The Normality of Prejudment essays

The Normality of Prejudment essays In his article, The Normality of Prejudgment, Allport argues that normal cognitive processing of information leads to prejudice. He claims that humans have a natural tendency to categorize experience and that categorizing experience serves a number of important functions. However, when we process information about people, the categorization process results in generalizations about social groups, and these generalizations set the foundation for prejudice. Allport begins by observing that people usually associate with other in-group members. He claims people do so simply because it convenient and comfortable whereas associating with out-group members is a strain. It is a strain because one has to make an effort to understand other languages, traditions and values. However, in some situations such as the workplace, it may not be possible to avoid people from other groups. When contact with out-group members does occur, people often misinterpret their behavior resulting in negative feelings toward them. According to Allport, people tend to over generalize their negative feelings toward even one person to dislike of an entire race or other social group resulting in prejudice. For a majority of the article, Allport discusses cognitive categorization and how it can generate prejudice. He asserts that we categorize our experience because doing so is highly functional. One useful characteristic of categorization is that it forms large classes of information which help to guide our daily lives. Allport gives the example of a darkening sky: People assume that a storm is coming, and they can act accordingly. In addition, categories assimilate a great deal of information into a particular cluster. This aspect of categorization helps for us to quickly identify related objects. For example, an individual can identify creatures with wings and a beak as birds. Further, categorization simplifies our experience thereby making it eas...

The Planet Mercury as a School Science Fair Project

The Planet Mercury as a School Science Fair Project Mercury is the closest planet to the sun, and this makes it unique in our solar system. There are many interesting facts about this planet, and it is the perfect topic for a school science fair project. Middle and high school students can take a science fair project about Mercury in a number of directions. The display can be interactive and include a model of the planet, as well as amazing space photographs. Why Is Mercury Special? A science fair is meant to be a students exploration of a single science topic, and Mercury is often overlooked when it comes to the planets. In fact, it is a planet that we know very little about. In 2008, NASAs Messenger spacecraft sent back some of the first images of the planet since the 1970s, and it just crashed on the planet in 2015. The pictures and data scientists collected from this mission makes now a better time than ever to study Mercury at a science fair. Mercury and the Sun A day on Mercury lasts longer than the time it takes the planet to revolve once around the Sun. If you were standing near Mercurys equator: the Sun would appear to rise, then briefly set again, before resuming its path across the sky. During this time, the size of the Sun in the sky would seem to grow and shrink as well. The same pattern would repeat as the sun set - it would dip below the horizon, briefly rise again, then return below the horizon. Mercury Science Fair Project Ideas What is Mercurys place in the solar system? Build a scale model of our solar system to show where Mercury is and how big it is in comparison to other planets.What are the features of Mercury? Could the planet sustain some kind of life? Why or why not?What is Mercury made of? Explain the core and the atmosphere of the planet and relate those elements to things we find on Earth.How does Mercury orbit the sun? Explain the forces at work when the planet orbits the sun. What keeps it in place? Is it moving further away?What would a day look like if you were standing on Mercury? Design an interactive display or video that shows people how the light would change.What did NASAs Messenger mission to Mercury find? In 2011, the Messenger spacecraft reached Mercury and gave us a new look at the planet. Explore the findings or the instruments used to send them back to Earth.Why does Mercury look like our moon? Examine the craters of Mercury, including the one named for John Lennon and the one mad e when Messenger crashed there in 2015.

