Weeks 6 to 10 journal Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Weeks 6 to 10 journal - Essay Example From the appraisals, I learnt that, I was amongst the most efficient members of the organization. I managed to acquire a high percentage of scores. The management was confident of my skills and abilities, while the customers that we serve were impressed by my courtesy and zeal to serve their interests. I managed to learn that I am an efficient communicator, with the ability to solve problems in the most efficient manner. This was a boost to my morale, and the managers of the organization encouraged me to work hard, and improve further on my capabilities and skills. It is during this week that the management offered to train me on technological aspects of managing a court house, and the importance of innovation in the work place. This was an opportunity to advance my skills, and could earn me a promotion at the court house, despite being an intern. During this week, the lesson learnt is that working hard in our duties, would result to better performance. This in turn earns the respect of the management to an employee. During the seventh week of my internship, I was amongst the employees selected for training on information technology, and the importance of innovation in an organization. This selection was on merit, and it is because of the better results concerning my work during the appraisals. The trainings gave me an opportunity to learn new aspects of information technology and their importance in the administration of justice. For instance, I managed to learn that power point presentations in a court room help in explaining a point to the jury and the trial judge in a more effective way, than the use of oral presentation. Legal battles are always won on the manner in which an attorney presents the fact of the case in question. I also leant on the negative impacts of information technology in the administration of justice, and key amongst the impacts is the

A Study On Mass Media Social Norms Media Essay

A Study On Mass Media Social Norms Media Essay Chauhan (2001) in his book television and social transformation has empirically studied the impact of television on college students with regard to their social life, political attitudes, educational performance and their reactions to the advertisement and entertainment programmes. The study suggested that the majority of the respondents admitted that changes have come in their sleeping timings, study timings and also the visiting and the entertaining the guests. Some political serials and programmes have promoted the feelings of patriotism, the political talk-shows was able to establish rapport with the masses as it was admitted by the respondents. Majority of the respondents liked viewing advertisements. Regarding the projection of women on television screen the students did not like the way in which the women are shown on the screen. Moreover, they had no objection regarding the projection of children on T.V. screen. Most of the students admitted improvement in their examination r esults. Finally the respondents suggested allotting more time to entertainment programme as compared to other programmes.39 Shanahan and Morgan (1992) conducted a comparative case study of how adolescents use T.V. and how this relates to interactions with their families in five countries, namely Argentina, Taiwan, Korea, China and USA. In the following study the issues addressed including television exposure, family conflict over television and the relationship of T.V. viewing to family communication. The study indicates a strong positive association between the parents in Argentina, Taiwan and USA. Most of the adolescents watch television with their parents and feel closer and more satisfied the amount of time spends together. 40 Kuo-Yi Wu (1990) studies the role and contribution of television in shaping of social perception such as sex roles, crime and violence, inter-personal relationships and ageing in Taiwan. In terms of perception of sex roles, contribution of television viewing is distinctly contingent upon the background and other social conditions. A more liberal stance is related to heavy viewers both Chinese or American programmes among females and those with high parental education. They generally prefer the foreign programme to the indigenous programmes. A consistent and significant relationship is found between weekday viewing and a more mistrustful world view. 41 Kang (1989) studies the measures of the pervasiveness of the cultural outlook in Korean T.V. programming. The study focused on Korean students perception about traditional and western values in terms of sex roles, the family system, violence and social deviance. He conducted his study on 1169 Junior High School students in Seoul, Korea. Although the finding are not statistically enormous, they seem to indicate that heavy Korean T.V. viewing is weakly related to traditional sex roles, the liberal attitudes towards dating and marriage and to a distorted social reality on violence and social dominance.42 Kang (1989) in his study indicate that Korean students who watch more AFKN (American Forces Korean Network) are more likely to take more liberal position on the sex role attitudes. He apprehended that compared to male, females are predisposed to think and behave in certain non-traditional ways such as wearing jeans and willingness to discount Confucianism. The females also felt that they would share dating expanses. 