree of credit debt and other compulsive behaviors demonstrated havebeen identified as potential predictors of compulsive buying activity(DeSarbo, W. and E. Edwards 2004, p. 232). Of all the factors indicated in assessing the issues that predisposean individual to compulsive buying behaviors, the escape from anxietyis most often labeled as the most influential factor. As multiplestudies indicate, compulsive buyers react to stress with higherlevels of anxiety than do noncompulsive buyers. When stressed out,compulsive shoppers attempt to utilize purchases as a compensationmechanism or as an escape from the anxiety (DeSarbo, W. and E. Edwards2004, pp. 235, 236). Additionally, the following significant contributing factors are listed below: 1. Self-Esteem Cited as the most common deficiency in those who are compulsiveshoppers, it is easy to see how the act of purchasing an item canconvey a sense of power and entitlement although it is one that isshort-lived (DeSarbo, W. and E. Edwards 2004, p. 236). Thisnon-durable pleasure serves to enhance the vicious cycle in which theprogressive qualities of the disease are exhibited. This cycle isvirtually identical to many physiological addictions in which there isdesensitization or habituation to a certain level of stimulus: whicheach engagement, the person wants/needs a larger dose or a greaterfrequency of stimulation. 2. Perfectionism Thistrait is frequently associated with invididuals who suffer fromaddiction and is characterized as being unrealistic expectationswhose unfulfillability can result in a variety of issues such asdepression, anxiety, and self-doubt. By purchasing, individuals withthis trait are seeking to assuage these feelings and, for a shortwhile, they may succeed (DeSarbo, W. and E. Edwards 2004, p. 236). 3. Impulsiveness In the scheme of medical or psychological diagnosis, compulsivebuying behaviors are close relatives of obsessive-compulsivebehavioral disorders. The inability to control impulsive thoughtsand/or the related ability to defer gratification are likely importantcontributors to this behavior (DeSarbo, W. and E. Edwards 2004, pp.236, 237). Also, as indicated earlier, there should be a distinctiondrawn between compulsive and impulsive buying behaviors in whichthe stimulation for action is internal or external, respectively. 4. Locus of Control Much compulsive buying is likely related to a internal struggle to gaincontrol of a confounding and stressful external environment. When aperson chooses to make a purchase, feelings of control are present asthe person chooses the object, means, timing, location and, in somecases, the cost of their desires. This highly controlled situationcould likely be contrasted to the context of the balance of their livesin which they are at the whim of others and exert no control andpossibly even little influence upon the events and objects in theirday. As such, those who are characterized as being compulsiveconsumers are likely to view themselves as being controlledexternally as they have an inability to see themselves from theperspective that they are able to influence their lives internally(DeSarbo, W. and E. Edwards 2004, p. 238). In addition, addition personality traits such as excitement seeking,approval seeking or dependence issues as well as environmentalfactors or familial factors are considered to be characteristics thatcan contribute to or perpetuate cycles of compulsive consumerism. Anexample of an environmental factors that are potentially relevant areisolation in which the occasion of compulsive buying may provide asocial outlet or materialism in which keeping up with the Jonesbecomes a compelling rationale for such spending (DeSarbo, W. and E.Edwards 2004, p. 239). With regards to familial factors, there are agreat many learned behaviors that are internalized as normal in thecontext of the home. Additionally, most people first experience withmoney and managing finances come through the context of chores, anallowance and forms of rationed spending. These early experiences havea significant influence upon adult behaviors as is the case in whichchildren learn that money is a reward or perhaps are not taught thatsaving is a very important part of earning as well as spending(DeSarbo, W. and E. Edwards 2004, pp. 239,240). One of the ultimate goals of psychology is to understand, predictand influence behavior. To more fully understand the role that thesepersonality traits, environmental and family or sociological issuesplays in the expression of compulsive buying behaviors, DeSarbo andEdwards utilized advanced regression techniques to tease outadditional insights that would otherwise be buried in using simplertechniques. T he basic idea behind regression analysis is to plot a line whichrepresents the extent to which a certain factor or group of factors canexplain the variance of measurable behaviors within a sample group.More basic regression techniques such as linear regression utilize aformula of y=mx+b in which y is the expected behavior and x is theindependent variable in which there it is posited there will be ainfluence y. In its most basic forms, variables are lumped togetherand one can determine only is a certain combination significantlyinfluences the outcome. In more intermediate approaches, differingvariables can be accounted for by there relative contribution to theoutcome. In the more advanced data manipulations, technology enablesthe rapid assessment of various combinations or clusters of variablescan be examined in order to more fully account for the observed samplevariability. It was such an approach, clusterwise constrained and unconstrainedstep-wise regression analysis, that was employed by DeSarbo andEdwards to predict the maximum likelihood of compulsive buying bygrouping specific combinations of these factors which each iterationtesting for deviations in outcome as various factors or groups offactors are included or omitted. Results from this manipulationconfirm the difference between compulsive buying in which thebehavioral stimulation is more due to internal psychological factorsand impulsive buying in which key drivers are more externallybiased. In this analysis, the study revealed the key predictors of compulsivebuying to be self-esteem, dependence and anxiety. For impulsivebuying, factors yielding statistically significant influence weredetermined to be denial, isolation, approval seeking and coping.Additionally, impulsiveness as a personality trait factor displayed asignificant degree of influence over internally- and externally-drivencompulsiv e buying behaviors (DeSarbo, W. and E. Edwards 2004, p. 248). Though the assessment devices that can shed insight on suchpsychological concepts as are indicated above, when utilized by atrained technician, can provide a more clinical means by whichcompulsive buying issues can be gauged, many of the same indices areoften incorporated in to what might be termed user-friendly fieldassessment quizzes. Such a screening tool may be especially helpfulas a guide to help one self-determine if there is a potentiallikelihood of an issue that may need merit professional assistance. Anexample of this type of quiz is given below: 1. Do you hide purchases from your partner to avoid a fight? 2. Are there garments in your closet from seasons past that still have tags on them? 3.Do you forget about purchases made and then find yourself without themoney to pay for them when the bill arrives at the end of the month? 4. Have you consolidated your credit card debt or rolled it into a refinance? 5. Do you travel at the drop of a hat and take additional trips before past trips are paid for? 6. Do you tap into emergency savings regularly to make ends meet? 7. Are you unable to contribute the maximum to your 401(k) because you need extra dollars to pay your bills? 8. Have you withdrawn from or made loans against your 401(k)? (Bridgeforth, G. 2004, p. 158) Though these yes or no questions are relatively unsophisticated, theycan provide significant insight into the issues identified by Kwak, etal., such as the emphasis on financial outcomes, unrestrained spendingand activities that might be suggestive of behavioral patterns asopposed to single incidents. Grappling with the Gray Area A Continuum Approach to Pathology One of the key features of this disease is that, like manypsychological issue, it typically begins almost unnoticed and graduallyprogresses. The initial cycle is likely to begin even innocuously yetthe behavior of spending is reinforced by the association of thepositive feeling that one has shortly after the purchase. Though thisseems reasonable, there is a pronounced tendency on behalf of mostpeople if not medical professionals are well to see illness in terms ofa dichotomous perspective. While this is a convenient method, it isindeed too convenient to model the reality of a continuum-approach tothis issue. Further, there are traits that seem to predispose one tocompulsive spending such as personality or familial factors.Additionally, there are factors such as stress at work or home whichappear to be more circumstantial in nature in that they temporarilycreate a disproportionate impact on perceptions leading up to thebehaviors in question (DeSarbo, W. and E. Edwards 2004, p. 235). Additionally, as with many psychological issues, it is often difficultto discern which occurred first, the behavior which was reinforcedthrough a reward or the personality trait or predisposing factorwhich led one to exhibit the behavior that was later reinforced.Though one cannot in every case discern and separate with certainty thecausative from the correlational factors. By using more sophisticatedtechniques and carefully thought out testing instruments, it ispossible to speak with greater (though seldom certain) confidence aboutcausation. For example, the following is an excerpt from DeSarbo andEdward that speaks to familial environmental factors: Parents of those in the internal compulsive [impulsive] buyinggroup tended to not encourage children to save and were more likely tobuy them whatever they wanted. This suggests that extreme compulsivebuyers were not deprived of possessions; and their behavior reflects acomponent in which the child does not learn to delay gratification.Such compulsive buyers lack impulse control, buy whenever the buyingurge strikes, and are unable to resist the urge to spend [another]variable concerns whether the compulsive buyers were given an allowanceas children those in the impulsive [external] buying group were morelikely to have received an allowance, suggesting that they come fromfamilies that not only did not deny them anything but also providedmoney to spend as they liked. Combined with finding that those in theinternal compulsive buying group were less likely to receive money as