Psychology discussion Essay

The findings from this research that trigrams in an organised list will be recalled better than those in a disorganised list have supported the evidence of Millers theory. Miller (1956) found that the magic number 7+-2 can be increased using the method called chunking. This would relate to this piece of research as the amount of individual letters remembered was a lot bigger than the value 7+-2. Participants in the organized condition on average recalled about twenty one letters, and in the disorganized condition they recalled about nine letters. This supports Millers view; that more items can be remembered if they are recalled in â€Å"chunks†. This experiment can be extended to investigate the theory of expert chess players having better chunking abilities than novice players (Chase and Simon (1973)). The expert chess players could recall more information about the relationship of chess pieces than those of amateur chess players, the expert’s could recall up to 30 pieces of information, compared to only seven pieces for amateur players. This links to my experiment because using the technique chunking on an organised and disorganised list of words, led to an improvement in the number of trigrams recalled in the organised condition rather than the disorganised condition. In the organized list around 21 individual letters were recalled, compared to only 9 in the disorganized list. This supports Chase and Simons view that chunking can lead to better recall. My experiment was based on a previous study by Bowers in 1969; the results produced are similar to those obtained by Bowers. Table comparing the result of my study and Bowers study: This Study Bowers Study Average words recalled % of Words Average words recalled % of Words Organised 7. 1 71% 16. 9 65% Disorganised 2. 9 29% 4. 94 19% The results are quite similar although the results above have a higher percentage of words recalled for both the organised and disorganised list compared to Bowers results, however this is due to the fact that more words were involved in Bowers list: – 26 compared to the 10 words used on my list. This will have had an affect on memory as the participant is challenged to remember more words. Bower used a theme of minerals; whereas in my experiment it involved a mixture of random trigrams. This could have affected the ability to recall; especially if Bowers’ participants had greater knowledge than others. However this problem did not occur in my experiment as it was not based around one particular theme. On the whole my results are similar to those obtained by Bowers. E2- Strengths and Weaknesses of the investigation: A strength of this investigation was the method used. This was a laboratory experiment. This method was very reliable and accurate as it allowed manipulation and full control over the variables (i. e. whether the participant is given the organised or disorganised list of trigrams). Therefore the results which were obtained were reliable, and the experiment could be easily replicated by another researcher. A strength of this experiment was that ethics was taken into consideration as informed consent was used to gain approval from the participant, to take part in the experiment. Participants were told they were taking part in a psychology experiment. Also confidentiality was abided by as well as all participants had the right to withdraw there results at any time, also none of their personal details were taken such as names and address. A weakness of this experiment could be the design; as an independent groups design was used; there may have been individual differences between participants. As those participants in the organized condition may have been more intelligent than those in the disorganized condition; this could have lead to them recalling more trigrams than those in the disorganized condition. E3- Consideration of alternative method: An alternative method could be used to test the affect of organisation on memory recall rather than an experimental method. A field experiment can be used so the test can be carried out in a natural setting. The new test can be carried out in school; for example a teacher can carry out an examination on students by testing a group of students to remember a list of abbreviations. This would be testing the ability to recall organized trigrams. Another classroom could be asked to play a game; where their partner gives them three random letters; if they answer a question wrong in a quiz they must recall the three letters they were told at the beginning. A new disorganized trigram would be used every time a question was answered incorrectly. This would then allow you to test the ability to recall disorganized trigrams. An advantage of this over the other method is that it would be carried out in participant’s everyday settings; therefore it would be more realistic, which would give the experiment more ecological validity. This method will also reduce demand characteristics. Students will believe that this is a real test, and therefore they will pay attention and take the task seriously. Although they will not know it is a task into memory; they will believe it is an important test. This method would be relevant for the aim and hypothesis of the study, as it would show if there is a clear difference, in the organized and disorganized trigrams recalled and it would also improve the reliability of the results. E4- Application of findings and suggestion for future research: In conclusion, this investigation has found that 16-18 year olds on average recall more trigrams from an organised list than a disorganised list. This research has proven that chunking and organization does increase the capacity of short-term memory. Therefore a link can be made to the real world for example if someone has to remember security numbers or phone numbers. Short codes can be chunked into one unit, although longer series of numbers like phone numbers may be chunked into two or three sections. This will help to aid recall, also chunking and organisation can help with revision. For example, by revising from notes arranged in an organised style this should organise the data in the brain and encourage better recall in exams and therefore good exam results. This research can also be applied when people do daily shopping. For example items of a similar nature can be chunked together into one group, e. g. , peas, cabbage and broccoli could be chunked under a vegetables group, so that they can be remembered as one chunk rather than three individual units. This research can be applied to future research by investigating if using chunking technique for exam revision can aid better recall thus better exam results. For example teachers could hold revision session’s using call cards which are chunked into small amounts of detail for the student to remember. They can then test to see if students with revision aids did better than those without.

