Thursday, October 31, 2019

Government Analysis Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3750 words

Government Analysis - Essay Example They can enact this right in the voting booth, in the court of public opinion, through the judicial system, and via a host of other avenues. In the end, laws and rules are designed for the better good of society, which means that some will almost certainly disagree and strive to have a rule amended or changed. As the government has grown in size, the bureaucracy has remained in force to handle many such proposed rule changes. From Health and Human Services, to issues of the economy, to science and technology among others, the Federal Register has been designed to keep the public informed of any new or impending changes to policy. In this age of increasing technology, such changes are readily accessible via the Internet, and comments are encouraged. This epitomizes our functioning democratic form of law. It is important that individual citizens have the right and the avenue to make their voices heard in an easily accessible manner. Not everyone can travel to Washington D.C. to argue a proposed rule, but nearly everyone can write or email interested parties. This paper will examine a current rule that is being proposed by the Food and Drug Administration, analyze its rationale, discuss recent comments made, and propose a recommendation as to its feasibility. Proposed Final Rule For quite some time, the Food and Drug Administration has been grappling with a proposal to allow certain parts of cattle to be used in dietary supplements, food, and cosmetics, provided a certain procedure was followed. This rule was actually adopted in 2005, as an amendment to an earlier rule that prohibited such use. Now, the rule is back up for debate, as new research studies have been published that seem to contradict earlier findings establishing that the cattle parts were safe in the proposed food and drug items, provided the set procedure was followed. The docket number of this rule change is FDS-2004-N-0188, and the title of the rule amendment is â€Å"Use of Materials Derived fr om Cattle in Human Food and Cosmetics†, with the comment period ending May 3, 2013 (Federal Register 14012). In summary, rule 69 FR 42256, adopted back on July 14, 2004, established that the use of certain parts of a cow in food and cosmetics was to be prohibited. This was due to studies that revealed there was potential risk of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) in human food (Federal Register 14012). This also applied to dietary supplements and cosmetics. After a revised comment period, and the publishing of further studies, the Federal Register opted to amend the rule back on September 7, 2005. This amended final rule allowed for the use of the small intestine of cattle in human food and cosmetics, provided an approved removal technique was used (Federal Register 14012). The small intestine, being deemed acceptable for use in cosmetics and certain food products, including dietary supplements, has now been permitted since that rule amendment in 2005. The new rule has sin ce allowed the intestine to be utilized provided it was removed by a procedure approved by the FDA, or if an organization could provide an equally effective alternative procedure that was deemed safe and reliable (Federal Register 14012). While this procedure has continued largely unchecked for the last seven years, interested parties began to conduct and publish their own studies. These studies have created enough reasonable doubt as to the safety of the small intestine, as presently being used, that the Food and Drug Administration has decided to revisit the rule. In recent years, scientific studies, most of which have been peer-reviewed, have demonstrated that there is the possibility that the colon of cattle can be infected with matter that can be harmful to humans. In

Tuesday, October 29, 2019

Learing Secondary Languages should be supported Research Paper

Learing Secondary Languages should be supported - Research Paper Example Linguistic barriers prove to be the biggest barriers in the way of building up of rapport between employees because they are not able to understand one another. This paper explores some of the potential advantages of the knowledge of second language. Learning second language provides an individual with an opportunity to immigrate to the country / countries whose languages are known by him/her. Learning second language is particularly beneficial for people who are nationals of the poor countries because they do not have as many opportunities as available to people who are nationals of such advanced countries as America, Australia, Canada, and Britain. A lot of people belonging to such underdeveloped countries as India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh tend to migrate to the richer economies in order to have a better standard of living, and many of them become successful in their endeavors. Once migrated, even if they drive a cab or deliver a pizza, they earn much more than what they did in th eir homeland. They do not need very high paying jobs in order to be convinced to migrate. They become satisfied as long as they are earning more than they did in their own country. Luckily, in a vast majority of cases, they do earn more abroad. However, this opportunity can not be availed by an individual unless he/she has sufficient knowledge of the language spoken in the foreign country. In order to move to UK, an individual is supposed to have attained at least the minimum established score of the International English Language Testing System (IELTS), which in a vast majority of cases is 5, though it becomes 6 if the purpose of travel is educational. The minimum score varies from criterion to criterion, though it can not be attained unless the individual has tried to learn the second language in the past. These exams are really tough and one is checked on various linguistic abilities. For example, the four modules of IELTS check an individual’s ability in speaking, reading , writing, and listening English. Thus, an individual is considered eligible for travel only if he/she is sufficiently competent in each of the four areas of language. Once an individual manages to cross this barrier through learning second language, the world is open to him/her and he/she can totally change and improve his/her future abroad. Knowledge of second language boosts the brain power of an individual. â€Å"Children in foreign language programs have tended to demonstrate greater cognitive development, creativity, and divergent thinking than monolingual children† (Peckham). According to Moran and Hakuta (cited in Ukrainian Bilingual Programs), students with knowledge of multiple languages are able to achieve more in such academic tests as the cognitive flexibility, creativity and the Provincial Achievement Exams than students who do not have knowledge of the same. Knowledge of second language is fundamental to the attainment of higher education in foreign countries. Schools and colleges in the underdeveloped countries are not as advanced as the ones in developed countries. There is lack of research, and the paraphernalia of laboratory are not sufficient to inculcate sound knowledge of the concepts in the students. As a result of this, many students opt to study abroad, though knowledge of second

