Category: Uncategorized

Topic: Abelard and Heloise’s Differing Opinions of Love, Sex and Sin

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Heloise and Abelard’s love story has received critics and it has generated to be a topic of research to settle some of the doubt and disbeliefs to rest. Letters and texts have been placed under scrutiny as many had differing opinions of the actual writer of the letters sent to Abelard as they addressed the stance on marriage and free love, (Classen, 2003). From their son’s point of view, the historical novels revels the importance of the bond of love that exists between the husband and wife as well as the importance of the same bond between the parents and children. As well in the society marriage should not be kept as a secret from the family members, this is to say that love is not a secret as the punishment to Abelard for doing this was his castration.

Abelard’s life is full of love for both God and his wife as he dedicated his inner life to them. He had serious faith in Christ as well as an ardent love for his wife. On the other hand, keeping this love a secret and hence the marriage was also a secret was not acceptable to Abelard’s father and the fatherly infernally poisonous jealousy lead to the forceful castration of Abelard. Heloise’s love is so intense and described as the love that would lead to worshipping a lover and as she is sent to a convent, she resorts to letter writing to her lover.

Astrolabe, Abelard’s son is seen as the distant link between him and Heloise as he admires his intellectual similarities while also failing to full recognize him as his son though this trinity is connected through secrecy and profound love. Heloise is imprisoned in a convent out of her own free will and though Abelard’s love and passion is almost nil he takes a mistress to fulfill his experience passion and sexual love. This imprisonment can be attributed to the actions of Abelard’s action of making her pregnant before marriage and the son really questions her mother’s intention in being a nun in the true power and extent of love, and the meaning of love. The son could not understand the love Heloise had for Abelard, so intense to have blinded her not to see his shortcomings such as his cantankerousness, his megalomania, his vanity, his ingratitude and arrogance. At one time, blasphemy could have led to her expulsion from convent for her absolute love for Abelard is said to have exceeded the utmost possible for a human being, such love viewed to exceed love for God. She loved wholeheartedly and Classen (2003) describes as love with body and soul, in complete devotion as he thinks that it is only a woman who loves like that. This loves is for themselves only as they seem not to have much live for their child as Astrolabe even dreams of killing his father not out of hate but out of love, wild jealous love for the parents.

According to Porter, (2000), Aberlards definition of sin is nothing other than to hold the creator in contempt, not to do for his sake what should be done for his sake or rather nit go forego for his sake that which we believe should be foregone. His understanding is reacting against the view of the early medieval penitential, which understood sin in terms of wrong doing without much regard for the agent’s motives or intentions, (Leclercq, 1973). At his time, 12th century, he was not the only one with this different view and the period can be described to have had widespread uncertainty about sin and penance though these issues were of practical concern to the society. Critically evaluating his understanding reveals that his case for sin is the fault of the soul which is rendered guilt before God as the desire to perform a sinful act itself cannot be considered as sin. His stance on moral accountability has implications for moral accountability, the legitimacy of punishment and the practice of penance are based on the consent of the soul through which the creator is held in contempt. Desire, just the desire for pleasure rather than engaging in the sinful pleasure cannot be regarded as sin as no bad or good has already taken place, it’s just a will.

Abelard’s writing on sin is rather an intervention on debates, rather than a challenge to the generally accepted views but at the same time represents a break with one strand of eleventh and twelfth century reflections on these matters, namely, the stage theory of sin. His view is grounded in something interior to the act a person does that will be considered sin which is an attempt to determine the initial intention within a person who commits sin. He insist that sin can only be considered sin if it stems from a person’s internal conscience and his sinful intentions in carrying out an act of sin as moral guilt depends on the inner state of the agent. An individual’s moral responsibility is a conviction that has long been part of the Christian moral traditions and was given new saliency by reform movements back in the twelfth century. In this, Abelard’s moral theory is sometimes characterized as a philosophical, rather than a theological, ethic principle as he insists on the importance of one’s inward state are scriptural and theological rather than strictly philosophical and this is informed by a complex set of practices and judgments stemming ultimately from the New Testament emphasis on inwardness. His views seems to assert that the human person is dammed on account of those things that are in the heart, rather than those which are apparent in actions, as the Lord judges the soul to be polluted by those things that are joined to it as the spiritual stains on the soul, just as bodily matters are stains in bodies, (Porter, 2000). The things that comes from the mouth stains a person since what comes from the mouth has come from the heart’s evil thoughts such as murders, adulteries, fornications, theft, false testimonies and blasphemy (Laclede, 1973).

On the other hand, his thoughts on sexual relations are attributed to the knowledge an individual has to the subject which includes adultery and incest. On the subject of incest, having sexual relations with a relative will be considered sin of the person has the full knowledge that he or she is engaging in relations with a relative. Abelard says that an individual will only be guilty if incest if he has sexual relations with his sister knowing very well that the woman he is engaging in is his sister. Other examples that he gives to emphasis his ideology are simply involuntary such as the putative act of a woman who is raped by someone else’s husband, the man who has sex with a woman in the mistaken belief that it is his wife, the judge who condemns an innocent man in error and the man who marries his sister in ignorance of her relation to him. All the above acts from Aberlards understanding are not sinful because the agent does not consent to it considered precisely as contempt for God either because the agent does not consent to the act at all, in the case of the woman who is raped, or because he does not know crucial features of the situation, in the virtue of which the act would be sinful if it were done knowingly in each of the other cases mentioned. The difference here attributed to sin is the critical discrepancy between what the agent consents to do and what she or he actually does. Acts that are of good intention are morally good though at times may be considered otherwise morally wrong when performed in full awareness of the features in the virtue of which it is wrong. Further, there are other actions that are morally anomalous by reason of exceptional circumstances or special features of the motives or the situation of the agent but this is not to limit the scope of the moral values that have been in practice for far too long. The delights of eating and sexual pleasure are necessarily concomitants of the acts themselves and if these acts were sinful, we would be forced to sin every time we are engaged in these activities which are essential to the preservation of individual and corporate life, (Porter, 2000).

References

Classen, A,. (2003). Abelard and Heloise’s Love Story from the Perspective of their Son

Astrolabe: Louise Rinse’s Novel “Abelard’s Love”. Rocky Mountain Modern Language

Association.

Laclede, J., (1973). Modern Psychology and the Interpretation of Medieval Texts. Medieval

Academy of America. 48(3), p. 476-490

Porter, J., (2000). Responsibility, Passion and Sin: A reassessment of Abelard’s Ethics. The

Journal of Religious Ethics.

ABERDEEN ASSET MANAGEMENT PLC ENTRY IN SOUTH AFRICAN MARKET

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Aberdeen Asset Management PLC Entry in South African Market

Strategy Development

A market entry strategy and strategic development is a method designed by a company to deliver or distribute goods or services into a new target market. In the case of exporting or importing goods and services, it refers to managing and establishing contracts in a foreign nation. Many organizations operate successfully in a niche market environment without the need to expand to new markets. Some organizations achieve increased brand awareness, sales, and business stability by making new entries into new markets. To develop an effective market entry strategy for Aberdeen Asset Management PLC into the market of South Africa, which is very competitive, an evaluation of possible customers and potential competitors is advised (Lymbersky, 2008, 90-1). Some of the major factors to put into consideration by the company when deciding on the viability of the entry strategy include the price localization, competition, localized knowledge, trade barriers, and export subsidies. According to Kusuoka and Maruyama (2010, 112-3), the decision of whether to enter or when to enter a South African market will majorly depend on the company’s financial resources and the nature of the product it produces. There are several strategies adopted by different companies depending on the favorable strategy and financial ability. However, the most common entry strategies adopted by most companies and also relevant for Aberdeen Asset Management PLC include: Directly exporting products, sales outsourcing, indirectly exporting products using middlemen, and producing goods in the target market. Other entry strategies include licensing, franchising, exporting, joint ventures, Greenfield project, alliances, and wholly owned subsidiaries (Lymbersky, 2008, 98).