areward, this may reflect a general proclivity to spend without regardto financial situation. [and] a tendency to use their creditirrationally (DeSarbo, W. and E. Edwards 2004, p. 250). Such a findings are typical and reflect just one factor. Is this onefactor enough to tip a person into taking the first steps what whatwill eventually become a compulsive buyer? Such research is alwaysmore useful in explain past behavior yet a salient point is that thereare multiple paths to a particular destination. The accumulation ofwhat could be aptly labeled risk factors only increases thelikelihood that a certain behavior or pattern of behaviors will beexhibited. Despite this, there are no guarantees: some individuals whoare loaded do not develop the behavior while others who seem normalface a lifetime of struggle over the issue. Also complicated a diagnosis is the very nature of the issue: thereare no set cut-offs to determine if some is or is not a compulsiveshopper. This complicates matters as the illness is progressive and itis a slippery slope to determine the extent to which compulsivity is aproblem. The line is typically drawn with specific reference to theindividuals life circumstances and the overall context and theconsequences of the behavior. While such a flexible diagnosis makes itpossible to treat a wide range of degrees of affliction, it also delaysthe decision of a person to get help until the problem is obvious andthere the likely to be significant personal and financial costs incleaning up the mess. Another complication of a diagnosis is the frequent incidence ofcomorbid conditions for which the less than responsible use of money isa frequent symptom. For example, many bipolar individuals have moneyissues. These issues may manifest themselves as compulsive spendinghabits and often accompany grand schemes in which a positive outcomeis virtually assured. If one were to be treated utilizing onlypsychological models and not the medical model for which lithium ishighly effective in approximately 70% of bipolar cases, there is agreat likely hood that one would be simply treating the symptoms andnot the underlying cause. Similarly, depression is a common issue forwhich symptoms often include poor self-esteem and the individual mayseek to self-medicate by spending in order to gain some transientrelief. Seeking relief by spending from bi- or uni-polar depressionand other issues can in effect create issues on issues, thusemphasizing the importance of seeking professional assistance whenis sues such as these arise without help, more often than not, theyonly grow and will eventually be discovered when the problem becomestoo big to be ignored. Four Theoretical Approaches to Rational Behavior Like many disciplines, there seems to be an initial predisposition fora singular philosophy for addressing an issue. As any student in ageneral survey psychology course can attest, the best outcome isachieved either by an integrated approach or by a single approachchosen after seeing the problem through the lens of an open mind inorder to best choose the most efficacious treatment plan. Such is thecase with compulsive spending in which there four distinct approachesto addressing the likely personality and psychological culprits. Perhaps the most straight forward approach is to realize that ascompulsive shopping is a behavior the behavioristic school is a goodplace to begin. Behaviorism has its roots in the methods of Pavlov andSkinner and posits that exhibited behaviors are the function of whatworks for an given individual. Learning or conditioning occurs withinthe context of the pairing a stimulus and a response. The response isclassified as either a reward or a punishment and is either negative(taking something away not the application of punishment) or positive(introducing some element into a situation not necessarily theapplication of a good thing). Utilizing this framework, behavioristsanalyze situations in order to discern what the operational parametersare in terms of reward and punishment. In doing so, thebehaviorally-biased psychologist would seek to re-pair the act ofsplurging with the longer term negative consequences that inevitablefollow rather than the short-term pleasure. By doing so, theindiv idual should theoretically be able to implement behavioralavoidance strategies for the punishments that would follow compulsivebuying. Alternatively, the cognitive approach would also likely be quiteappropriate. One of the more common devices this discipline utilizesis to assist the patient in exploring where they have made cognitiveerrors. A cognitive error is simply a mistake in thinking. As anexample, one approach would be to ask a patient to utilize a pro/conchart with any purchase over some predetermined cost. By using such amethod, the client is forced to consider their motivations and toconfront potential faulty logic before the purchase is made. Acognitive theorist would likely focus on the idea of need versuswant and would work with the client to reconcile these issue. Much of the compulsive buying also arises out of psychological conflictbetween wants and needs and early childhood or familial issues. Suchconflict inevitably causes feeling of guilt, low-self esteem andincreased levels of anxiety which serve to fuel the vicious cycle.Psychoanalysis, as a discipline within the psychology, is well suitedto ferreting out real motivations and the rationale for certainbehaviors. Begun by Freud, psychoanalysts posit that much of whathappens in the brain goes unnoticed by conscious thought. Much likethe proverbial iceberg in which most of it actually lies under thesurface, the unconscious mind influences our conscious decisions inways which we are unaware. In the unconscious is are the hypotheticalstructures of the id, ego and the superego in which each wants its ownagenda fulfilled and is often in conflict. Using the example of compulsive buying, a psychoanalyst mighthypothesize that there are unresolved childhood conflicts in which theclient is expressing through the egotistical acquisition of materialgoods. Such actions while gratifying to the ego for a little whileonly reappear later as increasingly unsatisfied frustrations. Another common approach to therapeutic intervention is the use ofcombined disciplines. Perhaps the most common of these is acognitive-behavioral approach in which individuals are essentiallytaught to rethink issues and to consider the reward system that is inplace when compulsive spending occurs. In addition, in the modern tradition of pharmaceuticalintervention, there does appear to be some physiological basis forcompulsive buying. Utilizing the approach the compulsive buying is aclose relative of obsessive-compulsive disorders as well as the fact offrequent cormorbidity with depression, there has been some success inattenuating the symptoms of shopping addicts by the use of the latestclass of anti-depressants, serotonin-reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)(Black, E. 2001, pp.17, 25). Sertonin is a key neurotransmitter thathas a tremendous effect on mood, sexual behavior and general bodyfunctioning. Success treating compulsive buying with SSRIs could havebe due to the effectiveness of the agent on the cormorbid condition ofdepression which, upon relief, the patient did not need the boostthat shopping provided. Finally, the use of an integrated approach which utilizes both amedical model as well as psychological paradigms may be especiallyuseful as a consequence of the nearly 60% of those exhibiting signs ofcompulsive spending also presented with symptoms of other personalitydisorders. In addition in one study, nearly 100% of first-degreerelatives of those diagnosed with compulsive spending disorder have hadincidences of major depression, over half had alcohol-related issues intheir family backgrounds and about 15% indicated a family history ofanxiety-related disorders (Black, E. 2001, p.22). Due to the variedefficacy of particular disorders, some treatment disciplines may bemore effective than others in relieving either the compulsive spendingor the accompanying disorder. Many have likened modern shopping and societys extreme bias toconsumption as a modern day drug. This so-called panacea is especiallymade for all the unfilfilled that accumulates over a lifetime ofoverindulgence and entitlement. The only real problem with this isthat it is only a temporary solution that only results in greaterfrustration as desire fuels desire. Is shopping the modern day drug?The answer is a resounding yes but, it need not be. Like drugs, when used for the right reasons and in the rightquantities, shopping can have a therapeutic effect, connecting thepayment for societys best efforts with a process in which money isexchanged for the best efforts of others. Also like drugs, they canbecome addictive as Fromm so aptly stated that is possible to confusebeing with having. When this occurs, misplaced motivations lead onto psychological and financial ruin, much as would any other drug orsubstitute for a real inner state of fulfilling the highest needs ofman. Shopping, like most things, when done moderation is a valid means ofboth the physical acquisition of goods as well as a source ofpsychological pleasure. By focusing solely on the purchase one canmissing the pleasure in the trip; likewise, by focusing only onprocess, the functionality of the activity is lost. When an activitycan be conducted in moderation in conjunction with an emotionallyenjoyable process and an objectively satisfactory outcome, shoppingbecomes a benign if not outright edifying part of the human experience,yet, like all other human activity, quite subject to perversion. Works Consulted Black, D. (2001). Compulsive Buying Disorder: Definition,Assessment, Epidemiology and Clinical Management. CNS Drugs (15),1,pp. 17-27. Bridgforth, B. (2004, August). When Shopping is a Sickness. Essence. pp. 154 -158. DeSarbo, W. E. Edwards. (1996). Typologies of Compulsive BuyingBehavior: A Constrained Clusterwise Regression Approach. Journal ofConsumer Psychology (5), 3, pp.231 262. Farrell, J. (2003). One Nation Under Goods. Smithsonian Books, Washington D.C. Gini, A. (2003). The Importance of Being Lazy: In Praise of Play,Leisure and Vacations. Taylor Francis Group: New York London. Pooler, J. (2003). Why We Shop: Emotional Rewards and Retail Strategies. Praeger: West Port, Connecticut, USA. Glatt, M. C. Cook. (1987). Pathological Spending as a Form ofPsychological Dependence. British Journal of Addiction (82), pp. 1257 1258. Hine, T. (2002) I Want THAT!: How We All Became Shoppers. HarperCollins: New York, New York. Kwak, H., G. Zinkman M. Crask. (2003, Summer). DiagnosticScreener for Compulsive Buying: Applications to the USA and SouthKorea. The Journal of Consumer Affairs (37), 1, pp. 161 169.

