Assess the Strengths and Weaknesses of the Functionalist Approach to Society Essay

Functionalism is seen as a macro-scale approach to society; it sees society as a whole rather than looking at parts of it. Due to this, functionalism sees society as a body (organic analogy), all the institutions work together to make society. This is particularly useful when observing society in order to understand the way in which it functions and the way in which all the institutions (organic analogy: organs within the body) work together to sustain society as a whole. Functionalism being a macro-scale approach is therefore seen as a strength as it allows functionalist sociologists to observe society, and its institutions, as a whole. Functionalism is also seen as a consensus theory, it sees society as fair and just, and it acknowledges that many societies, including the majority of western ones, have democracy and all individuals within a particular society share the same or similar norms and values. This could therefore be seen as a strength as it acknowledges that democracy does exist in many societies. However, as functionalism is a macro-scale approach and sees society as a whole, it could miss crucial factors/ groups which contribute to the functioning of society; these include small groups and tribes, such as gipsies. Not acknowledging these minority groups within society could lead to functionalist sociologists lacking crucial information about how society functions and how minority groups live within a large society. This could therefore be seen as a weakness of functionalism as it fails to acknowledge that there are minority groups within society. Also, as functionalism is a consensus theory where all individuals within a particular society share the same or similar norms and values and sees society as being fair and just; however, it fails to acknowledge that there are inequalities within society, these inequalities could be present amounts social class, gender or ethnicity. However, other approaches, such as Marxism and Feminism acknowledge that there are inequalities within society which raises the question as to whether functionalism is the most appropriate approach to use when studying society. This is therefore seen as a weakness of functionalism as society does have many inequalities which functionalism fails to acknowledge. Talcott Parsons, a functionalist sociologist who elaborated on Durkheim’s work about society and its functions, claimed that society is like an organism, in particular, the human body. He argued that all institutions, such as the family and the education system, within society function together to maintain society just as the organs within a human body work together to maintain life. In particular, Parsons identified three similarities between the human body and society; he claimed that they were both systems within themselves – all the parts of a body and the institutions within society fit together in fixed ways. He also identified that these ‘systems’ have needs – the human body needs nutrition to help it sustain life, whereas society needs adequate socialisation in order for society to continue functioning in the way that it does. Parsons also stated that both the human body and society have functions – the functions of the systems within the human body ensure that the body’s needs are meet thus maintaining life; whereas, in society, the economy functions to maintain the social system. As parsons’ analogy helps sociologists to better understand the way in which institutions in society work together to maintain a ‘healthy’ society, it can be seen as a strength of functionalism as it helps to structure sociologists’ perceptions about how society functions. Parsons also identified four needs of society and how they are met. He claimed that society needs adaptation, this is where the material needs of society are met; for example, individuals within society work in order to gain their wages which in turn provides for their material needs. He also argued that society needs goal attainment – society needs to set goals and achieve them; this need is met via the political – political leaders set goals for society to achieve and these goals help to improve society. Integration is another need which Parsons identified, this is where cohesion between the different institutions, such as the family and education system, is promoted; this is done to avoid chaos and conflict. Latency is also needed by society, this refers to the way in which individuals cope with problems in society – they may turn to religion to reduce the strain which has been put on them by society. These needs which Parsons identified can be seen as a strength of society as they help sociologists to understand what society needs in order to function adequately. However, functionalist sociologist, Merton disagreed with the needs which Parsons identified. Merton claims that Parsons ignored the fact that there are institutions within society that can be dysfunctional, for example, religion can form cohesion but can also cause divisions within society. According to Merton, Parsons failed to acknowledge this. Merton also argues that Parsons fails to differentiate between intended (manifest) and unintended (latent) functions within society and therefore, Parsons’ idea about the needs and functions of society are very simplistic. Merton also criticises Parsons’ idea about indispensability, he assumes that everything is necessary in the way that it is; for example, children can only be socialised adequately in a two parent, nuclear family, however, Merton rejects this claim as he argues that adequate socialisation can occur even within a single parent family. Due to Merton’s arguments, some aspects of functionalism, such as the needs and functions of society, are seen as a weakness of society. There are also other criticisms of functionalism; it’s argued that functionalism explains the effects before the causes. For example, functionalism claims that children need to socialised (this is the effect) and therefore the family exists (this is the cause). Due to this, may sociologists argue that the functionalism approach is not one which can be used to explain society properly. Also, Marxist sociologists argue that functionalism has failed to explain conflict and change within society; the approach claims that society is harmonious and built on consensus. However, Marxist and Feminist sociologists argue that exploitation and inequality do exist in many forms, such as social class and gender inequality; however, functionalism has failed to acknowledge this and is therefore considered to be an approach which has traditional ideology which is outdated. This therefore shows flaws to the functionalist approach and therefore points out the weaknesses within the functionalist approach. Overall, in conclusion, the functionalist approach has many strengths and weaknesses about the way in which society functions and the needs it requires. It strengths are seen in the way in which it explains the basic needs and function of society, these explanations can be used by other sociologists to improve and maintain an adequate society. However, other approaches, such as Marxism and Feminism have criticised functionalism due to its lack of acknowledgment of exploitation and inequality which occurs within society. However, overall, it is a balanced argument.

Everest report Essay

This report provides an in-depth analysis of the two Everest Simulations conducted by Group 10 of MGMT1001 Thursday Tutorial. This task required students to form teams consisting of five to six members whose goals were to summit Mount Everest. While it provided us with a rich experience in team dynamics and collaboration, it also enabled us to explore key managerial concepts taught in the course, consisting of: †¢Communication †¢Groups and Teams †¢Leadership In this report, we examine the effectiveness of Face to Face Communication (FTFC) versus Computer Mediated Communication (CMC), and the problems encountered through the utilisation of the virtual medium including efficiency of the feedback system, loss of personal focus and other emergent issues. It includes personal reflections on attitudes and perceptions, as well as group performance and strategies adopted in the second Simulation in order to create a more positive team experience. Theories which relate to interpersonal communication have also been integrated in the report to illustrate its relation to certain situations encountered during the Simulation. Additionally, we provide a multifaceted analysis on the notion of team cohesiveness and how it attributes to better performance outcomes. An overview on the different intragroup conflicts encountered in the Simulation has been included, examining the positive and negative impact that conflict had on team experience and performance, and how mutual agreements were reached through the compromising of personal and team goals. Finally, we conclude the report with an analysis of the different leadership styles including directive and empowerment. In our case, a consensus system was agreed upon, which granted equal authority for decision-making. The report also includes a copy of the team contract which briefly outlines our approach to problems and policies for decision-making.

