Online Games Effects

INTRODUCTION As years passed by, new generations starter to grow. Our world right now is different than before. At this time, modern technologies are patronized by people specially students because of its advantages. Without looking on the other side, these innovations can also cause and bad effects. Because of technology, new thing were created that sustains and lightens human work. Computers were created because of technology. Computers were the greatest thing ever invented by man itself. Some researcher wants to know the effects of playing online games on the academic performances of the students.The reason why the researcher have chosen this particular research topic was know the advantages of playing computer games on the academic performances of the selected high school students. Online games can have bad effects on people’s life specially the learners. Online game addiction has become popular in society which seriously influences children both physically and mentally. S tudents can spend most of their time sitting by the computer, playing games, being hooked up in playing from early morning until midnight without eating anything.This leads to the lack of physical activities among the students which makes them less active and getting low grades from school. They ignore everything around them, talking no one and have no interaction with the outside world. They even tell lies to their parents like going outside without permission, which becomes a bad habit that needs to be prevented. (James Brown) When the internet was first created programmers from all over the world, created different games that could be play over the internet. Internet games (also known as online games) are games that are played online via the internet.They are distinct from video and computer games in that they are normally platform independent relying solely on client side technology (normally called (‘plug-ins’). Normally all that Is required to play internet games are a web browser and the appropriate plug in (normally available for free via plug-in makers website). Development in technology brings many things that people don’t have many years back. One of these things is online gaming that is provided by the internet. According to Wikipedia, Online game is a video games played over some form of computer network, using a personal computer, video game console or hand held game onsole. This network is usually the internet or equivalent technology, but games have always used whatever technology was current: modems before the Internet, and hard wired terminals before modems. The expansion of online of online gaming has reflected the overall expansion of computer networks from small local networks to the Internet and the growth of Internet access itself. Online games can range from simple text based games to games incorporating complex graphics and virtual worlds populated by many players simultaneously.Many online games have associated onl ine communities, making online games a form of social activity beyond single player games. Online gaming one of the widely used leisure activities by many people including students. Students who are playing these online games said that they are playing these games just for fun, to keep away from the heat of the sun, without knowing that there are a lot of effects of playing these games that are more that what they think. Playing online games, according to some research is beneficial.It enables the mind of the players to be more active especially those puzzle-based games. It helps the player to come up with decisions in tight situation, especially those adventure games that keep the players to be alert, active and strategic. An online game affects the management of the students. Students with addiction to it give more time on online gaming that studying. For the minors, it can affect their behavior. They might imitate that characters on the games which can make them think of violent actions. Because sometimes character on online game are violent. Chapter I Background a) GLOBALAccording to the latest research from Japan, prolonged periods playing with game consoles can lead to decreased brain activity and cause users to suffer form severe emotional and behavioral problems. The study, conducted at Tokyo’s Nihon University, has revealed that people who spend long periods playing video games demonstrate less activity in the prefrontal region of their brain which governs emotion and creativity that their peers. Researchers claim that side effects can include loss of concentrations, an inability to control temper and problems socializing or associating with others.Some of the physical effects of online games are â€Å"Social isolation†, players often play alone and the games have little real-world application. They may spend less time in other activities such as sports, reading, interacting with family, or doing homework. Increased aggressive behavior, despite the limitation of the studies, most experts agree on the basic link between games and increased aggression. Desensitization to gender issues, women are often portrayed as weak, ineffective, or having exaggerated chests.Rewarding violent behavior, in violent online games, the winners are usually the ones who have more violent options at their command, and use them. † Some students are more prone to flashes of light when they occur at certain frequencies† says Walsh, a scientist. Recent data from UCLA’s Higher Education Research Institute provides useful information about online game usage on high school campuses. The data show that most high school students have played video games, many played online games, many play them regularly, and a small percentage use them as a primary means of entertainment and leisure.In the 2009 Freshmen Survey, around 1% of respondents admitted to playing over 20 hours of online games per week. Over 35% of the respondents stated that they play at least one hour per week. The trend toward increased online game and other interactive digital media usage does not appear to be going away. The upcoming high school students are even more likely to be tightly tried to their technology than students are today. The current generation is exceedingly comfortable with technology and electronic entertainment.One study noted that the average American youngster now spend one-third of each day with some form of electronic media. (Escobar-Chaves and Anderson, 2008) Some studies have yielded no significant online game effects, just as some smoking studies failed to find a significant link to lung cancer. But when one combines all relevant empirical studies using meta-analytic techniques, five separate effects emerge with considerable consistency. Violent online games are significantly associated with: increased aggressive behavior, thoughts and affect: increased physiological arousal; and decreased prosocial behavior. Anders on, 2003, Myths and Facts, para. 1) In another study which considers available research on media violence, several relevant conclusions were reached (Anderson, et al. , 2003). It was found that there are â€Å"sufficient studies with sufficient consistency† to back up several important finding (Anderson, et al. , 2003, p. 93). Online games violence is linked to aggression in the short term. Cross-sectional studies have been able to how a correlation between long term exposures to online games violence and real world violence.A few longitudinal studies are also able to suggest that online game exposure has long term effects on aggression. It should be noted that Craig Anderson, on of the author of this study has been criticized for overstating the data on online games and its link to aggression and violent behavior. (Block and Crain, 2007) b) NATIONAL Online game it has an effect t on the students here in the Philippines as well as their lifestyle, job, health and school perfo rmance. One of the online games here in Philippines that students are really addicted with it, is World of Warcraft also known as DOTA.Playing this game also triggers the player to lose his/her temper and values, it is because of the different languages used during the game or what we called â€Å"trash talks†. Trash talks such as foul languages can really lose their temper and values. As a result, the both sides will fight against each other. Online game is an outlet for the player to be who they really are inside unlike in the real world; we are expected to act a certain way or do thing a certain way. In online game, a player can be anything and everything they’ve ever imagine or believed.This can be extremely harmful because players have said they forget about what’s going on around them or dealing with real life situation or problems. When gamer starts to play the online game more often and longer, it can have some lasting effects on their life. Students hav e reported relationships failures to their parents and low school performance due to their online game addiction. Some of them have become addicted, they’ve actually lost their concentration in their studies and resulting into school life failures and worst of all they always have final grades which are so badly and cause for them to retain.Long term online game addiction can have lasting bad effects on the gamer’s health. Gamers become depressed because the virtual world and genuine line between real world and virtual world. They tend not to ask out for help because their ashamed. They are hesitating that the game has so ashamed their life is out of their control due to an online games. Aside from addiction, gambling is also one of the results of online games to the students here in the Philippines. The country’s President Ninoy Aquino said that â€Å"Online games is another source of gambling here in our country†.Aquino sited a particular place where ga mbling in online games is rampant. â€Å"Parents should watch out for their children because most common participants in internet gambling are student form High Secondary have and College even Elementary pupils (â€Å"Television†, 2012) It can very difficult for someone, who had not playing an online game, to understand how someone becomes addicted. Addicted gamers change their way of thinking about reality. Everything in the real world starts to look fake but the game becomes reality. Addicted gamers sometimes lose everything and have to begin their lives over in a sense.They have to start getting back the basics and work back into life. For some with help that thinking can go back to normal. While others need a lot more help. There is online gamers anonymous which is a 12 step self help group. They have a 24 hours meeting place online in a forum setup. In some communities, there’s place a gamer can go to work through and addiction. As in any situation where new tech nology is introduced, the social impact of the Internet is being looked at. One social problem that has been observed is that the Internet cafe has become mainly game centers.About one-half to two-thirds of the computers in a typical Internet cafe, according to one study, are devoted to games (violent and gory games). The use of the remaining computers was roughly split between browsing, email, online chat, word processing and research. The Internet cafes have become not just game centers. They are becoming centers off addiction among the youth, mostly boys, including elementary school pupils. According to one concerned Internet cafe entrepreneur, â€Å"Internet cafes are seducing youths to a new form of addiction, one which may not destroy their bodies as drugs do, but which is certainly twisting their minds.To the young play is reality and reality is play. † (Maslog C. , 1998) Chapter II REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE Computer had its own origin in the late 1940s. Originally, computers were considered as machines meant exclusively for doing calculations. The name computer was derived from the word Compute based on the fact that the machine was meant for doing computation. I course of time, computers were being used for a number of wide and varied applications ranging from playing games, downloading application and documents, communicating with remote methods of using computers also took a new direction during the past years.Initially computers were used as single standalone machines kept isolated from other computers. Gradually, computers were interconnected to from computer networks. This networking provides several advantages. Networking allows sharing data as well as resources between the networked computers. Soon the number of networks began to grow. More and more networks were formed in different areas. Later, the various small computer networks located in different places were interconnected to form large networks. Finally, a large network several computer networks, spreading across the world, was formed.This network came to be known as the Internet. Thus, the Internet is a worldwide, publicly accessible interconnected computer network that transmits data based on the standard protocols. Due to the large availability of information, the Internet is sometimes referred to as a Information Superhighway. The Internet influences our day-to-day lives indifferent ways. We will see and experience this technology benefits us in different activities. Perhaps this is the only technology that has affected the people irrespective of their location, language or profession.In the modern age, computers have become a part of man’s life. Almost all the things around us were made by computers with the aid of modern machines. Form the edited books, design, special effects in the movies and televisions etc. , were all made by computers. In the past few decades, interactive electronic media has grown form virtual non-existence t one of the primary means of entertainment for the learners. In more recent years, the Internet has completely changed the landscape of electronic media from something individual and static into something with potential to be interactive and social.This research examines the effects of increased student usage of traditional video games as well as online games. The demographics of the typical game player will be examined along with effects on the individual development and sociological perceptions. This research will also look at the potential education utility of online games and the effect of games on student engagement and social development. References (Maslog C. (1998) Internet and Social Issues, Philippine Communication Today, Quezon City: New Day Publishers).

