4 Marks of the Church

â€Å"A reaction paper on the four marks of the Church† There are a lot of different existing Churches worshiping the same God, who are trying to follow the way that Christ lived. But for the people to distinguish the Roman Catholic Church from all the other Churches there are these four marks of the Roman Catholic Church that was given so that the distinct characteristics of the Church would be evident to the people.These characteristics are, the Church is One, the Church is Catholic, the Church is Holy and the last one is the Church being Apostolic. As we progress through this paper, each of these four would be discussed based on how I have understood about this topic which was discussed in our class. Some additional information based on my further research regarding the topic may also be injected to further enhance my reaction regarding the topic.The first mark that distinguishes the Roman Catholic Church from other Churches is the Church being one. The Church being one per tains to being a unified community. The Church being one means that the Roman Catholic Church is one body of Christ that functions as a unit, which means, that if one does not do its function, all the other people of the Church would fail to function properly because they all belong to a single body. It also means that the Church believes in one God, and that there is one Lord, one faith and one baptism.Though people belonging to the Roman Catholic Church belongs to different nations, are of different vocations, have different talents and follows different cultures, the diversity found in this church does not prevent the people to act as one community where there is harmonious unity. This oneness is also visible in the Church’s creed and other teachings, and so as in the celebration of the sacraments. Basically the Roman Catholic Church is considered one because of three reasons, namely, its source, its founder, and because of its soul.The Church is said to be one because of its source which is the Holy Trinity, which is a perfect unity of three divine persons, Father, Son and the Holy Spirit. The next reason is because of its founder, who is no other than Jesus Christ, who gathered and united the people through salvation from sin. And the third reason is because of its soul, which is the Holy Spirit, who resides in the souls of the faithful and unites them in communion. The Church being Catholic is the next characteristic that was given to the Roman Catholic Church.The term â€Å"Catholic† which means Universal could actually explain this trait by the word itself. It simply says that being one body of Christ is nit limited by race, culture, and not even by time. It means that anybody could become a part of the Church at any given time. This also states that the Church here on earth is also one with the Church in heaven and also the Church in purgatory. This is where the understanding about the communion of saints came from.It shows the union of the faithful here on earth to the union to the faithful in purgatory and those who are faithful in heaven, thus, making the Roman Catholic Church, universal. The third mark, which is the Church is Holy signifies the Church being special. The word â€Å"holy† means set apart which only shows that the Church has a special purpose by and for God. The Church is also marked as holy because people are freed from original sin through baptism. The church is also marked by outstanding holiness shown in the lives of saints.Since the members of the church are human beings, it is only normal that they would sin due to their human nature, which is the opposite of being holy. But, people who are faithful who sin would repent whenever they sin which is the path through holiness. The Church is also holy because of its source who is the Lord who is holy. Through the Church’s teachings, worship and prayer, and good works, the Church is a visible sign of Holiness. The last mar is the fou rth mark of the Roman Catholic Church which is the Church is Apostolic.From its root word â€Å"apostle† we could derive that the Church was entrusted by its founder (Jesus Christ) to the apostles who served as the first bishops and entrusted special authority to St. Peter, who is the first pope and bishop of Rome. Through the apostles, the Church continued on and this authority over the church was handed down to each generation through what we call the apostolic succession. There are no bishop, priest, or deacon in the Church that was self ordained.Each one of them was called by the Church and ordained into what we call apostolic ministry which is given to us by the Lord to be exercised by the Church in one with the Pope. The Sacred Tradition and Sacred Scripture of the Church was also passed down and preserved by apostles under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. These four marks, namely, the Church is one, holy, catholic and apostolic are indicators that the Church is the Rom an Catholic Church. Other churches may also reflect some of these marks but it is only the Roman Catholic Church who fully professes these marks.Though the four marks are different, they are all interconnected to one another. The Church is catholic because it is universal, that is the reason why it is also one. The church acts as a community that is why it acts in unison, but, its actions are all based on holiness because the Church being one shows that it is the one body of Christ which follows one head who is also the founder of the Church who is Christ. The people of the Church know the responsibilities that Christ left them because of the Sacred Scriptures and Sacred Traditions which was passed down by the apostles.To lead the people, Christ also entrusted the authority to His apostles and entrusted St. Peter special authority over the Church. This said authority is followed and passed down to the future generations through what we call apostolic succession. This said example is only one of the many ways on how these four marks are interrelated to each other. And the full work and manifestation of these marks as a mission sets the Roman Catholic Church apart and identifies them from the other Churches.

Oedipus and Othello

Both Oedipus and Othello were virtuous and brave men that became the victims of two tragic downfalls. Oedipus and Othello are both tragic character. In the play Oedipus the king, Oedipus killed his father and married his mother and have children. However Othello ends up distrusting his wife, so he killed his wife. These two persons have similarities and differences in several characteristics that they are round characters, the vengeance that they experience upon themselves and upon their individual wives whether straight or circuitously, and their tragic. Both Oedipus and Othello are round characters. A round character is completely developed so that the person who read will have a good picture of their appearances and behavior. Oedipus is a character whose fortune cannot be escaped because whatever path he took, seems to take him to get more trouble than what he can deal with anyone before. Therefore, even if his character is well-rounded, he is not realistic. Unlike Oedipus, he would marry a woman who is his mother so he does not need to ask some question about her past marriages or her children. However, there could be some kind of conflict vision in their characters, and there may be question could have risen about the first child that was executed. On the other hand, Othello is a well-rounded character and is a realistic. Othello is a person who is jealous and mistrust that he thinks his wife is cheating on him and sleeping with another man. Othello was in love and he had this feeling that once in a while he thinks that his feeling is fed by the person whom that most trust can lied to them. Until Othello finally kills his wife, Iago constantly know about Othello’s thought that is wounded and distrust grows for his wife. Oedipus is a round character, but cannot be understood due to the ridiculous conditions of his marriage. Othello’s round character can be more understandable, because jealousy occupies all of us at one time. Othello chose to act upon it abundant like those who act in our community today. So far, both Oedipus and Othello worry themselves and their wives. When Oedipus knows the truth about himself that he married his mother and also killing his father. Oedipus’s wife Jocasta kills herself because of embarrassment that she married her son. Oedipus blinds himself in order to impose punishment for him. On the other hand, Othello wrongly blames his wife Desdemona of disloyalty with Cassio and henceforth throttles her to death. Later, Othello realizes that his allegation was wrongly founded; he is overwhelmed with guilt, and stabs himself to death. Therefore, Oedipus does moral obliteration of himself while Othello abolishes himself by death. Lastly, Othello and Oedipus are both tragic hero and their disaster comes from their marriages. Othello is a slave who achieved many goods through the military. Oedipus was born into the upper class and is also a prince and a king. Othello and Oedipus both suffered great loss and shame because of pride. Oedipus’s pride is gone after he killed his father and married his mother. After doing such bad things, Oedipus began to lose all his pride and dignity, such as losing his wife and his kingdom. For Othello, his pride’s also turned to shame because he listens to others more than his wife. So Othello killed his innocent wife and loosed his pride and precious things that belong to him. Othello also loosed his life and he stabs himself to death and said, â€Å"I took by the throat the circumcised dog. And smote him thus. † (V ii 351-352. ) In conclusion, Oedipus and Othello are the two tragic downfalls that can be compared and contrasted. Othello and Oedipus are both a heroic characters in the plays and went through a lot of suffering in their life. Both of them are round characters, the vengeance that they experience upon themselves and upon their individual wives whether straight or circuitously, and their tragic. It was too late for them to turn back n have their pride back because they had lost everything what they got. They deserved to lose everything because of what they did. Othello shouldn’t listen to others and should of listen to his lovely life more, but he decided to listen to others and killed his innocent wife. For Oedipus, killing his father just to married his mother is a very disgusting and disgraceful things that can ever happened. These two characters learned their lesson that pride is something that can destroy their life.

Pyramid Door Formal Case Final Draft Essay

As a privately owned regional manufacturer of residential and commercial steel garage doors, Pyramid Doors has managed to grow a distribution network in the Western and Southwestern United States of 350 distributors broken up into 300 non-exclusive dealers and 50 exclusive dealers. This strategy has allowed Pyramid Door to capture a market share of 2.6% with total sales in 2005 of $9.2 million. While executives agree that a growth in sales of 36% to $12.5 million is necessary to achieve critical mass to preserve its buying position with suppliers, opinions are split on the correct method to achieve this goal. An increase in the marketing budget of 20% over 2005’s budget has already been approved, but four alternative scenarios about how to handle the distributor base have been brought up by various executives. While some executives favored dramatically increasing the overall number of dealers, others suggested the opposite, cutting the overall number of non-exclusive, poorer performing dealers. Still other executives suggested a more targeted approach, leaning on more exclusive dealers at the expense of fewer non-exclusive dealers, while a final group suggested maintaining the status quo of dealers and letting the new marketing strategy carry them to the required number of sales. To determine the best strategy moving forward, we have put together a proposal outlining the pros and cons of each strategy, backed up with qualitative and quantitative data to back up our conclusions. Alternative 1: Increase number of independent dealers in markets currently served by the company by 100 Pros: Increases effective market coverage allowing customers to find Pyramid Doors at more dealers. Diversifies the distribution network so that the company is less dependent on exclusive dealers. Sets Pyramid Door up for future distribution expansion. Will significantly increase sales. Allow for market specific advertising to benefit more locations Cons: Adding 100 distributors will be very difficult in one year, given it has taken 10 years to add the most recent 50 distributors. Has the potential to cause channel conflict with current distributors by increasing the number of dealers they have to directly compete with within their markets. Distinct possibility of product cannibalization by saturating the market. Even with the increase in Net Sales, this plan would require an increase in Sales Representatives, decreasing our profit margin. Increased transportation costs to distribute to more low-volume locations.

