Answers to Questions About Writing Fiction

Answers to Questions About Writing Fiction Answers to Questions About Writing Fiction Answers to Questions About Writing Fiction By Mark Nichol Here are three questions from DailyWritingTips.com readers about aspects of fiction writing, each followed by my response. 1. When it comes to fiction dialogue, do any grammatical rules apply? Generally, dialogue in fiction should be consistent with the speech patterns and habits of the individual characters; that’s one way to convey their personalities, and such idiosyncrasy provides a note of authenticity. Search DailyWritingTips.com for â€Å"dialogue† to find numerous posts on the topic. 2. I have always thought that when writing dialogue and a character’s speech runs into multiple paragraphs, each paragraph should begin and end with quotation marks. However, recently I’ve seen it published where the first paragraph ends with no quotes but the second one begins and ends with them. Which is the correct way? The way you’ve seen it recently is standard: â€Å"First, second, and all other paragraphs except for the final one. â€Å"Final paragraph.† All paragraphs but the final one are left open because including a close quotation mark might lead a reader to believe that the quotation is final and that the next paragraph consists of a different character’s speech. The lack of a closing mark at the end of one paragraph and the use of an opening mark in the subsequent paragraph signals that the speech is continuing. It’s a good idea, however, to toss in an attribution or some stage business to identify the speaker now and then in an extended speech or in a conversation involving more than two speakers. 3. Why is it a crime to use a clichà © in a novel? We all use clichà ©s in talking with people, so why the big no-no when writing? In social situations and other informal environments, â€Å"lazy† language is acceptable it’s a lot of work to keep up careful discourse. The same is true with casual writing. But novels should be written with the utmost care, even if the tone is colloquial, with language that is as fresh and original as possible. Occasional idioms are acceptable, but strive to find your own way of expressing a thought or conjuring an image. Ultimately, the choice is up to you, but reader response (or lack thereof) may change your mind. 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 Fiction Writing category, check our popular posts, or choose a related post below:Bare or Bear With Me?15 Words for Household Rooms, and Their Synonyms25 Idioms with Clean

Hadrosaurus, the First Identified Duck-Billed Dinosaur

Hadrosaurus, the First Identified Duck-Billed Dinosaur Like many fossil discoveries from the 1800s, Hadrosaurus is simultaneously a very important and a very obscure dinosaur. It was the first near-complete dinosaur fossil  ever to be discovered in North America (in 1858, in Haddonfield, New Jersey, of all places), and in 1868, the Hadrosaurus at the Philadelphia Academy of Natural Sciences was the first dinosaur skeleton ever to be displayed to the general public. Hadrosaurus has also given its name to an extremely populous family of herbivores- the hadrosaurs, or duck-billed dinosaurs. Celebrating this history, New Jersey named Hadrosaurus its official state dinosaur in 1991, and the sturdy lizard is frequently invoked in attempts to pump up the Garden States paleontology pride. What  Was Hadrosaurus Really Like? This was a robustly built dinosaur, measuring about 30 feet from head to tail and weighing anywhere from three to four tons, and it probably spent most of its time crouched on all fours, chomping on the low-lying vegetation of its late Cretaceous habitat in North America. Like other duck-billed dinosaurs, Hadrosaurus would have been capable of rearing up on its two hind legs and running away when startled by hungry tyrannosaurs, which must have been a stressful experience for any smaller dinosaurs lurking nearby!  This dinosaur almost certainly lived in small herds, females laying 15 to 20 large eggs at a time in circular patterns, and the adults may even have engaged in a minimal level of parental care.  (However, bear in mind that the bill of Hadrosaurus and other dinosaurs like it wasnt really flat and yellow, like that of a duck, but it did have a vague resemblance.) Still, as far as duck-billed dinosaurs in general are concerned, Hadrosaurus itself occupies the far fringes of paleontology. To date, no one has discovered this dinosaurs skull; the original  fossil, named by the famous American paleontologist Joseph Leidy, consists of four limbs, a pelvis, bits of the jaw, and over two dozen vertebrae. For this reason, recreations of Hadrosaurus are based on the skulls of similar genera of duck-billed dinosaurs, such as Gryposaurus. To date, Hadrosaurus appears to be the only member of its genus (the sole named species is H. foulkii), leading some paleontologists to speculate that this hadrosaur may really be a species (or specimen) of another genus of duck-billed dinosaur.   Given all this uncertainty, it has proven rather difficult to assign Hadrosaurus to its proper place on the hadrosaur family tree. This dinosaur was once honored with its own sub-family, the Hadrosaurinae, to which better-known (and more highly ornamented) duck-billed dinosaurs like Lambeosaurus were once assigned. Today, though, Hadrosaurus occupies a single, lonely branch on evolutionary diagrams, one step removed from such familiar genera as Maiasaura, Edmontosaurus and Shantungosaurus, and today not many paleontologists reference this dinosaur in their publications. Name: Hadrosaurus (Greek for sturdy lizard); pronounced HAY-dro-SORE-us Habitat: Woodlands of North America Historical Period: Late Cretaceous (80-75 million years ago) Size and Weight: About 30 feet long and 3-4 tons Diet: Plants Distinguishing Characteristics: Large size; broad, flat beak; occasional bipedal posture

