Trials of the Long Twentieth Century Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Trials of the Long Twentieth Century - Essay Example More evidence emerged that significantly incriminated Leo Frank in the murder, convincing Hugh Dorsey, the solicitor, to seek a murder indictment against Leo Frank (Brundage, 36). The trial began, with the prosecution building its case on evidence yielded by very shoddy investigations carried out by the police. Leo Frank was eventually convicted of murder and sentenced to death despite overwhelming evidence indicating that Jim Conley, a black sweeper at the factory, was the more likely murderer (Arnold, 21). The death sentence was eventually commuted to life sentence by the outgoing governor of Georgia, John Slaton. However, he was kidnapped from prison on August 16 by a lynch mob led by prominent individuals of Marietta, who hanged him on an oak tree at a site near Marietta. Leo Frank’s case attracted national attention because of an overwhelming call by the public, especially Southerners, for his execution. It emerged at a time when anti-Semitism was rampant in the Southern States, whose citizens viewed Jews as affluent Northern capitalists out to take advantage of the poor and women of the South. Public outrage following the murder of Mary Phagan was intense, and when police investigations brought in Leo Frank as a suspect, the locals were enraged and immediately started to call for his execution even before he had been proved guilty in a court of law. It is apparent that public clamor tremendously influenced the verdict of the jury and contributed to his sentencing. Despite having a strong defense, Leo Frank had no chance of a fair trial because most individuals involved in the justice process that ensued had anti-Semitic views. The society of Georgia was strongly anti-Semitic because a lot of industry and capital flow in the South was controlled by Jews. Therefore, citizens of Georgia and other southern states viewed Jews as selfish and controlling individuals who aggressively kept much of the area’s economic opportunity to themselves at the expense of the locals (Brundage, 41). In the last half a century, a number of stereotypes had extensively circulated in American society concerning Jews. They include the belief that all Jews are financially well off, all Jews are greedy and stingy, Jews are powerful and control the world of business, Judaism strongly emphasizes materialism, Jews think it is okay to cheat non-Jews, Jews use their wealth and power to benefit only members of their community. As a result, many Americans, especially Southerners, viewed Jews as a hindrance to the American culture of free enterprise and opposed to the progress of non-Jews. Therefore, by the early twentieth century when Leo Frank was accused of the murder of Mary Phagan, anti-Semitism was deeply ingrained in American society (Blakeslee, 45). The Atlanta police who carried out the investigation demonstrated considerable bias against the suspect, Leo Frank, since they were quick to take into account any evidence that incriminated him and rea dily ignored any evidence that disproved him as the murderer. This is demonstrated by their failure to conduct tests on a bloodstained shirt belonging to Jim Conley, the other suspect. They ignored this piece of evidence instead of following up on it to determine whether the blood belonged to Mary Phagan. Furthermore, the police concentrated

The Topic Of Brain Fingerprinting Criminology Essay

The Topic Of Brain Fingerprinting Criminology Essay Brain fingerprinting is based on finding that the brain generates a unique brain wave pattern when a person encounters a familiar stimulus Use of functional magnetic resonance imagingin lie detection derives from studies suggesting that personsasked to lie show different patterns of brain activity thanthey do when being truthful. Issues related to the use of suchevidence in courts are discussed. The author concludes thatneither approach is currently supported by enough data regardingits accuracy in detecting deception to warrant use in court. In the field of criminology, a new lie detector has been developed in the United States of America. This is called brain fingerprinting. This invention is supposed to be the best lie detector available as on date and is said to detect even smooth criminals who pass the polygraph test (the conventional lie detector test) with ease. The new method employs brain waves, which are useful in detecting whether the person subjected to the test, remembers finer details of the crime. Even if the person willingly suppresses the necessary information, the brain wave is sure to trap him. Introduction: Brain Fingerprinting is a controversial proposed investigative technique that measures recognition of familiar stimuli by measuring electrical brain wave responses to words, phrases, or pictures that are presented on a computer screen. Brain fingerprinting was invented by Lawrence Farwell. The theory is that the suspects reaction to the details of an event or activity will reflect if the suspect had prior knowledge of the event or activity. This test uses what Farwell calls the MERMER (Memory and Encoding Related Multifaceted Electroencephalographic Response) response to detect familiarity reaction. One of the applications is lie detection. Dr. Lawrence A. Farwell has invented, developed, proven, and patented the technique of Farwell Brain Fingerprinting, a new computer-based technology to identify the perpetrator of a crime accurately and scientifically by measuring brain-wave responses to crime-relevant words or pictures presented on a computer screen. Farwell Brain Fingerprinting has proven 100% accurate in over 120 tests, including tests on FBI agents, tests for a US intelligence agency and for the US Navy, and tests on real-life situations including actual crimes. What is Brain Fingerprinting? Brain Fingerprinting is designed to determine whether an individual recognizes specific information related to an event or activity by measuring electrical brain wave responses to words, phrases, or pictures presented on a computer screen.   The technique can be applied only in situations where investigators have a sufficient amount of specific information about an event or activity that would be known only to the perpetrator and investigator.   In this respect, Brain Fingerprinting is considered a type of Guilty Knowledge Test, where the guilty party is expected to react strongly to the relevant detail Existing (polygraph) procedures for assessing the validity of a suspects guilty knowledge rely on measurement of autonomic arousal (e.g., palm sweating and heart rate), while Brain Fingerprinting measures electrical brain activity via a fitted headband containing special sensors.   Brain Fingerprinting is said to be more accurate in detecting guilty knowledge distinct from the f alse positives of traditional polygraph methods, but this is hotly disputed by specialized researchers. Technique: The person to be tested wears a special headband with electronic sensors that measure the electroencephalography from several locations on the scalp. In order to calibrate the brain fingerprinting system, the testee is presented with a series of irrelevant stimuli, words, and pictures, and a series of relevant stimuli, words, and pictures. The test subjects brain response to these two different types of stimuli allow the testor to determine if the measured brain responses to test stimuli, called probes, are more similar to the relevant or irrelevant responses. The technique uses the well known fact that an electrical signal known as P300 is emitted from an individuals brain approximately 300 milliseconds after it is confronted with a stimulus of special significance, e.g. a rare vs. a common stimuls or a stimulas the prOband is asked to count. The novel interpretation in brain fingerprinting is to look for P300 as response to stimuli related to the crime in question e.g., a murder weapon or a victims face. Because it is based on EEG signals, the system does not require the testee to issue verbal responses to questions or stimuli. Brain fingerprinting uses cognitive brain responses, brain fingerprinting does not depend on the emotions of the subject, nor is it affected by emotional responses. Brain fingerprinting is fundamentally different from the polygraph (lie-detector), which measures emotion-based physiological signals such as heart rate, sweating, and blood pressure. Also, unlike polygraph testing, it does not attempt to determine whether or not the subject is lying or telling the truth. Four phases of Farwell Brain Fingerprinting: In fingerprinting and DNA fingerprinting, evidence recognized and collected at the crime scene, and preserved properly until a suspect is apprehended, is scientifically compared with evidence on the person of the suspect to detect a match that would place the suspect at the crime scene. Farwell Brain Fingerprinting works similarly, except that the evidence collected both at the crime scene and on the person of the suspect (i.e., in the brain as revealed by electrical brain responses) is informational evidence rather than physical evidence. There are four stages to Farwell Brain Fingerprinting, which are similar to the steps in fingerprinting and DNA fingerprinting: 1. Brain Fingerprinting Crime Scene Evidence Collection; 2. Brain Fingerprinting Brain Evidence Collection; 3. Brain Fingerprinting Computer Evidence Analysis; and 4. Brain Fingerprinting Scientific Result. In the Crime Scene Evidence Collection, an expert in Farwell Brain Fingerprinting examines the crime scene and other evidence connected with the crime to identify details of the crime that would be known only to the perpetrator. The expert then conducts the Brain Evidence Collection in order to determine whether or not the evidence from the crime scene matches evidence stored in the brain of the suspect. In the Computer Evidence Analysis, the Farwell Brain Fingerprinting system makes a mathematical determination as to whether or not this specific evidence is stored in the brain, and computes a statistical confidence for that determination. This determination and statistical confidence constitute the Scientific Result of Farwell Brain Fingerprinting: either information present the details of the crime are stored in the brain of the suspect or information absent the details of the crime are not stored in the brain of the suspect. Applications: Counter terrorism: Brain fingerprinting can help address the following critical elements in the fight against terrorism: 1: Aid in determining who has participated in terrorist acts, directly or indirectly. 2: Aid in identifying trained terrorists with the potential  to commit future terrorist acts, even if they are in a sleeper cell and have not been active for years. 3: Help to identify people who have knowledge or training in banking, finance or communications and who are associated with terrorist teams and acts. 4: Help to determine if an individual is in a leadership role within a terrorist organization. Brain fingerprinting technology is based on the principle that the brain is central to all human acts. In a terrorist act, there may or may not be peripheral evidence such as fingerprints or DNA, but the brain of the perpetrator is always there, planning, executing, and recording the crime. The terrorist has knowledge of organizations, training and plans that an innocent person does not have. Until the invention of Brain Fingerprinting testing, there was no scientific way to detect this fundamental difference. Brain Fingerprinting testing provides an accurate, economical and timely solution to the central problem in the fight against terrorism. It is now possible to determine scientifically whether or not a person has terrorist training and knowledge of terrorist activities. With the Brain Fingerprinting system, a significant scientific breakthrough has now become a practical applied technology. A new era in security and intelligence gathering has begun. Now, terrorists and those supporting terrorism can be identified quickly and accurately. No longer should any terrorist be able to evade justice for lack of evidence. And there is no reason why an innocent individual should be falsely imprisoned or convicted of terrorist activity. A Brain Fingerprinting test can determine with an extremely high degree of accuracy those who are involved with terrorist activity and those who are not. Criminal justice: A critical task of the criminal justice system is to determine who has committed a crime. The key difference between a guilty party and an innocent suspect is that the perpetrator of the crime has a record of the crime stored in their brain, and the innocent suspect does not. Until the invention of Brain Fingerprintingtesting, there was no scientifically valid way to detect this fundamental difference. Brain Fingerprinting testing does not prove guilt or innocence. That is the role of a judge and jury. This exciting technology gives the judge and jury new, scientifically valid evidence to help them arrive at their decision. DNA evidence and fingerprints are available in only about 1% of major crimes. It is estimated that Brain Fingerprinting testing will apply in approximately 60 to 70% of these major crimes. The impacts on the criminal justice system will be profound. The potential now exists to significantly improve the speed and accuracy of the entire system, from investigations to parole hearings. Brain Fingerprinting testing will be able to dramatically reduce the costs associated with investigating and prosecuting innocent people and allow law enforcement professionals to concentrate on suspects who have verifiable, detailed knowledge of the crimes. Medical: Brain Fingerprinting is the patented technology that can measure objectively, for the first time, how memory and cognitive functioning of Alzheimer sufferers are affected by medications. First generation tests have proven to be more accurate than other routinely used tests, and could be commercially available in 18-24 months. The 30 minute test involves wearing a headband with built-in electrodes; technicians then present words, phrases and images that are both known and unknown to the patient to determine whether information that should be in the brain is still there. When presented with familiar information, the brain responds by producing MERMERs, specific increases in neuron activity. The technician can use this response to measure how quickly information is disappearing from the brain and whether the drugs they are taking are slowing down the process. Additional Applications: In advertising, Brain Fingerprinting Laboratories will offer significant advances in measuring campaign and media effectiveness. Most advertising programs today are evaluated subjectively using focus groups. We will be able to offer significantly more advanced, scientific methods to help determine the effectiveness of campaigns and be very cost competitive with current methodologies. This technology will be able to help determine what information is actually retained in memory by individuals. For example, in a branding campaign do people remember the brand, the product, etc. and how do the results vary with demographics? We will also be able to measure the comparative effectiveness of multiple media types. In the insurance industry, Brain Fingerprinting Laboratories will be able to help reduce the incidence of insurance fraud by determining if an individual has knowledge of fraudulent or criminal acts. The same type of testing can help to determine if an individual has specific knowl edge related to computer crimes where there is typically no witness or physical evidence. Case studies: The biggest breakthrough, according to Farwell, was its role in freeing convicted murderer Terry Harrington, who had been serving a life sentence in Iowa State Penitentiary for killing a night watchman in 1977. In 2001, Harrington requested a new trial on several grounds, including conflicting testimony in the original trial. Farwell was faced with an immediate and obvious problem: 24 years had passed since the trial. Evidence had been presented and transcripts published long ago; the details of the crime had long since come to light. What memories of the crime were left to probe? But Farwell combed the transcripts and came up with obscure details about which to test Harrington. Harrington was granted a new trial when it was discovered that some of the original police reports in the case had been missing at his initial trial. By 2001, however, most of the witnesses against Harrington had either died or had been discredited. Finally, when a key witness heard that Harrington had passed his brain fingerprinting test, he recanted his testimony and the prosecution threw up its hands. Harrington was set free. In Macon County, Mo., Sheriff Robert Dawson learned about the method from his secretary, who had also seen it featured on television. In 1999, Dawson ordered a test on J. B. Grinder, accused of raping and murdering a 25-year-old woman. Grinder had admitted and denied the allegations so many times that, according to Dawson, We didnt know what to believe anymore. Confronted with the test results, which seemed to confirm one of Grinders many confessions, Grinder pled guilty to the charges and also admitted to killing three other girls in Arkansas. When another murder investigation ran into problems earlier this year, Dawson turned again to brain fingerprinting. He refrained from discussing the details of the case with the suspect and with the media so that the P300 probes would be valid. While the suspect denied knowing anything about the case, Farwells test suggested otherwise. Comparison with other technologies: Conventional fingerprinting and DNA match physical evidence from a crime scene with evidence on the person of the perpetrator. Similarly, Brain Fingerprinting matches informational evidence from the crime scene with evidence stored in the brain. Fingerprints and DNA are available in only 1% of crimes. The brain is always there, planning, executing, and recording the suspects actions. Brain Fingerprinting has nothing to do with lie detection. Rather, it is a scientific way to determine if someone has committed a specific crime or other act. No questions are asked and no answers are given during Farwell Brain Fingerprinting. As with DNA and fingerprints, the results are the same whether the person has lied or told the truth at any time. Admissibility of Brain Fingerprinting in court: The admissibility of Brain Fingerprinting in court has not yet been established. The following well established features of Brain Fingerprinting, however, will be relevant when the question of admissibility is tested in court. 1) Brain Fingerprinting has been thoroughly and scientifically tested. 2) The theory and application of Brain Fingerprinting have been subject to peer review and publication. 3) The rate of error is extremely low virtually nonexistent and clear standards governing scientific techniques of operation of the technology have been established and published. 4) The theory and practice of Brain Fingerprinting have gained general acceptance in the relevant scientific community. 5) Brain Fingerprinting is non-invasive and non-testimonial. Record of 100% Accuracy: At the time of this first field application, Dr. Farwells successes in the scientific laboratory with his invention were already well known. In collaboration with FBI scientist Dr. Drew Richardson, Dr. Farwell achieved 100% accuracy in using Farwell Brain Fingerprinting to identify FBI agents based on their brain responses to words and phrases only an FBI agent would recognize. Tests conducted by Dr. Farwell for the US Navy in collaboration with Navy LCDR Rene S. Hernandez, Ph.D., also resulted in 100% accurate results. In research on contract with a US government intelligence agency, Farwell Brain Fingerprinting achieved 100% accuracy in proving the presence or absence of a wide variety of evidence stored in the brains of individuals involved in over 120 cases. Dr. Farwell has published extensively in the scientific literature and presented his research to many scientific and technical audiences throughout the world . Farwell Brain Fingerprinting has been subjected to rigorous peer review under US government sponsorship, and has been found scientifically viable as well as revolutionary in its implications. Conclusion: Brain Fingerprinting is a revolutionary new scientific technology for solving crimes, identifying perpetrators, and exonerating innocent suspects, with a record of 100% accuracy in research with US government agencies, actual criminal cases, and other applications. The technology fulfills an urgent need for governments, law enforcement agencies, corporations, investigators, crime victims, and falsely accused, innocent suspects.