43 Ware and Michael (1994) analysed 17 quantitative studies from 16 publications using the Meta analysis approach. A significant positive association between exposure to entertainment programmes and the dependent variables suggest that programmes imported from U.S have a small but statistically significant impact on the foreign audience. The study revealed that exposure to U.S. entertainment programmes is more likely to increase preference for American products and influence attitudes toward America. The study also says that exposure to U.S. Television programming alone will not automatically generate an adoption of U.S. values. This impact is influenced by both study characteristics and types of dependent measure.44 Sharriffadin (1995) in his study looks at some of the major economic, cultural and social issues faced by the developing countries arising from the new technology. Author concludes in his study that the new communication era should not be perceived on purely technological phenomenon. It ultimate impact on social and cultural, although technological advancement is the key factor. This new era invites a change in social and cultural patterns.45 Goonasekera (1995) conducted a study on 263 viewers of two metropolitan cities revealed that most popular channels were DD, Star Plus, BBC, Zee and sun TV. Overall opinion towards foreign programme was positive. The elements not liked in foreign programmes are sex, vulgarity, violence and crime. But the overall opinion of the viewers was firmly against foreign television programmes. 46 Kya Bobo and Husten (2000) reveals key finding from the large body of literature on socio-cultural mechanisms that encourage tobacco and alcohol use among adolescents and adults. Authors state that these mechanisms exert similar effects on both alcohol and tobacco use behaviours. Socio-cultural factors that encourage smokers to drink and drinkers to smoke have not received extensive study, but they may account for some of the substantial variations in adult tobacco use rates seen among different levels of alcohol consumption. The authors explains the recent wreaking of association between drinking and smoking that is consistent with changes in societal attitudes toward tobacco and standards of care in alcoholism treatment facilities, the connection may continue to be quite strange among some population.47 Menon and Vohra (2001) conducted a study on the sample consisted of 70 urban middle class (annual income between 4-10 lakh rupees) students in the age range of 18-23 years from colleges in New Delhi affiliated to Delhi University. The upper middle class sample was chosen for their access to television and satellite channels. University students were selected as it was felt that this segment had the independence to watch what they want, and when they want as unlike school children, their free time is not rigidly regulated by the school curricula or parental rules regarding what to watch. Finding indicates the significant gender difference was noticed in the viewership of the sports channel, music channels, English serials, Hindi serials and the family portrayal in the serial they would create (i.e. portraying new trends, nuclear family or a joint family). Further, educational differences between the postgraduate and undergraduate sample were evident in the statistically significant di fferences in the viewership of Hindi serials and family portrayal in the self-creation section. These results indicate that the hypothesis suggesting that females would favour soap operas while the male sample would favour sports and information programmes.48 Verma and Larson (2002) conducted a study to understand the effects of T.V. on youth. A sample of 100 urban middle class Indian families selected for research. The author found in his study on an average adolescents viewing T.V. about 12 hours per week, 90% of this viewing occurred at home, 73% done with other family members, including 7% with grandparents, uncle or aunts. The study indicates that T.V. viewing for these youth is typically a family activity. The finding indicates that the T.V. viewing is typically a relaxed antidote to the stresses of the day that they share with their families.49 Zia Anjum (2004) conducted a study on Cable Television Watching Habits of the Youth in Pakistan. This study was aimed at to collect precise data to analyze the opinion preferences and requirements of the youth in Lahore regarding their cable T.V. watching habits. For this purpose, students of both genders of different colleges and Universities have been contacted so that people belongs to all section of the society can be reached. A sample of 300 respondents in totality selected the result show that young people only acquire entertainment from the cable T.V. They wish to have access to only those selected channels that do not promote immorality and untraditional indecency.50 further, indicates in her study that a large majority (85%) of the college and university students have their own access to cable T.V. A vast majority of the youngsters (62%) spend 3-4 hours daily to watch cable television programmes. The largest portion of the sample under study (39%) only watches cable T.V. for the sake of entertainment, second major reason for which youngster prefer to watch cable T.V. is for Leisure (18%). Majority of youngsters are interested in watching foreign channels instead of Pakistani channels on the cable T.V. 51 ibid Hemamalini et.al (2010) states that though violent images are portrayal in chutti T.V is no relationship between these images and children violent behaviour. Comparing to the television news channels and other adult focussed other channels mostly in native channels the T.V. so not have any moorings towards Indian culture since they are foreign productions. It is stated by authors that it is very difficult to dissociate violent images from the surroundings violence in which the children are captive. Authors state that the programmes that adults watch from in which the children are not spared are more violent images that Chutti T.V. For some children aggression is an expression that gives vent to their emotions. Authors state that children could be aggressive if he or she is hyperactive. This requires a need to channelize the aggression depicted in T.V. images so that it is expressed in a society acceptable manner. Authors explain that children should be discouraged to watch T.V. one h our before they go to bed. 52 Daud et. al (2011) in his study state that television advertisements in general and those involving some celebrities have immense and long lasting impact on youths lifestyle, religious values, family bonding and their decision making for buying various items. Authors state that some of the effects are really damaging for our society which are generally based on combined family system, established religions and cultural value and where majority of people cannot afford to purchase the products, which have severe temptation for youth in the race of show power. 