Wednesday, January 29, 2020

Khaled Hosseini Essay Example for Free

Khaled Hosseini Essay At parties, when all six-foot-five of him thundered into the room, attention shifted to him like sunflowers turning to the sunTranslating a book into a movie can be a very elusive task for many reasons. This is due to the fact that a book has many key points in it and compressing them all into a certain time frame can be very challenging. Mark Forster’s adaptation of Khaled Hosseini’s novel the Kite Runner is a weak portrayal of what the author had originally wrote. The movie consisted of some bad casting choices. It also consisted of some significant and harmful cuts to the novel. Although the director’s intention to recreate a very well written story into a movie was a great idea, the author could have given more attention to some critical and important aspects of the novel. The directors casting choices changed some of the important traits, which took away the true understanding of the characters. In the book, Khaled Hosseini states that Hassan is a descendant of Mongol heritage, which was an indicator of his status in society. As a Hazara young Hassan’s actor in the movie, blended in with the rest of the actors, as he did look like a Mongol. Another obvious flaw in Hassan’s character in the movie was the fact that he did not have a harelip, which represented the fact that he was a Hazara and had no money for it to be replaced. Baba is also another great example of how the director made some bad casting choices for the movie. In the book Baba’s character was described as a strong, intelligent and intimidating man â€Å"At parties, when all six-foot-five of him thundered into the room, attention shifted to him like sunflowers turning to the sun†. While in the movie

Tuesday, January 21, 2020

Cognitive Theories of Human Development Essays -- Cognitive Developme

Cognitive Theories of Human Development Jean Piaget, known as the most important theorist; started the most comprehensive theory of intellectual development. Piaget was born in 1896, in Neuchatel Switzerland, and lived a full and significant life, he passed away at age 84. His father was a medieval historian, and his mother was a homemaker; she was highly emotional and her behavior disrupted the normalcy of their home. Piaget married Valentine Chatenay, and they soon welcomed three girls; Jacqueline, Lucienne, and Laurent. The Paiget’s spent much of their time observing the girls childhood development. Paiget’s success began early in life. At the age of 10 years, Piaget published an article about a sparrow. By the age of 21 years, he earned his doctorate in natural sciences. In the 1940s and 50s, he studied children and adolescents. He focused on children’s understanding of mathematical and scientific concepts; he also continued to study cognitive development and philosophical questions in epistemology. Paiget initially faced objections from his peers; by the late 1960’s and the decades to follow, many psychologists began to recognize the importance of his theories. Another significant contributor to the cognitive development theory was Lev Vygotsky. Vygotsky was born in 1896, in Tsarist Russia, to a middle-class Jewish family; sadly he died at the young age of 38, due to tuberculosis. His father was banking executive and his mother was a teacher; although most of her time was spent raising their eight children. In school he was known as the â€Å"little professor.† As a young adult, he attended the University of Moscow, but his Jewish decent proved to be a struggle. Vygotsky studied law, but also dabbled in many ... ...speech†. For Vygotsky, learning preceded development. Like Piaget, Vygotsky believed that children's egocentric speech was an important part of their cognitive development. The two differed in how they viewed the purpose of egocentric speech. The main difference between social and cognitive is that cognitive development involves the construction of thought processes, including: remembering, problem solving, and decision-making, from childhood through adolescence to adulthood. References Crain, W.C. (2011). Theories of development: Concepts and applications (6th ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall. Craig, G.J., & Dunn, D. (2010). Understanding human development (2nd ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall.

