Wednesday, December 25, 2019

Behaviorism As A Psychological Theory Of Human Development

Behaviorism at its finest Life circumstances or events can predict the way that most people behave or handle situation. It is also believed that ones behavior is effected based on the positive or negative reinforcements received all throughout a persons life. Behaviorism is a psychological theory of human development that posits that humans can be trained, or conditioned, to respond in specific ways to specific stimuli and that given the correct stimuli, personalities and behaviors of individuals, and even entire civilizations, can be codified and controlled. (Behaviorism, 2016 ) This is one reason why so many Psychologists have turned to study behaviorism. Behaviorism was the primary paradigm in psychology between 1920 to 1950 and is based on a number of underlying assumptions regarding methodology and behavioral analysis. (McLeod, 2007 ) Behaviorism became one of the main focuses in psychology. Behaviorism was first studied and developed by John B Watson in 1912. John B. Watso n was an American Psychologist who’s theory of behaviorism lead him down a path where he introduced the psychological school of behaviorism and there is where he established the belief that behavior can be taught in a certain way and eventually be changed over time. It was a theory that was introduced with an idea that all behavior is learned through the interaction of their environment also known as conditioning. Conditioning is a learning process in which an environment stimulus elicitsShow MoreRelatedWhy Do We Do Your Regular Schedules?1368 Words   |  6 PagesTodd Donerson 5/9/2015 Intr. Philosophy Main project part 2 Behaviorism Why do we do the things we do in our regular schedules? Do we do it on impulse, is it something we daily choose to do, or are we simply conditioned to a point where it becomes natural? These are the questions behaviorists think about when studying other people. I believe this is the right theory because I believe that everything a person does, why they think they way they do, why they do the things they do is becauseRead MoreBehaviorism s Theory Of Psychology983 Words   |  4 PagesClassification Behaviorism claims that â€Å"consciousness† is neither defined nor unable concept; that it is merely another word for the â€Å"soul† of more ancient time (Watson, 1970). However, behaviorism holds the subject matter of human psychology it focus on the behavior or activities of the human being. Etymology The word behaviorism originates from the Middle French word behavior, meaning the observable activity in human and animal. This term was coined in 1913 by the United States psychologistRead MoreThe Philosophers Who Contrubuted to the Development of Behaviorism891 Words   |  4 PagesBehaviorism has its roots as far back as the ancient Greeks. Hippocrates (460-377 BCE), known as the father of medicine, developed humorism consisting of four humors that corresponded with four temperaments. Physicians and philosophers used this model with its four temperaments for many long years. Socrates (469-339 BCE), Plato (427-347 BCE), and Aristotle (385-322 BCE) are often spoken of together due to the unique relationship they shared. Aristotle was the student of Plato, who was intern theRead MorePsychology : Psychology And Psychology1018 Words   |  5 Pagespsychology is common to talk about the psychological schools, as these are defined as groups of psychologists who shared a theoretical view and focused psychological problems with a common orientation; these have evolved over time. Psychology was first established as a separate science of biology and philosophy, that s when the real debate over how to describe and explain the human mind and behavior began start, different psychological schools represent the major theories of psychology. The first streamRead MoreOrigins of Behaviorism Essay1714 Words   |  7 PagesOrigins of Behaviorism Behaviourism originated with the work of John B. Watson from 1913. BehaviourismRead MoreSnapshot1702 Words   |  7 Pagesand psychopathology. Freuds theories became very well-known, largely because they tackled subjects such as sexuality, repression, and the unconscious mind as general aspects of psychological development. These were largely considered taboo subjects at the time, and Freud provided a catalyst for them to be openly discussed in polite society. While Freud is perhaps best known for his tripartite model of the mind, consisting of the id, ego, and superego, and his theories about the Oedipus complex, hisRead MoreThe Impact Of Applied And Behaviorist Psychology On The Field Of Psychology1327 Words   |  6 Pages(1869-1949) was a well-known American psychologist and pioneer in the development of psychology. He was also a leader in higher education and was most driven by his role as a professor of philosophy and psychology at the University of Chicago. In addition, he was recognized as one of the early originators of functionalism w ho worked in the field of psychology. Angell based his opinion on the introspective study of function and human consciousness. He believed that the function of consciousness was toRead MoreJohn B. Watson s Theory Of Psychology1048 Words   |  5 PagesJohn B. Watson was a great American psychologist whose theories, publications, and experiments had an enduring influence on psychology. Possibly his biggest contributions to psychology were his theory of behaviorism and his experiment on Little Albert. Though Watson’s experiments were extremely unethical and behaviorism doesn’t account for biological psychology, Watson was an extremely remarkable psychologist because of his principal of behaviorism and his findings on classical conditioning. BackgroundRead MoreComparison Between Behaviorism and Cognitive Theories in Tesol844 Words   |  4 PagesBETWEEN BEHAVIORISM AND COGNITIVE THEORIES IN TESOL After decades of development of learning theories, many approaches have been inspired and researched basing on the two most popular theories, behaviorism and cognitive theories. Because of their diverse significant devotion at a certain period in pedagogical history, these theories have been brought on debate over and over, to answer the fundamental question of what is learned (Navarick, 2002). â€Å"The primary difference between these two theories is theRead MoreBehavioral Approach And Consistent Misunderstanding And Devaluation1344 Words   |  6 PagesAbstract Behaviorism application to early childhood, the behavioral approach and consistent misunderstanding and devaluation exists among many professional in the early childhood field. In this paper, it will discuss the important figures in developing behaviorism, the principal elements of the theory and relevant periods of development through adolescence. In addition, it will identify and describe the critical features of the behavioral approach and their similarities to early childhood and the

Tuesday, December 17, 2019

Essay On Cancer In The African American Community

Cancer in the African American Community Vs. Caucasian Community Justen Hudson Professor Frazier November 16, 2017 Abstract Declining cancer incidence and mortality rates in the United States have continued through the first decade of the twenty-first century. However, Black Americans continue to have the higher cancer mortality rates and shorter survival times. This review discusses and compares only breast and prostate cancer mortality rates and mortality trends for Blacks and Whites. The complex relationship between socioeconomic status and race and its contribution to racial cancer disparities is discussed. I never really thought I would be involved with cancer in the way I am now, as in being a student in†¦show more content†¦The disparities are around us every day and unless we educate ourselves and our communities these disparities will continue to wreak havoc on our neighborhoods and in the future, we will just be putting our kids and their kids in a continuing cycle of ignorance when we could have done more if it’s just educating the community we leave in, that alone could be enough to turn the tides in our people favor. In turn, I would hope this paper enlighten you on what is going on in our neighborhood and what we can do to correct this issue to preserve our autonomy. Racial and ethnic health disparities undermine what a healthcare system should stand for. Although the top three causes and seven of the 10 leading causes of death are the same for African Americans and whites, the risk factors and incidence, morbidity, and mortality rates for these diseases and injuries often are greater among blacks than whites (MMWR, 2005). Health disparities refer to differences in disease risks, incidence, morbidity, and mortality but most of all for the sake of this paper unequal access to quality health insurance amongst African American in the United States, which will also go hand and hand with the social and economic disadvantages. The disadvantages of health disparities usually affect people of African American descent who have systemically experienced a greater social and economic obstacle to health care. So, let’s compare breast and prostate cancer effects onShow MoreRelatedThe Disparities Between African American Women And European Americans1387 Words   |  6 Pagesâ€Å"African Americans have the highest death rate form all cancer sites combined and from malignancies of the lung and bronchus, colon and rectum, female breast, prostate, and cervix of all racial or ethnic groups in the United States (Elizabeth ward, 2004). The health disparities in African Americans and other racial groups are alarming. For this essay I choose to focus on the empirical facts on the disparities between African American women and European American women who are diagnosed with breastRead MoreHow do cultural differences affect breast cancer prevalence, prevention, and treatment in African-American, Hispanic/Latina, and Caucasian women livin883 Words   |  4 Pagesdo cultural differences affect breast cancer prevalence, prevention, and treatment in African-American, Hispanic/Latina, and Caucasi an women living in the United States? Over the past decade breast cancer has become one of the most predominant diseases in the United States. Breast cancer starts out as a malignant tumor in the tissues of the breast which is formed from the uncontrolled growth of abnormal breast cells. Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women, but it can also appear in menRead MoreThe American Dream By Edgar Allan Poe1476 Words   |  6 PagesThroughout American history, there is a variety of great authors who have brought the many genres of literature we have today. Many hear names like Edgar Allan Poe and automatically think of a dark short story, or two, from his collection of works. But how many authors are there which give strong visualization and experiences that not many individuals may get the chance to examine in their life? Around the early 20th century, African Americans were slowly progressing into being intergraded in societyRead MoreQuestions On Epidemiology And Biostatistics846 Words   |  4 PagesCoursework: Community Health Administration of Health Education Programs, Health Service Systems, Disease Prevention and Control, Research Methods, Health Psychology and Human Behavior, Epidemiology, Ethnicity Culture Health, Environmental Health GPA: 3.7 out 4.0 Community College ofRead MoreAnalysis Of The Book Beauty : When The Other Dancer Is The Self By Alice Walker882 Words   |  4 Pages The articles written by Walker, Angelou, Eighner and Mairs, teach about accepting yourself and overcoming personal problems in there essays on personal accounts. By contrast Williams, Quindlen and Kristof articles talk of issues in today’s society and how as a group we can solve these issues in essays covering cultural and the environment. These articles became some of my favorites throughout the semester for being able to relate so easily, but also the joy of reading the authors stories to beRead MoreB. Du Bois Essay1447 Words   |  6 Pagestwentieth-century society, whose aim in life was to help define African-American social and political causes in the United States. History writes that W.E.B. Du Bois was a sociologist, historian, civil rights activist, and Pan-Africanist. However, white peo ple who feared him labeled him a trouble maker and some black people saw him as an outcast. No matter what Du Bois’s critics thought about him, Du Bois was the voice of African-American fight for equality. As a prolific writer and speaker he was regardedRead MoreHealth Disparities Among African Americans1453 Words   |  6 Pagesto health inequities. These inequities are avoidable inequalities in health between different groups of people. African Americans are among many other groups of people that fall victim to a system that, sometimes inconspicuously creates barriers wherein people cannot adequately arm themselves with the tools to remain healthy. One of the most common health inequities among African Americans is the HIV/AIDs virus. This viruses significance is relatively recent in human history, but the damage it hasRead MoreEssay on An Analysis of the Song Changes by Tupac1335 Words   |  6 PagesVincent Bocchino College Writing I Prof. Fisher Music Interpretation Essay 12/3/2011 Changes by Tupac Millions of people in the world listen to music for all different reasons. Most people all over the world listen to different genres of music in order to relax, but not too many people pay attention to the actual lyrics of a song. If you listen to the lyrics of a song you will realize that many songs have important messages or themes to them. An example of this is the lyrics of the songRead MoreLangston Hughes: A Jazz Poet1045 Words   |  5 Pagespoetry. Hughes, like others, was active in the Harlem Renaissance, and he had a strong sense of racial pride. Through his poem, novels, short stories, plays, and kids books, he promoted equality, condemned racism, and injustice, and celebrated African American culture, and humor. (Illinois). Langston Hughes was the son of Carrie Mercer Langston and James Nathaniel Hughes. He was born February 1, 1902, in Joplin, Missouri. Langston Hughes grew up in a series of small Midwestern towns. Hughes’ fatherRead MoreBarack Obam The Best Agent Of Change874 Words   |  4 PagesFor many centuries, the American Presidents were looked upon as being white and authoritative leaders. In addition, African Americans were observed as the less dominate individuals, and were frequently discriminated against because of the color of their skin. Yet in 2008, Barack Hussein Obama II was elected the 44th and current president, correspondingly the first African-American president of the United States of America. He was born in the beautiful state of Hawaii. Barack Obama is a politically

