Revision notes Essay

Hardware is the physical parts of the computer system – the parts that you can touch and see. A motherboard, a CPU, a keyboard and a monitor are all items of hardware What is Software? Software is a collection of instructions that can be ‘run’ on a computer. These instructions tell the computer what to do. Software is not a physical thing (but it can of course be stored on a physical medium such as a CD-ROM), it is just a bunch of codes. An operating system such as Windows XP or Mac OS X, applications such as Microsoft Word, and the instructions that control a robot are all examples of software. The Difference Between Hardware and Software? Computer hardware is the physical components that make up the computer system. Hardware is useless without software to run on it. Software is instructions that tell computer hardware what to do. Software is useless unless there is hardware to run it on. For a computer system to be useful it has to consist of both hardware and software. Central Processing Unit (CPU) The CPU is the ‘brain’ of the computer. It is the device that carries out software instructions. The Pentium processor made by Intel is an example of a CPU. CPUs usually plug into a large socket on the main circuit board (the motherboard) of a computer. They get very hot when they are operating so usually have a large fan attached to their top to keep them cool. Random Access Memory (RAM) Random Access Memory (RAM) is the part of the computer that temporarily stores the instructions that the computer is running, and the data it is processing. RAM is a volatile storage device. This means that if the computer’s power is turned off the contents of RAM disappear and are lost. RAM, like the CPU, also plugs in to sockets on the motherboard. When a computer is in use, its RAM will contain Read-Only Memory (ROM) Read-Only Memory (ROM) is used in most computers to hold a small, special piece of software: the ‘boot up’ program. This software runs when the computer is switched on or ‘boots up’. The software checks the computer’s hardware and then loads the operating system. ROM is non-volatile storage. This means that the data it contains is never lost, even if the power is switched off. Graphical User Interface (GUI) A GUI is an interface built around visual (graphical) things. Windows are regions of the screen used to display information. Icons are small pictures that are used to represent folders, software, etc. Menus are lists of options the user can select from. A pointer is an arrow that can be moved around the screen and is used to select things. Windows XP is an example of an operating system with a GUI. GUIs are quite easy to use due to the visual nature of the interface – the user has lots of visual clues as to what things do. However, to display all of the nice graphics required by a GUI takes a lot of computing power so quite a powerful computer is needed. Mainframe Computer A mainframe computer is a large computer, often used by large businesses, in government offices, or by universities. Mainframe computers are typically: Powerful – they can process vast amounts of data, very quickly. Large – they are often kept in special, air-conditioned rooms. Multi-user – they allow several users (sometimes hundreds) to use the computer at the same time, connected via remote terminals (screens and keyboards). Laptop Computer A ‘laptop’ computer is a light, compact and portable PC. Laptops contain a rechargeable battery so that they can be used even when not plugged in to a mains power supply. They also have a built-in LCD monitor. To make them as portable as possible, most laptops try to avoid any sort of cable or wire. Instead of a mouse, a track pad is used. Instead of a wired connection to a network or printer, ‘wireless’ radio connections are used. MICR Reader Magnetic Ink Character Recognition (MICR) is a technology that allows details from bank cheques to be read into a computer quickly and accurately. The cheque number and bank account number are printed at the bottom of each bank cheque in special magnetic ink using a special font. An MICR reader can detect these numbers. OMR Scanner Optical Mark Recognition (OMR) is a technology that allows the data from a multiple-choice type form to be read quickly and accurately into a computer. Special OMR forms are used which have spaces that can be coloured in (usually using a pencil). An OMR scanner can then detect these marks. Common uses of OMR are multiple-choice exam answer sheets and lottery number forms. OCR Scanner Optical Character Recognition (OCR) is a software technology that can convert images of text into an actual text file that can then be edited, e. g. using word-processing software). The result is just as if the text had been typed in by hand. OCR is typically used after a page of a book has been scanned. The scanned image of the page is then analyzed by the OCR software, which looks for recognizable letter shapes and generates a matching text file. Advanced OCR software can recognize normal handwriting as well as printed text – this is usually called handwriting recognition. Sensors A sensor is a device that converts a real-world property (e. g. temperature) into data that a computer can process. Examples of sensors and the properties they detect are†¦ A sensor measures a specific property data and sends a signal to the computer. Usually this is an analogue signal so it needs to be converted into digital data for the computer to process. This is done using by an Analogue-to-Digital Converter (ADC). Sensors are used extensively in monitoring / measuring / data logging systems, and also in computer control systems. SensorWhat it Detects TemperatureTemperature LightLight / dark PressurePressure (e. g. someone standing on it) MoistureDampness / dryness Water-levelHow full / empty a container is MovementMovement nearby ProximityHow close / far something is. Switch or buttonIf something is touching / pressing it Printers Dot-Matrix Printer A dot-matrix printer is named after the pattern (a grid or ‘matrix’) of dots used when creating the paper printout. Dot-matrix print quality is poor, the printers are noisy, and there are much better printing systems available today. However, the dot-matrix printers are still used in certain situations: Since the pins actually hit the paper, several ‘carbon-copies’ can be printed in one go. An example of this is airline tickets, which have several duplicate pages, all printed in one go. The print mechanism is very cheap, and the inked ribbons last for a long time. So, where cheap, low-quality printouts are required, dot-matrix printers are used. An example is shop receipts. Inkjet Printer Cheap, high-quality, full-color printing became available during the 1980s due to the development of ink-jet printers. Ink-jet printers are very quiet in use. Since they have so few moving parts they are also cheap to manufacture and thus cheap to purchase. However, the ink is very expensive to buy (this is how the printer companies make their profits! ) so the printers are expensive to use. Laser Printer Laser printers are very complex devices, and thus expensive to buy. However they are very cheap to use. This is because they produce marks on paper using a fine dust called toner that is relatively cheap to buy. A single toner cartridge will often last for 5,000-10,000 pages of printing. The laser printer uses a complex system, involving a laser, to make the toner stick to the required parts of the paper. (This system is very different to a dot-matrix or ink-jet, and you don’t need to know the details. )The laser and toner system allows very fast printing compared to other printers (just a few seconds per page). Plotter Plotters create hard copy in a very different way to printers. Instead of building up text and images from tiny dots, plotters draw on the paper using a pen. The pens are held in an arm which can lift the pen up or down, and which can move across the paper. The arm and pen create a drawing just like a human could, but much more accurately and more quickly. Different coloured pens can be used to produce coloured line drawings. Designers and architects often use plotters since they work with huge pieces of paper, far bigger than anything a normal printer could work with†¦ Why Backup Your Data? If you delete a file by accident, your computer breaks, your laptop is stolen, or your business burns to the ground, having a backup copy means that you have not lost your precious data. You can recover your lost files and continue working. Most businesses use computers to store very important data (customer records, financial information, designs for products, etc. ) If this data is lost, the business could possibly have to close. Backing-up business data is essential. How Are Backups Created? Personal backups of the data on your hard-drive can be made by†¦Burning files to a CD-R. Copying files to an external hard-drive. Copying the files to another computer on a network. Businesses backup essential data by†¦Making copies of data very regularly. Using large-capacity media such as magnetic tape. Keeping old copies of backups, just in case. Automating the system so that nobody forgets to do it! Keeping backup media off-site (in case of fire or theft) What is a Network? A network is two or more computers, or other electronic devices, connected together so that they can exchange data. For example a network allows computers to share files, users to message each other, a whole room of computers to share a single printer, etc. Network connections between computers are typically created using cables (wires). However, connections can be created using radio signals (wireless / wi-fi), telephone lines (and modems) or even, for very long distances, via satellite links. Local Area Network (LAN) A Local Area Network is a network confined to one building or site. Often a LAN is a private network belonging to an organisation or business. Because LANs are geographically small, they usually use cables or low-power radio (wireless) for the connections. Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) A wireless LAN (WLAN) is a LAN that uses radio signals (WiFi) to connect computers instead of cables. At the centre of the WLAN is a wireless switch or router – a small box with one or two antennas sticking out the back – used for sending and receiving data to the computers. (Most laptops have a wireless antenna built into the case. )It is much more convenient to use wireless connections instead of running long wires all over a building. However, WLANs are more difficult to make secure since other people can also try to connect to the wireless network. So, it is very important to have a good, hard-to-guess password for the WLAN connections. Typically, the range of a wireless connection is about 50m, but it depends how many walls, etc. are in the way. Wide Area Network (WAN) A Wide Area Network is a network that extends over a large area. A WAN is often created by joining several LANs together, such as when a business that has offices in different countries links the office LANs together. Because WANs are often geographically spread over large areas and links between computers are over long distances, they often use quite exotic connections technologies: optical fibre (glass) cables, satellite radio links, microwave radio links, etc. Topologies The word topology means ‘arrangement’, so when we talk about the topology of a network, we mean how the different parts are arranged and connected together. There are three common network topologies†¦ Bus Network In this type of network, a long, central cable, the ‘bus’ is used to connect all of the computers together. Each computer has a short cable linking it to the ‘bus’. A bus network†¦Is cheap to install (just one long cable). Can be quite slow since all computers share the same cable when communicating. Will stop working if there is a break in the central bus cable. Ring Network In this type of network each computer is connected to a loop of cable, the ‘ring’. (If you took a bus network and connected the ends of the bus cable together, you would have a ring network. )A ring network†¦Can cope with a break in the ring cable since all computers are still joined together (it is now a bus network) Star Network In this type of network every computer is connected to a central device. The device passes messages between computers. At the center of a star network you might use a hub (cheap, but slower) or a switch (more expensive, but faster). A star network†¦Is quite expensive to install (you have to buy lots of cable and the central device)Is very fast since each computer has its own cable which it doesn’t need to share. Can cope with a broken cable (only one computer will be affected). Will stop working if the central device breaks. Is the most common network topology. †¢Any computer that is to be connected to a network needs to have a network interface card (NIC). Cables are still used in most networks, rather than using only wireless, because they can carry much more data per second, and are more secure (less open to hacking). †¢A hub is a device that connects a number of computers together to make a LAN. †¢A switch, like a hub, is a device that connects a number of computers together to make a LAN. †¢A router is a network device that connects together two or more networks. A common use of a router is to join a home or business network (LAN) to the Internet (WAN). †¢A proxy server is a computer setup to share a resource, usually an Internet connection. A bridge is a network device that typically links together two different parts of a LAN. What is a Record? The set of data associated with a single object or person is known as a record. What is a Field, and what is a Field Name? You’ll see that each of our student’s records contain the same items. These items are known as fields. Each field has a field name. What is a Key Field / Primary Key? It is very important that every record in a database can be individually identified. We need to be sure that when we access a record, we are accessing the correct one. Analogue to Digital Convertor (ADC) If you want to attach an analogue input device to a digital device such as a computer, you will need an analogue to digital convertor (ADC). A good example of a computer peripheral that requires an ADC is a microphone. When you plug a microphone into a computer, you are actually plugging it into an ADC which converts the analogue signals from the microphone into digital data that the computer can then process. Digital to Analogue Convertor (DAC) If you want to attach an analogue output device to a digital device such as a computer, you will need a digital to analogue convertor (DAC). A good example of a computer peripheral that requires a DAC is a loudspeaker or headphones. When you plug a loudspeaker into a computer, you are actually plugging it into a DAC, which takes digital data from the computer and converts it into analogue signals which the loudspeaker then converts into sound. The Effect of These Devices on Our Lives Look at the list of devices above. Now try to imagine living without them – washing your clothes by hand! Life would be a lot tougher. Microprocessor-controlled devices mean that we have more leisure time to relax and enjoy ourselves instead of doing household chores. We are able to communicate with people very easily using computers, mobile phones, etc. We can become part of online social networks, making friends with people from all over the world. Computers and Internet connections mean that many of the tasks that involved us leaving the house, for example, shopping for music, clothes or food, can now be done on-line. Online shopping gives us more choice of products and saves us time. It is also great from those who are unable to get out of the house easily, such as the elderly, or the disabled. Trailing Cables Computer equipment is often connected to lots of cables: power, network, etc. If these cables are lying on the floor, they can cause people to trip over them. Solution: Place cables inside cable ducts, or under the carpet / flooring Spilt Drinks or Food If any liquids are spilt on electrical equipment, such a s a computer, it can result in damage to the equipment, or an electric shock to the user. Solution: Keep drinks and food away from computers Overloaded Power Sockets Plugging too many power cables into a socket can result in the socket being overloaded, overheating, and a fire starting. Solution: Never plug too many cables into a socket. Always make sure there are fire extinguishers nearby Heavy Objects Falling Many items of computer equipment are very heavy: CRT monitors, laser printers, etc. Heavy items can cause serious injury if they fall on people. Solution: Make sure equipment is placed on strong tables / shelves †¢Use strong passwords to protect your user login account †¢Never reveal your login password to anyone else †¢Place a firewall between your computer and any network †¢Disconnect from networks when you are not using them †¢Encrypt any sensitive information (just in case they get in) Batch Processing It is often not desirable to deal with a set of data inputs until a certain number have occurred or a set time has passed. So they are stored until the system comes online to process the data in one ‘batch’. The advantage of batch processing is that it can be done during less-busy times on the computer or jobs can be queued up in order to fairly share a computing resource such as a super-computer. The main disadvantage of batch processing is the time delay between collecting the input data and getting an output. It can also be frustrating to find out only later that a batch run has failed due to a data input problem. Good Luck!

