The Importance of Being Educated

I believe that Early Childhood centres should create a positive environment where children are more stimulated, happy, comfortable and safe from harm. Where learning is more meaningful and children can be extended. I believe that children learn in a holistic way through play. They learn by being actively involved. The process of a child's work is important not just the results. They learn through stages at their own pace. The adults role in children's learning is to provide scaffolding for the child's endeavours, supports and connections, that are removed and replaced when and where they are needed. Adults need to provide a developmentally appropriate programme to cater for all children. There is a need to plan for each child based on their own interests, strengths and needs. The curriculum planning should be based on the principles of Te Whaariki and the knowledge that all children are individuals. I feel that there is a need for Early Childhood Educators to work in partnership with parents/caregivers and Whaanau. This is an essential part of providing the best possible opportunities for children to reach their fullest potential. I recognise that parent/caregivers and Whaanau are the major sources for this knowledge. Which is a very valuable resource for teachers. Therefore there must be a good relationship between centre staff and parents to provide a strong connection and consistency among all aspects of the child's world. I believe that the uniqueness of each child should be valued. To apply the principle of fairness to all practices within the centre and to avoid discrimination as the basis of culture, gender, disability, religion or class. I feel that all children have the right to attend a centre. I am committed to providing an environment in which every child is enriched by the dual cultures of the treaty partners. I recognise that we are becoming a multicultural society and realise the importance of understanding the diversity that this brings to Early Childhood Education. I believe that Te Reo Maori should be actively included into the centres programme. It is important as an Early Childhood Educator to work as a team member, where each member is encouraged to utilise their own individual skills. There needs to be open and honest communication between staff members to create on effective team. It is also necessary for staff to have common goals and work together to achieve them. I feel that the management of children's behaviour must be fair and consistent. Teachers and adults must model and promote peaceful conflict resolution methods to enable children to learn and deal with conflict in an appropriate way. I also believe that the development of self-esteem by positive reinforcement of appropriate behaviour is important to safeguard the rights and emotional development of every child at the centre. I believe that it is necessary for teachers to be involved in a continuing process of professional development to keep in touch with the changes that are constantly effecting the Early Childhood Education field. The Importance of Being Educated I believe that Early Childhood centres should create a positive environment where children are more stimulated, happy, comfortable and safe from harm. Where learning is more meaningful and children can be extended. I believe that children learn in a holistic way through play. They learn by being actively involved. The process of a child's work is important not just the results. They learn through stages at their own pace. The adults role in children's learning is to provide scaffolding for the child's endeavours, supports and connections, that are removed and replaced when and where they are needed. Adults need to provide a developmentally appropriate programme to cater for all children. There is a need to plan for each child based on their own interests, strengths and needs. The curriculum planning should be based on the principles of Te Whaariki and the knowledge that all children are individuals. I feel that there is a need for Early Childhood Educators to work in partnership with parents/caregivers and Whaanau. This is an essential part of providing the best possible opportunities for children to reach their fullest potential. I recognise that parent/caregivers and Whaanau are the major sources for this knowledge. Which is a very valuable resource for teachers. Therefore there must be a good relationship between centre staff and parents to provide a strong connection and consistency among all aspects of the child's world. I believe that the uniqueness of each child should be valued. To apply the principle of fairness to all practices within the centre and to avoid discrimination as the basis of culture, gender, disability, religion or class. I feel that all children have the right to attend a centre. I am committed to providing an environment in which every child is enriched by the dual cultures of the treaty partners. I recognise that we are becoming a multicultural society and realise the importance of understanding the diversity that this brings to Early Childhood Education. I believe that Te Reo Maori should be actively included into the centres programme. It is important as an Early Childhood Educator to work as a team member, where each member is encouraged to utilise their own individual skills. There needs to be open and honest communication between staff members to create on effective team. It is also necessary for staff to have common goals and work together to achieve them. I feel that the management of children's behaviour must be fair and consistent. Teachers and adults must model and promote peaceful conflict resolution methods to enable children to learn and deal with conflict in an appropriate way. I also believe that the development of self-esteem by positive reinforcement of appropriate behaviour is important to safeguard the rights and emotional development of every child at the centre. I believe that it is necessary for teachers to be involved in a continuing process of professional development to keep in touch with the changes that are constantly effecting the Early Childhood Education field.

Arsa

Spiegel Online Economics Edgar Atukeren MBA SBS (Swiss Business School) Alex Rau, Daria Revanchenkova, Arsa Grgurevic Table of Content: 1 Background 2 Assignment 3 Interactive Classified Advertising in Germany 4 Choosing the right segments 5 Business Idea and Concept 6 Competition 7 Financial Projections 8 The Problem 9 Possible Solutions 10 Conclusion 11 Recommendations and Lesson Learned Background Spiegel Online is one of the leading news Web sites in Germany and other German speaking countries, as Austria and Switzerland.It is a part of a Spiegel Group, publisher of several print products in addition to Der Spiegel and producer of the Spiegel TV Magazine. The Spiegel Group was also active in television film production. It took first steps toward internationalization by English-language editions of Spiegel special and the monthly publication of magazines in Hungary and Poland. In 2005 the Spiegel Group had more than 1,400 employees. Total revenues of the Spiegel Group were approxi mately around 322 million euro, of which Spiegel Online contributed 15 million euro. 0% of revenues resulted from online advertising, making this the most important source of income for Spiegel Online. The webpage is covering various topics as politics, business, panorama, arts, science, education, entertainment, sports, and travel. Spiegel is also a major contributor to the Hamburg Media School. It organized as a public-private partnership and offers MBA in Media Management, film, and journalism. In their second year, MBA students typically engaged in consulting projects with major media companies. Assignment This year the students must research on 2 questions: ) Were there any chances for an economically successful entry into the market for interactive classifieds? 2) What would the business model look like in detail? They had only 2 restrictions: anything in the adult segment was seen as inappropriate and the budget will be limited. The student team split their analysis into four steps: * Research of market volume and growth * Analyses of possible competitors * Selection of lucrative niches * Development of adequate concepts Interactive Classified Advertising in Germany The interactive advertising in Germany is based on offering space for classified ads for other companies.There are approximately 20,500 Web sites, which are doing that and they generate around 4 percent of all online revenues. Online services had gradually replaced newspapers and magazines in the classifieds segment. There are 3 most important interactive segments nowadays: * Automotive (which cover 1/3 of all customers looking for a car) * Real estate (200 billion euro are generated per year) * Job advertisement (30% of jobs are found online) Choosing the right segments Spiegel Online is following a brand new strategy: horizontal integration into a new market (interactive ads). The company decided to expand and cover new arket, which can generate additional revenue for the company. As autom otive, real estate, and jobs interactive segments are already dominated by large competitors, Spiegel Online needs to interfere in the industry, by carefully choosing the segments, which are the most profitable ones. So it decided to concentrate on high quality standards and products that matched the image of Spiegel and chose high-quality cars, high- paying jobs and art objects. Spiegel Online Art Platform The team prepared a full business plan on each of the three market segments. The automotive and job segments seemed to be generally profitable and growing.Art, on the other hand, promised to be an interesting niche that had not yet been covered by any well-known company. Competition Most Web sites were positioned in the upper price segment. Serve as a marketing and sales tool for high-value objects. In the lower price segment, Web sites are mostly created by amateurs and hobby artists. These Web sites did not attract large audiences. The online art market had received some attent ion from investors and media companies (Example Burda-photo gallery Lumas). Opportunity for Spiegel online is to create platform in the middle and lower price segment.Business Idea and Concept The concept consisted of two integrated parts for the Spiegel online users interested in the arts: a selling platform and a community platform. Art platform Core to the Spiegel Online art platform was the sales platform. The sales platform homepage would lead to all art objects up for sale. A search engine would allow sorting objects by price, style, size, artist†¦ Navigation menu would allow quick access to additional site functions. The home page would also include a voting area. Community The Virtual Art Gallery could be customized, like MySpace. Users can create their own profiles.The profile included a virtual walk-through to gallery. Artist and galleries could use the Virtual Art Gallery as a marketing tool. Target group The Spiegel Online art platform addressed two target groups: f irst, people interested in art, and second, artist and galleries. Consumer benefits For buyers: low-risk playing field, moderate prices, high transparency, users don’t need specialized knowledge. For sellers: Low entry barriers, low sellers fees, attractive for young unknown artists. Benefits for Spiegel online Monetary: New revenues by commissions, insertion fees, and shop sales. Non-monetary: Parent brand, high-quality image.

