Tuesday, November 26, 2019

Free Essays on Antisocial Behavior In Adolescents

Adolescent Antisocial Behavior To begin this essay, I will attempt to give a full description of the components of antisocial behavior in order to accurately depict my sister’s situation. The main purpose of this essay is to better educate myself on this particular behavior disorder and to better understand Brandi’s choices, actions, and behavior. According to the American Psychiatric Association manual, antisocial behavior, also known as conduct disorder or oppositional defiant disorder, is described as â€Å"a recurrent pattern of negativistic, defiant, disobedient, and hostile behavior toward authority figures that persists for at least six months†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (Nystul, 2003). The manual also states that a diagnosis of antisocial personality must meet several requirements: a failure to conform to social norms, consistent deceitfulness, impulsiveness, failure to plan ahead, irritability, aggressiveness, a consistent disregard for work and family obligations, a consistent disregard for the saf ety of oneself and others, and lastly, a lack of regret or remorse (Harvard, 2000). Oddly, clinical descriptions note that most adolescents displaying significant signs of antisocial behavior are of adequate intellect and do not display signs of thought disorder. These individuals simply fail to exercise good judgment in decision-making. Accordingly, these youths also have difficulties seeing the â€Å"consequences† and various outcomes of their choices and behavior (Pardini, 2003). Finally, other typical behaviors in adolescents affected by conduct disorder include: truancy, lying and stealing, engaging in physical fights, a tendency to run away, lighting fires, cruelty to animals, a tendency to use drugs, alcohol, and cigarettes at a early age, low self-esteem, learning difficulties, and aggression to others (Colman, 2003). Next, I will discuss proposed potential causes of these antisocial behaviors in children. The most prominent and rep... Free Essays on Antisocial Behavior In Adolescents Free Essays on Antisocial Behavior In Adolescents Adolescent Antisocial Behavior To begin this essay, I will attempt to give a full description of the components of antisocial behavior in order to accurately depict my sister’s situation. The main purpose of this essay is to better educate myself on this particular behavior disorder and to better understand Brandi’s choices, actions, and behavior. According to the American Psychiatric Association manual, antisocial behavior, also known as conduct disorder or oppositional defiant disorder, is described as â€Å"a recurrent pattern of negativistic, defiant, disobedient, and hostile behavior toward authority figures that persists for at least six months†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (Nystul, 2003). The manual also states that a diagnosis of antisocial personality must meet several requirements: a failure to conform to social norms, consistent deceitfulness, impulsiveness, failure to plan ahead, irritability, aggressiveness, a consistent disregard for work and family obligations, a consistent disregard for the saf ety of oneself and others, and lastly, a lack of regret or remorse (Harvard, 2000). Oddly, clinical descriptions note that most adolescents displaying significant signs of antisocial behavior are of adequate intellect and do not display signs of thought disorder. These individuals simply fail to exercise good judgment in decision-making. Accordingly, these youths also have difficulties seeing the â€Å"consequences† and various outcomes of their choices and behavior (Pardini, 2003). Finally, other typical behaviors in adolescents affected by conduct disorder include: truancy, lying and stealing, engaging in physical fights, a tendency to run away, lighting fires, cruelty to animals, a tendency to use drugs, alcohol, and cigarettes at a early age, low self-esteem, learning difficulties, and aggression to others (Colman, 2003). Next, I will discuss proposed potential causes of these antisocial behaviors in children. The most prominent and rep...