The Effects of Divorce on Children and the Issues Involved Research Paper

The Effects of Divorce on Children and the Issues Involved - Research Paper Example It has been unveiled that divorce draws very strong and negative impact upon the children. The mental and physical health of the children is disturbed when their lives are changed due to the separation of their parents and the difficulties in adjusting in the new setting often evolve several short and long term negative impacts upon them. Proper handling of all the issues raised from the divorce of the parents is very important to ensure the normal future life of the parents and for this, it is imperative that the parents must manage the pre and post divorce relationship in a manner that they could sustain and support their children both physically and mentally (Laumann and Emery, 2000). The divorce of the parents generally acts as multiple stressors for the children. When they came to know that the things going to abruptly change for them after the divorce they are surrounded with lots of worried and uncertainty because it is not possible for them to figure out what exactly would happen to them and how their life would be managed after the separation of the parents. This uncertainty not only injects stress and depression among the children but also makes them fearful and frightened about their future. They have to cope up with the changes in their family structure brought by the divorce and then possible remarriage of the custodial partner. The situation seems highly challenging and distressing for the children because their immature minds often fail to understand several behaviours and reasons behind certain actions and ultimately their mind set is badly affected from the divorce of the parents. Children are strongly affected from the way parents deal with each other and when one partner hurts the other physically or emotionally, the children also experience stress and extreme depression. The poorly managed conflicts bring high level of apprehension

Alessandro algardi Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Alessandro algardi - Research Paper Example With the landmark of Cardinal Millini (d. 1629) in Santa Maria del Popolo, the Frangipani landmark in San Marcello al Corso, and the bust of Cardinal Laudivio Zacchia (Berlin), Algardi developed as the main opponent of Gian Lorenzo Bernini in the field of representation figure. Failing to offer Berninis dynamic imperativeness and infiltrating characterization, Algardis pictures were acknowledged for their temperance and surface authenticity. Algardis nearby companionship with Pietro da Cortona helped create his notoriety in Rome and likewise acquainted him with a classicizing style in figure that owed an extraordinary arrangement to Roman demeanor to authentic correctness and the impact of Christian antiquarianism. Maybe his most paramount requisition in the 1630s was for the marble tomb of Pope Leo XI in St. Dwindles (1644; raised 1652). Leo XI ruled as pontiff an insignificant 27 days in April 1605 (the requisition hailed from the popes incredible-nephew, Cardinal Roberto Ubaldini). Algardi accentuated Leos kindheartedness with figurative figures of benevolence and charitableness and the help model Cardinal de Medicis Legation to France. Dissimilar to Berninis tomb for Pope Alexander VII, which consolidated white and shaded marble with bronze, Algardis ecclesiastical tomb was etched altogether from white marble. After the decision of Pope Innocent X (1644), Algardi superseded Bernini in ecclesiastical support. Between this date and his demise in 1654, Algardi generated some of his most commended lives up to expectations, around them the situated statue of the pope now in the Palazzo dei Conservatori (1645) and a goliath marble easing of the Meeting of Attila and Pope Leo in St. Subsides (1646–53), which affected the improvement and advancement of illusionistic reliefs. Despite the fact that he was by and large less showy than Bernini, Algardi in this work viably made an overwhelming-size account whose foremost

Management and the Cultural Industries Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Management and the Cultural Industries - Essay Example Music industry has as well attracted many followers and new artists are coming up every now and then hoping to make a living out of it. Features of music industry Diversity Music is one industry that has attracted people from all walks of life. No one is taken to be an alien in music since it incorporates all and inspires all regardless of gender, race, tribe or even age. It is so diverse that anyone can choose what they want to listen to (Abraham, 1974, p.292). It is not limited to only one theme but is diversified to accommodate all people so that everyone feels accommodated in this industry. Use of rhythms Any song produced is characterised by a certain way of presenting the lyrics to the audience. This way matters a lot since some musicians may sing off key and thus their music may not sell much. It is the organization of the beats and singing in a rhythmical way that makes all the difference. One can’t just present a song in any way and expect to change the audience. One rule should be: ‘present with audience in mind’. Practical Music is so applicable in our day to day lives and affects the way we lead our lives day in day out. One can identify with a certain song and be positively influenced maybe to stop a certain bad habit. Music is not a past tense event but one we live with thus assists in making our lives better if well applied where possible. Variety of compositional structures Music has several structures of composition since it could be solo or choir depending on the preference of the artist. Passages of homophonic chords could also be applied to make it livelier. This is could have a harmonic accompaniment which could be applied at the introduction, dynamic build up, and others at the climax (Dahlhaus, 1991, p.260). Reality of work in music cultural industry Music industry has grown pretty fast in this century as compared to how it was few decades ago. Much improvement has been made to ensure that this industry competes well w ith other industries. Players have been sensitised on how to ensure that their music is marketable and can reach many people and help them in various issues of life other than entertaining them. Players ought to concentrate very well to make sure that they are not carried away by fame and forget that music is self-employment and earns a living to them who take with the seriousness it deserves. Taking music as work is one character that will greatly assist the artists and make them realise that it needs to be taken seriously. It calls for one to work very hard and avoid many interruptions to concentrate with it. It could even land one to other side jobs such as master of ceremony in other events if taken seriously and accorded maximum concentration and dedication. In normal business life, working with dedication is suicidal to one’s business as well as life. It is imperative that business people learn to work hard just as music industry players do. Thus, a business person and one who works in the music industry get connected in that both have to work hard to their level best to ensure that they get maximum