Have supermarkets become too big to the extent

Have supermarkets become too big to the extent that they are damaging competition? BY ela1210 The growth of supermarkets does however have some benefits for competition. Firstly, due to the uniformity of products, prices are easily comparable across stores for consumers. This means they can compare pricing strategies of dfferent supermarkets and see which has the most competitive pricing, therefore get the best deal available to them, increasing competition and allowing consumers to make a more Informed choice when buying.Prices of commodities do not fluctuate a lot ecause of this, as competitors must malntaln constant prices, therefore consumers do not have to worry about the price of necessary Items changing suddenly. Global commodity prices are therefore determined by the market, rather than by the retailers such as the large supermarkets.For example the number of dairy farms In Brltaln fell by more than 40% between 1995 and 2005, but It Is clear that supermarkets are not to blame for this as the price of milk Is set mainly by demand and as a result of this, the remaining farms incomes and herd sizes have increased as well as their profitability improving greatly. Supermarkets today use online selling methods to reach a wider market, also increasing competition which is possible due to their size as well. Selling via the internet improves the quality of service a consumer receives from a company, especially as they are competing for business with rival supermarkets.Online selling also makes shopping easier for consumers, benefiting competition. This competition means supermarkets are constantly motivated to stay innovative and provide a good service, as to ensure they do not lose customers to rival companies. The large supermarkets are consequently able to offer ore efficient services to consumers in response to needs they have identified while trying to be competitive. For example offering prepared vegetables, this saves busy consumers time and in turn make s them become more appealing.Alongside this, as supermarkets operate on such a large scale, they are advantaged by many economies of scale such as bulk buying stock, mass marketing campaigns and transport methods, lowering their costs. The big supermarkets can then pass these savings on to consumers through reducing the price of products and increasing competition within the market. This would benefit competition through avoiding artificially high prices for products which are widely sold. Through implementing and demanding more economies of scale, producers and suppliers will have to become more competitive, and as a result will Improve the quality of their produce.Therefore It cannot be said that supermarkets are soley damaging for competition as there as some advantages of their size for consumers as well as producers, which Is Increasing competition. 2) Have supermarkets become too big to the extent that they are damaging competition? It Is argued that supermarkets have become t oo big to the extent that hey are damaging competition as there are only a handful of them dominating the food market: Tesco, Asda, Sainsburys and Morrison's to name a few. Because of their ultimately is their competition. By eliminating their rivals i. e. ompetition they are or going towards becoming an oligopoly market. Being an oligopoly means having a significant market share in the industry, high barriers to entry, huge sunk and set-up costs which all lead to less competition. This ultimately lowers the number of firms in the industry, as named above, which means less choice for consumers. This can be argued simply by a price comparison between local food stores and the big supermarkets. Prices have become very transparent between the so called competitors from the big supermarkets as their price differs only by a fraction.The question needed to be asked is how much lower can they reduce their prices and still make a handsome profit, yet we see no significant price decreases fr om any of them, apart from their well known offers of â€Å"buy 1 get 1 FREE† or the nation's favourite â€Å"Half Price† on selected items, which are all part of their marketing strategy to get ustomers into their supermarkets and psychologically persuading them in purchasing something they had no intention of purchasing before getting there.

Towards a Web-based Application to Resolve Physical Pulse Board Issues Thesis

Towards a Web-based Application to Resolve Physical Pulse Board Issues - Thesis Example For instance, in Scrum software development as well as in Lean product development, tools for planning a project using walls and boards have been developed. These methods have so far proved to be very efficient, in so far as the visualization of the work performed, as well as the prioritization of new tasks is concerned. However, there are notable challenges in synchronization, version control and traceability among a company’s different projects. This thesis, investigates how Physical Pulse Board is used and how it can be improved through the introduction of a web-based application for elimination of difficulties of using Pulse board especially in global environment where different people from various locations might need to join the meeting. The paper consists of three parts. In the first part one set of interviews were conducted along with an observation to figure out related difficulties with the use of Physical Pulse Board especially in global environment. Following this, another set of interviews were conducted to help find out how these issues can be eliminated or resolved. Considering that good principles can never be useful, unless they are applied and used in reality, the second part of this report, a web-based application was developed to help bring improvements using Pulse Board in global environment based on the finding from the first part. It was then that evaluation of implemented software was done through a workshop with person A and Person B. It is worth noting that the two persons are the Lean Product Development Specialist chosen for market analysis given that the two had implemented the Physical Pulse Board in their organization. Two major factors which increase complexity inside companies are the number of different products that are produced by these companies, as well as physical location of their teams. This complexity imposes extra waste in different areas like inventory, processes, maintenance, quality, suppliers,

Barbra's final wishes Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Care Plan for Old Aged Woman with Lung Cancer - Assignment Example The plan begins with the demographic information of the patient; following is our clients care plan details and the recommendations given to help her during her period of grieving and management of the diagnosed condition (Weber & Kelley, 2003). Barbara James is a retired teacher who was just diagnosed with lung cancer. Besides, the patient lost her long-term partner of sixty years. The diagnosis has changed her entire life because it has changed her mood and emotional status. This brought many changes in her life especially when it came to coping with how to start living life with her when she was used to living with her husband. This prompted her to seek assistance from the hospice on how to cope with the disease, the grief, and resource to help her in it together with financial help. The plan developed will help the patient, the friends of the patient and other parties take effective measures in helping the patient manage conditions. Madrid is a football-loving region and Barbara James as a resided said, â€Å" I would love to watch a Real Madrid match at least once per month or just one of their matches now that am a great Madrid fan.† This shows that she has an attachment to the cultural and social aspect of the city because the region has a massive following of sporting activities with football taking the largest share. The plan will ensure Barbara get to view her preferred team play by ensuring she has a for the matches played at home ground and occasionally attending selected away games (Tompkins, 2003). Li et al (2014) ascribe that caregiving should meet the preferences and goals of the customer. Therefore, the hospice team must tailor the approach to meet any goal identified.

RF Integrated Circuits-electrical engineering Thesis Proposal

RF Integrated Circuits-electrical engineering - Thesis Proposal Example The metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistor (MOSFET or MOS) is a four terminal device that can operate in three different regions – cut-off, linear and saturation regions – that states the current it can supply depending on the voltages applied to those terminals (Rabaey 57). Static Complementary MOS (static CMOS) is the most widely used logic style, because it presents some important characteristics: low sensitivity to noise (robustness), good performance, low power consumption, availability in standard cell libraries, among others. Also, the BiCMOS technology has become a viable option for RF applications. The main challenge in the design of RF circuits for products is due to the little operation margins given by the constraints on power consumption and noise (ENZ 189). It is not simple to do the IC design in an environment that is mostly used for digital electronics by involving a RF part. It can be said that the RF parts of an IC do not interact properly w ith the digital parts, since there is a tendency of noise from one part getting into the other. One possible solution is to isolate the RF circuit by shielding it. The modeling of the MOS transistors for operating at RF should be able to accurately predict the performance of the circuits.

Every Child Matters and Educational Outcomes Essay

Every Child Matters and Educational Outcomes - Essay Example This research will begin with the statement that changing the school setting from traditional methods of teaching to newer implementation is based on several dimensions.   The environment, agenda, and curriculum for teaching are all considered for teachers, administrators and children receiving an education. The need to offer more to students and to monitor learning activities is currently being implemented through the Every Child Matters agenda, also known as ECM. The implications of this program are based on providing more opportunities for children of diverse backgrounds. The main policies and trends in this policy are being furthered by changing school settings and community values for education. Understanding the provisions and benefits of teaching under this agenda also provides a deeper understanding of how teachers and administrators can alter teaching styles according to the newer methods and requirements. The ability to incorporate the Every Child Matters agenda will alte r the way in which teachers focus on enhancing education among children. The Every Child Matters initiative began with the governmental decision to change educational programs and attention for children in 2003. In 2004, the Children Act became a law of the government, which focused on a formal approach to assisting children. The main act resulted from the death of Victoria Climbie, a child who was not able to receive proper care because of her socioeconomic status.  

Stage 3 Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Stage 3 - Case Study Example In addition, integrating of technological solution in the center will aid in attracting many youths who are the center’s targeted group in the market, hence maintaining client’s loyalty. The center ought to establish a secure and free WI-FI system in the premises as well as improvise a membership database, which is digital. Therefore, coordination and timesaving in the center would be easier to suit both the clients and the center’s staff. In addition, usage of smart cards and key chain rings for store vital information will make clients feel comfortable in the center. To attain this, the center ought to embark on intensive advertising of its products and services via the internet besides employing personal trainers especially for clients with special needs. Hardware: The essential hardware aspects associated with e-commerce are server, input as well as output tools and database management system. This server will contain critical information and will act as a backup for information preservation system. Input devices such as mouse and keyboards are efficient tools in the e-commerce system (Carter, 2008). Software: Software is the other vital aspect of e-commerce business process. The most essential software for e-commerce is the database management system, which can store vital information in the form of text and images. The database for UMUC Healthy Fitness Centre can be located in the central server or multiple workstations (Carter, 2008). Internet accessibility in the center is very important thus ranked â€Å"high† because it was not there before. It is very important because the clients will be accessing center’s membership database to deposit their payments and view advertisements by the Fitness Center. The technology system ought to be available always to both prospective and initial clients. Its rank is â€Å"high† because the center being a 24-hour enterprise must enable essential systems

Banned Books Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Banned Books - Essay Example Likewise, key examples will be illustrated that show some of the common trends and underlying causes for both past and current censorship that exists in the world. Furthermore, the reader will be able to understand key trends and underlying motives that encourage power structures to take such a drastic approach to seeking to stamp out a given idea/set of ideals. Perhaps one of the most famous examples of censorship is that which surrounded the Soviet Union and the communist party control that dominated nearly every aspect of public and private life. As a means of near total control over such a society, censorship was readily employed to direct and influence the way in which â€Å"foreign† ideas were injected into the society (Plamper 528). To accomplish this, the communist party employed a rigid structure whereby incoming literature and books would need to be approved by the relevant authorities prior to reaching widespread distribution. This structure of censorship is perhaps the most extreme example that our world has witnessed within the past 100 years; however, it is not the only example of a society that has employed censorship, to Ð ° great effect, in order to mould and direct, the social evolution of its populace. Similarly, censorship exists currently in a number of nations; however, the lion’s share of censorship in the current world is derived from a fear of the spread of a foreign religion within a host country and/or region. This is evidenced by strong censorship laws that exist in many Islamic countries. These laws ban everything from the distribution of religious material to â€Å"immoral† texts that can include anything from â€Å"unislamic† attitudes, styles of dress, forms of music and a host of other culturally derived points. A few of the countries that exhibit a high degree of censorship with regard to books and literature are Saudi Arabia, Eritrea and the Islamic Republic of Iran (Information Providers 100). A s imilar situation exists within what most readers might consider a highly democratic country – Germany. However, Germany’s case is somewhat different than the other nations that have thus far been listed in this brief analysis. Germany has placed a ban on many of the Nazi era publications and propaganda pieces to include Adolph Hitler’s Mein Kampf. According to pertinent government institutions and officials this has been done in order to allow the populace a reprieve from the painful and harmful vitriol that was common and circulated around GermanÃ'Æ' a few brief decades ago. Germany of course is the aberration to the rule in that this is a nation that enjoys a wide array of democratic freedoms, elections, freedom of expression/thought and a wide range of freedom of speech and freedoms of the press. However, as a function of the dangers that Nazism has presented the nation, they have chosen to implement a ban on all such material in the hope that doing so will s eek to hasten the healing of many war-era wounds that were caused as a direct effect of the policies and actions implemented by the Nazis government. Although the United States supposedly enjoys freedom of the press and freedom of thought, the United States itself has experienced a long and sordid past with relation to censorship. This censorship has primarily been concentric around education in that certain individuals, teachers, parents and/or government

