Essay on Life is Not a Video Game - 1698 Words

Video games are probably the most asked for present when a child sits on Santa Claus’ lap at Christmas time. They are, in all probability, what kids ask for when they make a wish while blowing out the candles on their birthday cake. The latest installment in the Call of Duty video game franchise, Modern Warfare 3, reached record sales of $775,000,000 in five days (Tito). At sixty dollars each, that means that this game is present in approximately 12,750,000 homes worldwide. Although the gaming industry is a lucrative one, it can also have adverse effects on children and adolescents. Scientific studies, done by researchers and psychologists around the world, show that violent video games can be detrimental in both children and adolescents,†¦show more content†¦While some may claim that playing violent video games is no different than watching violent movies, these studies show disparities. Unlike movies, video games are interactive and they engage the brain in a distin ctive way. Elizabeth K. Carll, author of an article in The Chronicle of Higher Education, states, â€Å"Violent video games enable the player to identify with a violent character, which rehearses violent acts with much repetition† (Carll 1). This type of media teaches patterns of aggression through repetition, which many styles of learning are based upon. This article makes another great point. Additionally it states, â€Å"What would be the best way to teach a pilot how to fly an airplane: a book, a movie or a flight-simulator video game†? Video games can be excellent teaching tools as well. Some games are intellectual and stimulating in positive ways. Also, they have significant importance in the development of social and emotional behavior in youth. Furthermore, video games are used in the medical treatment of certain diseases and illnesses. They teach hand-eye coordination and muscle control. In video games, the players are rewarded for violent acts. Children and adolescents learn to use violence as a way to solve conflicts. This problem has gotten so severe that people have lost their lives to the players of these violent video games. Recently, in East Tennessee, a nineteen year old young man killed his infant son for crying tooShow MoreRelatedVideo Games Come to Life765 Words   |  3 Pagesregularly play computer video games. Our group is often criticized because of the violent nature and graphic content of many of the games which are currently popular, however I feel that these criticisms are largely unwarranted. In fact, the reasons that I play (and I suspect that the majority of gamers play) have nothing to do with any gruesome attractions and everything to do with a safe, healthy imaginative release. The first and foremost reason that I enjoy playing computer games (and Im speakingRead MoreThe Effects Of Video Games On Social Life1559 Words   |  7 Pagesamount of time a average student spends playing video games or socializing during the day. The data in this study about the effect of gaming on social life was obtained by examining the time usage of a 18 year old college student. A chart is provided in an attempt to study this question.The data was collected over five days, divided into three categories which are gaming, social life and work/school. Research showed that people that play video games mostly play at night instead of going out and interactingRead MoreEffects of Video Games on Teenage Life1442 Words   |  6 Pagesï » ¿Video games are part of the lives of almost all teens in America, (Lenhart, Kahne, Middaugh, Macgill, Evans and Vitak). Therefore, it is important to understand what, if any, effects video games are having on teenage life. Because many video game s contain violent content, imagery, and gameplay, much research on video games has focused on whether playing violent video games leads to violent or aggressive behavior in youth. There is a lot of conflicting evidence about the relationship between videoRead MoreMy Life With Video Game Designing1390 Words   |  6 PagesAs I am going through life I have decided that a life with video game designing would be a fun one. College will be required to become successful in the field of video games. I plan on going to Duquesne University to study and learn computer science (Welcome to Keys2Work). Duquesne University would be a great college for me to go to because of it’s size and reputation. Duquesne is a mid sized school meaning it will not be huge and so overwhelming for me to become accustomed to (College SearchRead MoreVideo Games And Its Effect On My Life873 Words   |  4 Pageshave always had a fascination with video games. From the beginning of having this obsession I ha ve collected each new game that presented a story to tell one by one, even if they didn’t have an exact plot and the player always had some sort of choice of where the story was heading such was mystical wonders like Journey or a silly sandbox game like Minecraft. It was always different and interesting as all kinds of lives could be lived within the virtual world of games. This magical experience is similarRead MoreVideo Games And Its Effects On Human Life2473 Words   |  10 PagesThis year, in 2014, video game will turn 44 years old. The industry that started with a 1D computer space game has now turned into a multi-million dollar business. Over the years, video games have played a huge role and have undeniably become an integral part of our life and culture. But as the gaps of reality and gaming experience dwindle, this raises a question of whether video games, like films and music, could really be used as a valuable medium for educational purposes or is it really just theRead MoreVideo Games : Improving Critical Life Skills1587 Words   |  7 PagesMandley-Stilwell December 1, 2016 How Video Games are Bolstering Critical Life Skills in Children In 1972 Magnavox Odyssey and Atari developed and released what has come to be understood as the first video game titled, Pong. A simple tennis game where the goal is simply to keep the ball within the bounds of the screen. Since then, video games have flourished into a diverse industry varying in several genres. It has become an industry where companies work to develop a game as a form of art, or simply anRead MoreVideo Games: An Intergral Part of My Life1837 Words   |  8 Pagesthe game reads as my character is killed in the online video game. There are many types of hobbies in the world. From skateboarding to painting to cooking, people find solace in a variety of things. Although I am open to trying new hobbies, I almost find myself coming back to video games, my favorite hobby. While other hobbies may seem more productive or beneficial, video games are almost purely for fun and entertainment. Technological advancements in recent years have allowed video games to reachRead MoreThe Effect of Video Game Violence on Physiological Desensitization to Real-life Violence2765 Words   |  12 Pageschildren who play video games for many hours daily. Addiction controls life of people, there is addiction to drugs, cigarettes, alcohol or gambling, and there are some forms of addiction associated with modern life, such as Internet and video games. Most people think that video games are harmful and waste of time. As a result, the main question of the research is how video games can influence on children and many minor questions come to mind about video games: Do video games influence a child’sRead More Video Games Violence Essay1580 Words   |  7 Pageschild has played video games once in their lives. There are various genres and types of video games such as action, first person shooters, adventure, education, role-playing, strategy, and many more. 89% of video games contain some violent content (Slife, 2008). The most addictive, common, and popular video games among children are the violent video games (Slife, 2008). A lot of video games these days depict â€Å"real-life violence† meaning that the settings and plots of these video games are taken from

Should Gay Marriage Be Legalized - 1705 Words

Megan Miner December 10, 2014 Political Science 1100 Period 4 Tooele B Research Paper Option 1 Gay marriage has and still is a huge controversy in the United States. I will say though that the U.S. has come along way when it comes to same-sex marriage. As of November 20, 2014 gay marriage is now legal in thirty-five of the fifty U.S. states. Massachusetts was the first state to legalize same-sex marriage in May of two thousand and four. As of October ninth two-thousand and fourteen, only sixteen out of one hundred and ninety-four countries allow same sex marriage. By those odds I would say that the U.S. is actually doing pretty well at accepting gay marriage. My question is then why can t Congress change the Federal Marriage Amendment now with out causing a million problems. So I decided to dig further into the history of gay marriage before looking at the proponents and opponents of legalizing gay marriage. It has been said that gay rights and gay right movements are traced back to the Stonewall Riots. The riot occurred at Stonewall Inn in New York City on June 28, 1969 afte r a police raid at a gay bar-and note that at this time it was illegal to even have a homo-sexual relationship at all except in Illinois-. As a result of this riot the number of gay organizations in the country sky rocketed. The numbers went from a small fifty something to thousands all in a span of four to five years. Shortly after that in nineteen seventy-three the gay liberation movementShow MoreRelatedGay Marriage Should Be Legalized938 Words   |  4 Pages Gay marriage is in fact a controversial topic that many people feel strongly about. I believe that gay marriage should be legalized without being penalized by people who disagree with it. I will, within reason, explain to you why gay marriage should be legalized and argue against Karlee’s essay about why gay marriage shouldn’t be legalized. The first thing Karlee talks about in her opposing essay is, â€Å"Children of same-sex couples, biological or not, need both a mother and a father inRead MoreShould Gay Marriage Be Legalized?1313 Words   |  6 PagesCredit – Should gay marriage be legalized? Marriage is considered to be the rite of passage from an religious point of view, it is considered as holy matrimony before the eyes of God. Attraction between individuals of the same sex has been a topic of debate. However, over the past few years gay individuals made a decision to our grievances of oppression despite receiving tremendous critics from the public. Initially, gay marriagesRead MoreShould Gay Marriage Be Legalized?935 Words   |  4 PagesThere is a lot of controversy about gay marriage and whether or not it should be legalized in certain states that haven t yet legalized it. My opinion on this topic is that it should not be legalized for various reasons. My reasons on this have nothing to do with religion because religion shouldn’t have anything to do with their opinion; religion is a biased opinion because of its authenticity. Another thing that shouldn’t be considered is their opinio n that doesn’t have a reasoning behind it likeRead MoreGay Marriage Should Be Legalized1379 Words   |  6 PagesName: Tutor: Course: Date: Gay Marriages Marriage is considered as hypothetically speaking, a rite of passage whilst from the religious point of view, it is considered as holy matrimony before a supreme being. Attraction between individuals of the same sex has been a topic of debate since time immemorial. However, over the past few years gay individuals have opted to air grievances of oppression despite receiving tremendous critics from the public. Initially, gay marriages were unfathomable eventsRead MoreShould Gay Marriage Be Legalized? Essay1828 Words   |  8 PagesIntroduction What does it mean to be gay and why does society discriminate against those who are deemed to be gay? This paper establishes that being gay is primarily based on the supposition that one is either homosexual, transgender, lesbian, or bisexual. It also establishes that one of the primary reasons why gays are discriminated against within the society is religion; that some of the views held by different religious conclaves substantiate gay rejection by the society. On a more personal ratherRead MoreGay Marriage Should Be Legalized1280 Words   |  5 Pagescommunity and abides by the law should be afforded the rights of an American. However, not all citizens are afforded equal rights. Gay and lesbians are consistently denied rights that are typically taken for granted by the average American. Specifically, gay and lesbians couples are denied the right to marry even if they are upstanding citizens. They are held at an unfair disadvantage solely because of their sexual orientation. This discrimination must stop because gay and lesbian couples are law-abidingRead More Should gay marriages be legalized? Essay1504 Words   |  7 Pages Should same sex marriages be legal? nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;Same-sex marriages have been very controversial since becoming an issue in Canada regarding the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. Several people state that same-sex marriages should be legal, while others disagree, saying it should not be permitted. There have been many debates and inquiries about this issue for several years; the MP’s and Parliament will finally settle the problem within the next year or so. Many are in favourRead More Gay Marriage Should be Legalized Essays1696 Words   |  7 Pages There are numerous opinions and standing views on gay marriage. The argument regarding gay marriage should be legalized or not is extremely controversial. According to an article from the Human Rights Campaign, there is nothing wrong with allowing homosexuals to have the same rights as those who are heterosexual. Every individual person should be granted equal rights, regardless of sexuality. Gay marriage should be legalized in all states and coun tries, it has been held off for too long. MoreoverRead MoreShould Gay Marriage Be Legalized?727 Words   |  3 Pages Everyone, regardless of gender orientation or sexual preference deserves equal rights, such as marriage, feeling comfortable with whom they are, and being treated like any other human being. Right now gay marriage is a hot topic in many states, however, what say should the government get in who you love and want to marry? Beyond a court room, research has been done on the idea of transgenderism and what causes people to be like that or if people are truly born in the wrong bodyRead MoreShould Gay Marriage Be Legalized? Essay464 Words   |  2 PagesMarriage is defined as the state of being a married couple voluntarily joined for life. In the definition it says couple, with out indication of gender. In our society gay marriage is a hot topic. Previously legalizing gay marriage was out of the question, but as times has changed and more liberal politicians have gained office to reflect th e views of today’s society. One of the reasons that LGBT people fight for the right to marry because married couples receive more protections and advantages in

Persuasive Techniques free essay sample

In this book, the society is controlled by an all powerful government that capsizes the people’s brain so that there is no independent thought. Citizens are constantly being watched and monitored while all they can do is support them and pour out hate to the enemy thinking the party is always right. Hope comes to a man named Winston, the protagonist, a lone man who secretly opposes the manipulation of the mind. After the plot unravels, Winston begins to show his opposition against the party. The party controls everything in the society and puts everything the way they want it to be, endlessly reminding people that they need to support their country, Oceania. Using the persuasive techniques of reasons, loaded words, and bandwagon appeal, George Orwell develops his theme that thoughts can be controlled. First, Orwell uses the technique of reasons to develop his theme of thought control. â€Å"Do it to Julia! Do it to Julia! Not me! Julia! I don’t care what you do to her. We will write a custom essay sample on Persuasive Techniques or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page Tear her face off, strip her to the bones. Not me! Julia! Not me† (Orwell 286). The party controls people’s minds through extreme torture by inflicting pain and seamlessly scaring them. It makes them become empty like a robot that follows its owner’s commands. O’Brien controls Winston’s mind by showing him a cage full of hungry rats. This last torture makes Winston an empty shell like what O’Brien had wanted all along. Next, thoughts are controlled by reminding citizens that Big Brother is watching them. It makes â€Å"you feel that you constantly need to support the party and push back other thoughts away. This is the â€Å"manipulation of popular feelings and ideas by the mass media†Ã¢â‚¬  (Fitzpatric 248). The party uses war to control people’s thoughts. They use war to distract people from worrying about being poor and â€Å"use up the products of the machine without raising the general standard of living† (Orwell 188). The citizens think the food is being put to good use. This method keeps the citizens from complaining, thus controlling their thoughts. It is clear that Orwell uses the technique of reasons to develop his theme that thoughts can be controlled. Moreover, Orwell uses the technique of loaded words to develop his theme of thoughts being controlled. â€Å"With a tremulous murmur that sounded like â€Å"My Savior! † She extended her arms toward the screen. Then she buried her face in her hands. It was apparent that she was uttering a prayer† (Orwell 16). Citizens are brainwashed and controlled to have deep feelings about Big Brother and that it is everything. Other citizens are also brainwashed the same way because they see others doing this and follow the people around them, â€Å"The horrible thing about 2 Minutes Hate was not that one was obliged to act a part, but that it was impossible to avoid joining in† (Orwell 11). Peer pressure makes people think it is right to do many things. â€Å"Controlling minds and truth is ultimate power. Truth is subordinated to the Party† (Davis 250). Fake history is also created. Citizens will believe anything the Party puts in books. Their minds are too controlled to rebel against the party. Fake enemies are also created. It relieves the citizens’ anger when they are allowed to say anything against them. It is shown that Orwell uses the technique of loaded words to expand his theme of controlling thoughts. Last, Orwell uses the technique of bandwagon appeal to expand his theme of thought control. The party is able to control real life by tormenting people’s minds. â€Å"We bring him over to our side, not in appearance, but genuinely, heart and soul† (Orwell 255). The party puts them in room 101, where the person’s worse fear is encountered. Individuals are also not able to keep records of the past, causing memories to become unreliable as it forces them to believe the party. â€Å"It is impossible to see reality except by looking through the eyes of the party† (Davis 249). In addition, Language is controlled. English is replaced by Newspeak so that no one is able to question the party’s power because there are no words for it. â€Å"Communication will become not the transmission of meaning, but the attempt to avoid meaning† (Ranald 251). It is portrayed that Orwell uses the technique of bandwagon appeal to develop his theme of controlled thought.