53 Ahluwalia and Singh (2011) revealed in his study that T.V. competes with family, school, society and religious institutions to provide role models and information that affect childrens beliefs, values, behaviour, attitude and lifestyle. This study was conducted to make note of T.V. viewing patterns amongst children from middle and upper middle socio-economic strata of the urban society. A sample of 400 children of 8 to 16 years of age, across the region of Punjab was selected. Both the authors found in his study that on an average children watch 2 hours or less T.V. daily and most of them indulge in bedtime T.V. viewing. They watched T.V. primarily for entertainment and for learning. Childrens most preferred programme was childrens show/serials followed by cartoon/animated programmes. 54 THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK This study has analysed Socio-cultural Impact of Television on Youth. The main purpose of this study was to find out the impact/influence of television programmes/channels on the life patterns of youth. As a communication technology, television has a great acceptance and is being used extensively in India. Television viewership is no more restricted to the upper and upper-middle class of India as it used to be a few years back. Being inexpensive and easy to access, television spread rapidly in India. It has become one of the common household commodities. Therefore, this study attempted to understand whether demography influenced the viewership patterns of respondents or not. Television provides a variety of local and foreign channels and helps people in selecting programmes according to their taste and choice. Therefore, the first part of this study explored respondents preferred channels and kinds of programmes, reasons for watching television, preferred time of watching and control over the remote. It justified the application of Uses and Gratification Theory. This theory identifies television consumption patterns according to needs and satisfaction of targeted class. The gratification factor leads to the exposure of channels/programmes which in turn can generate impact/effects. Main part of the present research comes under the impact tradition. It demands discussion on theories based on observational learning and information processing emphasize lasting impact/effects of exposure to media contents. Thus, the study also applies Cultivation Theory in terms of impact through exposure (depending upon heavy and light viewership of television) and Social learning Theory which says that viewers attend and learn from models which are attractive, powerful, rewarding and similar to themselves. They do not act immediately on what they learn from television. Instead, they store such knowledge to be used when their own circumstances elicit it. Hence, the framework of this research is based on the set of three theories i.e. Uses and Gratification Theory, Cultivation Theory and Social Learning Theory. These theories are discussed below in relation with the present study in brief. 2.1Uses and Gratification Utility Theory, often known as the Uses and Gratification Approach offers another way of explaining why people expose themselves to some communications and not others (the preferred channels/programmes); why they perceive a fraction of these to which they are exposed and why they remember- correctly or incorrectly. Blumler and Katzs Uses and Gratification Theory suggest that media users play an active role in choosing and using media. Users take an active part in the communication process and are goal oriented in their media usage. Theorists say that media users seek out source that best fulfils their needs. Uses and Gratification Theory assumes that users have alternate choices to satisfy their needs (Griffin. 2000).55 Focus of this theory is that viewers attend perceive and remember information that is pleasurable or that will in some way help satisfy their needs. Therefore, this research probed into which television channels/programmes are preferred by the targeted audience and which of their needs are satisfied by viewing them. Uses and Gratification Theory takes a more humanistic approach to looking at the media usage. Blumler and Katz believe that there is not merely one way that the populace uses media. Instead, they believe there are as many reasons for using media as there are media users. According to the theory, media consumers have a free will to decide how they will use the media and how it will affect them. Blumler and Katz believe that media consumers can choose the influence media has on them as well as the idea that users choose media alternatives merely as a mean. Uses and Gratification Theory is the optimists view of media. The theory takes out the possibility that media can have an unconscious influence on our lives and how we view the world. The idea that we simply use media to satisfy a given need does not seem to fully recognize the power of media in todays society. (West, R. and Turner, I..H. 2000: 332).56 2.2 Cultivation Theory (Cultivation theory-sometimes referred to as the cultivation hypothesis or cultivation analysis-was an approach developed by Professor George Grebner, dean of the Annenberg School of Communication at the University of Pennysylvania. He began the Cultural Indicators research project in the mid-1960s, to study whether and how watching television may influence viewers ideas of what the everyday world is like.) 57 Cultivation Theory in its most basic form, suggests that television is responsible for shaping