Middle schools Essay

There are some types of conditioning that are employed in middle schools and high school settings. Take for example when the teachers enter the classroom, students are â€Å"conditioned† to react in certain ways. Thus, this depends on what they are used to and how teachers will treat such type of behaviors. The initial reaction of the students is referred to as the ‘baseline behavior’ (Honolulu Zoo Organization, 2009). Before any type of conditioning is applied, this behavior should be observed and recorded. In a classical conditioning, there is a large dependence on the association of a stimulus to a response and has involuntary reactions (Comparison of Classical and Operant Conditioning, 2009). In a classroom setting, classical conditioning can also be applied. Say, students love their music class and that they love to sing. Thus, before each music class, the teacher would play a song. Thus, when the students hear the music, they may start to sing or hum to the tune of the music. This increases their awareness that music class will be next. Then, shaping is applied where a series of actions are equated to a series of reactions. This defines the difference between the baseline and terminal behavior. For an operant conditioning, the most notable feature is the ‘reinforcement’ and that the reactions are voluntary (Comparison of Classical and Operant Conditioning, 2009). Say when one teacher enters the classroom, the students to stand up and greet by applause. This may be construed by the teacher as the good behavior and, thus, the teacher may give a reward for each student when the students stand and applaud. Say, the reward is a candy bar, which now serves as the positive reinforcement. Consequently, without the â€Å"stand and applaud response,† the candy bar is withheld and students are forced to stand, thus a negative reinforcement. When this is done in an every â€Å"stand and applaud reaction† response basis, thus, continuous reinforcement is applied. Within the shaping, reinforcements may vary. The reinforcement may be done in random, meaning candy bar is not given every time the stand and applaud reaction is done by student, which is called variable reinforcement. If in case the teacher gives more candy bars for a louder applause, then this is now referred to as the selective reinforcement with the aim of increasing performance. Another schedule of reinforcement is the bonus wherein the students may receive more candy bars than the usual as a surprise. The terminal behavior is the behavior after the ‘shaping’ is applied. In this example, the students’ action of standing and applauding every time the same teacher enters the classroom is the terminal behavior after the shaping including the reinforcement. Negative reinforcement is if students fail to stand and applaud or if they just sit instead of stand, the candy bar is then withheld, thus, the students will go back to the stand and applaud response for the candy bar. Negative reinforcement then pushes that the students do something for their benefit. Punishment, on the other hand, is when the students stand and applaud and then they are all sent to the principal’s office, which weakens the ‘enthusiasm’ for stand and applause behavior. Then, if the candy bar is removed after the ‘stand and applaud reaction’, thus, the reaction is no longer encouraged and this is then called the extinction. Reward is a very powerful tool for students and the proper use of it should be understood before it is utilized by the members of the academe. In the same manner, rewards can make or break students’ habits and behavior. This could be dangerous since there is a tendency of students lacking the initiative to work without the reward. This may keep students from doing their best since there is no visible gain for better performance in school. On the other hand, this may also be very helpful in stirring movements for students towards positive actions and better performance. This may be an extra boost on their determination to achieve more in their activities. Reference: Comparison of Classical and Operant Conditioning. (2009). The McGraw-Hill Companies. Retrieved March 26, 2009 from http://www. dushkin. com/connectext/psy/ch06/compare. mhtml Honolulu Zoo Organization. (2009). Operant Conditioning Terms. Retrieved March 26, 2009 from http://www. honoluluzoo. org/enrichment_operant_cond_terms. htm

