Treatment for Depression a Critical Evaluation of the Effects of Social Support on Depression free essay sample

Social support can be defined as: â€Å"information leading the subject to believe that he is cared for and loved, esteemed, and a member of a network of mutual obligations† (Cobb, 1976, p. 1). It is useful to note that there are many diverse types of social support that can be both beneficial and/or detrimental to the recovery from depression (Arditte amp; Joorman, 2011; Blais amp; Renshaw, 2012; Dolokin, Panzarella, Fernandez, Alloy, amp; Cascardi, 2004; Grav, Hellzen, amp; Romild, 2011; Marroquin, 2011). This essay will cover the topics of the benefits of social support on depression, and how one goes about seeking and receiving ocial support. It will also discuss the role of gender in social support, and finally it will talk about some different types of social support that can be used. There is overwhelming amounts of research that substantiate the fact that social support helps to ameliorate depression. Having a clear support structure significantly reduces depressive ep isodes, and decreases the chance of having depression re-occur (Lin, Ye amp; Ensel, 1999). We will write a custom essay sample on Treatment for Depression: a Critical Evaluation of the Effects of Social Support on Depression or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page Lin, Ye and Ensel discussed certain steps a person can take to help gain adequate social support, such as joining a community project, or helping in volunteer work. Participating in events that involve being around others enhances a feeling of belongingness. Which they express in their research can facilitate the creation of binding relationships with others, thus helping to create a practical social support network. Their study also found a correlation between people who had intimate relationships with others, and a decrease in depressive moods. They also note the relationship between the amount of contact, or support a depressed person receives per week has a dramatic effect in reducing their symptoms. It is interesting to note that persons who have a greater perception of social support feel less depressive symptoms over time, whereas people thinking they are lacking adequate social support state an increase in depressive symptoms (Lin, Ye amp; Ensel, 1999; Cohen amp; Wills, 1985; Gladstone, Parker, Malhi amp; Wilhelm, 2007). The need for social support varies significantly across genders (Cheng, 1999). For instance, Cheng notes that men report to having a lower need for support than woman. Her study found that males reported to being more self-reliant and independent, and thus wanting to solve the problems they are facing alone. This could potentially explain the reason that they need less social support than woman. Her study found that people with more feminine characteristics report a decrease in depressive moods when they receive more social support. In addition to looking at the quantity in which males and females wish to receive social support, it would be beneficial to understand the two types of social support that is applicable to gender. Firstly, emotional support, which can consist of hugging, pats on the back, listening, and empathising (Grav, Hellzen amp; Romild, 2011). The second form of social support that Grav, Hellzen and Romild investigated was tangible support, which can include: helping the depressed person with their physical responsibilities, cooking a meal, buying groceries, brainstorming and help with problem solving. Woman who suffer from depression reported needing more emotional support to help overcome their depression, whereas men identify with needing more tangible support (Grav, Hellzen amp; Romild, 2011). Another specific type of social support which has been studied recently is Adaptive Inferential Feedback (AIF) as found in a study conducted by Dobkin, Panzarella, Fernandez, Alloy and Cascardi (2004). This information was further supported by Panzarella, Alloy and Whitehouse (2006). Both studies explain that adaptive inferential feedback involves giving positive feedback to a depressed person regarding their stressful life event to help them avoid depressive thinking. Panzarella et al. (2004) states that helping the person curve their thinking in a positive direction helps buffer the affects of the depression. To put it simply, the supporter is giving positive praise for things the person did well, while not focusing on any negative aspects. It could be argued that this method employs a tendency to trivialize problems and that by only focusing on the positives, the negative aspects of the persons life will not be appropriately dealt with leading to greater problems further down the road. For this reason it may be best to use this type of support in tandem with the method outlined below. The use of another specific type of social support that can be used when a person with depression does not have an adequate support network at their disposal is Emotion Regulation   (Arditte amp; Joorman, 2011). Arditte and Joorman investigated the impact of emotion regulation strategies on depression. In their research, they focused their study on different subtypes of emotion regulation which could be beneficial to ameliorating depression. Their research found that cognitive reappraisal and ruminative reflection could be used as helpful tool when battling depression. They explain that cognitive reappraisal is a tool whereby a person would re-interpret a stressful life event in a way that softens its psychological impact from a negative way to a more positive way. For example, if a person suffering from depression is informed that their partner wants to leave the relationship, they could use cognitive reappraisal and think about the situation in a more positive way, â€Å"I will find someone who is going to be better for me anyway. †Ã‚   Arditte amp; Joorman (2011) go on to explain that reflection can be used as a positive or negative emotion regulation trategy. They found that when a person reflects inwards at one’s self, focusing on positive aspects, that would be considered ruminative reflection, which is a key strategy in reducing depression. However, if the depressed person is focusing on the negative aspects, that is considered ruminative brooding; this type of emotion regulation will be detrimental to recovery from depression. With this data collected, we have more of an understanding about how social support helps to ameliorate depression and are able to conclude that social support is a helpful tool in conquering depression. Specific determining factors, with regards to types of support, who, and when support is received can be found to be instrumental in accounting for it’s effects (Grav, Hellzen amp; Romild, 2011). While depression is no doubt a complex phenomena, and it can be argued that social support alone will not be able to concur the issue, but when used in conjunction with other treatment methods, it is certainly an invaluable tool. References: Arditte, K. A. , Joorman, J. (2011). Emotion regulation in depression: Re? ection predicts recovery from a major depressive episode. Cognitive Therapy and Research, 35, 356-543. Blais, R. K. , Renshaw, K. D. (2012). The association of biological and psychological attributions for depression with social support seeking intentions in individuals with depressive symptoms. Behavioural and Cognitive Therapies, 40, 605-617. Cheng, C. (1999). Gender-role differences in susceptibility to the influence of support availability on depression. Journal of Personality, 67(3), 439-467. Cobb, S. (1976). Social support as a moderator of life stress. Psychosomatic Medicine, 38(4), 300-314. Cohen, S. Wills, T. A. (1985). Stress, social support, and the buffering hypothesis. Psychological Bulletin, 98(2), 310-357. Dobkin, R. D. , Panzarella, C. , Fernandez, J. , Alloy, L. B. , amp; Cascardi, M. (2004). Adaptive inferential feedback, depressonogenic inferences, and depressed mood: A labratory study of the expanded hopelessness theory of depression. Cognitive Therapy and Research, 28(4), 487-509. Gladstone, G. L. , Parker, G. B. , Malh i, G. S. , Wilhelm, K. A. (2007). Feeling unsupported? An investigation of depressed patients perceptions. Journal of Affective Disorders, 103, 147-157. Grav, S. , Hellzen, O. , Romild, U. (2011). Association between social support and depression in the general population: the HUNT study, a cross-sectional study. Journal of Clinical Nursing, 21, 111-120. Lin, N. , Ye, X. , amp; Ensel, W. M. (1999). Social support and depressed mood: A structural analysis. Jounal of Health and Social Behavior, 40(4), 344-359. Marroquin, B. (2011). Interpersonal emotion regulation as a mechanism for social support in depression. Clinical Psychology Review, 31, 1276-1290. Panzarella, C. , Alloy, L. B. , Whitehouse, W. G. (2006). Expanded hopelessness theory of depression: On the mechanisms by which social support protects against depression. Cognitive Therapy and Research, 30, 307-333. Strange, J. P. , Boccia, A. S. , Shapero, B. G. , Molz, A. R. , Flynn, M. , Matt, L. M. , Alloy, L. B. (2013). Emotion regulation characteristics and cognitive vulnerabilities interact to predict depressive symptoms in individuals at risk for bipolar disorder: A prospective behavioural high-risk study. Cognition and Emotion, 27(1), 63-84.

