Human Behavior during Evacuations

Introduction Human beings will react differently whenever exposed to various disasters or fire outbreaks. Engineers and firefighters have conducted numerous studies in order to understand the issues associated with human behavior during evacuation.Advertising We will write a custom research paper sample on Human Behavior during Evacuations specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Different evacuation models â€Å"are critical because they determine the time take to safeguard the lives of many civilians after a disaster† (Kuligowski, 2009, p. 3). Many scholars and theorists have analyzed the major issues associated with different human behaviors. This situation explains why many engineers have not incorporated different human behaviors into their evacuation models. According to Simonovic (2011, p. 16), â€Å"every action performed by individuals in a dangerous situation results from a unique decision-making process†. This dec ision-making process has encouraged many scholars to predict different human behaviors during evacuations. This essay analyzes the current literature on human behaviors during evacuations. Theory of Human Behavior during Disasters Occupants in different buildings or structures will react in a specific manner after encountering a disaster. Human beings perceive specific cues before performing certain actions. The next stage is interpreting the nature of the targeted risk or situation. This interpretation usually depends on the cues perceived by every individual in the first stage. The individuals will â€Å"eventually make specific decisions in order to deal with the disaster† (Kuligowski, 2009, p. 3). This discussion explains why human beings follow a unique process whenever making their decisions. However, some external and internal factors determine what individuals perceive or interpret whenever there is a disaster.  According to Fahy and Proulx (2011, p. 718), â€Å"th e phases of disaster response will vary significantly depending on the targeted individuals, the nature of structure, and the aspects of the situation†.Advertising Looking for research paper on psychology? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More For example, the occupants in a building can perceive different cues depending on the targeted disaster. Individuals can see smoke, debris, or receive phone calls from their friends. The individuals in the targeted structure or building will gather different thoughts within the shortest time possible. The second phase of the Disaster Response Model (DRM) occurs when the individuals interpret the perceived information (Kuligowski, 2009). The individuals might also decide to ignore the above signs. They â€Å"might also decide to ignore the threat if it is not serious† (Fahy Proulx, 2011, p. 718). The third phase will ensure the individuals make appropriate decisions depending on t heir interpretations. The fourth phase will produce a specific behavioral process. This phase will ensure the occupants in the targeted building or structure perform specific actions. The above phases will produce a unique behavioral process whenever there is an evacuation effort. A new behavioral response can also emerge if the individuals get different ideas and information about the disaster. That being the case, human beings will act in a unique manner after identifying the existing danger. The behavior of â€Å"the occupants will depend on the manner in which they perceive the initial information† (Simonovic, 2011, p. 64). The people will â€Å"also interpret the nature of the risk and make the appropriate decisions in order to deal with it† (Simonovic, 2011, p. 104). Human Behaviors during Evacuation The above discussion examines how human beings make specific decisions after identifying a new disaster. Human beings will also behave in a unique manner during ever y pre-evacuation, evacuation, and post-evacuation process. The first human behavior that emerges after a disaster is panic. This form of panic can be an extreme behavior that disorients the goals of the affected individuals. Some studies have examined â€Å"how different individuals will experience a tormenting state of mind after witnessing a dangerous event such as a terrorist attack† (Fahy Proulx, 2011, p. 719).Advertising We will write a custom research paper sample on Human Behavior during Evacuations specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More More studies are needed in order to understand how human beings behave after interpreting the presented cues.  The use of mobile phones and telephones has become a common human behavior whenever there is a disaster. For instance, a number of studies have been conducted on different human behaviors after September 11. Many studies have identified how different evacuees communicated with their friends and relatives about the event. According to these studies, several phone calls were made to different friends, colleagues, parents, and children. According to Fahy and Proulx (2011, p. 719), â€Å"15 percent of the telephone calls were made to different emergency departments and services†. Most of the phone calls were executed during the pre-evacuation phase. This behavior is common because many individuals will always inform their relatives after a disaster occurs.  Many individuals tend to communicate with others in order to get the best support. However, many experts have identified the dangers associated with the practice (Okaya, Takahashi, Southern, 2013). For instance, the practice can affect the effectiveness of every evacuation process. Many occupants use telephones without understanding the magnitude of the targeted event or disaster. This unique human behavior also occurs whenever there is a disaster. Some individuals â€Å"might form new imaginat ions and thoughts after experiencing the event† (Gagnon, 2008, p. 37).  Some behaviors are also recorded during the evacuation phase. The most notorious behavior â€Å"during the evacuation process is the formation of different groups† (Gagnon, 2008, p. 45). This human practice â€Å"is called Group Behavior† (Gagnon, 2008, p. 45). According to Simonovic (2011, p. 89), â€Å"over 80 percent of victims of a disaster will come together in order to form a group†. Many individuals form such groups without their knowledge. This behavior will â€Å"depend on several factors such as the number of victims, the nature of the building, and the nature of the disaster† (Gagnon, 2008, p. 46). The agreeable fact is that many individuals will form different groups in an attempt to get the required support.Advertising Looking for research paper on psychology? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Another common behavior â€Å"observed in different emergency situations is the obstruction of human flow† (Gagnon, 2008, p. 56). The non-injured individuals in a specific building will locate different exits. Many individuals â€Å"might decide to use one pathway thus affecting the evacuation process† (Gagnon, 2008, p. 46). Some engineers might also block different exits thus affecting the evacuation process. The problem of obstruction has affected the effectiveness of many Disaster Response Programs (DRPs). Some individuals move in the same direction without examining the existing dangers. Human behaviors and responses to various disasters will depend on different factors. For instance, some individuals â€Å"will scramble for resources and support systems during the evacuation process† (Okaya et al., 2013, p. 5). This observation is common during every evacuation process. The four phases of â€Å"the decision-making process will also determine the manner in which the targeted persons react to the disaster† (Gagnon, 2008, p. 46). Screaming is also common whenever the disaster is unbearable. Such behaviors can make it impossible for many rescuers and evacuators to achieve their objectives. Sometimes the evacuees might fail to cooperate and even interfere with the rescue mission.  Some people might decide to locate different exits, fire extinguishers, and alarms. Such equipments are relevant because they improve the level of communication in a building. This approach makes it easier for more individuals to understand the facts of the disaster. This discussion explains why different behaviors are exhibited whenever there is a fire outbreak or disaster. It cannot be possible to predict the behaviors exhibited by different individuals after a disaster. Researchers should undertake â€Å"new studies in order to understand the major issues associated with various disasters† (Gagnon, 2008, p. 74). This understanding will produce new concepts in order to deal with different events such as terrorist attacks, fire outbreaks, and floods. Using Human Behaviors to Design Effective Evacuation Models Many evacuation models focus on the best practices, resources, and approaches that can safeguard the lives of more people within the shortest time possible. This knowledge has encouraged many engineers to identify better ideas and strategies that can make every evacuation model successful. The main focus of every â€Å"evacuation model is to reduce the time taken to evacuate every individual to a safer place† (Fahy Proulx, 2011, p. 719). Some engineers have examined the effectiveness of different theories in order to produce the best evacuation processes. However, such models have failed to predict the behaviors of different individuals involved in the process. As discussed earlier, every occupant in the targeted building will act differently depending on the nature of the event. For instance, the occupants can engage in different activities in order to help others. The individuals might also make phone calls in an attempt to collect and share different information. The targeted persons might also be ready to deal with the disaster. For example, the occupants might decide to deal with the targeted event. According to Okaya et al. (2013, p. 5), â€Å"these practices might make it impossible for the rescuers to achieve the best goals†. Many engineers tend to ignore the behaviors of the targeted occupants. The behaviors and actions of different people can affect the evacuation process. The actions of these people will also delay their safety and also make the evacuation process less effective. This gap explains why â€Å"engineers and scholars should generate a comprehensive and robust theory on these behaviors† (Kuligowski, 2009, p. 95). The presented theory will ensure every evacuation strategy achieves the best results (Okaya et al., 2013). The important thing is to identify the best responses to these gaps. The knowledge of the above human behaviors will also encourage engineers and architects to design new buildings that can improve every evacuation process. Many evacuation designs and models have failed to produce the best results because of the above gap. Human beings will react differently depending on the disaster. Engineers should undertake new studies in order to produce better frameworks for rescuing more people. The social cues dictating the responses and decisions made by different people â€Å"can make it easier for designers to produce better structures† (Kuligowski, 2009, p. 93). This â€Å"knowledge will make it easier for engineers to have fire extinguishers and alarm alert systems in place† (Gagnon, 2008, p. 63). Some new factors and tools have emerged in order to promote the best Occupant Escape Behavior (OEB). Such tools include â€Å"alarm systems, building designs, occupancy types, and Fire Safety Management† ( Okaya et al., 2013, p. 6). These tools can make it easier for different institutions to develop the best evacuation strategies. This knowledge can be applied in different areas such as Fire Fighting Practice (FFP) and Disaster Management (DM). Engineers can use the same ideas to quantify various human behaviors especially after an emergency. This approach will make it easier for engineers to produce better transport systems and buildings that can support every evacuation model. Many studies have identified the factors contributing to various human behaviors during an evacuation process. The existence of various gaps and weaknesses explain why fire fighters should consider the implications of different human behaviors. The approach will address the needs of many occupants in different structures. Gagnon (2008, p. 72) â€Å"encourages scholars to develop new conceptual models of human behaviors whenever there terrorist attacks, typhoons, and building fires†. This practice will produce the best strategies in order to safeguard the lives of many people. Conclusion Different human behaviors during an evacuation process results from several decision-making phases. The behavioral process begins when â€Å"the occupants acquire some information about the surrounding environment† (Okaya et al., 2013, p. 6). Every human behavior will determine the effectiveness of the targeted evacuation process. Many individuals will make phone calls in order to inform their relatives about the disaster. According to Kuligowski (2009, p. 93), â€Å"other individuals will form new groups in order to overcome the challenges associated with the disaster†. These behaviors can â€Å"offer evidence-based concepts that can support different fields such as Fire Management (FM), disaster response, engineering, and architecture† (Kuligowski, 2009, p. 14). Engineers and architects can study the behaviors of human beings during every evacuation process. This practice wi ll produce better structures that can safeguard the lives of many citizens. Reference List Fahy, R., Proulx, G. (2011). Human Behavior in the World Trade Center Evacuation. Fire Safety Science, 1(1), 713-724. Gagnon, R. (2008). Design of Special Hazard and Fire Alarm Systems. Clifton Park, NY: Thomson Delmar Learning. Kuligowski, E. (2009). The Process of Human Behaviors in Fires. Retrieved from https://www.nist.gov/publications/process-human-behavior-fires Okaya, M, Takahashi, T, Southern, M. (2013). Effect of Guidance on Evacuation Behavior Simulations Using Agent Communication. Proceedings of the Workshop on Multi-agent Interaction Networks, 1(1), 1-7. Simonovic, S. (2011). Systems Approach to Management of Disasters: Methods and Applications. New York, NY: Wiley. This research paper on Human Behavior during Evacuations was written and submitted by user Benson L. to help you with your own studies. You are free to use it for research and reference purposes in order to write your own paper; however, you must cite it accordingly. You can donate your paper here.