Marialyn Essay

My First week in bank of Makati makes me so tired but still I am grateful because we got the opportunity to have an on-the-job-training with a prestigious kind of bank. I was assigned near the teller’s area. In my first tasked Ma’am Noreen the branch operations head, assigned me to encode the account name and account number of clients exclusive only for the past two years. I was also assigned to stamp the liquidated receipt paid by the bank as their expenses and etc. I also had a time to socialize with some employee. In the following days, my tasked are still the same. I continued to encode the remaining sets of accounts then I stamp customer information forms. I was also assigned by Ma’am Dianne the marketing sales associate to paste the invitation cards and cut designs for the candle holder which will be used for the opening of the new building that the bank of Makati will be moved. Those invitation cards will be given to their selected clients. I was also assigned to arrange receipts according to its serial number. An hour before the duty end the manager treat us a snack for us to relieve our stress. In the second week of our on the job training, during its first day we already moved to the new and better building of Bank of Makati which is located at Quimpo Boulevard, Ecoland Matina Davao City. We have a little celebration together with the manager, employees, visitors and other officers from the main office. When we went back to our work, one of the employee who is assigned in loan operation department told me together with my co-trainees to count the documents by hundred. As I get back to the department where I truly assign, Ma’am Noreen instructed me to arrange the files sealed in the long enveloped and cleaned it. The next day I encode another set of account name and number of clients. After that I was task to arrange again the files sealed in the enveloped the same routine that I made the other day since the branch operation head told the utility man to transfer the drawer’s placed then I take off the envelop and I arrange it back to its original placed. I was also tasked to stamp letters which will be given to the clients and then I make sorting for the serial number of sealed enveloped, it seems that it is confidential I cannot saw what’s inside of it. I also helped my co-trainee to cut the slips in check accounts that will be used by the teller. In the following days, I was tasked to cut small pieces of labeled papers which has a content of bank’s name and its new address, it will be used as label to those envelop that will be delivered to the clients. After that I paste those pieces of papers that I cut and I inserted the letters inside of it and then I sealed. I also cut another pieces of papers which has the content for requirements purposes and I arrange it to the small box. At afternoon, I was tasked to put check marks in the customer information forms, specimen signature cards, payroll debit authorization & etc. so that it would be easy for the clients to know the things that they only needed to fill up. I also arrange bundles of transmittal form according to its places. It was quit tiring and confusing because after separating the transmittal form according to its places, we’re going to arrange it also by dates in descending order. In my third week, during its first day I continued sorting the transmittal forms which I started last week. I was also instructed to cut pieces of labeled papers that will be used by the teller in wrapping cash such as 500 and 1,000 bills, and then I continue doing it after lunch. I was also tasked by one of the employee assigned in loan operation department to look the certificate of registration of selected clients. After that I was assigned by Ma’am Dianne to fold letters for the clients and sealed it to envelop. The next task was looking for those selected names in a two bundles of sheets. I was also instructed by Ma’am Noreen to her by e-mail the things that I encoded last week. For the following days I was tasked to crash out the wrong information regarding the terms and conditions in time deposit/special savings account in the customer information forms, I think that were about hundred of forms. I was also assigned to stamp bundles of envelop and then I also answered telephone calls and I make sketch lines in log book for clients information purposes. In the next day my tasked are still the same as yesterday which is the crashed out thing in the customer information form but the difference was this time I crashed out the already filled up forms by the clients while yesterday it was the unfilled up ones. The next tasked that was assigned to me was to fold letters and sealed it to an enveloped. After that I continued my tasked which is the crashed out thing again and that was my assigned work for the whole afternoon and a whole day in the next day. In the last of my duty for this week, Ma’am Dianne let me joined with their official business travel or what they called OBT. We went to nearby places in Davao City in which our target market was the regular employees, encouraging them to avail the newly created loan system of the bank of Makati. It was quit tiring but enjoy because I get the chance to observe them the actual way on how to market a loan. For this week, my first tasked was to sort and alphabetized the signature cards, that was my assigned work for the whole day. On the second day, I helped my co-trainees in their assigned department to sort and arranged bundles of files. Then the next day I was tasked to check and arranged the documents in customer information form and after that I go back with my co-trainees and helped them to continued their assigned work since the other day. At afternoon, one of the employees in loan operation department asked me to get inside the vault and look for the registration card of those listed names that she gave to me. Since I was absent last Friday I have to comply it in Saturday and in that day I was tasked to stamp, sort and arranged the signature cards, arranged other files, sorting and arranging receipts. In this week my tasked was to arranged files, I inserted those customer information forms inside the enveloped in alphabetical order. I was also told to make corrections for those unwanted information in customer information forms. In Tuesday I was asked to encode receipts and sort it after. I also cut withdrawal slips that will be used by the teller. In Wednesday, I continued to cut withdrawal slips and that was my work for the entire day. In Thursday I was assigned to cut another sets of slips, after that I was tasked to pull-out certificate of registration’s (CR’s). In the last day of the week I helped my co-trainee in their assigned department in segregating documents namely the Dacion en Pago or Deed of Sale. For this week, I was with my co-trainee in their assigned department. We arranged documents and I was also assigned to pull-out certificate of registrations. The next day I together with my co-trainee was instructed to look for the document of a specific customer. In Thursday, after one & a half day of looking for the document in almost a hundred of bundled sheets at last we found it. The next thing we did was to insert those sealed envelops to its original placed. In the last day of ojt for this week I was assigned in the vault’s area, I arranged and sort files. I was also assigned in loan operation department; I was tasked there to look for the documents listed in a 3 sheets of bond paper. Mission Statement We value our role in economic development We exist to help more people: I. Answer the following questions on a separate sheet. A. Has the practicum/fieldwork experience helped you prepare for a job in the business field? Why or why not? Yes, the practicum experienced helped me prepare for a job in the business field because it gives me learning about the real scenario of how to work in a bank, in which they taught me those duties and responsibilities that I will be used in preparing for a job someday. With that, I could I could say that those learning’s from where I had my practicum motivates me to be ready in the actual world of workplace. B. Which of the courses you have taken were of the most value during the Practicum? Of all the courses that I have taken the most valuable during the practicum was the Total Quality Management (TQM), which talks about on how to manage things in a proper way because in the work that I have undergo I was assigned in encoding, stamping, filing, arranging documents and from those worked that I have encountered I have learned to see to it that everything must be in the proper way. It should be organized and orderly done. C. What could your company/job supervisor have done to improve your practicum/fieldwork experience? My supervisor helped me to become a good listener, alert, and patience in every tasked that she gave to me. She made me become a good listener in the sense that I should see to it that in every words that she says, I must directly and clearly understand it. To be alert that in every assigned work I should have the enthusiasm or willingness to do and lastly she made me become patience, that whatever loaded work that will be given to me I shouldn’t be get mad or be high tempered. D. What could you have done to improve your practicum/fieldwork experience? The thing that I have done to improve my practicum experienced is to gain willingness in every tasked that will be given, because if there’s a willing power of a person there’s a big possibility to make the worked done properly E. What skills/competencies were you required to use in your fieldwork that: . 1. You felt prepared to do: The skills that I have required to used in my fieldwork that I felt prepared to do, are my skills in encoding, sorting, arranging bundles of documents even the ability to make conversations with clients and faced their concerns. 2. You felt unprepared to do: The skill that I felt unprepared to do was to market loans and making business transactions. Because I think I am not yet ready for that, I need to undergo an experienced for me to be ready. F. What other courses or learning experiences would have helped in the Practicum? The other learning experiences that have helped in the practicum was our subject in Marketing Management which tackled about on how to market products or services, reminds me in the official business travel that I have joined together with the selected employees from the bank where I did my on-the-job-training. From which I saw the actual scene on how to market loans. The other subject that helped me in the practicum was our Management 3 which talks about the ethical behavior, helped me to behave in a descent way and treat one another fairly even if a person is lower than your position G. What suggestions can you make to help improve the Practicum Program? I suggests that if