Overview and Criticisms of Andragogy

Andragogy, the art and scientific discipline of learning grownups, is based on a set of nucleus premises about why and how grownups learn. The first premise is that grownups are autonomous ( Knowles, 1984 ) . As a consequence, grownups learn best when their acquisition procedure can be autonomous, instead than centered in a traditional, dependent educational environment. Second, grownups have both a greater figure of experiences from which to larn and a wider assortment of experiences upon which they can pull ( Knowles, 1984 ) . Third, grownup function development plays an of import portion in spurring acquisition in grownups ( Knowles, 1984 ) . For illustration, as a individual ages and takes on new functions such as that of a attention supplier to a kid or an aged parent, that person has the demand to larn new accomplishments. A 4th premise is that, because grownup acquisition is straight related to adult development, grownup acquisition is focused on work outing jobs or executing new undertakings ( Knowles, 1984 ) . Finally, Knowles ( 1984 ) assumes that grownups are chiefly driven by internal incentives and non external forces. Criticisms of Andragogy Both Lee ( 2003 ) and Sandlin ( 2005 ) describe multiple reviews of Knowles ‘ ( 1984 ) five premises. Lee ( 2003 ) challenges andragogy on the footing that it falsely incorporates the importance of context. Harmonizing to Lee ( 2003 ) , andragogy is an individualistic construct, concentrating merely on the context a learner brings from his or her ain experiences. Andragogy fails to see that the person does non be in a vacuity and that persons have many individualities that may â€Å" impact their positions of acquisition and ways of battle in the acquisition procedure † ( Lee, 2003, p. 12 ) . Sandlin ( 2005 ) undertook an integrative literature reappraisal that found that critical theoreticians found andragogy to be missing in five major and interconnected ways. First, andragogy dainties education as a impersonal, nonpolitical activity. Second, the full construct is based on a â€Å" generic † scholar who tends to be white, male, and in-between category. Third, andragogy appears to value merely one manner of knowing and ignores voices that do non suit into the theory. Fourth, the construct is about wholly individualistic, disregarding the importance of context. Finally, andragogy does non dispute the prevalent societal construction, even if that societal construction promotes inequality ( Sandlin, 2005 ) .My PremisesIn developing my ain premises for andragogy, I have incorporated non merely the reviews presented by Lee ( 2003 ) and Sandlin ( 2005 ) but besides those based on my ain experiences as an grownup scholar and as a instructor of grownups. Most of them refl ect the simple fact that worlds are frequently complicated. My first premise is that grownups may be self-directed in their acquisition journeys, but they may besides elect to set about a acquisition procedure because they are directed to make so by an external force. This premise addresses Sandlin ‘s ( 2005 ) review that andragogy is based on the thought that there is a generic scholar. Men and adult females may hold really different grounds for desiring to larn certain things, for illustration. As an pedagogue, it is of import to listen to the voices of your pupils. Second, grownups may hold been about longer but that does non intend they are capable of larning from their experiences. Most people go through life holding experience after experience, but non all of those experiences are capable of supplying a minute of larning. In add-on, non everyone is interested in or capable of believing about their experiences in such a manner as to larn something from them. This premise incorporates the unfavorable judgment that andragogy, as it was originally presented, merely valued one manner of larning – that of larning from experience ( Sandlin, 2005 ) . A 3rd premise is that grownups may larn non merely to develop the accomplishments and cognition needed for a new developmental function but besides to turn to a demand within their community. This premise addresses the concerns of both Lee ( 2003 ) and Sandlin ( 2005 ) that andragogy is excessively focused on the person and non focused plenty on the societal context of the person or on the demand for persons to turn to unfairness in community. At times, our communities may name us to set about a new function for which we need new accomplishments. In other instances, an grownup might see a job within the community and put out to larn what is needed in order to work towards a solution. Andragogy must admit that larning is non merely about the person. A 4th premise is that grownups might desire to larn to work out jobs but they might besides larn merely because larning is merriment. Again, this is a reaction to the unfavorable judgment that andragogy posits a generic scholar ( Sandlin, 2005 ) . Adults learn for many grounds. An grownup who is researching a new avocation or larning a new athletics may non really be trying to work out a job. Rather, they may be larning because it is fun to make. Finally, grownups might hold multiple motives for larning peculiar things at specific times. We may so be driven to larn for a sense of interior accomplishment, but we may besides be driven to larn so that we can conflict our kid ‘s school territory when they deny our kid something he or she needs. Learning can be a extremely political activity and acquisition can take to political activity ( Sandlin, 2005 ) . Andragogy should ne'er presume that grownup motive to larn is entirely driven by internal demands and desires. Using grounds you select from your readings explicate how race, gender and sexual orientation can impact grownup development or acquisition. Please supply CONCRETE illustrations of EACH positionality ( e.g. one illustration for race, one illustration for gender, and one illustration for sexual orientation ) . ( Hint: Narratives from Adult Learning and Development: Multicultural Narratives may be a good topographic point to get down when seeking to reply this inquiry. ) ( 3 points ) Race, gender, and sexual orientation, in add-on to other personal identifiers such as category, can positively and negatively affect both grownup development and acquisition. In this essay, I briefly examine several concrete illustrations of the relationship between development or acquisition and a scholar ‘s race or cultural individuality, gender, and sexual orientation.Race and Ethnic IdentityRace and cultural individuality can impact larning in a assortment of ways. First, race and cultural individuality can act upon what is of import or proper for an person to larn. La Tortillera, a short narrative by Patricia Preciado Martin ( 2000 ) , provides a good illustration of how race and gender intersect in finding what it is proper for, in this instance, a Latina to larn. In this civilization, it is of import for a adult female and a female parent to larn how to do tortillas for her household. Her female parent shows Ms. Martin over and over once more how to do tortillas, even th ough Ms. Martin finds the tortilla doing lessons to be thwarting non merely because she can ne'er acquire them merely right but besides because they are a reminder of her insufficiencies as a Latina adult female and a female parent. How persons of specific races and cultural individualities are treated can besides play a critical function in how persons experience acquisition. Because of racism, minority pupils are less likely to finish postsecondary instruction ( Swail, 2003 ) . Unfortunately, in a racialist and classist system, minorities frequently attend ill funded schools that lack modern equipment and text editions or that are insecure. If they enroll in college or in an big instruction plan, they may still hold to cover with the long-run effects of racism. Over 50 % of Black alumnus pupils, for illustration, reported being the marks of racist actions on campus and experienced â€Å" isolation, solitariness, disjunction, and favoritism † as a consequence ( Johnson-Bailey, Valentine, Cervero, & A ; Bowles, 2009, p. 192 ) . The affect of racism on larning need non be wholly negative, nevertheless. Developing a strong sense of ego in the face of racism can take scholars to reengage with their civilizations and communities. â€Å" Such bitterness can be directed by more deeply prosecuting with and repossessing one ‘s civilization, history, and heritage, and thereby redefining what it means to be ‘me, ‘ instead than defined ( be either oneself or the dominant civilization ) harmonizing to what one is non aˆÂ ¦ â€Å" ( Smith & A ; Taylor, 2010, p. 53 ) .GenderGender can besides present challenges to the development and larning experiences of adult females and work forces. In the acquisition environment she was analyzing, Cain ( 2002 ) described a state of affairs in which a really traditional power moral forces based on gender developed. The adult females attempted to develop consensus among all participants, while a little group of males took over the meetings and ignored the voic es of everyone else in the room. The lessons for all involved were tragic. â€Å" The importance of this for acquisition is that so many of the initial participants, including all the adult females, learned that their parts were non valued and they quit the group † ( Cain, 2000, p. 70 ) . The work forces ‘s developmental procedure had taught them that their voices were the most of import, and, as a consequence, they ignored and alienated other voices that could hold brought a great trade of cognition to the work. Another illustration that shows how gender can act upon the acquisition experiences of work forces and adult females can be seen in Michael Dorris ‘ ( 2000 ) short narrative Groom Service. In the narrative, Bernard and Marie both exhibit behaviours they have learned as the appropriate behaviours for their gender. What Bernard learns, in peculiar, is described in the narrative. Bernard ‘s accomplishments include runing. â€Å" Subsequently he thought about hunting, how he could hold succeeded the times he had failed, how the animate beings behaved, how they smelled and sounded † ( Dorris, 2000, p. 219 ) . Bernard besides learns proper behaviour around his hereafter in-laws, with whom he will populate in this matrilinear society.Sexual OrientationLike race and gender, sexual orientation can both positively and negatively affect development and acquisition. For illustration, if they are non â€Å" out † to their household, friends, or instructors, sapphic, bise xual, homosexual, and transgender ( LGBT ) pupils may endure from anxiousness about their sexual orientation ( Messinger, 2004 ) . They may make up one's mind to remain in the cupboard because they fear that being unfastened about their orientation might take to violence against them ( Messinger, 2004 ) . They may besides fear that their parents will retreat fiscal and emotional support from them ( Freedman, 2009 ) . As with persons who grow stronger by confronting racism, pupils who develop strong self-identities in the face of homophobia can come through the experience stronger. They frequently show a more extremely developed sense of empathy and better critical thought accomplishments than those who have non had to confront the same challenges ( Messinger, 2004 ) . You have taken Howard Gardner ‘s Multiple Intelligence Test online. You are in charge of developing resident hall helpers. Their highest multiple intelligence is one of your underside three intelligences based on your trial consequences. List your group ‘s acquisition manner and supply a class rubric ( .25 point ) Supply one class aim ( see the CAHA 501 class course of study or seek information on the cyberspace to decently word a class nonsubjective if you do non hold experience composing aims ) . ( .75 point ) Describe how you would learn that nonsubjective to your pupils based on their learning manner. Use concrete illustrations ( at least two ) and do a clear and direct connexion between the acquisition manner and accomplishing the instruction of your aim. ( 2 points )Learning Styles and My Training CourseMy underside three intelligences were societal ( 3.14 ) , body motion ( 3.00 ) , and spacial ( 3.00 ) . For the intents of this essay, my resident hall helpers will be strongest in bodily-kinesthetic intelligence. Learners that excel in bodily-kinesthetic intelligence frequently use parts of their organic structure or their full organic structure as they work through the acquisition procedure ( Smith 2002, 2008 ) . As a consequence, they learn best through hands-on exercisings, including edifice things and function playing ( Armstrong, 2009 ) . The class I will be offering them as portion of their preparation is â€Å" Helping the International Student Transition to American Higher Education. † The class aim is to develop empathy among resident hall helpers for the challenges that international pupils face when get downing college in the United States.Training ExercisesArmstrong ( 2009 ) suggests that one method to prosecute pupils with strong kinaesthetic acquisition intelligence is to function drama or move out what you want them to larn. To assist resident hall helpers gain a better apprehension of what it is like to be an international pupil go toing college in the United States for the first clip, I will offer a function playing exercising. In the exercising, the scholars will draw a scenario out of a chapeau. They will hold to function drama either an international pupil confronting a barrier or challenge or a resident hall helper tasked with assisting the pupil work through the state of affairs. An illustratio n of one scenario that the trainees might move out would be that of a South Korean female pupil who has been harassed by other pupils for walking arm in arm with her female friends. While this is a common behaviour for immature adult females in South Korea, in the United States, it can put pupils up