or cultivating viewers conceptions of social reality. The combined effect of massive television exposure by viewers over time subtly shapes the perception of social reality for individuals and, ultimately for our culture as a whole. Thus, cultivation research is in the effects traditions. Cultivation research looks at the mass media as a socialising agent and investigates whether television viewers come to believe the television version of reality the more they watch it. Gerbner and his colleagues argue that television drama has a small but significant influence on the attitudes, beliefs and judgement of viewers concerning the social world. The focus is on heavy viewers. People who watch a lot of television are likely to be more influenced by the ways in which the world is framed by television programmes than are individuals who watch less, especially regarding topics of which the viewer has little first-hand experience. Light viewers may have more sources of information than heavy viewers. 58 This study has used Cultivation Theory by George Gerbner as a guide in exploring the consequences/effects. Under guidance of this theory, this study may be able to emerge as a new theory. Essentially, the theory states that heavy exposure to mass media namely television creates and cultivates attitudes more consistent with a media conjured version of reality than with what actual reality is. The cultivation theory asserts that heavy viewers attitudes are cultivated primarily by what they watch on television. Gerbner views this television world as not a window on or reflection of the world, but a world in itself (Mc Quail. 1993: 100).59 Cultivation theorists argue that television has long term effects which are small, gradual, indirect but cumulative and significant. They emphasize the effects of television viewing on attitude rather than the behaviour of viewers. Heavy viewing of television is seen as cultivating attitudes which are more consistent with the world of television programmes than with the everyday world. Cultivation theorists are best known for their study of television and viewers and in particular, for a focus on the topic of violence. However, some studies have also considered other mass media from this perspective and have dealt with topics such as gender roles, age groups, ethnic groups and political attitudes. Cultivation theorists argue that heavy viewing leads viewers (even among high educational/high income groups) to have more homogeneous or convergent opinions then light viewers (who tend to have more heterogeneous or divergent opinion). The cultivation effect of television viewing is one of the levelling or homogenizing opinion. Gross considered that television is a cultural arm of the established industrial order and as such serves primarily to maintain, stabilize and reinforce rather than to alter, threaten or weaken conventional beliefs and behaviours (Boyd. Barrett. Braham. And Peter, B. 1987: 100).60 Cultivation theorists are well known for their study of television and viewers and in particular for a focus on the topic of violence. However, some studies have also considered other mass media from this perspective and have dealt with topics such as gender roles, age groups, ethnic groups and political attitudes. A study of American college students found that heavy soap opera viewers were more likely than light viewers to overestimate the number of real life married people who had affairs or who had been divorced and the number of women who had abortions (Wimmer and Dominick. 1993: 512).61 Gerbner reported evidence for resonance a double dose effect which may boost cultivation. This is held to occur when viewers everyday life experiences are congruent with those depicted in the television world. For instance, since on television women are most likely to be victims of crime, women heavy viewers are influenced by the usual heavy viewer mainstreaming effect but are also led to feel especially fearful for themselves as women. The cultivation effect is also argued to be strongest when viewers neighbourhood is similar to that shown on television. Crime on television is largely urban. So urban heavy viewers are subject to a double dose and cultivation theorists argue that violent content resonates more for them. The strongest effects of heavy viewing on attitudes to violence are likely to be amongst those in the high crime areas of cities (Gerbner. 1993).62 2.3 Social Learning Theory The principle understanding of social learning theory is tied the social context of learning. Bandura has emphasized the fact that people who observe responses of individuals tend to exhibit the same when placed in similar settings. According to Bandura, behaviours and responses that are repeated, perceived as real, distinct, functional and salient are more likely to be attended to, thus more likely to be learned. When observing an event, which receives some kind of reward like social approval, pleasant experience and when the observer feels confident to perform, its symbolic imitation is facilitated. The social cognitive principle has been widely employed to explain in television effects on a variety of social issues such as aggression, ethnic stereotypes, alcohol, attitudes and behaviour. It also stresses the importance of viewers cognitive activities when consuming television messages (Bandura. 1977). 