Middlemarch Comment Essay

George Elliot wrote Middlemarch in the year 1871. Middlemarch is the town where the novel takes place. George Elliot’s incentive for having started writing was to create a new, different kind of writing which distanced itself to the melodramatic novels which female authors were writing at the time. Middlemarch is a novel about a character called Dorothea, who is an inhabitant of the town and stands out for her striking beauty and surrealistic views on life. The author first described Dorothea’s character and then conveyed her attitude towards Dorothea through the use of literary techniques. She used the town of Middlemarch as the background of the plot to help portray Dorothea’s life path. Dorothea (otherwise known as Miss Brooke) is immediately portrayed as the main character that had striking beauty, which was â€Å"thrown into relief by a poor dress.† Her figure was very feminine; from her hands, wrists, to her stature and profile create a delicate feminine figure. This property she has separates her from the average towns person. Dorothea is an exceptional woman: she is smart, pious, and beautiful, and the governing principle of her character is her desire to help the needy. She is also quite intelligent. However, despite all of Dorothea’s good properties she is always viewed in comparison with her sister Celia. Celia’s wit and â€Å"common sense† seemed more normal than Dorothea’s. Hence people were often suspicious of Dorothea. This is also due to the fact that Dorothea’s strong willed personality leads her to diverge from the common ideas of marriage that others have tried to inflict on her, such as marrying an older man. Dorothea is clearly an independent woman that seeks a man with strong values. She does not want a marriage with â€Å"good looks, vanity, and merely canine affection.† What Dorothea wants is a marriage with substance and love. Dorothea is always trying to help others in her town and wherever she goes. Her presence is described as her big brown eyes in comparison with her simpler sister. George Eliot’s perception in the novel is conveyed from the point of view of a woman writing about a woman. George Eliot clearly prefers the character of Dorothea describing her as a much more beautiful, intelligent and all round good person in the book as opposed to her sister. He uses compound sentences within the structure to convey this. Eliot doesn’t fail to use this technique to portray the elaborate Dorothea. The author highlights Dorothea’s unwillingness to compromise with the world through humor, and in doing so reveals Dorothea’s naivety. This can be understood when Eliot writes â€Å"riding was an indulgence which she allowed herself in spite of conscientious qualms,† Which was started to stress Dorothea’s unconventional methods and attitude to a simpler minded individual. Even though Dorothea is the main character in the novel, Eliot seems to be very interested in her fate whilst she makes fun of her character and the rest of the world. It seems as if Eliot is also trying to persuade the readers of the book to be fond of Dorothea. This turns out to be successful, even though she is a dull character, Dorothea compensates for her lack in ingenuity thanks to her fellow residents of Middlemarch and her ability to overlook the ordinary and her authenticity, when she is her greatest enemy. This gives readers a positive reflective view of Dorothea’s character. Middlemarch is a small town that has been chosen for the main setting of the novel (hence the title). Middlemarch is a fairly typical story, which consists of a character in a small town that creates a plot out of a young woman’s life, and not following a character around throughout the book. Middlemarch is a small town, which is strikingly similar to the town where Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen takes place. The two novels have similar properties as well, in terms of marriage. In the end it seems that Middlemarch took points and values out of the novel Pride and Prejudice as it was written afterwards. Due to the kinds of mentality these small towns in the 19th century hold in novels, we can see that Dorothea will most likely choose the wrong husband. However, the realization of her mistake in marring the man she chose would allow her to mature and become more sensible, and with her new point of view she will be able to lead her life in a more mature manner. In conclusion, we can see that George Eliot’s main focus in the novel Middlemarch is to portray women in context of a rural society, and their views on marriage. She uses marriage to show woman’s position in society during that century in such a small rural town. Dorothea is a exceptionally beautiful woman which has â€Å"childlike ideas about marriage† and is the main focus of the story which contrasts from her sister. This also shows what would happen when a woman in that century had different views on a topic such as marriage. This passage from Middlemarch, which was previously compared to Pride and Prejudice, confronts the way society reacts towards Dorothea and portrays the themes of marriage and feminism, in both cases from a female point of view

Thesis Statment

Thesis Statement: Definition: the thesis statement is the most important sentence in your essay. It is the main idea for the whole essay; it is frequently shows (directly, indirectly) the number and the content of the body paragraphs of the essay. Clear thesis statement are essential for good writing. Parts of a thesis statement: A thesis statement has two main parts: the topic and the controlling and additional one not necessary predictor. A- Topic: the subject of the essay, what the essay is about. Ex: Frank McCourt faced two obstacles.B- Controlling: what you are going to say about the topic. Ex. Frank McCourt faced two obstacles. C- Predictor: it is a third component in a thesis statement. It tells the reader how many body paragraphs there will be in the essay and what their content will be. Ex. Frank McCourt faced two obstacles lack of education and poverty. Activity 1: predict the content of the body paragraphs of the following statements circle the topic, underline the control ling: 1- As we human beings shape our environment by building and producing, we are increasingly polluting our air, water and our soil. – The main advantages of urban planning are that we can control a city's appearance, we can organize transportation effectively, and we can make sure there are enough open spaces. 3- With its winding paths, lake, and small forests, Central Park in New York City is the most important example of the romantic style of landscape architecture in the United States. Rules for Thesis Statement: 1- Thesis statement must be a complete sentence with a subject and a verb. City living hazardous to your health. (not a thesis) City living is hazardous to your health. – Thesis statement must be a statement not a question. Are dogs good companions? Dogs are good companions. 3- Thesis statement is an opinion it can't be a simple statement of fact (doesn’t need any support) I have an older brother and a younger brother. I have much in common with my younger brother than I do with my older brother. 4- Thesis statement is a statement not announcement and must state the controlling idea. This essay I'm going to talk about air pollution. Recent methods of reducing air pollution are showing some positive results 5- Thesis statement should have only one controlling idea.Public transportation in my hometown is too expensive, and it is slower than that in Tokyo. Public transportation in my hometown is too expensive. Activity: 2 state if the following sentences is a good thesis statement or not and state the rule it violates. 1- Japanese car are better than American cars. 2- A Mitsubishi is a Japanese car. 3- I'm going to show you why seat belts are necessary. 4- Are seat belts necessary? 5- Wearing a seat belt can save your life. 6- Students who work while they are studying meet a lot of people, and their professors also work hard. 7- Work-study programs an analysis. – In this essay, I will compare working on campus and worki ng off campus. Activity 3: choose 4 topics to write 4 thesis statements. 2 must have a predictor: 1- __________________________________________________________________________ 2- __________________________________________________________________________ 3- __________________________________________________________________________ 4- __________________________________________________________________________ ———————– Wild animalsendangered speciestransportationocean/ water Climate changeworld's food productioneducationforest/ vegetation

Forgotten Wars; Operation Blue Star Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3500 words

Forgotten Wars; Operation Blue Star - Essay Example Large scale protests by the Sikh community all over the world followed. On 31st October 1984, Mrs. Indira Gandhi, the then Prime Minister of India was assassinated by her own Sikh bodyguards. Frenzied mobs attacked the Sikh Community in Delhi and some other northern states and more than 8000 Sikhs lost their lives. The operation blue star and the Sikh massacre following Mrs. Indira Gandhi’s assassination have left indelible scars on the psych of the Sikh community. Though the incidents are fresh in the Sikh minds they are totally forgotten by the authorities who are responsible for punishing the culprits and upholding justice. The Sikhs are left to wonder whether are part of India at all. Altogether, the event ‘Operation Blue Star’ has been overlooked or under-studied within war studies. It is relevant to trace the historical background of the Sikh race, their struggles and the events leading up to their current plight. History has not been kind to the Sikh community. They always had to fight for their survival. In 17th and 18th centuries they had to fight many wars, mostly with the Moghul army. According a website data, more than 20,000 Sikhs were massacred by Afghan invader, Ahmed Shah’s soldiers on 5th of February 1762. Sikhs call this incident ‘Wadda Ghalughara’, which means ‘the great holocaust’ (All About Sikhs). Their ten Gurus guided them and led them in theses wars. The Sikhs have always been enthralled by the sacrifice, courage valour and dignity of their Gurus. During the years 1845 to 1846, the British troops defeated the Sikh army and took control of the state. The British rightly judged that the Sikh were like wounded lions and would not take it lying low. So they adopted a strategy of pacification. They allowed the Sikhs to practice their religion freely. They recruited Sikhs into the British army allowing them to retain all the

E-commerce Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 6500 words

E-commerce - Essay Example This technology has become the inseparable part of organizational integration, marketing, HRM, and customer retention. Hence, the firms with non-viable features are most likely to fail in the current business environment. Hundreds and millions of customers today rely on internet, either to purchase something or to collect information about various products and services they require. This fast growing trend is fondly referred to ‘e-commerce’ which forces entrepreneurs to modify their business in accordance with the market changes. In order to be competitive, organizations need to have instant and accurate access to information about their own resources and assets. Since the potential of the internet, as an integral tool of a company’s Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) and decision making has been proven, companies heavily depend on the web based technology. This report will examine the main features of e-commerce, changing business models, features of digital mark ets and digital goods, various internet business models, principal payment systems in e-commerce, and new developments in the area etc. If a company runs its business functions electronically, the method can be called e-commerce. However, the type of e-commerce that a firm adopts depends on its organizational structure, size, business area, target segments, and many other factors. In common, e-commerce is effective between business and business, between business and consumers, between business and employees, between consumer and consumer etc. Regardless of the category of e-commerce, there is clear indication of more consumers and businesses entering the stream of electronic commerce. For instance, in the United States alone 2 percent of all retail sales revenue is generated from e-commerce; and coming days would witness tremendous upside growth in this area (Lauden & Lauden, J. P. 2007, p. 303). The term B2B refers to the sales and transactions between business groups which