Interview Narrative free essay sample

Interview Narrative With a loud creak, the door of my sisters apartment opens and in comes Brianna freshly from a long, hard day of work at the National Wildlife Research Center. She doesnt seem to be in the best of moods at first, but as soon as she sees me she cant help but grin, for we hadnt seen each other in months. She takes a seat beside me on the small yet comfortable couch in the center of her living room. As she had Just gotten off of work she remains in her work clothes, which consists of a classy black polo. Khaki pants, and a pair of dainty black flats. I let her relax for a couple moments and then I begin asking her questions about her past and high school experience. She then begins fondly reminiscing on her former memories of the activities, goals, and such that she had and took part in throughout high school. We will write a custom essay sample on Interview Narrative or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page She first begins by recalling the goals she once had throughout high school and what measures she took to try and reach them. Her biggest goal in high school starting from freshman year was to obtain a 4. 0 GPA and letter in academics. She studied awfully hard and really focused on her academics to attempt to achieve her oal. Unfortunately she did not reach this goal, l got very close, having all As and one B my sophomore year, she says disappointedly. However, it seems that she has made her way passed it as she says, It was kind of devastating if Im honest, but I mean what can I do now, IVe moved on. This then lead to a description of how the triumphs and trials she encountered helped her to be more prepared to face the world after high school. She describes high school as Just another four years of my life, and that what took place then doesnt really affect her regularly today. High chool showed me that if life brings you down, you will get back up, move on, and get through it; there is always a new tomorrow. Brianna seemed very proud to say that she took part in plenty of extra curricular activities at her high school. She played soccer from her sophomore year to Junior and was involved with FBLA (future business leaders of America) in her freshman year. Brianna also played softball and was in DECA from her sophomore year to her senior year, in which two of those years she was an officer in DECA. She took part in JROTC for two years, and in MECHA for all four years serving as president her senior ear as well. l tried to dip my toes in as many extra curricular activities as I could. I just loved being involved in extra curricular activities because in a way, they give you a sense of belonging, she says warmly. Under her breath, seeming as if she didnt mean for me to hear her, she admits that DECA was her favorite of the activities she was involved in. However, she noticed that I caught what she said and fondly said, l loved the people I was with in DECA, managing and organizing events such as MORP and I Just loved business in general. She feels that she lived her high school life to ullest extra curricular activity-wise however she regrets not attending some big events that took place while she was in high school. l do wish that I would have gone school to its fullest, however there was always a reason behind everything that I did and did not attend and to this day I stand by those choices. Brianna begins to dig deep as she recalls her fondest memory throughout her entire high school career. Her proudest and most memorable moment in high school was in her senior year when she happened to take 4th place at the State DECA Conference. l took 4th place in entrepreneurship written, which is one of the ategories, and I was the only one to compete by myself that year, writing a 30-page business manual and presenting it, she says humbly. Taking 4th at the State Conference brought her to the National Conference in Orlando, Florida. l was the only one from my high school that had made it to Nationals that year and it was nice to see how my 30-page business manual actually paid off in the end, and was totally worth the hard work and determination it entailed. With this achievement in mind, reminds her of some not necessarily downfalls that took place in high school, but something that she isnt particularly proud of. That certain something happens to be procrastination. Procrastination played a heavy role in her high school career because once she procrastinated something for the first time; it became a bad habit of hers. With indignity, she put her head down and said, Lets Just say I put the pr0 in procrastination. She looks back on one of her least proud moments that not surprisingly, had everything to do with procrastination. In my Junior year, I had a poster-presentation due in my fifth hour class, and on that very day that it was due I purchased a poster board from the high school in my first hour. In my first through ourth hour, I rushed through it and completed it and turned it in the board on time in my fifth hour and surprisingly ended up receiving a 100%. She felt that in this situation, she Just got lucky and highly suggests to everyone to not procrastinate for there are some but very few cases in which it may work out. I tried to consume as much information as I possibly could, and about midway through our discussion, it became so that she is now part of my motivation to obtain a successful yet fun high school experience. Currently, I have the same goal that Brianna once had, which is to get a 4. 0 GPA and letter in academics and to make her nd myself proud, I am going to try my hardest and push myself further than she did to achieve that goal. Also knowing that Brianna regrets not attending massive events such as dances or Friday-night football games, I now know that I should not miss out on such events, as I will most likely regret not going later on in life. Just as my sister did, I hope to take part in plenty of extra-curricular activities and hopefully, I plan to accomplish as much as she did in the clubs she took part in. Perhaps if I get into DECA my sophomore year I can work my way up and make it to the National Conference Just as she did. It became very clear to me that Brianna whom is my older sister is an inspiration to me in a way because she gives me motivation to achieve greatness and hope that there is always a new tomorrow. Its relieving in a sense to know that I will overcome the difficulties that I will be and am currently facing in high school. I began wrapping it up as I transcribed her last few comments, and thanked her for the time she took out her day to do this interview. I hope to use this information she gave me wisely and try to learn from what took place in her high school experience to make mine even more enjoyable.

Evidence of Transformation

Evidence of Transformation The declaration of Ka’bah and its surrounding as ‘forbidden’, attracted traders as the Qurayshite formed an oligarchy that extended its forbidden status geographically and made the region economically strong. The Queayshites established a socio religious center within the ‘forbidden’ region where Allah reigned supreme.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Evidence of Transformation specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More The centralization led to a selective observance of law according to kinship, attracting Arab tribesmen who wanted such privileges (Farah 32). Allah became the equalizing force among the different tribes. However, merchants took over the control of political power from clans, and class brought division between the inner Quraysh and the outer Quraysh. The message brought by Muhammad would bring back this unity (Farah 34). â€Å"But the organization of power among the aristocracy of Quraysh was not complete because their council of oligarchs lacked legislative force and the means to execute decisions without having to resorting to traditional methods. In a society now organizes around functional classes rather than tribal membership, the threat of a blood feud or a protracted vendetta was no longer an effective weapon of social restraint when friction developed within the society†. (Farah 33-34) The above quote makes a critical point in providing the evidence of transformation. It concludes the description of the existing social order in Quraysh before Muhammad (Farah 31). In addition, it offers a narration of the imperfections that existed within the system, which made it inefficient and in need of a solution to the growing injustices. The aristocracy of Quraysh became powerful by forming pacts that quashed clan affiliation in favor of kinship and trade interests. During this time, the socio religious function of Allah as the guarantor of rights outsi de family and tribal members increased (Farah 32). The prominence of Allah helped the Makhzum and Umayya clans to occupy the inner city (Farah 33). However, economic ambitions came before religion and social order, thus the region’s legislation failed to develop at the same rate of its trade and industry development. The traditional methods of the legislature served the region, but did not match the transformed need of the society, which had moved from a classification of tribal affiliation into a classification of economic classes.Advertising Looking for essay on religion theology? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More The second sentence in the above quote informs the reader of the preexisting socio religious condition that was full of injustices before the arrival of Muhammad. Without the imperfections, it would be difficult for the transformation to occur. Alternatively, if a transformation took place with rela tively perfect conditions, then its impact would be negligible. The annihilation of tribal affiliations was a major factor contributing to the co-existence of dissimilar tribes in the Quraysh. Moreover, the declaration and extension of the ‘forbidden’ status of Ka’bah laid a foundation for the assembly of different tribes and their subsequent transformation into the Quraysh. The cohesion allowed the ruling oligarchy to perpetuate social practices such as wage payment for economic reasons. This created a new societal division of the inner Quraysh and their clients and slaves who were on the receiving end of the punitive measures. Muhammad belonged to the outer Quraysh and therefore, identified better with the oppressed (Farah 33). This affiliation would be important for his message to gain prominence. The last part of the quote above is symbolical. Just as the organization around functional classes negated the need for a blood feud, Muhammad would not require the help of the existing political power to spread his message. The fermented state of Mecca already made his message appealing (Farah 34). Farah, Caesar. Islam Beliefs and Observances. Virginia: Barrons Educaton Series, 1970. Print.

16 Manuscript Format Guidelines

16 Manuscript Format Guidelines 16 Manuscript Format Guidelines 16 Manuscript Format Guidelines By Simon Kewin If you submit manuscripts to publishers or agents, you’ve probably come across the demand that you use â€Å"standard manuscript format† (or â€Å"SMF†) for your submissions. However, it isn’t always spelled out what this actually means. Generally speaking, the term indicates that you should format your document with the following guidelines in mind: Type your document, don’t write it. Use a single, clear font, 12 point size. The best to use is Courier or Courier New. At the very least, ensure you use a 12 point, serif font and not something like Arial. Use clear black text on a white background. If you are printing out your submission (rather than submitting it electronically), use good quality plain white paper and print on only one side of each sheet. Include your name and contact information at the top left of the first page. Put an accurate word count at the top right. Put the title half-way down the page, centred, with â€Å"by Your Name† underneath. Start the story beneath that. If you write under a pseudonym, put that beneath the title but your real name in the top left of the first page. Put your name, story title and the page number as a right-justified header on every subsequent page, in the format Name/Title/Page Number. Generally, you can also just use a key word from your title and not repeat the whole thing on each page. Left-justify your paragraphs. Right margins should be â€Å"ragged†. Ensure there is at least a 1 inch (2 centimetre) margin all the way around your text. This is to allow annotation to be written onto a printed copy. Use double spacing for all your text. Don’t insert extra lines between your paragraphs. Indent the first line of each paragraph by about 1/2 inch (1 centimetre). If you want to indicate a blank line, place a blank line, then a line with the # character in the middle of it, then another blank line. Don’t use bold or italic fonts or any other unusual formatting. To emphasise a piece of text you should underline it. Put the word â€Å"End† after your text, centred on its own line. If you are submitting on paper, don’t staple your pages together. Package them up well so that they won’t get damaged and send them off. It’s always worth checking the exact requirements of any market you submit to, but if they don’t specify any formatting requirements, or just say â€Å"standard manuscript format†, follow these guidelines. This will make a good impression and help mark you out as a serious, professional writer. Want to improve your English in five minutes a day? Get a subscription and start receiving our writing tips and exercises daily! Keep learning! Browse the Fiction Writing category, check our popular posts, or choose a related post below:When to Capitalize Animal and Plant NamesEnglish Grammar 101: Verb MoodPractice or Practise?

CRITIQUE OF QUANTITATIVE ARTICLE Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

CRITIQUE OF QUANTITATIVE ARTICLE - Essay Example The Research Purpose/Objectives This paper seeks to investigate the role of clinical preceptors in enhancing socialization and professional training to nursing students. Besides, the paper seeks to develop critical skills among nursing students. In summary, this research explores the role, responsibilities, and importance of preceptors in clinical education and training. The role of preceptors and other clinical expert in respect with the baccalaureate nursing programmes should not be over-looked as they facilitate the transition process in nursing (Rogan, 2009). Finally, this research aims at establishing the level of qualifications and nature of preparations accorded to preceptors in this challenging but life changing society. The level of preparation that the receptors receive is fundamental in determining their effectiveness and professional standards. The Research Questions This research seeks answer the following research questions: i. Are the preceptors’ level of educat ion and training sufficient enough to enhance their interpersonal and professional skill? ii. Are the preceptor nurse effective in facilitating the transition process of the student nurse to professional standards are required of them? iii. Is the socialization process during the transition effective and skilful? iv. Other than facilitating the transition process, what other responsibilities are preptor nurses charged with? Informed Consent and Ethical Considerations The study made various efforts to fulfill the informed consent and ethical considerations requirement for any valid research. First, the researcher obtained an approval from the relevant institutional review board, which commissioned the undertaking of the study (Rogan, 2009). This gave an authority and authenticity to the study being undertaken, allowing the researcher to access the desired information more easily. The second informed consent consideration made, was to obtain an approval from the hospitals from which t he participants were recruited, making it official that the study had been approved by those institutions. The researcher included a letter that stated the purpose of the study, which made the participants respond to the research with great ease, since they were fully aware of the objectives for which the study was being undertaken (Rogan, 2009). Finally, to preserve the confidentiality of the participants, the completed instruments of study bore no identifiers, which is consistent with the ethical consideration for research information privacy. Description of the Research Design The study applied a case study research design, where the study concentrated on answering the research questions, based on the data obtained from two midsized hospitals (Rogan, 2009). The first hospital was an academic medical center, where it would be easy to find nursing students integrated into the institutions, as they work hand-in-hand with the employed receptor nurses. The second hospital was a privat e facility, which was most appropriate in presenting the real picture of the perception of the nurses towards BSN student preceptor-ship, as opposed to the academic center, where there is a high likelihood of constant and consistent nurse to BSN student relationship. Considering that the nature of the study was relatively new, prompting further studies into the s only concentrate on a few areas and a small sample population, just to create an insight into the nature of the percep

