`` The Odyssey `` The Epic Story Of The Hero Journey

Heroes, as depicted in literature, often undertake the most difficult tasks and place themselves in mortal danger in order to bring back, for themselves and their societies, both knowledge and treasure. Their stories follow what Joseph Campbell calls the â€Å"Hero Journey.† The Odyssey, as the epic story of the hero Odysseus, follows closely the complete cycle of Joseph Campbell’s Hero Journey, both as a physical and as a psychological undertaking. The Hero Journey, used as a framework for both Odysseus’ physical and mental journeys, serves to bind the two together. Each of Odysseus’s physical difficulties can be viewed as a metaphor for a psychological hardship that he must overcome, and by overcoming these hardships, Odysseus†¦show more content†¦Odysseus’ journey begins twenty years prior to the start of The Odyssey. At home, he is called upon by Agamemnon to join the Atrides in a war to conquer Troy and return Helen to her rightful hus band, Menelaus. For one month Odysseus refuses to leave his safe home on Ithaca. We are not told of the rationale behind his final decision to join the war; however, we must assume that he believes he will be successful, returning home with many spoils of war. His decision to leave Ithaca 2 cannot be merely an external one: he is a young king, and while he rules his land with great strength, he is inexperienced (he does not wish to go off to battle (Book 24, ll. 126-128)). In part, his reasons for initiating his journey must include the experience and maturity he will gain fighting the Trojans. We can take the initial threshold Odysseus must cross to be the Trojan War itself. The war represents a first step for Odysseus—after all, while it is his trickery that eventually wins the war for the Achaeans (it was his idea to build the large wooden horse in which the Achean army hid and from which they successfully sacked Troy (Book 4, ll. 304-306)), we are introduced to Odysseus as â€Å"the man of twists and turns† (Book 1, l. 1). Cunning is a trait he already possesses: It cannot be the object of his journey; it merely starts him off. Yet he must initially survive the battle, and his survival proves hisShow MoreRelatedSundiata Essay971 Words   |  4 Pages Epics Sundiata was written in Africa. Gilgamesh was the oldest one written. Other works include the Iliad and the Odyssey, which were written by the blind prophet Homer. What do all these works of literature have in common with each other? The similarity that all these works of literature have is that they are all epics. What does this mean? What is an epic? The definition of an epic is that an epic is a long, narrative poem with a hero that goes on a quest. What is the hero? Well, the characteristicsRead MoreOdysseus As The Epic Hero In Homers Odyssey1019 Words   |  5 PagesOdysseus as the Epic Hero in Homer’s The Odyssey A style of work often explored in Greek literature is that of the epic. An expansive poem of a wide scope centered on and regarding the wondrous deeds of the main, heroic figure, on whose actions depend the fate of a nation. The definition of an epic can be used to describe The Odyssey by Homer. In The Odyssey we are introduced to our main character, Odysseus, the former king of Ithaca and a Trojan war hero who has been trapped on an Island by theRead MoreThe Role Of Changing Perception Of The Hero1137 Words   |  5 Pagesthe changing perception of the hero Who is a hero? How does the definition of a hero change over time? 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For example, the story of Gilgamesh is considered an epic because it is centeredRead MoreThe Epic Of An Epic886 Words   |  4 PagesIn Literature, an epic is defined as a long poem, in which there are one or more heroes. The hero in the epics typically possesses god-like powers that allows for them to stand out in the midst of peculiar paranormal. As stated in unit one textual handout, the hero in an epic more than likely will have the fate of the entire nation, or human race depending on them to save their life or their offspring’s lives. An epic usually takes place in a vast geog raphic setting covering multiple cultures. ThereRead MoreOdyssey vs. Finding Nemo859 Words   |  4 PagesEpics Over the Years The Odyssey, a historical epic, was the first written of its kind. Since then, many stories’ plots have focused on the characteristics that made it an epic, such as Finding Nemo. Although the Odyssey was written many years ago, Finding Nemo’s qualities are along the same lines. Both stories contain characters on a journey in search of something of significance. Monsters threaten the quest home, helpers assist the heroes on their journeys, the heroes are glorified inRead MoreEssay An Epic Odyssey1544 Words   |  7 PagesThe stories of epic heroes remain important to many cultures, the Greeks in particular. These tales of heroic men not only entertain, but they teach people about morals and values that most epic heroes exemplify, such as intelligence and bravery. To be an epic hero, characters are usually highly born, favored by the gods, perform great deeds, and have flaws. These tales are told in heightened style and occur in grand settings. Odysseus, the Ki ng of Ithaca, meets these traits and is considered a primeRead MoreIn What Ways Is the Telemachy Important to the Odyssey as a Whole1553 Words   |  7 PagesIn what ways is the Telemachy important to the Odyssey as a whole? What would the poem lose if these first four books were removed? Homer’s the Odyssey is the epic tale of Odysseus’ return home from the battle of Troy, yet we do not truly get to the hero in action until after we are drawn through the story of his son life in the absence of his father in Ithaka. In the first four books, we see how Telemachos, Odysseus’ son, matures and through his eyes Homer shows us the unrest and troubles ofRead MoreOdysseus Defines an Epic Hero Essay950 Words   |  4 PagesOdysseus Defines an Epic Hero On a website posted by teachers at Harker Heights High, an epic hero is someone who embodies the values of a particular society. He is superhuman. An epic hero is braver, stronger, and cleverer than an ordinary person. He is on a quest for something of great value to him or his people. The villains that try to keep the hero from his quest are usually uglier, more evil, and more cunning than anyone we know in ordinary life. The epic hero is often of mixed divineRead MoreAnalysis Of The Epic Heroes 1270 Words   |  6 PagesLuck of the Hero (An analysis of epic heroes) Often when reading literature, the reader can’t help but think that no character could have such qualities as they are portrayed in the story. A classic example of this are the epic heroes that help facilitate the history of important cultures. The epic is a long piece of poetry describing a hero’s journey to a better self and complete a mission. These heroes are often extremely brave and smart, which can leave the audience doubting any historical accuracy

The Growing Issue Of Suicide - 904 Words

Lauren LaShell Chickadantz English 9 October 12 The Growing Issue: Suicide Suicide is a very large and growing problem in American teens. It is one of the leading causes of death among adolescents, following accidental injury and coming before homicide, it affects not only the teens that commit suicide but everyone around them, and it can be solved by learning how to deal with the people who are having suicidal. Suicide is the act or instance of taking ones life voluntarily and intentionally. Suicide may seem like something that doesn t happen often, but in reality it is a major issue that affects many people, and something needs to be done about it! Suicide is the second leading cause of death from teens ranging from 13-19. Suicide is so commonly thought of by teens that nearly 1 in 5 high school teens seriously think about committing suicide(Hosansky). Three million high school students will think about suicide in just this year alone.(Hosanksky). Nearly 5,000 teens will commit suicide this year and 250,000 will make drastic attempts but fail to succeed(Mantel). More teens in America will take their own lives than heart diseases, AIDS,birth defects, stroke, pneumonia and influenza, chronic lung disease, or cancer— all together(Honasky). It is such a big problem in society and the numbers keep rising. In just 10 years the numbers have risen from 2,800 deaths a year to reaching 5,000 deaths by suicide every year(Mantel). The amount of suicide in teens every year hasShow MoreRelatedTeen Suicide : A Growing Issue2095 Words   |  9 PagesTeen suicide is a growing issue in the United States. In order to prevent it, we need a better understanding on it. What is teen suicide? Teen suicide which is better known as youth suicide is when a young person, generally categorized as someone below age 24, deliberately end their own life. Rates of attempted suicide and completed youth suicide in western societies and other countries are extremely high. According to the National Institute for Mental Health, suicide is the third leading cause ofRead MoreThe Growth Of An Economy And Society1279 Words   |  6 Pageseffects. Countries that are formerly collectivist are shifting to individualism which leads to the rise of suicide rates. As more countries take on Western ideals and values such as materialism and greed due to globalization, individualism becomes prevalent which then can cause the collapse of communities and dangerously high rates of suicide. Asia is known to be one of the fastest growing countries both in population and economically. It is also a continent with countries that are known for itsRead MoreA Boy Growing Up Without A Father1432 Words   |  6 Pagesâ€Å"It is generally appreciated that a boy growing up without a father has an additional obstacle to overcome†. (Wylie and Delgado, page 644). A boy growing up without a father already has an obstacle to overcome because clearly he must face all of the various issues that surface when being raised without a father figure in his life. What negative influence does the lack of a father figure have on young boys growing up? Statistics show that young boys who are raised in a home without their father orRead MoreEssay about Bullying: A Major Problem in Today’s Schools563 Words   |  3 Pagesproblem in today’s schools Bullying is a major problem in today’s society, especially among teens. With teens spending most of their time at school this environment must be as safe as possible. Schools need to be more proactive in addressing the issue of bullying because many students are bullied in many different ways, the effects can be deadly, and students deserve a safe place to learn. At schools kids are getting bullied in many different ways. For example, students get bullied online and inRead MoreSuicide Should Never Be Cast Aside1337 Words   |  6 PagesSuicide is deliberately taking one’s own life, in the United States this continues to be a serious problem and is the third leading cause of death among adolescents. With rates of suicide among young people doubling over the past fifty years. Teenagers who experience a sudden trauma growing up can intensify negative feelings and for some teens suicide is the solution they turn to escape their stresses and problems. One of the myths of suicidal talk amongst adolescents is that it is often a ploy usedRead MoreThe Strategic Logic Of Suicide Terrorism1694 Words   |  7 PagesDying to Win Issue Analysis In Dying to Win: The Strategic Logic of Suicide Terrorism Robert Pape examines the Western misconceptions of suicide terrorism and the failures of foreign policy towards addressing this trans-national issue. Failures to recognize the issue of policy towards Suicide Terrorism worsens the issue and making this issue only larger. This paper will analyze Dying to Win: The Strategic Logic of Suicide Terrorism and refute the unrealistic Western perception of suicide terrorism.Read MoreThesis Statement . The Act Of Suicide Effects Many Individuals1528 Words   |  7 PagesThesis Statement The act of suicide effects many individuals worldwide. The medical definition of suicide is â€Å"the act or an instance of taking one’s own life voluntarily and intentionally† (Turner,1). However, suicide is more than just a medical condition. Emile Durkheim, referred to this state as altruism, which means that an individual’s personality is preserved to be of little value; he called this altruistic suicide (Douglas, 13). On the other hand, there are many types of cause and effectRead MoreEssay about Bullied to death: Relationship between Bullying and Suicide1087 Words   |  5 Pagesâ€Å"Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me.† Growing up many children heard this idiomatic expression that implies that physical actions can hurt you such as being hit with a stick or rock, but words or name calling can’t hurt you and you should just ignore it. Bullying has emerged in the 21st century as an important public health issu e and there have been incidents where teasing and bullying have turned deadly (Burgess, A., Garbarino, C., Carlson, M. I., 2006). ChildrenRead MoreAnalysis Of Frank Bruni s Today s Exhausted Superkids 863 Words   |  4 PagesBruni refers to statistics of scientific studies of scientist when discussing the growing mental issues of teens. Flags are being raised not only because of suicide rates, but because sleep is beginning to have an effect on the overall body. Fingers are now being pointed towards parents for being the reason of unhealthy habits. Sleep deprivation is becoming a larger problem causing physical, emotional, and mental issues; Frank Bruni expresses strong evidence when referring this problem to the faultRead MoreSetting Up Sucide Prevention Programs1427 Words   |  6 Pagesbullying and sex education programs, but suicide, the third leading cause of adolescent deaths (Caine 1), is practically ignored. Many schools only offer hot lines for suicidal students. Whi le some schools have implemented suicide prevention programs and the government has recognized teenage suicide as a growing problem, effective solutions need to be discovered and funded to prevent these catastrophic deaths. The U.S. federal government should develop and fund suicide prevention programs in high schools