Intermediate sport management (sport events) Essay

Intermediate sport management (sport events) - Essay Example Such dilemma has appeared in the case of Beijing Olympic Games of 2008. The findings of studies developed on this event seem to be controversial. The effectiveness of the above event is evaluated in this paper by referring to the literature and the empirical studies that have published in this field. The key finding of the study is that the specific event can be characterized as successful even if the problems appeared during the development of the event’s Strategic Plan have been many, as analyzed below. 2.0 Introduction The effectiveness of 2008 Beijing Olympic Games is reviewed in this paper. A qualitative research approach has been used for reviewing the various aspects of the specific event. A series of studies published in the academic literature has been reviewed in order to check whether the above sport event has been successful or not. Specific aspects of the particular event are set as priorities in this study: Marketing, Operations Quality and Performance, Legal and Ethical issues, Finance, Human Resources and Media. Certain articles published in the local and international press have been also employed, for providing additional information, where necessary, on the issue under examination. The main body of this study has been divided into two parts: Discussion and Findings. In the first of these parts, the Discussion part, the findings of the literature related to this study’s subject are presented, being categorized in order for the coherency of the study to be secured. These findings are then evaluated in the second part of the main body, the Findings section, in order to decide whether the management techniques used for managing the above sport event have been successful or not. The findings of the literature review are supported by graphs included in this study’s Appendix. Conclusions in regard to the issues discussed through the paper are provided in the Findings section; in this way, all conclusions are appropriately suppor ted while any gaps, as revealed through the literature, are highlighted. 3.0 Discussion 3.1 Marketing Marketing, as part of the 2008 Beijing Olympic games, can be evaluated by referring to two, different, facts: the popularity of the specific event as it was in progress and the popularity of the city after the end of the particular event. The Beijing Olympic Games of 2008 can be considered as a major event for China’s public image. In fact, since the end of the Olympics the number of tourists that have visited the region has reached impressive levels; in 2011 about 4.61 million people visited the city, a number that it is quite high (Blanchard and Fan 2012). Gibson, Qi and Zhang (2008) tried to identify the level at which a major sport event can be used as a tool for improving the image of the hosting country. The case of Beijing Olympics is used as an example. A survey was developed in Athens among college students during the Athens Olympic Games of 2004. The objective of th e survey was to show whether the intention to travel to China could be influenced by the Olympics in Beijing. It was proved that, indeed, a relationship could exist between the hosting of a major sport event and the intention to travel to the hosting country. The above relationship is presented in the graph included in Figure 1,

HCM367-0801B-01 The Health Care Organization - Phase 2 Discussion Essay

HCM367-0801B-01 The Health Care Organization - Phase 2 Discussion Board - Essay Example of physicians, nurses and para-medics, and our health plan which provides medical and health care to thousands of patients, and group health plans which assist thousands of employees in various firms and their families is witness and testimony to the goodwill Vitruvian enjoys. Our involvement in the medical field makes it obligatory for us to pursue excellence while providing the healing touch. Our principles and policies have been established and nurtured over the years which speak for themselves on the course we have chosen in spite of difficulties and hurdles that came our way. There is no question of any deviation on issues concerning our vision and mission. As has always been the case, we will continue to involve in the best practices, attract the best medical professionals, follow the best ethical and business standards, and provide the most effective care and services to society at large for the mutual benefits of our patients as well as our staff and partners. Medical treatment and practices have existed since the foundation of the world. A great amount of faith and fellowship blended with the line of treatment that Dr Montenegro espoused and demonstrated. It challenged the modern day often misinterpreted belief that the best medical treatment can be found only in technologically advanced facilities. Many times these advanced facilities are resorted to even when simpler ones would have sufficed. Nevertheless, the scope to harness the best in technology does exist. As is the case in the medical fraternity the world over, and keeping in view the tremendous potential in the medical technology of the day, it is imperative that we have access to the best medical treatment and facilities for the mutual benefit of our patients and our organization, as and when required. The guiding principles enshrined in the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) will continue to be operational in the future as it is so now. Any changes or modifications required in the days ahead

Social Problems Facing the Contemporary United States Essay Example for Free

Social Problems Facing the Contemporary United States Essay Homelessness is a social problem in the United States. Homelessness defined according to the National Health Care for The Homeless Council (2011), â€Å"is a person or individual that lacks housing†. Homeless do not have permeant residents. They may live on the streets, shelters, missions and under freeway overpasses. They also occupy facilities of abandoned buildings, vehicles, and campgrounds. They can be found sleeping behind buildings, sitting against a building wall or digging in a trash can for food. Homeless people are human beings without shelter. They often fall victim to infections, frozenness, diseases, and assault. Homelessness does not have prejudices; it is an equal opportunity social issue. It is seen in every major city in the United States. This paper will describe the social problem of homelessness, analyze how it affects the United States and explain one sociological theory to explain a cause of homelessness. Homelessness in the United States is a large problem. It is hard to determine how people in the US are homeless, but they have a profound economic effect on society. There are few support services available for homeless, such as shelters, soup kitchens, which come in the form of taxpayers’ dollars. Homeless do not have cars or control over their daily lives. They depend on the daily grind of shelters, soup kitchens, and minimal jobs to meet their basic survival needs and are socially abandoned. The homeless lack medical health insurance. Hospital emergency departments are used as a community resource for the homeless, regardless of their ability to pay. So the expense falls on the taxpayer. Surprisingly, about one-third of emergency room visits are by homeless people. The needs of the homeless are vast. They typically have chronic medical conditions, multiple psychosocial risk factors, like substance use disorders and mental disease.  Their social support system is nonexistent. Most, emergency departments are not set up to meet the psychosocial needs of the homeless (Additional Medical Concerns, 2015). In addition, homelessness can advance to other social concerns like the illegal sex trade and crimes. With essentially no home and no money to purchase food, homeless people re sort to becoming prostitutes or engaging in criminal activities to get money for food or shelters. Some homeless become beggars. Food will commonly be the greatest importance. Individual states are affected by the amount of homeless people they have. Read more:  Essay on Social Issues Some states, like New Orleans, report decreased revenue from tourists who do not want to visit. Most people consider places with high homeless dirty and unsafe. New Orleans, is one example of how homelessness gives the area a bad reputation and results in decreased revenue from tourists. Our government spends millions of dollars on the homeless. The active assistance the government provides is seen with rental assistance, food stamps, and welfare. This support although positive still affects the taxpayers. On the negative side, many homeless are picked up for loitering, sleeping in cars and begging resulting in millions of dollars spent on law enforcement like prisons and jails. There are many sociological theories that relate to homelessness. One theory is conflict theory. Since its beginning, the conflict theory has been used to define certain groups including the homeless population across the United States. The conflict theory provides a perfect mapping as to how people have become homeless due to a single life event, causing them to adapt to the situation. People change to the homeless lifestyle instead of taking steps to return to traditional society. (Calhoun, 2002). The behaviorism of a homeless individual begins to change as they start to work to survive. Shortly after this survival mode the homeless person accepts the battle of being homeless as a societal norm and believes himself to be a regular part of that society. The conflict theorists look at the society from an impartial view. This viewpoint looks at individuals and sees them as inferior to society. The groundwork of societal structure is power or enticement and the only way to advance within the societal structure is through a power struggle. In this power struggle, there is much competition. Social class is intensely valuable in this mindset for it characterizes your place in the monument of authority. Wealth and assets are limed significantly in society, and people  are constantly in competition for these goods and prosperity. Conflict theorists approach the issue of homelessness just like an emperor approaches his subordinates. They see the homeless as people that are too fragile and unable to rise up the societal ranking. They see the homeless as individuals unable to reach the goal of greater social status. Conflict theorists identify themselves as the emperors of mankind and consider the homeless as insignificant people because they are unable to do anything. Essentially the conflict theorists see themselves as the ones with all the skill. They are masters in political, economic and social assets. The homeless are dominated by the higher social class. (Calhoun, 2002). Homelessness in the United States continues to be a social problem. Thousands of people still meet the characterization of homeless. It is a social issue that has existed for years. It does not have prejudices; it is an equal opportunity social issue. It is seen in every major city in the United States. Homeless are the abandoned people. References Additional Medical Concerns The State of Connecticut (n.d.). Retrieved from http://examguidelines.connsacs.org/additional-medical-concerns/_br Why Sony Should Screen â€Å"The Interview† | SeegitzWrites.com. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://seegitzwrites.com/?p=232_br HOW CONFLICT THEORY APPLIES TO THE HOMELESS POPULATION essays. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.megaessays.com/viewpaper/202384.html?page=2_br Example research essay topic: Homelessness And Sociological (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.essaychief.com/research-essay- pic.php?essay=2764827title=Homelessness-And-Sociological- Perspectives_br Calhoun, C. (2002). Dictionary of the social sciences. New York: Oxford University Press. Home. (2011, October 7). Retrieved February 11, 2015, from http://www.nhchc.org/

