Zora Neale Hurston and Women Oppression

Zora Neale Hurston and Women Oppression, Inferiority and Mistreatment Introduction Zora Neale Hurston is often rated as one of the best literature writers of the 20th Century. Hurston authored four novels and many short stories, essays and poems that were all critically acclaimed. Hurston was born near the end of the 19th Century in the Southern state of Alabama before she moved with her family to Florida as a child. She spent her early years as a student at different colleges and universities and at the same time collecting folklore from various places. She was an active participant of the Harlem Renaissance where she befriended famous authors and poets such as Langston Hughes. Hurston would later on become an acclaimed writer by her own right with her most famous work being ‘Their Eyes Were Watching God’. Other notable works are â€Å"Sweat† and â€Å"The Conscience of the Court†. One persistent theme in all these works is the plight of women in the society. More specifically, Hurston depicts the inferiority, unjust treatment and oppres sion that women are subjected to in the society, especially in marriages. Hurston works seems to indicate that during the early 1900’s, women were subjected to huge inferiority, oppression and mistreatments including domestic violent at a time where speaking out was unheard off. The mistreatment of women is obvious in Hurston’s most famous work â€Å"Their Eyes Were Watching God†. This works tells the story of Janie, who undergoes various tribulations in the hands of men. In the course of the novel, the protagonist, Janie is married three times and in all three marriages, she is subjected to emotional and physical abuse at the hands of men who view women as their property and possession (Sadoff, 15). In her first marriage, her husband Logan Killicks complains about her laziness and the fact that she does not do many domestic chores. In fact, when her husband was marrying her, he thought he was simply acquiring a domestic helper, and he becomes disillusioned after some time after he realizes the Janie is not much of a helper. Janie however is a hopeless romantic and believes that a marriage should be filled with love and when she cannot bear this loveless marriage anymore, she elopes with another man. Janie’s second husband Joe proves to be more abusive in nature. Once again, it is shown just how much mistreatment women go through. It also shows how men try to assert their dominance and power over men (Miles, 45). For example, Joe constantly abuses Janie, both physically and emotionally as a way of showing the power that he holds over her. He strikes her when she cooks him dinner that he deems to be unsatisfactory. In another incidence, Janie tries to show her defiance by verbally assaulting him in the presence of his friends and he physically assaults her. Joe is extremely controlling, and he does not only show his power by physically abusing Janie but by also forbidding her from various things and activities. For instance, he restricts Janie’s social life by a huge margin and does not allow her to interact with friends. He also goes as a far as choosing the clothes that she wears. Joe is also very critical of Janie. Janie them marries after Tea Cake and although are quite smooth in this marriage, it is nevertheless clear that even in the most seeming perfect marriage, women are still viewed as inferior and are still oppressed (Sadoff 33). Although Tea Cake treat her very differently than her previous husbands, it emerges that even amidst this, some masculine behavior standards are still expected, and one of them is physically striking women. Janie is struck by Tea Cake not because he is angry and needs to do it, but just because the society expects him to do it. He is expected to show his authority over the women, and he does this by whipping Janice. A marriage is not considered complete unless it involves some few blows to the woman. In regards to Tea Cake’s physical abuse of Janice, Hurston writes that â€Å"Before that week was over he had whipped Janie. Not because her behavior justified his jealousy, but it relieved the awful fear inside him. Being able to whip her reassured him in passion. No brutal beating at all. He just slapped her around a bit to show he was  boss† (Hurston 140). The inferiority, oppression and mistreatment of women is further evident in Hurston’s other famous work Sweat. Sweat tells the story of Delia, hardworking black woman who earns a living by washing clothes for the white man. She loves her job as it brings food on the table. Delia is married to Sykes, an oppressive man who does not work. He constantly oppresses and ridicules Delia for working for the white man. The irony here is that it is the money that Delia earns from her work that puts the food on the table. Sykes is obviously abusive towards Delia, and he tries to antagonize her even further by playing on her fear for snakes (Sadoff 61). For instance, one day, her husband casually lays his bullwhip that resembles snake on Delia’s shoulder and this causes her to be hugely freighted. Delia is very angry and scolds her husband for this. Sykes however does not exhibit any bit of concern and goes on to yell at her admonishing her for bringing clothes to the house, something that de does not obviously like. Delia attempts to ignore him as she is not in a mood to fight, but Sykes is determined to fight and he therefore continues provoking her, for example by kicking a neat pile of clothes that she had arranged  (Davis 150). Delia reaches her breaking point, and screams at her husband about just how hard she works to support them and picks a piece of metal from the stove as if to strike him (Davies, 39). This particular action is a depiction of the huge oppression that Delia has been subjected to and that she has bottled inside her all this time. In fact, he husband is quite taken aback because he expects to exert his dominance and power once again over his wife without her responding in any way. In fact, Hurston writes that the episode from Delia â€Å"cowed him, and he did not strike her as he usually did† (Miles 78). This quote once again reveals the physical violence that women are subjected to. Things only get worse and in an effort to antagonize his wife even further Psyches buys a pet snake. This however proves to be his main undoing as one day the snake bites him and instead of helping him, Delia simply lets him die after all the oppression that he has caused her. The other work by Zola Hurston that further depicts the inferiority, the oppression, and the mistreatment that women in the society are subjected to is in ‘The Conscience of the Court’. This story is a depiction of the inferiority of women in the society. The main protagonist, Laura Lee Kimble is an unlearned black woman who is accused of murder. She is accused of murder although from the onset; it is clear that she is not responsible for the murder. However, because of her gender and her lack of education, her chances of redemption seem very bleak (Croft 59). She cannot even comprehend the words and vocabulary being used during her trial, and she is offered no legal counsel. When she even goes to the stand and makes her plea, she is immediately dismissed. Her inferiority causes her to resign herself to those deciding the case saying that she does not even know if she is guilty or not and it is the deciding parties who are to tell her. The â€Å"The Conscience of the Court’† just the other previous discussed work once again shows the huge inferiority that women in the society are usually held at. It shows the struggle that women go through and how they are often judged by society’s higher powers including men (Croft 80). In this case, however, Kimble is lucky because she is acquitted. Conclusion Zola Neale Hurston is without a doubt one of the greatest writers of the 20 the Century. She might not have been appreciated much in her time, but today, her works reflect issues that plagued the society during her time. As seen, one the things she describes is the inferiority, oppression and mistreatment of women in the society. In the discussed works, it is shown just how much women were treated as second-grade citizens at a time when they could not speak out about their experiences. Works Cited Croft, Robert Wayne.  A Zora Neale Hurston Companion. Greenwood Publishing Group, 2002. Davies, Kathleen. Zora Neale Hurstons Poetics of Embalmment: Articulating the Rage of Black Women and Narrative Self-Defense.  African American Review  26.1 (1992): 147-159. Hurston, Zora Neale.  Their Eyes Were Watching God: A Novel. New York: Perennial Library, 1990. Print. King, Lovalerie. Miles, Diana.  Women, violence testimony in the works of Zora Neale Hurston. P. Lang, 2003 Sadoff, Dianne F. Black Matrilineage: The Case of Alice Walker and Zora Neale Hurston.  Signs  (1985): 4-26. Zora Neale Hurston.  The Cambridge Companion to American Novelists  (2013): 146.

Racism Synthesis Essay - 1022 Words

Racism can be â€Å"defined as the hatred of one person by another or the belief that another person is less than human because of skin color, language, customs, place of birth or any factor that supposedly reveals the basic nature of that person. It has influenced wars, slavery, the formation of nations, and legal codes† (â€Å"What†). The face of racism over the past 50 years has changed but yet, some still stay the same. People made laws against racism and it is not as blunt anymore. But opinions and stereotypes will remain which will cause others to still be treated differently. One way the face of racism has changed is that there are now laws against it. Because racism was such a major problem back then, the 14th amendment was created, which†¦show more content†¦Back then, not all blacks had the same privileges and racism wasn’t just about black and white people. This is an example of colourism. Colourism can be â€Å"defined as a conscious or unco nscious state of prejudice that may be experienced by both blacks and whites so that they label as less attractive and intelligent individuals of a darker complexion, particularly, when it comes to black women† (â€Å"Demystifying†). Among the black community, there is racism between it as well. Back then, white slave owners â€Å"allowed those of a lighter complexion certain privileges and denied those of a darker complexion those privileges and created in the minds of blacks that â€Å"light† is better. In addition, the selling of lighter-skinned women into prostitution or to salve masters to become their mistresses helped to concretize the idea that light skin is better† (â€Å"Demystifying†). But racism is not just about blacks and whites. It can be between any races. With the internet and the power of social networking these days, it is even easier to repudiate and excoriate people. People can criticize you secretly and not include you in certa in events without your knowing. You can express racism even behind a computer screen on a website plus make it private so it can’t be seen by the public. Although racism has changed over time these past 50 years, racism in many ways still exists. Everybody has their own opinion and those opinions are influenced by the public and the media. In some way,Show MoreRelatedRhetorical Analysis : The Rhetorical Triangle 1129 Words   |  5 Pagespathos make up the rhetorical triangle I used in my Rhetorical Analysis Essay. To illustrate this in the beginning of Tatum’s article she attempts to use logos to demonstrate her own view on racism. She believes racism is â€Å"a term used only for behaviors committed by whites in the context of a white dominated society.† This illustrates early on that she is biased. 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General Electric Free Essays