Adam and Eve: an Epic Poem Essay

What makes Adam different from Eve and vice versa? Is it because Adam happens to be a man, and Eve is a woman? Even though this happens to be a true fact, there is a deeper meaning to contrasting Adam and Eve. John Milton’s epic poem, Paradise Lost, gives key differences when contrasting Adam and Eve. Paradise Lost can be summed up as being about the creation of the world, which is known as â€Å"the paradise† and the events before and after that surrounded the creation. Along with the creation of the world came the creation of the first two human beings known to mankind, better known as Adam and Eve. Although Adam and Eve were created equally by GOD, these characters shared different thoughts and performed different actions that distinguished them from one another, which lead to them having contrasting strengths and weaknesses. When GOD was in the process of creating the first two human beings, one would predict that they would be very similar. From the physical outlook, differences between Adam and Eve could be seen easily, simply because of the physical characteristics that differentiate man and woman. But if the human eye were to somehow dig deeper beneath the skin of Adam and Eve, one could see how the two were fairly different. One way of distinguishing one from the other and contrasting the two would be the strengths that each of them possessed. With the strengths, Milton not only showed the differences through the personality, but through the actions as well. The stronger of the two or the character that possessed the most strength was Adam. Even though this choice is very much debatable, Milton backs this up with examples within Paradise Lost. Both Adam and Eve possessed thoughts, and performed actions that one would consider strength. But there are certain strengths that stick out to one’s mind, and that had an effect surrounding the story. Eve’s greatest strength was her capacity for love, emotion, and forbearance. In contrast to Adam, Eve possessed a large amount of love in her heart, which leads her to curiosity and being able to think â€Å"outside the box†. Adam did have a great capacity of love foe Eve, but it is nothing compared to the capacity that Eve held. â€Å"She as a veil down to the slender waist Her unadorned golden tresses wore Disheveled but in wanton ringlets waved As the vine curls her tendrils, which implied Subjection, but required with gentle sway And by her yielded, by him best received Yielded with coy submission, modest pride, And sweet reluctant amorous delay† (IV, 304-311). This quote lists characteristics of Adam and Eve, but what separates the two qualities is Adam ’s â€Å"reluctant amorous delay†. These quoted words describe Adam’s struggling for position in with love, which proves the point that he had a smaller capacity for love than Eve. Adam on the other hand possessed more strengths than Eve. This is believable because Adam was naturally built by GOD to lead Eve, as Milton proclaimed in the epic. For one, Adam was strong, intelligent, and rational. Milton also claimed Adam as being â€Å"the most perfect as any human being would ever be.† But the strength that set him apart from Eve and that contrasts his strength from hers, was his capacity for reason. He could understand the most sophisticated ideas instantly. Eve did not possess this; therefore she was easily influenced and deceived. Proof of her being easily fooled, would be how she was the first to eat from the Tree of Knowledge. Adam tended to take his approach on problems by thinking critically and asking help from GOD. So although Adam and Eve were created equally by GOD, each of them possessed different strengths that distinguished them from one another. Along with the strengths of Adam and Eve, there also came weaknesses. Between Adam and Eve, Eve possessed more weaknesses than Adam. Again this is a debatable opinion, but in the case of Paradise Lost, Milton portrayed this. Eve was created to be led by Adam, but did not do so because of her lack of learning. Milton portrayed Eve as being slightly inferior to Adam. Even though she was in love with him, she resented him because she fell in love with her own natural beauty. One case of this is a part in the epic poem when Eve began gazing at her reflection in the water. It was then that she became somewhat conceited, and one of her greatest weaknesses became her assets and vanity. Another form of Eve’s weakness was her lack of intelligence. She did not approach situations that called for reason, correctly. An example of this is the way she was easily seduced by Satan. â€Å"The varieties of hatred and revenge exhibited by the demons during their infernal council are rooted in fallen human experience† (Ryken 103). This quote connects to the point that Milton portrayed the fall of Eve and mankind, through her experience with Satan. She had a weaker mindset than Adam because Satan seduced her into eating from the Tree of knowledge. From reading Paradise Lost one could possibly blame Eve for the downfall of Adam. But what makes Adam’s weakness different from Eve is the person that he had loved for. Eve fell in love with her own assets and vanity. In contrast, Adam did not fall in love with himself, but instead fell in love with Eve. â€Å"Adam’s desire for Eve in Paradise Lost is nothing if not honorable, and, indeed, it does induce in him the gravest perturbations. He yields to his desire and suffers calamity as a result† (McMahon 51). That happened to be Adams greatest weakness and his downfall; his great love for Eve. As a result for his strong infatuation for Eve, she could easily persuade him, as Satan persuaded her. Adam did not want to lose and upset Eve, so Eve’s love lured Adam into eating from the Tree of Knowledge. Another weakness that Adam possessed was his thirst for knowledge. This also contributed to his downfall because he was always willing and wanting to know more. An ironic comparison is how Adam’s â€Å"thirst for knowledge† led him to the â€Å"Tree of Knowledge.† So in summation Adam’s weaknesses led him to disobey GOD for Eve. Although Adam and Eve were created equally by GOD, their different thoughts and actions led to a contrast in each other’s weaknesses. In the final analysis, one can see how similar characters from birth, grew to be different characters with time. Although Adam and Eve were created equally by GOD, these characters shared different thoughts and performed different actions that distinguished them from one another, which lead to them having contrasting strengths and weaknesses. Neither of the characters were heroes nor satanic figures, even though they contributed to the downfall of man. â€Å"Paradise Lost is a Christian epic and Christ is the hero. Milton has laid the classic epic under tribute for details that adorn a new and in most respect modern type† (Woodhull 256). This quote shows how others see the detail that Milton put in to describing Adam and Eve, and making it more understandable in today’s world. In closing, the synopsis of Paradise Lost is very debatable when comparing or contrasting Adam and Eve. They were the two first human beings known to mankind, and set the stage for the rest of the world. Milton portrays each Adam and Eve to the fullest that gives readers a chance to have their own clear views about each. Work Cited McMahon, Robert. The Two Poets of Paradise Lost. Louisiana: Louisiana Tate University Press, 1998. Milton, John. Edited by Teskey, Gordon. Paradise Lost. New York: W.W. Norton and Company, Inc, 2005. Ryken, Leland. The Apocalyptic Vision in Paradise Lost. Ithaca, New York: Cornell University Press, 1970. Woodhull, Marianna. The Epic of Paradise Lost Twelve Essays. New York: The Knickerbocker Press, 1907.

PROJECT IV Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

PROJECT IV - Essay Example average time (pit stop time) and number of wins for top 30 Sprint Cup Drivers (the Nextel Cup Series) for year 2008 (whole season) is taken for bivariate correlation and regression analysis. For this paper, the average time (pit stop time)1 and number of wins for top 30 Sprint Cup Drivers (the Nextel Cup Series) for year 2008 (whole season) is collected (Race results, 2008; Sprint Cup Drivers, 2008). Table 1: Driver’s Number of Win(s) and the Pit Stop Time in Appendix, shows the data for top 30 drivers for the Nextel Cup Series, 2008. In bivariate correlation and regression analysis , it will be determined whether average time of pit stops is related to the number of wins. Therefore, the average time will be taken as independent variable (x) and the number of wins will be taken as dependent variable (y). Figure 1 shows the scatter plot of Average Pit Stop Time and Number of Wins. From figure 1 , it can be seen that as the average pit stop time increases the number of wins decreases. Therefore, there is a negative relationship exists between the variables average time and number of wins. The value of sample correlation coefficient , r = -0.55 indicate that there is a negative relationship present between the variables average pit stop time and number of wins for top 30 Sprint Cup Drivers. The correlation is significant at level of significance, ÃŽ ± = 0.01. For a two-tailed test at level of significance, ÃŽ ± = 0.01 and degree of freedom 28, the critical value of r is  ± 0.463. The value of correlation coefficient r = - 0.550 is less than the left tail critical value of -0.463, therefore the null hypothesis of no correlation is rejected and the data provide sufficient evidence of correlation between variables average pit stop time and number of wins (Table 3: Correlation Matrix). The slope equal to -1.803 suggests that an additional second in average pit stop time decreases the number of wins of sprint cup drivers by approximately 1.8. The number of wins for

Hypertension Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Hypertension - Essay Example This is not a condition which can be treated lightly. If you have Hypertension, you have to get it treated. You ignore it only at your peril. Doctors think that many things combine to cause Hypertension2. Hypertension can be caused by other illnesses and it is often cured once the original medical problem is cured Essential hypertension indicates that no specific medical cause can be found to explain a patient's condition and the symptoms just show chronically high blood pressure. Secondary hypertension indicates that the high blood pressure is a result of another condition, such as kidney disease or tumors, Being overweight, drinking too much alcohol, and eating too much salt, stress ,genetics, older age, family history of high blood pressure , chronic kidney disease and adrenal and thyroid disorders are risk factors because they raise your risk of having hypertension. They do not cause it directly but they can contribute to it and if not watched can aggravate it.. It is interesting to know, that while you cannot accuse a disease of being racist or sexist, if you are an African American you are more likely to get Hyperte nsion. If you are a pregnant woman you are again more susceptible to it. These are things which can't be ignored and many times these risk factors can add up and can be even more dangerous. A pregnant African American woman may need to look at the possibility of hypertension with that much more care. Now it does not mean that if you have any of these you are likely to get hypertension and that if you have none of these, that you won't get hypertension. It just means that if you have any of the above risk factors, you should make an effort to take precautions. Statistics on Hypertension The number of people suffering from Hypertension in the United States is staggering. In reports given by the department of Health, the percent of non-institutionalized adults ages 20 and over is 29% (2001-2004)3. That is more than one out of every four adults has Hypertension. This is a staggering number. And this is not some benign number either. This is a number which directly translates into fatalities. The number of deaths in 2004 was 23,076. In other words deaths per 100,000 populations are 7.9. These are real and frightening numbers. Symptoms of Hypertension Now, how would one know if they have hypertension There are usually no symptoms or signs of hypertension. In fact, nearly one-third of those who have it don't know it. The only way to know if you have hypertension definitely is to have your blood pressure checked regularly. If your blood pressure is extremely high, there may be certain symptoms to look out for, including, Severe headache , Fatigue or confusion , Vision problems , Chest pain , difficulty breathing , Irregular heartbeat Blood in the urine . People often think that High Blood Pressure is dangerous and while very often it is true, we deal with high blood pressure constantly on a daily basis. Blood pressure goes up in all people during periods of stress or exercise. But avoiding stress will not prevent high blood pressure. You can have High Blood Pressure even though you are usually a calm, relaxed person. High Blood pressure is fairly common and that is precisely why, everyone

Security Planning and Assessment - protection Essay

Security Planning and Assessment - protection - Essay Example It can also say that the security related to aero plane from the hijacking and terrorism crimes. Airport is one of the large gathering places and there is high risk of terrorism there. Now days it is seem that there is high rate of attacks on aircrafts. The high rate of hijacked the aero plane as a lethal weapon target for terrorism. These things facilitate understanding, clarification, or get evidence. These things are helpful for security control existence, functionality and potential for improvement. There is a local examination that included the information security methods; plans and processes; analyzing the system design documentation; view the system backup; observe the incident-response operation; review the security configuration settings; and user/administrator guides. CASTA is responsible for pre-board all persons screening. In this way they have contract with such service provider like Aeroguard Ltd Company. This company is responsible for train and guides the officer for screen test and its all methods and planning. These authorities are later privatized in 1990. The risk of any terror is remain although there is screening but there are many different methods from which the terrorist enter into the airport or they attempt to hijack the aero plane. The risk is every very high although the security measures have done. Sort out the threats In CASTA there are special trained officers that detect threats instead of that they completely rely on equipment to find threats. As aero plane perimeter for defenses get better at repelling the external attacks such as hijack, bombing or any data theft. But the criminals are ever engage to developing and creating new ways to break the securities and get the unauthorized access to system. Analysis of instrument CASTA uses x-ray machines to verify the contents of all

Sony Corp Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Sony Corp - Research Paper Example orporation is a part of the parent company which is known as Sony group and Sony group has four different operating segments like motion pictures, electronics, financial services and music. Thus Sony has become one of the largest entertainment companies in the world. Sony Group was founded by Masaru Ibuka and Akio Morito and they have derived the name Sony from a Latin word sonus which means sound and also from an English word sonny which means presentable and smart young men in Japanese. The original name of the company was Tokyo Tsushin Kogyo which means Tokyo Telecommunications Engineering Corporation. The company started using its initials TTK to market itself. But soon the owners realized the American public could not relate to that name TTK. Therefore, in the year 1958, the name was changed to Sony. The current share price of Sony Corporation is $17.63 per share at NYSE and on other stock exchanges it is 1761 Japanese yen per share. For the historical prices we have taken the share price of the previous two years starting from January 2012 to 14th march 2014. From the following table we can see that the monthly price per share from the month of January 2012 to 3rd march 2014. The daily price per share for the given period is shown in the appendix. From the above graph we can see that the share price of Sony was high during March 2012 but the share prices went down during the period of September to November 2012. It again started to increase from January 2013 and reach the highest level during September and October 2013. After that it has slightly went down but it is continuing in stable phase in these first three months of 2014. The nature of share of Sony Corporation can be measured by Earning per share and market price per share ratio. P/E ratio is the most common method to measure whether the stock is good or not. Generally, shares which have higher P/E ratio are considered as expensive and shares with lower P/E ratio are considered as cheap. But

