King Corn

The Documentary ‘King Corn’ is an intersting and entertaining account that examines the impact of the corn industry on food production in America. The film follows Curtis Ellis and Ian Cheney, two recent university graduates who set out to study the overwhelming influence that industrial corn has on the varieties of foods that America consumes each year. The concept of the film is introduced when Curt and Ian have samples of their hair examined, and are surprised to find out that the large amounts of carbon found in the samples originates from ingesting corn products. Many people including myself, would likely be shocked upon hearing this fact, based on the traditional concept of corn; being the small yellow vegatable enjoyed on occasion at most. Sharing this viewpoint, the boys become interested in finding out for themselves why it appears that they are eating so much corn; and hence the topic of the documentary. They decide the best plan of action is to travel to Greene, Iowa, and grow 1 achre of corn to establish how this plant is transformed into so many of the foods that we each. This critique aims to examine some of their findings and discuss the influence and credibility of their arguments. In short, the issue the film addresses is the overwhelming reliance that the American food industry has on the growth and production of corn and its various bi-products. From first glance, many may inturpret this issue as not being a huge problem; after all, when I think of corn, I think of a vegetable. There are certainly other ingredients that would appear to be much more detremental to the health of consuming citizens. But as the film progresses, the viewer learns that the type of corn and it’s bi-products being considered, is far from the conventional concept. While in Iowa, Curt and Ian learn from local farmers, professors and other stakeholders within the industry that the corn they are producing will be used for a variety of purposes, two of the main ones being feed for cattle, and high-fructose corn syrup. As their tiny achre grows, they set out to research the implications of using the corn based products for these purposes. Generally, the documentary took the position that current usage of these products in the food industry promotes a variety of health issues, which will be discussed further in this paper. The corn industry has evolved significantly over the past several decades, not only due to technological advancement, but also the types of corn grown, and purposes that it will serve. The latter cause being fuelled exclusively by the changes in consumer demand, specifically referencing the food industry. This type of industry is largely driven by situations where there is high buyer power; that is, food companies produce the types of food that the consumer wants to eat, rather than what the company wants to produce. As commonly known, several businesses especially in the fast food industry, do not operate on the basis of providing healthy options for consumers to enjoy. Rather, they aim to offer cheap food that consumers want to have. In my opinion, this concept outlines a large point being made by the film; the fact that consumer demand has driven the corn industry (and thus the food industry) to evolve over the past several years into its current state. The bottom line of this argument is that corn is being used in the massive quantities we know of for the very simple reason that is it cheap. To illustrate this point, I will focus on the two main bi-prodcuts of corn that were examined during the film. First, high-fructose corn syrup is used as a sweetner for products ranging anywhere from soft drinks to pasta sauce. In reality, ingesting too much of this sweetner can be very hazourdous to someone’s health, and too much of the product can cause certains conditions such as obeisity and diabetes. This corn syrup has stolen a huge market share from conventional sugar over the last few decades, for no other reason aside from the fact that it is a cheaper alternative, and thus more appealing for businesses to use. As Curt and Ian prove in the film, almost anything processed food imaginable contains at least some quantity of this high fructose syrup, a direct bi-product of corn. The other main product analyzed is the use of corn as animal feed, which is a large source of food for specifically chicken and cattle. These corn-fed animals are themselves processed and used to make the all-American favorite meals. It was starting to become clear to the boys, and the viewer of the film where all this corn was coming from, and offered a justification for the massive size of this industry. During one the interviews, Curt and Ian spoke with a cattle rancher who owned a feed lot. He explained that the cows diet consisted of mainly corn because it was cheap to buy, and was successful in quickly supporting the cow into mature weight, available for slaughter. The farmer had one particularly interesting statement which captured a lot of the concept of the film, suggesting that if people wanted grass fed cows, he would raise grass fed cows. The reality is, grass fed cows are more expensive, a cost ulitmately borne by the consumer. Although much leaner and healthier meat, grass fed cows are not raised as often as corn fed cows because it wouldn’t allow consumers to purchase their favorite fast food burgers at the same price. Even the corn farmers interviewed during the film suggested that they knew their corn was used to create unhealthy foods, but that had become the reality of the food industry. Being producers of a raw material, their livelihood relies on growing corn that the American economy demands. Throughout the film, there are several points of interest made to support the argument