Moral Economy in Defoe’s Robinson Crusoe and Locke’s Second Treatise of Government :: Comparison Compare Contrast Essays

Moral Economy in Defoe’s Robinson Crusoe and Locke’s Second Treatise of Government James Joyce on Robinson Crusoe: â€Å"†¦the man alone, on a desert island, constructing a simple and moral economy which becomes the basis of a commonwealth presided over by a benevolent sovereign† (Liu 731). Issues of property and ownership were important during the 18th century both to scholars and the common man. The case of America demonstrates that politicians, such as Thomas Jefferson, were highly influenced by John Locke’s ideas including those on property and the individual’s right to it. Readers in the revolutionary era were also deeply interested in issues of spirituality and independence and read Daniel Defoe’s Robinson Crusoe. Both Locke and Defoe address the issues of property, private ownership, and property accumulation, connecting them with the notions of individual and political independence. Although they appear to converge, their philosophies vary greatly on these topics. Several scholars conclude that both Defoe’s and Locke’s ideals support the development of a moral economy although neither express this desire directly. Locke theorizeds extensively on property, privatization, and the means an individual can use for increasing his property. Initially, in the state of nature, man did not own property in the form of resources or land. All fruits of the earth were for the use of all men,â€Å"and nobody has originally a private dominion, exclusive of the rest of mankind, in any of them, as they are thus in their natural state† (Locke 353). In this state, people could appropriate only what they could make use of. It was unfair for one person to take more than he could use because some of that natural commodity would go to waste unless another man might have made use of it for his own benefit (360). Locke felt that God gave the bounties of nature to the people of earth and they, by default, should treat these bounties rationally. This rationalistic theory discourages waste. According to Locke’s theory, a commodity becomes the private possession of an individual who labors for it. Thus it is no longer a direct gift of nature: [A man] â€Å"that so employed his pains about any of the spontaneous products of nature, as any way to alter them from the state which nature put them in, by placing any of his labour on them, did thereby acquire a propriety in them† ( 360).