Nursing Theories Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Nursing Theories - Essay Example Several factors are associated with the HPM, namely; the lifestyle, psychological status, socio-cultural traits, general outlook, and biological factors. The relationships between variables are outlined in the figure below. The HPM is based on an input-outcome structure – one that is mainly dependent on the inputs by the individual to determine the expected outcomes. This type of structure makes it easy to track the impacts of an intervention on the overall health of a group since the levels of input can be matched to corresponding output levels. The assumptions for the model are: These assumptions are based on philosophical values of the individual. HPM can be generalized to different studies, including the present case of lack of the important perinatal care and accompanying education in the correctional facilities. Ricketts, D. (2014). What is the health promotion model? – Definition and theory. Retrieved from http://education-portal.com/academy/lesson/what-is-the-health-promotion-model-definition-theory.html (Accessed 7th February,

MSc computer system security 'Practical Windows Security' Essay

MSc computer system security 'Practical Windows Security' - Essay Example The main types of attacks include Denial of Service, Trojan Horse, viruses, worms and Logic Bombs. The first virus that operated on Windows 2000 was detected on 13th January 2000 (Wong 2000). It is known as the Win2000.Install or W2K.Installer virus. Although the virus could not do much damage to the new windows but it provided attackers with the concept to identify the vulnerabilities of the Windows and to invade into the systems with improved attacks in the future. A definition of security vulnerability can be regarded as the preliminary filter that is applicable to various issues. A security vulnerability can be considered as, â€Å"a flaw in a product that makes it infeasible – even when using the product properly —to prevent an attacker from usurping privileges on the user's system, regulating its operation, compromising data on it, or assuming ungranted trust† (Microsoft 2011). Microsoft publishes security bulletins when a specific security issue fulfills t he criteria for the standard security definition. However this does not follow that no action is taken by Microsoft. For instance if Microsoft finds a bug that does not raise any security vulnerability, the security team nevertheless gives it importance and tries to counter it. In this case the Microsoft team does not come up with a patch or publish security bulletin; rather the team would include the solution in the product that it is going to release in the future. On the other hand, if a certain issue does fall on the criteria for security vulnerability definition, the security team first tries to establish whether the issue has breached the security policy of the product. When a product is made there is an assortment of instructions that are devised to inform the costumer about how a particular product is to be used as well as the promises that it delivers regarding the security it provides. What is CVE? Common vulnerabilities and exposures (CVE) brings together a list of common security vulnerabilities and exposures which are publically accessible. Common identifiers of CVE play a role in the exchange of data between security products and put forth a base line index point for the purpose of analyzing coverage of various products such as tools and services (CVE 2011). When Microsoft comes out with a patch for a security problem, it aims to fix whatever security vulnerability the problem has exposed. The purpose of the new patches is to protect the costumer from security threats. For example MS03-026 was released on July 16, 2003 to correct a security vulnerability in a Windows Distributed Component Object Model (DCOM) Remote Procedure Call (RPC) interface. After Microsoft had introduced this bulletin Microsoft was informed that there are yet more ports available that can be abused for the purpose of this vulnerability. Later on Microsoft added information regarding these extra ports in the security bulletin; particularly this has been integrated in the mit igating factors as well as the Workaround section in the bulletin. However later additions were made to it like the MS03-039 with an updated scanning tool which provided further advancements in the patches given in the older version as well as the original scanning tool. The use of remote procedure call The windows operating system makes use of a certain protocol which is referred as the Remote

Essay( critical analysis) Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

( critical analysis) - Essay Example This is one of the arguments presented by Frost inn the contradiction between two neighbors in the poem. "We keep the wall between us as we go. To each the boulders that have fallen to each." (15.16). It is a compulsive habit that human beings possess, the need to be close to something or someone yet still keeping a distance as some sort of breathing ground. The wall so to speak is built bigger and stronger in time. To shed away from the pains that might be brought by an unwarranted closeness. In the same way, pieces of the enclosure crumble one way or another. The poem deliberates on the persona of the poem with the use of the first person. It represents a conflict within between two neighbors, one who sees the importance in creating a barrier between them and the other who perceives that such wall and the effort exerted toward the building of it is unnecessary (Deutsch, 474). This lies in parallel to a closely related expression, too close for comfort. As everyone wants to build lasting and true relationships but no one can fully say that each of these connections are truly honest and that all impediments have been eradicated to commit to such a deep level of connection. It is like one of the neighbors on the poem who continues to build the fence as a way of preventing direct neighborly contact. Why do people build barriers? This is one good question that Frost dared ask in his poem, "Before I built a wall Id ask to know. What I was walling in or walling out" (33.34). And one gets to thinking, what it is really, is it because we fear that anyone may dwell and ruin the privacy of our home, or is it because one is afraid that an unacceptable part of him gains liberty to free itself of inhibition. Maybe, when one contemplates about it, it is a combination of both. In a literal interpretation, people are afraid to eliminate all boundaries between all his relationships as

Drilling at the Alaskan National Wildlife Reserve Essay

Drilling at the Alaskan National Wildlife Reserve - Essay Example Nonetheless, it is high time that people agreed on drilling on the refuge. The U.S should drill in the ANWR because it would add economic value, reduce dependency on foreign petroleum, and because the plan has immense support from Alaskans. An essential reason to drill in the ANWR is to add economic worth of the US. It is of immense profit not only to Alaskans but also to all American to explore the area for economic value. Economic and other remuneration of ANWR oil are of much implication that even conservationists should concur to consent drilling since even they might profit directly from the venture. America’s reliance on oil from countries that are constantly either politically unsteadies, or at variance with the U.S subjects. The U.S economy irregularly delivers disruptions, price hikes and trouncing of wealth. In the recent past, U.S has spent over 7 trillion defending hefty foreign oil, money that is more than what the U.S has spent in all the wars it has fought since the revolutionary war. America’s cost of Middle East oil is projected at fifty billion dollars each year. From all these expenses that stretch the U.S economy subjecting the citizens to grave economic crisis it is vital to explore the ANWR oil. By drilling the ANWR, this will enable the American economy to progress, as several costs will be minimized. Therefore, quick response should be taken to start exploring the oil reserves in ANWR to ease the economic burden on the American citizens. This will also take off the emotional stress, placed on the U.S, due to frequent loss of lives of soldiers’, things that are not always reflected on the imported oil price tags. The constructive significance on the U.S economy is enormous. More than 80 percent of the theoretically recoverable gas is commercially developable at a gas price of around $25 per barrel. The recoverable oil in Alaska generally, is presumed that, creation from Alaska would reduce oil imports by an equal amou nt. The latent ANWR oil improved would have a worth between $125 and $350 billion (kitchen & Burger, 1). Another critical reason to drill in the ANWR is to help the U.S to reduce its dependency of foreign oil manufacturers. It is vital to sustain drilling in this hefty area in Alaska as a method of reducing dependence on foreign, and often hostile, sources of petroleum. Taking into consideration the U.S’s present political intervention in conflicts, in the Middle East, as well as the shortage of other practical supply of petroleum, it is inevitable drilling in the ANWR as a requisite to secure and defend the interests of the country (Corn, 97). Supporters also include organizations that facilitate support extensive employment, including factions such as the Teamsters, was in favor of drilling in ANWR since it would generate a bulky sum of newly formed jobs. It is a monumental step in designing new jobs in a country facing several layoffs and recession problems, which hugely a ffect the Americans lives. Drilling for oil and natural fuels would create numerous jobs for the American public in a time where work is abundantly needed. Jobs would not only be available in the state of Alaska, but in every single state across the United States (Trapp 76). A further reason to drill in the ANWR is that many Americans are in support of the initiative. One of the main arguments against