Communication Healthcare

Communication Healthcare This essay will look at communication within a healthcare setting and will give examples from literature to demonstrate the importance of communication. It will use the work of (Ellis Beattie, 1986) and also (Egan, 1990) as models for effective communication. It will discuss whether these models are adequate alone to enable effective communication and will also draw on personal experiences from the clinical area. Communication underpins all other nursing interventions (Minardi Riley, 1997). Communication is a fundamental tool for healthcare delivery (Rungapadiachy, 1999). To listen to another person is the most caring act of all, Listening and attending are by far the most important aspects of being a nurse (Burnard, 1992). (Roper, 2001) Emphasizes communication as an integral part of the unique function of nursing. (Peplau, 1988) used the term, psychodynamic nursing, to describe the dynamic relationship between a nurse and a patient. Peplau described four phases of this relationship: The orientation phase, in which the person and the nurse mutually identify the persons problem. The identification phase, in which the person identifies with the nurse, thereby accepting help. The exploitation phase, in which the person makes use of the nurses help. The resolution phase, in which the person accepts new goals and frees herself or himself from the relationship. Peplau also identified six nursing roles of the nurse: Counseling Role working with the patient on current problems Leadership Role working with the patient democratically Surrogate Role figuratively standing in for aperson in the patients life Stranger accepting the patient objectively Resource Person interpreting the medical plan to the patient Teaching Role offering information and helping the patient learn (Betts, 1992) states that people have a basic drive to relate to one another, which is expressed through communication. Even if conversation doesnt take place, smiling as is not smiling a form of communication albeit non verbal. Communication can be conceptualized as a series of components that require a message, transmitter, receiver and a channel for transmission. All of these elements can be categorized into either verbal or non-verbal components. Both of these categories combine in the skill of active listening, which is a cornerstone of effective communication (Minardi Riley, 1997). (Ellis Beattie, 1986) used a diagram to illustrate the communication system, (appendix a). The communication system is divided into verbal and non-verbal parts. The verbal communication consists of words, clauses and sentences, which enables the exchange of information, clarification of issues, demonstrating understanding and to offer support and direction. The non-verbal system contains four elements: Prosodic, which is used to give emphasis to verbal communication through intonation and rhythm. Paralinguistic, which are the vocal but non-verbal expressions such as mmm, ah which will allow the person offering the information the confirmation that they are being listened to. Kinesic, is body language, for example facial expressions, gestures, position of the recipient. And The standing element, which may include physical appearance, personal space. Although a model of communication can simply demonstrate the communication process it can also oversimplify. A model only provides a framework for observing, understanding and predicting what occurs when two people communicate (Heath, 1995). Effective communication between a nurse and a patient is a conscious, goal directed process that differs from casual or social interactions. It is undertaken as a tool with which to develop trust, effect change, promote health, provide limits, reinforce, orient, convey, identify and work towards goals (Schultz Videbeck, 2002) An important aspect within effective communication is the ability to understand the message. Each element of communication must be examined separately. For example, within the Kinesic element, (Egan 1990) offers the acronym, SOLER, when considering the aspect of body language. Egan suggests to: Sit Squarely in relation to the client, Maintain an Open posture, Lean slightly towards the client, Maintain reasonable Eye contact, Relax. Through personal experience whilst in the clinical area I have implemented this acronym and found it effective although needing to examine my own actions later to assess whether its was used to its full potential. I have found that to sit squarely with the client isnt necessarily the best position this has offered periods of discomfort both for myself and visibly to the patient. By sitting in this position there is less opportunity to break eye contact without appearing distracted or disinterested. Open body posture can give a sense of disinterest as well as increasing anxiety in myself in situations where there may be a risk of physical aggression. In the suggestion that Egan gives of relaxing, this has been easier at times when the other suggestions of Egans have been modified. (Betts, 1992) states it is important not to stare at the patient for too long as this can be seen as an intimidating gesture as also can distance where too close can be seen as an invasion or a threat or too far can be interpreted as the nurse being unable to cooperate. Within the verbal element it is also important for the nurse to recognize the difference between a person saying what they mean and meaning what they say (Minardi Riley, 1997). An example of this from my own clinical experience was whilst having a conversation with a patient, they told me that they just wanted to kill themself. When we explored this statement further the patient said that they didnt actually mean they wanted to kill themselves but rather that they felt they couldnt cope with current problems. By sitting and discussing these problems, a number were able to be resolved and others discussed. In this situation and with such an alarming statement for a student nurse it would have been an easy get out to dismiss the statement. (Speight, 1991) however, states that by responding in this way could have led to the patient being unwilling to explore this statement further. Speight suggests that reflection can be used as a communication technique. For example, when the patient made the statement, the response that could be used is one of â€Å" you want to kill yourself?† and thereby encouraging a further response from the patient about the statement. To enable effective communication the healthcare worker must also be aware of the individual factors involved. All communication between individuals has internal factors that can influence the sending or receiving of the message, these may include beliefs, goals, physical and emotional states and the perceptions of others roles, status and personality. External factors may include environmental, social, biological, psychological and economic influences (George, 1990). (Minardi Riley, 1997) suggests that it is also important in being an effective communicator to ensure that the language used during communication is at a level that can be understood through familiarity of words. Once the basics of communication are understood, in order to turn this into effective communication it is important for the healthcare worker to examine their own actions through reflection (Minardi Riley, 1997). This may be done with the aid of a model of reflection such as Gibbs reflective cycle (appendix 2). Gibbs identifies five points for reflection. Description, feelings, evaluation, analysis, conclusion and action. By using Gibbs reflective cycle I have been able to identify obstacles either personal, environmental or on a physical level. This I believe has led me to a greater understanding of my own actions, thoughts or feelings and helped me identify solutions to these obstacles. Conclusion In conclusion, this essay has identified and examined models of communication and discussed the various elements involved. It has given examples from literature to stress the importance of communication and identified elements needed towards communication being effective within healthcare. It has drawn on personal experience form the clinical area to demonstrate the skills required in maintaining a therapeutic relationship and also identified the need for ongoing reflection during the communication processes.