that corn products were used to process several health threatening products. The filmakers chose to interview a variety of professionals, mostly university professors, which added to the credibility of of the argument being proposed. The opinion was fairly unanimous that the corn products in the United States are fuelling unhealthy diet choices, and resulting in some of the problems with obesity and other conditions that the country is dealing with. The film was successful in proving its point that the American food industry has evolved to become highly reliant on corn and it’s bi-products. Furthermore, it was able to reliably convey the idea that the exessive consumption of these products had potentially serious health effects. Given these facts, the film is not designed to attack the corn industry, as if they are the reason for these harmful additives in the food being eaten. The onus is really on the consumer; as mentioned, the reason these unhealthy bi-products are being made is in response to the demands from American consumers, who want cheap and tasty meals. The unfortunate reality is that a large number of people fail to devote the right attention to what they are putting in their bodies. The most surprising point in the film was definitely the scale at which the corn industry operates. It was interesting to use the boys â€Å"tiny† achre of corn as a reference point, whereas it was stated that it is not uncommon for one farmer in Iowa to manage one thousand achres of corn each harvest. The shere size of the industry reflects the huge amount of demand placed on the food industry in America every year. Personally, the lack of comparison to other countries was probably where the film lacked in reference. It is fairly well known that the American population consumes more fast food then any other nation in the world, so it really comes as no surprise that the corn industry is as large as it is. I felt as though it would be interesting to compare the American reliance to corn and it’s bi-prodcuts to a country in Europe for example, where typically people eat healthier and less cheaply made, processed foods. Comparing another nation with the United States would suggest that American reliance on corn is not a necessity, but rather a consumer driven evolution in food choices.

IKEA Brand Scorecard Final Essay

Introduction The brandscore card is an essential element used to evaluate the overall equity of a brand. The scorecard is an effective way to asses the unmet needs of the brands customers, it enables the brand to stay relevant and effective in the marketplace in a methodological manner. The scorecard should be able to fill any gaps that have developed within the brand’s approach to management and its strategic direction, as well as developing and maintaining a functional management system that can grow as the brand grows, while remaining comprehensive and completely brand relevant. (Kaplan and Norton, n.d.) In terms of evaluating the current situation of a brand, a brand scorecard enforces a successful management plan by directly addressing what is at the core of the brand. It allows for the brand managers to objectively rate their brand against their own set of standards, based on their strategy. Brand Planning 1 IKEA’s Mission & Vision In order to create a viable scorecard to measure against the IKEA Brand against, it is important to define exactly what the vision and the mission of the IKEA Brand is and if they honour their vision and mission. According to IKEA’s business concept , â€Å"At IKEA our vision is to create a better everyday life for the many people. Our business idea supports this vision by offering a wide range of well-designed, functional home furnishing products at prices so low that as many people as possible will be able to afford them†(Ikea.com, 2014). From their own definition of what their vision is it can be said that they aim to vastly improve the quality of the lives of people who are in a lower income bracket, whilst still maintaining a certain level of product superiority and status. The IKEA brands vision is to use the concepts of conservation and minimalism to their full potential, by focusing on the effectiveness of simplicity and the functionality of each product rather then purely the aesthetical components. The price of each IKEA product makes a large part of what their brand vision entails, â€Å"Low prices are the cornerstone of the IKEA vision†(Ikea.com, 2014). By using their low prices as the foundation of their brands vision, Ikea fulfils a widespread and need for product availability. 2 Potential Goals In line with the Ikea vision there will always be consumers in need of their products. By following their current goals such as: Keeping prices low – at design phase, there are strict product requirements which need to be met in terms of function, efficient distribution, quality and impact on the environment. A certain level of quality is always maintained – by using effective negotiation skills and carrying out rigorous quality control evaluations on their materials. Awareness and measurement of their brand environmental impact – Ikea are transparent in their approach to choosing suppliers and using sustainable materials that can be recycled and renewed as well as monitoring and controlling a high standard of their social and working conditions. Consumer friendly product – throughout the supply chain, Ikea is true to their environmentally friendly approach from raw materials all the way to the end user. Reduce carbon emissions – IKEA gave 9000 bycicles to their employees as well as subsidized their employees’ fairs to work. This increases healthy living for their employees and reduces carbon emissions. They also designed their water cans to stack on top of each other neatly, reducing the amount of trips it would take to transport them to the stores. Maintain existing stakeholder relationships – Ikeas ensures that the communication lines between suppliers, manufacturers and of their  stakeholders are clear and concise according to both their vision and mission. In order to access the potential goals of the Ikea Brand, it is necessary to consider the following statement â€Å"It’s not difficult to manufacture expensive fine furniture: just spend the money and let the customers pay. To manufacture beautiful, durable furniture at low prices is not so easy – it requires a different approach. It is all about finding simple solutions and saving on every method, process or approach adopted – but not on ideas.