Euros right Essay Example for Free

Euros right Essay The radical right refers to parties with two basic characteristics. To begin with their perception of the nation is more ethnic than anything else and consequently they aim at defending the country from any possible external threats (Art, 2007, Pp 332). Right-wing parties are also populist in nature due to the fact that their political strategy involves attacking the government of the day and generally aims at tapping into the frustrations, insecurities and fears the regular citizen may have (Art, 2007 Pp 332). They are right-wing because of their opposition of socialism and more restrictive policies on immigration. They are different from the far right because they support welfare programs, rights of gay people, freedom of expression, gender equality and separation of church and state. The parties’ ideology is such that they present themselves as the guardians and protectors of liberal ideas that are traditional (Akkerman, 2005 Pp 337-354) Radical right wing populist gained its first significant successes with the appearance of the French National Front and British national party in the 1980s. James Schwarzenbach of Switzerland pioneered this trend in ideology in the beginning of the 1970s. The Front National rose in France in 1983, scoring approximately above 155 of the votes in regional elections and gaining 35 seats in the legislative election of 1986. Its support had reached a peak by 1997 at more than 14% but the support later dropped to 4% (www. stanford. edu/group/SHR/s-2/patton. html). The support of the Republicans in the European parliament decreased with a swing that favored the far right National Democratic Party of Germany. The party held a 1. 6% vote majority garnering up to an estimate 9% of the regional votes. (Jesuit and Mahler, 2004 pp25) The situation in Switzerland is slightly different. When the popularity of the Swiss Democrats and the Swiss Freedom Party grew in the 1990s they were absorbed by the Swiss People’s Party. The Swiss Party had an assertive campaign which was mainly right-wing and populist. The campaign enabled the party to acquire an estimated 28. 5% of the popular vote in 2007. The Austrian Freedom Party, another right wing party in Western Europe had great success in 1999 and formed a coalition government. The List Pim Fortuyn also formed a coalition government in 2002 and in Scandinavia the Danish People’s Party, the rightwing party has had various small successes. Jesuit and Mahler, 2004 pp26-27). The success of the right-wing political parties can be attributed to several factors. Among these are immigration, economic distress (usually levels of unemployment are used); social welfare state polices, weakening of established part systems and the proportionality of the electoral system. The support for Right wing political parties has been argued to arise from the fact that there is an increase in the multi-culturalization of the societies of west-European. In response to this, most voters have opted to support right-wing parties due to the fear of loss of a national identity as the ideology of right wing parties is against immigration. Another side to this immigration argument is that when there are high levels of immigration high unemployment levels result. This has the effect of making immigration undesirable hence increasing support for right wing parties. Another issue associated with immigration is an increase in crime which serves to make immigration even more undesirable. In effect, a high immigration rate has a favorable effect on the electoral process for the right wing parties when the economic situation is negative (Jesuit and Mahler, 2004, Pp 5). A study by Elisabeth Ivarsflaten found that the right wing parties that were successful in preceding elections; the Swiss SVP, Dutch LPF, the Front National of France had successful grievance models addressing the immigration crisis. The Austrian FPO had least success in mobilizing grievances about immigration policy and was consequently the least successful in the electoral process (Ivarsflaten, 2006, Pp17). The successful parties were more successful compared to the parties of the left which did not mobilize grievances about immigration policies. According to the study other grievance models such as economic grievance models and political elitist grievance models did not have much success in drawing voters to the right populist parties (Ivarsflaten, 2006 Pp 1-2). The radical right wing parties by focusing on a politics of resentment have capitalized on the sense of frustration by most blue-collar workers, the unemployed, less-educated and the retired and younger voters to garner support for their parties. The socially disadvantaged are more likely to blame ethnic minorities for the deterioration of conditions and to support protection of the culture while the criticizing the government (Norris, 2005, Pp 5). A five-nation comparison study found that professionals and white-collar employees have consistent under-representation in the right wing parties (Norris, 2005 Pp 6) The interaction between existing major political parties and right wing political parties facilitated by an open coalition market has contributed to the success and stability of the right wing populist parties significantly. Other political parties have had the effect of empowering the right wing populist parties by cooperating with them or being agnostic to the far right, right wing parties. Cooperation has led to increased legitimacy of the populist parties making the process of voter recruitment easier and thus increasing their support. In addition upon becoming legitimate, political entrepreneurs are drawn to the populist parties making them into a more permanent force within the party system (Art, 2005, Pp 332). This is evident from the success of the Austrian Freedom Part (FPO). The FPO formed a coalition with the conservative Austrian People’s Party (OVP) in 2000. In Austria other factors like support by the media contributed to the FPO’s support and eventually stability in the country. The Krone, Austria’s largest newspaper provided Jorg Haider with a sort of free advertising and at a time when the FPO suffered political setbacks the Krone was a significant ally. Haider received favorable commentaries and the editorials lauded him in a big way. The effect of Krone’s campaign was notable fro the state elections of 1991 which resulted in FPO winning about 22. percent of the vote. This was despite the fact that Heider had been dismissed following a comment that the Third Reich’s employment policies were better than those of the government at the time. Many thought that Heider’s political career was over but the Krone came to the rescue with the editorial staff defending his comments so much that Krone received letters from the public defending Heider or lauding the editor’s (Nimmerichter) commentaries on the issues (Art, 2005, Pp 342-343). The media thus has large political might as far as shaping the attitude of readers is concerned. By bombarding readers with unambiguous messages, the direction that voters take can be influenced especially by those papers that have large circulation rats such as the Krone in Austria. Radical right-wing involvement in coalition governments is one of the factors that are sustaining most right wing political parties. Many right wing parties are now participating in government leading to a sort of convergence towards the middle and also altering the policies of various main politic parties. Following the legislative election of 2004 the Danish People’s part helped to form a coalition government in which it got recognition as a support party for the Liberal-Conservative government. This has led to the party functioning as the main coalition partner for the government in daily politics. The Danish People’s Party received five chairmanships and six vice-chairmanships of committees in parliament. In addition, reform packages that made immigration policy were part of the benefits for the Danish People’s party (Rydgren, 2006, pp8). The political discourse between rights wing political parties and the center-right is increasing in many countries with the aim of securing wins and ensuring that office is not lost to the left. Participation of right wing political parties is exemplified in the case of Austria where the FPO ahs made deals with both the SPO and the OVP. The strategy of the main central right parties is to tame the right wing by including them in government. The Grand coalition of the OVP and SPO actually started implementing some of the FPO policies before the party (FPO) began to participate in the coalition government. This was an attempt by the OVP and SPO to reduce the attraction of the FPO by taking the initiative to act before FPO could do so. This however worked against them because Heider continued to increase his demands whenever the government came close to meeting them. For instance, the government implemented a policy that focused on integration of the already existing immigrants by Heider, put in new demands of repatriation (Bale, Pp 76-77). In Italy, the right wing populist party, the Lega Nord was also involved in a coalition government with Forza Italia. The Movement Sociale Italiano (MSI) was successfully turned into the Alleanza Nationale (AN) as Gianfranco Fini made an attempt at convergence so that the far right could be brought in from the cold. (Bale, 2003 pp 78). Again, Fini’s attempt was supported with the aim of making the coalition party more likely to win the elections. There is also the element of taming the right-wing political party as claimed by Silvio Berlusconi. The effect this had on Fini’s party is that the party moved beyond fascism leaving the Lega Nord as the main party concerned with immigrant- bashing (bale, Pp 78). It should also be noted that the coalition had the effect of influencing Berlusconi’s statements on immigration for example he suggested that police could be allowed to shoot ‘scafisti’ and speedboats that provided transportation means for illegal immigrants. This shows that to some degree the coalition influenced immigration policy or the thoughts on immigration policy of politicians in other parties. The Netherlands has had a continued cross-consensus among central-right parties and the right wing populist parties. This has led to the tightening of immigration and asylum regime of Netherlands over the years. This however may not be attributed to the effect of right populist parties because the Dutch centre-right has not been very encouraging of discussion with the right wing parties. This however, can be explained by the fact that the far-right parties were not as isolated as implied by moist international media sources hence heir views were not entirely unwelcome or seen as extreme. In addition, the politicians in the centre-right were not as tolerant of immigrants and progressive as presented by the foreign media. As such tightening immigration rules was acceptable to both the centre-right and populist parties. To avoid loss of support from following economic and social policies that reflect a centrist image most coalition governments are lived up to their campaign pledges and promises. In Denmark, the immigration laws were made tighter by putting stricter criteria for acceptance, increasing the period of waiting for the residency, making it more difficult for a foreigner to bring in a spouse and making it easier for the spouse to leave following a divorce. The benefits for those waiting were also reduced. The support by the public though not unanimous was high. The changes were also accompanied by reductions in public spending on the budgets leading to increased criticism from the centrist voters. (Bale, 2003 pp 79-80) In Austria, the FPO integration contract was unopposed by OVP. The contracts made integration harder, it basically required nationals of other countries (except European Union nationals) to pay for language courses and citizenship failure to which would lead to fines and deportation. This reform agenda also had on its list privatization, reduction of expenditure on welfare, education and health with an increase of expenditure on law and order budgets. The Italian right wing government has kept its promise of immigration policy but was met with much criticism from businesses due to decrease in availability of labor. Consequently Berlusconi allowed his right-wing partners to take the credit for the decline in crime apparently attributed to stricter laws on foreigners, so they could also take the rap for the market-labor issues brought about by the tougher laws on immigration. The effect of the short-lived coalition government of the CDA with the right-wing LPF also resulted in tougher laws on foreigners with requirements for payment for language classes and laws that made it difficult for the foreigners to be united with their spouses. A coalition agreement of June 2002 also announced the plans of the government to pursue illegal immigrants with the aim of damping down on businesses that employed them (Bale, 2003, pp 79-81). Generally the ride and stay of the right wing parties to power has led to a revision of immigration policies in those countries where the populist parties have been successful. The populist parties by their participation and activities in government have lead to increase in the legitimacy of the ideology of these right wing parties. In addition the center-right has given greater salience to the issues campaigned for by the far-right. This is because of the effect the mainstream center-right has on the media; their capacity at agenda-setting contributes to bringing the issues to the forefront. The center-right inclusion of right-wing parties in government has led to wins against the far-left. Voters who would have voted for the far-left are attracted to the ideology of the right wing populists. Though the right-wing has made much progress, their future is bleak. This is because of the fact that the programs of these parties is not in line with capitalism which is the main force behind globalization. For the economy of European countries to grow labor has to be exported because the continent generally has an aging population. This means that immigration is necessary and because the right wing parties do not oppose capitalism, they are likely to agree to demands of the business community concerning immigration causing them to implement policies that they were against, leading to loss of their populist appeal. Globalization is a greater force to deal with which cannot be challenged by nationalistic politics. The pressure of opposition to right wing politics is evidence that politics is not moving to the right only. When Le pen was successful in France, many youth took to the streets to protest against the National Front: far left candidates won about 10 percent of the popular vote in the first round of the elections and also in countries like Sweden and Germany the right-wing movement has been mainly unsuccessful. These factors will serve to temper the progress and prevalence of right-wing politics.

