Friday, December 27, 2019

Becoming a Reflective Teacher of English - 1553 Words

As I reflect on my initial blog entry (see Appendix A), I realise that my understanding of literacy has developed expeditiously, from a simplistic view into a multi-faceted outlook that underpins learning throughout the curriculum. Although I had indicated an awareness of the interrelationship of speaking and listening, reading and writing (SLWR), I did not conduct in depth analysis that considers these elements specifically with the process of learning. This essay will discuss how my understanding of SLWR has evolved, and in examining the links between lectures and workshops, further reading and school based training (SBT), will reflect on how this has impacted on my development as an English teacher. Initially, I understood the value†¦show more content†¦While discussing my reflections with the teacher, she cited the benefits of SL strategies to develop understanding throughout the NC. This has altered my thinking as I now recognise literacy permeating the entire curriculum, and will apply literacy strategies to promote learning in other subjects. During Key Stage 2(KS2) the focus shifts from learning to read to reading to learn (Rose, 2006). Therefore, a solid foundation in reading will empower learners in lifelong development. During the module I have learnt how tactile resources can be used to compliment phonics programmes that equip learners with the knowledge of sounds and their visual representations required to decode, blend and segment words when learning to read. However, national expectations indicate that phonics isn’t effective for all learners. (Jolliffe Waugh, 2007). Furthermore, Morgan et al found that children may lose motivation to read if they fail to overcome early reading difficulties (in Brien, 2012). This has led me to consider how I can prevent a widening gap in ability and confidence for these learners. The simple view of reading (SVoR) grid, which has been in use since the Rose Review, is useful when planning for support and will provide a starting point for progression in word recognition and language comprehension. Intervention and alternative approaches including, whole word recognition, flashcards, audio books and access to a wideShow MoreRelatedMy Future As A Teacher867 Words   |  4 Pagesfuture as a teacher, taking into consideration what and how I need to get there. It is important that I think about the steps I need to follow and the things that may be useful in the process of becoming a successful professional. Furthermore I will include my work experience and what I have learnt from shadowing my professional in an early years setting. Qualifications. The department for Education states that getting basic qualifications is the first step towards becoming a teacher. I mustRead MoreBilingual Education : A Bilingual Classroom1210 Words   |  5 Pagesstudents are English speakers. Consequently, administrators and educators must enhance the delivery of education to ELL’s. For the purpose of this paper, I would first look at what it means to teach in a bilingual classroom. Secondly, I will take an introspective look at a few multimedia tools used in making bilingual education interesting. Moreover, the ensuing paper would give a detailed rationale for the multimedia tools identified, and will show how these tools meet the needs of English LanguageRead MoreThe Continuum Of Teacher Expertise959 Words   |  4 PagesStriding on the continuum of teacher expertise, I have been moving away from the novice end toward becoming an increasingly experienced and reflective practitioner, who constantly questions how English should be taug ht as a second language (L2) and gains insights from the tremendously rich literature of applied linguistics (Ellis Shintani, 2014). I firmly believe that a reflective practitioner ought to think like a researcher when critically examining and reexamining the effectiveness of pedagogicalRead MoreUnique Perspective to Teaching: Dead Poets Society Essay992 Words   |  4 PagesIn Dead Poets Society, John Keating becomes the new English teacher at Welton Academy, an esteemed school rooted in tradition, after attending as a student years ago. He teaches using an unconventional style which is different from the traditional English curriculum, and in the process, he exposes the students to a new perspective on the subject and principles for living life. Keating encourages free-thinking and condemns the textbook which prevents the students from thinking for themselves. OtherRead MoreI Am An International Student945 Words   |  4 Pagestravelling to Japan, Vietnam, Philippines and China and explored different cultures. These experiences allowed me to have a particular interest in English and Japanese languages, which led me to study at a language specialist school in Korea, majoring in English and minoring in Japanese. This inspired me to consider using different languages as well as becoming a cultural bridge as a significant part of my future career. I am an international student from South Korea studying Bachelor of Education (PrimaryRead MoreReflective Practitioner2842 Words   |  12 PagesPensyarah : Mr. Ruban Paul Durai A ‘reflective practitioner’ is a person who applies a ‘reflective practice’ into his her professional field for the sake of the professional development although we cannot deny that the purposes can also be for the sake of getting higher income and obtaining fame. The literature of reflective practice is widely discussed regardless of different professional fields especially in the aspects of the definition of the term ‘reflective practice’ itself, the methods or meansRead MoreReflective Practitioner2828 Words   |  12 PagesPensyarah : Mr. Ruban Paul Durai A ‘reflective practitioner’ is a person who applies a ‘reflective practice’ into his her professional field for the sake of the professional development although we cannot deny that the purposes can also be for the sake of getting higher income and obtaining fame. The literature of reflective practice is widely discussed regardless of different professional fields especially in the aspects of the definition of the term ‘reflective practice’ itself, the methods or meansRead MoreExploring the Black Box: Assessment for Learning the Development of Autonomy in Key Stage 21678 Words   |  7 Pages(Hurston, 2006). As a Primary teacher, I started on this poking and prying because of a concern about pupils’ apparent lack of reflective thinking. In this section, I outline how this original concern developed by increasingly more formalized curiosity into research about assessment for learning and pupil autonomy. The aim is to explain the purpose a nd rationale behind my research so far and where I take this journey next. 1.1 Do I have to colour the picture, Miss? As a teacher of Year 3 and Year 4, IRead MoreLiteracy Learning Of A Child s Schooling Essay1685 Words   |  7 Pageschild’s development, and is the key indicator in becoming successful within society. Literacy according to the Ministry of Education, 2003, is defined as â€Å"the ability to understand, respond to, and use those forms of written language that are required by society and valued by individuals and communities.† (pg.19) This definition clearly highlights the importance of skills and knowledge, which children must learn to help them not only develop their English language but to engage in all learning areasRead MoreLanguage Can Be Described As A Means Of Communication In1723 Words   |  7 PagesLanguage can be described as a means of communication in written or spoken form whereas literacy is reflective of a person’s efficiency in using language. The way language and literacy are taught in a classroom cast vastly differ due to the social and cultur al factors influencing it. The essay is broken into 3 segments; the first is to explain the topic statement by Grugeon and Gardner, the second is to determine what are the socio and cultural implications affecting language and literacy, and third

Thursday, December 19, 2019

Sexual Misconduct And Child Sexual Abuse - 3526 Words

Today, female teachers and sexual misconduct with students continues to dismay school systems around the nation. There are daily media reports of female educators and alleged sexual misconduct with students; therefore, increasing public awareness of sexual misconduct in schools. Several researchers reported, there is a limited amount of research on the topic, educator misconduct and child sexual abuse. Joslyn (2011) reported, â€Å"while the female sexual harasser and related student safety was researched, a breadth of studies is not evident.† There was limited data available on perceived and reported educator sexual misconduct, descriptors of predators, and descriptors of targets (Shakeshaft, 2004). Solis et. al. (2012)†¦show more content†¦Retrieved from A Child Sexual Abuse Research Project: A Brief Endnote †¦ (n.d.). http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/10538712.2014.934416. June 2016 Educator and child sexual abuse is not partial to any geographical area, school district or socio-economic class. In 1997, two teachers from small Indiana towns were allegedly accused of sexual misconduct with students under the age of 18. The teachers were from distinctly different communities: 1. A high school social studies teacher, 34-year -old female, from a small rural community with a population less than 14,000. The teacher plead guilty to the offense of Sexual Misconduct with a Minor (male student), a Class C Felony. According to the sentencing order: (a) sentenced to four (4) years confinement; (b) all except one (1) year of that confinement is suspended. The term of one (1) year confinement severed in the county jail. The teacher was placed on probation for three (3) years. As part of the conditions of probation, the teacher submitted a letter of apology to the victim and his family, also, appearing before the faculty to personal deliver an apology. The teacher was not required to register as a sex offender; however, teaching license was revoked. Retrieved from www.newspapers.com February 2017. 2. A middle school music teacher, 52-year-old, female from a medium size rural community with aShow MoreRelatedSexual Harassment On The Counseling Profession, And Why It Is Not Only Unethical Essay1622 Words   |  7 Pages Abstract This paper will examine sexual misconduct in the counseling profession, and why it is not only unethical, but also illegal in half of the US states. Through exploring the harmful effects of a counselor’s sexual misconduct with a client, an enhanced perception will reveal reasons why a sexual relationship between counselor and client is unethical and illegal in 25 states. This paper will also look at the characteristics of the counselor/client’s sexual relationship, as well as the consequencesRead MoreThe American Youth Soccer Organization898 Words   |  4 PagesMany years ago I volunteered with AYSO – American Youth Soccer Organization. During my few years there as coach, age director and referee I became associated with the Volunteer Protection Act as well as the Child Protection Act. So when time came for our church in Washington to create a children’s ministry program, I was able to help the church in implementing these Acts into its policies. We neve r called the news and spouted off that we were the first to do such as another church attempted to doRead MoreAn Ethical Failure Of The Career Practicing Therapy At A Local Clinic Essay1279 Words   |  6 Pageshuman error, but lack ethics has to do with a decision. One of the bases holding the ethical norm of abstinence is the position of the therapist with his patient. â€Å"Previous Sexual and/or Romantic Relationships Counselors are prohibited from engaging in counseling relationships with persons with whom they have had a previous sexual and/or romantic relationship†. (APA. A.5.b.) It is understood that sometimes the professional-patient relationship tends to produce a special intimacy, there is a potentialRead MoreIncest: Family and Child Sexual Abuse1573 Words   |  7 Pageshis pajamas from the edge of the bed and on the floor. Mom today was extremely happy this morning. Dad no longer being around and me taking his place was just the thing that mom needed. Are there true causes to why there is a desire to want to have sexual preferences with someone younger, vulnerable, and also in the family? This is stereotyped as incest or incestuous relationship. A number of thing depression, obsession, passiveness and many others could cause this. When an offender tries to pursueRead MoreChild Sexual Abuse1573 Words   |  7 PagesChild Sexual Abuse CONTENT PAGE 1. Introduction Page 1 2. Case Study Page 1 3. How this Affects learners Page 2 4. Policies and Procedures Page 2 5. Raising Awareness Page 3 6. Conclusion Page 3 7. References Page 4 Appendix 1. INTRODUCTION Research indicates that 1 out of every 4 children will be the victim of sexual abuse before reachingRead MoreEssay The Horror of Child Sexual Abuse and the Catholic Church.2230 Words   |  9 PagesThe Horror of Child Sexual Abuse and the Catholic Church. Early Sunday morning, people shuffle in through the mahogany doors as the smell of Frankincense and Myrrh tickle the nose. Rays of sunlight beam through the stained glass windows, making rainbow images on the red velvet carpet. What sounds like the voices of angels singing praise to the lord harmoniously circulates in the air. A mighty voice roars from the altar, â€Å"Now, let us bow our heads in prayer.† This is a majestic place where oneRead MorePost Traumatic Stress Disorder ( Ptsd ) Essay1206 Words   |  5 PagesThis paper focuses on women who are survivors of child sexual abuse (CSA) and today struggle with a complex set of symptoms known as Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). For pastors who intend to provide help, an integrated multidimensional treatment plan flows from a thorough assessment and accurate diagnosis. Discussed herein are three treatment options including individual, group and cognitive processing therapy and the integration of a Christian perspect ive regarding symptom mitigation toRead MoreAversion Therapy Is A Method Of Treatment Used For Treat, Decrease, And Evidentially2897 Words   |  12 PagesCollege Child Abuse Investigation AJU432 AO/OL Pamela Spence July 2, 2015 Abstract Aversion Therapy is a method of treatment used to treat, decrease, and evidentially try to eliminate intolerable behaviors. This form of treatment has been used to treat many different addictions and ailments. There are multiple methods used in Aversion Therapy treatment. The study of Aversion Therapy used in treating sexual disorders has beenRead MoreChild Sex Offenders Are Individuals Who Sexually Offend Against Children Essay2001 Words   |  9 PagesChild sex offenders are individuals who sexually offend against children. Child sexual offending encompasses a wide array of sexual misconduct against children and include behaviours such as touching of the genitals, forced masturbation, penetration with a finger or foreign object, oral-genital contact, and vaginal/anal penetration (Gee, 1997). A frequently cited definition is that of Schechter and Roberge (1976 cited in Gee, 1997) in that the involvement of dependent, developmentally immatureRead MoreStudent Sexual Misconduct And Sexual Harassment1750 Words   |  7 PagesTeacher-student sexual misconduct cases are on the rise nationwide. There has been less attention and emphasis on these issues. This paper will focus on the ethical issues and any involvements surrounding sexual misconducts and sexual harassment between teachers and students. This paper will define knowledge and an understanding on what constitutes a sexual misconduct and sexual harassment. This paper will enlighten the ethical concerns about teacher-student sexual misconduct and sexual harassment. This