English Assignment Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

English Assignment - Essay Example Due to the dynamic nature of dancing, many dance films were created to show the complexities in the lives of dancers, as well as how their lives were shaped or changed through dancing, and a lot of which were appreciated by most movie-goers as shown by box office ratings and total worldwide grosses. In this paper, two movies about dancing are compared, Save the Last Dance (2001) and Black Swan (2001) which both show dancing as the driving force not just in the plot, but also in changing the lives of the characters portrayed. The dance films Save the Last Dance and Black Swan are high quality films that feature love of dance and how it is related to a person’s upbringing, social status, and character building. The two films are both considered to be high-quality films despite being labeled as independent films, or â€Å"indies† due to the high grosses during the release, the number of awards given to and nominated for, as well as the competence of the actors, the actress es, and the directors. In spite of having production budgets roughly around $10,000,000, both movies did very well in the box office and easily recovered the expenses incurred, with Save the Last Dance totaling a lifetime gross of $131, 706, 803 (Box Office Mojo – Save the Last Dance), and $329, 443, 368 for Black Swan (Box Office Mojo – Black Swan). ... It also won in the MTV Movie Awards in 2001 for Best Kiss (Julia Stiles and Sean Patrick Thomas) and Breakthrough Male Performance (Sean Patrick Thomas). Black Swan also received awards as well, not just from award-giving bodies in the United States, but also from around the world. Among these are: AFI Awards Movie of the Year (2011); Academy Awards Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role (Natalie Portman); Best Foreign Film in the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences of Argentina; Excellence in Production Design Award from the Art Directors Guild; Blue Ribbon Award for Best Foreign Film; Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Leading Role (Natalie Portman); and the Venice Film Festival for Marcello Mastroianni Award (Mila Kunis) (Black Swan – Awards†). The number of awards received by the actors and actresses in the two movies attest to the excellent performance of the cast, and their skills in the portrayal of chara cters were able to carry the films through despite the considerably low budget for both films. Also, the actors and actresses were able to show their versatile acting skills that strongly convinced viewers of the emotions that were felt by the characters that they portray. Their skills were recognized not just by the award-giving bodies, but also the audiences that watched them, since it is a common fact that most films that were able to show true emotions win awards as well as the admiration of the audiences. Aside from the movies having good credentials, both for the directors as well as the actors that played in it, the plots were also convincing enough that many people can

Writing Styles in the Puritan Time Period Essay Example for Free

Writing Styles in the Puritan Time Period Essay In American Literature, the period of the Puritans sticks out as a time with many great authors. Two, William Bradford and Reverend Jonathan Edwards are still studied today. Bradford was an author who wrote about the historical section of Puritan life, while Edwards was a great speaker who wrote sermons to give in front of his congregation. Although living in the same time period Reverend Jonathan Edwards and William Bradford used very different styles of writing. In writing, praise and everyday living the Puritans favored the ordinary and simple. William Bradford wrote in what is considered the plain style. This form of writing was used by many Puritan authors and was thought to be direct and to the point. The plain style consisted of simple sentences and everyday used language. It never had figures of speech and especially not any imagery. A good example of this style is found in the passage from Bradfords Of Plymouth Plantation, They began now to gather in the small harvest they had, and to fit up their houses against winter, being all well recovered in health and strength and had  all things in good plenty. William took this otherwise exciting story of the Puritans first winter and wrapped it all into one monotonous sentence. Bradfords word choice epitomized the plain style and that was all the Puritan society would read or hear until Jonathan Edwards. The Reverend Jonathan Edwards chose a style expressing his concerns much more creatively than his fellow Puritan authors. Jonathans style was almost the complete opposite than the plain style. He used many figures of speech and  metaphors. An example of one of these fiery metaphors is from his speech, Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God , The God that holds you over the pit of hell, much as one holds a spider, or some loathsome insect over the fire, abhors you, and is dreadfully provoked. Reverend Edwards was comparing God and man to someone holding a spider over a fire. Another excellent illustration of this vivid description is from the same speech, O sinner! Consider the fearful danger you are in: It is a great furnace  of wrath, a wide and bottomless pit, full of the fire of wrath, that you are held over in the hand of that God. This shows that Reverend Edwards also used these figures of speech to strike fear in his audience. He used this fear factor to make the natural men of his audience, truly understand the horror of their sins. This style of writing differed so much from typical Puritan style that it often got Jonathan into trouble with his parish. Although living in near the same time period, William Bradford and  Jonathan Edwards style of writing were very contrary to each other. Bradford a typical Puritan author followed suit and used the plain style of writing while on the other hand Edwards went to the other extreme with incorporating fear and blame in his speeches. Jonathan Edwards was more controversial and disputed and William Bradford was plain, simple and to the point. Even though both forms of writing varied from one another, both styles were successful in getting the authors point across.

Saving Private Ryan Essay -- essays research papers

Saving Private Ryan is a movie that generates strong responses from most people that see it. While interviewing four individuals and reading three movie reviews, I found that each of my subjects would recommend it, not one of the individuals interviewed felt the violence was senseless, and all of them left the movie with a strong emotional response of some kind. It appears that Saving Private Ryan is the kind of movie to which many can relate. Saving Private Ryan is not a romantic, feel-good movie, but it is probably one of the best movies released this year. It is without a doubt one of the most realistic films produced. Each person that I spoke with, and all three of the internet criticisms that I read voiced positive opinions about this movie. It has different types of entertainment for all kinds of viewers. It has elements of violence, patriotism, sentimentality, and heroism all rolled into one film. All of my subjects, including the internet critics, feel that Saving Private Ryan will receive many awards, and that it is a credit to Steven Spielberg as a director. When asked if they would recommend the film to another each of my interviewees responded positively. One widely talked about part of this film is the huge degree of violence. In this case however, contrary to the usual attitudes, the violence is not described as senseless or excessive by anyone that I spoke with. This movie is obviously set against the backdrop of World War II, beginning with D-Day and the b...

Black People and Birdie Essay

In her novel Caucasia, Danzy Senna paints the image of a young bi-racial girl, Birdie, growing up in the 70’s and 80’s. Her mother is a white, blueblood Bostonian woman turned political activist, and her father is a black Boston University professor with radical ideas about race. Birdie and her older sister Cole are both bi-racial children, but Cole looks more black and Birdie looks more white. The two sisters are separated early in the novel and then the rest of the story focuses on Birdie and how she needs to â€Å"pass† as white. Passing is the ability of a person to be regarded as a member of social groups other than his or her own, such as a different race, ethnicity, social class, or gender, generally with the purpose of gaining social acceptance. Birdie’s existence is the ultimate experiment on how to pass. She is first asked to pass as black at Nkrumah, even though she doesn’t fit the profile of a black child. Then she is taken to New Hampshire and asked to be the opposite of what she’d been before- a white Jewish girl. Senna introduces Birdie to all different versions of the races she is torn between, and none of them seem to fit quite right. Through Birdie, Senna is making the point we see that there is no one size fits all version of any race. Birdie is exposed to many different ideas of what it means to be black while she’s younger, even though the general idea of the time was very specific. All of the adults around her are busy preaching this idea of The Black Person, but they are showing her all different versions of what that really means. The first impression she gets of a black person is her father who â€Å"in the past year had discovered Black Pride and†¦ was trying to purge himself of his ‘honkified past’†(10). Deck is an intellectual; he studied at Harvard and is a professor at Boston University. However by the time his daughters are old enough to really start understanding things, he has gotten caught up in the idea of The Black Person, saying things about his sister like â€Å"she sleeps with these white boys, then acts surprised when they don’t take her home for dinner. I told her, these ofays just want their thirty minutes of difference†(10). He’s telling his daughters that the way to truly be black is to have no association with white people, which is a direct contradiction of his own life and something that is impossible for them to do given their genealogy. He’s telling them there’s no way for them to be the ideological black person. Then the girls go to Nkrumah, a black power school. This school is supposed to be about owning your race and being proud of being black, but Birdie isn’t initially accepted well because she’s not ‘black enough’. The way she becomes more accepted is through her sister, but also because she assimilates to the idea of black culture that her school has. She reads Ebony magazine, speaks in a specific slang, dresses differently and does her hair in a braid to hide it’s smoothness. At Nkrumah, she tries to live as though she doesn’t have a white mother. However, that’s not who she is. She says that she â€Å"learned the art of changing at Nkrumah, a skill that would later become second nature†(62). She’s acknowledging here that this all black persona isn’t who she is. She’s simply changing, pretending. Pretending is what Birdie has to do for most of this book, but as she gets older instead of needing to pass as black, she needs to instead adopt a new identity as Jesse Goldman, a Jewish white girl. She maintains in her mind that she is black, and is just pretending with her white half. While using this persona, and having the mindset that she is just gathering information on whiteness, Birdie gets painted a picture of different types of white people. In an authoritative sense, Birdie gets ideas about being white from her mother and her mother’s boyfriend Jim. Jim is the type of white man who likes to act like he’s liberal until it comes down to real world circumstances. After causing a scene with some young black men, Jim says â€Å"I swear, I try to be liberal. I try really, really hard. But when you meet fucking punks like that, you start to wonder. I mean, Jesus, what did we do to deserve that? We’re on their side and they don’t even know it† (265). Jim is the white man who sees his liberality as a gift instead of a belief. Birdie says about this that â€Å"it scared me a little†¦. how easily they could become cowering white folks, nothing more, nothing less† (264). To contrast these this very negative views of what it means to be white, Birdie also has her mother as a model. Despite coming from an upper class, white family and the struggles that she has with that, Sandy is a white person who firmly believes in equality, even if she may take it to extremes. She tells her daughters â€Å"that politics weren’t complicated. They were simple. People, she said, deserved four basic things: food, love, shelter, and a good education† (22). This is the opposite from what Birdie has seen in other white people. Her mother doesn’t revert to racism or abandon her views when it comes time for her to uphold them. Finally, Birdie befriends the most racist girls in school saying it’s because â€Å"there was a safety in this pantomime. The less [she] behaved like [herself], the more [she] could believe that this was still a game†(233). However, as much as she’d like to say she’s acting, she assimilates to this culture just like she did the black culture at Nkrumah; â€Å"I was a New Hampshire girl now†¦we dressed identically: cutoff jean short, halter tops that exposed our tan bellies, and jelly shoes on our feet† (244-245). This version of being white was a skin Birdie could slide on easily, even if she didn’t really want to. The only thing that shocks her out of the comfort she’s fallen into in this identity is the fact that another half black girl recognizes that she’s not fully white; â€Å"I’m black, like you† (286). None of these ideas about race fit Birdie. She cannot exactly fit into a version of what it means to be white because that’s not the only part of who she is. She also cannot be fully black, not only because she has light skin but also because that’s not the only part of her heritage that exists. Birdie is the perfect example of how multidimensional race is. There is no one way to be black and there is no one way to be white. Race isn’t one size fits all.

Buck’s Dilemma Essay

Solution 1 — Classification with the Statement of Cash Flows Buck should present the borrowing and payment activity as a cash flow from financing activities. ASC 230-10-45-14 states that â€Å"proceeds from issuing bonds, mortgages, notes, and from other short- or long-term borrowing† are a cash inflow from financing activities. Similarly, ASC 23010-45-15 states that â€Å"repayments of amounts borrowed† are a cash outflow for financing activities. Solution 2 — Gross versus net presentation Scenario 1 Net presentation is appropriate. Buck may classify the activity as a $50 million net cash inflow ($100 million in total draws less the $50 million repayment) within the financing activities section of the statement of cash flows. Buck’s activities in Scenario 1 are broadly consistent with the requirements for net presentation under ASC 230-10-45-8 and 45-9. Specifically, the draws and payments on the facility can be considered large in relation to the maximum borrowing capacity (Buck actually reached its maximum borrowing capacity before making any repayments). The volume of the transactions is assumed to be large (note, in practice, this determination typically involves judgment and is dependent upon individual facts and circumstances). In addition, the terms of both draws stipulate that all amounts are due on demand; therefore, Buck should consider the draws as having original maturities of three months or less. ASC 230-10-45-9 only permits net presentation when borrowings have original maturities of three months or less. Scenario 2 The activity related to Buck’s first draw and subsequent repayment should be presented on a gross basis within the financing activities section as a $60 million inflow for the draw on July 15, 2010, and a $60 million outflow for the repayment on December 15, 2010. The activity related to Buck’s second  draw and subsequent repayment may be presented on a net basis within the financing activities section. The $40 million draw on September 30, 2010, and the repayment on December 1, 2010, net to zero for annual reporting purposes. Buck’s activities related to both of the draws in Scenario 2 once again reflect some of the characteristics within the cash flow statement guidance. The transactions can be considered large in relation to the maximum borrowing capacity, and the volume of activity is assumed to be large (note, in practice, these determinations typically involve judgment and are dependent upon individual facts and circumstances). Unlike Scenario 1, the terms of the draws do not consider the draws to be due on demand to Buck’s bank. Rather, the first draw has an original maturity of six months, and the second draw has an original maturity of three months or less. Therefore, in accordance with ASC 230-10-45-9, Buck must present the activity related to the first draw on a gross basis because the original maturity is greater than three months. In turn, net presentation is appropriate for the second draw since it has an original maturity of three months or less. Scenario 3 Buck should present all borrowing and payment activity under the Facility on a gross basis within the financing activities section of the statement of cash flows. The draws on the Facility do not have any specific repayment provisions other than the overall expiration date of the Facility as of December 31, 2012. While the activity does have some of the factors needed to consider net presentation, including large dollar amounts in relation to the maximum borrowing capacity and large volumes of transactions (see notes in Scenarios 1 and 2 above), the draws do not have an original maturities of three months or less. Under the provisions of Scenario 3, the only activities that Buck could potentially present net within its statement of cash flows are transactions occurring on or after October 1, 2012. Said differently, only draws occurring within three months of the Facility’s expiration would be considered to have original maturities of three months or less. Solution 3 — IFRSs Under IFRSs, IAS 7 is the primary source of guidance for determining how to present information about the cash flows of an entity within the financial statements. IFRSs and U.S. GAAP are broadly consistent regarding net versus gross presentation. Similar to U.S. GAAP, IFRSs generally require entities to present information about an entity’s amounts of cash receipts and cash payments during a period on a gross basis. However, in certain circumstances, IFRSs permit certain cash flow activities to be presented on a net basis. Paragraph 22(b) of IAS 7 states that cash flows may be reported on a net basis when â€Å"cash receipts and payments for items in which the turnover is quick, the amounts are large, and the maturities are short.† This guidance is generally consistent with the provisions of ASC 230-1045-8. Further, paragraph 23A of IAS 7 provides the following examples of cash receipts and payments that may be presented net under the criteria set forth in paragraph 22( b): a. principal amounts relating to credit card customers; b. the purchase and sale of investments; and c. other short-term borrowings, for example, those which have a maturity period of three months or less. Accordingly, under IFRSs, an entity’s cash inflows and outflows associated with a revolving line of credit may potentially be presented on a net basis within the financing activities section of the statement of cash flows, provided the aforementioned criteria are met. Therefore, the conclusions under IFRSs for each scenario in this case would be consistent with that reached under U.S. GAAP.