History of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)

History of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Tray Matthews Fidelity, Bravery and Integrity â€Å"Fidelity, Bravery and Integrity,† that’s the motto of the United State Federal Bureau of Investigation. The FBI was created under the belief of President Theodore Roosevelt and Attorney General Bonaparte claim that â€Å"efficiency and expertise, not political connections, should determine who would best serve the government.† The formation of the FBI is one of the most remarkable things that have transpired through America’s government history. Progressing from the Progressive Era through the Early Years, the New Deal, and both World Wars, Vietnam War, the Watergate Scandal, the Cold War and the transition of FBI Directors to present day. During the 1900’s, our nations constitution was based on the idea of a national government having authority pertaining to issues over the boarders like foreign affairs. So when the Federal Bureau of Investigation was set into place in 1908, the American people were extremely confused. In the past, they were dependent on local cities and counties to fulfill the government responsibly related to them. Now, they have to change their dependency and learn to trust the duty of a new government agency, the Federal Bureau of Investigation. At the beginning of the 1900’s, the Progressive Era was emerging in the United States and lasted around eighteen years. This Era was the starting point of the idea that government intervention was the key to justice in society. Attorney General Bonaparte shared the conjoint Progressive Philosophy beliefs of himself and President Roosevelt to the Department of Justice. They wanted to create a division that would take the Secret Service Detail completely out of the equation. Mostly due to the fact that the Secret Service was going around Attorney General Bonaparte’s back and reporting to they’re own commander. With Bonaparte acting as Attorney General, this act of disobedience frustrated him to the point of passing a law on May 27, 1908, which prevented any Secret Service agents to be involved in or called upon by the Department of Justice to assist in any investigations. Following this law, Attorney General Bonaparte appointed ten former service members and almost a year later, added 34 additional forces to create a new Division to government services. A year after this law was set into place, Attorney General Bonaparte completed his term and set the standard that the ‘chosen 34’ were a permanent addition to the Justice Department. During the early days of the Bureau of Investigation, they dealt with very little crimes. They mostly focused on cases dealing with banking or bankruptcy, fraud or naturalization. When the Bureau of Investigation was first formed, three hundred special agents and three hundred supportive employees were the only people backing it. Two years after the formation of this group, they passed a law, the Mann, prohibiting the transportation of women over state lines for illegal reasons. To keep this illegal transportation from happening, most agents are posted around the boarder of Mexico. When Woodrow Wilson came to power in April 1917, he increased the workload of special agents expanding their caseload to involve espionage and Sabotage Acts. As things in the new unit progressed, they began making great strides to make a name for themselves. By the end of the decade, they had established training posts for incoming/newborn agents, set annual field office inspections, and created the Nation al Division of Identification. January of 1928, Edgar Hoover took over power as the Director of the Bureau of Investigation and changed it for the better. Since Hoover took over power, the Division has grown to six- hundred and fifty employees with four- hundred and forty-one supporting special agents. Division headquarters started popping up all over the United States: New York, Chicago, Baltimore, San Francisco, San Antonio, Atlanta and Cincinnati. Along with the positive changes, there were some negative aspects. He had to let go of some of the agents if they were not properly qualified; he needed to professionalize the organization. While multiple agents did not understand their release, they were aware of the recently added requirements and knew if they could not make protocol, they could not stay. With Hoover in power, there came many achievements. One of the largest achievements was the merging of the fingerprint cards from the police force along with the Bureau of Investigations existing cards into Washing ton D.C, creating one giant criminal database accessible from either group. Right when the United States began looking upwards, the unthinkable happened. In 1929, the Stock Market crashed and a Great Depression spread all across the states. President Franklin D. Roosevelt knew he needed to do something to make an impact and give hope to the people of American. Roosevelt decreased crime by expanding the federal jurisdiction for the Bureau of Investigation to include the places with a high crime- rate related to the recent shift in income. Due to the positive outcome of the expansion, field offices increased from nine cities to forty-two cities; there were now six- hundred and fifty- four special agents and a huge increase from six- hundred and fifty to one- thousand one- hundred and forty- one new employee supporters. So, after the positive impact the Bureau of Investigations has made, it has to be becoming a crucial part of society, right? They have been responsible for closing multiple important cases: The Lindbergh Kidnapping, John Dillinger, Al Capone, and Bonnie and Clyde. Due to the results of these cases, the agency is now looked at as a premiere law enforcement division. In 1932, when they solved the kidnapping of Lindbergh’s baby, the result caused Congress to pass the Kidnapping Statute. In 1934, with the capturing of Dillinger and crossing of state lines, Congress granted agents with the permit to carry a gun and certified them to make arrests. Like mentioned before, the Bureau of Investigation was becoming a beneficial feature to the government. July 1, 1932 they were formally renamed the ‘United States Bureau of Investigation;’ however, there was an unnerving confusion between the United States Bureau of Investigation and the Bureau of Prohibition, so Congress had the bright idea to combine both divisions. Thus, the Federal Bureau of Investigation had begun. By 1936, there was a threat to the American democratic lifestyle by the fascist European countries; this was the beginning of World War ll. Throughout the beginning of the war, United States, Great Britain and France remained neutral due to the signing of the Neutrality Acts. As fascism was coming around more and communist threats were arriving, the FBI had to jump into protection mode, as this was a threat to the United States National Security. President Roosevelt authorized the involvement of the FBI in 1936, but the real impact came in 1940 when Congress passed the Smith Act, allowing the FBI to investigate anything attempting to overthrow the government. War broke out and the Federal Bureau of Investigation were put in the spotlight; given the ultimate power. There were many concerns coming along with this war, which caused the FBI to be on high alert with threats like overthrowing attempts, espionage and sabotage. The FBI was thrown in at full force grabbing agents that were trained in intelligence as well as defensive protection from all forty-two field offices. Because the United States played neutral in this war , they were called in for intelligence collection. One of the major enemy tactics in war is sabotage and there was plenty of it. In 1942, Germany attempted to sabotage on American soil. The FBI take down granted more ‘trust points’ from the Americans to the FBI. Needing more help, the Bureau added almost thirteen thousand more employees and four thousand more agents. Although the FBI had been a major asset during the war, they had other pressing matters to take care of presiding to discrimination and segregation taking place around the war. Even though Hitler committed suicide, and German surrendered, Congress knew that with Stalin still breathing, the fear that communism would haunt the other countries. The President directed all authorization regarding any part of the investigations that are a threat to national security to be carried out by the FBI, reported to the FBI, and driven by the FBI. Throughout all the postwar years, the Bureau’s rein expanding. They were know able to conduct background searches and were now given access to the Atomic Energy database. The FBI began to extend and assist inner states and local law enforcements decrease the crime in their towns. With all the expansion and additional jurisdiction given to the FBI, it was no surprise when Congress passed new federal laws: civil rights violations and gambling. Along with the additional laws, the FBI was an influential partner in enabling African American rights: to vote, serve on juries, and equal accommodations in public. After Prohibition , most of the mobs took place locally. The involvement of the FBI in these investigations was not prominent because there were no violations within the jurisdiction the Bureau had. By the end of the 19060’s, there were now six thousand seven- hundred and three special agents and nine thousand three hundred twenty supportive employees. The amount of field offices increased from forty- two to fifty- eight. When President Kennedy was assassinated, no federal law could investigate the murder because it was a local crime, so President Johnson demanded the Bureau proceed with an investigation. Due to the tragedy, Congress passed a bill proclaiming that any assassination of a government official was an automatic federal crime and to be dealt with as a federal crime. Congress never decelerated guidelines or protocols for the FBI when conducting national security investigations. FBI Director Edgar Hoover died on May 2, 1972. His successor, appointed by President Nixon, was Patrick Gray. Gray’s first act in office was appointing the first women since the 1920’s as a special agent. A couple months after Gray steps into office, there is a break- in at the Democratic National Headquarters; the FBI was called to assistance quickly, but little did they know their own Director had something to do with it. He immediately removed himself from consideration of being a Director and another was soon appointed, William Ruckelshaus. However, a month later Clarence Kelley, twenty-one year FBI agent, was appointed. After the disaster at the Democratic National Headquarters, Director Kelley’s first act was to regain the trust of the American people in the Federal Bureau and law enforcement in general. He created policy’s that targets the training, the selection of members for both law enforcement and the Bureau, collection of investigation material procedures and prioritizing the criminal database. Another contribution Kelley made was in 1974, he established the Career Review Boards to train and identify potential leaders. Since the Watergate fiasco, the media and Congress have been hounding Kelley trying to figure out if there was a glitch in the self- proclaimed intelligence collection process. On March 10, 1976 the counterintelligence guidelines for FBI foreign investigations went into effect. Created by Attorney General Edward Levi, Congresses suspicion slowly dwindled. â€Å"Quality over Quantity† was the name of Kelley’s new management concept. Each field office priority was directed to the types of cases most that express more concern to a certain territory. Through this new concept, three national priorities were established: organized crime, foreign counterintelligence, and white- collar crime. Due to ex- Director Gray’s stance and hiring women, Director Kelley made more of an effort to higher more women to show diversity and ethnic compassion to the public. By the end of the 1970’s, there were nearly eight thousand special agents, eleven thousand support employees and fifty- nine field offices. At the end of the 1970’s, two interesting things took place. The first, Director Kelley, the most beneficial, improving and innovative Director in the FBI so far resigned. Second, the FBI added laser technology to the Identification Division to detect latent crime scene fingerprints. Former Judge William H. Webster was appointed after Director Kelley’s resignation. Following Kelley’s priorities, Webster added the creation of the National Center for the Analysis of Violent Crime, while expanding on the priorities already in place. The press nicknamed 1985 â€Å"the year of the spy† because of the ridiculous amount of espionage cases solved during this time. As time goes on, the jurisdiction of the FBI continues to grow, this time it’s growing to the illegal drug trade route. In 1982, the Attorney General gave the FBI jurisdiction over the DEA. Even though the FBI is expanding rapidly, they still must fulfill duties from when they were a little fish i n a small pond. During the 1980’s, the FBI dealt with multiple cases dealing with fraud. By 1981, there was 10 bank failures and progressed to 282 by 1981. Because of the sudden increase in fraud cases, the Financial Institution Reform, Recovery and Enhancement Act were established. In 1984, the Olympics took Los Angeles. The FBI was put on terrorist and street protection aid right away. There efforts were duly noted and the jurisdiction of the FBI was increased again but this time, it expanded to protecting United States Citizens from outside U.S boundaries. With this increase comes great responsibility. The Bureau was granted the right to arrest terrorists, drug traffickers, and other fugitives without consent of the foreign country. In order to keep up with the new authority, the FBI established the Computer Analysis and Response Team to gain evidence from surrounding computers. May 26, 1987 Judge Webster resigned from the FBI to take over the Director spot at the CIA. Under the acting Director Otto, another national priority was created. The drug protection efforts mentioned during Director Kelley’s triumphing rein was expanded to include drug demand reduction programs. Through these drug programs, the FBI went to multiple local schools sharing their experiences and their thoughts on drugs to educate the youth of America. By 1988, the FBI employed nine thousand six- hundred and sixty- three special agents with the support of thirteen thousand six- hundred and fifty- one employees. The world was stunned when the Berlin Wall collapsed in November 1989. Foreign countries were scrambling to regain control of their policies and security. The FBI reacted immediately by sending three hundred agents to investigate. The new Director established a sixth priority: investigation of violent crimes. However, there was a new concept coming, a concept of federal, state and local police force to take on the violent street gangs- Operation Safe Streets. This was also around the time of the identification break through. DNA technology was booming and here was now genetic crime- scene evidence that could make or break the suspects’ future. Along with the increase in technology, the FBI paid more attention to the steadily but rapidly increasing â€Å"white- collar crimes,† number three on the national priorities list. Along with the heightened attention on how to protect national security, the FBI’s main focus is keeping America out of reach to communism. Two events took place during the 1992- 1993 that affected the FBI policies. The first event was August 1992, the FBI responded to a shooting of a fellow officer, Deputy U.S. Marshal William Degan, while participating in the surveillance of fugitive Randall Weaver. During the course of action trying to detain the shooter, Weaver’s wife was caught in the cross fire and shot by an FBI sniper. Almost a year later, FBI agents were proceeding to end a 51 day standoff, in Texas, with religiously armed sects who had previously taken the lives of four officers who were part of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms. Instead of proceeding in the ending of the standoff, the officers watched as the sects burned down a compound with eight civilians, including three children, whom all died in the blaze. This was center stage for the FBI with the public, the question of the people was, â€Å"How will the FBI respond to crisis in the future?† September 1, 1993 Louis J. Freeh was sworn in as the new Director of the FBI. He had set out with a clear purpose already: respond to the crime problems at home and abroad. To the people around him, this sounded like a good idea, until July 4, 1994 came around. On that day, he announced that the Federal Bureau of Investigation is opening a legal attachà © in Moscow, the old throne of Russian Communism. Between the next eight years, the FBI mission expanded to the international nature of crimes. The budget grew by more than $1.30 billion, and kept increasing when the Bureau hired five thousand and twenty- nine more agents accompanied by four thousand more supporters. United States Attorney Robert S. Mueller, lll was sworn in as FBI newest Director. He had a specific duty once in office: upgrade technology infrastructure, address records, and enhance the foreign counterintelligence analysis of the damage done by former special agent Robert Hanssen. Within days of this venture, the most horrendous day the United States has ever seen happened, September 11. The FBI partnered with local law enforcement in urge to figure out the cause of this disaster. October 26, President Bush signed the Patriot Act, which basically add new provisions if a terrorist attack were to happen in order to protect the American people. In order to satisfy the change in mission statements, Director Mueller restructured the operations for the Bureau hoping to prevent any further attacks. It strengthened its support to federal, and international law enforcement and created more complex technological structures that take more to crack. As we take a look back through the years, all we can see if improvement and room for more improvement. The FBI stands today to dedicate itself to ensure it carries out its mission: protect and defend the United States against terrorist and foreign intelligence threats; uphold and enforce criminal laws of the United States and provide leadership and criminal justice services to federal, state and international partners. Resources Brief History of the FBI. FBI. FBI, 21 May 2010. Web. 08 Nov. 2014. Muller, Robert. â€Å"Testimony.† Federal Bureau of Investigation. May 16, 2013. Accessed October 7, 2014. http://www.fbi.gov/news/testimony/fbi-budget-request-for-fiscal-year-2014. Shafritz, Jay M., E.W. Russell, Christopher P. Borick. Introducing Public Administration, Eighth Edition. (Boston: Pearson, 2013) â€Å"Today’s FBI Facts and Figures 2013-2014. â€Å"FBI. March 14, 2013. Accessed October 7, 2014.