Gay Adoption Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2250 words

Gay Adoption - Research Paper Example Now gay marriage seems to be becoming more acceptable according to a poll done by The Associated Press and the National Constitution Center. â€Å"Fifty-three percent of the 1,000 adults surveyed believe the government should give legal recognition to marriages between couples of the same sex . . . Forty-four percent were opposed† (CBS News). Gay adoption actually is legal in most states, but that does not stop some states and some adoption agencies making it difficult for same-sex couples to adopt. This is despite the large number—over half a million—children languishing in foster care ready and wanting to be adopted. Those in favor of allowing same-sex couples to adopt cite the high numbers of children in foster care needing forever homes. They also claim that it is discrimination not to allow gay couples who have been deemed suitable parents, and who can provide a loving and stable home, to adopt. The courts agreed with them and laws have recently been establi shed that prohibit discrimination against people based on sexual orientation. Because of these anti-discrimination laws, many states no longer allow adoption agencies to discriminate against a gay couple seeking to adopt a child based on the couple’s sexual orientation, but that argument has taken a 360 degree turn. Adoption agencies that oppose gay adoptions say that they are being discriminated against because of their religious beliefs. Some states refuse to recognize same-sex couples’ adoptions in other states. In the end, what has really occurred is a stubborn right-wing anti-gay faction in this country rejects any belief but their own and will not recognize the rights of same-sex couples to adopt children. They refuse to budge and use every tactic they can to promote their agenda even if it means harming children. Several religious adoption agencies have claimed that since they believe homosexuality is against the teaching of the bible, they should not be require d to place children in the homes of gay couples who wish to adopt them. Todd Flowerday says, â€Å"Historically the Catholic Church has invested a great deal of its charitable efforts in the care of orphaned children, but recently adoption has become a battleground for concerns about religious freedom.  The church is reluctant to place children with parents it deems inadequate—most prominently gay and lesbian couples—and these policies often run afoul of state antidiscrimination laws.  Rather than compromise, some Catholic agencies get out of the adoption business altogether† (Flowerday). That, however, has not affected the number of children being adopted. Many other adoption agencies, perfectly willing to follow the law and to continue to match children needing homes with parents who want them, have stepped in. But, another problem has arisen because of this issue. After a Catholic diocese in Rockford, Illinois dropped its state contract with the Illinois Department of Children and Family Service, three other dioceses sued to be exempt from the law that prohibits Catholic, or any other, adoption service from discriminating against gay and lesbian couples. In fact, these adoption agencies must assist these couples in their search for a child. With the injunction in place for who knows how long, the adoption agencies in those three dioceses can continue to deny same-sex couples their rights to adopt a child. What really bothers some people is that instead of thinking of the children as one would expect the Catholic Chur

Statistical Problem Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Statistical Problem - Essay Example However since it is an online poll, it is difficult to know about the demographical state of those who participated in the poll exactly. Moreover since the poll was conducted during the week end itself it would be rather obvious that all people who were on vacation or at a military cemetery would not be in front of their PC in order to participate in the poll. Hence such a poll would seem very unsuitable, unless if it were carried before the weekend. Simple random sampling is the basic sampling technique where we select a group of subjects (a sample) for study from a larger group (a population). Each individual is chosen entirely by chance and each member of the population has an equal chance of being included in the sample. Every possible sample of a given size has the same chance of selection. c. Based on the above, if we consider the stratified sample of 25 high schools, the number of schools which would be selected with a percent free lunch value between 30 and 40 would be 8% of 25 which equals to 0.08 X 25 =

Research Journal Based on Personal Experience and Observation Assignment

Research Journal Based on Personal Experience and Observation - Assignment Example The message drew her attention from the television, and she began to reply. 5:23pm After replying, she took her laptop and opened the tab where she has logged into facebook, and found more than five people have already initiated chats. She commenced replying to their chats, and before she was done with it, her attention was drawn by the television. Therefore, the television distracted her from continuing with the chats on Facebook; in fact, she did not respond to some of the comments from her friends. In the meantime, she was also waiting for her friend to respond to the message that she had sent earlier, via the text messaging. 5:35pm Her friend replied through the phone messaging services, and this drew her attention again. The message seemed to be more interesting than the television: due to a reflection from her smile as she read through. Before replying to the message received, friends on the facebook drew her attention, and she decided to reply to three of her friends. It is ev ident that both messaging and Facebook seemed to be more interesting to her, than watching American Idol on the television, since every time the messages were received, she was drawn from watching the television. 6:01PM 6:10 PM 6:15 PM 6:18 PM She was not paying attention to the television anymore, since she was concentrating on her laptop, while typing on Facebook chats. Therefore, she was not able to pay attentions to the television and Facebook at the same time, though the phone was also demanding attention from her at various instances like reading messages and replying. At this moment, she remembered about her drink, she took it, though her mind, and eyes were focusing on the laptop. Another message was sent to her through the SMS, and this drew her attention to the phone in order to check the message. She replied to the message, thereby taking about three minutes. Finally, her attention was drawn to the television, whereby she stopped typing on the laptop, and commenced watchi ng an iphone 5 commercial on the television. The features of the phone were exiting to her in a way that drew her attention, thus making her to leave all other activities and concentrate on the television advert.   MY REFLECTION During my observation, I was able to identify the way people have been sending and receiving messages in the past using the phone, while comparing to the new social media, Facebook. It is evident that, the new social media is allowing accessibility of numerous people through different avenues of communication at the same time. My subject seems to be distracted while watching the television, since she had to check on the messages received from her friend, while still chatting with her friends on Facebook. However, the new social media offer an opportunity to enjoy watching the same program on the cable television, while chatting with friends, hence reducing the interruption. Subject 2: Myself Date: Monday 10 September 2012 Situation: Texting message using m y phone, while chatting on Twitter   Ã‚   Old  Media: Phone messaging services New (social) Media:

V for Vendetta Essay Example for Free

V for Vendetta Essay V for Vendetta sets the Gunpowder Plot as Vs historical inspiration, contributing to his choice of timing, language and appearance For example, the names Rookwood, Percy and Keyes are used in the film, which are also the names of three of the Gunpowder conspirators. The film creates parallels to Alexandre Dumas The Count of Monte Cristo, by drawing direct comparisons between V and Edmond Dantes. (In both stories, the hero escapes an unjust and traumatic imprisonment and spends decades preparing to take vengeance on his oppressors under a new persona. The film is also explicit in portraying V as the embodiment of an idea rather than an individual through Vs dialogue and by depicting him without a past, identity or face. According to the official website, Vs use of the Guy Fawkes mask and persona functions as both practical and symbolic elements of the story. He wears the mask to hide his physical scars, and in obscuring his identity – he becomes the idea itself. As noted by several critics and commentators, the films story and style mirrors elements from Gaston Lerouxs The Phantom of the Opera. V and the Phantom both wear masks to hide their disfigurements, control others through the leverage of their imaginations, have tragic pasts, and are motivated by revenge. V and Eveys relationship also parallels many of the romantic elements of The Phantom of the Opera, where the masked Phantom takes Christine Daae to his subterranean lair to re-educate her. As a film about the struggle between freedom and the state, V for Vendetta takes imagery from many classic totalitarian icons both real and fictional, including the Third Reich and George Orwells Nineteen Eighty-Four. For example, Adam Sutler primarily appears on large video screens and on portraits in peoples homes, both common features among modern totalitarian regimes and reminiscent of the image of Big Brother. In another reference to Orwells novel, the slogan Strength through Unity. Unity through Faith is displayed prominently across London, similar in cadence to War is Peace. Freedom is Slavery. Ignorance is Strength in Orwells book. This connection between the two can also be seen when Evey is being tortured and finds the rat in her room, akin to that being the protagonists worst fear in Nineteen Eighty-Four. There is also the states use of mass surveillance, such as closed-circuit television, on its citizens. Valerie was sent to a detention facility for being a lesbian and then had medical experiments performed on her, reminiscent of persecution of gays and Jews in Nazi Germany (see Persecution of homosexuals in Nazi Germany and the Holocaust). The name of Adam Sutler is inspired by the name of Adolf Hitler. Sutlers hysterical speech is also inspired from Hitlers style of speech although his targets for persecution now include Muslims rather than Jews. Norsefire has replaced St Georges Cross with a national symbol similar to the modern Cross of Lorraine (both crossbars near the top). This was a symbol used by Free French Forces during World War II, as it was a traditional symbol of French patriotism that could be used as an answer to the Nazis swastika. The letter V and the number 5 Voila! In view, a humble vaudevillian veteran, cast vicariously as both victim and villain by the vicissitudes of fate. This visage – no mere veneer of vanity – is a vestige of the vox populi, now vacant, vanished. However, this valourous visitation of a bygone vexation stands vivified, and has vowed to vanquish these venal and virulent vermin vanguarding vice and vouchsafing the violently vicious and voracious violation of volition! The only verdict is vengeance; a vendetta held as a votive, not in vain, for the value and veracity of such shall one-day vindicate the vigilant and the virtuous. Verily, this vichyssoise of verbiage veers most verbose, so let me simply add that its my very good honour to meet you and you may call me V. — Vs introductory monologue upon meeting Evey Similarly to the graphic novel, there is repeated reference to the letter V and the number five throughout the film (note V is the Roman numeral five). For example, Vs introduction to Evey is a monologue containing 48 words beginning with the letter V, and containing a total of 52 letter Vs. When Evey tells V her name he repeats it slowly as E V. In Eveys name, the letter E is the fifth letter of the alphabet, V is the fifth letter from the end of the alphabet and is the Roman numeral for five, and the letter Y is the 25th letter of the alphabet; 25 being 5 squared. In Latin, Eveys phonetic name means exit V; the character V acknowledges this, knowing that this event has begun the chain-reaction of events which will end in his demise. During his imprisonment at Larkhill, V was held in cell V, as is Evey during her fake imprisonment. Vs Zorro-like signature is also the letter V. In the explosion involving the Old Bailey, the fireworks form a red V configuration, completed by a circular firework, thus resembling not only V but the V for Vendetta logo. It is revealed that Vs favourite phrase is By the power of truth, I, while living, have conquered the universe, which according to the film translates into the 5 Ved Latin phrase: Vi Veri Vniversum Vivus Vici. (Vniversum is actually written with a U, but in old Latin, the letter U was written as a V. ) In a dance with Evey, the song V chooses is number five on his jukebox. In fact, all the songs are song number five. When V confronts Creedy in his greenhouse, he plays Beethovens Fifth Symphony, whose opening notes have a rhythmic pattern that resembles the letter V in Morse code (†¢Ã¢â‚¬ ¢Ã¢â‚¬ ¢Ã¢â‚¬â€œ). The films title itself is a reference to V for Victory. As V waits for night to fall, he arranges a complex domino pattern in black and red which forms the V logo. In the short sequence overlooking the train carriages, the railway tracks form the letter V. In a flyover shot of London towards the end of the film, Big Ben is shown, with its hour hand pointing at 11 and the minute hand at 1, forming a V shape. When the time is read, it shows 11:05, another reference 11–5, or November 5. In the battle with Creedy and his men at Victoria station, he uses five of his six daggers and forms a V with his daggers just before he throws them. As V throws two of his daggers at the men on either side of Creedy, the daggers form a V shape five times while spinning through the air. After V kills Creedys men, Creedy fires five shots at V. After the battle, when V is mortally wounded, he leaves a V signature in his own blood. The destruction of Parliament results in a display of fireworks which form the letter V, which is also an inverted Circle-A, a symbol commonly used by anarchists. Modern fears of totalitarianism We felt the novel was very prescient to how the political climate is at the moment. It really showed what can happen when society is ruled by government, rather than the government being run as a voice of the people. I dont think its such a big leap to say that things like that can happen when leaders stop listening to the people. —James McTeigue, Director With the intention of modernising the film, the filmmakers added topical references relevant to a modern 2006 audience. According to the Los Angeles Times, With a wealth of new, real-life parallels to draw from in the areas of government surveillance, torture, fear mongering and media manipulation, not to mention corporate corruption and religious hypocrisy, you cant really blame the filmmakers for having a field day referencing current events. There are also references to an avian flu pandemic, as well as pervasive use of biometric identification and signal-intelligence gathering and analysis by the regime. Many film critics, political commentators and other members of the media have also noted the films numerous references to events surrounding the then-current George W. Bush administration in the United States. These include the black bags worn by the prisoners in Larkhill that have been seen as a reference to the black bags worn by prisoners at the Abu Ghraib prison in Iraq and in U. S. -administered Guantanamo Bay in Cuba, though the pre-The Matrix draft of the screenplay also contains this reference to black bags. Also London is under a yellow-coded curfew alert, similar to the U. S. overnments color-coded Homeland Security Advisory System. One of the forbidden items in Gordons secret basement is a protest poster with a mixed U. S. –U. K. flag with a swastika and the title Coalition of the Willing, To Power which combines the Coalition of the Willing with Friedrich Nietzsches concept of Will to Power. As well, there is use of the term rendition in the film, in reference to the way the regime removes undesirables from society. There is even a brief scene (during the Valerie flashback) that contains real-life footage of an anti-Iraq War demonstration, with mention of U. S. President George W. Bush. Finally, the film contains references to Americas war and the war America started as well as real footage from the Iraq War. The film also makes a brief reference to wars in Kurdistan, Syria and Sudan. Despite the America-specific references, the filmmakers have always referred to the film as adding dialogue to a set of issues much broader than the U. S. administration. When James McTeigue was asked whether or not BTN was based on Fox News Channel, McTeigue replied, Yes. But not just Fox. Everyone is complicit in this kind of stuff. It could just as well been the Britains Sky News Channel, also a part of News Corp.

Human Resource Essay Example for Free

Human Resource Essay What is Strategic Human Resources Management and how does it link the people with the strategic needs of the business? â€Å"Strategic human resource management is designed to help companies best meet the needs of their employees while promoting company goals. Human resource management deals with any aspects of a business that affects employees, such as hiring and firing, pay, benefits, training, and administration†. (http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-strategic-human-resource-management.htm) The origin of Infosys starts initially in 1981 when six individuals decided that they would set out to change the structure of IT business and make the company known and respected in the industry. In the initial startup phase, however Infosys did not see immediate profit as with most startup companies and experienced very tough times and hardship. After a brief time of hardship Infosys started to see growth and expansion pick up and Infosys would see the company starting to grow more rapidly. The problem Infosys faced when they had more growth than expected was employees that somehow became a little disengaged and became unhappy while working at the company. Infosys realized that employees were what made companies successful as they were who interacted with customers on a regular and they are the ones that kept customers engaged and build relationships with them. Issues Faced at Infosys Reading the article and looking at the organization from an external standpoint allowed me to see where issues where in the organization. The first issue which I though may not have been a particularly bad issue was the growth the company was seeing. Anytime there is growth and not enough staff available, the immediate thing to do would be hire more staff. Infosys was forced to hire more workers and in turn quickly became overstaffed with workers and soon found out they did not need as many people as they had hired for. Infosys soon found themselves with workers that had become disgruntled because of â€Å"slow periods† when work was minimal. Infosys offered stock to its employees in an attempt to counteract the negative feelings and attitudes that employees were starting to develop and employees were okay with this however it was not a complete solution and Infosys soon high turnovers from their employees and overall dissatisfaction. Employee Engagement could have been conducted in this matter and would have probably assisted with better retention of employees and the company’s HR objectives. â€Å"Engagement is the extent to which employees are motivated to contribute to organizational success and are willing to apply effort to accomplishing tasks. (Mello, 2011) Alternatives to be considered Infosys uses a very standardized method when it comes to managing and the managing employees. They will need to implement new and exciting methods to do this and they would need to start with better employee management relationships. They would need to get feedback from the employees and consider areas of opportunity and immediate needs for change. The organization would need to focus more on seeking out qualified individuals versus hiring individuals just to fill positions even if it’s on a temporary basis. They will need to seek out and discover the needs of their very best assets. Their employees. Recommendations Infosys is known for its recruitment opportunities of college graduates and competitive internships. Infosys should focus on providing opportunities to interns that will benefit from hands on experience instead of hiring individuals that will most likely be laid off due to cutbacks or not enough work to go around. If the need to recruit for a regular candidate then there needs to be a method to follow when recruiting which gives specifics on what is being sought after in a potential employee and not take a â€Å"cookie cutter† approach. Conclusion Infosys would need to develop employee relations programs and create ways to make sure the employees are happy, productive, and will be engaging. The company should revisit their objectives and goals both long term and short term and develop a solid business on completing those tasks.