Factors affecting the strength of an electromagnet Essay Example

Factors affecting the strength of an electromagnet Essay Example Factors affecting the strength of an electromagnet Essay Factors affecting the strength of an electromagnet Essay Introduction: An electromagnet consists of a long coil of wire wound on a soft iron core. When current flows through the wire the soft iron core becomes magnetized by induction and thus acts as a magnet till the current flows. The strength of an electromagnet can be affected by various factors such as no.of coils, specific resistance of the wire used to coil the core, the thickness of the wire etc. In this experiment the effect of changing the no.of coils and the thickness of the wire used will be determined.Aim: To determine the effect of changing the no.of coils and the thickness of wire used on the strength of an electromagnet.Hypothesis:* The strength of a magnet will increase with increase in no.of coils as more current passes the iron core causing more efficient magnetic induction and thus a stronger magnetic field.* The strength of the magnet will increase with the increase in the thickness of the wire too because it is already known that resistance is inversely proportional t o cross-sectional area. Thus as resistance drops, more current will flow through the electromagnet causing a larger magnetic field.Apparatus: Soft iron core ( a long nail) Copper wire of three thicknesses Power supply Metre rule Connecting wires and alligator clips A magnetic compass AmmeterProcedure:1. Take 80cm of a chosen thickness of copper wire.2. Tightly wind it around the soft iron core 40 times. 40 coils should be on the core.3. Leave a little wire towards the ends for connections to be made.4. Set up the circuit as shown:5. Align the electromagnet created north with the help of a compass.6. Now place a metre rule parallel to the electromagnet so that the distance from the electromagnet at which the compass deflects may be recorded.7. Now switch on the power supply and adjust the current flowing to 0.5amps using the controls on the power supply.8. Let the current flow for about thirty seconds.9. Then, place the compass, aligned north, on the edge of the metre rule at 100cm a nd slowly slide it along the meter rule towards the electromagnet.10. As it slides, keep a close eye at the distance at which the compass first shows deflection and record the distance observed.11. Now reduce the no.of coils to 35 and cut the extra wire keeping only a little at the ends to make connections.12. Keep reducing the no.of coils to 30, 25, 20, 15, 10 and recording the distance at which deflection occurs.13. Follow the same procedure with different thicknesses of wire.A modification in procedure:== It is known that soft iron magnetizes quickly because its domains are aligned quickly, thus there was a break given between the experiments and the iron bar hammered once gently to remove as much magnetism as possible before carrying on with different no.of coils and thickness.Safe Test:== The un-insulated wire should not be touched when current is flowing.== The current should be kept at a safe level and a current overload indicator must be attached to the circuit.== The circui t should not be left un-monitored and the power should be switched off as soon as the work is done.Fair Test:== The current was kept constant for all the different thicknesses of wire and different no.of coils.== The material of the wires, copper, was also constant.== The voltage applied was also kept constant.== The compass used was the same for the whole experiment.== The length by which the wire was cut every time the no,of coils was reduced was also kept constant.== The electromagnet was realigned every time its position was moved to changed the no of coils.Observation:Raw Data TableTable 1: Table showing the variation in distance at which the compass deflects with change in no.of coils and diameter of the wire.No. of CoilsDistance at which compass deflectsDiameter of copper wire0.26mm0.58mm0.97mm1019.023.026.51521.525.029.02025.528.031.02528.031.034.03032.035.037.03536.038.041.04039.042.046.0The only raw data that may be processed is the diameter of the wire to find the cross-s ectional area of the wire.Processed Data TableTable 2: Table showing the variation in distance at which the compass deflects with change in no.of coils and cross-sectional area of the wire.No. of CoilsDistance at which compass deflectsCross-sectional area of wire of copper wire0.05mmà ¯Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½0.26 mmà ¯Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½0.74 mmà ¯Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½1019.023.026.51521.525.029.02025.528.031.02528.031.034.03032.035.037.03536.038.041.04039.042.046.0Graph 1: Graph showing the change in extent of electromagnetic field with the change in no. of coils on the electromagnet.Graphical Analysis: The graph above clearly shows the positive correlation between the no of coils and the distance at which the compass deflects. As the no.of coils are increased, the electromagnetic field of the magnet increases steadily. Also, a distinct difference and similarity is seen between the graphs of the different thicknesses. Their gradients are very similar, even though the position of the graph changes with each thickness. T he effect of thickness will be depicted further in the next graph. A few points that are off the lines of best fit are not entirely anomalies but, probably, the result of not enough results of other inaccuracies which will be discussed later.Graph 2: Graph showing the changes in extent of magnetic field with the changing thickness of wire.Graphical Analysis: This graph clearly shows the variation in extent of magnetic field at every thickness for the different no.of coils. The difference in the values of different thicknesses is quite noticeable and also constant.Conclusion: After close observation and analysis, it can be concluded that as the no.of coils on an electromagnet increase, so does the extent of the field created by it. Also, as the thickness of the wire used for coiling increases the resistance of the wire drops and the electromagnet becomes stronger. The hypothesis stated earlier has been proved right.Evaluation: Overall, this experiment proved to be quite successful ap art from the minor inaccuracies in readings. However, this experiment could have been made better:== The experiment could have been carried out more times for a better average.== The effect of a larger range of varying thicknesses could have been determined.== Two compasses could have been used for measuring the distance at which deflection occurs to take the average distance of both of them.== The effect of changing the material of the wire could have also been seen.

German Language Spelling With a Double S or Eszett (ß)

German Language Spelling With a Double S or Eszett (ß) A unique feature of the German alphabet  is the ß  character. Found in no other language, part of the uniqueness of ß- aka eszett (s-z) or scharfes s (sharp s)- is that, unlike all other German letters, it exists only in the lower case. This exclusivity may help explain why many Germans and Austrians are so attached to the character. Since being introduced in 1996, spelling reform (Rechtschreibreform) has shaken the German-speaking world and caused raging controversy.  Even though the Swiss have managed to live peacefully without the ß in Swiss-German for decades, some German-speakers are up in arms over its possible demise. Swiss writers, books, and periodicals have long ignored the ß, using double-s (ss) instead. Thats why its all the more puzzling that the International Working Committee for [German] Spelling (Internationaler Arbeitskreis fà ¼r Orthographie) chose to keep this troublesome oddity in certain words while eliminating its use in others. Why not just toss out this troublemaker that non-Germans and German beginners often mistake for a capital B, and be done with it? If the Swiss can get by without it, why not the Austrians and Germans? Double S Reforms From Rechtschreibreform The rules for when to use the ß rather than ss have never been easy, but while the simplified spelling rules are less complex, they continue the confusion. German spelling reformers included a section called  sonderfall ss/ß (neuregelung), or special case ss/ß (new rules). This section says, For the sharp (voiceless) [s] after a long vowel or diphthong, one writes ß, as long as no other consonant follows in the word stem.  Alles klar? (Got that?) Thus, while the new rules reduce the use of the ß, they still leave intact the old bugaboo that means some German words are spelled with ß, and others with ss. (The Swiss are looking more reasonable by the minute, arent they?) The new and improved rules mean that the conjunction formerly known as  daß or that should now be spelled  dass  (short-vowel rule), while the adjective groß for big adheres to the long-vowel rule. Many words formerly spelled with ß are now written with ss, while others retain the sharp-s character (technically known as the sz ligature):  Straße for street, but  schuss  for shot.  Fleiß for diligence, but  fluss for river. The old mixing of different spellings for the same root word also remains  fließen for  flow, but  floss for flowed.  Ich weiß for I know, but  ich wusste for I knew. Though reformers were forced to make an exception for the oft-used preposition  aus, which otherwise would now have to be spelled  auß,  außen for outside, remains. Alles klar? Gewiss! (Everything clear? Certainly!) German Response While making things slightly easier for teachers and students of German, the new rules remain good news for the publishers of German dictionaries. They fall far short of true simplification, which many disappointed people had anticipated. Of course, the new rules cover much more than just the use of the ß, so its not difficult to see why  Rechtschreibreform  has sparked protests and even court cases in Germany. A June 1998 poll in Austria revealed that only about 10 percent of Austrians favored the orthographic reforms. A huge 70 percent rated the spelling changes as nicht gut. But despite the controversy, and even a Sept. 27, 1998 vote against the reforms in the German state of Schleswig-Holstein, the new spelling rules have been judged valid in recent court rulings. The new rules officially went into effect on Aug. 1, 1998, for all government agencies and schools. A transitional period allowed the old and new spellings to coexist until July 31, 2005. Since then only the new spelling rules are considered valid and correct, even though most German-speakers continue to spell German as they always have, and there are no regulations or laws that prevent them from doing so. Perhaps the new rules are a step in the right direction, without going far enough. Some feel that the current reform should have dropped ß completely (as in German-speaking Switzerland), eliminated the anachronistic  capitalization of nouns  (as English did hundreds of years ago), and further simplified German spelling and punctuation in many other ways. But those who protest against spelling reform (including authors who should know better) are misguided, trying to resist needed changes in the name of tradition. Many counterarguments are demonstrably false while placing emotion over reason. Still, though schools and government are still subject to the new rules, most German speakers are against the reforms. The revolt by the  Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung  in Aug. 2000, and later by other German newspapers, is yet another sign of the widespread unpopularity of the reforms. Time alone will tell how the spelling reform story ends.

Ethical Analysis of Snowdengate Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Ethical Analysis of Snowdengate - Research Paper Example The paper also shared the extent that private U.S. companies cooperated with the NSA and their collection and monitoring programs. The documents supporting the details behind NSA activities were provided by Edward Snowden working as a Booz Allen Hamilton employee as an infrastructure analyst inside the NSA center in Hawaii (NSA Chief, 2013). The remainder of this paper will discuss ‘Snowdengate’ with the intent of providing an ethical analysis of Snowden’s decision to release classified documents to the world. Once Snowden became tuned to a possible breach in the law by the NSA and their activities he had several options available to him with differing levels viability and ethical completeness. Essentially, Snowden chose to show the entire world, our enemies and friends, thousands of U.S. confidential intelligence documents that reported on our activities. Many critics feel like Snowden’s actions led to one of the biggest breaches to U.S. National Security and claim there were other ways for Snowden to criticize NSA activities. Our team will assess other options available and stakeholder interests in order to analyze Snowden’s actions. Edward Snowden, originally from North Carolina, was born in 1983. Snowden started his career in the Global Communications Division with the Central Intelligence Agency in 2006. In 2009, he began a position with Dell as a contractor to the NSA and left in 2013 to work for Booz Allen Hamilton as an infrastructure analyst within the NSA. Snowden’s motivation and dedication to work for the government as a government contractor stemmed from his upbringing. Snowden’s family has served the U.S. government for decades.His father, Lon, rose through the enlisted ranks of the Coast Guard to warrant officer, a difficult path. His mother, Wendy, worked for the US District Court in Baltimore, while his older sister, Jessica, became a lawyer at the Federal

The managerment of breathlessness in patients with COPD Essay

The managerment of breathlessness in patients with COPD - Essay Example The crux of treatment of COPD is management of breathlessness which will be elaborated in this assignment. COPD is defined as "a disease state characterized by the presence of airflow obstruction due to chronic bronchitis or emphysema" (Sharma, 2006). Clinically, chronic bronchitis is defined as the presence of chronic cough with no other etiology and which is productive for at least 3 months during each of the two consecutive years. Emphysema is damage of the air spaces distal to the terminal bronchioles, the damage being irreversible, abnormal and associated with destruction of the air space walls with no obvious fibrosis (Fromer and Cooper, 2008). The global prevalence of COPD is about 7.5% of which 6.4% is due to chronic bronchitis and only 1.8% due to emphysema (Sharma, 2006). In adults above 40 years of age, the prevalence is estimated to be about 9-10% (Sharma, 2006). Men are most commonly affected by this disease. However, the incidence in women is increasing due to increased smoking (Sharma, 2006). COPD is associated with certain mortality and morbidity. The mortality rates in the world vary quite a lot and can be anywhere between 100- 400 deaths per 100,000 males (Sharma, 2006). The most common cause of COPD is cigarette smoking (Silvermann and Speizer, 1996). This condition affects about 15% of cigarette smokers (NICE, 2004). Other risk factors for the development of COPD are air pollution especially due to solid cooking fuels, presence of airway hyperresponsiveness (Sharma, 2006). The characteristic pathophysiological changes in COPD are seen in the central airways, the peripheral airways and also the lung parenchyma. Diverse mechanisms are implicated in the pathophysiology of COPD (Thurlbeck, 1990). Primary offenders like oxidative stress due to free radicals from cigarette smoke and oxidants from phagocytes and polymorphonuclear leukocytes trigger the release of

Reaction Writing # 2 Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Reaction Writing # 2 - Essay Example In 2001, SEC started investigating Enron’s accounting practices. In this case charges were as manipulating the accounting rules and the masking of enormous liabilities and losses. The CEO, CFO and other key leaders were charged bank fraud, conspiracy, money laundering and insider trading. The downfall of Enron and its leaders imprisoned is one of the most reported ethical violations. Ethical violations yielded to the company’s insolvency as well as destroyed a very large audit firm called Arthur Andersen (Forbes, 2013). If I was a manager, be it a top or middle position, I would make sure that I have influenced all those below me to be ethical regardless of the unethical practices carried out by top managers. This is because every organization needs a top management that is ethical in accordance with the company’s ethical approaches. The top management in turn influences the middle management who in turn influences the other employees. The shareholders have always expected the executive management to be ethical but it is not always the case. Therefore, if I mange to influence all the employees to be ethical, it would be very easy to bring to justice all the violators and avoid leading the company to