Communication Technology and Its Impact on Social Interaction Research Paper - 1

Communication Technology and Its Impact on Social Interaction - Research Paper Example Technology has been able to develop working conditions in all industries, personal interactions have been shaped and more so the aspect of the social networking through social sites has taken over the communication industry. Â  This topic tries to expound on the technology employed in communication from a social interaction perspective. This process does not precisely refer to face to face interaction but as opposed to technology, mediated interaction. In another case, the main aim of this study is to try and explain why the degree of collective innovation within the work communities has decreased and the way workplace interactions have become more functional. The need to expand new competences caused social tensions and conflicts. On the other hand, the introductions of technology seem to have been the long-awaited answer to people’s problems. These problems are like information problem solving that was elicited in a hot way and took place mainly evolving, but in some cases also stable, social networks. In this case, the information communication technology has both the negative and positive effects on the users. Especially the emergence of Email as a medium of conveying messages from one person to the other via the use of mobile phones and computers.2 Â  Technology has changed the nature and conditions of work both in the offices and out in the fields. Although technology facilitates information transport and extensions of social networks, both inside and outside organizations it reduces face to face interactions. Employees spent most of their times on computers using emails to pass information from one part to the other rather than with their fellow colleagues.

Anglo and Afro- American Folk Music Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Anglo and Afro- American Folk Music - Essay Example In those days American folklore was intricately associated with politics and the Almanacs were preceded by the likes of The Collective, which was a group bent upon revolutionizing the world of music through their songs of protest. However, the Collectives were not very successful in their endeavor (Dunaway,1). The Almanacs barely completed two years and had recorded only about three dozen songs yet each song gained immense popularity. Like the Collectives, the Almanacs followed the political cue. In fact, today they are hailed as one of the pioneers of protest –singing of the 960s. The group started in 1940 when Pete Seeger, Millard Lampell and Lee Hays came together. Pete Seeger and Lee Hays had already started singing at political parties organized by the left front. The name â€Å"Almanac† was selected since in rural areas the Bible and the Almanac was found in all homes and the latter helped people get through this worldly life. One can barely keep away politics when it comes to discussing the great works produced by the group. So basically, much of the collection of songs of the groups were inspired by politics and in most cases reflected political standing of the times. The group advocated isolationism, which was rendered as a moot especially after the Pearl Harbor. The songs sung by the Almanacs such as â€Å"Which Side are you on† written by Florence Reece or â€Å"Solidarity Forever† which later became the anthem of the U.S. Labor Movement and numerous other songs inspired emerging and free-thinking musicians and gypsies. The impact of their intense passion and unity inspires songwriters and singers even today. Even though the Almanacs themselves did not belong to the working class; most of their songs were aimed at the working class. All the members of the Almanac were associated with left front politics and all their functions and public events were aimed at luring people to join

Chemical engineering distillation column Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Chemical engineering distillation column - Essay Example The required task is therefore to determine if the column has potential to efficiently distillate within economic operation costs. While a five-step procedure is recommended for testing the facility, time is scarce and not all the steps can be implemented. The steps are; calculation of the theoretical capabilities of the distillation column in the lab, preparation of an accurate vapor liquid equilibrium diagram of water and ethanol, accounting for the energy usage of the distillation process, accounting for the final products ethanol concentration, and analysis of the costs and benefits of obtaining higher yields against higher purities. The time scarcity however dictates that only two of the steps are adopted in order to determine the column’s capacity. My team would choose to prepare an accurate vapor liquid equilibrium diagram for water and ethanol, and to account for the final product’s ethanol concentration. The vapor liquid equilibrium would be preferred because of its theoretical basis that can be used in an experiment to test the facility’s efficiency and freedom from errors. This is because for any mixture of two fluids and across varying temperatures or pressures, there is an equation that determines corresponding mole ratios of mixture components in the vapor state given a temperature or pressure. A given volume of water and ethanol can then be used in the column and measurements taken at a given temperature and mole ratio determined. If the experimental values correspond to theoretical values, as determined by Raoult’s theory, then the column is approved to be operationally efficient. It is therefore an accurate measure of efficiency (Theodore, Ricci and Vanvliet, p. 233). Accounting for the final et hanol concentration is another efficient process for determining the operational efficiency of the distillation column. This is because of the

America the Addicted Nation Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

America the Addicted Nation - Research Paper Example Despite the government’s continued struggle to encourage the American people to change their bad habits, deaths and accidents because of these addictions still make the news almost every day. As if drugs and alcohol do not do enough damage to the individuals in America, the people have discovered a new craze thanks to the progress of technology and never-ending competition of electronic giants like Samsung and Apple to come up with the most convenient or the smallest electronic gadgets. Americans seem to have made social networking sites a part of their daily routine. Despite all the complaints about violation of privacy and negative effects on behavior, Americans still find themselves susceptible to the appeal of Facebook, Twitter and the like. Marijuana & Prescription Drugs America’s dependence on drugs does not have a definite start. Drugs are part of the field of medicine, the aspect of society which is responsible for promoting the well-being of its members. As suc h, drugs have always been available to the American society. Dependence on these, as with any addiction, began when Americans started taking prescription drugs more often than they were supposed to or for reasons the drugs were not prescribed for. Almost one out of ten Americans above twelve years old is categorized with substance abuse or dependence. (National) This is alarming because the age reference shows that drug addiction already starts when an individual becomes an adolescent. This means that when teenagers are supposed to be enjoying their life by engaging in after-school activities like playing sports and spending time with their families, they are actually getting high on illegal and prescription drugs. The most commonly abused drugs are marijuana, cocaine, heroin, hallucinogens, inhalants and psychotherapeutic drugs for non-medical purposes. (Cooper) This was based on 2010 survey conducted by the government regarding drug, alcohol and tobacco use. Marijuana, specificall y, has had a longer relationship with Americans, making center stage during the 60’s and the 70’s â€Å"when getting high was the norm† (Krueger) in America. However, it soon became listed under narcotic drugs and was considered habit-forming and as such harmful for society. Penalties exist for those cultivating, distributing and using marijuana. In Florida, possessing one ounce of marijuana is equivalent to five years and a $6,000 fine while selling close to 25 pounds is a felony which comes with a-five year jail time and a $5,000 fine. (Rao) Recent times, however, has seen a twist to the tale of marijuana and Americans. Medical benefits derived from use of marijuana have pushed medical experts, legislators and patients to clamor for the legalization of marijuana. In 1976, Robert Randall became the first patient to be legally allowed to use marijuana for the treatment of his glaucoma. (Recipients) Subsequently, the government formed a study in 1992 and starting giving free marijuana to nearly 20 patients every month (Stolberg). The program has long been shut down but the comfort marijuana has provided to people with cancer, rare bone disorder and the like are too obvious. Unafraid of the legalities involved, some retirees use marijuana for Crohn’s disease and arthritis because traditional medicines leave them feel sicker. (Krueger) Although the federal government still rules against the use of marijuana, Washington and Colorado have

Drug Wars in Ciudad Juarez Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2250 words

Drug Wars in Ciudad Juarez - Essay Example Official figures released indicates that as of the close of 2008 there had being close to 1,500 cases of criminal assassinations linked to the feuding drug cartels (Ellingwood, 2008). It is against this background that the thrust of this essay will be addressing the scope of the escalating drug related violence that have engulfed the city of Ciudad Juarez in the recent past. It is no exaggeration to say that violence in its various forms is a common feature in Mexico, yet the situation in Ciudad Juarez is an exceptional case of extreme gangster inspired barbarism and carnage that has left an otherwise peaceful population terrified due to the terrorism unleashed on every body without regard for designated targets. This assertion is proven by the increasing number of innocent victims who are made sacrificial lambs in the heated drug related violence between the feuding gangs on the one side and the federal government forces on the other side. In mincing no words, the ongoing violence in Ciudad Juarez is a clear reflection of the extent to which the looming crisis has degenerated to appalling depths. There is no part of the city of 1.3 million inhabitants that is immune to the catastrophe. Almost one third of all the recorded assassinations in Mexico in 2008 occurred in the city of Ciudad Juarez, a clear indication of the state of affairs there; more frigh tening is the bleakness of the prospects of bringing these acts to a permanent end. In a rather unconventional style, almost anybody can be a target either through accident or design. There have been reports of innocent children who have been caught up in the crossfire as rival cartels exchange gun fire in open broad day light in street corners. This does not include members of the security forces who have also being targeted by the gangs in a series of assassination as a means of sounding signals to

Boatright Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Boatright - Essay Example Therefore, since the individual assumes the risks involved, he can be said to be contributorily negligent (Edwards, Edwards, and Wells, 2008). Individual autonomy incorporates moral and political values that dictate how individuals govern themselves, irrespective of their role in social structure, as well as political alienations. In addition, an individual’s moral principles and responsibilities, and the legality of political weight are critical in self-governing the individual (Christman, 2011). Kant investigates the ideas and concepts surrounding morality and elucidates commonsense ideas that are crucial in coming up with our moral judgments. In the case under study, the individual may have been under intense pressure to find a job because of the need to fend his family and himself. However, he was well aware of the risky conditions that were combined with the job he accepted. Based on the doctrine of volenti, the individual cannot be able to bring a claim to his employer because of his assumptions on the risks involved (Miller & Jentz, 2009). The plaintiff already accepted to take the risks involved in exchange for the job. Lundmark (1998) asserts that assumption of the risk is a volitional act, and it cannot be present if the claimant has no knowledge or awareness of the impending dangers associated with the job at hand. This doctrine provides a complete defense for the defendant since the individual can be held to have voluntarily accepted the risks involved with the job. However, in case the defendant is found to have committed any form of negligence, damages sustained by the plaintiff can be viewed to be inconsistent. Kant draws his views from moral philosophy and provides general judgments that are deemed to be deeply held. In addition, Kant argues that the moral judgments should be widely accepted and acceptable to