Ethan Frome essays

Ethan Frome essays Naturalism is commonly understood as an extension or intensification of realism. The intensification involves the introduction of characters of a kind... (Baym 1248). The novel Ethan Frome is an example of a naturalist work. Many factors are involved by the author in the structure of the book that relate it to this. The characters, and the deformities they suffer, are one aspect that depict a naturalist work of literature. "Characters from the fringes and lower depths of contemporary society, characters whose fates are the product of degenerate heredity, a sordid environment, and a good deal of bad luck" (Baym 1248). The characters, especially Ethan Frome, experience much bad luck throughout the course of the book. Upon appearance, it was apparent that his body was badly deformed. It often made people who did not know him and his story shocked and left in wonder. There was something bleak and unapproachable in his face; and he was so stiffened and grizzled I took him for an old man (Wharton 4). "The pressures of biology, environment, and other material forces in making people...who they are" (Baym 1249). The same smash-up that left Ethan with a malformed body, also affected Mattie Silver. The other woman was much smaller and slighter. She sat huddled in an arm-chair near the stove...Under her shapeless dress her body kept its limp immobility, and her dark eyes had the bright witch-like stare that disease of the spine sometimes gives (Wharton 118). She is also left deformed after the accident, or the rash and thoughtless decision Mattie and Ethan made to crash their sled. Each characters deformity, in actuality, is a result of or affected by the affair between them. Mattie and Ethan were distorted because of their decision, and Zeena had to deal with her illness while no one cared for her. ...but because they had successfully adapted to changing environmental condit...

Creative Ideas for Admissions Essays

Creative Ideas for Admissions Essays The key to a superior admissions essay is originality. Writing an admissions essay is your chance to distinguish yourself from all of the other applicants trying to get into the same university. Therefore, you should take time to make sure that the subject matter of your composition is unique and your grammar faultless. Since most colleges give applicants a topic on which to write their admissions essays, many individuals believe that it is near impossible to make their admissions compositions creative and/or unique. I am here to tell you, however, that this is positively not true. The purpose of a college admissions essay is to allow admission board members a glimpse of who you are. . .so feel free to be as creative as youd like! There are many ways to be creative with admissions essays. One way is to submit pictures and/or sketches with your composition, as personal artwork will almost certainly make your submission more interesting and memorable. So while you are putting the final touches on your essay, dont hesitate to copy a few personal snapshots from your photo album and include them in your admissions packet. With just a little extra effort, anyone can make their admissions essay a bit more imaginative! If you would like some additional tips on how to improve your admissions composition or if you would like to know more about admissions essays in general, please dont hesitate to contact me. I would love nothing more than to help make your admissions essay the best it can be!

An enemy of the People by Arthur Miller Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

An enemy of the People by Arthur Miller - Essay Example In his play entitled â€Å"An enemy of the People,† Henrik Ibsen uses the character of Dr. Stockmann to bring out the extent to which the society can compromise the desires and beliefs of an individual. Reading through the play, one gets to understand how hard it is for people who have compromised their principles to be confronted by someone who has not. The use of the styles of characterization, irony, and symbolism help the author to show the reader ways in which a person can be disliked by the very same society he is doing his best to help. Dr. Stockmann, the main character of the play is a popular practicing medical doctor as well as the medical officer of a small coastal town in Norway. He is the brother of the mayor, an authoritative figure in the town. In the play, Dr. Stockmann is the protagonist who struggles to do the right thing and stand against the social intolerances that he encounters in his day to day activities. As a health officer of the town, Dr. Stockmann d iscovers a problem with pollution that is causing illnesses to the town’s tourists. To this effect, he comes up with a solution to the pollution problem which he presents to the Mayor. However, he discovers that it would not be an easy task to get the attention of the authorities and the townspeople as it becomes clear to him that they only care about the financial gain of the baths and not the problems they present. He realizes that he is alone in his quest for being right and notes â€Å"†¦..† (Ibsen 1011). Dr. Stockmann experiences a lot of negativity from the very same people of the town he is trying to help. When he discovers the extent of pollution in the waters, he believes that people will be interested in finding a solution. However, the townspeople, even his friends term him an â€Å"enemy of the people† mainly because his suggestions take the prosperity associated with the benefits of the baths back. He even notes himself "I've decided. I am an Enemy of the People"(Ibsen 1028) when he finally accepts that most of the towns people will never support him. This brings out irony in the play. It is ironic because Dr. Stockmann had the best of intentions when he proposed limiting the damages of pollution by closing the baths. In any case, the people are their own enemy because their greed and desire for prosperity will in the end bring harm and destruction to the town. It is clear that people do not realize the shortsightedness of their stand against Dr. Stockmann’s opi nion of what is best for the town. Ibsen’s use of imagery as brought out by the character of Dr. Stockmann who points out images of pollution throughout the play. At the beginning, Dr. Stockman literally discovers the polluted baths which in this case, are getting polluted by literal filth from the tanneries. As the play progresses, images of dirty water are used as a symbolic representation of moral and societal corruption. According to Roshwald, there is the physical filth, as well as moral pollution, and one can see the biological poison as a representation of the moral corruption in the society (229). In a community, there are always selfish individuals who have compromised their principles and find it challenging when confronted by someone of integrity. The mayor is dishonest and callous, but his brother is an honest man and that is why as Roshwald notes, Dr. Stockman accuses his brother by saying â€Å"We are making our living by retailing filth and corruption!†

Using Power in Achieving Different Goals Assignment

Using Power in Achieving Different Goals - Assignment Example Barack Obama's eloquence has been fundamental in establishing trust and influencing other people within the society. Such influence has been fundamental in winning elections throughout his political career. He has effectively utilized power to influence multitudes and gain essential support from different socio-cultural groups. He has used power in achieving different goals from promises made during the camping periods. Commitment and accountability have been fundamental traits in the utilization of power by President Obama. He always appears calm and relaxed despite the challenges facing the government in containing growing socio-economic issues, within the country. Effectively members of the government have been empowered to perform and make decisions regarding the state at the international level (Nye Jr, Rachman, Mead, & Mearsheimer, 2012). Many of the ambassadors perform their responsibilities independent of governmental influence. This has been an incremental approach to ensuri ng the passing of power and subsequently gaining positive benefits. Many international relationships have been established and restored following this careful transfer of presidential power to ambassadors. Within the real world, individuals become advised to refrain from hoarding power in seeking to ensure that power empowers others. The transfer of power must be undertaken carefully to eliminate the possibility of misusing such power. The element of communication remains incremental in ensuring power enhances social agendas and not personal benefits (Bal, Campbell, Steed, & Meddings, 2008). The language utilized in communications must, therefore, be clear and eloquent in delivering messages. This effectively results in insufficient understanding between communicating individuals or centers. Individuals can establish relationships based on an understanding of each other, and reflection of their situations and emotions. Fundamentally, individuals exhibit power through their capacity to transmit ideologies and perceptions  effectively, to other individuals.  