63 Any person socialization process is influenced by innumerable factors such as family, school, environment factors etc. Direct experience and participation are important parameters which shape the youths impressions of the perceived structure of their environment. Mass media, particularly television plays a crucial role in bringing the outside world into homes. As an important institution, mass media enters the socialization process of an individual. The Social Learning Theory explains how environment influences the behaviour of an individual. DeFleur and Sandra (1989) stated despite general in nature, social learning theory is particularly relevant to study the impact of mass communication because the description and portrayal of social life is a frequent subject in media contents. The most common (and pervasive) examples of social learning situations are television commercials. Commercials suggest that drinking a certain beverage or using a particular shampoo will make us popular and win the admiration of attractive people. Depending upon the component processes involved (such as attention or motivation), users may model the behaviour shown in the commercial and buy the product being advertised. Actions of characters in the audio-visual media can serve as a model for others to imitate. Modelling Theory is also useful for describing the application of general Social Learning Theory which explain how new behaviours are acquired b y people from media portrayals. An individual observes a character, identifies him/her as a model and remembers actions of model and performs them when confronted with similar circumstances (DeFleur and Sandra. 1989).64 In light of all these theories stated above, it is important to mention that the researcher has formulated a combination of the three theories in order to assess what is the main reason of their watching, their preferred channels and programmes (Uses and Gratification Theory). While on the other hand, it has also measured what kind of effects are taking place in the lives of the sample under study? If there are some affects that are changing attitudes of youth under the study. Are these effects long-lasting or short term (Cultivation Analysis and Social Learning Theory). Hence, the researcher intended to explore all this for which the base of above mentioned theories was most suitable and required. Based on the Social Learning, Cultivation and Uses and Gratification theories, the present study hypothesized that characters and their behaviour in programmes of television channels serve as a model for heavy viewers. They may acquire certain characteristics which in turn influence their attitudes. It was also assumed that the youth (aged18-25 years) are vulnerable to influences and tend to be inclined towards change. Youth would serve as a barometer to assess the influence of television. Hence, youth of age 18-25 were selected for the study to determine the degree to which their attitudes were influenced by television. Now, with the availability of the foreign channels, an important question arises: does a youths behaviour reflect what his/her has watched on the television screen? The impact of foreign television programmes on youth involves a number of indispensible factors such as interest in the programmes, viewing pattern, reasons for watching, attitude towards programmes and models of social reality that these programmes promote. The study aimed at finding out whether and to what extent television affect youth in Rohtak and Jhajjar districts. The researcher aimed at finding answers to questions such as what youth think about these programmes in terms of their preferences and relevance. Is there any restriction on youth for watching television channels? Whether they experience an impact of these programmes on their attitudes or not? End Notes Kennedy Shannon. 1997. Television and Society, Journal of Asia Pacific Communications, Vol. 8, No. 1, pp. 199-204. Gary A. Steiner, The People Look at Television: A Study of Audience Attitudes. New York Alfred. A Knopf 1963. pp. 4-5. George Cromstock, The Impact of Television on American Institutions, Journal of communication, vol. 55, Oct. (1978), pp. 18-28. Robert Hargreaves, Television and current affairs: In politics and the media, (ed) M.J. Clark Oxford: Pergamon Press Ltd. (1979), pp. 9-10. Gilbert A. Churchill, T.V. and Interpersonal Influences on Adolescents Consumer Learning, Journal of Consumer Research Vol. 6, No. 1, June (1979), pp. 23-35. Jha R.C. and B.P.Sinha, Programmes and Audience of Delhi T.V. Analysis, Vidura, Vol. 16, No. 5 Oct. (1979). Comstock George, Television in America, London Sage Publication (1980), pp. 30-36. Jackson Beech et.al, The social world of Heavy: Television viewers, Journal of Broadcasting, Vol. 24, No. 1 winter (1980), pp. 5-11. Harvey W. Eastman and Marsha B. Liss, T.V. Preferences of Children from four parts of the U.S.A. Journalism Quarterly Vol. 57, No. 3, Autumn (1980), pp. 488-491 Hansra, B.S. and Chauhan, H.K. 1980, Television and the Youth Elite, Indian Journal of Social Research, Vol. 21, No. 3, pp. 42-47.) Robert Churchill, Childrens and parents viewing and perceptions of violence: Journalism Quarterly Vol. 58, No. 4, Winter (1981), pp. 562 and 581. Thomas D.Cook, Deborah. A. Kendzieraki and Stephen V. Thomas, The impact assumptions of Television Research: An analysis of the 1982 NIMH Report on T.V. and Behaviour, Public Opinion Quarterly, Vol. 47, No. 1 spring (1983), pp. 189-201. Lesley Johnsono, The Uses of the Media: An Interpretation of the significance of the mass media in the lives of young people, Discourse Vol. 4, No. 2, April (1984), pp. 25-31. Charles Atkin et. al. (1984). Teenage Drinking: Does Advertising make a difference? Journal of communication Vol. 34, No. 2, spring, pp. 160-167. 15. Sirgy M. Joseph, Lee Dong-Jin, Kosenko Rustan , and Meadow H. Lee. (1998). Does T.V Viwership play a role in the Perception of Quality of Life? Journal of Advertising, Vol. 27 Issue 1. Pp. 125-142. 16. Das R.P. 1987. Consumer Behaviour in TV-A Case Study in Kurukshetra University, Kurukshetra University Research Journal, Vol. 41, pp. 16-21. 17. Shah, Anupama and kaushal, Anjana. 1988. Impact of Television on Students, Journal of Indian Education, Vol. 13. No.5, pp. 24-29. 18. Sharda, P.V. 1989. Impact of Television on Rural Areas, Communicator, Vol. 25, No. 4 p. 2. 19. Mohansundaram, V. and Dass, Benny. 1990. Television Impact on the Family, Social Welfare, Vol. 37, No.7, pp. 11-13. 21.Mehrotra, N.1991. Impact of Television Viewing on Household Activities, Indian Journal of Extension Education, Vol. 2, No. 3-4, pp. 123-124. 