How motivation theories help elicit effort from employees

How motivation theories help elicit effort from employees For a company to successfully run, company should come up with creative ideas and high efficiency of the work, and to do that, a firm should be able to motivate each worker of the firm to elicit each of their discretionary effort. It is because, it directly links with the total wage spending of the company which should be linked to outcome and cost of monitoring effort and considering all of those making employees willing to work will result in greater efficiency of the company. Employees are the core or the main body of all the production of product and service. So how can a company which does not even satisfy their own workers will possibly satisfy the customers with high quality product and service?() Therefore, there is an idea weighing on the management style of of the workers, by the workers, for the workers'(). Following to above management style, manager of big companies are developing or considering variety motivating techniques and motivation theories. So firms not only needs deal fast with each of their own fast-changing environment but also concentrate to create best working condition for the workers to maximize motivation. Like firms mentioned above with motivation, they are nimble to listen to the claims of the employees. They apply techniques like project team-work, performance-linked pay and incentives to reach perfect inner-service to the workers. So, like above, there is gaining importance of giving motivation to workers. In this essay, I will search and study theories of motivation and look in to detail of successful firm Nokia and analyze this firm by doing it so, I would like to find out the meaning of motivation and how well those managers of Nokia have elicited discretionary effort from workers for the company. Theory Maslows Hierarchy of Needs theory Most famous is Abraham Maslows hierarchy of needs theory. He believed that there is 5 level of hierarchy of needs exist within human nature. (A.H. Maslow, A Theory of Human Motivation, Psychological Review 50(4) (1943):370-96) Physiological Needs It is simply most basic needs for human to survive. Things like needs of oxygen for breathe, fulfillment of hunger, thirst, sex and sleep. They are the biological needs which are most essential, it comes front of all the desires that human would want. Safety Needs When physiological needs are fulfilled, the needs of security are followed. Human should fill sense of safety of their own health, employment, property and resources. Those factors make them feeling safe. Needs of Love/Belonging Human is social animal, when the front two needs are filled, third need can become dominant. Human nature always seeks for the sense of belonging and love/friendship. Maslow describes people seek to overcome feelings of loneliness and alienation (Maslow, Abraham (1954). Motivation and Personality. New York: Harper). Needs for Esteem When the first three needs reach to satisfactory level, the needs for esteem can become next. It is like self-esteem and respect from others. When these self-esteem and respect is gratified, the person feels confident and valuable as a part of person in a society. Deficiency of those needs would make a person feels weak, inferior and nothing. Needs for Self-Actualization When each level of foregoing needs is fully satisfied, then the last level of needs self-actualization is activated. According to Maslow, self-actualization is what a persons need to be what they are born to do. There is a famous quote by Maslow, Abraham H. A musician must make music, an artist must paint, a poet must write, if they are to be ultimately at peace with themselves. These needs make people to feel progressing, reach-potential and self-fulfillment. (Psychology The Search for Understanding by Janet A. Simons, Donald B. Irwin and Beverly A. Drinnien West Publishing Company, New York, 1987) By observing hierarchy of needs, each level tends to be satisfied to progress on next level of hierarchy. However, from the point of giving motivation view, none of those desires or needs could not been perfectly satisfied. Maslow theory describes that somehow-satisfied need could not stimulate the people any longer. >> How hierarchy of needs Theory could be used in management According to Maslow, if someone wants to motivate somebody, there is a need of understanding what that specific person wants and find out where his or her need is located in hierarchy of needs and provide the upper level of hierarchy. Adamss Equity Theory Adams, J.S. 1965. Inequity in social exchange. Adv. Exp. Soc. Psychol. An individual always do compare himself to others. Lets say, an individual got offer of 2500 pound per month and he thinks it is very good deal and took the job, he will do his job with passion and he will be satisfied with his work. However, if someone else or his acquaintance gets the same job with 3000 pounds with same as his ability/work time/contribution, probably he will not be happy about his earning and job. Even if he was satisfied with his earnings in the beginning, as soon as he feels that its not fair or equal treatment, the matter that he gets good paid it will not consider him much, but rather obsessed with others payment. The problem is that individual starts to think comparatively and starts to believe it is not fair. An individual always compare within his mind and think about the effort he put in and the reward. By doing so, if an individual thinks that he is not fairly treated, the input effort will be directly affected (demotivated). Above examples idea is called Equity Theory and it was developed by Stacey Adams in 1965. It is simply, an individual comparing his input-reward and others input-reward proportion. For an employee to compare himself in equity theory, the referent is important variable. There are three types of referent system, self and other. For system, the referent is the system of individuals belonged organization. Individual will take wage structures, wage policy and decision-making process into the consideration. Also, organization will need to make important decision with organizations system to an individual as a comparison to others. Putting self as a comparison referent, result ration of input will be referenced to individual. This is reflected by ones experience or standard wage or family maintenance-need allowance. Equity theory is not only interested in absolute reward, it also has interest in others reward. An individual do compare others input-reward, founding on effort, experience, education, and ability over their wage level, promotion and recognition. If an individual feels unfair and inequitable over reward ration of input, this feeling will make him/her to experience tension. This tension will continually provide motivation until he/she is treated in equity to him. >> How Equity Theory could be used in management Monthly paid employees will enhance quality and quantity to feel the fairness with tension and increase input factor for fair wage proportion. When compensation is made with Production quantity, over-rewarded worker will have lower quality but higher quantity just to increase their income. However, an individual who receive payment founding on price ratio will increase in effort to accomplish fairness and this will lead to increase in quantity and quality. But, this might result in excess payment and unfairness. Therefore, managers should direct employees to enhancing in quality rather than quantity. Also motivation is influenced by not only absolute reward but also relative reward. Each time when employee feels that s/he is unfairly treated, it will follow an action to fix about that inequity, like improved or diminished productivity or quality, absence and turnover. Therefore, it is most important factor to make employees to feel in equity in equity theory. >> Vrooms expectancy theory Most comprehensive explanation about motivation is performed within Victer Vrooms Expectancy Theory. Expectancy theory is well described by Montana (Montana Patrick J; Charnov, Bruce H, Management 4th edition; (2008) Barrons Educational Series, Inc.), This theory emphasizes the needs for organizations to relate rewards directly to performance and to ensure that the rewards provided are those rewards deserved and wanted by the recipients. The expectancy theory suggest that action is followed the expectation from the result and the amount of effort is decided by how attractive the result is to an individual himself. Below, there are three linkages with this theory. Effort-performance linkage: Possibility of reward expected by putting certain amount of effort. Performance-reward linkage: Beliefs which expect right reward will be given by doing certain level of performance. Attractiveness: a persons target and desire of potential result or reward which could be obtained by doing his job successfully. All explanations seem similar, but simply there are three points. First, how much an individual should work for certain level of outcome and whether that outcome is possibly achieved. Second, what will be the reward for doing such work? Third, how attractive the reward is from the effort of doing such work and how does this job help with goal achievement? à ¢Ã¢â‚¬ °Ã‚ « Applying Expectancy Theory How Expectancy Theory could be applied? For to link with motivation, I will example myself and try to find out how this theory used. Most of students have preference on professors or lecturer expecting for something that they would like to learn from the course unit. They would like to know when the exam will be, what kind of assignment they need to do and how much percentage will be taken to get maximum grade or how much amount of time will going to be needed, and think logically about whether this course is linked with what they need. Lets say that I feel in the way above. I liked this course unit and worked really hard to get good mark on this essay. I have prepared for long time for this and believed that this will be helpful when I graduate and get good job or get into master course. Then, result came out, my average score of all the course units were 72 percent, however, this specific course was 41 percent. And I got angry and frustrated. Like other assignments, I prepared exact amount of time and put effort, but how could only this specific unit gets such a low score? From here there will be some interesting facts will be coming out. Suddenly, he (I, from others perspective from now on) will be constantly missing this unit course lecture and do not revise. Even if he attends the lecture concentration for this course is hugely dropped. So, we could say that his motivation is lacking with the related subject. Why did he change? To explain this using motivation theory term; At the beginning, the merit of good grade (Effort-performance linkage) was high. However, the result was not good (Performance-reward linkage). In other words, if the assignment was fairly graded based on what he did and got good score, the Performance-reward linkage is satisfied and it would have motivated him more. However, if he is demotivated, it is from his belief that his knowledge was not incongruous with fair grading system. >> How Expectancy Theory could be used in management First, Expectancy Theory emphasizes on pay and reward. As a result, organization should believe that employees also want the same reward and compensate. This kind of perspective is from egoism that an employee pursuit expected-satisfaction to be maximized. So that manager needs to try to fulfill that expected-satisfaction wisely. Second, theory points up understanding of attractiveness by the workers. Employees will want to be treated reasonably with positive result/target/outcome they expected. Therefore, the firm should try to satisfy employees attractiveness. Third, theory highlights on expected performance. Does an individual understands what is expected on s/he and how could it be compensated. If workers do not grasp the point of this relation, the ultimate goal of organization will be never met. So, this is essential to make both manager and workers to understand clear of performance-reward relation. Last, theory relates with perception. No matter what actually happens, a persons perception decides level of effort according from not objective result but from performance, reward and goal achievement. Therefore, there is a need for continuous feedback to match the reality and perception of workers. Case Study  ¿Ã‚ ­ What is Nokia? Nokia is a Finnish multinational network corporation is headquartered in Keilaniemi, Espoo (Nokia in brief (2007) (PDF). Nokia Corporation. March 2008.) Nokias main industry is in the manufacturing of mobile devices and in converging Internet and communications industries, with 128,445 employees in 120 countries, sales in more than 150 countries and global annual revenue of EUR 50.7 billion and operating profit of 5.0 billion in 2008. It is the worlds largest manufacturer of mobile phones: its global device market share is approximately 38% in 2009, (Q3 2009: Quarterly and annual information. Nokia Corporation. 2009-10-15) The Nokia brand, valued at $34.9 billion, is listed as the fifth most valuable global brand in the BusinessWeek, Best Global Brands list of 2009 (first in non-US Company). It is the number one brand in Asia (as of 2007) and Europe. Also Nokia is the 42nd most admirable company worldwide in Fortunes Worlds Most Admired Companies list of 2009, and the worlds 85th largest company as measured by revenue in Fortune Global 500 list of 2009. (Fortune Global 500 2009. Fortune. 2009-07-14.) Nokias Case study for motivation Incentive Program  ¿Ã‚ ­ Monetary Incentives: work performance wage structure, Global bonus plan (when profit exceeded 20%, 5% cash payback), production and researchers incentives.  ¿Ã‚ ­ Non-monetary performance bonus system and Complete and Fair Assessment Nokia motivates employees by providing rewards according to their performance. However, its hard to see that they only motivated people with monetary returns, Non-monetary performance bonus system also help to motivate workers. Things like promotions and possibility to self-development will help and also a clear and fair system for this is needed. Nokia is not in seniority system, there was a case 34 years old man became vice president by his ability. Nokia tried to achieve highest level of work satisfaction. 2. Empowerment organization  ¿Ã‚ ­ Allowing autonomy, leads to motivation Bureaucratic chain of command provides high efficiency, but this has disadvantage of blocking creative ideas coming up from bottom line of workers. And this is one of the factors blocking motivation. Exampling Nokia, they allow significant amount of autonomous decision to workers. This provides sense of belonging to a company and people feel that they are taking part for companys profit. This leads to motivation of workers due to Maslows hierarchy of needs theory (sense of belonging). Case: Nokia immediately supported 6,000,000 dollars for the marketing for Pacific-Asia market as they received idea of competition going harsh in China. 3. Project manager system Technology, marketing, production and salesman unites as one team and work for 1-2 years for specific project and managers for the project are empowered like chairman in that specific project; this stimulates workers as it has venture business attributes. Nokia has number of small projects teams. Those groups decide everything like estimated budgets too. This gives power to agilely response to market changes. 4. Human resource development program Providing self-developing opportunities to employees / Maximizing self-development and self-actualization at work Human resource is crucial factor for economical production in industry f like Nokia with high knowledge and technology. Competitive power is human resources. Modern employees tend to think a company as not only place for earning-money but also as place for self-actualization. Therefore, a company with no self-development lacks power to attract more human resources (Attractiveness, Vrooms expectancy theory). So, firms should provide more opportunities and sense of duty of the company like Nokias human resource development program.(In Nokia, they value employees through 180 inspections list, helps to find out each workers adaptation-skill and decision-making skills in five levels. By doing so, it tells what that employee needs in specific details and gives job according to it and provide staff training service) and they also provided for experience improvement program by going around world branches. à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ » Based on Nokias motivation system, 19% of market share in mobile technology in 1999, increased up to 35% in 2001. Also, total sales were increased 48% leaving total profit 56% higher. Matthew J. (1996), à £Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…’Future management (à «Ã‚ ¯Ã‚ ¸Ãƒ «Ã… ¾Ã‹Å"à ªÃ‚ ²Ã‚ ½Ãƒ ¬Ã‹Å" ) 11à £Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ , Dae-kyung publishing company. Nokia homepage http://www.nokia.com à £Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…’Analyzing Nokias successà £Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚  From www.hunet.co.kr Conclusion Managers tend to think that talented-employees turnover is cause by higher financial reward from other company. However, many of employees turnover reasons are like vision-realization, challenging to new work, harmony of both life and work, higher opportunity of recognition and flexibility of culture and organization. These kinds of reasons suggest that motivation is not only from financial issues but also from Non-monetary issues like mentioned above. I believe what employees consider most is winning recognition from their bosses about work-performance. If this is not done, its evitable to demotivate workers. In this contrast, Nokia has well understood workers, with fair assessment; they have suggested sense of duty to their workers for the company and made them feel as important part of Nokia. As conclusion Nokia got grater profit and it can be said that Nokia has successfully motivated their employees. Those kinds of techniques of motivation are all founded from the theories of Ma slow, Adams and Vroom and Nokia successfully adopted in reality.