USS Constitution vs HMS Guerriere (War of 1812) Research Paper

USS Constitution vs HMS Guerriere (War of 1812) - Research Paper Example Secondly, an overview of both ships shall then be presented. Lastly, this paper will establish a critical analysis of the battle in the larger context of the war. Concluding remarks shall end this discussion. This paper is being carried out in order to establish a more thorough and critical understanding of the clash between the two aforementioned ships, including their place in the momentous War of 1812. Body War of 1812 The War of 1812 is considered a war between the US and Britain. The US declared war against Britain for many reasons, mostly related to the trade restrictions which Britain imposed on the US as an offshoot of its war with France1. The US was also declaring its protest against Britain for the latter’s practice in the impressment (seizing sailors into public service) of American sailors into its own navy. Britain was also supporting American Indians on their actions against American expansion2. The US was also outraged over the insults on its national identity following its humiliation on the high seas, and lastly, the war was also said to be brought on by the American desire to conquer Canada3. Initially, Britain employed defensive tactics on Upper and Lower Canada in an attempt to push back invading American troops. However, American troops soon successfully annexed Lake Erie in 1813, going on to control parts of Western Ontario, thereby ending any hope of an Indian confederacy and an Independent Indian country under British protection4. General Andrew Jackson was also able to overwhelm military troops of the Creek nation in 1814. When Napoleon was defeated in 1814, however, Britain employed more aggressive tactics, and deployed more invasion troops5. Soon after, British victories were seen, resulting in the capture and destruction of Washington, D.C. American troops were nevertheless able to push back British troops out of New York, Baltimore, and New Orleans. The war was fought at sea through British and American warships and through privateers who then proceeded to attack the merchant ships for either side6. Britain also implemented a blockade of the Atlantic coast of the US, thereby launching raids during the late stages of the war. American victories at sea were mostly single ship battles and battles against Britain provincial ships on the Great Lakes7. The land and the sea battles were seen on the frontier, covering the Great Lakes and Saint Lawrence River. In the South and Gulf coasts, major skirmishes between the battling parties were seen, and the US troops successfully pushed out the British forces at New Orleans8. Invasions of each other’s territories were rampant throughout the war however, most of these invasions were temporary as neither side was able to establish more permanent annexations. By the end of the war, both sides were able to conquer each other’s territories9. In the end, the Treaty of Ghent restored the territories of either party. USS Constitution The USS Constitution was a battle ship of the US Navy. It was wooden-hulled and was a three-masted heavy frigate dubbed by President George Washington after the US Constitution10. It was also the world’s oldest commissioned naval ship. In 1797, the USS Constitution began its journey, joining six original frigates constructed under mandate from the Naval Act of 179411. It was built in Boston and her initial functions as a

BRAPS Coursework Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

BRAPS - Coursework Example Racal telecom was valued at one million seven hundred billion pounds. Racal telecom later detached itself from Racal Electronics in nineteen ninety one and formed what is today known as Vodafone group. Vodafone later bought two thirds of Talk land for around thirty million pounds in nineteen ninety-six. Consumers of Talkland, a one eighty one chain store, overpoweringly utilized Vodafone’s network. Correspondingly, Vodafone purchased a service provider entitled Astec Communications. Vodafone later unraveled its speech mark emblem in a circle and the â€Å"O† symbolizes conversation. Vodafone again agreed to amalgamate its assets in the United States with those of Atlantic Corp and designed Verizon Wireless. This amalgamation was finalized in the year two thousand. The corporate’s affiliates also operate under the label Vodafone. Vodafone Group plc.’s is headquartered in Newbury, United Kingdom. Vodafone being ranked as the most profitable telecommunications company in the world runs networks in over thirty nations and partners with forty other countries. Vodafone is managed by Gerard Kleisterlee who is the Chairman and Vittorio Colao who is the chief executive officer. Vittorio Colao joined the company in 2008. The company deals with telecommunications, which entails providing vocal sound and data services or amenities through mobile phones. The main products promoted by Vodafone include; Vodafone Freedom Packs and Vodafone Passport, Vodafone Mobile USB Modem and Amobee Media Systems, Vodafone at Home and above all Vodafone live. The company has also introduced money transfer services such as M-PESA. Vodafone’s Vision and mission is to lead the business in attending to the concerns of public members with regard to mobile telephones, staff, and wellbeing by representing principal practices and inspiring others to emulate, and, to be the communications forerunner in a technologically advancing world practices and inspiring others

