Global business context Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Global business context - Essay Example The purchasing power is significant consideration for Glass Phone. As Glass Phone is costly thus, per capita income of prospective customer is expected to be in between 5,000 USD to 15,000 USD or above. The cell phone industry has strong potential for growth. It is recognized as one of the fastest growing industries globally. In the year 2004, almost 58.5% of telephone subscribers used cell phone which is almost 1,752 billion globally. Only Asia comprised of 709 million of global cell phone users. In the year 2004, China which was recognized as â€Å"low and middle income nation† had 335 million mobile phone subscribers and the rate is growing rapidly. In present day, society is living with innovative technology and everybody desires to keep pace with latest technology. This is the reason for the new Glass Phone to have great future potentials in the Asian market. Using cell phone need not require high level of education. Customers irrespective of literacy have already recognized the necessity of having a cell phone. But literacy level can influence the perception and utilization of cell phone. Mobile phone industry has low necessity of infrastructure compared to landline telephone industry, but it has high necessity for skilled labour. Only skilled labours can deliver quality products and services which led to higher customer satisfaction. Mobile phone manufacturing company requires high level of reliability and unskilled employees are less dependable which can impact on the performance of the organizations. As Glass Phone is high tech instrument, the cheap labour is ineffective as it can lead to defective products. Highly qualified employees are appropriate which might call for greater expenses, can provide positive results by minimizing number of faulty products. The Glass Phone is an expensive product and thus it would require increased marketing

8th Journal Movie Review Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

8th Journal - Movie Review Example Inhabitants of a coastal small village of Nuadkhibu live in expectation of a bright future. Before going to Europe, 17-year-old Abdalla visits his mother who lives in this settlement. The guy doesnt speak local language and seems a stranger to locals. He also doesnt like rural way’s archaism. However, having got acquainted with people closer, Abdalla starts feeling the call of the blood. Such description can create an impression that the plot is romantic, but if to watch the whole movie, it becomes clear that the movie depicts real events which happen when strangers come to a country and try to impose their rules. The inhabitants of the village suffer from religious political extremism. The religious political extremism is religiously motivated activity directed on violent change of a political system or violent seizure of power, violation of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the state, on initiation of religious strife and hatred for this purpose. As well as the ethno-nationalist extremism, religious political extremism represents a kind of political extremism. It is distinguished by certain characteristic features, which make it different from other types of extremism. The religious and political extremism rejects the possibility of negotiations, compromise, and consensus solutions of socio-political problems. Supporters of religious and political extremism are distinguished by extreme intolerance in relation to everybody who does not share their political views, including brothers in faith. For them there are no rules in the game of politics, no borders. The Malian city of Timbuktu appears in religious extremists’ occupation, and the followers of jihad commit crimes here every day. More than a half of the city is occupied by the newcomers, and women suffer more than men. Through the story of Kidan, Fatima, their daughter Toya and little herder Issan, Abdurrahman Sissako expresses a protest against the hard

Research Design Location And Research Time Psychology Essay

Research Design Location And Research Time Psychology Essay This chapter will present the methodological approach and research technique used in this thesis along with how the data will be gathered to find the answer or solutions of the research questions and problems, such as research design, theoretical perspective, data collection method, data analysis method as well as the validity and reliability of the data. Research Design, Location, and Research Time This research was planned and designed to obtain answer to research questions. Research design is the framework or plan for study, used as a single guide to collect and analyze the data. It is the blueprint that is followed to complete a study. According to Sekaran and Bougie (2009, p. 24), a research method or approach/design gives details on the most suitable methods of investigating the nature of the research, instruments, the sampling plan and the type of data to be used. Furthermore, Sekaran and Bougie (2009, p. 24) also report that a research method or design forms the framework of the entire research process. Therefore, if it is a good method or design, it will thus ensure that the information obtained is important to the researchers problem and those objectives and economic procedures in collecting it are all within limits. It simply is a systematic quest for undiscovered truth. In pursuit of this undiscovered truth, a researcher needs facts, published documents from primary sources and secondary sources. This research was using a cross sectional study which the data are gathered just once (Sekaran Bougie, 2009, p. 