The History of Batu Caves

The History of Batu Caves The Batu Caves is all made up of limestone, as we can see when we are inside the cave or even driving on the highway crossing Batu Caves. The limestone is said to be around 400 million years old the limestone forming Batu Caves is. Some of the cave entrances were used as shelters by the native people. Batu Caves became famous only after the limestone hills were recorded by colonial authorities including Daly and Syers as well as American Naturalist, William Hornaday in 1878.The history of Batu Caves all started in the year of 1891 when Mr. K. Thamboosamy Pillai, who were one of the founders that also founded the Sri Maha Mariamman Temple Dhevasthanam, Kuala Lumpur, on top of that he send his associates that is Sri Thiruvengadam Pillai and Sri Kanthapa Thevar to do a research for an suitable place of worship for Lord Sri Murugan. It was in that year, that the influential descendant of Indian immigrants from Tamil Nadu, India, Mr.K. Thamboosamy Pillai installe d the ‘murti’ or consecrated idol of Lord Murugan in the 400 ft high Temple Cave. At the following year ahead, the Thaipusam festival in the Tamil month of Thai during the month of January to February has been celebrated there as the annual festival of Batu Caves. In addition to that, the steps to go up the Batu Caves was all wooden steps up an it was built in the year of 1920 and have since been replaced by 272 concrete steps.