Controlling Police Through Litigation Essay Example for Free

Controlling Police Through Litigation Essay Police departments draft and implement policies and procedures to provide consistency and eliminate ambiguity in department practices. These are guidelines are for staff and officers to follow in a variety of different situations. Police policies and procedures may have the force of law, or be considered by a court or jury in determining whether an officer acted lawfully in the line of duty. Procedures related to employee actions can also be subject to legal scrutiny in some cases. A lack of policies on issues involving the community may result in unlawful and inconsistent police action. These adverse actions can create a negative reaction within the community, and open the police officers within the department to legal liability. Michael Lyman quoted Section 1983, â€Å"Every person under color of any statute, ordinance, regulation, custom, or usage of any state or territory, subjects, or causes to be subjected, any citizen of the United States or any other person within the jurisdiction thereof to the depravation of any rights, privileges, or immunities secured by the Constitution and laws, shall be liable to the party injured in an action at law, suit in equity, or other proper proceeding for redress.† (pg. 270) Basically, this means that police officers are prohibited from violating any person’s civil rights. Section 1983 is a tool for a citizen to use to sue another for a violation of civil rights. Some elements must be met in order to be subject to liability through Section 1983. First, he questionable liability or violator of Section 1983 must be a person†. A police department, state agency, or other legal entity, cannot be subject to liability under the statute. Second, the liable â€Å"person† must have been acting under the color of authority when the accused violation took place. A police officer who unlawfully beats a suspect in the commission of an arrest would be acting under the color of law. Finally, the accuser does not have to prove that the â€Å"person† intended to deprive him/her of their Constitutional rights, but only that there was a deprivation. For example, a subject who was beaten by a police officer can sue that officer for excessive force, without proving it was the officer’s intention to violate his rights, but only that the officer intended to beat him. In some cases an officer’s supervisor can be held liable because he/she is responsible for the negligence of that officer. This is known as vicarious liability, or â€Å"imputed negligence† (freedictionary.com). For example, a gang member who shoots and kills another person during a hold-up is responsible for the murder, but other gang members may be held vicariously liable for the same murder. There are several different types of defense for civil suits, and also persons who are immune to the liability in question. There are three types of immunity, they are: absolute immunity, quasi-judicial immunity, and qualified immunity. Michael Lyman lists judges, prosecutors, and legislators, as those who enjoy absolute immunity during civil liability suits (Lyman pg. 272). Lyman also reminds us that police officers and witnesses can obtain absolute immunity while testifying during a criminal trial, but if found providing false testimony, may be charged with perjury. Persons within a department, performing his/her duties as assigned, during the alleged time of a Section 1983 violation, and not involved in the violation, obtain quasi-judicial immunity. Quasi-judicial immunity is provided to prosecutors who are actively involved in the trial of a person. Qualified immunity is provided to federal law enforcement officials who are accused of violating laws that have not been clearly established. If a question of liability arises, but a federal law enforcement official is later found to be acting in an â€Å"objectively reasonable manner† he/she obtains qualified immunity (Lyman pg 273). References Vicarious Liability. (n.d.) Wests Encyclopedia of American Law, edition 2. (2008). Retrieved September 30 2012 from http://legal-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/Vicarious+liability Lyman, Michael D (2010). The Police: An Introduction. New Jersey: Prentice Hall.

Cross-cultural Learning Essay -- Personal Narrative Essay Example

I was lucky enough to be raised in a family that strongly felt its Irish and Celtic heritage should be celebrated. From them, I learned the beauty of my own culture, and an appreciation to learn the cultures of others. I brought that appreciation with me through life, and found it to make all the difference. Â   My earliest cross-cultural experience that I can remember with clarity was the Spanish exchange student who was hosted by one of my aunts. Mai not only taught me about her culture, which in turn piqued an interest in the Spanish/Latino culture that continues to this day, but she also helped me to appreciate many small, seemingly insignificant aspects of my own culture. Â   I built upon my cross-cultural experiences as I befriended exchange students from Belgium, Japan, and Korea. Each time, the friendships enriched my appreciation and understanding of not only my own culture, but the very concept of culture. What falls under the cultural blanket can vary from person to person, and I found it to be very interesting that while one person could claim lan...