Sunday, October 27, 2019

Underrepresentation Of Women In Science And Engineering

Underrepresentation Of Women In Science And Engineering Women run the risk of lagging behind in the fields of science and engineering. A wide gap exists between men and women in these fields. Women tend to have overrepresentation in social sciences and humanities, and underrepresentation in science and engineering. Although the number of women in the fields has grown steadily, women remain underrepresented at high levels of these professions. Social norms, culture and attitudes, play a significant role in undermining the role of women in the aforementioned fields. In many cases, the achievement and excellence of women are measured using male oriented standards. Even for those that excel, their salaries are in many cases dissimilar with their male counterparts. However, countries can use several recommendations that can help boost the presence of women in these fields. Inclusion of women in science and engineering is a crucial factor that can significantly accelerate technological advancement in the contemporary society. Discussion Underrepresentation of Women in Science and Engineering There is a marked underrepresentation of women in science and engineering although the contemporary society needs technology most society. Science and engineering are historically According to statistics revealed by Blasdell (19); over 50 percent of the population is composed of women of whom 44 percent is in the workforce but only 13 percent in science and engineering. Recruitment of women in science and technology can help mitigate the drain of engineering talent through the provision significant resources. However, several barriers impede this inclusion and / or advancement of women in science and engineering. Challenges and Reasons for Underrepresentation Social norms and culture come as the most significant factors impeding the advancement of women male dominated professions. Traditions, values and styles lean and suit the male gender has shaped the culture in SET fields. The culture is not suited for the needs of women in social and learning environments. From time immemorial, women are regarded as caretakers where their work is fundamentally taking care of their families. This social norm leads to a stereotypical view on women where many men regard the abilities of women in these fields negatively. As documented by Bystydzienski (24), many men respond negatively on the capability of women to excel in technical (science) and engineering fields. The societal norms dictate that a woman cannot be successful as a mother and a wife while in these career paths. According to the International Labor Organization, science and engineering are associated with pervasive gender roles that encourage women to engage in soft subjects (hawks and Joa n 250). This undermines the excellence of women in the aforementioned fields. Additionally, women who take SET careers are associated with a loss of femininity in their societies (Hall 82). This impedes their development in the fields since they may feel that their intuitive and imaginative styles do not fit to scientific research. Female stereotyping also is a key element among social norms that impede the accomplishments of women in SET. Women scientists are usually featured as atypical women and atypical scientists. This implies that, not only is their deficiency in science attacked, but also their gender identity. Female norms are more associated with collaboration than competition. However, the societal norms set by men are more competitive than they are collaborative. However, women are oriented towards win-win settings (Bystydzienski 39). The competitiveness and desire to prove oneself significantly impedes the desire of women to advance in these career fields. Legal systems to a lesser extent than norms affect womens excellence in science and engineering. In several countries, anti-discriminatory laws require that universities offer differential entry conditions for women. However, the weakness of the legal systems in several other countries (especially developing ones) has left women at a disadvantage in the inclusion of science and engineering programs. Legal trends encourage institutions to alleviate discrimination and other institutional norms and practices that bar women from engaging in SET courses. However, with high levels of female stereotyping in different societies, women still lag behind in their advancement, in these fields (Steel and Emily 91). Female Dominant Science Fields Although few women re found in the engineering field, there are other science fields where there is a sizable number. Nursing is one of the most prominent science professions where women are found. Nursing, as a science, attracts a significant number of female students. Additionally, this field has also been stereotyped, and it is more associated with women than with men. One factor that leads to a high number of female nurses is the negative attitude that a man will look unmanly if he joins the course. Hawks and Joan (257) add that women are capable of interacting better with other people than men are. This implies that women can interact with patients more efficiently in hospitals than men can. Additionally, nursing combines feminine values with professional values of support and care. Furthermore, women are at an added advantage of taking nursing courses since in many cases, men are excluded. Academic Achievement of Women in SET The academic achievement of women in science and engineering remains low. The achievement of women in the fields falters especially immediately after the entry in the first year in universities. According to Hall (102), of the 40 percent of the students who entered university in 2010 in USA, 11 percent were female. Once they join institutions of higher learning, their performance may also deteriorate significantly. Lack of confidence in their capability to balance family responsibilities and science career significantly influences their academic achievements in the fields. Additionally, the portrayal of science and engineering male-oriented courses exacerbate their fears of their excellence. Additionally, in undergraduate science and engineering classes, women in many cases feel isolated. They also feel resented by their male counterparts since they think that their opinions are not respected by their male counterparts. Furthermore, women who have high levels of confidence in science and technology classrooms elicit negative responses from their male counterparts. According to sociologists, women also express lower levels of self-esteem than men in these fields do. The combination of these effects affects the academic achievement of women negatively. Many women will tend to mask their academic abilities to evade alienation and ensure that they achieve social success. Hawks and Joan (108) add that women win acceptance through the loss of personal terms. As he observes, women who achieve highly in these fields are likely to lose their gender roles. To avoid this, women recede to standard gender roles. In such a situation, women do not ask many questions or explore alternative option, but rather, they pursue and follow what they are taught. This significantly affects their academic achievement and thy end up lagging behind their male counterparts. To exacerbate the situation, even with their assumption of standard gender roles, the presence of women in a science o r engineering class draws a lot of attention (Steel and Emily 125). This inundation with social attention creates uncomfortable learning environment that may interfere with their academic achievement and/or progress. In America, women currently earn approximately 41 percent of PhDs in SET fields but make approximately 28 percent of the workforce in these fields. As observed by Nut, the low number of women involved in the workforce is because of high dropout rate in SET field. Decreasing the dropout rate of women in SET careers is significantly essential in the pursuit for gender equality since women in SET jobs earn approximately 35 percent more than in non-SET fields (Blaisdell 24). Cross-gender Disparity in Salaries Albeit the fight for equality in all fields of life, there still exists a wide disparity between the salaries of male and women workers. In the fields of science and engineering, this disparity is highly pronounced. Data collected through the census in the United States depict a significant dissimilarity between the workers in these fields. In 1999, the average salary for female scientists and engineers was almost 22 percent less than that of their male counterparts. However, this was regarded as a significant increase since this reflected a 25 percent increase from the figures posted in 1993. In 1999, among scientists and engineers who had held their degrees for less than 5 years, women earned 83 percent of what men earned. Salary differential at this time depended on the field. In life sciences, women earned 23 percent lesser than their male counterparts while in, computer science, the difference was 12 percent. However, the difference has reduced over the years. In 2009, independe nt surveys by Glassdoor revealed that women earned approximately 93.7 percent of what men earned. This applied for those who had zero to three years of experience. For scientists and engineers who had more than ten years of experience, women earned approximately 89.1 percent of what men earned. Another survey conducted in 2012 reveals that the gap is steadily being close, albeit at a significantly slow pace. Women scientists and engineers with zero to three years of experienced earned 95.2 percent of what their male counterparts earned. For those with over ten years of experience, women earned 92.6 percent of what men earned. Albeit the underrepresentation, it is evident that the salary gap is being closed. Factors such as emphasis on equality between men and women play a noteworthy role in changing these dynamics. Additionally, stereotyping and discrimination are diminishing, and these fields are now more cross-gender than they used to be several decades ago (Hall 124-130). Cross-cultural Differences in Status of Women in SET The status of women in science is in many cases vary from culture to culture. This is because the norms observed by one culture may be different from those of another culture. Studies conducted by Blaisdell (29) indicate a wide disparity in the way different cultures uphold women in science and engineering. These differences are more pronounced in societies that have stuck to their traditions than in the modernized societies. Among the African Americans and other black societies, gender roles are highly emphasized. This implies that women are expected to take care of their families while their male counterparts act as breadwinners. On this note, women need to maintain their femininity in these societies. In these societies, a career in science and engineering is highly associated with a loss of femininity. In this regard, women are regarded negatively in these societies once they take to science and engineering. This cultural stereotyping has significantly contributed to a few black women getting involved in science and technology. Through women empowerment, the number of women taking careers in science and technology in several other cultures or societies has increased. Western cultures are becoming more liberal and, thus, more women are being accepted into these male dominated careers. This increase can be attributed to less strict cultural norms, constitutions promoting equity and discouraging discrimination and government strategies promoting inclusion of women. According to statistics posted by the United Nations (quoted in Blaidell 30), the Asian communities (especially in the United States) have the highest number of women scientists and engineers. Among the Asian communities, SET (science, engineering and technology) courses are considered part of the community. Although their culture also emphasizes on gender roles on women, they show significant liberalism regarding women engaging in science and technology. The above observation indicates that, in soc ieties where cultural norms, discrimination and stereotyping are high, number of women entering into the field of science and engineering is less and vice versa. Opportunities for Women in SET Regardless of the challenges, women engaging in SET fields have a multiplicity of opportunities. In the United States, the government has increased its effort in having women included in Set programs. Through affirmative actions, the entry standards for women into university in SET fields are lower than for men. This is encouraging an additional number of women engage in science and engineering. Additionally, other governmental and non-governmental research centers are including more women than it was a few years ago. Additionally, these institutes engage in campaigns and trainings to raise the number of women in science and engineering. For example, through the Executive Office of the President, NASA was involved in a national convention to encourage girls and women to engage in SET. Through their presence, girls had hands-on experience on NASA activities to inspire them in pursuing SET careers (Steel and Emily 200). Recommendations Based on the challenges facing women in SET, a lot remains undone. Several recommendations can help increase the presence of women in SET. First, the culture and social norms should be redefined to have an increased number of women in SET. As noted by Bystydzienski (209), women need first to adjust to the system with the system in which they have modest prior knowledge. In this regard, women need to develop coping strategies to have high representation in this field. Additionally, the cultural and social norms of the modern societies should change. Stereotyping and discrimination at entry level in universities are some of the most significant challenges for women wishing to engage in SET courses. With government strategies, discrimination and stereotyping can be reduced thus increasing the number of women in SET. Furthermore, a change in the competitiveness in SET can help increase the number of women. According to Blaisdell (21), dissatisfaction and intimidation arise among women wh en faced by competitiveness at work. To mitigate this problem, group activities and non-threatening environments should be encouraged. Additionally, standards for assessment should be reduced to help women feel integrated. Furthermore, connected teaching can help integrate women in science and engineering. In connected classes, truth is constructed through consensus, but not conflict. This helps reduce intimidation among women. Conclusion Inclusion of women in science and engineering can help in the growth of innovation. However, women are significantly underrepresented in SET fields. Social norms and some oppressive legal systems have been found to contribute to this underrepresentation. Even for women who advance in these careers, a marked disparity exists between their salaries and those of their female counterparts. However, women, through government efforts, have a multiplicity of opportunities in advancing in these fields. As identified, several strategies can be used to allay the challenges women face in SET fields. The inclusion of women in SET fields is crucial for growth of innovation thus additional women should be encouraged to join SET courses.

Friday, October 25, 2019

Do manners matter? :: Informative, Education, etiquette

Do manners matter? Yes, they do; however, since most parents have gone to work, children have fewer chances to sit with their parents and to learn manners from them. Although America is a melting-pot of cultures with various ideas of manners (Packer 22), and the subject of manners is complicated (Hall 185), the standard of good manners of various cultures is similar. Good manners are the same as civilized behaviors and moral etiquette that have respect, consideration, generosity, and thoughtfulness for others (Stewart 14). What goes around comes around; therefore, people should treat others as they wish to be treated themselves (Stewart 1). In fact, people would love to be with others who have good manners (Brandenberg 2). Therefore, manners should be taught in the twenty-first century because they not only help people become educated and competitive, but they also help the world become peaceful and smooth. First of all, people are more educated and competitive if they have good manners. Ladies and gentlemen who have good manners appear more educated, creditable, and superior than other ill-mannered people. Dr. Sokolosky believes, â€Å"all things being equal in terms of skills and abilities, the person who leaves a good, positive impression will come out on top† (Ricketts, par. 9), which means in a group of people who have equal skills, the one who has good manners will be the winner; thus, good manners can improve one’s competitiveness. Moreover, my Professor Eadus said that manners are the biggest part of social skill, which is true because good manners affect people’s interpersonal relationships and social communications. In fact, dining has been a principal social event in people’s lives; therefore, good table manners are essential and conducive to show one’s education while erroneous table manners can cause punishment by mothers, embarrassment in front of friends, or being dumped by dates (Packer 268). I have had one of the most embarrassing experiences in my life. When I was young, I used to play with my food and hold my knife and fork incorrectly until one day I dropped my whole piece of steak on the woman who was sitting at the next table. At that moment, I was totally embarrassed and frightened while the woman yelled at me and said I was a rude kid. After that, I went to borrow some books to learn table manners. â€Å"The way you handle yourself at the table gives off very clear signals as to what kind of a person you are† (Cooper, par.