Roosevelt vs. Wilson Essay Example for Free

Roosevelt vs. Wilson Essay The United States government has gone through many changes throughout the years since the first president. The presidential election of 1912 made a significant effect on how our country is ran in this day and age. Though they were bitter rivals from different parties, they infused the presidency with new powers and changed the nation in ways few other presidents have, before or since (Bowles, 2011). Theodore Roosevelt and Woodrow Wilson debated a political state of affairs that still effects government and industry in our nation today. The issue at hand was trusts. On one hand, Theodore Roosevelt thought that trusts are inevitable. As he said in his 1910 New Nationalism speech, There can be no effective control of corporation while their political activity remains. To put an end it will be neither a short nor an easy task, but it can be done(Roosevelt, 1910). Woodrow Wilson had a fairly diverse view on how trusts react in our society. He believes that trusts are natural but not inevitable. On the other hand, Wilson states, in the eighth chapter of his book, New Freedom,† Big business is no doubt to a large extent necessary and natural. The development of business upon a great scale, upon a great scale of co-operation, is inevitable, and, let me add, is probably desirable. But that is a very different matter from the development of trusts, because the trusts have not grown. They have been artificially created; they have been put together, not by natural processes, but by the will, the deliberate planning will, of men who were more powerful than their neighbors in the business world, and who wished to make their power secure against competition†(Wilson, 1913). As you can see, these two men had very dissimilar views on the issue of trusts. Furthermore, New Freedom and New Nationalism can be compared because they share similar qualities. However, they can be contrasted because their ideas about how to run the country are diverse. Both state that putting personal needs above the need of the nation is immoral. Another parallel point New Nationalism and New Freedom share is that both candidates show common conclusion that without large corporations, there would be a smaller break between the rich and the poor. Also, without this differentiation between the rich and poor, our nation would be enhanced as a whole. New Nationalism recognized that monopolies and trusts are tolerable as long as they are being of service to the people. New Freedom said that the nation  should release all monopolies so that there would be less need for government interference. Wilson endorsed this because he believes that monopolies are shown to be protected by government and can fundamentally direct the administration because of all the money they bestow. In addition, in New Nationalism, a deliberation on the responsibility of government in Big Business is that there should be more power. Roosevelt explained that with more legislative control, there could still be trusts but they would be strictly monitored. New Freedom had a conflicting view on the subject. Wilson leaned more on if the nation eliminated its trusts there wouldn’t be a need for more governmental pressure on big businesses because there would be no big corporations. Moreover, the ideas Roosevelt and Wilson discussed are still significant in todays society. Although our nation has no real monopolies, some large companies seem to take over their industry in some way. An example would be McDonalds. McDonalds is one of the largest fast food chains in the nation. There is not a single person that has never eaten something from McDonalds. Another example is Wal-Mart. Wal-Mart is the largest supercenter in the shopping chain. Just as it is with McDonalds, undoubtedly everyone has been to Wal-Mart at some point in their life. Finally, one of Teddy Roosevelt’s major accomplishments while in office is the Pure Food and Drug Act. This was an act for preventing the manufacture, sale, or transportation of adulterated or misbranded or poisonous or deleterious foods, drugs, medicines, and liquors, and for regulating traffic therein, and for other purposes (PFDA, 1906). One of Wilson’s greatest accomplishments was the Federal Reserve Act of 1913. This act created twelve â€Å"bankers banks†. These banks would hold the responsibility for making the interest and currency rates for the nation (Bowles, 2011). Wilson aspired to influence the ideas and intentions not only of Americans, but of the whole world. I have a passion for interpreting great thoughts to the world, he wrote to his wife in 1916. I should be complete if I could inspire a great movement of opinion . . . and so communicate the thought to the minds of the great mass of the people as to impel them to great political achievement (Chin, 2011). In conclusion, Roosevelt and Wilson were both very important parts of making our nation what it is today. They used  three main ways to shape our society. These are as follows; (1) public dramatizations and taking advantage of the power of the media through the reach and influence of journalists; (2) the education of the public, which was something that Wilson, as a former professor, believed was the critical factor in a successful political leader; and (3) the commitment to party leadership (Bowles, 2011). References Bowles, M. (2011). American history 1865–present: End of isolation. San Diego, CA: Bridgepoint Education, Inc. Chin, C. C.(2011). The Visible Hand of Woodrow Wilson. Reviews in American History 39(1), 149-155. The Johns Hopkins University Press. Retrieved September 3, 2013, from Project MUSE database. Roosevelt, T. R. (1910, Aug. 31). The new nationalism. Retrieved from http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/americanexperience/features/primary-resources/tr-nationalism/ United States. Pure Food and Drug Act (1906). United States Statutes at Large (59th Cong., Sess. I, Chp. 3915, p. 768-772; cited as 34 U.S. Stats. 768) In: History of Medicine Division. Medicine in the Americas: Historical Works [Internet]. Bethesda (MD): National Library of Medicine (US); 2004-. Available from: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK22116/ Wilson, W. (1913). What is progress?. In The new freedom: A call for the emancipation of the generous energies of a people (Chapter II). New York: Doubleday, Page Company. R etrieved from http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14811/14811-h/14811-h.htm#II

