Strategy, analysis, & Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Technique, examination, and - Assignment Example The RBV view would include the VRIN examination. Worth Chain Analysis The worth chain of the organization is isolated into essential and supporting exercises. Essential Activity The essential exercises of the King’s College Hospital are to give authority and general human services administrations to the patients. The worth chain examination is essential to set out the business level systems. The center exercises of the clinic are giving clinical treatment and crisis administrations to the conceded and ordinary patients. Inbound and Outbound Logistics The emergency clinic works intimately with different rumored organizations for the gracefully of clinical gadgets, supplements, meds, infusions, gloves and different other clinical prerequisites (King’s College Hospital, 2013a). iSoft is answerable for the flexibly and conveyance of cutting edge PC frameworks. Pregnacare is liable for providing clinical necessities to the maternity division and Teleflex, Macmillan Cancer su pport is responsible for the convenient flexibly of the clinical gadgets and prerequisites to the different branches of the emergency clinic (King’s College Hospital, 2013a). Tasks The operational exercises in King’s College Hospital incorporate the recruiting of the proper clinical staff, building up wellbeing rules inside the medical clinic and upkeep of the staff alongside tolerant records (King’s College Hospital, 2013b). Promoting and Sales King’s College Hospital is one of the most presumed and most seasoned medical clinics in North and East London (King’s College Hospital, 2013c). The medical clinic barely has confidence in forceful advancement. In any case, print and web based life administration is utilized in advancing the most recent innovation or most recent wellbeing administration offering. Administrations Apart from giving standard and expert human services benefits, the emergency clinic likewise offers blood assortment administratio ns, preparing to clinical understudies, mindfulness program about different ailment and a few other wellbeing related administrations. Supporting Activity Support exercises include bolster help that is required for the essential exercises. Acquisition The emergency clinic works intimately with different associations of notoriety like, Venture, BT, Cerner, 3M and different incidental organizations for the obtainment of the clinical gadgets and different prerequisites (King’s College Hospital, 2013d). It secures data innovation and different interchanges administrations from BT, equipment and programming administrations from Cerner and resorts to Liftec for gaining lift gadgets. Innovation improvement The emergency clinic is profoundly subject to innovation for playing out its clinical tasks and medical procedure. Innovation like, neurological picture scaling and filtering framework are exceptionally utilized for the liver transplantation and malignancy units (King’s Col lege Hospital, 2013c). Human Resource Management King’s College Hospital has a certified clinical staff which involves taught specialists and medical attendants. The productivity and the notoriety of the clinic are absolutely subject to the aptitudes of the clinical staff and

Juno and The Paycock Essay Essay Example

Juno and The Paycock Essay The concentrate is in Act 1, generally close to the beginning of the book. In the past barely any pages Mary and Juno are discussing the passings of fighters which makes Johnny extremely agitated and restless, this is on the grounds that he offered data to the specialists that lead to the demise of a youthful officer, yet this isn't uncovered in the play until some other time. In the concentrate it is the first occasion when we meet The Captain and Joxer, when Juno hears them coming she conceals herself out of site. The Captain and Joxer then come in and talk about Juno despite her good faith, it is interesting when Juno uncovers herself and out of nowhere Joxer is in a urgent rush and The Captain is presently truly quick to get himself an occupation. The concentrate closes with Juno radiating to Boyle about not finding a new line of work and cultivator he has a simple life. I am going to take a gander at the concentrate and the remainder of the play see whether I think O'Casey presents life in Dublin to be brimming with antagonism and debasement. The concentrate begins with Juno revealing to Jerry where Boyle is, she says he will be in Ryans or Foleys which are two bars. She is exceptionally negative of Boyle, continually anticipating the most exceedingly terrible from him, and she is far and away more terrible to Joxer. I believe that she faults Joxer for the way that Boyle squander a ton of the familys cash on drink and that he doesnt have a vocation, she says therell never be any acceptable got out o him as long as he goes with that shouldher-shruggin Joxer and this proposes she feels that Boyle would be a superior man, who might accomplish significantly more on the off chance that he didnt partner himself with Joxer. We will compose a custom exposition test on Juno and The Paycock Essay explicitly for you for just $16.38 $13.9/page Request now We will compose a custom article test on Juno and The Paycock Essay explicitly for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Recruit Writer We will compose a custom article test on Juno and The Paycock Essay explicitly for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Recruit Writer OCasey is causing us to feel sorry for Juno as of now and despite the fact that this is clever in front of an audience, it is at last dismal that a spouse and father is squandering his life away drinking at the bar. I think this gives us debasement and cynicism from Junos eyes however from the eyes of The Captain it is superbly ordinary and he doesnt see whats so terrible about it. As the concentrate goes on Juno avoids view and lets Boyle and Joxer enter so she can furtively tune in to their discussion, she plunks down on the bed, escaped the perspective on those strolling in. He discusses her in a negative manner, griping about her steady grousin' and saying how he possibly gets comfort when shes away. Again OCasey is giving us that life is brimming with pessimism from Junos eyes however not from The Captains eyes, her significant other is tired of her and clearly doesnt like investing energy with her, this would be pitiful and again we feel sorry that Juno needs to endure him. When Juno uncovers herself it is amusing when Joxer is in a desparate hustle, his immature dread of Juno is hilarious. Joxer and Boyle at that point make up a lie about them landing positions, how they are going to quit drinking and begin working rather, yet Juno sees directly through it in the event that you think youre ready to come it over me with them fantasies, youre in an inappropriate shop! OCasey shows us considerably greater antagonism in the concentrate when Juno says to Boyle, have your morning meal t might be the last youll get for I dont know where the following one is goin to originate from. It shows us the genuine condition of neediness and it reflects to appear to be an exceptionally negative spot to live in. I think OCasey depicts life in Dublin to have a great deal of cynicism for Juno. OCasey unmistakably shows that Juno surely has a difficult, but not impossible task ahead, as she is the one individual in the family who has a vocation and she is additionally the person who does all the cooking, purchases the food and does about the entirety of the work herself. She says I killin meself workin this shows exactly how hard Juno attempts to keep her family glad. This isn't made any simpler when Boyle spends a ton of the families cash on liquor in the bar. This implies Juno and the remainder of the family can't manage the cost of an extravagances because of The Captains self-centeredness. The life for Juno isn't lovely, she has two kids and a spouse and they all need steady consideration from her, she accomplishes such a great deal for the family and they continue needing to an ever increasing extent. I think OCasey presents Junos life in Dublin as brimming with antagonism and defilement however the life for Boyle is simple, he accomplishes no work and just goes through his days doing anything he desires, and making Junos life much increasingly troublesome. I do concur that he presents life in Dublin as negative, yet just for Juno, she works the entire day and cares for the family the remainder of the time, she has no opportunity to do what she needs though the chief does anything he desires. I feel frustrated about Juno, she merits much more than what she gets.