Monday, December 9, 2019

Capital Punishment11 Essay Example For Students

Capital Punishment11 Essay ?The?Capital punishment is the infliction of the death penalty on personsconvicted of a crime.?This has been a topic of debate for many years. ?Why do we kill people to prove killing people is wrongThe 1st argument I have against capital punishment is that it?sunconstitutional. Every person has an equal right to ?life, liberty, and thepursuit of happiness.? This is a quote from American Civil Liberty UnionNational Office, ?Capital punishment is a barbaric remnant of an uncivilizedsociety. It is immoral in principle, and unfair and discriminatory in practice.? Does the government have the right to kill? Maybe in self defense, like apoliceman firing on a armed and dangerous criminal. Suppose we apply thesame standards to the government that we have for civilians. A civilian hasthe right to shoot at an intruder as he is entering his home but if the civiliancatches the intruder and has him under his control, the shooting him wouldbe considered murder. That?s what capital punishment issim ple murder. Against: I agree that capital punishment is a relic of barbarism but as murderitself is barbaric, death is a fitting punishment for it. It goes along with the?eye for an eye? principle. For example, someone steals $10 from you andthen the person who stole your money has the same thing happen to them? Doesn?t that satisfy you? Many feel the same about murders who aresentence to die. The criminal has brought the punishment upon himself, theyThe 8th amendment of the us constitution, condemn gruel and unusualpunishment is used to protest capital punishment. For::When the constitution was drafted, capital punishment waspracticed widely in this country, yet it was not specified as wrong or as crueland unusual. John Locke went as far to say that murder is not intrinsicallywrong. How can the constitution be brought into this argument, since itmakes no mention of capital punishment?The methods by which executions are carried out can involve physicaltorture. ?Electrocution has on occasion caused extensive burns and neededmore than one application of electric current to kill the condemned. It oftentakes 10 minutes or more to die in the electric chair. It is also torture to keepsomeone locked up when they know they are waiting to be killed. Officials often defend this and say it?s not cruel and unusual, but how canthey defend this opinion in the case of John Evans who was executed byelectrocution in 1983? According to witnesses at the scene Mr. Evans wasgiven three charges of electrocution over a period of fourteen minutes. Afterthe first and s econd charges Mr. Evans was still conscious and smoke wascoming from oall over his body as a result of his flesh burning. An officialthere even tried to stop the execution on account of it being cruel and unusualpunishment, but was unsuccessful. Witnesses later called th whole incident aThe death penalty costs more than life in prison. It costs 5 to 6 times morethan lifetime imprisonment, according to studies in a number of states. Mostcosts occur at trial level. Indiana, with smaller death row than Virginia?sestimates it could save $5 million per year by abolishing capital punishment. Murder rates are lower in states that have abolished the death penalty. TheSupreme court, United Nations, and numerous independent studies haveconcluded that the death penalty has no effect on the crime rate, on averagethe murder rate in U. S. which execute is almost double the rate in states?In case of a mistake, the executed prisoner cannot be given another chance. Justice can miscarry. In the last hundred years there have been more than 75documented cases of wrongful conviction of criminal homicide. The deathsentence was carried out in eight of these cases? Undoubtedly many othercases of mistaken conviction and execution occurred and remainundocumented. A prisoner discovered to be blameless can be freed; butneither releases nor compensation is possible for a corpse. .u8e4ab754fd702990d9e3bb3a3fa22fd0 , .u8e4ab754fd702990d9e3bb3a3fa22fd0 .postImageUrl , .u8e4ab754fd702990d9e3bb3a3fa22fd0 .centered-text-area { min-height: 80px; position: relative; } .u8e4ab754fd702990d9e3bb3a3fa22fd0 , .u8e4ab754fd702990d9e3bb3a3fa22fd0:hover , .u8e4ab754fd702990d9e3bb3a3fa22fd0:visited , .u8e4ab754fd702990d9e3bb3a3fa22fd0:active { border:0!important; } .u8e4ab754fd702990d9e3bb3a3fa22fd0 .clearfix:after { content: ""; display: table; clear: both; } .u8e4ab754fd702990d9e3bb3a3fa22fd0 { display: block; transition: background-color 250ms; webkit-transition: background-color 250ms; width: 100%; opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #95A5A6; } .u8e4ab754fd702990d9e3bb3a3fa22fd0:active , .u8e4ab754fd702990d9e3bb3a3fa22fd0:hover { opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #2C3E50; } .u8e4ab754fd702990d9e3bb3a3fa22fd0 .centered-text-area { width: 100%; position: relative ; } .u8e4ab754fd702990d9e3bb3a3fa22fd0 .ctaText { border-bottom: 0 solid #fff; color: #2980B9; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0; padding: 0; text-decoration: underline; } .u8e4ab754fd702990d9e3bb3a3fa22fd0 .postTitle { color: #FFFFFF; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 100%; } .u8e4ab754fd702990d9e3bb3a3fa22fd0 .ctaButton { background-color: #7F8C8D!important; color: #2980B9; border: none; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: none; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 26px; moz-border-radius: 3px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-shadow: none; width: 80px; min-height: 80px; background: url(https://artscolumbia.org/wp-content/plugins/intelly-related-posts/assets/images/simple-arrow.png)no-repeat; position: absolute; right: 0; top: 0; } .u8e4ab754fd702990d9e3bb3a3fa22fd0:hover .ctaButton { background-color: #34495E!important; } .u8e4ab754fd702990d9e3bb3a3fa22fd0 .centered-text { display: table; height: 80px; padding-left : 18px; top: 0; } .u8e4ab754fd702990d9e3bb3a3fa22fd0 .u8e4ab754fd702990d9e3bb3a3fa22fd0-content { display: table-cell; margin: 0; padding: 0; padding-right: 108px; position: relative; vertical-align: middle; width: 100%; } .u8e4ab754fd702990d9e3bb3a3fa22fd0:after { content: ""; display: block; clear: both; } READ: The young man trying to figure out the opposite se EssayContrary to popular belief, the death penalty does not act as a deterrent tocrime. ?Expert after expert and study after study have emphasized andemphasized the lack of correction between the threat of the death penalty andthe occurrence of violent crime? Ehrlich?s study on the deterrent effect ofcapital punishment in America reveals this. It spans twenty-five years, andshow that in the first year the study was conducted there were 8,060 murdersin 1957 and

Sunday, December 1, 2019

The Lady of Newkirk Plaza free essay sample

There is a patchwork-clad homeless woman that lives outside the Newkirk Plaza subway station, and every time I pass her sitting on her cold cement curb it rips my heart right out. This woman has haunted my thoughts throughout my childhood. I have always kept her at the periphery of my mind; in a way part of me is always with her, at the plaza. Yet twice a day every day for years I had passed her and justified not stopping to help her. I was always too busy – or so I told myself. The truth was, I was too uncomfortable, and too preoccupied with my own life, to even ask her name. I think that one of the reasons I passed by her so often, at least subconsciously, was the perceived futility in stopping at all. Deep down I think I felt that the problem of homelessness was too big for me; an essay on Macbeth and a math test more reasonable challenges to tackle. We will write a custom essay sample on The Lady of Newkirk Plaza or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page One day as I passed her, though, I just lost it. Angry at my own inaction and my willful blindness, I went up to the lady of Newkirk Plaza and I emptied my pockets to her. If I had premeditated this at all I mightve known what to do next, but I hadnt and I didnt, and so I quickly turned a corner and found myself a stoop to sit on. I suppose I gave my money to the woman in hopes of reaching some cathartic fulfillment, but I had no such luck. As I threw my crumpled bills down, I realized how perverse the entire situation was. There is no more self-serving a reason to give than because you perceive a living, breathing human being as a route for self-fulfillment. That day, I learnt an uncomfortable truth about charity. In giving her all my money, I realized that there is no clear-cut distinction between right and wrong here; I cant just equate giving with right and not giving with wrong. Long have I struggled with the knowledge that, in my socio-economic position, I face the ethical dilemma of being the judge of the worth of other human beings on a daily basis, but it was not until that moment that I realized how much of a dizzying spectrum there is in act of giving. The spectrum is about mindfulness. Keeping in mind the humanity of the person Im giving to is as much a part of the giving: if I were to give out of pity, I would be dehumanizing the object of my aid to just that – an object. Im at a point where the underlying meaning is clear to me, but the path is still hidden. I know that I must strive towards empathy; solidarity; mindfulness in my day-to-day interactions, but I dont know quite how. Self-doubts aside, though, the lady of Newkirk Plaza has taught me that the time to start interacting with the world around me has finally come.