Peter Pistol Maravich Essay -- Essays Papers

Peter Pistol Maravich Peter Press Maravich is arguably one of the best basketball players ever to play the game. Born June 22, 1947 in Aliquippa, Pennsylvania where he learned to love basketball from his father, Press Maravich, who spent many hours teaching him the game’s most important fundamentals. Maravich broke numerous records throughout his career. While in high school he scored 47 points, more than any other player, in the North Carolina High School All-Star Game. He holds nearly every National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) scoring record at Louisiana State University (LSU) and was named a three-time All American in only three years in the NCAA. After a legendary college career at LSU, he played ten great seasons in the National Basketball Association (NBA), earning five trips to the NBA All-Star Game and one league scoring title. After his death, he was named to the NBA’s Top 50 Greatest Players of All Time and was inducted to the Hall of Fame. I feel, as a player, for anyone to accomplish so much in such a short period of time is remarkable. During Maravich’s career the three-point line was not yet a part of professional basketball, so he accomplished all this without the three point line. Maravich is without question one of the greatest offensive basketball players ever to play the game. Maravich got his nickname â€Å"Pistol Pete† from his father. Once referring to his style of shooting during his childhood and as a high school player, Pistol quickly developed into an offensive machine with great shooting, passing, and dribbling skills. He was said to be an offensive genius. According to Mike Flynn former rival of Pistols’ who played for the University of Kentucky and the Indiana Pacers, Pistol was one of the greatest offensive players I’ve ever seen. I wouldn’t say he was a pure shooter, as much as I would say he was a great scorer. I loved playing against him because he didn’t like playing defense so I knew I was going to get my points, even though he would always score more than me†¦. Pistol was an individual player, he was out there to put on a show and that’s what he did.(Personal Interview) I agree with Mike Flynn, because this quote comes from a player that has played against him, so he knows what type of player Pistol was. Pistol was a great player, even though he was an individual player, because no one ... ...ever lived, and probably one of the most unique. He died on January 5, 1988 at the age of forty while playing in a three-on-three pick-up game in California. The news of his sudden death shocked everyone and brought back memories to his admirers. Few have inspired me as he did. Maravich had a commitment to excellence, even though he did not play much defense. Him being able to average, as many points as he did is unbelievable. Although the one thing that inspired me the most was that he was a born again Christian. Before his death, he told his former coach, Richie Guerin, that his desire was to be remembered as a good Christian, a good husband, and a good father. He spoke before 35,000 people at the Billy Graham Crusade in Columbia, South Carolina just a few months before his death. Maravich stated â€Å"Next week I’ll be inducted into the Hall of Fame†¦. I wouldn’t trade my position in Christ for a thousand NBA championships, for a thousand Hall of Fame rings, or for a hundred billion dollars.† I really admired Peter Press Maravich, I feel his place in the history of the sport of basketball is secure. He will always be remembered as the greatest offensive scorer of all time.