Among the entry strategies listed above, the simplest and most relevant for the company is the aspect of exporting, which involves the use of either indirect method such as countertrade, or direct method such as the use of an agent. Other complex forms, which involve global operations may include: Export processing zones or joint ventures. Kusuoka and Maruyama (2010, 78-9) assert that when a company has settled on a decision to enter into a new market, there are so many options open to it. The options will in most cases vary in the risks involved, costs likely to be incurred, and to what level the company can exercise control over such options. After the company has decided on the entry strategy to adopt, there is a need to decide on specific channels to adopt. Most agricultural products of a commodity nature or raw materials normally make use of distributors, agents, or involve the government, while processed materials majorly rely on sophisticated forms of accessibility. Since the company is interested in entering the South African market, it will most likely be faced with three major issues. The first issue is marketing, which describes how the country and its segments can manage, co-ordinate, and implements marketing effort. The aspect of marketing also describes how to enter the market; directly or with intermediaries, and with what kind of information. The second issue is sourcing, which describes whether or not to obtain products, to buy, or make the goods. The last issue in this aspect is control and investment, which entails joint venture, acquisition, and global partner. It involves the company deciding on how far it wishes to control and direct its own fate. The degree of attitude, risk involved, and the capability to achieve goals and objectives in the targeted markets are some vital facts on deciding whether to offer a joint venture or to license.

The decisions made on the issue of marketing majorly focus on value chain. The entry alternatives or the strategies adopted by the company must make sure that the required value chain processes are integrated and performed. When making decisions or forming strategies to enter South African market environment, there is need for the company to pay detailed attention to the country’s domestic marketing. In addition, for the company to successfully penetrate the competitive market of South Africa and rise above other companies in the same industry, it should have the ability to adopt multiple and unique strategies in order to ensure a successful penetration (Keillor & Wilkinson, 2011). Other strategies include adopting a technical innovation, which involves the production of goods that are superior to other products in the target market. The next aspect is the product adaptation strategy, which involves modification of the existing products to fit into the requirements of South African market. This would ensure that the products of the company do not appear irrelevant to its target customers.

Implementation

Extended marketing operations involve a marketing mix or business tools used by marketers in marketing. The marketing mix is very significant in determining the brand or the product’s offer and associated with four P’s that include product, price, place, and promotion. This concept majorly focuses on placing the right good in the right location, at the correct price, and at the right time. It involves creating a product required by a particular group of individuals and placing the product at a place that is regularly visited by those same people (Grünig & Morschett, 2012, 97). The product should also display prices that match the value attached to the product by such individuals; this should be done at a time when the individuals are willing to buy the good. However, company needs to carry out a lot of research to find out what the target customers really want and locating the places they do their shopping within the South African market. Aberdeen Asset Management PLC needs to figure out the methods involved in producing its product at a price representing the market value of the product in the view of the target customer, and at a critical and relevant time. The elements go hand in hand in their operation and getting one element wrong can spell disaster and thus failure for the company (Grunig & Morschett, 2012, 102-3).

Looking at the first element (product), it should be noted that a company can only sell what is specifically required by the consumer. This implies that the company’s marketers should be able to study and understand the needs and wants of the customers and be able to attract them with a product that they are willing to purchase. The marketer needs to tell what the customer needs from the product or service and how the product satisfies the target customer. The marketer should also be able to determine the usage of the product and how the product should be differentiated to counter the products of its competitors within the South African market. The second element in this aspect is “price,” which reflects the product’s total cost of ownership. Issues that significantly influence price are consumer’s cost to change or the cost incurred in implementing the new product. It also involves the consumer’s cost of not choosing the product produced by a competitor. The marketer must be in a position to establish whether the customer is price sensitive and how the company’s price will compare with that of its competitor (Capass & Bakstein, 2012, 89).

The next element is “promotion,” which involves manipulatively talking to the target customers with the aim of making them purchase the company’s product. Promotion can take the form of advertising, viral advertising, personal selling, public relations, and any other forms of communication taking place between the consumer and the company. A marketer should be able to know how the company’s competitors carry out their promotions and how they are likely to influence the company’s promotional activities. The next element is “place,” which describes where the product can be gotten by the customer. With the rising use of internet, credit cards, catalogs, and mobile phones, people see no need of moving to any place in order to satisfy their needs or wants. This requires the company to study and know the level of technology in South Africa to be able to know how to approach the target customers. However, South Africa is a developed country and its citizens heavily use new forms of technology, thereby calling for the need of the company to adopt such forms of technology. A marketer should be able to determine how the target customers prefer to purchase and how to access them in order to provide a convenience to buy. With the rise of hybrid models of purchasing and the internet, “place” is slowly becoming irrelevant. According to Capasso and Bakstein (2012, 96-7), the concept of convenience and place strives to focus on the ease of finding a product, buying the product, and accessing relevant information concerning the product.

The marketing mix model adopted by the company while deciding how to take a new product into a new a market is fundamental. This model can equally be applied in testing the company’s existing marketing strategies and determine their relevance to the market environment in South Africa. According to Barnhart and Smith (2012, 112-3), regardless of whether the company is considering an existing offer or a new one, there are definite steps that should be followed purposely to define and promote the company’s marketing mix. Firstly, product or service under consideration should be identified. The second step is to analyze and answer the questions on the 4 P’s as discussed above, and the third step is to try to ask “what if” and “why” kind of questions to try to challenge the offer. For instance, seeking answers to questions as ‘what would happen if the price were dropped by 5%?’ The last step in this aspect is to try “testing” the whole offer once a well-defined marketing mix has been put in place. This can be based on asking consumer based questions, such as if the mix meets customer needs and whether the price charged for the product is favorable for them (Barnhart & Smith, 2012, 88-9).

The other “P”s strategies include process, people, and physical evidence, adding up to what is commonly referred to as the “7 P’s of marketing”. Looking at the first “P”, which is “people”, it refers to the right kind of people that the company should have in order to support its products and services. According to Barnhart and Smith (2012, 88-9), the company needs to have trained customer service personnel who are able to offer clearly defined expectations such as average response time and hours of operation. This is very important for the company to maintain its customer satisfaction and understand how people behave in the South African market environment. The next “P” is the aspect of “process”, which involves the solid policies and procedures put in place within the company. It relates to the company’s services and products that help in achieving the company’s marketing strategies. Customers normally want to understand more than just the company’s products but also need to know the form and the shape that the company would take it the process of operation. The last “P” in this aspect is “physical evidence or packaging”, which refers to the way the company’s service, product, or anything related to the company, appears on the outside. Aberdeen Asset Management PLC must make decisions concerning shape, size, material, color, packaging label, and UPC bar code. This should be updated or upgraded at any time upon carrying out a test with the customers. Packaging involves practical setup, visual layout, and precise and clear installation instructions (Barnhart & Smith, 2012, 88-9).