Strategic Operation Management

To be able produce professional managers capable of fulfilling strategic roles within business and government enterprises the need for the practice of operations management cannot be forgone. Operations management is very important in business operations since it forms the heart of the organisation by controlling the system of operation. Operations management deals with the design, operation, and improvement of the systems that create and deliver a firm’s primary products and services. Like marketing and finance, operations management is a functional field of business with clear management responsibilities. Guinness Ghana limited is a company in which produces alcoholic and nonalcoholic beverages such as Guinness and Malta Guinness respectively. In a business entity like Guineas Ghana limited the use of operations management is very necessary in every fabric of the company’s activities. Guinness Ghana Limited uses operations management to ensure and sustain efficiency and effectiveness in the organisation. Efficiency in Guinness Ghana is concerned with how well resources such as human expertise and inputs are put in use irrespective of the purpose for which they were deployed in the company. The company through its activities ensures that the primary objective for its establishment to make profits and maximize shareholders value is realized. The company reduces its cost of production by ensuring that tangible and intangible resources are not over stretched or wasted in the organisation. This is a situation where the company carries out effectively its objectives to be the market leader using minimum resources to achieve maximum output. The measures of effectiveness and efficiency in Guinness Ghana leads to labour productivity, yield, capacity fill working capital utilization and the efficiency of production systems. Guinness Ghana Limited also makes good use of its products and services management through operations management. Product (or service) management includes a wide range of management activities, ra nging from the time that there's a new idea for a product to eventually provide ongoing support to customers who have purchased the new product. Every organization conducts product management, whether it's done intentionally or unintentionally. Guinness Ghana through this module provides a wide overview of considerations in developing and managing its product. How a product is eveloped or managed depends very much on the nature of the organization and its products, Guinness Ghana uses it core competences in the areas of manufacturing, branding, marketing through wholesale and retail outlets to gain competitive advantage in the market place. Quality management is also a very important aspect of operations management in every organisation. Guinness Ghana is very critical about its products de veloped for the customer in the market place. Quality management is crucial to effective operations management, particularly continuous improvement to match the consumers taste and preference at all times. More recent advancements in quality, such as benchmarking and total quality management, outsourcing and reengineering have resulted in advancements to operations management in Guinness Ghana Limited. The company through its reengineering and benchmarking activities has always earned the leadership in the market. Benchmarking serves as a first class internal auditing process which the company uses to diagnose its weaknesses and identify ways of turning them into strength to increase itscustomer base in the market place. Management Control and Coordinating Function cannot be forgone in operations management especially in a company like Guinness Ghana Limited. Management control and coordination includes a broad range of activities to ensure that the company’s goals are consistently being met in an effective and efficient fashion. Basically, organizational coordination and control is what the company uses to take a systematic approach to figuring out if it is actually doing what it wanted to be doing or not. Some of the major approaches to the company’s organizational control and coordination include product evaluation, product distribution, advertising and promotion, sales and service and product development. For instance, product distribution in Guinness Ghana is done through retailers and other small distribution outlets organized by the company to ensure that its products reaches the consumer within an arms length. The company also uses advertisements as a major instrument to reach the customer and reorient the perception of customers about its products. In this increasingly expanding and competitive marketplace, the company ensures its products and services are prominently in the minds of their customers and clients. This occurs as a result of ongoing advertising and promotion by the company. Facilities management is also a necessary function and its importance on operations management for Guinness Ghana is needed. Effective operations management in the company’s activities depends on a great deal of effective management of facilities, such as buildings, computer systems, signage, lighting and plants and machinery. Facilities management in Guinness Ghana is very important since the company may be engaged in a batch or mass production depending on the demand circumstances on the market. In a case high demand which could necessitate higher or mass production, facilities needs to be managed in producing large quantities of products which must be standardized to meet the market demand at specific period. Well managed facilities like plants and machinery in the company help in production speed, lower per unit cost, ease of manufacture and control and the efficiency in the company’s production process. Inventory control and management is one importance of operations management that Guinness Ghana limited uses in its operations. Managing and controlling the inventory of the company is very critical. Innovative methods, such as Just-in-Time inventory control, are some of the major instruments used by the company to save costs and move products and services to customers more quickly. Generally the importance of operations management on businesses is embedded in every aspect of the organisations activities and therefore has critical role to play in ensuring that organisations achieve their objectives and goals.

Comparing and Contrasting Political Ideologies: Robert Kaplan vs. Noam Chomsky Essay

1. Chomsky Thesis Outline: The main points within Noam Chomsky’s thesis revolve around his idealistic values and his concept of †Elemental Morality†. When describing his concept of †Elemental Morality† Chomsky explains that if people cannot rise to the level that has them apply the same standards to themselves that they apply to others, they have no right to talk about what’s right and wrong. A common example of this hypocrisy has been executed by the United States-whom Chomsky claims to be a † leading terrorist state†- in an attempt to justify their country’s terrorist acts. In other words, when they do it it’s terrorism, but when we do it its counterterrorism. When looking at the U.S. invasion of Iraq, the war aims were claimed to be to overthrow the country’s brutal dictator Saddam Hussein, in which they succeeded. The U.S. has a history of using the fight for democracy as a justification for overthrowing regimes. However, Chomsky argues that the best way to overthrow power centers and brutal regimes is to do so from within with support of internal democratic organizations. Ironically the very regimes that are being fought against have commonly been found to have support from the U.S.: South Eastern Turkey (the Kurds), Nicaragua in the 1980s, Israel, and Afghanistan during the 1980s to name a few. In Chomsky’s eyes all of these atrocities are all equally immoral simply because they are all atrocities. Chomsky explains that if we want to stop comparing atrocities, the easiest way is to stop participating in them and try to find other ways to deal with  them. As a result, as long as people are able to think for themselves and free themselves from ‘the right wing imperialists’, then they can pose the same elementary morality, levels of violence and turmoil will globally decrease. Kaplan Thesis Outline: Robert Kaplan has been known for his right-wing views on foreign policy, his concept of †Pagan Ethos†, and his Hobbsian outlook on human nature and society. Kaplan believes that Judeo-Christian values have no place in politics (Pagan Ethos) and defies Chomsky’s concept of â€Å"Elemental Morality† by claiming that we need to accept the necessary evil for the greater good. However this is not to say that there is no line to be crossed morally when accepting such evil, for if more evil is used than ‘necessary’, those committing it will lose their credibility and virtuousness. In Kaplan’s opinion, humanity is not enough of a reason for the U.S. to intervene in a country’s conflict. He feels that in order for the Americans to justifiably enter a crisis they need to have interest in it as well. In a nation’s time of crisis where time is of the essence, Kaplan infers that it’s all about the short-term decisions the country makes. In terms of domestic policy versus foreign policy Kaplan believes that internationally the world is a lawless place (Hobbsian), and that we should enforce ‘Soft American Imperialism’. This concept suggests that foreign policy should be run by self-interest, which leads into Kaplan’s aspiration of the United States becoming the world’s ‘Organizing Hegemon’. Kaplan concurs that the United States is the only country whose power and force capable of properly executing a small amount of evil for the greater good. 2. Similarity: In terms of the application of morals in foreign policy, Kaplan has given some leeway towards Chomsky’s concept of ‘Elemental Morality.’ Kaplan acknowledges that there are certain situations where we should act on morality, and that it would be unacceptable to maintain total realistic values. Genocide might be an example; he cites Darfur, and Bosnia where the  U.S. should have intervened on humanitarian grounds alone. Kaplan recognizes â€Å"without an idealistic component to our foreign policy, there would be nothing to distinguish us from our competitors,† and â€Å"Pure realism—without a hint of idealism—would immobilize our mass immigrant democracy, which has always seen itself as an agent of change.† This is concurrent with Chomsky’s assertion in which he states that he is â€Å"guided by moral principles† and elaborates that â€Å"the main reason for my concern with U.S. foreign policy are that I find it, in gener al, horrifying,† and â€Å"the foreign policy of other states is also in general horrifying† Differences: 1)Where Chomsky feels that all atrocities are equal simply because they are atrocities, Kaplan claims that ‘adult choice in foreign policy is based on distinction’ and that some atrocities were necessary in order to contribute to the greater good. As an example to prove his point Kaplan uses Winston Churchill, whom during WWII had to make the decision to either warn Coventry of oncoming German bombers and risk the Germans discovering the British had cracked the Enigma Code, or allow Coventry to be bombed and have the upper hand against the Germans when intercepting their messages. In the end Churchill chose the latter, knowing full well that although his decision cost thousands of lives, the information the British obtained would potentially save hundreds of thousands-if not millions (the ends justify the means). 2)In terms of how Kaplan and Chomsky believe international feuds should be dealt with, Kaplan argues that humanity alone is not enough of a reason for the United States to intervene in a crisis; they need to have interest in the country itself to make their efforts worthwhile. However, Chomsky feels that if we want to stop atrocities we need to stop participating in them and try finding a more alternative and peaceful approaches to a solution. As long as people are able to think for themselves and free themselves from the mindset of ‘the right wing imperialists’ they can impose ‘Elemental Morality’ and therefore progress to peaceful solutions in a more productive manner than simply invading a country. 3. Opinion on Chomsky: I agree with Chomsky’s theory that the United States is a leading terrorist state, and that the government is hypocritical in the context of defining which nations are committing acts of terrorism as opposed to their own state’s actions. Post 9/11 the Bush Administration was quoted saying, â€Å"As we stated previously there is no middle ground between those who oppose terrorism and those who support it.† Yet, the U.S. has had alliances with Israel, Turkey (the Kurds), Russia, China, Indonesia, Egypt, and Algeria â€Å"all of whom are delighted to see an international system develop sponsored by the U.S. which will authorize them to carry out their own terrorist atrocities†¦Ã¢â‚¬  The U.S. was also â€Å"†¦the only country that was condemned for international terrorism by the World Court and that rejected a Security Council resolution calling on states to observe international law.† So why is it that the U.S. has failed to acknowledge themselves as a terrorist state? Perhaps they are too ignorant, or they simply do recognize it but choose to glaze over the facts in order to try preserving their image as a nation ‘fighting against terrorism’. As for Chomsky’s concept of â€Å"Elementary Morality†, I do consider the idea of people having no double standards when criticizing others for their actions to be a decent ideal to strive for. However, realistically the idea of getting the entire world to one day obtain this mindset is very far fetched. I feel that I side more with Kaplan when I say that the world will always have evil people in it, and they will find a way to inflict inhumane actions upon others. Opinion on Kaplan: From a practical perspective, Kaplan’s theories on foreign policy have more relevancies. Take the example of Syria for instance, and compare Chomsky’s standpoint on statehood and overthrowing regimes in relation to Kaplan’s more measured approach on intervening in other countries. Both Chomsky and Kaplan might agree that the atrocities undertaken by the Assad regime in Syria are just that: immoral and atrocious. However, where Chomsky professes a role of non-intervention for the sake of avoiding hypocrisy, and  would see a benefit rather than a tragedy in the dissolution of statehood, Kaplan would have us ask: â€Å"What is the cost of waiting for internal resolution?† and, indeed, â€Å"When are the costs—both economic and human—too high?† To date, in Syria, the U.S. has chosen a ‘non-imperialist’ standpoint more in line with Chomsky’s model of foreign policy for Syria, and what has been the result: â€Å"more t han 120,000 deaths; approximately two million refugees; four million internally displaced; a proxy war between Sunni-dominated countries and Shiah-dominated countries in the region; the largest use of chemical weapons against civilian populations in 25 years.† Mounting humanitarian and economic consequences, in my view, are grounds for considering action rather than inaction in foreign affairs. As Errol Mendes, Professor of International Law at University of Ottawa and visiting fellow at Harvard Law School writes: â€Å"What the failure to act early and especially in the face of the worst forms of violation of international criminal law by the Assad regime has shown is that sometimes the failure to act in such a situation is in fact acting by omission with devastating consequences for the country, the region and the entire global community.† 4. Benefit of Comparing: Having an open mind to both Chomsky and Kaplan’s views is simply a good way to extend our knowledge on different theories regarding foreign policy. Moreover, the benefit of comparing Chomsky and Kaplan’s ideologies is that it allows us to recognize there are different, and simultaneously compelling ways to respond to global conflict. Knowing the similarities and differences of both extreme idealism and realism, and weighing options in a time of national or potentially international crisis, can help lead to policy that is based on an informed choice. The importance of well-informed and carefully considered policy in international relations is the consequences. As Chomsky, himself stresses: â€Å"The impact of U.S. foreign policy on millions of people throughout the world is enormous, and furthermore these policies substantially increase the probability of superpower conflict and global catastrophe.† Bibliography Chomsky, Noam. 9-11. New York: Seven Stories, 2001. 40-55. Print. Kaplan, Robert D. â€Å"Interventionism’s Realistic Future.† Washington Post (2006): 1-2. Print Mendes, Errol. â€Å"The Cost of Non-intervention in Syria.† The Cost of Non-intervention in Syria. Ottawa Citizen, 26 Aug. 2013. Web. 27 Oct. 2013. â€Å"†The Reasons for My Concern†Ã¢â‚¬  Interview by Celia Jakubowicz. Noam Chomsky and U.S. Foreign Policy. Third World Traveller, n.d. Web. 27 Oct. 2013. .