Determinism in Nella Larsen’s Quicksand Essay -- Nella Larsen Quicksan

Determinism in Nella Larsen’s Quicksand During the Harlem Renaissance, many literary works concentrated on celebrating African American heritage. However, many other writers also began concentrating on the darker theme of naturalism. Nella Larsen’s Quicksand illustrates many elements of this movement. These include a biological determinism, where man is conceived of as controlled by his primitive animal instincts and a sociological determinism, whereby the weak are destroyed and the strong survive in a world of struggle and chance. Helga Crane, Larsen’s protagonist in Quicksand, illustrates the elements of both biological and sociological determinism in her inability to suppress her natural animal instinct to flee uncomfortable situations, and to comfortably conform in either of her opposing communities.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Helga cannot suppress her desire to flee from uncomfortable situations in any city that she lives in. In Naxos, she convinces herself that she is leaving a place that has â€Å"grown into a machine† (4). Although the conforming nature of the institution contributes to Helga’s desire to leave, she is also stirred with â€Å"an overpowering desire for action of some sort† (4). Instead of staying in Naxos and fighting a battle against the institute’s conservative attitudes, Helga chooses to flee an unpleasant reality. This exemplifies the â€Å"fight or flight† animal instinct that is said to control behavior in situations that become overwhelming. Instead of fighting, Helga time and time again chooses to leave what becomes unbearable to her. Once the decision is made to leave Naxos, Helga feels â€Å"like a person who had been for months fighting the devil and then unexpectedly had turned around and agreed to do his bidding† (5). Helga knows deep down that leaving Naxos is wrong, but the instinct to flee is so strong that she is powerless to deny it.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  In New York, Helga is also consumed by the animal instinct of flight. When Dr. Anderson calls on her after a chance meeting at a nightclub, Helga â€Å"had no intention of running away, but something, some imp of contumacy, drove her from his presence, though she longed to stay† (51). Once again, Helga succumbs to her overwhelming desire to leave an uncomfortable situation. Later she realizes with a â€Å"sense of helplessness and inevitability†¦that the weapon she had chosen had been a boomerang, for she herself had felt... ...at the advice she offers these women is looked upon with contempt. She begins to adapt to her life after Sary Jones advises her to â€Å"make de bes’ of et† but her efforts falter during her next pregnancy (125). Instead of making the best of her life, Helga hands over this responsibility to God which eventually leads to the same feeling of â€Å"dissatisfaction [and] asphyxiation that she felt in Naxos, New York and Copenhagen† (134). After all of her experiences, her inability to conform leads her right back to the same place she started from. It is obvious that Helga Crane will never truly be able to â€Å"fit in† in any society. It is apparent that Nella Larsen’s Quicksand is concerned with the naturalistic element of determinism. Helga Crane illustrates both a biological and sociological determinism in her animal instinct for â€Å"flight† and her inability to conform in any of her environments. Larsen’s ability to integrate these themes into the character of Helga proves that the Quicksand is not only representative of the Harlem Renaissance, but also of the naturalistic movement. Work Cited Larsen, Nella. Quicksand and Passing. Ed. Deborah E. McDowell. New Brunswick: Rutgers UP, 1986.