Free Essays on Gender Differences in Communications

don’t work as they expected, or even spark resentment and anger. Both women and men could benefit from learning each other’s styles. Many women could learn from men to accept some conflict and differences without seeing it as a threat to intimacy, and many men could learn from women to accept interdependence without seeing it as a threat to their freedom. This paper will evaluate the differences between genders in communication. Part of the study consists in showing that those differences are due to the differences between men and women of course, but that they are also very dependent on the environment into which the conversation takes place. Many cross-gender communication studies only examine verbal communication between a man and a woman, disregarding the environment and therefore fail to completely isolate the interlocutors. An interlocutor is one who takes part in a conversation. The first part of the paper will examine why there is a need to understand gender communication, and the relation between different world-views and gender communication. The second part of the paper will ... Free Essays on Gender Differences in Communications Free Essays on Gender Differences in Communications Gender Differences in Communications Gender communication is communication about and between men and women (Ivy and Backlund, 1994). Recognizing gender differences in communication enables both sexes to communicate better with each other. According to Deborah Tannen, (1992, p 17), many women and men feel dissatisfied with their close relationships and become even more frustrated when they try to talk things out. There are gender differences in ways of speaking, and a need to identify and understand them. Without such understanding, we are doomed to blame others or ourselves-or the relationship- for the otherwise mystifying and damaging effects of our contrasting conversational styles. Pretending that women and men are the same hurts women, because the ways they are treated are based on the norms for men, and are nonplussed when their words don’t work as they expected, or even spark resentment and anger. Both women and men could benefit from learning each other’s styles. Many women could learn from men to accept some conflict and differences without seeing it as a threat to intimacy, and many men could learn from women to accept interdependence without seeing it as a threat to their freedom. This paper will evaluate the differences between genders in communication. Part of the study consists in showing that those differences are due to the differences between men and women of course, but that they are also very dependent on the environment into which the conversation takes place. Many cross-gender communication studies only examine verbal communication between a man and a woman, disregarding the environment and therefore fail to completely isolate the interlocutors. An interlocutor is one who takes part in a conversation. The first part of the paper will examine why there is a need to understand gender communication, and the relation between different world-views and gender communication. The second part of the paper will ...

David Oliver's Cancer Vlogs Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

David Oliver's Cancer Vlogs - Assignment Example s documentation of all disease factors that affect the well-being of an individual as well as helping the learners in pointing out emerging health problems that affects the quality of life such as depression, cancer and sexual dysfunction (P. 261). For this reason, new challenges to personal responses of the management of chronic illness such as denial and anxiety were correctly and broadly understood through class discussions and brain-storming. Demonstratively, it was brought to an understanding that, for the first diagnosis individuals with chronic illness develop a physical, psychological and social disequilibrium. Similarly, it was brought to an understanding that different individual’s response differently when exposed to different life conditions (P. 262). For instance, the denial concept as a defensive mechanism for the individuals affected with chronic diseases forces them to response slowly to chronic illness management strategies as well achieving a quality life standard. Nevertheless, I was able to develop a sense of understanding from being a dependent individual to self-dependant individual allowing me to carry out self-management initiatives against different chronic conditions (P. 262). However, I was able to reverse my imaginations from being narrowed to the causes, effects and the impacts of chronic diseases to developing a suitable knowledge that help in adjusting to my new lifestyle. In addition, I was able to understand that, anxiety and denial are among the essential symptoms evidenced in chronically affected individual who lack suitable chronic illness management strategies