for homophobic torment. The function of the occupant hall helper in this scenario would be to assist the South Korean pupil understand why they are being harassed and to speak through schemes for covering with the negative emotions torment can breed and for advancing personal safety. Another function drama might affect moving like an Ethiopian pupil who has enrolled in a northern college without cognizing that winter vesture, like a coat, is needed. This exercising advances the nonsubjective by assisting the pupils function play a state of affairs in which they take on the character of an international pupil confronting a realistic job. As portion of the preparation plan, I would state the occupant helpers that tiffin will be provided to them. The intent of the tiffin, nevertheless, is to offer them another kinaesthetic acquisition chance. Another manner in which to advance improved acquisition by kinaesthetic scholars is to prosecute them in hands-on activities or, in this instance, a oral cavity and stomach-centered activity ( Armstrong, 2009 ) . Our tiffin would be set up like the cafeteria at an American university. The nutrient would non be labeled, and they would stand for assorted nutrients that are eaten around the universe that might be unusual to American pupils. For illustration, there might be nutrients such as curried caprine animal, lingua greaser, stewed okra, natto ( fermented soya beans ) , blood pudding, kifte ( extremely spiced natural beef ) , kim qi ( spicy fermented veggies ) , and bread fruit and drinks like horchata and ginger beer. Sing such a counter might be disorientating to scholars who are steeped in American civilization and who are used to school bill of fares of pizza and beefburgers. This exercising provides pupils with a concrete, hands-on acquisition experience, that of being forced to choose and eat nutrients that are unusual without any anterior experience or counsel ( McKenzie, 1999 ) . It promotes the nonsubjective by leting the occupant hall helper to see what an international pupil might see the first twenty-four hours in the cafeteria. You have taken the Emotional Intelligence Test online. a ) Argue for or against the usage of emotional intelligence trials in engaging. You need to mention at least TWO ( 2 ) beginnings outside class stuffs to back up your reply. ( 2 points ) I find the thought of emotional intelligence to be extremely attractive. â€Å" Emotional intelligence is a set of abilities that includes the abilities to perceive emotions in the ego and in others, usage emotions to ease public presentation, understand emotions and emotional cognition, and modulate emotions in the ego and in others † ( Mayer & A ; Salovey, 1997 ) . Even though the construct of emotional intelligence presently is supported as a â€Å" separate concept of intelligence † by small empirical grounds ( Merriam, Caffarella, & A ; Baumgartner, 2007, p. 383 ) , I find that this theoretical account speaks to me because it argues for the importance of a really of import portion of life that is frequently denigrated or denied. How we interact and perceive the universe is non merely cold and rational, but instead our emotions play an of import portion in how we perceive the universe and how we learn and make significance. Dirkx ( 2008 ) argues that â€Å" emotional issues ne'er seem really far from the surface in grownup acquisition contexts † ( p. 9 ) . Emotions can impact how the pupil reacts to a schoolroom puting. They can besides impact, positively or negatively, how good an single learns, particularly if a scholar is scared or fearful ( Rager, 2009 ) . In add-on, struggles between scholars can make negative emotions that negatively impact the ability to larn ( Dirkx, 2008 ) . Having emotional intelligence can break aid scholars understand non merely their ain acquisition procedure but besides can assist them understand what their fellow scholars are traveling through. The usage of emotional intelligence trials in hiring, nevertheless, is a different affair. Does emotional intelligence play an of import function in an person ‘s ability to be a good employee? Is it perchance to accurately prove an person ‘s emotional intelligence? The usage of emotional intelligence trials in hiring is turning, yet the cogency of the trials is problematic ( Grubb & A ; McDaniel, 2007 ) . There is no uncertainty that emotional intelligence can be helpful in the workplace. Cote and Miners ( 2006 ) found that workers who had low cognitive abilities could be extremely successful workers if they had strong emotional intelligence to counterbalance for their lacks in other countries. However, the ability to accurately prove for emotional intelligence and to happen a trial that could non be â€Å" faked out † continues to be hard. Grubb and McDaniel ( 2007 ) found that, at least with one peculiar emotional intelligence trial, the EQ-i: Second, it was possible to learn trial takers how to â€Å" forge † emotional intelligence. In their experiment, they found that imposters could be identified in merely 31 % of the instances, but â€Å" most of the respondents were able to increase their mark by forging and non be identif ied † ( Grubb & A ; McDaniel, 2007, p. 56 ) . Of what usage is a trial that can be so easy deceived? On the other manus, other research workers have found emotional intelligence trials to be really utile in engaging patterns. In one survey, the research workers found that emotional intelligence trials were advantageous to minority trial takers, as they tended to hit higher in emotional intelligence than Caucasians ( Van Rooy, Alexander, & A ; Chockalingam, 2005 ) . If engaging were based on emotional intelligence trials with the engaging single unaware of the race of the trial taker, minority appliers might be more likely to be hired, whereas in traditional hiring state of affairss they are more likely to non be hired due to racism. When I took the emotional intelligence trial online, I was extremely dismayed by the consequences, which indicated that I had below mean emotional intelligence. I found this distressing because I have spent most of my calling working in places that require a high grade of emotional intelligence ( ability to read people, empathy ) and I have been really successful in my work. Have I been forging emotional intelligence this full clip or did I merely non make good in the proving environment? Or was the trial itself faulty? In the terminal, I believe that the construct of emotional intelligence is of import to see in the workplace. In many places, holding emotional intelligence is cardinal to or supports success. However, emotional intelligence trials remain debatable and should be used merely with great cautiousness. Ultimately, whether or non person has the emotional intelligence needed for any given place will merely be determined by detecting that single ‘s public presentation on the occupation. As the testing instruments are developed and refined, possibly this fact will alter, but for now, to establish a determination on whether or non to engage a given person on the footing of an emotional intelligence trial is non in the best involvements of employer or employee. 5. Situated knowledge is a subject of involvement in big instruction and it has been used in many scenes. Following are inquiries refering located knowledge. Compare ( state the similarities between ) and contrast ( state the differences between ) situated knowledge and experiential acquisition. ( 1 point ) In the narrative â€Å" Talking to the Dead † by Watanabe, explicate what type ( s ) of larning occur for supporter ( e.g. experiential, located knowledge, brooding pattern ) and support your reply by binding it to grounds in your readings. ( 1 point ) Situated knowledge and experiential acquisition are closely related. However, the primary topographic point of societal interaction and societal relationships as a demand of larning in societal knowledge delineates the two theories from each other. It is the importance of the societal interactions in Watanabe ‘s ( 2000 ) narrative, Talking to the Dead, that indicate that the type of larning the supporter experienced falls under the class of located knowledge.Situated Cognition and Experiential LearningOne of the most outstanding theories of grownup instruction, experiential acquisition addresses how grownups make significance or learn from their experiences ( Zepke & A ; Leach, 2002 ) . There are five major schools of idea that autumn under experiential acquisition theory. The first is the constructivist theoretical account, in which scholars participate in a brooding procedure in order to develop new apprehensions ( Merriam et al. , 2007 ) . The situative theoretical account p ostulates that larning happens as the scholar participates in activities, such as larning on the occupation ( Merriam et al. , 2007 ) . The psychoanalytic theoretical account believes that the emotions of the scholar, peculiarly those that inhibit acquisition, must be dealt with in order for larning to happen, and the critical theoretical account believes that larning happens when the scholar challenges the bulk civilization ( Merriam et al. , 2007 ) . Finally, the complexness theoretical account posits that larning happens when persons compare and contrast what multiple experiences teach them ( Merriam et al. , 2007 ) . Like experiential acquisition, situated knowledge involves a scholar deriving new understanding from lived experience. One illustration of located knowledge, the cognitive apprenticeship, makes this clear. In this procedure, larning can ne'er be separated â€Å" from the state of affairs in which the acquisition is presented † ( Merriam et al. , 2007, p. 178 ) . The acquisition happens in the experience. The experience of the topographic point itself is of import to the procedure of acquisition. â€Å" The physical and societal experiences and state of affairss in which scholars find themselves and the tools they use in that experience are built-in to the full acquisition procedure † ( Merriam et al. , 2007, p. 178 ) . Experiential acquisition besides focuses on â€Å" making the undertaking in order to larn it † ( Hansman, 2001, p. 46 ) . Situated knowledge, nevertheless, â€Å" is inherently societal in nature. The nature of the interactions among scholars, the tools they use within these interactions, the activity itself, and the societal context in which the activity takes topographic point form acquisition † ( Hansman, p. 45 ) . Experiential larning theory might affect a societal constituent but does non needfully necessitate it.Learning to Talk to the DeadIn seeking to find what type of larning the supporter of Watanabe ‘s ( 2000 ) narrative Talking to the Dead experienced, I felt it of import to believe about what it was that she was truly larning. On the surface, it appears that she was larning the procedure of fixing the organic structures of the dead. However, at a deeper degree, the supporter is really larning about proper societal relationships – between maestro and learner, between female parents and kids, between co-workers, and between the life and the dead ( Watanabe, 2000 ) . With t his in head, I believe that the supporter participated in located knowledge. Neither her acquisition procedure nor what she learned can be separated for the societal experience ( Hansman, 2001 ) . As in a cognitive apprenticeship, her larning merely came approximately because she learned in a specific state of affairs ( Merriam et al. , 2007 ) . Had she learned to embalm organic structures in another topographic point, she ne'er would hold learned that the proper manner to care for Aunty Talking to the Dead was to cremate her cadaver in the traditional manner ( Watanabe, 2000 ) . Every experience she had in larning about the proper relationships between the life and the dead – from the puting out of Mustard to the Blindman and the Blindman ‘s Dog – every societal context in which she found herself and of all time interaction between herself, Aunty, and others in the community contributed to her larning what she needed to larn in order to come to her minute ( Wata nabe, 2000, p. 279 ) . Application of Gerald Grow ‘s SDL Scale to Instruction: Grow ‘s SDL graduated table is enlightening for all pedagogues. This inquiry asks you to use his graduated table. You are an teacher in whatever context you choose. a ) Create a class rubric and one ( 1 ) aim. ( 1 point ) B ) Describe in item how you would learn this aim ( use 2 concrete illustrations ) to a Level 1 and a Level 4 scholar. ( 2 points ) I have for two old ages taught a class titled â€Å" Female Images of the Divine in the West. † My pupils dearly call it the goddess category. The primary aim of the class is to develop the ability to believe critically about how spiritual symbols and imagery impact people ‘s lives – both in the past and in the present. It is a 200-level undergraduate category, and I frequently find that I have a big group of freshman pupils in my category. I besides tend to hold a important figure of non-traditional-age pupils in my category, largely because it is a dark category. It makes for a really interesting group of pupils, stand foring every phase of Grow ‘s ( 1991 ) SDL Scale to Instruction.Teaching Phase 1 LearnersPhase 1 scholars are really dependent and view the teacher as the ultimate authorization on the capable affair ( Grow, 1991 ) . They feel most comfy in environments in which they receive immediate feedback, and they feel most comfy in an environment in w hich the teacher-master dispenses wisdom to the scholar ( Grow, 1991 ) . In working with this type of pupil, the pedagogue needs to happen a manner to assist the pupil addition assurance and get down to derive command over stuff that might be wholly new to them ( Grow, 1991 ( . The first manner I teach to my aim for my Phase 1 scholars is to assist them acknowledge that they know more about images of goddesses than they might believe they do – even if they do non place with any peculiar religion. We