Explain How Lady Macbeth Changes Throughout the Play Macbeth Essay

Shakespeare’s play â€Å"Macbeth† which is considered one of his darkest and most powerful tragedies, Lady Macbeth, a very important character, changed dramatically throughout the play. At first she appeared confident, assertive and the dominant partner. She was cold blooded and cruel but then she became nervous, scared and suicidal. Soon Macbeth and Lady Macbeths relationship starts to falter. She is the one who influenced and hurried Macbeth to kill Duncan so to have more power, so Macbeth could become king and they could be very wealthy and have a lot of power. At the beginning of the book Macbeth was awarded the position of Thane of Cawdor, but Lady Macbeth wanted more, she wanted to be powerful and rich which is why she and Macbeth decided to kill Duncan at their own house. â€Å"Stop up th’access and passage to remorse, That no compunctious visiting’s of nature, Shake my fell purpose nor keep peace between, Th’effect and it† (1.5. 42-45). This is Lady Macbeth asking to have no remorse or fear of what’s about to happen, she’s asking to have strength to carry on with her purpose and dare not stop it. â€Å"Come, thick night, And pall thee in the dunnest smoke of hell, That my keen knife see not the wound it makes, Nor heaven peep through the blanket of the dark, To cry, ‘Hold! Hold!’† (1.5.48-52). This quote means that she doesn’t want anyone to interfere with her purpose she wants to keep up with the plan and not let anybody or anything stop her. She seems very confident in herself, she’s asking for these things, strength, no remorse or fear but she is confident that her plan will work so long as nobody interferes. â€Å"Give me the daggers. The sleeping and the dead are but as pictures; ‘tis the eye of childhood, That fears a painted devil. If he do bleed, I’ll gild the faces of the grooms withal, For it must seem their guilt† (2.2.56-60). In this quote Lady Macbeth is saying to Macbeth that she will clean up and make it look like Duncan’s guards are the ones who killed him, she’s very assertive here and confident. She appears to be the dominant one because she is taking charge of the situation and finishing the deed. â€Å"Get on your night-gown, lest occasion call us, And show us to be watchers. Be not lost, So poorly in your thoughts† (2.2.73-75). Again in this quote you can really see how Lady Macbeth is taking charge and knows what she’s doing, Macbeth seems wracked with guilt and Lady Macbeth is helping him to see that he needs to act innocent.

Educational Orientation for African Americans Essay

â€Å"Reality depends on one’s perception of the world. Thus, although there is one school, each student perceives his or her experiences in that school differently. Reality exists in that individual perception† (Marcus, Gross, & Seefeldt, 1991, p. 364). Ensuring social justice and opportunities of achievement for all students, especially historically underrepresented groups, has been my mission in life for many years. Concerned with issues like equal opportunity and treatment for all students, regardless of students’ social class, ethnicity, or family structure, I have always attempted to be cognizant of students’ perspectives. As a counselor in a school that is predominantly white with a few African American students I would like to research intervention strategies that would make those African American students in my school be more successful. There are many factors associated with school failure, especially in African American males. The purpose of this research is to identify those factors and develop interventions strategies to apply to combat the school failure of those students. Examining their culture and of the causes of this phenomena and understanding how they experience school was critical in identifying the issues and influences on their educations. Students’ failures to learn and succeed do not occur out of thin air. More specifically, African American boys’ failures to achieve do not occur out of thin air. A review of literature on Black male achievement shows that not only do they lag behind their White counterparts in America, but also in Britain and Canada (Graham & Robinson, 2004; Smith, Schneider, & Ruck, 2005). Attention must be given to examining policies, practices, attitudes, and experiences that create such failure in schools (Christle, Jolivette, & Nelson, 2005; Kagan, 1990; Nieto, 1999). Educators have many responsibilities. One of those responsibilities is to examine the reasons for the failure of students. Marian Wright Edelman (1992) sums up the purpose of education and echoes my belief of the responsibility of educators: â€Å"Education is for improving the lives of others and for leaving your community and world better than you found it† (pp. 9-10). The decision to study African American males in middle school arises from personal interest in equity and social justice issues. Tied to that is my experience in middle schools where I have been witness to struggling students, particularly African American males from low socioeconomic neighborhoods, who have demonstrated a lack of success in school. One cannot help but wonder why being Black and male puts students at risk for school failure (Davis, 2003; Noguera, 2003). For these reasons, my research is focused on a group of African American who are not successful in school; those who are struggling academically, demonstrating inappropriate behavior at school, and not putting forth effort to meet their academic potential. The research will seek to identify the influences, or the lack thereof, impacting these students’ success. When factoring in other issues that potentially result from a lack of educational attainment, such as involvement in illegal activity and incarceration of African American students, it is easy to see that we cannot afford to gamble on whether or not these students will make it on their own. Alarming statistics create a sense of urgency and responsibility for educators in reaching African American students in particular. Predictions based on steady incarceration rates reveal that 32% of African American males will likely serve time in state or federal prisons during the course of their lifetimes (U. S. Department of Justice, 2002). We are living in a country where twice as many African Americans live below the poverty line than Caucasians and where 40% of jail inmates are African American (U. S. Department of Commerce, 2002; U. S. Department of Justice, 2002). African Americans have held the lead in the percentage of people unemployed for three years consecutively (U. S. Department of Labor, 2003). Such statistics, when coupled with economic consequences of failing to adequately educate all students, paint a bleak picture for a large segment of our population. Gibbs (1988) goes so far as to say that African American males are an â€Å"endangered species. † She uses a dictionary definition to define this term as â€Å"a class of individuals having common attributes and designated by a common name [which is] in danger or peril of probable harm or loss† (p. 1). It is critical that struggling African American students are identified early to help avoid the dismal scenarios. The implications of failing to identify and assist struggling students at the earliest point possible not only have an immediate effect on students but also carry long-term consequences for students, communities, and the nation (Gibbs, 1988; Lee, 2002; President’s Committee, 1997). The educational and societal implications of not reaching this group of students are worthy of great concern. The lack of both academic progress and motivation to learn are symptoms of a larger problem. Without getting to the root causes for the underachievement of African American males, another year goes by and they fall further behind their academically excelling peers, lowering their chances of passing their grades or scoring at proficiency on the required yearly standardized tests. On a larger scale, this â€Å"silent catastrophe,† as a member of the London Parliament refers to the underachievement of Black male students, lays the foundation for impediments to quality of life, earned income, and other obstacles in these individuals’ lives, as well as implications for the greater society (Graham & Robinson, 2004, p. 654). behaviors children exhibit and failing to see the real problems. Conversations may take place between the teacher and the student or the student and an administrator on a superficial level inquiring as to why they are misbehaving or failing, but the deliberate search for the root causes is often set aside to deal with the immediate problem of behavior or unwillingness to learn. Students who are not succeeding academically often become â€Å"casualties of the educational systems that cannot see them because their problems remain invisible† (Nieto, 2004, p. 17). Classroom interventions, parent contacts, disciplinary consequences, counseling, and tutoring are a few of the strategies educators have implemented to improve student learning and chances of success. However, with some students it does not appear that we have scratched the surface of the underlying issues. Without getting to the root causes for the underachievement of African American males, another year goes by and they fall further behind their academically excelling peers, lowering their chances of passing their grades or scoring at proficiency on the required yearly standardized tests. On a larger scale, this â€Å"silent catastrophe,† as a member of the London Parliament refers to the underachievement of Black male students, lays the foundation for impediments to quality of life, earned income, and other obstacles in these individuals’ lives, as well as implications for the greater society (Graham & Robinson, 2004, p. 654). Irvine and Irvine (1994) suggested there are two perspectives that sum up the critical factor analysis on African American students’ failure in school. The first they call the achievement problematic, which suggests that Black students’ school failure is related to their cultural beliefs, perceptions and values about education. The second, cultural problematic, suggests that indifference to African American student culture is responsible for African American student school failure. The cultural vs. structural argument with regard to minority education is a common theme within sociology of education research. Empirical studies often highlight one or the other as contributing the under-achievement of African American. An examination of the various cultural and structural theories will put this debate into context.

