Short Answer Responses

Short-Answer Responses 1. Based on your readings from Ch. 3 of the textbook and your personal experience, would you say that pop culture affects individuality? If so, how? Pop culture absolutely affects individuality. It permeates our society to where it shapes the actions and behaviors of whole communities. We are products of our environment for pop culture subversively guides our decisions, our morals, and influences heavily what we like and dislike.In reading the steps to starting to realize individuality from the book, oftentimes people do not stop to discern what values pop culture instills in society to be of their own true beliefs, and they are just going with what is popularly accepted (Ruggiero, 2009). It is a sort of voluntary conformity because of the desire to fit in, and pop culture’s influences are so subtle that many believe they are being individualistic when in fact they are living their lives per the dictates of pop culture. 2. Think back to your childhood an d the environment in which you were raised.How did those early childhood experiences influence the level of curiosity you have today? Considering that curiosity is an important element of creativity, identify techniques that can help you improve or regain your curiosity. Being raised in a large family meant there was usually someone available to answer questions as a child. If the first person was unavailable, the next was more accommodating. This encouragement of curiosity and the realization that persistence would lead to an answer is helpful in later life as it becomes the norm to question everything rather than accept it at face value.Although curiosity tends to wane as children grow into adulthood, there are several ways that people can regain their curiosity. Ruggiero (2009) stated â€Å"There are six specific techniques: a. Be observant b. Look for the imperfections in things c. Note your own and others dissatisfactions d. Search for causes e. Be sensitive to implications f. Recognize the opportunity in controversy† (p. 116). In other words: being aware of your surroundings and taking note of them, looking for ways that things could be improved, and recognizing that other people’s dissatisfaction probably means that a problem exists that needs a solution.To do this, the cause of the problem needs to be discovered and once a solution has been presented, the possible impact of the solution on the people involved should be taken into account. 3. One of the key controversies in psychology is nature versus nurture. Is this a problem or an issue? Explain. In psychology, nature versus nurture tends to be an issue more than a problem. Ruggiero (2009) declares that â€Å"A problem is a situation that we regard as unacceptable; where an issue is a matter about which intelligent, informed people disagree to some extent. Many psychologists believe that people behave as they do because of hereditary or inborn factors. This is where the â€Å"natureâ €  theory of human behavior comes into play. Other psychologists will argue that people think and behave as they do because of environmental factors, or simply put, because they were taught to do so. Nature versus nurture is clearly an issue because it is a matter that informed people, in this case psychologists, disagree to some extent as to what causes human behavior. 4. Identify three sources of information you may use when investigating a problem or issue.Compare steps you would take to refine the solutions to a problem with steps to refine resolutions of an issue. Three sources of information you may use when investigating a problem or issue include expert opinion, observational study, and research review. Because an issue and a problem are two different things, so are the steps taken to refine them. According to Ruggiero (2009), steps to refine your solution to a problem include: a. Working out the details b. Finding imperfections and complication c. Making improvement Step s to refine resolutions of an issue are: a.Deciding what action should be taken b. Recognizing and overcoming difficulties In both of these methods step one is similar, but it seems like deciding what action should be taken is more aggressive than working out the details. With step two, recognizing and overcoming difficulties seems like it would be more proactive in finding a resolution quicker than with finding imperfections and complications. Another comparative I noticed is that it takes more steps to refine a solution to a problem. Finding a resolution to an issue seems like an easier task than finding a solution to a problem. 5.Sometimes your ego can make it hard for you to receive criticism of your own solutions. Do you think some personality types are naturally better at receiving criticism than are others? What strategies can you use to be more receptive of criticism of your own ideas and solutions? Ego often gets in the way and makes it hard to receive criticism. There are multiple reasons this occurs. Once we have settled on an idea, we tend to take ownership with interest in that idea. The thought of someone finding flaw with it is often hard to swallow. However, criticism is an important part of problem solving because no solution is perfect.Additional, your perspective may be different from that of another person based on personal experiences, your interpretation of something you saw, read, or heard etc. Criticism, regardless of your personality type, is not easy for anyone to receive. What makes the difference is how a person responds to criticism. Perhaps an individual that has a high self-esteem would be more open to other ideas and be able to see the need to step back and review the idea objectively. There are two strategies that can be applied to overcome the natural reaction to defend your idea against criticism vs. ctively looking at it with an open mind. First, remind yourself that the feelings you may have to defend your idea are normal b ut you must disregard the initial reaction and force yourself to examine the idea critically. Second, use your ego to your benefit. When you are ready to give up and stop examining an idea, think about how you would feel if a flaw were to be pointed out. Visualize the situation, would you feel embarrassed. This visualization should provide a sufficient amount of motivation to subdue the ego in the â€Å"ME MONSTER† and continue to accept criticism and continue evaluating your deas. 6. When oversimplifying, a person distorts and misrepresents complex matters. How can you find and overcome oversimplifications in your arguments? To find oversimplifications in an argument, consider what important parts of the issue have not been addressed. Is the argument only focused on one point? To correct an oversimplification, state the argument in a way that considers all aspects of the matter accurately without distorting the facts to reflect a single point of view (Ruggiero, 2009).