Shadow Kiss Chapter 20

Twenty â€Å"Lets talk about your mother.† I sighed. â€Å"What about her?† It was my first day of counseling, and so far, I wasn't impressed. Last night's Mason sighting was probably something I should have brought up right away. But I didn't want school officials to have any more reason to think I was losing my mind – even if I was. And honestly, I didn't know I was for sure. Adrian's analysis of my aura and the story of Anna certainly lent credence to me being on the road to Crazyville. Yet I didn't feel crazy. Did crazy people know if they really were? Adrian had said they didn't. Crazy itself was a weird term. I'd learned enough about psychology to know that it was also a very broad classification. Most forms of mental illness were actually very specific and had select symptoms – anxiety, depression, mood swings, etc. I didn't know where I fell on that scale, if I did at all. â€Å"How do you feel about her?† continued the counselor. â€Å"About your mother?† â€Å"That she's a great guardian and a so-so mother.† The counselor, whose name was Deirdre, wrote something in her notebook. She was blond and Moroi-slim, clad in a teal cashmere sweater dress. She actually didn't look much older than me, but certificates on her desk swore she had all sorts of degrees in psychotherapy. Her office was in the administrative building, the same place the headmistress's office was, and where all other sorts of Academy business was conducted. I'd kind of been hoping for a couch to lie on, like therapists always had on TV, but the best I had was a chair. It was a comfy chair, at least. The walls were covered in nature pictures, things like butterflies and daffodils. I guess they were supposed to be soothing. â€Å"Do you want to elaborate on ‘so-so'?† Deirdre asked. â€Å"It's an upgrade. A month ago I would have said ‘horrible.' What's this have to do with Mason?† â€Å"Do you want to talk about Mason?† I'd noticed she had a habit of answering my questions with questions. â€Å"I don't know,† I admitted. â€Å"I guess that's what I'm here for.† â€Å"How do you feel about him? About his death?† â€Å"Sad. How else should I feel?† â€Å"Angry?† I thought about the Strigoi, their leering faces and casual attitudes toward killing. â€Å"Yeah, a little.† â€Å"Guilty?† â€Å"Sure, of course.† â€Å"Why ‘of course'?† â€Å"Because it's my fault he was there. I'd upset him†¦and he had this thing to prove. I told him where the Strigoi were, and I wasn't supposed to. If he hadn't known about them, he wouldn't have done it. He'd still be alive.† â€Å"You don't think he was responsible for his own actions? That he was the one who chose to do that?† â€Å"Well†¦ yeah. I guess he did. I didn't make him do it.† â€Å"Any other reason you might feel guilty?† I looked away from her and focused on a picture of a ladybug. â€Å"He liked me – like romantically. We kind of dated, but I couldn't get into it. That hurt him.† â€Å"Why couldn't you get into it?† â€Å"I don't know,† I said. The image of his body, lying on the floor, flashed into my mind and I shoved it away. No way would I cry in front of Deirdre. â€Å"That's the thing. I should have. He was nice. He was funny. We got along really well †¦ but it just didn't feel right. Even kissing or anything like that†¦ I eventually just couldn't do it.† â€Å"Do you feel like you have a problem with intimate contact?† â€Å"What do you – ? Oh. No! Of course not.† â€Å"Have you ever had sex with anyone?† â€Å"No. Are you saying I should have?† â€Å"Do you think you should have?† Damn. I'd thought I had her. I'd thought for sure she wouldn't have a question for that one. â€Å"Mason wasn't the right person.† â€Å"Is there someone else? Someone you think might be the right person?† I hesitated. I'd lost track of how this related to me seeing ghosts. According to some paperwork I'd signed, everything we said in here was confidential. She couldn't tell anyone unless I was a danger to myself or doing something illegal. I wasn't entirely sure where a relationship with an older man fell there. â€Å"Yeah†¦but I can't tell you who he is.† â€Å"How long have you known him?† â€Å"Almost six months.† â€Å"Do you feel close?† â€Å"Yeah, sure. But we're not†¦Ã¢â‚¬  How exactly did one describe this? â€Å"We're not actually really involved. He's kind of †¦ unavailable.† She could think what she wanted about that, like that maybe I was interested in a guy with a girlfriend. â€Å"Is he the reason you couldn't get close to Mason?† â€Å"Yes.† â€Å"And is he holding you back from dating someone else?† â€Å"Well†¦ he's not like purposely doing anything.† â€Å"But as long as you care about him, you're not interested in anyone else?† â€Å"Right. But it doesn't matter. I probably shouldn't even be dating anyone at all.† â€Å"Why not?† â€Å"Because there's no time. I'm training to be a guardian. I have to give all my attention to Lissa.† â€Å"And you don't think you can do that and be romantically involved with someone?† I shook my head. â€Å"No. I have to be willing to lay down my life for hers. I can't be distracted by someone else. We have this saying with the guardians: ‘They come first.' You guys. Moroi.† â€Å"And so you figure you'll always have to put Lissa's needs ahead of yours?† â€Å"Of course.† I frowned. â€Å"What else would I do? I'm going to be her guardian.† â€Å"How does that make you feel? Giving up what you want for her?† â€Å"She's my best friend. And she's the last of her family.† â€Å"That's not what I asked.† â€Å"Yeah, but – † I stopped. â€Å"Hey, you didn't ask a question.† â€Å"You think I always ask questions?† â€Å"Never mind. Look, I love Lissa. I'm happy to spend my life protecting her. End of story. Besides, are you, a Moroi, going to tell me, a dhampir, that I shouldn't be putting Moroi first? You know how the system works.† â€Å"I do,† she said. â€Å"But I'm not here to analyze it. I'm here to help you get better.† â€Å"Seems like you might not be able to do one without the other.† Deirdre's lips quirked into a smile, and then her eyes flicked to the clock. â€Å"We're out of time today. We'll have to pick this up next time.† I crossed my arms over my chest. â€Å"I thought you'd be giving me some kind of awesome advice or telling me what to do. But you just kept making me talk.† She laughed softly. â€Å"Therapy isn't so much about what I think as you do.† â€Å"Then why do it at all?† â€Å"Because we don't always know what it is we're thinking or feeling. When you have a guide, it's easier to figure things out. You'll often discover that you already know what to do. I can help you ask questions and go places you might not have on your own.† â€Å"Well, you're good at the question part,† I noted dryly. â€Å"While I don't have any ‘awesome advice,' I do have some things I want you to think about for when we talk again.† She glanced down at her notepad and tapped it with her pencil while she thought. â€Å"First, I want you to think again about what I asked about Lissa – how you really feel about dedicating your life to her.† â€Å"I already told you.† â€Å"I know. Just think about it some more. If your answer's the same, that's fine. Then, I want you to consider something else. I want you to think about whether maybe the reason you're attracted to this unavailable guy is because he's unavailable.† â€Å"That's crazy. That doesn't make any sense.† â€Å"Is it? You just told me that you can't ever be involved with anyone. Do you think it's possible that wanting someone you can't have is your subconscious mind's way of coping? If it's impossible for you to have him, then you never have to confront feeling conflicted about Lissa. You'll never have to choose.† â€Å"This is confusing,† I grumbled. â€Å"It's supposed to be. That's why I'm here.† â€Å"What's this have to do with Mason?† â€Å"It has to do with you, Rose. That's what's important.† I left therapy feeling like my brain had melted. I also kind of felt like I'd been on trial. If Deirdre had been there to grill Victor, they probably would have finished up in half the time. I also thought Deirdre had totally been going in the wrong direction. Of course I didn't resent Lissa. And the thought that I'd fallen for Dimitri because I couldn't have him was ridiculous. I'd never even thought of the conflict with guarding until he'd mentioned it. I'd fallen for him because †¦ well, because he was Dimitri. Because he was sweet, strong, funny, fierce, and gorgeous. Because he understood me. And yet, as I walked back to the commons, I found her question spinning around in my brain. I might not have been thinking about a relationship distracting us in our guard duties, but I'd certainly known from the start that his age and job were huge barriers. Could that have really played a part? Had some piece of me known we could never really have anything – thus allowing me to always stay dedicated to Lissa? No, I decided firmly. That was ridiculous. Deirdre might be good at asking questions, but she was clearly asking the wrong ones. â€Å"Rose!† I looked to my right and saw Adrian cutting across the lawn toward me, oblivious to the slush's effects on his designer shoes. â€Å"Did you just call me ‘Rose'?† I asked. â€Å"And not ‘little dhampir'? I don't think that's ever happened.