Positive Behavior Support Essay

In essence, Positive Behavior Support or PBS refers to the general approach for providing a resolution to problems involving behaviors which are shown or manifested by individuals with certain disabilities (â€Å"Fact Sheet: Positive Behavior Support†, 2005). These behaviors deemed problematic may include but is not limited to: self-inflicted injury, aggressive behavior, and other similar destructive actions; tantric behavior and other disruptive physical responses; irritating conducts which are repeated in excess which include   behaviors that interfere with an individual’s social or learning interactions.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Positive Behavior Support is founded on values which are focused on the individual which necessitates methods that are considerably positive and respect the individual’s sense of dignity. Moreover, interventions through the use of PBS are done on an individual basis and are taken from the comprehension of the individual and the individual’s surrounding environment. Interventions through the use of PBS are commonly characterized of many strategies which entail collaboration between two or more support providers and care givers. Lastly, the tasks under the PBS methods should involve developments in terms of social relationships and other variants of enhancements to the person’s ‘lifestyle’ and declines in behavior problems (Jackson & Warren, 2000, p. 1441).   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   PBS starts with the recognition and establishment of a support team consisting of people who are most related to the life of the individual in need of PBS. Apparently, the support team may be composed largely of the members of the family, friends, classmates and school teachers and other people who are related in a certain way to the person and to the person’s problem behavior (Amado & Rivera, 1999, p. 375). The PBS plan is usually under the helm of the responsibility of the members of the support team.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   After the team has been identified, an agreement concerning the general goals or PBS vision is agreed upon by the team through the method termed as â€Å"person centered planning†. After identifying the vision, the team begins with the scheme to obtain information regarding the problem behavior. Consequently, the team then jots down the PBS plan which is comprised of several components or which include strategies for: preempting the problem behaviors before they take place; teaching and giving increments to skills which are designed to change the problem behaviors; handling the problem behaviors if or when these behaviors do occur, and; for checking and observing progress in order to evaluate the progress of the PBS plan and to create adjustments accordingly.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   For instance, Tary J. Tobin (2007) argues for the use of PBS in identifying â€Å"ways to assess and measure behavior support practices in schools†, in developing processes which support classroom teachers, and contributing to sustainable â€Å"positive behavior support systems for students† with behavior problems which place them â€Å"at risk for emotional and behavioural disorders† (p. 2). The author specifically showed evidence on the application of PBS specifically Project FIVE or Functional Interventions in Versatile Environments in the development and sustainment of PBS in various systems such as School Wide System, Classroom and Non-Classroom Systems (Tobin, 2007, p. 2). The author was able to arrive at the conclusion that PBS benefits the aim of not only resolving problem behaviors but also preventing the occurrence of problem behaviors.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Another case example is that of the observations of Lise Fox, Susan Jack and Linda Broyles (2005) which arrived at several notable conclusions. It was found out that PBS initiative has paved the way for life-changing results for children such as the decrease in the â€Å"number of children identified as having challenging behavior† who were then referred for mental health services (p. 13). The authors were also able to determine the conclusion that children are capable of understanding and following â€Å"behavior expectations† inasmuch as they â€Å"support each other in following classroom expectations†, are capable of making transitions from one classroom to another classroom with minimal or zero difficulties with regard to the observation that children â€Å"adjust to the classroom more quickly† (p. 13).   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The findings of the reviewed articles relate to the rationale for using PBS— to provide a resolution to problems involving behaviors which are shown or manifested by individuals with certain disabilities—inasmuch as the methods used for meeting the goals of PBS directly meet the objectives. Tobin’s (2007) methods, arguments and findings were able to substantiate on the general application of PBS in schools and its desired effects on the resolution of problem behaviors. On the other hand, Fox, Jack and Broyles (2005) focused on a less general scope in the application of PBS—school children in the classroom setting.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The two articles are only some of the many studies conducted in reaffirming the effect and effectiveness of Positive Behavior Support in providing answers to the problem behaviors of children especially young students with disruptive behaviors and in preventing the occurrence of these behaviors. Further, PBS is shown as a means of lessening the hindrances in the learning environments of students and children alike. Since PBS primarily involves the people who are closest or who are directly related to the individual in need of PBS, there is strong reason to believe that the individual will be able to overcome problem behaviors in the process. References Amato, P. R., & Rivera, F. (1999). Paternal Involvement and Children’s Behavior Problems. Journal of Marriage and the Family, 61(2), 375. Fact Sheet: Positive Behavior Support. (2005).  Ã‚   Retrieved December 5, 2007, from http://72.14.253.104/search?q=cache:IQEnuBe9mtEJ:www.ucf-card.org/uploads/factsheets/1187875091_eng.pdf+Positive+Behavior+Support&hl=tl&ct=clnk&cd=13&gl=ph Fox, L., Jack, S., & Broyles, L. (2005). Program-Wide Positive Behavior Support: Supporting Young Children’s Social-Emotional Development and Addressing Challenging Behavior [Electronic Version], 1-17. Retrieved December 5, 2007, from http://72.14.253.104/search?q=cache:sCY8zBaOfjEJ:challengingbehavior.fmhi.usf.edu/Kansas_Book_Web.pdf+Positive+Behavior+Support&hl=tl&ct=clnk&cd=11&gl=ph Jackson, Y., & Warren, J. S. (2000). Appraisal, Social Support, and Life Events: Predicting Outcome Behavior in School-Age Children. Child Development 71(5), 1441. Tobin, T. J. (2007). Systems of Individual Support: The Functional Interventions in Versatile Environments Project’s Pilot Study of Evaluation Tools [Electronic Version], 1-46. Retrieved December 5, 2007, from http://www.uoregon.edu/~ttobin/measure.pdf

Change Theory Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Change Theory - Essay Example Furthermore, the area of communication is a key essential, especially if motivating others towards a new direction, is the path that is underway. Without proper communication in this field of work, there are going to be roadblocks preventing a smooth transition from one way of doing things to a transformation into an improved interpretation of how the work is and should be carried out. There are many different theories for change out there, some more pronounced than others, but one of the best was Lewin's action research model for change. What this model actually utilizes is a self reflective type of summation, which often surrounds social situations (Infed Encyclopedia 2006). Action research focuses on the participants own thoughts that are formed, again in a reflective manner. This supposedly helps to draw upon a better comprehension of their own practices, so that improved care can be given to others. Kurt Lewin is the theorist responsible for coining this type of mentality, "action research", and through his model, motivation and change in the work place flow rather smoothly, especially in the atmosphere of health care nursing. The reason this theory works so well is it involves an action of planning and fact gathering before proceeding on to the next phase of action.

Philosophy of Punishment Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Philosophy of Punishment - Essay Example However, the concept of punishment as largely arisen from a retributive practice as a form of providing justification for the victim (Alexander 2012). A greater liberal justification of punishment is the sense of isolating and getting rid of all threats in the society so as to achieve social order and to ensure that criminal aggression is kept within control (Bedau 2010). The threatened punishments are deemed to be necessary as due process of law. In the modern day, punishment is defined as any form of pain, suffering, confinement or loss that has been imposed by auhtoruty on a person for an offense (the authority having the subject for the offense). However, the definition of punishment also needs to include the effects and incidents related to the punishment including exclusions to be made. Early man caused punishment to include destruction of those objects or people who harmed or threatened to harm society or property. In this paper, the broad philosophies of punishment would be c onsidered along with the various models that are being used (Alexander 2012). Body The first model of punishment being considered is retribution. Retribution is a theory of justice that punishment should be appropriate or proportionate to the type and seriousness of the crime with the aim of achieving satisfaction and psychological benefits for the aggrieved party and the society in general. Often the saying goes ‘an eye for an eye’ and ‘a tooth for a tooth’, wherein the severity of the punishment should be based on the severity of the wrongdoing. According to Michael Davis, a philosopher, the amount of punishment as per retributive justice should be based on the amount of unfair advantage that has been gained by the wrongdoer. In proposing such a theory, he wanted greater reform in the reformative justice being done. Following the development of this theory, judges considered the mitigating factors for various crimes based on the situations existing (Bedau 2010). Vengeance or revenge is more of harmful form of action as a reaction to crime and a form of grievance and may be based on societal rules. Over time vengeance has evolved and today is being implemented with greater social cohesion. Death penalty is a form vengeance wherein some societies have it even for other crimes such as child rape. Many religions such as Christianity and Buddhism go against the concept of revenge. Vengeance may be considered as a form of retribution. However, in today’s justice system, punishment has gone much more beyond mere revenge with an intention of protecting society in general (Bright 1995). Deterrence considers that punishment is necessary for any crime and should often be based on the gravity of the crime, so that the crimes are avoided not only by the offender, but also by other potential offenders that may be present in society. There are 2 types of deterrence’s, namely general deterrence and specific deterrence. In general dete rrence, specific events would help to prevent crimes in general, so that unintended behavior is removed from society. In specific deterrenc