6 Ways to Make ATS Work in Your Favor

6 Ways to Make ATS Work in Your Favor Resume screeners, formally called applicant tracking systems, are dreaded by most job seekers. While these robots make life much easier for the hiring manager who is inundated with applications, they are likely the reason you don’t hear back from many jobs for which you apply. When the human element of resume review is removed, your resume becomes purely technical. The good news? Technical means there is a strict set of guidelines by which ATS scan your resume- a set of guidelines you can follow when building your resume. Check out these 6 ways to make ATS work in your favor.1. Stick to a FormatYou’ve probably heard about the three main resume formats: chronological, functional, and hybrid. Each of these formats highlights a different part of a job applicant’s history. For example, the chronological resume, which is the classic resume format, focuses on work experience. The functional and hybrid resumes take some of the focus off of experience and shine it on val uable skills. Which format is best for ATS? Whichever format puts your work history in the best light.2. Introduce YourselfIt sounds pretty obvious, but forgetting to include your name and contact information on your resume could prevent you from getting your dream job. When an applicant tracking system parses your resume (distributes its information into sections), it includes the contact information so the hiring manager can send you an email or give you a call about an interview. Plus, many hiring managers will search ATS by zip code to find applicants who live in the area. So, include your name, phone number, email address, and full home address including zip code.3. Don’t Leave Out DatesOne way ATS work against the job seeker is when they forget to include dates beside their work experience and education. When your resume is parsed by the ATS, it orders your experience and education based on the dates. If you forget to include a date (month and year), that piece of infor mation could be parsed into the wrong section and never seen by the hiring manager.4. Keep it Visually CleanApplying through an ATS is not the time to use fancy fonts or bold designs. Research has actually shown certain fonts and designs (including columns) to parse incorrectly by ATS. Stick to Times New Roman, without columns, to be sure your font and design is not keeping your resume from being seen. When you get an interview, you can let your personality shine through.5. Customize Your KeywordsThis is a big one. After a resume is parsed by the ATS, it is entered into the database with every other application. The hiring manager can then search the database by keywords or skills. These skills will likely be the same top skills mentioned in the job posting. This means that before you apply for each job, you must customize your resume to be sure it includes all relevant keywords. Look for skills used more than once in the job posting and include them naturally into your resume. Be v ery wary of keyword stuffing when adding them more than once.6. Check Your WorkAll it takes is one letter out of place to make your â€Å"marketing† experience turn to â€Å"maketing† and send your resume to the bottom of the metaphorical ATS pile. Check your spelling and grammar, and then check them both again. Ask a friend to read it over one more time to be sure it is perfect. Run your resume through an optimization scanner like Jobscan to find out what keywords and other information is missing.Applicant tracking systems are a little bit like strangers- they are only scary until you get to know them. In fact, they can become your best friend if you learn to accept their secrets and quirks. The tips above will give you a solid foundation with which to build your ATS relationship.This post was written by James Hu, who is the founder and CEO of Jobscan, a tool that helps job seekers land more interviews by comparing one’s resqume against any job description for keywords and match rate.

Negotiation Paper Essays

Negotiation Paper Essays Negotiation Paper Essay Negotiation Paper Essay Thomas could not decide what to do. Rodgers asked for advice from all sorts of people including his parents. His father knew someone who worked at a car dealership and they set up an appointment to go meet with him. Upon entering the car dealership for his appointment Rodgers brought all his information with him that he had previously gathered from other resources. When starting to negotiate the dealer asked Rodgers to take a look around at the cars to see what type of car he wanted to Invest in. Rodgers already knew what he wanted and how much he wanted to spend. He expressed this to the dealer and he explained to the dealer what his bank had already stipulated. The dealer responded by telling Rodgers he can get him in the car he wanted at a better interest rate and it would be a 2010 vehicle. The dealer asked what color car he wanted and Rodgers replied silver. The dealer began working on the sale. The dealer ran Into a problem with that particular vehicle, the amount was over what Rodgers credit said he can afford (debt to orator)_ So the dealer asked Rodgers If e would be willing to switch to a light blue car with just a few thousand miles on it but it still was a 2010. Rodgers agreed. The dealer started re-working the sale. After a while the dealer told Rodgers he can get him into that vehicle at a lower interest rate but he needed $500 more towards the deposit. Rodgers wanted a little bit more to the contract If he was going to put down $5,500. The dealer worked some more. Finally, the dealer said the best he could do was a lower Interest rate with the same amount of deposit, with an added car protection maintenance plan for five years for the care, ND the final total of the car would be less than what he initially intended to spend. To sum it up Rodgers drove away in a vehicle that he really liked for a final total after deposit of $13, 543, an interest rate of 7. 9%, the car was a 2010, low miles, with the five year protection plan, the car only had one previous owner, the car had been in no car accidents, and a low monthly note. According to McGraw-Hill negotiating Is not only common but It Is also essential to living an effective and satisfying life. Negotiation is an agreement that has been agreed upon between two or more arties. Negotiations can occur in all different kinds of circumstances such as, business, government, personal individuals, legal proceedings, nations, marriages, parenting, and divorce. Attitude plays an important role in negotiations. Attitude has the potential to be positive or negative in a negotiation. Negative attitude can cause Intense emotion between the parties Involved. Conflicts can escalate and this can cause a Dreamlike In ten negotiation. Having a positive Attlee can possibly De able to lead to reach an agreement. This can possibly help maximize gains in the estimation. Positive and negative discrete emotions can be strategically displayed to influence task and relational outcomes and may play out differently across cultural boundaries (Spokesman, Rosette, and Thompson). Each negotiation situation is different, and is also influenced by a person style or emotions. Often negotiation is looked at as something bad, because it implies a difference in the parties involved. Understanding more about negotiations will allow the parties involved to manage the negotiation with confidence. This will most likely increase the chance of the outcome o be positive for all parties involved. Negotiation should not be confrontational. An effective negotiation is when there is communication with all parties involved and working together to find a solution. The attitude that a person takes in a negotiation sets the tone for the interaction between the parties. It is normal to become emotional in a negotiation. Keep in mind the more emotional one gets the less one is able to channel the negotiation in constructive ways. It is very important to maintain control. Overall, Rodgers did his research before entering the car dealership. Rodgers knew what his goal was and he went into the dealership with a positive attitude. Having a positive attitude Rodgers had more confidence going into the dealership. Rodgers knew that if he had a negative attitude going in it may have had a detrimental effect on the negotiation. Having a negative attitude going in could have cause the negotiation process to begin with distrust and clouded both parties judgment. This would have also narrowed the individual focus of attention and change the mind of both parties general goal from reaching the agreement.

Infographic How to Apply for College, Step by Step

Infographic How to Apply for College, Step by Step SAT / ACT Prep Online Guides and Tips The college application process can be a long and difficult journey for high school students. Organizing your application materials well in advance and paying attention to deadlines is critical. You should also start researching colleges earlier rather than later so that you can account for each school's specific application requirements. In this infographic, I've broken down the actions you need to take to be prepared for college applications starting at the beginning of your junior year through to your senior spring. Applying to collegeisn't as intimidating as it might seem! There are certain basic steps you will need to take beginning in your junior year. Ideally, you should take the SAT or ACT for the first time your junior fall to give yourself plenty of time to improve your scores before you apply to college. The early to middle part of junior year is also the best time to begin researching colleges. This ties into potentially retaking the SAT or ACT if you find that the colleges that interest you are looking for higher scores. In the spring of your junior year, it's a good idea to ask teachers if they are willing to write recommendation letters for you. Asking for letters early on will ensure that the teachers you've chosen are on board, and the letters themselves may turn out better since your teachers will have more time to think about what they want to say. In the summer before senior year, you can make your final college list and start looking at the specific requirements for each school. This is also a good time to prep for your last chance at standardized tests and begin thinking about your college essay. You should write a first draft of your essay in the summer so that you won't have to worry too much about it during the school year. When you're trying to fill out applications and manage your classes at the same time, the essay can seem like an overwhelming responsibility. Once your senior year starts, you should submit formal requests for recommendation letters to the teachers who agreed to write them for you in the spring. If you're planning on taking the SAT or ACT one last time, your final chance will be in October or November if you're applying early decision. Most early action and early decision applications are due by November 15th, and you will get back the decisions about a month later in mid-December. Regular decision applications are typically due around January 1st, but colleges have different policies for how late you can submit your SAT or ACT scores. Often, students are permitted to submit scores from tests taken as late as February, but make sure to look up schools individually to see what's allowed. You should be notified about the status of your regular decision applications by late March.All that's left after that is to choose your favorite college out of the schools where you were accepted. This might be the hardest part of the whole process (but in a good way)! What's Next? Are you interested in highly competitive colleges? Find out more about the most selective schools and how to ensure that you have the best chance of being accepted. If you're struggling to start writing your college essay, read this article to learn which prompt you should choose and how you can being the brainstorming process. Extracurricular activities will be an important aspect of your college application. Find out more about extracurriculars and why you should have them! Want to improve your SAT score by 240 points or your ACT score by 4 points?We've written a guide for each test about the top 5 strategies you must be using to have a shot at improving your score. Download it for free now:

International Finance and Internet Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 5000 words

International Finance and Internet - Essay Example Countries reacted by restricting movements of capital and establishing fixed exchange rates. Starting from 1973, industrial countries began to reduce restrictions on capital and exchange rates were driven by forces of competition between markets. Modern theory of trade encourages trade liberalisation towards global welfare. Trade liberalisation would enable countries to specialize in producing products they have comparative advantage at producing at more quantities and less costs. Eventually the world would enjoy more products at lower costs. The integration of innovations in Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) with trade liberalisation has lead to the emergence of International E-Commerce (IEC). IEC is a subset of e-commerce and it is defined as an on-line commitment to sell a product that result in the import or export of goods or services cross-borders. IEC still accounts for a small portion of overall international trade (USGAO 2002). Investment in ICT generated new financial instruments leading to invention of new means of conducting business worldwide. The Golden age of European economic growth (the period between 1950 and 1973) was superseded by the United States productivity growth that outperformed European productivity growth. ... During the 1990s there was spectacular progress in ICT production, which encouraged more capital investment in ICT causing ICT equipment to become much cheaper. ICT production became larger relative to GDP in the United States. EU has lagged behind the United States in ICT investment and in the contribution made by ICT to labour productivity growth. For most EU countries except Ireland, ICT production accounts for smaller proportion of GDP than in the United States (Crafts 2003). Weak investment in ICT in Europe is related to regulation. Employment protection legislation, which raises firing costs, is an obstacle to the reorganization of the labour force and work practices which are central to obtaining the payoff from ICT. Although Europe has moved in the direction of deregulation and some countries have a strong advantage over the United States in human capital, the continued strength of employment protection remains as a drag on ICT capital investment. ICT investment is likely to boost growth (Crafts 2003). 2.1 Economic Effect of Information and Communication Technologies It is assumed that innovative ICT will make financial transactions easier, secure and at a lower cost. It is possible to lower transaction costs since information costs make up a great portion of the transactions costs. Transaction costs are mainly operation cost. In the B2B segment, the use of e-commerce technologies, i.e. primarily electronic information exchange among enterprises, optimizes production, inventory keeping and distribution (Wenninger, 1999). Automating transactions may markedly reduce the procurement cost before, during and after a transaction,

Introduction to Organisations and Management Assignment - 3

Introduction to Organisations and Management - Assignment Example Business is a dynamic process governed by the economic, political and social environment in which it operates. Due to rapid changes in the operating environment entrepreneurs need to dynamic in their approach to devising and implementing strategies for growth and development. Businesses create opportunities within the community to grow and prosper. The report provides an assessment of the changes taking place in the business processes over the past few decades through a comparative analysis of the existing practices at H&M Consulting and Watson Engine Components. While Watson Engine Components exhibit a conventional style of management based on traditional values and practices, H&M Consulting offers a modern approach to dealing with its employees and customers. The strategic management practices here are based on innovative work culture that applies employee empowerment theories and open organization system that promotes employee commitment and proactive behaviour at workplace. The n ext few sections analyse these practices and highlight the significance of modern day management strategies through a comparative assessment of these two firms. ... In current business context, entrepreneurs re-engineer business processes to accommodate a flatter organization structure that necessitates free flow of information and knowledge to the workforce. Watson’s business strategy focuses on conventional business management approach that adopted a top down hierarchical structure. While this conventional form of management practice is successful in instilling discipline within the organization, it fails to motivate employees to perform better. Over the past few years Watsons has faced significant challenges in meeting the needs and requirements of the evolving business climate. The problems are evident in the difficulties faced by the organization in meeting delivery schedules and retaining employees. The management is opposed to innovative strategies that can help the company in boosting employee morale, productivity and performance efficiencies. The staff participation and involvement in decision making process within the organizati on is missing and the managers believe in adopting an authoritative style of leadership to promote business goals. Traditional organizations employees were provided with directives on how to get a task done and it was effective in accomplishing organizational goals. However, the employees simply followed directions and were not given the scope to think and act. This restricted their scope of personal and professional growth that had a negative impact on their performance in the long run. Participatory style of management is highly effective owing to their impact on employee decision making abilities, performance level, and positive reinforcement at work (Jelinek, 2010). â€Å"Business firms around the world are

Movies Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2750 words

Movies - Essay Example Considered in this movie are three movies upon which two are internet based movies while the third one is an artificial intelligence movie whose rationale is to showcase the timeline trends of computers and how various changes have occurred within the sectors that use computers and how realistic and relevant the movie themes hold to reality. Wargames, HAL 9000, and Catfish are the three movies in which modes of communication are observed through and how they differ from one movie to another with respect to time – HAL 9000 is the artificial intelligence movie in this list. SYNOPSIS OF THE MOVIES Wargames Wargames is a movie that is set in the 1980s upon which the capabilities of a computer program are viewed from a gamer’s point of view. In this case, the movie focuses on the computer program the WORP, also known as Joshua. Joshua in this case is an online game that engages users to lay out protocols and follow the gaming principles. In its design and structure, WORP has no malfunctions and therefore takes commands normally from anyone that can access login details. WORP is hacked by David and Jennifer using a backdoor entry in to the program’s code and triggers the program to come to live – killing and causing mayhem in real life. The movie also presents two aspects of governance and computer gimmickry upon which the government is unable to shut down the program while the hackers have an idea of how to rectify their created problem (Badham, 1983). While focusing on a program that transmits data and receives commands from a variety of gamers around the grind, it is observed that the means of communication in this case are rather represented by slow machines, dial up connections, and the use of 8† floppy discs to enable processing of traffic when playing the game. The mode of communication in this case is that the mainframe machine installed with the WORP communicates with other workstations through a virtual interconnectivity (B adham, 1983). The characteristics of communication in this 1983 movie are central to the tactics used to initiate a communication or initializing a connection with the mainframe machine. David and Jennifer hack into the program by using David’s home computer. This means that David, although he did not have as much resources in his disposal to hack the program, did not face complex processes of hacking into the program – this points to a major security problem with the manner at which online resources could be accessed and altered during this period (Badham, 1983). HAL 9000 HAL 9000 is a movie set in 2001 in which a mainframe super computer named HAL is entrusted with the duty to observe and sustain communications in a Jupiter bound spacecraft. The relevance of HAL within the spacecraft is to monitor and control various tasks of the spacecraft such as air conditioning, closing and opening of doors, and decoding and processing of instructions. In this case, the spacecraf t and its crew do not have much influence as to how HAL is designed. However, HAL is observed learning various natural language capabilities. This leads to the deaths of crew members such as Frank Poole and David Bowman as a conflict in instructional commands force HAL to make own decisions

Article Review Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 14

Review - Article Example However, today it is asserted by researchers that orbitofrontal cortex plays a role in value-based decisions only. Here, it can be clearly observed that researchers have not provided any logical reason for them not to agree that orbitofrontal cortex can also contribute as the brain makes decisions based on prior experiences or habits. Researchers have simply stated that if the value is cached or pre-computed like experiences or habits, then orbitofrontal cortex is not needed to participate in the decision making process. But, how this change in the functioning or responsibility of the brain area took place has not been discussed in this study (Science Daily). In this study, researchers have shown a unique side of learning behavior, which refers to a persons learning through unexpected outcomes. Generally it is believed that a person learns through his experiences; however, in the article researchers have highlighted another form of true learning, but they have not provided evidence to prove that a person can learn through unexpected outcomes (Science Daily). Furthermore, a conflict in statements of researchers can be observed as initially they have agreed that orbitofrontal cortex has nothing to do with the decisions based on experiences or habits. But, on another occasion this article quotes statement of postdoctoral researcher Joshua Jones, who said that "Our research showed that damage to the orbitofrontal cortex may decrease a persons ability to use prior experience to make good decisions on the fly". Here, it can be observed that researchers have contradictory statements in the same article, which are undoubtedly confusing and difficult to understand (Science Daily). Serious side-effects of drug addiction particularly use of cocaine have been highlighted in the article to indicate that drugs coerce the brain system and hijack

Project Planning Management and Control Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Project Planning Management and Control - Essay Example However, it should not escape the construction industry stakeholders that there are certain core factors and challenges that unpleasantly affect the planning, implementation and the completion of construction projects (Cleland and Gareis, 2006). Thus, construction stakeholders have to be conversant with and knowledgeable about the core principles of project planning, control, and management to successfully execute construction projects. Generally, project management entails all activities that deal with leading, planning, securing, organizing, administering and controlling resources so that defined project goals and objectives are achieved. Unlike normal business undertakings, construction projects are rather unpredictable, non-repetitive and rarely permanent in the functional activities that create the desired objectives. Project managers and workers thus require special and distinct technical and management skills/strategies to ensure all project factors and challenges are identifi ed and addressed thoroughly (Cleland and Gareis, 2006). This paper explores the various factors and challenges in construction projects and the possible solutions to the challenges. ... In most cases, project owners hire project contractors, whose duties include the coordination of all sub-contractors for a project. Different projects require different types and number of contractors. For instance, in simple housing projects, sub-contractors could be metalworkers, plumbers, electricians, carpenters, roofers and dry-wall installers. Effective contractors ensure that no gaps exist between the completion of one stage and the commencement of the next, thus saving time, cost and labor (Kerzner, 2003). Sound contracting principles and practices also ensure that only the best contractors that would not cause project friction by allowing job overlaps and delays are hired. Effective contracting is thus not only essential for the ordering and supplying of materials and laborers but also for the coordination of both off- and on-site sub-contractors (Kerzner, 2003). Furthermore, contractors serve as the link between project owners and workers through properly established commun ication avenues. Among the other construction project factors worth noting are efficiency, organization and project safety. To progress smoothly and realize its goals and objectives, a construction project requires the highest levels of planning and organization. The first indication of organization in construction projects is the presence of labor on-site with all the processes and material supplies well-coordinated (Phillips, 2003). This process and material coordination is particularly important for projects that rely on different suppliers for materials. In fact, in such projects, it would be quite costly if materials are omitted or supplied late. The increased