The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock

Prufrock Paralysis The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock, written by T. S. Eliot, is a truly depressing poem. The poem concerns with a character (Prufrock) that can see and understand the values in life – love, joy, companionship, and courageousness – but is unable to act on his longings. The poem shows constant struggles of Prufrock’s uselessness. The worst part about his uselessness is that he is conscious of it. T. S. Eliot uses the theme of Paralysis, the incapacity to act, throughout the whole poem. Eliot uses the theme of paralysis to demonstrate Prufrock’s struggle his social, maybe even sexual, struggles.Prufrock is a middle-aged man, who seems to be going through a mid life crisis, and is afraid to commit to anything. He lives such a depressing life. From the start of the poem, the readers can see a sense of paralysis in Prufrock. â€Å"Like a patient etherized upon a table,†(603). Ether was once used as an anesthetic, which is a drug that pu ts patients to sleep for surgeries. The use of ether in line three has two different meanings to it. The first being how Prufrock views himself; he feels as if he cannot achieve anything, as if he is in a constant state of being etherized.The second use of â€Å"being etherized,† is that he incapable of relating to the beauty of the world, which is an immensely depressing thought to have. This is a constant struggle with Prufrock because he always feels as if he is not good enough. Beauty plays a crucial role in Prufrock’s paralysis. His constant thoughts of not being beautiful enough, and always feeling as people are judging him, make him feel not strong enough; thus leading to not being able to pursue anything. â€Å"With a bald spot in the middle of my hair – (They will say: ‘how is hair is growing thin! ’),†(604).The readers get a clear image of what Prufrock looks like. He is a somewhat of an old man. The readers can see from this quote how Prufrock has little to no confidence in himself at all. Look at the line â€Å"they will say,† this is a clear image of Prufrock’s fear of being judged. He does not feel good enough, which explains his reason for him to â€Å"Descend the stair,† (604). He descends the stair, because Prufrock is too nervous and does not feel youthful enough or beautiful enough to pursue any social activity. The use of questions throughout the poem shows Prufrock’s indecision.Eliot uses questions as a way to show how Prufrock escapes having to act with courage and decisiveness. â€Å"I grow old†¦I shall wear the bottoms of my trousers rolled. Shall I part my hair behind? Do I dare to eat a peach? † (606). Here, the reader see’s that Prufrock knows he is getting old, and by saying he will wear his trousers rolled and part his hair, he wants to appear young. Appearing young to him, means being beautiful, thus being noticed by others. Prufrock has not mo tivation at all, and no confidence in himself. All of this contributes to his paralysis.Posing questions like â€Å"do I dare eat a peach† and â€Å"shall I part my hair to the side,† shows Prufrock accepting his flaws and in the end, making himself less motivated and somewhat depressed. A perfect example of Prufrock’s depression, lack of confidence, and absolutely no motivation at all, is when Eliot writes about mermaids. â€Å"I have heard the mermaids singing, each to each. I do not think that they will sing to me,† (607). Eliot presents a clear image of Prufrock recalling a time of listening to mermaids sing to each other, but not singing to him.Interesting how he believes that a fictional and mythological creature will not even notice him. Prufrock has zero self-confidence thinking that a mermaid will not bother to sing to him. This leads to his paralysis; If a fictional being will not even take the time to notice him, why waste time with humans? Asi de from beauty, the feeling of always being watched, judged, and analyzed plays a monumental role in Prufrock’s paralysis. Eliot uses an insect metaphor to illustrate how Prufrock feels judged by everyone all the time. And when I am formulated, sprawling on a pin, when I am pinned and wriggling on the wall,†(605). The quote here shows an image of an insect being pinned up on a wall, ready to be inspected and analyzed. The insect metaphor used here reveals Prufrock’s state of misery. He sees himself as being painfully trapped by the thoughts of others, as if his actions are constantly being watched. Prufrock feels pressured to be accepted, and most of that pressure comes from him. Constantly thinking that he is not welcomed and not good enough for anybody. Do I dare disturb the universe,† (605). Eliot uses this question to depict a clear example of how Prufrock feels about himself, by stating that his presence disturbs the universe. This blends two fundament al ideas in the poem where Prufrock is, as usual, constantly being self-conscious of his own actions and what he thinks he is supposed to act in social gatherings. â€Å"Prepare a face to meet the faces that you meet,†(604). Prufrock believes that he must ‘prepare a face’ so that he can be accepted by the people is about to be around.Prufrock thinks being himself when meeting people is unacceptable, and in order to be socially accepted he must prepare himself to become someone he is not. All these factors restrict him, causing him to be in a greater state of paralysis. When one is drowning, they are downright hopeless. The same thing goes with paralysis; when one is in the state of paralysis, they are hopeless and cannot do anything. Eliot does a fantastic job creating an image of Prufrock drowning in a pool of criticism and judgment. â€Å"Till human voices wake us, and we drown,† (607).Here, the use of drowning is not literal, he is not drowning it water , but drowning from stress. The human voices wake up Prufrock to reality, and he cant handle it. One can only handle so much, and by the end of the poem Prufrock hits his limits, and drowns in his pool of uselessness. He convinces himself that he is not good enough, feeling people are judging his every move, and feeling criticized. As a result to all of this, the anxiety hits him hard. This finalizes his state of paralysis, and finally drowns from being overwhelmed. Eliot plays with minor themes like beauty, age, and women, to show Prufrock’s state of paralysis.Although Eliot’s poem about a depressed fictional character, it teaches the audience a lesson. By using themes and metaphors in his poem, Eliot makes a point of telling the audience that there is a Prufrock in everyone. It is not an easy task to live up to everyone’s expectations, let alone your own expectations. This is exactly the struggle we see Eliot’s character go through throughout the poem. He struggles to impress himself, and impress others. Prufrock has the incapacity to act on very simple things. He is too scared to confront women in social gatherings, he is too self-conscious, and he lacks motivation.Similar Prufrock no one is perfect. There will always be a point in time where one feels that they cannot do anything, whether its talking to women or convincing yourself that you are good enough. Everyone suffers a state of paralysis at some point in their lives, the hard part is how they over come it, but with Prufrock we see him â€Å"drown† in his paralysis. Works Cited Eliot, T. S. â€Å"The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock. † Backpack Literature: An Introduction to Fiction, Poetry, and Drama. By X. J. Kennedy and Dana Gioia. New York: Pearson/Longman, 2006. 603-07. Print.