Tuesday, November 26, 2019

Drug trafficking essayEssay Writing Service

Drug trafficking essayEssay Writing Service Drug trafficking essay Drug trafficking essayDrug trafficking is one of the most serious problems for most countries all over the world. Unfortunately, this type of business is rather profitable, if not to consider that it is constantly related to murders, kidnapping, prostitution and other crimes. Certainly drug trafficking contributes to better distribution of drugs, thus involving more and more people, making them addicted. Taking into consideration all the possible dangers, drugs are able to bring to any society, most countries are working constantly in order to prevent use and distribution of drugs which are not legal. The rage of responsibility varies in different countries, from fines and several years in prison to death punishment in China for example. Generally, â€Å"drug trafficking† means production, distribution and sale of illegal drugs. (Syal, 2009, p. 2). In this paper we are going to stop at some historical information, related to drugs and drug trafficking, the effects drug traffic king has upon people and societies, we will use some concrete examples of illegal drugs and finally discuss possible ways of limiting distribution of drugs or banning it on the basis of the Obama’s National Drug Control Strategy.Historically, it is possible to talk about appearance of illegal drug trade around the beginning of the 19th century. â€Å"China retaliated by enforcing the ban on imports of opium that led to the First Opium War (1839–1842) between Great Britain and Qing dynasty China† (Berridge, 1981, p. 5). The highest authorities in China struggled against free sales of opium, whereas United Kingdom pushed China to let the merchants from China bring opium without any bans. However the volumes of opium trade continued to grow, because smoking opium turned into a habit among usual people. No wonder that the number of opium addicts grew immensely in the 19th century. The Second Opium War took place in 1856, the result of the two wars was that â€Å"th e British Crown, via the treaties of Nanking and Tianjin, took large sums of money from the Chinese government through this illegal trade, which were referred to as reparations† (Berridge, 1981, p. 10).In the year 1868, the government of the UK took the decision to restrict sale of opium in the Pharmacy Act. In 1914 Harrison Act followed in the United States. Thus, it is clear, that even taking into consideration the fact, that opium sale brought good profits, sooner or later, governments had to restrict and take under control illegal drugs, in order not to worsen the situation with addicted people.Further, it is necessary to study the effects of the illegal drug trade upon usual people, as well as societies in generally, in detail. This is evident, that those countries, where drugs transit and distribution was widely developed, had to face the problems with drug addicted individuals.Most researches confirm the fact that illegal drug trade is closely related to crimes’ rate, namely such violent crimes, as murders. In this case we are unfortunately talking not only about developing, but about developed countries as well. For example, â€Å"In the late 1990s in the United States the Federal Bureau of Investigation estimated that 5% of murders were drug-related† (Berridge, 1981, p 3).The UK government’s surveys also underlined, that because of high cost of the illegal drugs and strong addiction, people are likely to commit serious crimes, including robberies, burglaries, murders and so on. â€Å"The cost of crime committed to support illegal cocaine and heroin habits amounts to  £16 billion a year in the UK† (Epstein, 1989, p. 13). The fact, that drugs were illegal, unfortunately could not restrict the actual sale and distribution, on the contrary this field of criminal activity was able to bring such high profits and the system was so well-built, that drugs became integrated into the American culture. â€Å"This high price is caused by a combination of factors that include the potential legal ramifications that exist for suppliers of illicit drugs and their high demand. (Limited supply can be caused by a range of factors) (Epstein, 1989, p.14).There appeared certain layers of society, where the high cost could not be an obstacle and drugs were used as a type of recreational activity. Irrespective of constant attempts to seize control over this problem by the authorities, it is still remaining actual for the USA as well as other countries all over the world. The 1940s brought prohibition of opiates, the 1960s – of marijuana and the 1970s – of heroin, however cocaine and other drugs continued to arrive to the U.S. through the Mexican border. â€Å"An estimated $10 billion of the Mexican drug cartel’s profits come from the United States, not only supplying the Mexican drug cartels with the profit necessary for survival, but also furthering Americans’ economic dependence on drug s.† (Epstein, 1989, p 16). The results were that first of all the number of drug-addicted people constantly grew and secondly, illegal drugs’ trade proved to be a business of very high profits and in fact a lot of businessmen invested exactly into this industry.Demographic was also in a way under influence of illegal drugs. Starting from the 1960s a lot of immigrants arrived to America and the diversity of public was evident. As several decades pasted, more and more criminal records, related to murders and other criminal acts on the basis of drug addiction, were created. Certainly the situation was different in different cities, however generally it really caused a great concern. â€Å"An example of this could be seen in Miami, a city with a host of ethnic enclaves.[44] Between 1985 and 1995, the homicide rate in Miami was one of the highest in the nation and rated four times the national homicide average† (Epstein, 1989, p. 22). The decades between 1960s and 198 0s also revealed the effects of drug trade upon the baby boomer generation. The demand for marijuana and other drugs was getting higher and higher during this period, resulting in its turn in increase of criminal cases, including suicide, murders, substance abuse. Thus, the insufficient control and restriction of illegal drugs had really serious impact upon individuals as well as societies in general.Political impact, which illegal drug trade had, could not be underestimated as well. The above-mentioned generation of the baby boomers was used to confront laws on various issues, including illegal drugs. The government was taking specific steps in order to restrict drug trafficking and trade, but with poor results. Marijuana was imported from the Latin America, whereas cocaine was received from Mexico and Colombia. â€Å"Due to the influence of this development on the U.S. economy, the Reagan Administration began certifying countries for their attempts at controlling drug trafficking † (Syal, 2009, p. 10). During the 1980s America pushed more for restriction of drug transit. The result was that more drugs arrived from Mexico: in the beginning of the 1990s – these were around 50 % of cocaine and by the middle of the 1990s – the percentage increased up to 90 %. Some researches state that between the years 1996 and 2000 the total consumption of cocaine on the territory of the U.S. decreased by 11 %.The Merida Initiative was a state program, which was initiated in 2008, with the major aim to stop drug trafficking from Mexico. The financial assistance from America, along with possibility to buy the necessary equipment was supposed to produce their positive effect. Unfortunately, the drug trade continued. Thus it is evident, that illegal drug trade has its impact upon internal political situation in any country as well as upon international relations in general.Cannabis is one of the most popular drugs, the legalization of which till the moment rem ains a rather controversial issue. Most countries all over the world defined this drug as an illegal one. There are countries, as Canada for example, which made cannabis legal for recreational use, with restriction of its import and distribution. In the year 2014 Uruguay considered legalization of cultivation and sale of cannabis for adult individuals with recreational purposes. In the Netherlands possession and licensed sale of cannabis are not prohibited, however cultivation of the drug is against the law.Heroin is another wide-spread illegal drug, initially cultivated in the Golden Triangle – Southeast Asia. In addition, opiate was transported from Afghanistan and Mexico. â€Å"According to the United States Drug Enforcement Administration, the price of heroin is typically valued 8 to 10 times that of cocaine on American streets, making it a high-profit substance for smugglers and dealers† (Syal, 2009, p. 10). The price of heroin, which is up to 10 times higher than that of cocaine, guarantees dealers and distributors good profits. High costs also contribute to easier transportation, as small doses are easier to hide. One the other hand, penalties for smuggling and heroin sale are rather serious in most countries, including life sentence or even death sentences.Methamphetamine is also rather popular under such names as â€Å"ice†, â€Å"meth†. It is often produced at some rolling meth labs, which makes it rather difficult to detect. This drug is very dangerous due to its injectable form, which might be the source of such infections as HIV or hepatitis C. Usually it is inhaled through some kind of tube.Temazepam, another example of wide-spread illegal drugs, is â€Å"a strong hypnotic benzodiazepine, is illicitly manufactured in clandestine laboratories to supply the increasingly high demand for the hypnotic drug internationally (Syal, 2009, p. 8). Eastern Europe is the place of concentration of such labs. In the United Kingdom t emazepam belongs to legal drugs and is very often abused. In Sweden it was banned after numerous deaths caused by the drug.Thus in this section we have briefly studied some examples of the widely –spread illegal drugs, countries of their origin and application, possible negative effects and risks of the most famous illegal drugs.It is evident, that the problems of drug abuse, drug distribution and drug trafficking need complex solutions from the authorities. A lot of politic leaders and government representatives contributed their efforts into solving of the illegal drugs problems. President Obama is not an exception, in May 2010 he released the National Drug Control Strategy. â€Å"The press release states that the report establishes five-year goals for reducing drug use and its consequences through a balanced policy of prevention, treatment, enforcement, and international cooperation (Syal, 2009, p. 13). This Strategy suggests five-year goals aiming at reduction of drug ab use, namely:â€Å" Reduce the rate of youth drug use by 15 percent; Decrease drug use among young adults by 10 percent; Reduce the number of chronic drug users by 15 percent; Reduce the incidence of drug-induced deaths by 15 percent; and Reduce the prevalence of drugged driving by 10 percent† (Syal, 2009, p. 13).The three main challenges, described in this strategy include prevention of drug use, of driving under drug impact and prescription drug abuse. A separate place in the strategy is devoted to the problem of recovery of the people, who already became addicted and need urgent and concrete help. Addiction is not the final sentence, there are many case, where the situation might be returned under control with the help of special community addiction centers, development of new medications and so on.Overall, in this paper we have studied the notion of drug trafficking, its historical development and various approaches, applied in different countries towards this problem; we have pointed out some concrete spheres of illegal drug abuse influences, including political, social spheres; we have listed the most popular and wide-spread drugs, their major qualities, places of cultivation and ways of transportation and distribution. All this information is vitally important for understanding the necessity of better international along with internal control of illegal drugs and their trafficking, as well as possible means and strategies, which would positively contribute to restriction and control of drug trafficking for the sake of future healthy generations.