Critically examine the use of the quantitative easing as a policy Essay

Critically examine the use of the quantitative easing as a policy option to help to solve the uk's current economic problems - Essay Example Following the 2008, financial crisis qualitative easing became an element of recovery to the central banks that their interest rates were close to zero lower bound or at zero (Benford, Berry, Nikolov, & Young, 2009). With the intensification of the crisis, most international central banks took possible measures in supporting demand and loosening monetary policies. The bank of England through its monetary policy committee (MPC) dealt with it by cutting interest rates by up to three percentage points in bank rate. In early 2009, the bank further reduced it by one and half percent. MPC in their analysis explained that the cut could not meet the consumer price index of two percent hence need to purchase private and public assets using the central bank money. This led to the introduction of qualitative easing in the United Kingdom economy. The idea behind this was to inject liquid money back into the economy to help boost nominal spending and achieve the two percent inflation target. Disc ussion To avert the financial crisis, the bank of England purchased a large amount of United Kingdom governments bonds (gilts). By January 2010, the bank had purchased medium and long-dated gilts worth 200 billion of assets, and this represented fourteen percent of annual GDP and 30 percent of private sector outstanding gilts. In so doing, and by a combination of support measures the bank balance sheet increased in relation to the GDP threefold before the crisis. To implement this technique further, the government gave authority to the bank to purchase corporate bonds and high quality paper. The government did so in order to improve market functioning by acting as a backstop buyer and seller (Hamilton, 2010). The asset purchasing is one of the unconventional policy measures applied in the bank to loosen the monetary policy. The bank aim of assets purchasing was to cut the bank rates and hence stimulating nominal spending with the aim of meeting the two percent inflation target. This initiative also alleviated inflation that had been domestically generated. Assets purchases affected inflation and spending through different potential channels. First, it increased money holdings and pushed up the assets prices while stimulating the expenditure by increasing wealth and lowering borrowing costs. It also stimulated impact by broadening expectations and its influence on bank lending rates. Effects of assets purchasing The purchasing of assets led to Policy signaling effects, which included the expectations by market participants of policy rates to remain low for longer. At the time of expectations, policy makers were dealing with the issue of falling inflation below the expected medium target. The falling of inflation could have led to push up on real interest rates while reducing spending and keeping of nominal rates at low levels (Hancock, & Passmore, 2011). The assets purchase assisted in keeping inflation expectations on target through supporting of spending. The signaling effect anchored inflation expectations on track hence the hiding the real state of the economy to the agents on their views. The other effect of assets purchasing in stabilizing the economy was through portfolio balance effects, which entailed pushing up prices of other assets and the bought assets. This happened in the sense that after the bank buying assets, there is an increase in money

According to Primo Levi's Survival in Auschwitz, how did Auschwitz Essay

According to Primo Levi's Survival in Auschwitz, how did Auschwitz systematically dehumanize the prisoners - Essay Example Men, women and children were dumped in the concentration camps not for the purpose of reformation and rehabilitation. Their spirits were totally subdued before their bodies were disposed of through heinous procedures. Primo Levi writes, â€Å"Then for the first time we became aware that our language lacks words to express this offence, the demolition of a man. In a moment, with almost prophetic intuition, the reality was revealed to us; we had reached the bottom. It is not possible to sink lower than this; no human condition is more miserable than this, nor could it conceivably be so.†(16) Even the garbage that is being lodged in the dumpers commands some sort of discipline and procedure for disposal. But the human beings in the concentration camps were stripped of all their possessions, their self-respect included. Levi’s only apprehension was what he was going to lose next? Was there anything more for being robbed at all! Dehumanization is the psychological process; o ne’s feelings and emotions are attacked. It is more vicious than the physical violence. In the psychological torture of an individual he is made to feel not worthy, he is the lesser category of a human being. ... SS was the German force who generally handled the affairs of concentration camps. These camps were spread across the occupied Europe and Jews were going to be the main group of prisoners here. As the account of those dark days begins, Levi vividly describes a scene of deportation where before a group of isolated Jews waiting in some station, a notorious transport train came and halted. Levi was one of these unfortunate people, and he writes that the â€Å"goods wagons closed from the outside, with men, women and children pressed together without pity, like cheap merchandise, for a journey towards nothingness, a journey down there, towards the bottom.† (12-13) So what did this bottom mean? Was it a seemingly endless see of grief, wherein the unfortunate Jews were being thrown to explore the so called bottom? To reach this bottom, each and every prisoner was to be transcended through a definite process of systematic torture. This was the avenue of Nazi torture and related contor tion tactics to humiliate the otherwise cultured and generally well-to-do people †¦ Europe’s Jewish people. Nazi concentration camp administrators divided the captured and/or deported Jews in different groups mainly as per their working capabilities. Levi was put in the group of mostly young adult males, who could be used as forced labor under conditions of strict bondage. This bondage extended from mere enslavement to continuous subhuman living. The prisoners were kept on minimal food. They were subjected to terrible cold. They were forced to denude before each other and bath together in a crowded manner. They were to stand in ankle deep ice cold water. Being a forced laborer, Levi was asked to do various sorts of works by the Officers at

Professional Identity of Nursing Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Professional Identity of Nursing - Essay Example The professional image can be recognized as the insights, feelings, beliefs, and ideas that people tend to possess regarding the nurses and the nursing. In the last ten years, it has been observed that there have been major alterations in the images of the nurses. Media has been largely responsible for creating a somewhat derogatory image (Andrew, 2012).     It will also highlight upon the impact of professional regulations and the role of the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) in the protection of the public. Value of Modern Nursing In the nineteenth century, nursing was not considered as an identity as well as self-conscious occupation. Until the year 1923, one was free to describe him/herself as a nurse. A sick person was generally provided care at home by the members of the family or he/she was assisted by one or two paid workers. Nursing was regarded as a duty which was an extended part of a woman’s domestic roles (Mortimer, 2005). ... Nursing essentially involves providing care to the vulnerable, needy and weak patients. However, the works of the nurses are often taken for granted and thus they go under-compensated (Stockwell, 2010). The value of nursing is often impacted by cultural alterations and factors associated with globalization, progresses made in the fields of technology as well as medicine (Braxter & Bramfitt, 2008). These factors are crucial in offering a structured as well as evaluated view regarding what nursing is, which will lead to greater job satisfaction among the nurses, better nurse maintenance as well as improved patient care within a supportive as well as the peasant organization (Horton & et. al., 2007). It can be observed that since the mid-1970s, nursing commentators have become highly conscious of the images of the nurses with regard to professional identity by moving in the mass media, claiming the fact that nursing is distorted and poorly comprehended by producers, writers as well as v isual image makers (Horton & et. al., 2007). The modern dilemma faced by the nursing profession has been related to the gendered identity of healthcare professionals. Most of the people have the wrong perception that nurses are generally female. However, the fact is that nurses may either be male or female (NursingTimes, 2010). Social, Cultural and Political Values Physical and emotional closeness along with intimacy are considered to be values that are stimulated by modern nursing feeling in the nurse-patient relationship. They are administered through a form of knowing the patient thereby creating a feeling of proximity (Charles-Jones & et. al., 2003).  Ã‚  

Etruscan Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Etruscan - Essay Example This paper also notes the important contributions of the Etruscans to the enhancement of the Roman culture. The Etruscans have complex burial ceremonies. This may mean that they had strong beliefs that a part of the soul remained with the body or the body is important for the life after death. They also performed cremation and ashes are kept in decorated urns. ("Mysterious Etruscans") As a sign of the Etruscans' strong belief about death, they decorated tombs and urns to make them look like huts or houses. By doing this, they believed that the lives of the dead would be prolonged ("Columbia Encyclopedia"). Aside from this, the Etruscans also used burial ceremonies as a common subject of their paintings and other art works. Experts observed that banquets are the usual theme in Etruscan art. They think that this may have double meaning since the banquet is a basic part of funerals. The Etruscan funeral ceremonies involved the festive banquet which included the relatives of the deceased. At this banquet, the Etruscans believed that the spirit of the one who died would attend. ("Mysterious Etruscans") Unlike most civilizations in the ancient times, gender inequality seemed to not have been very notable in the Etruscan culture (Hooker). ... They also raise all the babies that are born regardless of who the actual father is. ("Mysterious Etruscans") The Etruscans' attitude towards gender roles or the equality of men and women is manifested in their art. For instance, paintings featured lavish receptions wherein both men and women were entertained by musicians and dancers while being waited upon by servants. Other art forms also have both men and women as the main theme like the terra cotta sarcophagus lid figures of a man and woman, husband and wife, enjoying a leisurely moment together. ("Mysterious Etruscans") "Romanisation" of the Etruscans Etruria was attacked by Rome beginning 498 BCE and lasted until 264 BCE when Etruria was completely conquered. Unlike its other conquests, Rome was more considerate for the Etruscans. This may be attributed to the fact that the Roman civilization was substantially influenced by the Etruscan culture as would be discussed in the following section. ("Mysterious Etruscans") With the entry of the Roman conquerors, the Etruscan language and religion were gradually eroded. The long process of "romanisation" wiped the Etruscan culture off the ancient world. ("Mysterious Etruscans") Etruscans' Contribution to the Roman Culture As emphasized, the Etruscans have greatly influenced the Romans. In terms of art, the Etruscan art is mainly comprised of sculpture in clay and metal, fresco tomb painting and fine pottery exhibiting local elements and reflects Etruscan religious beliefs ("MSN Encarta"). This type of art was highly influential on the Roman Art ("Encyclopedia Britannica"). The Etruscans also inspired renowned artists like Alberto Giacometti with their

Change Process and Models Coursework Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Change Process and Models - Coursework Example Without any iota of difficulty, the change that took place can be explained using three change process theories. These change process theories have carefully been enumerated below; in relation to the change that took place within the organization. The first theory that explains the change that took place is the expectancy theory. In an expectancy theory, it is generally said that people are induced to act in specific ways because they are motivated to act as such (Johnson, 2012). What this means is that expectancy theory demands that people pay off the motivation they receive by giving back excellent delivery. Looking at the fact that two people were promoted as a form of intrinsic motivation (Homik et al, 2008), it can be said that the expectancy theory was applied in this instance. This is because by motivating these two employees with the promotions, they will become obliged and expected to work with certain levels of output expectations. If for nothing at all, they will be expected to work above their means as a way of proving to their superiors that they deserve the promotions that were granted them. Another change process theory that comes to play in this instance is that of equity theory. According to the equity theory, people within an organization will be expecting to judge whether or not there is being fair distribution of available resources (Fuchs et al, 1997). With the present scenario, fairness and equity can be judged from the fact that the employees of the organization who were promoted can be labeled as resources because they form the basis of the human resource of their organization (Gardener, 2008). Secondly, fairness was attained because their hard work for their organization was acknowledged and rewarded. Indeed, there had been situations within the same organization whereby some employees were very aggrieved because they felt that their efforts were not recognized