Saturday, November 23, 2019

The American Liberty Elm - Overview

The American Liberty Elm - Overview American Liberty Elm : The state tree of both Massachusetts and North Dakota, American elm is a beautiful tree but subject to getting a serious disease called Dutch elm disease or DED. The good news is that resistant tree strains are starting to improve the American elms situation. Elm Research Institute (ERI) has developed on of the best, called the American Liberty Elm, and offers matching grants to groups who want to plant the tree. Habit and Range: American elm is one of the most popular of urban shade trees. This tree was planted along downtown city streets for decades. The tree has had major problems with Dutch elm disease and has until now been out of favor when considered for urban tree planting. In North America, American elm attains medium to large tree status and grows 60 to 80 tall. American elm occupies one of the largest north-south ranges in North America - from Canada to Florida. Enter Elm Research Institute (ERI): A new matching tree grant program has been announced by Elm Research Institute (ERI), a nonprofit organization based in Keene, NH. This unique, community-oriented promotion features disease-resistant American Liberty Elms which are the only street proven, purebred, native American elms with a lifetime warranty against Dutch elm disease. This warrenty is backed by ERI. About ERIs American Liberty Elm Grant: How the Matching Tree Grant Program works:For every inch of caliper purchased in trees 3 inch caliper and larger, ERI will donate one 1 inch or 2 inch caliper tree for planting on public property.Your Options:(A) For every inch of caliper purchased in trees Size No. 3 or larger ERI will donate an equal total in Sizes No. 1 or No. 2 trees to be presented as a gift to your municipality for planting on public property.(B) You purchase (4)trees of any size and get {1) tree free. Says the Founder of ERI: “Liberty elms have become extremely popular with new home owners, builders, landscape architects, developers and contractors” says John P. Hansel, Founder of ERI. “We will extend the Matching Tree Grant Program to those who are specifying and planting American Liberty Elms.” Why Plant American Liberty Elms?: The American Liberty Elm has shown superior resistance to disease fungus inoculations over successive years, says ERI. The elm has had more than 20 years of street testing, growing in communities where Dutch elm disease is present. In an ultimate field test, losses among the over 300,000 trees planted have been less than 1 per cent. With more elms now on the market claiming resistance, you need to inquire about the origin and track record of any elm you are considering says Hansel. Why Plant an American Elm?: The American Elm displays a classic elm form, and is perfect for many landscape designs, including elm-lined drives, elm groves and specimen elms. As an elms matures, it displays wide canopies to heights that afford clear views of the architectural details of buildings and deep shade for people to enjoy.A favorite of Fredrick Law Olmsted, the American elm was included in his plans for the U.S. Capitol grounds, New York Citys Central Park and other projects. More on the Matching Tree Grant Program: For more information about the Matching Tree Grant Program, phone Elm Research Institute at 1-800-367-3567 (FOR-ELMS), online at www.landscapeelms.com or write Elm Research Institute, 11 Kit St, Keene, NH 03431. Individuals may also get a free 2-3 ft. tree with a $45 membership. Expert Comments on Elms: It is massive, long lived, tough, easy to grow, adaptable and blessed with an arching, wine-glass-like silhouette, making it the perfect street tree. - Guy Sternberg, Native Trees for North American LandscapesMost trees find life an ongoing struggle, but elms have been through a singular hell.- Arthur Plotnik, The Urban Tree BookFrom a pragmatic viewpoint, it is difficult to recommend this species because of the disease problem. If the newer, resistant selections prove successful, then I would consider planting...- Michael Dirr, Dirrs Hardy Trees and Shrubs

Thursday, November 21, 2019

Assessing the Different Types of Derivatives Essay

Assessing the Different Types of Derivatives - Essay Example The major classes of derivatives are Futures/Forwards which are contracts to buy or sell an asset at a specified future date, Optionals which are contracts that give a holder the right to buy or sell an asset at a specified future date and Swappings where the two parties agree to exchange cash flows. Derivatives are often subject to criticisms such as large losses, counter-party risk, and unsuitably high amount of risk for small or inexperienced investors, large notional value and leverage of debt in the economy. In spite of these it has huge advantages such as facilitating the buying and selling of risk thus having a positive impact on the economic system. As former Federal Reserve Board chairman Alan Greenspan commented in 2003 the use of derivatives has softened the impact of the economic downturn at the beginning of the 21st century. In this paper the pros and cons and the circumstances under which derivatives such as forward contracts, future contracts, spot contracts, call opti ons, hedging, interest rates swaps, currency swaps and credit swaps are used, are discussed.(Note: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia, Derivative(finance)) Forward Contract is an agreement between two parties to buy or sell an asset (which can be of any kind) at a pre-agreed future point in time.As suggested by the International Journal of Sheep and Wool Science, volume 55(2007), results suggest that income stabilization and price risk management were the two major pros of the forward contract method although these were strongly overshadowed by the list of cons: pricing, complexity, dominance of the auction system and production risks. Allaz and Vila (1993) suggest that there is a strategic reason (in an imperfect competitive environment) for the existence of forward trading, that is, forward trading can be used even in a world without uncertainty In finance, a futures contract is a

Tuesday, November 19, 2019

Team Building 3 Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Team Building 3 - Essay Example The team decides amongst themselves the role of each such that biased relationships are not formed with members within the organisation (Cook Mangla and Ummer, 2009). There are set guidelines that need to be followed and the evaluation team decide whether the rules have been adhered to. Post evaluation the team reports back to the funding body with critical insights into the process, activities and outcomes. Thus an external and unbiased reflection helps the company build the team more effectively and focus on the gaps so as to eliminate them in the future (W. Dyer, W. Dyer, Jr. & J. Dyer , 2007). Evaluations are thus a mix of an objective and passive task and it is necessary for the evaluator to be neutral and offer space for divergent opinions, discussions and debates. 2. The four stages of team building are forming, storming, norming and performing. When a team is initially formed there is a cordial atmosphere on the surface; however in most cases the older team members would be cautious and check whether their positions are threatened by the new entrants. The newcomers are also excited as well as tensed; hence it is necessary to understand team building so as to maintain the balance between the old and the new employees. Since there is mix of various cultures and mentalities, soon there will be competitions between the team members. Hence as a leader, one should be able to channel the inevitable conflicts into effective development of the team and the individuals working therein (Fisher, 2000; West, 2012). The third stage entails the settling down of the team and start conforming to the set of rules and regulations of the companies. The settling down happens as now the team knows what to expect from the other members. Therefore as a good leader and guide one should be able to establish rules that the team needs to adhere