Bridgeton Industries Essay Example for Free

Bridgeton Industries Essay 1. Describe the competitive environment for Bridgeton as well as the cost accounting system currently in use. When foreign competition and scarce, expensive gasoline began to play an important role in the market, Bridgeton began to lose domestic market share. The ACF Bridgeton plant faced new challenges in their production that led them to serious cutbacks like the closing of the ACF plant for manufacture of fuel-efficient diesel engines. By 1987, they classified their products in terms of â€Å"world class† competitive position and potential. With four criteria (quality, customer service, technical capability and competitive cost position) they classified their products in Class I (remain), II (observe) and III (outsource). The classification allowed Bridgeton to take decisions on how to better manage their products performance compared to their competitors. The cost accounting system was product costing, a mixed between job costing and process costing. 2. Explain why manifolds moved from Class II to Class III after oil pans and muffler-exhaust systems had been outsourced from the ACF. Despite improvements in the production process manifolds were downgraded from Class II to III. The results were not sufficient, even though they increased the uptime from an average of 30% to 65% they were behind their Japanese competitors that reached a â€Å"world class† goal of 80% uptime. In addition, as seen in Exhibit 2, the direct material costs for manifolds (based on stainless steel) is extremely high as a percentage of sales (around 40%) compared to the other products manufactured at ACF and at a better Class level. However, there was a doubt on this move due to the possibility of new market requirements for lighter weight (more efficient manifolds). This represented a good opportunity for ACF because as they manufactured manifolds with stainless steel, demand could increase and therefore selling price too. Bridgeton Industries. (2017, Feb 11).

Linguistic and Encylopaedic Information Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words

Linguistic and Encylopaedic Information - Essay Example It has been an observation that this distinction has often been very metaphorical due to inter-relation of lexical and non-lexical knowledge, and thus one can come across different viewpoints regarding possibility of distinction of linguistic and encyclopaedic information. On one hand, few linguistics advocate invalidity of any distinction between the two types of knowledge and/or information due to globalization of language and knowledge that has resulted in increment in spread of semantics and enhanced dependence on semiotics that do not facilitate any distinction between lexical and encyclopaedic information. On the other hand, linguistics of other school of thoughts deny this argument and oppose that it is essential to distinguish both information, especially from the perspective of linguistics as it will allow an in-depth understanding of different elements of a language. In this regard, different viewpoints exist; however, this paper will now include a brief description and dis cussion regarding dictionary and its entries that will allow a general understanding of information that is provided in the dictionaries, which will later on be considered for discussion on its distinction with encyclopaedic information. ... 93) Nowadays, it has been an observation that a dictionary entry usually consists of lexical information regarding a particular word. For instance, in the above example also, dictionary entry consisted of form, syntax, and semantic information regarding the word ‘cat’. However, latest versions of dictionaries are now coming with additional information as well, such as semantic relatives and morphologies, pronunciations, as well as alternative spellings (Spencer, 2012). In this regard, one can see distinction between different types of dictionaries as well since one can come across general dictionaries, subject dictionaries, translating dictionaries, special dictionaries, etc, and thus, every dictionary differentiates from one another based on its characteristics. In some dictionaries, dictionary entry will consist of orthographic information that is not a linguistic characteristic of a word according to many linguistic experts and thus will not be present in entries of o ther dictionaries. According to few linguistic experts, various additional factors play a critical role in understanding of words in English language; they do affect meaning, and consequently utilization of the particular word. Thus, it has now become very difficult to separate worldly meaning associated with lexical word meaning since native speakers although begin with lexical understanding of the language; however, they left the former as soon as they increase the volume of their vocabulary. In this regard, although one can distinguish between lexical that is dictionary information and non-lexical that is encyclopaedic information; however, it will require selection of a particular lens and/or perspective that will enable