Humen Resourse Management Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Humen Resourse Management - Assignment Example There are countless challenges that may face the store. Working as the manager of the store that sells computer equipment and accessories, it is crucial to monitor employees so as to make sure that they are conscious of their situation. After four months, it is clear that there are some personal challenges that most employees face. One of the main issues is the ethical behaviour exhibited by the personnel. The morals of the employees is seen as being low, which means that some of the things they do behind the back of the manager and fellow employees may be questionable. In management, this may be a particularly problematic issue. It is vital for all employees to value their contribution to the organization (Matiza, 2013). By failing to realise that their actions may be negatively impacting the organization, they are helping bring down the company because these actions may be done in the presence of customers. If the above happens, employees and the establishment run the risk of pushing customers away with certain behaviour, which may not be deemed as professional. Another issue that faces employees in the store may be the absence rate of employees, which appear to be on the rise. To address this issue as a manager, it is possible to get to the root of the problem by asking around about the health history of all employees. This can give an insight into what might be the problem that each employee faces and if it can be controlled. Moreover, by making the workplace a more accommodative place, it is likely to decrease the hazards that workers are exposed to, increasing the overall performance (Matiza, 2013). Question 2 There are certain practices within HR that are related to the case presented. One of the main practices of the department involves creating a work environment that benefits both the organization and individuals working in the store. It is vital for all managers to create a positive working environment, which allows individuals to thrive and ultimately contribute towards the business’ success (Matiza, 2013). The most effective policy may border on promoting collaboration between employees. This may work toward guaranteeing togetherness in the workplace, which fosters an environment that is positive and allows the growth of both individual and business. The positive work environment can improve employee relations that may allow all employees to develop a culture of commonness. The second most important aspect of HR practice would be the issue of appraisals. It is crucial for organizations to have a formal appraisal system where the manager can learn more about the employees in the establishment (Matiza, 2013). Failure to have such a system in place may work toward promoting a culture that is not aimed at the organization’s success. Performance appraisals are especially crucial. This is because they may act as motivators for all employees when there is the prospect of promotion or performance-based pay. Among the functions of HR, there is

The Cuban Missile Crisis Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

The Cuban Missile Crisis - Research Paper Example Then, the Civil War was fought in order to determine that America was established for the freedom of all regardless of race. The biggest and largest scale engagements that the United States was involved in were World War I and World War II. After the end of these worlds, very few superpowers existed to maintain the world order. Europe had taken the hammer the hardest and suffered the most. The two superpowers that were still standing was the democratic United States and the communist run Soviet Union. Because of the advent of nuclear technology and the development of nuclear warheads, each country was hardening itself trying to take hold of superiority. Many of the small fires which flared up were fought based on the policy of containment that the United States upheld to as well as fighting a war based on proxy. The single most defining event in United States history, in my opinion, was the Cuban Missile Crisis. It was an event in which the whole world was watching waiting for armage ddon to occur. Mutual assured destruction (MAD) seemed inevitable. The historical setting was that Cuba was and still is a communist controlled country. The United States had tried to intervene by supporting a particular communist government in which would be friendly and cooperate with the United States (Batista Dictatorship).

Are energy drinks safe' Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Are energy drinks safe' - Essay Example III. Credibility (Speaker’s qualifications/expertise): after researching about this subject I have come to agree with the view that energy drinks are not safe because it contains too much caffeine, very expensive, and it has side effects. IV. Thesis (Transitional Preview): from the discussion with the audience many of you oppose the information I tried to provide, but I am requesting that you listen with open mind while we discuss the problems associated with energy drinks and how the drinks affects the human body. A. Food and drug administration report shows that in 2012 there were 40 cases of illness and 6 deaths resulting from monster energy alone and 15 illness and 5 lasting disabilities resulted from Rockstar Energy (Lee 2012). These reports are provided by patients, families and doctors, but they do not prove that the drinks cause the death but they believe that the death was caused by the drinks. Transition: having looked at the general problems associated with energy drinks; let us now go to the specific points that make energy drinks dangerous. These points are too much caffeine, more expensive than other drinks, and its side effects, I will start with too much caffeine (Lee 2012). C. Caffeine gives a quick boost and that is why many people take before exercise, but this is dangerous because exercise increases the heartbeat hence stimulations from caffeine can trigger hearth attack or stroke. E. Caffeine causes Adrenal Fatigue; this is a situation in which the body becomes tired after the consumption of caffeine. This will occur because the body adrenalin system will become overtaxed by continuous intake of caffeine. This will weaken the immune function of the body. F. They have negative effects on diabetes. It has been found that caffeine has the capability of decreasing the insulin sensitivity and makes it hard for people who are suffering from diabetes to control blood sugar in the

The Role of Suspense and Foreshadowing in the Novel Frankenstein Essay

The Role of Suspense and Foreshadowing in the Novel Frankenstein - Essay Example The typical gothic plot tends to delay narrative development through digressions, interruptions, infolded tales, interpolated poems, etc. which move the narrative backwards as well as forwards and Frankenstein is no exception to this. The novel's structure of framed and embedded narratives (for example, Walton narrative and that of the De Lacey family) act as diversions from the main narrative told by Frankenstein, a delay that serves to increase suspense and tension. Marry Shelly's use of Foreshadowing in Frankenstein creates a literary taste in the novel. "But I forget I am moralizing in the most interesting part of my tale; and your looks remind me to proceed" (Baldick, 1997, pp. 45-59). Foreshadowing is an important part of Frankenstein. It is used to increase suspense because as a readers go through novel the foreshadowing is revealing them that something bad is about to happen and it is their job to go after the clues and try to guess what it is. Throughout the novel, as we observe that the three main narrators (Victor, the Monster, and Walter) use foreshadowing. Each of the narrators uses foreshadowing in a diverse and different way. Some of the narrators like victor are more obvious in their hints as to what is going to happen than others. "If the Study to which you apply yourself had a tendency to weaken your affections , and to destroy your taste for those simple pleasures in which no alloy can possibly mix, then that study is certainly unlawful," (Baldick, 1997, pp. 45-59). In this quote Victor is speaking about how if something you are doing takes up all your free time and makes you neglect the other aspects of your life it certainly cannot be good. In this quote Victor is also foreshadowing the completion of his monster and the effect it will have on his life. This is an example of the most blatant foreshadowing in the novel; this book was written as if Victor was relating it out loud to William. As a result of this most of the foreshadowing victor does is extremely blatant because when a person is telling a story it is hard for them to keep from foreshadowing the ending through there body language, tone, or the way they tell the story. Because Shelly could not convey tone or body language through written words sh e had to make the foreshadowing victor does much more blatant to keep the suspense of the story. "One day, when I was oppressed by cold, I found a fire which had been left by some wandering beggars, and was overcome with delight at the warmth I experienced from it. In my joy I thrust my hand into the live embers, but quickly drew it out again with a cry of pain. How strange, I thought, that the same cause could produce such opposite effects!" (Literary Cavalcade, 2002, pp. 34-37). In this quote by the monster, shows the style in which he foreshadows in this story. This was one of the monster's earliest experiences where he finds that some things can cause both pleasure and pain. This is

Strategy and the Strategic Management Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Strategy and the Strategic Management - Essay Example Knowing the firm’s external environment is important in the strategic management process because it affects how value is generated and how activities could be carried out under the influence of technological change, demographic trends, cultural trends, the economic climate, legal and political conditions, and other global events. Using the structure-conduct-performance (S-C-P) model allows a systematic analysis of the firm and its environment. This model: (1) helps a firm identify the attributes of its industry’s structure that constrains the firm’s strategic alternatives and performance, (2) helps it decide how to conduct itself by crafting the most appropriate strategies, and (3) take into account the performance of the firm, the industry, or the economy. The S-C-P model helps a firm develop the tools it can use to analyze threats in its competitive environment. The â€Å"five forces framework† is a tool that looks at five threats to the firm.These threats affect the firm, its performance, and how its competitors would react, thereby helping the firm determine what strategies it needs to develop and execute to overcome problems arising from each of these forces. Complementors are another important force that a firm has to contend with because these firms add value to the firm’s products. A firm can use compliments as a means of gaining an advantage over other competitors, e.g. Microsoft encouraging software companies to develop games for its X-box game player instead of developing games for its competitors. The S-C-P model can also help firms analyze strategic opportunities by identifying generic industry structures and available strategic opport