Thursday, October 24, 2019

Know how to identify development needs Essay

Everyone has their own preferred way of learning new things. Knowing how you learn can Help you take control of situations and develop further in learning or employment situations. To help me identify my own learning style(s) and that of a member of my team, I used the VAX questionnaire below. Tick box A B or C for each question that most represents how you generally behave. ABC 1When I operate new equipment I generally:x A B CRead the instructions first Listen to an explanation from someone who has used it before Go ahead and have a go, I can figure it out as I use it 2When I need directions for travelling I usually:x A B CLook at a map Ask for spoken directions Follow my nose and maybe use a compass 3When I cook a new dish I like to:x A B CFollow a written recipe Call a friend for an explanation Follow my instincts, testing as I cook 4If I am teaching someone something new I tend to:x A B CWrite instructions down for them Give them a verbal explanation Demonstrate first and then let them have a go 5I tend to say:x A B CWatch how I do it Listen to me explain You have a go 6During my free time I most enjoy;x A B CGoing to museums and art galleries Listening to music and talking to my friends Playing sport or doing DIY 7When I go shopping for clothes I tend to:x A B CImagine what they would look like on Discuss them with the shop staff Try them on and test them out ABC 8When I am choosing a holiday I usually:x A B CRead lots of brochures Listen to recommendations from friends Imagine what it would be like to be there 9If I was buying a new car I would:x A B CRead reviews in newspapers and magazines Discuss what I need with my friends Test drive lots of different types 10When I am learning a new skill I am most comfortable:x A B CWatching what the teacher is doing Talking through with my teacher exactly what I am supposed to do Giving it a try myself and work it out as I go 11If I am choosing food from a menu I tend to:x A B CImagine what the food will look like Talk through the options in my head or with my partner Imagine what the food will taste like 12When I listen to a band I can’t help:x A B CWatching the band members and other people in the audience Listening to the lyrics and the beats Moving in time with the music 13When I concentrate I most often:x A B CFocus on the words or the pictures in front of me Discuss the problem and the possible solutions in my head Move around a lot, fiddle with pens and pencils and touch things 14I choose household furnishings because I like:x A B CTheir colours and how they look The descriptions the sales people give me Their textures and what it feels like to touch them 15My first memory is of:x A B CLooking at something Being spoken to Doing something 16When I am anxious I:x A B CVisualise the worst case scenarios Talk over in my head what worries me most Can’t sit still, fiddle and move around constantly ABC 17I feel especially connected to other people because of:x A B CHow they look What they say to me How they make me feel 18When I have to revise for an exam I generally:x A B CWrite lots of revision notes and diagrams Talk over my notes, alone or with other people Imaging make the movement or creating the formula 19If I am explaining to someone I tend to:x A B CShow them what I mean Explain to them in different ways until they understand Encourage them to try and talk them through my idea as they do it 20I really love:x A B CWatching films, photography, looking at art or people watching Listening to music, the radio or talking to friends Taking part in sporting activities, eating fine foods and wines or dancing. 21Most of my free time is spent:x A B CWatching television Talking to friends Doing physical activity or making things 22When I first contact a new person I usually:x A B CArrange a face to face meeting Talk to them on the telephone Try to get together whilst doing something else, such as an activity or meal 23I first notice how people:x A B CLook and dress Sound and speak Stand and move 24If I am angry I tend to:x A B CKeep replaying in my mind what has upset me Raise my voice and tell people how I feel Stamp about, slam doors, and physically demonstrate my anger 25I find it easiest to remember:x A B. CFaces Names Things I have done ABC 26I think you can tell if someone is lying if:x A B CThey avoid looking at you Their voice changes They give me funny vibes 27When I meet an old friend:x A B CI say ‘it’s great to see you’ I say ‘it’s great to hear from you’ I give them a hug or a handshake 28I remember things best by:x A B CWriting notes or keeping printed details Saying them aloud or repeating words and key points in my head Doing and practising the activity or imagining it being done 29If I have to complain about faulty goods I am most comfortable:x A B CWriting a letter Complaining over the phone Taking the item back to the store or posting it to head office 30I tend to say:x A B CI see what you mean I hear what you are saying I know how you feel Total number of ticks in each column:130512 If you chose mostly A’s you have a VISUAL learning style. If you chose mostly B’s you have an AUDITORY learning style. If you chose mostly C’s you have a KINAESTHETIC learning style. Learning Styles Self-Assessment Everyone has their own preferred way of learning new things. Knowing how you learn can help you take control of situations and develop further in learning or employment situations. Tick box A B or C for each question that most represents how you generally behave. ABC 1When I operate new equipment I generally:* A B CRead the instructions first Listen to an explanation from someone who has used it before Go ahead and have a go, I can figure it out as I use it 2When I need directions for travelling I usually:* A B CLook at a map Ask for spoken directions Follow my nose and maybe use a compass 3When I cook a new dish I like to:* A B CFollow a written recipe Call a friend for an explanation Follow my instincts, testing as I cook 4If I am teaching someone something new I tend to:* A B CWrite instructions down for them Give them a verbal explanation Demonstrate first and then let them have a go 5I tend to say:* A B CWatch how I do it Listen to me explain You have a go 6During my free time I most enjoy;* A B CGoing to museums and art galleries Listening to music and talking to my friends Playing sport or doing DIY 7When I go shopping for clothes I tend to:* A B CImagine what they would look like on Discuss them with the shop staff Try them on and test them out A B C 8When I am choosing a holiday I usually: Read lots of brochures Listen to recommendations from friends Imagine what it would be like to be there ABC * 9If I was buying a new car I would:* A B CRead reviews in newspapers and magazines Discuss what I need with my friends Test drive lots of different types 10When I am learning a new skill I am most comfortable:* A B CWatching what the teacher is doing Talking through with my teacher exactly what I am supposed to do Giving it a try myself and work it out as I go 11If I am choosing food from a menu I tend to:* A B CImagine what the food will look like Talk through the options in my head or with my partner Imagine what the food will taste like 12When I listen to a band I can’t help:* A B CWatching the band members and other people in the audience Listening to the lyrics and the beats Moving in time with the music 13When I concentrate I most often:* A B CFocus on the words or the pictures in front of me Discuss the problem and the possible solutions in my head Move around a lot, fiddle with pens and pencils and touch things 14I choose household furnishings because I like:* A B CTheir colours and how they look The descriptions the sales people give me Their textures and what it feels like to touch them 15My first memory is of:* A B CLooking at something Being spoken to Doing something 16When I am anxious I:* A B CVisualise the worst case scenarios Talk over in my head what worries me most Can’t sit still, fiddle and move around constantly A B C 17I feel especially connected to other people because of:* A B CHow they look What they say to me How they make me feel 18When I have to revise for an exam I generally:* A B CWrite lots of revision notes and diagrams Talk over my notes, alone or with other people Imaging make the movement or creating the formula 19If I am explaining to someone I tend to:* A B CShow them what I mean Explain to them in different ways until they understand Encourage them to try and talk them through my idea as they do it 20I really love:* A B CWatching films, photography, looking at art or people watching Listening to music, the radio or talking to friends Taking part in sporting activities, eating fine foods and wines or dancing 21Most of my free time is spent:* A B CWatching television Talking to friends Doing physical activity or making things 22When I first contact a new person I usually:* A B CArrange a face to face meeting Talk to them on the telephone Try to get together whilst doing something else, such as an activity or meal 23I first notice how people:* A B CLook and dress Sound and speak Stand and move 24If I am angry I tend to:* A B CKeep replaying in my mind what has upset me Raise my voice and tell people how I feel Stamp about, slam doors, and physically demonstrate my anger 25I find it easiest to remember:* A B CFaces Names Things I have done ABC 26I think you can tell if someone is lying if:* A B CThey avoid looking at you Their voice changes They give me funny vibes 27When I meet an old friend:* A B CI say ‘it’s great to see you’ I say ‘it’s great to hear from you’ I give them a hug or a handshake 28I remember things best by:* A B CWriting notes or keeping printed details Saying them aloud or repeating words and key points in my head Doing and practising the activity or imagining it being done 29If I have to complain about faulty goods I am most comfortable:* A B CWriting a letter Complaining over the phone Taking the item back to the store or posting it to head office 30I tend to say:* A B CI see what you mean I hear what you are saying I know how you feel Total number of ticks in each column:151203 If you chose mostly A’s you have a VISUAL learning style. If you chose mostly B’s you have an AUDITORY learning style. If you chose mostly C’s you have a KINAESTHETIC learning style. Learning Styles Now I have identified the learning style(s) for a member of my team and myself, and buy Reading the explanations below, we can consider how this will help us to choose the type of Learning that works best for us. People commonly have a main preferred learning style, but This may be part of a blend of all Three. Some people have a very strong preference; other People have a more even mixture of two or less commonly, three styles. Remember, there is no right or wrong learning style. The VAK learning styles model suggests that most people can be divided into one of the Three styles: Someone with a Visual learning style has a preference for seen or observed things, including pictures, diagrams, demonstrations, displays, handouts, films, flip-chart, etc. These people will use phrases such as ‘show me’, ‘let’s have a look at that’ and will be best able to perform a new task after reading the instructions or watching someone else do it first. ?These are the people who will work from lists and written directions and instructions. ?Someone with an Auditory learning style has a preference for the transfer of information through listening: to the spoken word, of self or others, of sounds and noises. These people will use phrases such as ‘tell me’, ‘let’s talk it over’ and will be best able to perform a new task after listening to instructions from an expert. ?These are the people who are happy being given spoken instructions over the telephone, and can remember all the words to songs that they hear! ?Someone with a Kinesthetic learning style has a preference for physical experience – touching, feeling, holding, doing, practical hands-on experiences. These people will use phrases such as ‘let me try’, ‘how do you feel? ’ and will be best able to perform a new task by going ahead and trying it out, learning as they go. These are the people who like to experiment, hands-on, and never look at the instructions first! AC 1. 2 Use a simple technique for identifying own development needs and the development needs of another member of the team. It is very important for any organization to identify your own development needs and the Development needs of your team, and the development of all individuals at all levels. In The section below I have looked at a couple of ways you can identify the skills and Knowledge required for successfully delivering as well as providing the training and Development required for both me and that of another member of my team. Of course there are training and development texts that cover this subject in much more Detail, it is best to start with an analysis of the training and development that is required. The Starting point and the subsequent steps can be represented in ‘The Training Cycle’ or ‘The Systematic approach to Training and Development’. This is a widely recognised and used Model of the processes involved in professional development. When setting any objectives for training we should be using the standard management Practice of using SMART objectives. SYou will notice that the objectives are specific in that they explain a number of individual tasks. MThey are measurable in that you can determine if the tasks have been completed by checking against the targets, e. g. 2000 words, four bridges, grid reference, and so on. AThey are achievable in that resources are available to complete the task. For example, is there sufficient time for completion and does the candidate have access to a computer? RThey should be realistic. Clearly any task to be set at an appropriate level and be relevant to the development of the individual. We have to ask whether the person presently has the skills to carry out what we are expecting, does he/she need training or can they learn by on the job training. TFinally, the task should be time-bound in that you have to set time targets for completion, and possibly for reviewing progress. If you are able to set SMART objectives it makes the job of evaluation and review much easier. Identify the need The need for staff training can be identified in a number of ways, such as during interviews, Through feedback from colleagues, by competence or knowledge tests, by observing work Taking place, or from appraisal documents or CVs. Skills and knowledge audits and a SWOT analyses are well-known techniques that can be used for self-assessment as well as For identifying the needs of individuals and groups. Skills and knowledge audit A ‘brainstorming’ session will identify the skills, knowledge and understanding required to Carry out a particular task. To help me identify my own development needs I used the table On the next page, by comparing my existing skills and knowledge with the recommended Ones helped me to determine the training and development needs I could need. SKILLSLevel requiredCurrent levelDevelopment needs Project designDegree or HNC level management and review Supervisory management plus some specific project trainingILM Level 3 Certificate in Principles of Leadership and Management Planning and reviewingManagement Level 2 S/NVQManagement Level 2 S/NVQAs above Staff managementManagement Level 2 S/NVQManagement Level 2 S/NVQNone required Team briefingManagement Level 2 S/NVQManagement Level 2 S/NVQAs above Effective presentationAbility to present projects to community groupsNot confident in presenting to groupsILM Level 3 Certificate in Principles of Leadership and Management Report writingProfessional quality reportsAlready presents high quality reportsNone required Assessment skillsVocational Assessor AwardHolds Skills Assessor AwardTo work towards the D33 Team skillsManagement Level 2 S/NVQManagement Level 2 S/NVQNone required Training of trainers3- to 4-day courseAlready holds three relevant training unitsNone required KNOWLEDGELevel requiredCurrent levelDevelopment needs Managemen t of Health and SafetyIOSH levelAlready holds IOSH and has attended specific trainingNone required Safety in Housekeeping legislationIOSH levelAs aboveAs above Employment legislationManagement Level 2 S/NVQManagement Level 2 S/NVQUpdating courses when available Appraisal system and how it worksSpecific knowledge and use of the systemHas carried out appraisals in other organisationsSpecific coaching only required Environmental legislationFull knowledge of relevant environmental legislationHas full knowledge through personal researchNone required Do not be over specific about each and every aspect of the job, and do not use vague Expressions: communication skills, for example, may cover questioning, listening and talking To a group. You should attempt to be as clear and concise as possible about the skill or Knowledge required. To help me identify the development needs of a member of my team I used a SWOT Analysis, this is a simple self-assessment tool and is the SWOT analysis or analysis of STRENGTHS, WEAKNESSES, OPPORTUNITIES and THREATS. This can be used on its own or with the skills and knowledge analysis. It is good technique For helping staff identify their own training needs with or without support. My Team leader StrengthsWeaknesses Has a strong background in supervisory management techniques.? Has not worked to any degree with groups of manual workers. ? Has used a pc competently in previous jobs.? Is unfamiliar with project management software. ? Has an IOSH Certificate.? Health and safety training did not cover everything needed for this roll. OpportunitiesThreats ? There will be a number of candidates selected for a higher level qualification in supervision? Lack of supervision / management skills can hamper progress. ? Growth in the path industry may mean that there are more higher level jobs available.? Other candidates may have worked with manual workers – I need to improve my leadership skills. Using the SWOT analysis has helped us to see some of the development areas my team Leader needs, and from this I can help by finding the right course to help in his development. AC 1. 3 Identify potential barriers to learning Workplace learning is the process of gaining relevant skills and knowledge at work, either Informally as you gain experience or formally through structured training. Barriers to Workplace learning are factors that slow down the process, misdirect it or prevent it from Happening. These factors differ from one type of job to another. Misdirection If your goal is to achieve long-term success in your field, you need to learn new skills and Abilities on an ongoing basis. A sales professional must improve his closing techniques and His understanding of customer psychology, while an information technology specialist needs To keep up with new technological developments. One potential barrier to effective Workplace learning is that you may learn something that provides a short-term advantage But actually works against your long-term professional development. For example, if you Learn how to close just enough sales to meet your quota consistently, this may discourage You from learning the sales techniques that would substantially improve your close rate. Stagnation Another barrier to workplace learning is getting caught in a rut. If the work you do is not Mentally stimulating or challenging, you may not continue to improve on the job. Company Culture also can have a big impact on whether employees keep growing and learning or Whether their skills and motivation stagnate. If you believe your supervisors aren’t interested In hearing what you have to say, won’t listen to concerns you have and don’t welcome your Questions, you won’t keep learning and improving. Companies that foster an open culture Are less likely to have this problem. Obfuscation Effective learning often depends on effective teaching, but not all teachers are equally skilled Or willing. Many workplace skills are best learned from an expert, and experts are not Always readily available. Some co-workers who do have genuine expertise are not willing to Share it openly. For instance, the company’s best programmer might be worried that if he Teaches new employees all the tricks of his trade, his own value to the organization will Decline and he could lose his position. Teaching materials such as training videos or Instructional manuals may be poorly explained, confusing or limited. Companies can Overcome these issues by rewarding employees who mentor others and ensuring that there Are adequate materials on hand to facilitate learning? Access Depending on the type of business, the employees may face problems outside of the Workplace that interfere with their ability to learn in the workplace. Low-skilled employees Often are eager to obtain training to improve their job skills, but they sometimes face Complex life situations that make this difficult. This can include obligations to family Members, lack of free time to engage in additional training, medical problems and lack of Funds to pay for any training the employer does not provide. Anything the company can do To make training more accessible and flexible can alleviate this problem. This is just a few of the potential barriers to learning and I have explained these in a bit more Detail, below is a small list of some others, this list is again only a short list there are possibly Many more. Employee learning not seen as critical to business success Identifying and analysing true learning needs is time consuming Employees reluctant to take the time out to learn and develop Available learning not seen as specific enough to job roles and company strategy Learning doesn’t deliver tangible benefit Learning solutions simply don’t deliver No observed behavioral change Learning solutions are costly and risky AC 1. 4 Explain how barriers to learning can be overcome Overcoming barriers to success involves assessing the situation, consulting experts, Considering alternatives and taking action. To manage your career effectively, you need to Take charge of your own development. By assessing your own skills, getting advice from Others, learning new skills and making informed decisions, you can achieve your goals. Overcoming challenges and setbacks usually requires a positive attitude, as well as Dedication and commitment. Feedback To communicate more effectively and overcome objections, start by collecting information About the problem at hand. Avoid misinterpretation, misunderstanding and mistakes by Assembling all the facts. Depending on the situation, you can conduct surveys, run focus Groups or simply start a conversation with a colleague. Listen carefully and pay attention to The subtle nuances of what people say. Then take action to use the feedback and address The problem, tell people what you did, evaluate the outcome and refine your approach if Necessary. For example, to improve your chances of getting a new position, ask a friend or Colleague to review your resume and cover letter. Does it reflect your skills and knowledge In the best manner? Make modifications based on their feedback and submit your Application. Join a professional organization in your industry to network with other business Professionals. By making new contacts, you can learn about new opportunities to use your Unique skills and experience. Change Barriers to change include reluctance to part with old ways, sadness and regret associated With loss, and fear of the unknown. Managing change effectively and overcoming these Obstacles involve setting a clear course for the future and establishing realistic goals. Recognize that change can be disruptive. Then commit to the transition and form new Strategies. For example, once you decide that you want to pursue a new a career in a Higher-paying field, get the training and experience you need to succeed, according to your Budget and time availability. Define goals that are specific, measurable, attainable, realistic And time constrained. For example, if you want to pursue a career in health services, you Might aim to complete your bachelor’s degree and earn a nursing degree in the next six Years by participating in an online university program. Decision Making Barriers to success often involve an inability to make good choices. Learning how to Evaluate options efficiently can help you ensure career success. Sometimes you need to Make a quick decision without consulting others to ensure your safety and well being. Other Times, get input from other people you trust to help you make an informed decision about The next step to take in your development. When you work on a team, there may be times When the group needs to collaborate to make a choice that impacts everyone. This can take Time but the results are typically beneficial in the long run. When you don’t have time or the Outcome doesn’t really matter to you, delegate decision making to a subordinate to keep Processes flowing smoothly. This might include tasks such as approving travel expenses That are under a certain amount. Productivity When your goals don’t align with those of your company, your motivation and desire to Perform decrease. Ensure that you fully understand your company’s strategic objective, Mission and values so that you can position yourself appropriately. Examine your work Habits. Manage your work day effectively to achieve your short and long-term goals. For use Online time management tools to focus your attention on the task at hand and complete Work in short segments. Managing your own productivity tends to improve your long-term Success. Section 2: Know how to develop self and others to achieve organisational objectives AC 2. 1 Briefly analyse learning/development options to meet need(s) of Self and another member of the team.