Sunday, November 17, 2019

Body Piercings Essay Example for Free

Body Piercings Essay In this ever fast and changing world, body piercings are evolving quickly. We see more people wearing body jewelry. The question is how did they make their decisions? Did they do the research and look at the risks associated with it? Do they know what the piercings symbolize? Or where they are from? Where they pressured into piercings? Do they know exactly what they want in their lives? The decision of body piercing depends on how one was brought up or if one was peer pressured in to it. Body piercing is a decision that one person makes on their own based on ones beliefs, and feelings as well as cultural differences. There are many facial body piercings that can be worn, and many that have been used throughout history. The nose piercing is the most popular of the piercings historically. Tongue piercings are now commonly seen everyday. â€Å"It is originally said to be a Ritual form by ancient Aztecs, Mayas of Central America and the Haida Tribes.† (1998)(Morrison, C) Ear Piercing was common among many cultures throughout history. Ear Piercing is the most common piercing performed in America, and the one society accepts the most. The first recorded body found with ear piercings was said to be over five thousand years old and it was found in Austria. During different periods of time, it was common for men to wear fashionable earrings, for instance William Shakespeare wore elaborate earrings for more attention. The labret piercing is also something that is performed on many people. This is the piercing that is below the lip and above the chin. The eyebrow piercing is also something that was used in India as well. One of the most popular piercing with teens is the navel piercing. The navel piercing became a big fad in 1953 when the bikini was invented. The Nipple piercings is something that has been around for many years. Both men and woman have participated in having their nipples pierced. Nipple piercings dates back to the times of, Roman Centurions who had their nipples pierced for the armor that they wore. Many cultures have used nipple piercings as well, in Paris many women had their nipples pierced because it is said to make them larger, and more sensitive. There are many kinds of body piercings particularly set for both women and men, some piercings can better ones love life. The genitals piercings are a part of the body that gets pierced and is a growing in trend. The most common male genital piercing would be the Prince Albert Piercing; this particular piercing was named after Prince Albert, husband of Queen Victoria of England. This piercing was created because Prince Albert’s pants were to snug in the groin area so they created a hook per say for the piercing to be connected to as to keep from having an unsightly bulge in the pants. This particular piercing can also increased sexual stimulation for both men and women. There are many several other male genital piercings, most are very similar. Fraendulum, foreskin, palange, and apadrauya, guiche, and hafada are all other male genital piercings. The piercing that women can get would be called the Clitoris hood, this piercing is said to increase sexual stimulation. There are many important things to think about when deciding to get ones body pierced. Where is one going to get it? Is it important to go to a licensed professional? What would the risk be if deciding on having a friend do it? There are many other factors to consider when one decides on getting ones body pierced. Dose one think that getting ones labret or nose pierced might interfere with ones career goals? Or as a parent would one want his/her children to grow up thinking it was alright? Some people also stop to think about what it is going to do to their body, and how it will affect them when they get older. Making the decision is important for one to make based on the facts, not from the opinions of others. There are many religious views when it comes to body piercing and each one is a little different. The views in the Bible about body piercings are very interesting to many people. The Bible Speaks of many different things throughout its scriptures. I found a few interesting scriptures in my research I felt were important to include. â€Å"Ye shall not make any cuttings in your flesh for the dead, nor print any marks upon you: I am the Lord.† (1998) (Miller, B) that particular scripture was found in 19:28 Leviticus. The Bible also speaks about self mutilation being against the fifth commandment. The fifth commandment is based on the Catholic views. Religion is something that many people should think about when deciding on getting their body pierced. Taking care of ones piercing is very important. Piercings are considered open wounds until they fully heal, and healing can take a lengthy amount of time depending on the particular piercing. Healing time differs for many of the piercings available; however there are many things that a person can do to prevent one from getting an infection. Practicing good hygiene is a must; this is something that everyone should practice every day. There are some things that one should not do after getting a new piercing. Avoid contact between anyone else’s open wounds or body fluids around the pierced area. Smoking can be a problem if one decided to get an oral piercing. Cleaning a piercing several times a day is always essential to keep it from getting infected. Infections can be very painful and could cause one to have to remove the piercing as well. There are many risks associated with body piercings; one could possibly have an allergic reaction to particular metals which most body jewelry is made from. When one gets initial body jewelry it is almost always going to be a metal jewelry. Infection is a huge risk that can cause one to have to remove the piercing in order to get the infection out. People can get a viral infection from the misuse of body piercing tools. Piercing guns are capable of spreading HIV, hepatitis A, B, and C. This is why it is extremely important to go to a licensed professional body piercing studio. The licensed professional knows the proper cleaning and piercing techniques to keep this situation from happening. Making sure that one keeps their body jewelry clean is very important even once the piercing has healed, because one could still get an infection. Sharing body jewelry could possibly lead to spreading both bacterial and viral infections, which could lead up to something as bad as Hepatitis. This is also something that one might want to think about before making an ultimate decision on getting their body pierced. There are many reasons in which a person should weigh the pros and cons before making a quick and rash decision. Body piercings are not forever, but they can leave scars both physically, and emotionally. Taking ones time is important when making the decisions that include so many big health risks. Piercings are perceived as both an art form and a mistake depending on the different people who one might talk to, and their knowledge of the subject. Peer pressure can be hard to work through, Try to make ones own choices. It is ones own life as an adult to make any life altering or body altering decisions.