22.Gangadharappa, M. 1991. Impact of Afternoon TV on Housewives in Dharwad City, Communicator, Vol. 26, No.3, Sept. Pp. 32-33. 23.Cosby, C.D. 1992. The Influence of Television Imagery on Selected African-American Young Adults Self-Perceptions, Dissertation Abstracts International, Vol. 53, No.6, Dec., P. 1875A. 24. Singh, Saraswati and Arora, S. 1992. Effect of Television Viewing upon Youths of Doon Valley, Indian Psychological Review, Vol. 38, No, 9-10, Sept.-Dec. Pp. 21-26. 25.Bhasha, S.S. 1992. Impact of Television Violence on Teenagers, Experiments in Education, Vol. 20, No. 11, pp. 289-297. 26.Chauhan, Kanwar. 1992. Social Structure and the Objectivity of Television News in S.R.Mehta (ed), Communication in Social Development, New Delhi: Rawat Publication. 27.Aggarwal, V.B. 1993. Impact of Cable TV on Social Life, Communicator, Vol. 28, No. 3, July-Sept., pp. 7-9. 28.Murthy, J.S. 1994. Students preference for DD and ZTV Programmes, Communicator, Vol. 24, No.4, pp. 10-11. 29.Ninan,S., Through the Magic Window: Television and Change in India New Delhi: Penguine Books, 1995. 30. Chompaisal, Sawangchit. 1995. The perceived Influence of Television on Achievement in Children and Adolescents in Thiland, Dissertation Abstracts International, Vol. 56 No.3, Sept., P. 74 A.) 31.Unikrishnan,N. and Bajpai,S., The Impact of Television Advertising on Children, New Delhi: Sage,1996. 32.Saksena,G., Television in India: Change and Challenges, New Delhi: Vikas Publishing House. Pvt. Ltd, 1996, pp. 54-55. 33.Karla,R.K.,and Kalra,A., Impact of Cable Television on Adolescents. Kurukshetra Jan-Feb.1996, pp. 78-80. 34.Midson, J. 1997. Television viewing habits of Children in Virginia, Journal of Asia on Pacific Communication, Vol. 8, No.1, PP. 176-189. 35.Kang Jong G. 1997. Television Influence on Cultural and Societal Values Among Japanese Students, Journal of Asia Pacific Communication, Vol.81,pp. 181-190. 36.Hadique Mala and Ms. Ahmed, Jasmine. 1998. TV Viewing Time Pattern of School Children, Communicator, Jan-March, pp. 14-17. 37.Kaur, Jasbir. 1999. Influence of Television on Social Life, Communicator, Vol. 34, No. 1, Jan-March, pp. 32-35. 38. Gaikwad, N.B.2000. Parental Views about the Effects of T.V. Viewing on their Childrens Interest and Activities, Indian Journal of Applied Psychology, Vol. 37, pp. 21-25. 39.Yanovtzky, I.2001. Mass Media, Social Norms and Health, Communication Research, Vol. 28, No. 2, pp. 208-239. 40.Chauhan, Kanwar. 2001. Television and Social Transformation, New Delhi: Swarup and Sons. 41. Shanahan, James and Michael Morgan (1992). Adolescents, families and television in five countries- Implications for cross-cultural educational research, Journal of Educational Television, Vol 18 Issue 1 pp. 35-55. 42. Kuo, Yi-Wu. (1990). Television and the value system of Taiwans adolescents A cultivation analysis. Ph.D Dissertation, University of Massachusetts. Dissertation Abstract Inter-National, Vol. 50 No. 12 pp. 3783 A 43. Kang, Jong Geum (1989). Cultural Indicators-The Korean Cultural Outlook Profile, Ph.D Dissertation, University of Massachusetts, Dissertation Abstracts International, Vol. 50 No. 5 pp. 1126A 44. ibid 45. Ware, William and Michael Dupagne (1994). Effects of U.S. Television Programmes on Foreign Audience-A Meta analysis, Journalism Quarterly, Vol. 71 No. 4 pp. 947-959. 46. Goonasekera, Anura (1995). Asian viewers do not see Western programmes as corrupting their culture, Media Asia, Vol.

The Road to Freedomâ€the Underground Railroad Essay -- Slavery South Pa

The Road to Freedom—the Underground Railroad Introduction "Many times I have suffered in the cold, in beating rains pouring in torrents from the watery clouds, in the midst of the impetuosity of the whirlwinds and wild tornadoes leading on my company—not to the field of...war...but to the land of impartial freedom, where the bloody lash was not buried in the quivering flesh of a slave...." (7,p.i). Such were the conditions of the Underground Railroad. It was a fictitous railroad but served the same purpose: to transport people from one place to another. This railroad, however, was not sanctioned by any government, in fact if it had been discovered many would have died. The Underground Railroad was a huge risk. If you used it, and were caught, you could die. For some that was better than being treated like pack animals or breeding animals by their southern owners. That was a risk they chose to take and conditions they must endure. The Underground railroad was a means by which slaves in the south could escape to the north and to freedom. The pioneers of the railroad went back to help their brothers and sisters in bondage. Many of them were leaders, or conductors that led others to freedom and risked theirs to do it again and again. National Standards This particular subject deals a lot with maps. Understanding the Underground Railroad means understanding maps and spatial organiation. The journeyers, themselves, had to know, distinctly, where north was or which way to follow the Ohio River. A reader will glean an understanding of the people that chose to journey on the railroad. They were fierce believers in freedom, willing to die for it. From this paper, readers will be able to define differe... ... 2. History and Geography of the Underground Railroad. 199?. http://www.niica.on.ca/csonan/UNDERGROUND.htm (April 14, 1998). 3. May, Ilana, Mark Beigel, and Lenny Hothchild. The Underground Railroad in Rochester, New York. http://www.history.rochester.edu/class/ugrr/home.html (April 14, 1998) 4. National Park Service Study: Taking the Train to Freedom. 1998. http://www.nps.gov/undergroundrr/contents.htm (April 14, 1998). 5. Quarles, Benjamin. Black Abolitionists. Oxford Universoty Press: New York, 1969. 6. Siebert, Wilbur H. The Underground Railroad. Arno Press and The New York Times: New York, 1968. 7. Smedley, R.C. History of the Underground Railroad. Arno Press and The New York Times: New York, 1969. 8. Weisberger, Bernard A. Abolitionism: Disrupter of the Democratic System or Agent of Progress? Rand McNally & Company: Chicago, 1963.