Wednesday, December 11, 2019

Mis Development Essay Example For Students

Mis Development Essay MIS DevelopmentThe term Management Information Systems (MIS) has come to refer to a wide range of applications of computers to data processing and analysis problems in the private and public sectors. The pace of developments in computing in general, and MIS in particular, is breathtaking. Traditional concepts of how computers can and should be integrated into businesses are being challenged by worldwide telecommunications and transmission of sound, graphics, and video alongside of text. Virtually all successful businesses use computers extensively. If you dont like computers, and want to have a career in business that involves little use of them?think again. You dont have to like them, but you will have to deal with them extensively. This is a fact of life along with the hole in the ozone, Oklahoma City, TWA 800, AIDS, and The Real World on MTV (now in its fifth season!). Computers can have a profound impact on the way that power is distributed in society. Those who ignore computers are apt to be left out of important decisions. You may even become the person in your firm who has responsibility for your firms use of information technology. Nevertheless, many people have little understanding of what computers are and what they can do. There is a desperate need in our society for liberally educated people who are able to balance the enormous possibilities of computing with its potentially harmful consequences. In the business world, there has been a gap between those who are computer smart and those who speak the language of business. You need to know enough about computers to be able to: understand how computers support decision making and how they can be used to obtain strategic advantages; understand the challenges posed by the rise of the Internet; understand how the computer works in order to have a feel for the computers limitations; understand how data is stored and managed; understand how to store and retrieve data yourself; understand the different types of computer systems and when one type or another is appropriate; understand how the overall parts of an MIS system work together and what some of the functions that they accomplish are; understand how to state computer system requirements and understand h ow computer systems are built; understand how computing is managed in the corporate environment; understand some of the social issues which computers raise. Achieving these objectives will give you the tools you will need to function effectively in the business environment. Bibliographywww.gorgetown.com

Tuesday, December 3, 2019

Mass Media and Activist Groups

Introduction The mass media is a powerful component for social movements. Getting good media coverage strongly affects the way different social events are identified in the public eye. The comprehensive media coverage also makes messages stronger.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Mass Media and Activist Groups specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More The media devotes attention to, for example, a social movement because they think the event will make interesting news. Lopes (2014, p. 3) affirms that social movements propagated by activist groups have been carried out in many different modes and at different levels in an attempt to transform societies. Scholars have regarded the emergence of social movements and its influence on the society as world-wide phenomena. This paper examines the complex nature of the interaction between mass media and social movements or activist groups. The essay will also discuss audiences alon gside the relationship between mass media and activist. This paper proves that mass media is a crucial source for political actors and activist groups with volatile and adversarial qualities, which in turn limit their ability to secure public legitimacy (Kielbowicz Scherer 1986; Gamson 1995, p. 85 in Baker 2007). Rise of social movements Loren von Stein, a German Sociologist introduced the term social movement into academic study in the 1950’s. He described the idea of launching the movement as a unitary process that is developed by working class individuals when their self-conscious awakens and they gain power (Tilly 2004 in Lopes 2014, p. 3). However, according to some psychological research, a social movement is described as a â€Å"contagion† among irrational people who lack a clear view of their future and are unable to strategically act and organise their plans. Such people have a different and negative perspective of life.Advertising Looking for essay on c ommunications media? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Schwarz stated that, â€Å"participants in social movements are at least as rational as those who study them† (Schwarz, cited in Buechler 2000 in Donk, Loader, Nixon Ruchet 2004, p. 6). Subsequently, more descriptions of social movement have emerged over the years. Tarrow (1994, in Lopes, 2014, p. 3) defines it as the unified challenges faced by people who have the same purpose for solidarity and constant interactions with social difficulties, the elites and authorities. It suffices to mention that a social movement can be an important mechanism for social and political change as it has the ability to change the institutionalised politics that have already occurred (McAdam 2001 in Lopes 2014, p. 3). Additionally, these movements might arise to create a clear vision about human action, particularly the way that activist voluntarily collaborate and mobilize (Cameron 1974 i n Lopes 2014, p. 3). A social movement has also been described as an organisation, which interacted in political and cultural disagreements based on â€Å"shared collective identity† (Van Laer Van Aelst 2010, p. 1147). Mass media and activist groups There have been numerous activist groups that have been formed over the centuries. However, after the introduction of mass media, such groups became viral. They are not only larger, but such groups get support from all over the world. Mass media targets the largest crowds, or the audiences, possible. Additionally, the introduction of mass media via the internet helped make social movements global. Currently, a social movement in New York can have supporters all the way in Africa. A recent example that can be used is that of the gay rights movement.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Mass Media and Activist Groups specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More The movement sta rted in New York, but it attracted supporters and critics alike from all over the world due to both mass media and social media. It is necessary to point out that traditional mass media always has an alternative angle to airing such movements. In fact, they will air the movements whenever they feel there is a good story to sell within. Drawing from the gay movement, one can easily note why mass media picked up on the story. The first reason is that it is controversial, thus, many people will watch it. The second among many reasons is that it targeted critics, and some presidents came out boldly banning gay activists in their countries. According to Gitlin (1980) this interplay between media and the movement is similar to the relationship between journalists and politicians in many ways. Mass media and activist groups have a mutual dependency type of relationship. In simpler terms, the two help each other grow. Drawing again from the example of gay rights movement, one can see that t he media benefited from the movement as much as the movement benefitted from the media. The media benefitted from the movement in that many people tuned into their television and radio sets to get updates about the movement. In addition, many people took to social media platforms to discuss and follow the movement. It is crucial to point out that this movement turned global, after many of the activists took to both the traditional and the new mass media avenues to express their interests.Advertising Looking for essay on communications media? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More On the other hand, a majority of mass media avenues wanted exclusives on the story due to the magnitude of traffic the movement attracted. Resultantly, many people would tune to the avenues that provided the detailed stories of the movement. Thus, the mass media got traffic through the story, while the movement got supporters due to the coverage provided by the mass media. On the contrary, Ruchet (2004) defined the nature of this relationship as an asymmetrical one. This means that one side needed the other more. Thus, social movement appears to be in a vulnerable position as it seeks media attention, most of the time, as compared to the media seeking social movements. Mass media and the political elite Participatory democracy states that everybody should have the right to access all the information they seek, as long as the information will enable the individuals and social groups to participate in the building of the society. Hence, the media, in any capitalistic system, should pr event manipulating knowledge by politic elite and some powerful economic source (Doctor 1994 in Wongrujira 2008, p. 30). Barker (2007, p. 6) argues that there are different views on the components of participatory democracy. For example, there are scholars who argue that public protest should be initiated by political elites and corporations, not individuals and civil society. These scholars claim that protests by individual people and the civil society only benefit a small group of people, and not the whole society. The existing relationship between politics and social movement has been a source of debate over the years. For the past several decades, social movements have had relationships with institutional, political action groups (Earl Rohlinger 2012, p. 8). In simpler terms, mass media, or media in general, may not be the only source with effect to mobilisation of the society, but they have significant impact on the political elite. The media literally shapes the political eli tes’ response to the activist groups during protests or any other activities. Many studies have examined various types of action and noticed a, â€Å"hierarchy of political participation† (Marsh 1977, Barens Kaase 1979, Dalton 1996 in Van Laer Van Aelst 2010 p. 1150). The role of politics has been associated with activities, whether intensive or moderate, of activists. Moreover, other studies claim that there are cases where social movement may be more independent of authority, especially when the events under the spotlight of mass media, in this case authority, choose to create distance and not use repression against any activities in order to prevent violence. In reporting social movement and activism, it is clear that the political elites often ignore collective action. Collective action in this sense refers to what the group wants. For example, the gay rights movement wanted more countries and governments to secure the rights of the gay people, including the righ t to get married. Political elites have been known to decipher social movements using four components. Worthiness, unity, number and commitment (WUNC) of a by social movement will not only attract political support, but it will also attract media coverage (Tilly 2006 in Vliegenthart Walgrave 2012, p. 394). The role of the media in social events, regardless of whether it is political, economic, or environmental, as well as the type of the media, whether old or new and the autonomies they have, can be problematic. Their description of events and factors that led to the events described can cause more chaos than good. Additionally, their desire to impress and gain traffic and power can reduce the main goal of the activist group to seem needy and unimportant. The general interest of mass media and activism has been subject of interest for many studies as they examine social movement demonstration in press. One study that was done to determine the relationship between the two was concen trated on a protest that was held against the Vietnam War in the United Kingdom (Halloran 1970 in Conboy Steel 2014). The event was held in London were the demonstrations attracted a significant number of protesters, who marched peacefully. Indeed, there was some little fracas here and there, but the entire protest was described as very peaceful. It is interesting to note that the media only highlighted the small violent acts that took place during the protest. They paid no attention to the other seemingly peaceful walk. The repetition of the violent scene made it appear more rogue than it really was. This misinterpretation of the political event, and the negative media coverage they gave, shows the problem between democracy and the media (Halloran 1970). The way media treats some social movements can indicate whether the movement had some political support. Activist groups that garner more political support will most likely have their activities broadcasted all over the world. In such instances, as mentioned, the political elites in play usually have something to gain from the movement. Additionally, many political elites would not come out openly and claim that they support an activist group. In the same breadth, however, there are some rare cases where they have come open about their support for activist groups, and reasons behind their support. New media and independency The emergence of new media has reduced the impact of traditional media. Therefore, many activist groups have turned to new media to express their issues. It suffices to mention that new media has provided various global platforms, which the activist groups can use to get their messages out. New media involves platforms like Twitter, Facebook, Google+ and even the web pages created to support activism among other things. The interesting thing about new media is that it can be linked into one mass media that targets the world. Posts and views on social movements that are posted on Facebook can be shared to web pages and other social media platforms. Thus, the story about the movement becomes bigger. There are studies that claim that new media has improved communication worldwide and made it easier for people to access information and engage in events with more freedom (Shriky 2011 in Lopes 2014, p. 8). Social media has indeed become part of everyday life for the activists, citizens, governments and even NGOs as they all engage with the social media sites. Many scholars confirm the importance of social movements to engage in social media as they will be able to mobilise millions of people in different countries to support their cause. This, in turn, makes their movement much more pronounced (Lopes 2014, p. 9). The Egyptian revolution 2011 is a good example that shows the result of using social media effectively and freely with the availability of the resources. The new wave of media activism changed a lot of things and on the top of the list is communication structure. It has new forms, alongside the new technology, which lower communication costs. For example, creating websites and posting all activists is cheaper compared to doing it using the traditional media. Moreover, there is less repression coming from the new media compared to the traditional media. Furthermore, new media allows activist groups to help each other as their connection facilities are more accessible. Indeed, there are some activist groups that aim to democratizing media and new media has made this easier for them (Carroll 2006) Conclusion In conclusion, mass media and activist groups have a mutual dependency relationship. Available research shows that the relationship between mass media and social movements has been debated over decades. Establishing a definition needs compromise, as well as a rational understanding of different things that interfere with the relationship, such as politics and corporations. The political elites are specifically prone to frustrating the rela tionship because many activist groups target political entities. In addition, the relationship between media and social movements has been shaped by the emergence of new media. New media, in this sense, includes social media and blogs. These platforms allow the activist groups to reach millions of people all over the world and ask for their support. Similarly, new media has eased the tension between social movements and politics. As mentioned, on numerous instances, political entities would try to frustrate the movements by restricting the traditional media. Social media and new media in general have made this restriction impossible. Thus, people are not only free to join social movements, but they are also free to look for information on different activist actions. This essay on Mass Media and Activist Groups was written and submitted by user Giana Logan to help you with your own studies. You are free to use it for research and reference purposes in order to write your own paper; however, you must cite it accordingly. You can donate your paper here.