Thursday, November 14, 2019

Ethical Issues Surrounding Genetic Screening and Genetic Engineering Es

Ethical Issues Surrounding Genetic Screening and Genetic Engineering In today’s modern age science is moving at a rapid pace; one of those scientific fields that has taken the largest leaps is that of genetics. When genetics first comes to mind, many of us think of it as a type of science fiction, or a mystical dream. Yet genetics is here, it is real, and has numerous ethical implications. One of the particular areas of interest is prenatal genetics. In this field, many new and outstanding innovations have been made. A mother and father can now check for a large array of disorders that could occur in their child; sexual preference has now been shifted from the hands of a higher being to that of someone with a Ph.D.; and in the near future, a couple will possibly be able to choose the physical features of their child, such as hair color, eye color, etc. Scientifically speaking, all of these new options that parents have is amazing. Not only can they have a healthy baby, but one that is going to be stronger, and better looking. Yet, ethically speaking, many people would dislike the â€Å"playing† of God. And when it becomes possible to create a perfect child, what will prevent us in society from doing so? The field of genetics in prenatal situations has become very advanced over the past few years, yet many of these advancements have given arise to unethical appl ications. In 1990, the first great stride of genetics took place. This was called the Human Genome Project, a large-scale operation that was designed to understand the human genome (genetic structure). Since its commencement, there have been many leaps and bounds that have taken place. For certain genetic issues that we once knew nothing about, we no... ...r the ADA: A Case For Protection From Employment Discrimination.† The Georgetown Law Journal 89.4 Apr. (2001): 973-99. Kluger, Jeffrey. â€Å"Who owns our genes?†Time 163.1 Jan. (1999): 51 Parens, Erik., Adrienne Asch. â€Å"The Disability Rights Critique of Prenatal Genetic testing: reflections and recommendations.† The Hastings Center Report 29.5 Sept./Oct. (1999): S1-S22 Pearson, John. â€Å"Regulation In the Face of Technological Advance: Who Makes These Cells Anyway?† Notre Dame Journal of Law, Ethics, & Public Policy 13.1 (1999): 1-8. Reiss, Michael. â€Å"What Sort of People Do We Want? The Ethics of Changing People Through Genetic Engineering.† Notre Dame Journal of Law, Ethics, & Public Policy 13.1 (1999): 63-92. White, Mary. â€Å"Making Responsible Decisions: An Interpretive Ethic for Genetic Decisionmaking.† The Hastings Center Report 29.1 Jan./Feb. (1999): 14-21.