119). Research location was done at six locations: Central Jakarta, North Jakarta, South Jakarta, West Jakarta, East Jakarta and Tangerang city to household customers of PT. Perusahaan Listrik Negara between March to July 2012, with the distribution of questionnaires within June 2012. Research Framework The research framework of this thesis is shown in Figure 3.1 below. The first research step is to define the research problem, followed by research objective. The third step is a literature review, followed by data collection, data analysis, hypothesis test, and finally generate conclusion and recommendation. Source: Author Figure 3.: Research Framework Research Questions and Hypotheses In this study, researcher would like to answer the questions and analyze the hypotheses below: RQ1: How do cultural factors, social factors, personal factors, psychological factors, and PLN services influence customer decision in using electricity at peak load hours? H1: From those factors, all factors are positively influence customer decision in using electricity at peak load hours. RQ2: How is the correlation between the decisions in using electricity during peak load hours with the household customers behavior towards saving electricity? H2: There is a correlation between the decisions in using electricity during peak load hours with the household customers behavior towards saving electricity. RQ3: How do pro-social intensions, motivations, access to information, and knowledge influence customer behavior in saving electricity? H3: From those factors, all factors are significantly influence customer behavior in saving electricity. RQ4: How is the correlation between customer awareness of consequences, aspiration of responsibility, personal norms towards their pro-social intensions in saving electricity? H4: There is STRONG correlation between customer awareness of consequences, aspiration of responsibility, personal norms towards their pro-social intensions in saving electricity? RQ5: What interventions or instruments are most likely to affect households saving electricity behavior? H5: The intervention or instrument most likely to affect households saving electricity behavior is by increasing their motivation, knowledge, and access to information about saving electricity programs. RQ6: From the classification of household segments, which class is the most involved in saving electricity? H6: From the classification of household segments, class R1:2.200VA is the most involved in saving electricity. Conceptual Framework Source: Author (Adapted from Kotler, 1999, and deGroot Steg, 2009) Figure 3.: Conceptual Framework Research Data Type and Source of Data There are two types of data that researches collected depending on the purpose. The data of research consists of both primary and secondary data. The primary data are the first-hand information acquired by the researcher on the variables under study while the secondary data refer to information gathered from sources that already exist which may come from archives or organizational files (Sekaran Bougie, 2009, p. 180). This research was used both primary and secondary data. The primary data sources were obtained through the survey method by distributing structured questionnaires to household customers of PT. PLN Jakarta Raya and Tangerang Distribution. The secondary data were obtained from the company internal data such as figures in customer-base segmentation, and existing data in books, journals, publications, reports, and websites. Data Collection Method The data collection for primary and secondary data is done through the following methods: Literature Review. According to Sekaran and Bougie (2009, p. 38), a literature review is a step-by-step process that involves the identification of published and unpublished work from secondary data sources on the topic of interest, the evaluation of this work in relation to the problem. In this research, the literature review is done by search and study books, reports, journals, research reports, internet website related to electricity business and customer behavior. The information related to the company is obtained through the companys website and published reports. Questionnaire. Sekaran and Bougie (2009, p. 197) define questionnaire is a pre-formulated recorded series of questions to which the respondents giving their answers usually within rather closely defined alternatives. For this research, the questionnaire is formulated and distributed to the respondents in two methods. First method used is by distributing the questionnaire to respondents through email. The second method is the direct questionnaire to respondents, by asking them to give their answer on the questionnaire paper provided. Questionnaire Design Questionnaires are efficient data collection method when the researcher knows the information to gather and how to determine the variables of interest (Sekaran Bougie, 2009, p. 197). Questionnaire survey is formulated to answer the research questions. It is a tool that may be conveniently distributed personally or electronically to respondent. According to Burns and Bush (2006, p. 300), there are six key functions of a questionnaire: To translate the research objectives into specific questions. To standardize the questions and the response categories to let every participant responds to identical stimuli. To reinforce cooperation and motivates respondents to respond. To serve as permanent records of the research. To speed up the process of data analysis, depending on the type of questionnaire used by the researcher. To contain the data which may be addressed for reliability and validity. The first part consists of the demographic attributes questions such