Rally the Team How to Create a Cool Office Culture

Rally the Team How to Create a Cool Office Culture So, youre a young and an ambitious team leader who is focused on getting positive feedback from the seniors in your company.You are probably well aware that the performance and efficiency of your team are among the most important things in achieving the goals of your company.However, its not up to you as you may very well know by now.Most of it depends on the productivity of your team, and the overall productivity comes from the overall motivation and the satisfaction of your colleagues.Boosting morale, and knowing how to motivate your employees is essential to any true team leader.This may sound a little bit shabby or insignificant, but having a manager that can create a positive office culture, and turn a boring office ambient into a vibrant, cheerful and dynamic place is truly priceless for both the team and the company.Office culture is something of great importance.While a lot of you are maybe thinking that high salary, all sorts of annual benefits and respect from your superior s are the most important factors when it comes to the happiness of an employee, the culture is the main reason why certain collective or individual is feeling satisfied it their daily routine.Fortunately, there are some tips which can boost your team spirit sky high and lay down the foundation of awesome office culture.Those tips are the core values of some of the most notable worldwide corporations such as Google.According to Fortune magazine, it has been the best company to work for six years in a row.Now, lets get to business, here are the long-awaited team building commandments that every young and upcoming team leader is searching for:BE PROFESSIONAL, BUT ALSO BE A HUMAN BEING WHEN COMMUNICATING WITH YOUR EMPLOYEESEvery company has its own set of goals, a hierarchy and maybe a strict policy in achieving those goals.However, no one will blame you if you bend those rules a little bit so that your team may provide great results. That’s something you should always be aware of.A s trictly formal relationship between you and your team is probably not the most recommendable way of communication.Expressing your emotions and revealing your personal goals or company’s goals is a way of bonding with your team and building a mutual aspiration towards the same goal.Whether you take your team to lunch, dinner, or maybe just for a drink at their favorite bar, the idea is the same, talk to them honestly, openly, ask the right questions, and dont be afraid to sometimes venture beyond the lines of a strict professional correspondence.Were not talking anything too drastic here, but it wont kill anyone to have a casual Friday every now and then.Were not just talking clothes and loosening up with the whole tie, tuxedo and the boring and surpassed attire.Were talking getting casual in terms of communication.That doesnt mean that you wont maintain responsibility and precision when youre working, but it means that youll come to grasp the more subjective side of each and every one of your employees.When you, as a manager, show an inclination towards perceiving your colleagues as a team or maybe even as friends, they will connect with each other in a similar manner as well.Concept of not mixing business and friendship has its basis in common sense, but its not sensible to stick to it like an unbreakable rule or something.Its more of a guideline or an elementary suggestion, but you should abide by it only until youve mastered discipline and some professional skills. Then youre free to bend the rule.Its an outdated way of perceiving employees and managers as mere cogs in the machinery.We are all human and pretending to be anything less or more than that may very well become detrimental for yourself as an individual, but also for the whole team and consequently for the whole company.TWO-WAY COMMUNICATIONWithout communication, we wouldnt be able to survive this long as species.The ability to communicate is one of the main things that separate us from animals. Having said that, one should note that communication always goes both ways and the listener and the speaker should change roles every now and then.In relation to that, try to understand your co-workers and see if you can relate to their aspirations. Keep in mind though that it won’t be easy to satisfy everyone, so dont even try.However, what you should try is to to find a fundamental value that connects all of you and implement it so that value becomes what the whole collective enhances through your daily routine.That something that you all share may very well become your common ground and the glue that holds the team together, no matter how silly it can be.Perhaps you all like to watch football or sing karaoke, it doesnt mind.Listen to everyone, be patient, and let everyone share their own opinions on what they think is the best way to succeed and obtain your goals.Then, when you hear all of them, make your own suggestion on what you think is the best way to handle the assignment .Eventually, both you and your team will come to mutual recognition and conclusion of what should be your essential values.After that conclusion, be humorous and spontaneous because nobody likes stiff and inflexible bosses.The whole point about this way of developing a relationship with your employees is gaining trust among each other, setting essential principals, and creating synergy.Even if some unforeseen event occurs from time to time, your team will provide support because they know that you, as a manager, will always tend to cover for them as well. You will know that you can have someone to lean on and overcome all those problems and they will know it and cherish it too.If you treat members of your team as one of your own, one thing is inevitable. Your bond as a team will flourish so much, that it will almost become your family.When you get to this point, that your team has a family-like structure, know for sure that you are on the path of enormous progression and improvement . Remember the good old saying. „Family comes first.“There are examples of companies that have a strong family-like office culture and bond between employees all over.According to the interview between Knowledge@Wharton, from the the Wharton University of Pennsylvania and Bob Chapman, CEO of Barry-Wehmiller Companies, a global supplier of manufacturing technology and services, whose annual revenue is about $2.4 billion „Family is the one place you ought to feel safe and valued.“By this, he basically means that you should treat your employees as one of your own.Because, just as one family has its own goals and constantly deals with everyday obstacles and struggles, if that family is strong and firm, it can endure anything.The same goes for the company.So dont be afraid of bonding with your team.Bonding can only strengthen your relationship with the team and lead it to mutual prosperity.THE OFFICE CAN BE A PLACE OF YOUR OWN REFLECTION; EMPLOY ART AND GAMINGUsually, when somebo dy mentions office, probably the first thing that struck your mind is some grey and pale space with only desks and computers, papers scattered all over the place, and some bossy manager that gets on everybodys nerve. Well, maybe you are right.But you shouldnt think thats always the case.Your working place can also be a place of your own reflection.Whether you have some artistic tendencies or not, you should at least decorate your office the way you like it.And, as a manager, you should let your employees do the same thing.Considering that probably most of the day people spend their time at work, this matter gets more serious.Depending on what you do, working in the office can sometimes get pretty exhausting and downright dull. So, you need some type of distraction and amusement from time to time.When that time comes, rally the team, and just have some fun for a change.There is a variety of stuff you can do or suggest to your colleagues.But firstly, you can start by decorating your w orkplace.Decorate your workplace with objects or items of your personal choice.You can even assemble every one from the team and discuss how you should redecorate your office.By doing so, brainstorming the ideas of how to redo it and getting an agreement is a process that will connect the people who are sharing their space.Just like when you are renovating home with your family.Release your inner creativity and let it flow when it comes to this matter.Be able to hear your employees opinions and doing so, convey the message that theyre not just passive subordinates.They matter. Transform the boring office into a place where all of you hard-working people are going to feel comfortable and important as well.Also, you can come up with some games, or some form of competition.Buy a dartboard and create a tournament. The one who ends up the last on the leaderboard buys everyone a lunch that day. Indulge yourself, and take a break from a long hard day once in a while.This type of liberty wi ll surely improve your office culture and make your employees much more pleased.It can also help you to motivate your team and enable the individuals to convey their character and feelings. It is as simple as that, the more the employees are happy, the productivity is greater. Source: recognizethisblog.comProbably the perfect example of this type of companys policy is Goggle once again. Their behavior towards their personnel is the archetype of efficiency mixed with a carefree and laid-back attitude.Basically, it is one of the companies with the most satisfied employees.For the company that has more than 85 thousand people working under their name worldwide, 86% of them says they are absolutely pleased with their jobs.Well, aint that a good ratio?You can learn a lot from their examples.They have provided their employees with all sorts of free time activities and benefits.From a variety of sports activities to free lunch and snacks, guitar lessons, free massage, cooking lessons, places where you can play video games.Well, basically everything that can come to your mind. And also ambient in the offices is warm and it makes you feel comfortable and enjoyable.Well, who wouldnt enjoy that?But unfortunately, not every company has the means and funds to provide t his kind of pleasure.Even so, that doesnt mean you cant make your office a pleasant place.Remember that people are those who create an entertaining and vibrant atmosphere.So get ready, release your inner flows of creativity and make your office a place you wouldnt mind to go to every day. OUTDOOR RALLYING OF THE TEAMWell, we all know by now that the daily indoor office activities are important.Most of the time you are inside the office and you are constantly trying to improve your office culture, and that is reasonable and legit.But thats exactly the reason why you should also focus on outdoor activities with your team.Office culture is created both in the office and the outside of it.You build your relationships outside and bring them in.Thats how it works.Who doesnt like a breath of fresh air from time to time?If you truly want your team to work as a whole, and develop a more personal relationship, then you must include group day trips in that, especially when you have so many opt ions for this type of bonding.This time, it is better to get physically active.Forget a bit about the often stressful and exhausting working day inside the office, and enjoy your free time with your colleagues.There can hardly be a better way of reducing pressure and tension that is always accumulating while working.It is also probably the best way of achieving a friendly relationship with one another.And a team of friends can manage everything.Now you as a captain of a team, dont need to rush anything or be the one who decides where this outing is going to happen.Perhaps the best solution is to get some of your members to decide where are all of you going to go, once a month at least.Like this, everyone will be treated equally, and there are no excuses if someone doesnt like the activity that the team is engaging.Their turn for choosing will come soon enough, so they can get their sweet revenge next time. A strong sense of mutual understanding is also a virtue that can arouse by do ing so.By having a good time, you can also see some other traits that your collective possesses. Acknowledging that, you will get to know your team better.Therefore you will know how to solidify your relationship with each member of the team, and they will certainly acknowledge you.Youll all come to know each others weaknesses and strengths which is priceless in terms of you working together.We can go on and on about the advantages and benefits of this way of connecting with your colleagues. There are just so many.Maybe you are getting a hard time now, and brainstorming the ideas of the ideal outdoor activity with your team.But, luckily there are tons of team building activities that the other companies are already practicing.With a little bit of guidance, surely you will make your outing a delightful experience for your team. So hop on, and make off day a trip to remember.SPORTS AND GAMINGYou dont need to be an adrenaline junkie to be practicing these kinds of sports. Surely, some of your workers would even be against this way of recreation.Maybe some of them would be afraid. But really, they shouldnt be.Who doesn’t like a little bit of action from time to time? Let the adrenaline rush through your veins and embrace it. There is nothing bad about it.The only thing you are going to lose is maybe some weight.Rafting, for instance, is a phenomenal extreme team sport. Not only it is good for your health and activates almost every muscle in your body.It is a rough sport, where your group must operate as a team in order to avoid obstacles that Mother Nature is making your face.You endure all of these hardships and overcome your fears by sheer determination to succeed together.Probably you wouldn’t even notice at first, but overexcitement coming from struggle and eventual success of taming the power of nature will form an unbreakable bond between you and your team.Paintball can be an incredible game will help you develop both as a team and individually on so man y levels.This strategic, combative, and most of all entertaining shooting sport game is going to rock your socks off. And the best part about it is that is pretty safe (if you keep your equipment on at all times).At first, probably because of adrenaline, you will go on the rampage mode and get shot very easily. But you will soon find out that you must work as a team in order to win and survive.Sweating, running, shooting, watching each other’s back, making up tactics in order to win against your common enemy, that was only yesterday your mate at work.Well, it can’t be more stress revealing, interesting and enjoyable than that. Basically, like a child’s game for grown-ups.PUZZLE-SOLVING GAMES“Coming together is a beginning, keeping together is progress, working together is a success,” said Henry Ford.While team-management improved a lot since his time, it still upholds this saying which is still the essence of solving games collectively.Of course, you want your employees to stay sharp-minded and have a creative approach to solving problems.The escape room is a place where you should go and have fun. Let’s put your intellectual abilities to the test right now.This is a live-action game in which your team must work cooperatively.Your job is to find specific clues, solve various tasks and fulfill them in order to complete the final goal in a certain amount of time.Sounds complicated, well it is, but that’s what it should be, or there would be no point in playing it.You will be surprised by how much you will get to know your coworkers.By doing something meaningful as this, and improving your relationship with each other as a collective, there is no way that you won’t bring some of those good vibrations to the office to.REVISIONWeve provided a short questionnaire so that you could check if you need to give some thought to rallying your team, or if its as rallied as it gets:Did the majority of your employees/coworkers show any signs of anxiety in the past few months?Did your co-workers get into a quarrel in the past few months more than usual?Is the atmosphere in the office getting dull?Make an anonymous survey. Is the rate of job-satisfaction in your office lower than 80%?Are your colleagues more prone to individual work than teamwork?If 3 or more of your answers are positive than you should consider rallying that team and enhancing office culture ASAP. CONCLUSIONCreating a pleasant and cool office culture is not something that is easily achievable.Just as any form of culture, to make some contribution to it, one person is not enough to make it possible.But nothing is impossible, so do not despair if you can’t relate to this article, just try to learn something from it.Use some of the advice brought up here.You don’t necessarily need to follow those instructions literally but look to them as some form of directions.As a manager, not only you have to satisfy the company’s needs.Every member of the firm, including your own team members, are the most valuable asset’s that your company possesses.Try to treat your employees like your superiors.Make them feel special and irreplaceable.Share your ideas with them, and also enable them to express their own. Evolve and grow with each other. Isn’t that the most important thing?Form a tradition among each other. Provide with whatever you think will make your team members feel joyful.Whether it is ordering Chinese food on Thursdays, playing basketball on Sundays, or going to a local bar on Friday nights, try to cherish every moment that you spend with your fellow teammates.Culture is only obtainable through collective engagement, will to bond with one another and mutual aspirations for the better cause of everyone.

Shakespeares Use of Language, Imagery and Setting to...

Shakespeares Use of Language, Imagery and Setting to Illuminate Prosperos Journey from Revenge to Reconciliation The Tempest opens on a ship at sea caught in a tempestuous storm. This setting would immediately suggest to the Elizabethan audience, the presence of danger and evil, as they would be familiar with other Shakespearian plays where storms have been used in this way, for example, Macbeth and King Lear. The desperate language of the characters in the opening scene would further reinforce the audiences sense of evil afoot. The panic of the Boatswain is illustrated when he cries A plague upon this howling and the terror of the passengers down below can be heard as they cry Mercy on us!†¦show more content†¦This very active opening establishes the theme for the play and the audience is left anticipating a story of revenge and evil. In Scene II, Shakespeare introduces a contrast to the storm through the setting of the island. At the time Shakespeare wrote the Tempest, such a setting would have been significant to the audience as many new lands and cultures were being discovered. These places were surrounded by myth, superstition and fear of the unknown. The exchange between Miranda and her father Prospero establishes that this is no ordinary island or plot. Mirandas opening speech suggests that her father has magical powers, if by your Art, my dearest father, you have put the wild waters in this roar, allay them. This suggestion that Prospero was responsible for the storm further reinforces the idea introduced in the previous scene, that he is out for revenge, although the reason for his desire for revenge is not clear at this point. The islands setting evokes ideas of magic and strange happenings and suggests to the audience that anything can happen. Mirandas language contains much dark imagery, which adds t o the air of foreboding. Her statement that the sky would pour down stinking pitch has unnatural overtones, suggesting that this was no normal storm. Prosperos expositional speech, which begins on line 36 in Scene II,