Environmental Science Essay

Our world looses 40,000 species a year, while ocean fisheries collapse and global warming threatens ecosystems from the coral reefs to the melting of the North Pole poles to the grain-producing mid-latitudes. There is a greater need than ever before to understand ecosystem processes, man’s impact on these processes, and the value systems that will determine our future interactions with our own ecosystem. Conservation is akin to problem solving, hence the emphasis on the art of solving problems and the critical-analytical approach toward understanding the underlying issues. Conserving nature is thus related to solving problems arising from human interference. It thus combines the complexity of nature with the human dimension, which is complicated to say the least. Hence the multitude of dimensions, confusion of ideas and the widespread involvement in all facets of daily life.Conservation is rooted in the belief that something can be done to prevent the loss of an endeared entity. When we saw native forests disappearing to shipbuilding and firewood, we began to protect them, goes the story. However, the truth follows a slightly different path. Forests were saved because people discovered coal, which was much more efficient to use. Instead of building ships from timber, steel proved to be a better choice. Instead of burning firewood for locomotives, coal proved more efficient. Thus coal and steel saved the remnants of native forests. Likewise it was fossil oil that saved the whales. If no economic replacement can be found, people will use the resource to the last little bit. Conservation in its early days, often happened by accident. However, today, people are using knowledge, foresight, labour and technology for proactive conservation. Soil conservation: soil has become threatened by human cultivation and climate change, resulting in loss of fertility, erosion and desertification. Water conservation: water is needed for food and industry, but in many nations a severe shortage is looming as humans use over 50% of fresh water that never reaches the sea. Atmosphere conservation: clean air is needed by all organisms on Earth. The atmosphere regulates the Earth’s temperature and protects it from harmful radiation. Global warming and ozone depletion threaten all organisms, including humans. Natural habitat conservation: wildlife needs natural habitat, Wildlife conservation: preventing extinctions, maintaining biodiversity. Mineral conservation: the mining of minerals rests almost exclusively in the hands of mining companies. Their business is to supply an ever hungrier market. Conservation of minerals can be done only at the consumer’s end, by reducing the need, reusing by-products and recycling wastes Energy conservation: energy is the main driving force behind industry and indeed our civilisation. Our entire standard of living depends on energy to the extent, that people in developed countries use the equivalent of 50 human slaves each, or more. Fossil fuel is going to run out and alternatives have to be found, as well as energy conserved. Urban conservation: in recent times, many cities have grown so rapidly that they have become unlivable due to overcrowding, traffic jams, inadequate public transportation systems, air and water pollution, noise, and lack of recreational parks. People flee the cities to live in suburbs, causing urban areas to sprawl, which exacerbates the transport-related problems. Urban conservation aims to make cities more livable, while halting urban sprawl. Marine conservation: the marine environment has its own rules. To do conservation for the benefit of nature is difficult enough, but because humans are involved in every step, the matter becomes very much more complicated. In fact, this aspect can become quite time-consuming and energy-sapping, often obscuring what the whole purpose of conservation is all about. Human society has become more complicated over time, and will continue to do so. People have occupied every bit of land, and have also been allowed to own it. By having an interest in an area planned for conservation, or an extractable species, human lives are affected and conflicts arise. People who have a claim to be considered, call themselves stakeholders. Don’t be surprised that a stakeholder can live hundreds of kilometres away from the place of conflict. Here are the human interests that need to be considered along every step: economic: people’s incomes are affected. Countries with a Bill Of Rights, require such people to be compensated financially. It increases the cost of conservation. However, often new opportunities present themselves, and people can get better jobs through re-training. Where fishing is stopped, boat owners and skippers can learn to earn a living from eco-tourism. Park rangers are required, and those displaced from the area make good rangers due to their local knowledge. rights: over time, people have given themselves all kinds of rights. Their present predicament is seen as a right obtained through custom, and any change to it is seen as an infringement of such rights. tradition: people have been doing what they do for many generations, often passed down in families from father to son. Villages have a tradition, and so do areas. A conservation effort may upset such traditions. culture: every ethnic group has a different culture. Within a culture, specific rights and beliefs are held dearly. Conservation may infringe on such cultural values. spiritual: persons and groups may have spiritual values, arising from beliefs and superstitions. emotional value: people often value a place or a species emotionally. Such values cannot be measured but are real to the beholders. A large range of emotional values can be held. race: racial matters may dominate conservation efforts. Original People like the Maori in New Zealand, the Aborigines in Australia and the Indians in America and Canada, have lived in the area for a long time, and have cultural and spiritual ties with an area. However, often the race issue is used to gain power and income. Nevertheless, it seems that the three underlying causes, population growth, economic growth and material needs (‘standard of living’) are too holy to be stemmed, or even discussed. So it happens that all our conservation efforts are directed at fixing problems, rather than preventing them. Worse still, the concept of sustainable development requires us to increase economic activity while also conserving the environment, two opposing goals. Conservationists now try to improve our ‘quality of life’, the need for a clean environment, such as clean air and water, uncluttered living areas, and unspoiled scenic lands. Only very recently has the concept of biodiversity entered the conservationist’s vocabulary. It requires healthy ecosystems, not just for the benefit of people but also for those other millions of species. The ecological crisis, as an outcome of human impact on nature, has reached a point that could threaten the very survival of humanity. In keeping with the economic interests of a small minority, new production forms be implemented faster and faster, with no prior evaluation of their ecological consequences. These minority interests also require maintaining production techniques recognized as harmful. This is going on while technological progress is increasing the possibility of acting upon nature, and hence upsetting or destroying it. Industry, transports and the breakdown of more or less durable consumer goods release a great variety of toxic substances into the air. The unbridled and apparently uncontrollable growth of motor vehicle traffic makes this the primary source of sulfur dioxide and carbon monoxide, far ahead of household and industrial heating. Formic aldehyde, mercury and asbestos, for example, are industrial pollutants. These are also found to a very significant extent in everyday consumer products, such as building materials in the case of formaldehyde and asbestos, and mercury in batteries. Waste, of household, agricultural or industrial origin alike, is carried off in the world’s waters, turning them into gigantic sewers. Continental waters, rivers and lakes are the hardest-hit, but pollution is reaching the sea more and more, via rivers and coastal cities. The direct consequences are the accumulation of heavy metals; mercury, cadmium, etc, and highly toxic organic compounds, in sediment on the ocean floor, riverbeds and lakebeds. Above all, fertilizer build-up, involving nitrates and phosphates, has led to an unbridled proliferation of algae and water plants. Their breakdown then exhausts the oxygen dissolved in the water: resulting in a massive death of aquatic life. Among the most dramatic manifestations of the ecological crisis, the destruction of the world’s forests is among the most disturbing, because of the extent of its consequences. In 50 years, one third of the world’s woodlands has disappeared. This has hit tropical countries the hardest. In the industrialized countries, the wooded area has remained relatively stable, but forests are slowly dying from air, oil and soil pollution. However, in the â€Å"Third World†, deforestation is at the heart of the ecological crisis. Deforestation is the outcome of a vicious cycle of poverty and depletion of arable land. Another cause is the over-harvesting of tropical woods, with no concern for sustainable management. This destroys biodiversity – the tropical forests are home to over 50% of the plant and animal species of our planet – and the forest population’s resources, in order to provide a cheaper product for Western building and furniture markets. In future, we must see our neighbours as partners and friends rather than as poachers and foes. This partnership can also extend to adjoining industries, farming enterprises and business ventures. It does, of course, mean that human attitudes and behaviour will have to change. We should all see ourselves as custodians of the environment and learn to live in harmony with it. Only then will we see light at the end of a dark tunnel. Worked Cite: Daniel B. Botkin, Edward A. Keller Published by Wiley Text Books (June 2002) Environmental Science: Earth as a Living Planet