Overview of the US subprime market Essay Example for Free

Overview of the US subprime market Essay With regards to the U. S. subprime market, the term itself refers to the status of the borrower, alternative terms for which are B-paper, near-prime, or second chance lending, all refer to the practice of giving loans to borrowers who have a faulty credit history and hence do not qualify for the prevalent market rates. Subprime lending and borrowing is risky as it is associated with conditions of high interest rates, dodgy credit history and much less-than-perfect financial situations. To gain access to this expanding market, lenders often assume risks associated with lending to people with poor credit ratings. They offset their risk by charging a higher interest rate, among other ways. Mortgages, car loans, credit cards, all are instruments of subprime lending. In credit cards, for example, a subprime customer may be charged higher amounts for late fees, over limit fees, annual fees, or up front fees for the card. But it offers these borrowers who have an imperfect credit record the opportunity to gain access to credit which might not have been possible otherwise. Subprime Credit Crunch and Mortgage Crisis: Since 2006, however, a severe financial crisis has developed in the subprime credit market. It is especially rampant in the subprime mortgage market which has experienced an increasing rate of foreclosures. When Interest rates rose, this led to adjustable-rate mortgages becoming more popular. But the housing bubble did not last and property values plummeted, borrowers could not fulfill their financial commitments and lenders could not recover their losses. The result is today’s harsh credit crunch which has led to big players in the subprime mortgage lending industry to shut down or file for bankruptcy. Others have been accused of encouraging deceptive income inflation on loan applications. Between December 2006 and March 2007, more than 30 subprime lenders closed operations. The rest have incurred serious losses and are in grave financial trouble. Lending standards have become more stringent and economists at Goldman Sachs have predicted this to cut annual demand for new homes to go down by one-fifth of last year’s sales. According to the September quarterly report (2007) of the Bank for International Settlements (BIS) in Basil, Switzerland, BIS warned of the `dark shadow over global financial markets caused by the collapse of the US subprime market. ` Analysis: It all started as a small setback in December 2006 but has quickly made its way all over the world, and by the summer of 2007 had had a substantial negative impact on stock and bond markets of the world. Investors have suffered heavy losses in their portfolios and now face the additional threat of a possible global recession in the near future. World economic growth is significantly tied to U. S. growth, and as analysts predict a recession in the near future, U. S. Subprime mortgages can be perceived as one of the main catalysts of the current situation. A global financial turmoil has ensued, which has made its presence felt in all corners of the world, as numerous hedge funds, banks and stock markets in remote countries such as Australia, Thailand and Germany have even felt the brunt. This has resulted in a backlash against some financial strategies employed by investors as countries were taken aback by the impact of the problems of American mortgagors and homeowners on their home markets. Funds and banks all over the world were affected because they had earlier bought either bonds, or risks related to bonds, which had bad home loans as collateral, and this entire bundle was known as a C.  D. O. or a collateralized debt obligation. JPMorgan estimates showed that global C. D. O. s accounted for about $1. 5 trillion of debt and structured-finance C. D. O. ’s, which refers to bonds which have subprime mortgages, slightly safer mortgages and commercial mortgages as collateral, accounted for about debt of $500 billion to $600 billion. When these subprime mortgages were hit badly, it led to a chain effect in an imperfect system, with ratings which did not provide an accurate prediction of risk and flawed assumptions about the impact on diversified portfolios with multiple layers of leverage. A ripple effect ensued all over the world as investors started freeing themselves of any risky investments and converting their securities into cash. As Pierre Cailleteau, Moody’s Investors Service chief economist in London said, The combination of a subprime shock, â€Å"untested financial innovation and leverage has led to a confidence crisis. Impact on Financial Markets: Financial markets have been badly affected, as financial institutions on Wall Street and all around the world attempt to cope with the disastrous state of affairs in the U. S. subprime market. In June 2007, according to a report by CNNMoney, assets worth $800 million were seized by Merrill Lynch from two hedge funds being managed by Bear Stearns, one of the largest financial institutions of the world, that were dealing with securities, mainly bonds backed by subprime loans. These troubled funds have almost worthless now. Merrill Lynch itself reported in October 2007 losses of US$5. 2 billion, revised in the same month to $8. 4 million, as a result of the subprime disaster which led to write-downs on subprime mortgages, collateralized bonds and leveraged loans. Standard Poors called this loss startling while analysts agreed that this was probably the largest loss ever to be faced by a Wall Street firm. Bankruptcies and losses are a dime a dozen in the financial world. In August 2007, the 10th largest retail mortgage lender in the U. S. , American Home Mortgage Investment Corporation filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. In the same month, Mortgage Guaranty Insurance Corporation, the largest provider of private mortgage insurance in the country announced that due to the billion-dollar loss it suffered on its investment in Credit-Based Asset Servicing and Securitization, it would now abandon the $4. billion deal which would result from its purchase of the Radian Group, a credit enhancement company. The impact was definitely had a global reach. In the same month one of the main banks of Europe and France, BNP Paribas announced that it will no longer value three of its funds (Parvest Dynamic ABS, BNP Paribas ABS Euribor and BNP Paribas ABS Eonia) and that investors were no longer allowed to withdraw their funds. These funds comprise of U. S. asset-backed securities which include subprime mortgages, delinquencies on which have increased while prices have fallen. It took this decision in light of the extremely troublesome plight of the U. S. subprime market as according to the bank, the complete evaporation of liquidity in certain market segments of the U. S. securitization market has made it impossible to value certain assets fairly regardless of their quality or credit rating. The examples do not end here. Global Alpha hedge fund, with a worth of $8 billion and owned by one of the worlds largest global investment banks, Goldman Sachs, fell by 26%. Citigroup suffered colossal credit losses of $700 million in July and August 2007, and while the losses can not be compared to the banks profits of more than $20 billion in 2006, it will be very difficult for the bank to restore investor confidence. In the same month of August 2007, Sentinel Management Group sold off its assets and after three days of doing so, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. Stock indices in U. S. , Europe and Asia continued to decline due to turmoil in credit and housing markets. Within the same week as Sentinel, shares of Countrywide Financial, the largest U.  S. mortgage lender, dipped by 13% on the NYSE amidst fears that the tight liquidity conditions might lead to its bankruptcy. This was the largest one-day decline in the countrys history since Black Monday, the stock market crash of 1987. Just a day earlier, the company had reported that foreclosures and mortgage defaults had never been this high since early 2002. Reverberations could be felt as far as Australia: shares of Rams Home Loans Group fell by 41% on the Australian Stock Exchange, as it could not refinance its loans as buyers did not want to buy AUD$ 6. 7 billion of commercial paper, its main source of funding. Australian Hedge funds, which were highly exposed to U. S. subprime credit, such as Basis Capitals Basis Yield Alpha Fund filed for bankruptcy protection. This fund filed for bankruptcy in August 2007 while in May its assets were valued at $1 billion. According to the IMF, The rapid transmission of disturbances in one part of the financial system to other parts, sometimes through opaque and intertwined channels, has surprised both market participants and the official sector. Impact on Housing Market The Housing Market could not help but be affected by the subprime market crash: sales of previously owned homes dipped to their lowest in four years. Prices plummeted and consumer confidence declined, as the U. S. economy in general experienced a slowdown. According to David Lereah, chief economist at the National Association of Realtors, purchases of existing homes, which had been 6. 68 million in February 2007, declined to an annual rate of 6. 12 million, which has been the largest drop since January 1989. as compared to 2006, sales declined by 11. %. Ben S. Bernanke, Chairman of the Federal Reserve, as well as other policy makers have isolated housing as the sector which would act as a deterrent for the economy to achieve moderate growth. This decline in sales has led to the general sentiment that the housing recession is here to stay. Subprime mortgage defaults show no signs of decreasing and owners do not wish to reduce prices, which will eventually lead to more unsold properties in the market. The housing bubble has definitely crashed as the supply of homes for sale dipped to 3. 45 million in March 2007, which if the current sales rate is accounted for, represents 7. 3 months supply, the highest since October 2006. Industry reports reflecting the SP/Case-Shiller home- price index reported the 1 percent decline in home values in 20 metropolitan areas, which is the largest price drop since the inception of this index in 2001. According to the Commerce Department, construction of new homes has gone down by 14. 3%. The nations major housing markets all reported decline in prices and existing home sales levels dropped in 40 states. The sharper hits were felt in the markets of Arizona, Florida, California, and Virginia. April 2007 had 47% more foreclosures than a year ago, as reported by RealtyTrac Inc. 50 or so subprime mortgage companies have either been sold off or closed down which has worsened matters and let to a credit crunch. D. R. Horton Inc. , the second-largest homebuilder in the country, suffered a drop in fiscal second-quarter profits by 85% as sales declined and the company was not in a situation to buy land. Its Chief Executive Officer, Donald Tomnitz, said, I dont think the market is stabilizing. Clearly our sales are not where we wanted them to be. The housing markets in California, Florida and Arizona are becoming tougher. While regulatory agencies are now becoming wiser to the risky mechanisms which deceptively forced millions of people into houses which were out of their range of affordability, their attempts to look into these practices will not be fruitful in the short term. There exist $1 trillion in Adjustable Rate Mortgages which will reset in 2007. This is a definite recipe for more disaster as over-leveraged homeowners will not be able to make their payments and will invariably default, leading to more trouble for banks and a chain effect which will adversely affect the already-weakened economy. Banks and mortgage lenders are trying to come up with ways to ensure that people stay in their homes but the subprime market in particular with increasing foreclosures and the housing market in general is in the midst of a spectacular crash.