Bullying Causes School Violence Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2750 words

Bullying Causes School Violence - Research Paper Example Bullying involves â€Å"a person’s or a group’s intentional and hurtful action towards one person or more than one person and involves a complex interplay of dominance and social status† (Sutton, Smith, & Swettenham, 1999). Physical violence, slander, and verbal intimidation are just of the few manifestations of bullying. Incidence of bullying are so prevalent in schools that a national estimate of more than 1.5 million students bullying and being bullied on a weekly basis in the United States (Nansel et. al., 2001). By surveying more than 15, 000 students in grades 6 through 10, the researchers found that one in seven students is either a bully or victim. This research was also supported by different self-methodological reports which generally yields that a wide range of bullying prevalence estimated with as many as 75% of youth reported that they are being the target of peer harassment at least occasionally (Olweus, 1993; Cowie & Dawn, 2004; and Sanders & Phye, 2004). Such harassment may include physical contact, verbal assault, making obscene gestures or facial expressions, and being intentionally excluded. Although numerous programs have been created to decrease the violence and harassment occurring at school, there are indications from numerous studies that provide startling results about the frequency of bullying in schools. Such statistics suggest that bullying is quite common and not decreasing (Olweus, 1991; Glew et. al., 1997, and Bradley & Daniels, 2011). Because of this, there is a need to examine the implications of aggression, violence, and bullying among children and young adults across the country. Reactive and Proactive Bullying Because of the growing concerns of the prevalence of bullying in schools, researchers have begun to distinguish... This report approves that bullying is a serious matter involving a substantial number of students. No one knows at this point exactly what caused students such as Charles Andrew Williams, Eric Harris, Dylan Klebold, and Cho Seung-Hui others to shoot and kill their fellow students at school, but bullying is frequently mentioned as a possible contributor. The report released by U.S. Secret service that two thirds of school shootings have been caused by attackers who experienced bullying clearly showed how grave the bullying climate at US schools is. This essay makes a conclusion that bullying may be a barrier that impedes effectiveness of teaching, the primary mission of school personnel, yet recent studies found that evidence-based, whole-school approaches to bullying are rarely implemented in elementary schools. Implementing anti-bullying interventions in the elementary years, before bullying becomes a part of school culture, might improve schools’ ability to carry out their educational mission by improving students’ ability to focus on learning and establishing an atmosphere of respect early on. Well-conducted, comprehensive bullying prevention programs can be effective in reducing the number of bullying incidents and creating a climate that discourages bullying behavior. We should begin to look at bullying as a behavior fraught with inherent violence that can contribute to a horrific cycle of mayhem and at its worst, death of school children in the country. The information presented in this paper provides additional evidence of the need for elementary school personnel to implement bullying prevention programs, not only to prevent school shootings but also to prevent potential barriers to providing education: student feelings of lack of safety, belonging, and sadness.

Project Planning Management and Control Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Project Planning Management and Control - Essay Example However, it should not escape the construction industry stakeholders that there are certain core factors and challenges that unpleasantly affect the planning, implementation and the completion of construction projects (Cleland and Gareis, 2006). Thus, construction stakeholders have to be conversant with and knowledgeable about the core principles of project planning, control, and management to successfully execute construction projects. Generally, project management entails all activities that deal with leading, planning, securing, organizing, administering and controlling resources so that defined project goals and objectives are achieved. Unlike normal business undertakings, construction projects are rather unpredictable, non-repetitive and rarely permanent in the functional activities that create the desired objectives. Project managers and workers thus require special and distinct technical and management skills/strategies to ensure all project factors and challenges are identifi ed and addressed thoroughly (Cleland and Gareis, 2006). This paper explores the various factors and challenges in construction projects and the possible solutions to the challenges. ... In most cases, project owners hire project contractors, whose duties include the coordination of all sub-contractors for a project. Different projects require different types and number of contractors. For instance, in simple housing projects, sub-contractors could be metalworkers, plumbers, electricians, carpenters, roofers and dry-wall installers. Effective contractors ensure that no gaps exist between the completion of one stage and the commencement of the next, thus saving time, cost and labor (Kerzner, 2003). Sound contracting principles and practices also ensure that only the best contractors that would not cause project friction by allowing job overlaps and delays are hired. Effective contracting is thus not only essential for the ordering and supplying of materials and laborers but also for the coordination of both off- and on-site sub-contractors (Kerzner, 2003). Furthermore, contractors serve as the link between project owners and workers through properly established commun ication avenues. Among the other construction project factors worth noting are efficiency, organization and project safety. To progress smoothly and realize its goals and objectives, a construction project requires the highest levels of planning and organization. The first indication of organization in construction projects is the presence of labor on-site with all the processes and material supplies well-coordinated (Phillips, 2003). This process and material coordination is particularly important for projects that rely on different suppliers for materials. In fact, in such projects, it would be quite costly if materials are omitted or supplied late. The increased

Letters to Editor Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Letters to Editor - Essay Example ly opposing the message relayed in the original publications, these letters appear as an avenue for readers to express their opinions that contradict the information relayed by editors. The main purpose of these letters is to give responses to previous publications on sports-related issues on the newspaper. These letters are directed to the editor who relates to the publications attracting reactions through the given letters. To make reference to the publications, the writers of the letters give the titles of the publications and the dates they appeared on the newspaper, similar to referencing in academic writing. Thus, the writer needs not to give the message relayed in the publication but gives personal reaction outright. This style differs from general writing where an introduction, perhaps giving a summary of the message in the original publication and the objective of the current task, would be given to put the task into context. This difference could make readers of the â€Å"Letters to the Editor† not to have the requisite background information. As such, it could cause a failure in understanding the objective of the letter. However, it is clear that the letters critique, with a majority seemingly criticizing, the message relayed in past