do this by speaking about popular civilization word pictures of goddesses. I have discovered that my pupils all seem to adore Xena: Warrior Princess. I have them travel on YouTube and happen cartridge holders from the show that depict the assorted goddesses – Here, Callisto, and Aphrodite to call merely a few. We so read primary texts from the ancient Greeks depicting the goddesses. As a group, we identify similarities and differences between the telecasting word pictures and the word pictures of the ancient Greeks and discourse why the two are frequently different. This treatment frequently leads to a farther treatment about why the goddesses were of import to ancient peoples and starts a semester-long treatment about the topographic point of godd ess imagination in modern times. A 2nd manner I help my Phase 1 pupils is that I give quizzes in category, particularly during the first few hebdomads, and we go over the replies right off. This helps them acquire immediate feedback on their apprehension of the stuff. This activity helps progress the class aim because spiritual symbolism both holds steady and evolves over clip. If they do non derive a solid command of the ancient apprehensions of goddesses, they have great trouble when we begin treatment on whether or non modern figures, such as Princess Diana or Angelina Jolie, serve the same intents in modern society as Artemis or Isis did in antediluvian civilizations.Teaching Phase 4 LearnersPhase 4 scholars are considered to be to the full autonomous ( Grow, 1991 ) . For a autonomous scholar, the pedagogue is person who serves as a adviser, heightening the acquisition work that is delineated and directed by the scholar. Students working at the really highest degrees are frequently autonomous scholars ; surely, a pupil set abouting a major undertaking such as a thesis ought to be able to work as a autonomous scholar ( Grow, 1991 ) . As an teacher of a phase 4 scholar, I personally feel most comfy with the delegator function ( Grow, 1991 ) . In this function, I can work straight with the pupil to detect their involvements and demands, assist them develop a acquisition program, and so run into with them on a regular footing to discourse their advancement and any barriers they have encountered. As portion of their acquisition program, we besides develop together an appraisal program: what will be assessed, what merchandises they are required to bring forth, and by which standard we will measure their advancement ( Zepke & A ; Leach, 2002 ) . Most frequently, the phase 4 pupils I work with and I agree that they will prosecute an independent undertaking that makes a connexion between the antediluvian and the modern. One undertaking involved a pupil who examined the ancient Irish myths of the godly figure Deirdre. She so created an interpretative dance that incorporated environmental, costume, and motion symbols to co nvey the myth to a modern audience. Another pupil undertook a undertaking that looked at the construct of ancient sovereignty goddesses and so used that stuff to analyse the Robert Zemeckis ‘ movie version of Beowulf. When we foremost discussed the undertaking, I suspected she might happen reverberations of sovereignty goddesses in the figure of Grendel ‘s female parent, but she besides, convincingly, found reverberations of the construct in the figure of Wealtheow. I was blown off! My pupil had made an rational find that had wholly escape me. 7. Several writers have constructed theoretical accounts that show autonomous acquisition as a procedure. Construct your ain theoretical account of autonomous acquisition based on your experiences. ( 1 point ) Compare ( state the similarities between ) and contrast ( state the differences between your theoretical account and two of the theoretical accounts found in Merriam, Caffarella and Baumgartner ( 2007 ) ( pp. 110-119 ) . ( 2 points ) Argue for or against the importance of context in the autonomous acquisition procedure utilizing grounds from the literature. ( 1 points ) Specifying autonomous acquisition can be slippery. It is non a self-contained theory of grownup larning but alternatively a group of related constructs and patterns. Among the definitions I most prefer, Caffarella ( 1993 ) defines autonomous acquisition as: a self-initiated procedure of larning that stresses the ability of persons to program and pull off their ain acquisition, an property or feature of scholars with personal liberty as its trademark, and a manner of forming direction in formal scenes that allows for greater scholar control. ( p. 25 ) . Similar to Caffarella ‘s ( 1993 ) definition, Candy ‘s ( 1987 ) definition focuses on the importance of liberty in autonomous acquisition, although the scholar can work in concert with an pedagogue ( as cited in Grow, 1991 ) .My Model of Autonomous LearningMy ain theoretical account of autonomous acquisition is one based on procedure divinity. Process divinity is grounded in alteration, growing, and changeless motion. â€Å" Human and other existences are non things ( substances or kernels ) situated in empty infinite aˆÂ ¦ but are active procedures of all time in relation and passage † ( Christ, 2003, p. 3 ) . Furthermore, as a postmodern divinity, it is structured around the belief that all cognition is contextual and that cognition is shaped and controlled by cultural systems. The ego can ne'er be genuinely independent. â€Å" The individuality of each of us extends over and includes the civilization, society, and civilisation that we participate in. There is no stray, lone ego imprisoned in its ain organic structure † ( Brumbaugh, 1982, p. 3 ) . My theoretical account of autonomous acquisition is one, so, that is based on the thought that worlds, by nature, are spurred to turn and alter. Curiosity is portion of growing and alteration, whether initiated by internal demands and involvements or external demands and forces. Once wonder is sparked, the scholar sees where that wonder takes her or him – either in weaving jets of larning activity or in a sustained acquisition journey. As portion of their autonomous acquisition, the scholar may seek out educational stuffs. The scholar may besides integrate hands-on activities, seting into pattern what has been taken in from the educational stuffs, or take a category to foster reinforce what has been learned from other beginnings. At times, failure may ensue, and the scholar may get down the full procedure once more. If there is success, the scholar may rest for a clip, but be spurred once more subsequently to set about a new acquisition undertaking.Similarities and Differences Between ModelsIn many ways, my theoretical account of autonomous acquisition is non much different from many of the synergistic theoretical accounts described in Merriam et Al. ( 2007 ) . Like those theoretical accounts, my theoretical account is non additive in nature. Curiosity and the acquisition journey will take the scholar where the scholar wants or needs to travel. My theoretical account has the most in common with Spear ‘s theoretical account. First, Spear identifies three elements that spur autonomous acquisition, all of which work with my theoretical account: environmental chance, opportunity, and personal cognition ( as cited in Merriam et al. , 2007 ) . Second, Spear ‘s theoretical account incorporates the thought that autonomous acquisition is non a steady, controlled procedure, but instead one that can go on in tantrums and starts, one that can halt and get down once more, and one that can integrate room for both failure and success ( Merriam et al. , 2007 ) . My theoretical account is least like those proposed by Tough and Knowles. In Tough ‘s theoretical account, autonomous acquisition is calculated and focused on achieving a specific piece of cognition or a accomplishment ( Merriam et al. , 2007 ) . In Knowles ‘ theoretical account, autonomous acquisition is a bit-by-bit procedure focused on work outing a particular job ( Merriam et al. , 2007 ) . My larning theoretical account acknowledges that certain scholars may elect to set about a additive autonomous acquisition procedure focused on work outing a peculiar job, but it does non presume that all autonomous acquisition will follow a similar way. My theoretical account has room for larning for the interest of acquisition and for fulfilling wonder, for the joy of merely being able to state â€Å" Well, you learn something new every twenty-four hours. †Importance of ContextIn all of the theoretical accounts I have examined here, including my ain, context plays a critic al function. First, a scholar ‘s context may find whether or non she or he is interested in or capable of take parting in a autonomous acquisition procedure ( Grow, 1991 ; Zepke & A ; Leach, 2002 ) . Second, context can find the type of resources available to assist with acquisition. For illustration, interior metropolis scholars of colour may non hold entree to all the rich acquisition resources that can be obtained through the Internet. Not merely is the monetary value of a computing machine prohibitive, but the scholar, as the consequence of life in a context, an environment, that is unsupportive, may non hold the computing machine literacy needed to utilize the Internet to seek out information as portion of his or her autonomous acquisition procedure ( Norris & A ; Conceicao, 2004 ) . All in all, context should be a core constituent of autonomous acquisition. 8. Experiential acquisition, autonomous acquisition, and transformative acquisition are three theories of grownup acquisition. What is the â€Å" best † larning theory? Why? Supply grounds from your readings ( and beyond if you so choose ) to back up your points. ( 3 points ) This essay will briefly analyze the chief renters of experiential acquisition, autonomous acquisition, and transformative acquisition. While all three theories have both positive and negative facets, I argue that experiential acquisition is the most flexible and hence the most utile of the three theories for the work of big pedagogues.The Three TheoriesExperiential larning â€Å" is a procedure of doing intending from all experiences-cognitive, emotional, physical, societal and religious † ( Zepke & A ; Leach, 2002, p. 206 ) . Harmonizing to Zepke and Leach ( 2002 ) , experiential acquisition is possibly the most dominant construct in the grownup instruction field, but theoreticians have different thoughts of how the procedure works. Learners can either reflect on experience in order to larn ( constructivist lens ) , learn through take parting in experiences ( situative lens ) , learn by linking with and get the better ofing frights and other emotional barriers ( psychoanalyti c lens ) , learn by challenge the dominate ethos ( critical lens ) , or larn by developing an apprehension of how assorted experiences relate to each other ( complexness lens ) ( Merriam et al. , 2007 ) . Harmonizing to Grow ( 1991 ) , the â€Å" end of the educational procedure is to bring forth autonomous, womb-to-tomb scholars † ( p. 127 ) . Although autonomous acquisition can be hard to specify, Candy ( 1987 ) delineated three features that can be used to set up whether or non learning is autonomous: the scholar possesses autonomy, the acquisition can go on outside of a formal acquisition environment, and the acquisition is directed chiefly by the pupil even if a instructor is involved ( as cited in Grow, 1991 ) . Mezirow ‘s theory of transformational larning postulates that adults see a minute when their beliefs turn out inadequate in understanding the state of affairs in which they find themselves ( Elias & A ; Merriam, 2005 ) . This disorienting quandary forces them to reevaluate their cognition and develop new apprehensions. As a consequence, a transmutation happens, and the single learns and grows ( Elias & A ; Merriam, 2005 ) . Transformative acquisition is an emancipatory procedure in which self-reflection leads to critical consciousness ( Cranton, 2002 ) .The â€Å" Best † TheoryAll of these larning theories have countries of concern. For illustration, scholars may non really have the ability to larn from experience, or they may non hold had experiences that are meaningful ( Brookfield, 1998 ) . On the other manus, scholars may non hold the desire or the ability to direct their ain acquisition procedures ( Zepke & A ; Leach, 2002 ) . Transformative acquisition can be ethic ally disputing. First of wholly, the terminal consequence of transformative acquisition could be a major crisis for the scholar. â€Å" Despite an pedagogue ‘s best purposes, a procedure of transformative acquisition can take to unpredictable and unwilled events † ( Moore, 2005, p. 83 ) . The power derived function between scholar and pedagogue can take to indoctrination ( Moore, 2005 ) . Ultimately, the best acquisition theory is whichever theory best helps the scholar run into his or her educational ends. However, transmutation of the scholar is non a demand of either autonomous or experiential acquisition ; hence, they both may advance greater flexibleness in grownup instruction ( Zepke & A ; Leach, 2002 ) . Autonomous acquisition is less an grownup larning theory and more a related group of patterns and thoughts ( Caffarella, 1993 ) ; as a consequence, it is slightly mussy. It besides does non see as many issues as experiential larning theory does. Experiential acquisition, on the other manus, addresses the procedure of larning non merely from reflecting on and in experience but besides from larning through engagement in experiences ( Zepke & A ; Leach, 2002 ) . It besides addresses of import issues around emotions, cultural context and the scholar ‘s relationship to society, and doing sense of a broad assortment of experiences that may either reinforce or dispute each other ( Merriam et al. , 2007 ) . All in all, experiential acquisition addresses more issues that might impact a scholar ‘s larning experience than the other two theories, and hence, it is the most utile of the theories for grownup pedagogues.