BUsiness ethics Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

BUsiness ethics - Essay Example The intended result may not justify the means, and the act remains immoral. In the article, Nagel seeks to make the distinction in an attempt to create a moral framework by which to view the Vietnam war and its atrocities, or war and massacre in general. His concern is to develop a consistent and cogent set of elements by which particular acts of war may be adjudged as to whether they are right or wrong. The chosen article was published in the December 2006 issue of the prestigious Fortune magazine, which is widely subscribed by managers and executives. It deals with the trade of ‘conflict diamonds’, or diamonds that were mined through the exploitation of the poor citizens of these African states. Ordinarily, the businessman has a right to make a profit and the customer a right to buy the product. However, where the product is but a luxury, it raises the question why the workers should be denied fair treatment and a decent standard of living. In this light, the businessman’s right to a profit and the customer’s right to acquire a product must be denied to protect the workers’ fundamental human rights. However, should the diamond trade be banned, there would be the corollary issue of whether it is right to deprive these workers of their only source of livelihood. The dilemma is that closure of the business puts a stop to one evil and spawns another. While legitimate diamond companies have taken steps to contain the illegal trade, its complete eradication is a near impossibility. Thus the workers can do little more than tolerate the present state of affairs, or face starvation. (Fortune Magazine) -- Sahr Amara is stooped low, knee-deep in a muddy river, in the fifth hour of his workday. As he has each day for the past week, the 18-year-old will earn a stipend of only 7 cents, enough to buy himself a bowl of porridge to see

Humanistic Psychology Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Humanistic Psychology - Essay Example She is profile who can be counted upon and can rise to the occasion to help the team in crisis. The humanistic approach with its spotlight on the human ability for integrity, resourcefulness and autonomy and its scrutiny of individuals as a sacred, cogent, decisive and sovereign beings did not come up within the sixties, there had been early on precursors of this discipline of thought. Alfred Adler (1870-1937) was one of the former psychologists to diverge with the Freudian analysis. With time, Maslow initiated to mull over citizens with high control to be most entirely human plus ensued to investigate the finest of human nature, the most intellectual, as well as the most realizing personalities (Monte, 1999, p. 737). Maslow initiated to associate the high control sentiment by way of a self actualizing propensity. The Maslow's Hierarchy of needs is how we a an individual can come to a decision on the motivational strategies that can be useful towards always Andrea in order to be able to make her more productive .Maslow also illustrated eight behaviors that can show the way to self actualization (Maslow in Frager & Fadiman, 1998, p. 450). 5. Verdict, if the above stages would be kept in mind, and then motivational theories be designed they will for sure give in the ability of life alternatives; she will also build up a more precise perception. 7. 6. Self improvement in the sagacity of learning to utilize our aptitudes to the fullest. This is a continuing procedure. 7. Crest understanding are split seconds of self actualization also could be depicted as the moments of ecstasy, dread, conjecture or else delight. Doing what guides the way to these understandings that can help individuals self actualize. 8. The need of Ego ramparts, otherwise being attentive of the mode in which the individuals disfigure their imagery of authenticity whenever we strive to secure our self-image moreover being able to plummet that behavior when apposite. An investigation tool described individual Orientation account has been industrialized (Shostrom 1963) as a consistent determine of self actualization that has show the way to additional experimental investigation into the region. Conclusion: As it prevails the more humanistic psychology has provided us individuals with a more fresh and innovative technique to a new way to look at human nature that is positive and holistic and has impacted on the fields Applying a more humanistic approach to wards Andrea would definitely motivate her in the long run. She is somebody, who is successful in her career and a hard worker too. She believes in maintaining a certain level of lifestyle and status in society. But along with all of this. Because she has kept herself so busy in attaining and hence forth maintaining it