Critical Reflection

In order to achieve the objectives of designing new market strategies discussed above, there is a need for the company to employ superior marketing strategies. By positioning the brand or product correctly, the product will most likely become successful in the market better than the competitor’s products. Even with the best form of strategies, it is necessary for marketers to properly execute their programs in order to achieve extraordinary results. The marketing strategy adopted by Aberdeen Asset Management PLC should also be creative in order to improve the marketing results within the South African market. The marketing plan may not likely succeed if there is no marketing execution on the models adopted. Improving how the company enters into the new market can significantly enable it achieve great results without having to change their strategies altogether. At marketing mix level, the company can make improvements on their execution by making little changes. Such small changes can be made without having to make changes on the strategic position (Backman, 2004, 56-7). At program level, the company can improve its performance by executing and managing its marketing campaigns in a better way.

It is normally believed that adopting a consistent marketing creative strategy across different media (such as Radio, TV, Print and Online), can enhance and amplify the marketing campaign effort. The company can improve its effectiveness in the marketing programs by improving direct mail or editing the contents of the website in order to improve on organic search results. There is also an aspect of marketing infrastructure or the marketing management, which involves improving the marketing business. It should be noted that management of budgeting, motivation, agencies, and co-ordination of marketing practices can result in improved results and improved competitiveness. In the view of Backman (2004, 102), the business results and accountability for brand leadership is normally determined by the effectiveness of brand management. Some key factors that are fundamental and should be taken into account are the exogenous factors, which often determine how companies are able to improve their results. Taking advantage of interests, seasonality, or regulatory environment will enable Aberdeen Asset Management PLC design methods of improving their marketing effectiveness within the South African market, which is very competitive and dynamic.

References

Backman, M., 2004. The Asian Insider: Unconventional Wisdom for Asian Business. New York: Palgrave Macmillan.

Barnhart, C., & Smith, B., 2012. Quantitative problem solving methods in the airline industry: A modeling methodology handbook. New York: Springer.

Capasso, V., & Bakstein, D., 2012. An introduction to continuous-time stochastic processes: Theory, models, and applications to finance, biology, and medicine. Boston: Birkhauser.

Dony, A. G. C., 1999. Market entry strategies for the PR China: An empirical study on the beer and soft drink industry. Wiesbaden: Deutscher Universitäts-Verlag.

Frey, R. S., 2012. Successful proposal strategies for small businesses: Using knowledge management to win government, private-sector, and international contacts. Boston: Artech House.

Grünig, R., & Morschett, D., 2012. Developing international strategies: Going and being international for medium-sized companies. Dordrecht: Springer.

Haak, U. M., & Haak, R., 2008. Market entry in Japan: Theory and management in a turbulent era. Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan.

Jorgensen, D. B, 1997. Market entry strategies for Japan: A strategic analysis for an agri-food company.

Keillor, B. D., & Wilkinson, T. J, 2011. International business in the 21st century. Santa Barbara, Calif: Praeger.

Kleinemaß, M., 2007. International Business: Foreign market entry principles. München: GRIN Verlag GmbH.

Klug, M., 2006. Market entry strategies in Eastern Europe in the context of the European Union: An empirical research into German firms entering the Polish market. Wiesbaden: Deutscher Universitäts-Verlag.

Kusuoka, S., & Maruyama, T., 2010. Advances in mathematical economics. Tokyo, Japan: Springer Japan.

Lymbersky, C., 2008. Market entry strategies: Text, cases and readings in market entry management. Hamburg: Management Laboratory Press.

Maiwald, S., 2010. The Entrance in Foreign Markets, in the Field of Biotechnology and the Consideration of Socio-Cultural Particularities: Using the example of SeaLife Pharma. München: GRIN Verlag.

Morschett, D., Schramm-Klein, H., & Zentes, J., 2009. Strategic international management: Text and cases. Wiesbaden: Gabler.

Root, F. R., 1998. Entry strategies for international markets. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.

Sahlman, W. A., & Microsoft Corporation. , 2002. Financial analysis of Microsoft. Boston, MA: Harvard Business School Publishing.

Tielmann, V., 2010. Market Entry Strategies: International Marketing Management. München: GRIN Verlag GmbH.

Vetten, R., & Erasmus Universiteit. , 2007. Market entry strategies for automotive manufacturers in international markets: Illustrated through Mercedes-Benz Vans in India. Rotterdam: Erasmus Universiteit.

Yan, G.-X., & Kowey, P. R., 2002. Management of cardiac arrhythmias. New York, NY: Humana Press.

Zentes, J., Morschett, D., & Schramm-Klein, H., 2011. Strategic retail management: Text and international cases. Wiesbaden: Gabler.

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The Third Jihad Commentary

Produced by Raphael Shore, ‘The Third Jihad’ is a documentary about the threat of Islam to the national security of the United States. The documentary was funded by the Clarion Project, an organization widely identified as anti-Muslim. The country is all too aware of the danger of terrorism, the worst of which happened on September 11th, 2001. The events of the fateful day are etched on the memories of all Americans. The documentary takes advantage of the emotions of 9/11 to come up with a new theory of cultural jihadists over radical Islamists. It proposes that the primary threat to national security is a new form of deception by radical Muslims disguised as mainstream Muslim leaders preaching peace and unity. The producer explains that by screening the documentary, we will be keeping the memory of 9/11 alive while preventing similar tragedies in the future.

The documentary makes several shocking claims. One of these is a statement by a Muslim interviewee saying, “Islam will dominate; that’s what it will be.” This statement shows that this is a belief that is entrenched among many Muslims all over the West. Many Muslim leaders are also shown in the film echoing similar claims towards an Islamic republic by 2015. The film’s whole theory is that Muslims want to turn the United States into an Islamic Republic. Abu Yahya al-Libi, an Al-Queda leader, is shown in the film preaching that Islam must dominate the whole world.

The film contains interviews with some reputable people including former New York City mayor, Randy Giuliani. He gives his recollection of events after 9/11, terming it as a time when the American spirit showed high resilience. He explains that, “As we move further away from that day, there are going to be people who don’t want to see the threat as clearly…” this statement shows that he too believes that there is a group of people within the United States working to undermine the safety and peace of the country. According to him, the whole Islamist movement hates the way of life and culture of the American people, and they are working towards destroying it.

The documentary also cites a secret document unearthed by the Federal Bureau of Investigations, outlining the plan of Jihadists to eliminate Western civilizations. The film contains many images of terror-related incidents, the most provoking of which is the aftermath of the 9/11 bombing of the World Trade Center. Such images are meant to stimulate the viewers by showing how much death and destruction have been caused by Muslims. The attack was masterminded by the Al-Qaeda, a radical terrorist group led by Osama bin Laden.

The controversial documentary is designed to evoke feelings of fear and paranoia from its viewers and audiences. The people interviewed in the film feed into this narrative by giving their opinions and thoughts, most of which have no factual basis. The existence of cultural jihadists intending to take over the West using the tactic of deception in itself is highly radical.