Memory Conformity of Autobiographical Events: an fMRI Study

Memory Conformity of Autobiographical Events: an fMRI Study Whether privately, when we remember a past experience, or publicly, when we recall a shared memory with a friend, remembering is a functional process. The narratives of our past help us define and maintain our sense of self and meet the social demands of the community (Barnier, Sutton, Harris, Wilson, 2008; Harris, Paterson, Kemp, 2008). However, far from being exact replications of the past, our recollections may be influenced by previous knowledge and imagination, external demands and internal expectations, and exposure to subsequent information (Dudai Edelson, 2016; Schacter, Guerin, St. Jacques, 2011). Memory, indeed, is a constructive process (St Jacques, Olm, Schacter, 2013). While the malleability of our memories is a necessary feature for an adaptive memory system, both psychological and neuroscientific research in the false memory literature has consistently shown that the flexibility of our memory processes also render memories vulnerable to errors and distortions (Lof tus, 2005; Loftus Pickrell, 1995; Schacter et al., 2011; Schacter Loftus, 2013; St Jacques et al., 2013). Extensive research has indeed demonstrated the detrimental effects that incorrect or misleading post-event information has on the content of memory reports, a phenomenon called the misinformation effect (Loftus, 2005). In the classical misinformation paradigm, participants are asked to remember an event, take a memory test that contains some kind of misinformation, and then complete a final memory test for the original event. Across experiments results have consistently shown that after receiving the misinformation, participants in the final test tend to change the content of their memory or even endorse a memory for an event that never happened (Frenda, Nichols, Loftus, 2011; Loftus, 2005; Loftus Pickrell, 1995). Typically, researchers have explained this phenomenon in accordance with a source-monitoring framework that sees false memories as arising from participants errone ous attribution of the misinformation to the original event (Johnson, 1997). Recent research on the misinformation effect with functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) has started to reveal the underlying mechanisms that support false memory formation (Frenda et al., 2011; Schacter Loftus, 2013). Although with some degree of variation mostly accounted by different experimental procedures, neuroimaging studies have shown that brain activity associated with encoding-related processes particularly in the hippocampal complex during the original event and misinformation phase is predictive of whether the misinformation would be later endorsed (Baym Gonsalves, 2010; Okado Stark, 2005; Schacter Loftus, 2013; St Jacques et al., 2013). These studies point to the adaptive perspective of memory. Although different pattern of activation do seem to distinguish true from false memories, the misinformation effect found in behavioral studies seem to arise from a flexible memory system that through reactivation and reconsolidation is responsible for memory updating (Schacter et al., 2011; Schacter Loftus, 2013; St Jacques et al., 2013). Thus, the misinformation effect is a byproduct of functional memory processes that allow the incorporation of new information but are susceptible to memory errors (Dudai Edelson, 2016; Frenda et al., 2011; Schacter et al., 2011; St Jacques et al., 2013). Given the powerful influence and adaptive value that post-event information has on memory, recent research has increasingly begun to explore the misinformation effect when the incorrect information comes from other people, i.e. the source of the misinformation is social (Oeberst Seidemann, 2014; Schacter Loftus, 2013). In numerous real-world contexts, ranging from the exposure to mass media, social interactions, and eyewitness testimony, remembering an event involves sharing information with other people (Edelson, Sharot, Dolan, Dudai, 2011). While sharing information enhances individual memory performance when events are encoded poorly, in others circumstances, especially when incorrect information is shared, collective remembering is likely to produce memory errors (Harris et al., 2008; Hirst Echterhoff, 2012; Rajaram Pereira-Pasarin, 2010).   Indeed, research converging experiments on social conformity and the misinformation effect have provided extensive evidence supp orting the idea that people change their memory reports in response to incorrect information from a social source, a phenomenon often referred to as memory conformity (Dudai Edelson, 2016; Gabbert, Memon, Allan, 2003; Gabbert, Memon, Wright, 2006; Horry, Palmer, Sexton, Brewer, 2012; Jaeger, Lauris, Selmeczy, Dobbins, 2012; Meade Roediger, 2002; Roediger, Meade, Bergman, 2001; Thorley, 2013; Wright, Self, Justice, 2000; Wright, Memon, Skagerberg, Gabbert, 2009). Memory conformity represents a special kind of misinformation effect that exerts strong influence on memory reports a study has found that participants were more likely to report the misinformation when the incorrect information came from discussion with a confederate as opposed to when it was included in narratives (Gabbert, Memon, Allan, Wright, 2004) and has high ecological validity. Not only has research found that about 86% of eyewitnesses have reported talking to another person before providing their testim ony but also cases have been documented in which co-witness sharing of information has led to the wrongful conviction of a suspect (Oeberst Seidemann, 2014; Thorley, 2013; Wright et al., 2000; Wright et al., 2009). Although participants may change their memory reports in the presence of social pressure due to normative influences (i.e., participants report the incorrect information solely out of the need to comply with others) and informational influences (i.e., participants report the incorrect information because they believe the others to be right), the literature on the misinformation effect suggests that memory conformity may arise from false memory formation (Gabbert et al., 2003; Meade Roediger, 2002; Oeberst Seidemann, 2014; Roediger et al., 2001; Wright et al., 2009). Studies have in fact shown that participants tend to report the incorrect information even in later memory tests, where participants are tested individually in the absence of social pressure, and misattribu te the endorsed misinformation to the original event (Meade Roediger, 2002; Roediger et al., 2001). Evidence to the false memory account also comes from neuroimaging studies that have tried to identify the neural correlates involved in memory conformity. In an fMRI study by Edelson, Sharot, Dolan, and Dudai, (2011), groups of five participants were shown a video of a mock crime and were tested three times on the content of their memory across two weeks. Critically, in the second test, the researchers manipulated the misinformation by showing participants either fake incorrect answers of the four co-observers or no answers. Consistent with previous research on the misinformation effect, greater activity in encoding-related regions, specifically the bilateral anterior hippocampus, bilateral posterior hippocampus and bilateral parahippocampal gyrus was found for trials that resulted in erroneous answers even in the absence of social pressure but not for trials that resulted in errors due to social pressure or in correct answers. The researchers also found increased activity in the bilateral amygdala, a region involved in social-emotional processing, and increased functional connectivity between this region and the hippocampus in persisting memory conformity errors (Edelson et al., 2011). Not only these results indicate that participants updated their memory when they received the misinformation, replicating previous neuroimaging results, but they also reveal the role of the amygdala in the integration of social-specific information in memory (Dudai Edelson, 2016; Edelson et al., 2011). For its high relevance to the forensic context, past research on memory conformity has focused on studying the social forces that influence memory reports mainly in the field of eyewitness testimony (Gabbert et al., 2003; Harris et al., 2008; Horry et al., 2012; Jaeger et al., 2012; Oeberst Seidemann, 2014; Williamson, Paul; Weber, Nathan; Robertson, 2013; Wright et al., 2009). The effects of social forces on the content of autobiographical memories, however, represent an area of research that seems to have been neglected by the literature on memory conformity (Barnier et al., 2008). Autobiographical memories are memories of personal experiences, commonly accompanied with high personal and sometimes emotional relevance (Harris et al., 2008). Given the role that autobiographical memories have in individual and community-directed behavior, as we selectively remember events that help us maintain our individual and group identity, and their occurrence in social interactions, as people u sually share their memories in conversation when they remember a past experience (Dudai Edelson, 2016; Harris et al., 2008; Rajaram Pereira-Pasarin, 2010; Zawadzka, Krogulska, Button, Higham, Hanczakowski, 2015), the present study attempts to study the susceptibility of autobiographical memories to social influences that create memory errors and distortions. Previous studies on false memories provide, perhaps unintentionally, some evidence for the endorsement of misinformation coming from social sources, whether implicitly through questionnaires created by the experimenter or explicitly by specifically informing the participants about the source of the misinformation (Hirst Echterhoff, 2012). Indeed, in Loftus and Pickerells (1995) notorious lost in the mall paradigm, 29% of participants came to form a completely false memory about being lost in a mall when they were children. Critically, the false event was firstly introduced through narratives from a close relative (Hirst Ech terhoff, 2012; Loftus Pickrell, 1995). In recent attempts to understand the effects of social influence on autobiographical memories, a study has directly manipulated the presence of a social source, by introducing a piece of misinformation about a participants personal memory during conversation with a confederate. The study found that a week after receiving the misinformation from the confederate, about 30% participants included the misinformation in their final description of their memory (Barnier et al., 2008). Together, these findings suggest that rich autobiographical false memories might indeed be influenced by post-event information introduced by social actors (Harris et al., 2008). The present study thus aims at understanding the cognitive mechanisms of memory conformity for autobiographical memories using fMRI. The experiment will adapt a novel museum tour paradigm used by St Jacques et al. (2013), which allows the control over the encoding of real-world events and measures of memory accuracy, to study the neural mechanisms involved in the influence of post-event information on autobiographical memories to the previously described memory conformity procedure used by Edelson et al. (2011). Studying the neural mechanisms involved in memory conformity for personal events has indeed methodological, theoretical, and applied valence. From a methodological perspective, the memory conformity procedure used in Edelson et al. (2011) study and the museum tour paradigm used in St Jacques et al. (2013) will offer new ways to systematically study both autobiographical memories using fMRI and their susceptibility to social influences. Understanding the mechanisms involved in the integration of social information in autobiographical memories will extend our theoretical knowledge on the flexibility of our memory system responsible both for the formation of false memories and adaptive memory updating. Finally, studying the mechanisms involved in the effects of social influences on autobiographical memories will also expand the memory conformity literature to the real-world examples of personal memories, critical for the forensic context where jurors are asked to judge eyewitness memory reports of personally relevant events (Schacter Loftus, 2013). Based on previous research reviewed above, the following predictions are hypothesized. Behaviorally, trials where the misinformation is introduced by fake co-observers answers will produce errors that are likely to persist even when participants are tested individually (persistent errors) (H1). Neuroimaging data will show greater activity in the hippocampal complex for the social misinformation condition opposed to the no-misinformation condition (H2). Additionally in the social manipulation condition, greater hippocampal activity will be measured for trials that produce errors that persist in the absence of social influences compared to trials that produce errors only in the presence of co-observers answers (transient errors) or trials where no conformity is produced (H3). Finally, the special role of the amygdala in the integration of social information will be also studied. More