Tuesday, November 12, 2019

Computer Games Addiction Essay

There are five aspects of internet addiction noted by Shaw and Black (2008): Cyber sexual addiction, cyber-relational addiction, net compulsions, information overload, and computer addiction. The main subtype we will be looking at is computer addiction, as it is described as â€Å"Many computers come equipped with pre-programmed games and people become addicted to playing them at the cost of work performance or family obligations†. There is a lot of controversy over the overlap of devices in gaming, which has resulted in an ambiguous definition for computer games and computer game addiction. For instance, a game that was made for a video game console now has an internet version, a computer game has moved onto the tablet, gambling has also moved to the internet, etc. We will extend their definition to include all computer games playable on a web-enabled device that is not a video-game console, as computer games are recreational activities that are meant to be enjoyed, and outsi de of educational games have little productive value. The following are in depth examinations of computer-game addiction symptoms as studied by researchers as well as real life-examples. Running Head: Persistence, or behavioral salience, is an activity that dominates a person’s behavior to the point that self-maintenance is neglected. In 1938, Skinner created a device that allowed rats to push a lever that would release a pellet into their cage. Once the rats realized that the action of pressing the lever resulted in a reward, they continued to press the lever until exhaustion. Doing so demonstrated an aspect of operant conditioning called positive reinforcement, in which a reward stimulus will result in the continuation or increased frequency of a behavior. In Loftus and Loftus’ (1983) study, they found similar behavior in humans, except with video arcade games such as Pac-man and Invaders. The reward stimulus is often a higher score, accomplishing a task, or defeating a virtual enemy which causes a feeling of achievement. People would gain injuries by standing in front of a machine for hours and repeatedly moving a joystick or pushing buttons, resulting in blisters, callouses, etc. These injuries were given humorous names, such as Pac-man’s Elbow which refers to a mild form of tendinitis. These injuries have become more varied across different platforms for gaming and computing usage. Commonly cited injuries include tired eyes, carpal tunnel syndrome, etc. due to staring at a computer screen and repeating the same keystrokes when playing. Besides repeating an action to the point of self-harm, computer game addiction is more associated with ignoring bodily needs in favor of playing. The BBC (2005) posted an article about a man in South Korea who played for 50 hours straight in an internet cafà ©, and eventually collapsed from exhaustion. He died in the hospital from heart failure. There are several reports of gamers refusing to use the bathroom or using a bottle to release their urine, and eating little food or snacks to nourish themselves; all to remain in front of the computer for a while longer (Chappell et al., 2006). Many of these stories usually stem from developed countries in Asia such Running Head: COMPUTER GAME ADDICTION Poon 8 as China, South Korea, and Japan where computer gaming is more accepted and popular than in the United States. For instance in South Korea, StarCraft is a popular spectator sport and one needs a license in order to qualify to play as a pro-gamer. Computer Game Addiction has been recognized as a formal disorder in these countries, and the government has taken steps against it by creating programs and clinics to battle against it. In South Korea, after repeated incidents of self-neglect leading to death, and the death of a child that was neglected by its parents, they have enacted policies to fight against computer addiction(Cho, 2010). These policies include opening several counseling centers, boot camps for addicted children and teenagers during summer and winter break, and people under eighteen being prohibited from playing in internet cafes between midnight and 8 am (Bosker, 2010; Cain, 2010). China has also enacted policies that include opening treatment centers and requiring minors to use their government IDs to track and shorten usage (Sung, 2009). The government targets the young, as they are under the care of their parents and are also at risk for computer game addiction (Thomas and Martin, 2010). The popularity and acceptance of computer games in developed Asia, as well as their policies against computer game addiction could be a possible future for America. Risked Relationships In addiction, one may drift away or alienate one’s close relations in favor of the substance or activity. In a two case study by Griffiths (2010), he examined two different sides of the social aspects of computer gaming. The first case featured Dave who began to play World of Warcraft for ten to fourteen hours a day after finishing his degree and before getting his first job. Although he played excessively, he was able to gain and maintain new friends through the game, only played because he was in a situation with a lot of time, and eventually dropped out of playing when he formed new commitments in real life. In the second case, a married man with two Running Head: COMPUTER GAME ADDICTION Poon 9 children named Jeremy, was interviewed. He claimed that he played in order to escape from his problems. In the midst of his addiction he played up to fourteen hours a day, began to lose his close connection with his wife, and called in sick at work in order to play more. He eventually lost his job and his wife. He has since been referred to a clinical psychologist. Although Dave played as excessively as Jeremy, he was able to stop playing and it did not ruin his life. Jeremy’s gaming ended up being both the solution and problem that caused a vicious cycle of abuse which resulted in him losing his family and his work. It has also been reported that several parents have neglected their children in favor of computer and/or internet games. In the case of the Kims, they played a game named Prius, a fantasy, Massive Multiplayer Online Role-playing game (MMORPG). They raised a virtual child named Animus in the game, while only feeding and changing their child in between gaming sessions. The child died due to malnourishment, and they were sentenced to jail. Another parent, a single mother, played a social game named Small Worlds, and neglected her small children and two dogs. The children fed themselves from bean cans every day, and the two dogs died from malnourishment. Gamers often become too invested and immersed in their games, and as they play longer hours they begin to lose contact with their real world relationships. Although in Dave’s experience, in which he displayed excessive behavior, he did not display this addictive symptom. For some gamers, it is possible to play long hours and not be considered addicted, and there are varying levels of risked relationships. In young teenagers, they may simply pass up on family engagement in order to play games (Thomas & Martin, 2010). In the situations of the Kims, Jeremy, and the single mother, they all played excessively and ignored their social responsibilities. The basis of any addiction is the negative consequences that come with using a substance or doing an activity. With pathological gaming, the criteria for it includes resorting to crimes to fund one’s own activity or pay off debts one has accumulated. However, articles in the media indicate a trend that many crimes may occur either due to frustration surrounding the game, or to copycat violent acts from the game. One man in China stabbed his friend because the friend had sold a virtual sword on eBay for money (BBC, 2005). In another case, a mother in Florida shook her 3-month baby to death for crying when she was playing Farmville (CBSNews, 2010). In the instance of grand theft auto, there have been copycats who have set out to repeat the crimes they committed in game; one group of teenagers in Garden City, New York decided to live out the popular action-adventure, crime game named grand theft auto. They committed burglary, beat some men, attempted to steal a car, and even punched a police officer in the face. Their only motivation was that they were bored (Crowley, 2008). There is a media stereotype that violent games will increase a child’s propensity for violence. Markey and Markey (2010) attempted to predict certain personality types that would be most affected by violent video games. They found that those high in neuroticism and low in agreeableness and conscientiousness are susceptible to violent games, but only a few individuals truly act on these impulses