† (Ikea.com, 2014). We have identified two potential goals for Ikea: Simplistic Assembly Process – their assembling instructions are crafted so that consumer can easily interpret the instructions in a straightforward manor resulting in easy product assembly. Bettering current environmental impact – ensuring that they maintain their current best practice with specific reference to their means of distribution and manufacturing, by making sure that they are highly aware of the environmental impact of the resulting increased traffic that may occur from erecting stores. 3 Corporate Objectives To produce cheap and affordable product for the public and their customers To provide a better life for those who cannot afford expensive products To ensure that their customers find what they are looking for in their stores. To provide low prices without compromising on quality 4 Situational Analysis 4.1 Macro: Economical – High profits, high growth and good profit margins has contributed to the retail market. Social – IKEA have formed partnerships with WWF and UNICEF in order to educate others to be aware of child labor and destroying forests. Technological –IKEA have use excellent recycling methods and also encourage their stakeholders to use technology to their advantage in terms of efficiency. Environmental – IKEA have implemented regular measurement tools and inspection to monitor all noise, water, air pollution such as the â€Å"E-Wheel† (IKEA, the Times 100) Legal – IKEA has in store terms and conditions and abide by industry best practice in the suppliers that they choose to work with and the standards that they demand on manufacturers in terms of the law. 1.2. Market The market – 43 manufacturing units in 12 countries. The Chinese market has almost doubled due to large urbanization needs. (Li Fangfang, China Daily USA, 29 August 2013). IKEA has almost 300 stores in 36 countries and 42 distribution centres in 18 countries and over 1000 suppliers. (National Geographic, 2013, n.d) Competitors – IKEA’s main competitors are: Wal-Mart Stores, Ashley furniture industries, Howden joinery group. IKEA have the competitive advantage because they have researched where to find the best resources, they have developed the latest technologies in manufacturing, they have encouraged their suppliers to use the latest in research and development and the have built sustainable relationships with their stakeholders. Consumers – IKEA has a wide spread target market as they have such a vast variety of products that are trendy and extremely affordable. It appeals to those wanting the latest styles but also to the market that cannot afford costly furniture. Location – IKEAS stores are generally located just outside of the main town due to their stores being so large. 4.3 Micro – SWOT Analysis Strengths: Powerful Brand Image Wide range of products & Styles Funky up & up-to-date Swedish designs Cheap & Affordable Able to assemble your own furniture One stop shop Friendly atmosphere and layout of their stores They have restaurants and day care Strong global sourcing Weaknesses: Assembling furniture yourself may not appeal to certain clusters of consumers Not too many stores across the globe For those looking for a quick shopping experience, the store might be unappealing IKEA Swedish designs could limit their target market Quality of furniture is not built to be life long Opportunities Untapped Markets (Africa) Make consumers more aware of IKEA Open high end stores or smaller express stores Create more online store presence Threats Increasingly competitive pricing Social trends such as a slow down in first time home owner buyers Economic factors such as less spending power due to recession effects 5 Key Issues Quality of Products – some products may vary in quality from country to country. Things such as a countries standards for manufacturing may not be as high compared to another country and therefore the end product could be different. Size of organisation – if there are any changes implemented to IKEA’s strategy or operations, it is difficult to roll out to their entire organisation as they are so massive. Differentiation – with the current  economic climate, many furniture stores are producing low cost furniture but may not have the same sustainable values as IKEA. This makes it challenging for IKEA to keep their costs low as well as try and differentiate themselves from their competitors. Spending Power – The economic recession has hit consumers hard and therefore they have less spending power which has lowered expenditure on goods such as furniture. 6 Assumptions The Ikea brand assumptions are based upon their established and successful financial revenues: The Brand has remained current, both socially and culturally. The brand is empathetic and touches the consumers on an emotional level. There is a considered environmental plan that the brand is aware of in all of its practises. The brand focuses on upholding ethical business practises, it is transparent. 