as gender, age, education, occupation, annual income, and the second part consists of questions analyzing customer behavior in terms of cultural, social, personal, and psychological factors that base on Griffin and Eberts model (2006, p. 283). Part two in the questionnaires use Likerts scale which enables the respondents to give level of the attributes stated in the questions. A Likerts scale was used in the research, in which respondents were asked to indicate their level of agreement or disagreement on a systematic agree-disagree scale for each of a series of questions (Burns Bush, 2006, p. 281). Each question in the questionnaire on this part is ranged from 1 to 5, where 1 = Strongly Disagree; 2 = Disagree ; 3 = Neutral or Not Applicable ; 4 = Agree ; 5 = Strong Agree. The questionnaire format for this research is shown in Figure 3.3 below. Source: Author Figure 3.: Questionnaire Design for This Research Table 3.1 shows the distribution of items in order to measure the variables in the questionnaires. Table 3.: Variable, Scale of Data and Category of Questions Part 1: Respondent Profile No. Variables Scale of Data Category of Questions 1. Gender Nominal Male Female 2. Age Interval 20-30 years old 30-40 years old 40-50 years old 50-60 years old à ¢Ã¢â‚¬ °Ã‚ ¥ 60 years old 3. Occupation Nominal Government employee Private company employee Self-employed Professionals Retired Others 4. Number of Family Members Interval Small: à ¢Ã¢â‚¬ °Ã‚ ¤ 4 members Medium: 5-6 members Big: à ¢Ã¢â‚¬ °Ã‚ ¥ 7 members 5. Educational background Ordinal Basic / Junior High School Senior High School College Degree Bachelor Degree Master Degree PhD 6. Income per month Ratio à ¢Ã¢â‚¬ °Ã‚ ¤ 2 million rupiahs 2 to 5 million rupiahs 5 to 10 million rupiahs à ¢Ã¢â‚¬ °Ã‚ ¥ 10 million rupiahs 7. Classification electricity Nominal 900 VA 1.300 VA 2.200 VA 8. Domicile Area Central Jakarta West Jakarta East Jakarta South Jakarta North Jakarta Tangerang City Part 2: Exploratory Questions (Data are in Likert scale) Customer Decision in using electricity at peak load hours No. Variables Category of Questions A. Cultural Factors Regularly using electricity at peak load hours (between 17.00 to 20.00). Household activities were dominated by using electrical equipment. Regularly using electrical equipment in day time. B. Social Factors The capacity of installed electricity is in accordance with the requirement. Able to pay if electricity tariff is go up. Electricity tariffs are still cheap. Its normal to reduce electricity subsidized and to increase tariffs when oil prices are up. C. Personal Factors Able to pay electricity and can afford the electricity bills. It is necessary to increase capacity because the need of electricity will increase. Electricity bills are relatively small compare to the total expenditure. D. Psychological Factor When using electricity at peak time, we will pay more expensive. Feeling guilty when using electricity at peak time. Feeling happy if every rooms are bright. E. PLN Services Power failure was rarely, so it is convenient to use it, especially at peak time. Recording of electricity is on time and the bill is in accordance with the use. Since electricity is stable, we are not worry to use it at peak time. Part 2: Exploratory Questions (Data are in Likert scale) Customer behavior towards saving electricity No. Variables Category of Questions A. Access to Information Get information about saving electricity from friends, family, neighbor, PLN, or community leaders. Get information about saving electricity from television, radio, magazine/newspaper, and internet. Often receiving information about saving electricity. B. Knowledge Knows electricity-saving equipment. Electrical equipment will be more efficient when turned off than in standby. Using electrical equipment at its maximum capacity will take more energy. C. Motivation Being motivated to prioritize electricity saving behavior. Being motivated to respect environment. D. Pro-social Intensions There are negative consequences of any actions that do not respect the environment. Feel responsible for environmental damage. Having a moral obligation towards energy efficiency and environmental protection. Questionnaire Format In this research, the questionnaires were prepared in printed and online formats using Indonesian language, because some of the respondents were not able to read and speak in English language. During the pre-test stage, the questionnaire was distributed only through email to 30 respondents to find out the validity and reliability of the data or questions in the questionnaires. At the post-test stage, the revised questionnaire was printed and distributed door to door. Due to time limitation, researcher employed a strategy by setting up a team consist of 6 (six) members to meet the respondents in 6 (six) different locations (domiciles). The revised questionnaire was also distributed by email. By using email, it was very convenient in terms of shortening the time spent to send the questionnaire and receiving the responses from the respondents. However, there were difficulties because the respondents were depended on a computer and internet service. Survey Sampling Method According to Sekaran and Bougie (2009, pp. 262-263), a sample is a subset of the population. It comprises some members selected from it. A sample is thus a subgroup of the population, which represents the whole group of people, actions, or things of interest that the researcher wants to investigate. According to Burns and Bush (2006, pp. 372-374), the size of the sample affect the sample accuracy of results, thus sample accuracy refers to how close a random samples statistic is to the populations value it represents. The