Saturday, November 23, 2019

Everything You Need to Know for Your Upcoming Summer Vacation

Everything You Need to Know for Your Upcoming Summer Vacation It’s the time of year you’ve been waiting for: summer vacation! Time for you to kick back on the beach with a cold beverage and forgot about all of your responsibilities. Unfortunately, preparing for your upcoming summer vacation can be just as stressful as your normal responsibilities. Taking a vacation reduces stress and improves your overall productivity. So the last thing you need is to be stressed out and offset the positive benefits of your vacation.Fortunately, there are many approaches you can take when planning your summer vacation. You can book a cruise or tour. That way, someone else will plan everything for you. If that’s not your cup of tea, you can find a packaged deal, where expenses are lumped together. Either way, there are a lot of options for you to consider.With that said, here’s everything you need to know in order to be better prepared and lessen the stress of getting ready for summer vacation.Source: [BusinessInsider]

Thursday, November 21, 2019

Culture and Organisations Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3250 words

Culture and Organisations - Essay Example However, it is true that national and cultural boundaries often overlap each other and most countries have their own culture. However, there are various typologies created by scholars that help connect cultural differences to national boundaries. The term ‘cultural distance’ can be used to show the difference that exists between two cultures. At this stage, it is worth remembering the Convergence Hypothesis which states that the combination of technology and economics is making countries more alike. For such a huge group of companies like Mitsubishi, this seems correct to a great extent. However, there is the Divergence Hypothesis which states that despite all the developments, countries will exhibit certain distinctive characteristics. There are two key cultural issues that require special attention. They are cultural etiquette, and cultural stereotypes. The former means the manners and behaviour that are expected in a given situation while the latter indicates beliefs about others, their attitudes and behaviour. The different identifiable layers of culture are ethnicity, industry, demography, and ideology. It is very evident that three of these factors except industry can have serious impact on the policies of a company. It is very evident that international business, to a great extent, is affected by culture. First of all, it can affect the way companies make strategic moves. Thus, culture directly influences important corporate decisions. Thirdly, culture is the easiest way through which motivation can be instilled. Thus, management, decision making, and negotiations are all influenced by culture. The company in concern The company in analysis here is Mitsubishi. In fact, Mitsubishi is a group of companies, and the number of companies under the label is around 400. In addition, there are many more Mitsubishi companies that do not have the name ‘Mitsubishi’ with them. The company was started by Yataro Iwasaki in the year 1870, and i t was initially a shipping company. Later on, the founder spread the business into banking, shipbuilding, mining, and insurance too. With the large number of independently operating business under one roof, the company has developed a special kind of working culture. All the members companies share the same founding management philosophy, and cooperate in areas of common interest. It is really surprising to note that the company has its operations in Asia, North America, Central and Latin America, Europe, Oceania, Micronesia, Middle East, and Africa. It is very evident that managing such a great organisation strictly following the philosophies of good human resource management is a tremendous task. As a result, it is quite natural that the company, at times, may face issues related to human resource management. However, the success of the company, to a great extent, is dependent on how the company manages the issues, and what further steps are taken by the company to prevent the occ urrence of the same kind of issues further. The problem in concern A few years ago, in 2003, the Mitsubishi Bank acquired the Tokyo Bank. However, the merger was not a cakewalk, because there was much dissimilarity in the nature of both the organisations. First of all, the employees of Mitsubishi bank were used to reporting for their duty in time. In addition they were used to wearing uniform, especially white shirts, at work. In addition, they used to thank their

Tuesday, November 19, 2019

Compare and contrast Freuds and Piagets development models Term Paper

Compare and contrast Freuds and Piagets development models - Term Paper Example How could Piaget claim that Freud’s explanations are insufficient? Jean Piaget (1896-1980) worked on the development of intellectual capabilities of children. The way he viewed the development of children’s mind and their intellectual capabilities is enormously exceptional especially in educational theories. He proposed that children cannot commence certain type of tasks until they are mature enough to do so. He further stated that children’s psychological process doesn’t develop smoothly instead there are certain transitions that take them into new capabilities and area. He saw that the transitions take place at the age of 18 months, 7 years and 11 years. These ages are the ages of immaturity irrespective of the brightness and sharp mindedness of a child. Piaget’s Stages of Cognitive Development i. Sensori-motor (from birth to 2 years) ii. Pre-operational (2 to 7 years) iii. Concrete Operational (7 to 11 years) iv. Formal Operational (11 years and onwards) In contrast to that, Sigmund Freud (1856-1939) defines that personality development can either results in successful and healthy completion of personality and may also result in failure and unsuccessful personality. Freud believed that personality is developed through different stages depending upon the erogenous zone.

Sunday, November 17, 2019

PharmaCARE Essay Example for Free

PharmaCARE Essay PharmaCARE (We CARE about YOUR health ®) is one of the world’s most successful pharmaceutical companies, enjoying a reputation as a caring, ethical and well-run company that produced high-quality products that saved millions of lives and enhanced the quality of life for millions of others. The company offers free and discounted drugs to low-income consumers, has a foundation that sponsors healthcare educational programs and scholarships, and its CEO serves on the PhRMA board. PharmaCARE recently launched a new initiative, We CARE about YOUR world ®, pledging its commitment to the environment through recycling, packaging changes and other green initiatives, despite the fact that the company’s lobbying efforts and PAC have successfully defeated environmental laws and regulations, including extension of the Superfund tax, which was created by Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA). Based in New Jersey, PharmaCARE maintains a large manufacturing facility in the African nation of Colberia, where the company has found several â€Å"healers† eager to freely share information about indigenous cures and an abundance of Colberians willing to work for $1.00 a day, harvesting plants by walking five (5) miles into and out of the jungle carrying baskets that, when full, weigh up to fifty (50) pounds. Due to the low standard of living in Colberia, much of the population lives in primitive huts with no electricity or running water. PharmaCARE’s executives, however, live in a luxury compound, complete with a swimming pool, tennis courts, and a golf course. PharmaCARE’s extensive activities in Colberia have destroyed habitat and endangered native species. Two (2) years ago, after PharmaCARE’s research indicated that one of its top-selling diabetes drugs might slow the progression of Alzheimer’s disease, its pharmacists began reformulating th at drug to maximize the effect. In order to avoid FDA scrutiny, PharmaCARE established a wholly-owned subsidiary, CompCARE, to operate as a compounding pharmacy to sell the new formulation to individuals on a prescription basis. CompCARE set up shop in a suburban office park near its parent’s headquarters, and to conserve money and time, did a quick, low-cost renovation and designated Allen Jones to run the operation’s â€Å"clean room.† CompCARE benefited from PharmaCARE’s reputation, databases, networks, and sales and marketing expertise, and within six (6) months had the medical community buzzing about AD23. Demand soared, particularly among Medicare,  Medicaid, and VA patients. Seeing the opportunity to realize even more profit, CompCARE began advertising its services and the availability of AD23 to consumers and marketing the drug directly to hospitals, clinics, and physician offices, even though compounding pharmacies are not supposed to sell drugs in bulk for general use. To get around this technicality, CompCARE encouraged doctors to fax in lists of bogus patient names. As production increased and hours were extended, one of Allen’s techs pointed out what appeared to be mold around the air vents. Allen immediately contacted the facilities’ supervisor, who came over to inspect the lab. As time went on, workers began coughing, sneezing, and getting headaches at work, and one employee, Donna, who had a perfect attendance record, got so sick she could no longer come to work due to chronic bronchial problems. Eventually, she filed for worker’s compensation. Allen’s best supervisor, Tom, threatened to complain to OSHA about the air quality in the lab, and one of the techs, Ayesha, filed an EEOC complaint alleging she had not been promoted to supervisor because she was a Muslim; in fact, although Ayesha was a very good worker, Allen did not believe she had the management or people skills necessary to be a good supervisor. Allen discussed these issues with his boss, the Director of Operations, who told Allen that if he wants to keep his job and receive his promised bonus, he needs to fire Donna, Tom, and Ayesha, and keep his own mouth shut about the mold and the bogus prescriptions. As CompCARE and its parent company enjoyed record profits and PharmaCARE’s stock price approached $300 per share, reports started filtering in that people who received AD23 seemed to be suffering heart attacks at an alarming rate. The company ignored this data and continued filling large orders and paid huge bonuses to all the executives and managers, including Allen, who, after being named â€Å"Employee of the Year,† was beginning to miss production schedules due not only to his staff’s increasing use of sick leave, but also his own health issues. PharmaCARE sold CompCARE to WellCo, a large drugstore chain, just weeks before AD23 was publicly linked to over 200 cardiac deaths. Both PharmaCARE and WellCo saw their stock price plummet.

Thursday, November 14, 2019

Essay --

When thinking of two songs to compare, the first thought in my mind was the artist Tom Petty. I’ve grown up listening to all of his music because of the love my parents have for him. The two songs that I will be comparing in this paper is the original Free Fallin by Tom Petty and the cover that John Mayer. The reasoning behind this is because both songs were made during different musical periods and John Mayer was able to change the song to make it in to his own, but was also able to keep it so similar that it also compliments Tom Petty’s version. First comes first, the introduction to both songs are different in many ways. John Mayer uses an acoustic guitar while finger picking his chords. By doing this, the listener is able to hear every note that is being played. Tom Petty on the other hand strums his chords, which causes the tempo to seem faster. He plays his version moderately loud giving it the mezzo forte feel while John Mayer’s is mezzo piano. After the instrumental at the beginning of both songs, Tom Petty transitions towards the drums while the guitar is still being play...