Ethnicity and the Immigrant Experience

Ethnicity and the Immigrant Experience When thinking about immigration, most individuals imagine all different types of ethnic groups traveling to a separate land away from their own. Most imagine America. Immigration, throughout history, has occurred within all types of ethnicities. When taking a closer look at the individuals living in America, it is apparent that everyone is not exactly like one another. Assimilation becomes a popular word used when discussing migration, and both positives and negatives come along with it.Two theorists that discuss the meaning of assimilation in their writings are Stephen Steinberg in his book, Ethnic Myth, and Milton Gordon in his book Assimilation in American Life. They discuss issues regarding assimilation and how they affect the nation as a whole. A novel written by Chang-Rae Lee titled, Native Speaker, gives specific examples as to how the assimilation process affects others and the migrants themselves, as also described in both Steinberg and Gordon’s books.In Steinberg’s book, Ethnic Myth, he discusses with his readers the issues regarding ethnic identity and assimilation. This is presented and explained in the chapter titled, The Atrophy of Ethnic Cultures. He first talks about the idea of the â€Å"melting pot† and how it should not be analyzed lightly. He gives a quote from John Higham that says, â€Å"Loud assertions of pluralism almost invariably betray fears of assimilation† (Steinberg, 59). This means that minority groups that try to maintain their cultural traditions may, in fact, risk assimilation by doing so.Another point he brings to the surface is that when looking back at second or third generations of a specific minority group, these people still can relate back to their original traditions and culture identity. He then says, â€Å"But can the same be said of the new generation which has known only the Americanized version of the original culture? † (Steinberg, 60). This is an obvious prevailing issue when it comes to preserving ones culture.An example within the novel, Native Speaker, would be when Henry, the main character described as a Korean immigrant, explains the history with his father. His father, living in America, would gather with friends and participate in ggeh’s, or â€Å"money clubs. † Here they would win money and eventually, that is all that mattered to the Korean group. The shift from typical Korean traditions to owning all this land and money in American became a vast transformation. Henry says about his father, â€Å"In America, he said, it’s even hard to stay Korean. These alterations from one ethnic experience and tradition to another can be lost very quickly and potentially never be replenished. Throughout both Steinberg and Gordon’s writing, they both have similarities and differences when regarding assimilation. Gordon talks about these â€Å"ethnic meetings† which refer to assimilation. Throughout Gordon’s chapter titled, The Nature of Assimilation, he gives a numerous amount of definitions from theorists and writers that differ in various ways.In an essay that Gordon leaves the author anonymous in this chapter defines assimilation as â€Å"the process by which different cultures, or individuals or groups representing different cultures, are merged into a homogenous unit. Here Gordon talks about assimilation as positive, whereas Steinberg takes a different approach. Steinberg suggests that assimilation is not always a positive aspect simply because it can result in the loss of a cultural identity. This is present in Native Speaker because Henry continuously tries indulging himself into American culture.He cannot fully accomplish this, which essentially results in his wife, Lelia, leaving him in the beginning of the novel. As there are differences within Steinberg and Gordon’s readings, they do agree upon their understanding of the nature within assim ilation. Gordon says that cultural behavior changes â€Å"may take place in the cultures of either one of the two groups, or there may be a reciprocal influence whereby the cultures of both groups are modified† (Gordon, 62).Steinberg agrees with this statement because he suggests that the changing of one’s culture is at high risk when incorporated into a different culture. He says, â€Å"The ethnic crisis only begins with the fact that the core elements of traditional culture have been modified, diluted, compromised, and finally relinquished† (Steinberg, 62). Both writers describe this lack of identity in one way or another. Assimilation is apparent in any society, especially America. People of different backgrounds continuously trying to come together to create one nation is a crucial aspect in society today.Steinberg, Gordon, and Lee all discuss how assimilation has issues when it comes to preserving ones ethnic traditions and identity. What they all convey to readers however, is the fact that the merging of cultures will forever be essential and inevitable. Works Cited Steinberg, Steven. The Ethnic Myth: Race, Ethnicity, and Class in America. Boston: Beacon Press, 1978. Print. Lee, Chang-Rae. Native Speaker. New York: Riverhead Books, 1995. Print. Gordon, Milton. The Nature of Assimilation. Oxford University Press, 1964. eBook.