most correct method of determining sample size is confidence interval approach. In order to calculate the proper sample size of the survey, Burns and Bush (2006, p. 366) said, there are three items required: Amount of variability of population Desired accuracy, and Required confidence level. Sampling Methodology In this research, the population is the total number of customers of PT. PLN Jakarta Raya and Tangerang Distribution from the Household segment, which according to the statistics are 3.330.815 number of customers. For this amount of population, the sample size may be calculated using the formula recommended by Burns and Bush (2006, p. 372): Where: n = the sample size z = standard error associated with the chosen level of confidence (1.96) p = estimated percentage in the population q = 100- p e = acceptable sample error Sample population sample size = population sample size x In this research, researcher chose to use a probability of 90% with a 95% level of significance equivalent to a z value of 1.96 and sample error 4%. The sampling calculation was determined by using a software application, PHStat2. PHStat2 is a Windows-based software that assists students and professionals in learning the statistic concepts while using Microsoft Excel. Table 3.: Sampling Size Determination Data Estimate of True Proportion 0.9 Sampling Error 0.04 Confidence Level 95% Intermediate Calculations Z Value -1.95996398 Calculated Sample Size 216.0820587 Result Sample Size Needed 217 Finite Populations Population Size 3.330.815 Calculated Sample Size 216.0681064 Sample Size Needed 217 Source : Data on File Based on the calculation in Table 3.2, the minimum number of sample size needed is 217 samples; however in this research the number of samples is added to another 10 percent in order to produce greater accuracy. Therefore, this research will be used 240 samples. This research will use a cross sectional-study in which the data are gathered at once in order to answer the research questions (Sekaran Bougie, 2009, p. 119). Sample Withdrawal Techniques The populations in this research were household customers of PT. PLN Jakarta Raya Tangerang Distribution. Sampling technique was done by using stratified random sampling, involves a process of stratification or segregation, followed by random selection of subjects from each stratum. The population is divided into stratum, and then sampling conducted in each stratum (Sekaran Bougie, 2009, p. 272). In this research, customers who become household population were stratified based on electrical power and is divided into three groups, namely: 900VA, 1.300VA and 2.200VA. It is based on the Regulation of the President of Republic Indonesia No. 8, 2011, p. 9 (see Appendix A2). The sample selection techniques are described in Figure 3.4. Source: Author Figure 3.: Sample Withdrawal Techniques Data Analysis After data are obtained through questionnaires, the next step is to analyze them to test the research hypothesis. To ensure that the data obtained are reasonably good and ready for use for statistical analysis, Sekaran and Bougie (2009, pp. 306-330) recommend followings: Getting the data to be ready for analysis: Coding and data entry Coding the responses Data entry Editing data Data transformation Getting a feel for the data: Relationship between variables Correlations Testing goodness of data Reliability Validity Testing the hypothesis Hypothesis testing and data analysis will be conducted using appropriate statistical method and based on sample data associated with software such as PHStat2, SPSS version 20, and AMOS version 20. Descriptive Analysis Descriptive analysis such as the mean, mode, standard deviation, and range are used by researcher to describe the sample data matrix in such a way as to portray the typical respondent and to reveal the general pattern of responses. Descriptive measures are regarded as the steps undertaken by the researcher earlier in the process of analysis and become foundations for subsequent or more complex analysis (Burns Bush, 2006, p. 424). Descriptive statistics were used to portray the main characteristics of a collection of data in quantitative terms and distinguished from inductive statistics in that they intend to quantitatively review a data set, instead of being used to support reports regarding the population that the data are supposed to represent. Even when a data analysis obtains its major conclusions using inductive statistical analysis, the descriptive statistics are usually presented alongside the formal analyses to show the audience an overall perception of how data being examined. Validity and Reliability Test A good quality measurement instrument is needed in order to obtain precise data of this research. The ideal instrument has to be reliable and valid. The researcher must address both validity and reliability of the measures in assessing the degree of measurement error present in any measures. Any measure designed or adapted for use in any research should both be reliable and valid. A reliable measure is one in which a respondent acts in response to the same or a very similar manner to an identical or nearly identical question (Burns Bush, 2006, p. 290). The reliability of a measure is a test of how consistently a measuring instrument measures whatever concept it is measuring. In testing the reliability of the questionnaire, the test-retest reliability test was used which measures the correlation between the same respondents obtained at the two different times (Sekaran, 2010, p. 162). To achieve reliability of a measure, the researcher was using SPSS software with Cronbachs Alpha as the measurement. Cronbachs Alpha is a reliability coefficient that