Lev Vygotsky

Down through the years psychologists and individuals involved in education have developed and investigated different theories about how children learn. To understand how children receive and use information is of great value to parents, teachers and indeed society in general as the children of today are tomorrow’s adults and our society will not develop if our children cannot learn effectively. In this essay I will discuss the theories of Lev Vygotsky as I believe his work has become the foundation for a lot of our modern day theories and concepts in regard to a child’s cognitive development. Lev Vygotsky was born in Russia in 1896 during the Russian Revolution and his works only came to the attention of the western world when they were published in 1962. Vygotsky died quite young and a lot of his research was unfinished however his work was continued by his students and followers alike. Vygotskys theory of Socio-cultural or Social Development as it is also known was the building block for the concepts and stratagies now used in our pre-schools and schools today. Unlike Piaget who believed that development preceeds learning, Vygotsky believed that to develop, a child must learn first. He rightly believed that the most effective learning comes from a child’s social interaction in society and the cultural they are reared in. Social factors and culture contribute to a child’s cognitive development. Vygotsky believed that society gave a child various cultural tools which enabled learning, language being one of the most important. Language is the primary form of interaction and through language a child can communicate thoughts, emotions, opinions and ideas and develop friendships. A child’s level of language skills can and most likely will effect all other aspects of their development both personally and academically. Through my research I see that Vygotskys concept, the zone of proximal development, which is Vygotsky’s term for the range of tasks too difficult for children to master alone but which can be learned with the guidance and asistance of adults or more skilled chilren, is widely used today in learning institutions worldwide, its concept is used in most subjects and used very effectively with a broad spectrum of students, ranging from disadvantaged, special needs, and â€Å"gifted† students to adults. Within this concept Vygotsky talks about â€Å"Scaffolding† which basically means changing the level of support as the student becomes more capable in a task or subject. Another concept which is interlinked with the above is The More Knowledgeable Other (MKO). The MKO refers to anyone who has a better understanding or a greater ability than the student, in respect to a particular task or concept. The MKO is normally thought of as being a teacher, coach, or older adult, but the MKO could also be peers, a younger person, or even computers. As I read and study these concepts I can clearly see their incorporation into our education system today compared to when I was a child starting out in school forty years ago. Although systems where evolving gradually, there were very different opinions and methods in place regarding education. Lev Vygotsky: Lev Vygotsky (November 17, 1896 – June 11, 1394) was a Russian psychologist. Vygotsky was a pioneering psychologist and his major works span six separate volumes, written over roughly 10 years, from Psychology of Art (1925) to Thought and Language [or Thinking and Speech] (1934). Vygotsky's interests in the fields of developmental psychology, child development, and education were extremely diverse. Vygotsky's theories stress the fundamental role of social interaction in the development of cognition Vygotsky, 1978), as he believed strongly that community plays a central role in the process of â€Å"making meaning. He argued, â€Å"learning is a necessary and universal aspect of the process of developing culturally organized, specifically human psychological function† (Vygotsky 1978, p. 90). Vygotsky’s theory differs from Piaget in three different ways. 1. Social interaction plays a fundamental role in the process of cognitive development. In contrast to Jean Piag et’s understanding of child development, Vygotsky felt social learning precedes development. 2.The more knowledgeable other refers to anyone who has a better understanding or a higher Ability level than the learner, with respects to a particular task, process, or concept. MKO’s Can be peers, a younger person, teachers, coaches, older adult, or even computers. 3. The zone of proximal development is the distance between a student’s ability to perform a task under adult guidance and/or with peer collaboration. It is also the student’s ability to solve problems independently. â€Å"According to Vygotsky, humans use tools that develop from a culture, such as speech and writing, to mediate their social environments.Initially children develop these tools to serve solely as social functions, ways to communicate needs. Vygotsky believed that the internalization of these tools led to higher thinking skills. †(http://www. learning-theories. com/vygotskys-soci al-learning-theory. html) In modern day terms, Vygotsky would be a facilitator. Teachers and students collaborate in learning and practing four key skills (summarize, question, clarify, and predict). Teaching and learning is a two way street. You have to be able to interact with the student.This simply means you have to know your student. Teachers have to know where their students are educationally to get them to move to the next level. Then we have to cater our teaching to meet the needs of the learners. I believe that a teacher must be able to relate to their student. For example, a teacher that had both parents that is wealthy. That teacher shouldn’t expect his/her students to behave as he/she did as a student at that age. You have to realize that there are differences and make accommodations.A child from a wealthy home and a child from a single parent working class home can’t be taught using the same method. The backgrounds are too different. References Vygotsky, L . S. (1962). Thought and Language. Cambridge MA: MIT Press. Vygotsky, L. S. (1978). Mind in society: The development of higher psychological processes. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press. McLeod, S. A. (2007). Vygotsky – Social Development Theory. Retrieved from http://www. simplypsychology. org/vygotsky. html http://www. learning-theories. com/vygotskys-social-learning-theory. html

Religious Behavioral Development in the Stone Age

Religious behaviors developed to what they are today beginning in the pre-historic times of the Paleolithic, Mesolithic, and the Neolithic. There is evidence of these behaviors in the archaeological artifacts as well as mythological evidence. Religious behaviors evolved as humans evolved. Religious beliefs changed too. In the Paleolithic we learn that people were very spiritual; everything was treated as a spiritual act. They approached everything ritualistically and their behaviors were in response to the numinous. The numinous is described as a feeling you get when you can’t explain something. There is archaeological evidence pointing to animal worship during this time too. Spiritual beliefs in the Paleolithic gave way to forms of organized religion based on archaeological findings from the Neolithic. Beginning in the Paleolithic we see evidence of ritual burials as a form of religious behavior. Early modern humans buried their dead and some of those graves contained grave goods. These grave goods consisted of beads and various pieces of jewelry: bracelets, necklaces, and pendants. The grave goods may have implied that the people believed the dead would go on somewhere and they may need, or want, those items with them. This is a belief based on animism, that anything and everything has a soul or spirit. The grave goods could also mean that the living treated the dead the same way they treated the living. The burials suggested they had respect for the dead. These ritual burials continued on in the Mesolithic and the Neolithic. Starting in the Mesolithic and continuing in to the Neolithic, we see more religious behaviors develop. During the Paleolithic, people were living together and cooperating with one another, building temples, and gathering food and everyone spoke one language. The myths suggest that at one point the cooperation and harmony dissipated, and three new cultures evolved. With the three new cultures came three different languages. The cultures that emerged from the hunter-gatherers of the Paleolithic were replaced with farmers, herders, and hunters in the Mesolithic. The myths suggest that the three cultures (farmers, herders, and hunters), came from the three sons of Noah. Prior to that, in the myth of the First Family, there were two types of people, or two different cultures. There was Cain, who was a farmer, a iller of the ground, and his brother Abel, who was a herder, or keeper of the flock. In a later myth we are introduced to Nimrod, who was a hunter, thus rounding out the three groups. Those three groups had their own set of religious behaviors. Those behaviors included animal sacrifice, human sacrifice, ritual sex, and ritual abstinence. Other behaviors emerged that may not be considered religious behaviors but instead, ‘ways of life’, but are worth mentioning since they developed over time along with the religious behaviors and played a major role in the lives of the early humans and shaping evolution. Those ‘ways of life’ include: shamanism, priesthood, matriarchy, patriarchy, Apollonian and Dionysian. We can better understand the religious behaviors of the different cultures only after we identify the pattern of culture, or traits, each one exhibited. The patterns of culture are associated with the characteristics in the distinction between the gods Apollo and Dionysius. Apollo was the god of light and Dionysius was the god of wine. Therefore, the characteristics are referred to as Apollonian and Dionysian. During the Mesolithic, Dionysian tendencies gave way to Apollonian tendencies. Dionysian characteristics include: earth, Eros, epicurean, heart, emotion, feeling, chaos, excess, female, equality, art, spontaneity, country, and nature. A culture that exhibited characteristics of Dionysian would most likely practice human sacrifice, ritual sex, shamanism, and matriarchy as their religious behaviors. Apollonian characteristics include: sun, psyche, stoic, mind, reason, thinking, order, restraint, male, hierarchy, science, city, and civilization. Differing from Dionysian, a culture that showed signs of Apollonian characteristics would practice animal sacrifice, ritual abstinence, priesthood, and patriarchy as their religious behaviors. Based on the myths and the artifacts of the Mesolithic, and the Neolithic, we are able to determine that the farmers were most likely Dionysian. Some of the characteristics evident in the myths, which are told from the farmer’s point of view, include the earth, Eros, and female. The characteristics in the artifacts include the female as well, but also equality. The burials, being of the same type, and the houses they lived in, which were also the same, suggest equality, and the female is emphasized in the statues. Eros, which gave us the word â€Å"erotic†, is prevalent in the artifacts and the myths. Based on our understanding of how the characteristics define the religious behaviors, we learn that the farmers practiced human sacrifice, ritual sex, shamanism, and matriarchy. Stonehenge was believed to have been built during the Neolithic. Archaeologists found human remains there and a number of the skulls showed signs of blunt-force trauma which suggested human sacrifice. The herders in the Neolithic displayed more Apollonian characteristics. As mentioned earlier, Dionysian tendencies were giving way to Apollonian tendencies. The evidence of this is found in both the myths and archaeologically. The male is prevalent in both, hierarchy is established, and order is suggested. Again, based on our understanding of how the characteristics define the religious behaviors, we surmise that the herders practiced animal sacrifice, ritual abstinence, priesthood, and patriarchy. The restraint and stoic characteristics point toward the abstinence while the male dominated myths point to the patriarchy way of life. There were numerous animal bones discovered which indicated animal sacrifice. Evidence of the Neolithic hunters’ way of life is vague but if we use the myths from the Mesolithic, and the artifacts from the Neolithic, we can deduce that the hunters were also Apollonian. The myths are told from a hunting point of view and they imply hierarchy and are male prevailing. The artifacts hint at the sun and we learned that the hunters lived close to the farmers which means they were civilized, used reason, and thinking. Being of Apollonian in nature, the hunters shared the same religious behaviors of the herders. In summary, religious behaviors have undergone dramatic, and not so dramatic, changes through the different time periods discussed. Some of those behaviors are still around today. Human sacrifice is probably the only one that has almost completely disappeared in the modern day, but on the other hand, animal sacrifice, which we’ve seen since the Mesolithic, is still relevant in this day and age. The behaviors exhibited had benefits such as providing a sense of community, it proved to be a form of communication, it offered assistance during crises, and also provided psychological well-being.