Case Study of the Strategic Issues of Chipotle Mexican Grill

Case Study of the Strategic Issues of Chipotle Mexican Grill Chipotle Mexican Grill is an American chain of fast casual restaurants currently found in more than 1000 locations throughout the United States, United Kingdom and Canada. The chain specializes in tacos and burritos and has been in operation since it was founded in 1993. It is run by a board of four directors and a chairman who is also the founder of the food chain and has its headquarters in Denver, Colorado. The company is listed on the New York Stock Exchange and posted a net income of US$178 million in 2010[1]. It has a human resource of 26,500 employees. In 1998 McDonalds made an investment into the company that allowed Chipotle to expand quickly, however in 2006, McDonalds divested from Chipotle. In January 2006, the company made its Initial Public Offering to a very positive response from investors who were eagerly waiting on the listing of the companys shares since it had shown a remarkable sign of continuous growth and profitability. The share price doubled on the first day of listing as a public company. The company employs quality financial and budgetary control systems that have seen it grow and expand without landing in financial crisis since it started operations. Multiple control systems are used to ensure that the different restaurant maintain the company standards in the quality of products produced, employee welfare and [1]A., M,. Hospitality today: an introduction. City: American Hotel Lodging Educational Institute, 2007. upholding of the company policies and mission. The company encourages new innovations in its products and that is why they have some of the restaurants selling beer and margaritas depending on the location and demand from the clients. The company has focused mainly on its initial core business which has proven to be an advantage to the business because all emphasis is given to ensure the company mission is upheld without side destructions from extra deviations from the core business. Recent developments in the company include: Dec, 2010: Plans to open the first Asian casual concept restaurant Dec, 2010: Hired Chef Nate Appleman to develop new cuisine Apr, 2010: Chipotle Q1 Revenues Up 15.6% Feb, 2010: Chipotle to open in Marion, Ohio Nov, 2009: Chipotle Finalizes Location In London Nov, 2009: Chipotle Mexican Grill to debut in London Oct, 2009: Converted Organics Announces Tactical Relationship With IESI to Collect, Process And Convert Food Waste [2] [2]J.R., Zapoli,. How to Succeed in the Restaurant Business: Crunching NumbersnowThats the Bottom Line! City: 2005. Section 2: Key Strategic issues Despite of its success, Chipotle does face key strategic issues that the company has to deal with. Due to its rapid growth and need to keep growing, the company has encountered problems when raising the money to finance new operations since it is all company owned and does not franchise. The large number of outlets also makes it difficult to ensure that company standards are met and maintained thus some outlets have lagged behind leading to embarrassing incidents like the norovirus outbreak in Kent, Ohio. The companys strategy still remains expanding and setting up new restaurants in key markets and offering new menus to cater for different tastes thus becoming available near its clients with a choice of food and drink to cater for a wider clientele thus remaining relevant. The company also faces major competition from other chain restaurants thus the need to come up with new innovations to attract and maintain clients. The company has also been implicated with the crime of employing people using fraudulent papers especially in its outlets in Minneapolis. Section 3: Analysis and Evaluation Chipotles main challenge as a restaurant chain is to fight competition. Its main competitors include Qdoba Mexican Grill, Moes Southwest Grill, Rubios Fresh Mexican Grill, Pancheros Mexican Grill, and Baja Fresh. The company executives have identified ways to make the company stand out amongst the competition in different ways that they hope will enable the company to remain at the top and keep making profits as it has done since inception. One of the best ways is new innovations. This has been done by employing a new chef with vast experience to come up with new menus that will be tested in selected restaurants before the menu is adapted by all the restaurants. This is a gamble for the chain because it has had the same menu of burrito bowls, burritos, tacos, salads, various meats and extra dishes such as salsas, cheese, lettuce and guacamole which have been the restaurants signatures. The company has also been testing a childrens menu that is to be incorporated in all the restaurant s to give the children a fun menu to enjoy thus attracting more families and children to its restaurants. Innovations have also included plans to open Asian fast casual restaurants to give a wider choice to the company clients in the selection of food and drinks while at the same time attract a new clientele of lovers of Asian food and drinks. The company has continued to open new branches all over the country and has even ventured in London and Toronto. This rapid expansion has in the past proven a disadvantage for some companies but it is worth acknowledging that Chipotle has managed to handle the growth to its advantage and is a perfect example of what good strategies coupled with good management can result to. In spite of the rigorous aspects and challenges of rapid expansion, the company managed to be ranked as the eighth fastest growing company in the US based on sales in 2009 and improved this to be ranked at position three in 2010 with a daily customer base of over 750,000 c ustomers. Thus it is evident that this company has managed to expand in a profitable manner without even facing financial difficulties considering that it takes US$850,000 to open a new Chipotle restaurant. [3]A., M,. Hospitality today: an introduction. City: American Hotel Lodging Educational Institute, 2007. Strong and strict financial and budgetary controls have been applied throughout the company and this have enabled smooth running of the expansive business without financial problems. The money that MacDonalds had pumped into the company in 1998 was well used to fund the initial expansion and opening of new restaurants that saw the company restaurants rise in number from 18 in 1998 to 500 in 2005 [3]. This means that the company management did not first focus on paying themselves and issuing themselves huge bonuses rather the money was directed into the interests of the company. It is also worth to note that the founder of the company, Steve Ells was a graduate of the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, New York and has remained the chairman and C.E.O of the company he founded. The relevance of his educational and professional background to the company success is that Steve had acquired the relevant knowledge and expertise in food production thus had all the necessary backgrou nd to set up a restaurant since he practically knew what he was doing in a restaurant setup. Secondly, Steves background reveals how he had opened his first restaurant with a loan from his father thus the man has good intuition on how to spend money and his presence on the board of the company has ensured that the same intelligent virtues he had used in the beginning of the business trickle down even when the business has grown to astronomical scales of success. Â   Successful operational controls employed by Chipotle restaurants begin from the top. Once the first restaurant was on its feet the founder focused on growing the business rather than working in the business. This is instrumental because most business people get buried in the day to day running of their businesses and forget the reason why they started it in the first place. Chipotle has invested heavily in operating systems that enable the smooth running of the company restaurants considering the huge number of customers that they serve. The company has introduced new ways to order and pay for food items online from the comfort of ones home or office and even has an iPhone application for the same service targeting the technology servy clients. This company has an abstract way of advertising. Instead of the traditional media oriented advertisements on television, radio and print, it heavily depends on word of mouth for advertising and the use of billboards. The company also sponsors cycling events and runs many events throughout the year where it offers free food to participants. Works Sited A., M,. Hospitality today: an introduction. City: American Hotel Lodging Educational Institute, 2007. J.D., Dittmer,. Principles of Food, Beverage, and Labor Cost Controls. City: John Wiley Sons, 2008. J.D., Schmidgall,. Restaurant financial basics. City: John Wiley Sons, 2002. J.R., Zapoli,. How to Succeed in the Restaurant Business: Crunching Numbersnow Thats the Bottom Line! City: 2005.

Victorian Painting :: Art History Essays

Victorian Painting Victorian painting was made up of several schools including the Romantics, the Realists and the Pre-Raphaelites. Recurring topics included fallen women, fairies, family scenes, historical scenes, landscapes and portraits (Sporre 509-511; Victorian Web). Romantic painters focused on escaping the rules of classical composition and opening up painting to imagination and individual drama. It was not meant to be objective. The Romantics also discovered the power and importance of color as opposed to shape and form (Sporre 489-90). Two well-known British Romantic painters whose works fit this ideal were Joseph Mallord William Turner (1775-1851) and John Constable (1776-1837). Turner’s most famous work is The Slave Ship (1840), based on the real event of a sea captain throwing out sick slaves into the sea so that he could collect the insurance money (Turner’s The Slave Ship.2). In this painting, color clearly dominates over form and the sea, sky and sun seem to merge. There are no clear delineations between the elements. (Flynn; Sporre 493; Tansey 950-51). Landscape paintings were also very popular in this era, and Constable was one of the most noted landscape painters. He was interested in color, but tried to reproduce the s cenes he painted scientifically onto the canvas. This focus made his paintings very realistic (Sporre 511; Tansey 952-53). The Realists and the Pre-Raphaelites were the other two important movements in Victorian painting. Both paid extreme attention to details (Sporre 510). John Evrett Millais' (1829-1896) Ophelia (1852) is a good example of Realism (Millais’ Ophelia. 3). Even if his subject is from a play, his attention to detail draws strongly from the Realist techniques (Flynn; Tansey 975-76). Dante Gabriel Rossetti is probably the most well known Pre-Raphaelite painter. His paintings almost always represented women. An acclaimed example of his work can be found his paintings for Goblin Market (1862), a poem written and published by his sister, Christina Rossetti (1830-1894). The Victorian era had numerous painters that produced a multitude of works. Its variety of styles and topics were precursors to the movements of Impressionism and Abstract painting which were to follow (Sporre 511).