Rhetorical, Textual, or Source Analysis worksheet

Write a short, clear summary of the article: This article tackles the problem of unhealthy self-esteem among women allegedly caused by media-generated concepts of femininity and how best to confront this problem, which is through social activism and social marketing. It is fuelled by the results of numerous studies which suggest a strong link between the portrayal of unrealistic images of women in the media and the increasing tendency towards unhealthy eating and dieting behaviours of women. What is the context of the article? In â€Å"The Media’s Influence on Body Image Disturbance and Eating Disorders: We’ve Reviled Them, Now Can We Rehabilitate Them,† Thomson and Heinberg (1999) illuminate the growing concern among the American women population on the adverse impact of images portrayed in the mass-media on the self-perception and self-esteem of women who are exposed and vulnerable to subscribing to media-generated conceptions of femininity that have been linked to the increasingly unhealthy lifestyles taken up by more and more girls and women. What seems to be the author’s purpose? The authors discuss the mechanism by which the media is able to influence the lifestyle patterns of women in the aim of identifying ways by which girls and women would be able to resist or combat the ill-effects of media images on their behavioural, psychological, and physical health. They present a relevant perspective on how women can counter the psychological manoeuvres of the mass media. In what type of publication did this appear? Describe it. The article appeared in the academic â€Å"Journal of Social Issues,† a quarterly publication which publishes contributions from social scientists and academics that tackle the relationship between society and human beings and issues that arise from this. The journal is published by Blackwell Publishing in behalf of The Society for the Psychological Study of Social Issues. Write a brief analysis of the author’s credentials and possible expertise or bias. If no information is available on the author, try to take a guess based upon his or her knowledge and writing ability, which you might derive from the article. Thomson and Heinberg (1999) are obviously academic experts in the field of psychology who have extensively studied the impact of media-mediated concepts on the feminine psyche. In fact, the result of their own research on the effect of media images on the self-esteem and self-concept of women was among the evidence they presented in the article. Who seems to be the target audience? Be specific. Judging from the language and tone of the article, the authors’ target audience are policymakers, development workers, and academic researchers. Here, Thomson and Heinberg (1999) clearly advocate for the creation and implementation of education-based programs that would benefit women by arming them with the knowledge to decipher the subliminal messages they are often bombarded with through advertisements and other forms of media. In short outline form, show the author’s stance. Then, explain and evaluate the presentation of the author’s stance. In other words, what’s the thesis? What reasons are given for this stance? Are the reasons supported well? The authors contend that social activism will encourage women to be active in challenging the social structures that profit from and reinforce the prevailing social biases and gender stereotypes of women, while social marketing will teach women not only to pursue the demystification of the â€Å"feminine ideal† but more importantly, in the generation of positive and realistic concepts of being women. The article therefore summarizes the results of recent research which support the contention that the mass media is one of the biggest source of poor self-concept and self-confidence for women, and proposes the combination of two-strategies, social activism and social marketing,   that would enable women to counter the concept of the â€Å"feminine ideal† portrayed in the media—that of the thin, airbrushed, and computer-generated model—by empowering them to see through this images and helping them develop a multi-dimensional concept of being a woman. Analyze the writer’s language. What is the writer’s tone? Why might he or she have chosen this tone? Is it effective? What words are defined or left undefined? Give examples. The writer’s language is formal and academic, which might have been chosen because its target audience are those from the academe such as social scientists and intellectuals. It effectively conveys the weight of the problem at hand and lends seriousness to the discussion of the solutions presented. Based upon your analysis, is this a credible piece of writing? Explain. Yes, because it presents extensive evidence to its claim gained from years of academic research by social scientists interested in the issue. While the authors have recognized that a direct link between the images propagated by the media vis-à  -vis women’s self-esteem has yet to be proven, the article manages to support its contention in an ample manner by showing how media images, even indirectly, shapes the way women think, consume, and behave. In turn, its argument of using the media itself to turn things around becomes more convincing and relevant especially for women and other sectors involved. Finally, and in detail (really think about this—refer to specifics) how do the stance and language choices relate to the author’s purpose and target audience? Explain. This article is written in a persuasive manner, and shows the authors’ capability to use relevant information to support their thesis. It is also written in a way that could be understood best by development practitioners and students of the social sciences, which is suited with its intention of convincing those who might be involved in advocacy or policy-making to seriously address the rise in the number of weight-related issues affecting women that is attributed to the pervasive influence of the media. Work Cited: Thomson, J. Kevin, and Heinberg, Leslie J. â€Å"The Media’s Influence on Body Image Disturbance and Eating Disorders: We’ve Reviled Them, Now Can We Rehabilitate Them?† Journal of Social Issues, 55.2(1999):339-353.