Wednesday, October 23, 2019

Post-War Boom Essay

Every 22nd of April, the world celebrates Earth Day, where the importance of environmentalism given emphasis. What was once an ideology is now a social movement, with major corporations joining in the campaign to preserve the environment. In the US, the road to environmental movement started as early as the 1960s but only reached extensive recognition in the 70s. In 1962, Rachel Carson, a biologist, wrote a book entitled Silent Spring, which exposed the threats brought on by the use of pesticides (Brinkley 875). She wrote that it was the first time that human beings were being subjected to â€Å"dangerous chemicals† and called on the government to act on it (LaFeber et al 547). But it was not only Carson who opened the door for environmental movement. Following the war, the drastic effect on the environment was starting to put people in a crisis. Water pollution was spreading; toxic fumes from factories and power plants had started to infiltrate the water and the atmosphere (Brinkley 876-877). In Ohio, for example, the Cuyahoga River had â€Å"burst into flames† following constant dumping of petroleum waste into it (877). The word â€Å"smog† was created to refer to the combination of smoke and fog which relentlessly plagued the people living in cities (877). Environmental destruction had started. The realization made people become aware of the possible damages it could inflict not just on the people but also on their surroundings. In fact, as early as 1950s, the Sierra Club, a traditional conservation organization, had contested the proposal to dam the Green River in Colorado (Glen Canyon Institute 2008). Sierra Club deemed the proposal as â€Å"America’s most regretted environmental mistake† (2008). The group sought to stop it but was in vain. The Glen Canyon damming opened the waters (put intended) for the environmental movement that when proposals for damming Marble and Grand Canyon were put forward, the Sierra Club staged not just protests but also placed advertisement in the New York Times to stop it. In a way, the Colorado incident put forth the rising environmental movement. It triggered the concern for environmental conservation and preservation. Among the environmental problems which people hoped to address were the aforementioned water problem, ozone layer, greenhouse effect, nuclear power and the escalating amount of garbage (Divine et al 870-871). For instance, studies in the 70s revealed the effects of chlorofluorocarbons (CFC) to the earth’s ozone layer (870). Scientists also discovered that smoke and other toxic fumes contributed to the formation of acid rain, which was dangerous not only to forests but the aquamarine (870). Only April 1970 the first Earth Day was celebrated in campuses, the start of what was to be a campaign to expand the threats of toxic wastes to the environment (LaFeber 547). Earth Day was the idea of Senator Gaylord Nelson of Wisconsin who initially thought of conducting a series of talks around campus (Brinkley 878). Compared to the antiwar rallies that as common during these days, the Earth Day demonstration had an â€Å"unthreatening† aura that made it interesting to people. During President Nixon’s first term, the Congress passed the National Environmental Policy Act and the creation of the Environmental Protection Agency (Brinkley 878). Laws were also created to regulate environmental hazards, preserve endangered species and protect wilderness areas (LaFeber 547). The Clean Air Act and Clean Water Act were passed in 1972 (Brinkley 878). The support of government in environmentalism made it easier to somehow alleviate environmental degradation brought on by pollution and the advancing industrial society. However, during the Reagan administration, federal cuts were made in favor of promoting private enterprises (547). Reagan also hoped to abolish the Council on Environmental Quality and cut funds for the Environmental Protection Agency (547). However, his anti-environmental revolution only made the environmental movement stronger. Environmental groups saw rise in its members.