Dave Holmes / Dream Job Winner Essay Example For Students

Dave Holmes / Dream Job Winner Essay DARE TO DREAM David Holmes competed for a chance to win Dream Job, a show where contestants compete each week against one another through a variety of challenges. On November 16, 2004, David Holmes won the contest and received a one-year contract with ESPN. He always dreamed of becoming a SportsCenter anchor and he never gave up on his dream. David Holmes is working today for one of the fastest growing networks in television. David Holmes had to take trivia tests and write essays for the audition of . After a callback for another audition, David Holmes was invited to try out in New York City. He later found out that he was selected as a Wendy’s Wild Card, which allowed him to be on the show. He became with several of the contestants on the show, and every Thursday night Holmes would practice writing, announcing, and conducting interviews for each week’s show. David Holmes is under contract with ESPN for one year. He will be hosting television shows and anchoring SportsCenter on ESPN and ESPN News. He has wanted to do this since he was six years old and agrees that this is his â€Å"Dream Job. † David Holmes tells people that â€Å"Dreams can and will come true with . You have to go out and get it.† HOW TO FIND A SUMMER OR PAR-TIME JOB The first step to get a job is deciding on the kind of job you want. You need to look at the type of job, the location, the hours and the pay. The second step is to ask yourself â€Å"What do you have to offer an employer?† â€Å"What kind of skills do you have?† Then you develop a resume and talk to your family members and ask them if they have any contacts at your ideal job’s company. Next you have to read the newspaper or go on the internet. After you see a job you are interested in, apply for the jobs. Make sure you are familiar with job applications and have all the information you need. The last step is interviewing for the jobs. Develop answers to interview questions, think of a few questions you could ask, and dress conservatively. There are many places where you could look for a job. Local stores often need help, as well as stores in the mall. You could go to hotels and resorts or to tourist attractions.

Naughts and Crosses Essay Example

Naughts and Crosses Essay Tic Tac Toe Tic-Tac-Toe is a game in which you’re faced with a simple objective. It’s a game which has limited advancements and once it becomes familiar, the game is likely to end in a draw. No winner or loser! In a similar way, this novel is an illustration of the tic-tac-toe board as a society, in which your perceptions about people are dominated by prejudice and discrimination. At a glance, this novel may seem like a narration which cannot be correlated with an adolescent’s life but it impacts the reader’s perceptions on the prejudice which our society masks. Adolescence is a time when a person’s morals and opinions are formed and this novel can influence upon your judgements dramatically. Therefore it’s beyond question whether this book is suitable for year 10 students and the ReadPlus website. The relevance of this novel can also be justified through the valid themes and issues portrayed. Blackman has also conveyed a range of audacious personalities through the deep values and attitudes they embrace. The daring characterisation, the intense settings and the suspenseful turn of events captivates audience interest throughout the novel. Thus I believe that this novel is a suitable read for all adolescents. In today’s society, themes and issues showcased through various forms of media have an immense impact upon teenagers; however this novel has managed to influence teenagers in a positive way. To begin with, the novel focuses on a range of sensitive topics such as power and prejudice in a minimalistic yet powerful way. This is clearly illustrated when Sephy says, â€Å"Like, you’re in one place and I’m in another, with a huge, great wall between us. † (P. 26) This dialogue by Sephy highlights the racial wall which segregates their society. We will write a custom essay sample on Naughts and Crosses specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on Naughts and Crosses specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on Naughts and Crosses specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer In addition, alternate history has also been used to enhance audience interest. This novel has reversed the race-relations which occurred in history. Therefore, â€Å"Noughts and Crosses† can be separated from all other fictions which relate to prejudice and racism. Furthermore, Blackman has also managed to incorporate issues which are relevant to adolescents. These include teenage pregnancy and alcohol addiction. At present, these themes and issues are of significance to the intended audience; therefore I believe that this novel is an inspiring read for all adolescents. Audience engagement is ensured through the wide array of values and attitudes portrayed throughout the novel. The novel displays the racist and superior values of the Crosses through the poor treatment of the noughts. Their elite attitudes were illustrated during Callum’s first day of school. Together all the Crosses recited, â€Å"No blankers in our school! † (P. 54)This quotation highlights the racial hierarchy present in their society which is comparable to the white-dominant history we held. In contrast, the noughts display the values of freedom and equality. This is illustrated through the formation of the rebellion group which is fighting for justice. Lastly, the two protagonists show individuality and conformity through their actions, values and attitudes. For instance, Callum values equality and freedom he pursues this through his involvement in the rebellion group whereas Sephy is going against her society’s beliefs and practices through her association with someone of an inferior class. The values and attitudes portrayed in this novel are relatable to the teenage audience as social factors such as peer pressure and popularity usually influence our decisions. Hence, this novel is showcasing positive morals appropriate for year 10 students. The effective display of characterisation, setting and events will demand audience attention. The author’s descriptions are brief and the author tends to be direct rather than elaborative. The following narration is an example, â€Å"They were real good friends, no barriers, and no boundaries. †(P. ) This quote illustrates her brief and simple language usage. Nonetheless, her direct approach doesn’t compromise detail, especially when it comes to the setting. The entire plot is reliant upon the setting. The dystopian society which the author has created is totalitarian. This is showcased in the novel through the dictatorship style of government the society abides by. In a nutshell, the story describes the friend ship between the two protagonists. The events in the novel aspire to represent a deep relationship which is challenged by the racial divisions within the society. Consequently, this novel is relevant to the intended audience. On reflection, it’s undeniable that the book, â€Å"Noughts and Crosses† is a suitable read for all year 10 students. The novel will modify any stereotypical views which you may have held on racism as it reverses the two variables around. We all believe that justice and peace are the key to a society but are we still locked out within the brick walls of discrimination and prejudice or is that just letting our past define the present?

Privatization of Education System Essays

Privatization of Education System Essays Privatization of Education System Essay Privatization of Education System Essay The existing education system in Bangladesh does not seem very efficient to build ideal future citizens as there are lots of problems associated with it. The subject of argument is that whether privatization of the public institutions can be a solution to this problem or not. Privatization refers to the transfer of ownership or shifting the sector balance without redesigning the existing institutions from the government to the private hands. In fact, I believe that the education system in Bangladesh should be privatized to bring overall effifiency. There are numerous reasons behind my decision to take my stand on the privatization factor. The most important one is that- the privatized education system will establish a stable state in the entire process.. This is necessary because of the unstable political situation in our country. Every time the government changes and the new one has the tendency to make changes over the previous policies which resists both the teachers and the students to become skilled on a particular system. For example, our present govt has introduced a new pattern called creative analysis in the primary and secondary level. Again, The government changes the policies sometimes to become popular among people. For example, in the recent years our government has taken initiatives to increase the literacy rate. So steps have been taken to make people literate only leaving other important issues that increase the potential of the students. Moreover, often flexibility is maintained to increase the number of gpa 5 holders in the board examination . As a result the standard of eduacrion is not maintained properly. Another thing to be considered is that every year the number of students are increasing in the schools ,colleges and universities and capacity of the public institutions are not increasing proportionately. So a large number of students do not get chnces anywhere.. We should also concentrate on this problem while arguing on this topic that – if the public institutions cannot accommodate all students then where these students will go for further studies? Should we let them drop out? People on the other side might say that privatization of the education system will increase the cost to a large extent but I can suggest them to think about an education system that will be handled by the intellectual parties and partially funded by the government as a cost reduction method. The supports behind my opinion given in the above paragraphs prove that privatization of the education system in Bangladesh will prevent the alarming condition. Some people will not agree with me but there is really no valid reason for opposing the privatization factor because It will provide all the students with better management and if the government gives enough financial support then it will be reachable for all the students.