The Charge of the Light Brigade with Dulce ET Decorum Est Essay Example for Free

The Charge of the Light Brigade with Dulce ET Decorum Est Essay The Charge of the Light Brigade is written by Lord Alfred Tennyson and describes the tragedy of six hundred heroic men on 25 October 1854.. We get the impression it was an Officer of high rank who relayed this story to the poet due to the constant detailed strategy. The second poem, Dulce et Decorum Est, is written by Wilfred Owen, detailing a scene from World War 1. This poem details the cruel suffering these heroic men experienced seen through the eyes of the Commanding Officer on scene. There are 60 years between these two poems which is immediately obvious with cannons and sabres in The Charge of the Light Brigade and the use of gas in Dulce et Decorum Est. Although these two poems are 60 years apart, the horrors and tragedies are similar but it is the poets who paint them in different colours. Lord Alfred Tennyson paints his poem in radiant colours with shining brass as this elite British cavalry force attempt to recapture the guns. They are proudly and heroically charging as a unit Flashed all their sabres bare into a situation that we, the reader, know can only end in tragedy and suffering. Wilfred Owens palette consists of the more murky colours of mud and blood running into each other detailing the actual suffering of the individual soldiers as it happens. There is a fast, charging pace in Lord Tennysons poem with a rhythmic beat which helps set the scene. In contrast, Wilfred Owens poem is more descriptive and slow in pace which helps the reader to understand the suffering of the individuals. The Charge of the Light Brigade is based on a episode of the Crimean War which took place on the 25 October 1854. The Light Brigade was an elite British cavalry force, made up of 630 men and horses, who were ordered to recapture the Turkish guns at the head of a valley. These guns had been captured by the Russians who had launched an attack on Balaclava, the Allied base. The inspiration behind this poem were three words written by The Times correspondent, W.H. Russell when informing that this ill fated attack was because Someone had blundered. According to Tennysons son, a few minutes after reading this editorial where this phrase occurred, this poem was born. Lord Alfred Tennyson was much admired by Queen Victoria, and was made poet Laureate. This made him the official state poet; therefore, he would record National events through his poetry. Although this poem also records tragedy and failure it emphasises true courage and bravery, which can only strengthen the admiration and respect from the reader for these ill-fated heroes. This heroism also reinforces patriotism within the population creating more unity. The deaths of these men were not in vain; they died for their Country, this is what makes them heroes. Verse one is setting the scene. It immediately starts with Half a league, half a league, Half a league onward, All in the valley of Death Tennyson is setting the pace at a gallop. He also creates the feeling of an adrenaline rush. The repetition creates this effect with its rhythmic meter. There is the biblical and symbolic reference to the Valley of Death which tells the reader that these soldiers are being sent like lambs to the slaughter dying for their country. This immediately creates dramatic tension. Tennyson writes this poem in the third person, which tells the reader that he is not actually there this is indicated when he writes Charge for the guns! he said; Into the valley of Death Rode the six hundred. These three lines outline the objective of the Light Brigade, emphasising their fate with repetition of the biblical symbolism and finally reminding the reader, again with repetition, the number of men involved. These three lines create tremendous dramatic tension by reiterating the futility of this exercise. In verse two Tennyson increases the dramatic tension one hundred fold. He asks the rhetorical question Was there a man dismayed? which is, in effect, emphasising how brave the Light Brigade were. He continues to say Not though the soldier knew Someone had blundered: Here is the thunder bolt these men are risking their lives due to an error. This is the only time the error is mentioned, almost as if it was an incidental part of the battle. Tennyson has taken these three words, Someone had blundered as a direct quote from W.H. Russells editorial in The Times. These are the three words that had such a powerful effect on Tennyson himself. He doesnt expand on the error or point the finger of blame, he simply states the fact. It is in these two lines that the reader senses an element of fear. However, fear is never an issue with the Light Brigade themselves. After this shock declaration, Tennyson reminds the reader of the galloping, adrenalin charged pace when he writes Theirs not to make reply, Theirs not to reason why, Theirs but to do and die: These three lines also very simply emphasise not only how disciplined these brave men and horses were but also their total trust in their Commanding Officers and masters respectively. Verse three depicts the Light Brigade as victims charging into an ambush. It begins with the galloping effect, this time illustrating the actual danger this elite force is charging into. Cannon to right of them, Cannon to left of them Cannon in front of them These three lines give an onomatopoeic effect of anticipation, adrenalin rising, hearts beating harder as they continue their charge. Tennyson fuels this tension further when he writes Volleyed and thundered; Stormed at with shot and shell, Boldly they rode and well, Here Tennyson uses alliteration creating the whistling effect of flying shells. This Unit is surrounded on three sides and are under attack but they continue courageously with their assignment. Tennyson reminds us of their fate, again using biblical symbolism when he writes Into the jaws of Death, Into the mouth of Hell This is very descriptive writing, Jaws describing the three sides of ambush and waiting to eat these innocent souls. Again, biblical reference is emphasised by the personification of Hell in the form of this erroneous valley. Rode the six hundred is the last time the Light Brigade are referred to as a complete live unit. This is relevant as it tells the reader not one of these heroic soldiers retreated but continued as one fighting force. Verse four now depicts the Light Brigade as an attacking force, charging enemy lines. The verse starts with Flashed all their sabres bare, Flashed as they turned in air Sabring the gunners there The galloping and adrenalin fuelled pace is maintained, with the adrenalin running at an all time high. These men are reacting to adversity from close quarters. These lines are also onomatopoeic, giving the swishing, cutting motion of metal through air and flesh. Charging an army, while All the world wondered: This confirms the Light Brigade are still as one even against great adversity, striving to achieve their goal. The world is in great admiration for this elite force, perhaps speculatively holding their breath for the end result. Plunged in the battery smoke Right through the line they broke This rhyming couplet emphasises the galloping and adrenalin charged pace from the first three lines of this verse. This displays the true grit and determination of these valiant men and their steeds. Even through their impaired vision (due to heavy gun fire which would also sting their eyes) the remainder of this elite force managed to break the enemy line and continue their fearless attack from close quarters. Reeled from the sabre stroke Shattered and sundered This details alliteratively the slashed destruction this brave unit dealt on the enemy. Then they rode back, but not Not the six hundred. The Light Brigade is now divided, incomplete this is emphasised by the repetitive use of the word Not. Death is not mentioned it doesnt need to be mentioned. Verse five recounts the aftermath. It is almost a reflection of Verse three, accept this time the Cannon behind them. The galloping effect continues with the remaining unit returning to base. A further variation is shown when Tennyson writes While horse and hero fell, They that had fought so well He reminds the reader that this unit was not just a team of heroic men but also their courageous steeds. All that was left of them, Left of six hundred. No number is specified here, but the poet implies very few soldiers and horses survived this onslaught. He allows the reader to decide how few they think may have survived. Finally verse six is a salutation to this incredibly brave, elite force. He opens this verse with the rhetorical question, When can their glory fade? O the wild charge they made He is telling us that this unit will never be forgotten because of their extreme bravery and heroism. Honour the charge they made! Honour the Light Brigade, Noble six hundred! Here, Tennyson is instructing the reader to respect this heroic Force and their courageous efforts. This is emphasised by the repetition of honour and use of exclamation marks. This is an anthem glorifying their name and memory of a truly patriotic elite Force. This poem creates a sense of urgency and determination. He repeatedly creates a galloping pace with a sense of purpose. There is no deviation from this purpose even when the Light Brigade are faced with great adversity. The poets clever use of word repetition combined with the rhythmic meter arouses the readers emotions. Verse one sets the scene and the pace. Tennyson still manages to create a sense of foreboding with his biblical symbolism of the valley of Death. Although there is this sense of foreboding, the Light Brigade have a duty to carry out the orders of their Commanding Officers. It is in the second verse when the readers emotions begin to ride high. It is when the reader is informed Not though the soldier knew Someone had blundered: Frustration is now felt because the reader now realises the doomed fate of this elite force is down to one persons mistake. We are aware of this unit charging into the wrong valley knowing that it can only end in tragedy. This almost makes the reader want to give up. It is Tennysons clever galloping pace that pushes the reader on into this massacre. Verse three shows the Light Brigade being swallowed Into the jaws of Death quite literally as they are surrounded in a jaw like fashion with Cannon to right of them, Cannon to left of them, Cannon in front of them This is extremely descriptive and leaves the reader with the impression that there will be no survivors, as the enemy does not need hand to hand combat to slay the Brigade as they have cannon power. However, Tennyson pushes us forward in verse four by turning the tables and making the Light Brigade become the assailants. As a reader this particular verse gives me a feeling of total admiration. Here is an elite Force faced with an impossible situation. They could have retreated and no one would of blamed them for doing so, but no, without question they continue with even more grit and determination. It is this action that makes them heroes. They are representing us as a nation and are proving to the enemy that we run from no one and are not afraid to stare Death in the eye. Even more to their credit, this elite Force slash their way through the enemy lines leaving bodies in their wake. It could be said that the Light Brigade is symbolic of our country in stature both being small. However, the