hippocampus-amygdala connectivity for persistent errors produced by the social-manipulation condition i s expected when contrasted with transient errors and the control condition (H4). Methods Participants Forty right-handed participants will be recruited through the University of Kent Research Participation Scheme. Participants with history of psychiatric disorder or using medication known to affect cognitive functioning will be excluded. Design procedure The study is a within-participants design, divided into four phases, specifically an encoding phase, a first memory test (Test 1), a manipulation phase (Test 2), and a final memory test (Test 3) (Edelson et al., 2011). Encoding phase (day 0): Groups of five unacquainted participants will be provided with an iTouch (Apple) outlining a self-guided audio tour of the British Museum (London, UK) and will be asked to wear a camera that automatically takes photographs every 15 seconds (St Jacques et al., 2013). There will be two slightly different versions of the museum tour, each composed by 208 stops, which will be counterbalanced between groups of participants. Test 1 (day 3):   Participants will take a first forced-choice memory test individually for the museum tour. They will be shown two photographs (A B) for every museum stop; one taken from the version of the tour they have experienced, the other from the alternate tour they have not experienced. The photographs will be matched for every stop between the two versions. They will be then asked to choose the museum stop they remember taking part in and to rate their confidence from 0 (guess) to 100 (absolute confidence). Answers will provide the baseline for accuracy and confidence before the manipulation. Manipulation phase Test 2 (day 7): Participants will be asked to take a second individual memory test in the fMRI scanner. The test will be similar to Test 1 but after the photographs presentation and before participants response, another screen will appear with the pictures of the co-observers. For the photographs of museum stops that received a high confidence correct answer in Test 1, co-observers pictures will be presented with either all incorrect answers (manipulation condition), all correct answers (credibility condition), or an X replacing the answers (no manipulation condition). The credibility condition helps to avoid suspicion from participants, will contain different photographs taken from all the questions in Test 1 and will be excluded from analysis. Test 3 (day 14): Participants will take a final individual memory test identical to Test 1 in the scanner. Before the test, participants will be warned that the answers provided by the co-observers in Test 2 were randomly generated. Materials All stimuli and materials will be taken from St Jacques et al. (2013) and adapted for the purpose of the present study. Analysis The following analyses are based on Edelson et al. (2011)s study (see supplementary information). Behavioral data A repeated measure GLM with error type (transient errors, persistent errors, non-conformity, and no manipulation) as a factor will be conducted. Transient errors: trials where the social manipulation was introduced and for which participants give a first correct answer (Test 1), an incorrect answer in Test 2, and revert back to the correct answer in Test 3. Persistent errors: trials where the social manipulation was introduced for which participants give a first correct answer in Test 1 but an incorrect answer in both Test 2 and 3. Non-conformity: trials where the social manipulation was introduced and for which participants give a correct answer in both Test 2 and 3. No manipulation: trials where co-observers answers will not be given. Neuroimaging data Region of interest analysis: activity in previously identified regions of interest (ROI) (i.e., bilateral amygdala, bilateral para-hippocampus and bilateral anterior and posterior hippocampus) will be analyzed with repeated measures GLM with error type (persistent errors, transient errors, non-conformity, and no manipulation) as a factor. Functional connectivity analysis: whole brain analysis will be conducted to measure functional connectivity between activated ROIs and the left amygdala across experimental conditions. Why fMRI? Reasons why other methods are not appropriate The primary interest of this study is to identify the underlying neural mechanisms that support the long-lasting integration of new and sometimes incorrect information about personal events in memory as a function of social influence. Although the study takes advantage of measures of accuracy and error rates, the primary interest is not in measuring overt behavior, so behavioral methods (i.e., reaction times), are not appropriate. Behavioral studies have in fact been unable to distinguish between the different cognitive processes (i.e., normative influences, informational influences, and memory distortions) that lead to memory conformity (Edelson et al., 2011; Thorley, 2013). Similarly eye tracking is not an appropriate method either. Although measures of eye-fixation and eye-movement during the presentation of misinformation could be informative about attentional processes that lead to successful encoding, these measures cannot distingu ish between different cognitive processes that support memory conformity. This study does not intend to measure neuronal activity, so methods of electrical activity, namely EEG and ERPs, are not appropriate. Although they could be informative about the time when integration processes happen, measures of electrical activity cannot tell us where these processes are supported functionally in the brain. Finally, the present study does not aim at manipulating brain activity as it focuses on understanding the automatic online processes that are associated with memory conformity, so methods of brain stimulation (i.e., TMS) are not appropriate. Reasons why fMRI is appropriate As the present study aims at understanding the cognitive mechanisms involved in the integration of post-event, social misinformation that lead to memory conformity for autobiographical memories, fMRI represents the most appropriate method. Measures of brain activity in encoding-related regions during the presence of misinformation from a social source can provide information about the cognitive processes associated with memory conformity for personal events and distinguish between social influences (i.e., normative or information) and memory distortions that lead to false autobiographical memory reports. Previous studies have in fact shown that activity in the hippocampal complex at encoding is predictive of whether the misinformation will produce long lasting memory change (Edelson et al., 2011; St Jacques et al., 2013). Similarly, identifying the functional architecture of the encoding processes that support the integration of social information in memory will reveal the cognitive mechanisms underlying memory updating, which make memories flexible and vulnerable to social influences (Schacter et al., 2011). Because of its non-invasiveness and better temporal resolution, fMRI is more suitable than other measures of brain activity, such as PET. References: Barnier, A. J., Sutton, J., Harris, C. B., Wilson, R. A. (2008). A conceptual and empirical framework for the social distribution of cognition: The case of memory. Cognitive Systems Research, 9(1-2), 33-51. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cogsys.2007.07.002 Baym, C. L., Gonsalves, B. D. (2010). Comparison of neural activity that leads to true memories, false memories, and forgetting: An fMRI study of the misinformation effect. Cognitive, Affective Behavioral Neuroscience, 10(3), 339-48. https://doi.org/10.3758/CABN.10.3.339 Dudai, Y., Edelson, M. G. (2016). Personal memory: Is it personal, is it memory? Memory Studies, 9(3), 275-283. https://doi.org/10.1177/1750698016645234 Edelson, M., Sharot, T., Dolan, R. J., Dudai, Y. (2011). Following the Crowd: Brain Substrates of Long-Term Memory Conformity. Science, 333(6038), 108-111. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.1203557 Frenda, S. J., Nichols, R. M., Loftus, E. F. (2011). Current Issues and Advances in Misinformation Research. Current Directions in Psychological Science, 20(1), 20-23. https://doi.org/10.1177/0963721410396620 Gabbert, F., Memon, A., Allan, K. (2003). Memory conformity: Can eyewitnesses influence each others memories for an event? Applied Cognitive Psychology, 17(5), 533-543. https://doi.org/10.1002/acp.885 Gabbert, F., Memon, A., Allan, K., Wright, D. B. (2004). Say it to my face: Examining the effects of socially encountered misinformation. Legal and Criminological Psychology, 9, 215-27. https://doi.org/10.1348/1355325041719428 Gabbert, F., Memon, A., Wright, D. B. (2006). Memory conformity: Disentangling the steps toward influence during a discussion. Psychonomic Bulletin Review, 13(3), 480-485. https://doi.org/10.3758/BF03193873 Harris, C. B., Paterson, H. M., Kemp, R. I. (2008). Collaborative recall and collective memory: what happens when we remember together? Memory, 16(3), 213-30. https://doi.org/10.1080/09658210701811862 Hirst, W., Echterhoff, G. (2012). Remembering in conversations: the social sharing and reshaping of memories. Annual Review of Psychology, 63, 55-79. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-psych-120710-100340 Hirst, W., Manier, D. (2008). Towards a Psychology of Collective Memory. Memory, 16(3), 183-200. https://doi.org/10.1080/09658210701811912 Horry, R., Palmer, M. A., Sexton, M. L., Brewer, N. (2012). Memory conformity for confidently recognized items: The power of social influence on memory reports. Journal of Experimental Social Psychology, 48(3), 783-786. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jesp.2011.12.010 Jaeger, A., Lauris, P., Selmeczy, D., Dobbins, I. G. (2012). The costs and benefits of memory conformity. Memory Cognition, 40(1), 101-112. https://doi.org/10.3758/s13421-011-0130-z Johnson, M. K. (1997). Source monitoring and memory distortion. Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London, 352, 1733-1745. https://doi.org/10.1098/rstb.1997.0156 Loftus, E. F. (2005). Planting misinformation in the human mind: a 30-year investigation of the malleability of memory. Learning Memory, 12(4), 361-366. https://doi.org/10.1101/lm.94705 Loftus, E. F., Pickrell, J. E. (1995). The formation of false memories. Psychiatric Annals. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0193-953X(05)70059-9 Meade, M. L., Roediger, H. L. (2002). Explorations in the social contagion of memory. Memory Cognition, 30(7), 995-1009. https://doi.org/10.3758/BF03194318 Oeberst, A., Seidemann, J. (2014). Will your words become mine? underlying processes and cowitness intimacy in the memory conformity paradigm. Canadian Journal of Experimental Psychology/Revue Canadienne de Psychologie Expà ©rimentale, 68(2), 84-96. https://doi.org/10.1037/cep0000014 Okado, Y., Stark, C. E. L. (2005). Neural activity during encoding predicts false memories created by misinformation. Learning Memory, 12(1), 3-11. https://doi.org/10.1101/lm.87605 Rajaram, S., Pereira-Pasarin, L. P. (2010). Collaborative memory: Cognitive research and theory. Perspectives on Psychological Science, 5(6), 649-663. https://doi.org/10.1177/1745691610388763 Roediger, H. L., Meade, M. L., Bergman, E. T. (2001). Social contagion of memory. Psychonomic Bulletin Review, 8(2), 365-371. https://doi.org/10.3758/BF03196174 Schacter, D. L., Guerin, S. A., St. Jacques, P. L. (2011). Memory distortion: an adaptive perspective. Trends in Cognitive Sciences, 15(10), 467-474. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tics.2011.08.004 Schacter, D. L., Loftus, E. F. (2013). Memory and law: What can cognitive neuroscience contribute? Nature Neuroscience, 16(2), 119-23. https://doi.org/10.1038/nn.3294 St Jacques, P. L., Olm, C., Schacter, D. L. (2013). Neural mechanisms of reactivation-induced updating that enhance and distort memory. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, 110(49), 19671-8. https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1319630110 Thorley, C. (2013). Memory conformity and suggestibility. Psychology, Crime Law, 19(7), 565-575. https://doi.org/10.1080/1068316X.2011.648637 Williamson, Paul; Weber, Nathan; Robertson, M.-T. (2013). The Effect of Experitise on Memory Conformity: A Test of Informational Influence. Behavioral Sciences the Law, 31, 607-623. https://doi.org/10.1002/bsl Wright, D. B., Memon, A., Skagerberg, E. M., Gabbert, F. (2009). When eyewitnesses talk. Current Directions in Psychological Science, 18(3), 174-178. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-8721.2009.01631.x Wright, D. B., Self, G., Justice, C. (2000). Memory conformity: exploring misinformation effects when presented by another person. British Journal of Psychology, 91, 189-202. https://doi.org/10.1348/000712600161781 Zawadzka, K., Krogulska, A., Button, R., Higham, P. A., Hanczakowski, M. (2015). Memory, Metamemory, and Social Cues: Between Conformity and Resistance. Journal of Experimental Psychology: General, 145(2), 181-199. https://doi.org/10.1037/xge0000118