Emergence of Critical and Cultural Theories Essay Example for Free

Emergence of Critical and Cultural Theories Essay Culture : the learned behavior of members of a given social group. Cultural studies: Focus use of media to create forms of culture that structure everyday life. Political economy theories: Focus on social elites use of economic power to exploit media institutions. 2 There are microscopic interpretive theories that focus on how individuals and social groups use media to create and foster forms of culture that structure everyday life. These theories are referred to as cultural studies theories. There are macroscopic structural theories that focus on how social elites use their economic power to gain ontrol over and 3 Cultural Theory: Theories openly espousing certain values and using these values to evaluate and criticize the status quo providing alternate ways of interpreting the social role of mass media. Those who develop critical theories seek to initiate social change that will implement their values. Political economy theories are inherently critical but some cultural studies 4 Critical theories often provides complex explanations for this tendency of media to consistently do so. E. g: some critical theorists identify constraints on media practitioners that limit their ability to challenge established authority. They charge that few incentives exist to encourage media professionals to overcome these constraints and that media 5 Critical theory often analyzes specific social institutions, probing the extent to which valued objects are sought and achieved. Mass Media and the mass culture have been linked to a variety of social problems, they are criticized for aggravating or preventing problems from being identified or addressed. A common theme in critical theories of media is that content production is so constrained 6 Consider for example, the last time you read news about members of a social ovement that strongly challenged the status quo? Why were the college students who protested against the Communist Chinese government in Tiananmen Square heroes of democracy and those in American anti-war hippies and radicals? Stories about movements imply problems with 7 controntation. Movement leaders demand coverage ot their complaints and they stage demonstrations designed to draw public attention to their concerns. Elites seek to minimize coverage or to exercise spin control so that the coverage favors their position. How do Journalists handle this? How should they handle it? Existing research indicates that this coverage almost always degenerates movements and supports elites. 8 Critical theory: Strengths: 1. Is politically based, actionoriented. 2. Uses theory and research to plan change in the real world. 3. Asks big, important questions about media control and ownership. 9 Weaknesses: 3. When subjected to scientific verification, often employs innovative but controversial research methods. 0 Rise of Cultural Theories in Europe: Despite its long life in American Social Science, the Limited Effects Paradigm never enjoyed great popularity in europe. European social research has instead been characterized by what U. S. Observers regard as grand social theories. Grand Social Theory: Highly ambitious, 1 1 In Europe, the development of grand social theory remained a central concern in the social s ciences and humanities. Mass society theory gave way to a succession of alternate ideas. Some were limited to specific nations and others spread across many countries. Some of the most widely accepted have been based on the writings of Karl Marx. Marxist theory influenced even the theories that were created in reaction against it. Marxist ideas formed a foundation or touch stone for most postworld War II european social theory and research. 12 Cold War politics colored much of the U. S. Response to it. Ironically, in the 1970s and 1980s, at the very time that Marxist failed as a practical guide for politics and economics in Eastern Europe, grand social theories based on Marxist thought were gaining increasing acceptance in Western Europe. 3 MARXIST THEORY: Marxist Theory: Theory arguing that the hierarchical class system is at the root of all social problems and must be ended by a revolution of the proletariat. Karl Marx developed this theory in the latter part of the nineteenth century during one of the most volatile periods of social change in Europe. In some respects, his theory is yet another version ot mass society theory- but witn several ve ry important alterations and additions. 14 He identified industrialization and urbanization as problems but argued that these changes were not inherently bad. Instead, he blamed ruthless robber baron capitalists for exacerbating social problems because they maximized personal profits by exploiting workers. Marx argued that the hierarchical class system was the root of ll social problems and must be ended by a revolution of the workers or proletariat. He believed that elites dominated society primarily through their direct control over the means of production (i. e. , labor, factories, land) which he referred to as the base of society. 15 But elites also maintained themselves in power through their control over culture, or the superstructure of society. He saw culture as something that elites freely manipulated to mislead average people and encourage them to act against their own interest. He used the term ideology to refer to these forms of culture. To him, ideology operated much like a drug. Those who were under its influence fail to see how they are being exploited. In worst cases, they are so deceived, that they actually 16 undermine their own interests and do things that increase the power of elites while making their own lives even worse. Marx concluded that the only hope for social change was a revolution in which the masses seized control of the base the means of production. Control over the superstructure -over ideology would naturally follow. He saw little possibility that reforms in the super structure could ead to social evolution, or if it could, that -that transformation would be very slow in coming. Elites would never willingly surrender POWER. Power must be taken from them. Little purpose would be served by making minor changes in ideology 17 without first dominating the means of production. Neomarxist Theory: Contemporary incarnation of Marxist theory focusing attention on the super structure. The importance that Neomarxists attach to the super structure has created a fundamental division within Marxism. Many neomaxists assume that useful change can begin with peaceful, ideological reform rather than violent revolution in which he working class seizes control of the means of production. 18 Some neomarxists have developed critiques that call for radically transforming the superstructure while others call for modest reforms. Tensions have arisen among scholars who base their work on Marxs ideas over the value of the work being done by 19 the various neomarxist schools. Textual Analysis and Literary Criticism: Modern european cultural studies theories have a second, very different source a tradition of humanist criticism of religious and literary texts that is referred to hermeneutics. Hermeneutics: the interpretation f texts to identify their actual or real meaning. 20 -humanists who worked to identify and preserve what came to be known as the literary canon a body of the great literature. The literary canon was part of what was referred to as high culture, a set of cultural artifacts including music, art, literature, and poetry that humanists Judged to have the highest value. 1 the level of culture to enable even more people to become humane and civilized. Over the years, many different methods for analyzing written texts have emerged from hermeneutics. They share a common purpose: to criticize old and new cultural ractices so that those most deserving of attention can be identified and explained and the less deserving can be dismissed. This task can be compared with that of movie critics who tell us which films are good or bad and assist us in appreciating or avoiding them. The primary difference is that movie critics are typically not committed to promoting higher 22 cultural values; they only want to explain which movies we are likely to find entertaining. THE FRANKFURT SCHOOL One early prominent school of neo-marxist theory developed during the 1930s at the University of Frankfurt and became known as the Frankfurt School. 3 Two of the most prominent individuals associated with the school were Max Horkheimer, its long time head, and Theodor Adorno, a prolific and cogent theorist. Horheimer and Adorno were openly skeptical that high culture could or should be communicated through mass media. Adorno argued that radio broadcasts or records couldnt begin to adequately reproduce the sound of a live symphony orchestra. He ridiculed the reproduction of great art in 24 magazines or the reprinting of great novels in condensed, serialized form. He claimed that mass media reproductions of high culture were inferior and diverted eople from seeking out (and paying for) the real thing if bad substitutes for high culture were readily available, he believed too many people would settle for them and fail to support better forms of culture. The Frankfurt School has been criticized along with other forms of traditional humanism for being too elitist and paternalistic. By rejecting the possibility of using media to disseminate 25 high culture, most ot the population was ettectively denied access to it Many ot the schools criticisms of media paralleled those of mass society theory and had the same limitations. The Frankfurt School eventually had a direct impact on American social research because the rise of the Nazis forced its Jewish members into exile. 26 During the period of exile, however, Frankfurt School Theorists remained prodductive. They devoted considerable effort, for example, to the critical analysis of Nazi culture and the way it undermined and perverted high culture. In their view, Nazism grounded on a phony, artificially constructed folk culture that had been cynically created and manipulated by Hitler and his propagandists. 27 Nazism helped them envision the Germany they longed to see a unified, proud ation with a long history of achievement and a glorious future. As they rose to power, the Nazis replaced high culture with their pseudofolk culture and discredited important forms of high culture, especially those created by Jews. 8 DEVELOPMENT OF NEOMARXIST THEORY IN BRITAIN: Dunng the 1960s and 1970s , two important schools of neomarxist theory emerged in Great Britain. British Cultural studies and political economy theory. British cultural studies combines neomarxist theory with ideas and research methods derived from diverse sources including literary criticism, linguistics, anthropology, and history. This theory has attempted to trace historic elite domination over culture, to criticize the 29 social consequence of this domination and to demonstrate how it continues to be exercised over specific minority groups or subcultures. British cultural studies criticizes and contrasts elite notions of culture, including high culture, with popular, every day forms practiced by minorities. The superiority of all forms of elite culture including high culture is challenged and compared with useful, valuable forms of popular culture. Hermeneutic attention is shifted from the study of elite cultural rtifacts to the study of minority grouped Lived culture. 30 Graham Murdock(1989) traced the rise of British cultural studies during the 1950s and 1960s. Most important theorists came from the lower social classes that were the focus of the movies. The British cultural studies critique of high culture and ideology was an explicit rejection of what its proponents saw as alien forms of culture imposed on minorities. They defended indigenous forms of popular culture as legitimate expressions of minority groups/ A dominant early theorist was Raymond Williams, a literary scholar who achieved 31 Notoriety with his reappraisals of cultural development in England. Williams ideas were viewd with suspicion and skepticism by many of his colleagues at Cambridge University. Toward the end of 1960s and into the 1970s, Williams turned his attention to mass media. He was more broadly concerned with issues of cultural change and development as well as elite domination ot culture. 3 repackaged as popular, mass media content. If there were to be genuine progress, he felt, it would have to come through significant reform of social institutions. The first important school of cultural studies theorists was formed at the University of Birmingham, during the 1960s and was led by Stuart Hall. Hall (1982) was especially influential in directing several analyses of mass media that directly challenge limited effects notions and in introducing innovative alternatives. Building on ideas developed by Jurgen Habermas(1971 , 1989) and Williams, Hall argued that mass media liberal -democracies can be best understood as a pluralistic public forum in which various forces struggle to shape popular notions about social reality. Pluralistic Public Forum: In critical theory, the idea that media provide a place where the power of dominant lite can be challenged. British Cultural Studies: Strengths: 1 . Asserts value of popular culture 2. Empowers Common Man 34 3. Empowers minorities and values their culture. 4. Stresses cultural pluralism and egalitarianism. Weaknesses: 1. Is too political; call to action is to subjective 2. Typically lacks scientific verification; is based on subjective observation. 3. When subjected to scientific verification, often employs innovative but controversial research methods. 35 Unlike traditional Marxists, Hall did not argue that elites can maintain complete control over this forum. In his view, elites dont need that power to advance their interests. The culture expressed in this forum is not a mere superficial reflection of the superstructure but is instead a dynamic creation of opposing groups.