Biography of Charles Darwin, 19th Century Naturalist

Charles Darwin (February 12, 1809–April 19, 1882) was a naturalist who originated the theory of evolution through the process of natural selection. Darwin holds a unique place in history as the foremost proponent of this theory. While he lived a relatively quiet and studious life, his writings were controversial in their day and still routinely spark controversy. As an educated young man, he embarked on an astounding voyage of discovery aboard a Royal Navy ship. Strange animals and plants he saw in remote places inspired his deep thinking about how life might have developed. And when he published his masterpiece, On the Origin of Species, he profoundly shook up the scientific world. Darwins influence on modern science is impossible to overstate. Fast Facts: Charles Darwin Known For: Originating the theory of evolution through natural selectionBorn: February 12, 1809 in Shrewsbury, Shropshire, EnglandParents: Robert Waring Darwin and Susannah WedgwoodDied: April 19, 1882 in Downe, Kent, EnglandEducation: Edinburgh University, Scotland, Cambridge University, EnglandPublished Works: On the Origin of Species By Means of Natural SelectionAwards and Honors:  Royal Medal, Wallaston Medal, Copley Medal (all for outstanding achievements in the sciences)Spouse: Emma WedgwoodChildren: William Erasmus Darwin, Anne Elizabeth Darwin, Mary Eleanor Darwin, Henrietta Emma Darwin, George Howard Darwin, Elizabeth Darwin, Francis Darwin, Leonard Darwin, Horace Darwin, Charles Waring Darwin Notable Quote: â€Å"In the struggle for survival, the fittest win out at the expense of their rivals because they succeed in adapting themselves best to their environment.† Early Life Charles Darwin was born on February 12, 1809, in Shrewsbury, England. His father was a medical doctor, and his mother was the daughter of the famous potter Josiah Wedgwood. Darwin’s mother died when he was 8, and he was essentially raised by his older sisters. He was not a brilliant student as a child, but he went on to study at the University of Edinburgh Medical School in Scotland, at first intending to become a doctor. Darwin took a strong dislike to medical education and eventually studied at Cambridge. He planned to become an Anglican minister before becoming intensely interested in botany. He received a degree in 1831. Voyage of the Beagle On the recommendation of a college professor, Darwin was accepted to travel on the second voyage of the H.M.S. Beagle. The ship was embarking on a scientific expedition to South America and islands of the South Pacific, leaving in late December 1831. The Beagle returned to England nearly five years later, in October 1836. Darwins position on the ship was peculiar. A former captain of the vessel had become despondent during a long scientific voyage because, it was assumed, he had no intelligent person to converse with while at sea. The British Admiralty thought sending an intelligent young gentleman along on a voyage would serve a combined purpose: he could study and make records of discoveries while also providing intelligent companionship for the captain. Darwin was chosen to go aboard. Darwin spent more than 500 days at sea and about 1,200 days on land during the trip. He studied plants, animals, fossils, and geological formations and wrote his observations in a series of notebooks. During long periods at sea, he organized his notes. In the Galapagos The Beagle spent about five weeks in the Galapagos Islands. During that time, Darwin made a series of observations that had a significant impact on his new theories about natural selection. He was particularly intrigued by his discovery of major differences between species on different islands. He wrote: The distribution of tenants of this archipelago would not be nearly so wonderful if, for instance, one island has a mocking-thrush and a second island some other quite distinct species... But it is the circumstance that several of the islands possess their own species of tortoise, mocking-thrush, finches, and numerous plants, these species having the same general habits, occupying analogous situations, and obviously filling the same place in the natural economy of this archipelago, that strikes me with wonder. Darwin visited four of the Galapagos Islands, including Chatham Island (now San Cristobal), Charles (now Floreana), Albemarle, and James (now Santiago). He spent much of his time sketching, collecting specimens, and observing animals and their behavior. His discoveries would change the scientific world and rock the foundations of Western religion. Early Writings Three years after returning to England, Darwin published the Journal of Researches, an account of his observations during the expedition aboard the Beagle. The book was an entertaining account of Darwins scientific travels and was popular enough to be published in successive editions. Darwin also edited five volumes titled Zoology of the Voyage of the Beagle, which contained contributions by other scientists. Darwin himself wrote sections dealing with the distribution of animal species and geological notes on fossils he had seen. Development of Darwins Thinking The voyage on the Beagle was, of course, a highly significant event in Darwin’s life, but his observations on the expedition were hardly the only influence on the development of his theory of natural selection. He was also greatly influenced by what he was reading. In 1838 Darwin read an Essay on the Principle of Population, which the British philosopher Thomas Malthus had written 40 years earlier. The ideas of Malthus helped Darwin refine his own notion of â€Å"survival of the fittest.† Darwins Ideas of Natural Selection Malthus had been writing about overpopulation and discussed how some members of society were able to survive difficult living conditions. After reading Malthus, Darwin kept collecting scientific samples and data, eventually spending 20 years refining his own thoughts on natural selection. Darwin married Emma Wedgwood in 1839. Illness prompted him to move from London to the country in 1842. His scientific studies continued, and he spent years studying various lifeforms to better understand their evolutionary processes. Publication of His Masterpiece Darwin’s reputation as a naturalist and geologist had grown throughout the 1840s and 1850s, yet he had not revealed his ideas about natural selection widely. Friends urged him to publish them in the late 1850s; it was the publication of an essay by Alfred Russell Wallace expressing similar thoughts that encouraged Darwin to write a book setting out his own ideas. In July 1858, Darwin and Wallace appeared together at the Linnean Society of London. And in November 1859, Darwin published the book that secured his place in history: On the Origin of Species By Means of Natural Selection. Death On the Origin of Species was published in several editions, with Darwin periodically editing and updating material in the book. And while society debated Darwins work, he lived a quiet life in the English countryside, content to conduct botanical experiments. He was highly respected, regarded as a grand old man of science. He died on April 19, 1882, and was honored by being buried at Westminster Abbey in London. Legacy Charles Darwin was not the first person to propose that plants and animals adapt to circumstances and evolve over eons of time. But Darwins book put forth his hypothesis in an accessible format and led to controversy. Darwins theories had an almost immediate impact on religion, science, and society at large. Sources â€Å"Charles Darwin: Gentleman Naturalist.† Darwin Online.Desmond, Adrian J. â€Å"Charles Darwin.† Encyclopedia Britannica, 8 Feb. 2019.Liu, Joseph, and Joseph Liu. â€Å"Darwin and His Theory of Evolution.† Pew Research Centers Religion Public Life Project, 19 Mar. 2014.

Child Care Nvq Level 3 Unit 8 E3 Free Essays

Many parents adapt to changes in their lives and usually have the support of family and friends to provide assistance. Many families however can face issues that affect the family life and often need support to help them. Factors such as financial Difficulties could become an issue as this would mean that they are unable to afford food or clothing therefore leading towards poverty and poor health which can cause depression. We will write a custom essay sample on Child Care Nvq Level 3 Unit 8 E3 or any similar topic only for you Order Now Also poor housing would effect the child as they may not even have a garden to move about in and there may not be a play park around making the child become restricted from outside play. Another factor could be unemployment, meaning no job, which may effect the child as there would be no income. If a single parent, this would mean that they would have to work but also meaning that the child would have to be moved somewhere to be taken care of meaning sepaeration would have to happen between the parent and child. Divorce and separation would also mean that the child would possibly have to move home to a smaller building meaning that the conditions would be cramped and the parent may have to recieve lower income Lower income Smaller housing / cramped conditions There are four different types of Sectors that provide care and education for children. They are; Statutory Sector Voluntary Sector Private Sector. Independent A Statutory Sector is a Sector that has to be there by law, so dentist, local schools and hospitals are part of this. Local schools have to be there by law and get some funding by the government. The age range that schools cover is from 5 years to 11 years olds. They follow a set routine where reception covers the EYFS and then year one to year six covers the national curriculum. Schools are open from nine o’clock in the morning to half three in the afternoon, from Monday to Fridays, term times only. This means that schools are closed at Christmas, Easter, summer and half terms. Schools are in easy access areas, where there is enough space for an outside play area for example the playground and indoor space, for example somewhere to do P. E. A local school can be adapted, for example ramps for people with disabilities and for people to find it easy to access the school. A local school should also include snacks; they should be healthy snacks like fruit and vegetables. They should also include toileting times for the children. Statutory Schools are usually free except payment for school dinners, school trips and some snacks. A Voluntary Sector is a sector, which people volunteer to organise and run, so mother, toddler and Pre school groups are apart of this. The aim of a Statutory Sector School is to provide opportunities of education for every child and to support their learning also making a safe and secure environment for children to keep them from harm. Another aim is to provide social opportunities for the child this will include learning to make friends, learning to socialise with people, learning the difference between adults and children and learning to respect others. It may also provide opportunities for the family by meeting new parents so they are making new friends and it may also prove as support for families as they might find people to rely on and also some services though school to help support them. An independent sector are companies with more freedom to organise their provision. Their services may not rely on government funding and does not have to follow the EYFS or the National Curriculum. However the service may be OFSTED inspected to make sure children’s welfare needs are being met. Services of independent provision include independent schools and nurseries. How to cite Child Care Nvq Level 3 Unit 8 E3, Essay examples Child Care Nvq Level 3 Unit 8 E3 Free Essays Many parents adapt to changes in their lives and usually have the support of family and friends to provide assistance. Many families however can face issues that affect the family life and often need support to help them. Factors such as financial Difficulties could become an issue as this would mean that they are unable to afford food or clothing therefore leading towards poverty and poor health which can cause depression. We will write a custom essay sample on Child Care Nvq Level 3 Unit 8 E3 or any similar topic only for you Order Now Also poor housing would effect the child as they may not even have a garden to move about in and there may not be a play park around making the child become restricted from outside play. Another factor could be unemployment, meaning no job, which may effect the child as there would be no income. If a single parent, this would mean that they would have to work but also meaning that the child would have to be moved somewhere to be taken care of meaning sepaeration would have to happen between the parent and child. Divorce and separation would also mean that the child would possibly have to move home to a smaller building meaning that the conditions would be cramped and the parent may have to recieve lower income Lower income Smaller housing / cramped conditions There are four different types of Sectors that provide care and education for children. They are; Statutory Sector Voluntary Sector Private Sector. Independent A Statutory Sector is a Sector that has to be there by law, so dentist, local schools and hospitals are part of this. Local schools have to be there by law and get some funding by the government. The age range that schools cover is from 5 years to 11 years olds. They follow a set routine where reception covers the EYFS and then year one to year six covers the national curriculum. Schools are open from nine o’clock in the morning to half three in the afternoon, from Monday to Fridays, term times only. This means that schools are closed at Christmas, Easter, summer and half terms. Schools are in easy access areas, where there is enough space for an outside play area for example the playground and indoor space, for example somewhere to do P. E. A local school can be adapted, for example ramps for people with disabilities and for people to find it easy to access the school. A local school should also include snacks; they should be healthy snacks like fruit and vegetables. They should also include toileting times for the children. Statutory Schools are usually free except payment for school dinners, school trips and some snacks. A Voluntary Sector is a sector, which people volunteer to organise and run, so mother, toddler and Pre school groups are apart of this. The aim of a Statutory Sector School is to provide opportunities of education for every child and to support their learning also making a safe and secure environment for children to keep them from harm. Another aim is to provide social opportunities for the child this will include learning to make friends, learning to socialise with people, learning the difference between adults and children and learning to respect others. It may also provide opportunities for the family by meeting new parents so they are making new friends and it may also prove as support for families as they might find people to rely on and also some services though school to help support them. An independent sector are companies with more freedom to organise their provision. Their services may not rely on government funding and does not have to follow the EYFS or the National Curriculum. However the service may be OFSTED inspected to make sure children’s welfare needs are being met. Services of independent provision include independent schools and nurseries. How to cite Child Care Nvq Level 3 Unit 8 E3, Papers

Doubt free essay sample

The play opens with a Father Flynn giving a sermon about having doubts, or being unsure. Following the sermon, Sister Aloysius questions one of the teachers on her staff about the father. She then moves on to talk about a student. From the exchange between the nuns, it is clear that Sister Aloysius does not like Father Flynn. Though the teacher, Sister James, is kind-hearted, Sister Aloysius leads her to believe this is weakness. She also asks Sister James to watch Donald Miller, and Father Flynn. It is also made clear that Sister Aloysius suspects the father of inappropriate behavior with children. Throughout the play, Father Flynn never admits to any of the allegations, but Sister Aloysius makes it apparent that no amount of reasoning can convince her of his innocence. In one scene, the father, Sister James, and Sister Aloysius have all met in Sister Aloysius office to talk about the Christmas pageant that the school puts on every year. We will write a custom essay sample on Doubt or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page Father Flynn then starts making notes about a sermon about intolerance after speaking with Sister Aloysius. Though the play is somewhat humorous in parts, the plot line is also very dark, being that the preface of every scene is trying to prove Father Flynn has been inappropriate with children. I really enjoyed the play, but I did not like the ending. In the final scene, Father Flynn has left the school because Sister Aloysius essentially threatened him, and shes out in the garden crying. Sister James asks her what is wrong, and she says only â€Å"I have doubts†, leading the audience to believe that maybe she has finally accepted Father Flynns innocence though it is now too late. I wish the ending would have been more descriptive, but on the same coin, I liked how it led the audience to draw its own conclusions. Doubt free essay sample From the play written by John Patrick Shanley and titled Doubt: a Parable, the readers get a central question, asking whether certainty can be equated to truth or not. From one side, some hints outlining the fact that certainty can be equated to truth are evident. On the other side, there are doubts as to whether certainty can be equated to truth. The doubt is thus left unresolved. The play begins with father Flynn’s sermon lecturing regarding certainty as he claims, â€Å"Doubt can be a bond as powerful and sustaining as certainty. †(871) The play was set in 1964, approximately one year after the assassination of John F. Kennedy. In a way, it was a response to the dark times being experienced by the United States. In order to highlight this doubt, the play doubt was written using a different approach. The play had no certainty equating to truth leaving the doubt, which existed to be unresolved. We will write a custom essay sample on Doubt or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page This is portrayed thought Father Flynn and Sister Aloysius’ differences in Roman Catholic Church traditions, the ambiguity of the charges of Father Flynn who is suspected of defiling a black alter boy, and the significant role of both Sister James and the alter boy’s mother in the play. One of the central characters of the play doubt is the church priest, Father Flynn. He is a progressive priest who is very devoted and friendly. Sister Aloysius is the principal of a catholic school, St. Nicolas. The students see her as terrifying and unsympathetic as she will not allow anyone to break the rules she has established. Father Flynn and Sister Aloysius represent an oxymoron, which is progressivism vs. traditionalism. Sister Aloysius was a widow before entering the covenant, as she claims â€Å" My husband died in the war against Adolph Hitler†(879), she therefore represents the church’s strict traditions and she follows the hierarchy of the Roman Catholic Church. She objects any modernity’s trying to be added to the system. She overanalyzes everything and believes that in order for the kids to follow a right path in life they must fear and follow strict rules. Father Flynn insisted on a more progressive way of life, he did not dedicate himself to the outdated church traditions. He was very tolerant of differences, he believed more secular songs should be played at Christmas and he also coaches a basketball team for boys. Father Flynn engages in friendly talk with the boys he coaches as he states, â€Å" You try to talk to a girl with those filthy paws, Mr. Conroy, she’s gonna take off like she’s being chased by the Red Chinese†(878). He also takes care of the only African- American student in the school, Donald Muller. For these reasons, Father Flynn is suspected of pedophilia and of defiling Donald Muller. However Sister Aloysius suspicion and intuition also questions the ambiguity of her charges. The ambiguity of the charges is very pivotal in the play. Father Flynn’s first sermon was about doubt. When Sister Aloysius and Sister James meet in her office, Sister Aloysius demonstrates her doubts about the meaning of his sermon as she states, â€Å" Well, Sermons come from somewhere, don’t they? Is Father Flynn in Doubt, is he concerned that someone else is in Doubt†(877). After being approached by Sister James, she learns that Father Flynn â€Å" Has taken an interest. Since Donald went on the Alter Boys†(880), he took Donald for a private meeting in the rectory and when coming back to class there was alcohol on his breath and he seemed frightened. Sister Aloysius said to Sister James â€Å" I told you to come to me, but I hoped you never would†(880). Sister Aloysius was already frustrated due to their different approaches to the traditional rules of a Roman Catholic Church. After hearing about Father Flynn’s interest in Donald she links her doubt to the truth and approaches him in an unacceptable manner. Sister Aloysius is convinced that she is right as she says, â€Å" But I have my certainty, and armed with that, I will go to your last parish, and the one before that if necessary. I will find a parent, Father Flynn! Trust me I will. A parent who probably doesn’t know you are still working with children! †(901). Sister Aloysius’ doubts seem truthful, however Father Flynn’s explanations also seem truthful. The play therefore questions how far doubt is from the truth. Sister Aloysius failed to resort to the right person, who would have been Donald Muller, instead she involved both Sister James and Donald’s mother. Sister James, an innocent nun and Vila Davis, the alter boy’s mother play a significant role in the play doubt. Sister James was a fairly young nun at St. Nicolas School and she played a pivotal role as she brings her suspicions to her superior. The readers are obligated to make conclusions based on Sister James’ doubt and uncertainty. The mother of the Alter Boy’s name is Vila Davis. When Villa hears about Sister Aloysius doubts about a sexual relationship between her son and Father Flynn she states, â€Å" Things are in the air and you leave them alone if you can†¦My boy came here because they were gonna kill him at the public school†¦ But do I ask the man why he’s good to my son? No, I don’t care why. My Son needs to some man to care about him and see him through to where he wants to go†(898). This quote shows that Mrs. Muller believes that the uncertainty of ones suspicions are better not said or looked over. She rather provide her son with a better future then take someone’s suspicions to a greater extent. Consequently, the central disagreement in the play Doubt is limited to ones views of the world and capability to admit the ambiguity in day-to-day living. In this case, we will never know many things regarding this world, while at the same time we will not be in the position of controlling much regarding our futures. The best thing for us therefore, is that of anticipating and expecting the worst and therefore, preparing so as not to be caught unawares when the worst comes. The other best thing is that of not only believing in the best but also embracing the risk of being let down when the best fail to come. That is why the priest asks, â€Å"What do you do when youre not sure? †(6) Furthermore, the play had no certainty equating to truth, which left the doubt unresolved. This was seen though the idea of progressivism vs. traditionalism, the uncertainty of the charges and through the understanding of both Sister James and Mrs. Muller. As seen through the character of Sister Aloysius doubt is so prevailing, that is causes her to consider it as the truth. Nonetheless, doubt may also be consequential both good and bad. Sister Aloysius doubt ended up being self consuming, she states â€Å" I will fight you.