Why Sudanese are seeking Asylum in the United States Research Paper

Why Sudanese are seeking Asylum in the United States - Research Paper Example For instance, some seek political asylum based on their political opinions. Others are seeking for asylum to regain their freedom, while others are in need of seeking for better lives for them and their families (Tim and Ibrahim 23). It is evident that most Sudanese are seeking asylum from the United States for the sake of their protection from their governments, seek desired freedom, and leads better lives. As a result, the US government is determined to ensure that the well-being of these Sudanese is maintained (Huang 63). With the various types of asylum that the US government is offering to them, the Sudanese are able to lead better lives, with a peace of mind and thus they are able to maximize on their potential (Refugee Council USA 1). This is because with the current level of political unrest in their country, realizing their full potential becomes difficult due to the various shortcomings present (Suess 45). However, the successful ones who gain the asylum in the United States are protected from all the negativities that arise in their

The Adventure of the Speckled Band Essay Example for Free

The Adventure of the Speckled Band   Essay This passage is very strange since it is a comedy scene in a very serious situation. It is in contrast to the rest of the story and may have been used to give light relief to the reader following the tense episodes before.  Towards the end of the story, the writer takes us inside the mind of anarchist. Showing us how he feels triumphant and more powerful than any anarchist before, how he has now become infamous.  How brilliantly he had planned it, forged the letter of introduction, and got into the laboratory, and how brilliantly he had seized his opportunity! The world should hear of him at last. All those people who had sneered at him, neglected him, preferred other people to him, found his company undesirable, should consider him at last. This is ironic because, as he is getting more and more confident about being famous, the tube containing Cholera breaks on him. The anarchist knows that he will now be the first to die and that he now cannot kill anyone else as he had hoped. The mood changes as the anarchist is no longer feeling triumphant but depressed until he realises that if he drinks the tiny drops left that he will be the first to die but will also be a martyr to his cause. He jumps out of his cab and begins to brush himself against on as many people as he can, hoping to spread the disease. The end of the story is very ironic and has a twist which we also saw in Napoleon and the Spectre. The germ that the Anarchist stole was not a germ at all, he had stole the bacteriologists formula to turn monkey, kittens and puppies blue. He only told the anarchist it was Cholera to impress him. The bacteriologist yelled blue ruin when the anarchist had taken it because that was the name of the formula, and he chased after him because it would have been too much trouble to make another batch.  In conclusion, I thought this story was good; it had sudden mood changes which made it interesting and a twist at the end of the story, which kept the intrigue going to the end. The Adventure of the Speckled Band  Sir Arthur Conan Doyle was born in 1859 and died in 1930. He created the world famous character Sherlock Holmes in a story called A Study in Scarlet published in 1887. He based the character on Joseph Bell, who was a surgeon he had trained with and was particularly struck by his powers of observation and logic. The Adventure of the Speckled Band was widely admired as one of the best written, most exciting Sherlock Holmes stories, it was written in 1892. The story begins with Dr. Watson, Sherlock Holmes assistant, explaining about Holmes and how he solves cases I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a logical basis, with which he unravelled the problems which were submitted to him From this we not only learn Holmes method of work but also that his companion Watson, holds him in high regard. The character Watson is a little dim, which emphasises Sherlocks cleverness and intuitiveness. This shows that there is contrast between the characters. Holmes is approached by Miss Helen Stoner who is desperate for his help concerning her sisters mysterious death. On meeting Holmes he comments on her shivering it is not cold which makes me shiver. It is fear Mr Holmes. It is terror This captures the readers interest and they are eager to find out what this young lady is so afraid of.  The reader sees Sherlock Holmes deductive techniques almost at once, when he makes and observation about the sleeves of his client, Miss Helen Stoner. There is no mystery, my dear madam, said he, smiling. The left arm of your jacket is splattered with mud in no less than seven places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a dog cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you sit on the left hand side of the driver. This gives the reader a clear idea of how Sherlock approaches a case and his acute sense of observation. Miss Stoner is extremely anxious about her sisters mysterious death. Helens sister, Julia, died in a locked room, just before she was due to get married and her death could not be explained But I have heard Mr Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid the dangers which encompass me This not only gets the full attention of Holmes but of the audience too. Helen is about to become married and is due to stay in the same room as her sister and is therefore very worried. When reading her account of what happened, we are introduced to her Step- father Dr Roylott, we learn that he has killed his butler. This gives a dark impression of him from the start. We then learn that he is to give each of his step daughters an annual sum in the event of their marriage. Doyle continues to build a negative image of Dr Roylott, referring to his temper approaching mania and him becoming the terror of the village and folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger The reader now has a very clear image that this is a character to fear and tension is beginning to build in them as to what this man is capable of. They are also given a clue as what is coming when Doyle refers to Royletts passion for Indian animals. In contrast to Dr Royletts frightening demeanour, Doyle shows Helen Stoner and her sister to be frail, long suffering victims of this man You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I had no great pleasure in our lives The reader is made to feel pity for these girls.  Miss Stoner goes on to relate her sisters untimely and mysterious death. We learn that Dr Roylett, Julia and Helens bedrooms were all together on the ground floor of the manor house. There is no connection between these rooms and they all open onto the same corridor. We also learn that the sisters lock themselves into their room at night as they dont feel safe with Dr Royletts exotic animals roaming around. Julia has mentioned to her a strange whistling that she has heard during the previous nights have you ever heard anyone whistle in the dead of night? This is an extremely eerie comment and intrigues the reader as to what may be responsible for this sound. We see the same technique used in Napoleon and the Spectre. It is at this point that the reader is first made aware of the speckled band As Helen recounts the events of her sisters death, she refers to a low whistle preceded a wild scream of a terrified woman. She goes on to tell how she found her sister her face blanched with terror collapsing in terrible pain and shrieking about It was a band! The speckled band. Doyle has used a lot of descriptive language to create this scene, to give the reader a clear picture of the horrendous death of this young woman. This builds the tension that is already building in the audience in terms of Dr Roylett. The next part of the story relays how Helen herself is due to be married and has to stay in the room her sister died in. On the first night there, Helen while laying awake and thinking of her sisters death, hears a low whistle. It is following this episode that Helen runs from the manor house and goes to Sherlock Holmes for help. The reader is now full of tension and is desperate to see Sherlock protect Helen from this unseen danger. This shows that Doyle has achieved a high level of climatic tension. He increases the tension further by bringing Holmes and Dr Roylett together. The description of Roylett in detailed and uses metaphors like seared with a thousand wrinkles and marked with every evil passion he ends his description by comparing Roylett to a fierce bird of prey Once again the reader is given a clear and negative picture of Roylett and empasises that Helen may be his object of prey. Holmes however is not in the slightest bit intimidated by Roylett which reassures the reader that Holmes may yet be able to protect Helen from her step father. When Roylett bends the poker with his bare hands and throws the twisted poker into the fireplace Holmes laughs at this which reinforces to the reader that Holmes is not intimidated by Roylett and is therefore the hero in the story. The story then moves to Holmes examining the three bedrooms at the manor house. He discovers that in Helens room, which was previously Julias room, that there is a dummy bell rope This is very interesting. You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where the little opening for the ventilator is he also spots that the ventilators do not ventilate. This allows the reader to attempt to solve the puzzles alongside Holmes which keeps them intrigued. Another clue is revealed upon the discovery of a saucer of milk on Dr Royletts desk. Doyle has given the reader enough clues to solve the mystery themselves, however he has also littered the case with red herrings. This adds to the intrigue and tension within the story. Towards the end of the story Doyle uses a conversation between Watson and Holmes to highlight the significant clues. This keeps the clues fresh in the readers mind and again gives them the opportunity to solve the case themselves. This is a clever literary device as it keeps the reader who wants to solve the crime themselves interested but for those who are not keen to do the work they still want to read on as they are aware they are near to the solution becoming evident.  The story concludes with Holmes pulling all the pieces of evidence together and giving a blow by blow description of the events. This was my favourite of the three stories. I particularly liked the way Doyle gave the reader the opportunity to solve the crime themselves. This keeps the reader actively involved with the story and makes them eager to read on to gather more and more evidence. I enjoyed the manner in which Doyle makes you care for the victim and therefore get behind Holmes in his attempts to solve the crime, even though all along you know he will. This style of writing would encourage readers to want to read more Doyle stories as you would develop an affection for Watson and Holmes. Almost as though they were personal friends.

Autism and Mental Retardation Essay Example for Free

Autism and Mental Retardation Essay Respond to the following: 1. List the primary features of autism. Extremely unresponsive, uncommunicative, repetitive, rigid, changing events that the child is use to doing on a daily basis can result in an outburst where he or she becomes angry and very confused, loud noises can cause an outburst as well for some 2. Which explanation for autism is no longer considered valid and lacks research support? The sociocultural view is no longer valid. It is now believed that cognitive limitations and brain abnormalities are more suitable explanations. 3. What forms of treatment are helpful for a person with autism? At this time there are no treatments that can reverse autism. Some treatments that are helpful would be behavioral therapy, communication training, parent training, and community integration. Psychotropic drugs and vitamins combined with other approaches are also quite helpful. 4. List the criteria for a diagnosis of mental retardation: People with mental retardation are well below average in both intelligence and adaptive abilities. A person with mental retardation has trouble with communicating, living at home, self-direction, and work/safety. 5. Explain one way in which sociocultural biases in testing might pose problems for assessing mental retardation. Sociocultural biases would be environmental conditions and social status. People may not understand that children from good backgrounds and stimulating environments can be mentally retarded. Most people think this is limited to lower social classes 6. Of the four levels of mental retardation, into which category do most people with mental retardation fall? The four levels of retardation are mild retardation, moderate retardation, severe retardation, and profound retardation, 85% of mentally retarded people have mild retardation. 7. What are the main types of biological causes of mental retardation? The primary causes of moderate, severe, and profound retardation are: biological,although people who function at these levels also are affected greatly by their family and social environment. Sometimes genetic factors are at the root of these  biological problems, in the form of chromosomal or metabolic disorders. Other biological causes of these kinds of mental retardation come from unfavorable conditions that occur before, during, or after birth, such as birth injuries. 8. What is the only way to prevent fetal alcohol syndrome? For the mother to not drink alcohol while pregnant 9. What are normalization and mainstreaming? Normalization: The principle that institutions and community residences should expose people with mental retardation to living conditions and opportunities similar to those found in the rest of society. Mainstreaming: The placement of children with mental retardation in regular school classes, also known as inclusion 10. What is your opinion about mainstreaming and normalization for children and adults with autism or mental retardation? My thoughts about mainstreaming for the children and adults with autism and mental retardation, I feel that it is not a good idea placing the children with mental retardation, they do need more supervision and attention, and for this reason if being in a regular class they would not get the attention and or supervision they need. I do feel that it is good to expose the children and adults into the society, they are not no different than anyone else.