The Odyssey Essay example -- essays research papers fc

japanese-American During WWII By: Japanese immigrants and the following generations had to endure discrimination, racism, and prejudice from white Americans. They were first viewed as economic competition. The Japanese Americans were then forced into internment camps simply because of the whites fear and paranoia. The Japanese first began to immigrate to the United States in 1868. At first they came in small numbers. US Census records show only 55 in 1870 and 2,039 in 1890. After that, they came in much greater numbers, reaching 24,000 in 1900, 72,000 in 1910, and 111,000 in 1920.(Parrillo,287) Most settled in the western states.(Klimova,1) Many families in Japan followed the practice of primogeniture, which is when the eldest son inherits the entire estate. This was a â€Å"push† factor. Because of primogeniture, â€Å"second and third sons came to the United States to seek their fortunes.†(Parrillo,287) The promise of economic prosperity and the hope for a better lif e for their children were two â€Å"pull† factors. These foreign-born Japanese were known as Issei (first generation). They filled a variety of unskilled jobs in railroads, farming, fishing, and domestic services. (Klimova,1) The Japanese encountered hostility and discrimination from the start. In California, a conflict with organized labor was due to their growing numbers in small areas and racial visibility.(Parrillo,287) White workers perceived Japanese as economic competition. Their willingness to work for lower wages and under poor conditions brought on hostility from union members. The immigrants became victims of ethnoviolence. In 1890, Japanese cobblers were attacked by members of the shoe maker’s union, and Japanese restaurateurs were attacked by members of the union for cooks and waiters in 1892. It was very difficult to find steady employment; therefore, most of them entered agricultural work. They first worked as laborers, accumulated sufficient capitol, th en as tenant farmers or small landholders. Some became contract gardeners for whites.(Parrillo,287) The Japanese farmers were very knowledgeable of cultivation, which made them strong competitors against white farmers. More discrimination by the dominant group soon followed. â€Å"In 1913, the California legislator passed the first alien landholding law, prohibiting any person who was ineligible for citizenship from owning land in the state, and per... ...omic exploitation. After enduring such injustices and hardships, many are now enjoying the life the Issei dreamed of for their families. Bibliography Work Cited Parillo, Vincent N. Strangers to These Shors: Race and Ethnitc Relations in the United States. Needham Heights, : Massachuchetts: 2000, 287-289. Klimova, Tatiana A. â€Å"Internment of Japanese Americans: Military Necessity or Racial Prejudice.† Old Dominion University. 1-9 (5/2/00) Asia, Ask. â€Å"Linking The Past to Present: Asian Americans Then and Now.† The Asia Society 1996. 1-3 (5/1/00 Spickard, Paul R. Japanese Americans: The transformation and Formation of an Ethnic Group. New Yourk:1996,93-159 McWilliams, Carey. Prejudice Japanese Americans: Symbol of racial Intolerance. boston: 1945,106-190. Myer, Dillon S. â€Å"Joseph Yoshisuke Kurihara.† Upprinted Americans 1971. 1-5 (5/1/00) Asin, Stefanie.†Poignand Memories.† Houston Chronicle 7/31/95.1-3 5/2/00 Reaseach Center.†resea rch on 100th/442nd reginent conbat team.:NJAHS.1-2 5/2/00 Miyoshi, Nubu.:Idenity Crisis of the Sansei.†Sansei legacy project 3/13/98.1-21 5/1/00 Kiang, Peter.† Understanding the Perception of Asian Americans.† Asian Society1997.1-2 5/2/00 Word Count: 1862

Chartered Accountant :: essays research papers

Overview   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   A CA (Chartered Accountant) is a professional accountant who has earned the CA title through training and practical experience obtained from the CICA (Canadian Institute of Chartered Accountants). The institute, which has over 66,000 members, conducts research into current business issues and sets accounting and auditing standards for all types of businesses. A CA is a complete professional in the field of Accountancy - informed in the subjects of Accountancy, Auditing, Business Management, Information Technology, Taxation, Corporate and Commercial Law, Financial Management, Economics and other linked subjects.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Chartered Accountants serve business clients by preparing, reviewing and evaluating financial statements, consulting, preparing budgets and tax returns and analyzing financial information in order to help them with business strategies, auditing services, management, and maximizing production. Chartered Accountants are recognized as leaders of the Canadian business society. The intense programs of education and training have shaped each CA to become an evident leader with financial expertise to help any business grow and succeed in society. Becoming a CA The career path to become a Chartered Accountant involves lots of dedication, schooling, and ability to take on the intensive programs and examinations. There are several ways to obtain the CA status. The most common process people go through in becoming a CA start off with enrolling in university. After they obtain a university degree (one that includes the Institute's specified 51 credit-hour requirement), they acquire employment in an office designated to train CA students, for an arranged period of 30 months. Many CA firms that have been recognized by the institute, must assist the students in the development of the essential knowledge and professional understanding of five main areas:  · generally accepted accounting principles and auditing standards  · ethics and public responsibilities  · computers and information technology  · income and other taxes  · law During their employment they must complete a one-week staff training program within the first 12 months of working in the designated training office. After they must successfully complete the School of Accountancy. It consists of two segments, a core-knowledge examination (CKE) and an end-of-School examination (ESE). The CKE must be successfully completed in order to attend the full-time segment of the School and an acceptable result on the CKE and the ESE must be achieved in order to attempt the UFE. Finally the national Uniform Final Examination (UFE), an extremely difficult examination. Passing the exam, together with completion of the CA program's arranged practical experience requirements, will certify them as a chartered accountant and allow them to practice public accounting and to perform professional services.

Plastic Not Paper -- essays research papers

Plastic Not Paper Walking through the grocery store I always try to look for the best buy. I always buy what's on sale, I guess you could say I'm cheep. Then I get to the check out lane, preferably the one with fewer people. I empty my wallet and pay. Then I wait. I think it's going to happen but I am not sure. Then it does, the baggier says, "Would you like paper or plastic?" I look that person right in the eye and I tell him, "I want the one that's better for the environment, I want the one that will help prevent pollution, I want the one that cost less, I want plastic." Plastic bags save money, they conserve energy, they are practical and they are better for the environment. That's why plastic bags are the best choice at the check out line. Of course your wondering how plastic bags save money, well just think 2,000 paper bags stacked on each other reaches a height of about 7.25 inches, while paper reaches a soaring height of 7.5 feet. This means it takes seven trucks to deliver the same amount of paper as one plastic delivering truck. Talk about a big waste of gas. Plastic bags cost about  ¼ of a cent to make, while paper cost close to 3 cents. This is money we save as well as the store owner. This is a lot of money that is going to waste considering that plastic bags are so much more practical then paper. You can use them for lots of other things. You can take on trips to the grocery store, your can protect dry clothing ...