Wednesday, November 27, 2019

Britainr between 1900-1945 Essays - English Poor Laws,

Britainr between 1900-1945 Britain between 1900-1945 Age of suffering, pain, indeed a period of wars: 2 world wars but also colonial wars, Bours war 1899-1902 (in South Africa, between Britain and the Netherlands, because of diamonds mines) Beginning of the Movements for Indian Independence , 1935 Indian Constitution. Period of crisis : 1929: The Wall Street Crash: unemployement, very big crisis. But, the emergence of a fairer society: new rights were recognized. Women's rights: the right to vote in 1928 The right for everyone (universal right) to get cured and looked after Welfare State was created, National Health Service Rights for workers to get organized and improve the working conditions : Trade Unions I/ Women's Rights: In 1928, women over 21 obtained the right to vote, equal political rights were granted for men and women. 1.The growth of patriarchy A patriarchy system: a latin origin for Father' : a system of society or governments ruled by the Fathers, men only, women are completed excluded for the decisions! A male domination. // The Bible: mainly in the Old Testament: the epitome(the perfect example) of femininity is Eve, she is created from Adam, not a very good behaviour, because of her that they were excluded from Eden (Paradise), she is the cause of the Fall (la Chute: fait que les hommes aient t chasss du paradis). The Greek and Roman worlds :Athenes: it was a democracy but women never took part of the assembly, of public life. Gyneceum: a particular place in a greek house where women remain together. Modern times (begins in 16th ) At this time, Britain was ruled by a woman : Elizabeth I, she was not really feminist, rather represented as very powerful, the artist insisted in her divinity, a goddess, insisted on her masculine temper. Speech to the Troops at Tillbury 1588 (The Spanish Armada) I know I have the weak body of a woman but I have the heart and the stomach of a king, the King of England. 17th: The term patriarchy really appears in a book by Sir Robert Filmer: Patriarcha: the Natural Power of Kings Defended against the Unatural Liberty of the People written in 1680s but published in 1690 Written to justify royal absolutism, according to him, modern kings derived their power from the first kings of the world. The king is the father of the people: authority, the right to punish but also the duty to protect and the father is the king of the family: his authority can not be questionned. Women were considered as the children, they are excluded from the political sphere. 18th: The New Age: The Age of Enlightenment Rousseau, Voltaire, Diderot, John Locke Those philosophers did not accept the theories of Filmer, they did not venerate the Bible, philosophy were based on human reason, everything is explain by the reason, they developed a completely different vision. The notion of contract between the sovereign and the people. Like Filmer they go back to the beginning of life, but for them is not with the Genesis but with the state of nature: a state of constant war Hobbs: man is a wolf for man A state of anarchy, civilisation can not be here. It is necessary to have law & order in this state. The king not derived his power from God but by people's choice, they choose him. Tyranny: James II was excluded during the Glorious Revolution in 1688 and replaced by William of Orange a new protestant monarch. James had not respected the people's life In France: the French Revolution: Louis XVI Women at that time, the philosophers were not in favour of more power for women, they are weak. They maintained the image of subordinate women. 2.The first feminist assaults against patriarchy in an age of Revolution Period of the French Revolution: Olympe de Gouges: The first French feminist. She wanted to involved women in political life. She wrote Declaration of the Rights of Woman and the Female Citizen, woman is born free & remains equal to man in rights published in september 1791. A parody of The Declaration of the Rights of man & Citizen All man are born & remain free & equal free in rights... But she was executed by the guillotine in 1793, she was considered as a danger for the society. In England: Mary Wollstonecraft, in 1792 A Vandication (a defence) of

Sunday, November 24, 2019

Revenue Recognition The WritePass Journal

Revenue Recognition Generally Accepted Accounting Principles: Revenue Recognition ). While the new revenue recognition model provides a detailed basis for accounting standards and has defined a wide scope for the proper classification of transactions, the feedback received has suggested that the model is too complex and confusing for immediate implementation as it is inconsistent with previous frameworks and would require practice and getting used to in implementation. Moreover, other users have also mentioned that the model requires additional information regarding the meaning of certain rules and terms in order to be accurately implemented and used within all firms such as the meaning of â€Å"collaborator†. It is suggested that the Board review the new accounting principles that it has introduced and provide detailed explanations and examples of how to appropriately apply the standards to financial statements. It is also highly suggested that in order to improve the applicability of the new revenue recognition model, the inconsistencies between the previous model and the new model must be removed, the terms used in the new model must be clarified, and the suggested additions may be made. References Cairns, D. (2006). â€Å"The use of fair value in IFRS.†Ã‚  Accounting in Europe. Vol.  3(1) pp. 5-22. Hodgdon, C., Tondkar, R. H., Adhikari, A., Harless, D. W. (2009). â€Å"Compliance with International Financial Reporting Standards and auditor choice: New evidence on the importance of the statutory audit.†Ã‚  The International Journal of Accounting. Vol.44(1) pp.33-55. Olsen, L., Weirich, T. R. (2010). â€Å"New revenue†recognition model.†Ã‚  Journal of Corporate Accounting Finance. Vol.22(1) pp. 55-61. Schipper, K. A., Schrand, C. M., Shevlin, T., Wilks, T. J. (2009). â€Å"Reconsidering revenue recognition.†Ã‚  Accounting Horizons. Vol. 23(1) pp. 55-68. Wagenhofer, A. (2013).  The Role of Revenue Recognition in Performance Reporting. Working Paper, University of Graz. Wà ¼stemann, J., Kierzek, S. (2005). â€Å"Revenue recognition under IFRS revisited: conceptual models, current proposals and practical consequences.† Accounting in Europe. Vol. 2(1) pp.69-106.