determines how well specific items of the measurement tools are positively correlated to one another. Cronbachs Alpha is computed using the average intercorrelations among the items measuring the concepts. If Cronbachs Alpha is greater than 0.70, it means that the data are more consistent and reliable. The closer the alpha value to 1 indicates the data are most consistent and reliable. A high quality reliable instrument can be used as a guide to draw a conclusion and making decisions (Sekaran Bougie, 2009, pp. 324-325). Validity is a test of how fine a developed instrument to measure the particular concept it is planned to measure. In the other words, validity is related to measurement with the right concept and reliability with stability and consistency of measurement (Sekaran Bougie, 2009, pp. 158-160). Correlation Analysis Correlation analysis is an analysis done to trace the mutual influence of variables on one another. A correlation coefficient that indicates the strength and direction of the relationship can be computed by applying a formula. There could be a perfect positive correlation between two variables, which is represented by 1.0 (plus 1), or a perfect negative correlation which would be -1.0 (minus 1) (Sekaran Bougie, 2009, p. 322). The formula to calculate the coefficient of correlation is: Source: Burns Bush, 2005 Where: r = coefficient correlation n = samples xi = variable X x = mean X yi = variable Y y = mean Y Table 3.3 presents the rules of thumb in interpreting the correlation coefficient values. Table 3.: Rules of thumb of degree of correlation Coefficient Range Strength of Association  ±0.81 to  ±1.00 Strong  ±0.61 to  ±0.80 Moderate  ±0.41 to  ±0.60 Weak  ±0.21 to  ±0.40 Very Weak  ±0.01 to  ±0.20 None Source: Burns Bush, 2005 Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) Structural equation modeling (SEM) is a statistical approach for testing and estimating causal relationship using a combination of statistical data and qualitative causal assumptions. Typically, this theory represents causal processes that produce examinations on multiple variables. The term structural equation modeling expresses two important features of the procedure: causal processes, represented by a sequences of structural (i.e. regression) equations, and these structural relationships can be displayed pictorially to allow a clearer conceptualization of the theory. Then, the hypothesized model can be examined statistically in a simultaneous analysis of the entire variables to conclude the degree of its consistency to the data. If goodness-of-fit is adequate, the model argues for the credibility of hypothesized relations among variables. If it is inadequate, the reasonability of those relations is rejected (Byrne, 2010, p. 3). Statistical models provide an efficient and convenient way of describing the latent structure underlying a set of observed variables. Expressed either diagrammatically or mathematically via a set of equations, such models explain how the observed and latent variables are related to one another. Typically, a researcher postulates a statistical model based on his or her knowledge of the related theory, on empirical research in the area of study, or on some combination of both. Once the model is specified, the researcher then tests its plausibility based on sample data that comprise all observed variables in the model. The primary task in this model-testing procedure is to determine the goodness-of-fit between the hypothesized model and the sample data. As such, the researcher imposes the structure of the hypothesized model of the sample data, and then tests how well the observed data fit this restricted structure. Because it is highly unlikely that a perfect fit will exist between the observed data and the hypothesized model, there will necessarily be a differential between the two; this differential is termed the residual. The model-fitting process can therefore be summarized as follows: Data = Model + Residual Where: Data represent score measurements related to the observed variables as derived from persons comprising the sample. Model represents the hypothesized structure linking the observed variables to the latent variables and, in some models, linking particular latent variables to one another. Residual represents the discrepancy between the hypothesized model and the observed data (Byrne, 2010, p. 7). Structural equation models are schematically portrayed using particular configurations of four geometric symbols: a circle (or ellipse), a square (or rectangle), a single-headed arrow, and a double-headed arrow. By convention, circles (or ellipses; ) represent unobserved latent factors, squares (or rectangles; ) represent observed variables, single-headed arrows (à ¢Ã¢â‚¬  Ã¢â‚¬â„¢) represent the impact of one variable on another, and double-headed arrows (à ¢Ã¢â‚¬  Ã¢â‚¬ ) represent covariance or correlations between pairs of variables (Byrne, 2010, p. 9). In building a model of a particular structure in this research, the researcher uses these symbols within the framework of four basic configurations, each of which represents an important component in the analytic process. These configurations, each accompanied by a brief description, are as follows: Path coefficient for regression of an observed variable onto an unobserved latent variable (or factor) Path coefficient for regression of one factor onto another factor Measurement error associated with an observed variable Residual error in the prediction of an unobserved factor The Path Diagram Schematic representations of models are termed path diagrams because they provide a visual portrayal of relations which are assumed to hold among the variables under