† â€Å"It happens all the time,† he countered, catching up to me. We stepped inside the commons. School was in session, so the halls were empty. â€Å"Where's your better half?† he asked. â€Å"Christian?† â€Å"No, Lissa. You can tell where she is, right?† â€Å"Yeah, I can tell because it's last period, and she's in class like everyone else. You keep forgetting that for the rest of us, this is a school.† He looked disappointed. â€Å"I found more case files I wanted to talk to her about. More super-compulsion stuff.† â€Å"Whoa, you've been doing something productive? I'm impressed.† â€Å"You're one to talk,† he said. â€Å"Especially considering your whole existence here revolves around beating people up. You dhampirs are uncivilized – but then, that's why we love you.† â€Å"Actually,† I mused, â€Å"we aren't the only ones doing beatings lately.† I'd nearly forgotten about my royal fight club mystery. There were so many things I had to worry about lately. It was like trying to hold water in my hands. It was a long shot, but I had to ask him. â€Å"Does the word Man? mean anything to you?† He leaned against the wall and reached for his cigarettes. â€Å"Sure.† â€Å"You're inside the school,† I warned. â€Å"What – oh, right.† With a sigh, he put the pack back in his coat. â€Å"Don't half of you study Romanian here? It means ‘hand.'† â€Å"I study English here.† Hand. That didn't make any sense. â€Å"Why the interest in translation?† â€Å"I don't know. I think I got it wrong. I thought it had some connection to this thing that's been going on with these royals.† Recognition flashed in his eyes. â€Å"Oh Lord. Not that. Are they really doing it here too?† â€Å"Doing what?† â€Å"The Man?. The Hand. It's this stupid secret society that pops up at schools. We had a chapter of it back at Alder. It's mostly a bunch of royals getting together and having secret meetings to talk about how much better they are than everyone else.† â€Å"That's it then,† I said. The pieces clicked together. â€Å"That's Jesse and Ralf's little group – the one they tried to get Christian to join. That's what this Man? is.† â€Å"Him?† Adrian laughed. â€Å"They must have been desperate – and I don't mean that as a slam against Christian. He's just not really the type to get into that kind of thing.† â€Å"Yeah, well, he turned them down pretty hard. What's the point of this secret society exactly?† He shrugged. â€Å"The same as any other. It's a way to make people feel better about themselves. Everyone likes feeling special. Being part of an elite group is a way to do that.† â€Å"But you weren't part of it?† â€Å"No need. I already know I'm special.† â€Å"Jesse and Ralf made it sound like royals had to stick together because of all the controversies that are going on – about fighting and guardians and all that. They made it sound like they could do something about it.† â€Å"Not at this age,† said Adrian. â€Å"Mostly all they can do is talk. When they get older, Man? members sometimes cut deals for each other and still have secret meetings.† â€Å"That's it then? They're just hanging out and talking to hear themselves talk?† He turned contemplative. â€Å"Well, yes, of course they're doing lots of that. But I mean, whenever these little chapters form, there's usually something specific they want to do in secret. Each group's kind of different that way, so this one's probably got some plan or scheme or whatever.† A plan or scheme. I didn't like the sound of that. Especially with Jesse and Ralf. â€Å"You know a lot for someone who wasn't in it.† â€Å"My dad was. He never talks much about it – hence the secret part – but I picked up things, and then I heard about it while I was at school.† I leaned against the wall. The clock across the hall told me classes were almost over. â€Å"Did you hear anything about them beating up people? There are at least four Moroi I know of who were attacked. And they won't talk about it.† â€Å"Who? Like non-royals?† â€Å"No. Other royals.† â€Å"That doesn't make any sense. The whole point of it is for elite royals to band together to protect themselves from change. Unless, perhaps, they're going after royals who refuse or are supporting non-royals.† â€Å"Maybe. But one of them was Jesse's brother, and Jesse seems to be a founding member. Seems like he'd have to make the cut. And they didn't do anything when Christian refused.† Adrian spread his hands wide. â€Å"Even I don't know everything, and like I said, this one's probably got its own little agenda they're keeping hidden.† I sighed in frustration, and he gave me a curious look. â€Å"Why do you care so much?† â€Å"Because it isn't right. The people I saw were in bad shape. If some group's going around and ganging up on victims, they need to be stopped,† Adrian laughed and played with a strand of my hair. â€Å"You can't save everyone, though God knows you try.† â€Å"I just want to do what's right.† I remembered Dimitri's comments about Westerns and couldn't help a small smile. â€Å"I need to bring justice where it's needed.† â€Å"The crazy thing, little dhampir, is that you mean that. I can tell by your aura.† â€Å"What, are you saying it's not black anymore?† â€Å"No†¦still dark, definitely. But it's got a little light in it, streaks of gold. Like sunlight.† â€Å"Maybe your theory about me catching it from Lissa is wrong then.† I'd been trying very hard not to think about last night, when I'd learned about Anna. Mentioning it now stirred up all those fears all over again. Insanity. Suicide. â€Å"Depends,† he said. â€Å"When was the last time you saw her?† I gave him a light punch. â€Å"You have no clue, do you? You're making this up as you go along.† He caught my wrist and pulled me closer. â€Å"Isn't that the way you normally operate?† I grinned in spite of myself. This close to him I could appreciate just how lovely the green of his eyes was. In fact, despite continually making fun of him, I couldn't deny that the rest of him was pretty good-looking too. His fingers were warm on my wrist, and there was something kind of sexy about the way he held it. Thinking back to Deirdre's words, I tried to assess how it all made me feel. The queen's warnings aside, Adrian was a guy who was technically available. Was I attracted to him? Did I get a thrill out of this? The answer: no. Not in the same way I did with Dimitri. Adrian was sexy in his way, but he didn't drive me wild the way Dimitri did. Was it because Adrian was so readily available? Was Deirdre right about me purposely wanting relationships that were impossible? â€Å"You know,† he said, interrupting my thoughts, â€Å"under any other circumstances, this would be hot. Instead, you're looking at me like I'm some kind of science fair project.† That was exactly how I was treating this, actually. â€Å"Why don't you ever use compulsion on me?† I asked. â€Å"And I don't mean just to stop me from getting in fights.† â€Å"Because half the fun of you is that you're so difficult.† A new idea occurred to me. â€Å"Do it.† â€Å"Do what?† â€Å"Use compulsion on me.† â€Å"What?† It was another of those rare shocked Adrian moments. â€Å"Use compulsion to make me want to kiss you – except you have to promise not to actually kiss me.† â€Å"That's pretty weird – and when I say something's weird, you know it's serious.† â€Å"Please.† He sighed and then focused his eyes right on me. It was like drowning, drowning in seas of green. There was nothing in the world except for those eyes. â€Å"I want to kiss you, Rose,† he said softly. â€Å"And I want you to want me too.† Every aspect of his body – his lips, his hands, his scent – suddenly overpowered me. I felt warm all over. I wanted him to kiss me with every ounce of my being. There was nothing in life I wanted more than that kiss. I tilted my face up toward his, and he leaned down. I could practically taste his lips. â€Å"Do you want to?† he asked, voice still like velvet. â€Å"Do you want to kiss me?† Did I ever. Everything around me had blurred. Only his lips were in focus. â€Å"Yes,† I said. His face moved closer, his mouth only a breath away from mine. We were so, so close, and then – He stopped. â€Å"We're done,† he said, stepping back. I snapped out of it instantly. The dreamy haze was gone, as was the yearning in my body. But I'd discovered something. Under compulsion, I had definitely wanted him to kiss me. Yet even under compulsion, it hadn't been the electric, all-encompassing feeling I had when I was with Dimitri, that feeling that we were practically the same person and were bound by forces bigger than both of us. With Adrian, it had simply been mechanical. Deirdre had been wrong. If my attraction to Dimitri was just some subconscious reaction, then it should have been as superficial as that forced attraction to Adrian. Yet they were completely different. With Dimitri, it was love – not just some trick my mind was playing on me. â€Å"Hmm,† I said. â€Å"Hmm?† asked Adrian, eyeing me with amusement. â€Å"Hmm.† The third â€Å"hmm† hadn't come from either of us. I looked across the hall and saw Christian watching us. I separated from Adrian, just as the bell rang. The sounds of students pouring out of classrooms rumbled through the hallway. â€Å"Now I can see Lissa,† said Adrian happily. â€Å"Rose, will you come with me to the feeders?