Thursday, November 21, 2019

See below Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

See below - Essay Example The capillaries play an important role in healing a wound. The four overlapping phases are used to explain the healing process. This is a systematic phenomenon. The four phases include homeostasis, inflammation, proliferation, and maturation. Homeostasis is a process which involves the platelets to form clots. Furthermore, the inflammatory cells deride injured tissue during the inflammatory phase. Epithelialization, fibroplasia, and angiogenesis occur during the proliferative phase (Romo III, n.d). The hemorrhage caused by disruption in the blood vessels is controlled by clot formation which contains fibrin mesh with aggregated platelets embedded in it. Fibrin is the end product of coagulation pathway which causes homeostasis to take place. It provides a scaffold for the migration of inflammatory and mesenchymal cells (Wound Healing, n.d). Platelet aggregation leads to release of cytokines. These cytokines influence wound healing either directly or indirectly. The processes of clot f ormation and platelet aggregation halt when stimuli for clot formation fritter away. Lysis of clot starts along with clot formation and is mediated by plasminogen activator. This activator converts plasminogen to plasmin (Wound Healing, n.d). The second phase is called inflammation. It starts when the tissue trauma stimulates the inflammatory response. â€Å"Immediately after injury intense local vasoconstriction occurs, mediated by circulating catecholeamines and prostaglandins released by injured cells. This is followed by vasodilatation and increased capillary permeability resulting in local edema. This is mediated by histamine, kinins, prostaglandins, leukotrienes, and endothelial cell products† (Wound Healing, n.d). The tissue does not observe presence of any leukocytes as yet. The wounded tissues contain neutrophils which hare the first leukocytes to appear in the wounded tissues. They phagocytose damaged tissue or bacteria. Neutrophils themselves are phagocytosed by ma crophages (Wound Healing, n.d). There are a few symptoms observed when the wound is healing because of the physiological changes. The pH change is observed because of the breakdown of tissues and bacteria which also causes pain. This also results in swelling and decreased tissue oxygenation due to disruption of blood vessels (Wound Healing n.d). Furthermore, the white blood cells namely monocytes and lymphocytes start performing their functions in the healing process. Monocytes turn into macrophages when these white blood cells migrate from capillaries into extra vascular space. Macrocytes phagocytose bacteria and tissue debris and secrete enzymes called collagenase and elastase, which are responsible for breaking down damaged matrix (Wound Healing, n.d). Lymphocytes produce various factors like HB-EGF (Heparin binding epidermal growth factor) and basic fibroblast growth factor. Adding on to this, they are also involved in cellular and humoral immunity. Neutrophilis dominate for the initial 24-48 but 48-72 hours later they are outnumbered by macrophages which persist for a few days. However, after 5-7 days fibroblasts are the principal cell type (Wound Healing, n.d). The third phase called proliferation constitutes epithelialization, fibroplasias and angiogenesis. Epithelialization is the â€Å"process of covering a denuded surface with epithelium† (Medical Dictionary, n.d). Fibroplasia is another part of the proliferative phase. It

Wednesday, November 20, 2019

How has the development of Political Islam since 1979 affected the Essay

How has the development of Political Islam since 1979 affected the Greater Middle East - Essay Example Iran is one example where the Iranian revolution took place. Islamist forces have seemingly taken control of their countries at the expense of other religions that make up a minority (Choueiri, 2008). As political Islam has developed, Islamic institutions have gained more power and the scrutiny on these institutions has reduced leading to a dictatorship like scenario. Religious institutions like those of Sunni Islam have been brought under the control of the state. Due to this power gain by Islamic institutions, along with the lack of opposition by secular forces, there has been a development of Islamic forces. These forces have created a threat to the power of the state all over the greater Middle East (Choueiri, 2008). Conflict has been at the heart of the development of political Islam. The conflict has disturbed the stability of the greater Middle East. Examples of these conflicts include Iraq’s invasion of Iran in 1980 and the Iraq-Kuwait war. There has also been an increased opposition to the existence of Israel as a state along with an increase in development of weapons by the greater Middle East nations (Freedman,

Sunday, November 17, 2019

The Tuskegee Syphilis Study Term Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

The Tuskegee Syphilis Study - Term Paper Example The study was based on the hypothesis that black and white people differed in their response to the disease. Before the study was initiated in 1928, the U.S Public Health Services (PHS) had already completed a study in Mississippi in which 25% of the participants who were all black had tested positive for the disease. The PHS intended to expand and continue the study in rural black population and set up a treatment program with aid from the Julius Rosenwald Fund. Though the study initially intended to improve the health of the African American population by providing doses of metals which was used to treat the disease during that period, the coming of the great depression drastically lowered the funds for the project. And it was then that the PHS decided to conduct a study based on the aforementioned hypothesis that racial variation plays a role in the effects of syphilis. The objective of the study was to compare the natural progression of syphilis in untreated poor African American s who were followed up for a period of 40 years with a healthy control population who were free of the disease. While the initial study was designed to last for a year and where participants with syphilis were given minimal treatment which would have definitely not cured them, the extended study examined men with untreated syphilis over the 40 year period and in case they died during that period their bodies autopsied to study the exact course of the infection (Angell, 1997; Sugarman, 2002).  