7 Segmentation, targeting and Positioning IKEA targets young and fashionable people as its main consumers; in particular those love modern furniture and accessories. Therefore, its products are more colourful and novel. In addition, IKE fixes the products’ prices at a lower level, which is quite attracting for the average consumers, such as white-collars. IKEA mainly target the younger market who like innovative products. 8 Brand objectives To increase market share in news segments such as Africa, Asia and South America. The benefits of this would be increased profits, brand awareness and increased market share. Reduce costs to appeal more to their intended target market in order to increase market share. One way in which IKEA are trying to cut costs is by 9 Strategies and plans IKEA plans â‚ ¬1.5bn investment in wind and solar energy through to 2015 as part of new sustainability strategy in order to be completely independent from using energy and resources. This will protect their consumer from price spikes and their own organization from fluctuating resource and energy prices. IKEA plan to become an energy exporter with their renewable energy.  IKEA has dedicated and committed themselves to making sure that delivery trucks are at least 60 to 70 per cent full. They will replace 1.2 million light sources in stores with low energy consumption LEDs, as well as only sell LED lights in their stores from 2016. (Will Nichols, BusinessGreen, part of the Guardian Environment Network theguardian.com, Tuesday 23 October 2012) 10 Communication Objectives To develop better communication and integration strategies so that IKEA has the same brand quality through their organisation internationally. 11 Task Budget The Ikea brand focuses on their project management, employee management and their resource management processes by directing all employees in a positive manner, â€Å"IKEA co-workers enjoy many advantages and opportunities from working in such a free and open environment – but all freedoms are counter-balanced with expectations. For example, the expectation that each co-worker is able to assume responsibility for his or her own actions. Although on the surface it is evident that we have a lot of fun together working at IKEA, at the same time all are expected to be very hardworking and conscientious. Here are some more examples to illustrate give and take, IKEA style.† (Ikea.com, 2014) By ensuring this positive management style they are able to entrust their business objectives to the right employees. Each task is managed and set according to specific and expected outcomes. The tasks and objectives can be achieved through their smart brand management and budgeting correctly. 1 – The IKEA brand makes a point of acknowledging its brand history and the various ways that it has left a brand footprint within its brand environment. There are however inconsistencies between what the employees think of the brand and what the consumers think of the brand. It can be recommended that the employee engagement efforts transcends into the appropriate marketing strategies targeted to the consumer. By doing so there will be a far more holistic brand perception. 2- The IKEA brand is targeted at a lower income bracket and it does this successfully by continuously seeking to source affordable and quality suppliers. The importance of continuously having their correct target market in mind is always a census thought in the mind of the brand managers. 3- The IKEA brand strictly sticks to their current corporate identity, all the brand collateral is consistent, they make a point of doing all marketing on an international level. However they must be couscous of their various contact points ( mainly at the smaller branches) as these are sometimes overlooked. 4 – IKEA is able to deliver a consistent product, there are various return policies in place that allows the consumer the ability to deal with any product issues in a simply and easy manner. 5 – IKEA is responsible towards all its stakeholders, it maintains the relationships by using proactive objectives to direct all of its future  interactions. The brand can improve its equity by reinforcing the current brand image internally, engaging with all the levels of employees. 6 – IKEA offers products that are appropriate to their brand visions, they better the lives of the consumers. 7 – IKEA offers various and innovation products. The brand should continue with their irreverent approach to innovation. 8 – IKEA has a pricing strategy that is unarguably inline with their brand identity. The pricing strategy has set a ideal brand expectation to the IKEA consumer, It is however of utmost importance that IKEA is alway consistent in terms of pricing. 9 – IKEA is aware of and involved with every product that they product, each is treated as potential development and there is no apparent product hierarchy. 10 – The IKEA brand is a green focused brand throughout its entire supply chain, it upholds a impeccable environmental process. However there is room for improvement within their distribution sector. References Businesscasestudies.co.uk, (2014). Introduction – Building a sustainable supply chain – IKEA | IKEA case studies and information | Business Case Studies. [online] Available at: http://businesscasestudies.co.uk/ikea/building-a-sustainable-supply-chain/introduction.html#axzz3BWC79qBb [Accessed 24 Aug. 2014]. Ikea.com, (2014). Our business idea – IKEA. [online] Available at: http://www.ikea.com/ms/en_SG/about_ikea/our_business_idea/index.html [Accessed 24 Aug. 2014]. Ikea.com, (2014). Our low prices – IKEA. [online] Available at: http://www.ikea.com/ms/en_SG/about_ikea/the_ikea_way/our_business_idea/our_low_prices.html [Accessed 25 Aug. 2014]. Kaplan, R. and Norton, D. (n.d.). The balanced scorecard. 