Canadian history Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 4250 words

Canadian history - Essay Example Canadian economy in general flourished during the period in question and even later on because it realized and responded positively to external opportunities and pressures; on the domestic front it improved inland transportation, allowed immigration developed an atmosphere for enterprise and imported technology from Europe leading to a steady growth of an economic infrastructure. One may argue that compared to Europe, the Canadian economic structure had peculiar characteristics comparable only with Australia. Canada has a small population living in an area which is endowed by the nature with plenty of raw material in high demand in Europe. Since there was no government emphasis on and efforts to developing the manufacturing sector, the Canadian entrepreneurs could focus on staples export to Europe and America. After the Confederation was announced in 1970, Canada found itself in the throes of breaking away from British political influence yet having to depend on it for the sale of its staples and import of manufactured goods. It had to set its own policies as a quasi-independent country even when it cannot shrug off the mainly European heritage. This was also a period when Europe itself was passing through the epochal period of industrialization and attendant socio-political change. The cultural difference between the people who ran Canada (such as British and French) and the changing geographical aspects impeded a uniform growth in economy. For instance, if the growth was propelled in some regions by the export of staples to Europe, in other regions domestic progress fueled the economic growth. Also, the progress at the national level varied from one period to the other. One aspect of Canada's economic growth is also stated to be a combination of dependent and independent progress workin g in coordination yet historians have been able to distinguish periods when economic growth was dependent and when it was independent. Therefore, studies of Canada's economic history revolve around H. A. Innis who proposed the development of staples export dependent on Europe and John Rae who was in favour of an independent model of growth. There are many versions of the staple theory proposed by Innis during the nineteenth century and of course many off-shoots of the independent John Rae's economic theory including the Nationalist School in the nineteenth century. But according to Neill, "the political fractionation and geographical expansion that constituted Confederation eventually tipped the balance, for Canada as a whole, in favour of growth dependent on primary product exportshowever, between 1866 and 1896, the central Canadian economy grew at a steady pace, unaided by any significant expansion of staple exports." (Neill, 1991) At a time when Canada enjoyed good relations with Europe especially in terms of trade, it was faced with a threat from the United States which viewed Canada as a weak British colony. Table 1: TRADE OF CANADA WITH VARIOUS COUNTRIES DURING 1886-1955 Year Total($ millions) U.S. U.K. 1886 96.0 44.6

Issues and their implications for AVE Practitioners Essay

Issues and their implications for AVE Practitioners - Essay Example The rather unexpected revelation indicates that there is indeed an insufficiency for the provision of decent adult and vocational education. To try to solve the issue, many countries responded by installing frameworks that will cater and monitor the ongoing education of adults that is suited to fill to the emerging needs of a rapidly diversifying global market. Policies concerning adult and vocational education are being made and they are hoped to address this issue. There is much fanfare generated by the survey and is leading to many changes or introduction of innovative ideas for AVE. In my chosen field of AVE education, the issue now is that how is my career be affected in light of the developments in social and economic scenes. To be sure, my field can surely be affected and it is in this matter that I try to examine in this paper. It is undeniable that AVE education is considering that most adults would like to achieve career mobility. It even becomes more important as intercultural interactions make the scene competitive as Australia open its doors to immigrants to ensure it has enough skilled workforce that its aging population can provide. Perhaps the foremost question now is how recent events can define or affect the future of Adult and Vocational Education program. Is there a need to be concerned with the trends in the teaching workforce condition in the local scene According to McKenna and Fitzpatrick in their 2004 paper "Building sustainable adult literacy provision", Australia has been characterized before by a minimal amount of opportunities for literacy instructors for professional development due to lack of clear training and career pathways. There was a lack of support and necessary information to determine the needs of literacy instructors in teaching adults. The situation has increasingly improved, however, as Australia made changes to address this issue. The enthusiasm that characterizes the development of the literacy programs by the Australian authorities is actually a recent development. According to McKenzie and Kirkpatrick (2004), Australia has been the one who lag the most in response to the results of the International Adult Literacy Survey while other countries have proactively formulated and enacted reforms. Curtain (2008) suggests that the reason for this may be due to inclination of the Australian government to a certain type of approach to innovation. According to Curtain (2008), there are two approaches that governments tend to follow in spurring innovation. The first one is founded in the principle that market competition and forces could generate innovative ideas on their own. On the other end of the spectrum is the approach that operates in the principle that enterprise rarely innovates alone and the government should proactively formulate a national innovation system. In this approach, a network is established betwee n skilled personnel, government research and enterprises. Curtain, in his paper, argues that Australia tends to use the first approach. While other countries such as Finland and Singapore have developed from a humbling beginning, Australia had been left behind. Having this in mind, Australian authorities have stepped up efforts to improve literacy rates. Efforts to provide a federally recognized

Article Review Cell Transfer During Pregnancy Essay

Article Review Cell Transfer During Pregnancy - Essay Example The main point in the article was that cells’ crossing the placenta is an established fact (microchimerism) but that new research is suggesting that these same cells can result in health or illnesses in both the mother and the child for a considerable time after the sharing occurred. Also that these cells can persist for an indefinite period of time and can become part of the body’s organs. There are instances when microchimerism can cause an immune attack in some individuals, but in some cases the body can actually be helped to heal through the same interplay of cells. Two examples in the paper showed an example of this. Firstly mothers who have rheumatoid arthritis can often have an improvement in their symptoms when they are pregnant, but that the condition returns after birth. This was initially considered to be because of higher levels of Cortisol in the blood of the mother, but because this phenomenon is not consistent in all cases (it doesn’t work for some women) this idea as discounted. Studies are now considering the disparity in Class II HLA’s as a possible reason for the decrease in symptoms during pregnancy. The second example was juvenile dermatomyositis. In this case transferred immune cells (mother to foetus) can result in an attack on the child’s body tissues. Another case in children is scleroderma and neonatal lupus. In both of these cases the adopted cells can cause the host body to attack the affected body tissues. The final point in the article was that this transfer could be harmful for some, and a helping aid in others. The reasons why this is the case seems to differ from case to case and more research is needed to determine how and why this happens. The transfer of cells between foetus and mother has been well documented especially in studies relating to negative impacts the mother can have the on the babies health through the ingestion of alcohol and other harmful substances. The foetus is basically plugged

Business Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words - 4

Business - Essay Example The scope and extent of a company’s contribution towards social and environmental causes, almost guarantees successful results, which is why, every other company, today proudly flaunts its commitment towards such causes, in its annual reports. Are the companies today, actually environmentally and socially conscious or is it a desperate bid to gain consumers’ trust through deliberate green-washing? This paper seeks to delve deeper into this aspect of business, and seek answers to the critical issue of social and environmental commitment of multinational companies, their corporate agenda and the impact of the same on their stakeholders. For the purpose of this study, the case of The Body Shop will be explored and analyzed. Corporate Social Responsibility: Fact or Farce? Contemporary multinational organizations today are caught in the middle of a heated debate, surrounding the legitimacy and credibility of their claims regarding their social and environmental commitments. In the process, they are being pushed towards including broader public good will, and beyond their conventional commitment towards their shareholders. ... The Body Shop exemplifies one such situation, where the company seems to have got it right in the beginning, but over the years, ended up in controversies, putting the company on the pedestal, and forcing its management to justify its actions, with regard to its mission and values, which boasts of environmental and social commitment and broader public good (Rosenthal, 1994, Pp. 15 - 17). This brings up the question, whether corporate social responsibility can go hand in hand with the core corporate motive – that of maximizing profits; whether commitment to social and environmental causes and contribution towards society can co-exist along with commitment to the company’s stakeholders; and whether CSR is a farce or a fact? The same is discussed through the case of The Body Shop International Plc – a UK based multinational cosmetic brand, which boasts of its commitment towards the environment, via its ‘green’ and natural products and its contribution t owards social and environmental causes. The Body Shop International Plc. The Body shop is a world renowned British cosmetic retailing firm, founded in the year 1976 by Dame Anita Roddick, and having a strong international presence (The Body Shop, 2011). The company adopted an environmental strategy from the very beginning and showed a strong commitment towards green causes and social issues, thus ideally being an advocate of ‘green’ business and a portraying a model corporate social responsibility agenda (Dennis et al., 1998, Pp. 649-653). The company boasts of an impressive range of environmentally friendly / bio-degradable range of products; endorses recycling and over the years, have shown an active involvement in social and

Litterature Review and bibliography Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Litterature Review and bibliography - Essay Example se, extreme changes in the room temperature including other ergonomic-related problems that may lead to the development of different types of Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI) like the Carpal Tunnel Syndrome among others. (Buckle & Hoffman, 1994) Other factors such as physical stress related to illness or hormonal changes as well as emotional stress related to grievance due to the death or loss of a special someone may also increase stress at work. For the purpose this study, the researcher will gather peer-reviewed journals related to the probable causes of work-related stress and its impact over well-being of employees. To give the readers a better understanding of some medical terms used in the study, the researcher will provide the definition of words. For the literature review, the researcher will first discuss all the probable causes of work-related stress followed by repetitive strain injury, carpal tunnel syndrome and other work-related injuries. Since ergonomics study the impact of working environment in relation to stress and physical injuries related to the working conditions, the researcher will discuss the role of ergonomic analysts. Eventually, the negative health effects of work-related stress will be provided in order to give the readers a better understanding why health care practitioners should focus on preventing stress from work. Ergonomics – a scientific-based study that teaches the proper design of working environment and systems in relation to increasing the efficiency and quality of employees’ work performance. (International Ergonomics Association, 2008) Repetitive Strain Injury – also known as chronic upper-limb musculoskeletal disorders or cumulative trauma disorders are work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WRMSD) which is often associated with repetitive poor body postures. (Stock, 1991; Ranney, Wells, & Moore, 1995) In gathering concrete evidences with regards to the major causes of work-related stress causing physical

Economic Turmoil and Risk of War Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Economic Turmoil and Risk of War - Essay Example Patrick Purcell (2010) emphasized the authoritarian regimes can influence the outcome of economic turmoil. The authoritarian authority does not answer to the people. The authority is concentrated on a few unelected persons. Such person implement political repressions and the elimination of other parties to freely be elected for a government position. In some countries, the authoritarian leader forcibly takes the reigns of government from the duly elected officials. The power grabbers form a government and impressing on the people that they will intervene in the current economic turmoil by grabbing all the assets of the state and equally distributing the wealth among the people. The economic turmoil of the depression of the early 1900s increased unemployment. Michael Bernstein (1989) reiterated the economic turmoil of the 1929 depression forced many companies to close shop. Consequently, many people lost their jobs. Consequently, the people looked at the government as the cause of the ir economic hardship. The poverty-stricken people are easy preys for people espousing authoritarianism.