in a manner that is noticeable. The individuals that are noted above may have had other disorders which caused them to act in this violent manner. Tolerance Weinstein (2010) conducted a study that looked at levels of Dopamine in both a control group and a group of former ecstasy users. They allowed both groups to play a motorbike-riding computer game and monitored brain chemistry using single-photon emission computed before and after game play. They found that there were increased levels of dopamine in the ventral striatum, which is comparable to amounts produced by amphetamines. Former ecstasy users had little change in brain chemistry, which may be due to tolerance from previous ecstasy usage. The researcher also found that males had greater activation and functional connectivity in the meso-cortico-limbic system than in females. Weinstein (2010) suggests that gaming usage/craving may use the same neurological reward system as substance dependence, that gender differences explain why there are more males playing and addicted to games, and that computer game addicted players may also show reduced dopamine levels after playing computer games due to sensitization. This study may not be very valid concerning the ex-ecstasy group, as they only recruited users and the sample size was small. Thaleman et al. (2007) confirmed these results by examining male computer players of different playing intensities, and seeing how they reacted to computer cues. Using Electroencephalography, they found that the excessive computer game players had stronger cue-reactivity to computer scenes than casual players. They also came to the conclusion that sensitization of the mesolimbic dopaminergic system caused greater computer salience in a similar manner of substance abusers to drugs. Debt In the case of many computer games, you purchase a single game and then you hand out no more money. However, game companies have changed their model to increase profits, and now offer money options to buy more in-game weapons or power-ups, gain advantages within the game, or to renew a subscription to a game. In the case of buying in-game items, children who do not understand money and have access to their parents’ credit card may accidentally rack up a debt (Insley, 2010). They may not understand that money purchased for the game translates into real world money. Furthermore, internet gambling has become increasingly popular and may soon be legal (Jonsson, 2011). It is possible to bid real money and earn money, as well as lose money. The same problems of gambling addiction occur without a casino, and with the convenient use of the computer. Internet gambling may be even worse as it is a solitary activity and it is possible to play for hours or days without anyone seeing or stopping oneself. Furthermore, virtual money that has been converted from real money no longer seems like having monetary value, and thereby creating an inhibiting effect which would cause greater spending. It is harder to determine the difference between 100 dollars and a thousand dollars when it is on the screen, and there is nothing physical within one’s hands. Emotional Dependence. Emotional stability is dependent on a secure attachment to a person or thing (Arntz, 2006). In Griffiths (2010), the case study of the Jeremy demonstrated one of the motives for playing computer games: escape. Computer players may use computer games as a way to solve emotional problems, and to get away from reality. This may create a self-repeating cycle, as the problem is not solved and only delayed which creates more conflict for the individual and cause them to play more. Stetina et al. (2011) looked at male MMORPG game users and found that they tend to have low self-esteem that use gaming as a way to interact socially. In this manner, some or perhaps many gamers are more emotionally and socially invested in their gameplay than someone who does not need computer games to interact. In Hussain and Griffiths‘ (2009) study, they gave an online questionnaire to online gamers of MMORPGs, and found that they displayed behavioral and psychological dependence to gaming. This attachment to computer games may negatively impact one’s work. Thomas and Martin (2010) looked at Tasmanian secondary and college students and split them into groups depending on game play hours. They found that students preferred playing over spending time with friends and family and doing homework which negatively impacted their Grade Point Average. The researchers also found that the college populations used games to escape their problems or unpleasant feelings as well as to chase a higher score. Emotional dependence may be either symptomatic of addiction, or a cause of computer game addiction. Computer Game Addiction – Symptoms, Treatment, & FAQs What is computer game addiction? Computer game addiction generally refers to an excessive, unhealthy amount of playing computer games.Rather than engaging in the real world, an addicted user devotes the majority of his or her time to gaming. The addicted gamer often isolates him/herself from others, ignores more important responsibilities, and is often obsessed with obtaining higher status / rankings / achievements in his/her favorite computer game. Is computer game addiction a diagnosable disorder? According to the DSM-IV (the current manual for classifying emotional, psychological, and mental disorders), no. Although there have beencalls from some mental health professionals (and parents) to recognize computer game addiction as a â€Å"real† disorder, it has not been granted official diagnostic status. As more research on the effects of excessive gaming is conducted, many believe that it is only a matter of time before computer game addiction is classified as a compulsive behavior similar to gambling addiction. What are the symptoms of computer game addiction? Because there is no official diagnosis of computer game addiction, there is obviously no universally agreed upon list of symptoms. Psychologists and other mental health professionals initially adapted the diagnostic criteria for gambling addiction and used this as a rough assessment tool for computer game addiction. This classification approach is rarely used today and for better or for worse, it is essentially up to the individual researcher or clinician to define the symptoms of computer addiction. Still, there are some signs and behaviors that are almost always included in definitions of computer addiction, such as†¦ †¢Significant interference with school, work, or relationships †¢Often avoiding other commitments in order to keep playing †¢Frequently turning down social invitations in favor of gaming †¢Using most or all of one’s free time for gaming †¢Regularly playing late into the night and which results in poor sleep habits †¢Loss of interest in previously enjoyed activities †¢Regular gaming â€Å"binges† of 8 hours or more nonstop Who is most at risk for computer game addiction? Although virtually anyone who plays computer games could become addicted (see â€Å"Boyfriend or Husband Addicted to Video Games?†), certain groups appear to be more likely to develop unhealthy levels of play. These groups include: †¢Males †¢Children and teens †¢People with other psychological difficulties (e.g., depression, low self-esteem, anxiety) †¢Individuals with long periods of unstructured time (for example, a teen who is not involved in other activities outside of school) †¢Those with higher levels of neurotocism †¢Children who are more impulsive and have weaker social skills See the article â€Å"Video Game Addiciton Risks Factors† for more information. Why are computer games addictive? First, note that some types of computer games are clearly more addictive than others. For example, most research suggests that MMOs (like World of Warcraft) and FPS games (like Call of Duty) are more addictive than racing games and platformers. For a detailed explanation of why this is, please see â€Å"Why are Video Games Addictive?† In brief though, the most additive video games usually employ many well-established psychological principles to encourage longer and longer periods of play. For example, the most addictive computer games†¦ †¢are based on a leveling system that requires only minimal effort to â€Å"level-up† in the early stages†¦which slowly evolves into very long gaming sessions to reach the next stage as the game progresses †¢are open-ended with no clearly defined end †¢require cooperation with other human players to advance in the game†¦which creates a sense of obligation and dedication to one’s teammates†¦which translates into more and more time strengthening characters and improving skills †¢are based on variable-ratio or variable interval schedules of reinforcement that encourages long periods of gaming even in the absence of rewards