Friday, November 15, 2019

Examining The Automotive Industry In Malaysia Economics Essay

Examining The Automotive Industry In Malaysia Economics Essay The industry I have chosen is the automotive Industry in Asean in particular Malaysia and to go more indepth I took proton as a good case study what is happening to the Malaysian automotive industry. Why Malaysia? Malaysia has a strong driving culture and one of the highest penetration rates of cars per capita in the world (Bonami, 2005, p. S3), as well as the growing clout of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) markets, Perusahaan Otomobil Nasional Berhad (PROTON) as an appropriate sample available at (http://www.proton.com) Brief introduction about proton The first national car project by Malaysia was undertaken with the establishment of Perusahaan Otomobil Nasional (PROTON) in 1983. The Proton Saga was produces 1985. Proton nowadays produces a number of car models and variants, including the Iswara, Perdana,Wira, Satria, Putra,Waja and most recently, the GEN-2 and Satria Neo. The latest 104 M. Rosli F. Kari models, as reported, use Malaysian developed engines through collaboration between Proton and its subsidiary, Lotus (United Kingdom) . . Political and economic structures, including cultural attitudes relevant to the business; According to ( Rasiah, 2005) Malaysia continues to protect its automobile industry against the conditions in the Trade related Investment Measures (TRIMs) agreement of the World Trade Organization (WTO), the inclusion of automotives under the common effective preferential tariffs (CEPT) under the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) Free Trade Area (AFTA) process has brought increasing pressure for the removal of localization-based tariff protection of automotives and parts production in the country Stimulatory and Protective Measures set by the Malaysian government The development of the Malaysian automotive industry is heavily depending upon the undivided support of the government. Various stimulatory and protective measures, such as investment incentives, a local content policy, and tariff and nontariff barriers were implemented to stimulate the development of both local automotive and parts production. Proton in particular is a unique case because of its status as the first national project. To date, the largest shareholders in Proton are still government-controlled agencies, namely Khazanah Nasional Berhad (42.7 per cent), the Employees Provident Fund (12.6 per cent), and Petronas (9.8 per cent). Temasek Holdings Pte. Ltd, a Singapore investment merged as a new shareholder with a 5 per cent Holding ( Rosli.M KariF 2008). The government has also provided many incentives under the 1986 Promotion of Investment Act. In particular the Pioneer Status and Investment Tax Allowance are the two most lucrative tax incentives granted to companies involved in promoted activities or products that are, from time to time, determined by the Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MITI). In order to help to develop national capabilities in the automobile Industry in a sustainable but competitive way, the Malaysian government initially provided protection, allowing Proton( and other Malaysian car manufacturers) to withstand some early environmental downturns (Todd, 1986). For example, import duties were set at roughly 21% on domestic components, as compared to 40% on the equivalent foreign parts. This implies that there was a substantial difference in price between foreign imported cars and proton cars. Moreover, PROTON cars required excise duties of only 11%, while foreign branded automobiles were taxed up to 25%. Further, the authorities demanded car assemblers charge a profit margin of 16 to 17% to avoid price wars (Zafar A. Humpreys J. 2008). This all resulted into that Proton was totally protected in any kind of way of the way to potential success was predetermined in Malaysia. Economic structure Cultural attitudes In Malaysia there is general consensus that the automobile industry is one of the drivers of world economic growth and has the potential to shape how we make things . . . , how we work . . . , what we buy, how we think and the way we live(Womack, Jones, Roos, 1990, p. 11). Therefore the Malaysian economy has always been heavily depending upon the automobile industry or product which are complementary to that, such as petrol in which Malaysia has one of the biggest oil( Petronas) producing companies in Asia.As mentioned earlier a strong driving culture exists in Malaysia and owing a car is culturally considered as a status symbol of wealth and prosperity. Moreover, the plan has been since the 1970s to turn Malaysia into the League of Developed Nations under the visionary leadership of Dr. Mahathir Mohamad, and was introduced in a national development policy document entitled Vision 2020(Zafar A. Humpreys J. 2008) This is important, from a economical points of view as Malaysia has not gone through the usual industrial stages, which implies highly skilled, labor-intensive to mass production (semi skilled, limited products) to multi skilled, mass customization (Simpson, Sykes, Abdullah, 1998). . Nature of international trade in ASEAN, now and historically (say ten years ago); Currently, Asean is near to create an integrated economic community that will free movements of goods, services, investment, capital and skilled labor within the 10 Asean countries. An AEC characterized by a single market and production base allows for economies of scale, investment flows and building business linkages and network to promote further commerce. The future looks bright for Asean due to fully rebound of the economic crisis. It is expected that Asean private demand picks up, export will increase and social safety will be more enhanced. However, the Economic Community pillar has introduced at AEC scorecard, which list down the measures to be undertaken and the achievements to date. Thus, far Asean only has a 75.5% achievement rate for the 2008/2009 measures. Asean has to do a number of things if it is to achieve its goal of building an AEC by 2015. This current year exports of Asean are expecting to rise between 4.9% and 5.6 % after a 1.5% growth in 2009. In the area of services Asean members are close to completing the 7th AFAS package of service commitments covering varying levels of commitments in 65 services Hub sectors. The service sector of Asean received the highest amount of FDI, accounting for more than 50% of total Aseans FDI. The sign are good and Asean will see a further increasing growth this year and currently capital flows are increasing, inflation remains low and manageable and Asean currencies appreciate slightly versus the Euro and US$. History Since the adoption of the AEC blueprint in 2007, significant progress has been made towards achieving the AEC in 2015. In Janaury 2010, The Asean-6 achieved zero tariffs covering 99 and for the CLMV 98% and at 0.5 % tariff rates of the total tariff covering under the common effective preferential tariffs for asean free trade area(CEPT-AFTA). Also in the same month Asean saw the realization of Asean-China and Asean-Korea free trade agreements and the commencement of the implementation of the Asean- Australia-New Zealand free trade agreements and Asean India free trade agreement. Since 2000 Asean exports rose from US$68 billion to US$162.5 billion in 2009. Asean imports of services from the world market has also expanded markedly, of similar trend and magnitutude as exports, increasing two-fold from US$ 86.6 to US$ 180.4 billion in 2009 In investment, Asean has witnessed a steady increase in intra-Asean FDI flows accouting for 18.2% ( US$ 10.8 billion) of total Asean FDI ( US$ 59.7 billion) inflows in 2008, compared with a share of 13.82% in 2006. For the same period, total FDI inflows increased by 8.59%. Source: Asean Roundtable 2010. Achieving the asean economic growth 2015: Challenges for Member countries 29th April 2010. Aseans Readinesss in achieving the Asean economic community 2015. Pushpanathan Sundram Regional governments attitude towards international trade and investments, both outward and inward; The ASEAN Free Trade Agreement (AFTA) is a regional free trade agreement among Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand,the Philippines, Indonesia, Brunei, Vietnam, Cambodia,Laos, and Myanmar. The ten participating countries agreed to develop a free trade area that would become a single market with more than 550 million potential consumers (Bonami, 2005). An integrated ASEAN would be the eighth-largest automobile market, with 1 million new car sales each year. With projected growth trends, it has the potential to actually become the fourth largest auto market, with as many as 2.2 million new autosales annually (Seeking for Bigger Share, 2002). The creation of the free trade zone in Southeast Asia allowed PROTON greater access to its neighboring countries. While good news from the marketing front, AFTA would also set the stage for greater future competition for which PROTON was inadequately prepared. (Zafar A. Humpreys J. 2008) The protective tariff regime, which imposed rates of up to 300% on imported cars and helped PROTON to gain dominate market share has been phased out. In line with AFTA, all but a few import tariffs will be reduced to between 0 and 5% by 2008 (Shameen,2005). The increasing level of international competition puts the Malaysian firm in a very vulnerable position (Savage, 2005, p. 20). With plants, contract assembly, and/or joint ventures in Britain, Italy, Iran, Indonesia, Vietnam, and China (Bonami, 2005), . Although Malaysias overall automobile sales increased dramatically in 2005, the escalating competition saw PROTON continue its domestic decline (Edwin, 2005). Even with limited protective barriers still in place, the firms Malaysian market share had declined from roughly 70% to 45% in the previous five-year period (Burton, 2005). In response, PROTON is looking to expand its export efforts within the ASEAN region, the Mediterranean countries . . . , the Middle East, China, as well as India and Russia to a lesser extent (Bonami, 2005, p. S5). While this is clearly a reasonable course of action, as exports account for less than 5% for Malaysian automakers versus the roughly 60% in Japan (Bonami, 2005), production capacity is still comparatively very small. PROTON, notwithstanding its earlier intentions of a large-scale strategy, is simply not big enough to gain economies of scale to compete effectively in the export market against giant global competitors (Shameen, 2005). The company has also been slow to market itself effectively around the world. Recent years have seen the organization neglect its prior efforts at branding, which has led to a cheap car image, even in the domestic market (Savage, 2005, p. 20). According to Rajeev Lochan, general manager, Asia-Pacific, TNS Automotive, While the short-term challenge is to provide a promotional thrust to models in its current line-up, the long-term requires PROTON to invest in revamping its aging product portfolio and reposition its brand to reach a wider base of