Modern Behaviour Patterns: Middle Stone Age Record of Africa

Modern Behaviour Patterns: Middle Stone Age Record of Africa Is there evidence for the establishment of modern behaviour patterns in the Middle Stone Age record of Africa? Behavioural modernity refers to developed behavioural traits we associated with ‘modern’ humans (Jacobs Richard, 2009). These behavioural traits are what distinguish modern humans their recent ancestors from other extinct hominids as well as both current past primates. What we now classify as modern human behaviours are cultural universals shared by all individuals, these behaviours include traits like language, religion decoration, or what’s known as the behavioural B’s: blades, beads, burials, bone-tool making beauty (Calvin, 2004). This essay discusses the evidence for the establishment of modern behaviour patterns in the Middle Stone Age (MSA) record of Africa. What is the Middle Stone Age record? The MSA was a period of African prehistory generally considered to have spanned between 280,000 years ago 50–25,000 years ago. The term MSA is used synonymously with the term Middle Palaeolithic, used in the remainder of the Old World where comparable artefacts traditions are found is now closely associated with the appearance of behavioural modern humans. (Clark, 1998) Innovations A range of innovations characterise the MSA, this following section talks about some of these, why how they came about. Technology There is marked variation in Middle Stone Age assemblages, which could have been caused by a number of factors including environmental conditions, resource type availability, choice of different reduction techniques strategies of tool manufacture. Technological patterns in these asemblages reflect early stages of modern human behaviour, with little standardisation within them. The beginning of the Middle Stone Age is identified by changes in the lithic components of the industries, namely, by the disappearance of bifaces (handaxes and cleavers) of the Acheulean type and the appearance of of composite tools which incorporated points signalling the beginning of the reorganisation of technology(Zenobia Roberts, 2009). Tool kits of this time included prepared core technology aka the Levallois method of flake production in which a core was carefully prepared on one side so that a flake of a certain, predetermined shape and size could be produced with a single blow (______). Composite tool kits also became common in this time period. These composite tools allowed tools to be hafted to other items, most commonly wood to create spears, and included triangular flakes, denticulates (tools retouched to form a serated edge), awls used to perferte hides and retouched points and scrapers. Occasional grinding stones and bone points have also been found during this time period The most potent evidence for behaviourally modern stone tools come from the sites of Still Bay (SB) Howiesons Poort dated between 72-71 ka 65-60 ka respectively (Zenobia Roberts, 2009). Among the Still Bay toolkit are bifacial flaked points that probably formed parts of spearheads, whereas the Howiesons Poort toolkits include blade-like tools that were blunted on one side hafted as part of composite weapons. These Middle Stone Age assemblages contain significant evidence of modern human behaviour which is reflected in raw material procurement, exchange patterns, adaptive behaviour, mastery of craftsmanship (Onjala, 2006). Hunting gathering The emergence of modern hunting capabilities is one of the behavioural traits which classify modern human behaviour, there is a great deal of debate as to the effectiveness of the hunting strategies of MSA humans thus weather the individuals of this time period were in fact ‘behaviourally modern’. One argument presented is that MSA individuals were less effective hunters than their LSA successors (Faith, 2008), Klein in his paper The problem of modern human origins argued that this was a result of a major neural change that took place between 50-40 ka, creating humans with a fully modern intellect. Klein believes there were several behavioural technological consequences of this change such as the development of more effective hunting capabilities, the ultimate dispersal of modern humans into Eurasia (Klein, 1994). Most researchers however, maintain that MSA individuals were fully adept hunters thus the emergence of modern hunting skills is one of the modern behavioural traits that appeared during the MSA (Faith, 2008) Many sites from across Africa show accumulation of fish remains from fresh water, brackish marine environments, these sites include Klasies River, Herolds bay Hoedjies Punt open sites among many others. The fish found at these sites are often to large to have been introduced by costal birds therefore point to the development of fishing techniques. At blombos cave, South Africa, these include deep water varaieties pointing to a large increase in technology. Some sites also contain marine mammals such as Die Kelders where remains of Cape fur seals have been found. Inland sites contain remains of many mammals, usually medium sized herbavores such as zebra, eland antelopes, all of which were common during the time period. Unlike the LSA, hunting of larger dangerous animals appears rare, which Richard Klein suggests indicates the individuals of this time period had not developed the technologies to deal with this kind of behaviour. Mortality profiles for animals from the MSA suggest the key target range for hunting during this time period was the young or the old animals which were weak or vulnerable. While hunting is one possible accruement of meat resources it is likely that a large range of meat gathering strategies were used during this time period including scavenging, long distance hunting ambush hunting (Scarre, 2013) Site modification, Art, Ornamentation Symbols A major signifier of modern behaviour is the organized use of space. While this is not common during the MSA there are a few examples of site modification, most commonly arc-shaped â€Å"walls† of stone, possibly created as wind breaks. (Scarre, 2013) Evidence for art, ornamentation symbolism however have been found at several sites across Africa. Many items from sites across Africa have been found to have been intentionally marked with abstract geometric symbols both carved painted (Wurz, 2014). These items most notably include engraved ochre, bone ostrich shell; Engravings paintings beads. Of the engraved items, possibly the most notable from this time period is a ~ 77,000- year-old piece of dark-red ochre with a cross-hatched pattern bounded by parallel lines engraved on one side recovered from Still Bay (Wurz, 2014) while other engraved items include bone from Blombos Cave at Klasies River a bone engraved with four parallel lines has been found (Wilkins, 2010). Egg shell is another item which has frequently been engraved upon, examples include from the site of Diepkloof in the Western Cape, where 270 fragments of intentionally marked ostrich eggshell believed to have been used as containers have been recovered dating to 60kya including geometric motifs such as straight parallel lines, cross-hatching, a hatched band (Wurz, 2014). Other sites including engraved egg shells in their assemblages include Howieson’s Poort Apollo 11 (Wilkins, 2010) Beads as personal ornamentation are the last aspect of art, ornamentation symbolism that will be discussed in this essay. Beads made from shell occur from around 100,000 years ago in some sites in Africa (Wurz, 2014) the most notable of which being the collection from Still Bay at Blombos Cave where over 40 beads made of Nassarius kraussianus shells. Keyhole perforations had been created in each shell, most likely with a bone tool, were then strung worn as personal ornament. Some beds also contain ochre residue, although wether this is from deliberate colouring or from transfer when worn is unknown (Henshilwood Dubreuil). Conclusion The innovative technologies and social practices mentioned above are only one part of a behavioral montage that spread through Africa during the MSA. Rapid advances in human cognition were manifested in material-culture practices not previously observed in the Africa or anywhere else in the world supplying evidence for Africa as the place of establishment of modern behaviour. Evidence Based Care: Hand Hygiene Evidence Based Care: Hand Hygiene Utilising Evidence Based Care This essay endeavours to investigate hand hygiene, and feel I need to gain more knowledge in this field by utilising the available evidence effectively. I also intend to discuss nurse held traditions, customs and rituals. The common method of handwasing is usually with unmedicated soaps, whist an anti-bacterial soap may be used for total hand decontamination. (Hugonnet Pittet 2000). As nursing staff can wash their hands up to forty times per hour, it may be one of the most frequently practiced nursing skills (National Patient Safety Agency, 2004). According to Pittet (2000) healthcare professionals barely reach fifty per cent compliance with handwashing. Holland, Jenkins, Soloman et al (2003) point out that hands are the primary factor is spreading bacteria, especially as they come into contact with body fluids, furniture, dressings and equiptment. During a placement on a surgical ward I witnessed poor hand hygiene and felt I needed to deepen my knowledge of effective and appropriate hand washing to be a competent, safe practitioner. Health care-associated infection is a major cause of morbidity and mortality. Hand hygiene is regarded as an effective preventive measure against transmission of hospital acquired infection between patient to patient (Gould et al (2007). As a health care professional I am aware I must work within the guidelines of the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) and the government body, the Department of Health (DoH). Within this essay I intend to utilise two sources of research, critique them, and use the findings accordingly. The Nursing and Midwifery Council Code of Conduct (2008) states that ‘care and advice to patients must be based on the best available evidence (NMC 2008 p4). Fitzpatrick (2007) states ‘healthcare professionals must demonstrate effective integration of evidence, including findings of research into their decision making. ‘Evidence based practice is the conscientious, explicit, and judicious use of current best evidence in making decisions about the care of individual patients. The practice of evidence based medicine means integrating individual clinical expertise with the best available clinical evidence from systematic research ‘Sackett et al (1996). Within evidence available for utilisation is an evidence hierarchy. At the top of the hierarchy are well designed randomised controlled trials. The UK Cochrane Centre specialises in random controlled controlled trials (RCTs). The Cochrane centre operates globally to maintain and publish up to date reviews of randomised controlled tests for health care. (Sheldon and Chalmers 1994). Hamer (1999a) also states that randomised controlled trials (RCTs) are frequently called the gold standard of research evidence. The Cochrane Centre work out the validity of research by grading them. Grading starts at A-C, A being the highest score, and showing it has met all the quality requirements (Mulrow Oxman, (1997). Hierarchies are also used in clinical guidelines, graded by both standard of evidence and recommendations. The highest standard of evidence grade, matched by the highest recommendation grade, suggests superior validity and ought to be considered to be implemented in practice (Cook et al, 1992) Research evidence appropriateness can be based on how the data was collected. Examples of different research designs are RCTS, case-controlled studies, cohort studies, professional, or qualitive. The two research paper I am examining use a mix of methods. Lockett (1997) claims evidence-based practice is a combination of scientific and professional practices. The ‘evidence -based aspect refers to scientific rationale and the ‘practice part refers to behaviour of the healthcare professional (Lockett 1997). The importance of evidence -based practice is highlighted by Hamer (1999b), stating the primary aim is to aid professionals in effective decision making to reduce ineffective, inappropriate possible hazardous practices. This would suggest, as with guidelines