Port Report Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Port Report - Essay Example This resulted in the reduction of retail gas price from USD 3.31 to USD 2.27 during the year 2014. While this has the positive effect on the consumer purchase pattern, the impact of such fall on the investment pattern, particularly the GCC stocks needs detailed investigation. As it is just the first quarter of 2015, the analysis of current oil prices fall cannot be done correctly since its effect on stock investment needs longer period of observation. Hence, this paper has taken an in-depth look at the relationship between oil pricing and stock investment, as well as general economic conditions, within GCC and across the world, during the recent past. Accordingly, 2008 financial crisis, coupled with cyclic fall in oil prices finds greater attention in the following paragraphs. As supply and demand equation determines the price of any commodity, political forces prevailing in the oil producing countries determine the supply position for oil, largely. Technological innovation also plays a major role here. Many political decisions by countries across the globe influence the oil pricing. For example, the cause of recent Russian currency debacle has relation to the falling oil prices. Although under normal conditions, falling prices would result in reducing the production, OPEC countries are not doing it, as they want to retain their control over oil production. This is also seen as an attempt to make oil production unsustainable by American producers, who are utilizing advanced technology to increase shale oil production in a major way.(Stefanova, 2014) Consumers in Western countries take falling oil prices as an instrument to result in lesser tax burden. This way the falling oil prices prove to be positive for the global economy, as these countries can look for heavy reduction in lower inflation rates. While many advanced economies may go for deflation measures, the falling oil crisis has hit the currencies of Norway and Canada in a major way.(Buttonwood,

International Trade Theory Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

International Trade Theory - Essay Example 235). This novel trade theory has two significant implications. First, on account of the impact of trade on economies, it can enhance the choice of goods available to consumers, while reducing their cost. Second, if the production required for achieving economies of scale is of the order of the global demand, then only a few enterprises will obtain support (Hill & Jain, 2008, p. 235). Consequently, global trade in some commodities could possibly the preserve of the firms who had initially taken the initiative. There are a number of models that relate to international trade, and these models are dealt with in International Trade Theory. The principal objective of these theories is to explain the various ideas that pertain to the transfer of goods and services, across the world. Although, these theories have changed over time, the fundamental principle underlying international trade is more or less similar to the principle, on which domestic trade is founded (International Trade Theory and Policy). In essence, the chief purpose of trade is to maximize profits for the entities involved in the exchange of goods and services. A number of forms are assumed by the economic integration of countries. Some of these are preferential tariffs, customs unions, free – trade associations, common markets, economic unions and complete economic integration. Nations belonging to a specific system of preferential tariffs, levy a higher rate of duty on imports on countries that do not belong to their group. This was evident among the Commonwealth countries, which had established a system of common tariff preferences, subsequent to the year 1919 (Allais, Balassa, Bertrand, Robinson, & Wonnacott, 2011). Unique solutions to economic problems are not possible, as long as competition and trade occur in an environment that is imperfect from the economic perspective. The result of economic endeavors becomes dependent on the behavior of the

NewCorp Scenarios Legal Brief Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