† asked Christian. He spoke in a flat tone, and his expression was unreadable. â€Å"I'm not guarding you today.† â€Å"Yeah, well, I miss your charming company.† I told Adrian goodbye and cut through the cafeteria with Christian. â€Å"What's up?† I asked. â€Å"You tell me,† he said. â€Å"You were the one about ready to start making out with Adrian.† â€Å"It was an experiment,† I said. â€Å"It was part of my therapy.† â€Å"What the hell kind of therapy are you in?† We reached the feeders' room. Somehow, despite him getting out of class early, there were still a few people ahead of us in line. â€Å"Why do you care?† I asked him. â€Å"You should be happy. It means he isn't moving in on Lissa.† â€Å"He could be moving in on both of you.† â€Å"What are you, my big brother now?† â€Å"Annoyed,† he said. â€Å"That's what I am.† I looked beyond him and saw Jesse and Ralf enter. â€Å"Well, keep it to yourself, or our good friends will overhear.† Jesse, however, was too busy to hear, because he was arguing with the feeding coordinator. â€Å"I don't have time to wait,† he told her. â€Å"I've got to be somewhere.† She pointed to us and the others in line. â€Å"These people are ahead of you.† Jesse met her eyes and smiled. â€Å"You can make an exception this time.† â€Å"Yeah, he's in a hurry,† added Ralf in a voice I'd never heard him use before. It was smooth and less grating than usual. â€Å"Just write his name down at the top of the list.† The coordinator looked like she was going to tell them off, but then a funny, distracted look came over her face. She glanced at her clipboard and wrote something. A few seconds after she looked away, her head jerked up again, eyes sharp once more. She frowned. â€Å"What was I doing?† â€Å"You were signing me up,† said Jesse. He pointed at the board. â€Å"See?† She looked down, startled. â€Å"Why is your name first? Didn't you just get here?† â€Å"We were here earlier and checked in. You told us it was okay.† She looked down again, clearly puzzled. She didn't remember them coming earlier – because they hadn't – but she apparently couldn't figure out why Jesse's name was at the top now. A moment later, she shrugged and must have decided it wasn't worth overthinking. â€Å"Stand with the others, and I'll call you next.† As soon as Jesse and Ralf came near us, I turned on them. â€Å"You just used compulsion on her,† I hissed. Jesse looked panicked for a fraction of a second; then his normal swagger took over. â€Å"Whatever. I just convinced her, that's all. What, are you going to try to tell on me or something?† â€Å"Nothing to tell,† scoffed Christian. â€Å"That was the worst compulsion I've ever seen.† â€Å"Like you've seen compulsion,† said Ralf. â€Å"Plenty,† said Christian. â€Å"From people prettier than you. Of course, maybe that's part of why yours isn't as good.† Ralf seemed highly offended at not being considered pretty, but Jesse just nudged him and started to turn away. â€Å"Forget him. He had his chance.† â€Å"His chance at – † I remembered how Brandon had attempted weak compulsion when trying to convince me his bruises were nothing. Jill had said that Brett Ozera actually had convinced a teacher that his were nothing. The teacher had dropped the matter, much to Jill's surprise. Brett must have used compulsion. Lightbulbs went off in different parts of my brain. The connections were all around me. The problem was, I couldn't untangle the wires quite yet. â€Å"That's what this is about, isn't it? Your stupid Man? and its need to beat up on people. It's got something to do with compulsion†¦.† I didn't understand how it all fit together, but the surprised look on Jesse's face told me I was on to something, even though he said, â€Å"You don't know what you're talking about.† I pushed forward, hoping some blind hits would make him mad and say something he wasn't supposed to. â€Å"What's the point? Does it give you guys some kind of power trip to do these little tricks? That's all they are, you know. You seriously don't know the first thing about compulsion. I've seen compulsion that would make you do handstands and throw yourself out a window.† â€Å"We're learning more than you can even imagine,† said Jesse. â€Å"And when I find out who told – â€Å" He didn't get a chance to finish his threat because he was called over to the feeder just then. He and Ralf stalked away, and Christian immediately turned to me. â€Å"What's going on? What's a Man† I gave him a hasty recap of Adrian's explanation. â€Å"That's what they wanted you to join. They must secretly be practicing compulsion. Adrian said these groups are always royals who have some plan to change and control things in dangerous times. They must think compulsion is the answer – it's what they meant when they told you they had ways to help you get what you wanted. If they knew how crappy your compulsion was, they probably wouldn't have asked.† He scowled, not liking me reminding him of the one time he'd attempted – and failed – to compel someone at the ski lodge. â€Å"So where's the beating-people-up part come in?† â€Å"That's the mystery,† I said. Christian was summoned over to feed just then, and I put my theories on hold until I could get more info and take action. I noticed which feeder we were being led to. â€Å"Is that Alice again? How do you always get her? Do you request her?† â€Å"No, but I think some people specifically un-request her.† Alice was happy to see us, as always. â€Å"Rose. Are you still keeping us safe?† â€Å"I will if they'll let me,† I told her. â€Å"Don't be too hasty,† she warned. â€Å"Conserve your strength. If you're too eager to fight the undead, you may find yourselves joining them. Then you'd never see us again, and we'd be very sad.† â€Å"Yes,† said Christian. â€Å"I'd cry into my pillow every night.† I resisted the urge to kick him. â€Å"Well, I couldn't visit if I was Strigoi, yeah, but hopefully I'd just die a normal death. Then I could come see you as a ghost.† How sad, I thought, that I was now making jokes about the very thing that was freaking me out lately. Alice found no amusement in it whatsoever. She shook her head. â€Å"No, you wouldn't. The wards would keep you out.† â€Å"The wards only keep Strigoi out,† I reminded her gently. A defiant look replaced her scattered one. â€Å"The wards keep anything that isn't alive out. Dead or undead.† â€Å"Now you've done it,† said Christian. â€Å"The wards don't keep ghosts out,† I said. â€Å"I've seen them.† Considering Alice's own instability, I didn't mind discussing mine with her. In fact, it was kind of refreshing to talk about this stuff with someone who wouldn't judge me. Indeed, she treated this as a perfectly normal conversation. â€Å"If you've seen ghosts, then we're not safe anymore.† â€Å"I told you last time, the security's too good.† â€Å"Maybe someone made a mistake,† she argued, sounding remarkably coherent. â€Å"Maybe someone missed something. Wards are made of magic. Magic is alive. Ghosts can't cross them for the same reason as Strigoi. They aren't alive. If you saw a ghost, the wards have failed.† She paused. â€Å"Or you're crazy.† Christian laughed out loud. â€Å"There you go, Rose. Straight from the source.† I shot him a glare. He smiled at Alice. â€Å"In Rose's defense, though, I think she's right about the wards. The school checks them all the time. The only place guarded better than here is the Royal Court, and both places are overflowing with guardians. Stop being so paranoid.† He fed, and I glanced away. I should have known better than to listen to Alice. She was hardly a reputable source of information, even if she'd been around for a while. And yet†¦ her weird logic did make sense. If wards kept Strigoi out, why not ghosts? True, Strigoi were the dead who had come back to walk the earth, but her point was sound: All of them were dead. But Christian and I were right too: The wards around the school were solid. It took a lot of power to lay wards. Not every Moroi home could have them, but places like schools and the Royal Court had theirs maintained diligently. The Royal Court†¦ I'd had no ghostly encounters whatsoever while we there, yet that had been incredibly stressful. If my sightings were stress-induced, wouldn't the Court and encounters with Victor and the queen have provided great opportunities for them to occur? The fact that I'd seen nothing seemed to negate the PTSD theory. I hadn't seen ghosts until we'd landed at the Martinville airport. Which didn't have wards. I nearly gasped. The Court had strong wards. I'd seen no ghosts. The airport, which was part of the human world, had no wards. I'd been bombarded with ghosts there. I'd also seen flashes of them on the plane – which was unwarded when we were in the air. I looked over at Alice and Christian. They were just about finished. Could she be right? Did wards keep out ghosts? And if so, what was going on with the school? If the wards were intact, I should see nothing – just like at Court. If the wards were broken, I should be overrun – just like at the airport. Instead, the Academy was somewhere in the middle. I had sightings only occasionally. It didn't make sense. The only thing I knew for sure was that if something was wrong with the school's wards, then I wasn't the only one in danger.