Taiwan-China Conflict and Resolution Research Paper

Taiwan-China Conflict and Resolution - Research Paper Example China was fragment after the fall of Qing dynasty and civil war followed (Myers 1) in 1915. In this condition, the political party that gave birth to Taiwan, the  Guomindang  or GMD was formed and so was the ruling party in China, the Chinese Communist Party  (CCP). These two political parties however begun as allies in Southeast China in their effort to crush the warlords in 1923 that caused the civil war in China. The alliance however was short lived because it collapsed within four years and the two political parties became bitter enemies that precipitated another civil war. GMD’s generals pledge loyalty to its new leader Chiang  Kai ­shek and formed a new Republic of China in Nanjing and later formed a new ROC government in Nanjing in 1927 (Myers 1). Chiang  Kai ­shek had the upper hand over the CCP in 1937 as Chiang  Kai ­shek army drove the Communists into the Northwest region of China. Japan however attacked China in July 1937 to make Chiang  Kai ­ shek ROC a client state of Japan. The attack was thwarted because Taiwan and China again forged an alliance to defeat Japan. This alliance lasted for eight years until Japan was defeated in August 15, 1945. During this time, Chiang  Kai ­shek also allied with the United States which lasted until 1949. China on the other is building up its forces beginning in the Autumn of 1945 when it begun amassing weapons from the Russians in Manchuria. It also initiated land reform in the countryside as a precursor to Maoist strategy of encircling cities by cutting them off from the countryside. The strategy coupled with superior weapons proved to be effective in defeating Chiang  Kai ­shek’s forces and advanced further towards Northern China until finally, CPP soldiers captured Beijing on January 31, 1949. Months later, Mao declared the founding of the new  Chinese  state in October 1, 1949 which is the  People's Republic  of  China (13). Chiang Kai-shek on the other han d retreated to Formosa which is now Taiwan to seek refuge from Mao’s advancing armies (Ford 36) which it still continue to occupy until this day. II. Description of the various conflict management techniques used, the third parties that were active in attempts to resolve the conflict, and the outcomes of these conflict management efforts. Efforts however were made to reconcile Taiwan and China after Mao’s declaration of People's Republic  of  China or PROC as we know it today. On April 27, 1993, China and Taiwan begun negotiating the various Interpretations of Taiwan’s relationship  to  China,  or  the  "one ­China" principle† (Myers 1). The negotiation however was conducted and represented by third party private agencies. Taiwan was represented by Straits Exchange Foundation or SEF while China was represented Association for Relations across the  Taiwan  Strait,  or  ARATS. The negotiation however was short lived and collapse when President Lee Teng ­hui visited the US for a public address at Cornell University (Myers 1). The technique used in the attempt to resolve the conflict was negotiation by third parties composed of private NGOs. The negotiation however did not prosper because no confidence building measure was initiated by both parties. The negotiation finally collapsed when Taiwan’s President Lee Teng ­hui antagonized the Chinese by a visit to the Communist ideological nemesis, the US.

DERIVATIVES MARKETS Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

DERIVATIVES MARKETS - Assignment Example Since the securities are listed and traded in the stock exchange, the secondary market is also called the stock market. In primary market, companies interact with investors directly while in the secondary market investors interact with themselves. In both cases, the capital market intermediaries play an important role .The secondary market, based on all available information, determines the price and risk of the issued securities, it provides useful signals to both listed companies and investors to act in the primary markets. The secondary market may also include the over the counter market and the derivatives market. In the stock market share prices are determined by the demand and supply forces. On the other hand, in the over the counter market prices are negotiated between the buyer and the seller. The derivatives market deals in futures and options. In the derivatives markets, securities or portfolios of securities are traded for future delivery. In case of options, the future de livery is conditional as the buyer has a right to exercise or not to exercise the option. The derivatives market and my proposed derivative product The emergence of new markets for derivatives such as forwards and futures can be traced back to the willingness of risk adverse economic agents to protect themselves against uncertainties occurring from price fluctuations in various asset categories. Naturally, financial markets are very volatile. Through derivative products, however, it is possible to fully or partially transfer price risks by locking in prices of assets. By doing so derivative products reduce the impact of fluctuations in prices of assets on the cash flow and profitability situation of risk averse investors (Morrison and Winston 34). The derivative instruments are in use by all business sections, for instance, corporates, SMEs, financial institutions, banks and retail investors. My motivation for this derivative is the ability to trade while conserving the environment through the hampering of the big problem of global warming which is getting worse as firms continue to produce. The trading is also focused on trading carbon credits with the aim of controlling or reducing pollutants produced from business activities of firms. Therefore, the central driver of carbon emissions trading would be the impact on the climate and the degradation of the environment as a result of emissions of various gases. The immaturity of this market of derivatives also gives hope that there is a growth potential for this business. Currently there are smaller numbers of firms that offer such certificates. An appropriate pricing model for derivatives on the carbon emission certificates is certainly the first step in coming up with the derivative there is need to investigate the price dynamics. Product Design and Specifications The proposed derivative is a futures contract. Via the American Climate Exchange (ACX) carbon derivatives will be based upon 3 types of carbon relat ed units. The following table gives an overview of my product in terms of price, quantity, unit of underlying asset, maturity date, delivery policy, margin requirement and daily settlement and transaction costs. Type Carbon Emission Derivation: futures contract Trading Units 1000 carbon dioxide EUA allowances, with each allowance allowing 1 tonne of carbon dioxide equivalent gas Minimum trading 1 lot Strike Price Intervals Quotation US dollar per metric tonne Minimum Tick $ 0.01 per tonne Minimum price flux $0.01