Scientific Method Allows to Uncover Truth

The scientific method consists of five steps: first, observing and recollecting information. Second, creating or formulating a hypothesis. Thirdly, scientists experiment, with the information and the observations they have made so as to reach to a conclusion, which is the fourth step. Finally, the last step consists in the communication, which is when you tell society about a new discovery or theory and the verification of this conclusion, in order to see if it is valid or not. Along this method there are lots of perceptions which are made, such as sense perception or induction, which may limit this method. What I will try to analyze along this essay is if the scientific method allows us or not to uncover truth. In order to do so, I will analyze whether the scientific method gives us absolute or provisional truth and how it gives us that truth. To start with, the scientific method can allow us to uncover truth. It is needed to say that it allow us to uncover provisional truth. Related article: Disagreements in Science Examples Truth can be provisional because we accept it may change over time, as new discoveries are made and the supposedly â€Å"truth† is no longer but it’s replaced by another and new â€Å"truth†. We accept one statement as true or not according to its degree of objectivity. Scientific method recollects empirical evidence, which is measurable and comparable and allows for the application of consistency tests. The application of consistency tests reduces the impact of subjectivity and the limitations of sense perception in the recollection of evidence. This allows us to construct explanations that are objective enough for society to define these explanations as provisional truth. Furthermore, as the scientific method is a very rigorous and complex method. Scientists do observation, formulation of a hypothesis, experimentation, they reach a conclusion and they then communicate and verify this conclusion. These steps are followed thousands of times, in order to be as objective as possible and in order to prove or create a theory. But these steps are followed not by just a scientist but by many, under different circumstances and places, again in order to be as objective as possible. All this repetition of the steps and the analysis made by lots of different scientist allows the scientific method to be, in part, objective and, in consequence, to give us a provisional truth. Finally, we can say that natural sciences objective is to build up provisional truths which are accepted by society and which predict future phenomena but not to build up absolute truth. During all times there have been many theories about evolution, which were replaced one by another and, the last accepted one is Darwin’s but before his theory there had been others theories of evolution which were â€Å"true†, so the ideal of the scientific method is to allow us to uncover provisional truth, as we know there are going to be, afterwards, new theories or changes in older ones. On the other hand, the scientific method doesn’t allow us to uncover absolute truth. When scientists observe, experiment, formulate a hypothesis or reach a conclusion, there are, mainly, two ways of knowing used: sense perception and intuition. These ways of knowing have limitations which don’t allow the scientific method to give us absolute truth. As regards sense perception, our senses have a limited range and they are selective. This means they can’t perceive everything which goes around us and that out of what we perceive (which isn’t everything) we remember or pay attention to some stimuli, according to our expectations, interests, culture and past experiences. Furthermore, as our senses are limited and there is variability in the ability of individuals to capture stimuli, we’ll never be sure if what we perceive is the real reality or just an interpretation of it. As regards induction, which is when from a variety of particular premises we get to a general conclusion we also have some limitations: As there’s no magical number that tells us how many people or things we’ve got to analyze to reach a generalization, we’ll never be sure that a generalization is right. Also because we need just one case in order to contradict a generalization, so we’ll never be sure a theory is right, as there’s nobody who may be able to analyze each particular case in every part of the world. So the scientific method is limited, as it doesn’t analyze each particular case and as, the observation made by scientists is limited. So, as from the beginning of the scientific method (observation) there are limitations, it will probably have failures along all the method. Secondly, there’s a limit to what science can explain. There are things which science can’t explain. As the scientific method uses empiricism and rationality to give us truth, it denies the mystical knowledge, such as the religious beliefs. So how can we say that scientific method allows us to uncover truth if it denies many things, such as religious beliefs, which many people believe are true? As we’ve said before it gives us provisional truth, as it gives us about natural or social sciences, but not absolute, as it doesn’t give us truth about religion or any similar theme. Moreover, as sciences are based on assumptions, looking for patterns in nature assumes nature is regular. Here we can clearly see that scientific method doesn’t allow us to uncover absolute truth, as nature evolves and changes, so it will never be regular. Finally, the scientific method doesn’t allow us to get truth, as there are some scientists which first get to a conclusion or make a hypothesis and then look for the information or patterns which suit their conclusion or hypothesis. So, they may look for patterns in nature which only fit with their conclusion or, in order to fit their conclusions, they’ll avoid certain features or patterns of nature which will contradict or which won’t fit to their hypothesis. So, this idea together with the limitations that sense perception and induction has, makes the scientific method unable to uncover truth. All in all, I strongly believe that scientific method can’t allow us to uncover truth, if we consider truth as absolute. But what is necessary to clarify is that there’s not any way of knowing which will allow us to uncover absolute truth. In this case we should take truth as a provisional concept and, if we take truth as provisional then the scientific method allows us to uncover it, as it takes us to discover truth in a provisional way. We can then say that the scientific method can take us to a provisional truth, but that it will never lead us to absolute truth, as it will always have some limitation.