Works Cited

Clarion Project. “The Third Jihad” YouTube. Uploaded on 18 Aug 2009. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8-aVkiLIWSs

Break in the Staffroom

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The third-period break bell chimes and all the students bang their locker doors and rush out to the school fields. They seemed unbothered with the weak state of their twenty-year-old lockers and the likelihood of it falling apart just by a bang. Girls in their red shirts beneath their purple tunics grouped themselves around the school swings. On the other end, boys run towards the football field with their purple knee-length shorts and red t-shirts. Students on the unmowed playing field look so colourful from the headmistress office window. This is how Headmistress Winger monitored her students in the field. One could see how unimpressed she looked. According to her, the break was unnecessary since only one period would follow, then students break for lunch. Winger stood right beside the window, with a cup of hot chamomile tea in her hands freshly prepared by the school caterer. She peeped through the broken glass on one of her window panels, ad stared at the students as they played.

On the playing ground, girls ran around chasing each other, blindfolded with their navy-blue sweaters in an attempt to make as many contacts as possible. Some group of much older fifth-graders stood at the spectator side of the pitch, termed the 'cool corner.' They enjoyed watching the boys admire them. The school termed them the pretty girls, and they were untouchable. Not even the school could touch a strand of their hair. Word spread around the faded blue walls of the school that their parents made up the school committee and were donors to major school projects. Boys admired them and fantasized about them. All the girls in school wanted to be like them.

Meanwhile, Paco swung the brown, old wooden staffroom door and fled in with a one-metre ruler, a whiteboard pen, and a math textbook. He dropped them at his untidy disorganized table and sank into his seat. Me. MrPaco put on his old black-framed glasses and started browsing through his outdated dial phone. Hardly had he settled down when Mrs., Floddle walked in majestically in her red ankle-length dress and black three-inch heels. As she walked in, she seemed so proud of herself. It was as clear as day that she was fishing for compliments. All the male teachers in the staffroom stared at her, and she loved the attention. She had finished her English lesson with her fifth-grade students.

"I don't understand my students anymore. They hardly try to show commitment in their work! Look at this assignment I gave them yesterday" She leaned towards Mr. Paco as their desks were right next to each other. Paco burst into laughter as soon as he saw the student's composition Mrs. Floddle was holding in her hand. It's like he understood that laughter is the best medicine and is contagious for sure. His laughter drew the attention of other teachers in the staffroom. They all rushed to her white, quite organized table and tried to find the amusement behind the paper. "You need to use a different approach Mrs Floddle. Your students don't take you seriously, " Ogler, the science teacher, commented as he tapped the floor with his crocodile-looking sharp-shooters and walked towards his desk. His desk was next to the staff room door hence the nickname 'Usher' by his colleagues.

The staffroom looked as busy as a beehive. The tea flask, together with the bread tray, made rounds on the teacher's desks. Teachers were conversing, mocking students they termed as stubborn while laughing sarcastically and loudly. The wooden board was congested with all sorts of papers. The unevenly painted wall was full of writings and peeled brown wallpapers that looked like they had been installed long before civilization was invented. They didn't seem to care. On the higher walls, the names of best-performing students hang on a plank of brown wall-mounted wood. On it was the sign, ‘Best Behavior Students In school.’ Below the heading was ten vague names engraved with what looked like a screwdriver.

Felicity stepped into the staffroom with her as white as a snow lab coat and a pile of books in her left hand. She looked like she’d been hit by a bus. "I could use a cup of tea, my fellow teachers!" she claimed. Mrs Felicity sat at her almost falling desk and requested Paco to pass her a cup. The look on her face was priceless when she realized the teachers had drunk all the tea. Her sunken eyes got teary. Lucky enough, the staffroom window was very high such that students would not witness their teachers cry or scramble for food like uncivilized human beings. Teachers talked about sex and their love for marijuana based on the 'High Road Valley' show, aired on cable. They didn't care for the information they were exposing their students to.

At the end of break time the bell rang, the facial expression on their faces screamed disappointment. "They should give us ten more minutes! I barely touched my bread!" Felicity cursed. Each teacher drowned in their lesson plans as they prepared for the next period. On the other hand, students moved like a swarm of bees into their various classes to avoid punishment from the teacher on duty. In did time was a thief, and It was just another day at Stonecold Elementary school.



Quality Improvement

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ABIGAIL HOUSE FOR NURSING & REHABILITATION LLC

1105 -1115 LINDEN STREET

CAMDEN, NJ 08101

(856) 365-8500

The overall rating of the nursing home is much above average. The quality measures are also above average.

Percent of long-stay residents experiencing one or more falls with major injury.Lower percentages are better.

Abigail New Jersay National Ave

1.60% 2.50% 3.20%

Percent of long-stay residents with a urinary tract infection.Lower percentages are better.

.

Abigail New Jersay National Ave

3.40% 5.70% 6.60%

Percent of long-stay residents who self-report moderate to severe pain.Lower percentages are better

Abigail New Jersay National Ave

1.50% 4.70% 8.70%

ABINGDON CARE & REHABILITATION CENTER

303 ROCK AVE

GREEN BROOK, NJ 08812

(732) 968-5500

Percent of long-stay residents experiencing one or more falls with major injury.Lower percentages are better.

Abingdon New Jersay National Ave

2.60% 2.50% 3.20%

Percent of long-stay residents with a urinary tract infection.Lower percentages are better.

Abingdon New Jersay National Ave

3.60% 5.70% 6.60%

Percent of long-stay residents who self-report moderate to severe pain.Lower percentages are better

Abingdon New Jersay National Ave

7.80% 4.70% 8.70%

ABSECON MANOR NURS/REHAB CNTR

1020 PITNEY ROAD

ABSECON, NJ 08201

(609) 646-5400

Percent of long-stay residents experiencing one or more falls with major injury.Lower percentages are better.

Absecon New Jersay National Ave

2.40% 2.50% 3.20%

Percent of long-stay residents with a urinary tract infection.Lower percentages are better.

Absecon New Jersay National Ave

14.20% 5.70% 6.60%

Percent of long-stay residents who self-report moderate to severe pain.Lower percentages are better

Absecon New Jersay National Ave

4.50% 4.70% 8.70%

ADVANCED CARE CENTER AT LAKEVIEW

130 TERHUNE DRIVE

WAYNE, NJ 0747

Percent of long-stay residents experiencing one or more falls with major injury.Lower percentages are better.

Adv. Care New Jersay National Ave

1.30% 2.50% 3.20%

Percent of long-stay residents with a urinary tract infection.Lower percentages are better.

Adv. Care New Jersay National Ave

1.30% 5.70% 6.60%

Percent of long-stay residents who self-report moderate to severe pain.Lower percentages are better

Adv. Care New Jersay National Ave

0% 4.70% 8.70%

ACTORS FUND HOME, THE

175 WEST HUDSON AVE

ENGLEWOOD, NJ 07631

(201) 871-8882

Percent of long-stay residents experiencing one or more falls with major injury.Lower percentages are better.

Actors New Jersay National Ave

1.30% 2.50% 3.20%

Percent of long-stay residents who self-report moderate to severe pain.Lower percentages are better

Actors New Jersay National Ave

1.30% 5.70% 6.60%

Percent of long-stay residents with a urinary tract infection.Lower percentages are better.