Factors affecting Demand of Pepsi( Cold drink) (1)Changes in the Price (2)Changes in consumers’ Income spent on goods and services (3)Changes in the Tastes/Preferences of consumers for goods/services (4)Changes in the Prices of related goods and services: Substitutes and Complements 5) changes in interest rates and the general availability of credit. Many households finance consumption through borrowing. If interest rates rise, demand contracts for many goods and services; particularly housing. We will write a custom essay sample on General Electric or any similar topic only for you Order Now 6) Natural disasters (storms, hurricanes, earthquakes, tornadoes, floods etc) ) Advertising can have a market effect on demand. Indeed, producers of PEPSI that are close substitutes generally spend large amounts on advertising, reminding consumers that their product is †better† than the opposition’s product. (Whether or not this is reality true, of course is another matter). 8) Seasonal changes. For example, demand for Cold drinks rises in warmer weather, and falls in the colder months of the year. If price only changes, the demand curve for a good or service will not shift. Instead, there will be a movement along the demand curve. If price rises, demand will contract; less will be purchased in a given period of time. If price falls, demand will expand, and more will be bought in a given period of time. The demand curve will shift to the left or right, if other factors, other from price, change. Factors Affecting Supply Of a Product . * Expectation of future price * When producers expect higher prices in the future commodities, the tendency is to keep their goods and release them when the price rises. * ? Change in the price of related goods * Changes in the price of goods have a significant effect in the supply of such goods. Government subsidies * Subsidies or the financial aids/assistance given by the government reduces cost of production which encourages more supply. * Number of firms in the market * An increase in the number of firms in the market leads to an increase in supply of goods and services. Nature of elasticity in terms of Income The degree to which a demand for a good changes with respect to a c hange in income depends on whether the good is a necessity or a luxury. The demand for necessities will increase with income, but at a slower rate. This is because consumers, instead of buying more of only the necessity, will want to use their increased income to buy more of a luxury. During a period of increasing income, demand for luxury products tends to increase at a higher rate than the demand for necessities. Nature of elasticity in terms of Price Price elasticity of supply measures the relationship between change in quantity supplied and a change in price. If supply is elastic, producers can increase output without a rise in cost or a time delay If supply is inelastic, firms find it hard to change production in a given time period. Major competitors ;Type of market (structure) it competes in (give reasons as to your opinion) Major Competitor is COCA COLA and all other different Soft drinks made locally It competes in many products as compare to Coca cola its products are * Aquafina * Pepsi * Mountain Dew * Sierra Mist * Sobe * Lipton Brisk Tea * MUG Root Beer * Slice * Gatorade * Dole Juice * Tropicana Pepsi is purely a M onopoly One seller dominates the market with no close substitutes. Natural Monopoly – efficient production by a single supplier PRICING STRATEGY OF â€Å"PEPSI† In Pakistan Pepsi cola is being operated by Pakistan Beverages. Pepsi is available in the majority of  stores, outlets, restaurants, and hotels. It has a huge market of customers. Basically it is segmented for theyounger generation of Pakistan but because of its customized offerings it is being consumed by differentage groups in our society. The company has offered Pepsi in different quantities and prices in our market. Its market oriented statement is â€Å"Dare for more†Ã‚   PRICES QUANTITY 12 Rs250ml 20Rs 300ml 20 Rs500ml 40Rs1. 5 lit 55 Rs2. 25 lit. In our society Pepsi often reduces its prices during the holy month of Ramadan and at the time of Eid. In this way they adopt promotional pricing strategy. Even if you notice on their offerings they are using  product-line pricing strategy as they are offering different quantities with different amount of money. Indifferent sectors Pepsi have also adopted segmented pricing strategy as its prices are much higher in luxurious hotels and other sectors. Its main competitor is Coca-cola when it comes to soft-drinks. Coca-cola have also made various efforts through different pricing strategies and offerings but Pepsi have alsoresponded effectively towards their actions through initiating price cuts at the right time for example. In the month of Ramadan whenever Coca-cola reduces their prices Pepsi also responds through price cuts and then eventually after that period it rises its prices. However buyer’s reactions have not been much affected the company in the long-run. Pepsi have always operated their sales through promotional and  phsycological pricing strategy and the great example for this can be their recently offered deal which is 2. 25 litre in 50 Rs. How to cite General Electric, Essay examples

Soliloquy Desdemona free essay sample

What is going on? Why did Othello act in such a way? How could Othello do this? I love him! Does he not know that? I thought we were merry? What happened? Why isnt Othello telling me whats wronged him? I thought we were lovers; Him and l. Dont lovers confide in one other? [Sobs] Why did Othello hit me as he did? My dear sweet moor; Vive always loved you and always will! Please talk to me my lord and tell me what has gotten you upset. What thing ere has brought up this quake of anger so strong as to burn all who sheet? What did I do wrong? [Falls to ground] Waste me Oh Othello who brought this about? Whilst you ever speak a Joyful sound to me again; whilst you ever look me in the eye with the same love and Joy I saw fort night? Why cant my sweet as pomegranates Othello be back? What whilst this bring for our days tomorrow? Wills be over? Did I really do something that bad; so menacing that he would feel it right to strike me? And in front of Ladylove no less. We will write a custom essay sample on Soliloquy Desdemona or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page Is he sorry at all; for embarrassing me so? For I am soon to crawl under a rock then go be near them again. Husbands are not supposed to do such things to their wifes, yes? And what could a wife as myself do so bad to bring this hatred about; to see such a strong eternal fire burning in his onyx eyes; such eyes that burn such passion into my own? [Looks out window] For what brought this about? What will come about now? Should I confront thee and get to the bottom of this seemingly endless pit? No; not ere at this hour. I must talk to his ancient; for they are close yes? Yes! Thats what Ill do. Master Ago will solve this riddle and fill in the empty pieces. [Exeunt]