Light Brigade, like our Country, is a Force to be reckoned with. It is in this verse that patriotism is at an all time high. Not only has this Force continued its challenge but has managed to come through the other side as victors leaving their mark. Tennyson continues with the galloping pace in verse five, echoing the words of verse three with slight variation. As a reader I feel quite exhausted (as obviously the surviving soldiers were) but the galloping speed is maintained until safety is reached. The final verse, although brief, is praise for this heroic Light Brigade. There are not enough words to describe these courageous men and their steeds, so Tennyson has kept it simple but authoritative when he says Honour the charge they made! Honour the Light Brigade, Noble six hundred! These simple words create tremendous pride and make you feel that they should be shouted for the entire world to hear. These men are an inspiration to us all. Dulce ET Decorum Est is a poem from 1914-1918 World War One. This poem is actually from 1915 to 1916. The poet, Wilfred Owen, was a Commanding Officer and he actually witnessed the true horror of war. Unfortunately, during this war the weaponry became more advanced and deadly. Chemical warfare was the new weapon. This was a perfect weapon for cowards as the poisonous gas could be released from cylinders or fired in shells five-miles away. The enemy had the satisfaction of knowing that they could cause maximum suffering before death without having to witness it. The suffering from these gases wasnt just from the lungs and eyes but also the visual appearance of the victims was like something from a horror film. The skin would turn greenish black and yellow, tongue protruding with the eyes becoming a glassy stare. In addition to this the victim would be coughing up greenish froth. The stimulation for Owen to write this poem was to share the true horror of this chemical war. To report death as a statistic is one thing but to describe the actual suffering these men had to endure before their release by death is something that needed to be told. In those days it was more likely a poet, especially one commanding a group of men, would be more likely to write in criticism of the horrors of modern warfare. Understandably, they would see the gruesome and painful death as an unnecessary horror. It was futile to allow people to experience such painful death when the enemy wouldnt be near enough to enjoy the the pleasure. In contrast, the Charge of the Light Brigade was close quarter fighting. The enemy still needed to have the Light Brigade in their sights before firing the cannons. The sole concern was to kill as many of the elite force as possible. Unfortunately in World War One, it appears suffering was the main aim. The main thing to bear in mind is that these soldiers werent just rank numbers to the Commanding Officers, they were family. These men very closely together shared all different kinds of emotion. For a Commanding Officer to see one of his men suffer so horrifically and slowly would be like watching his own brother or son. He would equally suffer the torture from frustration of not being able to help or relieve the pain. It could be said this poet suffered from World War One stress disorder as he continued to suffer nightmares after experiencing one of these chemical attacks. In contrast to The Charge of the Light Brigade, there is no glorification of war in this poem. In fact, Wilfred Owen dares to end his poem The old Lie: Dulce et decorum est Pro patria mori On reading this poem I have to agree. The first verse immediately tells us that the poet is there(unlike Tennyson, whose contact with war was by reading The Times), by his use of first person when he writes we cursed through sludge we turned our backs In contrast to the Charge of the Light Brigade the descriptions of the soldiers are very detailed, allowing the reader to share their agony. Owen effectively uses many similes to paint his picture, for example Ben double, like old beggars under sacks, Knock- Kneed, coughing like hags This is extremely descriptive of the young men returning from the frontline, appearing more like old vagrants than young brave soldiers. This verse emphasises the exhaustion of these men we began to trudge. Men marched asleep All went lame, all blind Drunk with fatigue; death even to the hoots Of tired, outstripped five-nines that dropped behind. Owen cleverly describes the five-nines as also being tired, which unfortunately means impending death. The second verse immediately begins with direct speech order Gas! GAS! Quick, boys!. These four words are extremely informative. The first word Gas! is spoken like a reaction. The second word GAS! shows recognition of the true danger. Quick, boys! depicts the urgency for his men to protect themselves. Notice he uses the word boys and not men, this indicates familiarity and passion. Owen continues to detail how awkward these gas masks were to put on when he says Fitting the clumsy helmets just in time But someone still was yelling out and stumbling. The reader experiences the panic and frustration these tired men go through when trying to secure their life saving devices. We are now introduced to the real graphic horror of a chemical attack when Owen tells us through the thick green light, As under a green sea, I saw him drowning. This indicates how quick the chemicals kick into action and how thick and smothering it is. The third verse consists of only two lines In all my dreams before my helpless sight He plunges at me, guttering, choking, drowning. Here is the indication that the poet is suffering from World War One stress disorder. His horrific experience of witnessing on of his boys die such a horrible death returns to haunt him. You can feel his frustration when he says my helpless sight, knowing he is unable to help this soldier. guttering is symbolic to this soldiers spark of life being extinguished due to drowning under a green sea of poisonous gas. In contrast, there was no mention of suffering or death in the Charge of the Light Brigade. The fourth and final verse explodes the myth it is sweet and fitting to die for your country. Owen asks the reader if they would send their children to honourably die for their country if they knew they would die such a slow gory death. His use of adjectives are powerful as he describes white eyes writhing in his face His hanging face As if this is not enough of a description he continues, like Tennyson, with the simile, using biblical symbolism. like a devils sick of sin. This gives the imagery of how evil war is and is the creation of mankinds sin. Owen continues with the satanic imagery when he refers to gargling from the froth corrupted lungs, Obscene as cancer Of vile, incurable sores on innocent tongues This imagery depicts an innocent man possessed, perhaps by the devil himself, as he dies a slow and torturous death. This could be symbolic of Christ himself taking on the sins of the world when he was crucified he also died a slow and torturous death. Owen powerfully ends this tortured poem My friend, you would not tell with such high zest To children ardent for some desperate glory The old Lie, Dulce et decorum est Pro patria mori. The poet is talking directly to the reader and is making the reader rethink his or her own beliefs. He is clever because he isnt asking if the reader would suffer such death for their country but if the reader could allow their child to suffer such a death. He explodes the myth by referring to the well known military motto as an old Lie. Owens graphic descriptions of the exhausted soldiers returning from the frontline create a feeling of sympathy for me. These men fought their war and are returning to safety. Many are injured but limped on, blood-shod. Like Tennyson, Owen quietly drops the proverbial bombshell when he says deaf even to the hoots Of tired, outstripped five-nines that dropped behind. For me this creates the feeling of despair for these poor men, as they now have to continue their fight for survival from the unseen enemy. (Tennysons quiet bombshell was Someone had blundered thus making the mission futile.) Hope evaporates as quickly as the poisonous gas spreads when I realise there is one soldier who was just to slow to secure his gas mask. As if thats not enough Owen continues in graphic detail to describe the suffering of this innocent soul. He uses strong words such as guttering, choking, drowning, writhing and hanging. This is extremely powerful writing as it gives me the impression this man is dying many deaths. As I continue reading this poem my sympathy also turns to the poet himself. To witness this horror once is bad enough, but this poor man has to relive it every time he goes to sleep. I can understand his bitterness to war, and after reading this I share his view. This man bravely makes a stand against an age old myth and questions it. It is because of men like Wilfred Owen, who detail the true, visual horror of war that changes and new laws can be made. After World War One chemical warfare was banned by The Geneva Convention and fortunately still stands today. If it wasnt for people like Wilfred Owen, who knows what sorry state our World would be in today. Although I have witnessed this soldiers death through the eyes of his Commanding Officer, I believe he didnt die for his country he died to save the World. There are two main differences between these two poems. They are, firstly, glorification of war (The Charge of the Light Brigade) and the abhorrence of war (Dulce Et Decorum Est). Secondly, the person these poems are written in. Tennyson obtained his details of this war from The Times editorial. However, Wilfred Owen was actually present during the chemical attack. There is a sixty-year gap between these two poems and, therefore the customs and beliefs are different. Tennyson is from the old school, glorifying war, depicting it as action packed, but never mentioning death. Owen, in contrast, concentrates on the suffering of the soldiers as opposed to their heroic deeds. There is futility in both poems but of a different nature. In the Charge of the Light Brigade the mission, itself, is made futile by one human error. However, in Dulce et Decorum est the futility is in the extreme suffering of one man never to be witnessed by the enemy who dealt this heinous blow. Both poets however, refuse to let this futility go unrecognised. Tennyson instructs the reader to honour this noble elite Force who broke enemy lines against great adversity. In contrast Owen instructs the reader to reconsider the old belief of willingly dying for your country. Both these poems have contrasting powerful messages and both are right. I try to imagine it was my great grandfather who died in the Charge of the Light Brigade. On reading this poem it would reassure me that he had not died in vain and had in fact died a hero. Equally, I try to imagine it is my great Uncle who is dying a slow agonising death in Dulce et Decorum est. Although painful to read, again he has not died in vain because the World has been made to share his experience and it never wants that experience again. In effect, it could be said that the Light Brigade as a unit and the chemical infested soldier are representative of Christ in their own ways. The Light Brigade representing Christ fighting the good fight against all odds and achieving their objective (seizing the guns albeit the wrong ones). The dying soldier representing Christ dying for our sins on the cross.