Tuesday, October 22, 2019

The Aztecs And The Incas Essays - Aztec, Civilizations, Tenochtitlan

The Aztecs And The Incas Essays - Aztec, Civilizations, Tenochtitlan The Aztecs and the Incas The Aztecs and the Incas are two of the most memorable ancient Indian tribes because of their accomplishments and the way that they flourished and became two of the most prominent tribes in the Americas. The Aztecs, also known as the Mexica, dominated central and southern Mexico from the 14th to 16th centuries and are best known for having established an empire based on conquest, tribute paying and the religious sacrifice of humans and animals. The Quechian-speaking Incas established an extensive Andean empire in South America shortly before the conquest of the New World by the Europeans. These two empires arose from lowly beginnings. The Aztecs were forced to occupy the swampy area the western side of Lake Texcoco after the fall of the Toltec civilization. They converted their disadvantageous beginning into a powerfully advanced empire within two centuries, partially because of their belief in a legend. The legend goes on to say that they would establish a great civilization in a marshy area where they would see a cactus growing out of a rock and perched on top, an eagle eating a snake. Priests supposedly saw this in 1325 upon arrival and founded the great city of Tenochtitlan. As the Aztecs grew in number, they established superior military and civil organizations. The Incas, on the other hand, had no legend to guide them. They were originally a small warlike tribe inhabiting the south highland region of the Cordillera Central in Peru. They moved into the valley of Cuzco in at about 1100 and for roughly the next 300 years, raided and whenever possible, imposed tribute on neighboring peoples. Until the middle of the 15th century, however, the Incas undertook no imperialistic expansion or political consolidation. The empire reached it?s greatest extent in the reign of Huayna Capac. By this time, the Incas controlled a territory roughly the size of the Atlantic Coast states of the US. The capital city of the Aztecs was an artificial island, formed by piling up mud from the lake bottom, called Tenochtitlan, inhabited by over 100000 people, twice the population of any European city at the time. Tenochtitlan means ?Place of the Cactus? and under Montezuma, it became the most powerful city in Mexico. It had an advanced water supply system, with public fountains and reservoirs throughout the city. Laid out into a grid pattern, it was divided by canals- ?roads? for canoe traffic- and into four districts, each with it?s own temples, schools and markets. The edges of the city had simple housed for the poor; the center had grand houses for the rich. Markets were held every five days and people from everywhere came to sell goods, exchange gossip and news. Officers patrolled the streets and thieves would be tried and punished on the spot. Tenochtitlan was indeed a very organized city. The Incan empire was an agriculturally based theocracy rigidly organized along socialistic lines. The entire domain was also divided into four great regions or quarters and these regions were subdivided into provinces and various other lesser socioeconomic groups. While Tenochtitlan had a system of canals and paved roads to keep the city together, there was a great network of stone roads connecting all parts of the realm to the capital city of Cuzco. Trained runners, working in relays, covered up to 400 km a day delivering messages. Like the Aztecs, who often traveled around their city in canoes, the Incas had Balsa wood boats which provided a rapid means of transportation along rivers and streams. Although the Incas had neither horses, nor a system of writing, authorities in Cuzco were able to keep in close touch with developments around the empire with this system. Communication was also enhanced by keeping numerical records of troops, supplies, population data, and general inventories by means of knotted and colored string called quipus. The imperial administrators had everything under control. While the Incans had no form of writing, the Aztecs used pictographic writing, hieroglyphics, recorded on animal hides. Some of these writings still exist today. The hieroglyphics can also still be found on the ruins of ancient temples. They used a calendar system developed by the earlier Mayan civilization. Both civilizations had numerous gods and paid sacrifices to them. The Incans had the gods of sun, stars and weather. Their goddesses were of the earth, moon and sea. They had numerous and elaborate ceremonies and rituals, primarily centered on health and agricultural concerns. Live animals were often sacrificed at

Monday, October 21, 2019

Top 10 most stressful jobs for 2019

Top 10 most stressful jobs for 2019 Stress at work happens to everyone- it comes and goes, no matter how much you love what you do. Its causes can range from something fleeting, like an unusually heavy workload one week, to something more serious, like a toxic managerial environment. According to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, 40% of American workers say their job is very or extremely stressful. The Bureau of Labor Statistics defines occupational stress by days missed from work caused by a reaction to stress (as opposed to illness or injury), and finds it is often highest in white collar industries and service industries. So, working on an Alaskan oil rig can be physically dangerous and cause one kind of stress, while teaching first graders causes quite another.The most stressful jobs of 2019 are defined by their high stakes (life and death), public accountability, financial cost or the need for quick decision-making.The most stressful jobs you can have right nowSurgeonAs nerve-wracking it i s for someone to go under the knife, it takes a steady and well-trained hand to perform the work. With a median pay of around $250,000 per year, surgeons are well compensated for their high-stakes job- and must be highly prepared to deal with its pressures.The actual act of surgery often must be performed under intense scrutiny, can have life-altering effects for the patient, and can lead to potential litigation if something goes wrong. Surgeons’ actions can be the difference between life and death, and with that responsibility comes a high stress load.Politician/Political aideIf you’re in the political business in 2019 at the federal or state level, the spotlight can be hectic, and the choices you make can have severe consequences for the public. Political division between parties, as well as protests, and contentious town hall meetings, have been on the rise. So while people in politics help shape policies that affect the lives of people in their communities, they ma y also face confrontation and criticism from an ever-divided public.ReporterWhether it’s a newscaster who has to be on point for the camera or a writer facing a deadline, the fast pace, need for utmost accuracy, and highly public nature of the job makes this job anything but boring. From research, scooping the competition, to the continual need to create content amid the 24-hour news cycles, reporters can deal with a lot of stress, heavy workloads, and lots of traveling and long hours. On top of all that, this is a job of passion- not huge paychecks. While newspaper reporters’ median salary is around $43,000, the broadcast news analyst’s median salary is closer to around $62,000.Military personnelThe physical demands and life-threatening situations faced by soldiers are some of the highest stressors faced by workers the world over, with long-lasting repercussions from PTSD to physical injuries. In addition, no matter what department you are in, a military career has the potential to affect entire regions- a level of responsibility that is a burden to deal with on a daily basis. Other factors can also make the job stressful: constant travel, time away from family and a support network, and having to uproot family to move depending on assignments.FirefighterWildfires in California have recently created public health and ecological disasters- and firefighters are the ones at the scene, controlling the action and dealing with its after effects. Firefighters can work at different levels. They can be employed to help evacuate buildings on fire locally, but also entire regions under threat. They’re the ones running into danger whose main goal is to keep others safe, which requires a level-head and bravery in emergency situations, and can no doubt lead to stress.PR directorDid someone mention putting out fires? The PR executive is often considered someone who handles public relations disasters- when an oil company spills billions of gallons into the ocean, for example. Fixing an organization’s public image can take many stressful months (sometimes years). Cultivating media relations, monitoring PR campaigns, coordinating interviews, and being a spokesperson for a particular brand, may not seem as high-stakes as fixing an environmental disaster, but these tasks still come with a heavy workload. Mistakes in this job are often highly public, and thus consequential.Police officerPolice officers assess danger and threat, and often deal with the public in emergency situations. The fact that almost everyone now carries a small video camera around with them in their phone means the level of scrutiny and criticism the average police officer may face has also heightened over the past few years. This job responsible for public safety has high stakes and high importance- and high stress.Senior corporate executiveFinancial and insurance industries contain some of the most stressed people in the world, and the top spot at an y corporation will come with heightened responsibility for decision-making with heavy financial consequences. The corporate executive is beholden to workers, shareholders, and the public and clients they serve. The larger the organization, the heavier the weight of this responsibility. With a median salary for chief executives at around $183,00, this position is well compensated for the stress.TeacherMost people hate public speaking. Try doing it multiple times throughout the day for an audience that may include disinterested and unruly students who need to be disciplined in addition to being educated.Teaching comes with lots of hidden stressors. Teachers can make a lifelong impact on their students, which is a huge responsibility. Lesson planning and grading can have teachers working late nights. Teachers in low-income communities in particular, who have less support in technology or school supplies in the classroom, have an added stress in helping students reach learning goals. Th is is a rewarding job, but comes with a lot of stress for the median salary of between $56,000-$59,000 at the elementary level to high school levels.Catering managerWhile it’s not life or death, the catered event often involves a lot of money, a lot of people, and a lot of coordination and timing for events to run smoothly. How else can 200 dinners come out of the kitchen at the exact same time? Catering companies can take on several large-scale events in a single day, too, which requires a lot of planning of staff and resources.The catering manager, who is one of the key players responsible for making an event run smoothly, guides staff, works with chefs to serve dishes in a tight timeframe, interfaces with the public, and faces direct consequences both financially and through immediate customer feedback when things go awry.