Empirical Research on Individual Conformity to Group Pressure

Introduction Human beings are social and interact with others in different social arrangements. Many times the associations take place in group settings that require individuals to work jointly to meet set goals. At the work place, groups are commonly formulated to complete tasks meant to grow an organization.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Empirical Research on Individual Conformity to Group Pressure specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More With the advancement in technology experienced globally, the concept of work teams has been taken to an even higher level. It is therefore common to come by virtual teams that are constituted by individuals who may or may not be geographically dispersed. With the help of tools such as wikis and blogs, virtual teams are able to carry out activities with very minimal face to face encounters. As stated by Griffin and Moorhead (2011), individuals influence groups as much as groups also influence the individuals. Within a group, an individual with a strong character can easily determine the others act while the use of very strict group norms can compel members to conform either willingly or against their will. According to Mowday (1993) one is able to understand organizational behavior by studying the link between individuals, groups and the organizational culture. These three are interrelated and determine how far an organization can go in offering services to the public. This paper presents a critical evaluation of research that has been done by different authors on the subject of individual conformity to group pressure. Groups and Social Norms According to Bendor and Swistak (2001), a group norm is defined as a rule or behaviour that triggers punishment if violated by an individual who is a part of the group. Norms exist to provide stability to a group so as to ensure that the group is able to accomplish stipulated tasks as planned. In a study by Brown (2009), o rganizations have for many years been encouraged to build strong cultures that can help in the achievement of goals.Advertising Looking for essay on social sciences? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Organizations that are keen to realize greater performance have a culture of creating and reinforcing strong group norms to ensure that groups are used to benefit the organization. Further claims indicate that the presence of a strong organizational culture will inspire works teams to execute tasks as required and complete them within the stated time period (Brown, 2009). Durlauf and Blume (2008) observed that the main purpose of social norms is to govern the interactions within groups and to successfully coordinate the varying expectations of the individual team members. The group norms are particularly valuable when a group is made up of people with diverse backgrounds. Durlauf and Blume (2008) further argued that once a group has created the norms, all its members required to conform and act in accordance with stipulated rules. Even though there is a general belief that group norms greatly enhance the performance of a group, good management is, however, critical for success to be realized. Durlauf and Blume (2008) described three different approaches to do this. These include coordination, threats of a member being punished by the group if he or she deviates from what has been agreed and specifying an agreed code of conduct. Although norms may not formally appear anywhere or even be discussed quite often in the context of a working group, they are a very powerful tool in guiding the behaviour of a group and ensuring that goals are met. McMahan Kacmar (1991) argued that the concept of group norms is extremely essential for an organizational consultant and although it they have indicated that it may not be easy to identify all the key requirements in forming or strengthening group norms, they agree that stri ct control measures must be adhered to if a work team is to work effectively. Subsequently, they have identified four reasons why group norms must be enforced. These include the need to ensure those work teams survive, managing the behaviour of a group, dealing with interaction problems that could cause embarrassment to group members and making sure that the group lives up to its intentions (McMahan Kacmar, 1991).Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Empirical Research on Individual Conformity to Group Pressure specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More According to a study by Bettenhausen and Murnighan (1985), social norms tend to be invisible even though they play an incredible role in helping organizations control the ultimate behaviour of work teams. Brief and Weiss (2002) argued that effectiveness of a work team is to some extent affected by the personality traits of the individual members team. While some team members m ay be willing to abide by the group norms, others may be uncooperative. Nadler Tushman (1980) also observed that the whole process of creating and managing groups is quite complex and the fact that it is never easy to really understand the individual members in a group makes it even more difficult. Development of Norms Bettenhausen and Murnighan (1985) claimed that while organizations do appreciate the fundamental role played by group norms to guarantee the success of groups, they pay little attention to the process involved in developing these norms. Using nineteen different groups, they did experiments to try and establish how group norms develop. Even though organizations may accomplish tasks using informal and loosely structured teams with no strict guidelines, results often end up being pathetic. Where unstructured work teams are created, they will be made up of people with no prior history of interacting with one another and this can generate problems incase no policies are i n place to support the work of the group. Characteristically, these work teams spend so much time getting to know each other so as to agree on the way forward rather than embarking on the stipulated tasks right away (Bettenhausen Murnighan, 1985). A similar argument is presented by Mowday (1993) who also observed that unless interpersonal relationships are fully dealt with, groups will not be able to function well and it will difficult to get the expected output. The continued use of such an approach will lead an organization to a consistent state of poor group performance. This being the case, Bettenhausen and Murnighan suggested that it is important for organizations to take time and develop scripts that will govern group operations as they are formed.Advertising Looking for essay on social sciences? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Although these scripts may need to be adjusted based on the unique requirements of individual groups, a common script must be made available for team members to reference. Availability of a common script to be used by all the members of a team has the effect of boosting the confidence level of the individuals in the team. It also makes it possible for members to trust one another and response time is reduced as work teams will be able to act quickly (Bettenhausen Murnighan, 1985). Research has also demonstrated that informal norms can be very detrimental to the productivity of an individual and must be avoided at all costs. By clearly understanding how norms are developed and thereafter transferred to the work team, an organization can address the challenges of poor group performance. The understanding will also empower group members to later be able to deal with group pressure more positively (Bettenhausen Murnighan, 1985). According to Feldman (1984), group norms are essential f or two main reasons. They determine the productivity of a group and can also be used by the management to shape the behaviour of the group as well as that of individuals. Groups can also influence the culture within an organization and in cases where group members have a past history of interacting with one another better results are feasible (Mowday, 1993). Boonstra (2004) found out that the behavior of an individual is strongly rooted in groups and as such, groups are a very useful means of changing the behavior of individuals. To change the way an individual responds to situations, one only needs to focus on altering the behavior of the group to which the individual happens to belong. When effectively used, groups will also help in transferring knowledge to members within a work team (Argote Ingram, 2000). Enforcement of Group Norms Feldman (1984) pointed out that groups aim at operating in a manner that will amplify success while minimizing failure and argued that a group will only create and enforce norms that are regarded as being relevant to the activities of the group. As stated elsewhere in this paper, one of the motivations for enforcing norms is to eliminate any possibilities of interpersonal embarrassment and hence, groups will therefore be very enthusiastic about ensuring that members are always comfortable. (Feldman, 1984). Conformity and Resistance Goldman, Haberlein and Feder (1965), studied the response of individuals to group pressure by classifying them into two main groups. While one group was considered as being made up of conformists or people who follow without showing any resistance, the other one included those seen as resisters. The categorization was based on how individuals reacted to group pressure. Conformers would very easily go with the flow of the group while resisters would resist any pressure from the group and instead, choose to act differently to the disappointment of the group. Goldman et al (1985) argued that when one ea sily conforms to group pressure he or she is very likely to perform in a stressful manner and this would get worse if an individual refused to conform to the demands of the group as there is fear of being admonished by the rest of the group if one does not abide by the rules. Apparently, there is a high chance of a conformer doubting his or her own intelligence in making sound decisions. In comparison to resisters, conformers will take a much lesser time to perform a given task. This is true considering that characteristically, resisters will take time to come to an agreement before finally embarking on an activity. Smooth communication in a resister group is also ruined by the existence of competitiveness and hostilities among the group members (Goldman et al., 1965). Although it might actually appear that conformers would be able to solve a problem much faster than resisters, this may not be necessarily the case as in some situations where individuals happen to have differing answ ers to the same problem, a resister group could arrive at an answer much faster. According to Mills, Mills, Bratton and Forshaw (2006), group norms should be democratic enough to encourage individual members of a group to conform. Any attempts to make rules that are unfavorable will only result in resentment and poor group performance. Attraction to the Group and Conformity to Group Norms Kiesler (1963) observed that the willingness of any individual to cooperate with a particular group is directly related to the level of attraction the individual has to the group. This makes sense especially because people will want to be associated with what they really like. If it so happens that all the members of a group like to be associated with it, then chances of the group succeeding will be quite high. The opposite is true as men and women will tend to be less devoted to a group they are not really interested in. This is a good tip for the managers to keep in mind when forming groups. As m uch as possible, groups should be made up of individuals who have interest in the subject matter. Realistically, however, creating such groups may be a challenge and hence, some compromise may be necessary. Kiesler also stated that, there are instances where people with a lesser attraction to a group conformed to the group’s norms more than those with a slightly higher level of attraction. Nevertheless, some attraction is desirable for the members of a work team to conform. Where there is negative attraction to a group, conformity to its norms will be in jeopardy and group progression may be hindered (Kiesler, 1963). Although attraction could be induced, individuals conforming because of some promised benefit will easily resist when their expectations are not met. Attraction can also be nurtured by accepting members in a group. When individuals feel accepted in a group, it becomes easy for them to conform to the norms of the group (Kiesler, 1963). Although helpful in getting members to conform to the requirements of a work team, rewards and benefits could have some negative effects in some cases and must therefore be used sparingly (Rousseau, 1997). Conditions that Lead to Conformance or Defiance Hornsey, Majkut, Terry and McKimmie (2003) described some conditions that could lead to either conformity or resistance to group pressure. Individuals would either be consumed by what the society expects of them or based on an individual’s own judgment it is possible to figure out what other people would probably do in similar situations; whether or not they would share his or her opinion (Hornsey et al., 2003). When people act under the influence of other people, this is referred to as informational influence as they get to do things based on the information they have. On the other hand, normative influence happens when societal norms only influence people to some degree that makes them desire to fit in a group. It is the influence that leads one to wan t to act in a way that will help him or her be accepted by a group of people (Hornsey et al., 2003). Unlike informational influence which is genuine and leads to real change of attitude, the outcome of normative influence is an attitude that is not genuine and often, individuals simply make efforts to fit in a group (Hornsey et al., 2003). Normative influence is a behaviour that organizations must watch out for as it can easily lead to the creation of groups with members who are not fully committed. In the end, a highly motivated group could get demoralized by the less motivated individuals and sadly, the performance of the group will receive a severe blow. According to Brief and Motowidlo (1986), it is possible to use pro-social behaviors to boost the performance of work teams. Pro-social acts are undertaken to support the well being of others and include behaviors such as cooperating, sharing ideas or material things, giving donations to worthy courses and volunteering for the goo d of others. The pro-social acts are meant to directly benefit a beneficiary who could be a colleague, or a client. It may involve helping a workmate to accomplish an assigned job task or even deal with personal matters. One may also volunteer to take on additional responsibilities at no extra pay (Brief Motowidlo, 1986). Conformity as a Means of Defense An experiment undertaken by Hoffman (1957) showed that conformity can be used as a good defense mechanism by individuals who actually find it difficult to conform to pressure from a group. People who are unwilling to go by the demands of a group have been found to resist genuine group influence by simply conforming and taking a low profile. It therefore follows that although an individual may seem to go with the flow and do or agree with what the group wants or says, it does not necessarily imply that his or her conformance is backed by good intentions (Hoffman, 1957). Thinking about the effect of this to an organization, it is imp ortant to note that despite the fact that determining whether or not an individual is truly conforming is such a difficult task, an organization must make an effort to establish to what extent an individual is genuinely conforming to a work team (Hoffman, 1957). Conclusion Organizations can greatly benefit from work teams when groups are created based on well formulated group norms. As has been demonstrated in this paper, group norms play a very key role in ensuring that work teams get to succeed and deliver as they should. However, it is helpful when organizations take interest in developing and enforcing group norms. Although a number of options are available to assist organization with the enforcement of group norms, choices must be made in a way that will ensure that work team performance is not affected. Poor choice of tactics may lead to the failure of work teams and consequently, poor delivery. According to Zhou (2011), groups can have both negative and positive effects. It i s therefore necessary for organizations to ensure that the groups are well planned. Placing an individual in a group that does not correspond to his or her job responsibilities, for example, would lead to discouragement (Zhou, 2011). In spite of all the challenges encountered, there are great benefits that can be realized when work teams are formed and managed in the right way. It is therefore important for organizations to spend a considerable amount of time studying out the process of creating and strengthening group norms which are essential to the success of a group. Reference List Argote, L. Ingram, P., 2000. Knowledge Transfer: A Basis for Competitive Advantage in Firms. Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes, 82 (1) 150 –169. Bendor, J. Swistak, Piotr., 2001. The Evolution of Norms. American Journal of Sociology, Vol. 106, No. 6 (May 2001), pp. 1493-1545. Web. Bettenhausen, K. Murnighan, J. K., 1985. The Emergence of Norms in Competitive Decision-Makin g Groups. Administrative Science Quarterly, 30 (1985): 350 – 372. Boonstra, J.J., 2004. Dynamics of Organizational Change and Learning. England: John Wiley Sons, Ltd. Brief, A. P. Motowidlo, S. J., 1986. Prosocial Organizational Behaviors. Academy of Management Review, 11 (4) 710 – 725. Brief, A. P. Weiss, H. M., 2002. Organizational Behavior: Affect in the Workplace. Annual Review of Psychology, 53:279–307. Brown, M., 2009. The Cultural Work of Corporations. New York, NY: Palgrave Macmillan. Durlauf, N. Blume, L. E., 2008. New Palgrave Dictionary of Economics, Second Edition. London: Palgrave Macmillan. Feldman, D. C., 1984. The Development and Enforcement of Group Norms. The Academy of Management Review, 9 (1) 47 – 53. Goldman, M.., Haberlein, B. J., Feder, G. J., 1965. Conformity and Resistance to Group Pressure. Sociometry, Vol. 28, No. 2 (Jun., 1965), pp. 220 – 226. Web. Griffin, R. W. Moorhead, G., 2011. Organizational Behavior. Stamford , Connecticut, U.S: Cengage Learning. Hoffman, M. L., 1957. Conformity as a Defense Mechanism and a Form of Resistance to Genuine Group Influence. Journal of Personality, 25 (4) 412–424. Hornsey, M. J., Majkut, L., Terry, D. J. McKimmie, B. M., 2003. On being loud and proud: Non-conformity and counter-conformity to group norms. The British Journal of Social Psychology, Sep 2003; 42, 319 – 335. Kiesler, C. A. 1963. Attraction to the Group and Conformity to Group Norms. Journal of Personality, 31(4) 559 – 569. McMahan, G. C. Kacmar, K. M. 1991. The Diagnosis of Work Group Norms: Practical Implications for Change. Journal of Organizational Change Management, 4 (4) 24 – 33. Mills, A. J., Mills, J. C. H., Bratton, J. Forshaw, C., 2006. Organizational Behaviour in a Global Context. Toronto: University of Toronto Press. Mowday, R. T., 1993. Organizational Behavior: Linking Individuals and Groups to Organizational Contexts. Annual Review of Psychology, 44: 195 – 229. Nadler, D. A. Tushman, M. L., 1980. A Model for Organizing Organizational Behavior. New York: AMACOM. Web. Rousseau, D. M., 1997. Organizational Behavior in the New Organizational Era. Annual Review of Psychology, 48: 515 – 46. Zhou, Mark., 2011. Communications in Computer and Information Science. Hong Kong: Springer. This essay on Empirical Research on Individual Conformity to Group Pressure was written and submitted by user Melody Gentry to help you with your own studies. You are free to use it for research and reference purposes in order to write your own paper; however, you must cite it accordingly. You can donate your paper here.