Actors New Jersay National Ave

0% 4.70% 8.70%

Select one (1) measure regarding staffing, prepare a similar graphs

Abigail

Abingdon

Absecon

Adv. Care

Actors

Rank your selected facilities in order of the best quality to worst quality. Take into consideration those items reviewed above, in addition to the other 16 quality measures that are reported. Which selected Nursing Home would you send your relative to?

The Actors Home Fund ranks as the best in quality facilities given that it registers no percentages in some of the service deficiencies. This therefore means that the home observes informed consent refers to the legal rules which guide the relationship between physicians and patients as the former provides a service to the latter. The rules outline the course of action when a physician acts in a manner that is inconsistent with expected behavior. Informed consent principles exist to safeguard the patient’s fundamental right; freely and independently make a choice on the medical treatment they want. The physicians, on the other hand, have an obligation of fully informing the patient of all possible treatment options and the consequences of taking each of them.

Health care facilities that have physicians and medical practitioners who are competent and provide qualified services and advise to the customers are likely to attract more clients. Patients ought to be treated with dignity so as to ensure that they attain the highest level of medical attention and that they are well served to meet their varying needs. The fact that access to health care is a basic or fundamental human right; this has an implication that facilities will only be ranked as effective if they serve patients inclusively irrespective of their social and economic backgrounds.

Self determination is a term used to re-affirm the right to informed consent. It seeks to mainly to protect patient who at times are not aware of their rights and are often victims of choices made by others. Self-determination seeks to ensure that patients receive adequate information that will aid in sound judgment of the treatment choices available. Patients in hospitals ought to be encouraged to be self-determined as many psychologists have conducted studies and stated that the medical conditions that people suffer from take diverse periods to be completely healed depending on the mindset of the patient and the environment within which they receive the medication. This assertion has an implication that doctors, nurses and other healthcare practitioners ought to be on the forefront of promoting self-determination among patients by ensuring that they are informed on their progress to recover and encouraged to have a positive attitude in life so as to heal quickly; this will not only shorten their stay at the hospital but also reduce the medical expenses.

The right to informed consent and self determination can be waived depending on several circumstances. Emergency will automatically necessitate that the above rights to be disregarded. Emergency treatment could emanate from different circumstances. Stabilizing a patient in the intensive care unit is an emergency which do not require the patient’s consent. Physicians ought to observe professional ethics so as not to abuse this privilege. The right to informed consent will also not be upheld if a patient who is suffering from a life threatening condition rejects treatment. Patients who are suffering from terminal or severe chronic illness may also be denied the above rights. Such patients are exposed to painful and traumatizing treatments, which any human, would fear. The waiver exception also denies patients the right to informed consent and self determination. It arises where the patient freely consents the physician to act on what he/she deems to be the best course of action during treatment. This exception is perhaps the least controversial. Doctors have to defend their professional judgment and not their failure to involve the patient in their decisions.

The final exception to the discussed patient’s rights is the therapeutic privilege. It refers to instances whereby total disclosure of information by the physician might critically impair the decision making process of the patient. A patient who suffers from heart-attack may also be diagnosed with a terminal illness; the physician may withhold information from the patient since disclosure could lead to a heart attack which might even kill the patient. The exception, however, attracts controversy as doctors purely rely on their expertise to make the decision. Patients at times do not comprehend the amount of damage that revelation of their medical condition can cause. Physicians and medical practitioners have to observe ethics as they exercise the three privileges since aggrieved patients can sue.

Resuscitation refers to the emergency treatment that is administered to patients suffering from cardiac arrest. Physicians treating such a patient may issue instructions against the emergency treatment referred to as the DNR orders. Such decisions are at times based on the patient’s wishes; they can be communicated by a will or a relative of the patient mandated to make such a decision. DNR orders, when executed, end the patient’s life; hence, physicians must present satisfactory evidence that support their action. I would therefore send my relative to Actors Home Fund.

The worst home is Absecon. The place is characterized by high percentages of accidents which occur at the place. A place that has a negative reputation such as Absecon is likely to lose customers/clients since there is a likelihood of patients not receiving adequate and effective medical attention leading to higher mortality rates, longer stays in hospitals, and thus increased medical expenses on the part of the patients and their families. Based on the information presented in this paper, there are various issues that have emerged, among them quality of health care facilities and how medical practitioners play an integral role in ensuring the recovery of the patients. Governenments or health care regulatory agencies ought to set guidelines on how various treatment procedures ought to be undertaken as well as inform the public of their rights regarding health care provision and ensure that their needs are met.

References

Medicare.gov, Nursing Home Compare. 2013. Web. December 22 2013. http://www.medicare.gov/nursinghomecompare/profile.html#profTab=0&ID=315267&state=NJ&lat=0&lng=0

Case Study

(Author’s name)

(Institutional Affiliation)

Current Performance

To understand the activities this case study is about to undertake, one needs to have a clear understanding of the student under evaluation, as well as, the methods and procedures for assisting this student in dealing with his problem. Throughout the study, the student in question shall be referred to as X, as a way of hiding their true identity.

Abilities and Support Needs

The student under study is an 8-year-old female who is currently suffering from dyslexia. She attends a public school and because of her ailment, is forced to spend 50% of her school day in self-containment. Her teachers have decided to put her under self-containment because she is a slow learner, and for that reason, cannot study in the same classroom as her fellow classmates. As her teachers explain, she has a developmental reading disorder that affects the normal learning process for her. This disorder has affected the student so much that she has developed additional behavioral problems, to her inability to progress in her education (Bradford, 2009). Her performance has been stagnant from her first exposure to learning, illustrating that she is not meeting her educational goals as expected.

Past Experiences

Based on the information provided by her teachers and educators, we are made to understand that her problem was first recognized in her first class, and she could not engage in simple learning activities like her fellow students. She has a problem with reading, and has trouble recognizing written words. She also has trouble engaging in simple rhyming activities that are part of the learning process for children her age, and cannot make meaning and ideas of simple sentences. This has, in turn, affected her overall learning experience and outcome, especially in language and linguistics.

IEP Appropriateness

Having established that student X is a special needs student, there is need to develop an individualized education program (IEP) to assist this student in achieving their educational goals. Because student X suffers from dyslexia, the IEP will facilitate the attainment of the student’s educational goals much faster than she otherwise could.

Goals and Objectives

The goals and objectives of this IEP case include:

To ensure that student X meets her educational goals by the end of the year. This will be evaluated through the performance of other students in her class.

To dissuade the behavioral problems that student X experiences and improve the social skills of student X.

To ensure an improvement of perpetual skills in student X, allowing the student to read and understand what she is taught in class.

To train Student X’s educator on the different instructional methods that they can use to help student X attain her educational goals and objectives.

To restructure the regular class curriculum so that it accommodates student X, allowing the student to mix with the others, hence building on her social skills.

Educational Standards

The goals and objectives of this IEP are also aimed at improving the educational standards of the school where student X studies (Bradford, 2009). The relation between the goals and the standards is both theoretical and practical. Theoretically, the goals and objectives will assist both the student and her educator in reaching their individual, set standards for education.

Environmental Demands

To, successfully, implement this IEP case, there are various environmental demands that need to be met, in relation to the classroom setting and the activities to be carried out during this process.