Bernie Madoff’s Ponzy Scheme free essay sample

Bernie Madoff failed to obey the laws that are considered the minimum code of conduct to which society has agreed to respect. â€Å"Breaking laws means breaking the social contract to which he agreed in becoming a member of society†. In turn this means that society has the right to punish him by revoking the rights granted by it. If we were to apply utilitarianism theory Madoff did not promote a behavior that maximizes the best for the stakeholders. His need for self-interest superseded the best interests of all other members of society. Indeed, many could argue that he demonstrated classic sociopathic tendencies. Relevant facts †¢ He promised high returns to the clients in spite of economic recession. †¢ Fund strategies were to buy securities from large and credible corporations with low risk with the promise of high returns and secure principle. †¢ He never invested the money. It was deposited instead into his business account at Chase Manhattan bank. We will write a custom essay sample on Bernie Madoff’s Ponzy Scheme or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page †¢ Bernard Madoff sat on the board of directors of the industry security association. †¢ In December 2008, Madoff’s sons informed the federal authorities after he confessed to them that the investment was a Ponzi scheme. †¢ In March 2009, he pleaded guilty to 11 felonies. In June 11, 2009 Madoff was sentenced to maximum sentence of 150 years in prison. †¢ SEC was scrutinized for not investigating, despite complaints from Markopoulos and others. †¢ Size of loss to investors between $12 and $50 billion Fairness to all concerned Bernie Madoff is the world record holder for a Ponzi scheme. He stole over $50 billion claiming he had invested clients’ money. Many investors lost their entire life savings and it ruined their lives. Even if he were to be sentenced with capital punishment his death wouldnt amply punishment for the damage he has caused for the stakeholders. Furthermore, the nonprofit organizations were compelled to end their operations. Hence, they are no longer able to contribute to the society. Life in prison or even capital punishment sometimes does not meet just requirements. In extreme cases such as this, where societal damage occurs and reoccurs on multiple levels, affecting both individuals and corporations, because of the acts of one immoral person, the justice system should deliver punishment in the swiftest and most thorough manner possible. Impact on society Besides many individuals and organizations being affected by Madoff’s Ponzi scheme, there are other affected groups which are not directly involved either by investing or being active in the industry. These include needy families. As a result of the Ponzi scheme many individual investors, financial institutions, hospitals and charitable organizations suffered a great deal of economic depression which in turn, resulted in loss of employment, reduction in wages, bankruptcy for some people, an increase in the unemployment rate, and in the worst of cases, even suicide. Since many families experienced a substantial reduction in their finances, more people were in need of seeking assistance from the government as well as from charitable organizations. â€Å"Since charitable organizations were among the victims of the Ponzi scheme, individual donors are less likely to make their donations,† or were more likely to donate less than their normal contributions. Therefore, agencies which receive less financial support would be able to support fewer families, even if there are more families in need of financial assistance. Impact to any related industries Bernard Madoffs fraudulent investment firm has had a tremendous impact in the investment industry and beyond, affecting large corporations globally, including some of the largest international banks, charities, pension funds and wealthy investors. The scandal, the worlds largest ever fraud, will mean the widespread destruction of wealth, not just in the United States, but internationally. It runs the risk of causing financial institutions and businesses to default on their promises, particularly those that have invested in hedge funds which could, in turn, bring down other investors, including major infrastructure and industrial corporations which have made loans to them. â€Å"While many of Madoffs clients were institutional investors, some of his victims were smaller investors, including charities, pension funds and individuals whom he knew socially and who had placed their nest eggs with him†. As all of society’s industries co-exist on some level, the financial devastation was truly widespread and all-encompassing. Consumer confidence has dropped to an all time low, in no small part to the behavior of one unscrupulous gentleman. Impact to the stakeholders Madoff’s Ponzi scheme as previously mentioned has had a tremendous impact on stakeholders whether that would be an individual investor, financial institution, large corporation or charitable organization. All of the stakeholders were not affected equally; that depended on the level of their financial capacity. Some of the individual investors were faced with bankruptcy or even committed suicide. Larger corporations were involved in lawsuits or write-downs. Individual donors changed their pattern of their donation and so on. Among others, charitable organizations were vulnerable to his Ponzi scheme because of his alleged consistency of high and stable returns. Madoff was attracted to charitable organizations because of the fact that they did not need to withdraw any proceeds from the Madoff investments to pay income taxes on their returns since they were tax free organizations. Charitable organizations seem to have been making high returns with Madoff over a long period, leading to a desire by other charities to share in the â€Å"profits†. Impact to the employees Fortunately, Madoff’s firm employed only a dozen people; that including his sons who allegedly were not involved in the Ponzi scheme. Employees that were involved in the scheme, such as the accounting firm are just as responsible as the mastermind of the Ponzi scheme. Other employees that were not involved experienced a great deal of humiliation, loss of credibility as well as financial loss. Industry image Financial industry throughout its history has been faced with numerous scandals that contributed to fear, cynicism and distrust. Undoubtedly, this has caused powerful emotions among investors. Looking back at the financial scandals that occurred over the years, we come to realize that unethical behavior and unprofessionalism led people such as Madoff conducting schemes causing a chain of negative reactions from individual investors to the economy as a whole. By setting the rules, encouraging everyone involved to hold to the highest of ethical standards, the industry ensures that it is and will remain fair and transparent for everyone. We are aware of the fact that the financial industry is based on principles of integrity and equality and focuses on stakeholder interests. Therefore, Madoff’s actions do not uphold the industry image. Federal guidelines Bernie Madoff not only disregarded the federal guidelines. â€Å"He was even convicted and charged with 11 federal offences, including security fraud, wire fraud, mail fraud, money laundering, making false statements, perjury; theft from an employee benefit plan and making false filings with the SEC†. Bernie Madoff never made any legitimate returns with his clients’ money. His blatant disregard for the rules and regulations that govern the financial industry indicate his scorn for the legitimacy of wealth creation. Personal conscious if involved in a similar situation If I were an employee of this company and became aware of the circumstances of its operation, it would be my moral obligation first to desist from working there, but more importantly, to report my findings to the appropriate authorities. It would be impossible for me to look at myself with a clear conscience if I did not do just that. References Magazines: David Glovin 2010 Money Manager Chais Remains Subject of Madoff Probe Bloomberg Janet Whitman 2008 Madoff investors unlikely to regain money Financial post Harry Markoplos 2005 The world’s largest fund is a fraud, SEC Robert Lezner 2008 Bernie Madoffs $50 Billion Ponzi scheme Forbes Henry Blodget 2009 Bernie Madoffs Victims Business insider Business Insider Internet sources: http://en. wikipedia. org/wiki/Bernard_Madoff http://www. wsws. org/articles/2008/dec2008/mado-d18. shtml http://money. cnn. com/2009/03/12/news/newsmakers/madoff_transcript/ http://www. cbsnews. com/stories/2010/06/03/business/main6544040. shtml

movie research paper

movie research paper movie research paper Corina Gracia Comp 1 Professor Jackson March 20, 2012 The Book of Eli The Book of Eli is a Post-Apocalyptic action movie Written in 2007 by Gary Whitta and subsequently rewritten in 2008 by Tony Peckham. This movie has some details that make of this movie different, and interesting. With starring of Denzel Washington as Eli and Gary Oldman as Carnegie we would begin to feel, compassion and anger. The character Eli is a very strong person but he also is manner, and pacifist. In the case of Carnegie it is totally the opposite, he is a controller, abuser and is obsessed with a book in order to control the town. However, this two characters are very well development, throughout the movie they reveals their abilities, and limits to defend or obtain a mysterious book. The Book of Eli was filmed in New Mexico in 2009 and was directed by Allen and Albert Hughes. The movie took place in the future after a nuclear war. The war left the new world desolated. Many things from the â€Å"old world† were lost, such as knowledge of how to read or write, peace, j obs, and etcetera. Also money did not existed people interchange articles for favor or other goods. The water is a treasure and was very hard to find and obtain, and due to the lack of food, there were many cannibals in the region. That world was such a mess, it looked like a desert, and many things and buildings were destroyed. As a consequence, of the war ignorance was very present in young people. The â€Å"evil persons† wanted to take control over the world, but they need to have very mysterious and powerful book. Eli’s mission is to protect it from everything and everyone; even to kill if was need it. The story starts thirty years after a post-apocalyptic war, Eli was told by a voice to take the book and to deliver a copy to a safe location in the West Coast of the United States. Throughout the movie Eli show his survival abilities, and also why he was the chosen. Eli’s way to think was different, as is his way to live. He is a nomad person who chose to accept the mission. He has surprising abilities such as good listener and smeller, quick hand with knives, guns, and etcetera. In comparison with other characters he has something special and never seen in a post-apocalyptic, like the messiah type before. After the long walk of thirty years, Eli faces his opponent Carnegie who is the leader of the hijackers, he proclaims himself as the ruler of a dusty village. He knows perfectly about the power that the book has in order to bend the people to his will. What makes the movie more unique is the way that the twins, Allen and Albert Hughes made some comic book scenes when Eliâ €™s battle showed entirely in silhouette. The movie has an interesting sunburn browns and pale blues that creates a dry and dusty world under a merciless sky. Being a post-apocalyptic movie it has some biblical references in the book of genesis, psalms and revelations in some scene. In addition some scenes can also be referred to Moses when he was going to the Promised Land, and God sustained his people. In comparison with Jesus, his mission was to â€Å"be the one who save the new generation†. Another aspects of the movie are irony and personification; an example of irony was when Eli gives the mouse a piece of roasted cat. And an example of personification was at the end when Eli arrives to the West and the color change more vivid meaning the end of an era. Allen and Albert Hughes have not shot a film since 2001 with the movie â€Å"From Helen†. Both movies are violent and have bloody action scenes. On the other hand, it was wonderful to see two powerful actors on the same screenplay.