set out by the NMC that the use of evidence-based practice has much rationale. The American Nurses Association (2003) points out that in order to enable nurses to tally with the expectations of society, a strong evidence base for practice is essential. Furthermore, for nursing to be recognised a genuine profession, it is essential to have all of its practices based on evidence (Royal College of Nursing 1982). Once a topic had been chosen to explore I conducted a search via databases. I found initially to use solely the term handwashing, which yielded a surplus of data. I set the date parameters on the search to the last 5 years to maximise the validity of the research, which not only provided more suitable data, but narrowed the search to yield less results. This facilitated the search for relevant research. I added other words to the search, such as compliance and the word and/or. Also truncation was used, this maximised the search further. Especially as there are many variations of the work handwashing. Furthermore, handwashing was not the only term used to describe handwashing, hand hygiene was also used. This too, yielded successful results. The term nurse was also added, this too was truncated to nurs*, which allowed terms such as nursing, nurses, nursed to be detected, thus increasing the probability of locating the desired results. I set the parameters to detect full text and on the English language. As I am not accustomed to using databases I sought the advice of the librarian, EBSCO, CINAHL and BNI were recommended resources. Also the Cochrane library has been praised as the gold standard in randomised controlled studies. As randomised controlled studies are at the top of the hierarchy of evidence I decided to seek a randomised controlled study. I found located the primary piece of evidence from the Cochrane library. On this occasion I did not use main stream search engines, although I would consider using a search engine in the future to find research. Fitzpatrick (2007) claims internet searches engines can yield credible results. My second piece of research was discovered on Ovid. Once selected, Ovid requires users to select databases within that database. I excluded paediatrics as this was not relevant to the search. |Interventions to improve hand hygiene compliance in patient care conducted by Gould (2007) is the selected primary source. The quality of the abstract was clear, with sub heading, and reflected the aim of the paper and its content. The objectives were to assess the long term success and improve hand hygiene compliance and to determine whether a sustained increase in hand hygiene can lower hospital infections. This was relevant to my search as this is an area I wanted to increase my knowledge on, and utilise in practice, if the research is deemed valid and credible. The types of studies used were randomised controlled trials (RCTs), controlled clinical trials (CCTs), controlled before and after studies (CBAs) and interrupted time series analyses (ITSs) meeting the requirements of the Cochrane Effective Practice and Organisation of Care Group (EPOC).The research is a systematic review. According to Mulrow (1995) systematic reviews do the ‘hard work of critiquing the research so time limited health care workers can access valid data. Systematic reviews are the gold standard of research (NHS Centre for reviews and Dissemination, p.1 1996): ‘Systematic reviews locate, appraise and synthesis evidence from scientific studies in order to provide informatative, empirical answers to scientific research questions. Muir Gray (1997) and Sackett et al (1997) claim randomised controlled trials are thought to be the most dependable and trustworthy source of evidence. I interpret the above as indicting the research may be of a high standard to meet the criteria of the Cochrane Effective Practice and Organisation of Care Group (EPOC). Although the research paper is not yet fully critiqued, this is a positive validity indicator. The participants were target groups, of doctors and nurse. Theatre staffs were excluded due to different hand hygiene techniques being used. To exclude theatre staff was relevant as hand hygiene is part of the ‘scrubbing in ritual, and if included may have caused inaccurate results. Data collection and analysis was conducted by two reviews, and they accessed the data quality. All of the data they had gathered was via databases searches, and two studies out of over seventy five met the criteria review. The author concluded no implications for practice, as the review had not been able to provide enough evidence. The implications for research were more studies are urgently needed to evaluate improvements to hand hygiene. The biasness of the paper is not easy to find out as I could not discover the professions of the researchers. It could be suggested that if they were nurses, this could create a potential for bias. When searching for this primary piece of research I did not need to be concerned about UK and American spellings are the words used did not have UK American versions. However in future I would chose to look for both to show abundant data. The keywords used for finding this particular piece were, hand*, hygiene, wash*, comlianc*, concordanc* and nurs*. Quantitive research sample sizes normally exceed one hundred participants. Interviews or questionnaire have set questions. Data is usually recording statistically (Siviter 2005). The data within this research was presented in tabular form. The CASP (2006) quantitive tool was utilised in the critiquing of this research. Had the research paper been qualitive, I would have used the CASP quantitive tool. This is a valuable and effective tool in analysing the research for strengths and weaknesses (Hek Moule 2006). Although on this occasion I used CASP to critique the paper I would in future consider using other critiquing frameworks, such as Bray and Rees (1995) and Benton and Cormack (2000) or Popay et al (1998). As to if the research was ethical or not is indistinguishable as no consent issues arose as all evidence was found via databases. Although, consensual issues are not the only ethical issues to be considered. Beauchamp Childress (1994) claim healthcare ethics is when moral issues and questions are raised within the healthcare realm. Respect to an individual values and beliefs are a part of being ethical. However in terms of the primary research paper there are no visible signs of a breach of ethics. The results show that both the randomised controlled trials were poorly controlled. One trail shows an increase in hand washing compliance four months after interventions. The second trail has shown no post intervention increase in hand hygiene. The author found both samples were of low quality and was conducted over a too small time frame. The author concludes there is not any strong evidence to make an informed choice to better hand washing. According to the author, one off teaching sessions will not expected to make any lasting changes to compliance. Further robust research is recommended by the author. Therefore, currently from this research there is inadequate data that could be utilised in evidence-based practice. ‘Hand hygiene practices: student perceptions is the second piece of research chosen. This is a qualitive piece of research. The aim of the research was clear from the abstract and the title. Student nurses were interviewed to gain depth of data. Student nurses were also guaranteed anomity, which may have assisted the researcher gain rich data. Had the researcher chose a quantitive methodology, it would have been complex to achieve students perspectives. The NMC (2008) praises qualitive research methods as they respect patients individuality and feelings in the way nursing staff are presumed to, and is suitable for nursing research. According to Parahoo (2006), qualitive research may be considered to be of less value than quantitive research. Another positive aspect of qualitive research is the broad picture it provides, history, context, and the causes ( Blaxter, Hughes Tight, 2006). Siviter (2005) defines the average qualitive research sample size as fairly small, with an average of fifteen to twenty. Data is usually gathered through semi-structured interviews and open ended questions. The researchers who conducted the research are both nurses and have a professional interest in the paper, and it is noted that the possibility of bias could occur. This was recognised by the nurse researchers. Evan (2003) Hierarchy of evidence concludes case studies lack validity in comparison to random controlled trials and systemic reviews. A barrier to utilising research to support evidence-based practice may be lack of knowledge and skill. Hundley et al (2000) noted that although attempts are being made to incorporate research education into current nurse curriculum, poor analysis skills are still a barrier to reading research. Hundley et al (2000) also states time is a primary barrier to utilising evidence-based practice. Retsas (2000) offers advice in conquering the time barrier, advising organisations need to increase time to study in order for evidence-based practice to be achieved. Issues with autonomy, or lack of, have been suggested as potential barriers in the implementation of nursing research. Doctors were named as a potentially obstructive (Lacey 1994). Shaw et al (2005) suggest that to know and understand possible barrier and enablers to utilising evidence is critical in the identification of evidence-practice gaps. Grol and Wensing (2004) discuss the many different enablers and barriers that might be foun d when change is attempted to be implemented. These range from awareness, knowledge, motivation to change and behavioural routines (Grol and Wensing 2004). Traditional rituals within nursing are a barrier to implementing evidence -based practice. Walsh and Ford (1990) define rituals as: ‘Ritual action implies carrying out a task without thinking it through in a problem-solving way. The nurse does something because this is the way it has always been done. The nurse does not have to think about the problem and work out an individual solution, the action is a ritual. Billy and Wright (1997) defend rituals, claiming some are healing, and have some positive outcomes. Parahoo (2006b) argues that rituals are when practice rationale is forgotten. Thompson (1998) discusses the research-practice gap, claiming there is a gap between knowledge and practice. This would indicate there is a gap between producers and users of research (Caplan 1982).Larsen et al (2002) argues that the research-practice gap does not exist in nursing as it is not an evidence-based profession. One way of passing on the message of evidence-based practice is through clinical guidelines. Woolf et al (1999) clinical guidelines improve quality of decisions made by healthcare professionals, although a downfall may be recommendations are wrongly interpreted. A First Class Service (Department of Health, 1998) summarizes the government ideas for improving evidence base, and how to implement the findings. This indicates the governments recognition of the benefits to quality of care, and its links to evidence-based practice. Since then the government has included evidence-based practice in its strategies, such as NHS Research and Development in 1992 and Making a Difference in 1999. Evidence-based healthcare was at the core of these strategies (Department of Health, 1992). In the North Bristol Trust the ‘Clean your Hands campaign is in use. This was implemented by The National Patient Safety Agency; Alcohol gels were put all around the trust, in an attempt to make hand hygiene facilities more accessible. Nursing staff also wore ‘its ok to ask badges; encouraging patients to remind busy staff to wash their hands (Infection Control Policy and Manual North Bristol Trust, 2006). In conclusion I have learnt there is a colossal sum of research to be potentially be utilised in practice. From accessing valid data, to having the time to critique research once in practice, to trying to implement change when in practice, I have realised there are many obstacles to achieving evidence-based practice. Research should always be analysed to establish whether or not the data it produces is valid and if it ought to be implemented in practice or not. From the two research papers I have analysed I found that neither were valid enough to consider