Publishing Opportunities Continue to Grow

Publishing Opportunities Continue to Grow The debate between traditional and self publishing continues, sometimes becoming very heated. In the midst of this debate a new publishing opportunity has arisen called Cooperative Publishing, sometimes billed as a middle option between traditional and self publishing. Sidebar: According to the Small Business Association, sba.gov/content/cooperative, the definition of a cooperative business is â€Å"a business or organization owned A publishing cooperative, in its purest sense, includes a group of authors, editors, proofreaders and sometimes graphic designers and marketing experts, who join together to publish one another’s books. No one in the group receives a salary and they each receive royalties from the sales of the books. This is a fairly new business model for publishing that is growing in momentum around the country. One such coop is the Columbus Creative Cooperative http://columbuscoop.org/about_columbus_creative_cooperative.php in Columbus, Ohio led The CCC has grown to a larger model over the six years they have been together according to Pauquette. It’s decentralized with each person doing their own thing. No one receives a salary and they receive a percentage of the profits at the end of the year. In addition to the publishing opportunities CCC offers writing workshops, writing critique sessions and writing contests to develop their writing talents. Columbus Creative Cooperative publishes print and e-books and thus far has stayed with the anthology genre. Pauqette decides on a theme and announce the call for submissions; the paid members go through several layers of review until Pauquette makes the final decision on which stories will make the final cut for the book in process. Authors then sign a contract for the sales and profits for an equal share of the profits. Once the choices are made the book goes through the editing, proofreading and final production stage. The group has three different member levels, each with a different cost and having different benefits, all of which are explained on the website. Although there are not required responsibilities for the members Pauqette feels it works out fairly for everyone because, â€Å"You get back what you put in.† Pauqette says they sell their books through several local retailers such as coffee shops, restaurants, etc. as well as attending festivals. Their vendor program encourages authors to attend the festivals and to submit their other books for consideration to be included at local vendors, festivals and on the CCC website if accepted. They also offer a self publishing option for authors looking for a quality and affordable means to self publish their own books. CCC has no benefactors so our titles have to be successful in the book market. If we dont put out quality books that people want to buy, the cycle breaks down. Other publishing cooperatives include: Maine Authors Publishing maineauthorspublishing.com Book View Cafà © http://bookviewcafe.com/bookstore/about-book-view-cafe Vala Publishers valapublishers.coop/about-vala Word Branch Publishing wordbranch.com/faqs.html

Describe the structures and regulatory mechanisms essential for both Essay

Describe the structures and regulatory mechanisms essential for both quiet and heavy breathing - Essay Example As diaphragm contracts and moves down, the chest cavity is enlarged reducing lung pressure. Air moves in to equalize the pressure. When the diaphragm relaxes, it moves back to its original position pushing air out due to the increased pressure in the chest cavity. In heavy breathing, many other muscles are involved. During the inspiration process, the lower ribs are raised up and out by the external intercostal muscles. The process increases lateral as well as anterposterior proportions of the thorax. Sternomastoids and the scalene muscles also aid the process by helping raise and push the sternum and the upper ribs2. This creates a pressure gradient which draws air into the alveoli. Unlike quiet expiration which is predominantly passive, heavy expiration requires the functioning of several muscles. The most important muscles here are the ones making up the abdominal wall. They include the internal and external obliques and the rectus abdominus. The transverse abdominus also plays a role in the process. These abdominal wall muscles raise the intra- abdominal pressure by contracting3. It results in the pushing up of the diagram. The upward movement raises the pleural and alveolar pressure thus driving air out. The ribs are also pushed down and in during heavy expiration by the internal intercostals. The breathing rate is controlled by the respiratory center in the brainstem. It is responsible for sending signals to the various respiratory muscles thus dictating when to breathe. The spinal cord is directed to maintain breathing by the medulla4. A part of the brain called the pons, located near the medulla, is key in smoothening the breathing and respiration pattern. Synchronization occurs between the involved neural centers and the muscle movement in order to ensure smooth breathing. The control occurs automatically and continuously. One

Marketing Case Philadelphia Phillies Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Marketing Philadelphia Phillies - Case Study Example ntangible products involve an on-going relationship between the organization and its individual customers that begins before and continues after the sale (chap.1). However, marketing a service needs to have a more intensified and careful relationship with the customer than marketing a product, because with the former, you come in contact with your clients and your customers. In short, when marketing a product, customers would just be concerned about the performance of the product and not with who manufacture them, but with service, customers should have to like the seller or the company (www.businessknowledgesource.com). In terms of segmentation, marketing a product would be much easier than marketing a service such as the Philadelphia Phillies. The aggregating of prospective buyers to market a product would result to different products variants, suiting the specific need of its aggregate or market segment (chap.9). So, for a toothpaste example, we expect a variant for the kids with probably sweeter taste and for the adults with more fluoride and a stronger flavour. But after this, you can just leave your product on shelf, without really creating a customized or personalized product. This is where the difference between marketing a service and a product, lies, as in service the offering should be customized or personalized. For the Philadelphia Phillies for example, people can range from diehard fans, to kids 14 years and below, to those who are 15 years old and above, to senior citizens, young professionals and to corporate and community groups. Since they have different needs, the value that the c ustomer gets from attending a baseball game in the stadium should fulfil their individual needs and wants. Using the 4 Ps analysis, services will also differ with products, specifically in terms of promotion and sales. Products can be advertised through popular tri-media channels such as television, services such as Philadelphia Phillies are not. Promotion for a

The scientific study of behaviour and mental processes Essay Example for Free

The scientific study of behaviour and mental processes Essay For example, a person who feels the need for sex but who has been told by their parents that sex is wrong may suppress this tendency. In order to receive positive regard from their parents they abide by this statement. In this way the person has received conditional positive regard from the parents. However, the need for sex remains, as this is an organismic value, which Rogers describes as our inborn set of values, possessed by all (Medcof Roth, 1979). When these needs are suppressed, Rogers sees neurotic and psychotic problems developing (Hays Orrell, 1987). Abraham Maslow believed that the way towards self-actualisation was to fulfil certain needs. These needs he arranged into a pyramid, which he referred to as the hierarchy of needs. Starting with simple needs, for example, hunger and thirst and then progressing upwards to security, belonging, esteem, understanding and aesthetic needs before reaching self actualisation (Rungapadiachy, 1999). Maslows theory appeared logical and optimistic and became very popular without much criticism. It became popular within business seminars as a training aid. However Maslows hierarchy of needs has not been supported by research. Hungry people may still seek esteem from others and a person who has satisfied their hunger may not necessarily seek higher needs (Wade Tarvis, 1993). Wade Tarvis (1993) also suggest that each person develops their own individual hierarchy from childhood to old age and although for some, the need for love and security will dominate, for others the need for power or achievement will rule. Both Maslow and Rogers believed that given the right conditions, Maslows satisfaction of basic needs and Rogers unconditional positive regard, people will naturally choose growth enhancing alternatives (Roth, 1979). The behaviourist approach arose as a backlash of other approaches at the time and rather than looking at the internal factors, behaviourism shifted its emphasis to the external factors. Psychologist John. B. Watson was becoming disenchanted with the attempts to study emotions, motives and thoughts as these were often vague and subjective and difficult to systematically study. Watson argued that psychology must be based on what is observable and measurable by more than one person (Gross, 1996). Watson believed that behaviour could be seen as a set of reactions in response to stimuli. In this way, if one knew the stimulus then they could obtain the desired behaviour. The two types of learning which behaviourists concern themselves with are classical conditioning and operant conditioning (Rungapadiachy, 1999). Classical conditioning refers to a behaviour that is reflexive or involuntary, for example, coughing, sneezing, shivering, sexual arousal (Rungapadiachy, 1999). Watson and Rayner (1920) conducted experiments into classical conditioning by establishing a rat phobia into an eleven-month-old child. The child was introduced to a white rat to play with and the child was pleased. However, a steel bar was introduced and whenever the rat was given to the child and the child reached out for the rat the steel bar would be struck to create a noise and frightening the child. Eventually on introduction of the rat without the steel bar the child would become frightened of the rat. Watson and Rayner had succeeded in creating a conditioned response (Wade Tarvis, 1993).

The Napster Debate- Written In January 2001, So Need Court Ruling Fact :: essays research papers

The Napster Debate When I first heard the word ‘Napster’ I had no idea what it was, I thought maybe it was a new insult phrase going around my high school. With time I figured out that Napster had to do with online music. I hadn’t seen much coverage on TV and was curious, so I decided to surf the Internet and check it out. Once reaching the site I found no music for sale, no discography or lyrics as is common with most music sites online. Instead there was a program available for download that allowed user-to-user transferring of music files. I went ahead and downloaded the program, not knowing that six months later Napster would have a tremendous influence and impact in the music industry, changing the way we view music forever. The Napster software, launched mid 1999, allows Internet users to share and download MP3 files directly from any computer connected to the Napster network. The software is used by downloading a client program from the Napster site and then connecting to the network through this software, which allows sharing (uploading and downloading) of MP3 files between all users connected to the network. Napster doesn’t own any MP3s, nor do people get MP3s through the server. It is strictly a go-between for user-to-user downloads (Gibney 1). An MP3 file is a type of compressed wave file. The advantage of MP3 files is that they are approximately one-tenth the size of the corresponding wave file and are very high quality. Many artists, record labels and other music industry stakeholders are concerned by the MP3 file format and applications because of the high quality and accessibility (Gibney 1). There are two types of MP3’s available on Napster. The first are legal MP3’s that are authorized by artists to circulate on Napster for promotional purposes. These MP3’s are often music selections made by up and coming artists trying to make their music more accessible to the public. The second type of MP3s are not authorized by artists. A Napster user with copyrighted CD material can create MP3’s with their computer CD ROM drive. Then through Napster’s software, the user’s homemade MP3 is available for trade ( MTV 1). Napster does not physically infringe any copyright laws, it’s users do. It doesn’t condone the use of illegal MP3s in any way, but at the same time there is no opportunity in the software to stop copyright infringement (Gelber 3).