Analysis of Diane Arbu's Identical Twins Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Analysis of Diane Arbu's Identical Twins - Essay Example The paper states that Diane Arbus shot her photographs primarily using the Rolleiflex medium format that contained twin lens reflex. These features of the lens provided her photographs with features that were distinct. For instance, most of her photographs, including the â€Å"identical twin,† have waist level viewfinder as well as the aspect of the square ratio. The application and perfect adoption of the techniques of applying the viewfinders facilitated Arbus to connect with her subject perfectly, and beyond the stands of normal eye level viewfinders were able to synchronize the intended photograph. The photograph, identical twins portray the images of two young girls namely Colleen and Cathleen Wade. These two girls are equally portrayed standing side by side juxtaposed to each other with the aim of reviling their underlying identity. Moreover, the girls are addressed in similar attires of matching corduroy dresses with white lase around their necks and about their wrists. Additionally, the photograph clearly indicates that both girls have white headbands about their heads trapping their dark hair. Notably, they are coherently staring at the camera with one of them posing with a slight slime about her face while the other showing a slight indication of sadness. The indicated nature of state of each girl’s face depicts a state of parallelism among these twins. Furthermore, the parallelism may be as well been defined, or portrayed by the haunting nature of the portrait. In summary, it may be certain to say or note that the photograph reveals the photographer’s vision. Some of the photograph scholars had once noted that Arbus was suffering from identity issues. According to Patricia Bosworth, a biographer, Arbus in her career had ever been involved with the question of identifying her identity by comparing herself with other. She once had wanted to determine who she was and who others were. Therefore, the photograph of the twin image is a clear expression that cruxes the vision Arbus ever had. Alternatively, one may argue that Arbus was representing the content of the photograph in the form of normality being freakishness, and freakishness being normality (Krauss 12). According to Arbus, this photograph, of identical twins, was photographed at their tender age of seven years old each. In addition, it is as well apparent to note that the photograph was taken in a Christmas party, the party that was organized for twins and triplets. Commenting on the photograph, the father of these girls once commented that they had never thought such worst likeness of twins ever existed since according to him, they have never seen such likeness among any identical twin he has ever seen. It is worth noting that the photograph of the twins has as well inspired other artworks. For example, Stanley Kubrick reflects the elements of this photograph in the film â€Å"The Shinning†. Two identical twin sisters, with identical pose, are featured in this film. Most of Arbus’ artistic ideas are also reflected in a piece of artwork known as â€Å"Gummo† by Harmony Korine. The artistic elements represented by Arbus in the â€Å"Identical twins† photograph are also featured in a television series episode named â€Å"The Old and The Restless†. About the contemporary photographic work, Arbus is considered as a charitable photographer, in the sense that her work unconventionally related to the subject matter of portraits she presented in her collection. Most of Arbus’ photographs, including â€Å"Identical twins,† portray people or society as living unusual lives, and the same notion was accepted by most societies. Therefore, her photographs depicted what could have been supposed to be the real person. This makes her

Assessment of Agency Performance- Social Work Term Paper

Assessment of Agency Performance- Social Work - Term Paper Example It is for such reasons that the Centre has been accredited by Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities. The management of the center has also played an integral part in improving the performance of the organization. The leadership skills of the managers is worth noting since it is such characteristics that help boost the productivity of the staff members and the organization in general. One of the functioning of an organization is the leadership approaches that the management team employs. Transformational leadership is the best approach used by leaders to improve the performance of organizations. It entails the acquisition of power and a positive manner that in order to ensure change is brought about through the use of support and resources. This approach views the support staff allies that are necessary in bringing about change in an organization. A transformational leader is willing and able to take risks to change conventional beliefs and wisdom. They often show commitment and dedication in their endeavors and also share their belief in the vision of the organization (Hardina, 2006). These characteristics play an integral part in motivating the staff members or other stakeholders of an organization. By building a sense of community among stakeholders of an organization and sharing the vision and goals of an organization, employees are motivated since they feel they are actively involved in the operations of the organization. The transformational leader works together with these staff members to create the objectives and goals of the organization so that implementation becomes easy due to their involvement in the policy making stages. Sharing power among the participants in an organization as well as interacting with them plays a pivotal part in transforming the behavior of the leader as well as the employees. Change is necessary in

Colorimeter Essay Example for Free

Colorimeter Essay Record the absorbance values for 4ppm Methyl orange, making sure to zero the machine with the deionised water cuvette after each reading is taken. After I measured out my methyl orange I diluted each with deionised water up to the calibration mark on the volumetric flask. 4. I then poured each solution into separate cuvettes. 5. Recording the absorbance values for each always â€Å"zeroing† in between each reading with a cuvette containing deionised water. 6. Get the absorbance value of the unknown solution. 7. Record results in Tables 8. Prepare a standard curve graph 9. Estimate the concentration of the unknown solution on your graph. Results Part Two Concentration Discussion Using a colorimeter I used different coloured liquids to prove beer lamberts law. I did this experiment three times each time recording my results. I believe I proved beer lamberts law and this can be seen by my results which I have listed. I was also able to find the concentration of an unknown solution by plotting it on my graph using its absorbance number.