Death Penalty For Drug Trafficking

Death Penalty For Drug Trafficking I have chosen to focus on the death penalty for drug trafficking for the following reasons: Some governments will sentence those who are convicted for just the possession of drugs to the death penalty, while other countries are more lenient and do not do so. From this study, I want to know if the enforcement of the death penalty may affect drug trafficking through its deterrence effect. I also want to find out more on the present situation of drug trafficking and thus predict what may happen in the future, with regard to the application and the law on drug offences. Death Penalty for Drug Trafficking: Is it really necessary? Introduction Drug abuse produces long term consequences and problems in societies. Drug trafficking is a serious offence and drug traffickers should be punished. However, should the death penalty be imposed on drug traffickers? Do they deserve the death penalty? Some countries believe implementing the death penalty for drug trafficking has a deterrent effect and would control the drug problem. However, is this really the case? Which countries enforce the death penalty for drug trafficking? There are currently twenty-one countries which state in their laws that those whom are caught trafficking drugs and committing other drug offenses will face the death penalty. From Annex I, it shows that mainly countries in Asia, 18 out of 21, enforce the death penalty for drug trafficking. How does Singapores and Mexicos laws view drug trafficking? Singapore and Mexico were chosen because I want to see the contrast between the laws of a very strict country and one that has a drug war going on and producing a large amount of drugs. Singapore has strict, even draconian laws regarding the misuse of drugs and drug trafficking. This is shown in Singapores laws, under the Misuse of Drugs Act, which state that the trafficking of a certain amount of drugs will result in the person receiving a mandatory death penalty such as 250 grams of amphetamines and 1,200 grams of opium containing 30 grams of morphine. In addition, any person possessing over a certain amount of drugs, such as 15 grams of heroin, 500 grams of cannabis and 30 grams of cocaine  [1]  will be presumed drug trafficking unless proven otherwise and convicted of the death sentence.  [2]   On the other hand, Mexico, a major drug-producing and transit country, has laws which are much more lax than Singapore. Recently, a new law was passed in Mexico that decriminalized the simple possession  [3]  of drugs. Under this law it is stated that if person is found to possess an amount of drugs under the allowable quantity, they will just be told what are the possible drug rehabilitation options in their area.  [4]  The allowable amounts are 5 grams of marijuana and 50 milligrams of heroin, which both contain multiple doses, and 0.5 grams of cocaine. Even if a person is found to be in possession of up to 1,000 times the allowable amounts, he would only be sentenced to 10 months 3 years in prison.  [5]   What are the main arguments for and against the usage of the death penalty? This leads us to the issue of whether using the death penalty is justified for drug trafficking. There are quite a number of factors for people to support the death penalty. First, by killing the criminal, there is one less criminal in society to do harm, thus offering safety and protection. Secondly, it is a deterrent, as people may not want to take the risk to commit a serious crime if the punishment is death. Supporters say that death penalty has been made as humane as possible and can be carried out professionally.  [6]  The death penalty also helps justify the victims death.  [7]   However, there are also many factors to oppose using the death penalty for drug trafficking. Some religious groups say that life is sacred and killing should not be allowed in any circumstances and death penalty is not pro-life. Also, the imposition of the death penalty is a cruel and unusual punishment  [8]  . Opponents also believe that studies of death penalty for deterrence are highly exaggerated and arguments in those studies are flawed. In addition, death penalty is always cruel and can never be humane.  [9]  In the context of Singapore, opponents of death penalty feel that the usage of the death penalty may result in a higher chance of an innocent person being executed  [10]  as Singapore employs a guilty until proven innocent law.  [11]   After considering the arguments from both sides, I am against imposing the death penalty. This is mainly due to the fact that there is no confirmed deterrent effect resulting from imposing the death penalty. Though some studies advocate that enforcement of death penalty can deter people from committing crimes  [12]  , other studies indicated that there is insufficient evidence to prove that death penalty actually has a deterrent effect  [13]  . There is really no proof that a person would not commit a crime due to fear of execution. In addition, death penalty is irreversible, so any miscarriages of justice may result in grave consequences as the dead cannot be brought back to life. Does the death penalty for drug trafficking have a deterrent effect on criminals? There is little information regarding whether the death penalty for drug trafficking has an actual deterrent effect on criminals in Singapore. However, I have created a line graph showing a comparison of the number of drug related executions and the total number of drug abusers arrested in Singapore. Fig. 1 Number of drug-related executions  [14]  in relation to the total number of drug abusers arrested in Singapore in hundreds  [15]   From Fig. 1 above, it is shown that there is no correlation between the number of drug-related executions and the total number of drug abusers arrested in Singapore. There have been some instances where there has been some correlation though, from the year 1994 to 1997 both the numbers of drug-related executions and drug abusers dropped, albeit at different rates. Also, from 2000 to 2001, both numbers rose. However, this does not prove that there is a deterrent effect for the death penalty as the number of drug abusers should increase when the number of drug related executions drop. There are probably other factors affecting the number of drug abusers and drug-related executions such as the effectiveness of the criminal justice system, demographic changes and economic conditions. With a more effective criminal justice system, there could be more executions regardless of whether there is an increase or decrease in the number of drug abusers. Changing demographics could lead to more drug abusers if the change involved an increase in younger population between the ages of 13 to below 30. This however, may not necessarily lead to more executions though one would think that more drug abusers could lead to an increase in drug trafficking. There is just no simple correlation among these factors. When economic conditions are bad, the number of drug abusers may increase as people abuse drugs to relieve their unhappiness.  [16]  However, there may be less executions, since costs required for executing a person is quite high, over USD$1 million as a doctor is needed to be employed to certify the criminals death  [17]  . Is the death penalty really necessary? What would happen if all countries currently practising the death penalty abolish it in the next 20 years? With increasing pressure from Amnesty International and an ever increasing opposition to the death penalty, governments of countries would be under increasing pressure to abolish death penalty due to drug trafficking. In my opinion, the abolishment of death penalty may not lead to a surge of drug trafficking as drug trafficking is affected more by the demand for drugs than the fear of the death penalty. Also, there are other alternatives such as life imprisonment without parole. Also, what would happen to the society if the death penalty was abolished? As mentioned above, the abolition of the death penalty can occur due to pressure from Amnesty International and other organisations. I believe that society in general would not be much affected as there has not been any proof that death penalty acts as a deterrent. Hence, drug trafficking would not be greatly increased. Pro-life members of the society would welcome the abolishment while the supporters of death penalty would put pressure on the government to step up law enforcement to prevent increased drug trade and use. From the previous two scenarios, I conclude that imposing the death penalty for drug trafficking is not necessary because drug trafficking will not increase when the death penalty is abolished as there is no deterrent effect and it may help with tightening law enforcement on drug trafficking and abuse. Word Count: 1475