Gender Inequality A Sociological Standpoint - 1532 Words

In The Gendered Society, the writer Michael Kimmel examine an wealth of pragmatic study and accepted outsets regarding gender disparities to disagree from a sociological standpoint that â€Å"Gender Divergence is the upshot of gender variation, not its origin†. The sociological characteristic of his debate is footed on the inspiration that â€Å"the communal establishments of our world like place of work, family, politics and school are also gender-oriented institutions. Kimmel further argues that these institutions convey a reason, logic, a self-motivated notion that replicates gender associations linking men and women moreover the gender classification of authority and hierarchy†. As Kimmel observes it, an assessment of gender ought to try hard to elucidate not only alleged variance linking women and men however male supremacy (Kimmel). 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Rikki Tikki Tavi Free Essays

Andrew  Ward Period:  Ã‚  7 Date:  2/6/13 Rikki  Tikki  Tavi  Perseverance â€Å"This  is  the  story  of  the  great  war  that  Rikki  Tikki  Tavi  fought  single  handed, through  the  bathrooms  of  the  big  bungalow  in  segowlee cantonment. †(594). it  is  also  about  Rikki  Tikki’s  perseverance  by  continued effort  to  do  or  achieve  something  despite  difficulties,  failure,  or opposition. We will write a custom essay sample on Rikki Tikki Tavi or any similar topic only for you Order Now Rikki  Tikki  shows  perseverance  by  going  on  journeys, overcoming  obstacles,  and  accomplishing  goals. Rikki’s  journeys  demonstrate  perseverance  because  he  was  washed  by  a flood  to  the  bungalow/garden  and  he  explored  the  garden  where  he  met Darzee  and  his  wife. Rikki  was  washed  away  Ã¢â‚¬Å"One  day,  a  high  summer flood  washed  him  out  of  the  burrow  where  he  lived  with  his  father  and mother,  and  carried  him,  kicking  and  clucking,  down  a  roadside ditch†(594). Rikki  stopped  by  finding  a  wisp  of  grass  and  held  onto  it,  but lost  his  senses. Rikki  found  himself  on  the  middle  of  a  garden  path  were teddy,  a  little  boy,  found  Rikki. After,  Teddy  and  his  family  helped  Rikki back  on  his  feet,  Rikki  Ã¢â‚¬Å"then  went  outside  into  the  garden  to  see  what  was to  be  seen†(596). It  was  Darzee  the  tailor  bird  and  his  wife,  who  made  a beautiful  nest. But  lost  an  egg  and  was  eaten  by  Nag†(596 ­597). Nag  is  a 8ft  long  snake  with   a  symbol  on  his  hood  who  he  say  he  got  it  from  god. Rkki  found  Darzee  while  he  was  sniffing  around  he  heard  a  very  sorrowful voice  how  was  Darzee  and  his  wife. Since  there  were  snakes  in  the garden  stayed  since  each  mongoose  wants  to  be  a  household  pet. Even though  he  was  almost  killed  by  Nagaina,  Nag’s  wife  who  looks  exactly  like him. How to cite Rikki Tikki Tavi, Essay examples

Trends in Global Environment for Algorithms Need Managers Too’