Japanese-American Internment Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Japanese-American Internment - Essay Example The Hawaiian sugar industry attracted many Japanese immigrants in the area in the 1870s and 1880s. By 1900, majority of the Japanese immigrants living in US were concentrated in Hawaii where their work force was much sought by both the farm owners and industries owners. Japanese were primarily hard working than whites, and since the payments depended on the amount of work done, they were better placed than the whites. Their outstanding reputation spread and overtook the whites substantially. The whites saw the Japanese as formidable competitors, and their presence was a threat to them. The Japanese grew more powerful, and in 1941, they attacked the Pearl Harbor; an act that marked a significant traumatic landmark in Japanese-American history (Niiya 11). This attack brought about relocation and internment of the Japanese by the angry anti Japanese community. Japanese-American immigration Japanese migration is significantly attributed to the establishment of sugar plantations in Hawaii . These sugar plantations required massive number of workers throughout the entire process of cultivation, harvesting and processing in the industries. This establishment called for many laborers and importing them was the most convenient way of getting cheap labor. In 1850s, plantation owners imported many Chinese to work in their farms and offered them meager salaries. By 1865, the Chinese immigrants started to drift away from these jobs slowly until there were no more enough laborers in the farms. With the shifting of Chinese to other better jobs, the Hawaiians foreign minister decided to seek laborers elsewhere. This decision compelled the migration of Japanese to Hawaii to replace the Chinese who had quit working in the farms. In 1868, the first ship carrying Japanese immigrants arrived with 148 people in whom 141 were men, 6 were women, and two were children (Hanel 7). The working conditions were harsh and upon the termination of the contract; thus, some went back claiming tha t they were treated with so much cruelty. However, the remaining Japanese were the beginning of Japanese-American citizens at the time. The Chinese exclusion act, which was passed in 1882, prohibited further migration of Chinese and paved way for further Japanese immigration. In the preceding years, Japan and Hawaii signed a contract that allowed whites to import Japanese laborers. More and more Japanese immigrants occupied Hawaii and a group of Japanese ancestry arose. The native born Japanese by 1910 had grown up to one third of the total Hawaii’s population. By 1930, the native born Japanese in Hawaii was numerous and exceeded those born in Japan by a great percentage. They continued to work hard in the farms, and their skills consequently outweighed that of Native Americans bringing a stiff competition. Through their efforts, they were finally able to purchase their own lands, and this challenged the Native Americans who perceived them as a threat. Factors that contribute d to Japanese-Americans internment The internment of Japanese was marked by the attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941. The attack sprouted a historical landmark amongst American Japanese (Chin 5). Retaliation by the anti Japanese ran high and brought their internment. This was a painful moment for the Japanese and thousands of them died in the process. Shortly after the attack, President Franklin D. Roosevelt authorized an order, to designate military boundaries within the US. Although the order was not targeted at anybody, it became the basis for

Guillermo Furniture Store Concepts Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Guillermo Furniture Store Concepts - Essay Example Among the financial concepts appreciable within the context of the set-up include financial markets, financial principles as well as business ethics that form the basis from which financial decisions are made. Guillermo’s Furniture Store case study divulges how the entry of a new competitor from abroad has triggered unexpected challenges to the financial situation of the business. Previously, Guillermo furniture store seem to benefitted from a form of monopoly advantage, resulting from its seemingly popular brand name, non-competitive market conditions and cheap labor in Sonora. This was until the entrance of the new entrants into the local market. Competitors use technology to boost their competitive advantage, in which case they add value to their services to attract customers as well as retain them (Emery, Finnerty & Stowe, 2007a). In view of the fact that financial self-interest is aimed at guiding businesses towards balanced supervisory decisions, it appears the furniture store is compelled to reassert its position if they have to counter competition from the new entrants in Sonora. In this case, the principles of finance demonstrate archetypal behavior in financial transactions. In addition, it offers a model for decision-making with regard to the Guillermo’s Furniture Store scenario. Based on the principles of financial management, Guillermo has a number of sensible options worth applying. Among them includes the principle of two-sided transactions, which is effective in instances where bsuinesses are faced with no less than two sides and where each part considers its own self-interest. In addition, the principle of two-sided transactions is seen to occur each side is seen to be acting on behalf of its financial self-interest (Emery, Finnerty & Stowe, 2007a). For example, when two forces occurred in the Guillermo scenario to damage his