Tuesday, November 12, 2019

Angels in America

If we were to imagine what destruction is like, how would anyone of us portray it? Would our portrayals be as catastrophic and devastating as the word means? It depends on the person who imagines it. Now, if we were to imagine destruction from a psychological perspective this may be entirely different for each person. Why this would be the case is probably because of the unique personalities that each one of us has. Some of us may not be able to bear the uncertainties that destruction could bring into the world, hence, fearing it. Others may just ignore the details of chaos and live on with their ignorant, static lives. Then, there is the remaining portion of us who know the bigger picture of destruction and are hopeful to change the world from the aftermath of it. In a similar perspective, these comparable portraits of characteristics correlate to one of the unique themes of Tony Kuskner’s play, â€Å"Angels in America†: identity. In this theme, the identities of the characters in the play symbolize emotions of ambivalence, the static views of the gay community, and the hope for change in the chaotic era of the 1980s American society. Kushner subtly conveys Harper’s character to represent the ambivalent emotions of the American society in the 1980s. As a character suffering from psychological problems, Harper’s personality is very complex. In one bizarre aspect of the play, she’s having an interesting conversation with one of her hallucinations, Mr. Lies, to discuss her constructive, yet imaginative, plans to live a new life in Antarctica. While in a counter-perceptive view, Harper feels uncertain and fearful to move out off anywhere because of the paranormal threats that she’s worry about. â€Å"A man with a knife† that she speaks of is one of those dangers that she is strangely concerned about (Millennium Approaches 24). The sort of ambivalence and fear that Harper’s identity carries in Kushner’s play somehow depicts the â€Å"apocalyptic anxiety† that is happening in the United States in the 1980s (Garner, Jr. 2). The â€Å"escalation† of this catastrophic concern is â€Å"reinforced by economic crisis, ecological disaster, overpopulation, the AIDS epidemic, and the fall of European communism† at the time (Garner, Jr. 2). In addition to all this build-up of chaotic events in the country, people begin to dread the nuclear annihilations that could potentially commence during the postwar moments of the Cold War. In order to draw out the people’s sense of fear and uncertainty over the destructive events in the 1980s, Kushner tries to convey it through Harper’s paranormal concern of the ozone layer. After she explains to herself how the ozone layer is â€Å"a kind of gift, from God†, Harper then says, â€Å"But everywhere, things are collapsing, lies surfacing, systems of defense giving away. . . . This is why, Joe, this is why I shouldn’t be left alone (Millennium Approaches 17)†. Her ambivalent concern on the total deconstruction of the world correlates to Americans’ â€Å"Cold War anxiety† on the possible nuclear threats in the 1980s (Garner, Jr. 3). By illustrating Harper’s complex identity in the play, Kushner is able to portray the types of ambivalent emotions (fear, terror, and uncertainty) that people felt in the destructive events of history at that time period. As imaginative and abstract as this drama is, Kushner portrays the stagnant identity of Roy Cohn in his play to figuratively allude the inert views of the gay community in the 80s society of America. In his playwright notes, Kushner briefly explains how he makes use of the real Roy Cohn’s attributions in history to develop his fictional Roy in his play. Based on what Roy has done in the past, his illegal maneuvers during the trial of Ethel Rosenberg make his overall identity cynical and egotistic. Ideally, Kushner effectively make use of these two traits in his version of Roy. In a similar perspective, the fictional Roy knows how to get his way in almost anything throughout the story because of his possession of â€Å"clout† in society (Millennium Approaches 45). He emphasizes his powerful stature by telling his doctor, â€Å"I can pick up this phone, punch fifteen numbers† and â€Å"in under five minutes†, he can reach the First Lady on the other end of the phone line (Millennium Approaches 45). In this scene, Roy reasons with Henry about his social â€Å"image† as a heterosexual lawyer in New York. If his original diagnosis of AIDS has caught news to the media, then Roy’s static identity will be destroyed. Yet, Kushner doesn’t convey this. Instead, Roy says, â€Å"AIDS is what homosexuals have. I have liver cancer† to convince Henry hat he must maintain his appealing status for the public (Millennium Approaches 46). Ideally, Roy has no intention to reveal his homosexual self, nor does he show any sympathy for gays. His biased statement, â€Å"Homosexuals are men who know nobody and who nobody knows. Who have zero clout. † intriguingly portrays his psychological denial of his true identity (Millennium Approaches 45). The selfish desire of social redemption that Roy is struggling to fulfill represents the â€Å"disturbing symptoms of the larger culture’s inauthentic response to suffering† that Kushner is trying to convey in his play (Omer-Shaman 11). Symbolically, Kushner illustrates Roy’s static identity of social redemption in order to depict the general public’s unchanging perspectives against the gay community in the 80s society of America. Interestingly, Prior’s enduring identity in Kushner’s play represent the hope for change in the American society at the time. Kushner makes Prior’s character very apparent and symbolic to his readers; he is a homosexual who is diagnosed with the AIDS at this particular time period – perhaps it’s a historical reference in Kushner’s part. At some parts of his play, Kushner descriptively portrays Prior’s bloody wounds and entrails of his tormenting disease to represent foreshadowing moments of â€Å"Christian redemption† in the latter story of the drama – Prior’s meetings with the Angels (Ogden 6). Similarly, as one critic depicts, the blood lesions that Prior suffers through creates a slight correlation to Christ â€Å"bleeding wounds† and pains from a biblical viewpoint (Ogden 6). How these religious connections tie in with Prior’s enduring personality starts by his own fantasy with the Angel in his apartment. Unlike Roy’s character, Prior openly says, â€Å"I can handle pressure, I am a gay man and I am used to pressure, to trouble, I am tough and strong,† as he courageously calms himself in the mist of the heavenly circumstances (Millennium Approaches 117). Ideally, this scene of the play does not only depict how brave Prior is, but also how strong and confident Prior is to reveal his true self. Furthermore, the fact that he says, â€Å"I am used to pressure†, depicts his enduring identity to overcome the social pressures he has as a homosexual. Similarly, Kushner conveys this familiar perspective of Prior’s in his last meeting with the Angel in heaven. In this scene, Prior rejects the Angel’s prophet of stasis in the final scenes of the drama. He tells the Angel, â€Å"We live past hope. If I can find hope anywhere, that’s it, that’s the best I can do†¦ Bless me anyway. I want more life. † to conclude his declination as he exits heaven (Perestroika 133). What Prior says to the Angel as he leaves heaven is ironic to what he has been through in the whole play. Despite how much he has suffered from his tragic life, Prior’s enduring soul still wants â€Å"more life† to essentially hope for better things to come in the world as it continues to spin forward (Perestroika 133). Remarkably, Kushner utilizes Prior’s enduring soul to symbolize the hope for change in America during the chaotic messes within 80s society. Although the character’s personalities portray an abstractive and imaginative perspective in the play, Kushner subtly make use of this unique aspect to correlate the realistic concepts conveyed in his play’s theme of identity. In general, the dialogues in play may sound a bit fantasized – even strange. Yet somehow, Kushner is able to connect his fictional characters’ lives in his play to the lives of the 1980s society of America. Because of this ironic and interesting comparison between fiction and reality, Kushner is able to express the real, dramatic emotions that are felt during that time in history. By capturing the historical events and moments of the 1980s, Kushner subtly reveals the sense of reality of his drama through the surreal identities of his characters.

Saturday, November 9, 2019

Problem Solving & Decision Making Techniques Essay

Over the past nine weeks of working in our home groups, we have entered and exited several problem solving and decision making processes. Although we have produced some good solutions, the overall process could be improved. In order to make our group more successful in implementing our chosen solutions we need to : improve on problem solving and decision making techniques, using discussion questions effectively with consideration of conflict management styles in the group. Applying these principles can help achieve true group consensus and increase the groups productivity. In accordance with the functional theory, five task requirements must be met in order to guarantee success. Our group needs improvement in 3 of 5 of the task requirements: discussing and creating criteria, identifying alternatives, and thoroughly evaluating alternative ( strengths and weaknesses) based on criteria. To refocus the group on improving our execution of the task requirements associated with functional theory, I hypothesize that PMOPS and PERT would be highly effective. PMOPS, acronym for procedural model of problem solving, is a flexible guideline that leads through phases of problem solving process. We must also improve our review process of procedures and proposed final decision. The use of systematic problem solving procedures, like PMOPS, keeps groups of point. This type of procedure makes sure group doesn’t miss any vital steps, which aids in producing effective solutions. As a group we need to create and rank our criteria, based on importance to group members. Clarifying what is important to individual group members fosters group satisfaction and provides insight to personal values. To the identify other alternatives, the use of critical thinking strategies can be effective for example: brainstorming and problem mapping. As we move through the decision making process and begin proposing solutions, a member should be listing all that are discussed. Often there are too many options to be thoroughly discussed due to time constraints. When encountered with the issue of time, narrowing the list of solutions becomes paramount. Some of the solutions may be similar, and therefore can be combined. If combining doesn’t eliminate enough options, we can take a vote on which are most favored. Voting, as a process of elimination, could assist members who are less verbal in stating their opinion (Nancy and  Albert). However, charting pros and cons can be a more effective and objective procees of elimination. All options need to be assessed for meeting out criteria. we seldom establish criteria at the start of a discussion, or follow through with any of the previously mentioned techniques. After selecting a solution we must implement it, preferably in my opinion, using PERT. † Pert helps do this by as king those responsible for implementation to makes a chart showing deadline dates for completion of various tasks and the names of individuals or groups responsible† (Adams, 2012). We can also improve our decision making process by effectively using discussion questions, to unearth true nature of problem/charge. Discussion questions allow the group to locate a solution, for problem, question, or issue, that focuses on what â€Å"should† be done. The use of vague or limiting question s could be stifling production of alternatives. † As an impact variable, the discussion question has a far-reaching effect on the systems throughput process and its subsequent output. We should try to avoid using either-or structure and including answers in questions. This is a manipulative ploy that is often used in our group, especially by me. Also using ambiguous or double-barreled vernacular can mislead or confuse the group. I am also a perpetrator of this, often used to persuade opposing members. Thoroughly discussing the problem also keeps group from becoming solution minded prematurely. My group often does this, jumping headfirst in deciding on a solution. We completely skip evaluating a generating alternatives. This can limit options that may be more beneficial for the group to perform better. PMOPS and other systematic procedures my correct this frequent group behavior. Putting to use the different conflict management styles in the group could possibly aid in our reducing the time used during our decision making process. If we better understand the styles in play we can become more cohesive and increase member involvement. Our group is seemingly fairly cohesive, but lack of member involvement (Albert and Nancy) possibly prove otherwise. Their lack of involvement, avoidance style, limits their input of opinions. So we cannot be absolutely sure where they stand and if they agree with decisions. Christina exhibits some avoidance, as it relates to conflict, and switches to collaborative style to eventually referee lengthy arguments. Mason usually takes on a competitive style, usually arguing adamantly and proposing supportive evidence for his  arguments. When this becomes fleeting, he turns to a more collaborative style to meet his needs. I was observed to be quite competitive until stalemate is reached, and the transition into an accommodating style is used to reach a consensus. I have assessed the problem solving and decision making processes my group most readily uses, as well as flaws in its execution. Our group could really benefit from the use of systematic problem solving procedures like, PMOPS and PERT. Coming to the realization that discussion questions are important, has influenced me to use them in discussion. They are necessary for clarifying the problem and coming up with the best possible solutions. With that being said; understanding and proper application of our conflict management styles will aid in all areas needing improvement. Bibliography Adams , K. , Galanes , G. (2012). Communicating in groups: Applications and skills New York: McGraw-Hill. Larson , C. E. , Lafasto , F. M. J. , (1989). TeamWork: What Must Go Right, What Can Go Wrong. Newbury Park: Sage.