prospective car buyers (Savage, 2005, p. 20). The stakes are very high, as approximately 100,000 jobs are on the line when considering PROTON and its component supply chain (Burton, 2005). By signing the AFTA agreement by the Malaysian government PROTON has to find alternative ways how to compete successfully with all its foreign competitors. Specify potential areas of intra-regional conflicts (if any) and synergies; As mentioned before Proton is a classic case of a long-protected national champion that is struggling as the market opens up and a perfect example of intra-regional conflict with its neighboring countries such as Thailand and Indonesia where the car market is liberalised. In 2002 its domestic market share was more than 60%. That has now fallen to 44% after Malaysia reluctantly agreed with its partners in the Association of South-East Asian Nations (ASEAN) to drop import barriers on ASEAN cars to around 20%, from up to 300% previously. And the process is just beginning: Malaysia actually fudged the market opening by simultaneously hiking excise taxes on the imported cars. But by 2008 the country has to do away with such sophistry and cut import duties to 5% The trouble is that Malaysias politicians and managers have failed to realise how vulnerable Proton is, says Graeme Maxton, director of automotive research group Autopolis. The Malaysians see it as a world-class carmaker with great export potential; the reality is that it is too small to survive in a global market dominated by just a dozen huge carmakers. Proton is off the scale in terms of economies of scale, says Mr Maxton, and it will slowly die once the market opens up. Hence, I argue that it is that it is undesirable to pursue such a strategy because on the long term this expensive project( proton and the automotive industry in Malaysia) will impose heavy costs on the government. The establishment of PROTON has to be attributed to the vision of the Malaysian government. The firm successfully positioned itself as the national car and pride of Malaysia, a symbol of its countrys accomplishment on the global stage. I agree that government initiation of a national champion (Donnelly et al., 2002) is certainly a powerful force for the vision and subsequent emergence of a developing country. The conflict which might arise is that Malaysia still is not willing to open up its car market completely to protect its own interest. This might result into intra-regional conflicts between Asean members. Especially between its neighboring countries because there is sufficient expertise available and this can be applied and used at the Malaysian carmarket (Zafar A. Humpreys J. 2008). This is the key problem that has prevented the government of Malaysia from signing ant bilateral Free Trade Agreements despite several attemps. For example the partnership with Japan in 2006, is called Economic Partnership Agreement is not compared to a fully eligible fta. Currently in Malaysia the call for liberalization and subsidies faced by industries (automotive) has remained an obstancle to greater integration in AEC. Synergies regarding the automotive in Malaysia are not available, futher it is difficult to determine the synergies between other automotive industries such as Thailand and Indonesia because the Malaysian automotive industry is a unique example compared to relative liberased automotive markets( Thailan Indonesia). Asean Roundtable 2010. Achieving the Asean Economic Community 2015:Challenges for Member countries. 29 April 2010, Singapore. Towards an Integrated Asian Economic Community. Where is Malaysia? Rajah Rasiah Application of suitable management model(s) to analyze findings According to the literature both models of porter can be applied to the Malaysian Automotive industry, however, Porters diamond also acknowledges the role the governmental forces and luck can play in national competitive advantage in which the 5 competitive forces is lacking. (Sledge, 2005) Demand conditions Demand conditions describe the level of domestic demand that Proton faces. Demand conditions depend both on the quantity of demand as well as the sophistication level of consumers in a home market. In Malaysia, the demand for cars has been risen steadily due to increasing living standards and consumer expenditure. However, the difference between supply in terms of Malaysian cars and foreign cars is substantial ( Due to tariff barriers and special incentives dedicated to Malaysian car manufactures which results in significant higher prices for foreign cars). In fact the Malaysian government can largely influence the demand since most of the Malaysian lack the purchasing power to buy foreign manufactured cars. Generally, demand conditions are associated with a countrys level of economic development. Malaysia is has been having a sustainable economic growth of an average of 5% per year since the 1980s. The company has also been slow to market itself effectively around the world. Recent years have seen the organization neglect its prior efforts at branding, which has led to a cheap car image, even in the domestic market (Savage, 2005, p. 20). Thus, the general consensus is Malaysia is that Proton/Malaysian cars are perceived as one of the cheapest car in their segment and this can result that very demanding consumers create an awareness in firms that causes them to focus on the needs and preferences of the consumer. Also, quantities of demand drive firms to higher levels of efficiency and productivity. Thus, high levels of demand in a nation would drive the firms in that industry to become globally competitive (Sledge, 2005), however this is not applicable yet because Malaysia is still a developing country. Factors conditions According to Porter, factor conditions include any factors of production that a firm uses in its businesses. These include the traditional factors of production, this includes manmade structures that facilitate commerce, Still other factors would be educational and legal systems. Porter classifies these factors into five major categories: Human resources, physical resources, knowledge resources, capital resources and infrastructure. The more advanced these factors are the more they will enhance the success of businesses located in the country. These factors provide needed inputs and systems that businesses use to gain competitive advantages over their rivals. Without them, firms would have to expend their own resources to provide such structures for commerce and transactions. (Sledge, 2005) Many of these important factors are still not completely utilized and developed to a certain level. Malaysia automotive industry is lacking most of the important factors such as human resources, knowledge resources many skilled Malaysian labors went abroad due to better labor conditions and highly skilled foreign labor has been brought into the Malaysian automotive industry. In order to expedite the transfer of technology to Malaysia, PROTON was proactive in initiating programs between local vendors and numerous established overseas technical collaborators. By 2002, some 222 collaborative arrangements were in place representing specialized assistance from various regional neighbors (primarily Japan, South Korea, and Chinese Taiwan), as well as Western Europe (Ahmed Humphreys, 2008) The Malaysian governments still plays a large role in their own industrial global competitiveness. It has been the initiative of the Malaysian government to set up its own automotive industry and therewith complementary industries will arise( such as car part suppliers). The aimed result was to create an advanced business infrastructure and an emphasis on innovation, however this is still not the case in the Malaysian automotive industry . Related and supporting industries This aspect of the model includes the importance of enterprises that indirectly or directly affect the automotive industry. Porter describes these ancillary businesses needed by firms as related and supporting industries. These most often encompass suppliers or distributors that serve the industry at hand. The model proposes that the stronger these industries are the stronger the local industry will be. The underlying assumption is that highly competitive supporting industries will drive the focal industry to be more competitive (Sledge, 2005). Hypothesis 3: Strong and dynamic related and supporting industries in a firm s home market will positively impact the firm s global competitiveness. PROTON, notwithstandingits earlier intentions of a large-scale strategy, is simply not big enough to gain economies of scale to compete effectively in the export market against giant global competitors (Ahmed Humphreys, 2008) And according to (ROSLI KARI, 2008)a research shows that foreign suppliers performed better than local suppliers. Interviews suggest that access to superior technology from abroad is the prime determinant of the inferior performance of local suppliers compared to foreign suppliers. Local firms lack firm-specific advantages that foreign multinational suppliers enjoy It points to the need for companies and governments to encourage and support ancillary industries to enhance global competitiveness. In both models, this parameter estimate was the second largest and the most statistically significant. This underscores the importance of related and supporting industries in the context of global competitiveness. Without a network, firms can not hope to be worldwide leaders. Firm strategy, structure and rivalry is the fourth clement in the model. This point on the diamond refers to several key strategic factors that characterize a firm. Strategy describes the types of actions firms utilize to achieve both long-range and short-range goals. These are often either low-cost, differentiation, focus strategies or some combination thereof Other common strategies include growth, maintenance or restructuring activities. Growth strategies would be associated with higher competitiveness because the ability to pursue growth intemally or extemally would be indicative of overall business health, Stmcture refers to the industry composition. This describes the degree to which an industry is concentrated or dispersed, competitive or monopolistic, or global or domestic. A more crowded structure would indicate multilevel competition and therefore greater competitiveness. Rivalry indicates both the number of players and the level of competition among firms in an industry. This could be heated, mid-range, non-rivalries or somewhere in between. Greater rivalry in an industry would lead a firm to higher levels of competitiveness vis a vis its rivals. Rivalry is thought to be the most comprehensive of the three factors, as it often indicates the underlying strategy and structure of the competitors Thus, a greater number of firm actions as well as a greater number of competitor responses in the focal industry lead to greater competitiveness of the firm. Hypothesis 4: Greater rivalry within a firm s home market will positively impact the firms global competitiveness Make and justify recommendations for possible business strategies to exploit the benefits in this region