The Saying Actions Speak Louder Than Words English Language Essay

The Saying Actions Speak Louder Than Words English Language Essay Multicultural education programme is aimed to develop the knowledge about diverse cultures, therefore the author of this Bachelor thesis focuses her attention on this subject. Non-verbal communication should be understood not only with the language of hand or facial expressions but also when a person speaks: eye contact, smile, pauses in speech and the distance between interlocutors as well as other factors are important. Sen argues that in the context of multicultural communication, it becomes imperative that we train ourselves in decoding the non-verbal signs in a communication progress (2004: 163). Clayton suggests that non-verbal communication should be discussed in three areas, related to the individual, to language, and to the context (2003: 115). Non-verbal communication related to an individual involves eye contact, touching, posture, gestures and facial expressions (ibid.: 115-118). Non-verbal communication related to language includes vocal qualities, intonation, and the use of silence (ibid.: 119). The last one, non-verbal communication related to the context is discussed by olfaction, clothing, sonal appearance, artifacts as well as feeling about space and attitudes toward time (ibid.: 120-123). Some people believe that words are most important in speech because sometimes they do not notice how important non-verbal communication could be and that it can say more about someone than words. The person can lie when he is speaking but his behavior as for instance, embarrassment, always tells the truth. The principles of non-verbal communication between representatives of different cultures can help to overcome the incomprehension even without the knowledge of language. Discussing eye contact one should notice that it is the tool for contact establishment. In business field the direct eye contact means a sense of confidence. Nevertheless, the author of the research believes that Russians do not prefer to fix eye contact for a long time. In American culture vice versa it is the way how people usually behave. According to Clayton, direct eye-contact implies truth and honesty in the dominant Anglo-American culture (ibid.: 115). Another significant aspect of non-verbal communication is gestures. Feyereisen and de Lannoy quote Kendon (1986) and McNeill (1985), [à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦] gestures and words both relate to the mental representations that constitute thinking (Feyereisen and de Lannoy, 1991: 2). Individuals of diverse cultures can interpret some universal gestures differently. When one thinks about the word yes or no it means nodding and shaking the head. (Clayton, 2003: 117) Still in some countries, for instance in India or Bulgaria, the gesture no means the agreement (ibid.: 117). From these examples of gestures use it can be seen how differently communities can interpret the meaning. Further, within a multicultural environment, every culture forms a single notion of established manners, greetings, gestures and handshakes use. It is very often considered that a certain nation can use gestures more frequently than others. The author of the present research provides an example from the respondents answers (see Appendix 2; question nr. 11), one Latvian student wrote, usually Russian people within talking use many gestures. This type of behavior can confuse diverse cultures representatives where the active use of gestures is not welcome. Latvians, for instance, do not prefer to use a lot of gestures in their oral discourse, especially with strangers. A direct eye contact and outwardly restrained behavior are the most characteristic features for them. They also do not prefer to smile quickly greeting other persons. It is important to analyze how representatives of different cultures behave being in one group. Some foreigners, for instance, Americans or Italians being in Latvia could be confused with the type of unfriendly behavior of native people. Americans and Italians always smile greeting others but this could be atypical for the natives of other countries. The author knows from her own experience that Russians in Latvia differ from Russians in Russia especially by use of gestures. This signals that being in one group or living together in one country [Russians in Latvia] affects all those natives not only adopting the choice of words or sentence patterns from the Latvian culture, but also behavior, gestures and attitudes. To sum up, Russians in Latvia are more composed in behavior than Russians in Russia. It is typical for them in Russia to use a lot of gestures that are accompanied sometimes by a loud voice and very fast talking. Russians in Latvia were being socialized to the typical cultural behavior of Latvians. The process of adaptation of some features of non-verbal communication is developed since representatives of cultures always cooperate and affect each other being in one group. Feyereisen and de Lannoy quote Halliday (1973) and Levinson (1983) pragmatics also draws attention to the social conditions in which gestures occur (Feyereisen and de Lannoy, 1991: 24). The context of the verbal emission, gestures included, must be taken into account to understand the meaning of utterance (ibid.). Thus, every gesture occurs in appropriate context and conditions. As an example, Asians always smile when they are embarrassed. They usually demonstrate a neutral expression when angry, that makes impossible to understand their emotional condition. American people always keep smiling in order to show that everything is going well. The awareness of cultural differences in non-verbal communication leads to understanding the behavior of other people. Nevertheless, it is sometimes difficult to find a way how it is better to act. The above-mentioned suggestions are considered to be very important and everyone should understand that if someone behaves differently and sometimes incomprehensibly this can mean that he/she is coming from another culture. Clayton arguing about students nonverbal communication differences in the classroom, asserts that [à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦] the loudness of a students response may be a sign of sincerity; the belligerent-sounding comment may be awkward intonation; [à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦] the quest for more personal interaction may indicate an unconscious need for closer contact with authority; the wince under our affectionate pat on the back may mean discomfort with physical touch; [à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦] an inappropriate smile may mask shame, embarrassment, or fear [à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦] (2003: 128). Finally, everyone should be more attentive to others in order to communicate successfully; especially it is important during the process of education. Clayton adds that teachers cannot know all nonverbal languages of other cultures but she assumes that what we can do is [à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦] to lay aside our own cultural blinders, be sensitive to a variety of responses, be open to and affirming of different interpretations, and hopefully learn from our students [à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦] (ibid.). To conclude the author of the research would like to emphasize that: the awareness of cross-cultural differences leads to acceptance over cultures; the individual becomes more open-minded; the ability to interpret cross-cultural differences and use this knowledge in practice helps to act in a positive way;

Reading and Typography Essay -- Typography Reading Research Papers

Reading and Typography Reading is unavoidable. Students read textbooks; fathers read newspapers; engineers read manuals; technicians read webpages; politicians read bills; Christians read the Bible, and the list goes on. Everyone reads something. Seeing, perceiving, and recognizing lines and dots as a form of language is a process that is extremely complicated yet necessary. Scientists have researched many aspects of the visual reading process, and one of the most immediately applicable areas of concern is in the field of typography. Researchers are attempting to answer two questions posed by publics such as graphic artists, magazine editors, rà ©sumà © writers, and even standardized test publishers: What typestyle is best for what situations?, and How do different characteristics of a font affect different audiences? The term font is a generic word used to express the general computer category of typewritten characters. Similarly, a type or typeset refers to a complete family of sets of characters having a certain fundamental design or structure. For example, the Courier type may include the variations Courier New and Courier Bold. Other typesets are Caslon, Quill, and Old English. Typestyle is used to categorize types by attributive similarities. Two of the most recognizable, and most researched, typestyles are distinguished by the presence or absence of serifs and by fixed width (FW) and variable or proportional width (PW) pitch. Types which display the serif feature add short, decorative lines to the tips of the characters; this line of print (12pt PW) is in Garamond and has serifs. Types such as Arial, as in this line (12pt PW), do not have the serif addition and are thus called sans serifs. A fixed width font may be like... ...STRACT. Keller T. (1997). Choosing the right type translates into cash for your cause. Nonprofit World, 15(6), 18-19. Leat S.J., Li W., & Epp K. (1999). Crowding in central and eccentric vision: The effects of contour interaction and attention. Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science, 40, 504-512. Mansfield J.S., Legge G.E., & Bane M.C. (1996). Psychophysics of reading XV: Font effects in normal and low vision. Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science, 8, 1492-1501. Orton V. (1993). Why Johnny can't read. Zip/Target Marketing, 16(6), 11-12. ABSTRACT. Regan D. & Hong X.H. (1994). Recognition and detection of texture-defined letters. Vision Research, 34, 2403-2407. Yager D., Aquilante K., & Plass R. (1998). Rapid communication: High and low luminance letters, acuity reserve, and font effects on reading speed. Vision Research, 38, 2527-2531.