Stages Of Purchase Decision Making Process Marketing Essay

Stages Of Purchase Decision Making Process Marketing Essay Introduction Market research helps the organization to bring the data which make sense of the organizational performance. Moreover, the successful marketer has focused on the market research to bring the information which is applied in the marketing activities. Therefore, the organization become becomes stable when the marketing activities are successful (Kumar, 2010).. However, the competitive advantage is increased due to the successful inauguration of the marketing plan. For an example, the Proctor Gamble is operating huge market research to strengthen the marketing activities which brought the larger market share. Through this paper the key concepts of marketing research will be merged with the different marketing activities. 1. Requirement One 1.1 Stages of Purchase Decision Making Process Here the purchase decision making process is directly concerned with the final consumer purchase decision making process and the consumer purchase decision is differs in the particular products to products. For example, the buying behavior of toothpaste is different from i-pod. However, the purchase decision process has five stages which are reflected in the following figure one. http://www.seo.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/Consumer-Research-Process1.png Figure One: Purchase Decision Stage, Source: Jeannet and Hennessey, (2011) This figure is suggesting that, consumers go through all of the stages when they need to purchase (Jeannet and Hennessey, 2011). For an example, when a customer need to purchase a Mobile phone, he/she needs to have need awareness, then move to the information search in the mobile market, then make evaluation between alternatives, then make purchase, finally he/she express the post purchase behavior which reflect the positive or negative feedback. 1.2 Theories of Buyer Behavior in Terms of Individual and Market The buying behavior of the consumers differs in the different market and for that reason exper developed different theories of consumer buying behavior. According to Czinkota and Ronkainen, (2012), there are four theories of the buying behavior which is listed in the following. Complex Buying Behavior: In this situation, consumers have higher involvement in the expensive, risky, purchased infrequently, and highly self-expressive product. Dissonance Reducing Buying Behavior: Highly involvement but seeks little difference between brands. Habitual Buying Behavior: Low involvement of consumers but little brand differences. Variety-Seeking Buying Behavior: Have low consumer involvement but brand difference is significance. 1.3 Factors Affecting Buyer Behavior In the modern market, consumers need to make different buying decision in different condition which is affected by the different factors. However, consumer purchase decision is affected by the culture, society, personality, and psychology. This is listed in the following figure. https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUxG072W62lbdt3WY_rWG1fq7ocGnAyu6SX6dzowTYFJvthNAhEfUBTDl_xvE5Sw-AwgztgXYo3sK77w00Iu7e-ueiWhlfhQF_AmMVwJ0fYWDdJ0uv71B07nVs05gJc5B-fkBcRTP7zwE/s1600/chart+1.jpg Figure Two: Factors affecting consumer buying behavior. Source: Craig and Douglas, (2009) Cultural: Human behavior is controlled by the culture that is followed by the people and this culture affects purchasing decision. Social: The social structure influences the purchasing behavior of the consumers. Personal: The personal characteristics influence the purchasing decision of the consumers. Psychological: The psychological factors influence the purchasing behavior of consumer like motivation toward purchasing. 1.4 Relationship among Brand Loyalty, Corporate Image, and Repeat Purchasing The brand loyalty, corporate image, and repeat purchasing have strong impact on the competitive advantage of a firm in the highly competitive market. The brand loyalty creates customer loyalty which is resulted the repeat purchasing of the customer Douglas and Craig, (2009). However, the brand loyalty, corporate image, service, price and service quality leads to increase the loyal customer and those loyal customer is the asset of a firm who enhance the brand loyalty and corporate image. The brand loyalty will authentic when the customers have true attitude to make the repeat purchasing. For example, the Pepsi is considered as the true brand loyalties which have the corporate image in the competitive market. 2. Requirement Two 2.1 Types of Market Research Techniques Generally, the market research or the marketing research is designed to collect information to implement in the marketing activities of the firm. Normally, the market research has the two techniques which are listed in the following. Primary Research: The primary research has two ways which is Qualitative and Quantitative research. In qualitative research the research can be designed through the open-ended question and focus groups. However this research technique is used to gather the descriptive information (Dodd, 2008). On the other hand, the quantitative research gathers numerical information to analyze the marketing techniques. The quantitative techniques are done through the surveys. Secondary Research: The secondary research gathers information on the topic which is already published. The secondary research information is gathered from the different institution like trade associations, chamber of commerce, universities, media like newspaper, magazines etc (Dodd, 2008).. 2.2 Source of Secondary Data The secondary data is collected from the different sources which are already published. The secondary research information is already exists. For that reason, the primary data collection is not needed and the secondary information can be gathered from the libraries, public information centre, books, business publication, magazines, newspapers, trade associations, NGOs, banks, real states, insurance companies, wholesalers, manufacturer, regional organsiation, media representatives and many others (Dodd, 2008).. 2.3 Validity and Reliability of Market Research Findings Every research does not require the high level elaboration of study. But, the marketing research needs to conduct the minimum level of study which makes the actual result of the study. The small and informal research background may bring the irrelevant or wrong result (Craig and Douglas, 2009). However, the research validity comes from the data gathering techniques, ethical consideration, and the claims that are done through during the preparation of the research. The research validity may influence greater techniques which mentioned the similarities of other research and opinions. Most of the cases the samples are too small which leads to the poor reliability of the research findings. 2.4 Preparing Marketing Research Plan The marketing research plan is designed to bring the information to implement the current marketing activities. For an example, the market research plan for the Proctor Gamble (PG) has developed to bring out the information of 4.2 billions of customer perception. However, PG has developed the marketing research to justify the brand equity in the market to provide the competitive advantage (Ahmed et al., 2010). For that reason, the company started to cater the consumer to find out the appropriate result and the company has spent tremendous amount of money, effort to bring the innovation. PG knows that, the consumers know about the products which are delivered for the development of the marketing research techniques. PG has successfully handled the market research which brought the appropriate result to determine the marketing result. Now, PG believes that was the only reason why the company is placed in the worlds top one of the brands. 3. Requirement Three 3.1 Market Size Trends within the Market The market size is calculated by the total volume or value of sales in the market and the total volume is calculated through the number of units sold and the amount spent by the customer to have the costs of goods sold. To illustrate this an example of UK book market can be considered, the UK book market is healthy and dynamic market which saw that the market size is upward. In this market, the consumers are the main driver and the publishers need to promote the new writers books rather the old writers (Ahmed et al., 2010). Because, the old writer already captured the market and new writers can expand the market which increase the market size. However, the book market size is also expanding due to non-fiction growth of the products and services which helps to expand the market size. 3.2 Competitor Analysis of Tesco Tesco is the biggest supermarket chain in the UK. The most significant issue is that, the UK supermarket and food retail market is considered as heavily consolidated. In the supermarket chain, the top five supermarket chain has the major market share which is minimum more than five and these companies are Tesco, Asda, Sainsburys, Wm. Morrison, and Somerfield. These five companies have more than 80 percent of the total market share in the UK. However, the competition between these companies is intense and dynamic (Henry, 2011). However, the competition is begins with plan which is set to position in the market, Tesco considers Asda and Wm Morrison low price group who has the strong market influence in the market and Asda is the second largest UKs supermarket chain. Whereas, the Sainsburys and Somerfield are considered as the smaller competitors, which have focus on the higher price. Tesco is the largest supermarket chain and consider all the competitors to set the marketing activities in the market to increase the sales of the product. In the UK supermarket chain, Tesco is holding the 30 percent market share and Asda and Sainsburys has the second and third position which belongs 16 and 17 percent market share respectably (Bagozzi Foxall, 2009). However, the Morrison holding the fourth position which has the 11 percent market shares with the acquisition of the Safeway. The competitor Somerfield has the 6 percent market share for the fifth position. 3.3 Opportunities and Threats for Asda Asda is a second largest supermarket of UKs supermarket chain, which have currently booming position in the supermarket chain. However, the company was taken over by the USAs biggest brand Wal-Mart. Though, it has been taken over by the Wal-Mart, the brand name didnt change and the old brand name successfully promoted by the Wal-Mart which is completely efficient strategic decision (Bagozzi Foxall, 2009). This strategy has brought some opportunities for Asda, as well as threats. This is relevant in all business practice that, the threats is existed in line with the opportunities. So the opportunities and threats need to identify to attempt for the best alternative action in the market. In the following the opportunities and threats is identified (Lewis and Slack, 2003). Opportunities Threats Sufficient Shareholder More brands but lower selling of high brand products. Currently second largest supermarket chain in UK Asda cannot be compared with TESCO(first biggest supermarket chain) Provides best value rather money to the retailer Focus on selling of Asdas product rather the big brand like Nestle, Cadbury, Proctor and Gamble, Unilever. Having high profit margin Less stores compared to the competitors Efficient procurement system Focus on great profit Table: Opportunities and Threats of Asda. 4. Requirement Four 4.1 Techniques to Assess Customer Response The assessment of the customer response is fully depends on the activities of the firms performance in the firms activity sector. Moreover, the techniques of the customer response are highly developed on the assessment and measurement of the financial planning in which the customer survey is considered as the best way to assess the customer response Doyle, P. (2008). Besides, the customer survey, an organization can assess the different yardsticks which are described in the following part of the paper. Productive Performance Indicator: The productivity of the organization will be increased when the customer response is developed. Because, the sales of the product is increased and the demand for the product also increased in line with the sales. Then, a company try to increase the productivity is increased. Then the organization can easily trace the customer responses. Financial Performance: when the customer response is positive the financial performance is upward. Because, the increased sales contribute to increase the profit margin which make the company profitable. The positive performance brings the customer response. Quality Performance: if the organization offers the better products in the market the customer try to take the full responsibility which increases the product sales. The quality performance is able when the continuous selling is running. Response Cycle Time: The customer who intends to response with the product quality then the repeat purchase increase. The sales volume represent whether the customer making the repeat purchase. This indicates the customer response of the organization. 4.2 Customer Satisfaction Survey To assess the customer satisfaction the direct survey is continued which has logical collaboration of the abandon item. But, most of the cases the survey questions do not matched with the customer satisfaction level and the perceived customer value are highly merged with customer experience (Catherine, 2011). Here, the questionnaire for customer survey is as follows. What is your gender? Which range indicates your age? How long the products are used? Which product and services is preferred by the organization to serve you. How frequent the purchasing of the products needs. The rating of the overall satisfaction level to customer level. Will you recommend to your friend and family to buy from this product. The brand attributes need to be argued or not? Rating the companys product. Which logo customer beliefs to make brand relation? How satisfied you overall with the products attributes? Is the firm is able to support your problems? If the product dont be able how the staff are offer to serve recent problems? How efficient the customer service system of the organization. This question is designed with the options which have the logical structure of the satisfied, strongly satisfied, not satisfied, and neutral. This survey result will help to find out the actual result of the survey. 4.3 Review of the Survey The survey questionnaire brings the data of specific problems and weaknesses of the organization. The term customer satisfaction will be measured when the result of the survey report will be submitted. Moreover, the actual results will carry the recent information which is carried by the research objectives (Catherine, 2011). Customer satisfaction will be brought when the result of the survey will be positive. However, the results may positive or negative both is expected. When the result will be positive the company will try to maximize the service components and features. On the other hand, if the result is negative the organization may take action to make the product development with the special feature comparing the competitors. The customer service provides the special features of the recommendation which develop the marketing activities. Training Plan The training session for the 10 mid level manage will be focused on the key procedures of the market research techniques. The market research techniques is designed to develop the authentic collaboration with the different techniques of research, how to bring the actual result, how to response with the negative result. This system will be enhanced when the research is designed to develop the specific actions of the research techniques. The ten midlevel manager will able to carry out the research of the organization. Conclusion In brief, the high level of value adds the high level of the organizations performance. The customer service is designed to provide the actual results which are demonstrated the individual customers (Bagozzi Foxall, 2009). However, the firms need to focus on the after sale service to bring the customer response which bring the brand equity in line with the corporate image. So, the research and development is the necessary part to know whether the customer is satisfied or not. Finally, the satisfied customer bring the huge benefit for the organization in long run with profitability and growth.

President Bill Clinton :: William Jefferson Clinton Essays

As Americans we feel we have the right to know everything about everyone. Yet, when it comes to our own personal lives, we don’t want people sticking their noses in our business. All over the United States of America you can turn on the television and see some talk show about â€Å"Who’s the babies Daddy,† or something that has to do with some obscene incident that no one would ever want to admit to have happening. As people we thrive off of other people’s bliss and misery. It is a trait that every person possesses; we all want to hear about other lives. Sometimes this trait can cause problems, for example, when former president Bill Clinton was questioned on incidents involving Monica Lewinsky. Why do we allow our country to make other people’s issues our own? Clinton was a victim to our countries belief of thinking that it is there â€Å"RIGHT† to know about the president’s personal life. Although Clinton originally lied to our country about having sexual relations with Monica Lewinsky, the manner that he was questioned in was wrong. The press and media put him in an uncomfortable situation. Clinton knowing that what he had been doing was wrong, he hadn’t told his wife or family, and wasn’t ready to admit to cheating on his wife in front of the nation. Being as the embarrassment was too much to handle. Clinton went many months telling lies on the happening with Lewinsky. Finally on August 7, 1998 Clinton came out before the Office of Independent Counsel and a grand jury and gave his presidential address from the Map Room of the White House. Clinton stated that he had misled people into believing he did not have sexual relations. He came out and told the world that he did in fact have these relations with Lewinsky. The questions were not all answered and there was still more that the American public wanted to know. Although Clinton told the truth about Lewinsky, there were many whispers going around about drug usage in the Oval Office. Jack Christy of the USA Radio Network had an exclusive interview with Clinton and there were many questions asked that were not answered and for good reason. When Clinton was asked about the drug issue he was â€Å"surprised and hostile† when asked about â€Å"a matter that was not public.† Bill Clinton. There were many questions involving Lewinsky bringing drugs into the Oval Office.