Monday, January 13, 2020

The Nature of Business

The Nature of Business – IMAX This business report will analyse and explain certain significant areas in business environment in reference to the Sydney IMAX Theatre. We will look at the business life cycle, the main elements of the business’s environment, the internal and external influences on the business and the social responsibilities of the business. 1. Classify the business and summarise its stage in the business life cycle, include a brief history The Sydney IMAX Theatre is a large privately owned business. IMAX is a proprietary limited business; this means that IMAX has a separate legal existence, distinct from its owners, managers and operators. It also has its own income tax liability, separate to your personal income tax. Effectively, a company has the powers of an individual and can: †¢Own and dispose of property and other assets †¢Enter into contracts †¢Sue and be sued The Sydney IMAX Theatre is currently in the maturity stage of its product life cycle. As the business was officially opened in 1996 it has well surpassed its Establishment and growth phase. The company is keeping its sales steady by taking advantage of its homogeneous product and the inelastic demand for its product. IMAX is currently owned by Worlds Biggest Screens Pty Ltd. The history of Sydney IMAX Theatre all starts with the IMAX Corporation that was established in 1967. IMAX Corporation started out as the industry leader in the creation and production of high end rides, attractions and projection technology. The company then went on to be a world leader in the production and design of surround sound technology. The Sydney IMAX Theatre was opened in 1996 and was instantly booming with a very short establishment phase. IMAX very quickly became a tourist attraction and a must see for all people living in the Sydney area. IMAX then saw a large chain of theatres open all over Australia in 4 years putting a great strain on the company. As a result Cinema Plus Ltd was liquidated in 2000 because of cash flow problems. This Liquidation saw all cinemas except Sydney close and saw World’s Biggest Screens Ltd devote all its time and energy on Sydney’s IMAX theatre. 2. The Main Elements of the business environment The Sydney IMAX Theatre is located in on the waterfront in the heart of Sydney’s Darling Harbor. This location has many benefits as it is an entertainment hotspot. The attractions include many restaurants, bars and cafes, the Sydney Aquarium, Sydney Wildlife World, The Australian National Maritime Museum, The Chinese Gardens of Friendship and The Powerhouse Museum. IMAX uses its unique location to its advantage by building special relationships with other businesses nearby therefore providing extra advertising and offering customers special deals that will provide extra sales. The IMAX provides its customers with the biggest cinema screen in the world. With this large screen comes a vast array of new possibilities that enhances the picture quality and the viewer’s experience. This is the reason for the logo†¦ Movies show you, IMAX takes you there. The IMAX provides customers a wide variety of films that are from many different genres. This wide variety increases the target market therefore having a larger and broader variety of people. The IMAX also includes a snack bar located in the facility that provides consumers with food and drink. This not only increases profit per person but also attracts unintended customers. 3. Internal and External influences on the Sydney IMAX Theatre External influences: Influences that a business cannot control †¢Financial markets: exchange rate changes impact profit income as film costs and royalties are based in US dollars †¢Economic factors: An economic downturn can influence people to save and not spend. People cut costs on going out therefore reducing the amount of people going to IMAX. An economic downturn also reduces the amount of tourists in the theatre Technological: advances in IMAX technology may produce whole new range of films that may or may not attract new audiences. †¢Social: changing patterns of leisure will impact greatly on attendance; varies also with the time of year and cycles of school holidays. †¢Geographic: changes to theatre access, parking or public transport will impact on attendance †¢Consumer: flexibility in scheduling allows the t heatre to respond to changing consumer demand for films (reputation and word-of-mouth is very important is influencing the success of any new film) Internal Influences: Influences that a business can control †¢Technological: expansion of e-commerce in marketing activities for example the online ticket purchase system has been extremely effective since its introduction at the start of 2004. †¢New Systems & procedures: introduction EFTPOS and credit card payment has increased sales. New timetabling methods allow teaches to give their students more time in the theatre. †¢Financial: New budgets will affect how a new film is marketed and how much advertisement it gets Product: changes in programming and film selection will influence attendance levels. The development of new products such as education talks will broaden the theatre market. The widening of the target market can potentially create new streams of people visiting the theatre. Both the Internal and external influences on a business are very important in a business’s survival. The IMAX needs to focus on improving their internal weaknesses without forge tting to figure out a way to stabilise its strengths. Only then will the business succeed. 4. The Ethical and Social Responsibilities of The Sydney IMAX Theatre The main purpose of business is to generate maximum returns for its owners and shareholders. So therefore the business has the responsibility of pursuing all activities that enhance profitability and increase the value of the business for the owners and shareholders. But a business also has responsibilities to their consumers, local communities and society as a whole. It is not right just to operate within the letter of the law. Businesses should also try and serve their local community and help its mployees lead better lives. IMAX has the social responsibility for all of its actions, their consequences and impacts on the community and the business itself. IMAX should examine every decision they make not just based on profitability but on long term ethical business value and social responsibility. The Sydney IMAX Theatre has the responsibility of introducing policies in place that take care of your employees and the l ocal community, long term this will still enhance their business brand and over time lead to higher profitability. The IMAX shows its ethical responsibility by only partnering with business’s that are also ethically and socially responsible. As a business ethical and social responsibility is a great way to serve the community, advertise and plan ahead for the future. In recent studies it is shown that quite frankly ethical and social responsibility sells. Conclusion In conclusion The Sydney IMAX Theatre is in its maturity phase of the business life cycle, it is a large privately owned proprietary limited business. Its vast array of films caters for a wide variety of target markets therefore increasing entries. The IMAX uses internal influences such as product and financial influences and is faced with external influences such as financial markets and economic factors. IMAX as a whole is slowly working towards gaining the public’s respect through ethical and social responsibilities which include pairing up with other ethically and socially responsible businesses, taking consequences for its actions and creating policies that specifically intend to take care of employees and the local community.