Question: Write about theTrends in Global Environment for Algorithms Need Managers Too. Answer: Summary This report is based on the discussion of article that Algorithms need managers too. Algorithms are used in every day functioning of activities as they help people to make the work automatic by creating programs. Algorithms need a proper management system so that they work correctly (Lee, et. al, 2015). Initially algorithms are designed by coders to perform certain program. Algorithms are designed in a way so that they make decisions but it is necessary that they are managed at regular interval. Algorithm needs to be managed by manager and the reason behind this concept came into effect few years back. Algorithm management is needed to track the status and make sure that pre-defined task is completed. Managers make predications so that efficiency is maximised. Algorithms are designed in a way so that they make automatic predication and achieve goals but it also increase the chances of risk as they make decisions according the program designed. To avoid such risks managers need to make decisions by understanding the process in which an algorithm would work (Harrell,2016). Considering the case of cabs, the process fares of every ride is calculated automatically, as the algorithms are designed in a way that they consider routes of heavy traffic and calculation of far is done by taking care of such situation. This point of time managers are needed but it some extreme condition when there is issue while calculating the fare managers are needed to resolve the queries. Algorithms w ork smartly but in some scenario supervision is needed. Managers are needed to manage algorithm to check that they work correctly in all cases as algorithm just work according to the directions provided by managers. Other than that another example could be Netflix as the algorithms are designed so that they take actions automatically as code is designed to generate the result of competition (Nijenhuis and Wilf, 2014). The procedures itself arranges the outcome of particular action but it may degrade the complete customer satisfaction. These kind of problems need to be managed by the supervisors. Mangers need to comprehend such conditions so that no miss-happen take place. Additionally, sometimes bugs occur in an algorithm which stops the working thus for in such cases managers are needed for supervision. Whenever a bug hit the system algorithm stops working in that cases it is essential for managers to manage the algorithm (Medhi and Ramasamy, 2017). Algorithm need managers a most of the algorithm is dependent on the automatic call function. Algorithms behave in the similar way as human behave but algorithms need to be managed. They need to be managed when some mi-behaviour occur. To deal with such cases managers are need as artificial intelligence can fail several times. Algorithm helps in predicating future but they cannot avoid the chances of occurrence of an event. Algorithms always think in one direction to achieve a particular objective that results in same solution always, for such reasons managers are needed so that they can think in different directions to achieve the objective. Whenever an issue hits the system algorithm can tackle the problems by thinking in one direction and but to resolve the issue of thinking in one direction mangers are needed. An algorithm work in an appropriate manner if right input set is used. If the input set is incorrect then it wont give the correct result. In such scenarios supervision is needed of managers to provide procedure that need to be followed. Otherwise algorithms make use of available data and make estimates to provide correct result. The result generated by an algorithm is not necessary that it would be right because the result completely relies on the input (Parikh and Boyd, 2014). Managers are need ed to manage the algorithm in the backend as they can make decision but it cannot deal with the worst case scenario. Managers accomplish the algorithm by removing the consequences. Decision made by algorithm can be wrong and can cause adverse effect on the environment. Thus to ensure that accuracy and audibility is maintained managers need to check the algorithm so that it doesnt cause any harm. Managers are good at predicating as they avoid the chances of risks in the system. For performing calculations supervisors are required as they are great at making predication to perform specific activities to avoid hazard in the framework. Algorithm may make unfortunate outcome sometimes as they are exceptionally work according to the rules. Algorithm sometimes acts like black box when they give deficient data which create problem in making calculations (Neyland, 2015). A supervisor can refine the calculation to attain the objectives. In that event a supervisor is needed to resolve the issu e so that it may not influence the quality or speed of the outcome. According to the research it can is identified that algorithms require mangers to help them in knowing the accomplishment of calculations. Algorithms once in a while experience failure because of various bugs which is hard to be detected by an algorithm. Sometimes algorithm can make wrong judgement. Algorithms centre on how to maximize the benefit rapidly and improve the utilization and speed. The case study associated with does algorithms need managers too, helps in knowing the success of algorithms. Mangers involve various evaluation measures to find out the ways to maintain the value required to solve the problem by perusing a development objective. Administrators are needed to understand about the limitations with the algorithm that they don't make any harm to the framework. How are algorithms impacting organizations? Algorithms are essential piece of business as with the progression in advancements organizations depend on algorithms to break down the input and create the right outcome. They are useful for each business as they diminish the manual work of the association by performing the actions automatically (Pasquale, 2015). Algorithms have upgraded the work in an organisation by making everything robotized from money related reports to techniques of the organization. Furthermore algorithms are quick as they complete tasks within seconds. Algorithms have turned into a vital important part of each business as they have made the framework programmed (Rainie and Anderson, 2017). Aside from that they tackle complex issues which are impractical to be done physically. For each advanced business algorithms have improved the speed and diminished the man work by taking care of vast measure and helping the business to develop. What happens if an algorithms turns to give wrong result? In some situation it is possible that algorithm don't work up to the outline. In such cases algorithms need to be looked by managers. As all online networking organizations depend on algorithms to understand the input given by clients to give desired result. In such cases human oversight is expected to adjust the choices made by algorithms (Hebbar,2016). All the business is dependent on algorithms to convey particular outcomes and if any misfortune occurs due to algorithms it make cause harm to the business. Algorithms are straightforwardly related with the consumer loyalty as in case of failure it decreases the speed of result. Poor working of algorithms bring decrease consumer and can cause harm to the incorporation. What do you mean by algorithms? Algorithms are well ordered strategies that are used by each association to make the work simple. They are used to perform tasks by basically following set of instruction. Algorithms help in looking at the issue and giving the solution (Censor-Hillel, Fet. al, 2016). Algorithm helps in recognizing the errors that can be caused by human and gives well-ordered answer for each issue. An algorithm is needed for every business as it understands the problem by following list of steps to get the desired output. Mangers help in analysing the program by validating the steps and testing that it is working properly in every situation (Boston college,2017). Managers assure that every algorithm should be realistic and effective to produce the desired output. What is the role played by mangers in keeping up the exactness of algorithm? Managers hold a commanding role in dealing with the execution of an organisation by checking the precision of algorithms. Managers use different systems to check the exactness of algorithms by setting up the model and checking the dataset by performing cross approval to guarantee that predications are made correct. Managers check the algorithms on all possible data inputs to get the right outcome (Deloitte,2016). The objective of mangers is to check the algorithm against every issue by testing the result and the execution. To keep up the exactness of the algorithm mangers check all the info required to be applied so that no improper information is entered. It is essential for the algorithm to check the viability of the algorithms and guarantee that it would work in every condition and won't make any potential misfortune to the business. References Boston college,(2017).ALGORITHMS NEED MANAGERS / THE CURIOUS CASE OF IPOD SHUFFLE.Available from https://hbr.org/2016/01/algorithms-need-managers-tooAccessed on 25 April 2018. Censor-Hillel, K., Fischer, E., Schwartzman, G. and Vasudev, Y. (2016). Fast distributed algorithms for testing graph properties. InInternational Symposium on Distributed Computing(pp. 43-56). Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. Deloitte,(2016).Managing algorithmic risks.Available from https://www2.deloitte.com/us/en/pages/risk/articles/algorithmic-machine-learning-risk-management.htmlAccessed on 25 April 2018. Harrell,E.(2016).Managers Shouldnt Fear Algorithm-Based Decision Making.Available from https://hbr.org/2016/09/managers-shouldnt-fear-algorithm-based-decision-makingAccessed on 25 April 2018. Hebbar,P.(2016).8 Real Life Examples When Algorithms Turned Rogue, Causing Disastrous Results.Available from https://analyticsindiamag.com/8-real-life-examples-algorithms-turned-rogue-causing-disastrous-results/Accessed on 25 April 2018. Lee, M.K., Kusbit, D., Metsky, E. and Dabbish, L. (2015). Working with machines: The impact of algorithmic and data-driven management on human workers. InProceedings of the 33rd Annual ACM Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems(pp. 1603-1612). ACM. Medhi, D. and Ramasamy, K.( 2017)Network routing: algorithms, protocols, and architectures. Morgan Kaufmann. Neyland, D. (2015) On organizing algorithms.Theory, Culture Society,32(1), pp.119-132. Nijenhuis, A. and Wilf, H.S. (2014)Combinatorial algorithms: for computers and calculators. Elsevier. Parikh, N. and Boyd, S. (2014) Proximal algorithms.Foundations and Trends in Optimization,1(3), pp.127-239. Pasquale, F. (2015)The black box society: The secret algorithms that control money and information. Harvard University Press. Rainie, L. and Anderson, J. (2017) Code-dependent: Pros and cons of the algorithm age.Pew Research Center,8.