Workplace Bullying Activists

Gary Namie, PhD, Ruth Namie, PhD & Pamela Lutgen-Sandvik, PhD In S. Einarsen, H. Hoel, D. Zapf, & C. Cooper (Eds. ) Workplace Bullying: Development in Theory, Research and Practice (2nd edition). London: Taylor & Francis 2009, in press Challenging Workplace Bullying in the USA: A Communication and Activist Perspective Introduction The goals of the multi-faceted 12-yearold campaign have been to raise awareness, and to reverse acceptance, of workplace bullying in the United States. In this chapter, we discuss the Workplace Bullying Institute’s (WBI, workplacebullying. rg) efforts with three principal constituent groups and report the current state of progress as well as the barriers we continue to face in meeting those goals. The organization has a long history of assistance for bullied workers, legislative advocacy and collaboration with academics (e. g. , Lutgen-Sandvik, Namie & Namie, 2009; Neuman, 2000; Yamada, 2008; Yamada, 2002). Prior to detailing the state of U. S. aware ness regarding the bullying phenomenon, we outline the central ideas behind communication campaigns that focus on public health issues, such as workplace bullying, and persuasion theories relevant to the work.We then review the current state of this campaign in the United States focusing on efforts directed at three groups: the public [e. g. , bullied workers (targets), witnesses, nonbelievers], lawmakers, and employers. We close with work yet to be done and future directions to continue these U. S. endeavors. Public Health Campaigns Communication campaigns focused on reducing threats to public health have four essential elements (Salmon & Atkin, 2003). First, they are intended to generate specific outcomes. In the anti-bullying campaign, these goals are to raise awareness and reverse acceptance of workplace bullying in the United States.Second, campaigns seek to meet their goals with a variety of constitu- ent groups or stakeholders. The key stakeholders in the anti-bullying campai gn are persons suffering because of bullying, organizational decision makers responsible for work environments, and lawmakers who have the power to mandate worker protections against psychological violence at work. Third, public health campaigns meet these goals with stakeholder groups through â€Å"an organized set of communication activities† (Salmon & Atkin, p. 450).  How can the families of the veteran better understand what to expect and how to deal with their loved ones suffering from PTSD?An important aspect of public health campaigns is segmentation of stakeholder audiences and crafting messages specifically targeting particular audiences. Message efficiency is maximized when the intended audiences are ordered according to importance and effectiveness is maximized when messages are tailored for specific audiences. There are three constituent groups addressed by the U. S. anti-bullying campaign. First, we strive to mentor targeted workers directly through coaching an d indirectly through websites, speeches, and the self-help book for bullied workers and their families, The Bully at Work (Namie & Namie, 2009a).Another campaign focus is the national, grassroots-lobbying project to enact anti-bullying legislation (authored by law professor David Yamada, see his chapter in this volume) in the states. The third focus is devising interventions for employers who voluntarily adopt bullying prevention policies and procedures. Applicable Persuasion Theories Two theoretical models of persuasion derived from social psychology are also applicable to the goals of convincing Americans that workplace bullying is a negative societal phenomenon deserving mitigation and eventual eradication.The first is social judgment theory (SJT) (Sherif & Sherif, 1968). SJT posits cognitive processes that explain attitude change. Opinions tied to one’s self-identity are said to be anchored and resistant to change. So when a message is formulated to change one’s op inion toward bullying, the degree of personal (or ego) involvement initially determines how the person will evaluate the persuasion attempt. In practice, personal or vicarious involvement with bullying incidents is a good predictor of a lawmaker’s willingness to sponsor legislation.Pre-existing categories by which new information is judged are (1) the latitude of acceptance for acceptable positions (with an egoassociated anchor opinion setting the size of the latitude, i. e. , tolerance); (2) the latitude of noncommitment are those positions which are neither accepted nor rejected; and (3) the latitude of rejection for positions actively opposed. Incoming information is distorted to fit those categories. According to SJT, people are most persuaded when not predisposed to favor the communicated position if they are initially on-committal or indifferent about the issue. In order to for a person to understand and concur with the anti-bullying activists’ positions, the mes sage recipient, regardless of constituent group, must be able to assimilate the position because the difference between the person’s anchor (starting) opinion and the activists’ argument is small to moderate. People indifferent about bullying can also be convinced to adopt the activist’s position if the individual’s anchor position is close to her or his acceptance zone. Large discrepancies do not lead to change.Rather than assimilation of disconfirming messages, they are rejected out of hand. SJT does partially explain the inflexibility of both the targeted worker and employer representative who often find themselves entrenched in adversarial roles, each unwilling or unable to understand the other’s attitudes toward bullying. A more nuanced theory of persuasion that can apply to anti-bullying activism is the elaboration likelihood model (ELM) (Petty & Cacioppo, 1986). This cognitive process model derives its name from the likelihood that a person thinks deeply (elaborates) about a message when exposed to it.The basic premise of this model is that the route by which a message persuades its recipients depends on their involvement with the message – an aspect shared with the SJT. Two routes exist: the central route and the peripheral route. In the former, people have both the motivation (strength of desire to process the message, love of cognitive engagement) and the ability to critically evaluate the message. According to ELM, people with both motivation and ability will diligently process information via central route processing.They will look for and respond to strong arguments in favor of the message and counter what they perceive as weak arguments. When people lack the motivation or ability to evaluate the message, they are more likely to respond to cues associated with the message (peripheral route processing), such as entertainment value or association with a celebrity spokesperson, rather than the content of the arguments. In short, high involvement leads to central processing resembling traditional hierarchy models; low involvement leads to peripheral processing.Petty and Cacioppo (1986) considered attitudes which are the product of central route processing to be more accessible, persistent, resistant to change, and a better predictor of behavior than when the peripheral route is taken. Conditions that promote high elaboration can also affect the extent to which a person has confidence in, and thus trusts, her or his own thoughts in response to a message (Petty, Brinol, & Tormala, 2002). After one invests time and cognitive effort to weigh the merits of persuasive arguments, adoption of those positions serves a self-validating role.However, high elaboration is difficult to achieve for different reasons for the three constituent groups in the campaign against workplace bullying. First, targeted workers in an emotional, aroused and negative state often lack the ability to take the central, m ore mentally demanding route to learn about the bullying phenomenon. Most targets learn initially about bullying on the internet, on television or from a newspaper article. Contemporary website design incorporates peripheral cue complexity (moving images, multiple columns, colors, embedded videos, lots of graphics) to pique the attention of minimally involved web browsers.Targets strained by the stresses of bullying are capable of little more than minimal involvement. The WBI web designer changed the site from its original voluminous, content-rich, but barely navigable, version to a newer one with augmented attention to peripheral details so as to not burden targets searching for answers to fundamental questions. The ELM offers sophisticated explanations for Google’s efficient, text-based, targeted advertisements resulting in clickthrough rates 10 times more effective than banner advertising (McHugh, 2004).The low peripheral cue complexity of text-only ads is precisely what t he central route processor is seeking — concise information directly related to the economic or social outcome sought, allowing them to process significant amounts of information efficiently and thoroughly. On the other hand, the high degree of peripheral cue complexity designed into banner ads with splashy colors and motion graphics entices the casual, low involvement web surfer. This information complexity variable is important to anti-bullying activists because initial interactions with bullied individuals are primarily through website contacts.There is one other variable that interacts with effectiveness of web content for bullied individuals – the phase of the bullying episode when the visitor discovers the website. In the beginning of bullying episodes, targeted workers are consumed with stabilizing and sensemaking tasks to cope with the uninvited assault that disrupted their psychological comfort (Lutgen-Sandvik, 2008). Bombardment with information (central rout e processing in the ELM model) during acute phases is ineffective. Next, targets begin to respond to the trauma and stigma ttached to bullying by neutralizing and countering accusations purported by the bully. Repairing one’s reputation comes next as shame is gradually reversed. In the post-bullying phase, when targets are no longer vulnerable to bullying, grieving over the losses (e. g. , belief in justice) and major life and career restructuring take precedence. At this point, targets may be able to incorporate information necessary for recovery. The lesson for communicating effectively to bullied targets is that when they are able to be involved, e. g. calm enough to digest more than a couple of paragraphs, and sufficiently motivated, e. g. , to want to understand the complexity of their bullying problem, comprehensive, substantive resources should be available for them. Bullying website designers have to consider the different phases through which bullied targets pass in order to optimize the utility of the site for emotional visitors who demand immediacy as well as visitors capable of contemplative, in-depth information processing. A majority of U. S. lawmakers have difficulty incorporating the message that a law should be enacted.Applying ELM theory to their receptivity, we conclude that few are sufficiently motivated. A lawmaker’s likely motivation to advance workers’ rights is blocked by a counter-campaign to protect and enlarge employers’ rights by business lobbyists who outspend labor activists by a 40:1 ratio in election campaign contributions. Further, the ability of lawmakers to attend to the details of the persuasive arguments in favor of anti-bullying legislation is undermined by their hectic schedules during short legislative seasons in most states (varying from 60-180 days per year). Few have time to study any issue in depth.Lawmakers are swayed more by vivid, televised tales of egregious crimes for which laws are h astily crafted. Prevalent phenomena like bullying are considered routine, thus, relatively benign and not covered daily in the media. Therefore, when lobbying for legislation, we are careful to devote most face-to-face meeting time to descriptions of horrific experiences (emotionally-charged tales enhance attention through pe- ripheral cue complexity) told by individuals. The less compelling prevalence statistics and reports are left behind with lawmakers for subsequent perusal (and hopefully for elaboration and incorporation).Employer motivation and ability to address workplace bullying in America are both lacking. There is no inherent executive curiosity about the phenomenon that is learned through internal complaint channels. When bullying is reported, 44% do nothing and 18% worsen the situation for the targeted worker (Namie, 2007). The employer record of inaction is revisited in the Employer section of this chapter. A Bullying-Tolerant Society A societal explanation for America n employer indifference is the preference for individualistic, aggressive, and abusive responses to interpersonal problems is commonly accepted.It is normative when all types of interpersonal mistreatment are rationalized as necessary because â€Å"it’s just business† as if there were no personal consequences for the actions taken. For instance, Levitt (2009) wrote for a financial sector publication â€Å"In a competitive environment, an assertive and ‘take charge’ style is usually rewarded. If a manager exhorts and pushes subordinates to perform †¦ while those people who are laconic by nature, may view the exhortations as bullying. † From this perspective, bullied workers are evidently the rude, discourteous and unsuccessful ones.A Tennessee appellate court decision stated in a 2007 case that without proof of discrimination, â€Å"the fact that a supervisor is mean, hard to get along with, overbearing, bellig ¬erent or otherwise hostile and abusive does not violate civil rights statutes. † (Frye v. St. Thomas Health Services, 227 S. W. 3d 595. as cited in Davis, 2008). The decision implies that anything goes if the conduct is not explicitly illegal. Corporate employment law attorneys frequently defend bullying perpetrators in cases and are their best apologists.Mathiason and Savage (2008) told a revealing story about a bully in their own law office. â€Å"Clearly there is a type of abusive treatment that exceeds the standards of our firm. Yelling at staff for no reason, blaming associates for perceived errors in such a demeaning manner that their self-confidence is lost and turnover is out of control, are examples of conduct that destroys teamwork and office morale †¦ we do accept and value an individual teaching style that is very demanding of new associates. † In other words, abuse is an allowable difference in â€Å"style† that trumps â€Å"out of control† turnover.Another legal writ er discounted the bullying experience by blaming targeted individuals as â€Å"employees who can’t handle valid criticism from supervisors [and who then] interpret it as harassment or bullying† (Baldas, 2007). Jeff Tannenbaum, a lawyer formerly at the San Francisco Littler Mendelson office, agreed with the courts’ general rejection of the argument that U. S. workers should be free from abusive treatment at the hands of bosses or coworkers (Bess, 1999). Tannenbaum asserted that America not only has more laws than it can handle, but that bullying has its benefits. This country was built by mean, aggressive, sons of bitches,† said Tannenbaum. â€Å"Would Microsoft have made so many millionaires if Bill Gates hadn’t been so aggressive? † Tannenbaum said that inappropriate bullying was in the eye of the beholder. â€Å"Some people may need a little appropriate bullying in order to do a good job. † He asserts that those who claim to be bulli ed are really â€Å"just wimps who can’t handle a little constructive criticism† (Bess, 1999). In short, American employers exert unilateral control over most work conditions with only 7. 5% of the non-governmental workforce represented by a union.Unlike other countries where workers enjoy constitutional protections of personal rights, American workers are â€Å"at will† employees facing immediate termination without a just-cause requirement. The confidence that business dominates society and the political world was illustrated by a boast from Tom Donahue, president of the U. S. Chamber of Commerce, arguably the most powerful and best funded of all the business lobbying groups. He said, â€Å"I’m con- cerned about anti-corporate and populist rhetoric from candidates for the presidency, members of Congress and the media.It suggests to us that we have to demonstrate who it is in this society that creates jobs, wealth and benefits – and who it is tha t eats them† (Hamburger, 2008). To challenge bullying is to defy societal norms. Bullying is not the exception. Bullying is not yet taboo here. It is an acceptable operational tactic in the under-regulated corporate world, which takes pride in its ability to dominate labor. Workers dare not complain. This is the context of unbalanced employer-employee power facing the U. S. campaign against workplace bullying. Despite the hurdles, we have enjoyed modest success with goal attainment.We next report progress in the U. S. campaign with respect to each of the three involved constituent groups – the general public, lawmakers, and employers. Group 1: The General Public The benefits of an informed public are twofold. First, familiarity with the topic helps remove its stigma. Second, people will feel empowered to challenge bullying’s current acceptance. Starting the Movement We began with a traumatic bullying experience that affected our family. Dr. Ruth Namie’s ta le was the inaugural story for the movement. Her mistreatment came at the hands of a fellow woman professional in a psychiatry clinic.Approximately one year after resolution of the case, we discovered the British term â€Å"workplace bullying. † In 1997, we started the Workplace Bullying Institute (originally the Campaign Against Workplace Bullying) to help individuals. WBI originally provided three paths for bullied individuals to find support: (1) a toll-free telephone crisis line, (2) a dedicated website with a growing collection of articles about the phenomenon and the posting of online surveys to complete and dissemination of research findings, and (3) a self-help book published one year after our start. In January 2000, we staged the first U. S. orkplace bullying conference in Oakland, California. It was an unfunded two-day event. Many of the international speakers and presenters who graciously attended at their own expense are authors of several chapters in this book à ¢â‚¬â€œ Michael Sheehan, Charlotte Rayner, Ken Westhues, David Yamada, and Loraleigh Keashly. In September 2000, Suffolk University Law School hosted a second conference in Boston that focused on the legal challenges facing the workplace bullying movement. The crisis line was publicized first in two national newspapers. We coached over 5,000 emotionally wounded people 1 hour at a time in three years.We learned that it is important to establish limits for telephone counselors because the risk of vicarious trauma is high. We had to stop the inordinately expensive service. Charging a fee for coaching reduced significantly the number of callers. WBI founders brought to the movement prior academic preparation in social and clinical psychology; experience in treatment for family systems therapy, chemical dependency and domestic violence; years of university teaching management and psychology; business consulting; corporate management; combined with experience in behavioral research method ology, survey design and statistical analyses.Legal expertise was provided by colleague, David Yamada, soon after the organization began. Future advocacy groups should not rely solely on veterans of the bullying wars. Expertise is needed from individuals who did not personally experience bullying. These experts can learn about all aspects of bullying. They are less likely than bullying victims to be adversely affected from working with, and on behalf of, traumatized individuals. Website visitors expect information to be free. Bullied workers often lose their jobs (Namie, 2007) and cannot afford to pay for necessary legal or mental health services.Groups desiring to emulate our nonprofit organization’s commitment to helping bullied workers are advised to secure funding to sustain the effort. Consulting and training services for employers and fees for professional speeches support WBI’s work. In 2009, Britain’s pioneering organization, the Andrea Adams Trust, clos ed its charitable operation after 15 years due to lack of funding. The Media