Racial Tensions in South Africa Essay -- Racial Relations, Racism

History of South Africa South Africa has large varieties ethnic backgrounds; unfortunately for them none of them are allowed their chance to shine because of the cloud of racism that has over shadowed their history. Like the United States, South African countries are built for the success of whites before any other ethnicity. This can be found in the countries politics and economics alike. For over 300 years this racism has occurred. Around the 1940’s South Africans have coined a policy for this racism, â€Å"apartheid†. In English apartheid can be translated to â€Å"Apart-hood†. (2) This will be touched about in more detail later. Like the United States, South Africa has had to deal with centuries of racism, the problem being that South Africans racism doesn’t seem to be depleting as fast as other countries in the same situation. The first sign of â€Å"civilization† to take place in South Africa began in the mid 1600’s when the Dutch East India Company formed a cape colony. (3) It wasn’t long before the colonists were in need of workers to help farm their rapidly expanding settlement. So like many countries of their time, they went with the route of slavery. Naturally the best candidates for this position were natives to South Africa. Slaves weren’t a necessity, but they were very convenient for the newly settled Dutch (2). The Dutch continued to govern South Africa until the English took over in the 18th century. Fast-forward to the 20th century where racism is just as relevant as ever, and in 1910 new laws have been passed regarding segregation. These laws in 1910 â€Å"expanded racial segregation† (2). A big part of the new law was that whites were now able to seize land owned by black farmers. Also around this time the gov... ...dignity’ required adhering to a code of social and gender behavior appropriate to a ruling race. There was a moral base for antagonism towards blacks: 'It is Nature's deep-seated provision for racial integrity. It is the voice of evolutionary experience speaking within US Similarly, John L. Weston of Brandfort, wrote approvingly of vigilante justice in the US South. He wrote of white Southerners he had known who were highly intelligent, respectable, sympathetic and reasonable, yet who became demented when a "Black Peril" (Plaatje, 1982) case occurred within their reach. This, he argued, was a healthy and virtuous reaction; it is the very capacity of the white man's mind for good that causes this uncontrollable indignation'. He predicted that lynch law will sooner or later be introduced here as it has been in the USA unless heroic steps are taken without much delay.

Checks and Balances Essay

This essay will discuss the Constitutional principle of Checks and Balances. It will explain the concept and effectiveness of the separation of power. As an example, the case of Brown v. The Board of Education will be used to explain the concept and effectiveness of the separation of power. Brown v. The Board of Education is a famous case that ended segregation in schools in 1954 during the Civil Rights Movement. First, lets start with what the definition of Checks and Balances is as it pertains to the Constitution. The definition according to Merriam-Webster is: â€Å"a system that allows each branch of a government to amend or veto acts of another branch so as to prevent any one branch from exerting too much power. †. The legislative power is vested in the Congress, the executive power rests with the President and the judicial power is granted to the Supreme Court and other federal courts. Each branch of government has separate and particular powers as listed in the Constitution, each branch is also given the power, duty and ability to control and balance the other(s) in a system of checks and balances. The Constitution grants all legislative power to the Congress. The Congress is bicameral and a bill has to pass both houses: the House of Representatives and the Senate. In this way the houses check and balance each other. Both the executive and the judicial branch check and balance the Congress’ legislative power. Although only the Congress can make laws, the President has the power to veto bills, in which case the bill can only pass with a 2/3 majority in both houses. Finally, if the Congress and the President agree on a law, the Supreme Court has the power of interpreting the laws and a power of review, i. . the Supreme Court can declare a law unconstitutional and therefore void. As chief administrator the President is required to see that laws are carried out, to enforce existing politics and to managing the bureaucracy. The president nominates the heads of the executive branch’s departments, but these appointments are subject to the Congress’ approval. The constitution makes the president and Congress share powers in matters such as foreign policy and the US armed forces. In the case of Brown v.  The Board of Education, the legal defense of Oliver L. Brown stated, â€Å"the discriminatory nature of racial segregation †¦ â€Å"violates the 14th amendment to the U. S. Constitution, which guarantees all citizens equal protection of the laws,†. Because of this Brown v. The Board of Education laid the foundation for shaping future national and international policies regarding human rights. At the time, the state of Kansas had segregated schools, meaning that black and white children could not go to school at the same place. At the end of the case, Brown and his legal defense had argued that it was not fair to the children because they may or may not get the best education if they were segregated. The United States Supreme Court ruled that no state should segregate any child in public schools. White and Black children would go to school together and be offered the same rights. Anything less would be unconstitutional. This is a perfect example of how the state legislature was overturned by the Supreme Court and they were able to keep a check and balance on each other. The state of Kansas did not have a law stating that the schools must be segregated, but they also did not have a law saying that they couldn’t be segregated. The Browns first took their case to the state in 1951. After the case was dismissed, Brown and four other lawsuits made an appeal to the United States Supreme Court were the state ruling was overruled. The Supreme Court had checked and agreed that it was a violation of the Constitution to segregate schools. To this day, a public school can not discriminate against any child, black or white, male or female, smart or special ed. The decision made by the Supreme Court was a unanimous ruling that was issued on May 17, 1954. At that time Chief Justice Earl Warren wrote that â€Å"segregated schools are not equal and cannot be made equal, and hence they are deprived of the equal protection of the laws. † He continued, â€Å"We conclude that in the field of public education the doctrine of ‘separate but equal’ has no place. †. Thank goodness for checks and balances, without them, the country would be a much different place to live.