1st ed. http://www.ukessays.com/essays/marketing/the-critical-issues-faced-by-ikea-marketing-essay.php Will Nichols for BusinessGreen, part of the Guardian Environment Network theguardian.com, Tuesday 23 October 2012 http://usa.chinadaily.com.cn/business/2013-08/29/content_16929111.htm http://money.howstuffworks.com/ikea4.htm (National Geographic, 2013, n.d, http://www.natgeotv.com/ca/megafactories/ikea-facts) Essays, UK. (November 2013). An Analysis Of Market Segmentation Of Ikea And Bandq Marketing Essay. Retrieved from http://www.ukessays.com/essays/marketing/an-analysis-of-market-segmentation-of-ikea-and-bandq-marketing-essay.php?cref=1 Essays, UK. (November 2013). Competitive Advantage And Problems Faced By Ikea Marketing Essay. Retrieved from http://www.ukessays.com/essays/marketing/competitive-advantage-and-problems-faced-by-ikea-marketing-essay.php?cref=1

India s An Environmental Hazard Essay - 1071 Words

In early November 2016, Delhi, India faced an environmental hazard that put citizens in a dangerous position. The air was filled with toxins that made it almost impossible for people within the city to go about their daily lives. Everywhere, people asked who was responsible for the problem and whose job it was to implement protections in order to avoid future difficulties. For one to fully understand this issue, they must analyze the monumental growth of cities in the 20th century, previous environmental issues, and India’s complex political past. These contexts can be used to develop a greater perspective on the impact of humans on the world and what actions might be taken to prevent further damage. The New York Times posted an article on November 7th titled, â€Å"Smog Chokes Delhi, Leaving Residents ‘Cowering by Our Air Purifiers’† that detailed the urgency of the issue. 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Is Stem Education A Stereotype Threat - 963 Words

Today our society is still viewed as gender stereotype. As women we are still fighting for equality. The problem is damaging our young girls that one day will be our future. They are getting taught at a very young age of what they are meant to do and what aren’t meant to do. This issue is affecting the majority of the Latin community and therefore we have little to no girls wanting to join any STEM programs after high school. STEM is a curriculum based on the idea of educating students in four specific disciplines science, technology, engineering and mathematics in an interdisciplinary and applied approach (What Is STEM Education?). The problems that this program will be forcing on are stereotype threat, poverty, English as a second language, and teen pregnancy. Our goal is to help minor these problems and achieve a higher rate of Latina girls join STEM programs after they finish high school. The first problem that we have focused on is the â€Å"stereotype threat†. 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Claude Steele say’s exactly this in his book â€Å"Whistling Vivaldi: How Stereotypes Affect Us and What We Can Do† when he states â€Å" We could all take out a piece of paper, write down the major stereotypes of these identities, and show a high degree of a greement in what we wrote.† His piece addresses the effects of stereotypes, which result in what Steele calls â€Å"stereotype threat†Read MoreA Research Proposal For Non Asian Minority Groups2133 Words   |  9 PagesMini-Research Proposal: Stereotype Threat As demographic changes reshape the STEM talent pool in the US, the nation will need to draw more on racial and ethnic groups that have been traditionally marginalized in order to maintain its global competitiveness. By 2050, the US Census Bureau (2008) projects that minority racial and ethnic groups will account for approximately 54% of the nation’s population, an increase from the current 28%. Yet today they only make up only 9% of the nation’s STEM workforce (NSF

Individuality vs. Conformity in High School Essay - 670 Words

It was the first day of school. I was eager to see most of my friends who I went to middle school with. There was one big thing that struck me; I noticed my friends changed. They started dressed differently, acted differently, changed their hair style, and even started wearing makeup. Since the transition fresh out of middle school and into high school, my friends wanted to look older. The biggest factor that bothered me was how they would conform to look like the sophomores, juniors, and seniors. I felt that my good friends wanted to conform and be something they weren’t. In my personal view, Americans in general want to feel mature sophisticated but also want to have fun. Individuality is essential because it allows people to express who†¦show more content†¦In my mind, if I became a doctor I would have to go through many years of schooling and I wouldn’t finish my education till I’m at least in my mid thirties. Choosing my career path as a doctor mean t committing my whole focus on getting into the best medical school. Even though doctors make a lot of money, doctors don’t get to spend one on one their patients. I told my parents that I wanted to become a nurse because it’s what I want to do. I wouldn’t have to worry about attending medical school after I get my education at a four year university. Nurses spend less time in school and the experience on the job is more rewarding. They are able to enjoy the company of the people they are helping; I want to help people. In other words, not being able to pick a career by choice also relates to society views about fashion statement. Society tends to make fashion look very fancy. A lot of high fashion magazines show models that dress the same and even look the same. Keeping up the latest trends