5 Steps to More Colorful Content

The old adage is true: You only get one chance to make a first impression. For blogs, those critical first impressions can determine whether readers stick around and keep coming back for more. A study by the Institute for Color Research reveals that people form a judgment about your content in less than 90 seconds, and up to 90 percent of that speedy judgment is based on the colors they see. It’s clear that looks do matter, but a few key tweaks can polish up your blog’s appearance and draw attention to your quality content. Let’s look at some simple tips that can boost people’s impression of your blog. You can write amazing content or buy content that’s engaging but none of it will matter if it’s not formatted with visual appeal. 1. Optimize Your Layout When you’re formatting online content, it’s important to remember that people tend to skim when they’re reading things on a screen. Using headers, sub-headers, lists and bullet points can help tell readers what they’ll find in your content; even a quick scan will give them the cues they need to keep reading. It’s also more difficult to read things on a screen than in print, so anything that makes your content easier to read will be appreciated by your readers. Small changes, such as limiting your column width to 80 characters and incorporating some white space into your layout, will make a big difference in the overall user experience. 2. Choose the Right Font It may seem like a relatively minor detail, but the right typeface can help convey the mood and purpose of your content. A gimmicky font might end up upstaging your content instead of adding a touch of character to your blog. Play it safe, and stick with something distinctive but still legible. Using multiple typefaces for the sake of variety is another well-intentioned tactic that can distract readers from your content. If you’re going to use more than one typeface on a page, select ones that belong to the same type family. We all know that visual content generates more engagement than text. Not only do images grab readers’ attention, but they also help break up large, daunting blocks of text into manageable chunks. Adding images is an easy way to spice up your blog, but it’s important to select the right ones. Not every image on the web is yours for the taking, so make sure you have the right to use an image before you put it on your blog. Try to find images that are compelling and relevant to your content: Steer clear of generic â€Å"woman laughing alone with salad† territory. 4. Don’t Overlook Videos Video is a surefire attention-getter, so it makes sense to incorporate this powerful tool in your blog posts. What makes video content so compelling? Psychologists explain that videos incorporate four elements that humans are hard-wired to pay attention to: voices, faces, movement and body language. A few well-chosen videos can keep people looking at your blog a bit longer; in addition, a widely-shared video can do wonders to extend your reach. 5. Understand the Importance of Color Color has a lot of power over our attitudes and emotions, and the use of color can change the way people perceive your blog. For example, the color blue conveys a message of trustworthiness. It’s no surprise that many major banks make liberal use of blue on their websites. Green is the color of nature and the outdoors; if your blog has anything to do with the environment or natural products, green would be the ideal choice. Making strategic color selections can help strengthen your blog’s message and appeal to your target audience.

The Farmer S Child Essay Example

The Farmer S Child Essay Example The Farmer S Child Essay The Farmer S Child Essay it did not cross the stepmothers mind at all that the boys could have been lost, she simply yearned to get rid of them. When intros icing the boys stepmother, the author describes her as Romantic and overgenerous, to her own children at This is an allusion to the fairy tale Cinderella. Cinderella stepmother did not care about the young girl and preferred her own children. The stepmother in The Farmers Children treated her own children with love and affection yet she willingly sent out Coat and Emerson into he freezing cold. Adults should care about all children, who are innocent and vulnerable, notes favor their own. Elizabeth Bishop uses characterization to convey a message of how the different characters in the story play a role in the overall message. Emerson made no distinction between honest and dishonest methods of getting the is one example of how characterization is used within the story. Emerson, who is only eight years old, dreams of having a bicycle and thinks of many obscure, fantasies in which he finally receives the bike. This is an example of his innocence and vulnerability. Usually, at he age of eight, a child is still learning the distinction between right and wrong, yet it seems as though there is no one to explain this to Emerson since his father is out drinking and his stepmother does not care. The farmer grieved wildly for a year; for some reason, one expression he gave to his feelings was to fire Judd(294) is the very last line of the story yet it portrays the character Of the farmer and his parenting style. He grieved wildly yet he was not there when his sons died, he was out drinking with the same man he hired to work for him so that the boys would not have to. If he had been there, the boys would not have been forced to go out into the barn. He is like a missing parent who is not in their childrens lives. Also, firing Judd shows that he is a man who cannot easily deal with guilt. Judd was probably a reminder of his carelessness and ignorance. Symbolism is used to foreshadow the death of the children which is caused by the ignorance of the adults. The stepmother ushered the children out of the house, Go on, go along and shut that door. Youre letting the cold in(289). This symbolizes that the blankets will most likely not be in the ran because, the stepmother did not even care that the boys had to go out into the cold but was more concerned about her own comfort at home. She went to find a n extra quilt to put over Lea Leila, Rosins, and Gracie Bell What was the name of that pattern? A snowflake (291) this is a clear example of symbolism in the story. The fact that the stepmother bothered to find an extra quilt for the girls symbolizes her love for them and not her stepsons whom she sent out without even gloves. Also, the pattern on the blanket is similar to a snowflake, symbolizing the cold the boys just face, both from the weather and their stepmothers heart. In were Farmers Children, the author Elizabeth Bishop blames the carelessness Of adults for the loss innocence Of children by utilizing the literary techniques allusion, characterization, and symbolism. She was trying to create awareness in adults that they should start to pay more attention to todays youth before it is too late to help those who need it. Adults tend to complain about the issues that teenagers and children have but not many take action to attempt to fix these problems.