Thursday, November 7, 2019

Second Chances for High School Dropouts

Second Chances for High School Dropouts Just because your child dropped out of high school doesnt mean his life is over. In fact, 75 percent of high school dropouts eventually finish. Finding the time and motivation to get a GED program completed can be complicated by real-life responsibilities and issues. Dont let those obstacles stop your young adult from completing his high school education. Here are  ways your high school dropout can earn his diploma or a GED.   What Is a GED? Anyone 16 or older who hasnt earned a high school diploma may take the GED tests. There are 5 subject area tests to take to pass the GED: Language Arts/Writing, Language Arts/Reading, Social Studies, Science, and Mathematics. The GED tests are available in Spanish, French, large print, audiocassette and Braille, in addition to English. Fortunately, many government institutions and universities consider the GED just as they would a high school diploma in regards to admissions and qualifications.   Community College: Most community colleges offer programs to help students complete their high school diplomas and/or earn a GED. Some of these classes are offered on community college campuses, while others are held at night on high school grounds. Call your local community college for details. Many community colleges now offer online programs as well.Adult Education Programs: Most adult ed programs offer courses to help students prepare for the GED. Adult ed schools are typically run by high school districts, community colleges or a collaboration between the two, with funding provided by the state. Call your local adult education school for information.Gateway to College: Founded in 2000 by Oregons Portland Community College, this program bridges the gap for students ages 16-21 who have dropped out of high school but want to finish their coursework and go to college. Gateways program, which combines high school and college coursework, is available on 27 community college campuses i n 16 states, and the Bill Melinda Gates Foundation is using it as a model for part of the foundations Early College High School efforts. For details, visit the Gateway to College website. YouthBuild: This 20-year-old program for high school dropouts ages 16-24 from low-income families, combines community service, vocational training, and leadership skills with a GED program. Students, many of whom have been in the foster care or juvenile justice systems, divide their days between high school and GED prep classes and projects building or renovating homes for low-income families. Kids participate in a 30-hour per week program that also offers job training, helping them to find work that will facilitate the start of their careers while building their communities as well. The program began in 1990 in New York City and has grown to include 273 YouthBuild programs in 45 states. This, too, is supported by the Gates Foundation. For more information, visit the YouthBuild site.National Guard Youth ChalleGNe Academy: For 16- to 18-year-olds, Sunburst Youth Academy gives kids a chance to turn their lives around. The program is run by the National Guard, and there are 35 Youth Cha lleNGe Academies around the U.S., an outgrowth of the  Congressional mandate in 1993 to deal with the countrys high school dropout crisis. Therapeutic Boarding Schools: Programs at these schools help troubled teens identify the underlying cause of their issues. Various approaches combine academics and psychotherapy so teens can better understand and control their actions and behaviors. With insight and oversight from professionals, teens can begin to modify their behavior, stop acting out, and get back on a path to pursue their high school diploma. While some therapeutic schools can be unaffordable to many,  local school districts and some insurance plans can help offset the costs.Online Programs: For those students who have challenges with either time or location - for example, a parent who works full time or an ill homebound young adult - online GED programs are a great option. Most programs will allow students to access classwork, tests and more on their own schedule, giving them the flexibility to keep working or managing their health problems. Online GED programs, for the most part, should not be confused with homeschooling - they are specifically designed for online learning.