The Most Effective President

Who is the most effective president since 1950?   An effective president has good foreign relations and helps the country through aid, social programs, and more. An effective president also cares for his people.   Lyndon B. Johnson fits these criteria.   He is the most effective president of the last 50 years or so. Lyndon Johnson was born in 1908 in Texas.   He experienced some poverty, as he lived in a rural area, and he had to fight to pay his way through college.   However, he managed to get a degree from the Southwest Texas State Teachers’ College.   In 1934, he married Claudia â€Å"Lady Bird† Taylor. The first office Johnson held was as a Representative in the House, where he was for Roosevelt’s New Deal.   He spent a total of six terms as a Representative, and during this time also served in the military during World War II, winning a silver star for his services as a lieutenant.   After this, Johnson was elected to the Senate in 1948.   In 1953, he began the Senate minority leader, the youngest man to ever hold the position.   In this position, he supported and passed many Eisenhower initiatives, which was unusual since they were not the major party at the time. Johnson’s presidential campaign began when he was Kennedy’s running mate and then vice president from 1960 – 1963.   After Kennedy’s assassination, he was sworn in as the president.   His first moves were to pass a civil rights bill and a tax cut, which had been a part of Kennedy’s plans prior to his death.   Johnson was sensitive to civil rights because he had worked with Mexican children during his adolescence in Texas. Johnson was also a great speaker, and he urged the nation to ‘build a great society.’   He won the election of 1964 with the highest margin ever, over 15 million votes.   In his first full term as president, Johnson began to do many public works. These are the works that made him a truly great president, and they include â€Å"aid to education, attack on disease, Medicare, urban renewal, beautification, conservation, development of depressed regions, a wide-scale fight against poverty, control and prevention of crime and delinquency, [and] removal of obstacles to the right to vote.†Ã‚   These were important steps in fighting the problems of the country, including racism, poverty, and more.   Johnson also helped the elderly through the 1965 Medicare amendment to the Social Security Act. Besides working to help those in the country who could not help themselves, Johnson also aided the space program, which successfully put men into space, men who orbited the moon, in 1968.   Besides just going to space, the space program also came up with many useful inventions that are now common in the homes of all Americans; Johnson funded this research. There were only two bad things that happened during Johnson’s presidency: blacks rioting in the ghettos over discrimination, and the increasing threats from Communists in Vietnam and elsewhere.   Johnson did his best to try to put down the riots and have peace talks with the Communists.  Ã‚   In fact, peace talks were still happening when Johnson left the White House and died shortly after. Johnson was president until 1968, and afterwards he returned to his home in Johnson, Texas.   He died there in 1973 of a sudden heart attack. The least effective president of the last 50 years, in contrast to Johnson, was Carter.   His efforts to create jobs and reduce inflation were met with some failure, as the economy took a downturn and interest rates and inflation remained extremely high.   Carter also spent a lot of time worrying about the environment and foreign affairs, and not a lot of time working to reduce poverty or racial discrimination. Johnson was a great man.   He worked to fix all of the problems in the country, including racial issues, which were huge at that time.   Desegregation had been ordered but was not being carried out; Johnson sought to fix that.   He also made available help to those who were impoverished, giving them a new chance to succeed in life, and improving the health of the country in general.   Johnson was the most effective president of the last 50 years. Bibliography â€Å"Lyndon B. Johnson.†Ã‚   The White House Biographies.   Accessed December 12, 2006.