Stereotypes Essay -- essays research papers

To adequately investigate the question as to whether stereotypes are the psychological lubricant on intergroup behaviour, several areas need to be considered. In the context of this essay the concept of stereotypes needs to be defined. Although Lippmann (1922) is credited with first using the term 'stereotype' in this context it is perhaps Brown (1995) who offers the most applicable definition when he wrote that "to stereotype someone is to attribute to that person some characteristics which are seen to be shared by all or most of his or her fellow group members." (p.83). With this definition in mind this essay will, firstly, in an attempt to address the question make a brief review of some of the research that has been conducted on the formation of stereotypes. Secondly, this essay will move onto examine the function of these stereotypes in the individual, both from the perspective of intergroup conflict and also in intergroup co-operation. Thirdly this essay will also exa mine the research that has been carried out into the persistence of stereotypes. Because of the vast amount of research that has been conducted in this area, this essay will, as far as possible, concentrate primarily on the more recent research conducted within the last decade. It appears from some of the research (for example Hamilton and Gifford, 1976; Hamilton and Sherman, 1989 and Chapman, 1967) that stereotypes are often derived from an over-awareness of statistically infrequent events. More specifically that if an event occurs infrequently amongst a group then it is remembered more vividly than events which might occur on a more regular basis. In a study carried out by Hamilton and Gifford (1976) they divided their participants into two groups with a disproportionate number of participants in the first group. The participants were then informed of a number of desirable and undesirable behaviours. It was found that despite the fact that members of both groups were just as likely to engage in undesirable activities an 'illusionary correlation' of the smaller group meant that a far higher number of these activities was perceived. Schaller and Maass (1989) found that this illusionary correlation would occur for positive as well as negative traits, al though not when the perceived negative trait was perceived to be associated with the in-group, o... ...m. British Journal of Social Psychology, 36, 107-117. * Schaller, M., & Maass, A. (1989) as cited in Maass, A. & Schaller, M. (1991) Intergroup biases and the cognitive dynamics of stereotype formation. European Review of Social Psychology, 2, 190-206. * Snyder, M. & Miene, P. K. (1994). Stereotyping the elderly: A functional approach. British Journal of Social Psychology, 33, 62-82. * Tajfel, H. (1969) as cited in Haslam, S. A., Oakes, P. J., McGarty, C., Turner, J., C., Reynolds, K., J. & Eggins, R., A. (1996). Stereotyping and social influence: The mediation of stereotype applicability and sharedness by the views of in-group and out-group members (1996) British Journal of Social Psychology, 33, 369-397. * Tajfel, H. & Turner, J. C. (1979) as cited in Platow, M. J., Harley, K., Hunter, J., A., Hanning, P., Shave, R. & O'Connell, A. (1997). Interpreting in-group-favouring allocations in the minimal group paradigm. British Journal of Social Psychology, 36, 107-117. * Turner, J. C. (1987) as cited in Maass, A. & Schaller, M. (1991) Intergroup biases and the cognitive dynamics of stereotype formation. European Review of Social Psychology, 2, 190-206. Stereotypes Essay -- essays research papers To adequately investigate the question as to whether stereotypes are the psychological lubricant on intergroup behaviour, several areas need to be considered. In the context of this essay the concept of stereotypes needs to be defined. Although Lippmann (1922) is credited with first using the term 'stereotype' in this context it is perhaps Brown (1995) who offers the most applicable definition when he wrote that "to stereotype someone is to attribute to that person some characteristics which are seen to be shared by all or most of his or her fellow group members." (p.83). With this definition in mind this essay will, firstly, in an attempt to address the question make a brief review of some of the research that has been conducted on the formation of stereotypes. Secondly, this essay will move onto examine the function of these stereotypes in the individual, both from the perspective of intergroup conflict and also in intergroup co-operation. Thirdly this essay will also exa mine the research that has been carried out into the persistence of stereotypes. Because of the vast amount of research that has been conducted in this area, this essay will, as far as possible, concentrate primarily on the more recent research conducted within the last decade. It appears from some of the research (for example Hamilton and Gifford, 1976; Hamilton and Sherman, 1989 and Chapman, 1967) that stereotypes are often derived from an over-awareness of statistically infrequent events. More specifically that if an event occurs infrequently amongst a group then it is remembered more vividly than events which might occur on a more regular basis. In a study carried out by Hamilton and Gifford (1976) they divided their participants into two groups with a disproportionate number of participants in the first group. The participants were then informed of a number of desirable and undesirable behaviours. It was found that despite the fact that members of both groups were just as likely to engage in undesirable activities an 'illusionary correlation' of the smaller group meant that a far higher number of these activities was perceived. Schaller and Maass (1989) found that this illusionary correlation would occur for positive as well as negative traits, al though not when the perceived negative trait was perceived to be associated with the in-group, o... ...m. British Journal of Social Psychology, 36, 107-117. * Schaller, M., & Maass, A. (1989) as cited in Maass, A. & Schaller, M. (1991) Intergroup biases and the cognitive dynamics of stereotype formation. European Review of Social Psychology, 2, 190-206. * Snyder, M. & Miene, P. K. (1994). Stereotyping the elderly: A functional approach. British Journal of Social Psychology, 33, 62-82. * Tajfel, H. (1969) as cited in Haslam, S. A., Oakes, P. J., McGarty, C., Turner, J., C., Reynolds, K., J. & Eggins, R., A. (1996). Stereotyping and social influence: The mediation of stereotype applicability and sharedness by the views of in-group and out-group members (1996) British Journal of Social Psychology, 33, 369-397. * Tajfel, H. & Turner, J. C. (1979) as cited in Platow, M. J., Harley, K., Hunter, J., A., Hanning, P., Shave, R. & O'Connell, A. (1997). Interpreting in-group-favouring allocations in the minimal group paradigm. British Journal of Social Psychology, 36, 107-117. * Turner, J. C. (1987) as cited in Maass, A. & Schaller, M. (1991) Intergroup biases and the cognitive dynamics of stereotype formation. European Review of Social Psychology, 2, 190-206.

A Midsummer Night’s Dream Essay: Love and Marriage -- Midsummer Night

Love and Marriage in A Midsummer Night’s Dream  Ã‚      There is something to be said for the passionate love of young people, and Shakespeare said it in Romeo and Juliet. The belief that any action can be excused if one follows one's feelings is a sentimental notion that is not endorsed by Shakespeare. Thus, Theseus' suggestion in 1.1 of A Midsummer Night’s Dream, that Hermia marry a man she does not love rather than "live a barren sister" all her life would seem perfectly sensible to Shakespeare’s contemporaries.    Shakespeare writes for a public who views marriage unsentimentally. At all levels of society, from king to commoner, marriage is entered into for commercial and dynastic reasons. People marry to increase their property and to secure its inheritance. Wise parents, who may dispose of their children in marriage, will of course try to avoid matches which the contracting parties find intolerable, but there are limits to this. On the other hand, children have a duty of obedience. And the husband Egeus proposes for Hermia is by no means unattractive; his chief defect is that he is not Lysander, whom Hermia loves, perhaps intemperately.    The play shows how the ideal relationship is that in which the affections and the reasonable mind are both in harmony. At the start of the play, both Demetrius and Helena are clearly at fault. Demetrius has allowed his love for Helena to abate; she, by fawning on him, is guilty of doting, which exacerbates his dislike. An honourable man would stand by his promise and try to re-discover his love for Helena, and it is this which draws Lysander's taunt that Demetrius is "spotted and inconstant". In time, perhaps, Demetrius might reconsider Helena's merits, but in the brief ti... ...up with mud", for example; we learn of "the farthest steep of India", of Oberon's various favorites.    Against the beautiful lyric and exotic account of the changeling's pregnant mother we have the homely jollity of Puck's pranks on the "fat and bean-fed horse" or "wisest aunt". Oberon gives us many set-piece descriptions: of the "bank whereon the wild thyme blows", of the "fair vestal" whom Cupid's bolt failed to hit, and of Titania's "seeking sweet favours for this hateful fool" (Bottom), among others. Here Shakespeare shows us what can be done "in this kind", lest the failure of Pyramus and Thisbe lead us to the conclusion that the theatre can only depict what can literally be brought on stage. In watching a play filled with references to moonlight, darkness, day-break we do well to recall that it was first performed in open-air theatres in daylight!    A Midsummer Night’s Dream Essay: Love and Marriage -- Midsummer Night' Love and Marriage in A Midsummer Night’s Dream  Ã‚      There is something to be said for the passionate love of young people, and Shakespeare said it in Romeo and Juliet. The belief that any action can be excused if one follows one's feelings is a sentimental notion that is not endorsed by Shakespeare. Thus, Theseus' suggestion in 1.1 of A Midsummer Night’s Dream, that Hermia marry a man she does not love rather than "live a barren sister" all her life would seem perfectly sensible to Shakespeare’s contemporaries.    Shakespeare writes for a public who views marriage unsentimentally. At all levels of society, from king to commoner, marriage is entered into for commercial and dynastic reasons. People marry to increase their property and to secure its inheritance. Wise parents, who may dispose of their children in marriage, will of course try to avoid matches which the contracting parties find intolerable, but there are limits to this. On the other hand, children have a duty of obedience. And the husband Egeus proposes for Hermia is by no means unattractive; his chief defect is that he is not Lysander, whom Hermia loves, perhaps intemperately.    The play shows how the ideal relationship is that in which the affections and the reasonable mind are both in harmony. At the start of the play, both Demetrius and Helena are clearly at fault. Demetrius has allowed his love for Helena to abate; she, by fawning on him, is guilty of doting, which exacerbates his dislike. An honourable man would stand by his promise and try to re-discover his love for Helena, and it is this which draws Lysander's taunt that Demetrius is "spotted and inconstant". In time, perhaps, Demetrius might reconsider Helena's merits, but in the brief ti... ...up with mud", for example; we learn of "the farthest steep of India", of Oberon's various favorites.    Against the beautiful lyric and exotic account of the changeling's pregnant mother we have the homely jollity of Puck's pranks on the "fat and bean-fed horse" or "wisest aunt". Oberon gives us many set-piece descriptions: of the "bank whereon the wild thyme blows", of the "fair vestal" whom Cupid's bolt failed to hit, and of Titania's "seeking sweet favours for this hateful fool" (Bottom), among others. Here Shakespeare shows us what can be done "in this kind", lest the failure of Pyramus and Thisbe lead us to the conclusion that the theatre can only depict what can literally be brought on stage. In watching a play filled with references to moonlight, darkness, day-break we do well to recall that it was first performed in open-air theatres in daylight!   