The first major experiment on conformity The WritePass Journal

The first major experiment on conformity Introduction The first major experiment on conformity IntroductionReferences:Related Introduction Conformity is defined as the act of matching attitude, beliefs and behaviour to what individual perceive as normal of their society or social group (Wikipedia ). Conformity is something that happens in everyday life. People conform because they like to be in a group or to go along with the group or society. This is the reason why we see same fashion, taste of music, movies, cars and many things of similar choices. So can we imagine a life without conformity? And what are the reasons of conformity. There are many reasons of conformity such as   normative social influence, informative social influence and social role conformity. The psychologists in the past have done researches on conformity. For example, Muzafer Sheriff (1938), Asch (1951), and Philip Zimbado (1973) had conducted experiments on why people confirm. In addition   Kelman (1958) identified three types of conformity. Compliance a type of conformity when people conform due to the views, opinions and beliefs of their fr iends or society. Internalization a type of conformity when one confirms to match a group and   Identification   a type of conformity when one adapts to a new behaviour of a group’s   view both privately and publicly. The first major experiment on conformity was done by Sherif (1935). He did an experiment to study the conformity. He wanted to see why people conform. With the use of auto kinetic effect, he asked the participants to look at the stationary spot of light in a darkened room in which small movements of the eyes made the light move. First, the participants were tested individually and then later in small groups of three. The answers were different when asked in individual   about the movement of light .Even so, when they were put in the group they ended up with similar answers to each other. This experiment showed that people conformed when in an ambiguous situation. They tend to seek informations and answers from others. However, this experiment was a total artificial situation so lacked ecological validity. The situation was unlikely to come across in everyday life. Moreover, there was no definite answer for it On the other hand, Asch (1951) conducted an experiment on conformity to see why people conform on an unambiguous situation. He   criticized Sherif’s experiment and suggested that the experiment had no definite answer .Asch `s experiment in contrast had a definite answer to the Sherif`s experiment. For this experiment, he participated seven people (confederates) whom were already told about the   behaviour beforehand, whereas one who was the real participant (subject) was not known about the experiment and believed that the others were also the real participants. The task was very simple to compare the line X with others A, B and C lines. Each participants were to deliver the answer aloud.   On each trial, the real participant was asked at last about his opinions on the lines. Asch found that the subject showed the influence by the majority and gave the wrong answers on average of 37% .74% at least conformed once and 26% never conformed. After the post experimental interv iew he concluded that people go along with the views of others for different reasons. Similarly, in 1980 the exact experiment was repeated by Perrin and Spencer with chemistry, engineering and mathematics students. In contrast to the result of Asch’s experiment ,conformity was high on only one trial out of 369 trials. So Perrin and Spencer (1980) suggested Asch study as â€Å"Child of its own time.† Asch’s experiment was   artificial as it was unlikely to come across in everyday life. And it was done at that time when Americans were high on conformity. In addition all the participants were males as the wider population was   ignored Philip Zimbado (1973) also conducted an experiment to see how people adapt to new roles of guards and prisoners. At that time in America, there were many reports of brutal attacks on prisoners by guards. So he was interested in finding out why the guards behave in such a way, was it because of the   sadistic personalities of the guard or   due to the environment of   the prison. The experiment was conducted on the basement of the Stanford University so was known as â€Å"Stanfords prison experiment†. For this, he selected   twenty- four students to become prisoners and guards, and he became the superintendent. He wanted to make the situation real so the ones who became prisoners were arrested with handcuffs and were put in the prison. They were given   prisoner’s uniforms and were referred by the numbers where as the ones who were guards were given military uniforms and were equipped with wooden batons and mirror shades glasses. The stimulation became so real that the guards became brutal   and sadist so the experiment had to stop in six days, which were rather planned for two weeks. From this experiment, he came to the conclusion that people conform to their social roles especially if the roles were strongly stereotype as the prison guards. The student who played the guards was not brutal before. After the post experimental interview he found out that people enjoyed the power and that the role had strongly influenced their behaviour and attitudes. Nevertheless, the experiment had important ethnical issues as the prisoners were mentally and physically tortured. Importantly mock prison was different from the real one, and the students were role playing. Apart from those reasons of conformity, there are various factors that influence the conformity .We humans are very complicated animals with lots of individual differences. Conformity also as well differs in individuals, and are influenced by many factors such as cultural, historical, gender, group size and so on. According to social psychologist culture are of two types, individualist culture such as of American and British and collective cultures such as of Asian and African. In individualist culture people tend to view oneself more   individually where as in collective they tend to view themselves as the member of   a group or society. So conformity tends to be high in collective cultures compare to individualist cultures. Historically, in 1950s Americans were high on conformity. It was the time when Asch conducted an experiment on conformity. Some studies have also found gender   differences in the conformity and found that higher conformity in women than in men. However, E agly (1978) suggested that the sex differences were due to their different social roles. Another important is the group size. Conformity is found higher in groups of three to five. On the other hand, conformity highly decreases when there is a lack of unanimity. When the tasks are more difficult, people are more   likely to conform as they seek others for information and answer. In addition if the person is knowledgeable he may stick and believes himself and may not go along with the group so are low in conformity. In conclusion, conformity is going along with the group for different reasons at various situations. It is something that dominates our lives. It happens everyday, and we cannot run from the fact that conformity exists in a society. In short it is about our society and the interaction we have in our society. It is neither   good nor bad but sometimes conformity is helpful sometimes not. Besides there are many types of conformity such as compliance, Internalisation and identification. Psychologists   had done various researches or experiments on conformity and different findings ,opinions and criticism were made. Sherif, Asch, and Zimbado have fairly justified the experiments. However, these things are unlikely to come across in everyday life. Besides, conformity is   influenced by factors such as cultural, historical, gender, type of task, size of the group and so many other factors. References: Michael W. Eysenck (2008) AS Level Psychology, Fourth Edition. East Sussex: Psychology Press Ltd. Mark Holah. Conformity. Available:http://holah.co.uk Last accessed on 19/04/2011. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/conformity McLeod, S.A (2007) Simply Psychology [On-line] UK Available: psychology.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk Accessed on 19/04/2011.