implementing in practice. I have also learnt that change within health care is not as easy to implement as I have previously thought, many parts of the interprofessional team must be involved. Managers are key to helping change take place. I do still believe that effective handwashing is definitely one of the most effective measures in the role of infection control. A valid, robust research paper on this essential nursing skill would aid effective hand hygiene, as currently many research paper out there do not make the grade for them to be implemented in practice. From this I have learned a valuable lesson that just because research is there, does not necessarily make it credible and valuable. Reference American Nurses Association (2003) Education for participation in nursing research. http://nursingworld.org/readroom/position/research/rseducat.htm (accessed sept 2009) Barrett, R., Randle, J. (2008). Hand hygiene practices; student nurse perceptions. Journal of Clinical Nursing, 17, 1851-1857 Beauchamp, T.L. Childress ,J.F. (1994)Principles of Biomedical Ethics, 4th edn. New York; Oxford University Pres Billy, Wright C.M (1997). The History of nursing research in Austrialia. Reflections, 21, 1;17-18. Benton, D.C., Cormack, F.S. (2000) Reviewing and evaluating the literature. In: Cormack, D. (Ed) The Research Process in Nursing. Oxford: Blackwell Science Blaxter,L ,. Hughes, C,. Tight, M. (2006). How to research (3rd). Buckingham: Open university press. Bray, J., Rees, C. (1995) Reading research articles. Practice Nursing; 6: 11, 11-13. Caplan N (1982) Social research and public policy at the national level. In; D B P Kallan, G B Kosse, H C Wagennar, J J Department of Health (1998). A First Class Service, Quality in the NHS, London. Department of Health. Cook D.J, Mulrow C.D. Haynes B. (1998) Synthesis of best evidence for clinical decisions. In; Systematic Reviews; Thesis of Best Evidence for Health Care Decisions (eds Mulrow C.D Cook D) Critical Appraisal Skills Programme (CASP 2006) http://www.phru.nhs.uk/Doclinks/Qualitive%20Tool.pdf (Accessed online October 2009) Department of Health (1992) Research Development Stratagy London: Department of Health. Department Of Health (1999) Making a Differnce- Strengthening the Nursing, Midwifrey and Health Visiting Contribution to Health and Healthcare. London: Department of Health. J Kloprogge and M Vorbeck (eds), Social Science Research and Public Policy- Making:A Reappraisal (Netherlands; NFER). Evans, D. (2003). Hierachy of evidence: a frame work for ranking evidence evaluating healthcare interventions. Journal of Clinical Nursing. Fitzpatrick, J (2007) Finding research for evidence-based practice. The development of EBP. Nursing times.net vol 103. P32-33. (accessed online October 2009) Gould D, Chudleigh JH, Moralejo D, Drey N. Interventions to improve hand hygiene compliance in patient care. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2007, Issue 2. Art. No.: CD005186. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD005186.pub2. Hamer. S (1999a).Achieving evidence-based practice. A hannbook for practitioners. Bailliere Tindall. RCN. p19 Hamer. S (1999b).Achieving evidence-based practice. A hannbook for practitioners. Bailliere Tindall. RCN. p6-7 Hek, G., Moule, P. (2006). Making sense of research- An introduction for health and social care practitioners (3rd ed.) London: Sage Publications Limited. Holland K., Jenkins J., Soloman J., Whittam S. (2003) Applying the Roper, Logan, Tierney Model in Practice, London, Churchill |Livingston. Hugonnet S., Pittet D. (2000) Hand hygiene-beliefs or science? Clinical Microbiology Infection, Vol. 6, Issue , p348. Hundley V, Milne J, Leighton-Beck L, Graham W and Fitzmaurice A (2000) Raising research awareness among midwives and nurses: Does it work? Journal of Advanced Nursing, 31, 1:78-88 National Patient Safety Agency (2004) Patient Safety Alert: Clean hands help save lives. National health Service; London. Accessed on October 2009 http.//www.npsa.nhs.uk/site/media/documnents/644 cyh Mulrow C.D Oxman A.D (1997) CocharaneCollaboataion Handbook (database on disk and CDROM). The Cochrane library, |The Cochrane Collaboartion, Oxford, Update Software. Nursing and Midwifery Code of Conduct NMC www.nmc.co.uk (accessed online October 2009) Nursing and Midwifery Code of Conduct NMC. (2008). Standards of conduct, performance and ethics for nurses and midwifes. London; NMC. Muir Gray J.A (1997) Evidence-based Healthcare. Churchill, Livingston, New York. Parahoo, K. (2006). Nursing research- principles, Process and issues (2nd ed.). London: Macmillan Press. Parahoo, K. (2006b). Nursing research- principles, Process and issues (2nd ed.). London: Macmillan Press p 5. Pittet, D. (2000) Compliance with hand disinfection and its impact on hospital acquired infections. Journal of Hospital Infection. Vol. 48 p40-46 Popay J, Williams G (1998) Qualitive research and evidence based health care. Journal of The Royal Society of Medicine 91 35 32-37. Royal College of Nursing (1982) Research-Mindedness and Nurse Education (London: Royal College of Nursing) Restas, A. (2000) Barriers to using research evidence in nursing practice. Journal of Advanced nursing. 31, 3;599-606 Sackett D.L., Richardson W.S Rosenberg W. Haynes R.B (1997) Evidence Based Medicine: How to Practice and Teach EBM. Churchill |Livingston, New York. Shaw B, Cheater F, Baker R, Gillies C, Hearnshaw H. Flottoprp S, et al. Tailored interventions to overcome identified barriers to change: effects pn professional practice and healthcare outcomes. Cochrane Databaese Syst Rev. 2005 (3); CDOD5470. Siviter. B, (2005) The student nurse handbook, Elsevier, China. Sheldon, T. Chalmers, I. (1994). The UK Cochrane Centre and the NHS Centre for reviews and dissemination: respective roles within the Infromation Systems Stratagey of the NHS RD Programme, coordination, principles and underlying collaboration. Health economics, 3 201-203. Thompson M A (1998) Closing the gap between nursing research and practice. Evidence-based Nursing, 1, 1;17-18. Walsh M and Ford P (1990) Nursing Rituals, Research and Rational Actions, 2nd edn (Oxford; Heinemann Nursing). Counterculture Analysis: Irish Mob Counterculture Analysis: Irish Mob Gary Smith A counter culture is a group of people that reject the values, norms, and practices of the larger society and replaces them with a new set of cultural patterns (Thomas). The Irish mob for example is considered one of the biggest counter cultures there ever was because of their organized crime. The Irish mob is also the oldest organized crime group and biggest. The Irish mob had gangs in New York, Boston, Philadelphia, and even Chicago (City Data). The Irish Mob consisted of many different individual gangs that had some really big names in them. The winter hill gang was a gang founded by James buddy Mclean and consisted of mostly Irish and Italian Americans. Some of the biggest names of the Irish mob where in this gang at the times such as Buddy McLean, Whitey Bulger, Howie Winter, Johnny Martorano, Joe McDonald, and Stephen Flemmi. The winter hill gang got their name from a journalist and because they lived in the winter hill neighborhood in Somerville Massachusetts. James buddy Mclean was a truck driver and the founder/leader of the winter hill gang (PRWEB). Mclean had a reputation for being a great street fighter which initially earned him his respect as being the gang founder and leader. Mclean and his gang (The winter hill gang) would soon begin to dominate Boston when it came to running numbers, loansharking, and even hijacking (PRWEB). Mclean was murdered in 1965 as he was shot in the head by Stevie Hughes which put Howie Winter in command of the winter hill gang however that didnt last too long because soon after Howie Winter was sent to prison for 5 years putting Whitey Bulger in charge of the Winter Hill Gang (George). Whitey Bulger took over the winter hill gang after the death of the former well respected boss James Buddy Mclean who was shot and killed in 1965. As well as being the winter hill gangs leader he was also a FBI informant. In 1956 Whitey was sentenced to 25 years in prison for numerous bank robberies (Guest). Although he was sentenced to 25 years in prison he only served 9 years and soon after returned to his regular life in Boston where he would join the Winter Hill Gang. In 1979 Whitey took over the winter hill gang and began to control Bostons drug dealing, bookmarking, and loansharking. As an FBI informant Whitey began feeding the police information on other gangs such as the Patriarcas which was a New England organized crime family. The police brought the Patriarcas down with the help of Whitey which made the Winter Hill Gang even more powerful that another family was gone. Whitey got into trouble with police and decided to go on the run which lasted until June of 2011 when he wa s arrested after 16 years. Whitey was sentenced to two life sentences plus five years in prison in November of 2013 (globe). The Irish gang war was a war between the winter hill gang the McLaughlin gang. The dispute occurred after one of the member of the McLaughlin gang tried to pick up one of the Winter Hills gangs girlfriends and ultimately got beat up so badly for it they dropped him off at the hospital (Evan). When Bernie McLaughlin went to talk to the Winter Hills Gangs leader who was James buddy Mclean at the time to figure out what had happened and who was involved he became very frustrated when Mclean wouldnt tell him exactly and he quickly made enemies with the wrong people which led to his in Charles town city square where he was killed by the winter hills gang leader himself James Buddy Mclean (ignatiev). The Irish Mob was considered a counter culture because of the way of members chose to live their life. The Irish Mob was one of the biggest structures when it came to organized crime which put them outside of the norm. Constantly breaking the laws society saw them as an outcast and even feared them. Members of the Irish mob believed that they had to take apart in the organized crime so that they could take care of themselves and their families. Most members of the Irish Mob are brought in by family or friends. They know what they are doing is wrong but do it any way as a way of life even if it means killing somebody. Ethnocentrism is when one views its own culture and or group as superior to others (Thomas R13). Ethnocentrism existed in all organized crime and especially in the Irish Mob. Because every gang thought they were better than other conflicts constantly occurred between them which is whys gangs are always fighting each other. The Irish Mob has their own ways of handling things which is cultural relativism. Cultural relativism is the belief that cultures should be judged by their own standards (Thomas R11). The Irish Mob behave and act the way they do because they believe that it is the only way to live. Individual members of the mob make it their job and there only way to receive income. Because this is the only way to take care of themselves and their loved ones they think that it is ok to commit these crimes.   Every Mob and or gang has their own way of handling situations and conflicts such as when somebody in their group decides to rat them out to the police some gangs might kill him on the spot while others torture him. In my opinion the Irish Mobs way of life is not acceptable and should not be tolerated in the American society. The Irish Mob are held accountable for numerous deaths that took place killing other gang members and even innocent citizens whether it be on purpose or accident its not acceptable. The Irish mob also have been known for selling illegal drugs such as cocaine. The Irish Mob are known for being the oldest organized crime group and also one of the biggest and had some of the biggest Mobsters such as Whitey Bulger who is considered to be one of the biggest and feared mobsters who ever lived. References   City Data. 13 july 2013. 11 march 2017. Evan, Andrews. History. 14 june 2014. 11 march 2017. George, Hasset. Gangs of Boston. strategic media books, 2013. globe, Boston. boston. 2017. 11 march 2017. Guest, Emily. Irish Central. 4 Augest 2010. 11 march 2017. ignatiev, Noel. The divide between blacks and irish. 17 march 2010. 11 march 2017. PRWEB. PRWEB. 10 september 2015. 11 march 2017. Thomas, W. sociology the study of human relation ships. Austin: Holt,winston, 2003. 39. textbook.