The Requirement for Employers to Allow Maternity Leave under United Essay

The Requirement for Employers to Allow Maternity Leave under United Kingdom Law Is a Disadvantage to Women in the Workplace - Essay Example This paper illustrates that many have argued that maternity leave is disadvantageous for working women since it holds back women’s progress in the workplace. Under the present UK law, a working woman who gives birth to a child is allowed to take maternity leave up to a year. For six weeks they are paid 90 percent of their usual salary, but after that, they rules vary and it can be around  £ 135 per week or even less than that. But maternity leave is becoming a huge burden on many businesses and women. The legislation thus directs many employers not to employ women and the companies are reluctant to give jobs to women of childbearing age. This part of the legislation, which is called family-friendly legislation, is wrong and needs to be abandoned. Many ordinary women in ordinary jobs do badly when they take advantage of the family-friendly legislation. When they join their work it becomes difficult for them to return to their earlier earnings and they don’t get their p ension rights when they were away. But organizations display a good pretty picture of the facilities which they offer to their working new mother. But the reality is actually very different. The new mother has to abandon her job for a fixed term. After first six weeks, her income possibly falls huskily and it takes her time to return back to normal salary level. These statutory benefits and provisions create a perverse incentive for a short term to return to work against what might be a longer-term interest. It is important to understand that the decision whether to return to work or not is difficult and individual. This may include personal inclination, circumstances, family income, costs at home, job and childcare.

The word of peace Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

The word of peace - Essay Example Begin your life pattern by doing things you feel motivated toward, even though they are not important to you at first. In today’s hectic lifestyle, there is no peace of mind and that’s the reason why people though monetarily strong have no peace of mind. What is the main reason behind this? Well, there are two main reasons: unnecessary possessions and unnecessary burdens. And because of these two fundamental reasons, there is no contentment – everyone needs more that what actually is needed. This can be seen in our society, nations and across the world. With time, the negative energy in the universe is increasing and as a result, there is more aggression despite millennia of religion, culture and civilization. Peace among people and nations remains elusive, but for the welfare of our society and for the future of humanity, peace is important and really deserves a chance. Being a social animal, peace is very crucial for us. It teaches us how to get rid of the endless chatter of mind, problems, anxiety, and stress that make us uncomfortable and severely affect our thoughts. Learn the art of living in a state of inner peace and happiness. If you seek peace sincerely, you can definitely find it. However, you need some deep thoughts to bring you to

Market segmentation Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Market segmentation - Research Paper Example The market could be segmented into three major groups – young adults (age 22 to 35), middle – aged (age 36 to 50) and senior citizens (51 years and above). Nevertheless, the business scope (in terms of sales volume) of Chevy Volt is relatively high for first two segments because these consumers are tilted towards new hybrid vehicles and eco-friendly products (Welch, 2010). It is justified to argue that GM has currently a small market because there are fewer customers in the market that could easily acquire a $40,000 car in bleak economic scenario (inflation, high gas / fuel prices and unemployment). Indeed, GM sold only 647 vehicles in first 2 months of launch that confirms aforementioned argument (Jin, 2011). It should be emphasized that GM competes with Japanese makers like Toyota, Honda and Nissan that could easily produce and market a hybrid in range of $17,000 – 33,000. Therefore, GM has been planning to increase its production and sell 25,000 units a year. This would definitely enable GM to reduce Volt’s total market price by $8,000 – 12,000, thereby increasing its competitiveness and attracting a large pool of middle – middle customers.