as Communication Partners Thanks to 800+ media interviews and appearances, workplace bullying in the U. S. is now publicly recognized. Our relationship with media is mutually beneficial.Media get a popular story; WBI is able to reach Americans at no cost via television, radio, newspapers and magazines sometimes with a national broadcaster or publisher, at other times local. The burgeoning blogosphere on the internet also helps carry the message that workplace bullying is a common, unconscionable, but legal, form of mistreatment. film The Devil Wears Prada, in which a powerful woman magazine publisher repeatedly berates and humiliates her female assistant, is the prototypical opening for the segment which follows with a real-life tale told by a woman who worked for, and suffered under, a woman boss.The Bully Boss The American public, if not the business media, seems ready for candor about destructive people who make work life a living hell for others. An example was the best seller, The No Asshole Rule, a book related to bullying written by Stanford Business School professor Robert Sutton (2007). The public embraced its frankness and simplicity. It was a cathartic venting of pentup frustrations with bullies. Business media like the statistic that 72% of bullies outrank their targets (Namie, 2007). Thus, the alliterative stereotype of â€Å"bully boss† is an accurate headline.Of course, bullying originates at, and affects, individuals at most organizational levels. Executives experience the least amount of bullying (5%). The portrayal of exploitation by bullying is more vivid when it is managerial rather than internecine to the work team. The media spotlight is on the quirky or aberrant boss as an individual (without interviewing actual perpetrators) absent reportage on the work environment that sustains him or her. Questions to WBI about what individuals can do when faced with a bully boss outnumber questions about why and how employers should deal with systemic bullying.The burden for finding a solution tends to fall on the victimized target. When media experts are management consultants or executive coaches, they give poor advice to workers to subordinate themselves, to not attempt to change the toxic work environment that fosters bullying. Some business reporters doubt the targeted workers’ accounts of their bullying. A few television interviews of bullied individuals did not air because producers were reluctant to believe the target’s account or a lawsuit was threat-Workplace bullying has begun to take its rightful place among better-known topics like domestic violence, PTSD and other forms of abuse in the U. S. A typical media story begins with the â€Å"human interest† angle. A targeted worker (prescreened by us to ensure psychological stability and referred to the reporter) describes her or his bullying experience. It is then ed ited to 1 to 2 onair minutes or short paragraphs in print. In the early years, stories focused almost exclusively on anecdotal stories. In recent years, the media love a womanon-woman bullying story (Meece, 2009) to the exclusion of covering other forms of bullying.However, in the U. S. , only 29% of all bullying is between a woman perpetrator and woman target; men represent 60% of the bullies (Namie, 2007). The coverage enrages advocates for women’s rights. Despite the narrow focus, newspaper articles prompt 300-500 reader comments per article and televised segments on woman-on-woman bullying garner high ratings. The 2006 theatrical ened. It was â€Å"only one side† of the story. Bullying stories feature workers fighting uphill battles. Media most frequently side with Goliath, the employers.Research Bolsters the Message Since 2000, we were able to supplement anecdotal tales with empirical study data. WBI conducted descriptive large-sample surveys of website visitors ( n=1,335; Namie, 2000, & n=1,000; Namie, 2003). The self-selected sample studies were not extrapolated to describe national trends or national prevalence. However, several metrics did approximate estimates from the large representative study WBI conducted later (Namie, 2007). The first credible estimate for U. S. bullying prevalence was 1 in 6 Michigan workers (Keashly, 2001).The study’s sampling techniques afforded external validity. But there were only approximately 100 individuals who reported â€Å"very bothersome† mistreatment. This estimate was the best one available until 2007. In 2007, WBI, with support from the Waitt Institute for Violence Prevention, commissioned polling firm Zogby International to conduct the first U. S. survey of workplace bullying. The stratified sample was large enough (n=7,740) to represent the experiences of all adult Americans. The 20-item survey (Namie, 2007) used the WBI definition of bullying without explicit inclusion of the term â €Å"bullying. Instead, it was defined as â€Å"repeated mistreatment: sabotage by others that prevented work from getting done, verbal abuse, threatening conduct, intimidation, or humiliation. † The WBI-Zogby survey found 12. 6% of U. S. workers were either being bullied currently or had been within the year, 24. 2% were previously but not currently bullied, 12. 3% witnessed it but never experienced it, and 44. 9% of respondents reported never witnessing and never experiencing it. Of 7,740 survey respondents, only 22 people admitted being a perpetrator despite the anonymity granted by the survey (Namie, 2007).Thereafter, media quoted the finding that 37% of the population has been bullied representing 54 million Americans. The media took a keen interest in the finding that women bullies choose women as targets in 71% of cases. Men bullies choose women targets (46%) less frequently than they target men. Women are the slight majority of targeted individuals (57%). It is common in the U. S. to blame victims for their fate. This denigration is an example of the fundamental attribution error committed by observers (Ross, 1977). However, targets themselves underestimate the negativity of their situation.The mischaracterization of targets as whiners or complainers is not warranted. We know this anecdotally; one study provides empirical support. Lutgen-Sandvik, Tracy & Alberts (2007) discovered a disparity between the researcherdefined prevalence of bullying based on an operational definition (28%) and the survey respondents’ self-identification as a bullied person (9. 4%). This was true for a group of Americans as well for a Danish sample group in the same study. Framing the Message Commercial media reflect the values of American business culture as seen from the top rather than as lived by subordinate workers.It will be interesting to see if CEO credibility diminishes in light of the global economic crisis that is partly blamed on CEO failures. Any an ti-CEO sentiment during tough times presents the opening for populist stories about the plight of trapped workers who face a nearly certain escalation of cruelty because few employment alternatives exist. Bullying cannot exist without tacit approval from executives and owners. WBI surveyed 400 respondents in 2009 asking whether bullying escalated after the recognized start date of the worldwide economic recession in September 2008. For 27. % of the respondents the bullying became â€Å"more abusive/ severe/frequent†, 67% reported no change, and 3. 4% reported a decrease in bullying since the onset of recessionary times (Namie, 2009). Workplace bullying activists often char- acterize the movement as â€Å"anti-abuse. † Whereas, defenders of individual bullies and the practice of systemic bullying describe the movement as â€Å"anti-corporate. † The pejorative mischaracterization makes the activists’ public education goals harder to accomplish. Activists ne ed to emphasize that bullying hurts business in addition to hurting people. Bullying presents a tautological predicament for the media.If media fill airtime and print space with hard-luck, but always popular, bullying stories, they can validate targeted workers’ experiences, letting people know they have experiences in common with others. On the other hand, negative stories such as bullying are not happy stories that please advertisers. In most cases, advertisers rarely tolerate social criticism. That explains the paucity of criticism of capitalism in mainstream U. S. media. Nevertheless, anti-bullying activists should be prepared to help media illustrate how abstract economic crises concretely affect the lives of real working people, if asked.Persuasion Theory Applied to Media Commercial television is the ultimate forum for persuasive appeals employing peripheral cues, according to ELM (Petty & Cacioppo, 1986). Soap is not sold by listing ingredients, which would require cen tral route processing by viewers. Instead it is sold as an indispensable route to a desirable lifestyle with distracting emotionally evocative images. News stories are also created to be visually stimulating. News has evolved (descended) into â€Å"infotainment. † Producers demand pictures, â€Å"B roll,† and moving on-screen graphics.Production of the 3-minute segment that focuses solely on content or â€Å"talking heads† is unacceptable, reserved for documentaries and non-commercial television. There is pressure to make bullying stories entertaining. TV screens now literally force the depiction of the principal story being broadcast into a frame within a frame. Surrounding it are station and network logos, wide top and bottom borders with colorful changing backgrounds, and text crawls along the bottom competing for attention with cryptic headlines, and if on a business channel, a crawl showing contemporaneous stock market activity.The actual story is only one of three or four fields competing for the viewer’s attention. A low involvement viewer can hardly be expected to remember anything about stories and their associated content being reported in the middle frame. Print media have limited space as page design has evolved into crowded, colorful spaces that emulate a TV screen or newspaper’s website. Limited space translates to short 500-700 word accounts rather than a lengthy (for newspaper) 2,000 word in-depth story. Bullying is a complex phenomenon with multiple aspects.The compromise we made is to reduce our advice to targets to an admittedly over-simplistic three steps. Similarly, we answer the â€Å"why do bullies bully? † question with a threefactor model. To optimize the likelihood that a reader or viewer will remember something about bullying from an interview, activists should adopt slogans. We use Bullies Are Too Expensive to Keep; Work Shouldn’t Hurt; and Good Employers Purge Bullies, Bad Ones Promo te ‘Em. Dealing with media is not an academic exercise. The academic activist, in particular, can benefit from media training. It is through the media you can reach the public who need to know about bullying.Group 2: Educating Lawmakers Rationale For A Law All social movements that sought to stop psychological violence – child abuse, domestic violence, discriminatory harassment (gender, race, etc. ), schoolyard bullying – were able to eventually pass state or federal legislation to negatively sanction misconduct. These types of mistreatment continue, but laws compel negative consequences for offenders. The workplace bullying phenomenon most closely resembles domestic violence (Janoff-Bulman, 2002) with respect to the interaction between abuser and the abused, witnesses’ non-intervention, and societal-institutional denial nd rationalizations to excuse it. For legal purposes, however, bullying falls under the rubric of employment law, akin to anti-discrimina tion laws for the workplace. Regarding employment law, existing civil rights laws compel employers to create policies to prevent future occurrences. In addition, they must have procedures in place to correct discrimination once reported, investigated and confirmed. If there were no laws in effect, would employers voluntarily stop the mistreatment of women workers with internal procedures? Evidence suggests that they did not do so before the Civil Rights Act of the 1960’s.After enactment of laws, employers took steps to comply. The sequence is clear. Laws drive internal policies. Enforcement of those policies is most likely when there exists a threat of punishment for negligent employers. Credible policy enforcement results in prevention and correction. The power of a law derives from employers’ internal preventive actions that protect workers. Perusal of Suffolk University Law Professor David Yamada’s chapter in this book reveals that, in 2009, there are no stat e or federal laws in the U. S. to satisfactorily address workplace bullying.Therefore, bullying is nearly always legal. The Anti-Bullying Healthy Workplace Bill In 2000, David Yamada wrote the text for the original Healthy Workplace Bill (HWB). It addresses workplace bullying by prohibiting an â€Å"abusive work environment. † The proposed legislation does not mandate employer actions. It gives employers multiple opportunities to escape liability for a bully’s abusive conduct. The requirements to file a lawsuit using this bill are strict. Malice is required in addition to documented physical or psychological health harm. There is no government intervention or enforcement.Individual plaintiffs must find and pay for private legal counsel. Though the HWB provides redress for people where current laws do not, its ultimate purpose is to convince employers to stop bullying proactively. The Legislative Campaign WBI expanded its efforts by adding a separate division in 2001. T he Workplace Bullying Institute-Legislative Campaign (WBI-LC) goal is to enact state laws. It was decided from the outset to focus on the 50 states rather than to seek a federal law with significantly different features. Congress and recent presidential administration in the last 30 years have not expanded labor rights.So, the WBI-LC mobilizes citizen lobbyists in the states with the help of a network of volunteer State Coordinators. To date, 28 of the 50 states are represented by at least one Coordinator. In 2003, after two years of lobbying by amateurs, California was the first state to introduce the HWB. To date, 16 states through 183 state legislators have introduced 55 bills representing some variation of the HWB. No state has yet passed any bill into law. The HWB website (healthyworkplacebill. org) is the repository of the bill’s history and current activity. Unpaid Coordinators compete with professional advocates for employers.Coordinators include attorneys, a physicia n, mental health professionals, professors, nurses, teachers, social workers, community organizers, and advocates who worked for other social causes. The WBILC provides Coordinators with all necessary materials to customize a lobbying campaign, an information kit for their state legislators, a private listserv, a private website, copies of the HWB, training tapes, and periodic teleconferences for the group to stay current. Whenever possible WBI leaders give expert testimony at public hearings for HWB. It is a collaborative creative group that grows in size and effectiveness every year.At the public website, citizen lobbyists from all states willing to support the bill can volunteer. Coordinators then work with those volunteers to mount writing, telephoning, and e-mailing lobbying campaigns. Coordinators orchestrate one or two in-person lobbying days at their respective state capitals. Some Coordinators have formed in-person groups and maintain websites in addition to ongoing virtual communica- tion with volunteers in their state. When organizing a group of activists such as the WBI-LC Coordinators, it is important to screen members for personality disturbances attributable or not to their bullying experience.Experience is valuable, but lobbyists must represent the thousands or millions of bullied workers in their state or province. They cannot use the lobbying platform to tell their personal story or to vent to a lawmaker. We incorporate a rule that Coordinators must be at least two years postbullying to participate. Also, with a group of veterans of bullying, some of whom suffer periodic re-traumatization, there is a risk of group dysfunction from emotional flare-ups. It is helpful to establish an intra-group code of conduct to prevent bullying from within.HWB Supporters Bullying at work ignores political party affiliation. Targeted workers have not reported personal politics as a reason for being targeted. The HWB is non-partisan. Sponsors of the HWB include members of both major political parties – Democrats and Republicans. However, Democrats were more likely than Republicans to report direct and witnessed bullying in the U. S. survey (Namie, 2007). Coordinators solicit support and endorsements for the HWB from local and state groups. Unions for state government workers, teachers, and nurses have backed the bill. Endorsements have come also from women’s groups.The Illinois Association of Minorities in Government identified the sponsor for the first Illinois bill. The HWB enjoys the support of one national group – the NAACP, the largest U. S. advocacy organization for the rights of African-Americans. According to the WBI-Zogby survey, 91% of African-Americans want additional workplace protections to supplement existing anti-discrimination laws. Data show that the group suffers a higher rate of ever being bullied than the combined groups, second only to Hispanics (Namie, 2007). HWB Opponents Membership in industry trade associations gives employers access to professional lobbyists who oppose the HWB.Opposition is based on one or more of these grounds: (1) in times of economic crises, businesses should not be regulated, government’s only role is to help business operate freely and profitably, (2) employers can control bullying voluntarily, let them alone and they will do what is best for their business, (3) whining employees will file frivolous, baseless, expensive-to-defend lawsuits that will only clog the courts, (4) current laws provide sufficient protections, and (5) bullying or abusive conduct cannot be precisely defined, it is too subjective.The WBI-LC counters with the following reasonable propositions. (1) Business leaders’ decisions led to the financial calamity. The global crisis is arguably due in part to rampant speculation and paucity of governmental controls. (2) Employers have the chance to voluntarily stop bullying whenever they become aware of it. They historical ly respond inappropriately. (3) Financial and emotional hurdles to file private lawsuits overwhelm aggrieved workers. The reality is that only 3% of mistreated employees file a lawsuit in the U.S. (Namie, 2007). On the other hand, employers routinely carry employment practices liability insurance to provide legal defense in the event of a harassment or misconduct lawsuit. HWB provides sufficient affirmative defenses for good employers who take steps to prevent bullying. (4) Law professor David Yamada concludes that current U. S. laws are inadequate. We trust his legal expertise. (5) Prior to the 2007 WBI-Zogby survey, lobbyists for employers argued that bullying did not exist in the workplace.Since the survey is indisputable, they now complain that bullying cannot be precisely defined. HWB requires that the plaintiff’s health harm from malicious conduct be proven. The high standard rebuts the subjectivity objection. The fundamental question about legal reform for bullying is whether or not it will take a law to compel compliance or employers will voluntarily choose to abandon abuse as routine prac- tice. The nascent intolerance of the assault on an employee’s dignity at work in the U. S. may force an answer.Persuasion Theories Applied to Lawmakers The criticality of personal involvement in social judgment theory (Sherif & Sherif, 1968) as predictor of a positive attitude toward the antibullying activists; position is borne out by our legislative campaign experience. For HWB bill sponsors, bullying is not an abstraction. They agree to champion the bill because family members, legislative aides, or they themselves have been bullied. For the sake of others they want it to stop. For early adopting lawmakers, the introduction of their bill is personal.Facilitating the personal connection to bullying spells the difference between successful and failed lobbying efforts. The elaboration likelihood model, ELM, (Petty & Cacioppo, 1986) applies well. One wo uld expect that the lawmaking process is deliberate, based on facts and reasoning, and message content-dependent. That