Modeling the Exchange Rate and Balance of Payments Essay

Modeling the Exchange Rate and Balance of Payments - Essay Example Many countries use financial institutions, central banks, to invest in several monetary and financial systems and other resources in their quest to predict exchange rate and determine international trade as well as a balance of payment. Several theories have been forwarded to determine the value of exchange rate and balance of payments, and in this summary, we will discuss the determinants of a balance of trade, the IS-LM-BP approach and the monetary approach in relation to the two (Melvin and Norrbin, 225). The elasticity approach to the balance of trade explains that the economic behavior involves satisfaction of the unlimited wants with limited resources. One effect of this is that consumers and business firms end up substituting the expensive good for the more affordable ones as prices change to stretch their budgets as far as they can. Relative prices normally change relative to demand and supply for individual goods. Such changes may be caused by an alteration in tastes, the method of production, government taxes, or subsidies amongst other possible causes. If the changes concern the prices of goods at home relative to the foreign goods, the international trade patterns may actually be altered. The elasticity approach to the balance of trade involves the way changing of relative prices of the domestic and foreign goods will affect and possibly change the balance of trade. Furthermore, it provides an analysis of how the issue of devaluation affects the balance of trade in relation t o the elasticity of supply and demand for foreign exchange and foreign goods in the concerned market (Melvin and Norrbin 226). The devaluation of a country’s currency domestically normally raises the price of foreign goods in relation to the domestic goods within that country.

Development of new products and services in hotels Essay

Development of new products and services in hotels - Essay Example Techniques of research are often based on epistemologies, which differ considerably across disciplines; there are numerous forms of research (Assante, Mulaj, & Steed, 2011; Bansal, & Corley, 2012). A methodology generally involves a framework upon which the search for solutions to a problem is based (Bansal, & Corley, 2012). Methodologies encompass specific components like the stages of research, operations, techniques, and the tools used (Hassanien, & Eid, 2006). A methodology includes several approaches, with each being implemented in different aspects as the project rolls out (Bourgeault, 2012). The research is often divided into two categories: quantitative research and qualitative research (Mason, Augustyn, & Seakhoa-King, 2010). The following sections of the paper examine the research methodologies used by Hassanien and Eid (2006); and Hossain, Kumar and Kumar (2010) to investigate the significance new product development in hospitality industries found in the West and North Af rica. II. Overview of the Chosen research articles (a) Article # 1 Hassanien and Eid (2006) examined the outcomes of studies and empirical research related with the involvement of key stakeholders and skills of hotels’ staff in ensuring that new product development (NPD) processes are successful during implementation. The research offers a deeper exploration of the creative behaviours and operations that can yield positive outcomes when introducing new services within a modern hotel facility in the northern African region. The outcomes of the research are of immense benefit to not only the key stakeholders in the Egypt’s hospitality industry, but enables scholars who are specialized in the hospitality management as well. The researchers arrived at the results by undertaking a survey targeted at marketing executives in various categories of the local hotels (Hassanien, & Eid, 2006). The outcomes reflected significant variations between the hotels depending on their capa cities and size. More specifically, the researchers established that 5-star hotel facilities show a better understanding and implementation of NPD than the smaller facilities in the 4-star or 3-star categories. The latter two categories of hotels have shown a lower predilection to incorporate NPD processes into their corporate culture, especially in marketing campaigns. And by touching on the benefits and pitfalls that hotel management teams are likely to experience, the researchers are spot-on regarding the right implementation process of NPDs in the various categories of hotels. (b) Article # 2 The research by Hossain, Kumar and Kumar (2010) explore the impact of new service developments (NSD) practices in hotels. The authors provide an assessment of the prevailing NSD models by carrying out researches that can be used as pointers to the innovativeness of hotel facilities in two key Western hospitality industries; the United States and Canada. The researchers identified innovative services, and evaluated them with keen eyes in order to evaluate their effectiveness. The research findings revealed stark variations in the various innovation