study. Essentially, a path diagram depicting a particular SEM model is actually the graphical equivalent of its mathematical representation whereby a set of equations relates dependent variables to their explanatory variables (Byrne, 2010, p. 10). Using path diagram as a structural equation modeling tool, the pattern of causal relationship can be detected. Causal relationship describes interrelations among a set of latent (unobserved) variables and a set of observed variables. Path diagram is a relationship structure between the exogenous and endogenous variables. The independent (X) variables are called exogenous variables. The dependent (Y) variables are called endogenous variables. Model Measurement According to Hair et.al (2010) measurement model validity depends on establishing acceptable levels of goodness of fit (GOF) for the measurement which indicates how well specify model reproduces the observed covariance matrices, smaller the difference between covariance matrices estimate with the observe covariance matrices, more fit the model. (Hair et. al, 2010, p.639). The GOF value contains several parameters to be considered by the researcher as stated by Hair et.al (2010, p.640-650), this thesis confirm the overall model fit the parameter will used the following: Chi-square (CMIN) or minimum discrepancy (), it is to test whether there is the different covariance matrices estimate within the covariance matrices observe, smaller () shown the different of both not significant and the model more fit. df (degree of freedom), more positive (>=0) of the df which shown with minimum was achieved the process of the estimate could be done. CMIN/DF. CMIN represents the minimum value of the discrepancy while DF is the degree of freedom. According to Wijaya (2009, p. 45), the model could be accepted if the CMIN/DF is à ¢Ã¢â‚¬ °Ã‚ ¤ 2.00. RMR (root mean square residual), this is called badness of fit whether the value is less than 0.1 than it is better because deference between sample and the estimate is smaller (Hair et.al 2010, p.642) GFI and AGFI (Goodness fit index and Adjusted Goodness fit index), GFI and AGFI value between 0 to 1, more closed to 1 more fit the model (Hair et.al 2010, p.643)

Introduction To Human Services Essay -- essays research papers

Introduction to Human Services Jeffrey, "A Human Services Professional is someone who is a facilitator for someone who is not able or not yet able to deal with issues in a healthy way. I am taking classes so that I can learn how to best help empower people change their situation by believing in themselves. I believe that people have the answers within themselves, but may need help getting in touch with their spiritual or intuitive self. As human services providers, we hopefully strive to model healthy behavior, including the fact that we are human, need support from our peers, and can make mistakes." "When a client is ready, we educate them to give them an idea of what is destructive behavior, bring to their attention possible consequences of their actions, and suggest ideas or alternatives. Usually a client already knows all this, they just never knew a better way or thought their way of dealing with life was normal. I work on accepting each person where they are in their life, which takes strength. I may be saying in my mind, 'Can't you see your way out of the prison you're in?', but then I remember that I used to be in the same place, and it took years to find my way out. I still struggle with my addiction, and it still affects me, just not so profoundly." "What I would like to do is work with teenagers. As a teenager, I was befriended by a Young Life leader. He was a man in his 40's and didn't want anything from me but to be my friend. When I drank beer at lunch, he didn't tell me to not drink. I don't remember his words so much as the feeling I got when we were together. He was like a father/friend to me. He seemed to care about me unconditionally. He looked at me like a real human person, which made me uncomfortable, which now looking back, was probably because I wasn't used to that. My own father lived in the same house with me, but he was not emotionally available to me. My own father seemed to think that all women are good for is sex and housekeeping. That scares me when I think of that now. My first husband thought of me only as good for sex, baby making, and housekeeping. I am grateful that I have wised up since then. My passion is to work in the alternative schools as a tutor or mentor, to help give kids some kind of an idea what ... ...ce what I love to do. Is it possible to go to school or receive on the job training? Sometimes where there is a will, there is a way. I know some people who manage apartments, therefore do not need to pay rent for a place to live. They receive financial aid and food stamps while they are in school. What some people do is find out which professions are in demand, or will be in the future. These trends can be found in publications such as government statistical manuals. If there is something you think you would like to explore, maybe you could talk to people who are willing to take the time to explain how they carry out their responsibilities for their work. Bring a list of questions so the person you are interviewing has an idea of what specific aspects of their career you are curious about. People who are happy with their careers are usually quite willing to talk about themselves in this way. I know someone who owns his own business. He began as a backyard mechanic and now ten years later runs a very successful auto repair shop. For him it means long hours, but he is very proud of his accomplishments. He says there is nothing like being your own boss.