9 Marvelous Things to Do on Spring Break

9 Marvelous Things to Do on Spring Break Spring is coming, and this means that you will have some spare time to spend with your friends, family or on your own. If the thoughts about your upcoming spring break dont urge a dreamy smile on your face, then you probably need to read our article about the best places to visit and the best things to do on your spring break. We promise that our ideas will make you more enthusiastic about this period of your school year. Lets get straight to business and look at some fun things to do on spring break. What to Do on Spring Break with Your Family Many students go home for a spring break. Its a perfect occasion to gather and have fun with your beloved ones. Here are a few activities for family time: 1. Go on a trip Going on a trip is an excellent idea for a family vacation. You can choose where to go according to the type of pastime you prefer: Theme parks – with rides, clubs, attractions, and games. This type of parks provide activities for different age groups so every family member will find an exciting occupation there. Adventure parks – for those who love active sports. Rope climbing, zip line adventures or skiing – what do you prefer? Choose the best experience for you and your family. Natural wonders – Grand Canyon, Niagara Falls or Arches Natural Park. The beauty of nature is healing for your stressed mind. A boat trip – spend a few days on board and relax admiring the waves. 2. Attend a baseball game Its the beginning of a new game season, dont miss a chance! Hot dogs, friendly atmosphere, and favorite teams are perfect components of the great family day. 3. Open a barbecue season If the weather is fine, take advantage of it, and gather with your family for a barbecue. Make your backyard a place of fun and tasty grilled meal. Family activities like baseball, tennis and board games will help you to spend time with fun and joy. What to Do on Spring Break with Your Friends If you decided to spend this time with your friends, you know for sure you wont get bored. Take a look at some of the most interesting and exciting activities for a group of friends on spring break. Here are three things to do on spring break for college students. 1. Have a beach party Beach parties are trendy among students. Sea, sand, drinks, music, and tasty snacks are a perfect combination. Invite your college mates to shop for some must-haves: disposable tableware, punch ingredients, balls for beach volleyball, and sunscreen. 2. Set off on a road trip A road trip around the country is a classic activity to have during school breaks. You can go hitchhiking, but taking your car or your friend’s car will be safer and more comfortable. Pick the places you want to visit, create your route on a map and start your adventure. 3. Visit a party spot Even though Cancun, Jamaica, Las Vegas or Miami are pricey, they attract thousands of students from different places for a spring break vacations. With parties until dawn and lots of places for a shopping spree, these are the perfect places to spend your spring break with your friends. Check out other ideas for fun activities for you and your friends. What to Do on Spring Break by Yourself If you dont want to spend this time with anyone else or the circumstances make you so, we have some exciting ideas for you too. 1. Watch Netflix and chill You probably had a very intensive semester with lots of assignments and deadlines. Relax and have some healing time for your body and your soul. Watching TV, eating tasty food and going for a walk will make you feel like a whole new person with lots of energy to start your new semester. There are some excellent TV shows about college life that you will find entertaining and fun to watch. 2. Take some time for spring cleaning Not everyone likes to make a cleaning session at home. However, it can be fun and kind of relaxing activity. Take your time and start slowly. By cleaning the mess around, you can clear your mind and get rid of disturbing thoughts. Fresh clothes and shiny mirrors will positively affect your mood. 3. Volunteer Sometimes we forget about people who are in need of our help and sympathy. You can dedicate your spare time to making someones life a little better. Visit shelters and local churches to find out more about the ways you can help. Or maybe there is a senior who lives next to you? You can make your contribution with small deeds – helping with groceries or cleaning. By helping others, you can help yourself to distract from anxious thoughts and stressful studying semester. So, these were 9 things to do for spring break at home or with your friends. Hope, you will find our ideas useful. Have a good time!