Sunday, January 5, 2020

Racism and Bullying - Free Essay Example

Sample details Pages: 6 Words: 1843 Downloads: 10 Date added: 2019/02/05 Category Society Essay Level High school Tags: Racism Essay Did you like this example? This paper will answer the research question, what is the relationship between racism and bullying and the education of Hispanic young adults between the ages of 15 and 19. Racism, according to Schmid, (2008) is defined as the lack of equality based on a person’s race only. Bullying is repeated unwanted acts over a minimum of 6 months. Don’t waste time! Our writers will create an original "Racism and Bullying" essay for you Create order As reported by Fry, (2002), only about 10% of Hispanic high school graduates enroll in a four- year college immediately after graduating high school. In a study conducted by Peskin, Tortolero, Markham, Addy Baumler, (2007) 1 out of 10 Hispanic teens will endure some form of bullying during their high school career. It is also reported that constant bullying discourages teens from continuing receiving an education. Nora Cabrera, (1996) found that Hispanics reported the lowest college enrollment rates as well as the highest dropout rates. The following paper will explore the social problem of racism and how it can be explained by a biological and sociological perspective. Additionally, I will give two interventions that target the social problem I am discussing. Biological Analysis Research has shown the correlation between racism and protective adaptation. Protective adaptation is animal or humans’ evolved way of being protected from danger by changing their body. Although this mechanism is most common in animals such as frogs, humans throughout the years evolved similarly. The brain plays a pivotal role in this adaptation. The brain interprets what is threatening and what is non-threatening and responds accordingly. When an individual is a victim of bullying that stems from racism and find it too overwhelming to manage, the brain along with systems of the body that include the cardiovascular and immune send out messages throughout the body McEwen,(2007). Sensors and hormones are released, and over time since if these protective mechanisms are released often it becomes a natural part of a person’s thought process. This gives reason as to why a Hispanic teen would be discouraged to achieve a higher education because of the racism they endured. Ano ther study by McEwens Gianaros, (2007) found that the hippocampus, amygdala, and areas of the prefrontal cortex of the brain regulate processes that can cause bodily adjustments in response to certain stimuli. Using both of these studies, not wanting to pursue a higher education is the brain’s way of protecting the individual from the unwanted situations caused by racism and bullying. Sociological Analysis When reading research conducted by Rygren, (2003), xenophobia is common in most people that are considered to be racist. Xenophobia is the fear of living or coexisting with people of different countries or cultures. People with this fear believe it is natural to act in a hostile way towards countries or cultures. A person that has xenophobia would show antagonistic behavior to a person to ensure people of them are aware that they are not welcomed and are not of the same status. Other social psychologists Yakushko, (2008) also found that people with xenophobia can also result in not the desire but the drive to ensure there is no competition in getting certain jobs or getting accepted into certain school by those who belong to specific races. This is a reason as to why Latinos are impacted in academic levels. People who express these biases aim to prevent them from furthering their education. Intervention Natural supplements that can adjust the brain’s functioning can be effective in improving this social problem. Studies by Gad, Bateman, Holtzheimer, (2017) have found that 5-Hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP) can be used to reduce the levels of hormones released from the brain that cause an individual to feel overwhelmed by certain situations. By taking this supplement the brain would have no reason to release the sensors to protect the body due to an increased feeling of well being. 