Marketing Process Model by Robert J Dolan Dissertation

Marketing Process Model by Robert J Dolan - Dissertation Example Customer Acquisition 10 2.10. Customer Relation 10 2.11. Profits 11 3. Conclusion 11 References 13 Appendix 14 1. Introduction 1.1 Objective Current paper focuses on the examination of the various aspects of the Marketing Process Model, as developed by Robert Dolan in 1997. The effectiveness and the practical implications of the particular model are analyzed by referring to the literature that has been published in regard to the specific subject. 1.2 Methodology The literature related to the Marketing Process Model has been reviewed for identifying the elements and the role of the particular model. Effort has been made so that only academic journals are used, so that the credibility of findings is secured. 1.3 Limitations The value of marketing in enhancing business performance cannot be doubted. However, the choice of appropriate marketing strategy can be a challenging task for most marketers worldwide. Two are the key reasons for the above phenomenon: the continuous alteration of t he modern market and the lack of skills of individuals involved in the particular activities. The use of marketing models that have been widely used in the international market can help a firm to avoid failures, at least major ones, in regard to its marketing plans. From this point of view, the use of the Marketing Process Model could secure the growth of organizations operating in different sectors. However, not all aspects of the particular model have been carefully reviewed in the literature. Due to this fact, not all implications of the above model are known. This study could help to understand clearer the value of Marketing Process Model and to identify the model’s aspects that should be further studied. 2. Literature Review 2.1. Marketing Process: Initial Considerations Marketing process is a quite complex one. According to the literature published in this field, there are different approaches for promoting a product/ service in a particular market (Jaakkola et al. 2010 ). The Marketing Process Model, as suggested by Robert Dolan, can offer a series of advantages: a) it can employ a high range of methods/ approaches, increasing the chances for success, b) it is flexible and can be appropriately alternated for meeting the needs of the target market, c) it has been widely used in practice, a fact that increases its credibility (Jaakkola et al. 2010). The particular Model, also known as B2B model, can be effectively used in different sectors and under different market conditions (Jaakkola et al. 2010). 2.2. Strategic Marketing Strategic marketing is a term used in order to describe a series of activities that need to be developed in order for a particular product/ service to reach the target market successfully without failures, either in terms of cost or in terms of time (Kotler et al. 2009). The difference of strategic marketing, compared to the traditional marketing, is that the former is highly based on various theoretical models and different app roaches for achieving the target described above (Kotler et al. 2009). These approaches and theories are analyzed in the sections that follow. 2.3. Customers analysis 2.3.1. Needs In marketing, efforts have been made so that the Maslow Hierarchy of Needs theory is used. The particular model can ensure that consumer will be keep motivated in using a particular prod

The structure of a typical plant cell Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

The structure of a typical plant cell - Essay Example Point to note is that, plant cells has numerous organelles, and each section of an organelle is separated by a cell membrane and epithelium layer of fiber. This enables the substances to pass through. This has been found to be totally different from the cell wall, which is very thick and stronger thus gives the plant support. Besides, cell wall also sums up most parts of the parts structure (Dashek and Harrison 2006). Structural composition A simple plan cell constitutes of very many invisible but, the most common structure includes; Cell wall A plant cell wall constitutes the thick outer most part of the cell. A cell wall, which is made up of cellulose fiber, interlinks the rest of the other parts of the cells enabling the plant have to the shape. Besides, cell walls are considered essential to the formation of tissues and organelles of the plants. Because it is founded on the outer most section of the cell, they act as interactive centers facilitating intercellular communication wh ile at the same it protects the plants from imminent threats of microbes thus offering enough room for biosynthesis (Dashek and Harrison 2006). ... The protein components are considered very vital in supporting the shape of the cell while, some are attached to the membrane to assist in the transportation of substances (Gunning and Steer1996). Cytoplasm This is composed of oily or liquid like substance where active substances of the cell are located. A bigger section of the cytoplasm is made up of colourles water leaving the remaining part for the rest of the other substances. Most of the active activities within the cell are carried out in the cytoplasm. Clear visibility from an electron microscope indicates cytoplasm as a 3dimesional substance whose main function is to act as mars suspending all the active substances of the cells. Due to its molecular nature, to some extent it helps in restoring the cells’ shape. Ultimately, cytoplasm actively suspends the nuclear to any location within the cell, and it contains some salt substances giving it the potentials to conduct electricity (Gunning and Steer1996). Vacuole This is large membrane bound component of active plant cell. Vacuole contains some special liquid substances, which also helps in sustaining the shape of the cell. Vacuole is bigger in size taking almost ? (quarters) of the cells’ volume. It is entitled to the abortion of excess water and discharge to the cell whenever a need arises. Besides, one of its sections is known to contain some of the most precious and scars enzymes, which are otherwise unavailable in any other section of the cell. As a responsibility of eliminating toxic substances from the cell, vacuoles have been known to contain the acidity of pressure to enable it maintain the potential quotient of the cell. During germination,