Entice the audience to the film Essay

Snake eyes is an action thriller. The storyline seems to be quite simple from the outside. There is a murder, perhaps more then one, and its up to the homicidal detective to figure out who did it, why and how. However, the victim is the Secretary of Defence. The murder takes place in the presence of 14,000 witnesses, in the audience of a high profile boxing match, and to make things worse it is very likely that there is more then one person involved, and at least one more potential victim. It seems almost impossible that the detective will not get caught up in the web of lies, treachery and deceit. Maybe even become a victim himself. This essay is about film trailers, specifically Snake eyes, and how different techniques are used to entice the audience to the film. Camera shots are very important in film trailers. They can be cut and edited to create the desired effect of the producer. For example, in snake eyes it shows a number of shots go by very fast to create a general sense of foreboding. There’s a point in the trailer where it shows close ups of the suspects like the woman in red, the boxer and several others. This leaves you with a strange and confusing feeling, are you being told the story to the letter, or are they tricking you? Many different camera shots are used, such as close ups like the woman in red, sitting in the front row of the audience, you see her face and get the feeling she is inwardly smirking, why? What has she done? It causes uneasiness and questions to pop up in the watchers mind, and that is very memorable. Another interesting shot used in the trailer is when the detective looks up into a camera; it has a rather sinister effect, making you think someone is watching him. There is much use of lighting in this trailer. Because the setting is dark and gritty any lighting is going to stand out. When the boxing match is in progress the lighting is centred on the boxing match, to emphasise its importance at that moment in time. The middle shots of the women in red, using a combination of the colour of her clothes, the audiences and the lighting makes her stand out from the rest of the crowd, and forces any audience to focus their attention on her, a very clear and powerful message emphasising her importance to the story. In this trailer lighting is also used to light up a man black and white as he looks into the camera, creating a startling effect, in someway it makes the audience believe that he has just realised something and is about to make an important discovery. A rather unorthodox use of lighting in films, but an interesting one none the less. If you go by the trailer then nearly the entire film is set indoors. This gives the cameraman and director plenty of opportunity to experiment with shadows, especially lit up ones that disappear almost as fast as they appear. The use of shadows in the trailer is excellent, but there are two in particular that deserve mentioning. The first is the dark outline of a figure holding a gun, ready for action; this annoys and frightens the audience. What right has this person got, skulking around in the shadows like that? On the other hand, what is this person going to do? The second use of shadows is even more spectacular. A flash of lightning, and against the thin material, a man is seen poised, ready to strike, as in the background the roar of the thunder continues. This, followed shortly by a picture of the detective in the same room, a look of absolute terror on his face leaves the audience in the highest form of anticipation, wanting to know what happens next, but the trailer goes on, leaving the audience slightly shaky and dieing to see the film. In the two minute long snake eyes trailer, it is the music and voice over that binds it into a coherent piece, as opposed to a series of exciting pictures with no apparent theme. It seems impossible to imagine modern cinema without sound. No one would ever go and watch the film and the companies that funded these productions would go bankrupt. So listening is just as important to the audience as watching, with this in mind snake eyes has done another wonderful job, not just with the music but also with the voice over. Using a number of straight to the point remarks that the audience automatically responds to with encrypted messages that confuse and worry them, for example one of the strangest is worded † trust everything but your eyes. † This is rather confusing, usually people trust nothing but their eyes, so this twist on the old saying concerns the audience and makes them want to find out more. A brilliant use of voiceover. In this essay I have covered several important techniques used in the moving media, film industry. Camera shots, obviously important, the position of a shot often determines the way an audience interprets what they see in front of them. Lighting, used to emphasise something or someone and create eerie effects. Shadows, important in certain genres and locations, and voice over, the technique that in my opinion ties the whole thing together, and puts the audience into the right frame of mind. I believe that this particular snake eyes trailer is brilliant, it creates just the right amount of craving excitement to have any watcher instantaneously caught up in its webs, using a combination of all these techniques and particularly good sequences, such as the lightning and thunder shadow man ready to strike. I searched for the film, just so I could see how accurate or jumped up the trailer was, though I must admit the trailer really made me want to watch it. Unfortunately however I did not find it, though this may have been a good thing, because that trailer was exceedingly good and I wouldn’t have liked to be disappointed. I think it was a good trailer to study because the developers definitely knew how to create the correct psychological effect, and as a result of that made it very interesting. So, film trailers, are they really effective? In my opinion, yes.

Is Hamlet Really Insane... Do I think Hamlet Is Insane Essay

Is Hamlet Really Insane... Do I think Hamlet Is Insane - Essay Example However, he is not mad at all. Hamlet is quite a rational character but he is unable to fight with his circumstances that are all against him. Hamlet, after listening to his father’s ghost’s information about his murder and Claudius’s conspiracy against him tries to sort out the issue and avenge Claudius for his crime. He delays in taking action considering the moral issues involving the whole plan due to which, he overly speculates over the whole situation. It is due to his overly speculative nature that everyone in the court doubts about his mental state. For Hamlet, all the situations that have occurred to him have caused him to hate the world around him as he says, Hamlet thinks that his mother has committed an incestuous act by marrying Claudius soon after his father’s death. Not only has she deprived Hamlet with her motherly love but also snatched the right of being a king after his father’s death. She was unable to understand the melancholy of Hamlet at his father’s death and at her hurried marriage. He goes into a depressed state considering his inability to solve the problems of his life. Even Hamlet is unable to take revenge against Claudius in a timely manner due to which, he is considered as a mad character. He delays in taking action against Claudius, his father’s murderer and his this act dragged him into a more depressed and melancholic state. Hamlet is also a moral character because in killing Claudius, he thinks moralistically and is unable to kill him when he gets a chance when Claudius is praying. Hamlet has seven soliloquies in the play that confirm to the fact that he is not mad at all. His words have profound meanings in them and his exploratory mind is quite evident from his soliloquies. The consideration of Hamlet as an insane character is quite wrong as he is quite perfect in his mental approach and it is

Sharing Microeconomic Insights with Non-Specialist Audiences Assignment

Sharing Microeconomic Insights with Non-Specialist Audiences - Assignment Example On 26th February 2013 the New York Times presented an article titled, ‘Are We in Danger of a Beer Monopoly?’ From the article, it’s possible to learn more about formation, pricing, regulation and operation of monopolies. Most companies are established with the primary aim being to maximize profit. A monopoly is a profit maximizer, to do this they reduce supply of the products, and this raises the prices of the scarce products. For firm’s that operate near monopoly condition they enjoy economies of scale that enable them set their prices profitably, and they can control the prices of other smaller companies. In 1988 when Miller and Coors reduced their beer prices AB InBev also reduced the prices of its beer forcing Miller and Coors to abandon their price cut. This shows the firm’s dominance in this industry and all firms have to pay attention to this market leader. This further indicates AB InBev intention to scare away the small existing firms and hence force them to exit this industry. AB InBev has the powers to set its prices if the competitors reduce their prices it also reduces its prices to ensure it competes efficient. AB InBev aims to acquire Grupo Modelo’s Corona since it hinders it from setting high prices. The acquisition was it to happen will hence give AB InBev the powers to raise its price as it wishes and hence operate under monopoly conditions. AB InBev will hence be a price setter. There are different ways that a company can gain monopoly power. First is by government regulations prohibiting entrance of other firms in that industry, they can result from controlling a significant resource. Monopolies may also arise from economies of scale, availability of production technology and capital or mergers and acquisition. In this case AB InBev was developed on the concept of technological innovation and managerial efficiency. Since its establishment in 1999 the company has

Simulation Perceptual Maps in Marketing Research Paper

Simulation Perceptual Maps in Marketing - Research Paper Example Thorr Motors for example has used these maps to design a marketing plan for their high brand. Scholar Clemente defines these maps as processes through which the perception of consumers on an existing commodity are charted. I will attempt to discuss the three simulation phases, and recommended solutions and results. Phase I: this involves perceptual mapping. The situation here is decrease in sales due to brand image. This is so because the Cruiser Thorr’s target consumers were aging and their tastes had begun to outgrow the lifestyle that Cruiser Thorr symbolizes. In addition to this issue, youthful customers had more interest in lower priced motorcycles due to their lower personal disposable incomes. Maps that were perceptual were used to position Cruiser Thorr’s position in the market in terms of consumer perceptions. The parameters for mapping included price, services offered, lifestyle image and quality engineering. Since the Cruiser Thorr’s image was being ou tgrown by the target audience which was aging, lifestyle image was chosen. The mapping of the image was useful in maintaining a level of image that it satisfies both younger and older customers. Lifestyle image was important to Thorr as it had the potential to influence a customer’s decision to buy a Cruiser Thorr because of its representation. Since perceptual maps are visual representation of a customer's opinion of a brand and the Lifestyle Image of Cruiser Thorr is that of masculinity and mobility, Thorr Motorcycles should make changes regarding the consumer image in the wake of decreasing sales, so as to be able to bring back the profits the Cruiser Thorr had before. Marketing is not only about selling and advertising, it also affects products and the consumers in the economic system and organizations must understand how this happens. Simulation helps perfectly in this in that it helps construct and use perceptual maps so as to create effective marketing plans like for T horr’s motorcycle brand. Phase II: phase two of simulation is about the product, either introducing a new product into the market or repositioning the existing one. The situation involves decrease in sales of Cruiser Thor and the need to come up with a market plan able to reposition Cruiser Thorr to effectively and efficiently launch a new product of a motorcycle. The top judgment for the association was aimed at repositioning Cruiser Thorr through financing solutions and boosting services. By providing financing alternatives and rising services Thorr Motorcycles Inc can open doors for possible consumers who may have had the feeling that the Cruiser Thorr was further than their reach especially younger viewers who may already have shown great interest and passion in the Cruiser Thorr. Recommended Solutions: The solutions here are in the area of reforming engineering in terms of quality, pricing, and services. Quality engineering touches on every aspect or quality of the commo dity or product, including style, design, engine capacity and more importantly, the design of the engine. Quality engineering has a high market impact of the product and could increase sales by meeting the customers’ needs in terms of quality, thus increasing the organization’s level of credibility of its products. Pricing is also very important to customers as it influences decisions to make a purchase for an item or not. Having a high price is okay as long as the quality and credibility