Odysseus: Character Analysis

Odysseus: Character Analysis Odysseus Leader Odyssey Odysseus: a leader of past and a pioneer of the present era Odyssey, the leading character of The Odyssey is quite complex, fascinating and inspiring. Odyssey is quite dominant as a leader who is certain of his words and actions. However, there exists some uncertainties in his character which, at times, take the form of contradictions in the character of a great leader, overshadowing his true potential. Throughout the Odyssey, the lead character, Odysseus, has been presented as an ideal leader who treats his men well and deals efficiently with problems that are presented before him. Now there might arise a question as to how can the ideal leader be defined. An ideal leader has often been defined as one commands the respect of those being led, but also gives respect. He must be intelligent and cunning, and able to think logically with the intentions of keeping the well being of those under him. An ideal leader must have an ability to lead a military victoriously, but at the same time realizes as to when military action is unnecessary, and therefore must be avoided. Odyssey, at various occasions presents that he not only has attained these qualities but also demonstrated his keenness to enhance these qualities to the best of his ability. For example, Odysseus did not need to send his men probing the unfamiliar island, but still felt it necessary. This decision is one that had to be made, but given past experiences, the reader would expect Odysseus to choose otherwise, especially when his men felt hesitant. They were all silent, but their hearts contracted, remembering Antiphates the Laistrygon and that prodigious cannibal, the Kyklopes But seeing our time for action lost in weeping, I mustered those Akhaians under arms, counting them off in two platoons, myself and my godlike Eurylokhos commanding. (X, 217-224) Another instance when Odysseus demonstrates his leadership ability is when he is faced with the escape from Polyphemuss cave. His quick thinking and strategic approach gave him victory over the giant, two traits Homer emphasizes in Odysseus. Odysseus is able to lead his men to blind the Kyklops, but shows how no mortal man can be perfect, no matter how heroic, by shouting back at Polyphemus and telling him who had truly blinded him. Odysseuss similarity to some of the known leaders of ancient Greece can be used to express how Odysseus was presented as the ideal Greek leader. The first of whom being the democratic leader of Athens, Pericles, and second being Alexander the Great. Pericles was much like Odysseus in a sense of his ability to manipulate and influence those under him, a necessary skill in any democratic society. He was able to influence the other elected officials into believing what he wanted, and stemmed his success from that ability. Although not an especially admirable trait, the ability to influence men into what is needed to be done in the eyes of the leader is most certainly necessary, especially when it involves military authority. Alexander the Greats decisiveness is paralleled only by Odysseus, which is another trait that all strong leaders must possess. Another element to a leader that is often present is that of arrogance, as Alexander the Great believed himself to be half immortal, and he ld himself in comparison with Hercules. Alexander was even known to sleep with copies of Homers books under his pillow, and drew heavy influence from Homers characters, including Odysseus. At the same time Odysseus has been shown to be a complex person who suffers greatly on his return from Troy. As the gods challenge him with a wide variety of trials, Odysseus creates a positive influence for anyone in the ways he responds to each new test. In some instances, Odysseus shows himself to be a remarkable hero. In other ways, however, he shows himself to be a fallible human being – the true qualities of a leader. In other words, analyzing Odysseus throughout The Odyssey, one can see that Odysseus is a multifaceted character who displays both strengths and weaknesses. The epic hero of The Odyssey, Odysseus is a fascinating character full of contradictions. On one side he is eager in returning to his home to his faithful wife, Penelope, and his son, Telemachus, whom he has barely seen. Then on the other side he is perceived also perceived as a person who sleeps and lives with not one but two beautiful goddesses during his travels. On one hand, he shows little remorse for his infidelities, while on the other he still hates the suitors attempting to court his wife. These contradictions extend even to his intellect. Blessed with great physical strength, which he amply demonstrates, despite his hard years, he has an equally keen mind that bails him out of many dire situations. There is no better improviser or strategist in Greek mythology, though the label attached is often cunning or deceiver, indeed, many Greeks saw Odysseus habit of lying as a vice and a weakness. His penchant for disguise compliments his ability to make up plausible stories about his background. Although Odysseus ingenuity comes across as his chief weapon, his weakness is the frequency with which he falls victim to temptation and makes grave tactical errors, none more so than when adding insult to injury to Polyphemes and revealing his true name (his main fault!). Still, Odysseus is aware of this flaw, and bids his men to tie him up when they pass by the Sirens, the paragons of temptation. By the end of his journey, he has learned to resist temptation, willingly suffering abu se by the suitors to meet his eventual goal of destroying them. However, temptation hurts his crew, as well, in their encounters with Circe, the bag of winds from Aeolus, and the oxen of Helios. Despite his occasional mistake, Odysseus is a courageous and just leader who inspires admiration and respect from his shipmates and servants; the faithfulness of his dog and swineherd after so many years shows this. The near-constant protection he enjoys from the goddess Athena (the goddess of cunning and wisdom thus representing his counterpart in Mt Olympus) seems justifiable for a man who has endured so many hardships, and cast away so many luxuries, to reunite with his beloved family. Odysseus is considered to be one of the greatest mythological heroic leaders. Not only is he presented as the model for the ideal Greek leader, but has influenced many other leaders throughout history, including Alexander the Great. Odysseus was a model for ancient Greek leaders, and still influences our views of leadership today, although we may not even notice it. Employee Turnover: Literature Review Employee Turnover: Literature Review Employee turnover refers to the number of incoming and outgoing workers from an organization or company. The turnover of employees can occur following a myriad of factors, such as an excessive workload, not having sufficient authority, low salary, or the inefficient facilities of the organization. This study refers to the problems of employee turnover. Suggested causes of employee turnover include: Job dissatisfaction A lack of employee rights Management gives the workload of two people to an individual (excessive workload) A lack of decision making power Poor leadership A lack of allowances, bounces or fringe benefits Preferential treatment of employees No future in the company (i.e. repeatedly not being promoted) LITERATURE SEARCH Now we will search about the literature we are required for the study of Employee turnover, I referred to different articles, books, online databases and found the following researches previously done on the Employee turnover. From a study I found that causal relationship is if and then statement for example If price increase then demand will be decrease. In other words we can say causal relationship explore the effect of one thing upon other. From the study four models which show the causal relationship between job satisfaction and organizational commitment of employee turnover. We study that satisfaction build commitment in employees. And commitment creates satisfaction in employees. We understand that there is a positive relationship between job satisfaction and employee turnover. If employees are satisfied by their jobs it will leads commitment in employees towards organization (Magid Igbaria,Tor Guimaraes,Journal of Management Information Systems,Volume 16 Issue 1, June 1999 table of contents) From another study we understand that the attitude and behavior of employees affect the organization outcomes and profit. We can see if the organization is not encouraging the employees according to their rights then there will be higher rate of employee turnover. We can say that organization behavior, employee turnover, employee satisfaction can affect profitability and buyer satisfaction. We collect data from different sources like employee survey, manager survey, and customer survey and from the record of company for showing that how employee attitude and behavior can affect the company objective. From collected data we can observe that if human resources works well then there will be fewer turnovers in employees and business results will be better. (Daniel J. Koys, Personnel Psychology, Volume 54, Issue 1, pages 101-114, March 2001) From this study we understand that satisfaction level and perception of employees about jobs can be examined by checking the behavior of employees and organization. We examined that if employees are treated well they have good image of organization and satisfied with their jobs. If employees are satisfied with the behavior of organization that organization treat them fair attitude then satisfaction level about jobs of employees will be higher and turnover will be low. (John E. Dittrich and Michael R. Carrell 1978, University of Colorado, USA, Organizational Behavior and Human Performance, Volume 24, Issue 1, August 1979, Pages 29-40) From another study we understand that mental understanding, economic conditions and concepts about jobs of employees are the reasons of employee turnover. There is need to develop a structure or system in the organization for making policies to build the positive image about job in the minds of employees that will reduced the thinking of employees about economic conditions and satisfied the employees to continue their jobs that will cause the results low turnover of employees. (Baysinger,Barry D, Mobley,William H (APR 1982), Employee Turnover: Individual and Organizational Analyses). From this another study we get understanding that employee turnover is a big problem and it is a difficult task for human resources manager to reduced employee turnover in asia.we study that the attitude of employees are not positive, employees having negative attitude, because they think there is shortege of labour and it is not a difficult task for them to find a new job thats why employee turnover rate is very high that is a big issue for human resurces manager in asia.we study that the employee turnover rate in singapore is highest among asia.singapore companies developed a good setup to reduced the employee turnover rate in their home companies.from the abstarct we find that there are reasons of employee turnover like low organization commitment, lacke of justice for employees, and hope of new job in the mind of employees. (Naresh Khatri, Chong Tze Fern, Pawan Budhwar, Human Resource Management Journal, Volume 11, Issue 1, pages 54-74, January 2001) From this study we examined that there is high employee turnover rate in private clubs and industries. It is said by management that the reason for this is that employees are leaving their jobs on hourly basis that leads to high rate of employee turnover. Managers of private clubs and industries are appointed to find the reasons of employee turnover. Because manager having vast experience in their relevant field they can easily suggested that what are the reasons of employee turnover. We find that it is difficult for a team manager to create positive environment in industry to build the image of clubs and industries in the mind of employees to control the employee turnover rate. (Naresh Khatri, Chong Tze Fern, Pawan Budhwar, Human Resource Management Journal, Volume 11, Issue 1, pages 54-74, January 2001) We do another study we get understanding that how employee turnover can be control.here 153 New Zeland companies are selected to determine their employee turnover rates.153 companies of New Zeland use the skilled based and grouped based compensation plan to control the employee turnover rate.its means that they compensate their employees according to their skills,experience and qualifications.we observed that if employees are compensate according to their rights,thet are provided bounses,incentives then the employee turnover can be reduced. (James P. Guthrie, University of Kansas, Group Organization Management December 2000 vol. 25 no. 4 419-439) From this another study we find that there is problem of employee turnover is discussed. We can find here how employee turnover can be measured in different situations