Cynthia Ozick Essay -- Biography Biographies Bio

Cynthia Ozick (1928 - †¦.) Cynthia Ozick was born in New York City on April 17, 1928. She was the second of two children. Her parents, Celia (Regelson) and Wiliam Ozick immigrated to the US from the northwest region of Russia. The family came from the Litvak (Lithuanian) Jewish tradition which was a tradition of skepticism, rationalism and antimysticism. Her parents owned a pharmacy in Pelham Bay section of Bronx. They worked very hard, usually fourteen hours a day. Cynthia delivered perscriptions sometimes. Her mother was a generous, lavish, exuberant woman full of laughter whereas her father was a discreet, quiet man. He was also a Jewish scholar, and knew Latin and German. When she was five and a half, her grandmother took her to â€Å"heder†, for Yiddish-Hebrew religios instruction. The rabbi told Ozick’s grandmother to take her home because a girl did not have to study. But her grandmother brought her back the very next day and insisted that she was to be accepted. Ozick is grateful to her grandmother for that instince and dates back her feminism to that time. She describes the Pelham Bay section of Bronx as a lovely place but it was â€Å"brutually difficult to be a Jew† there. She remembers having stones thrown at her or being called as Crist’s killer. At home and at the â€Å"heder† she was considered intelligent but she was particularly uncomfortable in school because she did not want to sing Christmas carols and was humiliated for that. She felt inadequate and tells that she suffered â€Å" a wormlike childhood in grade school†. But she was excellent in grammar, spelling, reading and writing. And to run away from the dreariness of being different, she dedicated herself to the world of books. She began reading with her older brother’s... ...d." She has turned 80 earlier this year and has won not one but two lifetime achievement awards. In April 2008, she was receved the PEN/Malamud Award for short fiction and the PEN/Nabakov Award for â€Å"enduring originality and consummate craftmanship†. Bibliography: Trust – novel, 1966 The Pagan Rabbi – stories, 1971 Bloodshed – novellas, 1976 Levitation – fictions, 1982 Art & Ardor – essays, 1983 The Canibal Galaxy – novel, 1983 The Messiah of Stockholm – novel, 1987 Metaphor &Memory – essays, 1989 The Shawl – stories, 1989 Fame & Folly – essays, 1996 The Puttermesser Papers – novel, 1997 Quarrel & Quandry – essays, 2000 Heir to the Glimmering World – novel, 2004 The Din in the Head – essays, 2006 Dictation – stories, 2008 Souces: www.reaaward.org www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org www.complete-review.com www.myjewishlearning.com www.guardian.co.uk