Tuesday, November 5, 2019

7 Top Tips for Saving Money on SAT and ACT Prep

7 Top Tips for Saving Money on SAT and ACT Prep SAT / ACT Prep Online Guides and Tips Getting into college is a great feeling - but having to spend money on SAT/ACT test prep? Not so great. Let’s be honest: most people would rather put their ACT or SAT money toward something a little more exciting. But the good news is, you don’t need to spend all of your cash on test prep, as long as you know which resources to use and how to spend your money wisely.In this guide, we give you 12 tips and resources that are guaranteed to help you save money on test prep. How to Save Money on SAT/ACT Test Prep: 7 Key Tips First off, let's go over theseven key principles you should know in order to maximize the amount of money you save on SAT/ACT test prep. Tip 1: Get Serious About the Exam By studying diligently and maintaining a serious attitude toward test prep, you’ll save yourself money in the long run. Why? Becausethe fewer times you take the exam, the less money you’ll spend on registration fees (and, by extension, test-prep materials). Now, this doesn't mean you shouldn'ttake the SAT or ACT more than once(in fact, we recommend taking your chosen test at least twice!). But by approaching your test prep seriously and having a willingness to put in the necessary time and effort, you won't end up taking the ACT or SAT more times than you really need to. So make sure you set a goal score and are actively working toward it with a foolproof study plan. Do this, and you shouldn't need to take your test more than two or three times, max. Tip 2: Customize Your Test Prep Customizing your test prep allows you to focus on the most difficultcontent areas for you andspend money only on the resources you actually need.By tailoring your study sessions, you'll have less trouble tackling challenging concepts on test day and won't waste precious time reviewing topics you're already strong at. To pinpoint your weaknesses, take an official ACT or SAT practice test andtime yourself using the same restrictions on the actual exam. Once finished, calculate your section scores, as well as yoursubscores,to see which areas you'll need to review before test day. These are the content areas you'll want to consider spending your ACT or SAT money on. For example, if you’re a pro at reading comprehension but struggle with math, don't bother forking out hundreds of dollars for a general ACT class. Instead, narrow your prepso that you're opting primarily for math-heavy resources, such as an ACT math book or a tutor who specializes in ACT math. Tip 3: Decide on a Budget Ahead of Time A penny saved is a penny earned, which is why you should make a budget ahead of time and stick with it.This way you won't be tempted to spend more than you can afford on test prep. So for instance, if you're looking to spend upwards of $25 on SAT study materials, you could buy a comprehensive prep book, a couple of SAT apps, or even a short stint with an SAT tutor. What you purchase ultimately depends on the specific skills you want to strengthen (see Tip 2). Just remember that your budget is a maximum,not a minimum, so don't feel pressured to blow all of your SAT money on resources you're not certain you'll actually need. In fact, you may end up needing to spend only a tiny fraction of your budget to get the guidance you're looking for! Tip 4: Take Advantage of Free and Official Resources Both the College Board and ACT, Inc., offer loads offree and official resourcesyou can integrate into your studies. Because these materials come from the actual makers of the SAT and ACT, they are far and away your best bets for getting the content review and test-taking practice you need at the price you want. You can look for resources online at the official College Board and ACT websites. Most free SAT/ACT study materials are available as PDFs in the form of practice questions and full-length tests. We'll explain more about the types of official resources you can use in the following section. These books aren't just old - they're ancient! Tip 5: Opt for Used Over New High-quality prep books are usually worth the money. But to avoid overpaying, I strongly suggest opting for used over new.Used books are almost always cheaper and can still give you the same content and overall benefits of a new book. The only major downside is that used books are often filled with previous owners' notes and markings, making them difficult to read and use properly. On a related note, you can also look for previous editions of used books.In general, these are even cheaper than used, recently released books. Again, though, there's a caveat:older books are far more likely to contain outdated information, particularly if you're planning to take the SAT. With SAT prep books from 2015 and earlier, it's imperative you understand how the SAT’s format has changed before cracking open your book to study. Used prep books are typically available on websites such as Amazon and eBay; you can also search for them at local bookstores and libraries (as we'll discuss more in the following section). Additionally, it might be helpful to ask friends and family members who’ve taken the SAT or ACT whether they have any old prep books you can borrow. In this case, you may be able to snag a book for free! Tip 6: Participate in School-Day Testing (If Available) Some states and districts offer students the chance to take the ACT or SATduring the school day at their schools. (In some states, testing is actually mandatory for all students.) This is called school-day testing, and what's great about it is that this test is usually free for students! But that's not the only benefit. With school-day testing, you'llalso save money by not having to arrange your schedule to make room for a Saturday test day.So if you normally work a part-time job on Saturdays, for example, you won’t need to miss work in order to take the ACT or SAT. Likewise, you won’t need to spend money on public transportation or gas to get you to a testing center. There are a couple of non-monetary advantages as well. First, you don’t need to spend an entire Saturday taking the test. Second, you get to work in a familiar environment and with people you know, which can ultimately increase your confidence on test day. Tip 7: Listen to Your Gut When it comes down to it, you're the only person who truly knows what you'll need to help you prepare efficiently for test day. So always go with your instincts. If you believe a certain resource will be worth the investment, listen to your gut and buy it. Likewise,if you're not sure about a certain prep book's credibility or its likelihood of getting you the score you want, it's probably best to just walk away. What's better than free hugs? Free test prep! Just kidding, it's actually Legos. Definitely Legos. (clement127/Flickr, resized from original) Free ACT SAT Resources That'll Save You Money The easiest way to spend less of your ACT and SAT money is to take advantage offree, high-quality resources.Here are five excellent options for test prep that won't burn a hole in your pocket. Online Guides, Questions, Practice Tests The internet is home to a plethora of free prep materials that can help you hone your test-taking skills as well as strengthen your strategic approaches and content weaknesses on the ACT and SAT.As I mentioned above, the best online resources are, undoubtedly,official SAT/ACT guides, practice tests, and questions. You can accessall official SAT practice testsin our guide.On the College Board website, you can view the entirety ofThe Official SAT Study Guideas a collection of downloadable PDFs; you can alsopractice withan array of sample questions, which include: 24 Reading questions 22 Writing and Language questions 18 Math No Calculator questions 30 Math Calculator questions 2 Essay prompts As for the ACT, we've gatheredall official ACT practice tests here. Like the College Board, ACT, Inc., maintains a ton offree practice questionsonline, including: 75 English questions 60 Math questions 48 Reading questions 40 Science questions 1 Writing prompt Unofficial tests and questions, too, can be helpful.Unfortunately, most free test-prep websites for the ACT and SAT are relatively low quality and lack realistic questions and content, so it's best to stick with official resources whenever possible.That said, if you're craving a bigger collection of questions, our guides tofree online ACT and SATpractice testscan tell you which tests are worth using- and which ones you're better off avoiding. Khan Academy Through a partnership with the College Board, Khan Academy offers thousands of free, official SAT practice questions, complete with in-depth explanations and robust content review. With this website, you can learn about new topics through video lessons, take quizzes, and even import your PSAT/NMSQT scores to tailor your SAT study plan to your weaknesses. You must make an account to save your progress, but it's free and definitely worth it for the gigantic stockpile of SAT-style questions alone. Although Khan Academy doesn’t offer an ACT program or ACT-style questions, you can still use its SAT program and subject-based courses toget a rundown of basic math, reading, and English conceptsfound on the ACT. Get ready 'cause we're about to toot our own horn! #hatersgonnahate PrepScholar Blog If you haven't explored our website already,our PrepScholar SAT/ACT blog offers hundreds of free articles and guides(just like the one you’re reading right now!) you can use to prepare yourself for the SAT or ACT. Our best and most comprehensive resources include the following: SAT The Ultimate Study Guide for SAT Reading: Strategies, Tips, and Practice The Complete Prep Guide for SAT Writing: Grammar, Strategies, and Practice The Ultimate SAT Math Prep Guide: Tips, Formulas, and Practice The Ultimate SAT Essay Study Guide: Tips and Review The 21 SAT Tips and Tricks You Must Use How to Get a Perfect 1600 SAT Score, by a 2400 Expert Full Scorer ACT The Ultimate Study Guide for ACT English: Tips, Rules, Practice, and Strategies The Ultimate ACT Math Prep Guide: Strategies, Topics, and Tips The Ultimate Prep Guide to ACT Reading: Strategies, Tips, and Practice The Ultimate Study Guide for ACT Science: Tips, Practice, and Strategies The Ultimate ACT Writing Study Guide: Tips, Strategies, and Practice 15 ACT Tips and Tricks to Improve Your Score How to Get a Perfect ACT Score, by a 36 Full Scorer We also encourage you to browse our blogby searching for any ACT or SAT keywords or concepts you want to learn more about. Chances are, we’ve got an article about it! SAT and ACT Apps Test-prep apps are excellent resources forsupplementary SAT/ACT practice.And since many highly rated ACT and SAT apps are free (or available as free trial versions), there's no need to worry about paying a hefty sum for a resource you're not sure you'll actually use. Some of the best SAT apps you can download for free include Daily Practice for the New SAT- the College Board's official SAT prep app - and Ready4 SAT, which comes packed with more than 1,000 practice questions. There are also manygreat ACT appsthat won't cost you a cent. These include Ready4 ACT, which contains 1,000+ high-quality practice questions, and Varsity Tutors’ ACT Prep, which offers a combination of practice tests and skill-specific diagnostic tests. Most test-prep apps are available for both iPhone and Android, and you can find more by searching for "SAT" or "ACT" in the iTunes and Google Play stores. As a reminder, apps should never be your primary test-prep resources. Nonetheless, they can be extremely helpful if used appropriately. I strongly recommend using apps for on-the-go practice and as warm-ups before study sessions. Local Library In this digital age, we often forget libraries still exist - but they do, and they likely have a ton of ACT and SAT prep books you can use at no cost to you! If you're planning to take the ACT, I suggest first browsing your library for The Official ACT Prep Guide, as this official guide will be the best resource you can use for official practice questions, quizzes, and content review. (Remember, The Official SAT Study Guide is available for free online, so there's no point in looking for it at your library!) You should also spend time searching forhighly reviewed, unofficialACT and SATprep books. If possible, try to stick with recently published books. For the SAT especially, you'll want to look for newer (2016 and later) prep books, asthe SAT underwent significant changesin early 2016. By contrast, most ACT prep books should still be relevant to today's version of the exam (though the Writing section changed format in 2015). In the end,you can still use older prep books, but it's important to know that not all of their content will apply directly to your upcoming test. If you can't find any quality prep books at your library, ask a librarian whether you can request a specific ACT or SAT prep book to be sent to your library. The final rule of saving money: no matter how delicious it looks, don't eat it. Recap: Spending Less on SAT/ACT Test Prep Many students believe that to do well on the ACT or SAT, you must have access to the best possible test-prep resources available - many of which cost a pretty penny. But in reality, you don’t need to throw all of your money at exhaustive study materials, courses, and tutoring sessions to help you get the score you want on test day. Rather, you just need to knowwhat resources will help you the most and are therefore worth spending your ACT or SAT money on. Here are the main ideas to taking away from this article: Tailor your prep.Knowing your weaknesses is a key step toward saving money. By investing in only the study materials you actually need to do well on the exam, you'll not only save yourself cash but also raise your chance of attaining your goal score. Official is best - and often free. In terms of authenticity, the absolute best resources you can get are those created by the College Board and ACT, Inc. Luckily, both companies offer a variety of free online materials, from individual practice questions to full-length quizzes and tests. Start with free.The two best resources for free official and unofficial test prep are the internet and libraries. So if you’re trying to save money, make sure you exhaust both of these optionsbefore making any purchases. If you do decide to buy something, ... Be smart with your money. Don’t purchase any resources you don't need or that are way over your budget. And if you've found something you like, see whether you can get it used since an older copy will be cheaper than a newer one. As with any major purchases, always go with your gut and only buy what you ultimately feel is worth buying! What’s Next? Looking for more ways to save money?Learn how to get excellent prices on SAT/ACT tutoringand get a rundown of the costs associated with the SAT and ACT. Not sure you can afford to take a college-admission test?See whether you qualify for an SAT or ACT fee waivertoday. Worried about your finances once you start college?Our guide will teach you everything you need to know about saving money as a college student. Want to improve your SAT score by 160 points or your ACT score by 4 points?We've written a guide for each test about the top 5 strategies you must be using to have a shot at improving your score. Download it for free now:

Sunday, November 3, 2019

The Battle of Algiers Movie Review Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

The Battle of Algiers - Movie Review Example What impressed me most about the film is the way it shows the story from both the French and the FLN points of view. It shows unspeakable acts of violence and brutality committed by both sides, not portraying any bias towards any side. For example, in the early parts of the film, an FLN supporter is beheaded in prison. Furthermore, Ali la Pointe later kills the brothel owner who helped to bring him up because he refused to declare loyalty for the FLN. Therefore, the film tells both sides of the story despite the fact that only one side of the previous warring factions, the post-colonial Algerian government, was involved in its production. It demonstrates a high degree of impartiality and accuracy of historical events. Another brilliant aspect of The Battle of Algiers is its excellent examination of guerilla warfare tactics and strategies. For instance, early on in the film, the FLN takes advantage of the tendency by French soldiers at checkpoints not to search pretty women. They use women dressed in western attire to smuggle weapons in and out of the Casbah. Another impressive guerilla tactic portrayed by the film is the strategy used by the FLN to maintain secrecy of its membership and operations. Each recruited cell leader recruits two people. Thus, he only knows the identities of the person who recruited him and the two others he recruited, and no one else in the movement. Consequently, if captured by French forces, an FLN member cannot reveal much since he knows the identities of only three people in the entire movement. The film also sheds light on the political philosophy underlying national liberation, particularly from an Arab perspective. As a result, it enabled me to understand the motivation behind the Arab spring revolutions that recently took place in several Arab countries in North Africa and the Middle East. For instance, late on in the film Pointe asks the FLN leader why they are resorting to general strikes instead of continuing with