Junk Food through Vending Machines at Schools Essay - 1

Junk Food through Vending Machines at Schools - Essay Example I believe that the schools should abstain from vending junk food at their premises, which is certainly a contributory factor to the problem of childhood obesity. Though the writers have cited many statistics and valid data in the article to make a point pertaining to the link between childhood obesity and vending of junk food at schools, one could certainly discern many emotive undertones, conveying a genuine and sincere concern about the issue of childhood obesity. The appeal of the writers is very logical and the commensurate approach relying on the citation of the studies conducted by many expert bodies of opinion is certainly convincing enough to solicit the support of any socially responsible and ethically enlightened reader. The writers have successfully avoided resorting to exaggerated, hyperbolic or radical expressions while focusing on dissecting the actual dynamics of the problem rather than opting for a simplistic blame fixing. The authors tend to claim that the junk food vending machines placed in the schools tend to aggravate the problem of childhood obesity and hence the schools should remove these machines from their premises. Lee and Sprague propose eliminating vending machines from schools to restrict children’s access to unhealthy food. This argument is logical in the sense that the welfare of children should be the prime concern of any school. Selling junk food to the juveniles, who are yet not mature enough to understand the ramifications of their dietary choices, puts to question the very intentions of these schools. The narrative method used by the writers is simple and lucid and is backed by the views of many credible bodies of opinion like The American Obesity Association, The American Heart Association, and publications like Newsweek. One other fact that the writers have tried to bring to the attention of the readers is that the schools are meant to play a much broader role in the lives of the students than a mere  delivering of academic lessons and educating kids about healthy nutrition does come within the purview of this scope.  

Men and Their Role in the Society Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Men and Their Role in the Society - Essay Example Nobody can take that right away. It is the mother who gives protection for the initial nine months to the divine creative force of the future-male or female! A female child is victimized at every step of life, from the moment of birth, notwithstanding the fact that it is she who sacrifices at those steps. Women need to be the spiritual and legal equals of men. In my essay, I am going to argue that women not equal, but more equal than men and the scale of social justice should weigh in favor of the female gender. What stand women need to take if she is placed in circumstances totally unfavorable to her in life-situations? Ask Janie Crawford in the novel, â€Å"Their eyes were Watching God.† She lived her life in its trials, tribulations, duty, and beauty! She carried on with the firm conviction - it is better to deserve without receiving than to receive without deserving! Her character is introduced thus: â€Å"But for most black women readers discovering â€Å"Their eyes were Watching God,† for the first time, what was compelling was the figure of Janie Crawford - powerful, articulate, self-reliant, and radically different from any women character they had ever before encountered in literature.†(Foreword. xi) To Janie, empowerment of black women is not a concession; it is her birthright. Notwithstanding her remarkable achievements in literature, by 1950s, she was almost living in incognito, working as a maid in a Florida Hotel. That must have made her remain in constant touch with the ground realities of the people in general, and gave her time to think about the common man. She has her own style of depicting black-white relationships. This particular novel â€Å"affirms black cultural traditions while revising them to empower black women.† (p.xii)The greatest tribute to her and her themes in the novel comes from Alice Walker.

MQP Markiting assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

MQP Markiting - Assignment Example Following the vision and mission is the present market condition of Buxton, based on which are the marketing strategies and tactics. These marketing strategies will depend upon the current demand, rivals in the market, present customer perception and current market share. Vision and mission of Buxton water Buxton water aims to establish its natural spring water as an item which carries the same daily importance as bread and milk. Seen earlier as a premium product, bottled water should now be included in normal diet and water intake of people. Hygiene, purity and health should not be compromised with even abundant things like water. Present market condition Presently, Buxton water is sold under the brand name of Nestle which is renowned for its eatables and beverages. However, bottled water is something which still needs to be known to a majority of population who consider it as a luxury item. Especially in UK, masses are unaware of healthy hydration and rely on tap water. Buxton is c ontinuously rising as a brand in UK but this is the time when it has to establish its name and brand to do away with initial competition. ... Sporting events are the biggest demanders of bottled water where long term contracts are signed with renowned bottled water companies. Health of sportsmen and officials is of utmost importance and no compromises are done even with the water brand. Buxton water can encash this opportunity by sponsoring various sports events and tournaments (ECB n.d). Generally it is found that sportsmen are the idols of millions and people try to imitate the lifestyle, habits and even brands which these sports personalities use. If popular stars are using Buxton water, it will automatically spread the message of healthy hydration and benefits which Buxton garners. With the support of sports stars, Buxton can also organize its own events in which consumers can participate. It will allow interactive sessions between the company and the consumers, bringing them closer to the brand and associating themselves more closely with the message of healthy hydration. Details of sponsored events can also be given on the packaging to add value and awareness of company’s strategies. Packaging Packaging serves as a ‘silent salesman’ in the field of marketing because apart from differentiating the brand from that of its competitors, packaging also carries advertising appeal and convincing power. For products like groceries, bottled water and other eatables, packaging is essential to convey healthy diet messages and benefits of the product to the consumers. Buxton water attaches greater significance to healthy hydration and Corporate Social Responsibility drive in which packaging will promote strategy of Buxton water. To incorporate packaging principles, Buxton water should go

Rapid Freight Converged Network Security Case Study

Rapid Freight Converged Network Security - Case Study Example Accidentally, internal threats occur when people use their portable devices outside the network then plug them back in importing viruses and other malware. Some members of staff might be malicious and try to access unauthorized segments (Paul, 2011). External threats are easily kept at bay through the implementation of firewalls. A firewall allows a flow of data from known sources to the web server or specified destination while rejecting unknown traffic. If the firewall is compromised, it severs the connecting of the system to the internet host. Notwithstanding, firewalls are not perfect and should not be used solely (Stewart, 2010). Unified Access Control and Network Access Control ensure that device users are authorized to use the network. Account management system registers network users and signals any illegal activity. Coupled with Personalization, the intervention will keep the network safe from internal threats of any nature (Gregory, CISA, & CISSP, 2007). Implementing session management features such as Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) will overcome challenges posed by the use of VoIP phones, Video conferencing and PDAs. IPSec VPN scrambles traffic from the phone and safely connects to the corporate network without fear of infiltration. Softphone users will require authentication into the Converged network. Secure Socket Layer VPN (SSL VPN) ensures that users are logging in from healthy computers when accessing the network remotely. Intrusion Detection and Prevention software (IDS and IPS) will further enhance overall security by scanning entire network to identify and report signatures or suspicious traffic arrays (Gregory et al,  2007).

Discuss leadership and leadership styles Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Discuss leadership and leadership styles - Essay Example This leads to complexity and diversity of leadership and its styles. Leadership definitions have been attributed to well known personality traits wherein, styles of leadership evolves through practicing and blending leadership techniques in various combination. However, managing human and material resources to achieve the organizational objectives remains the prime measure in gauging the worth of a leadership. But this trend of leadership assessment has undergone a major change in the recent past and now instead of looking for some specific qualities of leadership in leaders, leaders are judge by their own specific styles. â€Å"As leadership theory developed, researchers moved away from studying what traits the leader had and placed emphasis on what he or she did --- the leader’s style of leadership† (Marquis & Huston, 2009). The diversity and depth in leadership styles has abstained researchers from reaching a unanimous classification of leadership styles. However som e recurring styles that have emerged and deliberated since long, may qualify for standard leadership styles in nursing. These styles may include Authentic, Servant, Transformational, Charismatic, Autocratic, Democratic, Laissez-Faire, Bureaucratic leadership style etc.