Newspaper article to evaluate Essay

Newspaper article to evaluate and review the purpose of faith schools in multi-faith and multicultural Britain. Faith schools in Britain are schools that teach general national curriculums but using religious principles and aims within their teaching. The extremities of these principles vary between different faiths and different schools. The term â€Å"faith schools† was first used in 1990 when Muslim institutes demanded for more freedom within education. There is approximately 7000 faith schools in Britain, almost a third of all state funded schools with around one and quarter million pupils but many ask if there is any need for such a large number of faith schools in a society that is becoming more secular. In 2006, 197 faith schools made up the 209 primary schools in the UK that achieved â€Å"perfect† results in that year’s league tables. All students reached the expected standard for 11 year olds in English, maths and science. The best school in the tables was North Cheshire Jewish primary school which offers â€Å"a traditional Jewish education†. The most improved school was St Anne’s Roman Catholic primary school whose results tripled within three years. Some would say that faith schools create a â€Å"social sorting† of children according to class, ability, religion and academics. This could be backed up by the fact that faith schools achieve higher exam results on average in the UK. However, the pupils who attend the secondary faith schools who have been to high-achieving primary schools appear to be from more well-off families. As well as this, according to a report for the Government, faith schools only achieve better results as they select the best pupils, not because of their religious ethos thus raising the question in whether if there is a need for faith schools. The Politics Show South has surveyed all the secondary schools in the region and found that 72% of pupils at the region’s faith schools got five good GCSE results, as against a national average of 53. 7% getting five good GCSE results. Four out of five faith schools in the South beat the national average. A parent at the Islamia Primary School in Queen’s Park, North London, also sees cultural advantages for her children in faith schools. â€Å"I wanted them to have a sense of pride as a Muslim but also to be following the English curriculum so that they could hopefully continue on to university and mix with everyone else. â€Å"But at the same time they’d know about Islam from a Muslim and not a Christian point of view. † As well as result statistics, faith schools are also keen on imposing discipline and teaching ethics to students. Some say that â€Å"the force of their religion and faith and the ethos of how to become a good citizen will be there all the time. † This means that students who study at these faith schools may have difficulty indulging in a crime or hating people or doing something which is not like their religious ethos. However a lot of people would agree that the rise of multi faith schools within the country would actually produce more secular societies as the rise in numbers and funding of one particular faith for schools could lead to unsettlement from other faiths. Also, single faith schools can also leave children unequipped to deal with life in mainstream Britain as only select things are taught within single faith schools. Director of National Secular society said: â€Å"If they are moving from restricted communities into a single faith school, they have very little contact with those from the majority community. And then suddenly, when they are 16 they come out into the majority community for the first time and into the workplace. I’m worried about the implications of that.†

How Are the 5 Principles of Politics Manifested?

How are the 5 Principles of Politics manifested in the documentary Last Man Standing: Politics, Texas Style? The documentary: ‘Last Man Standing: Politics, Texas Style’ tells the story of two sets of elections in Texas in the year of 2002. The main election shown is the race for State Representative, between the incumbent, Rick Green and his opponent, Patrick Rose. As well as this, the election for state Governor between Perry and Sanchez is also shown.Throughout the film, the five principles of politics: The History Principle, The Rationality Principle, The Institution Principle, The Collective-Action Principle and The Policy Principle, manifest themselves in many different ways. The first aspect of The 5 Principles is The History Principle. This principle is concerned with how everything to do with politics got to be like it is today. This includes: Why institutions are the way they are, why certain groups of voters choose to vote for certain candidates and how past ev ents can affect politics and elections particularly. This principle is demonstrated very clearly in the documentary.Firstly, Texas was historically a democratic state but this has changed in recent times and it is clear that in recent history, republicans have a better record in elections in Texas. The documentary explains that during the ‘technological boom’ in Austin, a lot of new voters moved into this area and into Texas in general. The people were predominantly white but the minority groups were also growing which meant that Texas good very easily swing towards the democrat or republican side. One political commentator in the documentary said when talking about voters in Texas, ‘They go out there, find a Republican and they vote for them’.This shows that at the time of the election this election, the Republican Party were favorites and so therefore was Rick Greene. In this particular case, of the Republican rise, it is clear that religion and more spec ifically the activity of churches has also had a significant impact on this rise and therefore on the shaping of politics. Furthermore, in the other election followed by the documentary, Tony Sanchez, a Hispanic man, was running. We learn that it was going to be very difficult for Sanchez to win votes because historically, Hispanic politicians have found it very difficult to do so in Texas.These points also show that historical activity in an area, in this case Texas, can influence politics. Perhaps the most significant way that the History Principle manifests itself in the documentary is through the accusations towards Rick Green that arose one month before the Election Day. He was accused by media of having worked for a supplement business and this was seen as unethical activity by the much of the public of Texas and this indeed showed in the results of the election. This story shows that past events can influence and effect the decision of voters and is a clear demonstration of t he History Principle.The second principle is The Rationality Principle. This principle explains that all political behavior has a purpose. This behavior can range from a simple conversation between friends about the current political situation to The President of the USA making political speeches but it always has a reason and a purpose. In the documentary, this principle is highlighted in several ways. The political behavior of voters is demonstrated when they are interviewed and asked who they are going to vote for.Some voters were very blunt in saying that they were going to vote Republican, simply because they believed that Texas should be a Republican state and that is what they had always voted Republican. On two occasions, voters implied that they were planning to vote for Patrick Rose simply because of his looks. These two examples show how different factors can influence the political behavior of voters. Furthermore, the behavior of the politicians themselves is shown throu ghout the documentary because most of everything that the politicians do is politically orientated.Firstly, it is clear that throughout their campaigns, both Green and Rose talk negatively about each other. When planning and giving their political speeches they attempt to take negative aspects of each other and present these to the voters to try to better their own chance in the election. An example of this was when Rose was talking to voters and explained to them that the other candidate, Green was not from Texas where as he was, clearly an attempt to down his opponent.Another clear example of this was when Rose attempted to take advantage of the stories that came out about Green by going to the newspaper for support and producing a television commercial. Exactly the same technique was used by Perry towards Sanchez in the race for state Governor, again an attempt to down his opponent by releasing the story. This is the first significant aspect of behavior shown by both politicians. Other aspects of politician behavior were shown throughout the documentary including: constantly expressing their own views, visiting households to talk to voters. All of hese factors explain the fact that the politicians have a clear reason behind their behavior, whether it is attempting to down their opponent or talking about themselves, the majority of their behavior is concerned with simply winning votes, which is called electoral connection. The third principle is the Collective Action Principle. This is the idea that all politics is collective action. In theory, political leaders should act on behalf of voters and act as a voice. However conflict is always likely due to self-interest of the politician as well as the activity of bargaining between politicians and political parties.This principle is shown in the documentary. Firstly, both politicians engage a lot with voters and one reason that they do this is to try to understand what the voters want from their representative. This demonstrates the theory that politics is collective action and that agendas set by politicians can be a direct result of the opinions and demands of the voters. However, the ideology that political leaders should echo their voters is not realistic and conflict between the voter’s opinion and the individual needs of the politician can be seen throughout the documentary.Often during the campaign, both Green and Rose made public speeches in which they would mention their plans or agendas if they were to be elected. These statements were often met with applause or cheering from the audience and this shows that that the politician may in fact be saying these things to simply please that particular group and therefore win votes, meeting his individual needs and not necessarily the needs of the other voters.The fourth Principle is the Institution Principle which explains the rules and procedures that provide incentives for political behavior, thereby shaping politics. These in stitutions provide authority for politicians and also highlight the areas in which they can govern this authority. This principle is mainly concerned with the rules and procedures for Politicians once they are in office and active so it does not arise a lot. However, the rules of this particular election were illustrated during the documentary.Although the politicians are able to use almost any technique they want to win votes and minimize votes for their opponent, there were some procedures that had to be followed. During debated between the politicians and the final debate before the election between Green and Rose particularly, there was a concise structure to be followed through giving speaking and then answering questions. Another way in which this principle is apparent in the documentary is during the final Election Day when the political parties are shown counting the votes from different areas in the state.The aspect of delegation within political parties is also one that is mainly seen after elections, but is shown in minor ways during the election campaign. We see that politicians would delegate responsibility in the campaign to other individuals to within their party. The final principle is the Policy Principle. This explains that political outcomes are the products of individual preferences and institutional procedures. Again, this principle is demonstrated mainly after the elections and during the time when the politicians are actually in office.This would be demonstrated when agendas are produced by the politicians, whether these agendas are as a result of the individual preferences of the voters or of the politicians themselves. The History Principle, the Rationality Principle, and Collective action principle are illustrated in several ways throughout the documentary. On the other hand, both the Institution Principle and the Policy Principle are not highlighted as much by the documentary, simply because these principles become more apparent afte r the elections and during the politicians actual reign in Government.

Affirmations Lesbian Gay Community Center (Ferndale, MI). essays

Affirmations Lesbian Gay Community Center (Ferndale, MI). essays The Affirmations Lesbian and Gay Community Center in Ferndale, Michigan is a highly inclusive organization, designed to promote tolerance and provide services for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and trans-gender individuals. It defines its central original mission statement as gay is good, you are not alone." Although this mission statement seems to target gay youths, its philosophy has expanded to include bisexual and trans-gender individuals, in addition to lesbians and gay men and it tries to create a community atmosphere of safety and acceptance for all people, regardless of age, in the Michigan area. Our focus is on helping lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans-gender individuals find and develop community where we value and respect ourselves and others (About us, Affirmations, 2008) Affirmations is a social organization as well as an awareness-raising and political advocacy organization. One of its most recent efforts involved a trans-gender remembrance weekend, designed to raise awareness about the violence done to transgendered people. The weekend involved a screening of Boys Dont Cry, the Academy-Award winning film that told the story of Tina Brandon, a trans-gender youth who was murdered. The film was also combined with a potluck and a candlelight vigil, highlighting the combination of fun and consciousness-raising awareness that is at the heart of the spirit of Affirmations. There was also a re-Christening ceremony held for transgendered people who have taken new names of the opposite sex than those names given to them by their families (Civic, Affirmations, 2008). This affirms the new family and community that is created through Affirmations. This ceremony is particularly interesting and reflective of the offerings of Affirmations, because it stresses the communal nature of Affirmations and its desire to help its members create a new identity in the spirit of gay being ...