Saturday, October 19, 2019

American Dream And The Civil Rights English Literature Essay

American Dream And The Civil Rights English Literature Essay As a continuation of the African-American quest for their racial pride and the creation of African-American political and cultural institutions in the United States of America, the role of dream was significant to the African-American people. It was not only a motif that was very much a part of the American phenomenon157, but was as a part of African culture as well. Dream had a reverence in the African-American community. African-Americans dealt with dreams as â€Å"part of their reality, and the course it’s related to the spiritual†.158 They believed, that was how God communicated to them. African Americans had a traditional way with dreams. Dreams were used all over Africa as part of â€Å"the healing process†, â€Å"if they [Africans] don’t dream, I [healer] cannot heal them†.159 That was from Zulu culture.160 Africans trusted dreams. They believed, in dreams their spirits came in touch with ancestors, or with the spirits of their living person s, or with higher spiritual being. Sometimes, dreams were used as a means of witchcraft, or they were sent by deceitful spirits. Other dreams might convey wisdom and interests of the departed. People, therefore, watched their dreams and talked about them, and they often took them to experts for interpretation. Traditionally, the interpreters of dreams included herbalists, sorcerers, diviners, and priests.161 Such beliefs (connecting dreams with ancestors) led Westerns to suppose mistakenly, that Africans worshiped their ancestors. However, the founder of Kwanzaa, 162 affirmed that Africans worshiped only God, the Creator, in his many manifestations. Ancestors were merely â€Å"spiritual intercessors between human[s] and the Creator†.163 These traditional dream beliefs were part of a broad enhancement of African-Americans’ identity in the United States of America. They represented the survival of African dream culture in Northern America.164 The cultural survival was mo re than just a useful concept. It was a deep article of faith for many of those whose forebears were torn from their native ground, scattered, and deliberately stripped of their cultures. In his play Going to Meet the Light, interviewee, Daniel Wideman linked between cultural survival, personal survival, and dreams. A character repeated what her grandmother taught her: She told me, the only thing that kept black folk going, through slavery and ever since, was that we got the power to remember what we never knew. That power is what kept our culture alive through the dark timesà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦But, no matter how dark it gets, we still rise. We rise because, together we can always remember a story we never knew, a dream we never dreamed and we can ride that dream out and up into the light.165 In an old short story, Paul Laurence Dunbar (1872-1906) had called attention to dreams as one device by which a slave kept going. â€Å"To [a slave,] slavery was [a] deep night. What a wonder, then , that he should dream, and that through the ivory gate should come to him the forbidden vision of freedom†.166 The general point was, however, the meaning of â€Å"survival† meant â€Å"dreaming†, which was one of the sophisticated coping devices by which African-Americans had â€Å"survived so well† through slavery to the present. This was what Darry Burrow stated, â€Å"It was a way to keep going and be a normal person, despite things that are designed to make [African American] not a normal person†.167 African-Americans’ endurance and survival during slavery were recognized by dream.

Friday, October 18, 2019

Economic Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Economic - Research Paper Example In this paper, we will look at the inflation of house prices in the United Kingdom and the variations in price from 2006 to 2012 as documented at http://www.economicsonline.co.uk/Competitive_markets/House_prices.html). According to the above mentioned website, inflation is the overall rise in price levels of goods in the economy over a period of time. The inflation of house prices has consequently reflected erosion in the money purchasing power. The website indicates that housing prices exhibit features such as rising price average in the long run, medium term volatility, dramatic price crashes and bubbles, and considerable price variations in different UK regions. The prices of houses has inflated from 2006 to 2012, for example, the house prices were as follows; 185.1K, 205.3K, 218K, 195K, 207.5K, 216.1K, 229.1K in 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012 respectively. The house prices crushed in the earlier years and recently between 2007 and 2009. The website has also detailed some of the reasons for this inflation as high demands and low supply of houses (http://www.economicsonline.co.uk/Competitive_markets/House_prices.html) According to the website, the crushing prices can be solved through increasing the supply and regulating demands which are the major causes of the inflationary prices. In order to increase the supply, the following are adopted: subsidies to private house constructors, public house building, relax house regulations, and tax and grant concessions. Demand on the other hand may be regulated through; altering deposit requirements, altering interest rates, and encouraging variations in mortgage

What are the key skills of leadership in present-day organization Essay

What are the key skills of leadership in present-day organization - Essay Example Great man theory articulates a leader is a supernatural being in the eyes of his employees. Effective leadership in the present organization requires perfection of several skills purported by several leadership theories. Both Vertical and horizontal leadership leads to culmination of power and influence across organizations circles. This is because it involves others in vexing organizational problems, success and making heroes in others. Many underuse vertical leadership because sucking up to the boss and serving an effective junior is tedious. Proper upward management calls for investing in communication, boss's priorities, preference, and decision-making styles. If insight is gained in this investment then an employee creates support for the boss and vice versa (Strati 1999). Communication deficit is common in most organizations; therefore managers should be quick to point out the problem lest risk the team ineffectiveness. Huczynski & Andrze (1985) enunciates that A leader’s goal should be mastery of interpersonal communication and strengthen it via one on one, fu ll staff, social media emails and be keen listener. In accordance with trait theory, some leadership skills are inborn. Leaders inherit this trait and leadership comes easily to them. Such leaders portray figures of authority and have communication with everyone they interact. Critical thinking skills envision leaders as vigilant in identifying and challenging assumptions behind the organizations actions or inactions. A leader should be wary of unproven theories, inferences, and generalizations while in times of emergency they should think decisively on their feet. To do so managers have to counter check on their biases when they blur their decisions and be independent thinkers. As a leader, make it a milestone to know each of your employees on a personal level. Management leadership theory supports the motivator acts by stating that ideal leadership considers the input of workers to effective leaders. The leaders dwell on encouraging participation and contribution of ideas. The the ory focuses on group performance and supervision organization. Behavioral theory believes that leaders are made and not born; they acquire leadership through teaching and observation. Such leaders learn through training on how to provide feedback to employees. They do so by embracing the â€Å"feedback contact lenses† which enable you to view people, and their importance. These â€Å"lenses† help you be alert to discover opportunities, help people on their performance and their importance in the organizations. Huczynski & Andrze (1985) clarifies that a leader should upgrade their interaction quality constantly. Embracing internal emails and coffee meetings with employs help strengthen the art of feedback. Strategic thinking, another leadership skill, involves getting the greater picture of the organization as well as its future. This means stepping aside from your work to view the entire office from a neutral point. This helps you set priorities in alignment with major goals, learn new items and discover the unexplored. Leadership Behavioral theory advocate for a leader to encourage innovation by encouraging and rewarding people who takes risks. Comparatively, network and communication connections should be formed between leaders and followers. Relationship theory advocates for teamwork or collaboration as a role model for effective networking. It depicts a spanning of old boundaries and breaking ice. The main barriers for networking or discomfort, distance with other experts and dissonance. To avoid these setbacks leaders should: stay in touch with others; change your assumptions about roles, learn about other

PALETIVE CARE FOR LUNGS CANSER PATIENT Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

PALETIVE CARE FOR LUNGS CANSER PATIENT - Essay Example â€Å"Bronchogenic carcinoma is a major cause of mortality world-wide and the survival rate has not improved significantly in the last 20 years. Over 150000 new cases of lung cancer are diagnosed in Europe every year but less than 10 percent are cured†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (Doyle, Hanks , Cherny, and Calman, K., 2005) The International Association for the Study of Pain (IASP) defines pain as an unpleasant sensory and emotional experience associated with actual or potential tissue damage or described in terms of such damage. (Morrow, 2009). It is an experience and assessment is difficult. There is no simple definition for palliative care also, and the definition based on the World Health Organization states â€Å"A Palliative care is care that improves the quality of life of patients and their families facing life-threatening illness. With palliative care particular attention is given to the prevention, assessment, and treatment of pain and other symptoms, and to the provision of psychological, spiritual and  emotional support.† (Avert, 2010) Due to lack of effective surgical and medical cure especially for the lung tumors, the importance of palliative cure in this area has significantly increased. In the disease management of lung cancer major surgery is rarely justified for palliation. â€Å"The National Council for Hospice and Specialist Palliative Care Services (1997) has defined psychosocial care as concerned with the psychological and emotional well being of the patient and their family/carers, including issues of self-esteem, insight into an adaptation to the illness and its consequences, communication, social functioning and relationships.† (Jeffrey, 2003, p.1) Palliative care for the patients who are at the verge of death has several dimensions to it apart from the pain associated with the disease. Understanding these following factors is very important as the entire gamut of the care hinges on appreciating the complexities of these factors, as the issue is not

Thursday, October 17, 2019

Thinking machine response Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 1

Thinking machine response - Essay Example According to Pinker, the mind works in a computational manner by processing representations in an algorithmic and rule controlled manner. Pinker notes that cognitive science has made it possible to study intelligence. It is difficult to define intelligence, but it is seeable. Intelligence is a measure of achieving goals under difficulties by undertaking sound decisions based on set rules. These set of rules provide a base for confirming or proving whether the decisions carried out are intelligent or not. Humans, according to Pinker, stand to learn a lot about the reasoning process and intelligence through computing machines. Intelligence gets derived from information and not from the spirit or a special substance. Pinker counters other definitions of intelligence forwarded by other thinkers such as those from the school of behaviorism who state that intelligence gets described in terms of desires and belief (Pinker 526). Pinker (536) uses the Turing machine to advance the computational theory of mind. He explains how a machine that can carry out rational thought can get built. The Turing machine processed symbols intelligently to provide data following set definitions, yet it was just an arrangement of gadgets. According to Pinker, the mind works in a similar way. The computational model of thinking states that the mind has representations, which it processes in a rule controlled and algorithmic way (Pinker 541). But it does not imply that the mind is similar to a machine. According to Pinker, unlike a single general purpose computer, the mind is a collection of computers which he refers to as ‘mental organs’. These ‘organs’ all carry out specialized subject matter, and each has its own learning mechanism. Pinker’s computational theory of mind offers selling points and others that can get argued as untrue. The first advantage is that it explains how a collection of matter such as the brain or computers can be intelligent. The