Building energy management system (bems) Essay Example for Free

Building energy management system (bems) Essay Procurement Category: Energy What’s Wrong with Traditional Energy Management? Start Realizing Untapped Savings Opportunities and Tame Volatile Energy Costs Traditional Energy Management Approaches are Falling Short— How to Fix the Problem Energy utility costs—primarily natural gas and electricity—account for one to two percent of sales for the average business, and can be as much as four to five percent of cost of goods sold for manufacturers. With energy prices turning volatile, corporate management teams are exposed to the risk of unanticipated movements in energy costs. They are feeling relatively helpless because of the perceived inability to proactively manage regulated energy costs. At the same time, firms are publicly committing to sustainability goals and are now wondering how they will achieve them. Although many firms have implemented short-term measures to address energy costs and sustainability commitments, these efforts are falling short. Our benchmark data and research indicates that for most firms, 50 percent of their initial energy savings disappear within the first six to 12 months due to a lack of continuous monitoring, analysis and corrective action. However, significant opportunity to deliver value remains. Analysis from the U.S. Department of Energy indicates firms that embrace continuous monitoring and active energy management practices can achieve 15 to 40 percent energy savings. Conduct an energy audit: To establish an energy consumption baseline—a basic requirement for successful energy cost optimization— firms deploy monitoring devices to measure energy usage from the facility level down to the machine level. Implement audit recommendations: After assessing energy consumption levels and trends down to the machine level, managers can implement process changes to optimize energy consumption. Actions may range from policy formulation (shutting down computers at night, turning off idle equipment, etc.) to automation (automatically turning off lights) to equipment optimization (changing set-points on heavy machinery and equipment). Invest in high-efficiency equipment: With a full view of the energy consumption and equipment efficiency profile of the enterprise, firms can strategically invest in high-efficiency equipment. These capital upgrades can lower energy consumption and may also qualify for rebates and incentives that can significantly enhance potential return on investment (ROI). Figure 1: This paper looks at why traditional approaches are failing, and outlines an active energy management approach that changes the game and generates sustainable energy cost reductions. Typical Monitoring Savings Typical energy management strategies—and why they fail to deliver sustainable value. For example, when firms conduct energy audits, employees and equipment operators are aware that their energy usage is being monitored and they make changes to reduce consumption, such as turning off idle equipment. But when monitors are removed, initial savings peak and then slowly erode as employee behavior returns to normal. Similarly, when firms implement process changes, substantial initial savings accrue. However, when the monitors come off, gains decline as equipment schedules change. Operators go back to the old way of doing things and set-points revert to old levels. In addition, without detailed machine-level consumption data as a baseline (as opposed to a point-in-time snapshot), analysts are unable to come up with truly optimal process improvements because the data is not granular enough. Finally, with capital equipment upgrades, savings targets are seldom realized due to unrealistic operating assumptions used to build ROI cases and most firms’ lack of market intelligence about the complex array of incentives and rebates. 50% Savings A review of more than 100 companies and their practices reveal that most firms take three common actions to address the energy management challenge: Although these traditional energy management techniques can yield quick-hit results, there is a common pitfall: when the meters come off, it is back to business as usual and the savings disappear. â€Å"50 percent of initial energy savings disappear within the first six to 12 months due to a lack of continuous monitoring, analysis and corrective action† Months from start 2 A four-step Active Energy Management approach Recognizing where most initiatives fall short, an integrated, four-part Active Energy Management strategy can stop the bleeding and address traditional energy management shortcomings: There are several keys to making energy savings persistent. First, take monitoring and measurement from a one-time analysis to an ongoing, active competency. Leading firms use 247 advanced metering and monitoring technology with skilled analysts to proactively monitor energy consumption data and patterns. Continuous monitoring helps mitigate the savings leakage described earlier. Active monitoring allows managers to see—in near realtime—if employee behavior is beginning to change or old habits are starting to return, and identify the root causes when actual energy consumption differs from projections. In addition to preventing savings leakage, active monitoring helps identify new, incremental energy savings opportunities, ra ising the cumulative savings realized. Copyright  © 2014 Accenture All rights reserved. Go deeper: Use machine-level consumption data to drive sustainable process optimization. With a detailed understanding of energy consumption down to the individual equipment level, managers can implement detailed process optimization programs, such as changing set-points for heavy machinery. For example, an air compressor energy consumption study (see figure 2) revealed an opportunity to adjust the operating mode from continuous to throttled, resulting in 7 percent energy savings verified by ongoing measurement. In another example, adjusting improper temperature set-points in a chiller plant based on thorough analysis of usage data resulted in 30 percent energy savings. With the right intelligence and detailed monitoring, energy analysts can assess performance and immediately stop energy savings leakage. Analysts also can spot potential maintenance issues and proactively investigate when machinelevel performance deviates from expectations. Figure 2: 250 Baseline Model Target Model Baseline Data Actual Data 200 Air Compressor (kw) Get persistent: Apply â€Å"Active Energy Management† and take monitoring from a onetime activity to an active, ongoing analytical competency. 150 100 50 0 0 20 40 60 80 Air Demand (SCFM) based on Actual Production 100 3 Leverage insight: Use energy demand insight to enhance capital investment decisions and capture incentives and rebates to drive higher ROI. A comprehensive understanding of the consumption profile of the existing asset base enables much better capital investment decisions. Armed with detailed data and realistic energy consumption estimates, managers can rationally weigh the benefits of energy-efficient new equipment versus their purchase costs and other related expenses (decommissioning and disposal cost, production downtime, etc.). Beyond energy data, deep market intelligence of credits, incentives, and local, state and federal rebates can dramatically alter the ROI pr ofile of new capital investments. The opportunities are substantial: In 2011 alone, governments, nongovernmental organizations and utilities distributed more than $6.8 billion in cash payments to promote energy efficiency initiatives. Tackle the supply side: Extend Active Energy Management to integrated energy supply and demand management to drive the next level of savings. As this paper describes, current energy management practices are not delivering on their promises. The short-term benefits of energy audits and near-term recommendations quickly fade without continuous monitoring. On the other hand, Active Energy Management, which includes continuous monitoring and analysis, prevents the traditional savings leakage seen in most energy management programs. It also provides the data and insight that analysts and managers need to identify new savings opportunities and drive continuous improvement and cumulative energy savings benefits. With an established platform of ongoing measurement and management, firms can take energy savings to the next level. Detailed understanding of historical and planned consumption allows for acceleration of supply side strategies. For example, in deregulated markets, the accuracy with which a firm can predict its energy usage determines its ability to secure favorable energy rates by minimizing bandwidth charges. Energy consumers can also capture other savings through techniques like load shifting (shifting usage into lower-rate time periods) and peak shaving. Finally, in regulated markets, contrary to popular belief, firms can optimize their energy expenditures by taking advantage of the various rate structures available to purchasers and being aware of which available rates may be applicable to them. Conclusion Energy and utilities represent a significant and highly volatile area of expenditure for most businesses. However, traditional energy management approaches frequently fail to deliver sustainable results. Many managers consider high energy spend as an area that cannot be addressed due to market regulations and commodity volatility. However, with continuous monitoring and Active Energy Management programs, leading firms can obtain substantial energy cost savings through better energy demand management, sustain those savings through ongoing monitoring and optimize energy purchases with deep market intelligence.