Word Length effects in visual word recognition

Word Length effects in visual word recognition The way letters in words are processed in our orthographic system is subject to considerable controversy. Theorists argue that letters in words are processed either in series or in parallel. This study attempts to resolve this debate by examining the effect of Word Length on decision speeds for words in a lexical decision task. A multiple regression analysis which included other linguistic descriptors such as Familiarity and Age of Acquisition was performed. The analysis indicated that Word Length is not a determinant of decision speed which implies that letters in words are processed via a parallel processing system. Further research needs to be conducted in this area in order to answer the research question. Implications of these findings in relation to word recognition models are discussed. Introduction Are letters within a word processed one at a time, in series, or does the skilled reader process all the letters in a word in parallel? Despite the deceptively simple nature of this question, researchers are still in disagreement as to how exactly we execute such a complex process. Early models of word recognition argued that words are read letter-by-letter serially from left to right (Gough, 1972). This model is consistent with Herons (1957) findings that when English speaking participants are briefly presented with a sequence of letters, they are more accurate at recalling left-hand letters compared to right-hand letters. This observed effect is reversed in readers of Yiddish (who read from right-to-left) which supports the notion that letters are processed in series (Mishkin Forgays, 1952; Sperling, 1963). The serial letter recognition model has been criticised for the fact that it fails to explain the Word Superiority Effect, which demonstrates how readers are better able to identify letters in the context of a word than in isolation (Paap et al., 1982). Over the past few decades, psychologists have therefore developed parallel distributed models (PDP) of reading which assume that letters in words are encoded simultaneously and draw heavily on what we know about the human neural system (Seidenberg Harm, 1991). http://www.microsoft.com/typography/ctfonts/science_of_word_recognition_files/Figure4.gif Figure ; Rumelhart McClellands Interactive-Activation Model (1981) An example of a PDP model is shown in Figure 1. According to this model, when a reader is presented with a word such as WORK, each letter either stimulates or inhibits different feature detectors (e.g. a circular shape for O, or horizontal and vertical bars for K,). These feature detectors then stimulate or inhibit different letter detectors, which finally stimulate or inhibit different word detectors. Each activated connection carries different weights, and therefore the word WORK in Figure 1 is activated more than any other word and is the one recognized by a reader. Although most recent findings are generally assumed to support the parallel processing hypothesis; a model which has recently gained attention is the Self-Organizing Acquisition and Recognition (SOLAR) model which implies an element of serial processing (Davis, 2010). Davis argues that visual word recognition relies on the formation of a spatial code to understand the orthographic input which is formed by a rapid left-to-right scan across letter representations that combines letter identity information with letter position information. A common way of studying how letters in words are processed is by measuring Word Length (WL) effects in Lexical Decision Tasks (LDT). In these tasks participants are presented with a word/non-word and their correct Decision Speeds (DS) are measured. The SOLAR model strongly predicts a WL effect in such tasks as the length of vector across the input layer should impact processing time. In contrast, parallel models such as the Interactive-Activation model predict no WL effects as it shouldnt matter how many letters there are in a word because they are all processed simultaneously. Several studies have examined WL effects however the findings are inconclusive with some observing significant WL effects; Forster Chambers ,1973; Whaley ,1978; ORegan Jacobs ,1992; Gilhooly Logie, 1982, whilst others failed to find a significant effect of WL; Frederiksen Kroll , 1976; Richardson ,1976. It is therefore clear that more research needs to be conducted in this area in order to resolve these conflicting findings. One of the main problems faced in investigating WL effects is the observed collinearity between over properties of words such as Familiarity, Age of Acquisition and Frequency which have been observed as predictors of DS in previous word recognition tasks (Gernsbacher, 1984; Gerhand Barry, 1998). Therefore when conducting an experiment which seeks to examine WL effects it is also important to account for other linguistic properties. A multiple regression analysis allows the experimenter to calculate the unique contribution of each linguistic predictor to the variation in DS and so is a popular method employed by many researchers in this area of research where collinearity amongst other variables is so high. The aim of this experiment therefore is to examine the effect of WL on DS in a LDT in which the linguistic stimuli has been generated taking into consideration; WL, familiarity, frequency, Age of Acquisition (AoA), Number of Neighbours (NoN) and Imageability, which have all been found to predict DS in previous research. If WL emerges as a significant predictor of DS then this is evidence for serial word processing and thus provides experimental support for the SOLAR model (Davis, 2010), whereas if no WL effects are found then this supports the assumptions underlying PDP models. Method Participants 12 second year undergraduate Psychology students (M= 19.75 years, m=2, f=10) from the University of Bristol with normal/corrected vision were recruited via an opportunity sample. Materials A computer based LDT was created using DMDX software. The stimuli in the task comprised of 150 words (all of which were nouns) and 150 non-words which were manipulated by the experimenter by changing a vowel in a word to another vowel or a consonant to a different consonant (Appendix 1). Linguistic stimuli were generated using the MRC psycholinguistic database (Coltheart, 1981) which selects lists of words, together with linguistic descriptors based on a number of selection criteria. Table 1 shows the linguistic descriptors and selection criterion of stimuli used in this experiment. Design This experiment used a within subjects repeated measures design. The LDT comprised 300 trials split into 6 test blocks; each block contained 25 words and 25 non-words which were randomly intermixed. Linguistic stimuli were displayed on the screen for 100ms. There was a 50ms break in between trials and participants had 2000ms to make their decision before the next trial commenced. Participants were given a break in between blocks to reduce fatigue effects. The experiment lasted approximately 30 minutes. Procedure In the computer based LDT Words or Non-words were presented individually to participants in the centre of a 1414 computer monitor in size 14 bold black Arial font with white background. Participants were instructed to press the Right Hand Shift button if they saw a Word or the Left Hand Shift button if they saw a Non-Word. Participants were informed of their confidentiality of results. Data analysis Participants correct Decision Speeds (ms) were recorded. Non-words were used as fillers and were not statistically analysed. Words with error rates of over 25% were excluded from the data set. Participants who responded incorrectly to over 50% of stimuli were excluded. Table 2 shows the 16 words that were removed from the data set as they failed to meet the criteria. The final data set is based on N=134 words and 12 participants. Results In the LDT, speeds of correct responses to words were recorded (M=669.62ms, SD=81.54, Error rate=8.28%). The experimental hypothesis aimed to examine the relationship between DS and WL; no significant correlation was found between WL and DS (r=.04), which is visually presented in Figure 1. Figure 1; Scatter graph demonstrating the non-significant correlation between Decision Speed (ms) and Word Length. A significant negative correlation was found between DS and Familiarity, which suggests that participants respond faster to words that are highly familiar (r= -.34, p Word length was found to be intercorrelated with AoA, Imageability and NoN (Table 3) which highlights a potential problem of collinearity. Correlations among measures of word attributes and decision speed, together with summary statistics. N=134 words. A simultaneous and a stepwise multiple regression analysis was conducted on the correlation matrix to assess the contribution of the independent variables in predicting DS. In the simultaneous analysis all variables were entered into the regression at the same time and the effects of all other variables were partialled out from each other (Table 4). The overall fit of the model was R2=.121, F(6,132)= 3.24, p Simultaneous multiple regression analysis on correct response speeds in the LDT. Next, a stepwise multiple regression analysis was conducted (Table 5). This analysis differs from the simultaneous analysis in the way that it enters variables into the regression one at a time on the basis of their contribution to improving the predictive power of the equation. The findings of the stepwise regression analysis was essentially the same as the simultaneous regression with Familiarity emerging as the only variable in predicting DS (F1,132= 18.693, p Stepwise multiple regression analysis on correct response times in the LDT. Discussion This experiment failed to demonstrate that Word Length (WL) is an effective factor in visual word recognition. There was no correlation between WL and decision speeds (DS) on the lexical decision task (LDT) which refutes the notion that letters in words are processed in series and therefore questions the theory underlying the SOLAR model (Davis, 2010) which postulates that we recognize words by performing a left-to-right scan across letters and so would have strongly predicted WL effects in the performed study. The results from this experiment therefore imply that letters in words are processed in parallel and thus support the assumptions embedded in parallel and connectionist models of reading (Seidenbery Harm, 1999; Rumelhart McClelland, 1981). The only linguistic predictor to emerge as an effective factor in decision speeds was familiarity, which is consistent with previous studies that have reported its contribution to the efficiency of word processing (Gilhooly Logie, 1982; Connine et al., 1990). The fact that familiarity emerged as a predictor of DS may in fact provide support for parallel processing. It can be argued that if a participant is more familiar with a word, this suggests that they may have formed some internal representation of the word within their mental lexicon and therefore recognize it faster by processing letters in parallel. In this study WL was significantly correlated with several of the other linguistic descriptors such as AoA and NoN which highlights the problem of collinearity and so it is difficult to draw any clear conclusions from our data. Another factor which may have affected our results is the fact that WL was restricted to 9 letters. In a study conducted by Gilhooly Logie (1982) they used words of various lengths and found WL to be the strongest predictor of DS. This raises an interesting research question as to whether there is a maximum capacity of letters that we can process in parallel and then perhaps after a certain length, the demands on our processing system are too large and so we have to rely on other processes. It is therefore plausible that visual word recognition may involve a combination of both serial and parallel processing depending on WL, which challenges the assumptions of current models of word recognition. It would be interesting to expand upon this study by making several alterations; firstly by abolishing the word letter restriction to see if we observe WL effects, and also by increasing the number of linguistic stimuli used and the number and age range of participants. Furthermore it would be of interest to examine saccade movements whilst participants are doing the LDT which may provide further insights into whether words are processed in parallel or series. One of the aims of this paper was to try and clear up some of the confusion in the literature surrounding serial and parallel processing models; unfortunately we were somewhat unsuccessful in doing so. However the findings from this study do provide several interesting thought questions and future research expansions and suggest that maybe word recognition relies on elements of serial and parallel processing. References; Coltheart, M (1981). The MRC Psycholinguistic Database, Quarterly Journal of Experimental Psychology, 33A, 497-505. Connine, C.M., Mullennix, J., Shernoff, E., Yelen, J. (1990). Word familiarity and frequency in visual and auditory word recognition. Journal of Experimental Psychology: Learning, Memory, and Cognition, 16 (6), 1084-1096. Davis, C. J. (2005). N-Watch: A program for deriving neighbourhood size and other psycholinguistic statistics. Behavior Research Methods,. 37, 65-70. Forster, K. I., Chambers, S. M. (1973). Lexical access and naming time. Journal of Verbal Learning and Verbal Behavior, 12,627-635. Fredriksen, J. R., Kroll, J. F. (1976). Spelling and sound: Approaches to the internal lexicon. Journal of ExperimentalPsychology: Human Perception and Performance, 2, 361-379. Gerhand, S., Barry, C. (1998). Word frequency effects in oral reading are not merely age-of-acquisition effects in disguise. Journal of Experimental Psychology: Learning, Memory, and Cognition, 24, 267-283. Gilhooly, K.J. and Logie, R.H. (1980). Age of acquisition, imagery, concreteness, familiarity and ambiguity measures for 1944 words. Behaviour Research Methods and Instrumentation, 12, 395-427. Gilhooly, K. J., Logie, R.H. (1981). Word Age-Of-Acquisition And Lexical Decision Making. Acta Psychologica. 50; 21-34. Gough, P.B. (1972). One second of reading. In Kavanagh Mattinglys Language by ear and by eye. Cambridge, MA: MIT Press. Heron, W. (1957). Perception as a function of retinal locus and attention. American Journal of Psychology, 70, 38-48. KuÄ era, H., Francis, W. (1967). Computational analysis of presentday American English. Providence, RI: Brown University Press. McClelland, J. L. Rumelhart, D. E. (1981). An interactive activation model of context effects in letter perception: Part 1. An account of Basic Findings. Psychological Review, 88, 375-407 Mishkin, N., Forgays, D. G. (1952). Word recognition as a function of retinal locus. Journal of Experimental Psychology, 43,43-48. ORegan, J. K., Jacobs, A. M. (1992). Optimal viewing position effect in word recognition: A challenge to current theory.Journal of Experimental Psychology: Human Perception and Performance, 18, 185-197. Paap, K. R., Newsome, S. L., McDonald, J. E., Schvaneveldt, R. W. (1982). An activation-verification model for letter and word recognition: The word-superiority effect. Psychological Review, 89 (5), 573-594. Richardson, J. T. (1976). The effects of stimulus attributes upon latency of word recognition. British Journal of Psychology, 67,315-325. Seidenberg, M.S., Harm, M.W (1999). Phonology, Reading acqusition, and dyslexia: insights from connectionist models. Psychological review, 106 (3), 491-528. Sperling, G. (1963). A model for visual memory tasks. Human Factors, 5, 19-31. Woodworth, R.S. (1938). Experimental psychology. New York; Holt. Toglia, M.P. and Battig, W.R. (1978). Handbook of Semantic Word Norms. New York: Erlbaum. Whaley, C. P. (1978). Word-nonword classification time. Journal of Verbal Learning and Verbal Behavior, 17, 143-154.