The Art of Heraldry essays

The Art of Heraldry essays Marvin Pakula defined heraldry as, The art of arranging and explaining in proper terms all that relates or pertains to the bearing of arms, crests, quarterings, and other hereditary marks of honor (18). The elements of crests, helmets, shields, and mottos constitute the coat of arms or heraldic device. Throughout history, heraldry has evolved in its function as a necessity of battle and social hierarchy, symbol of honor, and connection to genealogy. The science of heraldry is not well known and underestimated in its importance in the Middle Ages. The origin of the heraldic device, commonly known as the coat of arms, dates back to the early 1100s. The necessity for identification in battles and tournaments of the Middle Ages prompted the creation of heraldry. As tactics and strategies of warfare evolved, much of knights bodies became covered by a variety of armor. This introduced the problem of how to recognize the opponent (Wilkinson 19). An organized system was needed to eliminate this situation and thus, the use of heraldic devices began. This differentiation connected allies because leaders incorporated their allies arms into their own. It emphasized their support for one another and warned enemies of their relations. Heraldry was also a necessity for tournaments. Tournament contestants wore distinctive insignia on their shields similar to modern athletes wearing team colors and numbers. Frequent tournament winners came to be recognized by their coat of arms. Because of their success, families of the winners displayed the arms as a sign of accomplishment. According to research done at Central European University, Ambitious knights traveled around Europe fighting in tournaments and in doing so helped to spread the usages and conventions of heraldry across Europe (Self-Representation in Heraldry). Eventually, tournaments required the use of a her...

Specialist Research Project Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Specialist Research Project - Essay Example The marketing entails presenting the business product to the customer, to create sales. Thus, these as features of business success, Nike invest largely in the various aspects of branding and marketing to establish customer loyalty; hence, establishing the successful; business culture and history as it possesses today. The company has strategic marketing capabilities that compliment the product and service brand accordingly for the successful engagement of the customer. Further, the subject area of cultural and historical developments relating to the company entails a listing of various structures established since the inception of the company. Thus, from these prospects of the company as a multinational operative corporation, the synthesis of the areas of branding and marketing, as well as, cultural and historical studies constitute the proposal of the research project. The proposed project will seek to explore the extent of these fashion business areas as they institute the profile of Nike Corporation. Marketing entails the set of processes and tools engaged in promoting the business success. However, in developing an identity of the product or service the business engages the area of branding remains the influential factor for consideration. Further, organizational culture developed over time also defines the success of the business venture as developed in the area of operation. Thus, in selecting a portfolio to establish and synthesis the subject areas of marketing and branding in addition to cultural and historical studies, the â€Å"Fashion Icon† Nike, remains most conveniently placed as an illustrative reference. Branding entails the culture itself, the message that permeates and regulates the processes of the business (Katz, 2004, 39). Thus, the project proposal seeks to establish the common misconceptions over the subject areas of branding and marketing as they develop a culture and

Financial Analysis for Managers Article Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Financial Analysis for Managers - Article Example However, the highly competitive nature of today’s corporate world has given rise to an essence of unethical behaviour which underlies a majority of business operations; in order to ensure their success. Many a times, unethical behaviour in the workplace has an immense negative impact on the organization and its employees. These effects can be psychological, financial, social, or even bureaucratic in nature. Financially speaking, if a company adheres to unethical means, then it endangers its image in the eyes of the public, and less people would be interested in dealing with the firm. These may include suppliers, financial institutions, customers and distributors. Such a trade-less condition obviously is a set-back to the revenue, and thus the profit of the company. Moreover, from an intra-firm point of view, employees would have lesser faith in a company which does not deal ethically with the public, as there emerges a possibility of the firm using corrupt means against employ ees; if need be someday. Not only does this encourage the existing workforce to leave the firm, it also keeps potential employees to join the firm. This proves to be disastrous for the company’s overall growth and progress.

Transformational Leadership Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words - 1

Transformational Leadership - Assignment Example Therefore, as a form of a referent power, the personal charisma of transformational leaders makes it easier for them to attract and win the support of their subordinates (Posakoff & Schriesheim, 1985). Yes. In the company where I used to work, my supervisor is a good example of a leader that uses transformational leadership style. Rather than imposing strict rules and guidelines, my supervisor is more focused on motivating us to become self-efficient workers. By trusting our work capabilities and putting up high expectations on our work performances, my previous supervisor indirectly trains us to become leaders in our own little way. His leadership technique also inspires us to work together as a team in order to achieve the organizational goal. Among the other types of leaders, authentic leaders resemble close to an effective transformational leaders. In general, authentic leaders are individuals who show strong confidence, hope, optimism, and resiliency which are needed to allow them to develop greater self-awareness and self-regulated positive behavior among their subordinates (Luthans & Avolio, 2003, pp. 241-258). Similar to transformational leaders, authentic leaders are able to recognize the value of each individual based on their personality type and special talents (Avolio & Gardner, 2005). Since authentic leaders allow each employee to go through the process of self-reflection and self-awareness, the team members are free to express themselves and inspire other people within the workplace (Avolio & Gardner, 2005; Covey,