Investment Analysis-Derivatives: Options and Warrants Essay

This report will encompass brief explanation of common derivatives namely, options and warrants. What are Options? A contract which enables the investor to buy or sell a particular financial instrument is known as an option ( Rao, 2003, p. 676). The underlying financial product in equity option is stocks. These contracts have expiry dates; hence an investor can exercise option before its expiration. The options can be exercised at a specific price which is known as striking price or exercise price (Rao, 2003, p. 676). Essentially options are of two types, call option and put option. Call option:   It is an option which allows the option holder to buy or call a specific number of shares at a specific price, within an already specified time period (Rao, 2003, p. 677). For instance, 3 months ago, an investor purchased a 6-months call-option on 500 shares of Hewlett Packard at the strike price of $40 per share. If the current market price of the stock is $50, the investor has a choice to exercise the option and purchase 500 shares at $40 instead of $50. This implies that an investor would want to buy a call option if he expects the market price to rise above the exercise price (Rao, 2003, p. 677) Put option: It is an option which allows the option holder to sell or put a specific number of shares at a specific price, within an already specified time period (Rao, 2003, p. 678). This is exactly vice versa to call option; therefore an investor would purchase a put option if he expects the market price of the stock to get lower than the exercise price. Risk and Returns associated with options A lot of investors employ options as tools to mitigate their risk in investment, in other words, they insure their investment in stock against any fall in market price (Rao, 2003, p. 679). For e.g. an investor holding a put option has saved himself from even a 100 percent decline in the market price of shares of ABC Company, and he can still sell the stocks at the specified strike price. This practice is also known as hedging, as the name suggests; the investors hedge their risk in the respective investment. However, despite its ability to hedge risks, it should never be neglected that like any other investment it has no guarantee of 100 percent return or security. An investor can risk investing huge sum in the shape of premium price of an option. For e.g. if an investors buys a call option and the price of the stock falls below the exercise price, he gets exposed to potential losses. But it is evident that the losses will be relatively lower than what actual stock holders will bear. Hence it can be verifiably be said that options are great instruments for mitigating risk, provided that an investor is able to predict the future stock price movement with much precision and exercise options at the right time in order to make profit. What are warrants? A warrant is a security issued by a company which grants the warrant holder, a right to purchase a specific number of common shares at a specified price, before the warrant expires (Mathur, 2000, p. 436). Investors exercise their warrants when they buy shares directly (trading between the broker and the investor), or trade over the counter. Warrant holders have no claim on dividends and no voting rights. Warrants also are issued with bonds and preferred stocks.   Moreover, warrants with bonds can be traded separately in the market as well (Mathur, 2000, p. 437). Characteristics of Warrants There are three main characteristics of warrants which are as follows, 1.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Expiration date: Investors can exercise their option of converting the warrants into shares any time before the warrant expires (Mathur, 2000, p. 437). Generally the life of a warrant is 5-10 years. Hence, during this time, the warrant holder can easily exercise the warrant as per the need and opportunity. 2.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Premium price: The price that warrant holders agree to pay for buying shares in future, is known as exercise or premium price Mathur, 2000, p. 437). This price is generally 10% to 30% above the prevailing market price of the shares. For e.g. if the market price of Microsoft Corporation is $80, then the warrant issued can be set at $96 (20% above the market price). Therefore, if the stock price rises, the warrant holder can either exercise the warrant to buy shares or sell the warrant in market. However, if the current market price of the stock becomes equal to or less than the exercise price, the value of the warrant becomes zero (Mathur, 2000, p. 438). 3.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Exposure to investor: Warrants are always issued by with provisions which clearly specify the number of shares that can be bought with a single warrant (Mathur, 2000, p. 438).

Parental Involvement And Its Relationship To Discipline In Elementary Schools Essay