makes people want more clothing to make them outshine others making them look â€Å"legit†. People shouldn’t have to be competing to look the best but should be reinstating that they are different. My friend Michelle was always in style. She was friends with a group of girls that judged every girl in the school by the way they dressed. Michelle told me that one day she wore something she had already worn that week and her friends made her feel like she shouldn’t belong with them.Show MoreRelatedUniforms Should Not Wear School Uniforms1751 Words   |  8 PagesDuring every school year, the issue on if school officials should or should not entail students to wear uniforms in school is a constant debate among the parents and staff members in school districts. Just like any other controversial issues, there are two sides to the argument representing both the good and bad points that exist behind student being required to wear uniforms in school. Although it can take students time to adjust to transitioning into the policy of being required to wear uniformsRead MoreCurrently There Is A Growing Awareness Of The Prevalence1558 Words   |  7 Pagesregular bullying, whereas less than 10% of adolescents’ aged 17 report any bullying, including bullies and victimization of bullying, on a weekly basis. Baldry (2004) examined the effects of attitude toward bullying and victimization in Italian middle schools. Baldry (2004) aimed to establish young adolescents’ positive and negative judgments according to gender, toward a victim being bullied on the basis of if the victim was bullied in a group or alone; hypothesizing the gender of the bullies and victimsRead MoreSchool Dress Code Takes Away From Young Girls1657 Words   |  7 PagesSchool Dress Code Takes Away From Young Girls. The people who are in charge of creating the school dress code don’t think of girls feelings, or their need to be an individual. 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A progressive school’s goal is for students to understandRead MoreProblem Solution Essay1641 Words   |  7 PagesVIOLENCE IN AMERICAN SCHOOLS There are approximately 27,900 gangs, with 774,000 members, impacting towns, cities, and communities across the United States. According to a recent bulletin released by the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, 23 percent of students aged 12 through 18 years reported presence of street gangs in their schools. Almost half (46%) of students in public schools reported street gang presence. In addition, 21 percent of students in suburban schools and 15 percentRead MoreSchool Uniforms1707 Words   |  7 PagesSCHOOL UNIFORMS In his hopes to create an atmosphere in our school that promotes discipline and order and learning, President William Jefferson Clinton stated, I believe we should give strong support to school districts that decide to require young students to wear school uniforms. He cited several incidents where students desire for anothers fashionable attire has led to extreme forms of violence (Clinton 1996). This exemplifies one of the many implications of a necessity for school uniformsRead MoreTown Folk, Such As, For The First Time In Pleasantville,1805 Words   |  8 Pagesfurniture. Betty’s own friends along with some of the high school boys come after her because of her non conformity. All of this highly charged emotion which is so unpleasant in Pleasantville turns the whole town color until everyone, even the mayor turns color and society as Pleasantville is changed forever. The â€Å"bi-cultural binds† (Gunn Allen) that Betty was wearing fall off as her community- includi ng her husband- come to terms with adopting individuality as the new norm. Just as in Betty Parker’sRead MoreEssay about Salvador Dalis Work4988 Words   |  20 Pagesthere (Finkelstein, Haim). This quote from Dali portrays his personality well because although he was ambitious and hard-working Dali always had high standards for himself. When he was in school he refused to be examined during tests, saying that he was more qualified than anyone administering the tests. Dali was removed from school by his father, however encouraged to continue painting by his family, who built him a studio in their summer house. By 1927, Dali began to exhibitRead MoreAwareness of Parenting Style/Practices and the Effect on Adolescent Identity2220 Words   |  9 PagesBandura’s social learning theory. Psychosocial development as theorized by Erikson has eight stages through which a healthily developing human should pass from infancy to late adulthood (Kail Cavanaugh, 2010). Adolescents fall into stage five, Identity vs. Role Confusion, in which the question of â€Å"Who am I† is trying to be answered. In trying to discover the answer to this question adolescents tend to gravitate to groups they feel they fit into. Social learning theory focuses on the learning that occursRead MoreDiana Baumrind2963 Words   |  12 Pagesdifferent parenting styles in the search of trying to do what is best for the children (Kemp, 1997). The historical factor that influenced Baumrind’s research is that when she started graduate school in 1948 there was huge turmoil of the loyalty oath controversy of 1948-1949 that led to the legal battle of Tolman vs. Underhill. This historical even may had some effect on the focus of Baumrind’s research because Tolman was a senior professor at the University of California and his refusal to sign the oath

Burned Out free essay sample