Murals Wall Paintings And Frescoes Cultural Studies Essay

Murals Wall Paintings And Frescoes Cultural Studies Essay It is interesting to note that people who are not inclined with a reverent passion for the arts would only think of it in superficial terms (Goodyear, 1897). They only consider arts as something lavish, interesting, and pleasing to the eye. They believe that art pieces (such as paintings, murals, mosaics, sculptures, and others) are something to be displayed on a prominent area, depending on its creator. The trend for these art pieces would be the more well-known the creator is, the better the location of the masterpiece would be. For instance, if the artist would be someone really renowned as Leonardo da Vinci, then the painting would be placed on the front room of a house. Van Draanen Parsons mentions that people want to display old books because they believe that it gives them an aura of intelligence (1998, p. 52). It doesnt matter what the books were about, interior designers and rich people would buy them by the bulk and display them on expensive bookshelves. These books would have a worn-out, dusty feel which will make mask the owners ignorance and play in their favor when guests come a calling. The books will be displayed without being read or understood: they would just be placed in bookshelves, looking dusty and old, being utterly ignored. The same goes for paintings and other works of art. People will buy expensive and impressive pieces with the purpose of not hailing the artist, but for boasting that they are cultured, without really understanding what the artwork is trying to say. Behind the smooth surface of sculptures, the notable curves and lines of paintings, and the alluring colors of art pieces would be a story that is crying to be told. There is a rich history behind art, such a fine discipline, such as the struggles of ancient artists as they tried their best to create a world that would be beautiful and appealing. Such an example of art that conveys such deep meanings would be the act of wall painting. Wall painting has been around for centuries, and were utilized before for different purposes as what they are being used for now. They were noted as pieces wherein artists could express themselves, and shout out to the world the current triumphs, fears, and dreams of a society. Indeed, there is more to wall painting than what meets the eye. As technology develops, these stories are coming out to the light. Art: a definition Art exists everywhere. In reality, all people have creative tendencies, though only a handful would react to this possibility. As Baldwin and Roskill (1997, p. 188) wrote, the impulse to create art is to realize form and order out of mere matter to recognize order in the world or to generate it oneself is universal and perpetual. Art is the act of creating something from nothing of significance such as murals and wall paintings that have served as a form of storytelling. It has served as a way for cultures from all parts of the globe in order to make their stories known and to preserve the rich heritage of their tribe or nation. Murals and wall paintings are also considered as the link of the past to the present, and to what the world could be in the future. Baldwin and Roskill (1997, p. 188) supported this idea when they wrote it is a present experience as well as a record of the past, and it is valued, preserved. Due to this, today is a careful era wherein past artworks such as murals and frescoes are being restored, in order to bring to life once again their beauty and majesty, so that generations after this generation will be able to stand spellbound in front of them, and know the story of their forefathers. Trigiani (2005, p. 221) once wrote about a group of people who was restoring and redecorating an old church in New Jersey. The old church was left as it was throughout hundreds of years, and when the type of restoration came, the group didnt hold back in the task. There they found one such marvel: they discovered that a fresco was actually just painting on a canvas which was placed on a wall. This is already a marvel of discovery at itself, yet when they peeled back the canvas, the painting of the Blessed Mother; there they saw that there was another canvas behind the original. And the hidden canvas portrays a naked, sexy, voluptuous woman. Though this is but an interesting twist in a novel, this point clearly emphasizes that artists have used murals, frescoes, and wall paintings as a form of expression and of storytelling. For the artist who have hidden a picture of a beautiful woman beneath a blessed image, it is his form of acknowledging the beauty of his loved ones, as he tries to capture one moment of an important moment. And each time he glances up at the painting of the Blessed Mother, he will be able to see the woman he loves underneath her. History of Wall Painting The art of wall painting was only enjoyed before by governments and wealthy people (Geracismos, 2006). Though it has been around for hundreds of years, only the elite had access to wall painting. The term mural comes from the Latin word murus, which means wall. Therefore, the literal translation of a mural painting would be wall painting. This is not surprising, since murals are often placed on walls and ceilings of private residences and other public buildings. The first known muralists were the Egyptians, who decorated walls of tombs with scenes of war, hunting, and ceremonies during 3d millennium BC (Berman, 1997). This corresponds to the rich Egyptian culture then, as well as their technology wherein people have to rely on the spoils of war, as well on hunting for their daily food and meals. The ceremonies indicate the Egyptian culture of having intricate ceremonies to honor gods, because foregoing a ceremony could bring ill luck and might bring the wrath of the displeased god to the people. This could be one of the reasons why Egyptian painted murals on their tombs: in order to remind the souls of their departed loved ones of their rich history, and the gods they need to please in the afterlife. From then on the art of wall painting grew and developed, with the Greeks and Italian taking advantage of the discipline and creating even more intricate and beautiful designs. During the 6th to 5th centuries BC, the Greeks created epic murals which coincide with the battles described in Greek literature (Berman, 1997). This portrays another use for murals such as keeping the story, preserving the culture, and the current status of their lives. During the Hellenistic Period of Olynthos mosaics by Greeks, the Romans copied the prospect of murals and applied this to their homes and temples, while bordering the approach to naturalism. This started the rage fir mosaics in Europe, which was at its peak during the 4th to 13th century. The richness of color in the Early Christian Art makes it outstanding, with realistic murals of saints and angels in stationed in churches to provide a more heavenly aura for churchgoers (Bernan, 1997). Wall painting still continues to grow and develop even in the present era. It has gone through the era of classical art, which resulted to fewer mosaics, and the art direction went from naturalism to romanticism and to revolutionary themes. Though throughout the ages, one thing remains constant: a mural conveys what message the artist wants to impart with the audience. Mexican muralists Diego River and Jà ³se Clemente Orozco painted murals with revolutionary themes. This embodies their hopes in reforms and in the support of the people. Perhaps one of the most talked about early murals would be the cave paintings found at Altamira Spain during 1879, and in Lascaux, France during 1940 (Berman, 1997). These paintings are unique for that particular area, so it was easy to identify when the murals were created. These aged murals have a hunting theme, with overlapping forms which are elongate flight, and it also gives the impression of a prey cowering to death (Hiester, 1989, p. 27). This is similar to the murals of early Egyptians which portrayed on their walls how to make a living. Before men and women became intelligent and sophisticated, they were first and foremost primeval hunters who preyed on animals in order to live. Types of wall paintings There are many materials being used, and methods and techniques being used for wall paintings. Each method depends on the current era and culture, and the materials available as they developed by technology. The most common of them are frescoes, encaustic murals, mosaic, stained glass, baked enamels, modern synthetic materials, and photographic murals (Berman, 1997). As technology develops, more and more materials are being used for murals, such as casual paint and an ordinary brush which are painted on street walls. Frescoes The origins of frescoes are unknown are unclear, since there were only few early pieces which survived (Gealt, 1997). However, around c. 1700 BC, frescoes were discovered to be used in the Minoan Art of Crete (Berman, 1997). This perhaps would be the earliest piece of fresco during that time. During 2008, Dietsch provided a better picture of modern murals that were found in the Pompeii Exhibit. She described how the frescoes took a turn toward naturalism, wherein every detail is exact and precise. Birds and statuary indicated that there was a garden nearby the original location of the fresco, since it was an ancient Pompeian residence which was only excavated during 1978 and 1983. In an awestruck tone, Dietsch continued to describe the beauty of the Pompeian fresco as it became a bridge between the physical objects of that era, to the objects depicted on the fresco. Italian painter Constantino Brumidi created such a fresco filled with flowers, birds, and beasts which is a classic grotesque painting during 1856 to 1880. This fresco was able to picture clearly the daily events of human life, such as the flowers one would see every day, and captured it in a frozen moment that will last for all time. True to the frescos purpose, it was able to provide accurate representations of that era (Geracimos, 1997). A fresco conservator who was restoring Brumidis fresco noted how she was able to see how visitors are in awestruck amazement of the fresco as she is. Geracimos (1997) mentioned during the interview that the conservator was quoted to have said, There is a friendly, happy feeling around the frescoes. I have a sense that people see the recovery of the spirit and dignity in the original. Frescoes and murals alike were used to convey the story of a particular era, as well as to release emotions from those who will see them. They do not only beautify a place, but add to the atmosphere as well. An example of such fresco being able to depict feelings would be the Last Judgment in Romes Sistine Chapel. For a church, the breathtaking and forbidding fresco on the ceiling was able to both awe the churchgoers with its beauty and majesty, yet is also able to make them feel a little daunted by their sins. The fresco clearly illustrate the thin line between heaven and hell, and for every churchgoer who would look up and glance at its beauty, they will be reminded that they will have to live in the right side in order to avoid being in hell when the last judgment comes. Types of frescoes The 1300s to 1800s brought with them the boom of frescoes as they were painted on walls and ceilings of public buildings, churches, and private residences (Gealt, 1997). Among the many methods of wall painting in the early days, frescoes could be said as the more popular method of wall painting. There are two types of fresco: a buon fresco (or a true fresco) is created by applying a fresh wet layer of plaster on a wall surface, and is painted with pigments that are mixed with water (Gealt, 1997). This is the most utilized form of fresco, as the output would be very impressive and beautiful. Then there is the other type of fresco which is referred to as a secco fresco (or dry fresco). This is used by painting a dry surface with adhesive binder flakes (Gealt, 1997). Unlike buon fresco, this type of fresco is not permanent, and could be removed once the owner has used it to his or her preference. Wall Painting now Though a lot about wall painting has changed, there are some things that remain constant. Though there are more materials, and more purposes of murals and wall paintings, such as beautifying a home, or covering an ugly street, they still provide a sense of culture during the present time. What began as symbolic wall paintings that were sacred in caves, churches, and other early dwellings, became common and usual household paintings. Murals, frescoes, and other forms of wall painting are even see in government buildings, schools, and subway stations throughout the country (Hiester, 1989). Wall painting changed depending on culture, from the Roman and Greek warfare, to the epics of the Greek and the early Christian charges, to the Renaissance and revolutionary murals depicted to show life as it progresses. Heister (1989) continues with the changes in the mural setting, as she and her colleagues in the Education department team up with students to paint a mural for their school. They used everyday materials, such as Latex wall paint and foam brushes. The technology provides more uses for murals and frescoes than never before. An example would be Heister building a paneled mural for the school, as well as it being utilized in interior decoration by middle-class families. What used to be a declaration of wealth before is now something casual and usual, thanks to technology which enabled middle-class people to have access to frescoes (Geracimos, 2006). Murals and frescoes are now being used in interior designing. An interior decorator could also paint on a canvas as thin as wallpaper, so that the home owners will be able to take the canvas with them if they decide to move homes. It is also very mobile, such as what Hiester (1989) did with their mural, wherein the panels could be removed to accommodate new murals of future students that are more fitting for the time. In a way, murals are still used to beautify homes. Geracimos (2006) says that the trend is part of a larger pattern around the country that has people investing heavily in their domestic environment, the trend being the personalized murals in each home. There are many ways of taking advantage of murals in a home, such as painting a fairytale theme in a childs room, or something that might be able to ignite a childs imagination. Main rooms are also given the impression that they are bigger, thanks to murals. The materials being used are not as restricted as well. Nowadays interior decorators could create walls to look like limestone, burlap, or linen only by using paint. Such technology was unavailable before, but nowadays people can take advantage of this wonder (Geracimos, 2006). What is disheartening is that despite the boom of wall painting in the present era, there is a sad price that artists have to pay. Nowadays people do not see frescoes and murals as what they really are (which are pictures that have captured life and is a way of bringing into the present some of the past, which provides continuity); instead what people see is a murals shallow beauty. To illustrate better this point, Lothar (2007) writes about Lavaudieu village in France, describing the place as unspoiled stone village, no shops, no bars, no nightlife, just a restaurant or two. This quiet is supplemented with Lothars next words which are, what makes the village worth a visit are the exquisite 11th-century Benedictine abbeyà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦ the refectory is a glow with Byzantine-influenced murals. With that simple sentence, Lothar was able to depict the murals in the area as something that was supposed to be appealing and peaceful. Never mind if, say for example, the murals painted on the abbey is filled with demons and angels fighting for the Lord. The people stopped caring about things that really matter, such as what a piece means, and instead preferred to think about just how shallow a murals image is. From sacred images, graffiti, and interior decoration It is clearly emphasized in the paper that the previous purpose of murals would be to beautify homes and to preserve the culture of one society. It has evolved to the purpose of beautifying homes, to draw epic tales and to encourage beautiful stories throughout history. With each technological advancement and marvel come different application of murals and frescoes. The Egyptians used murals to show their rich history in terms of their celebrations, deaths, and other important occasions, while there are those that showed war, revolution, and hunger on the walls. Now everywhere one looks, there are murals and paintings on the streets and walls. Politicians use walls as another way of campaigning, teenagers and gang members would put graffiti in the blank and clean walls. Did it grow or diminish over the years? From the sacred images in churches that were able to raise fear and astonishment to those who see it, to the common graffiti that are being splattered on blank walls in the neighborhoods. Thanks to the developments of todays technology, murals are accessible to everybody. Yet this accessibility could also wreck the beauty of murals, as they could be taken for granted.