Gender and Culture Essay Example

Gender and Culture Essay Example Gender and Culture Essay Gender and Culture Essay Gender and Culture Name: Institution: Gender and Culture : My family legacy and position regarding gender, according to the transitional gender positions continuum, is gender-aware. I had working class parents. My mother worked full time as an insurance broker and a minister, and my father was a police officer. I interacted with my father often and he would take me to school and pick me up. The jobs that my parents had contributed to them being aware of each other’s roles and helping each other. Unlike in a traditional family, I spent more time with my father because his job allowed him more time, than I did with my mother, who seemed to be busy most of the time. Gender aware seeks to strengthen the experiences of imbalances of gender. Feminism has led to increased awareness of gender differences and the need for equality of the genders (Knudson-Martin, 2002). Some seemingly trivial issues such as who opens and controls conversations and who makes decisions such as deciding on the next session of therapy, offer clues on a coupleâ€⠄¢s gender awareness. People’s upbringing determines their gender awareness or lack thereof. The way that the parents behave towards each other will determine the type of views that the children will have concerning gender roles. Both genders benefit more from egalitarian relationships. However, adhering to traditional gender roles has negative consequences for the man and woman in a relationship. The people involved in such a relationship tend to form their relationship based on their power differentials (Hecker Wetchler, 2003). A man who expects his wife to stay at home and raise the children will influence his children’s thoughts into believing that women are expected to maintain such traditional roles. On the other hand, egalitarian families will influence their children into having an open mind concerning the role of each person in the family. The male children will adopt a mentality that it is okay for them to participate in chores, and the female children will learn that it is okay t o have dreams and ambitions regarding their professional lives. My family background has made me examine some issues relating to a couple’s relationship problems more closely. I seek to understand a couple better when I realize that there is a clear gender imbalance in the relationship. Before engaging in family therapy, I had taken negotiations between couples for granted. I assumed that couples used to consult each other on matters relating to their families. However, learning more about gender awareness has changed my perspective on relationships. With this knowledge, I realize that equality among the genders is paramount to some partners, while others do not even consider it. Those who consider equality to be a minor thing are less likely to consult their partners on pertinent issues or to negotiate with them on anything (Hecker Wetchler, 2003). Understanding the fact that every person lives in a number of subcultures and making an effort to understand these subsystems is an essential step in dealing with multiculturalism. The difficulty of multiculturalism lies in the fact that there are many minority cultures and it is not possible to identify and fulfill all the needs of these cultures. People from different minority cultures face certain levels of discrimination. Family therapists can be prone to this when they apply the culture of the majority to people who do not belong to the majority cultures. Another personal difficulty is learning how to control my bias and assumptions towards other cultures since this often leads to the application of stereotypical values. It is easy for a person to believe that she understands what other people are like because she has an idea about people in that culture. These problems can be overcome by applying critical counseling skills, which involve carefully listening, and understanding people, and treating each case individually. The counselor should at the same time apply professional knowledge and not just depend on the information received from the family members. I will be able to address the meta-framework of multiculturalism once I have synthesized all the information I need, and once I involve the family as active collaborators and not just participants (Yarhouse Sells, 2008). Collaboration involves working with the clients and alongside them so that the therapist can understand them better. The therapists realize and understand the importance of the clients’ knowledge (Gehart, 2009). References Gehart, D. (2009). Mastering competencies in family therapy: A practical approach to theories and clinical case documentation. New York, NY: Cengage Learning Hecker, L. L., Wetchler, L. J. (2003). An introduction to marriage and family therapy. Philadelphia, PA: Haworth Clinical Practice Press Knudson-Martin, C. (2002). Feminism in MFT: Where has it led us? Family Therapy Magazine Yarhouse, A. M., Sells, N. J. (2008). Family therapies: A comprehensive Christian appraisal. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press