Restraint Essay -- essays research papers

Restraint   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Restraint is a major idea in Joseph Conrad’s Heart of Darkness. Restraint constantly influences the decisions people make. Kurtz’s lack of restraint kills him, while Marlow’s restraint saves and prevents him from becoming like Kurtz. Kurtz is a man who â€Å"[kicks] himself loose of the earth† (Conrad, 61). He does not have allegiance to anyone except to himself. Kurtz’s absence of restraint exists because he holds a lusty power in an un-civilized country. Restraint is affected by three factors; power, lust, and his surroundings. Kurtz’s display of restraint is a prime example that exemplifies the affect of these three factors on restraint.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Kurtz was not always the power hungry man portrayed in Conrad’s book. According to his Intended, Kurtz was an admired man who had a â€Å"generous heart† and a â€Å"noble mind† (Conrad, 70). However, after his expedition into Africa, he became a changed man; an â€Å"insoluble problem† (Conrad, 50). The new Kurtz â€Å"[kicks] the very earth to pieces† (Conrad, 61). â€Å"Let us say – nerves, [go] wrong, and [causes] him to preside at certain midnight dances ending with unspeakable rites† (Conrad, 45). He has dropped all sense and morality and continues to live on according to his various lusts.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Kurtz originally goes to Africa in order to earn a living by collecting ivory. His massive compilation of ivory exceeds those of the other men put together. Although the areas...

Russia and World War I :: essays papers

Russia and WWI The administrative system of the Russian government has deteriorated greatly. The present government has lost the will power and confidence to carry on with this war at a successful rate. All Russians long for a more confident and able power to rule Russia at this moment of war. At the moment Russia needs a very strong leader to have authority over it. An organised managerial structure over the military would help immensely but disregarding Russia^s currents military status, the Tsar Nicholas II has dismissed the Supreme Commander in Chief and taken up the post himself. Even the Russian President of the Duma, Rodzianko has stated in an account to the Tsar, that his taking over of the position of Supreme Commander in Chief was an unwise action to take. Another problem facing Russian military at the moment is the lack of ammunition. Russian guns are sometimes limited to four shots per day or less. Only 12% of the machine guns needed are available. Fuel, and metals like copper and iron are scares, because of this shortage of metals, mills are finding it impossible to supply a sufficient amount of bullets and bombs ordered by the Central War Industries Committee to fight this war. At this rate, Russia will never even come close to defeating any of her enemies. Also, there is a very large shortage of barbed wire which is resulting in many deaths of soldiers in the trenches because of the lack of protection. Most of the time the trenches are flooded with water knee deep, so it is very difficult for the soldiers to lie down or sit down which again results in them getting shot or bombed. Many men are wounded and the lack of transport is depriving them from getting any medical support so again many are dying relentlessly. Because of the lack of ammunition, insufficient clothing and poor rations the soldiers are loosing their courage and will to carry on with the fighting. Unrest among the troops have developed and signs of mutinies are evident as soldiers are growing more and more tired of the war and anti-war propaganda has started among the troops. The underdevelop railways system is another problem which is adding to Russia^s plight. The railways system is so underdeveloped that it cannot handle the massive troop movements from one place to another. There is also a shortage in railway transport and due to this shortage of transport for civilian purposes such as the ransportation of food, has caused a bread shortage in the towns.

An Elder Interview about the Aging Process and Health Care Essay

After spending an afternoon interviewing my elderly father-in-law, I gained insight into how he perceives the aging process and the impact on the quality of his life. First, and foremost he viewed aging in a very positive and healthy manner. He believes that a positive attitude assists in accepting physical and psychosocial changes and enjoyed the fact that he and his wife are both physically fit and cognitively alert. He felt confident that advances made in health care and the quality of their lives would continue to be empowering. He enjoys the benefits of being a senior citizen including discounted travel, free education, and other incentives marketed towards seniors. He expressed a sense of well-being with respect to the numerous housing options geared towards the graying population, such as Retirement Villages, and assisted living. However, the subjects of Long Term Care, Social security reform and government involvement in health care reform were subjects he regarded with very strong negative emotions. During the interview these issues as related to his experiences with health care were discussed with zeal and frustration. Ron is my father-in-law; he is seventy-seven years young and lives in Smallville with his wife. They live independently in a sprawling 4,500 foot custom built cape style home. Ron was the oldest of three siblings and was raised in a farming town by his father who was a disabled war veteran in poor health and a feisty Italian mother. Ron had the opportunity to complete high school and receive the gift of learning to work with his hands as a master finish carpenter. He worked on many farms as a young boy during the summers of high school to help support his family; he is no stranger to working very ... ... a better understanding of what everyone needs especially the elders over the age of 65 living in the United States. As a nation we know it is time for reform, we will get involved and make our opinions count and cry out for access and affordable health care for all. References Chait, Jonathan. (April, 1999). Countdown to Reform: The Great Social Security Debate. Washington Monthly. http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1316/is_4_31/ai_54367642/print Marshall, Will and Martin Schram. (1993) , Mandate for Change. New York: Berkley Books. Reynolds, Sean.(2004). Privatization of Social Security. National Parliamentary Debate Workshop. Retrieved from http://www.willamette.edu/cla/rhetoric/workshop/DebateResearch/shaunreed.doc Spitzer-Resnick, Jeffrey.(1987), Your Real Medicare Handbook. Madison, Wisconsin: Center for Public Representation.

Markets

These markets includes very tough competition; as rivalry in the Brewing industry is increasingly high. SABMILLER tend to own multiple brands with different market positions. In this market, it is much easier for competitors to launch rival products that compete directly on price and thus eroding market share. After analyzing the company's competition, SABMiller has and still is experiencing this problem; for example in North America; especially recently where lnBev has bought Anhevser-Busch; this has helped the dominant Brewer to enlarge a further space between themselves andSABMiller; which has affected the company's market share future plans deeply, SABMiller now has to come up with new innovative ideas to try and close the gap between them and A-B lnBev. The American Industry is the largest brewing market by value as rivalry is now more intense than ever, meaning more competitors, are entering into a price war with SABMiller. This has become a huge threat for SABMiller, but it do es also hold opportunities to weaken this threat down. For example the company has the opportunity to acquire more stakes in the Brazilian market, or become the owner of China resources which is the largest brewer in China.SAB's acquisition of Miller was largely due to the pressure from the London Stock Exchange. It is felt that SAB was at risk due to its over reliance of soft currencies in certain market. Even though their core competences were elsewhere, SAB went on with the takeover to please the stakeholders. SABMiller's South African Culture has shaped the strategic development of the company. It is this culture, which makes their distinct capability of entering emerging markets less imitable. As highlighted in the case study, SABMiller strategy represents synthesis of learning based on the historical developments of the company. Markets These markets includes very tough competition; as rivalry in the Brewing industry is increasingly high. SABMILLER tend to own multiple brands with different market positions. In this market, it is much easier for competitors to launch rival products that compete directly on price and thus eroding market share. After analyzing the company's competition, SABMiller has and still is experiencing this problem; for example in North America; especially recently where lnBev has bought Anhevser-Busch; this has helped the dominant Brewer to enlarge a further space between themselves andSABMiller; which has affected the company's market share future plans deeply, SABMiller now has to come up with new innovative ideas to try and close the gap between them and A-B lnBev. The American Industry is the largest brewing market by value as rivalry is now more intense than ever, meaning more competitors, are entering into a price war with SABMiller. This has become a huge threat for SABMiller, but it do es also hold opportunities to weaken this threat down. For example the company has the opportunity to acquire more stakes in the Brazilian market, or become the owner of China resources which is the largest brewer in China.SAB's acquisition of Miller was largely due to the pressure from the London Stock Exchange. It is felt that SAB was at risk due to its over reliance of soft currencies in certain market. Even though their core competences were elsewhere, SAB went on with the takeover to please the stakeholders. SABMiller's South African Culture has shaped the strategic development of the company. It is this culture, which makes their distinct capability of entering emerging markets less imitable. As highlighted in the case study, SABMiller strategy represents synthesis of learning based on the historical developments of the company.