Creativity and Mental Illness Essay -- Biology Essays Research Papers

Creativity and Mental Illness Men have called me mad, but the question is not yet settled, whether madness is or is not the loftiest intelligence--whether much that is glorious--whether all that is profound--does not spring from disease of thought--from moods of mind exalted at the expense of the general intellect. Those who dream by day are cognizant of many things which escape those who dream only by night - Edgar Allen Poe When you are insane, you are busy being insane - all the time... When I was crazy, that's all I was. - Sylvia Plath Is creative genius somehow woven together with "madness"? According to the dictionary, "to create" is "to bring into being or form out of nothing." Such a powerful, mysterious, and even impossible act must surely be beyond the scope of scientific inquiry! No wonder creativity has for so long been "explained" as the expression of an irrational, intuitive psychic "underground" teaming with forces (perhaps divine) that are unknown and unknowable (at least to the "sane," conventional mind). The ancient Greeks believed creative inspiration was achieved through altered states of mind such as "divine madness." Socrates said: "If a man comes to the door of poetry untouched by the madness of the muses, believing that technique alone will make him a good poet, he and his sane compositions never reach perfection, but are utterly eclipsed by the inspired madman" (8). Creative inspiration - particularly artistic inspiration -- has often been thought to require the sampling of dark "depths" of irr ationality while maintaining at least some connection to everyday reality. This dive into underground forces "reminds one of a skin-diver with a breathing tube" wrote Arthur Koestler in his influential book... ...ard Mental Health Letter, March 1996 http://www.mentalhealth.com/mag1/p5h-cre1.html 6) Artistic Inspiration and the Brain , Another response to Dr. Bruce Miller study - FTD & creativity http://www.artsfusion.com/1999/january/awfeaturejan.html 7) The Systems View of Life , includes discussion of how creativity is fundamentally built into all living systems -by Fritjof Capra, theoretical high-energy physicist and author. Capra studied with Werner Heisenberg at the University of Vienna. He does research at the Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory and lectures at the University of California, Berkeley. http://magna.com.au/~prfbrown/capra_3.html 8) Amazon.com, To order the book: Touched with Fire: Manic Depressive Illness and the Artistic temperment - by Kay Redfield Jamison http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/068483183X/themeadowlarkpre/102-1781957-3733743

Helping Children Improve their Self-Esteem Essay

To have a healthy sense of self-esteem is what most parents would want their young children to have. Special emphasis is given to self-esteem because parents know that self- esteem has a powerful effect on communication behavior. Also, many observers believe that at the bottom of the many societal problems lie in low self-esteem. Adler and Towne added that â€Å"people with high self esteem are more willing to communicate that people with low self-esteem† (48). Although self-esteem has been studied and scrutinized for many years already, specialists and educators still argue about its nature and development. Even so, they all generally agree that parents and other adults who are important to children play a major role in laying a solid foundation for a child’s development. So what or how is self-esteem defined and illustrated in the different social contexts? Self-esteem is said to be a part of self concept that involves evaluations of self worth. The basics of self-esteem laid early in life when infants develop attachments with those who are responsible for them. Babies learn to feel loved and valued when those who look after them readily respond to their cries and smiles. By being loved and accepted by the people they idolize, children come to feel loved and accepted too. Also, parents and teachers can help their children to build healthy self-esteem by teaching good values, expressing appreciation, giving challenges, and coping with defeats. As children become increasingly sensitive to evaluations by their peers, parents and teachers can be very instrumental in fostering positive relationships with the children’s peers. You can also help the child by being clear about good values and keeping the communication lines open about experiences outside the home. When adults respond to the child’s interests and efforts with appreciation rather than just praise, a child’s sense of self-worth is more likely to deepen. Imagine this, when your child shows interest in something you are doing, you might want to include the child in the activity. In this manner, you respond positively to your child’s interest by treating it seriously. On the contrary, flattery and praise can sometimes distract children from the topics they are interested in because children may develop a habit of expressing interest in a subject matter just to receive flattery. Tasks and activities that offer a real challenge than from those that are merely playful or funs are more likely to benefit children from. Involving the children in doing house hold chores will help boost self-esteem because it will give the children a sense of accomplishment. Cutright also put emphasis that rather than emphasizing constant successes and triumphs, parents and teachers can help the child develop and maintain healthy self-esteem by helping him or her cope with defeats. When love and support remain unchanged during times of disappointment or crisis, the child’s weakened self-esteem can be strengthened when parents or teachers let the child feel that. As a conclusion, parents and teachers can play a significant role in strengthening children’s self-esteem by treating them respectfully, taking their views and opinions seriously, and expressing appreciation to them. Also, parents must keep in mind that self-esteem is an important part of every child’s development. Reference: Adler, Ronald B. , and Neil Towne. Looking out/looking in interpersonal communication. 2nd ed. New York: Holt, Rinehart and Winston, 1978. Cutright, Melitta. â€Å"Self-esteem: the key to a child’s success and happiness. † PTA Today 17 (1992): 5-6.

Is Learning How To Speak Spanish Worth It Professor Ramos Blog

Is Learning How To Speak Spanish Worth It I was put into dual immersion when I was five years old. Dual immersion is a program in school where you learn Spanish and English at the same time. I remember not knowing a word of Spanish but having to take a test to see if I qualified. My parents put me in this program because they felt that it would benefit me more in the future. They always told me that theres a lot more opportunities when it comes to knowing a second language. In this program, from kindergarten to 5th grade, for the most part we were spoke to in Spanish, the only time we ever spoke English is if we absolutely needed to. Leaning Spanish was really difficult for me because not a single person in my family knew how to speak it. I had literally nobody to help me with my homework whether it was to translate something or even my math because that was also in Spanish. I was adopted when I was four years old into a family that was all white, but thats a story for another time. They never really realized how them not knowing how to speak Spanish effected me. My whole life ive always been told that school comes first no matter what. Everyday after school my mom would always say, â€Å"Vyla you better get your homework done first.† That meant no video games, no playing with friends, not even doing my chores. My parents were very strict and made sure to push me to my limits when it came to academics. I remember countless nights sitting at the table for hours trying to finish my homework. Looking back at those times I realize that doing my homework without any help at such a young age benefitted me because it help me retain everything better. Elementary school was critical because thats when you learn literally everything so during this time I always asked my teachers as many questions possible. I struggled a lot with remembering certain words and not knowing how to use the tenses correctly. My favorite teacher was from 1st grade, her name was Ms. Aja. She was so nice to me and made sure to give me all the help I needed. She always had crazy hair that was different colors and she loved to give out candy, she made the learning environment fun. I can honestly say that she probably had the biggest effect on me because she was always there for me and made sure I was understanding everything she was teaching. I enjoyed dual immersion so much, I created unbreakable bonds with teachers and friendships that will last a lifetime. I have friends that Ive Known for more than eight years now all because I met them through this program. Its such a special thing when you share a learning experience with multiple people just like you. I remember having to overcome so many obstacles like presenting in front of the Spanish speaking school board and being scared out of my mind. In all honesty it made things better knowing I had classmates going through the same things, trying to impress the same people. Learning a new language takes a lot of dedication and interest, but over time you develop a passion for it. Being completely fluent in Spanish by the time I was in middle school was convenient because now instead of learning in Spanish in one classroom all day, I was learning English in multiple classrooms throughout the day. With that being said I began to realize that my family not knowing how to speak Spanish was going to be an issue again. Since all my classes were now in English I wasnt using my ability to speak Spanish anymore like I was in elementary school. Speaking from experience, the saying, â€Å"If you dont use it, you lose it† is completely true without a doubt. Therefore when I graduated to high school and had to take Spanish again to meet certain requirements, I was beyond rusty. Being fresh out of high school, going to college and getting a job is something that many people do, to me it was a necessity. I was so excited filling out applications and being able to say im bilingual on them. Something that blows my mind is that even though both teachers and my parents told me opportunities would come, I didnt think much of it until something happened to me recently. Not too long ago I got hired on the spot at subway, and it wasnt until after the interview that my boss told me he was for sure going to hire me all because I knew how to speak Spanish. When he told me that, my face lit up with the biggest smile on it, ive never been more proud and so grateful to have had the opportunity to learn Spanish. With that being said, my journey with learning Spanish definitely had its ups and downs but at the end of the day had, and will continue to have a great outcome with nothing but possibilities. I feel blessed being able to learn a different language because it made me see things in different perspectives and became a part of me that ill be able to take wherever I go.   Ã‚  Ã‚  