Template communication plan strategy for Nissan Motor Assignment

Template communication plan strategy for Nissan Motor - Assignment Example To achieve the company’s goal, Nissan Company need educate its customers so that they can alter their attitude and behavior to the benefits of the company needs of selling more automotive while still engages with its stakeholders. Tertiary audiences affect and influence the communication of the company to the customers and its shareholders. The Nissan competitors would want to know how the company is strategizing for the market so they can also make changes to their company’s strategies. Therefore, any decision that Nissan have to communicate to its customers and shareholders has to consideration of the effects it has on its competitors such as Toyota (Audience Strategy for All Professional Business Communication ). Nissan has one of the most valuable customers among the automotive manufacturing companies. They devout their life using Nissan made vehicles and other automobile products because they get the best products and services from the company. Nissan surprised one of their loyal customer, a Canadian woman, Ms. Karen Ackroyd with a new 2015 Nissan Micra (Nissan Motor Corporation, 2014a). This was as a result of her good perception toward attitude toward the company’s products. Therefore as demonstrated by Ackroyd, Nissan customers are engaged and respond to company’s communications. One of the main barriers to customer communication is the lack of sensitivity. The customer may be affected by another issue that may make him or her nonresponsive (Barriers to Effective Communication). Moreover, physical destructions such as a network problem, noise and bad formatting for email break down communication. Shareholders are the sensitive people to communicate to because they are keen on making return on their investment. Therefore, they take into account whatever is communicated with uttermost precaution. The lack of proper knowledge of

Wednesday, October 16, 2019

PALETIVE CARE FOR LUNGS CANSER PATIENT Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

PALETIVE CARE FOR LUNGS CANSER PATIENT - Essay Example â€Å"Bronchogenic carcinoma is a major cause of mortality world-wide and the survival rate has not improved significantly in the last 20 years. Over 150000 new cases of lung cancer are diagnosed in Europe every year but less than 10 percent are cured†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (Doyle, Hanks , Cherny, and Calman, K., 2005) The International Association for the Study of Pain (IASP) defines pain as an unpleasant sensory and emotional experience associated with actual or potential tissue damage or described in terms of such damage. (Morrow, 2009). It is an experience and assessment is difficult. There is no simple definition for palliative care also, and the definition based on the World Health Organization states â€Å"A Palliative care is care that improves the quality of life of patients and their families facing life-threatening illness. With palliative care particular attention is given to the prevention, assessment, and treatment of pain and other symptoms, and to the provision of psychological, spiritual and  emotional support.† (Avert, 2010) Due to lack of effective surgical and medical cure especially for the lung tumors, the importance of palliative cure in this area has significantly increased. In the disease management of lung cancer major surgery is rarely justified for palliation. â€Å"The National Council for Hospice and Specialist Palliative Care Services (1997) has defined psychosocial care as concerned with the psychological and emotional well being of the patient and their family/carers, including issues of self-esteem, insight into an adaptation to the illness and its consequences, communication, social functioning and relationships.† (Jeffrey, 2003, p.1) Palliative care for the patients who are at the verge of death has several dimensions to it apart from the pain associated with the disease. Understanding these following factors is very important as the entire gamut of the care hinges on appreciating the complexities of these factors, as the issue is not

Template communication plan strategy for Nissan Motor Assignment

Template communication plan strategy for Nissan Motor - Assignment Example To achieve the company’s goal, Nissan Company need educate its customers so that they can alter their attitude and behavior to the benefits of the company needs of selling more automotive while still engages with its stakeholders. Tertiary audiences affect and influence the communication of the company to the customers and its shareholders. The Nissan competitors would want to know how the company is strategizing for the market so they can also make changes to their company’s strategies. Therefore, any decision that Nissan have to communicate to its customers and shareholders has to consideration of the effects it has on its competitors such as Toyota (Audience Strategy for All Professional Business Communication ). Nissan has one of the most valuable customers among the automotive manufacturing companies. They devout their life using Nissan made vehicles and other automobile products because they get the best products and services from the company. Nissan surprised one of their loyal customer, a Canadian woman, Ms. Karen Ackroyd with a new 2015 Nissan Micra (Nissan Motor Corporation, 2014a). This was as a result of her good perception toward attitude toward the company’s products. Therefore as demonstrated by Ackroyd, Nissan customers are engaged and respond to company’s communications. One of the main barriers to customer communication is the lack of sensitivity. The customer may be affected by another issue that may make him or her nonresponsive (Barriers to Effective Communication). Moreover, physical destructions such as a network problem, noise and bad formatting for email break down communication. Shareholders are the sensitive people to communicate to because they are keen on making return on their investment. Therefore, they take into account whatever is communicated with uttermost precaution. The lack of proper knowledge of

Tuesday, October 15, 2019

Role of Human Resource Management Essay Example for Free

Role of Human Resource Management Essay Its the people in an organization that carry out many important work activities. Managers and HR professionals have the important job of organizing people so that they can effectively perform these activities. This requires viewing people as human assets, not costs to the organization. Looking at people as assets is part of contemporary human resource management and human capital management. Role of Human Resource Management The human resources management team suggests to the management team how to strategically manage people as business resources. This includes managing recruiting and hiring employees, coordinating employee benefits and suggesting employee training and development strategies. In this way, HR professionals are consultants, not workers in an isolated business function; they advise managers on many issues related to employees and how they help the organization achieve its goals. Collaboration At all levels of the organization, managers and HR professionals work together to develop employees skills. For example, HR professionals advise managers and supervisors how to assign employees to different roles in the organization, thereby helping the organization adapt successfully to its environment. In a flexible organization, employees are shifted around to different business functions based on business priorities and employee preferences. Commitment Building HR professionals also suggest strategies for increasing employee commitment to the organization. This begins with using the recruiting process or matching employees with the right positions according to their qualifications. Once hired, employees must be committed to their jobs and feel challenged throughout the year by their manager. Building Capacity An HRM team helps a business develop a competitive advantage, which involves building the capacity of the company so it can offer a unique set of goods or services to its customers. To build the an effective human resources, private companies compete with each other in a war for talent. Its not just about hiring talent; this game is about keeping people and helping them grow and stay committed over the long term.