Emotional Intelligence Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words - 1

Emotional Intelligence - Essay Example This conclusion was based on the skills of different clinical officers. In addition, it is not only the mental intelligences of a person which can assist in making the difference, but there has to be other forms of relations such as emotional response. This means that an emotional intelligent person will be able to know his emotions and those of others that will make him or her relate well with them. From the definition of emotional intelligence, it is clear that its needs are vital in any working environment. With this, I value emotional intelligence in management. I support emotional intelligence based on the number of its ideas. For example, emotional intelligence is vital in an individual life, and people have different ways of controlling, understanding and recognizing emotions, and the variety in understanding and controlling emotions makes individuals in their everyday life to adapt in divers manners especially at the work place. From the above concepts, emotional intelligence is important in management because the management team know how to handle different workers and situations so as to achieve the best outcomes. This characteristic would show that managers should have self-control so that this translates to the subordinates and a cohesive work team is created. Concerning this, the management team should encourage cohesiveness and skills that will result to positive work outcomes (Cherniss 114). Effect of Emotional Intelligence on Management Performance Good emotional intelligence affects management performance. This is evident from the traits that the management team have if they practice emotional intelligence. One of the traits is self-awareness, which means that the manager or management team is capable of knowing his or her strength and weaknesses because he or she understands emotions and its effects. The management would be affected in positive manner if the managers would use their strengths to promote good working relations and also recogniz e their weaknesses to assist in finding solutions that could shape management for high-end production. Management could also be affected in positive manner because an emotional intelligent management team or managers possess social awareness trait, which means that they recognize emotions of other individuals like employees in the firm, and they also know their wants and are able to interact with them socially. From this, it is evident that emotional intelligence affects management in a positive way because good relationships and communications are established hence management performance is improved. Furthermore, emotional intelligence affects management performance, as the it will easily develop solutions in cases of conflict, as it is aware of how to handle different situations and this is a form of inspiration to the employees as they will learn from their seniors and this creates a productive workforce (Lazovic 798). Importance of Emotional Intelligence in the Work Place There is clear view that emotional intelligence is important based on the following mechanisms; first, an emotionally intelligent person has capability of differentiating emotions, and they can use emotions to reason, recognize and can take control of emotions which is seen as a way of stress management. Emotional intelligence will be paramount in the workforce as people will be able to relate with each other and learn how to resolve conflicts in the event that they arise. Emotionally

Global warming by human caused Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Global warming by human caused - Essay Example In addition to this, several non-human activities, such as variation in the orbit of earth around the sun, rapid changes in atmospheric composition, volcanic eruptions and solar luminosity are also responsible for the global climate change. Global climate change has become one of the most challenging and critical issue that is affecting ecological and environmental balance of the globe. It is difficult to justify the major responsible reasons behind this global warming. Several scientists have argued that human beings’ unethical activities are responsible for this issue. On the other hand, some of the scientists around the globe are trying to illustrate that volatile change in natural and environmental structure is causing rapid global climate change. The essay will provide an argument on the topic i.e. â€Å"Can the humans be held responsible for global warming?† Major Reasons behind Global Warming There are several reasons behind the climate and temperature change in the earth’s surface. The part of the essay will provide an argument about the real causes behind the global warming and rapid global; climate change. Non-Human Reasons The temperature of the earth depends upon the balance between the planet’s system and energy entering. When the energy from sun is absorbed, earth warms. On the other hand, when the energy of the sun is reflected back then the earth generally avoids warming. There are several non-human reasons that are affecting the global temperature. Green house effects, variation in the energy of sun and change in earth’s surface as well as atmospheric reflectivity are the factors responsible for global warming. Several scientists pieced a picture of the climate, dating back thousands of years through the analysis of various indirect measures like tree rings, glacier lengths, ice cores, and ocean sediments, changes in the orbit of earth and pollen remains. The valuable historical record shows that the global cl imate system varies naturally (Lawson 22). The output of the sun shows narrow variations over the course of a particular 11 year time cycle. These cyclic changes effectively correlate with the frequency and number of sun spot. It is known as solar cycle. This solar spot is growing slowly and gradually. However, the rapid increase of solar spot is affecting global climate. The climate is getting hotter and hotter due to this reason. On the other hand, position of the earth with respect to the sun slightly varied over a longer period of time due to the change in orbit of earth. However, this frequent change is termed as Milankovitch cycle (Shrivastava 109). According to the view of several scientists, these changes are major culprits for the global climate change since the Ice Age of earth. These changes have limited impact on the global temperature and climate change for a shorter time cycle. These changes have occurred slowly and gradually. This Milankovitch change has impacted the global climate and earth surface’s temperature. It has resulted in long-term climate and temperature fluctuations. Water vapor is considered as the most abundant green house gas in the atmosphere of earth although the changes in the water vapor’s concentration are generally the result of temperature changes. Consequently, this water vapor can significantly act as the part of feedback loop (Arnold 272). In the feedback loop, the increase in temperature typically triggers an effective increase in the evaporation of the water. The

Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words - 6

Research Paper Example The procurement industry takes care of the acquisition process that is involved with the goods and services right from order placement down towards invoice and payments. It is also known as the sourcing industry. The important phases of a procurement industry bank on the purchase planning phase, the determination of the standards which essentially need to be followed, the development of proper specifications, supplier research and selection methodologies, the analysis based on the provision of value, the financing measures, the price negotiation terms and conditions, the eventual purchase, the supply contract administering, the inventory control and storage methods and lastly the disposals and related functions. There are certain specifications which essentially define the basis of process capital equipments. These requirements are specified by an engineer as he tries to bring forward a need and thus ask the vendors who are aspiring to sell him the goods and services. These vendors also suggest equipments that could fill the need which arises on the part of the engineer or the buying party. The process capital equipment therefore comes about in full circle when all the needs are fulfilled and met in a holistic way. This brings to light the notion of procurement which is deemed as very essential right from the outset. Process capital equipment touches the salient basis of procurement regimes and hence asks for the relevant equipments so that the pertinent needs and requirements could be met in a corrective fashion. This is important as it sets the ball rolling for the procurement process and indeed helps in completing the process capital realms as well. Bulk solids handling allows for provision of comprehensive knowledge as well as timely information regarding the different aspects of dry bulk materials that are essentially handled