Analysis of Theories in Environmental Psychology

Analysis of Theories in Environmental Psychology 1. Place theory Place is used as a manner of examining the environment and breaking the environment down into conceptual components. It is difficult to examine space and environment as they are too general. To understand the concept of environmental psychology, one would firstly have to establish the meaning of place theory as peoples interaction with their physical environment is a principal in environmental psychology. The place theory has three aspects that are interlinked with each other (see figure 1). These three aspects are physical attributes, conceptions and human activities. According to Canter (1997) a place is a state of harmony created by the dialogue between human activities, conceptions and the physical attributes of the environment viewed from a historical perspective. However, Castello (2006) states that place is a unit where human experiences and physical form are fused together, creating a unitary context. The physical attributes of the place theory demonstrates the surroundings or environment in which a person finds himself, such as a bedroom, an office etc. A geographer, Edward Relph (1976), has a similar notion of place but replaced Canters (1997) aspect of conceptions with experiences. Thus, allowing more information to be gathered about the place as experiences are a result of an individuals history and everyday life. The types of human activities and the way in which it is carried out are contingent on factors such as knowledge, cultural background, values, as well as formal and informal controls (Ndubisi, 2002). As a result, the place theory suggests that places are viewed as holistic units of activities, physical form and meaning shaped by the goals and purposes of individuals. The place theory also works in concurrence with place identity and place attachment. Many researchers explore this dynamic relationship between people and place. Place identity and place attachment are concepts that demonstrate the significant relations between a person and place. Moreover, when individuals interact with their environment, they create bonds and links and their environment develops meaning. 1.1 Place identity There are many factors that shape human identity, and identity is (among other things) a product of the psychical environment (Hauge, 2007). Dixon and Durrheim (2000) state that a key moment in environmental psychologys critique of a disembodied notion of identity was the publication of Proshansky, Fabian, and Kaminoffs paper on place identity. Place identity, according to Proshansky (1987), can be defined as: a sub-structure of the self-identity of the person consisting of broadly conceived cognitions about the physical world in which individuals live. Pretty et al (2003) state that place identity is a cognitive structure which contributes to global self-categorisation and social identity processes. According to Knez (2005): Breakwell (1986, 1992, 1993), Twigger-Ross and Uzzell (1996), Twigger-Ross et al (2003), and Vignoles (2000) has suggested four processes related to place identity: place-related distinctiveness (e.g. I am a South African) place-referent continuity (e.g. I am living there because it reminds me of my past) place-related self-esteem (e.g. I am proud to live in this town) place-related self-efficacy (e.g. The town satisfies my needs and wants) Consequently, these processes encourage our self-esteem and identity as individuals. Hence the questions of who we are are often intimately related to questions of where we are (Dixon Durrheim 2000; Pretty et al 2003). The places people belong to does not just encourage their self-esteem but also their environmental preferences, and how they see themselves. Place identity could also lead to place attachment because when an individual identifies himself with the environment, individuals tend to feel attached to the same environment. 1.2 Place attachment Every single one of us has developed an unconscious bond towards some place over a period of time. It is suggested by Inalhan and Finch (2004) that the concept of place attachment is complex and multi-faceted, as place attachment has been studied by scholars from several disciplines such as; anthropology, architecture, family and consumer studies, folklore, gerontology, landscape architecture, psychology and urban planning. Place attachment can vary from place to place and can change easily depending on the degree of belonging of the person (Knez 2005). Thus, the degree of attachment a person has towards a place may determine the perceptions and satisfaction of the person in the specific place. Our attachment to a place grows with length of time living in a place and age, but mostly through positive interaction with a community. According to Milligan (1998) place attachment could be defined as: place attachment occurs when a particular interaction was accompanied by significant meaning However place attachment, according to Knez (2005), can be defined as: the affective positive bond between a person and a place; more specifically, a strong tendency of that person to maintain closeness to such a place. Many studies and researchers show that there is no single accepted definition of place attachment. The definition offered by Milligan (1998) serves a better purpose for this study. From this definition it is clear that place attachment is an emotional bond formed by an individual to a physical setting due to the meaning given to the location through processes of person-environment interactions (Casakin Kreitler, 2008). According to Halpenny (2005), one of the factors that could play a role in the formation of place attachment is satisfaction with a place. Moreover, if individuals are satisfied with their environments they tend to protect that place more and return to it. Payton (2003) and Warzecha et al (2000) state that place attachment has two main concepts that have been prevalent in literature: functional place attachment and emotional place attachment. Functional place attachment refers to the functionality or the ability of the resources to meet the needs or goals of individuals. Furthermore, functional place attachment is also closely linked to the kind of activities users pursue. This is because some activities are more complex and require specific aspects while other activities are more general. Shumaker and Taylor (1983) suggest that functional attachment is also referred to as place dependence. The concept is affected by two factors (Shumaker Taylor, 1983): The quality of place is determined by the individuals satisfaction and, The quality of the place depends on how it compares to other available places. Emotional place attachment refers to the emotional attributes of a person-place relationship and how place contributes to an individuals identity. Shumaker and Taylor (1983) declare that emotional attachment is also referred to as symbolic attachment. Moreover, emotional place attachment can be based on emotional ties to a specific place and is formed over a certain period through many encounters with the environment. According to Warzecha et al (2000), emotional place attachment may also be expressed as an identity with a symbolic meaning or idea. Place theory and all its aspects mentioned above form a fundamental starting point for any study in environmental psychology. 2. Introduction to Environmental psychology There are numerous people who do not know what environmental psychology is and what it consists of. Traditionally, environmental psychology has focused on the interrelationship between environments and human behaviour (De Young, 1999; Garling Golledge, 1993). According to Gifford (1997) individuals change the environment and their behaviour and experiences are changed by the environment. Furthermore, each individuals behaviour and experience is unique and differs from the person standing next to him/her in the same environment. These environments could be natural environments, social settings, built environments, learning environments and informational environments (Veith Arkkelin, 1995). Environmental psychology also consists of environmental psychological-processes in terms of a clear social-psychological perspective (Bonnes, 2003). These processes are individual processes such as perception, cognition and personality, and social processes such as territoriality, personal space, crowding and privacy. In addition, environmental psychology has continual elements that help to define this relatively unknown field. According to Garling and Golledge (1993), Kaplan and Kaplan (1982) these elements are: Attention Understanding an individuals behaviour begins with understanding how he/she notices and perceives the environment. This includes two types of stimuli: those that unwillingly, even distractingly, demand human notice, as well as those places, things or ideas to which humans must willingly, and with endeavour direct their awareness. Re-establishing and enhancing the individuals competence to willingly express his/her attention is a major factor in maintaining human effectiveness in an environment. Perception and cognitive maps How people perceive the natural and built environment has been an important aspect of environmental psychology. Information is memorised in the brain as spatial networks which is known a cognitive maps. This information links experiences with an individuals perception of current actions, ideas and emotions. It is through these spatial networks that individuals recognize and perceive the environment, plan and conduct these plans. Ideal environments – People have a tendency to look for places where they feel self-assured and competent, where they can familiarise themselves with the environment whilst also being engaged with it. Research has extended the concept of environmental psychology to embrace unity (a sense that things in the environment work together) and legibility (the assumption that an individual can walk around in an environment without being lost) as contributors to environmental understanding. To investigate an environment and to engage in it requires that the environment has complexity (that it has enough information and diversity to make it worth learning about) and mystery (the expectation of acquiring more information about an environment). Maintaining, re-establishing and developing an ideal environment enhances an individuals sense of well being and behavioural effectiveness in a person. Environmental stress and managing Research has recognized various behavioural and cognitive results including poor physical health, reduced selflessness and weaknesses, as well as paying no attention to the environment. Individuals can adjust their physical or social surroundings to create a more supportive environment (e.g. smaller scaled settings, territories, privacy, personal space) where they can supervise the course of information or stress inducing stimuli. Individuals can also seek to understand or make sense of circumstances as a way to resolve its stressful effects, often sharing these interpretations with other individuals as a part of their culture. Involvement – Environmental psychology is dedicated to improve an individuals participation in environmental design. It is focused not only on promoting an individuals understanding of environmental issues but on ensuring their early and actual participation in the design, adjustment and organisation of environments. Protective behaviour – Environmental psychology has also played a key role in conveying psychological awareness to abide by the matter of developing an ecologically protracting society. The field also investigates environmental attitudes, perceptions and principles as well as planned involvement techniques for promoting environmentally appropriate behaviour. These continual elements form an essential part in an individuals perception of their environment as well as what to expect in that environment. Gifford (1997) states that environmental psychology is also studied at three levels of analysis. The first level of analysis sorts and arranges each individuals occurrence of the environment according to perceptions, cognition and personality. The next level of analysis is the collective organisation of space, which consists of four aspects namely; personal space, territory, crowding and privacy. The last level of analysis is the physical settings in which individuals find themselves every day. 2.1 Level of analysis 2.1.1 Perceptions, cognition and personality As previously mentioned, individuals form certain perceptions of their environment and surroundings. According to Veith and Arkkelin (1995), perception is one of the most basic and fundamental psychological processes in which humans engage. In addition Veitch and Arkkelin (1995) also state that perceptions are highly cognitive, which means that all environments carry a set of meanings acquired through their specific attributes. Consequently, these meanings are established from the environment by the perceiver with reference to his or her personal beliefs, values and attitudes. Furthermore, Bechtel et al (2002) point out that the forming of perceptions of a physical setting is associated with a molecular approach to the spatial-physical environment. This means that it places specific attention on the discrete sensory-perceptual features of the environment. According to Bell et al (2005) the term sensory-perceptions has been applied to relatively straightforward activity of human senso ry systems in reacting to a simple stimuli and forming a perception of the particular environment. According to Bonnes et al (1995) the term environmental perception is also often used interchangeably with environmental image, mental map and cognitive map. However, according to Bell et al (2005) cognitive maps refer to a mental framework that holds some representation for the spatial arrangement of the physical environment. Furthermore, Salmi (2002) states that wayfinding and cognitive mapping are inseparable, and most humans carry many cognitive maps in their heads. Therefore, cognitive maps assist individuals with another aspect of environmental psychology namely; wayfinding. Wayfinding according to Prestopnik and Roskos-Ewoldsen (2000) can be defined as the ability to navigate successfully through the environment. However, wayfinding according to Passini (1984) can be defined as the ability to identify ones location and arrive at destinations in the environment, both cognitively and behaviourally. Prestopnik and Roskos-Ewoldsen (2000) suggests that wayfinding can not be predicted in humans as different factors; internal and external, come into play. Internal factors include aspects of each individual, such as, gender, familiarity with the environment and the types of strategies the person uses to navigate through the environment (HÃ ¶lscher et al 2006 and Spiers Maguire 2008). External factors include aspects of the physical setting, such as, the density of the built environment, the availability of meaningful landmarks, and the pattern of the streets and intersections as well as staffed information booths (Salmi 2002). HÃ ¶lscher et al (2006; 2009) identified three wayfinding strategies that are used to support route choice decisions in three dimensional multi-level buildings. Firstly, the central point strategy as sticking oneself, as much as possible, to main hallways and main places in the building, especially if the individual is unfamiliar with the building. Secondly, the direction strategy of deciding on routes that leads towards the horizontal position of the goal as directly as possible, irrespective of changes in different levels. Thirdly, the hierarchically organised navigation plan strategy. This strategy is based on cognitively sectioning the building into areas which guide navigation decisions. However, Spiers and Maguire (2008) identified their own wayfinding strategies that assist individuals with their wayfinding experience. Least-angle strategy suggests that paths are chosen that minimise deviation from the angle pointing directly to the goal. Fine-to-coarse strategy proposes that routes are planned in fine detail in the currently occupied region, but only coarsely when planning navigation between regions. Least-decision-load strategy implies that individuals will often choose the path with the least number of possible decision points. As stated above, environmental psychology and the physical environment are influenced through wayfinding in a building, cognitive maps as well as perceptions of the environment. Another aspect that influences environmental psychology is personality of an individual. Gifford (1997) pointed out that there are five reasons why personality is an important part in environmental psychology. These five reasons are: Personality is strongly linked to the physical environment; Information of a persons personality helps us to comprehend and foretell environmentally relevant behaviour; Individuals have dispositions that are particularly related to person-environment transactions; Personal dispositions are an essential aspect to one of environmental psychologys most important concepts – environmental compatibility; The notion of personality can be applied to places instead of people. Bonnes et al (1995) agree with Gifford (1997) on the third reason. They suggest that personality and the environment are related to the disposition of individuals. 2.1.2 Collective organisation of space Spatial organisation or organisation of space is considered the first major component in wayfinding design because it not only defines the wayfinding problems of future users, but also affects the ease or difficulty users will experience in comprehending and cognitively mapping the setting (Passini, 1984). According to Prestopnik and Roskos-Ewoldsen (2000) spatial orientation tasks are influenced by the familiarity of the environment. Furthermore, Iachini et al (2009) state that unfamiliar participants learn the environment through a map, whereas familiar participants rely on their long term experiences with the environment. According to Salmi (2002) there are key points to look out for in organisation of space. These points include: Architectural features in the building define different areas such as hallways, staircases etc. which assist the user with orientation in the building and increase the cognitive experience; Make sure that large-scale buildings have destination zones, such as an atrium, since it would assist the user to retrace his/her own path; Establish spatial overview opportunities so that a visitor can visualise a buildings design from different vantage points as it helps individuals to build a improved cognitive map; Consider the design of the building as a whole, the layout should not be confusing or allow visitors to get lost easily. 2.1.3 Physical settings According to Salmi (2002) physical settings must accommodate an increasingly, diverse population as it is critical that the setting be designed to be as inclusive and universally accessible as possible, addressing the requirements of a wide range of physical, sensory and cognitive abilities and needs. Veitch and Arkkelin (1995) state that any number of behaviours can occur within any physical setting. Moreover, Bell et al (2005) declare that physical settings both facilitate and constrains or limits the behaviour that occurs in it. Veitch and Arkkelin (1995) added that attitude towards an environment will influence a persons behaviours such as littering and attachment to the place. With environmental psychology being such a diverse field with many different aspects, the interactions between the four phenomenons (privacy, crowding, territoriality and personal space) help to address problems associated with environmental psychology. Gifford (1997) also states that environmental psychology is aimed at making buildings more humane and improving our relationship with the natural environment. 