NewCorp Scenarios Legal Brief - Research Paper Example However, this is not outlined in the employment documents (Lambert, 2005). Therefore, this gave pat no reason to drop in his performance. He should have tried all the best to ensure the performance in the institution was maintained at high levels. The employer and the institution are not directly involved in family issues and this is not a reason for the drop in performance. Therefore, it was in his interests to ensure the family issues and moving to another city does not affect his performance at work. However, he left this to affect his performance at work, which was detrimental to his career. According to statutory laws, an employer has the legal rights to hire a worker depending on his or her qualifications. Similarly, the same institution or employer has the rights to terminate the worker without satisfactory results. Therefore, an employee has to make sure he or she is giving satisfactory results in the institution. Apparently, performance is the only indicator that can be used in justifying an employee’s worth in the institution. Therefore, when an employee is not giving satisfactory results, he is at the helm of disqualification and termination. Since this is an independent entity, it has its rights of disqualifying employees that are not beneficial to the institution. This states the reason behind the pat’s disqualification at the work place. This is clearly indicated in the signed documents, where an employee is terminated when there is unsatisfactory performance. As such, the institution acted upon its jurisdiction to terminate pat, the reason being that Pat’s performance was not pleasing the institution. Though Pat’s termination at his work place could be justified according to the jurisdiction of the institution, there are several points that should be considered. First, the notice of termination was minute. He was given a short notice of termination, which was not well received by Pat. Secondly, the institution should h ave given Pat more time to work on his performance. Giving Pat more time should have prepared him to work on his performance in the institution. This would have improved on his performance. However, it seems the institution had already made a decision to terminate him. Apparently, the institution should have used Pat’s historical performance at the institution and given him another chance. Consequentially, some institutions do not believe in second chances, which ruined his career. Similarly, Pat’s views at the school board meeting should not be used as a scapegoat for disqualification. Second Case Relationships at the work place are highly opposed by many institutions as they constantly affect the work of the employees. In this case, it is evidently seen that the two employees were affected by their relationship at the work place. To begin with, the employer has to be skeptical about the work relationships. Most employers are not for the idea of dating at the work pla ce. As such, they give stringent punishment to any employees that are found dating at the work place. Though it is hard to control human emotions, relationships at the work place are not accepted by the employers and the institution. Therefore, it was in the jurisdiction of the employer and institution to make a succinct control measure against such relationships in the institution. This would have lessened the outcome as Paula and Sam would have avoided such a scenario.

CHESAPEAKE BAY STORM SURGE, SEICHES, AND FLOODING Research Paper

CHESAPEAKE BAY STORM SURGE, SEICHES, AND FLOODING - Research Paper Example s and light wind shear, the resilient southeasterly winds in the right-front quadrant of the storm forced water in Chesapeake Bay to move northward as a single layer, which eventually formed flooding and high sea levels in the northern region of the bay including Annapolis and Baltimore (Ming et al., 2006). Apparently, the hurricane traveled from northwest on an almost conventional line that had mysteriously emerged 3 days prior to the landfall and persisted to the eventual dissipation of the hurricane over the Great Lakes (Ming et al., 2006). After hurricane Isabel passed the west land side of Chesapeake Bay, the prevailing wind direction changed from northeasterly to southeasterly, and the land along the coast was inundated causing severe erosion in the bay (Gao & College of William and Mary, 2011). In the bay, the utmost sustained wind reached 30.8 miles/second in Virginia with squalls that were as high as 43.7 miles/second, water levels reaching 5 feet over the average tidal echelons in Annapolis Maryland, a substantial increase in turbidity and salinity levels in the bay to approximately 10-4 psu/m (Ming et al., 2006). If Hurricane Isabel had approached the bay from the east side, the direction of the wind would have changed from northeasterly to northwesterly, thus causing melodr amatic differences in the bay’s barotropic response. In Washington, D.C., the largest surge reaching 2.7m over the ordinary high tides was created as a result of the arrangement of the long fetch of the lower Potomac River and southeasterly winds. The figure below portrays the storm surges and sea level distribution in Potomac River on 19th September, 2006 around 0400 hrs. At the same time, sea echelons in the arctic bay were rising speedily. From the figure, it is ostensible that the water was blown into the bay by Isabel’s strong southeast-to-southerly winds. Moreover, moving at a speed of 1.5 ms-1, this water was dripped against the head of the bay. However, the high sea