I settle down at a table with three different hats on it, ready to announce my college commitment. â€Å"This was a difficult decision, but I’d like to thank all the schools that have recruited me and believed in me enough to offer me a scholarship. After a lot of thinking and analyzing I will be continuing my education and football career at†¦Ã¢â‚¬  No. That will never happen, none of it. As a kid, I couldn’t wait until I was old enough to play football. Growing up with older brothers who played, and a dad who coached, I was always immersed in the sport. Even at age seven, I spent hours on the grass fields at Meadow Park bear crawling, tackling red dummies, and playing catch with my dad. I darted down the sideline as he hollered â€Å"Go long, Beetle!† I’m not sure I ever caught one of those passes, but observing those practices on the muddy grass fields sparked my interest in football. Once I started playing through the youth program, I enjoyed it even more. I loved hitting people while playing defense and shooting through gaps in the offensive line to thwart opposing running backs. On top of that, I gained the skills necessary to play receiver. The combination of snagging touchdowns and hitting kept me hungry for more. Basketball was the other sport that consumed my childhood. Being taller than most opponents I faced, basketball came easily to me. I had no perimeter skills; however, my dad taught me some basic moves, such as the drop step and baby hook, that improved my inside game. Aside from that, my repertoire was very limited. Turnovers haunted me. I caved in tight situations and turned the ball over due to my lackluster ball handling skills. Entering high school, I was terrified of dribbling the ball up the court or touching the ball outside the three-point line. I recognized I needed to change this to achieve my goal of playing in college, but I also realized it would be even more challenging if all my time was taken up by football. When I started playing in high school, I presumed I would continue for all four years. I hated freshman football, and seriously considered if I wanted to keep playing. I hated practicing. I hated conditioning. I hated having no time. I hated being tired all week. I hated being hurt. My body constantly ached. My joints felt like those of an 80-year-old man. After practice each night I encased my knees and ankles with ice. It was the only way to relieve the pain. Sprinting hundreds of yards caused my legs to become like Jell-o. I would wobble around rolling from class to class regularly massaging my joints. This pain and dislike apparently didn’t show to others around me, however, even my coach. Many students at my school are wary of the varsity head coach because he comes off as intimidating and demanding even though I know he cares about his team and players above all else. When he dragged me out of class to discuss my future as a player, I wasn’t scared; I was honored because it proved he believed I could be a valuable asset to his team.Do I even have a future on the football field? I was honest with him: â€Å"I don’t know if I’ll be playing next year. I love basketball, and I think football will get in the way.†Weeks flew by, and I was nowhere close to making up my mind. The Friday before a long weekend, coach ripped me aside during passing time and administered somewhat of an ultimatum, â€Å"I need to know your decision this weekend. Here is my number, text me what you decide.† When I went to bed that night, I tossed and turned. Football or basketball? Will I regret not playing? Is he just saying this stuff to get me to play? Where will I play basketball? These questions bounced back and forth in my head as I contemplated my decision. I woke up the next day and still had questions swirling around. What if I get hurt? What if I get a football scholarship? What if I’m eliminating basketball opportunities? What if this? What if that? My phone buzzed twice tearing me from my deep thinking. Dad: â€Å"If you like football, keep playing. If you don’t, stop.† It was such a simple text, yet it was so impactful in making my decision. It was later that evening, and I was pondering that text again. I didn’t like football anymore. I burned out.I yanked out my phone and typed one of the most formal texts I’ve ever sent:â€Å"After thinking it over, I’ve decided I will not be playing football.† Being the competitor he is, coach claimed my decision was â€Å"unwise† and that I should â€Å"strongly reconsider playing.† I wasn’t having any of it. I made up my mind and was ready to move on in life without football. With all this free time I trained tirelessly to eliminate my weaknesses. To polish my ball handling, I completed two ball drills and dribbled with a ball three times the weight of a regulation ball. These enabled me to control the ball better and become stronger with it. After school, I would shoot 400 shots from all over the court. With the development of my jump shot, I became a threat from anywhere on the floor. I started blowing past defenders, swishing jump shots over them, and occasionally dunking on them. It was the first time in my basketball career I didn’t feel limited. I still have a long way to go, but looking back on it, the choice I made proved to be the most beneficial. From an athletic and personal standpoint, the decision was the right one. I’ve seen improvement every year, statistically and in my confidence. I cut my turnovers per game in half, doubled my points per game and increased my shooting percentage by 15%. I’ve developed all aspects of my game and grown into an all-around player as opposed to the purely one-dimensional player I was when I entered the basketball program. In 2015, I was selected to 3rd Team All-Metro which was an affirmation of the work I’ve put in. As I head into my final season, I look forward to continuing my education and furthering my basketball career at a four-year university. After having lived with this decision for three years, I can say with certainty that basketball is and will continue to be a positive influence in my life.