3. Privacy Privacy is an important phenomenon that each individual wants to achieve on a daily basis. There are many laws that have been established regarding individuals privacy, such as the right to privacy. Thus allowing individuals to have their own level of privacy. The level of privacy is measured in relation to the other social processes of environmental psychology namely; personal space, territoriality and crowding (Gifford 1997; Veitch and Arkkelin 1995, Bonnes et al 1995). In addition, according to Harris et al (1995) and Altman (1975) people use complex combinations of verbal, paraverbal, nonverbal and spatial mechanisms to attain a desired level of contact and degree of privacy. Faulkner et al (1994) state that the level of privacy is physical (sleeping, dressing) and psychological (for development and renewal). According to Demirbas and Demirkan (2000), the definition of privacy varies for each individual due to the different personal characteristics, cultural backgrounds, sex, age, economical, educational and social backgrounds. Ding (2008) defines privacy as the personal control over interactions and/or communications with others. However, Gritzalis et al (2009) state that privacy can generally be defined as the right to be left alone, meaning that it represents a sphere where it is possible to remain separate from others, anonymous and unobserved. Therefore, it is evident that privacy refers to the manner in which individuals control or regulate other individuals access to themselves. However privacy does not necessary mean withdrawing from people (Pederson, 1999; Marshall, 1972), instead it involves controlling the amount and type of contact one has with others. Gifford (1997) further declares that it is not easy to assess privacy because of its complex nature; as it has been measured in terms of preference, behaviour, need and expectation of each individual. Bonnes et al (1995) also state that the major interest of empirical research has been to study and measure the more strictly motivational and evaluative aspects such as; needs, expectations and values that individuals variously associate with privacy. Harris et al (1995) state that the universal aspects of privacy regulations are suggested by the apparent relationship between privacy, place attachment and quality of life. Cassidy (1997) pointed out that not everyone will react in the same way with regard to privacy. According to Altman (1975) and Westin (1970) there are certain characteristics that influence privacy such as: Individuals need for privacy is a continuing dynamic of changing internal and external conditions External and internal conditions are affected by privacy achieved Individuals effort to control privacy may be unsuccessful at some times Privacy can take different forms as it has many dimensions. 3.1 Types of privacy Demirbas and Demirkan (2000) also state that there are four types of privacy namely; solitude, reserve, anonymity and intimacy. Solitude refers to being alone and unobserved by others, which is either a neutral or desirable condition. Reserve, in turn, means that individuals form barriers between themselves and their environments which regulate intrusion. Anonymity is a type of privacy that gives individuals a chance to move around in a public environment without other people recognising them. Intimacy refers to an individuals aspiration to encourage close personal relationships with only preferred individuals. Additionally, Pederson (1999) identifies two more types of privacy; intimacy with family (being alone with family) and intimacy with friends (being alone with friends). According to Harris et al (1995) social functions of privacy and privacy regulation are central to psychological well-being. Privacy regulation refers to selective control over access to the self or to ones group (Altman 1975). Thus, making it clear that regulation of the types of privacy, mentioned above, is a function of both personal and situational factors. Personal factors refer to the individuals need for privacy, personal attractiveness, interpersonal skills, personality variables and ability to utilise privacy control mechanisms (Pederson, 1999). Situational factors may be social or physical. Social factors are presence, willingness and personal characteristics of others who have the potential for social interaction. Physical factors entail aspects such as barriers, location, layout and distances (Pederson, 1999). 3.2 Benefits and functions of privacy The psychological benefits of privacy reflect the function of privacy. Privacy supports social interaction which, in turn, affects our competence to deal with our world, which affects our self-definition (Altman, 1975). Therefore, the benefits of privacy arise from achieving its functions. According to Margulis (2005) the benefits of privacy are: Privacy is a basis for the development of identity, Privacy protects personal autonomy, Privacy supports healthy functioning by providing needed opportunities to relax, to ones self, to emotionally vent, to escape from the stresses of daily life, to manage bodily and sexual functions and to cope with loss, shock, and sorrow. However Keenan (2005) identifies other categories that capture the kinds of benefits privacy holds for people: Natural and psychological benefits: privacy provides physical, psychological and spiritual benefits to individuals. Individuals have certain needs, such as security and connectedness, that they want to satisfy, but invasion of privacy destroys ones sense of connectedness; Creative benefits: many people see privacy as conductive to creativity. Individuals have the need to have their own rooms where they are away from other people and regulate their privacy; Protective benefits: this refers to physical invasion of individuals sense of being safe and secure such as, the protection of ones home from burglary; Social benefits: individuals have the ability to regulate their own invasion of privacy and allow people they know or do not know to invade that privacy on a social basis; Democratic benefits: privacy is self-determining – each individual has the right to be left alone. According to Veitch snd Arkkelin (1995) the functions of privacy are: the achievement of a self-identity and the management of interactions between oneself and the social environment. According to Margulis (2005), privacy is important because it provides us with experiences that support normal psychological functioning, stable interpersonal relationships, and personal development. 3.3 Achieving privacy in design Individuals have a definite desire to a certain level of privacy in their homes. Privacy, in an architectural manner, can be defined as; the ability of individuals and families to lead their own lives without either interfering – or being interfered by the lives of others (Goodchild 1997). According to Faulkner et al (1994) a home provides privacy from outsiders with walls that protect the individual from physical, visual and various degrees of acoustical intrusion. Furthermore, Goodchild (1997) identifies three types of privacy in designing a house, whether in the house or outside the house: Firstly, privacy means circumventing problems with neighbours. Problems could arise when the layout of the resident and the type of housing is not correct such as; the walls of the enclosed area of each persons house are not high enough, which influences privacy. Secondly, privacy means a sense of seclusion. It means freedom from overlooking and freedom form invasive noise. This could be achieved by using noise insulation techniques and higher walls to increase space between neighbours. Thirdly, privacy means freedom from disturbance from other people, either guests or members of the same family, within the home. The level of privacy inside the home is determined by the number of different rooms in relation to the family size. Faulkner et al (1994) also states that the floor plan sets the privacy levels at which the home functions such as; open floor plan or closed floor plan. 3.4 Mechanisms of privacy Four aspects of privacy regulation mechanisms have been identified through data by Westin (1970) and Kent (1993). Firstly, privacy controls provide standards of behaviour for individuals and groups. Secondly, privacy creates an option between isolation and interaction, and can create the perception of being by yourself. Thirdly, individuals, groups, and societies tend to enter the privacy of others; curiosity is an example of this aspects. Fourthly, as society moves form primeval to contemporary, the physical and psychological opportunities for privacy increase. According to Bonnes et al (1995) and Altman (1975) personal space and territorial behaviour are used by individuals primarily to regulate privacy and to maintain their openness/closedness towards others at optimal levels. Additionally, Harris et al (1996) suggest that when individuals are confronted with negative privacy experiences, they will use a variety of privacy regulation mechanisms including verbal and nonverbal behaviours, cognitive, environmental, temporal and cultural mechanisms. Altman (1975) further suggests that the effectiveness and ease of implementing privacy regulation mechanisms may vary considerably across individuals and across social, physical and temporal context. Consequently, by combining these mechanisms individuals can efficiently express their needed level of privacy to others in order to attain the optimal level of privacy. Altman (1975) developed a framework for understanding the mechanisms of privacy regulation. This framework can be used as a summary of all of the above mentioned aspects of privacy (see figure 2). This figure indicates that privacy is a central concept that links the different phenomenons of environmental psychology (personal space, territoriality and crowding) with privacy regulation mechanisms. 4. Territoriality The phenomenon territoriality is extremely widespread in the field of environmental psychology since it consists of many different definitions. According to Gifford (1997) there are different variables that influence territoriality such as; dominance, conflict, security, claim staking, arousal, vigilance, behaviour and cognition to place. Gifford (1997) also states that a formal definition for territoriality is: is a pattern of behaviour and attitudes held by an individual or group that is based on perceived, attempted, or actual control of a definable physical space, object or idea that may involve habitual occupation, defense, personalisation and marking of it. However territoriality, according to Veitch and Arkkelin (1995) can be defined as: behaviour by which an organism characteristically lays claim to an area and defend it against intrusion by members of his or her own species. According to Altman (1975) territories exist to meet both physical and social needs, while being temporarily or permanently owned, controlled, marked or personalised and potentially defended by occupants or owners. On the other hand, territoriality comprises a specific set of affective, cognitive and behavioural tendencies expressed towards the territory (Altman 1975). Faulkner et al (1994) agrees with Altman (1975), however sug Analysis of Theories in Environmental Psychology Analysis of Theories in Environmental Psychology 1. Place theory Place is used as a manner of examining the environment and breaking the environment down into conceptual components. It is difficult to examine space and environment as they are too general. To understand the concept of environmental psychology, one would firstly have to establish the meaning of place theory as peoples interaction with their physical environment is a principal in environmental psychology. The place theory has three aspects that are interlinked with each other (see figure 1). These three aspects are physical attributes, conceptions and human activities. According to Canter (1997) a place is a state of harmony created by the dialogue between human activities, conceptions and the physical attributes of the environment viewed from a historical perspective. However, Castello (2006) states that place is a unit where human experiences and physical form are fused together, creating a unitary context. The physical attributes of the place theory demonstrates the surroundings or environment in which a person finds himself, such as a bedroom, an office etc. A geographer, Edward Relph (1976), has a similar notion of place but replaced Canters (1997) aspect of conceptions with experiences. Thus, allowing more information to be gathered about the place as experiences are a result of an individuals history and everyday life. The types of human activities and the way in which it is carried out are contingent on factors such as knowledge, cultural background, values, as well as formal and informal controls (Ndubisi, 2002). As a result, the place theory suggests that places are viewed as holistic units of activities, physical form and meaning shaped by the goals and purposes of individuals. The place theory also works in concurrence with place identity and place attachment. Many researchers explore this dynamic relationship between people and place. Place identity and place attachment are concepts that demonstrate the significant relations between a person and place. Moreover, when individuals interact with their environment, they create bonds and links and their environment develops meaning. 1.1 Place identity There are many factors that shape human identity, and identity is (among other things) a product of the psychical environment (Hauge, 2007). Dixon and Durrheim (2000) state that a key moment in environmental psychologys critique of a disembodied notion of identity was the publication of Proshansky, Fabian, and Kaminoffs paper on place identity. Place identity, according to Proshansky (1987), can be defined as: a sub-structure of the self-identity of the person consisting of broadly conceived cognitions about the physical world in which individuals live. Pretty et al (2003) state that place identity is a cognitive structure which contributes to global self-categorisation and social identity processes. According to Knez (2005): Breakwell (1986, 1992, 1993), Twigger-Ross and Uzzell (1996), Twigger-Ross et al (2003), and Vignoles (2000) has suggested four processes related to place identity: place-related distinctiveness (e.g. I am a South African) place-referent continuity (e.g. I am living there because it reminds me of my past) place-related self-esteem (e.g. I am proud to live in this town) place-related self-efficacy (e.g. The town satisfies my needs and wants) Consequently, these processes encourage our self-esteem and identity as individuals. Hence the questions of who we are are often intimately related to questions of where we are (Dixon Durrheim 2000; Pretty et al 2003). The places people belong to does not just encourage their self-esteem but also their environmental preferences, and how they see themselves. Place identity could also lead to place attachment because when an individual identifies himself with the environment, individuals tend to feel attached to the same environment. 1.2 Place attachment Every single one of us has developed an unconscious bond towards some place over a period of time. It is suggested by Inalhan and Finch (2004) that the concept of place attachment is complex and multi-faceted, as place attachment has been studied by scholars from several disciplines such as; anthropology, architecture, family and consumer studies, folklore, gerontology, landscape architecture, psychology and urban planning. Place attachment can vary from place to place and can change easily depending on the degree of belonging of the person (Knez 2005). Thus, the degree of attachment a person has towards a place may determine the perceptions and satisfaction of the person in the specific place. Our attachment to a place grows with length of time living in a place and age, but mostly through positive interaction with a community. According to Milligan (1998) place attachment could be defined as: place attachment occurs when a particular interaction was accompanied by significant meaning However place attachment, according to Knez (2005), can be defined as: the affective positive bond between a person and a place; more specifically, a strong tendency of that person to maintain closeness to such a place. Many studies and researchers show that there is no single accepted definition of place attachment. The definition offered by Milligan (1998) serves a better purpose for this study. From this definition it is clear that place attachment is an emotional bond formed by an individual to a physical setting due to the meaning given to the location through processes of person-environment interactions (Casakin Kreitler, 2008). According to Halpenny (2005), one of the factors that could play a role in the formation of place attachment is satisfaction with a place. Moreover, if individuals are satisfied with their environments they tend to protect that place more and return to it. Payton (2003) and Warzecha et al (2000) state that place attachment has two main concepts that have been prevalent in literature: functional place attachment and emotional place attachment. Functional place attachment refers to the functionality or the ability of the resources to meet the needs or goals of individuals. Furthermore, functional place attachment is also closely linked to the kind of activities users pursue. This is because some activities are more complex and require specific aspects while other activities are more general. Shumaker and Taylor (1983) suggest that functional attachment is also referred to as place dependence. The concept is affected by two factors (Shumaker Taylor, 1983): The quality of place is determined by the individuals satisfaction and, The quality of the place depends on how it compares to other available places. Emotional place attachment refers to the emotional attributes of a person-place relationship and how place contributes to an individuals identity. Shumaker and Taylor (1983) declare that emotional attachment is also referred to as symbolic attachment. Moreover, emotional place attachment can be based on emotional ties to a specific place and is formed over a certain period through many encounters with the environment. According to Warzecha et al (2000), emotional place attachment may also be expressed as an identity with a symbolic meaning or idea. Place theory and all its aspects mentioned above form a fundamental starting point for any study in environmental psychology. 