Care and Management of Asthma

Care and Management of Asthma Asthma is a common incurable disease that affects the small tubes carrying air in and out of the lungs in the airways; it is more common at childhood stage but can also occur at a later age (British Lung Foundation, 2011). The major cause of asthma has not been determined but it is believed that some factors as allergies, exercise and common cold contribute to its development. In the United Kingdom, asthma is being handled primarily by a General Practitioner or nurse. Healthcare can be provided in three major means: Primary, Secondary and Tertiary. They are delivered depending on the severity of an individuals condition. General Practitioners (GPs), Pharmacists, Nurses, Dentists and Optometrists are the main classes of healthcare providers that deliver Primary care. It is the basically the first point of contact for most individuals (National Health Service Choices, 2010). Care distinctively provided in local hospitals is usually on referral from primary care health providers, such t ype of care is basically referred to as Secondary Care. The third aspect of care is the tertiary care which is provided by specialist such as neurologist and cardiologist in a majorly specialised hospital centre for long term treatment. EPIDEMIOLOGICAL OVERVIEW OF ASTHMA Major facts that make Asthma a major health issue in the UK are: In 2008, a total number of 1,204 deaths were recorded from asthma in the UK, out of which 29 were children aged 14 years and under. 1 person every 7 hours or 3 people per day die from asthma 146,000 adults and 36,000 children currently are on treatment for asthma in northern Ireland making it a sum total of 182,000 people (1 in 10)In Northern Ireland 182,000 people (1 in 10) are currently receiving treatment for asthma. This consists of 36,000 children and 146,000 adults. In Scotland 368,000 people are currently receiving treatment for asthma. This consists of 72,000 children and 296,000 adults. In Wales 314,000 people are currently receiving treatment for asthma. This consists of 59,000 children and 256,000 adults (Asthma UK, 2011). the number of adults with asthma in the UK has increased by 400,000 since the last audit of UK asthma in 2001 about 2% of adults consult their GP annually with asthma ASTHMA CARE AND MANAGEMENT AND LOCALITY STUDY OF UK Asthma exists in various forms hence; its heterogeneity has been well established by a variety of studies that have proven the disease risk from early environmental factors and susceptibility genes, inflammation and therapeutic agent response further induces accompanying diseases (Lang et al., 2011). Risk factors associated with asthma are family history of atopic disease, for example Allergic rhinitis Allergic conjunctivitis Male sex, for pre-pubertal asthma, and female sex, for persistence of asthma from childhood to adulthood Bronchiolitis in infancy Parental smoking, including passive smoking Premature birth, especially in extreme-preterm infants who required ventilatory support, with consequent chronic lung disease of prematurity (NHS Choices, 2011) In the UK, asthma is more common among children than in adults and also has an increased rate in women than men (NHS choices, 2010). A condition referred to as acute asthma exacerbation could occur and could sometimes be life-threatening but is mostly rare. Asthma patients are treated with care by GPs and nurses trained for asthma management and such treatments are specific to the symptoms portrayed by each patient. This treatment (Primary care) basically involves: A personal asthma procedural plan concurred with your GP or nurse An annual regular check ensuring proper control of the patients treatment and positive response to the treatment Proper seeking of the patients consent ensuring his/her decision is involved in decision making of his/her treatment Comprehensive detailed information about how to control and manage the patients condition; while a Secondary or Reactive care is enforced in emergency cases to regain control of more high-risk symptoms. In treating asthma, reliever inhalers are given to every patient by the GP; these inhalers serve as immediate relievers and ensure restoration of normal breathing. It functions effectively due to its composition of a short-acting beta2-agonist that works by relaxing the muscles surrounding the narrowed airways (British Medical Journal group, 2011). This further ensures the airways are opened wider, making it easier to breathe again. Salbutamol and terbutaline are common types of this inhaler. They have been proven to be generally safe except when their use is abused although they possess very few side effects. If the asthma is well controlled, then their usage will be minimal; if a patient uses the inhaler for up to three times or more weekly then it is advised that the treatment be reviewed Secondary care and management of asthma is implemented when Patients exhibit a combination of  severe asthma, behavioural and psychosocial features, they hence are at risk of developing near-fatal or fatal asthma. (BTS and SIGN, 2009). Asthma care is dependent on the age of the patients in that children have a different mode of care as compared to adults, a critical look at the adult care is elaborated below. Prior considerations are basically that the patient is registered with his GP, will have to book for an appointment with his GP before visiting (except in emergencies as acute exacerbations), confirmation with the patient of their understanding of the role of treatment, adherence to treatment, inhaler technique, and appropriate elimination of trigger factors as: exercise, drugs foods, emotional factors, weather changes, allergens etc (Shiang et al., 2009) In analyzing the delivery of care to asthma patients in the UK, data from Office for National Statistics shall be addressed. Table 1 below signifies that there was a remarkable decrease in hospital admission in 2000 for asthma; it showed a 45 percent decrease among children between ages 5 and 14 years and a 52 percent decrease among children below 5 years (Office for National Statistics, 2004). TABLE 1 The management of asthma is patient-specific and is delivered by either the GP or asthma nurse; a respiratory nurse specialist works closely with the GP and the patient serving as the best form of encouragement to the patient in the procedural management of his/her asthma condition. The respiratory nurse specialist has a critical role in the management of asthma as elaborated that he/she: Explains the need for various inhalers (ensuring the best is offered to the patient) and provides the patient with information on treatment administered Advices on triggers and how to keep off them Assists the patient in quitting smoking (if applicable) Explicates on how to monitor the condition Provides the action plan of treatment and explains it to the patient. Is always available for assistance both at home and on the phone (NHS Choices, 2006) Nurses are generally recruited into the NHS through the website www.nursebank.co.uk , the Association of Respiratory Nurse Specialists offer courses for development and training of nurses and promote clinical excellence in respiratory care delivery (Association of Respiratory Nurse Specialist, 2010). The selection of a professional nurse in a recruitment procedure is dependent on factors as Years of experience, area of expertise and personal record check. CRITIQUE ON ASTHMA CARE Asthma management involves a wide range of services including primary care, routine follow up, hospital inpatient and outpatient care, proper education and advice of patient, emergency calls and prescribed drugs; these services when combined with the intensity and level of use result to a high cost (Department of Health, 2011). In 2001, England recorded a net ingredient cost of  £442million and around  £33million for inhaled therapy Brocklebank et al (2001). In prescribing drugs, the patient is considered as whether or not to use the drug/device appropriately; the most effective and clinically proven cost effective drug is also reasonably considered. However, restrictions imposed on manufacturers make some inhalers commercially unavailable hence the use of more expensive drugs. The British Thoracic Society (BTS) and Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network (SIGN) have clinical guidelines on the use of inhalers for asthma (BTS and SIGN, 2009) however; there are inconsistencies or absence of recommendations for inhaler devices from these guidelines. Evidence-based guidelines are currently being prepared by the British Thoracic Society (BTS) and the Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network (SIGN). There are criticisms on the effectiveness of the inhaler which largely depends on technique of administration by patient considering experience, physical ability and education on usage (NHS centre for reviews and Dissemination, 2003) CONCLUSION The role of a nurse in quality care delivery cannot be overruled especially in a health condition as asthma which could be critical and possibly fatal. The initial primary care given to asthma patients and subsequent secondary care has been proven to be appropriate in that the health status of patients is being improved. The incorporation of a respiratory nurse specialist has been a major milestone in achieving a better health status for asthma patients in the United Kingdom. REFERENCES Association of Respiratory Nurse Specialist (2010) professional development Available at: http://www.arns.co.uk/pages/professional%20development.html (Accessed: 11 March 2011). Asthma UK (2011) For Journalists: Key facts and statistics Available at: http://www.asthma.org.uk/news_media/media_resources/for_journalists_key.html (Accessed: 5 March 2011). British Lung Foundation (2011) Asthma, Available at: http://www.lunguk.org/you-and-your-lungs/conditions-and-diseases/asthma (Accessed: 9 March 2011). British Medical Journal group (2011) Asthma in adults Available at: http://bestpractice.bmj.com/best-practice/pdf/patient-summaries/531553.pdf (Accessed: 12 March 2011). British National Formulatory (2010) NICE Technology Appraisal. Available at: http://bnf.org/bnf/extra/current/450034.htm (Accessed: 9 March 2011). British Thoracic Society, Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network (2009) British Guideline on the Management of Asthma: A national clinical guideline. Available at: http://www.sign.ac.uk/pdf/sign101.pdf (Accessed: 