Classroom Arrangement

The classroom arrangement in any IEP case is very crucial for the success of the program. It is through a proper classroom arrangement, that the instructor can effectively, and efficiently, teach student X to ensure educational success. Student X needs to be placed in a classroom that is not too congested and not too spacious to distract the student during learning. Additionally, the arrangement will be in such a way that facilitates group-learning activities such as reading and spelling (Bradford, 2009). This will assist student X in improving their social skills, as well as, reduce her behavioral problems. She will also be allowed to seat at the front of the class so that her instructor always keeps an eye on her during lessons. Large alphabetical writings and other language writings will be hanged around the class so as to familiarize the student with the alphabet and decrease the possibility of memory loss in student X.

Activities Schedule

Because student X has a learning disability, the activities taking place will not be any different from the normal activities in the classroom. This is because, the aim here is to help X reach the same educational level as the rest of her classmate, and because we do not wish to slow the learning process of the rest of the students down. The main activities will include spelling tests, rhyming, reading, and writing (Bradford, 2009). Reading will be done both as group work and as an individual activity, the instructor will be part of these activities as he shall act as a guide for these activities.

Environmental Challenges

Because student X is a special needs student, there are a number of obvious challenges that she will face during this process. For example, she will need to adapt to being around others, as well as, reading out loud without feeling embarrassed.

Task and Instructional Demands

As mentioned earlier, the instructor will play a role in the activities that are scheduled to take place during the IEP plan. The instructor will guide student X all through the learning process so as to ensure that they both reach their educational goals.

Required Typical Tasks

Student X will be required to carry out a number of tasks such as verbal spelling, reading aloud, rhyming, writing, repeating after the teacher, and engaging other students in activities and games (Bradford, 2009).

Appropriateness of Tasks

These tasks are appropriate for the student, as they will assist her in overcoming her learning problem and disability. More specifically these tasks are aimed at assisting student X in comprehending words and their meanings especially in sentences (Bradford, 2009). This, in turn, improves her comprehension and awareness.

Student Directions

Directions will be given to student X in the most basic manner, i.e., the student will be asked to perform a particular activity as per the learning guideline. Avoiding complex instructions is necessary for communication purposes especially since student X suffers from dyslexia (Bradford, 2009). It will assist the educator to know whether student X understands what she is being directed to do.

Teaching Strategies

The three main teaching strategies that will be used for student X include remedial instruction, private tutoring, and the provision of special day classes (Bradford, 2009). This will assist in meeting the needs of the student as it will allow the student to meet their educational objectives with ease.

Functional Behavioral Assessment

Functional behavioral assessment (FBA) is a procedure that is carried out to determine the reasons behind a person’s behavior (Bradford, 2009). FBA is necessary when dealing with students with special needs but in this particular case it is not necessary as student X does not display major behavioral problems. She is shy and appears intimidated, and this prevents her from socializing with her fellow classmates. The focus of this study is to assist student X overcome her learning problem, thus an FBA is not required for student X.

Supports Modifications and Accommodations

For the program to take full effect, there is need for the provision of supports by the various parties included. Modifications also need to be made so as to come up with the best strategies, as well as the provision of accommodation for the various activities.

Functional Academics

To assess the curriculum presented to student X the student may need special assistance, which may be provided by her instructor, parents, or other outside parties. Student X will need psychological services, health services, recreational services, as well as, speech-language pathology services (Bradford, 2009).

Behavioral

The behavioral supports and modifications that student X will need are primarily based on increasing her self-esteem and giving her confidence in her educational and social activities.

Social Outcomes

Essentially the social outcomes expected from her education placement is that student X will become more social with her classmates. This will also allow her to improve on her learning so as to effectively socialize with her friends.

Program Evaluation

Having established the problems that need to be addressed when dealing with student X as a special needs child, there is need for a program evaluation to determine whether the program is appropriate for the child.

Evaluation Method

Placement will be evaluated according to the ability to meet the needs of student X accordingly. The program that managed to achieve this with minimal interference will be chosen as the best suited program for student X.

Responsible Parties

There will be specific duties during this program, which will be carried out by different people. These people include the instructor, Student X’s parents, as well as, the student’s therapist.

References

Bradford, J. (2009). Dyslexia Parents Resource: IEPs and the IDEA. Retrieved from:

http://www.dyslexia-parent.com/IDEA.html

STUDENT NAME:

INSTITUTIONAL AFFLIATION:

COURSE:

PROFESSORS NAME:

DATE:

THE THREAT OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE

Artificial intelligence which has long been dubbed by the initials (A.I) is a growing technology in the industry. This new form of development has proven to show both great potential and ability to become a groundbreaking technology may even more than the internet. However, this new technology despite sending promising new joyful moments has scientists and theoreticians doubtful and on the alert about the prowess of the machine.

The definition of A.I, in general, refers to machines that have been programmed, thereby trained on performing a task in the human environment. This can be seen in self-driving cars and robots in industries aiding in the processes. The term was not widely used until in 1956, at the Dartmouth College in Hanover, New Hampshire when it was founded CITATION Fut16 l 2057 (Future of Life).

So we ask ourselves is Artificial Intelligence important to us? We look around and realize the answer to this question. Artificial intelligence can help reduce a lot of human errors we face in our day to day activities. Basic computational being a simple example of how to effective this machine is. An artificially intelligent system is fast when it comes to the computation of arithmetic logic. What makes a human being an hour to do could take a machine a few minutes?

Furthermore, the Artificial Intelligence system can be beneficial when it comes to doing repetitive jobs. Automotive Industries have been known to use, robots to manufacture parts needed for their work. The output is usually very desirable and well done than physical human work. However, this may not be enough to clear Artificial Intelligence of its potential risks.

Theoreticians of Artificial intelligence have posed a question of risk that may be as a result of fully implementing Artificial Intelligence. In one example it can be noticed that the coming of Artificial Technology means that machines will replace the need for human labor. Automation in industries will mean many workers will be replaced as there will be no need for their support. Employers are more likely to rush to machines that do not tire, unlike Human beings, to maximize their profit margins. Life might be a little harder with no money to maintain ourselves.

Secondly, Artificial intelligence is programmed. This could be a security risk. Autonomous weapons may be utilized to kill. Thereby Artificial Intelligence could be enabling terrorism. This coupled with the ongoing tension between countries, and A.I war zones may erupt this might result in many casualties as a result. Humans, we may lose control in the process of the deadly fight as it might be difficult to power off the machines.

Artificial Intelligence is a very advanced technology. This kind of revolution can be used to make imitations of people and things. This can be used to spread propend and influence people to do vices. Crimes like killing may be exalted using this, in another instance, for example, a fake video of a president may be made to fool soldiers into going to war.

Finally, According to theoreticians, there is also the speculation that Artificial Intelligence systems may gain consciousness. This is however not entirely true. According to AI expert, this comes as a result of human beings not being able to effectively make the Artificial CITATION Jam13 l 2057 (Barrat)Intelligence systems objectives coincide with our own. If a self-driving vehicle is tasked with getting an individual as swiftly as possible to his destination, the Artificial intelligence programming may not take into consideration objects in the pathway like passengers. The result will be catastrophic in that the individual may arrive but left a trail of distraction behind them.