Tuesday, November 12, 2019

Effects of Music Essay

Music and Its Effects on Our Emotions: Can Music Really Change Your Mood? Music can control a much larger part of your life than most people would like to believe. Music can affect us in ways in which we’re not even aware of, and for this reason, music is simply amazing. There is a large number of studies behind music. Not even just the typical music you hear on the radio or that you download from the Internet, but any sounds and the way they can affect your mood and reflect your personallity. It has been proven that certain types of music can evoke sadness, while others can give you an excitement. Music is used in millions of places for this reason. Advertisements. Advertisements and movies are based around the audio! Certain types of music are more likely to evoke emotions in people which will in turn make them feel a certain way. Sometimes this is great for producers in the economy because they can use music in their advertisements to help produce more profits, because people will become much more interested in the products that they’re of fering. This works the same in the film industry. The film industry is interested in inflicting some sort of mood on its audience. If a movie is able to inflict an emotion into people, then the movie is looked upon as a much better movie, and therefore is more likely to make more money. Music can really affect more parts of the economy than you would ever even take into consideration. One amazing thing, that I’m sure you’ve never even stopped to think about, is the music in a casino. They tend to play very uplifting music, music that will make you want to stay longer. Theoretically, the longer you stay in a casino, the more money the casino will make from you. The casino wants to keep you in their business for as long as they can. Music is one way the owners can go about this. Another irrelevant yet interesting method they have is to release scents that cause people to become more satisfied with what they’re doing, and will make them in turn be more comfortable in the environment and want to stay longer, making the casino more money in the long run. Pop, lighter rock, and most dance music tends to be a very uplifting type of music. If you’re ever looking for a booster, listen to some of this music! I actually enjoy listening to this music every day before going to take classes, because it lifts my spirit and helps me make it through the day. Downbeat music such as death metal and rap music tends to affect people’s emotions in a much darker form. However, this is all personal preference and you cannot  base all of this on my opinion. Overall, music has a much greater affect on you than you would believe. Experiment. Listen to new music all the time. See what music gives you chills down your spine. See what music you can’t understand and hate. There’s something out there for everyone. The Effects of Music In some way, music affects everyone. Whether it is, a young girl’s favorite song on the radio, a college student’s escape from reality or a form of entertainment to a married couple, music brings everyone together. Music definitely affects the lifestyles of people in many different ways. The diverse styles of music makes people look and act differently. Music has many different levels. To me, levels meaning; the more independent and progressive the music is, the more the fans take it to the extreme. Music creates style. It causes people to talk, act, and dress the way they do. I hope to discover how much music influences people, especially college students. Also, the more fascinated they are the more influences it has to them. I would like to prove, that to some, music is nothing more than the pop song playing on the radio in the car, and to others, it is a major part of their life. It is very interesting to me, to learn the effects music has toward people. Music impacts everyone in some way (positive or negative), but I think it impacts college students the most. I would like to know the reasons people are listening to music they buy and support. Also, the reasons certain groups are more popular than others. I used a couple various methods of research to conduct my research. I wrote up ten surveys with some questions about gender, age, what they buy, do they attend concerts, and do they support local music. I passed these surveys out to completely random students so there was no imbalance of the results. I hope to find out certain things like: are males affected more than females from music; who buys more clothing/ accessories; is local music important to college students. Another form of research was done by making some observations. I observed places that college students live. I observed a few of my friends apartments very closely and also observed a couple other houses that I was  invited to over the past month. By doing this, I hope to generalize what they like and how it influences them. For example, posters of music groups hanging everywhere will indicate a more of an influence than paintings, by say Picasso. Clothing, jewelry, and actual speech from people may also provide some interesting details. While making these observations, I had also done a couple interviews. A couple were formal, sit-down interviews and the others were just conversations that I thought would be helpful to making my research complete. After giving some thought to my results, I decided to add a section about my personal history. Throughout my life music has affected me in many different ways. It has helped me through some very important decisions, such as, how I feel, who I am with, where I am going to go. When I was ten years old, I got my first guitar. It was an acoustic guitar. I loved to play it, but dreaded going to the lessons. My parents forced me because I couldn’t play a single note. After a year or two things started to come together and I could play some songs. Then I decided to purchase an electric guitar. For me, this was the greatest thing to ever happen to me. I played everyday at any time that I could. My favorite group was the Beastie Boys. My friends and I would pretend we were them and put on shows pretending to be them. As I got older, I would purchase any music that I could; cassette tapes, records, videos, posters, anything that dealt with music. Around seventh or eighth grade, I purchased a used drum set. My other friends all played, so we decided to form a band. We would practice in the garage as much as often until my parents said enough, until it became an obsession. We played a couple of parties (nothing big, because this was the eighth grade), but still a major part of my life at the time. One day during practice, I remember my good friend, the lead singer, telling me booked a real gig, in downtown Pittsburgh. We got a set ready and about a month to practice our songs. The place was called the Electric Banana, it was real dive bar. Most people there were friends and family, but still a nice turnout. Since then I haven’t been playing in a band, but still love making music. Most of my friends are really into music too. We swap music  with each other and talk about it all the time. When I switched schools in high school, music really helped me make some friends. Without music my life would be totally different and a lot more boring, so I’m glad it turned out this way. I am very happy with the results that I got from the surveys. There were ten surveys filled out. Of the ten, six were females and four were males. Eight of the ten all liked rap/hip hop music or said rap along with some other forms. The other two liked rock, punk, or emo. No one put classic rock as their choice (which I found to be very interesting, because I like classic rock). There were two other questions I found to be very much related. Everyone that collects music, any form, (CD, cassette tape, or vinyl) has clothing and/or accessories that support music, for instance, posters, T-shirts, and hats. Four out of ten said they regularly attend concerts. I was very pleased to hear that eight of ten support local musicians/bands. I am a music lover, (as you know) so the local scene is very important to me. Here is a graph I constructed from the surveys. Females Males 60% 40% The interviews came out to be very useful also. I talked to a music lover/musician/collector. His name was Neil and he was very cooperative. We talked about the unusual styles of music he liked. He has a very wide range of music in his collection. We talked about some of his favorite artists, some being Pittsburgh based groups. He loves live music and goes to as many shows as possible. He said â€Å"it’s hard to get to places without a car and with classes† He also said â€Å"I just saw The Roots play for my sixth time last week, at a little place in Oakland.† We were talking about how they are definitely one of his favorites, if he had to pick. I asked him why he was so into music. He replied â€Å"It’s a stress reliever. It takes my mind off school, work, and people’s pettiness.† Another interview that I performed was not as formal. This one was with my dad at the dinner table. It was pretty short and to the point. I asked him if he likes music. He said â€Å"No.† I then asked him if he ever listens to it and he said â€Å"No, when I am in the car I listen to the news or talk radio and when I’m home I’m either working or watching TV.† After doing this research, I realized that by doing interviews you can really feel the emotion from the answers compared to reading a survey. I think that interviews did help me make certain things easier to understand on the survey. The Effects of Music on People’s Emotions By Rachel Mattison, eHow Contributor , last updated July 02, 2012 Movie producers and recording artists use music to manipulate the emotions of audiences to feel everything from excitement to sadness during movies and performances. No one can deny that music has either positive or negative effects on the emotions of listeners. However, music therapy or the study of music’s impact on emotions examines how music cause positive changes in listeners and patients for areas including early childhood development, healing and recovery, and overcoming negative emotions. 1. Early Childhood Development * Music plays an important role in early childhood emotional and intellectual development, according to information compiled by Brad Kennedy and Jennifer Durst. Their research confirms that even while in the womb, babies can tell the differences between certain types of music. Also called prenatal stimulation this technique has many positive effects including higher levels of intelligence and creativity, along with the ability to calm down when listening to music. Suggested usages for music in early childhood development include teaching children to analyze songs so they can learn how to express and identify their emotions, though processes, behaviors and situations as a way of developing cognitive and motor skills. Healing and Recovery * The American Music Therapy Organization states music therapy can  allow â€Å"emotional intimacy with families and caregivers, relaxation for the entire family, and meaningful time spent together in a positive, creative way.† Additional studies show that music therapy can cause changes in physiology by releasing brain chemicals including melatonin, norephinephrine, epinephrine, serotonin and prolactin, which help to reduce depression, regulate mood and make patients feel calm and more able to sleep. Doctors have used music therapy to help stroke, cerebral palsy and Parkinson’s patients improve. Dr. Suzanne Hasner says head trauma and dementia patients retain music ability because â€Å"deep in our long-term memory is this rehearsed music. It is processed in the emotional part of the brain, the amygdala. Here’s where you remember the music played at your wedding, the music of your first love, that first dance. Such things can still be remembered even in people with progressive diseases. It can be a window, a way to reach them.† * Negative Emotions and Fear Management * Dr. Zbigniew Kucharski, from the Medical Academy of Warsaw, has studied the effects of music when used for fear management in dental patients. He discovered that children who listened to 30 minutes of music preceding and following dental procedures were less likely to experience negative feelings. Another study, â€Å"Quantification of the effects of listening to music as a noninvasive method of pain control,† conducted in 1992 found that relaxing music helped to reduce anxiety and pain in patients undergoing certain medical procedures including painful gynecological procedures and pediatric surgical burn units. How Music Affects Us and Promotes Health Music is one of the few activities that involves using the whole brain. It is intrinsic to all cultures and can have surprising benefits not only for learning language, improving memory and focusing attention, but also for physical coordination and development. Of course, music can be distracting if it’s too loud or too jarring, or if it competes for our attention with what we’re trying to do. But for the most part, exposure to many kinds of music has beneficial effects: 1Music heals Effective therapy for pain Overall, music does have positive effects on pain management. Music can help reduce both the sensation and distress of both chronic pain and postoperative pain. Listening to music can reduce chronic pain from a range of painful conditions, including osteoarthritis, disc problems and rheumatoid arthritis, by up to 21% and depression by up to 25%, according to a paper in the latest UK-based Journal of Advanced Nursing29. Music therapy is increasingly used in hospitals to reduce the need for medication during childbirth, to decrease postoperative pain and complement the use of anesthesia during surgery30. There are several theories about how music positively affects perceived pain: * 1. Music serves as a distractor * 2. Music may give the patient a sense of control * 3. Music causes the body to release endorphins to counteract pain * 4. Slow music relaxes person by slowing their breathing and heartbeat Reducing blood pressure By playing recordings of relaxing music every morning and evening, people with high blood pressure can train themselves to lower their blood pressure – and keep it low31. According to research reported at the American Society of Hypertension meeting in New Orleans, listening to just 30 minutes of classical, Celtic or raga music every day may significantly reduce high blood pressure. Medicine for the heart music is good for your heart. Research shows that it is musical tempo, rather than style. Italian and British researchers32 recruited young men and women, half of whom were trained musicians. The participants slipped on head phones and listened to six styles of music, including rap and classical pieces, with random two-minute pauses. As the participants kicked back and listened, the researchers monitored their breathing, heart rates and blood pressure. The participants had faster heart and breathing rates when they listened to lively music. When the musical slowed, so did their heart and breathing rates. Some results were surprising. During the musical pauses, heart and breathing rates normalized or reached more optimal levels. Whether or not a person liked the style of music did not matter. The tempo, or pace, of the music had the greatest effect on relaxation. Speeds Post-Stroke Recovery A daily portion` of one’s favorite pop melodies, classical music or jazz can speed recovery from debilitating strokes, according to the latest research. When stroke patients in Finland listened to music for a couple of hours each day, verbal memory and attention span improved significantly compared to patients who received no musical stimulation, or who listened only to stories read out loud, the study reports33. Chronic headaches & migraine remedy Music can help migraine34 and chronic headache35 sufferers reduce the intensity, frequency, and duration of the headaches. Music boosts immunity Music can boost the immune function. Scientists explain that a particular type of music can create a positive and profound emotional experience, which leads to secretion of immune-boosting hormones22. This helps contribute to a reduction in the factors responsible for illness. Listening to music or singing can also decrease levels of stress-related hormone cortisol. Higher levels of cortisol can lead to a decreased immune response23-24. 2Effects of music on the brain Music enhances intelligence, learning and IQ The idea that music makes you smarter received considerable attention from scientists and the media. Listening to music or playing an instrument can actually make you learn better. And research confirms this. Music has the power to enhance some kinds of higher brain function: * Reading and literacy skills11-13 * Spatial-temporal reasoning14-15 * Mathematical abilities16-17 – Even children with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder benefit in mathematics tests from listening to music beforehand. *Emotional intelligence The Mozart effect Earlier it has been thought that listening to classical music, particularly Mozart, enhances performance on cognitive tests. However, recent findings18 show that listening to any music that is personally enjoyable has positive effects on cognition. Music improves memory performance The power of music to affect memory is quite intriguing. Mozart’s music and baroque music, with a 60 beats per minute beat pattern, activates the left and right brain. The simultaneous left and right brain action maximizes learning and retention of information. The information being studied activates the left brain while the music activates the right brain. Also, activities which engage both sides of the brain at the same time, such as playing an instrument or singing, cause the brain to be more capable of processing information. Listening to music facilitates the recall of information19. Researchers have shown that certain types of music are a great â€Å"keys† for recalling memories. Information learned while listening to a particular song can often be recalled simply by â€Å"playing† the songs mentally. Musical training has even better effect than just listening to classical music. There is clear evidence20, that children who take music lessons develop a better memory compared with children who have no musical training. Note: For learning or memory performance, it’s important that music doesn’t have a vocal component; otherwise you’re more likely to remember the words of the background song than what you’re supposed to be recalling. Music improves concentration and attention Easy listening music or relaxing classics improves the duration and intensity of concentration in all age groups and ability levels. It’s not clear what type of music is better, or what kind of musical structure is necessary to help, but many studies have shown significant effects21. 