10 March 2011). Brocklebank, D.,  Ram, F.,  Wright, J.,  Barry, P.,  Cates, C.,  Davies, L.,  Douglas, G.,  Muers, M.,  Smith, D.,  White, J. Comparison of the effectiveness of inhaler devices in asthma and chronic obstructive airways disease: a systematic review of the literature Health Technology Assessment 5 (26) pp. 1-149. Pubmed [Online]. Available at: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11701099 (Accessed: 4 March 2011). Department of Health (2011) Prescription Cost Analysis 2001. Available at: http://www.doh.gov.uk/stats.pca2001.pdf (Accessed: 11 March 2011). Lang M., Erzurum S., C., Kavuru M. (2011) Asthma. Available at: http://www.clevelandclinicmeded.com/medicalpubs/diseasemanagement/allergy/bronchial-asthma/ (Accessed: 12 March 2011). Medicines and Healthcare Regulatory Products Agency (2007) vol (1) drug safety update. Available at: http://www.mhra.gov.uk/Publications/Safetyguidance/DrugSafetyUpdate/CON2033216 (Accessed: 12 March 2011). NHS Centre for reviews and dissemination (2003) 8 (1) Inhaler devices for the management of asthma and COPD Available at: http://www.york.ac.uk/inst/crd/EHC/ehc81.pdf (Accessed: 10 March 2011). National Health Service Choices (2010) About the NHS. Available at: http://www.nhs.uk/NHSEngland/thenhs/about/Pages/nhsstructure.aspx (Accessed: 5 March, 2010). National Health Service Choices (2010) Acute asthma in adults-management in primary care. Available at: http://healthguides.mapofmedicine.com/choices/map/asthma_in_adults2.html (Accessed: 9 March 2011). National Health Service Choices (2006) The role of your Respiratory Nurse Specialist. Available at: http://www.chelwest.nhs.uk/documents/patientLeaflets/Asthma%20-%20The%20role%20of%20your%20Respiratory%20Nurse%20Specialist.pdf (Accessed: 11 March 2011). Office for National Statistics (2004) Asthma and allergies: Decrease in hospital admissions in 90s. Available at: http://www.statistics.gov.uk/CCI/nugget.asp?ID=722Pos=1ColRank=1Rank=192 (Accessed: 8 March 2011). Shiang, C., Mauad, T.,  Senhorini, A., De Araà ºjo, B., Ferreira, D., Da Silva, L ., Dolhnikoff, M., Tsokos, M.,  Rabe, K.,  Pabst, R. (2009) Pulmonary periarterial inflammation in fatal asthma Clinical and Experimental Allergy 39 (10) pp. 1499-1507 Wiley [Online]. Available at: http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1365-2222.2009.03281.x/abstract (Accessed: 11 March 2011). LEARNING OUTCOME 2 LEADERSHIP IN NURSING AND ASSOCIATED PROFESSIONS A Leader is someone who guides or chairs a group of people or an organisation; it is common practice that a leader portrays some leadership skills to enable him/her be productive and effective. Cook (2001) describes a clinical nursing leader as someone who endlessly gets involved in direct patient care hence improving care by being of positive influence to others. All nurses (from those who provide direct care to the managers) need potent leadership skills. Mahoney (2001) emphasises that anyone (e.g. a nurse) who gives assistance to others or is responsible for other people is considered a leader; however, good leadership is reproducible superior performance targeted towards a long term benefit to everyone called for. John, (2011) has defined a manager as an individual with the sole responsibility to plan and direct the work of a group of people, ensuring proper monitoring and directives are followed. Management in nursing involves regarding leadership functions of administration and making appropriate decisions within organisations that employ nurses. SIMILARITIES BETWEEN LEADERS AND MANAGERS Leaders and managers go hand in hand, none of them tend to possess abilities that make them stand on their own, and there is no unique or particular way of managing people. Some basic similarities between managers and leaders are: People development: An effectual manager and leader have skills and abilities that tend towards the development of the people. Partnership working: the work of both a manager and a leader tend to be of a partnership level (Mather, 2009). Motivators: both leaders and managers are motivators of their subordinates DIFFERENCES BETWEEN LEADERS AND MANAGERS Thinking pattern: A major difference between a leader and manger is in their level of reasoning, Managers think incrementally, whilst leaders think radically; managers always work towards doing things rightly while leaders work in the perspective of doing the right thing (Richard, 1990). Loyalty: Subordinates are mostly subordinate to their leader than to their manager; this applies often because the leader takes credit in times of achievement and allocating merit to subordinates (John, 1990). Competencies: A nursing manager allocates resources and sets timetables while a nursing leader is someone who clarifies the big picture created by the manager and simplifies it, making the hospital/nursing homes vision more understandable to the staff and patients (Kristina R, 2009). Leadership is a very vital issue in the nursing practice because nursing requires knowledgeable, consistent and strong leaders, who inspire and boost peoples moral and support professional nursing practice. Nurses need to be both leaders and managers for some very key reasons as: An Advocate for quality care: a head nurse who serves as either a leader has to stand out in ensuring the needs of both the patients and nursing staff are adequately met, sometimes it will require a robust and bold person to stand before the board in defending these needs. An influential personality: the presence of an influential nurse handling an asthmatic patient will go a long way in guiding the patient in making informed choices; the patient becomes free and open to the nurse when she/he exhibits a high level of positive influence on the patient. CRITIQUE OF NURSING PUBLICATIONS IN RELATION TO LEADERSHIP AND MANAGEMENT IN ASTHMATIC AND GENERAL NURSING CARE A report by the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) on the support by Asthma UK on RCNs frontline campaign published on 14th January 2011 is carefully analyzed highlighting the publishers aims of writing, lessons to be learnt, consequences of the article and its impact on positive care delivery. It was rightly stated in this article that about three-quarters of asthma emergency admissions can be avoided if proper care is delivered (Royal college of Nursing, 2011). This implies that the need for proper managerial skills needs to be adapted by the healthcare leaders to manage asthma patients which will ultimately lead to the reduction of emergency care delivery for asthma patients. He went further to stress that specialist nurses are the cohesive source of support and stability for care for asthma patients; this issue is supported by the Relationship theory of leadership (also known as transformational theory) which highlights the connection between the leader and the led (Kendra, 2011). Leaders that possess this trait tend to motivate and stir their followers to ensure maximum productivity is achieved. Focus is geared towards the performance of the group members. When a leader with such trait is employed, the function of the specialist will be balanced on both as a helper of the patient and a confidant to the patient. He also said that the role of a specialist nurse has reduced hospital admissions from 22% to 6%, hence saving the National Health Service billions of pounds annually. The writer concluded by turning down the practise of relieving the specialist nurses of their jobs and employing other nurses and ward clerks to fit into their roles which he said the adverse effects were of greater negative impacts as costing the NHS more finance and damage the lives of the patients already receiving care by the specialist nurses. The lessons from this article cannot be over-emphasized in that there is an immediate need for the employment of more specialist nurses to manage asthmatic patients better and to save the lives of their patients. A similar report by Akinsanya (2009) on the Exacerbations of severe asthma; psychosocial predictors and the impact of a nurse-led clinic stated that the need for alternate management approaches is paramount in caring for people with severe asthma. He also recommended further findings on the social and psychological aspects of asthma management. Recommendations were also made on the holistic approach for long-term management of asthmatic patients (Akinsanya, 2009). This report clearly shows the application of the contingency leadership theory that postulates the influence of variables that relate to the environment on the determination of the specific leadership style fit for a situation (Kendra, 2011); it further implies the need for a paradigm shift on the care for acute asthmatic patients towards need for more nurse specialists. PERSONAL REFLECTIONS ON LEADERSHIP AND MANAGERIAL SKILLS As a major role player in healthcare delivery, nurses have inevitable functions. This Portfolio has given me an in depth understanding in various areas of my practice as: Efficiency: I have learnt that my level of efficiency has a vital impact in saving asthmatic patients lives; it will help ease the huge financial burden on Government by saving extra expenses. Leadership skills: According to the great man theory of leadership (Management Study Guide, 2011a) which denotes that some people are born with inherent leadership skills which become apparent when great needs arise. I have understood that as a nurse, I can lead rightly and manage people if I can nurture the greatness in me. In enhancing my managerial skills, I will give room for creativity in my area of work by combining both human and non-human resources (Management Study Guide, 2011b) to achieve the designed goal. Team work is also a very good point I learnt from this report in that I cannot be an effective leader if I am regarded as the only member of my team succeeding, there has to be a cohesive effort from all. Care delivery: The focus is on the nurses to serve as interlocutors between the GP and patient ensuring the patient adheres to prescriptions and that the nurse is always available for assistance by the patient. CONCLUSION The difference between a leader and manager is quite small and most leaders tend to end up as managers. Asthmatic guidelines need to be reviewed often to improve its managerial aspect of care. Nurses are relevant care deliverers and all need to develop leadership and managerial skills in order to safe guard the healthcare of the United Kingdom.