External and Internal factors at Sony Ericsson Essay

Sony Ericsson In 2001 telecommunications leader Ericsson and the Sony Corporation joined forces to establish Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications. Because of this joint venture, Sony Ericsson recognized sales of over seven billion dollars in the first year. This was mainly because the combined mobile phone business company now offered a range of mobile communication products that went far beyond the simple mobile phone technology of its time. Marketing Marketing, more than any other business function, deals with customers. Creating customer value and satisfaction is at the very heart of modern marketing. Marketing is the delivery of customer satisfaction at a profit. Sound marketing is critical to the success of every organization–large or small, for profit or non-profit, domestic or global. Large for-profit firms such as Sony use marketing. This is where globalization, technology, and ethics come into play. Global Marketing The world is shrinking rapidly with the advent of faster communication, transportation, and financial flows. Products developed in one country are finding enthusiastic acceptance in other countries. In fact, international trade is booming. Since 1969, the number of multinational corporations in the world’s fourteen richest countries has more than tripled. According to Business Week, written by Gail Edmondson, â€Å"many U.S. companies have long been successful at international marketing: Coca-Cola, McDonald’s, IBM, Xerox, Corning, Gillette, Colgate, General Electric, Caterpillar, Ford, Kodak, 3M, Boeing, and dozens of other American firms have made the world their market. And in the United States, names such as Sony, Toyota, Norelco, and Mercedes have become household words† (Edmondson, G., 2000). Globalization has become the increasing tendency of the world to act as one market. Technological advances in travel and communications are the driving  force behind market globalization. For instance, new communication technologies, such as the ones offered by Sony Ericsson, allow people and/or teams from all over the world to work on projects and share information without leaving their desks. At the same time, advanced technologies allow manufacturers to produce their goods in foreign locations that offer an abundant supply of low-cost labor (Mescon, M, Courtland, B., & Thill, J., 1999) Innovation Companies today need to take advantage of their innovative capabilities to develop new businesses. Without exploiting the potential idea of innovation, companies will not be prepared for the effects of new technology, demanding customers and globalization. To keep up with the fast-paced world of mobile communications technology, Sony Ericsson will need to combine telecommunication solutions with proven entertainment technology to be considered the forefront of telecommunication innovation. However, there are difficult challenges that Sony Ericsson must go through to bring to the market a stream of improved products and services that enable the business to achieve higher profits. Incorporating innovative ideas and new technologies is the key for a successful business to compete effectively in the global environment. In the past year, Sony Ericsson has launched groundbreaking products for their mobile technology. The success of the company comes from the distinction of other companies in terms of design, imaging, and applications. With a unique combination of Sony’s digital imaging and Ericsson’s mobile platform, Sony Ericsson seems to have the upper hand in coming out with the latest technology to meet consumer demand. With any advancements of innovation, design is a key step to initiate any innovative ideas. Sony Ericsson takes pride in their industrial designers because of the importance to impress consumers with never-before-seen looks and groundbreaking technology. From the birth of an idea to the launch of the product, Sony Ericsson’s  designers monitor the progress of the product systematically, making sure the innovative idea keeps its shape and stays new. Designers will also need to keep a close eye on any changing trends in the mobile communication market as they can inspire as well as influence the elements of innovative design. Sony Ericsson continues to innovate in design and newly launched products to strengthen its reputation as a design leader. In addition, the company strives to be a cutting edge provider of applications, creating partnerships with software developers and content providers to meet everyday consumer demand. Technologies Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications offers services globally to a communication market with high end, state-of-the-art mobile phone equipment, accessories, PC-cards, and M2M (Machine-to-Machine) technology. Our computer era is about making people more productive in the working environment. It is a technology that is geared to help people interact with other people through the aid of always on computers, communication, and powerful high bandwidth. The M2M communications technology is going to be different in the sense that it will allow electronic devices to interact with people and other devices. This will not require as big a bandwidth as computers use now days. This technology features higher reliability and efficiency, and it also enables users to remotely access and manage other array of equipment without having to move around or keeping a technical staff. This type of technology is presently being used by Sony Ericsson and is evolving rapidly particularly in the area of wireless equipment. M2M is also used for business applications such as: Security and emergency response Mission-critical uptime Optimized logistics Management resources Mobility and collaboration Personalization and customization Another of the latest popular technologies is called Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA). This is a technology for wideband digital radio communications of Internet, multimedia, video and other capacity-demanding applications. WCDMA is the dominating 3G (3rd. Generation) technology, providing higher capacity for voice and data and higher data rates. WCDMA uses a new spectrum with a 5 MHz carrier, providing 50 times higher data rate than in present GSM networks (and 10 times higher data rate than in GPRS networks) WCDMA handles up to 2 Mbps for local area access or 384 Kbps for wide area access. A coming release will include enhancements up to more than 10 Mbps. WCDMA is also known as UMTS and has been adopted as a standard by the ITU under the name IMT-2000 direct spread (Ericsson, 2004). Multimedia Messaging Service technology is another feature found in many Sony Ericsson’s communication devices of today. This feature enables users to send/receive multimedia messaging. MMS technology applies to communication applications, information, and entertainment. Because of the nature of the applications, MMS is especially helpful because it is designed for time critical situations, such as sport and other breaking news, alerts, stock market developments, etc. MMS also optimizes video images, video and audio signals in real time. Ethics In order to understand how Sony Ericsson Industries became a company gripped  in ethical and social responsibility, one must first look at its history and mission. In an article on the World Wide Web, â€Å"A Study of Smart phones† it talks about some of the history of Ericsson. Back in June of 1998, Ericsson made Symbian a privately independent company. Ericsson had one mission and that was, â€Å"To provide solutions to communication needs† (Ericsson, 2004). Ericsson made an ethical decision and commitment to the diversified customer base to always provide the end user with user friendly, expedient, business savvy computer compatible phones that severed and performed a wide variety of uses. That mission statement and ethical commitment grew, as did the Symbian coalition, which eventually included companies such as Matsushita, Motorola, Nokia, and Psion’s. With this new collaboration of world leading communication players came the new mission, which was, â€Å"To set the standard for mobile wireless operating systems and to enable a mass market for wireless information devices† (Grey Matter India, 2004). In 1998, Sony Ericsson had implemented the objective mission into the organization. In 2001, another mission was reborn. This mission statement focus was on the needs and wants of the consumer that included and embraced the ethics and the social responsibilities in present day. In 2001, the headlines stated â€Å"Welcome to Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications.† Then in October of 2001, Sony published on its website its new mission, which was â€Å"Our mission is to establish Sony Ericsson as the most attractive and innovative global brand in the mobile handset industry† (Ericsson, 2004). They went on to publish there social responsibility statement, which stated, â€Å"It is Sony Ericsson’s policy to behave in a socially and ethically exemplary way and to operate business in compliance with all applicable laws and regulations. Sony Ericsson believes in respect for human rights and in the ethical treatment of all employees† (Ericsson, 2004). The Joint Venture Whether a company is small or large, there comes a time when a company needs to shift the way the company is managed. Large companies, such as Sony Ericsson, have been using self-directed work teams for years to improve quality, increase productivity, raise morale, lower costs, and boost  motivation. A self-directed work team is a group of workers from different functional areas of a company who work together as a unit largely without supervision, making decisions, and performing task that once belonged only to managers. However, it is important to note, that managers in companies using teams, such as Sony Ericsson, do not just sit around drinking coffee. In fact, they work just as hard as before, but the nature of their work changes dramatically. â€Å"Managers at Sony Ericsson take on roles of coaches who empower those around them to make decisions affecting their work and share information with workers. As facilitators, their job is to support and to serve the teams functioning in the organization and to make sure they produce results† (Ericsson, 2004). References Edmondson, G. (2000, August 28). See the world, erase its borders. Business Week, pp. 113-114. Ericsson. (2004). About Ericsson. Retrieved February 20, 2005 from the World Wide Web: http://www.ericsson.com/about/ Ericsson. (2004). Technologies. WCDMA. Retrieved February 20, 2005 from the World Wide Web: http://www.ericsson.com/technology/ Gray Matter India. (2004). Smartphones. White Paper, pg. 8. Retrieved February 21, 2005 from the World Wide Web: www.greymatterindia.com/downloads/Whitepaper_Rise%20_of_Smartphones.pdf. Mescon, M., Courtland, B., Thill, J. (1999). Business Today, 203. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall

Slow Walkers Essay Example

Slow Walkers Essay Example Slow Walkers Paper Slow Walkers Paper You might ask why it is such a problem well there are many reasons like it puts me in an aggravated and angry mood. Another reason is who wants to walk around people all the time causing the people the other way to slow down and get frustrated with you, and probably the most important is that it makes me hours late for my classes that I love so much like English class, and what excuses do I have Oh sorry Im late all the people walking were extremely slow like what teacher with believe that. Well I got some ideas that will stop you from getting cranky, having people yell at you, and being late for class. My first idea is to have designated spots for people to stop and talk if they please, is have wider halls with a fast and slow lanes, third idea is if you are caught stopping in the halls and causing people to slow down you will have a consequence and final is you are able to push them out of the way. Hopefully one day all these slow walking people will learn to walk faster or get out of my WAY!