Corporate Culture and Performance Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Corporate Culture and Performance - Essay Example While organizational values relate to employees, profit, customers, stakeholders, community, and the like, individual goals will relate to fairness, honesty, trust, respect, quality, and cooperation. These are precisely the values that are inherent in the organizational values statement. Alone, these organizational values are far too general and open to interpretation. It is easy to forget the particular and complicated nature of human moral experience (Kotter, 2003). Thinking about and discussing the ethical implications of a goal is more practical and valuable than using a list of values or ethical models. Acting on the ethical implications is even more valuable. Ethical action in modern organizations is the relentless effort to make values a part of the goal-setting equation. Where the managers go wrong, however, is in expecting more from these values than they can deliver. it s organizational culture reflects unique industry requirements and customers' expectations. Each application deals with the realities of a particular goal and how to accomplish it. It is possible to say that new changes will be influenced by old principles of work and will need a new set of principles for further change. In this case, corporate culture is the real foundation on which organizational ethics is built.

Cultural Tourism Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3250 words

Cultural Tourism - Essay Example A thriving cultural economy can often improve the socio-economic status of a city and contribute positively to local community life. An improved packaging and marketing of The Thames Gap which consists of the Hampton Court Palace, the Richmond Park, the Kew Gardens and the view from Richmond Hill will result in higher revenues in the form of higher visitor arrivals for this cultural venue. Hence, the management of The Thames Gap must derive useful inputs from the SWOT Analysis which is tackled in this paper. A better and improved marketing strategy will redound to higher revenues and ultimately, the greater well-being of the residents of the City of London. Various tourism studies have highlighted the importance of cultural tourism and its contribution to the socio-economic development of the City of London. Von Eckardt (1980:140) has emphasised that culture is something that rises up from below. This development is a result of the new cultural planning which leads to community development. Fox-Przeworski et al. (1991:250) suggest that there is no single set of measures that can bring about successful urban economic regeneration for all cities. Hence, a cultural planning approach aims to combine cultural planning with other urban policies covering the. economic, environmental, social, political, educational, symbolic parts to ensure a more integrated development (Bianchini, 1993). Evans (2001) provides a complete analysis of the development of arts and cultural planning within the context of urban renaissance. Von Eckhardt (1980:142) again emphasised the integral nature of cultural planning by emphasizing that the art of architecture, the art of urban design, the art of winning community support, the art of transportation planning, and the art of mastering the dynamics of economic development.In addition, Harvey (1989) argued that cultural tourism is inextricably linked in the context of urban development. planning has a significant economic dimension, as stated by Von Eckhardt (1980): Good cultural planning is quite similar to good economic planning. Smith (1996:57) suggests that 'the so-called "urban renaissance" has been stimulated more by economic than cultural forces'.In the past, heavy focus been placed on the economic imperative in regeneration strategies. Fox-Przeworski et al. (1991:237) claim that the basic basis for successful local economic regeneration is an honest evaluation of the challenges and opportunities facing the local economy. Social, cultural and welfare issues whic h are crucial to the welfare of local communities has not been neglected by key officials.Cultural tourism requires global competitiveness. For instance, specific measures to enhance the competitiveness of the local economy should consider the entire economic, social and environmental structure. The local population is the priority where jobs are to be created or housing improved. Bianchini (1993:212) also stressed the importance of local community interests in urban regeneration initiatives in Western Europe as a clear goal to revitalise the cultural, social and political life of local residents which should always precede and sustain the formulation of physical and economic