In conclusion, today Artificial intelligence being used is the Narrow AI. This is designed to perform limited tasks. Thereby that means that could have little or no negative effect on humanity. However, the long game is to create a general Artificial intelligence. This would outperform us in very many activities that require cognitive support. Before it full implementation therefore proper research is being done. According to IJ Good, a mathematician he states that designing an AI is a cognitive task such that the system can undergo self-improvement that can induce intelligence. This might be our last great invention unless we align our objectives with the hyper-intelligent AI. Thereby this poses the thought we should consider.

Works Cited

BIBLIOGRAPHY Barrat, James. Our Final Invention:Artificial Intelligence and the end of Human Era. St. Martin’s Publishing Group, 2013.

Future of Life. 2016. <https://futureoflife.org/background/benefits-risks-of-artificial-intelligence/?cn-reloaded=1>.

Lewis, Tanya. LIVE SCIENCE. December 2014. <https://www.livescience.com/49007-history-of-artificial-intelligence.html>.

Marr, Benard. Forbes. March 2020. <https://www.forbes.com/sites/bernardmarr/2020/03/02/is-artificial-intelligence-ai-a-threat-to-humans/#2c10d57e205d>.

Infinity Chacon

Professor E. Apperson

ENGL-3-53557-2019FA

November 7, 2019

Post 1.2

The three concepts that really got me thinking in the first chapter of Everything’s an Argument were the fact that (1) everything is indeed an argument, (2) the problem of proliferation of misinformation and disinformation in this age of information overload, and (3) the different arguments that can be used for different project ideas such as arguments of fact, definition, evaluations, casual arguments, and proposals.

The first concept, “everything is an argument” means that all the information we view on different media such as advertisements, political messages, religious messages, and celebrity performances uses certain appeals to convince or persuade the target audiences. Before reading this, I did not think that all these different messages were either effective or ineffective because of the use of or lack of appeals such as ethos, pathos, and logos. I did not look deeper into these messages and only regarded them at surface level. After reading the text, I know understood the meaning of the title, that all human activities are motivated and one can analyze them to understand their motives and how they achieve these motives.

The second concept, “the problem of proliferation of misinformation and disinformation in this age of information overload” got me thinking about the accuracy of the information I read from the internet. How do I know that this information is accurate and nonbiased? How do you know where to retrieve this information and how can you tell whether the sources are credible?

The third concept that I learned from the first chapter involves the different types of arguments. Before this class, I did not know that there were different arguments for different topics and different projects, I thought that all Academic papers were generally argumentative. I did not know that there were different classifications of argumentative papers and arguments.

Able Corporation Business Plan

The Boiled Frog phenomenon

The boiled frog phenomenon refer to a metaphorical situation where if a frog was placed in normal room temperature water the frog would continue to survive in the pleasing warm water which is the same as a heating Jacuzzi until it is cooked and dies. The metaphor is a commonplace occurrence in most businesses that are not in contact with most businesses. For example the dot com businesses were not able to appreciate changes in the market and underwent loses due to their failure to observe changes in the market environment. This principle is used in businesses that fail to recognize changes in the market environment. Changes have to be gradual and be appreciated. The current business environment is very competitive. Most companies find themselves in hot water and have to sense changes in the markets to stay afloat. They do not have to be thick-skinned as frogs and blind to the needs of their clients but instead have to be aware of the existing changes in products and service innovations in the world (Docmario, 2001).

Able Corporation Business Plan

According to Kotler and Keller (2006), any company that seeks to enter the multinational environment needs to have a “clear, thoughtful mission statement” in order to for its employees to have a “shared sense of purpose, direction, and opportunity” (p. 44). A good and effective mission statement has to take into consideration the interests of stakeholders, managers, employees and even customers of the company. In the case of Able Corporation an effective mission statement would be: To become a global leader in the field of power tools and lawn equipment supplies provision with emphasis in reliability, cost effectiveness, and modern innovations in its products that meet the most competitive pre-sale and post sale standards. Such a mission statement addresses the current abilities and future plans for the company in meeting the requirements of international standards of outdoor and power tools industry.

Beech (1997) states that a company’s operating plan “outlines your product/service, its purpose, how it will be produced and the facilities to be used” (p. 29). In the case of Able Corporation in its move to enter the international market would include the use of charts and graphs in mapping its operating principles. The main concerns of the company in its expansion would involve the following:

Promise of delivery of the best and high quality products to its clients.

Dedication to building the company’s long term value.

Responsibility and ethical approaches to its mode of providing services.

The company would greatly benefit from dedicating itself to building a long lasting and solid relationship with its clients through the provision of reliable products in meeting the demands of the international market. Information about the company can be derived from a SWOT analysis of its current status. Generally speaking, the company’s strength and weaknesses provide the main internal factors the affect its organization and at the same time its opportunities and threats are the external factors that affect or have an impact on its organization. An evaluation of strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats with regard to a company’s competitors in the same industry can be useful in determining its position and in developing strategies. This information can be garnered from the existing conditions of its competitors like the Smith and White Corporation and Makatume in the U.S PEPT industry.

The principle I would use in the implementation steps to achieve strategic objectives would involve an evaluation of short-term operations and long-term goals. As described in the mission and vision statements of the company, the major concern would be forward looking statements of the firm that are aimed at achieving its strategic goals. For example I might look at the expectations of the company in one year and what it hopes to achieve within that period. Such an evaluation shows that the company has to meet two major goals in lieu of the issues plaguing it in order to improve its overall rating. These two major goals involve focusing on the international market and ways of improving its financial status. Its long term goals would involve a five year outlook in the market analysis and improvement on quality of its tools manufacture. A ten year outlook should focus on increased market share and profitability. These are the major strategic objectives I would focus on during implementation.

For post implementation and regular feedback, I would rely on two mechanisms namely the sales forecasting and the SWOT analysis. These two measures would be important in analyzing how Able Corporation would fare in the international market against its competitors. Business Link (2009) describes a sales forecast as “an essential tool for managing a business of any size” (p. 2). Every company needs to have a monthly analysis of its core markets in order to discover whenever a need arises but in the case of Able Corporation would include an annual analysis of comparable forecasting. Forecasting of future sales for this company would include an evaluation of how economic factors of the industry stand to negatively affect its major sales. For example an increase in utility rates such as gas and electricity would mean consumers will buy fewer power tools which will adversely affect profits. Performance of the housing market will also have an impact on power tools sales just like the other household items because with reduced construction of homes, the sale of equipments will also drastically drop.

The other measure I would use as a feedback mechanism would be the SWOT analysis of the company in the post implementation phase. According to Bateman and Snell (2003), the identification of opportunities and barriers in both the external and internal environment is helpful in providing information to “formulate corporate, business, and functional strategies of the organization” (p. 122). A SWOT analysis is therefore necessary in providing a comparison of the firm’s strengths and weaknesses against the existing opportunities and threats it faces. It can thus capitalize on opportunities in order to grow and minimize the threats it faces in a competitive environment. The circular saw market, for instance, is one of Able Corporation’s strength while a lack of understanding of marketing in its core industry and moderate tool quality are its major weaknesses. Therefore a market analysis would be quite helpful in the post implementation period. However, a good plan does not necessarily guarantee a successful implantation of the business plan (Drejer, 2002). It would therefore be important to use tools and resources in the organizational structure. This might include feedback from human resources, the company’s IT department, and other forms of technology used in the firm.