Marketing Influences Essay

Introduction Generally marketing deals with buying and selling a products or services. And consumer behavior is a branch of marketing deals with the process that the consumer purchase or do not purchase the products and services (Quester, Pettigrew, & Hawkins, 2006). For the retailers and all other businesses consumer behavior is analyzed for identifying key successful marketing strategy. Marketing strategy is the combination of product, price, promotion, channel of distribution and market segmentation (Quester, Pettigrew, & Hawkins, 2006). There are various factors that affect the consumer behavior for buying a product or services. And for making good strategic marketing decisions any firms or organizations need to understand those factors like cultural, individual, organizational etc (Quester, Pettigrew, & Hawkins, 2006). Analyzing consumer behavior become very important for this competitive world. For gaining competitive advantage it’s important to give more value to the customer than the competitors (Quester, Pettigrew, & Hawkins, 2006). According to Quester, Pettigrew and Hawkins (2006), customer value means the differences between the benefit they get from the products and the cost that they spend for acquiring those products. Quester, Pettigrew and Hawkins (2006) emphasize that giving best customer value mainly requires the firms to react immediate to consumer needs more quickly than rivals. This essay is based on a case study with three questions. And these three questions will be discussed simultaneously. First question is based on describing the situational influences that would affect the customer decisions for buying a products and services. Second question is based on the case that Kate wants to purchase a gift for her boyfriend’s birthday and identify the three situational influences that affect the Kate’s purchasing decisions. And the third question is describing the key marketing strategy by which a marketer might be able to utilize the situation to a market specific type of products or brands. Question 1: Answer As states before that this question is based on describing the situational influences that affects the customer decisions for purchasing products. Any  organizations or companies have to understand that which situations is affecting the customer buying decision of their products or services and how the marketers could serve the best when those situations arise (Quester, Pettigrew, & Hawkins, 2006). Marketers activities should be designed in the context of the situation the consumer faces which influence the customers for purchasing the product when MKT510: Consumer Behavior M. M. Tamim 2 ID: 11511633 they face such situation (Foxal & Yani-de-Soriano, 2005). A consumer’s choices are affected by various personal influences such as mood and if there is limitation of time for purchase etc. Now-a-days people are using electronic source for the initial information for purchasing the products (Solomon, Dann, & Russel-Bennett, 2007). Relating to consumer behavior a number of attempts have been made to classify the situations and the classification has been made by Russel Belk (Belk, 1975). According to Belk there are five types of situation that influence customers’ decisions. They are physical surroundings, social surroundings, temporal perspective, task definition and antecedent states (Quester, Pettigrew, & Hawkins, 2006). Physical surroundings include the location of the store, interior decoration, smell, sound system, lighting, visible surroundings of the materials to the stimulus object (Quester, Pettigrew, & Hawkins, 2006). Those surroundings can significantly influence consumption of the customer and can convince to coming the store repeatedly. (Solomon, Dann, & RusselBennett, 2007). Social environment also affects customer motives for purchasing products or usage of products. In a consumer environment if there are large number of people present then it could increase arousal levels. For example, in a store if there are huge number of people present then automatically arouses another consumer for buying products from that store (Solomon, Dann, & Russel-Bennett, 2007). Temporal factors is the time constraints for a customer. Sometimes consumer could situation for buying with limitation of time that also affects the consumer buying decision. Relative to past or future event for the situation time may also be measured (Quester, Pettigrew, & Hawkins, 2006). Task definition includes the intention regarding purchase the products or requirements to  select the store or products. For example, consumer behaves differently when they buy products for gift compared to purchasing for themselves (Solomon, Dann, & Russel-Bennett, 2007). For evaluating the purchase of products customer mood or physiological conditions at the time of purchase may have huge influence for making decisions (Solomon, Dann, & Russel-Bennett, 2007). Among those five influences let’s elaborate on two situational influences. They are temporal factors and task definition. Temporal factors are situational influences which deal with time that available for purchase. The availability of time for purchasing the product has a big impact to the customers (Quester, Pettigrew, & Hawkins, 2006). In that context, the information search will be short if the time is limited and the use of short information will be made some suboptimal purchase (Sim & Goh, 1998). As a situational influence time has a bug impact to the customer buying decision. MKT510: Consumer Behavior M. M. Tamim 3 ID: 11511633 For example, the consumers are less like to visit any departmental store if they have limited time but if they are not time pressured they would like to visit more (Kenhove & Wulf, 2000). The number of product alternatives would be smaller for the time constraints. For this the brand loyalty might be increased for many customers. (Quester, Pettigrew, & Hawkins, 2006). Some corners store and convenience store are the successful considering this time factors as a situational influences. Task definition means the reason for purchasing a product or influences the buying decision. The reason may vary to different buyers and user roles performed by the individual (Quester, Pettigrew, & Hawkins, 2006). For example, gift giving is general reason but gift giving in occasion is specific reason that influence the behavior of the purchasing a product (Ruth, Otnes, & Brunel, 1999). Generally people increase their purchase in specific occasions. Best marketers understand these patterns of situations in which people more tend to buy (Solomon, Dann, & Russel-Bennett, 2007). For example, in promotional activities bookstores invest heavily for the lead up to Christmas because many people are tend to buy books as Christmas present and to stock for reading them during summer holidays (Solomon, Dann, & RusselBennett, 2007). Question 2: Answer Kate is struggling to make a decision and wants to buy her boyfriend a smart phone to his birthday and she was running out of time. The three situational influences that affect Kate’s purchasing decision are task definition, temporal factors and social surroundings. Task definition as told before is the reasons that influence the customer to buy a product or services (Solomon, Dann, & Russel-Bennett, 2007). And the reason could be general and specific like gift giving in a occasion in which also influence the buying patterns (Ruth, Otnes, & Brunel, 1999). In this case the task is specific which the birthday of Kate’s boyfriend. However people feel their needs of products or services for reason whether it’s general or specific. In this case, Kate feel need for buying a product for giving gift to her boyfriend in his birthday. So according to Ruth, Otnes and Brunel (1999), the task was specific for Kate for purchasing the smart phone. Temporal factors as situational influences include the availability of time for purchasing any product (Quester, Pettigrew, & Hawkins, 2006). Here Kate had very limited time for making decision though the birthday of her boyfriend was very near. She had two options that MKT510: Consumer Behavior M. M. Tamim 4 ID: 11511633 whether to buy iPhone 5 or Samsung Galaxy SIII. As given before that less time gives less information for making decision (Belk, 1975). So Kate had to make a decision so she couldn’t consider the information very well and she had to choose smart phone randomly from the given two options. Last situational influences that affect the Kate’s decision is social surroundings which means the presence of other people who could have an influence on the individuals consumer’s behavior (Quester, Pettigrew, & Hawkins, 2006). Considering behavior social influence is very significant since the individuals behavior is visible and they tend integrate with group expectations (Quester, Pettigrew, & Hawkins, 2006). In this case Kate has limited time for making decision that she had two options that iPhone 5 which is recommended by her boyfriends’ childhood friend who knew John’s personality very well as well his character and another option  is Samsung Galaxy SIII which is recommended by the salesmen who is expert in smart phone. Shopping and consuming goods in public is highly visible activity which has several social influences others (Shim & Eastlick, 1998). Though the buying patterns of Kate was not so highly visible activity like shopping and consuming goods in public rather it was individual buying decision. Though Kate had limited time to decide whether what to buy then she asked for recommendation in two people one was sales person and another was friend of John which they have influences for buying smart phone. Question 3: Answer In modern competition marketers need to give more value to the customer compare to the competitors (Quester, Pettigrew, & Hawkins, 2006). Customer value is the difference between the advantage they get and the costs they spend for getting that advantage. So considering the situation marketers need to serve best to the consumer for purchasing product (Solomon, Dann, & Russel-Bennett, 2007). Marketing Strategy is the combination of product, price, distribution and promotion which emphasize a particular group of customers (Quester, Pettigrew, & Hawkins, 2006). So using these key marketing strategies a marketer can utilize the situation to market a specific brand and product type by understanding consumer behavior. Lets describe the three key marketing strategies that how a marketer might be able to utilize situation for a specific type of product. Product type and quality is very important for the marketer. However, thousands of new products are introduced in the marketplace annually. So marketer need to satisfied customer MKT510: Consumer Behavior M. M. Tamim 5 ID: 11511633 by their products for successful business (Quester, Pettigrew, & Hawkins, 2006). Also marketer needs to analyze and understand the needs and requirements of potential customer by which marketer can give the required product in such situation to the potential customer (Quester, Pettigrew, & Hawkins, 2006). Price is another important marketing strategy and marketing mix as well. A marketer needs to understand consumer behavior in order to structure it properly (Quester, Pettigrew, &  Hawkins, 2006). For example a company desiring high quality brand and for this the price should be high. So, if the target customer believes that price-quality relationship. So considering the target market situation price might be structured (Quester, Pettigrew, & Hawkins, 2006). Promotional activities are another important term for the product. By high quality campaign consumer might be convinced for buying that product. And also at any occasion or festival marketer could bring new promotions for the consumer that might influence the buying process (Foxal & Yani-de-Soriano, 2005). For example, any gift shops or bookshops spend more in promotional activities before Christmas that lead the people for purchasing products or books for gift as they intend to buy (Solomon, Dann, & Russel-Bennett, 2007). So considering task definition as a situational influences marketer could use these promotional activities. Conclusion Understanding of consumer behavior could make the long term success for the products (Quester, Pettigrew, & Hawkins, 2006). And to be successful it’s very important to understand the customer behavior considering the various situational influences (Belk, 1975). In this essay the theories of situational influences that affect their buying decision is discussed and after three of the situational influences is described in case of Kate who was struggling to make the best buy. And in last question how marketer might be able to utilize situation in aspects of using key marketing strategy is described. It is easy to understand that how situation could influence the buying decision process by this essay. MKT510: Consumer Behavior M. M. Tamim 6 ID: 11511633 Bibliography Belk, R. W. (1975). Situational Variables and Consumer Behavior. Journal of Consumer Research, 158. Foxal, G. R., & Yani-de-Soriano, M. M. (2005). Situational Influences on Consumers’ Attitudes and Behavior. Journal of Business Research, 518-25. Kenhove, P. v., & Wulf, K. d. (2000). Income and Time Pressure: A Person Stuation Grocery Retail Typology. The International Review of Retail, Distribution and Cionsumer Research, 149-66. Quester, P., Pettigrew, S., & Hawkins, D. I. (2006). Consumer Behavior: Implications for Marketing Strategy. North Ryde: McGraw-Hill Australia. Ruth, J., Otnes, C. C., & Brunel, F. (1999). Gift Reciepts and Reformulation of Interpersonal Relationships. Journal of Consumer Research, 385-402. Shim, S., & Eastlick, M. A. (1998). The Hierarchical Influence of Personal Values on Mall Shopping. Journal of Retailing, 139-60. Sim, L. L., & Goh, S. Y. (1998). Singapore’s Revised Concept Plan and Retailing: Impact of the Tampines Regional Centre on Shopping Patterns. Journal of Retailing and Consumer Services, 33-43. Solomon, M., Dann, S., & Russel-Bennett, R. (2007). Situational Effects on Consumer Behavior. Frenchs Forest: Pearson Education.