Saturday, November 9, 2019

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Chidera Egbukwu Mr. Bodden ENG4U 10 September 2012 Downturn in Ontario Economy The city of Ontario has become a place of interest due to the economical issue of financial inequality, non-affordable houses, poorest funding of public services among all other provinces. In response to the economic downturn of the Ontario economy due to the excesses of debt run, the world of the Ontario economies is approaching a new era, which is very negative. With a population of more than thirteen million (13,000,000 >), which is 38. % of Canada, Ontario is home to one in three Canadians. More than 15 percent live in urban Centre’s, largely in cities on the shores of the great lakes. Regardless of the size of Ontario, it is ranked at the bottom of the province pack inclusive of: Alberta,  British Columbia,  Manitoba,  New Brunswick,  Newfoundland and Labrador,  Nova Scotia,  Ontario,  Prince Edward Island,  Quebec, and  Saskatchewan. When it comes to funding and access to public programs and services ranging from health care to education and justice to disability benefits.The income gap between rich in Ontario is very high with the provinces poor and middle classes (grassroots citizens) working more hours with inconsequential income gains while the richest still gain more huge income with less experience in hard work, in other words no matter how hard the poor/middle class work they cant earn as much or even 10 percent as much as the rich. Ontario also has the worst record on affordable housing, with 152,077 Ontario households on wait lists in January 2011, the report says.In 2009, Ontario spent $64 per person on affordable housing compared to the provincial average of $115 per person. The poor still can’t even afford the houses that range from prices as high as C$292,500, which happens to be the cheapest price for a house in Ontario. From 1981 to 2010,Ontario experienced the largest income inequality of any of the eleven provinces at the same time having the second highest increase in poverty rate. According to the Ontario long-term report, in 2009, the government announced a comprehensive tax package that will help create jobs and make Ontario more competitive.I think the problem for Ontario with this move might be that borrowing money amongst the middle class and grass-root Ontarians, which will make Ontario reaching its budget target harder to reach. â€Å"Economic growth will slow to 2. 7% in 2011 following the ? rst full-year recovery rebound to an estimated 3. 0% in 2010. The economy grows more slowly in 2012 with the removal of government stimulus and ? scal consolidation along with slower growth in exports. Business investment spending stands out as the most robust sector of the economy growing at an average 6% annual rate during the forecast period.The unemployment rate slowly retreats from its highs, remaining above 8% this year and falling to below 7% in 2014. In? ation spikes higher in 2011 due to higher en ergy and food prices but settles down in the following three years to just above 2% annually. The province’s export-oriented industries struggle under a currency at par and below normal U. S. import demand. â€Å"(Helmut Pastrick, 2011) The highlight of Ontario’s forecast for 2011 to 2014. John Milloy, the minister of community and social services â€Å"we realize that the system needs fixing. I’m the first to admit that there are some huge problems with it†.Personally I take that as an ignorant comment because of the Ontarian government were really concerned about the declining turmoil of the Ontarian economy, immediate changes would be made in the financial aspect of the economy to prevent a great breakdown of the economy from the growth stage to decline stage (recession). Some of the changes I think should be made are: Improvement of basic infrastructure, modernizing tax system , creating more job opportunities to reduce unemployment, more public serv ices ,improving productivity , On the long run. Growth and macro economy.

Thursday, November 7, 2019

The chemical history of the candle essays

The chemical history of the candle essays After reading this novel I found out that Michael Faraday conducted many experiments that I read in my eighth grade science books. Faraday pioneered many scientific facts that are known and still used today. Thanks to Faraday many scientist can do more advanced experiments due to the fact that he paved the way for them. Michael Faraday (1791-1867) is still until this day considered probably the greatest experimental scientist of all time. He took huge risk in his experiments and still had enough faith in his work to continue. One of the many conclusions that are stated in The Chemical History of a Candle is that in order for or a flame to continue burning or combustion air is necessary. Faraday found this out when he put a burning candle inside a jar and noticed that the flame began to dim and finally died out because all of the air had been consumed, and the combustion couldnt continue without the lack of air. Faraday also found out that combustion creates carbon monoxide after it burns off of oxygen. Michael Faraday was also the first scientist to discover that water can be turned into vapor. To find this out he filled an empty flask with water and heated the vessel. After a few minutes of observation he noticed that steam started to exit the flask. Then he poured cold water on the flask and it collapsed and the steam turned back into water. This very experiment is still carried out today on various science fair projects. The flask after being heated is very delicate and therefore collapses easily when the cold water is applied. These are two of the many experiments that Faraday preformed that helped him become extremely famous. These experiments may not seem that fascinating now, but being that he preformed these two-hundred years ago when there werent many guarantees that a fatal chemical reaction wouldnt take place, these were extremely risky risk. I personally think that if I was in Mic...