RIGOBERTA MENCHU essays

RIGOBERTA MENCHU essays In recent years, a new voice has been added to the world stage. It is the voice of Latin American women. Long oppressed both by their culture and their governments, these voices have risen in protest against the inequalities and injustices that have plagued their lives. The most notable example of this new genre to emerge thus far was published in 1992 and subsequently won the Nobel Peace prize for its author, Rigoberta Menchu, a Guatemalan Indian activist. Menchu's account of life in Guatemala is a tale of horror and savagery perpetrated on all those who would dare to try to improve the lives of Guatemala's downtrodden. For the "crimes" of teaching people how to read, organizing labor, or even protesting despicable conditions, people are routinely tortured in ways that rival the Spanish Inquisition. After continuous, unbelievable torture in which he was maimed beyond belief, Menchu recounts that she watched while soldiers burned her younger brother alive (177). He was sixteen and the excuse offered for this treatment was that he was a communist. Americans like to think of themselves as the "good guys" to the country that beat Hitler, rebuilt post-World War II Europe with the Marshall Plan, and won the Cold War so that the world would be safe from tyranny of communism. What most Americans don't know even today is that there is an excellent statistical chance that the men who tortured and brutally murdered Menchu's brother learned these hideous skills in the United States. The U.S. government actually runs a school just for this purpose at Fort Benning, Georgia, the infamous School of the Americas. Publicly, the School is supposed to promote the education of Latin American leaders in the principles of democracy. It's hard for many Americans to believe that their country, which was built on the principles of liberty and justice, would engage in the activities that have been alleged by the ...

Projects and their management Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Projects and their management - Essay Example The organization has a team of 3 staff members charged with the duty to place students in a year in the job market that can contribute to the professional development of the students. This service makes the existence of SEC placement team more relevant in the face of the employers’ increasing demand for experience both for old and new graduates. To better its services, SPT could take advantage of the increasing use of web tools among students to make the placement services more efficient and convenient. Even though this would be a costly endeavor for a start-up placement enterprise, SPT longstanding existence can allow it use the revenue that it has accumulated in the past to build this web product intended to make placement exercises efficient and convenient and efficient for students and for SPT itself. SPT project will follow the conventional software process that is typical of all IT projects. The phases will include: business specification, system design, product development, testing, system implementation and maintenance and evaluation. Business specification will entail elicitation and assessment of the user and system requirements. Design will entail translation of the defined requirements into a set of design models, out of which the involve team will choose the best design. Development will entail translation of the design model that the developers settle on into program codes whose operation will follow the user requirements without compromising on the system requirements. Testing will involve assessment of whether the developed product functions as per the user-supplied requirements. Implementation will involve use of the developed system in the production environment, where students and other intended end-users will try executing their routinely duties to satisfy their r espective needs. Maintenance and evaluation will involve caring for the

Photography and Consumer Culture Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Photography and Consumer Culture - Essay Example (Lury 2011, p.112-119). Consumer culture propagators believe that the buying and selling of goods and services is a cultural activity, affected by the cultural perceptions of people and not just the economical and political factors (London & stone 2012, p.298-306). By saying so, we mean that what effects one individual affects the whole cultural community. In other words, we can say that consumer culture is strongly influenced by consumerism; this concept promotes that the desire for goods generates and fosters the bases of a social and economical culture. This theory of consumer culture believes that social cultures are based on the demand of goods and services in a particular community. This joint demand of commodities brings together the people of a geographic area and ties them in a community. Consumer culture is tightly bound with advertising and globalization since the limitation of geographical boundaries has been rendered useless by the integration of world markets. To unders tand it better we must look at the features of consumer culture: 1. The founding idea of the concept is that people’s identities are defined by the commodities that they own and the services they can afford to purchase. 2. It bases on the premise that the attainment of happiness is dependent on the accumulation of things and objects. 3. Leisure time is also an important factor in consumer culture; the free time in which people go and shop the products/commodities which define their status. People are tied together in a culture through the products they own and the services they utilize. This concept is particularly useful in marketing and advertising where creating an ad for every individual in the target market will be impossible and very expensive, consumer culture concepts lets marketers create an ad that grabs the attention of a large market share (London & stone 2012, p.298-306). A point to be considered here is that although an individual may belong to a culture but he/ she also has some individual opinions, thoughts, and way of perceiving things and objects. So what should an ad comprise of to generate the desired results in all consumers, or at least in a major segment of the target market? Taking a look at our ad, the happiness factory ad shows explicit and colorful images to support and strengthen its underlying message so as to attract the attention of its target audience immediately. The ad is different in its creativity and approach; it is not saying anything, there are no words used, but still the message is loud and clear and evokes the desired results. It explicitly indicates a way of living, a particular and differentiated life style that is only for those people who drink coca cola. What coca cola is trying to do is create a culture, a brand tribe of coca cola across the world, in all areas where coco cola is operating. It wants to create the impression that people who drink coca cola are united by a unique experience that others are fa r too unlucky to get or understand. (Wolman 2006, p.48-57) They want to convey the idea that coco cola delivers