Thursday, October 31, 2019

What are the consequences of WTO accession for Russia Dissertation

What are the consequences of WTO accession for Russia - Dissertation Example In 2006, Russia had crossed an important barrier in its route to accessing the membership of World Trade Organization (WTO), with the signing of the bilateral agreement with US, though the process for a full membership would take longer to be completely realised. Russia's gradual progress in the negotiations for acquiring the WTO membership, is a positive signal for the international community, as it reflects Russia’s willingness to have an open trade relations within the global commerce. In the negotiation rounds, Russia had agreed to decrease its import tariff on the industrial and agricultural products by 3 % points, in slow progression. It had also agreed to free the domestic service sector, with a certain amount of restriction. There is a general belief that WTO accession will bring about a positive influence on the economic development of Russia by improving economic efficiency, increasing market competition, and by increasing the flow of foreign direct investment (FDI) to Russia. However, on the other hand with the opening up of the Russian markets there are some fears on the survival of the domestic firms under increasing competition from the foreign corporations. The chief objective of this paper is to understand and analyse implications that Russia may have to contend with WTO accession. Based on a secondary and qualitative form of research that involves literature review and analysis of Russia’s economy, all implications of WTO accession will be discussed to support the conclusion that WTO membership may be beneficial for Russia in the end. 1 Introduction â€Å"Russia risks taking a back seat to new post-crisis rules of world trade if it doesn’t join the WTO.†1 1.1 Background history In 1993, Russia officially applied to the General Agreement on Trade and Tariff (GATT) for accession, and in 1995, the World Trade Organization (WTO), the organization that succeeded GATT, took up its application. However, during the initial years a complete lack of political will and a general initiative by the Russian government, which was new and yet to create any structural framework to regulate the socio-economic and political environment, soon made the Russian impetus to join the WTO, lose its steam.2 After the 1998 economic crisis, as the Russian rouble deval ued, with a subsequent failure to repay the nation’s debt, the government became more involved in trying to revive the economy, with very little focus on the subject of WTO accession and the necessary negotiations. Fresh impetus to the issue was derived when the Vladimir Putin after being elected as the President of Russia in 2000, declared WTO accession as one of his prime goals, during his tenure at office. Under his interest and will, fresh rounds of negotiations and discussions were initiated. The Russian President’s declaration created a political commitment of sorts that allowed Russia to take initiative and search for meaningful resolutions, on various contentious issues related to its WTO accession. In May 2001, Russia created a ‘Review of the Russian Trade Policies,’ a report that was seen as the Protocol for the Russian accession to WTO. By early 2002, the WTO’s Working Party on Russia’s accession reviewed the first draft of the rep ort. 3 At this time, this signified that Russia had almost entered the last phase of the accession process, where it was negotiating the terms and conditions pertaining to its entry into the WTO, and contemplating the implementation of the necessary legislative reforms. However, soon there were

Tuesday, October 29, 2019

Social Media Marketing Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Social Media Marketing - Essay Example According to the report findings  the measurement of social media has been stated to relate to the actuality of trailing the diverse and assorted content associated with the various types of social media on the whole. This particular process is observed to be carried out for ascertaining the specific quantity and attitude and reaction with regard to a particular brand in terms of the social media by the concerned marketers. Social media is being increasingly considered to be a popular form of marketing platform for the marketers owing to which the facet of measurement is considered to be quite a decisive constituent for the purpose of attaining success.From the essay it is clear that  the process of web analytics not only entailed the function of a measuring instrument in order to ascertain the web traffic but was also used for the purpose of business as well as market research. This stated measurement technique also aided in evaluating along with enhancing the efficacy of a defi nite web site. The web analytics were known to involve two groups and they were the off-site as well as the on-site. However, it needs to be mentioned in this regard that the advanced measurement tools in relation to the social media are believed to incorporate the two groups with regard to web analytics into tools that have been found to satisfy the functions related to both the groups.  The present measurement tools are known to provide a qualitative insight regarding the thinking, sentiment, behavior and demographics of the viewers.

Sunday, October 27, 2019

Process of Embedding Fuzzy Logic Methodology In Racing Game

Process of Embedding Fuzzy Logic Methodology In Racing Game Alamin Hussain Key words: fuzzy logic, XNA, AI, racing game ABSTRACT Fuzzy Logic has many opinions and understanding from people to people. In its simplest understanding Fuzzy Logic outputs truth(s) based on approximation for reasoning. In essence compared to traditional binary sets, which outputs absolute truths or false values, Fuzzy Logic may have a false or truth-value which ranges in degrees from 0 to 1. Using the above notion, I will be implementing this ideology or method in the perspective of providing behaviors for my Non-Playable-Opponent. What this means is that I will be programming Fuzzy Logic into my video game. Which should provide a more human like interaction. I will be utilizing the Microsoft XNA framework and C# programming language to output the implementation. In attempting to program in Fuzzy Logic, I had come across several hurdles. Such as breaking the rules and calculations down to the most possible simplest form possible, then trying to implement line by line each element. Thereafter running into Syntax Errors and Runtime Errors of which there were many. Finally I was forced to remove some more complex forms of Fuzzy Logic due to time constraints and inability to fully comprehend Fuzzy Logic and apply it via programming. INTRODUCTION Fuzzy Logic is an area of study in Artificial Intelligence built on the idea that in a fuzzy set, each element in a given set which can assume a value from 0 to 1 and does not follow the conventional classic or crisp theory of just 0 or 1. Basically this method follows the conception that approximation is used for reasoning rather than a fixed value. An element is categorized in its gradual inclination towards its relevant set, this is known as the degree of membership. The objective of this project is to efficiently utilize the XNA game engine using C# programming language and DirectX graphics API, to create a function racing game which utilizes Fuzzy Logic artificial intelligence. Previous programmers and coders have utilized Fuzzy Logic in video games, but the use for fuzzy logic in real world applications for video games has been minimal due to more popularity of other methods such as the A* artificial intelligence model. The reason of this project is to identify how fuzzy logic can allow for more human like interaction in a video game setting. In essence providing human feedback and reactions to the player and establishing cohesion in immersive game play. Throughout the main chapters of the thesis, I will going through the process in which I have understood general AI in video games and how fuzzy logic can be applied in this territory. Due to my illness, which has made me bend bound and on medication for just over 2 months from the beginning of February, my research and understanding is very little. As such I will try my best to demonstrate my current knowledge and how I established it into my project. I will be providing and understanding of Artificial Intelligence in video games and how the two are intertwined; he current state and use of AI in video games; Game AI techniques; Fuzzy Logic AI; how Fuzzy Logic is utilized in video games; the benefits of fuzzy logic; the cons of Fuzzy Logic; Fuzzy State Machines; the use of fuzzy logic in the video game industry and previous research conducted on fuzzy logic. MAIN CHAPTERS Artificial Intelligence in Video Games In the study of artificial intelligence in video games it is made up of all the methodologies and techniques for implementing intelligence into video games. Artificial Intelligence in video games contain aspects of, but are not limited to: path finding, control of animation, strategic thinking, procedural generation and learning. All of which require some form of solving problems, which are executed utilising Artificial Intelligence algorithms. The main essence of using game artificial intelligence is bringing a more human like interaction for the player, in creating a more fun, immersive and strategical play. This can be in the form of enemy bosses or interaction with NPCs (Non-Playable-Characters). In the words of Alan Turing, considered the father of of artificial intelligence, an agent is intelligent if its behaviour cannot be distinguished from that of a human[1]. From real human perspective Game artificial intelligence is in essence not real intelligence but the illusion of such methods[2]. Successful video games implement varying degrees of compelling artificial intelligence. It is not a requirement to implement very intelligent, unbeatable smart opponents but a much fun and some what realistic opponent who does not do damagingly stupid manoeuvres of which could ruin the whole game play and remove a player from the immersion. Like in most aspects of a video game, the game AI compliments and provides a higher realisation of a given video game, such as maintaining high levels of entertainment and fun game play. From the beginning of video game development to the the present times of complex large project based games, Artificial Intelligence has certainly been widely used and with the passage of time has increased usage and complexity with it. As such video games such as online multi player games have brought forward advanced artificial intelligence and have changed the habits and perception of players. This in effect has made players demand much more intricacy in game play in regards to artificial intelligence and developers are more and more focusing in providing human-like methods in AI, which are capable of learning from the players inputs. Developers have since moved away from predictable and scripted opponents and heavily focused on the advanced artificial intelligence in games. Due to the nature of video game development, game AI has real world constraints, in terms of time management and scheduling of a project. As such tested and working methods are used in development and the lack of innovation in the field of game AI is very much not visible. Game Artificial intelligence borrows knowledge from academic based AI such as robotics. But has its own parallel workforce of improvement and research and development, whilst keeping practicality in mind due to the nature of the game industry[3]. All forms of AI research and development borrows elements of information and as such same techniques can be found in some form in all fields of study. This thesis will delve on the study of a particular method of video game artificial intelligence, which is Fuzzy Logic and the use of such AI in video game. Then bringing a conclusion from my findings and usage of Fuzzy Logic game AI. Current Usage of Game AI Game artificial intelligence had gained traction from the late eighties early nineties, as such has gained much more attention from the game industry in the last decade or so. Traditionally video game have been pushing boundaries in the composition of visual graphics and audio realism in a bid to gain traction from end consumers. This in return had made it so that CPU (Central Processing Unit) processing powers was largely given precedence to graphics computation, followed by sound computation and then the game logic. This process of allocation of resources in previous game development left very little computation al power to artificial intelligence, which resulted in very stupid, generic and easily overpower enemies and or opponents. The previous process of developing video games and limitations on resources meant that artificial intelligence was very minimal. In more recent times graphical fidelity has improved so well that the visuals on screen are indistinguishable to their real life counter parts. As well as the costs of provided more resources on a much lower capital and recent inclusions of GPU (Graphical Processing Unit), meant that visual graphics had a dedicated resource in providing improved graphics, whilst freeing up the CPU to focus more on intricate computations. This has allowed artificial intelligence and physics to flourish and become more improved over the years, allowing more immersive game play. This trend of game development and resource allocation has allowed video game artificial intelligence to become some what of an essential necessity to differentiate and better develop high quality video games. As costs are minimising and developers improving, there are more and more dedicated teams of developers focusing on game AI, in creating seemingly intelligent NPCs, opponents and enemies, thus enabling challenging and interesting video games for the players. Following these development cycles and improvements over the years in the study of video game artificial intelligence has allowed people studying and or researching artificial intelligence to use video games as a mean of testing their research. This in essence allows reducing large overheads, increasing safety and utilising a simple environment in a virtual world. As opposed testing in the real world, which would increase costs and potential pose a risk to researchers if it were a large scale project utilise large physical object(s).