Accepting Complements

Accepting Complements Accepting Complements Accepting Complements By Mary There are a number of words that people have a hard time keeping straight. Usually these words sound alike, but have very different meanings. For instance, should you say Please accept my complement! or Please accept my compliment!? Accept or Except? Accept is to take or receive something, while except means something is left out. I am proud to accept this award. Everyone except Jim was at the party. Complement or Compliment? Complement is something that complements something else or goes well with it, while compliment is a praise. The new chair is the perfect complement to the rest of the furniture in the room. My boss complimented my performance in the new account presentation. The next time you are including these words in your writing, stop and reflect on the true meaning of the sentence so that you can be sure you made the right choice! Want to improve your English in five minutes a day? Get a subscription and start receiving our writing tips and exercises daily! Keep learning! Browse the Misused Words category, check our popular posts, or choose a related post below:Program vs. ProgrammeOne Fell SwoopHow Do You Pronounce "Often"?

A Property, Market and Class-based Foundation of Disney Essay

A Property, Market and Class-based Foundation of Disney - Essay Example The Walt Disney Corporation conforms to this model suggested by Rifkin. Firstly, it is akin to a gated, networked community where a virtual reality is created through networking. Secondly, the diversification of its capital and business interests – the shift away from property into internet-based leasing, outsourcing and primarily marketing. The third aspect is the shifting emphasis placed on cultural and intellectual capital as opposed to material goods. Rifkin’s theory is grounded in the basic premise that in the age of access, the foundation of commerce is shifting away from the property and out into cyberspace. The Hollywood organizational model is a manifestation of this phenomenon. It consists of individual productions where actors, directors, production personnel, investors and a host of ancillary talent comes together for a short period in order to take advantage of an opportunity offered by a particular market, only to dissolve again once the production is completed (Rifkin 28). For subsequent productions, different elements will be brought together. The idea behind this is a partial synergy of sorts wherein capitalistic self-interest in a networked economy is completely governed by the prevailing market at a particular time.This principle may be seen to operate in the case of Disney, especially in its mergers with other companies that have been carried out at strategic times. Disney’s latest acquisition of a c omputer animation company Pixar is only one of a long line of mergers and strategic partnerships that have helped Disney to adapt successfully to changes in the environment. The creative elements supplied by Pixar when working in synergy with the financial clout of Disney have served to produce a superior product.The strategic move of acquisition of Pixar is a response to the technological environment where success is inherent in intellectual products that are a source of revenue through the provision of the license to access. In a similar manner, Disney and ABC television have merged, in order to strategically exploit the combined market that belongs to both companies through one entity.

Aggregate supply and demand Term Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Aggregate supply and demand - Term Paper Example The resources that the world is endowed with are limited As a result the net profit increases. Answer 1: Resource Allocation Resource Allocation is the method in which the limited resources of an economy are distributed among the alternative uses that satisfy the wants of the users. The process of decision making by which it is determined which want is to be fulfilled and which is not is part of the allocation process. Scarcity This concept in economics means that the human needs cannot be completely satisfied because an economy does not have the sufficient resources that can contribute to production. The scarce resources include the factors of production, i.e. land, labor, capital and organization. For example, the amount of land that can be used for productive purposes is limited. This means that land is a scarce resource and the supply is limited (Schiller, 2010). Competitive Advantage A country X has a competitive advantage over another country Y if the country X has abundant res ources that are required to produce a good in the country and thereby enjoys a price advantage over the other country. For example, a country may be labor abundant compared to another country that is labor is available at a cheaper rate compared to the first country. Thus it reduces the cost of production for that country. Hence the first country has a competitive advantage over the second country in the supply of labor force.... Role of Supply and demand The market forces of demand and supply are instrumental in determining the price and quantity at which the trade between the buyers and sellers would take place. The market equilibrium will be achieved at the point where the quantity demanded will be equal to the quantity supplied (Pindyck and Rubinfeld, 2001). In the above figure the downward sloping graph depicts the demand for a good in the economy and the upward rising curve is the supply curve. At the equilibrium point the price at which the good is supplied is P* and the quantity demanded is Q*. Answer 2 The Laissez-faire theory has come from this concept in which there is opportunity for free entry and exit and the government does not impose any restriction on the functioning of the markets. On the other hand in the mixed economy the ownership of the means of production is shared between the government and the private players. In such economies the government has significant control over the economic variables though the capital accumulation is done mainly by the private sector (Conklin, 1991). The socialist economies are almost contradictory to these economic systems. In such a kind of economy the ownership of the factors of production remains with the general public. Such a kind of economic system is a planned one and the decision of allocation of the resources remain with the government. So the demand and supple forces are less significant in case of the socialist economies. Answer 3 If a particular business has abundant resources that it needs for its production them the company would be able to make huge profits compared to the other companies. For example, suppose a company that produces cloth has greater access

Key Transformation for Deckers Outoor Corporation Research Paper

Key Transformation for Deckers Outoor Corporation - Research Paper Example Therefore, this assignment utilizes the Burke-Litwin Causal Model in discussing how these factors integrate with each other in Deckers Outdoor Corporation (DOC). It is necessary to note that all factors are critical when the enhancement of performance of an organization is the key point (Burke & Litwin, 1992). According to the model, structure refers to an arrangement of functions, responsibilities of those working in an organization, those authorities represented in the organization, as well as communication that assist the organization to attain it goals and strategy. Identification of DOC structure will aid in comprehending the variables highlighted above. Deckers utilize a decentralized structure for its management. In this method of management, the top management delegates the key responsibilities of the organization to the middle managers, who in turn direct the workforce on what they ought to do. It is, therefore, evident that the top management spends much of their time in de veloping useful ideas that would propel the company to attain success (Burke & Litwin, 1992). At Deckers, the application of the decentralization principle has significantly assisted it in various ways. As this structure allows the employees involvement in decision making for the organization, it makes them feel empowered unlike in a centralized management system. These employees attain satisfaction after seeing their ideas being implemented for the growth of the organization. Moreover, decentralization relieves the owner of DOC from pressures that emanate from managing the operations of an organization solely. After the delegation of such duties to other individuals in the organization, the owner of DOC spends adequate time in devising strategies to utilize in the expansion of the business (Burke & Litwin, 1992). Such a principle permits him to have unlimited time to meet those clients known to donate drastically to the intensification of the organization’s activities. At De ckers, communication is vital for its success. This is because communication is a vital constituent for the development of such an organization. According to sources, Deckers has implemented a flexible communication program to enhance understanding for every worker in the organization. For instance, at the quarter end of the organization’s calendar, the CEO meets with all employees in the corporate office in order to discuss issues of significance to both the company, as well as the individuals. They refer this meeting as all hands meeting, where they discuss a wide variety of topics such as salary increments, compensations along with any changes that the company would find it convenient to implement. It is thus clear that the overall structure of DOC plays a crucial part towards its growth. The other transactional variable described by the model concerns with the tasks and skills held by an individual. Therefore, this part of the assignment aims to understand the task perfor med by Deckers’ employees, along with their skills. According to sources, Deckers is a footwear manufacturer located in several states of America. The most current information reveals that Deckers manufactures six dissimilar brands of footwear. The increase in the products provided by Deckers allows it to employ an approximated 1900 staff across the states. Recruitment of a large proportion of staff in the organization attracts different skills, and this enhances the organization’