Knowledge Innovation And Change Management Essay

Knowledge Innovation And Change Management Essay INTRODUCTION Innovation is conceptualized in different ways in the literature, but the main idea is the introduction of a new idea or behavior. Damanpour (1991) gives a dual definition to innovation, referring to its technical (new products or services) and administrative aspects (new methods, procedures and information flows). An innovation orientation, which is an orientation that enables innovation, can have both positive and negative outcomes for organizations (Simpson et al., 2006). It seems, however, that in some knowledge-based organizations, negative implications of innovation can outweigh the positive ones; although they maintain a good level of innovation, they cannot achieve high efficiency. Why does this happen? Can technology help a knowledge-based organization achieve a good balance between innovation and efficiency? This essay aims to answer the previous questions. The first section focuses on knowledge-based organizations, identifying the key characteristics that enable innovation. The next section analyses the contradictory nature of innovation and efficiency and describes some of the potential challenges that knowledge-based organizations face, when an innovation orientation is adopted. This analysis gives an answer to the first question on why although an organization is highly innovative it may not be as efficient. The last two parts describe how knowledge-based organizations can achieve a balance between innovation and efficiency and the role of information technology in this objective. INNOVATION IN THE KNOWLEDGE-BASED ORGANISATION In the knowledge-based organization, knowledge is the key element that leads to efficiently turning inputs into valuable outputs (Teece et al., 1997). A common perception in literature is that knowledge should be privatized and restricted to the organizations boundaries (Argyres, 1996). Its internalization and protection is the key to efficiency; organizations should prioritize exploiting their existing knowledge over creating knowledge (Grant, 1996). On the other hand, Anand et al. (2007) argue that it is innovative knowledge that can help organizations create value. As a consequence, the real challenge for a manager in a knowledge-based organization is not to protect and exploit current possessed knowledge, but to generate knowledge and capability, that is to innovate (Nickerson and Zenger, 2004). Innovation is feasible in knowledge-based organizations for different reasons. First and foremost, in terms of organization structure, it is often either flat with little hierarchical level (Drucker, 1998), or hierarchical but flexible consisting of three levels; bureaucratic, project team and knowledge layer (Nonaka, 1994). A considerable number of authors also state that autonomy is a factor that assists innovation processes (Feldman, 1989). In addition, managements role is to create and promote a vision of knowledge sharing and creativity both internally and in the external environment of the organization and to orient this flexible and less hierarchical structure toward purposeful knowledge creation, as Nonaka (1991) suggests. According to the literature, innovation also requires knowledge acquisition and sharing within the organization. The acquisition depends both on the organizations existing knowledge base (Salavou and Lioukas, 2003), as well as on knowledge and information coming from the external environments (Chang and Cho, 2008). Many knowledge-based organizations innovate because they have the capacity to absorb new ideas and to adjust new external knowledge to their operations (Cohen and Levinthal, 1990). Knowledge sharing is essential, because it is easier to generate and formulate new ideas based on existing knowledge. Knowledge workers are the owners of knowledge, which is the most vital asset in a knowledge-based organization (Neagu, 2008). Knowledge can be explicit or tacit; the former is codified in systems or embedded in processes, while the latter is in peoples heads, highly personal and not easily expressible (Nonaka, 1991). It is therefore hard to capture tacit knowledge or to communicate it to others. Acquiring and sharing knowledge can be achieved in formal (e.g. meetings) or informal (e.g. chats) ways and it is the key facilitator of organization learning, which is the process of developing new knowledge from insights and experience of people in the organization (Jimenez-Jimenez and Sanz-Valle, 2010). Several knowledge-based organizations encourage social networking to enable information and knowledge flow and sharing of tacit knowledge and, lastly, to promote an environm ent of communication, trust and freedom to innovate (Wiig, 2000). Last but not least, information and communication technologies can be both conditions and assisting tools for innovation in knowledge-based organizations, as managing and communicating information is essential to ensure that knowledge can be acquired and generated by knowledge-workers (Maier, 2002). The above aspects help some knowledge-based organizations innovate. But what happens, in terms of efficiency, when emphasis is put on innovation? This question is discussed in the following section. THE IMPACT OF INNOVATION ON EFFICIENCY In literature there are management theories and practices (e.g Porter, 1980) which imply that when an organization tries to pursue multiple strategies at the same time, it is very likely to get stuck in between them. As a consequence, it is implied that an organization should select one of the two aspects to put emphasis on: either efficiency or innovation. However, selecting one of the two to put emphasis on can harm the other one and create long-term problems, leading to management myopia of organizational inertia (Sarkees and Hulland, 2009). In addition, the characteristics of innovation and efficiency reveal a contradiction: an innovation task is based on prior knowledge and offers a solution to an unfamiliar problem, whereas an efficiency task involves repeatedly applying optimal solutions to a problem, focusing on speed and accuracy (Sears, 2006), standardization and economies of scale (Farrell and Saloner, 1985). Knowledge-based organizations that choose to adopt an innovation orientation have to deal with challenges in the management of innovation (Van De Ven, 1986); these problems are often related to inefficiency. For instance, although Simpson et al. (2006) argue that innovative ideas result in the company adopting new processes and producing better products and services, leading to customer benefits and competitor-related advantages, this is not always the case. Innovation can sometimes be novel, but not meaningful (Im and Workman, 2004). Some organizations seem to emphasize on innovation and take too many risks, without extracting profits (Levinthal and March, 1993). For example, several organizations invested heavily in innovation during the late 1990s Internet boom, without achieving any profits or creating efficiencies that would help them gain the long term competitive advantage (Sarkees and Hulland, 2009) Knowledge-based organization can also be innovative but not efficient as a result of inconsistent performance in different levels or departments. For instance, there might be an important time lag between the introduction of an innovation and its utilization, realization or commercialization by the respective department (Maier and Haustein, 1980). As mentioned in the previous section, innovative knowledge-based organizations are based more on autonomy and flexible structures and, as a result, less on hierarchy and control. Lack of control may result to inefficiency; Jensen (1993) highlights the significance of control systems, which can ensure that capital investments lead to real-value added innovations. Another relevant risk is investing on innovations despite past failures and encouraging fast followers to imitate and copy innovative ideas, processes or products, without taking any actual innovation risks. For example, General Motors was one of the first carmakers that invested heavily in hybrid vehicle technologies research and development from the 1960s. However the first hybrid car is yet to be launched (scheduled, end of 2010) as a result of inconsistent business and marketing decisions (Maynard, 2008). In contrast Toyota, known for its capacity to exploit new ideas and realize them before its competitors, managed to be the first to convert hybrid technology innovations into routines, manufacturing processes and products, launching the successful Prius in 2000. Efficiency depends, to an extent, on knowledge workers performance. Although innovation can have a positive effect on their satisfaction and morale, which leads to improved productivity, Simpson et al. (2006) however identify job stress, dissatisfaction and turnover as a potential outcome of innovation that can directly affect individual and team performance and cause inefficiency. As previously mentioned, knowledge-based organizations are often flexible, open and creative and this could form an ideal environment for most knowledge workers to perform well, however there are people who cannot adopt in innovative environments. Lukas et al. (2002) agree that, inventions and new ideas brought into being can increase organizational stress. Another argument is that some organizations become too enamored with the idea of innovations, creating more innovations for the sake of innovation (Simpson et al., 2006). This applies to some knowledge-based organizations that over-emphasize on knowledge exploration and generation and forget their core competencies, fail to achieve cost-effective operations and ultimately forego efficiency. Laursen and Salter (2006) also argue that extensive and in-depth external knowledge search beyond a limit affects performance negatively. Most significantly, activities related to innovation often demand increased substantial resources (Van den Ven, 1986) and involve high costs, which are rarely recovered. By definition, efficiency is the output/input ratio that an organization can realize within the given economic circumstances (Maier and Haustein, 1980); minimizing use of resources (input) contradicts innovation initiatives that mainly rely on organizational slack, which is the pool of resources in an organization that is in excess of the minimum necessary to produce a given level of organizational output (Nohria Gulati, 1996). The same authors also suggest that slack might cause relaxation of internal controls and support of new ideas and projects with uncertain outcome. In addition, Leibenstein (1969) introduces the term X-inefficiency that involves the discrepancy caused by the organizational slack, between the maximum output and the actual outcome for a certain amount of inputs. Finally, we should not forget that knowledge-based organizations are based on knowledge, and innovation is to a large extent based on prior knowledge, experience and lessons learnt. In some knowledge-based organizations though, culture of low trust, competitive subcultures, as well as knowledge barriers and limitations can lead to innovation inefficiency (De Long, 1997). In an example of an electronic engineering company, the engineering teams subculture was open to exploration, tacit knowledge-sharing and socializing, whereas the MIS subculture was based on rules, standardized processes and explicit knowledge (De Long, 1997). Efficient collaboration was difficult; strong subcultures, lack of knowledge sharing across teams and different definitions of knowledge hindered efficiency. Consequently, organizations that fail to acquire, transform and exploit existing knowledge and share it across are likely to be inefficient, as they will keep re-inventing the wheel and waste valuable reso urces. IS IT POSSIBLE TO HAVE IT ALL? A global survey by Accenture (2005) revealed that organizations are continuously struggling to achieve a balance between efficiency and innovation, as a means of gaining the competitive advantage. Despite traditional theories suggesting that innovation and efficiency are incompatible, recent literature supports their compatibility or complementarity. Some authors have defined the ambidextrous organization; an emphasis on efficiency ensures that the organization enhances the utilization of its resources, while an emphasis on innovation involves exploration, experimentation and introduction of new products and services, methods, processes and relationships (Sarkees and Hulland, 2009). In knowledge-based organizations, ambidexterity can be defined as balancing knowledge exploitation and exploration at the same time. Other authors argue that the answer in finding a balance lies in punctuated equilibrium, which suggests cycling through periods of experimentation and exploitation (e.g. Bur gelman, 2002). Nucor is an example of a knowledge-based organization that successfully balances both efficiency and innovation (Sarkees and Hulland, 2009). It is the greatest steel recycling company in the United States, with more than 12 billion dollars in 2005 sales. Nucor pursues a strategy that involves optimizing existing products and operations (efficiency) and revolutionizing the market, introducing new technologies (innovation). For Nucor, it is a priority to continuously explore and acquire new knowledge from the external environment as well as internally. This is also facilitated by its decentralized structure, almost flat hierarchy and team-oriented culture. In the final section of this essay we will discuss how information technology can help a knowledge-based organizations find this balance. THE ROLE OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY Information technology (IT) can help knowledge-based organizations find a balance between innovation and efficiency through systems that effectively support innovation business processes, control and decision-making, as well as knowledge management (KM). According to Malone (1997), as communication costs decrease, control becomes decentralized and decision-making is divided among connected decision-makers. This encourages creativity and flexibility, as well as efficiency thanks to reduced costs. In terms of knowledge management, the extent to which IT can assist in balancing innovation and efficiency in a knowledge-based organization depends on the organizations approach; cognitive or community network (Scarbrough et al., 1999). The former emphasizes on static IT-based networks (IT has a crucial role) and information flows, whereas the latter focuses on communication and socializing (IT has an enabling role). Technology offers tools that organize knowledge and resources, enable social interactions internally and externally, encourage organizational learning and help knowledge-workers become more innovative and efficient. Based on the complementarity of innovation and efficiency, Newell et al. (2003) argue that the concurrent implementation of Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) and Knowledge Management (KM) systems can have a positive effect on both aspects. ERP systems focus on efficiency, integrating business operations and providing a database, in which all transactions are entered, processed, controlled and reported (Umble et al., 2003). On the other hand, KM systems focus on management of knowledge assets, knowledge sharing across the organization and knowledge creating, fostering innovation and flexibility (Von Krogh et al., 2000). Newells et al. (2003) research concludes that implementing ERP and KM technology in tandem can help an organization exploit existing knowledge, increase efficiency, and innovate simultaneously by sharing and creating knowledge. In knowledge-based organizations, this can assist in redressing the innovation-efficiency balance. Lastly, IT should be adopted and shaped by the organization (Barley, 1990) according to its needs and objectives. IT initiatives should deliver business-value and take into account the organizations cultural and socio-political perspectives. Swan et al. (1999) agree that IT-led initiatives aiming in knowledge exploration and exploitation should be combined with the development of a knowledge-sharing culture and social-networking initiatives. CONCLUSION Despite the difficulties involved, knowledge-based organizations can balance the competing nature of innovation and efficiency by addressing problems that an overemphasis on innovation causes: effectively managing knowledge, focusing on meaningful innovations, efficiently utilizing organizational slack and enabling social-networking, as well as culture of collaboration and knowledge-sharing. IT can assist in redressing the innovation-efficiency balance, however IT investments should be targeted and applied appropriately; technology is no panacea for an organizations problems.