Monday, October 14, 2019

Negative Effects of Childhood Obesity

Negative Effects of Childhood Obesity Stella Badalyants Abstract The purpose of this research paper is to inform about negative effects of childhood obesity. Children’s choices in foods are largely influenced by media and commercial advertising. Obesity has become a growing health concern at a very young age. Cultural differences including national history showed to have an effect on weight in children. Overweight children not only suffer from serious physical health issues but also with psychological problems brought on by teasing in school. Other factors like race, family background and age showed to make a difference in body weight. Parental supervision is important to prevent this growing desease, including television monitoring and consumption of foods high in sugar and fats. Childhood obesity has been one of the most serious medical health conditions for both children and adolescents. It occurs when a BMI or body mass index is 20 percent greater than normal which is when a child is above the normal weight to height ratio. In the past several decades a spike in overweight and obese children occurred in Western nations. Countries like Canada, Germany, Israel, Greece, Ireland and New Zealand have all become victims to this disease. With U.S. leading the way at 32 percent of overweight children and 17 percent of whom are obese (Berk, 2012, p.417). In 1995, health-care costs associated with excess weight were $51.6 billion or 5.7 % of the total U.S. health care expenses. Also, excess weight decreases productivity and leads to loss of work time (Peralta-Alva, et al., 2005).Childhood obesity has even spread to China, where 20 percent of children are overweight and 7 percent are obese, a percentage that was almost none existent one generation prior to this gener ation. In high populated cities obesity in children rose to 10 percent. Additionally, a Chinese culture belief that extra body weight shows prosperity and health has contributed to an alarming number of growth in obesity. It was carried over from centuries ago when famine caused numerous amounts of deaths. Childhood obesity also paves the way for future health problems as adults such as diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol, not to mention emotional and social difficulties. Obesity can also lead to poor self-esteem and depression; as well as a leading factor to severe complications including stroke, kidney failure, and circulatory problems that heighten the risk of blindness and amputations. Many psychologists also believe that weight bias can be contributing to obesity. Children who are overweight or obese tend to be vulnerable to negative comments and more prone to being victims of bulling. Classmates are common critics of obese children, and school is usually the setting where weight-based teasing and victimization happens. Psychologists also have done studies which showed that negative opinions about overweight children begin as early as age 3 to 5 in the preschool age. Preschoolers consider their overweight peers are mean and less wanted playmates compared to non-overweight children. When poled for their opinion, many children viewed over weight kids as stupid, ugly, lazy and have little to no friends. The children are then poled again at elementary school age and their opinions only get worse with reports that obese peers are selfish, dishonest, socially isolated, and are prone to teasing. The issue has become so common that research now informs us that based on a child’s weight we can predict if they will be victims of bulling due to their weight. (Griffiths, Wolke, Page, Horwood, 2006). Preconception of overweight children can damage the psychological state and increase exposure to depression, anxiety, low self-esteem and poor body image. Consequently, obese youth that are being victimized by their classmates are more likely to have suicidal thoughts than those overweight students who are not bullied. Also, having to deal with humiliation about weight only increases the possibility of participating in unhealthy eating habits as well as lower levels of physical activity. Recent research has found that gilt of being overweight is associated with greater calorie intake, lower energy outflow, and over all less weight loss in adults seeking weight loss treatment (Carels et al., 2009). Obesity has been influenced by many factors, especially those in demographic and social-economic nature. Agricultural efficiency improvements have taken place due to decrease in trade barriers which has led to lower service prices. Fast-food chains are all offering fries, burgers and soft drinks at low costs. U.S. has spent $7.3 billion in advertisement for food in 1999, $765 million of that was spent on advertising gum and candy. Advertisement for soft drinks were at $549 million and snacks were at a somewhat low of $330 million (Story et al., 2004). High fructose corn syrup has been linked to childhood obesity in many studies. The fact that soft drinks are pumped full of high fructose corn syrup only adds to the problem. Innovations in technology have been a blessing and a curse, on one hand efficiency and productivity has increased in jobs that require labor, however those same labor saving gadgets decrease the amount of effort put into the job, therefore decreasing the amount of calorie burn per activity. Technology such as television, computers and dishwashers have all been created to save time and provide entertainment, but overuse of these tools has led to a much more serious issue. Biking and walking among Americans has decreased drastically, on the other hand, driving has increased as a source for transportation. Even short trips to the store or park have been largely dominated by vehicle transportation. Children have started losing a large amount of exercise time due to increased time spent playing video games and watching television. Cooking and preparing food has become substantially easier, this has led to more meal consumption among Americans, which is another major reason for increased weight in both children and adults. The average American home had 0% microwave ovens in the 1960’s, today over 80% of households owns one (US DOE, 2006). Patterns of food consumption have changed all together, people are now consuming more carbohydrates and fats than ever before. Ownership of television sets have also increased from as low as 10% in the 1950’s to nearly 100% today (Nielson Media Research, 1995). Which of course led to increase in time spent watching T.V. Many studies in the past have calculated endless data on changes of eating habits, level of activity and income changes in U.S. However a study by Tangel Chang, James M. Barrett and Stephen A. Vosti tests the importance of each factor in the rise of body weight. Although the study is not limited to only children, the results are certainly eye opening to future consequences. Factors such as gender, ethnic background and family income are all associated with weight. Studies show that some groups are at a greater risk of becoming overweight than others. Those include women, children, non-whites, those who are not college graduates and the lower class (Chang, Barrett, Vosti, 2006, p. 14). In addition, being born in the U.S. did not have the same effect on weight and waist size as it did on body mass index (BMI). This shows that those born in the U.S. have a higher BMI but not physical height. There are a number of areas that need to be emphasized to reverse the problem. Watching televis ion and engaging in other seated activities, such as playing video games, have proven to be an issue. There has also been a correlation between abdominal obesity, like waist circumference, waist to hip ratio, waist to height ratio, and serious risk factors among children like type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease develop as they reach adulthood (Freedman et al., 0, p.38). Another detailed study held from 2011 to 2012 had similar results. Participating in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey study were 9120 people who were measured in weight and height. About half of the group, 5181 people, were adults age 20 or above, 584 were infants and toddlers. The result revealed that 31.8 percent of children were overweight, of which 16.9 percent were obese. There was no difference in obesity occurrence between boys and girls in 2011 to 2012. However there were race and age differences. Non- Hispanic white, non-Hispanic black and Hispanic youth all had a higher probability of obesity than non-Hispanic Asian youth. Also non-Hispanic white youth had lower obesity frequency than non-Hispanic black and Hispanic youth. Over 8 percent of 2 to 5 year olds were obese as compared to 17.7 percent of 6 to 11 year olds and 20.5 percent of 12 to 19 year old youth. Additionally, there were 13.9 percent of teenagers age 12 to 19 with a BMI of greater than or eq ual to 30, which meets the definition of obesity in adults (Ogden, PhD, Carroll, MSPH, Kit, MD, Flegal, PhD, 2014, p.3-4). Food choices that children make have largely been influenced by the media, with television advertising targeting infants and toddlers. Many studies have focused on explaining how advertisement of fast foods, sugary snacks and many other foods with high amounts of fat, sodium and sugar are contributing to childhood obesity. Due to the high amount of hours children spend watching television, children are highly exposed to the growing number of food advertisements, which lead to unhealthy food choices. To add to the issue there is less physical activity as most of their free time is spent watching television. Extensive research has proven that time spent watching television and obesity have a direct correlation. Obesity is increased by 2 percent for every extra hour spent watching television, children that spend more than four to five hours watching television are at a higher rate of obesity than those who only watch two or less hours. (Arnas, 2006). As the appeal to children grow in fo od advertising, so do the requests by children for those advertised foods, as do the actual purchases of those foods by the parents. A fact that also seems to be overlooked is that children now have televisions in their rooms, as high as thirty percent of children age 0 to 3 and 43 percent of children 4 to 6 years of age (Connor, 2005). It is a significant factor in the likelihood of overweight children. The nutritional value of major advertised foods for children are nowhere near the recommended dietary guidelines. Parents and pediatricians seem to overlook the advertising message children are exposed to on a daily basis. The market teams behind these advertisements design them to intentionally influence children’s preference and consumption in foods. Dr. Susan Connor conducted an eye opening study on the most popular channels watched by children. In her research results, Disney Chanel had the least amount of advertisements, totaling 26 for the 5 hours that it was recorded. Of those, 17 were Disney products and 9 were of McDonald’s. PBS led second with a total of 65 advertisements, of which 39 were focused on fast food. The highest of the three was Nickelodeon, having 283 advertisements in the 5 hours, of which 41% were of fast foods such as McDonald’s, Wendy’s and Chuck E. Cheese. Additionally, 41 percent was used to advertise sugary cereal, 14 percent went for snacks and 4 percent to frozen treats (Connors, 2005). A large amount of fun, excitement, bright colors and actions are incorporated into children’s advertisements. Snack food advertisements are promoted as cool, uniquely shaped, brightly colored and yummy tasting. Fast food advertisements use the appeal of the latest toys as a selling point. Overall, the actions and the energy of children featured in the commercials are laughing, giggling, playing, high energy, excitement and activity. Based on the social cognitive theory, children learn to model their behaviors on what is shown by the media, including the models in their present social environment (Dixon et al, 2007). As presented by the social cognitive theory, it is expected for children that are exposed to certain patterns of eating habits modeled on television are to adopt them as their own. Positive association towards junk food as advertised on television, such as the perception that those foods are consumed by other children their age, reported to have increased the consumption of such junk food (Dixon et al., 2007). Same concept applies to advertisements of nutritious foods, positive association to healthy, nutritious alternatives can increase appeal to children. Increasing the frequency of healthy food advertisements versus fast food commercial can also promote a healthier option when faced with opposite choices. Encouraging an active lifestyle has shown to improve weight numbers. Tendency of obesity seems to lean towards women and children, so programs that encourage movement and exercise instead of television and video games are especially valuable. Those who struggle with being overweight can take on activities that emphasize muscle building, which showed to be very beneficial towards weight loss. Previous diet results showed that based on total caloric intake, it is more important to watch how much each type of food is being eaten rather than focus on the whole level of intake. Areas to focus on would be sugar and fat. A variety filled diet of fruits, vegetables, healthy carbohydrates and proteins is a good habit to develop. Children and women are especially prone to obesity, so encouragement in eating healthier foods are especially beneficial to preventing the development of the disease. It was also found that it becomes increasingly difficult to lose weight as we age, so starting health y eating habits at an early age can help continue the healthy lifestyle into adulthood, therefore preventing the development of obesity. Best treatment for obesity currently available are multi-layered lifestyle changes that focus on dietary interventions and promotions of physical activity. Furthermore, involvement of family members is a key feature of effective interventions, especially in cases of multifaceted interventions where trained experts in disciplinary teams are needed. The intensity of such an intervention should depend on the degree of obesity as well as the child’s age. In addition, parents should be sure to take their children to routine pediatric visits, during every visit a health care professional measures the weight and height of the child and assess for any unnecessary weight gain based on height. The doctor should also take into account any factors, like the child’s rate of weight gain and parents’ weight status. Health care professionals such as pediatricians and primary care doctors are viewed by parents as authorities of their child’s health. Therefore it is their p rofessional duty to make parents aware of their child’s excess weight early to allow time for prevention and intervention. Children who consume a variety of high nutrient rich foods such as fruits, vegetables, low-fat or nonfat dairy products, and whole grains are less likely to be overweight and obese. Child care facilities should provide meals that are high in nutrient content so as to be consistent with the healthy diet the parents have set at home, as well as ensuring that children have access to healthy foods and portions appropriate for their age. Government agencies should put high efforts into affordable nutritional meals for families in local communities, by making the most of their participation in the federal nutrition assistance programs. The federal government should also set up nutritional guidelines for children under two years of age, as it is important to start good habits at a very young age. Parents should monitor how much time a child spends per day watching television, versus how many hours they spend doing outdoor physical activities. Parents and childcare providers should also focu s on promoting healthy sleep schedules, evidence suggests that short duration of sleep is a risk factor for obesity. Yet another reason why parents need to limit television and video games, especially at night. References Arnas, Yasare. The effects of television food advertisement on children’s food purchasing requests. Pediatrics International. 2006; 48, 138-145. Carels, R.A., Young, K.M., Wott, C.B., Harper, J., Gumble, A., Oehlof, M.W., Clayton, A.M. (2009). Weight bias and weight loss treatment outcomes in treatment-seeking adults. Annals of Behavioral Medicine, 37, 350-355. Chang, T., Barrett, J. M., Vosti, S. A. (2006). The Physical, Social, and Cultural Determinants of Obesity: An Empirical Study of the U.S. Connor, Susan, PhD. Food-related advertising on preschool television: Buidling brand recognition in young viewers. Pediatrics. 2005; 118, 1478-1485. Freedman, D. S., Kahn, H. S., Mei, Z., Grummer-Strawn, L. M., Dietz, W. H., Srinivasan, S. R., Berenson, G. S. (0). Relation of body mass index and waist-to-height ratio to cardiovascular disease risk factors in children and adolescents: the Bogalusa Heart Study1-4. Griffiths, L.J., Wolke, D., Page, A.S., Horwood, J.P. (2006). Obesity and bullying: different effects for boys and girls. Archives of Disease in Childhood, 91, 121-125. Nielson Media Research, 1995 Ogden, PhD, C. L., Carroll, MSPH, M. D., Kit, MD, B. K., Flegal, PhD, K. M. (2014). Prevalence of Childhood and Adult Obesity in the United States, 2011-2012 Cynthia L. Ogden, PhD; Margaret D. Carroll, MSPH; Brian K. Kit,MD, MPH; Katherine, 311(8), 3-4. Peralta AA Pere Gomis, P, The macroeconomics of obesity in the United States, Macroeconomics 0503014, Economics WPA, revised 28 Mar 2005 Story, M and French, S, â€Å"Food Advertising and Marketing Directed at Children and Adolescents in the US, Int J Behav Nutr Phys Act., 2004; 1:3. U.S. Department of Energy http://www.energy.gov/ Berk,L.E. (2012). Chapter 11. In Infants and children: Prenatal through middle childhood (p.417). Boston: Pearson Allyn Bacon.