Valentine By Carol Anne Duffy English Literature Essay

Valentine By Carol Anne Duffy English Literature Essay Romeo and Juliet is a well-known tragedy by the playwright William Shakespeare that was written in the late 16th century. It is a story of how the children of two rival families meet and instantaneously fall in love. Carol Anne Duffys modern day poem Valentine much like Romeo and Juliet is very firmly themed around the strong feeling of love but is a more controversial love poem in which Carol Anne Duffy compares love to strange objects such as an onion. In my essay I will compare ways in which this theme is presented to the reader and discuss both writers ideas and attitudes to love. Romeo and Juliet is possibly the most famous classic love story there is. But there are many types of love that the play refers to. True love is the most obvious and this love is communicated between the two main characters in the play; Romeo and Juliet. The first sign of true love is through love at first sight where Romeo says of how Juliet doth teach the torches to burn bright! Imagery is used here by Shakespeare to evoke a mental image of natural light shining from Juliet. This light imagery emphasises Juliets beauty and how to Romeo, she is the only one he sees in the room. To a reader, this immediately puts both Romeo and Juliet in isolation signifying such intense, physical feelings and attraction on Romeos behalf. In modern society, some may view this as sexual love or lust but love at first sight was accepted by Elizabethan society. Juliet also uses light imagery to express how she sees her relationship with Romeo in the famous balcony scene (Act 2 Scene 2). She describes it as being too like the lightning suggesting that it is moving too quickly. However, Juliet may have used this to describe Romeo as her light in a dark sky and a ray in a dark world. This representation used by Shakespeare could imply what his ideas were of the Elizabethan world that he lived in. In Act 1 Scene 5, we also see Shakespeares use of religious imagery to experience a deeper connection as Juliet is shown to also be overwhelmed by Romeo as she accepts his offer of a kiss by [letting] lips do what hands do; pray. By this, Shakespeare is writing as Romeo to ask for their lips to meet, like hands may do in a prayer and for Romeo to fulfil the physical feelings felt by him earlier in the Act upon first seeing Juliet. The use of these religious overtones here indicates that the love shared by Romeo and Juliet can only be described by such spiritual and religious terms. Though it seems that it is only Romeo who uses religious overtones by calling Juliet his dear saint and describing how he is willing to worship her, we also see this imagery used by Juliet in Act 2 where she describes Romeo as being the god of her idolatry almost opposing religion by defining Romeo as her God to worship. Both Romeo and Juliet express true love through one of its strongest ways; death. For both characters, it is either to live with the other or if that is not possible (which it isnt because of the feud) then to simply die. This idea of fate and tragedy is presented to the audience in the plays prologue where these two characters are described as a pair of star-crossed lovers [who] take their life. This quote at the beginning of the play will have given the impression of no hope and unchangeable tragedy to an Elizabethan theatre audience as they delve deeper into the story. This technique of using death to symbolize love is shown by Shakespeare when Romeos addiction of true love draws him to go into the Capulet garden and find Juliet on her balcony. It is here where Romeo tells Juliet that he would rather face death than have to live and deal with Juliets rejection, My life were better ended by their hate than death prorogued, wanting of thy love. Romeo use of this quote is to almost show commitment and willingness to sacrifice anything for Juliet and to open up his true feelings; even though a modern audience may see these sudden feelings as overly exaggerated due to love being seen as something that grows over time by many people now and not something that can occur within a few hours. This illustrates the differences in social, cultural and historical views on love from the Elizabethan period in which Shakespeare lived and the present world. Shakespeares use of language and structure in Romeo and Juliet contributes and further enhances the feelings involved in the play to an audience. An example of this is Shakespeares use of sonnets. This poetic form commonly featured 14 lines and was written in iambic pentameter to give structure and flow. Sonnets were also poems of the time that symbolised love. This sonnet form in is shown after the wedding night where Romeo has to leave but he in so in love that he tells Juliet he will risk getting caught and stay, I have more care to stay than will to go Come, death, and welcome! Juliet wills it so. Again this quote expresses how Romeo puts Juliet and her happiness before death. This language and structure is used by Shakespeare along with its relation to love and death give the quote a true portrayal of the emotions involved between Romeo and Juliet. What true love also does to both these character is change them. In Juliets case, it gives her strength to disobey obey her parents. This was unheard of in the Elizabethan era as woman had very limited rights despite the fact that the monarch at the time was indeed was a female monarch (Queen Elizabeth I). In Juliets time, daughters were expected to obey whatever their parents command was, whereas today, teenagers have more control over their own lives and opinions. Juliets love for Romeo gives her the strength to deny the marriage proposal to Paris and face any consequences that came with that. Juliet says of how, He shall not make me there a joyful bride, and she will not marry yet but when she does, It shall be Romeo, In contrast, Act 1 Scene 3 shows how obedient Juliet was before meeting Romeo. She shows this when the subject of arranged marriage with Paris is brought up early in the play. Juliet speaks of how she will not endart [her] eye any further than her parents consent gives strength to make it fly. Here Juliet does more than just agree with her parents, but she further elaborates by explaining how she will not like him any more than her parents would like her to. This again demonstrates how deeply in love both Romeo and Juliet were with one another as Juliet challenges her parents word. Another way love presented in the play that also helps express how true Romeo and Juliets love was and illustrates how Romeo changes when meeting Juliet is Courtly love or Petrarchan love. Courtly love was love from afar. It is little known of today but it is clearly shown to us by Shakespeare in the play that this love was a common idea in his time. This form of love is demonstrated through Romeo and his infatuation and obsession with Rosaline early in the play. As the audience, we never meet Rosaline and only discover the depth of Romeos so called love for her. In Act 1 Scene 1, Romeo expresses how he sees Rosaline as being, rich in beauty when Romeo first appears in the play. Before seeing Juliet, Romeo was obsessed with Rosaline as was often found with tears augmenting the fresh mornings dew and [locking] fair daylight out. This quote displays Romeos depression as his love for Rosaline was never returned. Courtly love in this play helps the audience understand the intensity of Romeos feelings upon seeing Juliet. It is like he totally forgets about Rosaline when he says, Did my heart love till now? For I neer saw true beauty till this night. This implies that Romeos short, courtly obsession with Rosaline was nothing in comparison to the emotions he now feels looking at Juliet. This will have left any Elizabethan audience puzzled and thinking of how Romeo is just loves fool. What we do learn about Romeo now is that he was not in love with Rosaline but instead was in love with the idea of being love but experiences love at first sight when he sees Juliet. From this we learn that Romeo and Juliet change after meeting one another. Meeting Romeo gives Juliet strength to go against her parents word and meeting Juliet makes Romeo forget about Rosaline. Shakespeares use of courtly love is to elevate and display the depth of love shown between Romeo and Juliet. The use of these many features by Shakespeare give a modern day reader an image of a perfect, heavenly match/relationship, one that many people long for today where one is willing to give their lives for one another but one that will have been more believable to an Elizabethan audience because of their ideas of love and how someone can fall in love. Such impressions illustrate the changing views of love throughout history in different cultures. However this also helps demonstrate the power that love has had over time because of how humanity can form an emotional connection with it so easily whether it is fiction or not which explains why Romeo and Juliet has been so popular, even 400 years after it was written. Love is something that everyone can relate to whether they have experienced it or not and this is why Romeo and Juliet has been so influential and significant to many readers across the world in either a historic and modern world. Valentine is a poem written in 2010 by Carol Anne Duffy, the current poet laureate. The poem expresses Duffys unusual point of view on love. This is clear from the title and the first line in the poem. The title Valentine is almost misleading as a reader goes on to read the first line where Duffy explains how it is not a red rose or a satin heart. Duffy uses this sentence along with its aloneness below the title to set the tone of the poem of defying tradition. Duffys poem is formed around the extended metaphor of an onion. To many people, Duffys comparison may be seen as very controversial initially as she replaces giving a red rose with giving something bizarre like an onion. However, Duffy uses her cleverness to explain how she used the extended metaphor of giving an onion as something that is more special due to the deep meaning it holds to her and its similarities to love. An example of this is how Duffy describes how an onion can blind you with tears Like a lover. Using this language feature of a simile allows for a connection to be built between an onion and love by explaining how an onion that makes you cry is like the pain caused by love can make you cry. Tears are often something that is provoked by either happiness or sadness. This illustrates the ups and downs of a relationship that a lover is involved in. The word blind can also refer to how love can blind someone in love, making them unable to see anything wrong in their lover . Tears are used here as a physical barrier to not being able to see and also to refer to the ups and down faced by in a relationship. Carol Anne Duffy also goes on to other links between her onion and its message of love to the reader. Duffy suggests how the layers of an onion can represent a wedding ring, Its platinum loops shrink to a wedding ring. The word shrink from platinum loops to a wedding ring could possibly convey Duffys view on marriage. Maybe Duffy is implying that an onion and its loops are more valuable than a wedding ring as it has to shrink and reduce down in size, like marriage may shrink passion and love in relationship. Many may view this as Duffy insulting marriage which may suggest why she is unmarried. But, this distinctive thinking is what matches with the tone of the entire poem; that of slightly defying tradition and going against what people have never questioned. In this case it is marriage, but as discussed above it was traditional valentine gifts. Duffy explains her view and these similarities and previous controversy for many readers changes to an understandable connection and reasoning for Duffys view of why she would use the extended metaphor of an onion. This view may suggest and give a reader an impression of Duffys personality, of how she may look at objects very differently with critical thought. The language used in Valentine helps make the poem more personal to a reader as Duffy uses the words I and you rather than talking in 3rd person. This gives the impression that these feelings have indeed been experienced by Duffy. When looking at the structure of Valentine, a reader can say that the structure and form of the poem is very irregular with single lined verses, lines of different lengths and single words followed by full stops. Where Shakespeare uses the traditional love poem structure of a sonnet, Duffy chooses not to. Again, this expresses how Duffy is being different and opposing what is seen as normal for the style of a love poem. It shows a difference between Shakespeares writing and attitudes to Duffys more controversial poem by the use of the word Not to achieve effect. This is because Shakespeare merely presents love in Romeo and Juliet but Duffy both presents and expresses her view on love in Valentine. Despite the differences in both writers attitudes and ideas to love, the play and poem also have many similarities. A similarity in content is through the use of light imagery. It is used in Shakespeares Romeo and Juliet to signify beauty and also views on society by Shakespeare but it is also used in Duffys Valentine. In the poem, this light imagery is represented through how an onion promises light. This light can be seen as Duffy expressing the good things that make up a relationship as light is related to good just like darkness is often related to all things bad. In this case, the light is like the careful undressing of love. Duffy is literally undressing and taking a different viewpoint to express her thoughts on love through explaining all things she believes are good and bad about a relationship. We know this as she goes from talking about this light to telling readers of how love can make you blind. However the major similarity between both Romeo and Juliet and Valentine is how they both involve defying common social views and structure in different contexts. Shakespeare expresses this through the characters Romeo and Juliet where they defy their family structures, the Montagues and the Capulets, in order to be with one another. Juliet also goes against her parents word and both Romeo and Juliet speak of how they would idolise and worship each other which oppose religion and Christian tradition as idol worship. Duffy challenges normal thought throughout her poem to achieve effect and communicate her views to a reader. Even the structure of Valentine is very different to any love poem which is usually written as a sonnet like it is written by Shakespeare. I believe both Shakespeares and Duffys techniques of exploring love in different times and contexts are very effective on a reader or an audience. Duffys ideas and presentation of this theme of love can be seen as appealing due to its more unique approach. But, because Duffys views are different to that of modern society it can also be seen as less influential than Romeo and Juliets presentation of this perfect couple to audiences and readers throughout history. Love in Romeo and Juliet is easier to relate to for anyone because most people in life long for their romeo or their juliet and it is only a presentation of love, not a totally different view of love. It is because of this Romeo and Juliet has been so popular in many forms of entertainment including theatre and now even movies.