Defining the Humanities Essay

After reading this week’s lecture and my understanding of what humanities are is the study of what people have experienced and how they express this experience. Humanities are how people have interacted throughout their existence and how people interact today. Humanities are the study of the philosophical beliefs of a culture. The philosophical approach to understanding a culture is what separates humanities from science and history. Science and history are exact and rarely are open for debate once it is proven to be fact. Science will set out  to prove its point, whatever it may be, through precise calculations. Science also studies theory and probability. Science lacks imagination in their calculations whereas humanities use imagination to understand past culture. Science wants to prove how people came to exist whereas humanities seek to understand why people exist. History is different from humanities because history studies documentation as facts and undisputable regarding what happened. Humanities seek to answer why it happened and to understand it. History was recorded in books in  libraries, Humanities are written on walls in caves or in the design contained in buildings. Today cultures express their interests, their experiences, and their values through many forms such as art, music, and movies. Sharing experiences is perhaps the most basic form of explaining who people are. By sharing these experiences in the forms of art, music, and movies, it allows us to share information about us through our creativity. In today’s culture these three forms of expression allow people to show their individuality and to connect with many on different levels. Art takes many forms and is interpreted by an individual differently. Colors and design reflect our feelings. Black and white expresses loneliness and pain whereas bright colors express happiness. A painting for example, allows an artist to express themselves in a way he or she feels. It is their visualization of their thoughts (Kitchin, 2004). Society looks at the painting and is free to interpret it their way. One person may see happiness whereas another sees sadness. A picture of time square could mean chaos and seem overwhelming to one from a rural area where someone from a city sees everything he or she needs. People continue to express themselves with music. The meanings behind the words of the songs often come from the feelings and the experiences of the author. It is the responsibility of the musician to express those feelings and experiences through sound. Music with soul (Hakes, 2011). Music has been very important to our culture. Think of how important the Beatles were to world or even the Grateful Dead. My personal favorite band is Linkin Park. They are my favorite because I can relate my life to the words of their song. Their music attracts those DEFINING THE HUMANITITES 3 who appear to be weak or who do not appear to be societies strongest. Their song â€Å"The Little Things Give You Away† was written about Hurricane Katrina. The devastation from Hurricane Katrina was widespread devastation. Their song attempts to reflect through music the pain and suffering affected by it. Movies are much like music however instead of only simply able to hear words and visualize it; the movies create the visualization for the person. Movies use categorization such as romance, action, and drama. Movies based on real life events attempt to capture those events and explain them. Movies can show the romance side of a situation or even the heroics. The recent movie Argo is about the falling of the United States Embassy in Iran, which was overrun. This movie reflects the horror that six members went through while showing the heroics of a CIA member to return the members of the Embassy to the United States. These three forms of expression will continue to exist as time continues. They are acceptable means of  expressions and are a very important part of today’s society. All three bring joy to people and if capable a person can express him or herself like none before. DEFINING THE HUMANITITES 4 References Kitchin, M. (2004). Art and expression. Retrieved from http://www. students. sbc. edu/kitchin04/artandexpression/artandexpression. html Hakes, T. (2011, March 11). Music as expression vs. music as entertainment. Retrieved from http://abovegroundmagazine. com/blogs/letter-from-the-editor/03/15/music-as-expression-vs- music-as-entertainment/

Generative Grammar

FOUNDATIONS IN GENERATIVE GRAMMARAny native speaker of a language can be said to know the grammar of his/her own language, they know how to form and interpret any expression. However, this grammatical knowledge is subconscious. Native speaker have grammatical competence in their native language. This means that they have tacit knowledge of the grammar of their own lang. We have to make a difference between competence (the fluent native speaker's tacit knowledge of his lang) and performance (what people actually say and understand, the use of the language). Criteria of adequacyBasically, the criteria of adequacy are 2: descriptive adequacy (universality) and explanatory adequacy. 1. A grammar is descriptively adequate if it correctly describes whether a sequence of words is or isn't grammatical and also correctly describes what interpretation(s) this sequence has. 1. 1. The goal of a descriptive linguist is to devise particular grammars of particular languages, while that of a theoret ical linguist is to devise a theory of grammar. This is a set of hypotheses about the nature of possible and impossible grammars of natural languages and about the inherent properties that natural langs do and don't possess.An adequate theory of grammar must satisfy the criterion of adequacy known as universality. This means that a theory of grammar must enable us to devise a descriptively adequate grammar for every natural lang. The main goal of Generative Grammar is to build a theory of Universal Grammar. 