2. Introduction to Environmental psychology There are numerous people who do not know what environmental psychology is and what it consists of. Traditionally, environmental psychology has focused on the interrelationship between environments and human behaviour (De Young, 1999; Garling Golledge, 1993). According to Gifford (1997) individuals change the environment and their behaviour and experiences are changed by the environment. Furthermore, each individuals behaviour and experience is unique and differs from the person standing next to him/her in the same environment. These environments could be natural environments, social settings, built environments, learning environments and informational environments (Veith Arkkelin, 1995). Environmental psychology also consists of environmental psychological-processes in terms of a clear social-psychological perspective (Bonnes, 2003). These processes are individual processes such as perception, cognition and personality, and social processes such as territoriality, personal space, crowding and privacy. In addition, environmental psychology has continual elements that help to define this relatively unknown field. According to Garling and Golledge (1993), Kaplan and Kaplan (1982) these elements are: Attention Understanding an individuals behaviour begins with understanding how he/she notices and perceives the environment. This includes two types of stimuli: those that unwillingly, even distractingly, demand human notice, as well as those places, things or ideas to which humans must willingly, and with endeavour direct their awareness. Re-establishing and enhancing the individuals competence to willingly express his/her attention is a major factor in maintaining human effectiveness in an environment. Perception and cognitive maps How people perceive the natural and built environment has been an important aspect of environmental psychology. Information is memorised in the brain as spatial networks which is known a cognitive maps. This information links experiences with an individuals perception of current actions, ideas and emotions. It is through these spatial networks that individuals recognize and perceive the environment, plan and conduct these plans. Ideal environments – People have a tendency to look for places where they feel self-assured and competent, where they can familiarise themselves with the environment whilst also being engaged with it. Research has extended the concept of environmental psychology to embrace unity (a sense that things in the environment work together) and legibility (the assumption that an individual can walk around in an environment without being lost) as contributors to environmental understanding. To investigate an environment and to engage in it requires that the environment has complexity (that it has enough information and diversity to make it worth learning about) and mystery (the expectation of acquiring more information about an environment). Maintaining, re-establishing and developing an ideal environment enhances an individuals sense of well being and behavioural effectiveness in a person. Environmental stress and managing Research has recognized various behavioural and cognitive results including poor physical health, reduced selflessness and weaknesses, as well as paying no attention to the environment. Individuals can adjust their physical or social surroundings to create a more supportive environment (e.g. smaller scaled settings, territories, privacy, personal space) where they can supervise the course of information or stress inducing stimuli. Individuals can also seek to understand or make sense of circumstances as a way to resolve its stressful effects, often sharing these interpretations with other individuals as a part of their culture. Involvement – Environmental psychology is dedicated to improve an individuals participation in environmental design. It is focused not only on promoting an individuals understanding of environmental issues but on ensuring their early and actual participation in the design, adjustment and organisation of environments. Protective behaviour – Environmental psychology has also played a key role in conveying psychological awareness to abide by the matter of developing an ecologically protracting society. The field also investigates environmental attitudes, perceptions and principles as well as planned involvement techniques for promoting environmentally appropriate behaviour. These continual elements form an essential part in an individuals perception of their environment as well as what to expect in that environment. Gifford (1997) states that environmental psychology is also studied at three levels of analysis. The first level of analysis sorts and arranges each individuals occurrence of the environment according to perceptions, cognition and personality. The next level of analysis is the collective organisation of space, which consists of four aspects namely; personal space, territory, crowding and privacy. The last level of analysis is the physical settings in which individuals find themselves every day. 2.1 Level of analysis 2.1.1 Perceptions, cognition and personality As previously mentioned, individuals form certain perceptions of their environment and surroundings. According to Veith and Arkkelin (1995), perception is one of the most basic and fundamental psychological processes in which humans engage. In addition Veitch and Arkkelin (1995) also state that perceptions are highly cognitive, which means that all environments carry a set of meanings acquired through their specific attributes. Consequently, these meanings are established from the environment by the perceiver with reference to his or her personal beliefs, values and attitudes. Furthermore, Bechtel et al (2002) point out that the forming of perceptions of a physical setting is associated with a molecular approach to the spatial-physical environment. This means that it places specific attention on the discrete sensory-perceptual features of the environment. According to Bell et al (2005) the term sensory-perceptions has been applied to relatively straightforward activity of human senso ry systems in reacting to a simple stimuli and forming a perception of the particular environment. According to Bonnes et al (1995) the term environmental perception is also often used interchangeably with environmental image, mental map and cognitive map. However, according to Bell et al (2005) cognitive maps refer to a mental framework that holds some representation for the spatial arrangement of the physical environment. Furthermore, Salmi (2002) states that wayfinding and cognitive mapping are inseparable, and most humans carry many cognitive maps in their heads. Therefore, cognitive maps assist individuals with another aspect of environmental psychology namely; wayfinding. Wayfinding according to Prestopnik and Roskos-Ewoldsen (2000) can be defined as the ability to navigate successfully through the environment. However, wayfinding according to Passini (1984) can be defined as the ability to identify ones location and arrive at destinations in the environment, both cognitively and behaviourally. Prestopnik and Roskos-Ewoldsen (2000) suggests that wayfinding can not be predicted in humans as different factors; internal and external, come into play. Internal factors include aspects of each individual, such as, gender, familiarity with the environment and the types of strategies the person uses to navigate through the environment (HÃ ¶lscher et al 2006 and Spiers Maguire 2008). External factors include aspects of the physical setting, such as, the density of the built environment, the availability of meaningful landmarks, and the pattern of the streets and intersections as well as staffed information booths (Salmi 2002). HÃ ¶lscher et al (2006; 2009) identified three wayfinding strategies that are used to support route choice decisions in three dimensional multi-level buildings. Firstly, the central point strategy as sticking oneself, as much as possible, to main hallways and main places in the building, especially if the individual is unfamiliar with the building. Secondly, the direction strategy of deciding on routes that leads towards the horizontal position of the goal as directly as possible, irrespective of changes in different levels. Thirdly, the hierarchically organised navigation plan strategy. This strategy is based on cognitively sectioning the building into areas which guide navigation decisions. However, Spiers and Maguire (2008) identified their own wayfinding strategies that assist individuals with their wayfinding experience. Least-angle strategy suggests that paths are chosen that minimise deviation from the angle pointing directly to the goal. Fine-to-coarse strategy proposes that routes are planned in fine detail in the currently occupied region, but only coarsely when planning navigation between regions. Least-decision-load strategy implies that individuals will often choose the path with the least number of possible decision points. As stated above, environmental psychology and the physical environment are influenced through wayfinding in a building, cognitive maps as well as perceptions of the environment. Another aspect that influences environmental psychology is personality of an individual. Gifford (1997) pointed out that there are five reasons why personality is an important part in environmental psychology. These five reasons are: Personality is strongly linked to the physical environment; Information of a persons personality helps us to comprehend and foretell environmentally relevant behaviour; Individuals have dispositions that are particularly related to person-environment transactions; Personal dispositions are an essential aspect to one of environmental psychologys most important concepts – environmental compatibility; The notion of personality can be applied to places instead of people. Bonnes et al (1995) agree with Gifford (1997) on the third reason. They suggest that personality and the environment are related to the disposition of individuals. 2.1.2 Collective organisation of space Spatial organisation or organisation of space is considered the first major component in wayfinding design because it not only defines the wayfinding problems of future users, but also affects the ease or difficulty users will experience in comprehending and cognitively mapping the setting (Passini, 1984). According to Prestopnik and Roskos-Ewoldsen (2000) spatial orientation tasks are influenced by the familiarity of the environment. Furthermore, Iachini et al (2009) state that unfamiliar participants learn the environment through a map, whereas familiar participants rely on their long term experiences with the environment. According to Salmi (2002) there are key points to look out for in organisation of space. These points include: Architectural features in the building define different areas such as hallways, staircases etc. which assist the user with orientation in the building and increase the cognitive experience; Make sure that large-scale buildings have destination zones, such as an atrium, since it would assist the user to retrace his/her own path; Establish spatial overview opportunities so that a visitor can visualise a buildings design from different vantage points as it helps individuals to build a improved cognitive map; Consider the design of the building as a whole, the layout should not be confusing or allow visitors to get lost easily. 2.1.3 Physical settings According to Salmi (2002) physical settings must accommodate an increasingly, diverse population as it is critical that the setting be designed to be as inclusive and universally accessible as possible, addressing the requirements of a wide range of physical, sensory and cognitive abilities and needs. Veitch and Arkkelin (1995) state that any number of behaviours can occur within any physical setting. Moreover, Bell et al (2005) declare that physical settings both facilitate and constrains or limits the behaviour that occurs in it. Veitch and Arkkelin (1995) added that attitude towards an environment will influence a persons behaviours such as littering and attachment to the place. With environmental psychology being such a diverse field with many different aspects, the interactions between the four phenomenons (privacy, crowding, territoriality and personal space) help to address problems associated with environmental psychology. Gifford (1997) also states that environmental psychology is aimed at making buildings more humane and improving our relationship with the natural environment. 3. Privacy Privacy is an important phenomenon that each individual wants to achieve on a daily basis. There are many laws that have been established regarding individuals privacy, such as the right to privacy. Thus allowing individuals to have their own level of privacy. The level of privacy is measured in relation to the other social processes of environmental psychology namely; personal space, territoriality and crowding (Gifford 1997; Veitch and Arkkelin 1995, Bonnes et al 1995). In addition, according to Harris et al (1995) and Altman (1975) people use complex combinations of verbal, paraverbal, nonverbal and spatial mechanisms to attain a desired level of contact and degree of privacy. Faulkner et al (1994) state that the level of privacy is physical (sleeping, dressing) and psychological (for development and renewal). According to Demirbas and Demirkan (2000), the definition of privacy varies for each individual due to the different personal characteristics, cultural backgrounds, sex, age, economical, educational and social backgrounds. Ding (2008) defines privacy as the personal control over interactions and/or communications with others. However, Gritzalis et al (2009) state that privacy can generally be defined as the right to be left alone, meaning that it represents a sphere where it is possible to remain separate from others, anonymous and unobserved. Therefore, it is evident that privacy refers to the manner in which individuals control or regulate other individuals access to themselves. However privacy does not necessary mean withdrawing from people (Pederson, 1999; Marshall, 1972), instead it involves controlling the amount and type of contact one has with others. Gifford (1997) further declares that it is not easy to assess privacy because of its complex nature; as it has been measured in terms of preference, behaviour, need and expectation of each individual. Bonnes et al (1995) also state that the major interest of empirical research has been to study and measure the more strictly motivational and evaluative aspects such as; needs, expectations and values that individuals variously associate with privacy. Harris et al (1995) state that the universal aspects of privacy regulations are suggested by the apparent relationship between privacy, place attachment and quality of life. Cassidy (1997) pointed out that not everyone will react in the same way with regard to privacy. According to Altman (1975) and Westin (1970) there are certain characteristics that influence privacy such as: Individuals need for privacy is a continuing dynamic of changing internal and external conditions External and internal conditions are affected by privacy achieved Individuals effort to control privacy may be unsuccessful at some times Privacy can take different forms as it has many dimensions. 3.1 Types of privacy Demirbas and Demirkan (2000) also state that there are four types of privacy namely; solitude, reserve, anonymity and intimacy. Solitude refers to being alone and unobserved by others, which is either a neutral or desirable condition. Reserve, in turn, means that individuals form barriers between themselves and their environments which regulate intrusion. Anonymity is a type of privacy that gives individuals a chance to move around in a public environment without other people recognising them. Intimacy refers to an individuals aspiration to encourage close personal relationships with only preferred individuals. Additionally, Pederson (1999) identifies two more types of privacy; intimacy with family (being alone with family) and intimacy with friends (being alone with friends). According to Harris et al (1995) social functions of privacy and privacy regulation are central to psychological well-being. Privacy regulation refers to selective control over access to the self or to ones group (Altman 1975). Thus, making it clear that regulation of the types of privacy, mentioned above, is a function of both personal and situational factors. Personal factors refer to the individuals need for privacy, personal attractiveness, interpersonal skills, personality variables and ability to utilise privacy control mechanisms (Pederson, 1999). Situational factors may be social or physical. Social factors are presence, willingness and personal characteristics of others who have the potential for social interaction. Physical factors entail aspects such as barriers, location, layout and distances (Pederson, 1999). 3.2 Benefits and functions of privacy The psychological benefits of privacy reflect the function of privacy. Privacy supports social interaction which, in turn, affects our competence to deal with our world, which affects our self-definition (Altman, 1975). Therefore, the benefits of privacy arise from achieving its functions. According to Margulis (2005) the benefits of privacy are: Privacy is a basis for the development of identity, Privacy protects personal autonomy, Privacy supports healthy functioning by providing needed opportunities to relax, to ones self, to emotionally vent, to escape from the stresses of daily life, to manage bodily and sexual functions and to cope with loss, shock, and sorrow. However Keenan (2005) identifies other categories that capture the kinds of benefits privacy holds for people: Natural and psychological benefits: privacy provides physical, psychological and spiritual benefits to individuals. Individuals have certain needs, such as security and connectedness, that they want to satisfy, but invasion of privacy destroys ones sense of connectedness; Creative benefits: many people see privacy as conductive to creativity. Individuals have the need to have their own rooms where they are away from other people and regulate their privacy; Protective benefits: this refers to physical invasion of individuals sense of being safe and secure such as, the protection of ones home from burglary; Social benefits: individuals have the ability to regulate their own invasion of privacy and allow people they know or do not know to invade that privacy on a social basis; Democratic benefits: privacy is self-determining – each individual has the right to be left alone. According to Veitch snd Arkkelin (1995) the functions of privacy are: the achievement of a self-identity and the management of interactions between oneself and the social environment. According to Margulis (2005), privacy is important because it provides us with experiences that support normal psychological functioning, stable interpersonal relationships, and personal development. 3.3 Achieving privacy in design Individuals have a definite desire to a certain level of privacy in their homes. Privacy, in an architectural manner, can be defined as; the ability of individuals and families to lead their own lives without either interfering – or being interfered by the lives of others (Goodchild 1997). According to Faulkner et al (1994) a home provides privacy from outsiders with walls that protect the individual from physical, visual and various degrees of acoustical intrusion. Furthermore, Goodchild (1997) identifies three types of privacy in designing a house, whether in the house or outside the house: Firstly, privacy means circumventing problems with neighbours. Problems could arise when the layout of the resident and the type of housing is not correct such as; the walls of the enclosed area of each persons house are not high enough, which influences privacy. Secondly, privacy means a sense of seclusion. It means freedom from overlooking and freedom form invasive noise. This could be achieved by using noise insulation techniques and higher walls to increase space between neighbours. Thirdly, privacy means freedom from disturbance from other people, either guests or members of the same family, within the home. The level of privacy inside the home is determined by the number of different rooms in relation to the family size. Faulkner et al (1994) also states that the floor plan sets the privacy levels at which the home functions such as; open floor plan or closed floor plan. 3.4 Mechanisms of privacy Four aspects of privacy regulation mechanisms have been identified through data by Westin (1970) and Kent (1993). Firstly, privacy controls provide standards of behaviour for individuals and groups. Secondly, privacy creates an option between isolation and interaction, and can create the perception of being by yourself. Thirdly, individuals, groups, and societies tend to enter the privacy of others; curiosity is an example of this aspects. Fourthly, as society moves form primeval to contemporary, the physical and psychological opportunities for privacy increase. According to Bonnes et al (1995) and Altman (1975) personal space and territorial behaviour are used by individuals primarily to regulate privacy and to maintain their openness/closedness towards others at optimal levels. Additionally, Harris et al (1996) suggest that when individuals are confronted with negative privacy experiences, they will use a variety of privacy regulation mechanisms including verbal and nonverbal behaviours, cognitive, environmental, temporal and cultural mechanisms. Altman (1975) further suggests that the effectiveness and ease of implementing privacy regulation mechanisms may vary considerably across individuals and across social, physical and temporal context. Consequently, by combining these mechanisms individuals can efficiently express their needed level of privacy to others in order to attain the optimal level of privacy. Altman (1975) developed a framework for understanding the mechanisms of privacy regulation. This framework can be used as a summary of all of the above mentioned aspects of privacy (see figure 2). This figure indicates that privacy is a central concept that links the different phenomenons of environmental psychology (personal space, territoriality and crowding) with privacy regulation mechanisms. 4. Territoriality The phenomenon territoriality is extremely widespread in the field of environmental psychology since it consists of many different definitions. According to Gifford (1997) there are different variables that influence territoriality such as; dominance, conflict, security, claim staking, arousal, vigilance, behaviour and cognition to place. Gifford (1997) also states that a formal definition for territoriality is: is a pattern of behaviour and attitudes held by an individual or group that is based on perceived, attempted, or actual control of a definable physical space, object or idea that may involve habitual occupation, defense, personalisation and marking of it. However territoriality, according to Veitch and Arkkelin (1995) can be defined as: behaviour by which an organism characteristically lays claim to an area and defend it against intrusion by members of his or her own species. According to Altman (1975) territories exist to meet both physical and social needs, while being temporarily or permanently owned, controlled, marked or personalised and potentially defended by occupants or owners. On the other hand, territoriality comprises a specific set of affective, cognitive and behavioural tendencies expressed towards the territory (Altman 1975). Faulkner et al (1994) agrees with Altman (1975), however sug