A Plot Summary of Our Town

A Plot Summary of Our Town Written by Thorton Wilder, Our Town is a play that  explores the lives of people living in a small, quintessentially American town. It was first produced in 1938 and received the Pulitzer Prize for Drama. The play is divided into three aspects of the human experience: Act One: Daily Life Act Two: Love / Marriage Act Three: Death / Loss Act One The Stage Manager, serving as the play’s narrator, introduces the audience to Grover’s Corners, a small town in New Hampshire. The year is 1901. In the early morning, only a few folks are about. The paperboy delivers papers. The milkman strolls by. Dr. Gibbs has just returned from delivering twins. Note: There are very few props in Our Town. Most of the objects are pantomimed. The Stage Manager arranges a few (real) chairs and tables. Two families enter and begin pantomiming breakfast. The Gibbs Family Dr. Gibbs: Hardworking, soft-spoken, disciplined.Mrs. Gibbs: The Doctor’s wife. She believes her husband is overworked and should take a vacation.George: Their son. Energetic, friendly, sincere.Rebecca: George’s little sister. The Webb Family Mr. Webb: Runs the town’s newspaper.Mrs. Webb: Strict but loving to her children.Emily Webb: Their daughter. Bright, hopeful and idealistic.Wally Webb: Her younger brother. Throughout the morning and the rest of the day, the townspeople of Grover’s Corner eat breakfast, work in town, do household chores, garden, gossip, go to school, attend choir practice, and admire the moonlight. Some of Act One’s More Compelling Moments Dr. Gibbs calmly chastises his son for forgetting to chop firewood. When George has tears in his eyes, he hands him a handkerchief and the matter is resolved.Simon Stimson, the church organist, leads the church choir while intoxicated. He staggers home drunk and deeply troubled. The constable and Mr. Webb try to assist him, but Stimson wanders away.  Webb wonders how the man’s sorry situation will end, but decided there is nothing to be done about it.Emily Webb and George Gibbs sit at their windows (according to the stage directions, they are perched on ladders). They talk about algebra and the moonlight. Their words are mundane, perhaps, but their fondness for each other is obvious.Rebecca tells her brother a funny story about a letter Jane Crofut received from a minister. It was addressed: Jane Crofut; The Crofut Farm; Grover’s Corners; Sutton County; New Hampshire; United States of America; North America; Western Hemisphere; the Earth; the Solar System; the Univers e; the Mind of God. Act Two The Stage Manager explains that three years have passed. It is the wedding day of George and Emily. The Webb and Gibbs parents lament how their children have grown so quickly. George and Mr. Webb, his soon-to-be father-in-law, awkwardly converse about the futility of marital advice. Before the wedding commences, the Stage Manager wonders how it all began, both this specific romance of George and Emily, as well as the origins of marriage in general. He takes the audience back in time a bit, to when George and Emily’s romantic relationship began. In this flashback, George is the captain of the baseball team. Emily has just been elected as the student body treasurer and secretary. After school, he offers to carry her books home. She accepts but suddenly reveals how she does not like the change in his character. She claims that George has become arrogant. This seems to be a false accusation, however, because George immediately apologizes. He is very grateful to have such an honest friend as Emily. He takes her to the soda shop, where the Stage Manager pretends to be the store owner. There, the boy and girl reveal their devotion to one another. The Stage Manager segues back to the wedding ceremony. Both the young bride and groom are scared about getting married and growing up. Mrs. Gibbs snaps her son out of his jitters. Mr. Webb calms his daughter’s fears. The Stage Manager plays the role of the minister. In his sermon, he says of the countless who have gotten married, â€Å"Once in a thousand times it’s interesting.† Act Three The final act takes place in a cemetery in 1913. It is set upon a hill overlooking Grover’s Corner. About a dozen people sit in several rows of chairs. They have patient and somber faces. The Stage Manager tells us that these are the dead citizens of the town. Among the recent arrivals are: Mrs. Gibbs: Died of pneumonia while visiting her daughter.Wally Webb: Died young. His appendix burst during a Boy Scout trip.Simon Stimson: Facing troubles the audience never understands, he hangs himself. A funeral procession approaches. The dead characters comment nonchalantly about the new arrival: Emily Webb. She died while giving birth to her second child. The spirit of Emily walks away from the living and joins the dead, sitting next to Mrs. Gibbs. Emily is pleased to see her. She talks about the farm. She is distracted by the living as they grieve. She wonders how long the sensation of feeling alive will last; she is anxious to feel like the others do. Mrs. Gibbs tells her to wait, that it is best to be quiet and patient. The dead seem to be looking to the future, waiting for something. They are no longer emotionally connected to the troubles of the living. Emily senses that one can return to the world of the living, that one can revisit and re-experience the past. With the help of the Stage Manager, and against the advice of Mrs. Gibbs, Emily returns to her 12th birthday. However, everything is too beautiful, too emotionally intense. She chooses to go back to the numbing comfort of the grave. The world, she says, is too wonderful for anyone to truly realize it. Some of the dead, such as Stimson, express bitterness to the ignorance of the living. However, Mrs. Gibbs and the others believe that life was both painful and wonderful. They take comfort and companionship in the starlight above them. In the last moments of the play, George returns to weep at Emily’s grave. EMILY: Mother Gibbs? MRS. GIBBS: Yes, Emily? EMILY: They don’t understand, do they? MRS. GIBBS: No, dear. They don’t understand. The Stage Manager then reflects upon how, throughout the universe, it may be that only the inhabitants of the earth are straining away. He tells the audience to get a good night’s rest. The play ends.

Is spanking child abuse Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Is spanking child abuse - Research Paper Example Spanking is the most commonly used form of this technique and can be defined as striking the child’s buttocks with an open hand with sufficient force as to cause pain but not leave any injurious marks or long term harm. This paper will consider the corporal punishment known as spanking and answer whether such punishment is tantamount to child abuse (Brouwer and Knox). The first question to ask in order to establish whether or not there is any link between physical abuse and spanking to begin with is; what exactly is child abuse? Child abuse unfortunately does not have clear criteria which defines and differentiates it from forms of child maltreatment. Often researchers employ the use of surveillance and reporting in order to ascertain whether a child have been abused though there is no clear consensus as to which level of maltreatment constitutes abuse among researchers. Child abuse given its nature may be defined by how differently children may perceive the act according to the age they are at the time. Given the definition just given it can be seen how spanking may be perceived to be child abuse (Whitley, Tajima and Herrenkohl). Child specialists have actually defined the connection between the two to a point where spanking is actually found to be the first step in the road to child abuse (Brouwer and Knox). It must be said that from a humanitarian and moral standpoint children must always be protected from abuse of all types. As an adult it is the duty of both parental authorities and Guardians to establish and maintain the protection of the child from such harmful circumstances. Though the question is asked that even if children must be kept away from abusive practices that may ham their development it must be asked what if there is a need for the use of sub abusive violence. When we define sub abusive violence it can be said