and importance of employees in organization.employee is the backbone of organization. It is discussed here how turnover rate can affect the organization effectiveness to chieve its objectives.there is need to reduced the employee turnover rate to prevent organization cost. (Kevin Morrell, John Loan-Clarke, Adrian Wilkinson (DEC 2002), International Journal of Management Reviews, Volume 3, Issue 3, pages 219-244, September 2001) From this study we can find what the relationship between organizational change and employee turnover is. Organizational change means the environments are not suitable for employees and employees are not compensating according to their rights thats why employee turnover rate is higher. If the organizational changes are in favor of employees then turnover can be reduced and it is also important for manager that the turnover can be controlled. (Kevin M. Morrell, John Loan-Clarke, Adrian J. Wilkinson, (2004) Organisational change and employee turnover, Personnel Review, Vol. 33 Iss: 2, pp.161 173) From this study we get understanding 353 nurse leavers the hospital in the national health and service of England nad Wales.it describe why the nursing turnover rate is so higher in hospital of national health and service.its reason is that the understanding and image of hospital is not good in the minds of nurses thats why their turnover rate is so high.the analysis of this research is that how employee turnover rate can be reduced.it can be reduced by improving the understanding of image of hospital in the minds of employees.it is also benificial for management and organization that their nursing turnover can reduced and it will be cost effective for hospital. (Kevin Morrell, John Loan-Clarke, Adrian Wilkinson(NOV 2004), British Journal of Management, Volume 15, Issue 4, pages 335-349, December 2004) We do another study Here we find what kinds of expensess and how much expensess can be faced to an organization due to the high employee turnover.here we study that if any employee leaves the organization then organization have to face expensess like recruitment, selection and training again.and it will be time consuming for organization.if employee leaves the organization then it will be difficult for management to hire suitable and productive employees and trained him easily and guide him. (J. Bruce Tracey, Ph.D, Cornell University School of Hotel Administration  Timothy R. Hinkin, Cornell Hospitality Quarterly February 2008 vol. 49 no. 11) From this another study we observe that how salaried employees having share in development activities of organization.here we study conducted analysis of a survey through this we understand that 667 employees think that on job traing which is providing to employees positively increased the commitment of employees towards organization and create positive image about organization and will result in reducing the rate of employee turnover.so the employee turnover can be reduced through providing them job related training and prepared them for marketable place and improve their skills.promoted the employees and build good relationship to reduced the turnover rate. (George S. Benson, MAR 2006, Human Resource Management Journal, Volume 16, Issue 2, pages 173-192) Here in this study we find that salaries issues and incentives are the reasons of employee turnover and low productivity. For this we collected data from 400 retail shop of UK.here in UK all the 400 shops compensate their employees on hourly basis, and there is no reward for workers on their productivity basis. When there is no productivity reward for workers then it create negative image. The employees who are productive will leave the firm and only low productive employees remains with the firm. When employees are satisfied with their jobs then productivity will increased. (Chevalier, Arnaud, Siebert, W. S, Viitanen Tarja, May 2003 University College Dublin. Institute for the Study of Social Change (Geary Institute) In this study we find that when the top management or leaders of an organization change the policies or structure at grand scale without proper planning or the frequency of these changes is high this results in high employee turn over and also cause senior employees to leave as it becomes difficult for them to cope with these changes as they have practiced old policies for a long time and are not able to change themselves quickly. (Baron, J. N. and Hannan, M. T. and Burton, M. D. (2001) Labor pains : change in organizational models and employee turnover in young, high-tech firms., American journal of sociology., 106 (4). pp. 960-1012.) According to integrative and expanded contextual model there are different variable which lead an employee to make the decision to stay or leave in an organization, it divides these variables in the following manner. Structural/Process Variables: Career growth opportunities, Rewards according to individuals performance, ease of communication, and finally the challenge involve in performing the duty. Environmental Variable: One environmental variable is that how much better opportunities are available in the market. Mediating Variable: What methods are adopted to keep the employee interested in there job. Demographic Variables: Finally the social (occupation, age, education, and sex) variables and there fulfillment. (THOMAS N. MARTIN, JR. Southern illinois University-Carbondale) This study discusses employee engagement behavior, according to it racial base pairing of supervisor and junior in an organization shows this result. At low levels where supervisor and junior are of same race tend to stay together in an organization for longer period as compare to supervisor and junior of different race, but at the higher levels of management members of different race tend to remain for longer period in the same organization. Maslows Hierarchy Of Needs | Marketing Essay Maslows Hierarchy Of Needs | Marketing Essay Research has been conducted on Maslows Hierarchy of Needs theory parallel to the theory of Personality Trait. Consequently, theoretical and practical implications of these theories have been discussed in regards of Chinese and Australian market. Trait theory focuses on the identification and quantitative measurement of personality in terms of specific psychological characteristics (Schiffman et al, 2011). Maslows theory of needs identifies five basic levels of human needs, which rank in order of importance from low-level (biogenic) needs to higher-level (psychogenic) needs (Schiffman et al, 2011). It provides an overview of the consumer market of China and Australia, as well as compares the products and contrasts them in terms of the different aspects of consumer behaviour of both the regions. This report also analyses the position an Australian exporter might have in China and the product it focuses on is tourism and how to market it to the Chinese population. Contents Introduction The aim of this report is to discuss the difference in consumer behaviour in China and Australia in terms of two personality theories the Trait Theory and Maslows Hierarchy of Needs Theory. China is one of worlds growing economies at the moment and comparing and contrasting consumer behaviour in Australia and China will help marketers decide what type of products they should concentrate on to expand and be a part of globalisation. It may even open up doors for Australian exportation to China for various products. The report explains the trait theory and Maslows theory as well as describes how some of the Chinese products relate to it in terms of consumer behaviour. This is followed up by contrasting them with Australian consumer behaviour and finally it discusses the opportunities for Australian exporters in China. Trait Theory Trait theory in psychology, as an approach of researching individuals personality, is prevalent in the field of management as well in terms of its relationship with peoples behaviour. Generally speaking, a trait can be considered as a comparably constant and stable characteristic that leads individuals to behave in certain ways. According to Gordon Allport, portrayed as the originator of the doctrine of traits (Zuroff D, 1986), traits are divided into three main categories: cardinal traits, central traits and secondary traits, which determine a persons characteristics in different levels. In the present days, the trait theory is more relating to the Big Five framework of personality traits, known as a robust model of acknowledging the relationship between traits and behaviours (Poropat, 2009). The five critical elements in Big Five can be recognized as extroversion, agreeableness, conscientiousness, neuroticism and openness. Based on the association between personalities and behaviours, trait theory is broadly applicable to the study of consumer behaviour, especially in the aspect of culture referring to the global marketing. Different consumer behaviours are associated with divergent cultures which exert great impact on individuals personalities. Unlike the independent self-model that Western (especially North America) culture fosters, East Asian (particularly China) tends to be more collective between individuals and group members (Kanagawa, Cross, Markus, 2001; Yulia E Jeanne L, 2010), leading to different conventions and patterns of goods consumption. 2.1 Luxury goods Even not being in the individualism-asserted country, consumers in China are still under the impact of scarcity, which means they would pursue limited resources to satisfy unlimited wants. As the increase in purchasing power and divergent cognitions in brand of Chinese consumers, their demands for luxury goods have expanded in an accelerating rate. Luxury goods companies are expanding rapidly in China based on their forecasting global growth in the next 10 years. It has been reported (CLSA, 2011) that handbags, leather goods and jewellery are going to experience fast growth in the following several years; the fact is Chinese buyers have already been the biggest customers while Richemont, Gucci and Hermes also have large amount of sales made in China (about 22%, 18% and 11% respectively). 2.2 Cars Social status is a significant element existing in Chinas convention, leading the brand to be a critical consideration when choosing motor vehicles like cars. The consumer market research of Western multinationals in Asia comes to a conclusion that consumers in China are most interested in brands and trademarks (Backman M Butler C, p191-192). Although home-grown brands of Chinese car industry are increasingly emerging, the Western giants such as PSA Peugeot and Mercedes still have relatively more market share compared with home-branded companies in China. Chinese consumers tend to have more preference and confidence in famous-branded cars to show their social status as well as the wellbeing. 2.3 Media Products Personal and cultural values can be recognized as another important determinant in trait. According to Morriss (1956) Way to Live survey, the way act and enjoy life with group participation ranked in the second place, which means that Chinese people prefer to make group decision rather than independent one. Generally speaking, consumers in China are more likely to make group purchase of media products. To be more specific, the purchase of media products is not a simple decision to make for it is relatively large-portion spending of income in families. Given that an individual has introduced one preferable type of media products he has, counterparts (including friends, colleges and family members) are potentially to purchase the identical or similar product as well. However, the growing importance of self-valuation orientation cannot be ignored in the present years, which requires the subsidiary of multinational companies to get more emphasis on the personalization in designing their products. 