Social Influences on Behavior Essay Example

Social Influences on Behavior Essay A popular remark by novelist Herman Merville, states that â€Å"We cannot live for ourselves alone, for our lives are connected by a thousand invisible threads.†Ã‚   Social psychologists explore human interaction by scientifically studying how human behavior changes based on social situations. This is especially when the unexpected occurs, we analyze and discuss why people act as they do.   In everyday life we do the same.   Does her warmth reflect romantic interest in me, or is that how she relates to everyone?   Does his absenteeism signify laziness or an oppressive work atmosphere?Social Influences on BehaviorThis essay examines basic concepts of human interaction from a psychology perspective.   In this examination, two examples of how human behavior changes based on social situation are described.   Behavior is contagious.   One person giggles, coughs, or yawns, and others in the group are soon doing the same. A cluster of people stands gazing upward, and pass ersby pause to do likewise.   Laughter, even canned laughter, can be infectious.   Bartenders and street musicians know to â€Å"seed† their tip cups with money that suggests that others have given.   This suggestibility is a subtle type of conformity.Conformity involves adjusting our thinking and behavior to bring it into line with some group standard.   But why do people comply with this social influence? Why do we clap when others clap, eat as others eat, believe what others believe, even see what others see?   Frequently, it is to avoid rejection or to gain social approval.   In such cases, we are responding to what social psychologists call normative social influence.   W are sensitive to social norms – understood rules for accepted and expected behavior- because the price we pay for being different may be severe (Asch, 1995).   Take for example the case of the famous Italian basketball player, Marco Lokar.   During the 1991 Persian Gulf War, he was the only Seton Hall University basketball player who chose not to display an American flag on his uniform.   When, as the team traveled about, the fan abuse over his nonconforming behavior became unbearable, he quit the team and returned to Italy.But there is another reason: We may conform because the group can provide valuable information.   When we accept others` opinions about reality, we are responding to informational social influence.   â€Å"Those who never retract their opinions love themselves more than they love the truth,† observed Joseph Joubert, a French essayist.   But a conforming behavior does not necessitate therapeutic intervention.As these reasons for conformity suggest, social influence can be either constructive or destructive.   When influence supports that we approve, then we applaud those who are â€Å"open-minded† and â€Å"sensitive† enough to be â€Å"responsive.†Ã‚   When influence supports what we disapprove, the n we scorn the â€Å"submissive conformity† of those who comply with others` wishes.   Conformity is associated by such group phenomena as group think, minority influence, group polarization and social facilitation.Further, conformity studies reveal that conformity increases when: (1) We are made to feel incompetent or insecure; (2) The group has at least three people. (Further increases in the group size do not yield much increase in conformity); (3) The group is unanimous. (The support of a single fellow dissident greatly increases our social courage); (4) We admire the group’s status and attractiveness ;( 5) We have made no prior commitment to any response; (6) Others in the group observe our behavior; (7) Our culture strongly encourages respect for social standards (Gould,1991).Closely related to conformity is obedience. In our everyday life, we are always confronted to choose between holding to our own standards and being responsive to others, that is to obey.   The most famous and controversial experiment on obedience was conducted by social psychologist Stanly Milgram.   In this experiment, subjects were torn between what they respond to-the please of the victim or the orders of the experimenter.   Their moral sense warned them not to harm another, but also prompted them to obey the experimenter and to be a good subject.   With kindness and obedience on a collision course, obedience usually won.   This experiment demonstrates that social influences can be strong enough to make people conform to the desired behavior.   â€Å"The most fundamental lesson of this study,† Milgram noted, is that â€Å"ordinary people, simply doing their jobs, and without any particular hostility on their part, can become agents in terrible destruction process.† In analyzing this behavior, Milgram entrapped his subjects by exploiting the foot-in-the-door effect, or the tendency for people who have first agreed to a small request to com ply later with a larger request, and thus obeyed the order of the experimenter but being obedient does not necessarily needs therapeutic intervention.Further, this behavior is associated with the minority influence phenomena.   The experimenter as a minority influences over the subjects as the subjects obeyed.   Moreover, obedience was highest when: (1) The one giving the orders is close at hand and perceived as a legitimate authority figure; (2) the authority figure is supported by legitimate institution; and (3) There were no role models for defiance; that is, there were no other subjects seen disobeying the experimenter (Milgram, 1994).ConclusionOverall, according to some psychologists, one of social psychology’s great lessons is the enormous power of social influence on behavior. Suicides, bomb threats, airplane hijackings, and UFO sightings all have a curious tendency to come in waves.   Hence, armed with principles social influence, advertisers and salespeople aim to sway our decisions to buy, to donate, to vote.   Thus, social influence on behavior is a potent social force.