Compensation System of State Farm Insurance

Compensation System of State Farm Insurance Every business organization has its own philosophy, which drives it towards big success. The same is true for insurance companies that offer different types of insurance covers. Usually, the founders of any organization architect the philosophy under which it will operate.Advertising We will write a custom research paper sample on Compensation System of State Farm Insurance specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More The inception of State Farm Insurance Company dates back to 1922 when one farmer, George Mercherle opted to work as an insurance agent because his health conditions could not allow him to continue farming. He turned out to be one of the best sales representatives for an insurance company he was working with. However, at one point, Mercherle was not happy with the company’s insurance policy to farmers. According to him, the company oppresses farmers through low insurance rates and poor business practices. Farmers paid high pre miums despite the fact that they incurred less compensation incidents and drove less kilometers that those staying in urban areas. Over time, Mercherle recommended new policies that detailed new modalities of selling insurance to farmers and city folks. Nonetheless, the employers turned down the offer and instead, told him to go and start his own insurance company. Driven by desire to offer better insurance, Mercherle and other people with same views started State Farm Insurance Company. The policyholders became the owners of this automobile insurance company and in 1928, the company started to decentralize starting from an area office in Berkeley, California. By the year 2000, State Farm had grown into a great insurance empire with over 27 regional offices and 1000 service centers all over United States and Canada. (Rhonda, 2010, p.1). The philosophy of State Farm Insurance lies in offering insurance coverage at an affordable price in tandem with flaxen claim resolution. This philo sophy has been the driving gear of State Farm Insurance Company and today, with 76,500 workers and over 16,000 insuring agents, the company posses with 67 million policies and an asset base of US$ 25 billion-making it the biggest fiscal institution in United States. The current philosophy of â€Å"Good Neighbor† is a reckoning force behind State Farm success. This philosophy has remained vital in establishing different insurance covers at affordable price to consumers. For example, under home insurance cover, State Farm insurers all types of houses ranging from single homes to condominium leasing houses. Perhaps what State Farm ought to do is to insure letting houses against burglary, defacement or conflagration in line with the philosophy.Advertising Looking for research paper on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Where fire has destroyed houses, State Farm through their Good Neighbor philos ophy, should provide alternate accommodation while awaiting repair of destroyed property. However, through this philosophy, State Farm covers all expenses arising from such disasters. (State Farm Corporate Website, 2010, p.1). Most insurance companies offer general life insurance, which does not include health. However, State Farm offers general health insurance in addition to disability and long term care insurance coverage. The philosophy of Good Neighbor that is, offering affordable insurance to consumers has seen many American homeowners receive health care insurance at a time when they need medical services most. The introduction of long term care is so far one of the best insurance coverage targeting the old, persons with disabilities, and the injured. In the current global economic downturn, underprivileged people can access health care services or health care insurance premiums at a cheaper price thanks to â€Å"Good Neighbor† philosophy from State Farm. (Case Study: State Farm, 2010, pp. 1-5). As a mode of enhancing this philosophy, State Farm should target Young Adults aged between 18 and 25. This is because there are over 33 million uninsured persons in America falling in this age gap. With the philosophy, State Farm should provide insurance brands to students and young adults falling in this age gap in order to detach them from other insurance and make them independent. Additionally, since State Farm prefers business model (use of agents) rather than insurer model (use of call centers and internet), there is high probability that in the current information technology age, many persons falling in this age do not have an elusive insurance coverage. Business model has its advantages that include job creation among other things. However, the Good Neighbor philosophy of State Farm can reach young adults easily now that many of them are prone to internet than attending call centers. Many young adults perceive State Farm as conservative and one tha t clings to traditional ways of doing business. However, with the Good Neighbor philosophy, which targets all people the adoption of insurer model through call centers and internet, will see young adults seek insurance brands from State Farm. (State Farm Plans Book Ucla 2010, 2010. p.1). State Farm is a mutual insurance company belonging to many policyholders. The first capital of starting State Farm came from policy holders who until now remain owners. Although currently comprising of shareholders, the company does not pay form of dividends to shareholders. Instead, all dividends including profits and status belong to policyholders.Advertising We will write a custom research paper sample on Compensation System of State Farm Insurance specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More This is the reason why State Farm continues to expand as policyholders choose to use their financial earnings to expand the company. Additionally, the structure protects the company’s finances in that, even if share prices drop or shareholders stage demonstrations, the company will still move on smoothly as this appears no issue. Current statistics indicate that State Farm is the most successful insurance company in United States especially as car and home insurer. This is because of its Good Neighbor philosophy that includes affordability and ability to handle claims fairly and squarely. The mission statement of State Farm is to assist people to deal with arising risks, recuperate from misfortunes and attain their objectives. In order to exhibit good neighbor philosophy, State Farm embarks in market partnership with insurance consumers build on shared values such as financial empowerment, honesty, mutual trust and eminent insurance services. (Case Study: State Farm, 2010, pp. 8-10). Reference List Case Study: State Farm. (2010). Retrieved from http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:P_Z_aLyoxjkJ:jomc279.files.wordpress.com/2009 /08/casestudy_abbr.pdf+outline+the+current+compensation+philosophy+for+your+organization+StateFarm+Insurance+Companyhl=engl=ke Rhonda, C. (2010). State Farm Mutual Insurance Company. Retrieved from http://insurance.suite101.com/article.cfm/state-farm-mutual-insurance-company State Farm Corporate Website. State Farm Insurance Company. (2010). Retrieved from statefarm.com State Farm Plans Book Ucla 2010. (2010). Retrieved from slideshare.net/karlaliu/state-farm-plans-book-ucla-2010