born on the 4th of july Essay -- essays research papers

â€Å"Born on the Fourth of July† This book was incredible! In all truth this was the first book I have ever read cover to cover. The book, by Ron Kovic, as compared to the film, by Oliver Stone, had some impressive similarities. Both the book and the film did a great job of portraying Ron’s childhood in Massapequa, Long Island. From the little league games to playing war in the woods, leading charges and setting ambushes. This was especially well done in the movie, and exactly as I pictured them while reading the book. The time that he spent in Mexico was well defined in the book as well as in the film. While there were many similarities, what I feel is more important is to focus on the differences. There were countless small differences in the film as compared to the book, things such as shuffling the order in which chapters appeared in the film. For example, the beginning of the film took a different path than the beginning of the book. In the book the first chapter set the tone for the rest of the book, describing the firefight and all that had gone wrong, Burning into your mind the thought of Ron Kovic lying on the ground bleeding, paralyzed, screaming for help and hearing people get shot all around him. The beginning of the film is a different story all together. It gives you hope, it lulls you into believing that this is a happy story, the kind where everything always works out in the end. It is not until after the entire buildup of the character, after you feel as if you know him, that you see this scene. The accidental killing of the civilians, the baby, the killing of the corporal, all these things happen before you find out that this soldier, this Marine, will come hom e paralyzed. The film makes it a point to show that there was an on-going, pseudo romance between Ron and Joan Marfe. The two of them kissing on his birthday, Ron running to the prom and showing up soaking wet, asking her for a dance. Finding her after the war and going to a protest with her. None of these things were anywhere in the book, in fact the book only mentioned her once, and in that mentioning Ron said that he was always too nervous to ask her for a date. The film completely leaves out Ron’s marriage to Helen and his entire time in California. As for the reasons that Ron joined the Marine core there were some interesting and important differences. The film leads you to belie... ...girl whom he has known since first grade. The book mentions a girl like this, once, but she has a different name, and Ron doesn’t ever talk to her. Also, the entire prom scene seemed to be made up to aid in the progression of the love story, sounds like dramatic license or artistic freedom to me. There were quite a few other books mentioned in â€Å"History by Hollywood†, but I felt that they were all portrayed and critiqued fairly. I found it reassuring that Toplin was more concerned about educating the reader that movies were a good thing for history, while they are not always completely accurate, they do expand the minds of the people viewing them. If it was not for â€Å"Pearl Harbor† or â€Å"Saving Private Ryan†, an entire generation could have forgotten about World War II. I would even go as far as to say that in 50 years there will be a movie such as â€Å"Pearl Harbor† about the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center. Movies are an important part of our lives, they can be used as a teaching tool, or as a means of remembrance, but they will always be used. I just hope that the people watching them don’t take them as fact, but take them as a basis to learn more about what really happened.