OCR Psychology Assignment Essay Example for Free

OCR Psychology Assignment Essay The article Fashion companys shock tactics in the fight against size zero appeared on the Daily Mails Website on Tuesday, September 25th 2007.  1. Assumptions  The first psychological assumption is that the use of shock tactics by way of an image portraying a naked anorexic woman will jolt the fashion industry into action over the problem of anorexia. The article suggests that the use of strong fear appeal will be enough to provoke behavioural change and an awareness of the illness. A fear appeal is a technique used to persuade an audience into behaving in a particular way by arousing a fear of the consequences of not following the message given. The effect of fear appeals was studied by Janis and Feshback (1953). The second psychological assumption is that the fashion industry and the obsession with stick-thin size zero models is to blame for the increase in cases of anorexia. The article therefore suggests that people outside of the fashion industry perhaps idolise models who appear to be rewarded with fame and fortune for being stick-thin. It assumes people imitate these models behaviour in the hope of being like them. Research into vicarious learning was conducted by Bandura (1965) who consequently formed the social learning theory.  The third psychological assumption relates to the billboard designers decision to use a picture of a female anorexic and presumes that the majority, if not all, of anorexic sufferers are female. A study that explored the prevalence of anorexia among males and females was performed by Kjels et al (2003). 2. Evidence  Evidence opposing the first assumption was conducted by Janis and Feshback (1953), who studied the motivational effect of fear arousal in health promotion communication. The entire freshman class of a Connecticut high school was divided into 4 groups, 3 of which were given 15-minute lectures on tooth decay and oral hygiene, while the fourth acted as the control group. Each lecture had a different strength of fear appeal, and results showed that although strong fear resulted in greater immediate anxiety, the minimal fear group showed the largest changes in behaviour. The minimal fear group showed 36% behaviour change, whereas strong fear only showed 8%. This therefore opposes the view of the article that the image of the naked anorexic woman will cause the fashion industry to take action against the illness and, although it will have some effect, a minimal fear approach would be most successful. Evidence that supports the second assumption was provided by Albert Bandura (1965). Bandura showed three groups of children tapes of a man being aggressive towards a doll. The first group saw the man being rewarded for his actions, the second saw him being punished and the third were not shown any consequences. The children were then placed in a room with a similar doll and observed. Results of the study showed that children were significantly more likely to imitate aggressive behaviour when they had observed the model being rewarded. Bandura labelled this imitation vicarious leaning. This forms part of the social learning theory suggesting that behaviour is learnt through observation and imitation. This supports the second assumption as people observing models within the fashion industry witness them being rewarded for being thin with fame and fortune, and subsequently imitate their behaviour in order to gain the same rewards. They try to be as thin as the models by starving themselves and consequently become anorexic, as the article would suggest. The evidence that challenges the third assumption is given by Kjelsà ¯Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½s et al. They studied 1026 female and 934 male adolescents using DSM-IV and DSM-III-R criteria to establish the prevalence of eating disorders in both genders. Each participant was asked to complete a questionnaire, and results showed that while 17.9% of female participants had suffered anorexia at some point in their lifetime, 6.5% of males had also. The study concludes that although prevalence of anorexia nervosa is higher in females, males are also susceptible to the illness. The image of the female anorexic on the billboard therefore does little to raise awareness of the illness among men and perpetuates the stereotype that eating disorders are a female disease. 3. Applications  In relation to the first assumption, Janis and Feshback would argue that instead of using shock tactics a more effective way of bringing about a change within the industry would be to provide people with information on the disease, and preventative measures. Leaflets and posters containing this information could be distributed to people within the industry itself, and perhaps to the public in order to provide awareness to the majority. This may however have little effect, as there is no guarantee that the information would be listened to by an industry out to gain profit. Banduras theory and study suggests that people learn anorexic behaviour from seeing underweight models in the media. Therefore, in relation to the second assumption, the number of anorexic cases could be decreased by ensuring that no model within the fashion industry is below certain measurements; for example, by preventing the use of size zero models. If people are exposed to healthier-looking models, people may develop healthier eating habits. This however assumes that size 0 models are ill, and could be perceived as discrimination against healthy individuals. There may be resistance against this motion from the fashion industry and models themselves. In relation to the third assumption, Kjelsà ¯Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½s et als study suggests that males are also susceptible to anorexia. Therefore people need to be made aware of this to increase the perceived susceptibility, especially in males. Health promotion could include information on male anorexia, and contain pictures of male sufferers who are willing to share their stories. If awareness of anorexia in males is raised and the stereotype of it being a typically female disease scrapped, then the number of males who seek help will increase. However if males do not perceive themselves susceptible they are unlikely to choose to read the health promotion in the first place as they believe it to be a female disease.