2. This theory of UG will not only list the universal properties of natural lang grammars, but also explain the relevant properties –i. e. why grammar have the properties they do. This requirement is referred to as explanatory adequacy. Language FacultyAccording to Chomsky, the most plausible explanation for uniformity and rapidity lies in that the course of acquisition is determined by a biologically endowed innate language faculty within the brain, which provides childre n with a genetically transmitted set of procedures for developing a grammar on the basis of their linguistic experience (the speech input they receive). The hypothesis that the course of lang acquisition is determined by an innate language faculty is known as the innateness hypothesis. The major tenets of this hypothesis are: 1. The innate language faculty is unique to humans. . All humans possess this ability of lang acquisition. 3. The uniformity character suggests that children have a genetic guidance in the task of building a grammar of their native lang. 4. Despite performance errors in the input, children acquire a competence grammar, which again points to the fact that the acquisition ability must be genetically determined. 5. Although no special care is taken to teach them, children acquire languages successfully, which again supports the genetic character of lang acquisition. Principles We have claimed that children have a genetically endowed language faculty.If so, what ar e the defining properties of the language faculty? The lang faculty must include a set of principles of Universal Grammar, in the sense that the lang faculty must be such as to allow the child to develop a grammar of any natural lang on the basis of a sufficient speech input. If these principles are universal their application in one language should reveal evidence of their application in other langs. The underlying rule to construct a particular structure in one language will be part of a general principle of UG. (1) a. Mary will tell me the truth. b. Will Mary tell me the truth? Move the second word in a sentence in front of the first word) (2) a. The girl in the corner will tell me the truth. b. *Girl the in the corner†¦.? | | |STRUCTURE DEPENDENCE PRINCIPLE | |All grammatical operations are structure-dependent. | To explain grammaticality and ungrammaticality we should rely on general principles such as the Structure Dependence Principle, although in each language this prin ciple will be turned into something more concrete:Move an auxiliary in front of a preceding noun expression which functions as its subject. This rule makes use of structural information which is subconsciously available to all humans, although people don't know what an auxiliary is. Also this rule accounts for the contrast in (3): (3) a. Mary told me the truth. b. *Told Mary the truth? as we have applied inversion to a non-auxiliary. A theory of grammar which posits that the internal structure of words, phrases and clauses in natural lang is determined by innate UG principles minimizes the burden of grammatical learning imposed on the child.This is quite important given the learnability criterion of adequacy for any theory of grammar. The UG theory accounts for the rapidity of the child's grammatical development by positing that there is a universal set of innately endowed grammatical principles which determine the nature of grammatical structure and the range of grammatical operati ons found in natural lang. Since these UG principles don't have to be learned, the UG theory minimizes the learning load placed on the child and as a consequence maximizes the learnability of natural language grammars. ParametersAlthough the lang faculty involves a set of UG principles, all aspects of the grammatical structure of language are not determined by innate gramm. principles. Otherwise all languages would have the same structure and there would not be any structural learning in lang acquisition. So although there are universal principles which control the overall structure of a lang, there are also language-particular aspects of grammatical struct which children have to learn as part of acquiring their native lang. Acquisition involves structural learning, which is limited to a set of parameters.Parameters are those aspects of grammatical structure which are subject to lang-particular variation. Examples of parameters: 1. Null subject parameter: languages which permit omis sion of the subject of a finite verb and langs that do not. (4) a. Maria come pasta. b. Come pasta. (5) a. Mary eats pasta. b. *Eats pasta. 2. Wh-parameter: languages which permit fronting of the wh-phrase or not. (6) a What do you think he will say? b. ?Que piensas que el dira? c. Ni xiangxin ta hui shuo shenme you think he will say whatEnglish and Spanish Wh-phrases move to the beginning of the interrogative clause, but Chinese Wh-phrase remains in situ. 3. Head position parameter: the relative positioning of heads with respect to their complements. Head-first languages and Head-last langs. (7) a. Close the door b. Moonul dadala. door close (8) a. desire for change. b. byunhwa-eadaehan kalmang change-for desire 4. Discourse/Agreement Prominence: Miyagawa (2005) claims that languages can be classified according to whether they are focus or agreement prominent.On the basis of his classification, there are languages which overtly instantiate the notion of topic (Korean or Japanese), there are also languages which put a special emphasis on agreement marking (English), but additionally there are languages which show both (Spanish). >>> Jimenez (2008, 2009) 9) a. Taroo-ga hon-o katta. Taro-NOM book-ACC bought ‘Taro bought a book’. b. Hon-o Taroo-ga katta. Book-ACC Taro-NOM bought ‘A book, Taro bought’. 10) a. Mary likes syntax. b. *Syntax Mary likes. (11) a.Susana corto los tulipanes. (S-V-O) Susana cutpast3sg the tulips ‘Susana cut the tulips. ’ b. Los tulipanes(,) los corto Susana. (O-cl-V-S) The tulips, CL3pl,masc cut Susana ‘The tulips, Susana cut’. Parameter-setting Parameters involve binary choices, so structural variation between langs is constrained. The only structural learning that children have to face is the task of setting the appropriate value for each of the relevant structural parameters >>>>> Metaphor of the switch in the up or down position.