How Do William Golding and Williams Shakespeare Present Disturbed Characters? Essay

How do William Golding and William Shakespeare present disturbed characters? In Lord of the Flies Golding presents disturbed characters as savage and blood-thirsty. After his own experience in world war two, he seems to believe everybody has a savage personality and thriving which is brought out through an extreme situation. Golding uses the technique of evoking emotion from the reader through the use of innocent children committing unthinkable actions. He conveys his views through the ever growing savage characters of Jack and Roger, whereas Shakespeare presents Lady Macbeth as a mentally disturbed character consumed with an obsession of becoming a part of the hierarchy within society. In the first chapter of Lord of the Flies Golding uses the Island as an allegorical object, presenting the general overview of society and civilisation. The Island can be represented as the Garden of Eden; an innate place of perfection to be undisturbed and civil. It seems to be an idyllic place for some time with rules and order throughout, this is up until it is corrupted and nature is changed by the boys’ savage intentions. This relates to biblical themes of the Garden of Eden once corrupted by mankind (Adam & Eve). We also see a use of pathetic fallacy, the Island in this sense is more important than anything, it foreshadows the events which are beginning to unfold. Throughout both pieces of Literature Shakespeare and Golding use religious beliefs and values; in Macbeth the uses of supernatural creatures like the witches represent a devil like figure. The strong Christian themes in the play and during Elizabethan times made them even more evil, Shakespeare conveys Lady Macbeth as the total opposite of what a women ‘should be’. She knows as a female she is limited because of her gender, she asked to be filled with cruelty which is ironic because she created the plan to kill the King. This point is significant in the quote â€Å"unsex me here†. Similarly you could argue the ‘beast’ brought to the attention of the boys by a ‘littlun’ is equally as important. Simon proposes the beast is only the boys imagination itself, although they laugh off his idea, Simon is central to the novel; he links to Golding’s point of innate human evil which exists. He is the first boy to acknowledge that the ‘beast’ is an external force of human nature. Lady Macbeth is first introduced to us as Macbeth’s loving wife, she seems thrilled to hear of her husband’s progression in social status. Her first reaction is to concoct a plan to kill the king; we are equally as shocked as Macbeth when she â€Å"pours her spirits in thine ear†. This leads us to believe she is a somewhat calculating character. Lady Macbeth then begins to develop into manipulating Macbeth, she uses blackmail such as â€Å"break this enterprise to me? † she weakens Macbeth â€Å"you were a man† implies she does not think of him as being worthy to be called a man. To some extent Lady Macbeth is to blame, as soon as she hears of Macbeth’s news her character is blinded by ambition. Similarly the three witches give Macbeth prophesies leading to the evil plan which is soon presented. The first significant change in their relationship comes when she creates a description of juxtaposition, turning a pure and natural thing into a horrific image; saying she would have â€Å"dash’d the brains out† of their unborn child. Using this hypothetic situation Macbeth is beginning to consider the consequences, she uses pronouns ‘you and I’ implying they are equally as involved and together through all of it. Golding presents the character of Jack as a developing character of savagery throughout the novel. He compares the deterioration of Jack’s civilized and well brought up mind with his lust and instinct to hunt. This is shown when the boys try and outline order on ‘their’ island. Jacks reaction to this is aggressive and intolerant- â€Å"bollocks to the rules! We’re strong- we hunt! †. Here we see that he seems manipulative towards the other characters trying to control them into following him as the leader. When the group of boys head up the mountain our perception as to Jack’s cruelty is further developed. This is shown when Jack is seen to â€Å"snatch the glasses from Piggy’s face†; â€Å"His specs- use them as burning glasses†. Golding uses this cruel streak in Jack so the reader feels sympathetic to lesser characters such as Piggy. The deterioration of civilization on the island first begins with the breaking of the conch, in the novel the conch symbolises rules, like a school bell when the noise sounds it enforces a sense of regulation and order. Secondly the fire symbolises a feeling of hope, it is the one thing that could save them and mean rescue. Contrastingly it represents destruction and corruption, it destroys the idyllic feel of the island first presented to us by Golding. Identity is a main theme in both Lord of the flies and Macbeth, Golding uses the technique of theriomorphism to give Jack animalistic qualities. For example Golding says â€Å"he passed his tongue across his dry lips and scanned the uncommunicative forest† conveying Jack as a primitive character. In other words Golding is beginning to show Jack’s impulsive and has a compulsion to kill, giving the reader an impression of his savage streak emerging. He also uses the word â€Å"uncommunicative† which literally is telling the reader the island is abandoned but foreshadows what is to come. This is an effective word choice because it gives an insight to the communication which causes their downfall. Our understanding of what is to come differs from the previous text ‘Coral Island’ the wildness of the surroundings influences changes in characters such as Jack to take natural animalistic instincts; contradicting the theme of ‘happy endings’ as conveyed in Coral Island. A link between both Lord of the Flies and Macbeth is that both involve a sense of changing identity and deterioration of characters. During Elizabethan times when Shakespeare wrote Macbeth, the ‘social-scale’ of class and stature was called the ‘divine right of kings’. External factors of society such as religion and the threat of war makes the actions of a simple Elizabethan wife seem unthinkable. From the beginning of the play onwards, the relationship of Macbeth and his wife is one of equality. Straight away we are aware that Lady Macbeth is highly respected by her husband; â€Å"my dearest partner of greatness† is how he addresses her in the letter. A change of identity is suggested to Macbeth, Lady Macbeth says â€Å"Your hand, your tongue: look like the innocent flower But be the serpent under’t† She is controlling him, telling him to convey a normal front yet be the killer you know you are beneath. Contrastingly Jack uses paint to cover his face in Lord of the Flies, this is a primitive, tribal act in which he can cover his identity and be the hunter he insists upon. As we come to the final scenes of the play, not only can we see a mental deterioration but Shakespeare’s use of iambic pentameter conveying her as physically and mentally disturbed. During such times ‘mental illness’ was not understood and looked upon as being ‘mad’. In act 3 scene 4 she has changed completely, a doctor and gentle-women observe her as she has clearly become mentally out of control. Lady Macbeth even imagines herself with hands covered with blood, there is a stream of guilt as she shows her fragmented speech reflecting her thoughts and soliloquy â€Å"out, damned spot! I say! †

Auditing Essay

Justin Kealey, CPA, is auditing Tustin Companies, Inc. Kealey has accumulated known and likely misstatements for the current year to evaluate whether there is a sufficiently low risk of material misstatement of the financial statements to issue an opinion. However, Kealey notes that there are several misstatements that have been carried over from prior years. A .Distinguish between the iron curtain and the rollover approaches to considering the misstatements from prior years. In consideration of an auditor’s approach for considering the effects of misstatements from prior years are the iron curtain and the rollover approach. The iron curtain approach reveals the effect of correcting the misstatements whole amount in the present year irrespective of when the misstatements occurred. The rollover approach reflects only the amount of misstatement originating in the existing income statements. It ignores the effect of misstatements caused within the balance sheet. B. Describe how SEC Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 108 requires auditors to consider misstatements carried over from prior periods. SEC, Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 108 in reference to materiality states that auditors consider both the iron curtain and rollover approach. Auditors suggest whenever making corrections of material misstatements in financial statements that corrections are made with the iron curtain or rollover approach. The following are typical questions that might appear on an internal control questionnaire for payroll activities: 1. Is there adequate separation of duties between employees who maintain human resources records and employees who approve payroll disbursements? It is important that originations separate human resources and support function as it enables prevention of payments to fictitious employees and overpayment of payroll amounts. Therefore, distribution of payroll accounts involve things such as scheduling, time sheet verification, employee information, and tax obligations just to name a few responsibilities. 2. Is there adequate  separation of duties between personnel who maintain timekeeping or attendance records for employees and employees who distribute payroll checks? When utilizing the same employees executing the timekeeping and distribution, the organization is providing these individuals to report attendance of employees that have resigned and write their own checks. The thought of combining the timekeeper and payroll employees should never be done. Separating responsibilities as management and supervisors create scheduling and time management should be electronically formatted to maintain and avoid fraud. a. Describe the purpose of each of the above controls. Separating responsibilities as management and supervisors create scheduling and time management should be electronically formatted to maintain and avoid fraud. b. Describe the manner in which each of the above controls might be tested. The separation of duties is established by inquiring for which employees perform particular tasks during year, and become aware of the personnel carrying out such tasks. The auditors should inquire upon which personnel accomplished their assigned tasks under uncommon circumstances, for example during the prolonged illness of a worker. c. Assuming that the operating effectiveness of each of the above controls is found to be inadequate, describe how the auditors might alter their substantive procedures to compensate for the increased level of control risk. The testing of fictitious payroll transactions brings the auditors to analyze the distribution of paychecks on a random basis. Analytical procedures performed in reference to payroll expenses may invol ve comparing the amount budgeted for the year to the comparable amounts of previous years and could reveal a substantial overstatement of staff payroll expenses. While performing your audit of Williams Paper Company, you discover evidence that indicates that Williams may not have the ability to continue as a going concern. a. Discuss types of information that may indicate substantial doubt about a client’s ability to remain a going concern. Circumstances presenting doubt in the client’s ability to achieve and maintain business performance begin with working capital deficiencies. More problems for concern may be recurring operating lost, arrears in dividend, defaulting on loans and  adverse financial ratios. The economy can cause business lost as loosing principal customers, work stoppages, legal problems, and inside staff members affecting the business meeting its standards. b. Explain the auditors’ obligation in such situations. Information contradictory to an assumption that a CPA firm’s client remains a growing concern is generally relates to the company’s ability to satisfy its financial commitments For each of the following brief scenarios, assume that you are reporting on a client’s financial statements. Reply as to the type(s) of opinion possible for the scenario. In addition: Unless stated otherwise, assume the matter involved is material. Thomas Bros. Construction is involved in a hazardous trade on a work project and has obtained insurance coverage related to the hazard. Although the probability is remote, a material portion of the company’s assets could be destroyed by a serious work related accident. A standard unqualified report is issued. If the problem does not state that a misstatement (or possible misstatement) is pervasive, assume that it may or may not be pervasive (thus, the appropriate reply may include two possible reports). The Lowes’ own considerable amount property that has gained significantly in value since the date of purchase. The properties were appraised and reported in the balance sheet at the appraised values that materially exceed costs with related disclosures. The certified public accountants believe that the appraised values reported in the balance sheet are a realistic value of the assets. This scenario can receive either an adverse or a qualified judgment. Valuation of assets at appraised values is not in the standards presented in the general accepted accounting principles (GAAP). The appraised value and cost is important, an unqualified opinion is not be appropriate. Do not read more into the circumstance than what is presented. While conducting an audit of Armstrong Co. the CPA firm encountered a major scope limitation relating to inventory report availability and cannot gather sufficient qualifying audit evidence for that area. A scope limitation will result in a qualified opinion or a disclaimer of opinion. Do not consider an auditor discretionary circumstance for modification of the audit report unless the situation explicitly suggests that the auditors wish to emphasize  a particular matter. Noble Co. has material investments in stocks pertaining to subsidiary companies while are not actively traded in the market. The participating CPA firm performing the engagement does not extend to any subsidiary company. The CPA firm is able to determine that all investments are carried at the original cost, but it has no idea of the actual market value. Although the difference between cost and market could be material, it may not have a pervasive effect on the overall financial statements. Here is a scope limitation therefore; either a qualified opinion or a disclaimer of opinion is appropriate. Report Types may be used once, more than once, or not at all. Williams Co. also has material investments in stocks of subsidiary companies however; the stocks for in this scenario are of subsidiary companies which are actively traded in the market. Management insists that all investments are carried at the original costs, and the CPA firm is satisfied that the original costs are accurate. The CPA firm believes that the client does not realize a substantial portion of the investments because the market value is muc h lower than the cost. The client disclosed the facts in notes accompanying the financial statements. A qualified opinion is necessary. The CPA firm attained sufficient evidence stating investments in subsidiary companies are overstated and the note disclosure does not compensate for inappropriate balance sheet presentation. Reference Whittington and Pany, Chapter 16, Auditing Operations and Completing the Audit, Chapter 17, Auditor’s Reports, Principles of Auditing & Other Assurance Services, 18th edition, T, Legal Liability of CPAs McGraw-Hill Irwin