2.4 Special Belongings Since the traditional cultural values, especially the god worship, have great influence on large amount of people, special belongings or so-called lucky charms are prevalent all around China. This product ought to be unique and meaningful to certain individuals. Under the force of convention, flexibility and performed to be local is a vital strategy to obtain success in such particular industry. Maslows Hierarchy of Needs Theory Maslows hierarchy of needs, also known as Maslows macro theory, consists of a pyramid of needs, where people move up the pyramid by fulfilling the levels one by one. It starts off with physiological needs such as food and shelter, followed by needs for safety, social affiliation, self-esteem, and finally self-actualisation. According to Schiffman et al (2011), consumers tend to satisfy lower level needs first and it is necessary in order to move up the pyramid. When the initial need is satisfied, consumers face a new need which is of a higher-level. This continues on until the consumer presumably reaches the top of the pyramid of needs. When it comes to products however, it differs from culture to culture. For example, a product may be treated differently in Australia in comparison to another country, such as China. For consumers, their needs motivate their future needs, so for example, if they satisfy one particular need that will stop existing for them and give birth to another need. This allows them to pursue another need which seems more important to them (Kotler, 2000). For example, if a person needs a new phone, he/she will go buy it. This diminishes his/her need for a phone so that need will no longer be pursued. This means the initial need has been satisfied. However, now the person may think that they need to buy a case for their phone. So he/she will pursue this need now instead which seems more important in comparison now because the first need has been satisfied (appendix A). According to some researchers, lower level needs continue to motivate consumers and cause them to buy more products (Engel et al, 1995). Since this report talks about consumer behaviour in China and Australia in terms of personality theories, it can be said that Maslows theory will affect the different cultures in similar ways when it comes to certain products such as a phone and/or its case. Marketers use Maslows theory to target consumers. Sometimes a single product can satisfy multiple levels of the hierarchy. For example, a necklace from Tiffanys will fulfil a persons social affiliation as well as self-esteem needs its a pride and social issue for the consumer (appendix B). In the same scenario, a jacket from Louis Vuitton not only fulfils a persons physiological needs, but also their social and self-esteem needs (appendix C). Some researchers have come to the conclusion that Maslows theory is not fully valid as it did not go through all the necessary empirical research (Churchill Peter, 1998). Despite these claims, many think that Maslows theory helps marketers. Consumers buy different products for different reasons, sometimes one product can satisfy multiple needs. For example, Johnny Walker Black Label, a brand of alcohol, not only serves as a drink, but also as a symbol of prestige and social affiliation (appendix D). China is a collectivist society, as opposed to Australia which takes an individualistic approach. When applying Maslows theory of needs, it is essential to keep in mind that in Chinese cultures, the consumers will react to the affiliation step differently compared to Australian culture. Difference in the consumer behaviour 4.1 Media With the changing environment and continuous pace of Chinese consumer market, products are very often being accepted by the consumers before it has successfully established its place in the market. Traditionally, advertisement on television helps a lot in gaining attention of the Chinese consumers. However, the consumers react best while they get a recommendation from someone close to them. In China it is still very high likely to get peoples response via television commercials whereas in Australia the response rate is higher in radio advertisement. 4.2 Personal Characteristics Considering the factors of the Big five Model, Chinese people emphasis more on the concept of Face which is the influence of others. They are more likely to buy expensive/ luxurious product to keep up their face. They would always go for branded items or try something unusual and expensive. Researches show that the most popular brands of China are Louis Vuitton, Chanel, Gucci etc. On the other hand Australian people look for something reliable and longer lasting. The trait theory describes about consumers different characteristics which influences their purchase behaviour. For instance, people in China are low in dogmatism and so they have the drive towards new launch. This reflects the idea that, whether or not they will make a purchase just because its the newest, most popular item available or because it is truly what they need and/or want. On the other hand people with high dogmatism will stick to the brands they feel comfortable with. Purchasing behaviour of a consumer is also influenced by the way the product is advertised by the marketer. It entirely depends on how the market identifies its potential customer. For example the Billy Martin and George Steinbrenners emphasises on both taste and its less filling quality (appendix E). Traditionally, Chinese people are more likely to drink with a gathering of friends and family. So they would not respond very well to this television commercial. To sum it up, along with all the characteristics, culture and social norms are equally important for a product to be successful. If the product represent the existing values of specific region its more likely to receive better response. 4.3 Maslows Theory According to the Maslows hierarchy theory income is one of the major elements effecting consumer behaviour. As wages are continuously rising from the past few years in china, theres been a drastic change in peoples behaviour. The basic needs are met, so people are looking forward for the upper level of Maslows hierarchy pyramid. On the other hand, Australians expenditure has dropped down due to few financial strikes over the last few years. So, the Australian consumer market is concentrating more towards the Physiological needs level of Maslows hierarchy. Marketing Opportunity for Australian Exporter The increasing westernization of China, coupled with the rapid growth rates experienced by a developing economy, has seen a marked increase in international investment within the Chinese economy; representing a global perspective of strong economic potential from such a large market base. The nature of the Chinese economys growth facilitates an increase in wealth per capita and allows for higher disposable incomes, which means that consumers have a greater ability to satisfy higher levels of Maslows hierarchy of needs. Tourism represents a positive marketing opportunity for an Australian exporter due to the dramatic social, cultural and economic change that has taken place, as well as the potential influence that this market base might have on the entire tourism industry (S Chen and M Gassner 2012). The China National Tourism Administration forecasts that by the year 2015, China will have 100 million international travelers (World Travel Online 2011). Providing a diverse range of all-inclusive package tours empowers Chinese tourists to make consumer choices based on their personal characteristics and values. Packaged offerings could take advantage of the gift buying culture in China by including specific shopping stages throughout the trip, helping to fulfill the social needs of Chinese tourists (M Chiang 2012). This differentiated approach to package tours not only provides Chinese Tourists with a greater variety of options, but also helps them to learn about the wide range of Australian tourism p roducts (D Buhalis and E Laws 2001). The marketer could also emphasize the importance and evolving nature of the relationship between Australia and China as a reason to choose Australian tourism products over other western offerings. Furthermore, since mostly the Middle Upper class of Chinese society will be the target market for the exporter; select Australian tourism products could be marketed as being luxurious or lavish, which can help to satisfy the ego level of Maslows hierarchy of needs. 6. Conclusion In conclusion, it can be seen that the cultures in China and Australia are different as well as similar when it comes to consumer behaviour they react differently to advertisements and then to products. It is very important for marketers to account for this fact as explained with the help of Trait theory and Maslows theory of needs. This report also explains how tourism is a rising product that Australia can promote tourism to China as there is great potential for many joint ventures. It is important to also account for the similarities if the marketers want to get maximum advantage out of the consumers. 7. References Beckman. M, Butler. C, 2003, Big in Asia, p191-192, Martins Press, Great Britain Churchill, Gilbert A. Peter, J. Paul, 1998, Marketing: Creating value for Customer, 2nd Edition, Irwin/McGraw Hill (Boston) Engel James F., etc., Blackwell R.D., Miniard P.W., 1995, Consumer Behaviour, 8th Edition, U.S.A, Dryden Press D Buhalis and E Laws , Tourism Distribution Channels: Practices, Issues and Transformations 2001 Jennifer L. Aaker, Dimensions of Brand Personality, Journal of Marketing Research, Vol. 34, No. 3 (Aug., 1997), pp. 347-356 Frans Giele , Chinese Consumer Behaviour, An Introduction, 6th February 2009. Kotler, Philip, 2000, Marketing Management, Millennium Edition, Prentice Hall (Upper Saddle River, N.J.) Meera Komarraju , Steven J. Karau, Ronald R. Schmeck, Alen Avdic, 2011, The Big Five personality traits, learning styles, and academic achievement, Elsevier, p472-477, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, United States Schiffman, Leon, OCass, Aron, Paladino, Angela, DAlessandro, Steven, Bednall, David, 2011, Consumer Behaviour, 5th Edition, Pearson Australia Pty Ltd. Sergio Picazo-Velaa, Shih Yung Choua, Arlyn J. Melchera, John M. Pearsona, Why provide an online review? An extended theory of planned behavior and the role of Big-Five personality traits, Computers in Human Behavior, Volume 26, Issue 4, July 2010, Pp 685-696. World Travel online, China is forecast to be the number one source of tourists by 2015, 1 April 2011 Yulia E. Chentsova-Dutton, Jeanne L. Tsai, 2010, Self-Focused Attention and Emotional Reactivity: The Role of Culture , p507-519, Georgetown University, Stanford University, American Yang Kuo-shu, 1986, Chinese Personality and its Change, p106-170, Oxford University Press, Hong Kong Zuroff. David C, 1986, Was Gordon Allport a Trait Theorist, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada Cultures of Collecting: Pros and Cons Cultures of Collecting: Pros and Cons Why do people collect? What are the oppressive and the more therapeutic aspects of the ‘cultures of collecting’? The phenomenon of collecting is a universal feature of societies across the world. Current research recognises that museums organised over the last 150 years ‘represent all sorts of possibilities for exploring other times, places and ways of life,’[1] yet as Gosden and Knowles state, there has been little ‘in-depth’ research into the meaning and status of collections[2] . This essay seeks to define the major approaches to studying the phenomenon of collecting, and how these approaches have been informed by a historical understanding of collections that has developed over time. Particular focus will be given to a Euro-centric understanding of collecting and how collecting has been used to represent autonomy and preserve cultures which are under threat. Susan Pearce, from the University of Leicester, suggests that in modern post-Renaissance western society, museums are the ‘political and cultural institutions entrusted with holding the material evidence, real things, which constitute much modern knowledge.’[3] Pearce’s paper examines how and why museums are perceived to embody set knowledge and values, while recognising that study of museums and collections has three distinctive approaches. Firstly, each museum object and specimen can be seen as individual, secondly, there exists the professional care approach that seeks to better understand the mechanisms and motivations behind the collections themselves, and thirdly there are interpretive approaches which examine the nature of collections. Scholarship recognises that the inclination to collect can be most clearly identified to have originated in the eighteenth century (eg: Benedict, 2001[4]). Benedict identifies her study as an examination of the representation of curiosity, of curiosities, and of curious people[5], again like Pearce suggesting that the cultures of collecting are to be considered in direct relation to all three distinctions. Curiosity that Benedict argues lies at the heart of collecting was manifested in a variety of forms in the eighteenth century. In his review of Benedict’s book Dennis Todd writes that these manifestations can be seen in novels, satiric poetry and drama, journalism, trial transcripts, prints, and reports of scientific experiments; as well as in museums, exhibitions, and cabinets of curiosities; and in works by Shadwell, Swift, Pope, Defoe, Walpole, Beckford, Samuel Johnson, Radcliffe, Godwin, and Mary Shelley[6]. Collecting in early societies has been identified as being closely associated with exhibiting as a process through which to display a collector’s knowledge and education. For example, Wolfram Koeppe, from the Metropolitan Museum of Art, states that pre-Renaissance societies had a taste for collecting the strange and the curious, and that this inclination had long been part of human evolution.[7] Suetonius (died 122 A.D.) records that Augustus, the Roman Emperor had his houses embellished, not only with statues and pictures but also with objects which were curious by reason of their age and rarity, like the huge remains of monstrous beasts which had been discovered on the Island of Capri, called giants bones or heroes weapons.