There is a plethora of research on books, journal articles, and stand-alone reports on the subject of parental involvement and its relationship to discipline in schools. These writings include research reports, expert opinions, theory papers, program descriptions, and guidelines for how to address this issue. Many of these reports are informative and useful, and because parental involvement and its link to discipline have been greatly emphasized in the past few years, there is considerable current information. An important influence on the way parents raise their children are the experiences they have in their family of origin (Hops, Davis, Leve, & Sheeber, 2003). The way a person is raised influences the rest of their life. Socioeconomic status can have a very significant effect on a family and how parents behave with their children. This effect continues into the school environment and could be directly related to how students behave in schools (Hops et al. ). The extra stress that families from a lower Socio Economic Status (SES) household experience can cause parents to use more punitive parenting practices. Some students have shown that, along with the economic hardships families from low SES groups experience, minority ethnic groups also have to deal with the added stress of racism (Pinderhuges, Dodge, Bates, Pettit, & Zelli, 2000). These factors all have an influence on parental involvement and its relationship to discipline in schools. Discipline concerns in schools are not new. MacDonald (2002) stated that student behaviors that require discipline have always existed in schools. However, it is the seriousness and widespread nature of discipline concerns that is disturbing. School campuses, once islands of safety, are now faced with violence daily (MacDonald). School discipline problems are impacting every demographic segment of society. O’Donoghue (2005) stated that in the 1990s, discipline concerns were viewed widely as an inner city phenomenon, but since then, discipline concerns have been distributed across the entire spectrum of schools in the United States of America. At a time when our nation’s children need adult guidance the most, some parents retreat from involvement in their child’s schools. Johnson (1999) stated that our nation’s youths are making desperately poor choices oftentimes guided by equally confused peers. All children, youths, adolescents, and teenagers alike need the advocacy and support of parents. Parental involvement is vital to the behavior and achievement of students. Unfortunately, many parents are doing much less than they should be doing. According to the U. S. Department of Education (2005), American mothers, on the average, spend less than half an hour a day talking, explaining, or reading with their children, and fathers spend less than 15 minutes interacting with their children. As vital as parental involvement is to discipline in schools, many parents do much less than they should and many schools engage in practices which serve to limit the extent of parental involvement. Literature Review Several researchers have attempted to categorize parental involvement according to the nature or type of activity in which parents are involved. Epstein and Salinas (2004) suggested that parents may be involved as tutors, volunteers, advisory committee members, school board members, or room mothers or room fathers. They grouped these types into three basic groups: advocates, decision-making partners, and co-production partners. They defined advocacy as politically active parental involvement; decision-making refers to parental involvement as committee members; and co-production refers to parental involvement in those areas or activities that contribute to school efforts for developing and planning and instructing students toward improved behavior and achievement (Epstein & Salinas). Data from the 2005 Children’s Defense Fund indicated that every day in American, 13,076 students are suspended from school, 6,042 students are arrested, 3,356 high school students drop out of school, and 3,087 students are corporally punished. Additionally, more than 3 million acts of violence and theft were reported in American public schools (Walker, Colvin, & Ramsey, 2005). A factor in improving discipline in American schools is to empower school personnel to be proactive rather than reactive. This means that teachers must become skilled in behavior management strategies that would enable them to create school environments that motivate students to act according to school and classroom rules as well as foster positive interpersonal interactions with peers and authority figures (Lewis & Sugai, 1999). In contrast to zero tolerance policies that emphasize punishing instead of positive consequences, it is critical to stress positive incentives that will motivate all students to behave (Lewis & Sugai). When schools develop disciplinary action plans, parents should be included at every stage of the process to obtain their input and to give them a sense of shared responsibility. According to the National Parent Teacher Association (2004), the following three types of parental involvement are critical to a child’s education: (a) parents as first educators in the home; (b) parents as partners with the school; and (c) parents as advocates for children in society. The full involvement of parents is vital to the success of these efforts. Barton, Coley, and Wenglinsky (1998) identified four basic components of parental involvement: the basic obligation of parents, school to home communications which include monitoring students’ discipline, parental involvement at school, and parental involvement in learning activities at home. Children growing up in society today need parental involvement and adult attention more than ever before (Comer, 2006). Parents belong at the center of a child’s education. The single best way to improve students’ behavior is by strengthening parents’ role in it, by both reinforcing parents’ relationships with the school and by helping and encouraging parents in their critical job of teaching the young. Not all teachers are parents, but all parents are teachers (Comer). The most basic statement that can be made about parent and family involvement is that when it is effective, everyone benefits. Research has shown us conclusively that effective parental involvement in education benefits parents, teachers, and students, whether the involvement is at the pre-school, elementary, middle, or high school level (State Department of Iowa, 1999). Purpose of the Study The purpose of this study was to examine issues surrounding parental involvement in schools. The experiences of parents were examined with the goal of giving parents an opportunity to express themselves in parent surveys. The study brought new insights to the body of research concerning parental involvement and its relationship to discipline in schools. Research Questions 1. What is the relationship between the level of parental involvement and the number of student discipline referrals? 2. What is the relationship between socio economic status and the level of parental involvement? 3. What is the relationship between the level of parental involvement and student academic success? Limitations/Delimitations Limitations 1. This study was limited to two elementary schools in a Trenton, North Carolina school district. 2. One limitation would be the honesty of parents’ responses. 3. Another limitation would be the sample size of the respondents; therefore, the findings should be viewed with caution. Delimitations 1. Duplication of the study may or may not produce the same results. 2. The study analyzed one school year of discipline records for students. Definition of Terms Parental Involvement – Parents’ level of active involvement in their child’s education (Epstein & Salinas, 2004). Parenting Styles – What strategies parents use to as it relates to disciplining their children at home (Coolahan, McWayn, Fantuzzo, & Grim, 2002). Socioeconomic Status – A person’s social and economic status (Bradley & Corwyn, 2002). Student Academic Success – measured by students’ mathematics and reading scores obtained from the Georgia Criterion-Referenced Competency Tests (GCRCT). Student Discipline – Control or order exercised over students. The system of rules used to maintain this control (Barton, Coley, & Wenglinsky, 1998). Student Referrals – Discipline referrals students receive for disciplinary problems in school (Gosche, 2005). Importance of the Study It has become increasingly evident that parental involvement in education contributes to students’ success in school. Research also suggests that when parents are involved in their children’s learning at school and at home, discipline referrals decrease at school and academic progress increases (Comer, 2006). This study is important because it investigated the relationship between the level of parental involvement and student academic success. It also investigated the relationship between the level of parental involvement and the number of student discipline referrals and the relationship between socio economic status and the level of parental involvement. It is essential for this data to be examined because the results will assist school boards, statewide evaluators, and school personnel in restructuring the learning environment to address and include parental involvement and its relationship to discipline in schools. Chapter Two will provide a review of the literature findings on parental involvement and discipline. CHAPTER TWO: REVIEW OF THE LITERATURE Introduction Not all parents are involved in their children’s school although there is a dire need for parental involvement and guidance in schools (Kornbluth, 1997). All children, regardless of age, need the unwavering support of their parents to further guide their academic growth. According to the U. S. Department of Education (2005), â€Å"American mothers, on the average, spend less than half an hour a day talking, explaining, or reading with their children, and fathers spend less than 15 minutes daily interacting with their children† (p. 2). The U. S. Department of Education further stated that positive results such as increased student performance, better communication between parents and teachers, and better socialization skills occurred when parents play an active role in their children’s education. According to Barton, Coley, and Wenglinsky (1998), chaos in the schoolhouse requires disciplinary measures. An exemplary discipline program is truly vital to the success of schools, thus making good discipline an educational requirement. Research has shown that when schools have discipline problems, academic achievement is negatively affected. As a result, a distinct relationship exists between how students achieve academically and their behavior in school (Barton, et al. ). A dire need exists for parents to partner and communicate with school staff so that problems with discipline could be reduced. Johnson (1999) stated that poor choices are often made by children and adolescents in the United States, and these choices are oftentimes aided by their bemused peers. Research by Kornbluth (2006) has noted that many schools do not put forth enough effort to enlist parents’ support and involvement in schools. On the other hand, Waggoner and Griffith’s (2001) research revealed that students with involved parents performed at higher levels on standardized tests than students with uninvolved parents. In a similar vein, Kornbluth’s study found that students not only performed better in school but also improved in discipline when their parents were actively involved in their education. It has become increasingly evident that parental involvement in education is a major contributing factor to reduced disciplinary concerns and a need for disciplinary action in schools. An article by the San Diego County Office of Education (2000) entitled, What Does Research Tell us About the Influence of Parental Involvement on Student Achievement, includes research on the benefits of parents nurturing their children at home and the importance of parents setting academic goals and expectations for their children. It also stresses the importance of parents’ involvement in their children’s education as it relates to their academic success. According to Parlardy (2005), parental involvement produces a decline in classroom disruptions and the need for disciplinary action while improving school climate, teacher and student morale, and student achievement. Cotton’s (2001) study revealed the importance of effective schoolwide and classroom discipline strategies and lists various ways to improve discipline in schools such as staff commitment to achievement, parental involvement, high expectations for students and faculty, clearly defined rules, and good school climate. Additionally, Wright, Wright, and Heath (2004) provided research on how the No child Left Behind act affects parents, teachers, administrators, and students as it relates to discipline and parental involvement. Waggoner and Griffith’s (2001) research supported parental involvement since it strengthens teacher/parent/student relationships and reinforces teachers’ expectations in the home environment. Homework is another area where parental involvement is critical. When parents are aware of what the curriculum entails and what teachers expect, they are better equipped to help their children with homework so that increased learning could occur. Kornbluth (2006) provided data to support the importance of parental involvement in schools. The results of their study revealed that students with involved parents performed better on tests than students with uninvolved parents. Hand in hand with parental involvement is involving the community in the school. Epstein and Salinas (2004) noted the benefits of partnering with the community. These benefits included having businesses become partners in education and serving on school councils along with parents. The benefit that is derived from this is that the community is involved in the decision-making process of the school and; therefore, has a pulse for the school’s goals and missions. As a result, one of the goals will also be to decrease disciplinary infractions and improve student learning. What is Parental Involvement? There are numerous books, journal articles, and stand-alone reports on the subject of parents’ involvement in their children’s education. Parental involvement is a term that frequently has different meanings to people. Nevertheless, it is safe to say that parental involvement covers a multitude of interactions between parents, students, and the school (Swap, 1998). Swap further postulated that parental involvement may be as simple as a parent attending a Parent Teacher Association (PTA) meeting or a conference with the teacher or as complex as representing other parents in decision-making situations or other aspects of school governance. In general, parents may take an active role, passive role, or non-involvement role regarding their participation in the school their child attends. A review of literature indicates that there are several strategies and activities available to parents, teachers, and administrators to obtain optimum parental involvement at different levels of commitment. For example, parents may volunteer to read to a class, become a book buddy for a student, or work with their child on take-home learning materials (Gordon, 1998). The research overwhelmingly demonstrates that parental involvement is a component that is positively related to improving students’ discipline and achievement in schools. When defining parental involvement, it is very important to consider Brandt’s (1979) four basic assumptions about parental involvement. The first assumption is that the family’s capabilities for providing a learning environment that accentuates the positive elements of cognitive and emotional factors can be improved (parent impact model). The second assumption is that the child’s health, nutrition, social, and psychological development influences academic learning (comprehensive services model). The third assumption is that when schools are made more responsive to parents, this responsiveness will lead to better discipline and achievement by the child (school impact model). The fourth assumption for parental involvement is that everything relates to everything else (community impact model). Swap (1998) asserted that various models have different assumptions and goals that must be clear to all participants. Swap’s premise of parental involvement described four models and their goals: The protective model’s goal is to reduce conflict between parents and educators, primarily through the separation of parents’ and educators’ functions and to protect the school from interference by parents. The second model’s goal (school to home transmission) is to enlist parents in supporting the objectives of the school. The third model’s goal (curriculum enrichment) is to expand and extent the school’s curriculum by incorporating the contributions of families. Finally, the fourth model’s goal (partnership) is for parents and educators to work together to accomplish a common mission – success for all children. Barriers to Effective Parental Involvement According to Hampton, Mumford, and Bond (1998), many students come from home environments described as America’s worst problems such as drug abuse, neglect, alcoholism, and domestic violence. On the other hand, Kornbluth (1997) maintained that not all students are in trouble because their parents are irresponsible, lazy, or uninvolved. Many students come from good homes, and they have parents who are doing their best to care for them. Often parents face different circumstances that affect how well they believe they can make contributions to their children’s education. Issues such as language barriers, work schedules, transportation, and access to childcare, for example, affect the frequency and conditions under which parents believe they can realistically spend time in schools (Kornbluth). Seeley (1999) noted that another complicating factor facing parental involvement is the idea that some well-meaning school staff members feel that they have been delegated as the educators of children and the sole responsibility for education is in their hands. Seely proposed that this idea of delegation has been subconsciously signaled to the parents so that they do not need to be involved in their children’s educational experiences. In brief, Seeley’s study concluded that one must convince all involved in the child’s education that parental involvement is essential to the education process. This study further implied that once parents and teachers understand the importance of parental involvement, they will be willing to commit do doing all that is necessary to achieve the identified goals. Davies (1998a) revealed that the growing number and variety of students’ ethnic, economic, and social backgrounds make reaching out to families increasingly complex. Educators who think only in terms of traditional families are likely to have a particularly hard time dealing with today’s great variety of family types. Davies suggested that educators must face their own misperceptions about parents. However, a child born to parents who are mature, educated, employed, and married is statistically more likely to do well rather than a child who lacks that family support, even if the child is exposed to a host of government intervention programs. Parenting Styles and Ethnicity According to Coolahan, McWayn, Fantuzzo, and Grim (2002), parenting styles differ based on ethnicity and are also determined by parents’ characteristics. Parents from different cultures may have different characteristics and may, therefore, use different parenting styles when raising their children. For example, ethnic differences have been found in the acceptance of spanking. Thus, there may also be ethnic differences in parenting (Pinderhughes, Dodge, Bates, Pettit, & Zelli, 2000). Research has found the authoritarian parenting style to be more common among African-American families than European-American families (Clark & Gross, 2003). Families from the same SES group but from different ethnic groups have been found to have differing levels of stress. For example, African-American families with low SES report higher levels of stress than European-American families with the same SES. This could be due to the fact that African-American families are also vulnerable to additional race-related stressors (Pinderhughes et al. , 2000). The Asian-American culture differs from European and Mexican-American cultures. Studies have shown that the styles of parenting used among Asian-American families may differ significantly in some areas. For example, Liu (2003) found two main types of parenting styles among Asian-American families. They are care and overprotection. When parents use the care styles of parenting, they are affectionate, emotionally warm, empathic, and close to their children. However, many Asian-American families use a style of parenting that closely resembles an authoritarian style called overprotection in which parents strictly enforce rules and discourage independent behavior. The overprotection style of parenting is comprised of parental control, overprotection, intrusion, excessive contact, and prevention of independent behavior. Other studies have found that the families who use the care style of parenting are closer and more functional with each other (Kee, Sim, Tech, Tian, & Ng, 2003). They also found the families who use the overprotection style of parenting to be more dysfunctional on the average. Other studies on parenting styles and ethnicity have found African-American families from low SES groups to have a more punitive attitude towards their children because of the higher levels of stress they experience (Pinderhughes, et al. , 2000). This attitude would lead to a more authoritarian style of parenting. Authoritative parenting predicts good psychosocial outcomes and problem behaviors in all ethnic groups and is associated with increased academic performance (Steinberg, Darling, & Fletcher, 2005). Parenting Styles and Their Relationship to Discipline Parenting styles begin determining, to a significant degree, how a child will develop at a very early age. For example, with infants, sensitive, responsive maternal behavior is associated with healthy and secure mother-infant relationships (Isabella, Belsky, & von Eye, 1999). According to Schaefer (2000), parenting style is the single most important factor associated with conduct disorders. Behavioral instability and non-optimal parenting across four generations was examined by Gosche (2005), and it was reported that non-optimal parenting is reproduced in subsequent generations due to the development of unstable behavioral styles in children exposed to poor parenting. Children who are exposed to more hostility from their parents are more likely to display aggressive behavioral styles as adolescents and adults which, in part, cause their aggressive and hostile behavior toward their children (Gosche).