Case Analysis Essay

The case exposes problems that a world leading mobile telecommunication handheld producing company is facing under the pressure of complex internal and external challenges. The company, Research In Motion (RIM), is experiencing success in the smart phone market with explosive growth rate and big market share. The BlackBerry products which integrate different functions have reached 14 million subscribers worldwide and have over $ 6 billion in revenue. However, the great potential smart phone market also comes along with intense competition. RIM can hardly rest on its success and have to face other strong competitors. Meanwhile, several SHRD problems arise from the explosive growth of RIM. The R&D, the key factor to RIM’s success, has increased significantly both in terms of total number of employees as well as geographic scope of its operation. The explosive growth has caused great pressure on the R&D team. What’s more, great demand for engineers has made the talent and space scarce. Several feasible options are offered in the case, providing solutions to address the SHRD issues. The company is facing the problem in finding the way to manage its explosive growth. Environment Analysis RIM is operating in a sunrise market, a market with great potential and immense competition. RIM is the leading figure in the telecommunication market with explosive growth. BlackBerry which is RIM’s featured products, has reached 14 million subscribers worldwide and has over $6 billion in revenue.( Mazutis, 2011) RIM has more than 100,000 enterprise customers and an estimated 42 percent market share of converged devices thanks to its â€Å"push† e-mail architecture and built on security.( Mazutis, 2011) Besides North America, the telecommunication market has great potential worldwide. In China, there are over 524 million subscribers with only 39 percent penetration. (Mazutis, 2011) India is also experiencing fast growth rate with a 60 per cent increase and only 21 per cent market penetration. (Mazutis, 2011) However, great potential comes with great competition. Several competing platforms exist in the market. Symbian holds an estimated 65 per cent worldwide share of c onverged devices. (Mazutis, 2011) Apple’s iPhone also has a great impact on the smart phone market. What’s more, Microsoft and Apple are actively pursuing the business segment. The explosive growth rate has caused great pressure on RIM’s R&D teams at the headquarters in waterloo. In order to catch up with the dynamic market situation, RIM needs to ensure its R&D investment match its total sale. The hiring department at RIM has to work overtime in order to keep up with the growing demand for qualified engineers. Moreover, the R&D group has expanded to more locations not only in North America but also in England. Problem Identification The problem lies on the conflicts between traditional growth strategy (enterprise culture) and the high demand of R&D resources from rapid growth. RIM has unique culture that keeps a low employee turnover rate and maintains a good working environment for engineers. Centered in waterloo is the core to keep such culture. However, such concentration has caused SHRD issue regarding the high demand of R&D resources. The historic growth strategy makes the recruitment can hardly catch up with the pace of fast growth. To source from local talent pool, through employee referrals and new graduate recruitment has already consumed most of the best developers in the area (Mazutis, 2011). What’s more, attracting outside talent to Waterloo was difficult given the competitive nature of the global software development industry. The shortage of physical space at RIM’s Waterloo campus and the specific recruitment make it even harder for RIM to find qualified engineers. Solution: Enterprise culture is needed to be changed in the RIM case; The DNA of the company is needed to be rearranged. Instead of keeping the â€Å"Waterloo centered† culture, RIM should make further move in the direction of â€Å"dual core†. It is obvious that Waterloo is facing both talent and physical space scarcity. The location lacks the ability to attract talents out of the region due to the nature of the highly competitive software industry. Although RIM has already made expansion outside Waterloo, the â€Å"Waterloo centered† is so deeply rooted in the culture that makes the expansion lagging behind the fast growth. RIM should reinforce the status of its research facilities in America. Instead of keeping two separate R&D departments at different locations, RIM should merge the two departments into one big â€Å"Headquarter† in America at a desired location. By merging to one location, RIM can avoid the problem of development integration and promote innovat ion. Thanks to the comprehensive legal framework to protect intellectual property in America, RIM can put parts of its core work at the â€Å"headquarter† in America without worrying piracy and relief the pressure at Waterloo. What’s more, the American headquarter also has strong advantage in recruiting talents nationwide. The HR department should establish co-op program to attract talent new graduate student. The nationwide campus recruitment campaign should also be conducted by the lead of the HR department. In order to maintain low employee turnover rates, competitive employee benefits and enterprise culture education should be guaranteed as part of the HD strategy. Action Plan: Phase one: American headquarter location selection. In order to select the most suitable location for the headquarter in America, the location must have the following characteristics:1) technology sector has already been existed in the location 2) big local talent pool 3) close to top level universities with strong engineering program. The mentioned location selection criteria would make sure the company has the ability to meet the high demand from R&D group. Current location Dallas or Chicago are the best choice relocation cost would be minimized. Phase two: The involvement of HR department. Enterprise culture shift should be conducted by the HR department. The â€Å"dual core† culture should be introduced to current employee and managers. Current Waterloo employee should be contacted whether they have the will to relocate. Phase three: The HR department should establish new co-op program at the new location. On campus recruitment campaign should be conducted at universities with strong engineering program. Meanwhile, good employee benefits and enterprise culture education should also be provided in order to keep a low employee turnover rate. References: Mazutis, D, (2011)ï ¼Å' Research in Motion: Managing Explosive Growth. Richard Ivey School of Business, The University of Western Ontario.