[8] The desire to showcase collections as symbols of power, knowledge and authority has meant that some collections have tended to possess less artistic merit and are more assertive and thus oppressive in their content and organisation. For example, Afric an museum contents have proven to be a strong area for museum researchers to focus on. The Scramble for Art in Central Africa is a study of a group of collectors, such as Torday, Frobenius and Schweinfurth, who worked in the Belgian Congo at the turn of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, and were interested in how objects such as carved figures or metal items reflected local social forms. As Gosden and Knowles explain, ‘this is a process by which Africa was invented for the West, arriving back in the northern hemisphere stripped of context and presented in private collections and museums so as to create particular impressions of African tribalism and designs.’[9] By removing objects from their original context and moving them to suit the commercial and social aspirations of a very different culture, the objects’ meaning is thus obscured and essentially altered. Although collecting objects in this way can, in some cases, preserve the existence of the objects, the motives behind the desire to possess the objects in the first instance are questionable. Many collectors in early twentieth-century England were unscrupulous in their acquirement and handling of unusual and collectable items. For example, the archaeologist and antiquarian collector known as Edward Cunnington developed a poor reputation for removing objects that he particularly ‘liked’ and keeping them at his own premises[10]. Benedict highlights the phenomenon of collecting to be intrinsically linked to ambition both personal and national, often with hegemonic motivation. In the eighteenth century, curiosity was associated with an ‘empirical bent of mind’ in relation to new social opportunities and a new commercial culture that echoed ‘curiositys desire for novelty and for the personal, intellectual, and moral development.’[11] Todd writes that collecting ‘had an air of menace’: that ‘in its restless exploration of new realities, curiosity was dangerous, subversive [..] By definition, it was motivated by a discontent with what one knew or with what one was. Its essence was ambition.’[12] It is the opinions of many scholars that European countries have attempted to build strongholds for themselves by using collections to their economic and imperialistic advantage, thus asserting their independence from, and authority over, other countries. Cultural imper ialism as constructed through Eurocentric means of production, imbued with Western ideologies, has resulted in biased interpretations of historical events. This means that ways of representing and exhibiting material can often tend to favour and reinforce historical events which place Western societies in a strong and favourable light, focussing less on historical events or material that suggests otherwise. In Photography, as suggested by Mark Sealy Director of ‘Autograph’, the Association of Black Photographers a ‘Eurocentric hierarchy’ has developed from ‘the propagation of canonical figures to sustain hegemonic control across the cultural and commercial industries.’[13] Sealy highlights Photography and the associated control of the distribution of images as being a ‘vital component in the execution of Western, colonial policies, especially in relation to extreme, exploitative and aggressive imperial desires that endorsed systems such as slavery, suppression of tribal peoples and national independence movements.’[14] Although in the more obvious cases such as British photography of African culture this approach may be valid, the view that Eurocentric hegemonic control is all-pervading is damaging to the artistic credibility of collections which seek only to further and sustain the culture that they represent. Understanding the phenomenon of collecting as a means of preserving and repatriating heritage can afford a more insightful perspective on the motivations of collections. In present cultures across the world the impulse to collect grows stronger in light of fading cultural distinctions and the spread of Westernised society. With a shrinking island of opportunity for indigenous cultures to reassert their position and maintain their existence in specific geographical areas or types of landscape, collections can become celebrations of originality and uniqueness that is consistently threatened by the universality and uniformity of Western ideals. Collecting becomes a near-desperate attempt to keep hold of livelihoods and traditional ways of life. A good example of a culture under threat is the Cree Indians of Moosonee, Canada, whose ‘Cree Village’ reconstruction offers tourists the opportunity to see a history of 300 years of the fur trade history. However, such museums can o ften fall short of Western expectations, being overpriced or poorly organised[15]. Kylie Message in her 2007 publication, New Museums and the Making of Culture, speaks of the term ‘survivance’; meaning ‘more than survival [..] raising our social and political consciousness.’[16] As a way of defending against the threatening spread of Western living, a museum called the National Museum of the North American Indian in Washington, DC has exhibits which actively try to erase the stamp of Euro-centric Imperialism on its culture. Opened in 2004 the museum was developed collaboratively between architecture groups and Native American Indians, with the main exhibits integrating religious, mythical themes and a series of displays created by diverse communities.[17] These include a welcome wall that spells the word ‘welcome’ in hundreds of native languages, objects, stories; all put together with the universal goal of political advocacy and the need to pr omote cultural rights. In contrast to the socio-political aspirations of indigenous cultures, the therapeutic qualities of collecting or collections are noted by Lois Silverman to include significant benefits or positive changes for individuals or groups. Participating in programme activities at museums can offer the chance to ‘experience’ the problems and demands of lifestyles over time, and can be related to one’s own difficulties. Being able to observe the shapes, forms, and meanings of certain arrangements of objects can offer revelatory experiences, and afford the psychological space to better endure one’s own difficulties, while promoting positive change[18]. This phenomenon although only recently qualified as such has long been a feature of the museum experience. For example, in his essay On Experience, Michel de Montaigne (1533–1592) reflects: For in my opinion, the most ordinary things, the most common and familiar, if we could see them in their true light, woul d turn out to be the grandest miracles of nature and the most marvellous examples, especially as regards the subject of the action of men.[19] The role of memory in the understanding of cultural heritage is also closely linked to the therapeutic aspect of museum experience. Programmed events or tours are designed to dispel feelings of disassociation and to help the viewer engage with what they see rather than view it as a relic or something that bears little relation to themselves or their understanding of the world. Such an experience can precipitate remembrance of past events in the viewer’s own life that can help them to come to terms or better cope with life-threatening illnesses and behavioural health issues. In conclusion, the notion of collecting is a diverse concept, our understanding of which is often historically informed. Contemporary understandings of collections and collecting involve forays into the therapeutic and psychological effects of collections which can be experienced by the viewer. Caution must be exercised in the study of Western representations and interpretations of foreign cultures: although, arguably, it is already too late, as Imperialist ideals are entrenched in the Western methods of design, portrayal and interpretation of ‘other’ cultures. It is a stirring thought that Eurocentric ideology has had such a damaging effect on the welfare and existence of other cultures. As Sealy so keenly expressed ‘the greater Africa’s exposure through the lens of European anthropologists, the greater was Africa’s cultural erasure.’[20] Since the eighteenth century understandings of the collector have changed from the image of the dusty anti quarian, to the more diverse and culturally aware motivation to collect that places socio-political aspirations at the forefront of collections. These understandings of collecting continue to be discussed by scholars today, and continue to develop according to changing social and academic trends. Bibliography Anderson, M.L., 1999, ‘Museums of the Future: The Impact of Technology on Museum Practices.’ Daedalus. Vol 128. Issue: 3. 129. American Academy of Arts and Sciences Benedict, B.M., 2001, A Cultural History of Early Modern Enquiry. Chicago and London: University of Chicago Press Bennett,T. 1995 The Birth of the Museum :History,Theory,Politics . Ch 2 The Evolutionary Complex Dean, D., 1996, Museum Exhibition: Theory and Practice. London: Routledge Gosden, C., and Knowles, C., 2001, Collecting Colonialism: Material Culture and Colonial Change. New York: Berg Hooper-Greenhill, E., 1995, Museum, Media Message. New York: Routledge Jameson, F., 1991, Postmodernism, Or the Cultural Logic of Late Capitalism. Durham:: Duke University Press Koeppe, W. Collecting for the Kunstkammer . In Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History. New York: The Metropolitan Museum of Art, 2000. Available from: http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/kuns/hd_kuns.htm  [Accessed 31/10/08] Krauss,R., 2004, ‘The Cultural Logic of the Late Capitalist Museum,’ reprinted in D.Preziosi and C.Farago eds Grasping the World, pp. 600-611 Message, K., 2007, New Museums and the Making of Culture. Berg Publishers. Miles, R., and Zavala, L. (eds), 1994, Towards the Museum of the Future: New European Perspectives. New York: Routledge Millgate, M., 2004, Thomas Hardy: A Biography Revisited. New York: Oxford University Press Pearce, S., ’Studying Museum Material and Collections,’ International Journal of Heritage Studies, Vol 1, Issue 1, (1994), pp.30-39 Salloum, H., ‘Among the Cree Indians of Canada.’ COntemporayr Review, (Jan, 1998). [online]. Available from:  BNET http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m2242/is_n1584_v272/ai_20539966/pg_4  [Accessed 31/10/08] Sealy, M., 2007, ‘White Noise Photography and Visual Power.’ [online[. Available from:  http://thedemocraticimage.opendemocracy.net/participate-blog-for-us/  [Accessed 31/10/08] Sherman, D., and Rogoff, I., 1994, Museum Culture: Histories, Discourses, Spectacles. London Routledge Silverman, LH., ‘The Therapeutic Potential of Museums as Pathways to Inclusion.’ In Sandall, R., 2002, Museums, Society, Inequality. London: Routledge Todd, D., 2002, ‘Curiosity: A Cultural History of Early Modern Inquiry.’ Criticism. Vol 44. 2. P. 189+. Wayne State University Press Witcomb, A., 2003, Re-Imagining the Museum: Beyond the Mausoleum. New York: Routledge 1 Footnotes [1] Gosden, C., and Knowles, C., 2001, Collecting Colonialism: Material Culture and Colonial Change. New York: Berg, p.49. [2] Ibid. [3] Pearce, S., ’Studying Museum Material and Collections,’ International Journal of Heritage Studies, Vol 1, Issue 1, (1994), pp.30-39 [4] Benedict, B.M., 2001, A Cultural History of Early Modern Enquiry. Chicago and London: University of Chicago Press, p.1. [5] Ibid. [6] Todd, D., 2002, ‘Curiosity: A Cultural History of Early Modern Inquiry.’ Criticism, Vol. 44, p.189. [7] Koeppe, W., Collecting for the Kunstkammer . In Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History. New York: The Metropolitan Museum of Art, 2000. Available from: http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/kuns/hd_kuns.htm [Accessed 31/10/08] [8] Ibid. [9] Gosden, C., and Knowles, C., 2001, Collecting Colonialism: Material Culture and Colonial Change. New York: Berg, p.49. [10] See Michael Millgate, 2004, Thomas Hardy: A Biography Revisited. New York: Oxford University Press, p.227. [11] Todd, 2002, p.189. [12] Ibid. [13] Sealy, M., 2007, ‘White Noise Photography and Visual Power.’ [online[. Available from:http://thedemocraticimage.opendemocracy.net/participate-blog-for-us/[Accessed 31/10/08] [14] Ibid. [15] See Salloum’s article ‘Among the Cree Indians of Canada.’ Contemporary Review, (Jan, 1998). [online]. Available from: http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m2242/is_n1584_v272/ai_20539966/pg_4[Accessed 31/10/08]. [16] Message, K., 2007, New Museums and the Making of Culture. Berg Publishers. [17] Ibid. [18] Silverman, LH., ‘The Therapeutic Potential of Museums as Pathways to Inclusion.’ In Sandall, R., 2002, Museums, Society, Inequality. London: Routledge, pp.69-78. [19] Cited in Koeppe, 2000. [20] Sealy, M., 2007, ‘White Noise Photography and Visual Power.’ [online[. Available from:http://thedemocraticimage.opendemocracy.net/participate-blog-for-us/[Accessed 31/10/08].