Travels In Alaska essays

Travels In Alaska essays Travels in Alaska takes readers on a trip to Alaska through the vivid descriptions of the author, John Muir. The book is based on journals Muir wrote during his visits to Alaska in 1879, 1880, and 1890. These chronicles of his journey relate his observations of nature, glaciers, and the many people he met. Traveling on foot, by canoe, and dogsled Muir experienced excitement discovering unfamiliar types of lands and animals. Each summer Muir and his new found Presbyterian missionary friend S. Hall Young accompanied by Tlingit Indian guides launched extensive voyages of discovery in a thirty foot canoe. John Muir was a naturalists who loved to go to wild places and experience the wonders of nature. Chapter One of Travels In Alaska is inspired by the beautiful scenery Muir writes in his boat in route to Puget Sound. He describes the scenery, weather, and hospitality shown to him by the individuals he met during his journey through the Alexander Archipelago to Fort Wrangell and Sitka. Also, a man named Mr. Vanderbilt offered John a room and a place at his table. The Vanderbilt family occupied the best house in the fort and this is where he found a real home; with the chance to go on all sorts of excursions as opportunity offered. Muir's steamer goes first to Sitka, then on to Wrangell. The Klondike gold rush was yet to begin, but John heard of twenty-eight miners who had just gone from Sitka into the Yukon to prospect. The next summer he came across and interviewed a number of the original twenty-eight miners in S.E. Alaska in Sum Dum Bay. While in Wrangell Muir was adopted by the Stickeen tribe, and given an Indian name (Ancoutahan) that means adopted chief. Being adopted by the Stickeens was a excellent safeguard while John was on his travels among the different tribes of the archipelago. No one belonging to the other tribes would attack him, knowing that the Stickeens would hold them accountable. Muir also de...

Persuasion and Influence 1 Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words - 1

Persuasion and Influence 1 - Assignment Example The second item was a dress for my niece. I had bought the dress because that brand was running a campaign for educating the poor in Africa and 10% of the dress price was to be donated to the cause! Hence, it made me feel good that I am also part of that campaign. The two unplanned purchases had actually upset my weekly budget and as a result, that week, we had to cut down on our regular fruit diet. I realized that because of my irrational decision, my family had to compromise on essential food item. Indeed, consumer behavior is need based which is exploited by marketers (Arnould et al., 2004). Hence, I decided that I would rationalize my buying and stick to list. The perfume that was on offer of the day was actually not so as three weeks back, my friend had also bought the same perfume at same price! Indeed, they are marketing gimmicks that are essentially designed to tempt consumers (Edwin and Douglas, 2008). Thereafter, during my weekly shopping, I would wave my list in front of the salesperson and move forward to complete my shopping. I found this technique to be very

The Free-Trade Area of the Americas Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

The Free-Trade Area of the Americas - Essay Example For the past few years, diplomats from 34 nations have been working hard to push for the establishment of a free trade area. The following are reasons why governments across the Americas are pushing for the free trade area. First, a country will only specialize in selling goods and services which it can do be and trade with other nations for its wants. This is a representation of actual supply and demand of free trade market. This is because when a certain country concentrates the products that it can do best, such a country takes economy of scale advantage and manufactures their products at reduced production costs. Secondly, these governments argue that free trade area will lead to increased imports and exports, thus increasing the availability of products in the involved nations, therefore, bringing healthier competition. Another reason why governments across the Americas are pushing for a free trade area is that it will reduce living costs, thus increasing economic growth. This i s because it will do away with governmental interventions such as taxes and tariffs thus enabling consumers to purchase products at reduced costs. This will also bring good bond between the involved countries leading to healthier governance and diplomatic global ties. Anti-FTAA group claims that free trade agreement extends treaties that were already adopted (NAFTA and FTA) from the acute North of Tierra del Fuego, Canada, and NAFTA had noxious outcomes with Mexico and the impacts negatively workers in the United States and in Canada. Therefore, the protests argue that from this example, it is evident that the FTAA will bring disastrous effects on Latin America. From the protests point of view, the accords of Free Trade are Globalization masterpieces and thus they will allow deregulation as well as the opening of new markets through the elimination of trade barriers such as worker rights and environmental protection. Additionally, these accords will contribute to commodification and privatization of things such as education and healthcare services and due to globalization, Free Trade aims at enriching â€Å"world masters† called big capitalists and financiers.

IPE Reflection Account Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

IPE Reflection Account - Essay Example Next was the egg experiment wherein nobody wanted to take on the position of leadership and the group did not have enough team work to support one another, so our experiment failed. We also watched videos of people from different professions helping in emergency cases and this made me realize how everyone can contribute to one’s healing no matter what profession he belongs to. Feelings: I think it was good to be able to listen to the views of other professionals as I learned more about their fields and how they view communication. I also learned about communication barriers such as having a handicap like blindness or deafness and how that disabled person would really find it challenging to communicate his feelings, thoughts and ideas to others. I found the IPE sessions very enriching and fun, not to mention, an opportunity to meet other people from different professions that I may someday work with. I learned so much about the importance of communication and team work and know that the exercises will greatly impact how I would regard these two concepts as I practice my profession with other professionals. Evaluation: In the Communication Workshop, the various kinds of communication we brainstormed on were overwhelming. It is not limited to just speaking and listening, reading or writing, but now includes a host of other communication forms and media. However, in health services, most communication is limited to face-to-face since health professionals are in close contact with their patients/ clients, and with other professionals from different fields. Health care professionals need to see their clients in person to determine what the physical symptoms manifested by the patients/clients may mean. In my own group in the IPE, we kept on suggesting ways to solve the problem given to us, but since we were not so familiar with each other yet, we were