Tuesday, November 5, 2019

The Short Game Story in Sportswriting

The Short Game Story in Sportswriting There are lots of different kinds of stories you can write on the sports beat, but probably the most basic is the short game story. A short game story, usually 500 words or less, follows a straightforward format that can be applied to any game you cover. The Lede The lede of your story should include the final score and some details about what made the game interesting. Generally, this means focusing on the efforts of an individual player. Let’s say a team’s star athlete is injured and a previously unheralded player comes into the game as a substitute. Not much is expected of this rookie but he defies expectations and plays a great game, leading the team to victory. Example 1: Second-string quarterback Jay Lindman, who had never played a down for Jefferson High School, came off the bench after star QB Fred Torville was injured Friday night and threw three touchdown passes to lead the Gladiators to a 21-14 victory over the McKinley High School Centurions. Or maybe the game is a close, seesaw battle between two evenly matched opponents, and is won in the final seconds by an especially dramatic play. Example 2: Second-string quarterback Jay Lindman threw the game-winning touchdown with just 12 seconds left to lead the Jefferson High School Gladiators to a 21-14 victory over the McKinley High School Centurions Friday night. Notice that in both examples we focus on the efforts of an individual athlete. Sports is all about the human drama of competition, and focusing on a single person gives the game story a human interest angle that readers will enjoy. The Body of the Story The body of your story should basically elaborate on the lede. If your lede was about the benchwarmer becoming the game’s star, then the body of the story should go into more detail about that. Often a simple chronological account works best. Example: Torville’s ankle was sprained when he was sacked in the first quarter. Lindman came into the game with low expectations but threw his first touchdown pass in the second quarter with a high, floating ball that receiver Mike Ganson snagged in the end zone. In the third quarter, Lindman was forced to scramble out of the pocket to avoid the rush but managed to fire a bullet to receiver Desean Washington, who made a diving catch at the goal line. The Wrap Up The wrap-up, or ending, of your story usually centers on quotes from the coach and players gleaned from post-game interviews or press conferences. Getting great quotes for sports stories can sometimes be tough- coaches and athletes often speak in clichà ©s- but a snappy quote can really be the icing on the cake of your game story. Example: â€Å"I knew Lindman could play but I didn’t know he could play like that,† said Gladiators coach Jeff Michaelson. â€Å"That was one heck of a game by a young guy who showed a lot of heart.† Washington said Lindman exuded confidence even in the huddle before his very first snap. â€Å"He just said, ‘Let’s do this to win,’† Washington said. â€Å"And he went out there and did it. That boy can throw the ball.†

Sunday, November 3, 2019

Marketing in Social Media (Facebook) Research Paper

Marketing in Social Media (Facebook) - Research Paper Example Social media is one of the latest marketing aid tools in the commercial sector. Facebook is a popular social network that enables people from all corners of the globe to create respective accounts and communicate to each other regardless the distance. The commercial sector has taken advantage of the popular network to advertise or create awareness of their products among other relevant information. This work focuses on Facebook, one of the most popular social networks, as an advertising tool in the commercial arena. There are over a million commercial pages in Facebook, hence, it is important to incorporate some attractive features to attract more people to the social networking community. The success of communication through Facebook could be measured by the number of likes or comments. Attractive photos or images attached to accounts play a significant role. From a psychological view, a normal human being would always be attracted by unique or colorful images, and this would make o ne read the content of the pages and finally like such pages. Bright colors like yellow, pink and white could be incorporated into the images to attract some attention and this would improve the chances of one to make positive comments or like a page. Business pages could also include the images of popular individuals like famous sportsmen, actors, models and comedians among others. However, it is important to consider all the legal and ethical implications before using anyone’s image; for instance, a company should enter into a contract with a preferred celebrity to have his/her photos used on such pages. People tend to associate themselves with celebrities, hence, more likes and positive comments, which is a good sign of an advert message. The use of simple appealing language could also attract more people to like or comment on such pages. For instance, adverts in Europe could be done in English or French as these are the two most spoken languages in the area (Arvind 19). I t is also important to incorporate current events like sports in such pages. For instance, such pages may contain images of the ongoing confederation cup and rugby sevens world cup among others. The advert information should be short and precise, meaning the core information should be easy to access. Recent business studies of hotel and tourism business in Taiwan recommend the industries to engage in more Facebook adverts to increase more clients or customers. Compared to their counterparts in Europe and other parts of the developed world, Taiwan hotels are not that well known due to poor advert or marketing strategies. The language barrier is another factor limiting effective communications through Facebook. Taiwan hotel market expect more customers from Europe, Africa, North America and South America among others whose main languages are French, English and Portuguese, which are not spoken in Taiwan. However, Taiwan hotel industry could create business pages in their native langua ge but have it translated into other languages to limit the issue of biases ((Hsu 972). The industry could also post images or photos of some of well established hotels among other tourism facilities to attract more clients from all corners of the globe. The pages should be interactive, meaning the clients or customers’ questions or concerns should be answered considering all important details in the most respective ways. The pages should have appropriate passwords to limit hackers from posting non-relevant information that could compromise the image and reputations of such hotels. Facebook has enabled e-commerce in several ways and this could be attributed by the fact that the majority of the youths' access the Facebook pages at