5- HTP also helps regulates the body’s dopamine and serotonin levels which in response causes the feeling of calmness. This can be taken as a pill, but it is also found in many foods such as turkey, chicken, milk, potatoes, pumpkin, sunflower seeds, turnips, and collard greens. Being that all that needs to be done is increase certain food intake or take pills this is not difficult. This intervention is culturally friendly because 5-HTP can be found in a plethora foods at are natural so it doesnâ₠¬â„¢t require people of certain beliefs to go against what they believe in. In a two month study done on 78 people, 58% reported feeling better. In less than a quarter of a year more than half of the people expressed that they no longer constantly feel discouraged or put down by others. This method has reported high success rates. These changes can be measured by the individual’s behavior Sà ¶derpalm, B., Hjorth, S., Engel, J. (1989). After taking 5-HTP, people report feeling confident in themselves and their abilities. The efficiency of this natural supplement can be determined by individuals choosing to do more activities that bring them out of their comfort zone or that are more public. This means that if this form of intervention were to be tested Hispanic teens would not only feel motivated but would take initiative to apply and enroll in college. The success of this intervention would create change in the Hispanic community in both a macro and micro level. On a micro level the individual going through this process will have the self confidence to apply, enroll, and complete their college careers. By doing this they not only will have a higher education, but it gives them the opportunity to apply for jobs that are not available for those who only have a high school diploma. On a macro level, college campuses will not only be more diverse, but there would be a higher probability of Hispanics going into higher status jobs such as government jobs. A Hispanic person can get elected into office for the first time just as President Obama was and bring change to the entire American population. Another intervention that can be effective in improving this social problem is psychotherapy. As defined by Horvath, Re, Flà ¼ckiger, Symonds, (2011), psychotherapy is treatment in which a therapist and patient work together to improve mental conditions by focusing on their therapeutic relationship. By focusing on the relationship between the client and the therapist, the therapist can study their attitudes, behaviors, and thoughts. These therapy sessions target behaviors that affect family or social settings. Based on statistics found, the success rate for this form of invention varies. That is due to the fact that the success of psychotherapy is dependent on the relationship between the patient and therapist and finding a therapist that can connect to their client is difficult. As a result found by Brett Kolko, (1999), only 34% of patients found therapy to be effective. However, when looking at statistics on studies based on children and young adults, teens’ therapy treat ment reported to have a 92% success rate. Although adults only record a 34% success rate, children and teens are far more likely to have effective psychotherapy sessions. Psychotherapy is also culturally friendly. Since the goal of psychotherapy is to make the client feel as comfortable as possible with their therapist to help them better themselves, therapists are trained to accommodate to all cultures and religions. The efficiency of this intervention for racism can be determined by the person making new friends outside of their culture. Psychotherapy will specifically create change on a micro level. Its success and effects apply to the person seeking the help more than anyone else. Their views and standpoints are changed, and hopefully by the end of their therapy sessions they have a more positive