There will be legal and ethical issues to be considered. These will involve corporate ethics that will guide the company’s moral issues in its operations within the business environment. For example the company will be obligated to laws and business ethics that have been put in place to ensure that its products, power tools in this case, do not cause harm to the consumers and are able to be processed safely. The laws will ensure that there are no defective and inherently harmful products released to the consumers. There will also be an ethical responsibility of the company to the environment, use of emerging technology, and in product testing.

References

Bateman, T. & Snell, S. (2003). Management: The New Competitive Landscape (6th Ed.). New York: McGraw-Hill Companies.

Beech, W. M. (1997, September). Before Hanging out Your Shingle . Create a Business Plan, It Can Be Your Road Map to Success. Black Enterprise, 28, 29. Retrieved from Questia database: http://www.questia.com/PM.qst?a=o&d=5000472529.

Business Link. (2008). Forecast and plan your sales. Retrieved fromhttp://www.businesslink.gov.uk/bdotg/action/layer?topicId=1073901350

Drejer, A. (2002). Strategic Management and Core Competencies: Theory and Application.Westport, CT: Quorum Books. Retrieved from Questia database:http://www.questia.com/PM.qst?a=o&d=101317980

Docmario. (2001). He boiled frog phenomenon. Retrieved fromhttp://docmario.wordpress.com/the-boiled-frog-phenomenon/

Kotler, P., & Keller, K.L. (2006). Marketing Management (12th Ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ:Pearson-Prentice Hall.

ABNORMAL PSYCHOLOGY IN THE MEDIA

Name

Course

Date

Abnormal Psychology in the Media

Abnormal psychology or psychopathology is a division of psychology that deals with emotional and mental disorders. It specializes in diagnosing and offering therapy to people exhibiting abnormal behavior. The disorders include dreams, neurosis, hypnosis, mental deficiency, and psychosis. Sexual deviation, obsessive compulsion, and depression are also significant areas of concern in this field of psychology. Some psychiatrists, psychologists, and counselors use several approaches when treating psychological disorders, but some prefer to focus on a single approach.

The media exhibits and highlights abnormal psychology through films and television shows, for example, in the television series The Sopranos. This American show premiered in the television network and premium cable Home Box Office (HBO) between January 10, 1999 and June 10, 2007. The show illustrated Major Depressive Disorder, which is a common mental disorder, through a lead character in the show named Anthony Soprano, Jr., otherwise known as A.J. He was the son of Carmela and Anthony Soprano, and was born on July 15, 1986. His Italian family lived in New Jersey, and his father belonged to a mafia, which he later joined.

A.J’s problem was inherited as it was depicted in the show since there was a history of psychiatric disorders in his family tree. For instance, A.J‘s father paid several trips to the psychiatrist since he was diagnosed with depression, and later, panic and antisocial personality disorders. His behavior was also unacceptable since he belonged to a mafia and participated in organized crime. In addition, his marriage became rocky, and the marital problems developed to separation, which adversely affected him. His father pressured him to take up responsibilities in life so that he may not become a failure. A.J’s father did this by organizing a job for him at a construction site so that he could be more productive now that he was grownup. He flourished at his construction job, and was lucky to meet a Puerto Rican girl named Blanca while working at the site. The two developed a close relationship and started dating, and as time went by, he proposed to her. However, Blanca had different thoughts on the proposal and decided to break up with A.J. This was the beginning of his depression, and could not even stand the site of Blanca talking to other men. It was so frustrating for him that he quit his job at the site. A.J. tried to nurse his frustrations by associating with his childhood friends, which proved therapeutic. He also enrolled for therapeutic sessions where a therapist helped him improve.

The story line elaborates that A.J suffers from anti-social personality disorder, which is depicted by his behavior. For instance, A.J is involved in murder by strangling somebody and behaves as if nothing happened as he drove to pick up his daughter from school just on time. In addition, he developed some unusual behavior after his break up with Blanca. He started sleeping a lot and locking himself up in his room, experiencing energy loss, and his appetite decreased. On a separate incident, he incites the destruction of his friend’s restaurant and denies being in knowledge of the arson. A.J. even cheated on his wife and continuously proclaimed that he loved her despite his infidelity. These acts are evidence of antisocial behavior that is against the society’s social norms. Anti-social personality disorder is also evident in the character A.J. since he became deceitful and cold-hearted for personal privilege. Worse still, A.J became suicidal and had attempted to suffocate and drown himself to death were it not for his father who found him in the act and rescued him. All of A.J’s behavior points to an abnormal psychological disorder.

There are various perspectives to human psychology, which are beliefs and perceptions of the human behavior. They include psychodynamic, cognitive, humanistic, behavioral, and biological approaches. Behavioral approach focuses on the observable behavior and not the maladaptive disorders. Its focus is the influence of environmental factors on human behavior. This theory holds that people become whom they are and behave in a particular manner by applying what they learn from the surroundings. The biological approach focuses on the underlying causes of abnormal psychology through analysis of gene influence on human behavior. The theory holds that inherited DNA greatly affects how one behaves. In addition, other factors in the body such as the brain, chromosomes, and hormones also have an impact on behavior. It believes that human behavior is inherited and maladaptive.

The cognitive perspective deals with the contribution of perceptions, reasoning and individual thoughts to abnormal psychology. It also believes that the human memory processes information in three stages, which are encoding, storage, and retrieval. The encoding stage receives and attends to information; the storage stage retains the received information while the retrieval stage recalls the stored information. The psychodynamic perspective believes that childhood events and the unconscious mind have a great impact on human behavior. A psychoanalyst called Freud proposed this theory, and he believes that human beings have very limited choices to make in their adulthood. This is because most of what happens in adulthood is influenced by childhood experiences. In addition, he believes that observable behavior has little contribution to behavior since the unconscious mind has the greatest impact on behavior. The humanistic theory or humanism focuses on the holistic being of human behavior. The theory believes that somebody’s behavior is closely associated with the self-image and inner feelings. Therefore, everybody is unique and autonomous and possesses the freewill to determine his or her destiny in life. The theory believes that only an individual is able to determine his or her well-being and happiness by pursuing the desire to achieve self-actualization.

A.J.’s case in the show The Sopranos, therapists could use the cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) to treat the character since he suffers from a psychological disorder. This therapy combines aspects of feelings, thought and actions, which affect one’s behavior. For example, A.J. developed negative thoughts of suicide, lack of remorse, and deception especially after he broke up with Blanca. This therapy could be applied to remedy his psychological distress and help him interpret situations and events from a positive perspective. The therapy aids people with psychological distress to develop positive thoughts and behavior that are therapeutic to the distress. This eliminates skewed judgment that has negative contribution to behavior.

The perspective I feel is the best is the cognitive approach because it focuses on the mental issues that affect behavior. The brain, thoughts, and perceptions have the most influence on human behavior since the information the mind processes will affect them either positively or negatively. Therefore, I would recommend that A.J. be prescribed to the cognitive behavior therapy since his behavior depicts that his disorder is cognitive.

Bibliography

Baucum, Donald. Psychology. Hauppauge: Barron’s Educational Series, 2006.

Cave, Steven. Classification and diagnosis of psychological abnormality. New York: Routledge Chapman & Hall, 2002.

Kearney, Christopher and Trull Timothy. Abnormal psychology and life. Independence: Cengage Learning, 2010.