is, lawmaking should tap central route processing with reduced susceptibility to peripheral cues. Marshalling facts to support your position is the underpinning of amateur citizen lobbying.WBI-LC Coordinators refer constantly to the scientific U. S. survey showing that 13% of workers are currently bullied with an additional 24% having been bullied at some time in their careers (Namie, 2007). Its use marked a sea change in lawmakers’ reactions to workplace bullying. They stopped denying that bullying happens. Credible surveys are an essential tool for communicating with public policy makers. So, we have facts on our side and also use the power of compelling anecdotal tales told by bullied individuals (peripheral cues).Unfortunately, HWB opponents also bring forward facts. With multiple lobbyists, lawmakers hear the rationale for employer opposition to our bill repeatedly from different sources. Because of their ongoing presence of full-time paid lobbyists throughout the year in a lawmaker’s life, not just when the legislature is in session (varying from 60-180 days per year), opposing arguments are likely better remembered. WBI-LC Coordinators act primarily during the legislative season and work their regular jobs the remainder of the year. In the U. S. the tradition of giving money to politicians (the courts have defined it as the expression of a corporation’s free speech right, treating corporations as persons) leads to access and influence. WBI-LC Coordinators do not give money to elected officials. It comes as no surprise that no state has yet passed our bill into law. To augment Coordinators’ efforts, the WBI-LC has begun to form coalitions of supporting and endorsing group that do have full-time lobbyists advocating for labor and human rights. Perhaps those groups will lend their lobbyists to the campaign again st workplace bullying.Group 3: Convincing Employers Employers determine the size and composition of the workforce, the workplace culture and every aspect of the work environment. The responsibility for the correction and prevention of bullying lies with the top management because they shape the culture of the organization through decisions made (Liefooghe & Davey, 2001). Empirical studies established an association between leadership, or its absence, and workplace bullying. For example, Leymann (1996) and Einarsen, Raknes and Matthiesen (1994) found that bullying among colleagues was often associated with ‘weak’ or ‘inadequate’ leadership by the most enior managers. Similarly, Hoel and Cooper (2000) showed that bullying was associated with high scores on a laissez faire style of leadership. A lack of organizational coherence (integrated, functioning production procedures), only token accountability (few consequences for wrongdoing), low security (apprehensi on about layoffs) all combine to foster a chaotic workplace climate that gives opportunistic abusers of authority the chance to harm others (Hodson, Roscigno, & Lopez, 2006). Conversely, Cortina, Magley, Williams and Langhout (2001) found that in a workplace climate in which fair, respectful treatment prevailed, bullying was rare.Employers’ Reactions to Bullying When bullying incidents are reported to employers, the most frequent response is to do nothing in 43. 7% of cases (Namie, 2007). Doing nothing is not a neutral response when an individual asks for relief. Matters were made worse for targeted workers in 18. 4% of cases. Thus in 62% of cases the response inadequate from perspective of witnesses and targeted workers. A more complete description of employer responses comes from another WBI online survey (n=400 respondents) (Namie, 2008).Employers predominantly did nothing to stop the reported mistreatment (53%) and actually retaliated against the person who dared to repor t it (71%). In 40% of cases, targets considered the employer’s investigation to be inadequate or unfair with less than 2% of investigations described as fair and safe for the bullied person. Filing complaints led to retaliation resulting in lost jobs (24%). Alleged offenders were punished in only 6. 2% of cases. A NIOSH research team (Grubb, Roberts, Grosch, & Brightwell, 2004) assessed employers’ perceptions about the prevalence of bullying within their own organizations.Researchers used a pair of nationally representative federal government surveys of non-institutionalized U. S. residents age 18 and older and a second representative sample of U. S. organizations in which the unit of analysis is the workplace. Some residents were asked to name their employers. Then, a single contact person was identified as the representative for each of 516 organizations, typically human resources professionals or company owners. The employer representatives were asked about a variet y of organizational factors.Most relevant was their response to the question: â€Å"How often in the past year has bullying occurred at your establishment, including repeated intimidation, slandering, social isolation, or humiliation by one or more persons against another? † The majority of employer representatives (75. 5%) said bullying never happened at their site. Only 1. 6% said it happened frequently. The second most frequent response was that it was rare (17. 4%) with 5. 5% acknowledging that bullying happened sometimes. Employees were seen as the most frequent aggressor (in 39. 2% of cases) as well as being the most frequent victim (55. %). Two assessed measures of workplace climate were associated with increased levels of bullying – lack of job security and lack of trust in management (Grubb et al. 2004). Remarkably, in Sweden where the regulatory ordinance has been in effect 15 years, only one of out of nine businesses had voluntarily implemented policies and procedures against bullying (Hoel & Einarsen, 2009). The lack of employer initiative in the Scandinavian anti-bullying pioneering nations suggests modest expectations about American employers’ attitudes toward bullying, even if laws are passed.Not only do employers do very little to stop bullying, co-workers who witness bullying are similarly ineffective. From an online study (Namie, 2008) we know that self-identified bullied individuals reported that in 46% of bullying cases, co-workers abandoned them, to the extent that 15% aggressed against the target along with the bully. Co-workers did nothing in 16% of cases. In less than 1% of cases, co-workers rallied to the defense of an attacked target and confronted the bully as a group. There are several potential explanations that are explored elsewhere in detail (Namie & Namie, 2009a).Suffice it to say that fear, real or imagined, prevents co-workers from getting involved most of the time. The ‘Business Case’ For Bu llying Because of employers’ costs associated with bullying — productivity loss, costs regarding interventions by third parties, turnover, increased sick-leave, workers compensation and disability insurance claims and legal liability – employers should logically be motivated to stop bullying (Hoel & Einarsen, 2009). One healthcare industry intervention that improved employee perceptions of trust and fair treatment was estimated to potentially save $1. million annually for a single organization (Keashly & Neuman, 2004). WBI partnered with a Canadian disability management firm that determined 18% of the short-term disability claims were based on bullying. Those workers missed an average of 159 days of work per claim. The â€Å"business case† approach emphasizes the financial impact of bullying and assumes that employers are rational actors and will pursue their own best financial self-interest when made aware of bullying’s cost. Logic recommends term ination of costly offenders. But bullying is often an irrational and illogical set of circumstances.In spite of ascertainable loss patterns, offenders are retained while targeted workers who reported mistreatment to the organization often lose their jobs. Alleged offenders were punished in only 6% of cases (Namie, 2008). But because of bullying, 40% of targets quit, 24% are terminated and 13% transfer to safer positions with the same employer (Namie, 2007). Finally, to whom should the business case be made? Bullying is typically perceived as a human resources (HR) department problem because anti-discrimination compliance officers in HR receive the majority of bullying complaints.Eighty-percent of those complaints do not require employers to respond; they are legal actions (Namie, 2007). One WBI study found that HR either did nothing in 51% of cases when approached for relief or made the situation more negative for the target in 32% of cases (Namie, 2000). In HR’s defense, wit hout laws to compel employers to adopt internal policies, HR lacks the tools to reverse bullying even if it wanted to. HR also lacks the credibility with executives who otherwise might grant HR the autonomy to effect organizational changes. Bullying is the responsibility of executive leadership (Einarsen, Raknes, & Matthiesen, 1994).Executives feel responsible to support bullies within their organizations. According to Namie (2007), sources of a bully’s support are: executive sponsors (43%), management peers (33%), and HR (14%). How can this be? Why prop up the cause of significant financial losses? No anti-bullying intervention can be suc- cessful without executive endorsement and participation. Workers in one division of a government client organization suffered heart attacks, stroke, panic attacks, and nearly every one of the 24 were prescribed anti-depressant medication.Seventeen workers filed workplace discrimination complaints. Our recommendation, with which the bully h imself agreed, was to prohibit his future contact with employees. The director thought otherwise and rejected the recommendation. He called staff â€Å"feckless ingrates† and refused to allow the perpetrator to step down because the bully was â€Å"a great conversationalist and lunch buddy. † Many employers would rather absorb known financial losses than confront a hyper-aggressive bully or sever a prized personal friendship.The â€Å"business case† pales in comparison to ingratiation, aggression and pride in winning at all costs. Employers’ Motivation to Act Because there is no law to compel U. S. employers to act, when an American employer requests help with bullying, it is a rare event. WBI principals were consultants to employers 12 years prior to the starting the nonprofit organization. Since 1997, the consulting focus is exclusively the refinement of a comprehensive, proprietary approach to preventing and correcting workplace bullying (Namie & Namie , 2009b) (workdoctor. com).Based on our American and Canadian clients, here is a sampling of positive, proactive reasons employers voluntarily address bullying. Some are early adopters wanting to be first, cutting-edge, industry leaders. They are pioneers and proud of their risk-taking tendencies. Some clients seek congruence with espoused organization values of respect and dignity for all, to â€Å"do the right thing. † Though every corporate mission statement includes â€Å"Respect for all individuals,† few firms actually adhere to the lofty pronouncement. Mission statements do not hold organizations accountable; policies can.Some clients seek media coverage and notoriety for their willingness to address bullying. Some CEOs want to leave a positive legacy at the end of their careers. One executive wanted to rectify his prior mismanagement of a senior manager bullying case. It was personal guilt mitigation. In 2009, the Sioux City, Iowa public school district implemen ted our comprehensive anti-bullying system for teachers and staff in the schools – becoming the first in the nation to do so. Schools are the single class of employer with experience, however limited, with bullying.In 38 states, there are laws mandating that schools address bullying among students. Most laws specify that a policy be written for children. Therefore, many schools and their staffs are familiar with bullying and its harmful effect on children. It is a logical step to see that the quality of interpersonal relationships among the adults is the context for student behavior or misconduct. This National Demonstration Project includes a policy, procedures, impact assessment, education, peer support, peer fact finders, and community education.The project was made possible by the rare co-occurrence of a new superintendent, a compassionate human resources director, union presidents concerned with employee health, and funding from a local foundation. We hope that schools b ecome the first American industry to seriously address workplace bullying. The majority of anti-bullying interventions are prompted by risk aversion or loss prevention. A high profile, revenue-generating â€Å"rainmaker† commits illegal or unethical acts. A repeat offender’s legal costs finally exceed the CEO’s tolerance.Turnover of highly skilled workers undercuts productivity. Healthcare institutions must comply with an extra-legal industry requirement to craft a policy to address intimidating and disruptive physicians and staff. (JCAHO, 2008). Dispositional vs. Systemic Solutions After the decision is made to start an intervention, a second important question presents itself. Is the problem the fault of a few â€Å"bad seeds,† a dispositional issue? Or is the problem entrenched in the work environment (that includes leadership who fostered past and current bullies and will sustain new ones when personnel change)?When the preferred explanation is the of fender’s personality, solutions may include skillsbased training — anger management or constructive criticism — mental health counseling, or executive coaching. Regardless of the selected solution, and even if the person gains insight, bullying will resume if the workplace to which she or he returns remains unchanged. Recidivism is predictable when bullying-prone work conditions are not addressed. For long-term success, the organization needs a new behavioral standard (policy, code of conduct) to which alleged misconduct can be compared to determine whether or not a violation occurred.Procedures to enforce the standard must be created. Weak procedures predict failed anti-bullying initiatives. The rules must apply to everyone at all levels to be fair and credible. Executives must defer to the process to justify purging a friend for the good of the organization. Medium and large organizations often establish one or more peer groups to serve various functions †“ as internal resource experts, as peer fact finders for investigations, as trainers within the organization. Education throughout the organization publicly launches the commitment to a new way of doing usiness. The best interventions include healing activities for targeted workers and witnesses who have been vicariously traumatized. A hybrid approach is to first create the policy and procedures. Then, when a high-profile person’s offense is confirmed as a violation, devise a personalized change program for her or him. Upon return to work, behavioral monitoring starts. Interviews of German consultants who specialize in workplace bullying (Saam, 2009) yielded three approaches were moderation/mediation, coaching, and organization development (OD).Moderation is a clarification process to allow the parties to move beyond misunder- standings or misperceptions. Mediation refers to the traditional conflict resolution process. Moderation/mediation works only when conflict does not escalate to a level for which only a power intervention is appropriate. Coaching necessarily develops solutions on a case-by-case basis. Coaching is support – tactical, emotional, career development, personalized skills education and rehearsal. The organization development (OD) approach is the third intervention strategy.Culture change is its primary goal (Saam, 2009). From an OD perspective, the source of the bullying problems can be found in attributes of the organization – the reporting relationships, layers in the hierarchy, transparency of decisionmaking processes, timeliness in responding to employee concerns, personal accountability for destructive interpersonal conduct, equitable processes that match rewards to performance, trust, reciprocated loyalty, clarity of roles, incorporation of collaborative processes, and performance expectations.An OD strategy sets new standards for doing things differently and altering performance-consequence contingencies. The OD c onsultant defines problems as systemic. Solutions must necessarily affect all people at all levels of the organization (Saam, 2009). The preferred tool of the OD bullying consultant is the proscription of bullying behavior via a new policy and accompanying set of enforcement procedures (Namie & Namie, 2009b).Based on her clinical practice with severe cases of bullying, Ferris (2004) contends similarly that helpful, responsive organizations do not see bullying as a merely personality issue to be solved by the parties through mediation. Instead, bullying is seen as an organizational problem that needs to be addressed through coaching for the bully, counseling, performance management, and policies that clearly define unacceptable conduct. Predicting Success We identify several factors to avoid failure, while increasing the likelihood of successful interventions: if HR initiates contact with the consultant, insist on executive team approval to move forward †¢ do not incorporate tra ditional conflict resolution strategies (mediation, arbitration) into the systemic program to address bullying (though informal, pre-complaint resolution processes can and should be crated) †¢ at the start, articulate how the prohibition of bullying will positively impact the delivery of services, quality of production – i. e. will benefit the end user †¢ describe the engagement as proactive and preventive, resolve extant crises before launching the project †¢ clarify executive team roles: awareness and acceptance, pledge of non-interference, authorization for policy writing group, commitment to participate in launch †¢ emphasize the seminal importance of implementation procedures over the policy alone †¢ policy and procedures are to apply to every employee at all levels, no exceptions †¢ Governing Board receives advance notice of project to schedule policy approval †¢ the internal champion/future policy director must have budget control â⠂¬ ¢ inclusion of unions, where present, is mandatory †¢ select a pool of employee-volunteers screened for compatibility to serve in one or more functions †¢ policy writing, internal resource experts, fact finding, training †¢ build-in continuity and succession of participants in the various groups responsible for sustaining the organization’s commitment to the anti-bullying initiatives showcase success stories in the media Persuasion Theory Applied to Employers Social judgment theory (Sherif & Sherif, 1968) is the theory most compatible with understanding the challenges posed by employers for activist-consultants.An ingratiating bully who spends years successfully cultivating a fawning relationship with an executive does so for the sake of self-protection. If the executive eventually learns that his friend’s tactics are undermining legitimate business interests, the executive’s dissonance will probably drive him to discount the complaint, accuse the complainant of â€Å"troublemaking,† and reinforce the bond with the bully. Recall that according to SJT, anchored opinions linked to a person’s self-identity are the least likely to change. The executive’s allegiance to the bully feels spontaneous to him. There is a high degree of ego involvement because it was the executive’s ego that the bully was stroking in Machiavellian fashion (Paulhus & Williams, 2002).The bully carefully cemented the bond over time. So, all evaluative opinions held by the executive about the bully fall well within the executive sponsor’s latitude of acceptance. Any disconfirming evidence presented – that the bully terrorizes peers and subordinates – is rejected reflexively. The target reporting the mistreatment cannot believe the denial of facts. The executive cannot believe his beloved friend could be accused of heinous actions. Executive denial that bullying operates in the organization at all is rooted in the same process. Consider the executive’s ego involvement in beliefs about the characteristics of the organization for which he wishes to take credit.From analysts, shareholders and a sycophantic inner circle of advisers, the executive only hears positive reports about operations.