Barriers to the Growth of Electronic Marketing Essay

Barriers to the Growth of Electronic Marketing - Essay Example It has been able to exterminate the monopoly in goods an series which has been considered important for the growth of the electronic business. Though it has recorded growth in the recent past, there have been many barriers to the growth of the industry. There have been many issues with the conduction of the business over the internet and other electronic tools especially problems to do with mutual trust and privacy of the deals. Lack of security through the internet and other barriers have been a great block to the growth of the industry. This paper explores the barriers which have prevented the growth of the electronic marketing. In the first section the paper will explore the growth of electronic marking looking at the factors that have enabled the industry to make such great strides. This will give us an insight on how there have been compounding factors that have acted as barriers for the growth of the industry. The second section will look at the actual barriers to the growth of the industry and discuss them in details giving solutions to what could be done in order to minimize the barrier to the growth of the industry. The last section will be a general conclusion which will summarize all the details on the paper. The future of marketing has been defined. ... has been able to transform researches on marketing, products and services, and other information to the main street of the world and in a manner that they can be accessed by anyone in any parts of the world and at any time. The internet has been able to revolutionize the market the at the same time we have a luxury of watching events in the world as they unfold which has helped customers to access growth of marketing in all dimensions. There have been many criticism about the internet on the social front citing isolation and connection issues coupled with the political impacts that it has had on many governments but few have talked about the revolution that it has created on the economies of the world except the attention that has been paid on the stock market new that we receive over the internet. (Brown and Duguid 2002, p. 71) Since the 1990s when the internet was developed there has been tremendous growth in e-marking and a general growth of ecommerce. Companies have become open to the scrutiny of the whole world which has made it prerogative for the companies to open their operation and practice more ethics. But it is not only in the practicing of ethics in the corporation but also in the way the process of making business deals with these corporations that has been the main advantage of the internet to the consumers and to the corporations. There has been rising use of the internet as we clock to this decade and it seems to have become the centre of life of many people not only in America but also in the whole word. Recent researches shows that there have been a remarkable drop of about 8 percent on the number of hours that Americans have been spending watching TV and at the same time there have been increased number of house about 8 percent that they have

How could human cloning harm or benefit us Essay

How could human cloning harm or benefit us - Essay Example As there are different types of people living in the world, their perspective for the concept of cloning is also varied and based on different religions, demographics and the social aspects. Body The human cloning is a phrase that is used to describe the artificial ways of cloning human being such as human clones as the identical twins that came into existence as a natural reproductive process. This type of cloning is known as embryo cloning. In scientific field, cloning has three different types. The three types of cloning are termed as therapeutic cloning, reproductive cloning and embryo cloning. The first type of cloning or therapeutic cloning is highly used in the world of cloning that consists of adult cell cloning that is used for further research in the field. The second type of cloning is reproductive cloning that is entirely based on the reproduction of clones with the use of human cells. The various countries of the world have different perspective of accepting or declining the concept of human cloning. There are some countries that are willing to accept the concept of embryonic cloning, although, they are against the reproductive human cloning and involves India, China, England and Singapore. Nevertheless, there are few countries in the world that have directly and strictly prohibit the practicing and research of embryonic cloning and include Australia, Brazil, Germany, France and Mexico. In U.S. albeit the embryonic cloning is not prohibited, however, there are few states that have made it illegal and against the law. Moreover, the financial support from the federal department for the purpose of cloning research is also entirely banned. For that purpose, a bill was also proposed in the United States but was not passed that aimed to restrict the American citizen to travel other countries for the purpose of getting stem cell treatments with the help of embryo cloning. It has been seen that the cost of research of cloning just on animals in quite expen sive, thus makes it double or triple time costlier for the human cloning. It is because of the reason that scientists and researchers are mostly working on animal cloning extensively and various types of cloning studies are conducting on different animals including monkeys and frog cells. In the field of cloning and biotechnology, the researchers of United States and Europe have made the highest contribution when compared with the other countries. According to a cloning research in 2009, the American heart Association has provided the financial support for researching animal cloning, human DNA sequence and cell lines. In 2007, American state of California undertook a voting process where residents voted in favor of embryo cloning and even made the funds for the further research in the field. it is due to those people and most particularly the Californian scientists that the concept of human cloning gain momentum. The idea of opening up the human cloning clinics in Chicago was initia ted by the scientist Richard seed in 1998. He planned to open up almost twenty clinics in the country and other six clinics on the international grounds. Each country and its citizens have their own set of beliefs and reasons as to why the concept of human cloning must be accepted and promoted and why it should be banned and prohibited entirely. The most common reason is related to the ethics that promotes the banning of human cloning because in the beginning, the human cloning