A winning pitch - Emphasis

A winning pitch A winning pitch A guest blog on the Law Society Gazettes website says that writing pitches is not something that lawyers can afford to skate over. The article, Pitch writing: because its worth it, was contributed by Rob Ashton, Emphasis chief executive. In it, he looks at why far from being a waste of otherwise billable hours a carefully put together and tailored pitch is actually a sound investment in your firm. Much like death and taxes, for lawyers, pitch-writing is an inevitable part of life. And in todays financial climate more than ever, the pitch can make or break a deal. It can do the same for your firms reputation. Find out exactly why by reading the blog in full.

Challenges of Knowledge Transfer in Organisations Literature review

Challenges of Knowledge Transfer in Organisations - Literature review Example This importance has given rise to the need of knowledge management techniques that organizations can implement, and can successfully manage the flow of knowledge in their organizations. There are various models about knowledge transfer. Two of the most famous models include Ikujiro Nonaka and Hirotaka Takeuchi’s SECI model and Boisot's I-Space model (Bratianu, 2010, p. 193). These two have many things in common. According to Nonako and Takeuchi’s SECI model, knowledge transfer in any organization takes place in four levels. This model divides knowledge into tacit knowledge or implied knowledge, and explicit or expressed knowledge. This models describes the relationship between these two types of knowledge through four stages i.e. socialization, externalisation, combination and internalization. Socialization is the first step that happens when an organization member comes under exposure to the stories or experiences through other employees. Apprenticeship proves to be a good example of this stage as the form of knowledge transfer is tacit to tacit. Next stage is of externalization, which happens when organization members convert tacit knowledge learned in the above stage into explicit knowledge. An example of this can include taking part into a project where all the team members contribute from their knowledge (Bratianu, 2010, p. 193). Combination is the third stage, which signifies the transfer of explicit to explicit knowledge. This happens when the knowledge externalised is combined with earlier knowledge and applied to a broader group or entity. Similarly, the last stage is internalization which signifies the transfer of explicit to tacit knowledge. This happens when the knowledge becomes an inseparable and integral part of an organizational member or members and they can readily transfer it onwards through socialization (Wickes, 2003, p. 5). This model suggests that these four stages happen in a cyclical form where one stage follows the other and it forms a spiral of knowledge. Moreover, this model also suggests that knowledge increases as the spirals increase and as it comes under the exposure of more and more organizational members. Another theory of knowledge management that is very similar to Nonako and Takeuchi’s model is Boisot's I-Space model. Boisot classifies knowledge present in any organization into three dimensions. First dimension is codified and un-codified knowledge. This is similar to SECI model’s tacit and explicit knowledge (Strach & Everett, 2006, p. 5). Codified knowledge is one that is easily transferred including financial data or any other thing that is properly documented. On the other hand, un-codified knowledge is one that is not properly documented and it is preserved only in the memories of organizational members or is part of an organization’s culture; therefore, it is implied. Examples of un-codified knowledge would include stories and experiences that are held with indi viduals. Another dimension of knowledge as suggested by Boisot includes abstract and concrete knowledge. This dimension is self explanatory. The third dimension of knowledge according to Boisot’s theory includes diffused and undiffused knowledge. Diffused knowledge refers to that knowledge that is open to all organizational member; whereas, undiffused knowledge is the one that is available to only a selected few e.g. to top management etc