Bar Code Scanning and Patient Safety Essay Example for Free

Bar Code Scanning and Patient Safety Essay The following paper explores eight published articles that address the issue of bar code scanning for medication administration and patient safety. Online research was conducted to locate and review articles which are included in review of literature, and to acquire accurate information addressing the issues discussed. The understanding of Bar Code Scanning for Medication Administration (BCMA) is a valuable tool, providing safe practice needed to reduce medication errors leading to safer patient handling. Patient safety is defined by the Institute of Medicine (IOM) as the prevention of harm caused by errors of commission and omission (Henneman, 2010, p. 8). The use of BCMA changed medication administration, documentation, and communication regarding patient care (Spetz, Burgress, Phibbs, 2012, p. 158). Key words: bar code scanning of medications, patient safety and workarounds Issues 1. Discuss bar code scanning in medication administration (BCMA). 2. Discuss how the use of BCMA has affected patient safety. 3. Discuss the implications of workarounds in medication administration to the patient. Literature Review Discuss How the Use of BCMA has Affected Patient Safety The following articles were reviewed for the purpose of addressing the issue: how BCMA has affected patient safety. Patient safety has been an issue in all realms of healthcare. The use of BCMA introduced a new avenue to establish the best practice of drug administration for patient safety. â€Å"Medication Administration: The Implementation Process of Bar-Coding for Medication Administration to Enhance Medication Safety† (Foote Coleman, 2008) discusses the issue of patient safety with the use of BCMA. According to (Foote Coleman, 2008, p. 207) medication errors strike at the heart of being a nurse: the value of â€Å"do no harm†. The reduction of medication errors has had a direct and indirect effect on the patient and the nurse (Foote Coleman, 2008, p. 207). The direct effect can be a safety threat to the patient and an indirect effect can compromise the confidence of nursing practice (Foote Coleman, 2008, p207). The use of BCMA has increased patient safety by system validation of the six rights of medication administration: right drug, right patient, right time, right route, right route, and right reason. The findings concluded patient safety has increased with the use of BCMA. Reduction of paperwork using BCMA for the nurse allows for more time with the patient reducing the risk for error. â€Å"Impact of BCMA on Medication Errors and Patient Safety: A Summary† (Marini Hasman, 2009) was also reviewed. The Institute of Medicine (IOM) estimates that one hospitalized patient is on average subject to one medication error per day. Medication errors that result in preventable adverse drug events may occur during any stage of the medication use process: ordering (56%) transcribing (6%) dispensing (4%) and administration (34%). The use of BCMA has addressed the issue of medication administration safety as a priority for patient safety (Marini Hasman, 2009, p. 439). BCMA system use has decreased the errors in the administration phrase by possibly intercepting administration errors before they reach the patient (Marini Hasman, 2009, p. 439). Enacting the BCMA technology into patient care has acted as a point of care safety system that assists in the protection from potential errors and safeguards the medication administration process where none previously existed (Mari ni Hasman, 2009, p. 440). Safeguards that have been put in place since the implication of BCMA into the healthcare field have shown from this article that safe practice has increased. The article, â€Å"Patient Misidentifications Caused by Errors in Standard Bar Code Technology (Snyder, Carter, Jenkins, Fantz, 2010), discusses some medication errors on misreading wristband bar codes. The use of bar code scanning has decreased transcription errors in many healthcare applications including patient identification (Snyder et al., 2010, p. 1554). The study indicated misidentifications of patients could occur, contributing to unsafe patient practices. Wristbands used for identification can assist with identifying the correct patient in the six rights of medication administration. While this is not a failsafe answer it is valuable in providing a safe practice of medication administration to patients. Discuss Bar Code Scanning in Medication Administration (BCMA) The following articles were reviewed for the purpose of addressing bar code scanning in medication administration. Nursing requires the critical skill of accurate medication administration. The use of electronic medication administration has brought about many changes in the healthcare field. The article,† What Determines Successful Implementation of Inpatient Information Technology Systems† (Spetz et al 2012), was reviewed to address the above question. Computerized patients records and bar-code medication systems continue to gain favor in healthcare. This idea spread across the nation in all VA sites (Spetz et al., 2012, p. 157), providing a safer environment for patient care. The use of bar code scanning utilizes the perfection of computers into medication-administration process. Training to use (BCMA) indicated from the article can be cumbersome and staff can be apprehensive about the change. The time needed for BCMA showed extremely high demands with the implementati on of BCMA system (Spetz et al., 2012, p. 160). The initial implementation of BCMA interrupted the flow of care for physicians and nurses (Spetz et al., 2012, p. 160) Training and time management were issues addressed including support, work flow changes, and communication allowing flexibility for changes and updates (Spetz et al., 2012, p. 161). In review of information, BCMA has assisted healthcare in providing a safer environment for patient care. The use of BCMA has increased awareness of mistakes, increased accountability to the staff by having recorded times of medication administration, and patient identifiers in patient care. The review of article â€Å"An Evaluation Process for an Electronic Bar Code Medication Administration Information System in an Acute Care Unit† (Bargen Lu, 2009) discussed the development and use of BCMA in medication administration. An IOM report attributed 7,000 deaths annually to medication errors (Bargen Lu, 2009, p. 356). Bar code medication administration systems were designed as a saf ety tool for nurses. The use of this system assists in reduction of errors at the point of medication administration (Bargen Lu, 2009, p. 356). The reduction of medication errors was introduced by using computerized alerts and warnings. These compelled users to stop and reconsider potentially unsafe steps in the medication administration process (Bargen Lu, 2009, p. 356). This caused a workflow disturbance for nurses. BCMA processes were examined using direct staff observation, process mapping, and informal group discussion. The process assisted in data collection and reconfiguration of BCMA, thus reducing unnecessary alerts in the BCMA system. The conclusion drawn from review showed that a decrease in the numbers of unnecessary alerts triggered by the BCMA system can help ensure the workflow blocks nurses encounter are clinically significant and justified (Bargen Lu, 2009, p. 357). Although the workflow blocks are there it is sometimes necessary to assist in safe patient handling. Another article reviewed was, â€Å"Barcode Medication Administration: Lessons Learned from an Intensive Care Unit Implementation† (Wideman, Whittler, Anderson, 2006). The use of bar code scanning has been used in retail for many years and was adapted for the use of medication administration originally by the Veterans Health Administration in the year 2000 and has spread across the US since that time (Wideman, Whittler, Anderson, 2006, p. 437). The system was designed to improve accuracy in administration of medication through real time network connectivity. This allowed documentation electronically of administration of medications at the bedside (Wideman et al., 2006, p. 437). On April 04,2004 the U.S. Food and Drug Administration ruled that barcodes were mandatory on labels of thousands of human medication and biological products by the year 2006 (Wideman et al., 2006, p. 438). The VA health care system used barcode scanning already in place and included the barcode of the medications in the safety system. This provided a better opportunity for patient safety using the BCMA system. The use of a handheld barcode scanner at the bedside registered each medication, software verified correct medication was ordered, time of administration is correct, measured in the correct dose, and in real time documents the administration of the medication (Wideman et al., 2006, p. 439). Alleviation of paper medication record for the nurse reduced the chance for medication error and harm to the patient. By the use of this system missed medications, medication actions, and medication ordering could be done as the bedside. The induction of BCMA into patient bedside medication administration also reduced phone calls to the pharmacy from nurses. This helped to increase efficiency for medication administration providing a safer environment for patient care. Discuss the Implications of Workarounds in Medication Administration to the Patient The use of BCMA for medication administration was not received with open arms. The training, computer knowledge, workflow blocks, were some of the complaints by nurses. The following articles reviewed discussed workarounds when using BCMA. The article reviewed â€Å"Patient Safety and Technology† (Henneman, 2010) discussed safety and BCMA. The goal for BCMA systems was to prevent medication administration errors (Henneman, 2010, p. 9). Identifying and verification of the patient’s identity is critical to assure patient safety and reduction of medication errors. Work-arounds have been reported with the use of the BCMA system in place. These work arounds create a serious threat to patient safety (Henneman, 2010, p. 9). Workarounds include affixing patient identification bar codes to computer carts, clip boards and carrying several patients’ pre scanned medications on carts (Henneman, 2010, p. 10). BCMA systems have assisted in creation of some work-arounds with unreadable medication bar codes, non-bar coded medications, malfunctioning scanner s at the bedside, and missing patient armbands used as a patient identifier (Henneman, 2010, p. 10). The review indicates workarounds can be created for any situation. It is the responsibility of the nurse to ensure the correct medication is being administered to the correct patient using the six rights of medication administration. BCMA is only a tool to assist in safe patient handling. Another article reviewed, â€Å"Medication Errors Occurring with the Use of Bar-Code Administration Technology† (Pennsylvania patient safety advisory, 2008) discussed workarounds as a method of accomplishing an activity through other arrangements when not able or willing to use the correct method. A temporary solution is not the answer and, puts the patient at greater risk for medication error. Using work-arounds such as typing the patients’ social security number, indicating the medication will not scan, or affixing the wristband of patients to bedsides rather than the patient’s wrist puts the patient at risk (Pennsylvania patient safety advisory, 2008, p. 125). The summary fro m review indicates it is the nurse’s responsibility to ensure safe medication administration even though it is not always the fastest method. Analysis of Findings Patient safety, bar code scanning and work-arounds all relate safe patient handling. The review of literature indicates safety is the number one priority in healthcare. The development of BCMA was part of the process to ensure a safer procedure for medication administration. Medication errors indicated that BCMA was not always the cause of the problem. Mislabeling of medications, work-arounds, missed scanned wristbands have all contributed to errors in medication administration. Findings indicate that although BCMA is an excellent tool to assist in the six rights of medication administration to the patient. It is not an overall solution to medication errors. The responsibility is a collective effort by physicians, pharmacists, and nurses to ensure the safest practice for the patient. Implication for Practice BCMA is an excellent tool to assist the nurse in bedside medication administration. The inpatient environment is hectic for the nurse, having multiple patients and time limitations. Patient safety is a priority in healthcare and taking the time to ensure the correct medication is being administered to the correct patient is part of nursing practice. The use of BCMA assists this process by ensuring the medication has been correctly ordered by the physician, verified by the pharmacist, and verification of patient identifiers. The system alerts nursing when there is a question of correct dose, medication, time, route, or patient. This assists the nurse in providing a safer method of medication administration. The field of nursing requires critical thinking skills in all realms of patient care. Medication administration is only one area of nursing practice. A safer environment for the patient is part of everyday practice for the inpatient nurse. The use of BCMA assists the nurse in providing this environment in patient care. Although work-arounds are many times easier for the nurse in time management, it is not the safest practice. Identifying and verification of the patient’s identity is critical to assure patient safety and reduction of medication errors. The understanding of Bar Code Scanning for Medication Administration (BCMA) is a valuable tool, providing safe practice needed to reduce medication errors leading to safer patient handling. Patient safety is defined by the Institute of Medicine (IOM) as the prevention of harm caused by errors of commission and omission (Henneman, 2010, p. 8). The use of BCMA changed medication administration, documentation, and communication regarding patient care (Spetz, Burgress, Phibbs, 2012, p. 158). In the practice of nursing this all relates to everyday practice. Patient safety, avoiding the temptation of work-arounds, and using tools such as BCMA ensure that nursing is util izing all the information to assist patients in the healing process. References Bargen, M., Lu, D. (2009). An evaluattion process for an electronic bar code medication administration inofrmation system in an acute care unit. Urlogic Nursing, 29(5), 355-391. Retrieved from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19863043 Foote, S. O., Coleman, J. R. (2008). Medication administration: the implementation process of bar-coding for medication administration to enhance medication safety. Nursing Economics, 26(3). Retrieved from http://web.ebschost.com.lib-proxy.usi/ehost/resultsadvsnced?sid=769055e1-76b1-460c-b5f6-96214bb1c806%40sessionmgr13vid=2%hid=14bquery=Medication+Administration%3a+theimplementation+process+%22of22+bar-coding+for+medication+administration+%22to%22+enhance+medication+safetybdata=JmRiPXJ6aCZOeXBIPTEmc210ZT1aG9zdC1saXZ1JnNjb3BIPXNpdGU%3d Henneman, E. A. (2010). Patient safety and technology. Advanced Critical Care, 20(2), 128-132. Retrieved from http://www.ajhp.org/content/66/13/1202/long Marini, S. D., Hasman, A. (2009). Impact of BCMA on medication errors and patient safety: a summary. Connecting Health and Humans. doi:10.3233/978-1-60750-024-7-439 Pennsylvania patient safety advisory. (2008). Medication errors occuring with the use of bar-code administration technology. , 5(4). Retrieved from http://www.ecri.org/Documents/PA_PSRS/2008.12_Advisory.pdf Snyder, M. L., Carter, A., Jenkins, K., Fantz, C. R. (2010). Patient misidentifications caused by errors in standard bar code technology. Clinical Chemistry, 56(10), 1554-1560. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com.lib-proxy.usi.edu/healthcomplete/docview/756738318/fulltextPDF/13790524A8A77BE80D2/56?accountid=14752 Spetz, J., Burgress, J. F., Phibbs, C. S. (2012). What determines successful implementation of inpatient information technology systems. The American Journal of Managing Care, 18(3). Retrieved from www.ajmc.com Wideman, M. V., Whittler, M. E., Anderson, T. M. (2006). Barcode medication administration: lessons learned from an intensive care unit implementation. Advances in Patients Safety, 3. Retrieved from http://wwwfda.gov/cber/rules/barcodelabel.pdf