3Music improves physical performance Music improves athletic performance Choosing music that motivates you will make it easier to start moving, walking, dancing, or any other type of exercise that you enjoy. Music can make exercise feel more like recreation and less like work. Furthermore, music enhances athletic performance6-8! Anyone who has ever gone on a long run with their iPod or taken a particularly energetic spinning class knows that music can make the time pass more quickly. The four central hypotheses explaining music’s facilitation of exercise performance include: * Reduction in the feeling of fatigue * Increase in levels of psychological arousal * Physiological relaxation response * Improvement in motor coordination Music improves body movement and coordination Music reduces muscle tension and improves body movement and coordination25-26. Music may play an important role in developing, maintaining and restoring physical functioning in the rehabilitation of persons with movement disorders. 4Music helps to work more productively Fatigue fighter Listening to upbeat music can be a great way to find some extra energy. Music can effectively eliminate exercise-induced fatigue9 and fatigue symptoms caused by monotonous work10. Keep in mind that listening to too much pop and hard rock music can make you more jittery than energized. Vary what you listen to and find out what type of music is most beneficial for you. You could try classical music one day, pop the next day and jazz the third. Music improves productivity Many people like to listen to music while they work and I am certainly one of them. How about you? Did you know you can perform better at your work with music? Whilst there may be many reasons for wishing to listen to music in the workplace, it really improves your productivity27! According to a report in the journal Neuroscience of Behavior and Physiology28, a person’s ability to recognize visual images, including letters and numbers, is faster when either rock or classical music is playing in the background. 5Music calms, relaxes and helps to sleep Relaxing music induces sleep Relaxing classical music is safe, cheap and easy way to beat insomnia1. Many people who suffer from insomnia find that Bach music helps them. Researchers have shown that just 45 minutes of relaxing music before bedtime can make for a restful night2. Relaxing music reduces sympathetic nervous system activity, decreases anxiety, blood pressure, heart and respiratory rate and may have positive effects on sleep via muscle relaxation and distraction  from thoughts. Music reduces stress and aids relaxation Listening to slow, quiet classical music, is proven to reduce stress3. Countless studies have shown that music’s relaxing effects can be seen on anyone, including newborns. One of the great benefits of music as a stress reliever is that it can be used while you do your usual deeds so that it really doesn’t take time. How does music reduces stress? * Physical relaxation. Music can promote relaxation of tense muscles, enabling you to easily release some of the tension you carry from a stressful day. * Aids in stress relief activities. Music can help you get â€Å"into the zone† when practicing yoga, self hypnosis or guided imagery, can help you feel energized when exercising and recover after exercising, help dissolve the stress when you’re soaking in the tub. * Reduces negative emotions. Music, especially upbeat tunes, can take your mind off what stresses you, and help you feel more optimistic and positive. This helps release stress and can even help you keep from getting as stressed over life’s little frustrations in the future. Researchers discovered4 that music can decrease the amount of the cortisol, a stress-related hormone produced by the body in response to stress. 6Music improves mood and decreases depression Prescription for the blues Music’s ability to â€Å"heal the soul† is the stuff of legend in every culture. Many people find that music lifts their spirits. Modern research tends to confirm music’s psychotherapeutic benefits5. Bright, cheerful music (e.g. Mozart, Vivaldi, bluegrass, Klezmer, Salsa, reggae) is the most obvious prescription for the blues. The 5 Weirdest Ways Music Can Mess With the Human Brain By: C. Coville, Kathy Benjamin February 11, 2011 1,619,046 views The entire reason music exists is because of its almost magical ability to push your buttons. An upbeat song gets you going, a sad song makes you cry and drink. But the more science studies music’s effect on the human brain, the more bizarre things we discover. For instance †¦ #5. It Changes Your Ability to Perceive Time  old music — the stuff you hear on the line when you call everyone from the bank to your local bail bond agency — didn’t fall into America’s phone lines by accident. It’s designed specifically to reduce the amount of time you think you’re waiting, so that you’re less likely to hang up in anger. Other places that involve waiting, such as doctors’ offices, use a similar trick. Time shrinkage is also the aim of most retail stores, which is why you’ll rarely enter a mall, supermarket or clothing store without hearing some sort of music in the background. How the hell does music do that? To understand why exactly music makes it seem like less time has passed, think of the human brain as a mountain lion that is eating a bag of money. It doesn’t matter what the zookeepers distract it with — food, shiny objects or just shouting and yelling. All that matters is that they give another zookeeper the chance to sneak up and retrieve the money while the lion is busy deciding which one of them to eat. Similarly, when your brain is steadily distracted, you’ll be less likely to notice things around you in detail, and this includes the passage of time. Our brains have limited input capacity, and when something else is using up that capacity, we’re less likely to think things like, â€Å"I’ve been standing in line to get Richard Moll’s autograph for three goddamn hours† or â€Å"Do I really need this Garfield alarm clock?† But it works the opposite way, too. In some situations, listening to music can actually expand perceived time. For example, listening to music while performing tasks that require concentration will usually cause us to overestimate the amount of time that has passed. The theory is that as your mind switches back and forth between perception of the music and concentration on the challenging tasks, it forms separate â€Å"events,† or distinct memories. When your brain thinks about what you’ve been doing for the past hour, you’ll remember more of these events and recall that the hour was quite long. Experiments have found that time also expands when we’re listening to familiar music that we dislike. When we hear the opening chords of a song, our brain remembers the whole thing and immediately skips ahead and plays it mentally. This fake mind-music is  extremely vivid, working on exactly the same parts of the brain as actual music does. So the effect is that you take a few moments to vividly imagine that you’re sitting through five minutes of that damn New Radicals song before you come back to reality only to realize that you still actually have to sit through it. #4. It Taps Into Primal Fear OK, imagine how you would sound for a second if you saw your friend Jason across the street and wanted to get his attention by yelling his name. Now imagine you see your friend Jason across the street, suddenly realize a car is careening down the road about to hit him, and shout his name to warn him.Despite the fact that you are yelling the same thing both times, even in your head you can hear how the two sound different. Human beings have a very good, very nuanced sense of what kind of noise indicates a greeting and what kind of noise indicates you are about to be mauled by a honey badger. And that sense is being used against you in every scary movie you have ever seen. There is a reason that horror films scare the crap out of us, and it’s not just the creepy settings, dramatic buildup and sudden reveal of the bad guy RIGHT BEHIND YOU. It’s the music. How the hell does music do that? There are certain sounds that humans will automatically associate with sudden and painful death because they tap into our evolutionary fear of the screams of other animals (and other human beings). Screams of fear in almost any animal are made up of what scientists have dubbed â€Å"discordant noises.† Any noise that makes you feel very unpleasant falls into this category. We know if we hear other living things making those discordant noises that we have to get the fuck out, because something bad is going to happen. Movie directors know this and make good use of it when deciding on the score for a film. That dramatic buildup and subsequent scary reveal is almost always accompanied by really freaky music or somebody screaming his ass off (or both). But this technique is hardly limited to horror movies. For instance, in his original draft of The Social Network, Andy Sorkin wanted a song called â€Å"Love of the Common People† to play over the opening credits scene. Here’s what that would have looked like: That poppy calypso music makes you feel that everything is dandy. Sure, Mark Zuckerberg has just been dumped,  but it’s all OK! He’s running through the Harvard campus and is about to invent Facebook and become a billionaire. Yay!Listen to that lower-level background music throughout. It sounds like random, angry notes played behind a simple piano tune, and those notes are creating discordant sound. Suddenly you’re apprehensive, feeling like something really bad is about to happen (we’re talking getting sued for $64 million bad). So next time you’re getting a little too freaked out by a movie, remember that muting the television is a far better decision than looking away. #3. It Makes You Stronger It’s no secret that many people prefer to listen to music when they work out. But music doesn’t just make physical activity more pleasant — it actually makes our physical performance measurably better. When listening to music, people are able to hold heavy weights for longer than when they’re standing in silence. They can also complete sprints in smaller amounts of time and are even able to reduce their oxygen intake. How the hell does music do that? Similar to the time-perception effect we referenced above, one element is just plain old distraction. Obviously, if your mind is listening to music, it’s not thinking about how much your legs hurt or how much longer you’ve got to run before the treadmill makes that final beeping noise. But there’s much more to it than that. First, there’s synchronicity. When you match your movements to a steady musical tempo, you spend less time and effort on the inefficient slowing down and speeding up that happens when you’re going by your own rhythm. Music also increases the incidence of â€Å"flow† states — states of meditation-like calm in which everything works right for an athlete and that is strongly linked to enhanced performance. Music can even make you feel less pain. Patients listening to music after surgery need less sedatives, report less pain and have lower blood pressure. As if that’s not impressive enough, doctors have found that specially selected melodic music dramatically reduces stress in patients during unsedated brain surgery. In some cases, music caused patients to relax so much that many of them fell into a deep sleep, while people sliced into their exposed brains with fucking scalpels. And even if you’re lucky enough to be asleep during  surgery, there’s a good chance the doctors working on you are listening to music, since most surgeons believe it improves their performance, too. So the next time you’re about to go under a general anesthetic, consider the fact that the guy with the scalpel might soon be timing his incisions to Whitesnake. #2. It Changes Your Drinking Habits Did you ever wake up in the back of a taxi after a long night of tossing down cognac and prune juice and wonder how your pants got replaced by a thick but clumsily applied coat of colorful body paint? Well, now there’s something to blame it on besides your bad childhood: music. What they play in the bar doesn’t just affect how much you drink, but what you drink. How the hell does music do that? Did you know you can make a person buy more expensive wine just by playing classical music? Experiments prove it. It makes people feel like they’re in a wine commercial or in a movie depicting refined, snooty rich people. OK, that one sort of makes sense — we doubt anyone ever drank Wild Irish Rose while listening to Vivaldi. But in another blind study, different types of music playing in the background caused drinkers to change how they’d described the drinks they already had. Laid-back music led people to rate drinks as â€Å"mellow,† and upbeat music resulted in more people calling their drinks â€Å"refreshing.† Even stranger, in another study researchers placed German and French wines in supermarkets, with small flags next to each display so customers could tell which countries they came from. They then played some unobtrusive international music in the background. When German music was played, the percentage of German sales rose, and vice versa. This wasn’t because customers thought to themselves, Ah! Germany! I will celebrate the Fatherland with some nice wine! Questionnaires showed that customers couldn’t recall what type of music was playing and thought they’d chosen a particular wine simply because they’d felt like it. The people selling you the drinks know all of this stuff — or at least, the successful ones do. We’ve pointed out before that bars and nightclubs often play fast music to increase alcohol-based profit. But other establishments, particularly upscale restaurants, prefer slow, relaxing music, which,  believe it or not, can also make you drink more. The tempo of music is linked to your body’s arousal level, or the â€Å"speed† at which your nervous system operates. Fast music heightens arousal (heh), so patrons will do everything more quickly, including eating and drinking and leaving their infant by the salad bar. Which is good for a restaurant owner if he’s just concerned with getting you out the door so he can serve more (and presumably better) people. On the other hand, slower music means that you eat at a more leisurely pace. Maybe you’ll even stay to chat with your companions after you’re done with your meal. All this time passing means you’re likely to buy more drinks every time the waiter comes around to ask, and at a restaurant that’s charging $70 a bottle, that makes up for any lost table space. Some restaurants go as far as to purchase a personalized selection of songs specially designed by â€Å"sound branding† companies, which select songs based on whatever tempo or atmosphere the restaurant is aiming to achieve. #1. It Makes You a Better Communicator How does a narcissistic ass like John Mayer, who isn’t even that attractive, still have hot women of all ages throwing themselves at him? It’s the guitar, isn’t it?Actually, a trained musician like Mayer would probably be able to talk a woman into his bed without ever even playing a note. It turns out that studying music gives you an advantage when it comes to perceiving the emotions of others, so all those years of being chained to a piano as a child are finally going to work in your favor. People who can play instruments at near-professional level can detect subtle emotional changes and intonations in the vocal tones of others. In other words, they know whether you are actually sad when you say you’re fine, even when most non-musicians would have no idea. Not only that, but the fact that they studied music makes them better able to tune out background noise, so they are even better at paying attention to what you are saying in that crowded restaurant or bar. How the hell does music do that? Research shows that people who have studied music actually have brains wired differently than non-musicians. This rewiring makes them better able to express emotions they are feeling, but it also makes them more able to understand the emotions others express. Music is very emotional, and people  wired to understand those subtle emotional changes can also detect them in the vocal tones of someone talking. The emotion of the music translates to knowing when your boss is secretly mad or your mother is secretly disappointed. The sooner you start learning music, the more pronounced this re-wiring is. Scientists think that teaching children music might help kids with autism better understand vocal cues and encode speech. The fact that this brain re-wiring helps them tune out background noise could also help kids stay focused in noisy classrooms. It is also something that gets better the more you play, so sticking to your piano lessons now could lead to a powerful advantage in your future dating world. Read more: http://www.cracked.com/article_19006_the-5-weirdest-ways-music-can-mess-with-human-brain_p2.html#ixzz0MMCXjaIv Music is one of many important parts of our lives because it can be an approach not only to reduce each of our mental tension but also to inspire our feelings in artistic sense. Then, there are only two subtopics to develop into two paragraphs in the body: 1) music is an approach to reduce people’s mental tension 2) music inspires people’s feelings in artistic sense