Cases analysis

The company is known for producing high quality and prestigious cars. It holds patents on most of the safety features Weaknesses High costs are incurred in maintaining the company's cars Weak management because of its large organizational size It has a weak supply chain, which affects its product delivery Opportunities There an opportunity on production of hybrid cars and fuel that Is resourceful for the future.People are growing conscious of clean environment, which Is a good opportunity for the company to extend the market for its products on this line There is an opportunity of tapping emerging markets across India and the rest of the roll, contributing to creation off global brand The luxury automobile market is growing as a result of income increase.Threats The price of fuel keep on increasing, which limits the ability of potential customers to buy its products There is high competition from major companies such as Lexus, BMW, and Range Rover, as well as local companies such as DATA Strict government polices wealth the automobile segment not only In India, but also across the world Step 2. Problem Definition Following the relocation of the company's operation sites, it Is faced with the problem n the nature of information technology that could be implemented.Particularly, there is a challenge on implementing the technology that would cater for the current needs based on the existing market conditions, as well as that could lay essential grounds for the company's future growth needs. Besides, following the impact of the recent past global financial crisis which affected the company's market growth projections, It Is not clear whether the proposed relocation should go ahead as planned. Step 3. Identification of Alternatives . The company should implement new information technology in the new operational site, different from the one used in the old site 2.It should use the same old technology in the new operational site 3. It should put on hold the proposed r elocation until the market shows improvements after the financial crisis 4. It should go on with the relocation plans, even though the projected market growth rate has been affected by the financial crisis Step 4. Critical issues Growth rate of the company Managing operational costs The viability of the investments of the company Addressing the needs of the customers Location decisions Step 5.Analysis Option 1 Pros: (I) the operational costs will be reduced in the long-run (it) high production rate (iii) ability to meet the demands of the customers (v) high growth rate (v) better chances of going green Cons: (I) high investment cost Re-training employees on the new technology Option 2 Pros: (I) manageable investment costs Re-training employees is not required. Cons: (I) High operational costs inability to satisfy customer demands (iii) endurance on the company's growth rate.Option 3 Pros: (I) reduced chances of making potential losses (it) matching production with the current demand Cons: (I) inability to satisfy customer demand in the future (ii) delayed investment Option 4: Pros: (I) better chances of matching demand in the future (it) early investment preparation for the expected market growth Cons: (I) Incurring unnecessary investment costs, this could have been carried forward Step 6. Recommendation Based on the above analysis, the company should go on with the proposed relocation f operational site, and implementation of new technology.Despite the high investment costs associated with these options, it is a viable undertaking because it not only addresses the current needs of the company, but also its future needs. Besides, this option opens various opportunities that the company could pursue to differentiate itself from its competitors. For instance, with the proposed new technology, the company stands a better chance of producing green products to suit the changing tastes and preferences of the customers.

The Glass Castle

Maureen is often forgotten throughout the entire story of The Glass Castle written by Jeannette Walls. We are very tragically reminded of Maureen’s presence when she stabs her own mother while living in New York. Reflecting back to the beginning of the story, we can see why Maureen has a mental breakdown. She is born into a world of violence, her parents fail to care for her, and she lives her entire childhood in neglect. The announcement that Mary is pregnant seems to be thrown into this story as if Walls forgot to include the part in the first place.Rex is holding a job at the gypsum mine and Mary makes sculptures out of the excess dust that Rex brings home. Just as it seems that things are taking a positive turn, it is told that Mary is pregnant. Usually a family (depending on the circumstance) is happy to be bringing a new baby into this world, but the Walls family sees this pregnancy as more of a burden. Not to mention, Rex and Mary cannot even decide on how far along in the pregnancy they are. Before Maureen is even born, Rex and Mary get into a huge fight in the dessert.Mary exits the car in which the fight starts, and Rex chases after Mary. Walls writes, â€Å"[Rex] cornered [Mary] against some rocks†¦[Rex] dragged [Mary] back, legs flailing, and threw [Mary] into the car† (43). This occurrence is not justifiable in any case, but on top of this, Mary is pregnant and Maureen is put into great danger. Sadly, this proves that Maureen will be born into a very hostile environment. Three months after Maureen is born, the Walls family is in their car when a police officer tries to pull them over for not having any brake lights.Rex says that if they do get pulled over, they would all be arrested because their car is not registered and does not have any insurance. This results in a car chase during which Maureen is literally tossed around. There is not actually a car seat for Maureen and her life is put in the hands of Jeannette. No newly born baby should be exposed to this type of violence, but these instances continue to grow worse and worse throughout Maureen’s life. As Maureen grows up, she is forced to fend for herself. Mary and Rex seem almost non-existent in Maureen’s life.Though Maureen does still have her siblings, it seems that she is disconnected from her family. Every once in a while, Mary decides that Maureen deserves special treatment and will go out and steal clothes for Maureen, but other than that, it is not until the family is living in Welch that Maureen really makes an appearance. Rex keeps up his drinking habit, and is not bringing any money in for the family. Mary is forced to stop her artistic projects and get a job. Lori, Jeannette, and Brian all get jobs too, whether they be working for a paper or little odd jobs, and this is how the family just barely gets by each week.Maureen on the other hand does not get a job, but instead learns to make friends. Walls writes, â€Å"[Maureen] w ould show up at their houses around dinner-time† (173). Because of making good friends, Maureen does not even have to worry about working for her food. Though the jobs that the rest of the family members have benefit everyone, Maureen only worries about herself. In all reality, fending for her self is really all that Maureen can do. Rex and Mary are never there for her, and Lori, Jeannette, and Brian can only do so much for Maureen because they can barely provide for themselves.While the Walls family is living in Welch, big dreams are created and the children develop ideas of how to get themselves out of Welch. Lori and Jeannette want to move to New York, go to college, and start a new career and life. Brian is not really worried about where he goes, but he does want to become a police officer, and also does not want to be stuck in Welch the rest of his life. Maureen also creates a dream of her own, and wants nothing more than to go back to California. Though Maureen was young when her and her family lived in California, this is the only place that she wanted to go.Jeannette and Lori tell Maureen of the great times that they had in California and explain to Maureen that she has such blonde hair because of all the gold in California, and blue eyes because of the ocean. Maureen responds, â€Å"’[California] is where I’m going to live when I grow up’† explains Walls (207). The stories that Jeannette and Lori tell are responsible for Maureen’s dream to go back to California. However, it seems that Maureen takes after her parents, and struggles to fulfill her dream. While Lori, Jeannette, and Brian go off and start their new lives, Maureen is stuck back in Welch.Lori and Jeannette decide that Maureen should move to New York with them, so they make arrangements and Maureen goes to live with Lori, and begins going to college. Things are going great up until Rex and Mary move to New York. It is at this time that Maureen seems t o give up on her schooling. After Lori kicks her out, Maureen spends her days living with Rex and Mary in a squatter apartment. She wastes her days away by smoking cigarettes, reading, painting, and sometimes just sleeping away the day.Jeannette tries to help Maureen by talking to a doctor, but because Maureen refuses treatment, the doctors can only treat Maureen through a court order proving she is a danger to herself or others. Because she has hit rock bottom and because the rest of her family was fulfilling their happiness, Maureen has a mental break. Maureen actually stabs her mother, and ends up being jailed for an entire year. To get away from her family and her broken life, Maureen buys a ticket to get her self to California, and starts her new life there.After a lifetime of being stuck in the cycle of the Walls family, Maureen is finally going to get the chance to fulfill her dreams. Throughout the story of The Glass Castle, it is obvious that Maureen is frequently forgotten about. So many things lead to Maureen’s mental breakdown; she is born into a world of violence, her parents fail to care for her, and she endures a childhood of neglect. If Maureen were not always lost in the shadows of her siblings, and dreams of her parents, her mental breakdown could have been compromised.