Impact On Fashion Industry Marketing Essay

Impact On Fashion Industry Marketing Essay The increasing variety of choices, cheaper prices, increasing use of social media and increasing level of comfort across all age groups are changing the retail landscape with more and more users going online to purchase products. In line with this trend, Australian online shopping expenditure is predicted to be worth $26.9 billion by 2016, a growth of 14.1% (PwC). Research conducted by PwC indicates that the retail categories that will show the strongest online growth is clothing, foot wear, jewellery and fashion accessories; in short the fashion industry. With 62% of Australians owning a smart phone and 22% owning a tablet pc (PwC), use of advanced mobile devices are growing at a rapid pace. Further, research shows that 73% of smart phone users and 90% of iPhone users use their phones to access the internet (Essential research). This accessibility has given rise to mobile shopping, as research by PwC shows that of all devices used to purchase goods online in Australia, 34% was through mobile phones and 17% was through tablet pcs. Further, the same research indicated that 57% of Australian online shoppers have increased their online spending through mobile shopping in the last 12 months. Retailers are taking note of these trends; online retailers are mushrooming, while the brick and mortar businesses are building more interactive and mobile-optimized web sites, enhancing them with mobile apps, including aspects of social media such as mood boards and fashion diaries, they are trying to cater to the tech savvy customer. This phenomenon along with emerging technologies such as wave and pay has the ability to completely transform the fashion retail industry. This new trend in consumer buying behaviour poses opportunities as well as challenges to marketers to engage in innovative ways with the consumers. This will involve understating consumer needs, and understanding the importance of the rise of advanced mobile devices and its impact on the fashion industry consumers. Description Source Source Justification Impact (Key takeout) David Jones Media release on new strategic direction David Jones Ltd. David Jones is an up-market Australian department store chain founded in 1838. It currently has 37 stores located in most Australian states and territories. Identifying the evolving practises and innovations of companies in response to changing consumer behaviour. The future of retailing an insight into the Australian online shopping market PwC Australia PwC is a global professional services firm. It is the worlds largest professional services firm and the largest of the Big Four accountancy firms measured by 2011 revenues. The factors stimulating growth of Australian online retail, how consumers and technologies are evolving and key considerations for the future. Market Profile Guide for Apparel (Fashion) In Australia New Zealand Trade and Enterprise (NZTE) NZTE is New Zealands economic development and trade promotion agency. It provides a wide range of standard services and sophisticated solutions that assist businesses through every stage of the export process. Key information and statistics on the Australian apparel industry. Research on online retailing in Australia AustraliaInstitue The Australia Institute is an independent public policy think tank based in Canberra. Since its launch in 1994, the Institute has carried out highly influential research on a broad range of economic, social and environmental issues. Key information and statistics on the Australian online retailing. Australian e-commerce Forrester Research and PayPal Forrester Consulting provides independent and objective research-based consulting to help leaders succeed in their organizations. PayPal is a secure payments system that lets people buy online without sharing their personal financial Information. PayPal has operated in Australia for 5 years. The challenges and opportunities facing Australian businesses in the online retail boom. Retail statistics and performance Textile and Clothing sector of Australia Australian Bureau of Statistics (website) A government source which provides accurate and up to date information. A comparison of online and brick and mortar apparel retailing performance The impact of search technologies MckinseyCompany MckinseyCompany is a leading research company with experience in research across many sectors. The primary sources of value from search for online retailers Critically assess one macro environmental change (socio- technological) The popularity of new mobile devices How will it effect consumer behavior mobile shopping, group shopping, customers looking for more interactive and social shopping experience How to respond to it à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦ Strategic marketing perspective Effects on marketing in the industry Visionary Creative thinking A smart phone is a mobile phone built on a mobile computing software including more advanced computing ability and connectivity than a normal feature phone. Smart phones generally include high resolution touch screens, web browsers and high speed data access via wi-fi and mobile broadband. A tablet pc is a mobile computer, usually having a touch screen. Sales of smart phone devices are huge with 467 million units sold worldwide in 2011. With such popularity of smart phones, the smart phone industry is set to grow at a massive 19% from 2012-2016 (Market research.com).

Thinkers of the Enlightenment Essay -- Enlightenment Period

Enlightenment The Enlightenment era was a new intellectual movement that stressed reason and thought and the power of individuals to solve problems. Even though different philosophers approached their goal differently, they achieved it none the less. They all approached their goal differently due to their different upbringings, their different backgrounds, and most importantly their different environments. A few among the many enlightened thinkers were Thomas Hobbes, John Locke, Baron Do Montesquieu, and Jean Jacques Rousseau. While some of their idea’s are not used in modern society, they were all instrumental to the modern society we live in today. More then anyone else Baron do Montesquieu helped shape this country today. Baron do Montesquieu advocated for the creation of three bodies of government. He stated that if there would be less then three then the government would not be able to realize when it turned into a dictatorship. It is from Baron do Montesquieu and his age old ideals that we created our current system of government. He specifically declared that a legislat...

First Day at University :: Autobiography Essay, Personal Narrative

My First Day at University My University is an educational institution which is widely recognized all over the world. It originated from Philippines and collaborates with PSBA (Philippine School of Business Administration). It has 2 branches in Jakarta which is located in Hayam Wuruk and the other one in Kelapa Gading. My University has been my first choice because I believe that it as the ability to provide me with quality education. I got up early that morning due to an improper sleep during the previous night. It was due to the anxiety to start fresh with my new life. I was determined to be the best in whatever it is that I do, so that I would have something to be proud of in the pages of my life. Due to the fear of reaching late during my first day, I reached one hour earlier than necessary and decided to spend some time at KTC (Kelapa gading Trade Center) which is located right beside the University. I was hoping that time would move a lot faster because I wanted to find out about what was going to happen next. But it is a common fact that if we are anxiously waiting for something, time would seem to crawl a lot slower. When it was finally the time to head back to the campus, I hoped for everything to go on smoothly, just as how I expected it. I braced myself and went to meet Sofia, who was responsible for the new students, to inquire about my classroom. After being instructed on which room to go to, I started walking towards the class, the mixture of excitement and nervousness start to fill within me. I started to feel like standard 1 all over again where I was a little kid who didn’,t know where to go. I didn’,t know anyone in the class except for Diksha who is my childhood friend. The unique thing about this campus is that each classroom is named after a quality. For example, the classroom names are Unity, Humanity, and Innovation and so on. Just like the classroom name, a confident teacher entered our classroom.

American Economy in Today’s World Essay -- essays papers

American Economy in Today’s World It is often wondered how the superpowers achieved their position of dominance. According to time magazine, to be a superpower, a nation needs to have a strong economy, an overpowering military, immense international political power, and related to this, a strong national ideology. Three of the articles that impacted me the most were: As U.S. economy slows down, Profits Rise in Pressure on U.S. Owned Factories in Mexico Border Zone, and last but not least Poverty in American. There is no doubt that the American economy has change dramatically since the 1860’s. The article, â€Å"U.S. Economy slows down; Europe is on the Upswing,† shows that Europe will catch up to the United States in no time. According to The New York Times, the unemployment rate for European Union drop from ten percent to 8.7 percent in less than ten years; that is a growth of 2.3 percent. European markets have become more open and competitive and European companies have follow many Americans practices to help deliver better performance. European governments are lowering taxes, at least modestly. Wage increases have slowed to a edge and labor markets have become more flexible, as companies evade traditional job protection rules by hiring part-time and temporary workers. Christ Rendu, who analyzes European economy; disagrees with the study done by The New York Time. According to Dr. Rendu European economy will never surpass American economy. In any event, Eu...

Consumer Resistance to Innovations

Consumer resistance to innovations: the marketing problem and its solutions This article describes the major barriers which create customer resistance to innovations. This understanding is important because of the high rate of new product failure. A major cause for this is consumer resistance, although consumers are pro-innovation. It’s a normal, instinctive response of customers. This article suggests marketing strategies to overcome these barriers. Innovation resistance can appear in customers because it disrupts their established routines and they can be happy with the current status quo.The higher the discontinuity of an innovation, the higher the resistance is likely to be. Also, consumers have their own belief structure. An innovation can conflict with this which can results in resistance. There are various characteristics of innovation resistance. First, there are different groups regarding to the timing of adoption of an innovation (Innovators, Early Adopters, Early Ma jority, Late Majority and Laggards). Second, resistance varies in degree; (1) inertia (they may feel disinclined to adopt the innovation), (2) active resistance, (3) very active resistance.Third, resistance is influenced by the degree of change/discontinuity and/ or the extent to which it conflicts with consumer’s belief structure. There are two kinds of barriers which create consumer resistance. The article gives some explanation how to undo these barriers: 1. Functional barriers Usage barrier: the most common reason for customer resistance to an innovation is that it’s not compatible with existing workflows, practices or habits. The more existing habits have to change, the more the resistance will be. UNDO: develop a systems perspective to market the innovation.The innovating firm has to estimate how its new product will fit into the existing system, by looking at the whole operation. A second strategy is to integrate the innovation into the preceding activity or pro duct. Finally, overcome usage barriers by making the innovation mandatory through government legislation: lawmakers have to say they are convinced that customers will benefit from the innovation. Value barrier: there has to be a good performance-to-price value compared with product substitutes, otherwise there is no incentive for customers to change.UNDO: provide significant performance value over existing alternatives. Second, reduce the manufacturing costs of the innovation and decrease the price of the product. Third, add value to the innovation by successful positioning the product. Risk barrier: every innovation can have potential side effects that cannot be anticipated. Customers will try to postpone the innovation until they can learn more about is. There are 4 main types of risk inherent in an innovation. (1) physical risk: harm to person or property (2) economic risk: the higher the cost, the higher the perceived economic risk. 3) functional risk: customers can worry that t he innovation may not work properly because it’s not been fully tested. (4) social risk: customers can feel scared to face peer ridicule when they adopt the innovation. UNDO: Offer the innovation on a trial basis to potential customers. Second, show testimonials from experts who objectively evaluate the innovation. Third, package the innovation under a well-known name. 2. Psychological barriers Traditional barrier: innovations can create a cultural change for the customer. The more the customer deviate from traditions, the more resistance there can be.UNDO: understand and respect cultural traditions. Second, educate customers/market education. Third, use change agents. Once industry leaders adopt the innovation, the rest will do the same. Image barrier: this is a perceptual problem that arises out of stereotyped thinking. If associations the product class or where its manufactured is unfavorable, there can be created a barrier to adoption. UNDO: Suggest to people that its sil ly to carry such stereotypes and make fun of the image. Second, create a unique image for the product of service (for example using a cowboy theme).Third, associate the innovation with someone/something with a positive public image. Each of these strategies for countering the barrier for innovation may be classified into one of the five types: product strategy, communication strategy, pricing strategy, market strategy and coping strategy. The answer to successful innovation lies in understanding the causes of resistance and cope with these causes. S. Ram & Jagdish N. Sheth (1989) â€Å"Consumer resistance to innovations: the marketing problem and its solutions†, The Journal of Consumer Marketing, Vol. 6 Iss: 2; pp. 5-14