Rape in American Slavery System During the Antebellum

Rape in American Slavery System During the Antebellum Introduction The first African slaves arrived in Virginia, North America in 1619. As the plantations of the antebellum south flourished, the African slave trade gained momentum. (Slavery in the ante-bellum South). Between the 16 and 19th centuries, America had an estimated 12 million African slaves (Slavery in the United States). Enslavement of the African Americans formally commenced in the 1630s and 1640s. By 1740, colonial America had a fully developed slavery system in place, granting slave owners an absolute and tyrannical life-and-death authority over their slaves or chattels and their children. (Slavery in the United States) Stripped of any identity or rights, enslaved black slaves were considered legal non-persons, except in the event of a crime committed (Slavery in the ante-bellum South). Documents and research on the slave era in the antebellum south are awash with horror stories of the brutal and inhuman treatment of slaves, particularly women. ( David Brion Davis and Eugene Genovese,- Slavery in the United States-Treatment). Considered properties by their masters, enslaved black women endured continual physical and emotional abuse, sexual violations, torture, and sometimes even death. (Susanne Scholz ) This research paper takes up the issue of how rape in the American slavery system during the antebellum south affected the African American society, and attempts to answer the following questions: How sexual violence affected slave family life and their behavior? By the 1800s, slavery had percolated down mainly to the antebellum south (Africans in America). Whilst a majority of these slaves were designated as field servants performing duties outside the house, a smaller percentage, particularly women were employed as domestics or house servants, mammies and surrogate mothers. Owners generally enforced their status as property owners by callous methods (Africans in America). Many first person accounts (Harriet A Jacobs) and other data available, underscore the rampant sexual exploitation of African women slaves. In the absence of any safeguards, with laws granting owners sweeping powers over their slaves, these women in bondage were habitually ravished, harassed, sexually stalked and used as long term concubines not only by their masters, but by the owners families and friends as well. Slave men, for their part, were rendered powerless to challenge or intervene, as to do so would mean sure death or sale to distant plantations (Africans in America). Progeny or mulattos resulting from such rapes were also considered slaves, unless freed by the owner. (Historian Eugene Genovese -Slavery in the United States). As masters applied their stamp to the domestic life of the slave quarter, slaves struggled to maintain the integrity of their families. Slaveholders had no legal obligation to respect the sanctity of the slaves marriage bed, and slave women- married or single had no formal protection against their owners sexual advances. Without legal protection and subject to the masters whim, the slave family was always at risk.(slavery in the united states treatment rapes of females ) However, in quite a few documented cases, enslaved black women worked as devoted loyal servants, as mammies and surrogate mothers for white children demonstrating the absence of oppression and bonds of affection that actually united the two races. Blassingame,* underlines the fact that slave parents tried to shield their young from the brutal realities of the plantation. They often dissuaded angry urges among the children, which generally arose after their first whipping, from seeking revenge or running away. Children often internalized the two contradictory behavior responses of their parents; one submissive in front of the owner, the other castigating their owners action in private. They understood that submissiveness was a way to avoid punishment, but the true behavior model emulated was the one they witnessed in private. The family was an important survival mechanism, for no matter how often the family was broken, it enabled the slave to survive on the plantation without becoming totally submissive to or dependent on the master. Slaves often retaliated, subtly or overtly, to their inhuman treatment. They resorted to destroying crops or disabling machinery, slowing down work. Many stole food, livestock and valuables. Some committed suicide or mutilated themselves to reduce their property value and some even murdered their masters, by the use of weapons or poison (Africans in America). Furthermore, slave parents were also concerned about the owners interference in their private lives. Southern law defined slaves as moveable property or chattel. Often buying, selling and trading slaves, owners habitually split families, frequently taking children from their mothers. Slaves were often blackmailed with such treatment if they refused to work or if the women repulsed the advances of their masters (organization of American historians -Family life in the slave quarters survival strategies- Marie jenkin Scwartz) How were the masters able to wield significant control and power, over their black mistress A Virginia law declared slaves to be chattel personal in the hands of their owners and possessors for all intents, construction, and purpose whatsoever (African American History by Henry Drewry). It affirmed their total ownership and right over their slaves particularly the womenfolk. As absolute property of their owners, enslaved black women were thus uprooted their homes and families and to comply with every physical and sexual whim of the master. They had to learn to be totally submissive to the master, in mind and body. Sexual abuse could be in the form of sexual coercion to forced breeding for profit. Refusal of sexual overtures met with physical and emotional abuse and often the sale of a family member to distant farms, never to be seen again. She had no safeguard or refuge as the law regarded rape as a mere trespassing of property. Developing relations with fellow slaves, men and women, proved difficult as she or her friends could be deported or sold to another property at any given time. Any challenges by the male slaves to such sexual exploitation could mean an end to their own lives (Life of a woman on a plantation- an essay Berkin). First person accounts of two slave girls, Harriet A Jacobs and Cecil (Harriett a Jacobs An autobiography Incidents in the life of a slave girl 1861) (Essay on Slavery Celia a slave) substantiate this claim. Both female slaves of African descent articulated the pain and suffering caused by the repeated sexual violation of their bodies and how they were held captive by their masters till they decided to take matters into their hands and escape their captors. Compelled to live under the same roof with a man forty years her senior, he daily violated her. Her misery seemed inescapable, for there was no law to protect her from the constant insults, violence or even death. She finally managed to escape and went into hiding for seven years, before she could flee to another place. Though reluctant mistresses, these enslaved African women were often labeled as jezebels, innately promiscuous or even predatory by the white women. They were perceived to enjoy higher status and privileges than other slave women, but these privileges were tainted by the fact that they were forced into sexual submission (Africans in America). However, research based data indicates that quite a few of these formed short term liaisons with their white owners for vested interests (Southern Mulattos Population) and, yet others willingly maintained long-term relationships with their masters, begetting them children. Contemporary sociologist K Sue Jewell in her book à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦describes Jezebel as a tragic mulatto indicating they formed the bulk of black women sold into prostitution. In a system termed placage, many such freeborn light-skinned women were willing mistresses to wealthy white southerners. (3)How did southern plantation owners use their powers not only to control their mistress but their children and even male slaves under their control? Slaves were at an utter disadvantage and powerless as they were designated legal properties of their owners. Authorized to use punitive measures, slave owners and their families deployed severe methods on the least pretext to ensure slave obedience (Slavery in the United States). A variety of objects and contraptions such as the more commonly used whip, shackles, chains, metal collars, knives, guns, field tools, forced walking on the treadmill and even hanging were used to quell any disobedience or rebellion. Reasons for punishments ranged from breaking a law like leaving the plantation without permission, running away, not following orders or slow work, often punishing them in front of others to make an example of them (Slavery in the United States). In fact, the law required slave owners to mandatorily discipline recaptured runaway slaves or face fines. Owners also constantly blackmailed slaves with the threat of sale of their family members to distant plantations, never to be seen again. Enslaved blacks continued to be sexual pawns in the hands of their owners. Children that ensued from these actions were also treated as slaves as they took on the status of their mothers. (Slavery in the United States) Slave marriages were considered illegal and couples were frequently separated through sale. (The Slave Community: Plantation Life in the Antebellum South is a book written by American Historian John W. Blassingame). It was unsafe for a slave couple to be residing on the same plantation. Nothing demonstrated the utter powerlessness of the husband as he watch the brutal whipping and rape of his wife and the sale of his children. He had no alternative but to comply with the demands of his master. However, Blassingame also indicates that owners understood the need to encourage monogamous relationships a black man, they reasoned, who loved his wife and his children was less likely to be rebellious or to run away than would a single slave(The Slave Community: Plantation Life in the Antebellum South is a book written by American Historian John W. Blassingame). Whilst some masters were compassionate, most slaves knew that any error or crisis would take them to the auction block. Slave owners were also uncomfortable with the fact that slave children might question their authority and the legitimacy of the order, as they were reared to respect other authority figures like their parents (Organization of American historians -Family life in the slave quarters survival strategies- Marie Jenkin Scwartz). To subvert this, owners established rules and planned activities aimed at minimizing the importance of slave family life and emphasizing his position as the master. Many went to the extent of referring to their slaves as family members which gave them the right to interfere in their slaves private lives. To this end, they kept a keen watch on their slaves activities night and day, including such mundane matters as to what they ate, how they dressed and when they slept. They would often bribe the slave children or reward bad behavior with toys or gifts (Slavery in the United States) How did slavery laws and southern politic support the rights of slave owners to abuse their slaves Enslavement of the African Americans formally commenced in the 1630s and 1640s (Slavery in the Civil war Era). Colonial courts and legislatures clearly affirmed that Africansunlike their counterpart white indentured servants-would serve their masters for life and their slave status would be inherited by their children. A 1667 A Virginia act declared that Baptisme doth not alter the condition of the person as to his bondage or freedome. And By 1740 colonial America had a fully developed slavery system in place (Slavery in the Civil War Era). In fact in Virginia, after 1807, slaves were considered the chief cash crop of their owners. Such legislation gave owners ultimate power over their slaves (Slavery in the United States). A law on partus in 1662 in Virginia indicated that children of an enslaved mother would automatically be slaves, even if the father was a freeborn white. This further institutionalized the power relationships and freed the white men from any legal responsibility of either acknowledging or supporting their children, confining the scandal of illegitimate, mixed-race children to the slave quarters. In the 1860s, elite families, who formed a bulk of the shareholding families, influenced and shaped the political scenario of the land. Foremost amongst their common concerns was controlling and ensuring an adequate supply of slave labor (Slavery in the civil war era) Legislation in the south was so designed as to protect the owners rights to their human chattels. Slave codes incorporated in these laws admitted, if grudgingly so, that slaves were human beings and not property like animals. However, these codes instituted many clauses to minimize the possibility of slave rebellion. The codes made it illegal for slaves to (a) educate themselves to read and write (b) to attend church services without a white person, or (c) to testify in court against a white. Also, leaving their home plantation without a masters written pass was forbidden. Additional laws sought to restrict the possibility of manumission (the freeing of ones slaves). Between 1810 and 1860, legislation in all Southern states restricted the right of slave owners to free their slaves, even in a will, as free blacks might inspire other slaves to rebel. As a consequence, most Southern states required that any such freed slave leave the state within thirty days (Slavery in the Civil War Era). Authorities established slave patrols to enforce these codes. Locally organized bands of young white men, both slave owners and yeomen farmers patrolled the night checking that slaves were in indeed their quarters. These patrols shared a common desire to keep the black population in check (Slavery in the civil War Era) How the isolation of Plantation life in the south factor into the percentage of numbers of rape of black slaves. Although slavery was widespread throughout antebellum America, the 1830s saw a greater demand and concentration of African American slaves in the flourishing plantations of the antebellum south (Slavery in the civil war Era). Legislation of slavery in the southern states, unlike the north where there were free slaves, indicated that all slaves to be chattel personal in the hands of their owners and possessors for all intents, construction, and purpose whatsoever. (African American History). A black man could be whipped for no reason. He could be beaten, stripped or tortured for the entertainment of his master. A black woman could be sexually harassed, assaulted, beaten or raped at anytime without question.(Life of women in the plantation slavery essay) As bonded laborers and property of their owners, slaves were confined to live and work on the plantations. Permission to go outside the premises was only by written consent from the master and severely punishable if disobeyed (Slavery in the Civil War Era). It served the owners dual purpose of labor exploitation and race control. Children and women were used as domestic help so as to not waste capable labor (Berkin Life of women slaves on the plantation- an essay Berkin, p. 62). Slave codes incorporated in the legal system restricted their movements and growth. They were not permitted an education, could not testify against a white or attend church services without one (Slavery in the United States). Authorities established slave patrols to enforce these codes. .( Slavery in the United States) In the absence of any safeguards and laws to protect them, enslaved African women were the worst victims of a system that designated and treated them as sole property of the owners. Of the data available and horrific first person accounts of two slave African Americans, women suffered the worst possible sexual violence and abuse (Berkin Life of women slaves on the plantation- an essay Berkin, p. 62). Her non-compliance resulted in severe physical and emotional punitive measures for herself and her spouse or the selling of a family member a child, spouse, parent or near relative to a distant land never to be seen again. Any rebuttals to such sexual exploitation by the male slaves could result in death (Berkin Life of women slaves on the plantation- an essay Berkin, p. 62)). Conclusion The antebellum era in America is strife with the slavery epoch which went contrary to the principles of the War of Independence. It is ironical that the very state, Virginia in which the American Declaration of Independence was signed, would be the first to legitimize slavery. African slaves first set foot in Virginia, America in 1619 with the arrival of captives sold by a Dutch to settlers in Jamestown. Considering their economic worth, particularly in the plantations in the antebellum south, their demand grew and spiraled over time up to the 1800s.(African American History). Colonial courts and legislatures had racialized slavery (Slavery in the United States)The first arm of legalization in 1662 stated that such Africans would be servants for life, and later in a 1667 another act declared that Baptisme doth not alter the condition of the person as to his bondage or freedome. By 1740 a concrete legal slavery system in colonial America was in place. A Virginia law gave owners absolu te right over their property stating that slaves were chattel personal in the hands of their owners and possessors for all intents, construction, and purpose whatsoever. (African American History). Legitimizing slavery gave owners sweeping powers of life and death over their slaves, particularly, the enslaved black women ((Berkin Life of women slaves on the plantation- an essay Berkin, p. 62). Slaves were brutally penalized and sometimes even murdered. Rape and sexual violence against enslaved black women was rampant and not considered a crime except for the fact that it represented trespassing on anothers property. Owners often resorted to severe punishment, physical and emotional, to reinforce submissive behavior, particularly against black slave women. Designated as property to their white owners, they lived with the constant reality of rape as is witnessed in the first person accounts of Harriet a Jacobs and Celia ((Berkin Life of women slaves on the plantation- an essay Berkin, p. 62). Habitually, raped, harassed, sexually stalked and used as long term concubines not only by their masters, but by the owners families and friends, these enslaved women lived in constant fear of punishment either physically or emotional blackmail through separation when their loved ones and family members were sold to distant plantations, never to be seen again. (Africans in America) Laws accommodated the owners actions, classifying the resultant progeny as children of the mothers only, absolving the white father of any responsibility, unless they were freed by the owner.( Historian Eugene Genovese -Slavery in the United States) Though Black women were reluctant mistresses, they were termed as seducers called, Jezebels However, there is evidence to suggest that some enslaved black mistresses had devised a way to use her sexuality as a means of avoiding exploitation by her master and for other vested interests (Southern Mulatto Population). Slave men for their part were powerless to intervene as they faced the threat of death. (Africans in America). A slave couple residing on the same plantation were unsafe. Nothing demonstrated the husbands powerlessness more than the brutal whipping and rape of his wife and sale of his children. (The Slave Community: Plantation Life in the Antebellum South is a book written by American Historian John W. Blassingame). However, owners also understood the importance and need of allowing monogamous relationships, as this was less likely to create run-away slaves. Slaves struggled to maintain the integrity of their family and culture, even as masters applied their stamp to the domestic life of the slave quarter. Fearing that slave children might question their authority, slave owners established rules and planned activities aimed at affirming his position as master. (Organization of American historians -Family life in the slave quarters survival strategies- Marie Jenkin Scwartz). The fact that the slaves in the antebellum south were legalized and property of the owners afforded them no rights or freedom. Their isolation from the north, where free slaves resided, further detracted from any hope of freedom or better quality of life than at the hands of their tyrannical owners. ((Berkin Life of women slaves on the plantation- an essay Berkin, p. 62)