view on other people. Since it is common for most people that are categorized to be racist have xenophobia, which as a result makes it nearly impossible to coexist with other racial gro ups, participating in psychotherapy would help eliminate their biased beliefs. Discussion In my opinion psychotherapy would be the best intervention for racism and bullying affecting education because it is a one on one approach with a professional that is tailored to help the individual. Being that we are all individuals and no two people are exactly the same, I find it best to use an approach that is tailored for that specific person. As opposed to giving someone a generic treatment, I feel psychotherapy allows the client to express their own feelings which in turns give their therapist the opportunity to help them in a way that is best suiting for that specific person. The aspect that does not appeal to me is how long it takes until positive results are seen. It could take months and even up to years until the therapist can finally have a breakthrough with the patient. Regardless, I still feel that this is the best intervention because it fixes the root of the problem. Rather than teach someone how to cope with people treating them in an undesired way I find it more pr oductive to teach someone how to treat everyone with respect. I also feel that this intervention does not cover up the problem, rather it digs deeper into it to then slowly resolve it. By doing this children and teens will more able to act in a non hostile tone around their peers. This in turn would cause those Hispanic teens affected by this social issue of racism and bullying to not be as discouraged from pursuing a college degree. Reference BOGDANSKI, D., WEISSBACH, H., UDENFRIEND, S. (1958, February). Pharmacologic studies with the serotonin precursor, 5-hydroxytryptophan. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/13514606 Brett, D., Kolko, D. (1999). Psychotherapy: Definitions, Mechanisms of Action, and Relationship to Etiological Models. Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology, 26(1) Fry, R. (2002). Latinos in higher education: Many enroll, too few graduate. Pew Hispanic Center Gad, H., Bateman, D., Holtzheimer, P. E. (2017). Neurostimulation Therapies, Side Effects, Risks, and Benefits. Oxford MedicineOnline.doi:10.1093/med/9780199374656.003.0016 Horvath, A. O., Re, A. D., Flà ¼ckiger, C., Symonds, D. (2011). Alliance in Individual Psychotherapy. Psychotherapy Relationships That Work, 25-69. doi:10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199737208.003.0002 Mcewen, B. S. (2007). Physiology and Neurobiology of Stress and Adaptation: Central Role of the Brain. Physiological Reviews, 87(3), 873-904. doi:10.1152/physrev.00041.2006 Mcewen, B. S., Gianaros, P. J. (2010). Central role of the brain in stress and adaptation: Links to socioeconomic status, health, and disease. Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences, 1186(1), 190-222. doi:10.1111/j.1749-6632.2009.05331.x Nora, A., Cabrera, A. F. (1996). The Role of Perceptions of Prejudice and Discrimination on the Adjustment of Minority Students to College. The Journal of Higher Education, 67(2), 119. doi:10.2307/2943977 Peskin, M. F., Tortolero, S. R., Markham, C. M., Addy, R. C., Baumler, E. R. (2007). Bullying and Victimization and Internalizing Symptoms among Low-Income Black and Hispanic Students. Journal of Adolescent Health, 40(4), 372-375.doi:10.1016/j.jadohealth.2006.10.010 Rydgren, J. (2003). Meso-level Reasons for Rac ism and Xenophobia. European Journal of Social Theory, 6(1), 45-68. doi:10.1177/1368431003006001560 Schmid, W. T. (1996). The Definition of Racism. Journal of Applied Philosophy, 13(1), 31-40. doi:10.1111/j.1468-5930.1996.tb00147.x Sà ¶derpalm, B., Hjorth, S., Engel, J. (1989). Effects of 5-HT1A receptor agonists and L-5-HTP in Montgomerys conflict test. Pharmacology Biochemistry and Behavior, 32(1), 259-265. doi:10.1016/0091-3057(89)90242-6 Yakushko, O. (2008). Xenophobia. The Counseling Psychologist, 37(1), 36-66. doi:10.1177/0011000008316034