Using digital marketing and outdoor Ads for SMEs Essay

Using digital marketing and outdoor Ads for SMEs - Essay Example This makes marketing a key characteristic that may determine the success of Small and Medium Sized Enterprises (SMEs). This relationship between marketing and small businesses is a concern of many researchers. Mc Cartan-Quinn and Carson (2003) were perhaps pioneers in investigating this relationship. Much of their work (1995, 2003) focused on the role of digital marketing and traditional marketing (with one of this tools is outdoor advertising) for SMEs. Their studies, which were conducted in Ireland, concentrated on examining which issues impact upon marketing in the small businesses (Cartan-Quinn and Carson,2003: p202). However, according to Nahas (2009), marketing and information support and availability are the main obstacles confronted by small and medium enterprises. Many subsequent researchers (e.g., OShea 1998, Motwani, Jiang and Kumar 1998, and Evans and Moutinho 1999) were believed that small businesses tend to be far more creative and innovative than the larger organizatio ns. Moreover, according to (Zartmam, 1978 p29) the factor for SMEs success is the ability to take advantage of modern business techniques. In order to be successful, SMEs must attempt to use modern business techniques, procedures and efficient equipment where available (Kuratko & Hodgetts, 1995). When businesses use modern business techniques, they are virtually guarantees to remain competitive and efficient in their respective markets. This is particularly important for SMEs (Ghose & Yang, 2010 p18). As result, SMEs should consider at digital marketing and outdoor advertising as one of these techniques. It is, therefore, necessary to look for the features of marketing in SME, mainly the digital marketing and outdoor advertising management functions and capabilities with a view to assisting SMEs through the critical stages to permanence. The following is a research proposal with an aim of creating an outline to assist in preparation of final research project that will

A guideline on the privacy of personal data stored on company-owned Essay

A guideline on the privacy of personal data stored on company-owned mobile devices - Essay Example In terms of maintaining company privacy, the company can use IT experts to track their employees. This is useful for knowing the location of employees at a particular time compared to where they are supposed to be. Employers sometimes allow employees to carry company-issued mobile devices such as iPhones and iPods. It has been in the news that iPhones and iPods are able to track the physical location of the person possessing them secretly. These types of devices can be used for business purpose and track personal information of the user blurs privacy between corporate information and personal information. This is because the devices can track personal location of the user and store it in unencrypted files found in the devices and on the owner’s computer. As a result, the organization IT experts can obtain this data from the employee’s computer according to Bidgol. This type of device is usually equipped with a Global Positioning System (GPS) that tracks the individualâ €™s location. This proves to a threat to personal privacy of employees and thus the need for organizations to come up with a policy and a legal guideline on the type of information to be gathered using such devices. For instance, there should be a guideline on maintaining an employee’s privacy when using a personal Smartphone while conducting company business. Employees need to know how much to share with organization clients when using either personal device or company device. Organizations further, need to consider the issue of transparency if they are determined to track physical location of their employees or get customers. This will involve informing employees about the policies on how to shield their privacy while using company devices or while conducting company business with personal devices. There is also need for organizations to equip their mobile devices with mobile payment system that will discourage employees from misusing the devices. IT managers have estim ated that employees often spend more than an hour every day on non-work related web services. These include online games, internet surfing, gambling and shopping among others. The downloading and storage of such personal data results in various internet based threats on critical company data stored in the devices misused. The threats include susceptibility to virus and worm attacks, malware infection, and hacking of private and restricted company sites and passwords. In most cases, this leads to the organizations taking tough measures of protecting their devices by installing GPS functionality that later hinders the privacy of the user. The advantages gained by organizations in having their employees work at different locations at different time brings out the need for protecting personal information used by employees while at work. For the same purpose, both the organization and employees should understand the limit and the technical control needed when using such mobile devices. T his includes the organizations coming up with policies based on technical control of their mobile devices to provide about the extent that the device as suggested by Garfinkel and Spafford (2002) can control the personal data of the employee. This may include providing a set download of a specific capacity before a using a personal device for connecting the network of the organization. An organization is required to draw a line regarding personal privacy infringement. Infringement of personal data occurs when the organization exposes personal information that may be a threat to their safety. In order to avoid this,