Benefits of Vegetarianism :: Healthy Lifestyle Essay

More than 10 billion animals are killed for our plates each year. These animals are drugged and starved each day. Almost none of the animals ever see daylight. Majority of the mothers ever see their young. Shortly after giving birth, the mothers are sent away to cruel veal farms to feed humans their calves. Fish on aquafarms spend their entire life in filthy enclosures. Forty percent of them die because diseases and parasite infections. On some farms, conditions are so horrendous that majority of them die before they can get packaged. But that is not as alarming as what continues. Most of the innocent animals are killed so horrifically, that the poor animals which have only brought goodness, have their throats slit while they are fully conscious. More than fifteen million people in the United States of America are vegetarians. The consumption of eating meat, dairy, and eggs have been strongly linked to Alzheimer’s disease, and asthma. Meat-eaters are nine times more likely to be obese than vegetarians. Animal products clog your arteries, zap your energy and slow down your immune system. Vegetarians have stronger immune systems than their meat-eating friends, making them less vulnerable to everyday illnesses such as colds, and flues. There’s a bonus also to becoming a vegetarian - you live longer on average six to ten years! The oldest person in the world was a vegetarian - living until 117 years! Vegetarians grow taller and have higher IQs than their classmates. They are also at a lower risk for heart diseases, diabetes, and obesity. Even older people who switch to a vegetarian diet can prevent and even reverse chronic mental diseases! Meat-eating is why our teeth grow crooked, and why our jaws are small. Not very many people know exactly what part of the body they are eating. We are actually supposed to be omnivores. Compare our teeth to those of a carnivore. A carnivore’s teeth are used to tear apart meat. Ours are not. We do not have ‘canine teeth’. Animal fat is saturated fat and cholesterol, which both have been linked to various health problems, including heart diseases, and cancer. A group fifteen scientists declared that up to 40 percent of cancers are preventable. Most people think that vegetarians don’t get enough protein. But this is an old wives’ tale. Vegetarians do get enough protein. Is it possible to get enough protein on a vegetarian diet?

Palm oil oral presentation

Today I would like to talk to you about a rather large problem. It is responsible for most of the deforestation In the world, It has caused lots of damage to the bio-sphere and atmosphere. It has caused huge amounts of damage to the species living In the rainforest's. This problem Is catastrophic and caused by us humans. If some of you are thinking Its palm 011, your rightly (change) What is palm oil? Palm oil is a highly saturated oil that comes from the fruit of a palm tree growing in tropical climates. Today most palm oil is produced in Indonesia and Malaysia. Rainforest's are destroyed to make room for palm oil plantations.These areas, which are the lungs of the world and home to native wildlife, are destroyed at an alarming rate. Every hour rainforest's the size of over 300 football fields are cleared. (change) As much as hundred different species are now becoming extinct every day. Some animals that are becoming close to extinct are the Sumatra and Borne Orange- tan, the Sumat ra tiger, the pigmy elephant and the Sumatra rhino. Ten years ago there were still over 1 50,000 orange-tans in the wild and that number has dropped to 30,000 today! Sumatra tiger and rhino numbers have dropped dramatically to having only 30-40 in the wilds. Change) Every year at least 1,500 orange-tans die cruelly when beaten to death by plantation workers as they are considered a pest and some of these beautiful animals are burnt to death by the uncontrolled fires to clear land, which also kills hundreds of other fauna and flora species. There Is a huge risk that none of these animals will be living in the wild by he year 2020, because of the fact the demand for palm OLL Is huge and Increasing. (change) Although, 30 years ago, no many products contained palm oil, today palm oil is in 50% of our products. It's in confectionery foods, food items, personal care items and house care products.It may surprise you that some of your favorite products are contributing to the palm oil probl em. Startups, Skittles, Mars chocolate, Ores, Nutshell, Ben and Jerry, Amiability, cover girl cosmetics and thousands more. Re deliberately not labeling their products clearly and this makes it harder to identify products containing palm oil. Consumers can help by learning the other names that are potentially used like vegetable oil or one of the 30 different chemical or common names Lists are available on the WFM and the Melbourne Zoo websites. Here you will also find lists of products and brands to avoid as well as better alternative choices.Other things you can do to help are, -Educate yourself about the problem -Spread the message to those around you -Join campaigns and fundraisers Make a conscious decision to stop using palm oil and let manufacturers know that you want them to switch to alternative oils -Buy ethical products and support companies that are doing the right thing -Encourage your government to change labeling laws -Encourage your government to aid affected communit ies and help them to find alternative income sources, for example tourism and sustainable plantations I hope that this will inspire you to become a crusader for Orange-tans.

Joseph Gobbels and Propaganda

Propaganda presents information primarily to influence people. It generally does not provide information impartially or completely. Propaganda often presents facts selectively. â€Å"Lying by Omission† or sometimes including some untrue stories, thoughts is a general practice in propaganda, to justify an idea or to seek the support the people. Propaganda uses special messages to generate an emotional response to the information presented rather than a logical one. Since propaganda is generally used to win the support of the people for the government policies, the German government propaganda also aimed to gain the support of the German people, people in the occupied countries and also it aimed to psychologically affect the people in the enemy territories. The German propagandas included the use of radio broadcasts, motion pictures, poster distributions and cartoons. The propaganda ministry worked in such a way that people would learn German culture and beliefs and also mainly the Germany’s right to rule the world. Even when the war started turning against the Axis powers, Germans said that they were trying to save the world from the evils of Communism. In Italy, Mussolini motivated the Italians with the dreams of re-establishing the ancient Rome. Italian propaganda also tried to ridicule the fighting ability of the Allied soldiers. Japanese government promised to the people of the occupied lands a share of the Greater East Asia, wealth to be shared in all eastern Asia under the rule of Japan, with the slogan â€Å"Asia For Asians†. The Japanese claimed that they were freeing Asia from European Rulers. In England, The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) claimed that they were open so that people would learn the truth. But in Germany, it was forbidden to watch BBC. In the United States (US), the government established the â€Å"Office of War Information† (OWI) to broadcast the US propaganda during the war. OWI broadcasted the US cause for the war â€Å"the fight for a better world† and seek the support of the people for it. He was born on 29 October 1897, in Rheydt, Germany into a working class family. He originally did not fit the Nazi stereotype figure. He was barely 5 feet (150cm) tall with dark eyes instead of blue and olive skin. His left foot was crippled and therefore noticeable limping. Against all the odds, he rose to the top and was appointed as the propaganda minister of the Nazi Germany. Goebbels earned a Ph.D. from Heidelberg University in 1921, writing his doctoral thesis on 18th-century romantic drama. He then worked as a journalist. He also wrote unsuccessful novels and plays. Goebbels came into contact with the Nazi Party in 1923 during the French occupation of the Ruhr and became a member in 1924. He was appointed as the regional party leader of Berlin. In this position, he started to exhibit his propaganda skills, and combatted the local socialists and communist parties with the help of Nazi papers and the paramilitary troops. By 1928, he had risen in the National Socialist German Workers’ Party ranks to become one of its most prominent members. In this position, he helped Hitler to bring Nazis to the power in 1933. One of his very famous acts was the â€Å"burning of books† in Berlin in 1933, the books that are rejected by the Nazis. He aimed to pass the message to persuade both the Germans and the rest of the world for them to believe in the cause of the Nazi Germany. During WW2, Goebbels exerted totalitarian power and controlled all the media, publications, radio programs, motion pictures and the messages conveyed in all the arts performed in Germany and German dominated Europe. He perfected the â€Å"Big Lie† technique of propaganda, which is based on the principle that a lie, if loud enough and repeated enough times, will be believed by the masses. Goebbels used modern propaganda techniques to psychologically prepare the German people for aggressive war and the extermination of civilian populations. By late 1943, even when the tide of the war was turning against the Axis powers, Goebbels intensified his propaganda by urging the Germans to accept the idea of total war and mobilization. When it became evident that Germany lost the war, Goebbels killed himself and his own family with his firearm on 1 May 1945 in Berlin. There are lots of other stories and confusion about how he killed himself. It is believed that he first poisoned his six young children then he either shot his wife Magda and then himself or ordered an SS soldier to shoot both of them. He also might have taken poison in addition to being shot. Their bodies were burned with gasoline and before buried. But since there was not enough gasoline to completely burn him, the Soviets Army was able to identify his corps. We should never accept any delivered speech or idea without any supporting facts and try our best to make rational rather than emotional decisions. We should always keep in mind that delivered speeches could be a simple â€Å"Propaganda† to effect our decisions. Further, we should never forget that the decisions we make and the actions we take based on those decisions always come along with us and affect our future. Reference https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joseph_Goebbels