Hindu Temple Architecture in the Taj Mahal

Hindu Temple Architecture in the Taj Mahal Traces of Hindu Temple Architecture in Taj Mahal As mentioned earlier in the previous chapter that many critics have found Urdu traces and Taj building is a symbolical representation of Mughal monument only. But Professor P.N. Oak challenges such ideas and brings out a critique that the Taj Mahal is actually a Hindu Temple of Lord Shiva (Tejo-Mahalaya). As P.N Oak also theorizes that a stone inscription which is known as the Bateshwar inscription is kept in the Lucknow Museum which shows that this monument can be a temple of Lord Shiva. It was found that the size of Mumtaz’s cenotaph is not of height of an average Islamic woman of the seventeenth century and the grave is not of appropriate dimensions. It could be said that the Shiva Linga which is considered as very sacred and holy is actually under the grave. The grave is on the first floor so it is not clear if Mumtaz’s body is really buried in Taj Mahal because bodies are usually buried in the earth and not in the flooring. This grave of Mumtaz is of the height of Hindu Shiva linga and if further digging would be allowed the result would come hence forth. Taj Mahal bears a lot of Hinduism traces and all such marks have been pointed out by P.N. Oak in his book. On the arch of Taj Mahal’s main tomb there is a trident (trishul) which is emblem of all Hindu Temples in India and no mosque or any other Muslim monument has a trident over its tomb. All plants and trees which are present in the gardens of the Taj Mahal are sacred to Hindus like Lotus, Tulsi, Banyan trees, etc. The main patterns are drawn which are found are Bel leaves and Harshringar flowers, these are actually used as an offering to Lord Shiva. There is a central chamber in between of eight doors which provides us the idea where the emblem of Lord Chandra-manleeshwar was present. The proper flooring of this central passage also gives us an idea that Lord Chandra- manleeshwar used to dance to worship Lord Shiva. The high doom above it is also a common feature is dripped over the Shiva linga from a bowl hanging on a certain height. Even the guides of Taj Mahal tell to all visitors about the tradition of a drop of rain water which is falling from height of the dome on the grave in the central chamber, this is actually a place from where the water used to drop on the Shiva Linga in the older times. There are silver doors and golden railings which are in the fixtures of the Taj Mahal, clearly give the Indianness to the monument because till date we can find such fixtures in our Hindu Temples. There are some ancient Hindu colored sketches of eight directional pointers, sixteen cobras, thirty two tridents, and sixty four flowers of lotus which are in the multiple of four which is considered auspicious in Hindu religion. This sketch is designed in the Taj Mahal’s central chamber, from the grave of Mumtaz this pattern can be seen very clearly. Even Tavernier also mentioned that the bazar used to be placed in the six courts of the Taj Mahal and this thing is everyone knows that in the tradition of Hindus fairs and bazars are set up around temples till date. On all four side entrances of the Taj Mahal, there is trident (trishul) is inlaid, which is exclusive weapon of Lord Shiva. It clearly proves that it is a Shiva temple. Some pointed out that the Taj Mahal dome has the Arabic engraving ‘Allaho Akbar’ meaning ‘God is Great’. These words were engraved on pinnacle ordered by Shah Jahan after he took over the Hindu temple and commandeered to change in Islamic use. But the same replica of the pinnacle inlaid in the red-stone courtyard does not have that Islamic inscription. Then there are spacious decorated chambers and an adjoining long corridor with the entire length of those apartments. These chambers are basically at the lower level than the basement central chamber. The chambers which are right under the graves of King and Queen on two floors which are sealed in a haphazard way with bricks are likely to have Hindu idols and inscriptions. The corridors which may be running under the red-stone terrace, they all are sealed. Likewise all the ventilator type openings and doors in the apartment row have also been crudely walled up under the red-stone terrace. We will be able to see the beauty of the underground apartments if those fillings are removed. It is very much possible that Taj Mahal has two floors above the river bed and one in the basement which has been sealed by Shah Jahan. ‘Taj Mahal’ is a foul form of Sanskrit ‘Tejo Mahalaya’ meaning ‘Resplendent Shrine’. This name also attach to Lord Shiva because his third eye is said to emit a fit if luster that is ‘Tejo’. Even if we look at the real meaning of the term ‘Taj Mahal’ it means a ‘crown residence’ and not a tomb . If these graves would have been the real graves, they wouldn’t have been so much decorated because in Muslim culture graves wouldn’t have been so much decorated. The corpse of Mumtaz, if it is buried in the Taj Mahal, it cannot be in the ground floor or in the basement chamber. There are other a Hindu symbols which are found in the Taj Mahal, like use of the sacred Hindu chant ‘OM’. ‘OM’ is crafted into the marble flower of lotus both lotus and OM are symbolically apart of Hindu culture which are present on the walls of Taj Mahal even on the so called â€Å"graves†. Any student or scholar of architecture can clearly tell that the ‘flower’ drawn on the marbles is a part of ancient Hindu temple drawings and not of any Muslim sepulcher workmanship. There is one important point also that time or rather span of death of Mumtaz is not clear. Some historians says that, she died in 1630 or 1631or 1632 A.D., and in the illustrious sepulcher it is written that she died in 1629 A.D. It is absurdto think nobody knows the correct timing of Mumtaz’s death. In fact, Taj Mahal has Hindu palace dimensions. Taj Mahal has many doors which are in spiked shape. There are red stone corridors, thorns and rooms all these attributes are just like typical Rajput building. ‘Ghat’ which is very common in temple palace, exists in Taj Mahal. Gateways of the Taj Mahal which are now closed were earlier the place to bathe in the river and go boating. Many rooms in the Taj Mahal complex are the drum houses. These drum houses are a part of Rajputana architecture. It is obvious that in memorial place no drum houses are planned to make, and there is no music places made in any Islamic buildings, music is actually restricted, hence the drum houses clearly prove the hand of Hinduism in the Taj Mahal. There are so many rooms for guests, army detachments, waiters, caterers etc for any royal purposes. Such architecture is never used in making any tomb. All the walls and doors are also in Hindu dimension, like silver doors which have been discussed earlier. In the Taj Mahal there are four towers at the each doorway. The top of the tower is made up by brass Kalases. Kalases is a Sanskrit word and this word can never be connected to any tomb and also does not fit the Taj building architecture. ‘Kalas’ signifies a shinning pinnacle made up by brass or gold. This word only comes in a connection of temples or any Hindu palace but Taj Mahal’s top of the tower uses similar material and hence this also gives us the hint of Temple like palace instead of a burial tomb. Three different scientific tests took place to find out the actualities of Taj Mahal. First one is Donodo chronology, in this test wood sample is taken of respective historic building. Second one is Thermoluminescence, in this test a brick powder or whole brick is taken and find out when this brick was baked. This test is very helpful in finding the age of the historic buildings. Third test is Carbon-14 test; this test is helpful in finding out the actual age of any living organism like wood piece or bone. Professor Mills from New York took the Carbon-14 test by taking out small wooden piece of one of the Taj Mahal’s wooden door. This report published in the Itihas Patrika. It was found out that the probable age of the sample is from 1448 and 1270 A.D. This test clearly proves that the Taj Mahal existed much before Shah Jahan. But here I would like to tell readers clearly that the age which was proved in the test was of the Northeastern doorway and not of the Taj Mahal’s marble. In this chapter, many examples have been discussed which clearly tell that Taj Mahal is basically a Hindu ancient temple (Tejo Mahalaya) and not a tomb.

The Market Orientation of Coca-Cola Essay -- Business Management Studi

The Market Orientation of Coca-Cola I had researched the information by contacting the Coca-Cola's customer service help-line for an information pack and by contacting The Coca-Cola Company's Industry and Consumer Affair's officer (Alneka Warren) by email. I have also visited the Business library for further information relating to Coca-Cola and used various textbooks and various web sites from the internet. The two marketing orientations are: 1. Product orientation 2. Market orientation Product orientation This can be defined as "An approach to business which places the main focus of attention upon the production process and the product itself" (Needham & Dransfield 1995). Market orientation Market orientation is defined by Ian Chambers as "A market orientated business is one which continually identifies, reviews and analyses consumer's needs." Market orientation is reflected on the Coca-Cola Company's mission statement: "Consumer demand drives everything we do." Another brief from their mission statement includes "We will serve consumers a broad selection of the nonalcoholic ready-to-drink beverages they want to drink throughout the day." Coca-Coca has an "action orientation", instead of waiting for change to happen it is at the leading edge, driving action forward. Findings A market orientated organisation like Coca-Cola would: ? Know what its customers, consumer, client needs. As they know people like Coca-Cola and want it available to them. ? Understand ...