Essay --

Aerogel is a synthetic porous ultra-light material derived from a gel, in which the liquid component of the gel has been replaced with a gas, resulting in a solid with extremely low density and low thermal conductivity. Nicknames include "frozen smoke", "solid smoke", "solid air" or "blue smoke" owing to its translucent quality and the way light scatters in the material. However, it feels like Styrofoam to the touch. Aerogels are solid, rigid, dry materials that do not resemble a gel in their physical properties. Pressing softly on an aerogel usually does not leave even a minor mark; pressing more firmly will leave a permanent depression. Despite the fact that it is susceptible to to shattering, it is very strong structurally. Aerogels are good thermal insulators because they are adept at counteracting the three methods of heat transfer (convection, conduction, and radiation). They are good conductive insulators because they are composed almost entirely from a gas, and gases are very poor heat conductors. Silica aerogel is especially good because silica is also a poor conductor of heat (a metallic aerogel, on the other hand, would be less effective). Aerogels are poor radioactive insulators because infrared radiation passes right through silica aerogel. Aerogels by themselves are hydrophilic, but chemical treatment can make them hydrophobic. If they absorb moisture they usually suffer a structural change, such as contraction, and deteriorate, but this can be prevented by making them hydrophobic. Aerogel was discovered in the late 1930’s by chemist Samuel Stephens Kistler. He accomplished this by the process of supercritical fluid drying. A supercritical fluid is any substance at a temperature and pressure above its critical poi... ...st spacecraft. The particles vaporize on impact with solids and pass through gases, but can be trapped in aerogels. †¢ NASA used aerogel for thermal insulation of the Mars Rover and space suits. †¢ The US Navy is evaluating aerogel undergarments to be used as thermal protection for divers. †¢ Dunlop Sport uses aerogel in some of its racquets for tennis, squash and badminton. The production and use of silica aerogels is nonthreatening to the environment. No considerably hazardous wastes are created during their construction. The disposal of silica aerogels is harmless. In the environment, they quickly crush into a fine powder that is basically identical to sand. Additionally, silica aerogels are completely non-toxic and non-flammable. If they eventually find their way into widespread use, they could eradicate a very large amount of unwanted, hazardous plastic materials.

Psychology, Theology and Spirituality in Christian Counseling Essay

Introduction Traditionally, psychology and theology have stood in opposition to each other. Christian counselors felt that the relationship between the two disciplines is essentially adversarial. Those who tried to integrate psychology and theology were criticized for doing so. As time goes by, important insights about human behavior and the importance of spirituality have been highlighted. As such, the principles of psychotherapy and psychology could do well to heed the lessons offered by theology, specifically the principles of prayer, worship, the Christian centrality of redemption and forgiveness. McMinn’s book highlighted new theories, techniques, and other important information in psychotherapy and psychology. The book essentially integrates spiritual principles into the practice of psychology and psychotherapy instead of the other way around. Hence, even non-Christian counselors can make use of Christian principles in dealing with their counselees. In the course of this integration, McMinn discusses psychology, theology and spirituality and the different areas where they overlap and where meaningful integration can be achieved in helping people deal with different issues in their emotional, mental and overall well-being.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   In traditional psychotherapy, religion tends to be relegated to the sidelines and not brought out into the open in discussions. Psychology instead relies on human experience, the meanings generated from these experiences and how such meanings impact the life of a person. God’s involvement, more or less is relegated to the sideways. On the other hand, theology has placed God at the center of understanding human behavior and the social processes in the world. Hence, God’s word and the way it is interpreted are used in evaluating human experiences and behaviors. Because of the mutual exclusivity of the two disciplines, practitioners of either discipline tended to ignore what the other has to offer.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   McMinn, through his book however, poses that the Christian view of humans and of God’s involvement in the lives of people has an important impact in the mental and emotional help of people. Christian practices such as prayer and the reading of scripture can help a lot in determining the condition of individuals and help them initiate in the process of looking into themselves and evaluating themselves in light of God’s word.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   If this were done, the counselee will be directed to areas of sin in his life. In a sense, he will not be able to understand the areas of sin unless he has a standard to use. In this case, it is the Scripture with the help of the Holy Spirit that directs the person’s attention to the areas of sin in his life. When these areas shall have been recognized, then confession can be done. Confession helps the person put a name to the nameless feelings of guilt and shame. When they have been named, then their power over the person tends to loosen. Confession, a distinct Christian practice, helps the person unload and pour out his heart. This in turn paves the way for forgiveness to come—forgiveness from oneself, from the people involved and from God.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Forgiveness then makes redemption possible. Even if the scars of the sins are still there, redemption enables a person to walk away from sin and its painful consequences and start anew. More than simply starting anew, however, redemption entails being re-integrated into the community and into the world. Response to the Book   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   As a Christian, I was raised in a setting where the Bible is the authority over major issues in life. As such, I could identify with those who tend to look at Psychology with suspicious eyes. As such, with McMinn’s book came as an important eye-opener in regards to the benefits that the integration of psychology, theology and spirituality could do in the overall well-being of a person.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Confession though is a little difficult to do. Oftentimes, the church fosters a place where people do not feel safe to confess. Fellowship also tends to get broken down because of hypocrisy. People are afraid of opening up, afraid of being looked down as not being enough of a Christian. A friend of mine was struggling with depression even in the midst of doing ministry for the Sunday School of the church. He did not actively seek help for fear of being discredited in his ministry. By the time he sought help he was under the throes of his depression and needed to have professional help. As a friend, I did not have much to help him because I did not understand enough psychology in helping him. I was loaded with bible verses, which he also knew. I found out that even if I had tons of bible verses, it was not enough without a good understanding of how a person’s experiences affect his emotions and his well-being. If I simply heeded the need to consult psychology, I would have been in a better position to help my friend even if I were not a professional. During the course of my friend’s therapy, he related to me the counseling process and it was based almost solely on psychology. Even if God was being brought into discussion because of my friend’s faith, He was not central in the process. There were also techniques used by the psychotherapist that resembled some of the Christian practices that we were exposed to but were not being practiced in church. At first, I was skeptical of the process because the role of God and of faith has been minimized. As I continued my discussions with my friend, however, there was a noticeable change in my friend and he was indeed becoming better. In one of our conversations, he even talked about his realization that psychology has much to offer to Christians who want to make a difference in the lives of others in terms of counseling and helping cope with the challenges of life. Integration of Psychology, Theology, and Spirituality   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The greatest learning for me in this book is the idea that three separate disciplines could be integrated for the promotion of the total well-being of a person. Indeed, psychology can help look at the mental aspect of person and help provide additional understanding of the significance of the experiences that people go through. More than that, there are techniques and tools that psychology offers. These can then be used by a Christian counselor in helping a person who is going through a difficult time in his life. Psychology can also help blunt the tendency of theology to focus too much on sin, guilt, and shame. These concepts however, should not be set aside totally as they are also important in helping a person come to terms with his true situation in life. The role of theology is to bring God’s standards to the settings in which humans find themselves. God’s word stands as the standards in which human behavior may be subjected to. Being Christians, the primary purpose of counseling is to align a person’s life in the standards of God. This is what I am alarmed about in the book—that in the process of integrating theology and psychology, theology might be relegated to the side and psychology takes center stage. There is indeed a place for scientific inquiry and the use of tools and techniques developed by man for the betterment and empowerment of a person. Yet, as Christians, God’s word should be the first basis of truth and standards of behavior. Psychology deals with emotions, thoughts, responses, and other insights from the lives and experiences of humans. Psychology, in itself, might even draw a person away from God and institute a new version of spirituality that may not be in conjunction with the Christian faith. Another question that I had in the course of reading the book concerns the Christian practices and principles. If for example, non-Christian psychologists do recommend the practice of these principles, such practices may simply be practiced for the sole purpose of improving the person and not for the original purpose of these principles and practices. Prayer, scripture, confession, forgiveness and redemption are concepts that are heavily Christian in essence. Can they be practiced effectively outside of the Christian context? Moreover, if a Christian counselor would use these practices, would not that be constituted as a means of proselytism? There have been challenges in the integration of psychology into theology. On the other hand, while integrating spiritual principles and practices into psychology has its benefits, there may also be drawbacks. The spirituality of the person may be seen as simply a means of improving one’s well-being and not as means of following Christ. Spirituality then might become as simply another tool for man to use instead of being used for the glory of God. Furthermore, the issue of openly promoting Christian practices in the practice of psychology might not be welcome to certain kinds of people. Although it is good to promote Christian practices, there may be issues in terms of their general acceptability, especially because religion is being seen as a highly personal matter. Nonetheless, what I like about the book was the way that McMinn used the term spirituality instead of religion. Spirituality seems to indicate a higher level of significance in the life of people. Christianity as a means to ensuring spiritual and mental health was clearly elucidated by McMinn. He showed in his discussions that Christianity is not only about church attendance every Sunday. Rather, it is a dynamic faith that can help a person deal with issues on a daily basis. McMinn also was riled against the kind of spirituality that seeks only to serve the interest of an individual, especially the type that integrates this and that from different disciplines. His presentation about the integration of psychology, theology, and spirituality was not only theoretical; he presented case studies, which illustrated that Christianity as a faith is relevant to twenty-first century life. Conclusion   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The divide between theology and psychology has been going on for a long time in their applicability in counseling. There are those who look at psychology as a purely human-made discipline and that it is totally incompatible with theology and the way that God’s word deals with human experiences, emotions, and mental health problems. Yet, in this age, the techniques, tools and strategies offered by psychology can no longer be denied. They also offer something which Christian counselors—professional or not—can use. Such techniques however should not be used in themselves. Rather, they should be integrated with God’s word and with theology so that true spirituality may be attained by a person.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Spirituality is more than just religion. It takes into account the overall well-being of the person, which is the intent of psychology. It also helps a person align his life with God’s word, which is the aim of theology.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   When there is a balance and skillful use of psychology, theology and spirituality, counselors everywhere will be able to look at the benefit of God’s ways for humans. It will also help humans avoid pitfalls and if they fell into such, they can easily consult God’s word and get back on track.