Medicine, Drugs, and the Internet Essay -- Exploratory Essays Research

Drugs and Cyberspace Since the beginning of time, humans have been searching for the ultimate answer. Throughout many cultures, plants as well as manufactured substances are used both for healing and to broaden perceptions and challenge reality. Drugs are a part of the incessant evolution of the human species towards a higher and greater intelligence, empathy and awareness or consciousness (Rushkoff, 34). Gurus and shaman have eternally incorporated plant chemicals into methods for enlightenment. For America, the early 1950's marked the emergence in popularity of psychedelic drugs as a tool for mind expansion (Kuhn, 163). Timothy Leary, an icon of 60's drug subculture, as well as cybernetic psychology explains, "the psychedelic drug movement of the 60's and the personal computer movement of the 80's are inner and outer reflections of each other." Leary also argues that only if you understand something about computers, can you begin to understand psychedelic drugs (Sheff, 120). Psychedelics deconstruct one's basic assumptions about life, presenting choices that are arbitrary to the individual and the given society. In The Doors of Perception, Aldous Huxley reflects on the capabilities of chemicals on the human mind: "Administered in suitable doses, peyote changes the quality of consciousness more profoundly and yet is less toxic than any other substances in the pharmacologist's repetory" (Huxley, 9). Douglas Rushkoff, one in the same as Leary, has written several books on the topic of psychedelics and cyberspace. He believes "with the help of a psychedelic journey, one can come back [from tripping] and consciously choose a different reality from one that's been agreed upon... ...rception. New York: Harper & Row, 1954. Kimm, Todd. "Can a Man Fly on the Internet?" icon. Vol. 16, Oct. 15, 1998, www.iconquest.com Kuhn, Cynthia; Scott Swartzwelder; Wilkie Wilson. Buzzed. New York: W.W. Norton & Company, 1998. Leary, Timothy. High Priest. New York: College Notes &Texts, Inc., 1968. Leinhard, John H. "A Concern About Reality." No. 88. Nov. 1998. http://www.uh.edu/engines. McKenna, Terence. Archaic Revivals. San Francisco: HarperCollins, 1991. Neumann, Peter G. "Are Computers Addictive?" Communications of the ACM Vol. 40. No. 3 (March 1998): p. 128. Rushkoff, Douglas. Cyberia: Life in the Trenches of Hyperspace. San Francisco: HarperCollins, 1994. Sheff, David. "From Psychedelics to Cybernetics." Publish. Feb 1992: p.120 Taylor, Eugene. "Psychedelics: The Second Coming." Psychology Today. Jul 1996: pp.56-59+

A Comparison of Fahrenheit 451 and Dover Beach Essay -- Ray Bradburys

Fahrenheit 451 is a well-written book that tells a story of a dream world and one man who wakes up from that dream. Montag, the protagonist of the story, brings home a book of poetry one day and begins to read the poem Dover Beach by Matthew Arnold to his wife and her guests. Many critics think that Bradbury picked this poem because it paralleled life in his book. The poem Dover Beach can be compared to Fahrenheit 451 because both pieces of writing talk about themes of true love, fantasy and allover hopelessness. One of the ways Fahrenheit 451 can be related to Arnold’s Dover Beach is by connecting the absense of true love in both of them. Throughout the book, Montag slowly realizes that he does not truly love his wife Mildred. In the beginning, Montag believes that he truly loves Mildred. However, as the book goes on, he meets Clarisse, and begins to change his way of thought. He slowly begins to wake up from the dream world that he is living in. As he begins to know Clarisse, he slowly realizes that Mildred does not share the same deep passion for life that he does. At the beginning of the Sieve and the Sand, Montag frantically reads books to gain more knowledge. Mildred complains and kicks the books around, showing that her and her husband are growing apart. At the end of the book, Montag is talking to Granger, and says "... Even if she dies, I realized a moment ago, I don't think I'll feel sad (155)". This shows that Montag does not care for his wife as much as he th ought he did before. In the poem, Arnold states "†¦a land of dreams ...hath really neither joy, nor love, nor light". The world in Arnold’s poem is a land of dreaming. While people are dreaming of true love and joy, there is none in the real world that you live in once you wake up from the dream. Once the â€Å"confused alarms of struggle and flight† wake you up, you realize that the world is really void of love and happiness. The world in Arnold's poem is a world parallel to that of Bradbury's: Both are worlds that do not contain love or light, as much as people in them would like to believe otherwise. Both Fahrenheit 451 and Dover Beach are pieces of writing that deal with lands of fantasy. The true world that Bradbury lived in while writing Fahrenheit 451 was one of real books that peop... ...e, because the laws of the universe don't let it out. Similarly, the hopelessness of the human race is shown through the fact that it goes through its life cycles, yet humans know what they're doing and try to fix it. Even though it does not work, that is their cry for help, just as the Sea of Faith cries out to be released from its tides. Writers often use other works in their books to back up what their writing is trying to prove. Ray Bradbury uses the ideas in the poem Dover Beach by Matthew Arnold to support the idea that his book shows the absence of true love, the existence of fantasy worlds, and the reality of hopelessness. Both the book and the poem show that the world is a land of fantasy where things are not always as they appear, and that as much as they want to do something, the nature of people can hold us back from doing things. Both Dover Beach and Fahrenheit 451 show worlds of beings that are trapped in a cage and forced to live a certain way, as much as they don't want to. As much as human beings today don't believe this can happen, if we give into the natural way of humans, we may just follow the same path that Bradbury's people did.

Characterization: Curley’s Wife in Of Mice And Men Essay

With colorful statements like â€Å"She had full, rouged lips and wide-spaced eyes, heavily made up. Her fingernails were red. Her hair hung in little rolled clusters, like sausages. She wore a cotton dress and red mules, on the insteps of which were little bouquets of red ostrich feathers† (John Steinbeck, 31), Curley’s wife is one of the more vividly portrayed characters in Of Mice and Men. Although Steinbeck leaves almost nothing to the imagination about this woman, he chooses to consistently refer to her as ‘Curley’s Wife’ rather than giving her a name or a nickname like he has done with most of the other characters. Through indirect and direct characterization the reader discovers that this woman was not simply a ticket to trouble like the workers on her father-in-law’s ranch believed, but a girl stuck in a life where she didn’t belong. Curley’s wife, who was incredibly lonely, was always ‘heavily made up’ even when she lived on the ranch where George and Lennie worked. Although generally she was thought of as a floozy, her talk with Lennie revealed that she was used to the high life. When her parents forbade her to go into the acting business, as she so wished, she married Curley, the first man who offered her something other than stardom, in order to get away from her overbearing family (Steinbeck, 88). Although because of this decision she was forced to spend her life on a ranch full of underclass workers, she still liked to make herself up to constantly remind herself that she had had the potential to be something better. To her, dressing up and flaunting her stuff was a symbol of status, something to set her apart from the rest of the lower class, which, even today, is not much different. Fashion magazines, television, and the general media still lead the public to believe that style directly connects to the amount of wealth or power someone has. When fashion trends change by the minute, it is generally thought that everything from wealth to sophistication is shown when someone is able to keep up with them (Appendix A). Curley’s wife considered always looking presentable as a constant reminder that she had once been considered good enough to go into the movie business and could have been something much better than the boss’s son’s wife. Another reason Curley’s wife was constantly made up and wondering around the ranch was that she was lonely. With Curley always gone and having nothing in common with her, she had no one to keep her company and was forced to look for attention among the workers, who had long since learned to keep away from the boss’s daughter-in-law. â€Å"‘Funny thing,’ she said. ‘If I catch any one man, and he’s alone, I get along fine with him. But just let two of the guys get together an’ you won’t talk. Jus’ nothing but mad'† (Steinbeck, 77). Although Curley was very over-protective of his wife, he didn’t tend to her needs so she moseyed around looking for something to do or someone to talk to during the day. And even though all she wanted was the attention Curley didn’t give her, the men in the ranch knew that talking to her would only lead to trouble. â€Å"Well, I aint giving you no trouble. Think I don’t like to talk to somebody ever’ once in a while? Think I like to stick around the house alla time?'† Curley’s wife had all the spare time in the world, and spends it making herself look as good as she can (Appendix B) and flaunts her body to anyone who will look. She desperately seeks attention and acknowledgment that she’s still got the looks that attracted all sorts of men to her before. Steinbeck chose not to give Curley’s wife a real name because she was never able to make a name for herself; she was forced into a life where she was confined and unable to pursue her real dreams. She obviously wasn’t happy with her life living inside Curley’s ranch; she wasn’t meant to be the typical woman of that time who stays at home doing the cooking and cleaning for her husband. â€Å"†¦Ã¢â‚¬â„¢Well, a show came through, an’ I met one of the actors. He says I could go with that show. But my ol’ lady wouldn’ let me. She says because I was on’y fifteen'†(Steinbeck, 88). Curley’s wife desperately tries to show Lennie that she was better than this ranch; that she wasn’t common like the rest of the people there and that it was by fault that she was living where she was now. She needed to leave that ranch and pursue her dreams now that she was old enough to make her own decisions. She needed a ticket out of that city so she could go to Hollywood and make a name for herself (Appendix C). Although Curly’s wife’s character was portrayed completely by John Steinbeck, she was never given a full name because her character isn’t full. She was missing something; she wasn’t in her rightful place. Curley’s wife wasn’t meant to live her life on the ranch, and her character wasn’t completed because of it. Steinbeck showed this the only tangible way he could, with the lack of a name for her. She wasn’t like the rest of the people on the ranch, with a name or nickname; she was referred to as ‘Curley’s Wife’. She stood out by the fact that she was the only woman on the ranch, she was the only one who dressed to impress, and she was the only person without a full name. She didn’t belong and even if she had lived she never would.