A Cybernetic Approach to Controlling Health Problems

For several decades, health issues have increased by more than 8.5% each year. According to a recent study conducted by the center for Disease Control and Prevention, 65% of US adults are either overweight or obese. The rate of diabetes are increasing in the United States, with a 27 percent increase seen in the last five years. The high cost of health care also poses a major threat to the nation's economy. However, health problems can be prevented to a large extent by controlling people's lifestyle. Group discussions and conversations may help people to adopt a healthy way of living. Therefore, Cybernetics which is the study of conversation/communication and control/regulation can be used to help solve this problems. This study aims at using cybernetics as a model for controlling health problems. Addiction In developed countries of the world like USA, where the literacy rate is above 95%, people know that leading a healthy lifestyle removes the risk of chronic health issues to a considerable margin. However they most times do not adopt a healthy way of living. Why? Addiction has ruined the healthy life style of people. For example- people may be addicted to sleeping and do not exercise, addicted to eating foods with high calories that causes them obesity and make them prone to heart problems. Addiction is a condition in which a consistent desire/craving to repeat an addicted behavior exceeds the ability to rationally stop doing so. When the more you have, the more you seem to need to achieve the same effect or result. This effect can be displayed as a positive feedback loop where the want continues expanding within the loop.Some background about feedback loops – Feedback loops are of two forms: negative feedback loop and positive feedback loop. Negative feedback loops strives towards balance and stasis by subtracting error with each cycle. A good example of negative feedback loop is homeostasis, the body's system for keeping itself chemically and temperature balanced. Positive feedback loops, by comparison, add the variations of each cycle. As a result they can become potentially dangerous as their effect mount with each event. Hypothermia, shock, heatstroke are examples of positive feedback.Figure-1 models addiction (nicotine addiction) as a positive feedback. The desire for smoking continues to increase in the loop for achieving the same level of satisfaction. The first day, Bob needs to smoke once and get satisfied. The second day, he needs to smoke twice to get the same level of satisfaction. Gradually, his cravings and urge to smoke increases along with the frequency.Controlling the Uncontrollable(addiction)The graph above (Figure-1) indicates how the addiction continue to expand in a positive feedback loop. Also, Bateson's examination of alcohol addiction contended that the very attempt to regain discretion, to be a â€Å"commander of one's own spirit†, added to the heightening of the alcoholism. Moreover, the Twelve Step Program of Alcoholics Anonymous-which has been effectively adjusted to a huge number of addictive practices, offers recuperation by â€Å"surrendering† that is, by stopping to deliberately try to stop the addiction. Subsequently, the person who is addicted does not have an essential variety to control addiction.At the point when Addiction becomes uncontrollable, how can it be controlled? Ludwig's research on Alcoholics mind demonstrates that â€Å"developing the right mind frame† (sufficient inspiration) for sobriety improves the probability that an individual can figure out how to resist his addiction .Sufficient inspiration or adequate motivation can solve the puzzle of addiction as an uncontrollable event. The diagram beneath demonstrates the cybernetic approach to deal with controlling health issues by inspiring individuals to follow a sound way of life (work out, yoga, healthy food and so on.), that is abstaining from an unhealthy way of life.Reward/Incentive SystemPeople have various needs including monetary needs, physiological needs, safety needs and esteem needs. An individual can be motivated for performing an activity using proper incentives which may help in fulfilling some of his needs. A reward system could be a web application like Weight Watchers or an organization such as a health club. Below is a model of an incentive system used in motivating a person to exercise regularly. The model also shows that the system can keep refining or modifying the incentive system to make sure that the user is always motivated.Group Affiliation/FriendsGroups, friends and circle of relatives assist in controlling addictions and regulating the manner people live. People develop trust, care and similarity in a group that offer intellectual strength for controlling their cravings. It has additionally been proved that the group association programs offer long- term remedy for addiction in comparison to short-term remedy provided through medication therapy. Self-assist programs like Alcoholics anonymous, rational healing or women for Sobriety, assist in gaining control over addiction through assisting the affected person to integrate into a self-assist group. Trust Trust is a system-related concept and that is a constantly evolving state of information acquisition, processing and feedback. Figure-4 demonstrates the system model of trust between two actors (trustor and trustee). The trustor continually accesses the behavior of the trustee against his mental model of trustworthiness, which results in increased trust if the behavior matches with his mental model otherwise decreased trust. Trustworthiness relies on three variables which relate to perception about the person to be relied on: competence, integrity and benevolence. ‘Competence' is the perceived potential of the trustee, as measured through indicators which includes training or credentials, experience, and reliable past performance. ‘Integrity' is the degree to which the trustee is considered to perform with honesty, fairness, and consistency of actions and words. ‘Benevolence' concerns the extent to which the trustee demonstrates care and consideration for people he or she interacts directly or indirectly. In addition to the above-recognized antecedent variables, trust also relies on the ‘context' within which the trustor and trustee are embedded. It could affect the extent to which the trustee is rated on antecedent variables particularly competence. For instance, a person may be perceived as competent in one context but no longer in another. Furthermore, it is essential to differentiate between Interactions among unfamiliar others and ongoing interactions among familiar others for trust. In a social system, trust could be unidirectional or bi-directional. Also, trust may be commutative.After the developement of trust, the trustor (Alice) feels confident and becomes willing to take actions based on the suggestions, actions and decisions of the trustee (Bob) to an extent proportional to the trust level in the trustee. Now, when Bob says that he controlled his blood sugar level by following the recipes from the diabetic cook-book, Alice feels confident the same recipes in the diabetic cook-book works and she is now motivated to follow them too. It also gives her a social proof of the reliability of the recipes from the diabetic cook-book. Figure-6 is the conversation model of this trust and social proof scenario between Alice and Bob.CareCare is also a continously evolving state of information aquisition, processing and feedback.Similarity, trust, understanding and reciprocity make the important variables. It is also dependent on context and familiarity/relationship between individuals. Below is a figure which shows a model of care between Alice and Bob and how care helps them for abstinence. Bob's behavior is matched to Alice's mental model of a person she would like to care for. If there is a positive match,then the care for Bob increases otherwise it decreases. When there is a match, she cares about what Bob's expectations are from her. She feels a sense of responsibility/accountability for Bob's expectations because she does not want to disappoint him. Similarly, Bob also does a behavior assessment of Alice against a mental model of a person she would like to care for. Its also important to note that both may have different perceptions or mental models of the persons they may like to care for. Also, care may be unidirectional as well. Now when Bob makes a suggestion to Alice about losing weight, she feels responsible/ accountable for losing weight as she cares about Bob. Similarly, Bob feels responsible/accountable for not smoking when Alice asks him to quit smoking.Figure 7: Care/Accountability/ResponsibilitySimilarityIn comparism to trust and care, similarity also is a constantly evolving state of information acquisition, processing and feedback. The antecedent variables for similarity might include mental attitude, behavior, hobbies, age gender and race.The figure below shows how similarity motivates Bob for exercising frequently because he gets competitive and inspired by Alice.The table below summarizes Trust, care and similarity. Antecedent Variables MotivationTrust Competence, Integrity, Benevolence Willing to act on the basis of words, actions anddecisions of anotherCare Similarity, Understanding, Trust, Reciprocity Accountability,ResponsibilitySimilarity Mindset, hobbies, age, gender, race Competitiveness,InspirationFigure 9: Summary for Trust, Care and SimilarityAlternative model for Accountability, Responsibility, Competitiveness and collaboration in a self-help group.

Communication and Care Professionals

Unit 501 – Use and develop systems that promote communication Learning Outcome 1. Be able to address the range of communication requirements in own role. 1. 2. Explain how to support effective communication within own job role. There are a number of reasons for communicating as a manager and leader such as delegation of work, supervision, building a team, interviewing, etc. As well as the need to communicate in many different levels of communicators such as clients, family members, staff, senior staff, other managers, other professional.Different mix of people require a different type of communication. Throughout the duty manager might be undertaking the variety of roles when advising, instructing, welcoming, assessing, observing, informing and counseling. Whatever the communication need or type, a good working relationship, trust and ability to talk openly are essential and therefore the need to adjust the communication to each circumstance. in supporting others to became eff ective communicator, it is necessary for leader to be an effective role model and where able to reflect effectively on how you communicating your messages.If we support all our communication by accepting and valuing the people with whom we interact in the expression of warmth and a non- judgemental attitude, we will improve our communication skills no end. So effective communication can be supported by ensuring that staff are all well aware of the need to be flexible in the way in which they communicate within varied contexts and to engage in communication which is empathic and values people with whom they interact. 1. 3.Analyse the barriers and challenges to communication within own job role. There are a range of barriers and blocks in communication like: * Difference in culture and values. Living in multi-cultural society it is important to be culturally aware in our interpersonal interactions. It is includes not only cultural differences but also the differences in values that pe ople hold. By developing a respectful curiosity about beliefs and practices within all service user's lives, we are able to communicate in more meaningful ways. Negative feelings about the person you are speaking to or taking personally what the person are saying. We may not share the views of people we communicate or particularly like the stance the person takes, but as the manager and leader in a setting we do have to show tolerance of these views and to be fully aware of how we come across to those we are communicating with. One of the things we often do not pay enough attention to is our body language.The way in which we present ourselves can have as much if not more impact on whether our message is listened to and understood. It is vital that our bodily actions match our speech. * Difficulties in own life, tiredness, feeling unwell. Self management highlights the need to manage those emotions we feel and manage them appropriately. So we may feel angry at somebody, but as a mana ger and leader, showing that anger inappropriately will have negative effect on relationships. Feeling unsafe due to person's behavior. We can overcome the problems associated with aggression by using our own verbal and non-verbal communication skills in a calm, non-threatening way, being clear and assertive in the way that they communicate with people who are aggressive, ensuring that the environment is used to defuse or de-escalate an aggressive situation and empowering people to take control of situations that they find stressful. * Not listening effectively.Active listening shows that staff and clients have been heard and the way in which we do this is with the following skills: acknowledging and reflecting feelings, body language, restating, paraphrasing, summarising, questioning. * Noise, inappropriate environment. Another area where communication could break down is an inappropriate environment. Manager must be aware of need for privacy when carrying out sensitive types of co mmunication. The initial impact of a room or building, for instance, is it welcoming, tidy, level of noise, can have huge effect on how people feel and can influence the success of an interaction.Learning Outcome 2. Be able to improve communication systems and practices that support positive outcomes for individuals. 2. 2. Evaluate the effectiveness of existing communication systems and practices. The initial assessment must be done from the first meeting with person to establish a baseline of the person’s ability and communication method. Everyone involved with care of the person should be made aware of this baseline so they can evaluate the effectiveness of any agreed ways of communication.Comparing the baseline with current findings helps us to identify the effectiveness of agreed ways of communication. Positive changes may indicate that agreed method of communication is effective and should be encouraged to continue or possibly adapted to make even more improvement. Findi ngs which show a decrease in the person’s ability need to be investigated further. Whatever the cause, the person should be supported to manage their communication ability, to prevent further decrease, and identify alternative methods of communication where possible.Once we have identified and supported the person to use agreed method of communication, we will need to work with others to identify ways of supporting the person to develop their communication continually. Others may include family, speech and language therapists, behavioural support workers, occupational therapists, psychiatrists, psychologist. When somebody masters their agreed method of communication to support their specific communication need, it may be time to introduce alternative methods to aid them to develop their communication further.Care professionals communicate with people using services very frequently and in a variety of ways. These can include formal meetings and appointments to assess a personà ¢â‚¬â„¢s health or wellbeing problems, to review a person’s progress or recovery, in informal conversations during activity sessions and in brief interactions in the corridor, for example. To ensure that they communicate effectively, care professionals need to use language that isn’t too technical, scientific or based on professional jargon.This can frustrate and intimidate people who use services, particularly if they feel that their concerns aren’t being responded to in an appropriate manner. Effective communication and interaction enable people who use care services to feel more supported, are essential for identifying and responding to their individual care needs and form the basis of a trusting, respectful care relationship. 2. 3. Propose improvements to communication systems and practices to address shortcomings.Health and social care professionals need to be able to communicate effectively with people who use care services. Once they become aware that an individual needs assistance to communicate effectively, a care practitioner should ensure that suitable human or technological aids to communication are made available. Care professionals communicate effectively when they are able to ‘connect’ directly with other individuals. To be able to do this well, a care professional must adapt to the communication and language needs and preferences of others.This includes people who are unable to use spoken language and people who have sensory impairments that limit their communication and interaction abilities. Some people may develop their own way of communication because they do not have the ability to communicate in more formal manner. A sensory disable people usually use aid techniques and specific forms for communication. Effective communication and interaction play an important role in the work of all health and social care professionals.For example, care professionals need to be able to use a range of communication and in teraction skills in order to: †¢ work inclusively with people of different ages and diverse backgrounds †¢ respond appropriately to the variety of care-related problems and individual needs of people who use care services †¢ enable people to feel relaxed and secure enough to talk openly †¢ establish trusting relationships with colleagues and people who use care services †¢ ask sensitive and difficult questions, and obtain information about matters that might be very personal and sensitive †¢ obtain clear, accurate information about a person’s problems, symptoms or concerns †¢ give others information about care-related issues in a clear, confident and professionally competent way.Collating or collecting information about somebody’s communication and support provided is essential in monitoring the effectiveness of the person’s communication. We can collect the information observing the person, getting feedback from others and rec ording information. Learning Outcome 3. Be able to improve communication systems to support partnership working. 3. 2. Compare effectiveness of different communication systems for partnership working. Health and social care work is now based on multi-professional and multi-agency working. This means that care professionals need to be able to communicate effectively with colleagues from a variety of different care disciplines.A multi-professional team might include nurses, care workers, social workers, occupational therapists, clinical psychologists and psychiatrists, for example. Each of these care professionals has a particular disciplinary training and a range of specialist skills. They also share some core skills in working with people who are mentally distressed. Members of this team will need to be able to use their one-to-one and group communication skills flexibly so that they can talk to, share ideas and collaborate with their team colleagues in ways that benefit the people in their care. Care professionals involved in multi-professional teams may communicate in both formal and informal contexts. When team members get to know each other very well, they may use more informal language at times.However, multi-agency working often requires care professionals to communicate more formally, using agreed plans and agendas to achieve specific goals. Formal communication may be used to ensure that the professionals and agencies involved in this kind of collaborative working are clear about each other’s responsibilities and don’t drift into miscommunication, compounding problems. 3. 3. Propose improvements to communication systems to support partnership working. Collating or collecting information is essential in monitoring the effectiveness of the communication systems. We can collect the information observing, getting feedback from others and recording information. So we need to work with others to identify ways to support the continued developmen t of communication.Care professionals communicate with colleagues and other professionals in many contexts every day. Effective communication requires personal and professional respect for others, trust in the judgement and values of colleagues, good verbal and listening skills. Care professionals may communicate formally and informally with colleagues and others working in partnership. Effective communication and interactions enable people to work more efficiently and to collaborate with and support each other in teams. In formal communication the specific writing skills needed by care professionals are generally learnt in practice and quickly become part of a care professional’s skill set.However, it is important for care professionals to regularly review and reflect on their written communication skills to ensure they are using them as effectively as possible. Learning Outcome 4. Be able to use systems for effective information management. 4. 1. Explain legal and ethical t ensions between maintaining confidentiality and sharing information. Tensions caused by confidentiality: the need for consent to share information; understanding when information may be shared without consent; concept of ‘need to know’; need for transparent policy and protocols for information sharing. In many cases, the passing information is routine and related to the care of the person concerned. However, this is only with the agreement of the person.But it is essential that only that is required for the purpose is passed on. Sometimes there are situations when we need to break confidentiality and pass information without consent but we must do this when we have good reason to believe that there is a risk of serious harm to someone. Good practice involves asking people if you can let other people know things, if not we can't give any information even to close relatives only because they want to know. Exception to this rule is when others have a need to know. For exam ple, managers, colleagues or other professional because they may need to help to make decisions or will be working with the same person. 4. 2.Analyse the essential features of information sharing agreements within and between organisations. Every organization have a policy on confidentiality and the disclosure of information. In my organisation Policy on Confidentiality and Policy on Record Keeping relate to it. The main point of these policies are: * All information we receive about or from service users is confidential and that only those people who need to know the information will have access to it * Individual and home records are kept in a secure fashion, are up to date and in good order * Service users have access to their record and information, as well an opportunities to help maintain their personal records.Staff working in health and care sector have a duty to respect individuals personal information, not discus client out of work place, ensure that all written informatio n is signed and dated and stored in a secure manner, are not left out, are accurate and up to date, the passwords and computer screens are used in computer systems, information shared with appropriate peoples and on need- to- know basis. Managers responsibility for maintaining confidentiality is to be convinced that policies and procedures are appropriate and operational within your area and staff are provided training covering basic information about confidentiality, data protection and access to records.

The Unexpected Presidency of Gerald R. Ford

The Unexpected Presidency of Gerald R. Ford Becoming vice president or President of the United States are no small feats. But between 1973 and 1977, Gerald R. Ford did both- without ever getting a single vote. How did he do that? In the early 1950s, when Michigans Republican Party leaders urged him to run for the  U.S. Senate  Ã¢â‚¬â€œ generally considered the next step to the presidency – Ford declined, stating that his ambition was to become  Speaker of the House, a position he called the ultimate achievement† at the time. â€Å"To sit up there and be the head honcho of 434 other people and have the responsibility, aside from the achievement, of trying to run the greatest  legislative  body in the history of mankind,† said Ford, â€Å"I think I got that ambition within a year or two after I was in the House of Representatives.† But after over a decade of putting forth his best efforts, Ford continually failed to be chosen as a speaker. Finally, he promised his wife Betty that if the speakership eluded him again in 1974, he would retire from Congress and political life in 1976. But far from returning to the farm, Gerald Ford was about to become the first person to have served as both Vice President and President of the United States without being elected to either office.   Suddenly, its Vice President Ford In October 1973, President  Richard M. Nixon  was serving his second term in the White House when his Vice President  Spiro Agnew  resigned before pleading no contest to federal charges of tax evasion and money laundering related to his acceptance of $29,500 in bribes while governor of Maryland. In the first ever application of the vice-presidential vacancy provision of the  25th Amendment  to the U.S. Constitution, President Nixon nominated then House Minority Leader Gerald Ford to replace Agnew. On November 27, the Senate voted 92 to 3 to confirm Ford, and on December 6, 1973, the House confirmed Ford by a vote of 387 to 35. One hour after the House voted, Ford was sworn in as Vice President of the United States.   When he agreed to accept President Nixons nomination, Ford told Betty that the Vice Presidency would be a nice conclusion to his political career. Little did they know, however,  that Fords political career was anything but over.   The Unexpected Presidency of Gerald Ford As Gerald Ford was getting used to the idea of being vice president,  a spellbound nation was watching the  Watergate scandal  unfold.   During the 1972 presidential campaign, five men employed by President Nixons Committee to Re-elect the President had allegedly broken into the Democratic National Committee headquarters in Washington D.C.s Watergate hotel, in an attempt to steal information related to Nixons opponent, George McGovern. On August 1, 1974, after weeks of accusations and denials, President Nixons Chief of Staff Alexander Haig visited Vice President Ford to tell him that the smoking gun evidence in the form of Nixon’s secret Watergate tapes had been exposed. Haig told Ford that conversations on the tapes left little doubt that President Nixon had taken part in, if not ordered, the cover-up of the Watergate break-in. At the time of Haigs visit, Ford and his wife Betty were still living in their suburban Virginia home while the vice presidents residence in Washington, D.C. was being renovated. In his memoirs, Gord would later say of the day, Al Haig asked to come over and see me, to tell me that there would be a new tape released on a Monday, and he said the evidence in there was devastating and there would probably be either an impeachment or a resignation. And he said, Im just warning you that youve got to be prepared, that these things might change dramatically and you could become president. And I said, Betty, I dont think were ever going to live in the vice presidents house.   With his impeachment almost certain, President Nixon resigned on August 9, 1974. According to the process of presidential succession, Vice President Gerald R. Ford was immediately sworn in as the 38th President of the United States.  Ã‚   In a live, nationally televised speech from the East Room of the White House, Ford stated, I am acutely aware that you have not elected me as your president by your ballots, and so I ask you to confirm me as your president with your prayers.   President Ford went on to add, My fellow Americans, our long national nightmare is over. Our Constitution works; our great Republic is a government of laws and not of men. Here, the people rule. But there is a higher power, by whatever name we honor Him, who ordains not only righteousness but love, not only justice but mercy. Let us restore the golden rule to our political process, and let brotherly love purge our hearts of suspicion and hate.   When the dust had settled, Fords prediction to Betty had come true. The couple moved into the White House without ever living in the vice presidents house.   As one of his first official acts, President Ford exercised Section 2 of the 25th Amendment and nominated Nelson A. Rockefeller of New York to be vice president. On August 20, 1974, both Houses of Congress voted to confirm the nomination and Mr. Rockefeller took the oath of office December 19, 1974.   Ford Pardons Nixon On September 8, 1974, President Ford granted former President Nixon a full and unconditional presidential pardon absolving him of any crimes he might have committed against the United States while president. In a nationally televised TV broadcast, Ford explained his reasons for granting the controversial pardon, stating that the Watergate situation had become â€Å"a tragedy in which we all have played a part. It could go on and on and on, or someone must write the end to it. I have concluded that only I can do that, and if I can, I must.† About the 25th Amendment Had it happened prior to the ratification of the 25th Amendment on Februayr 10, 1967, the resignations of Vice President Agnew and then President Nixon would have almost certainly triggered a monumental constitutional crisis.The 25th Amendment  superseded the wording of Article II, Section 1, Clause 6 of the Constitution, which failed to clearly state that the vice president becomes president if the president dies, resigns, or otherwise becomes incapacitated and unable to perform the duties of the office. It also specified the current method and order of presidential succession. Prior to the 25th Amendment, there had been incidents when the president was incapacitated. For example, when President Woodrow Wilson suffered a debilitating stroke on October 2, 1919, he was not replaced in office, as First Lady Edith Wilson, along with the White House Physician, Cary T. Grayson, covered up the extent of President Wilsons disability.  For the next 17 months, Edith Wilson actually carried out many presidential duties.   On 16 occasions, the nation had gone without a vice president because of the vice president had died or had become president through succession. For example, there was no vice president for almost four years after the assassination of Abraham Lincoln. The assassination of President John F. Kennedy on November 22, 1963, prompted Congress to push for a constitutional amendment. Early, erroneous reports that Vice President Lyndon Johnson had also been shot created several chaotic hours in the federal government. Happing so soon after the Cuban Missile Crisis and with Cold War tensions still at a fever pitch, the Kennedy assassination forced Congress to come up with a specific method of determining presidential succession. New President Johnson experienced several health issues, and the next two officials in line for the presidency were 71-year-old Speaker of the House John Cormack and 86-year-old Senate President Pro Tempore Carl Hayden. Within three months of Kennedys death, the House and Senate passed a joint resolution that would be submitted to the states as the 25th Amendment. On February 10, 1967, Minnesota and Nebraska became the 37th and 38th states to ratify the amendment, making it the law of the land.