Media Portrayal of Mental Illness in America Essay -- Media American S

Media Portrayal of Mental Illness in America The media in American society has a major influential impact on the minds and beliefs of millions of people. Whether through the news, television shows, or film, the media acts as a huge database for knowledge and instruction. It is both an auditory and visual database that can press images and ideas into people's minds. Even if the individual has no prior exposure or knowledge to something, the media can project into people's minds and leave a lasting impression. Though obviously people are aware of what they are listening to or watching, thoughts and assumptions can drift into their minds without even realizing it. These thoughts that drift in are extremely influential. The massive impact it can leave on America's perception leads to generalizations, assumptions, and stigmas. The media influence is not always negative, however. In most cases it has beneficial and positive aspects. Without the media, people would be drastically less informed and conscientious about major issues in t he world around us. In some cases, however, the way the media portrays an issue can twist one's perception, leaving an assumption instead of a factual concept. Mental illness is one of the biggest concepts that the media has distorted due to the majority of portrayals the media presents. Mental health is extremely important and plays a key role in every individual's life. Yet it is also has millions of misconceptions. Mental illness is more common that one would like to believe. In reality, one in five Americans will suffer from a mental disorder in any given year. Though that ratio is about equivalent to more than fifty-four million people, mental illness still remains a shameful and stigmatized topic (National Institute of Mental Health, n.d.). The taboo of mental illness has an extensive and exhausting history, dating back to the beginning of American colonization. It has not been an easy road to say the least. Due to the endless efforts and research of certain foundations and in dividuals, the ideas and functions of mental health have improved significantly. The advancements made in the field are impressive and without them humankind would not be the same. Yet then why do only fewer than eight million people who are in need of help seek treatment? (National Mental Health Association, 2001). The history, stigmatization, and perce... ...on.(2000,May 15). Negative Media Images of People with Mental Illness Impact America’s Perception: NMHA Survey Focuses on Entertainment and News Media. Retrieved June,16,2002, from http://mhnet.org/articles/nmha3.htm National Mental Health Association.(2001). Did You Know? Retrieved June,16,2002, from http://www.nmha.org/infoctr/didyou.cfm Star,S.A.(1952). What the public thinks about mental health and mental illness. Paper presented at the annual meeting of the National Association for Mental Health. Star,S.A.(1955). The public’s ideas about mental illness. Paper presented at the annual meeting of the National Association for Mental Health. Swindle,R.,Heller,K.,& Pescosolido,B.(1997,August). Responses to â€Å"nervous breakdowns† in America over a 40-year period: Mental health policy implications. Paper presented at the meeting of American Sociological Association, Toronto, Ontario. U.S. Public Health Service.(1999). The Surgeon General’s Report on Mental Health. Retrieved June,5,2000, from http://www.surgeongeneral.gov/library/mentalhealth/home.html Veroff,J.,Douvan,E.,& Kulka,R.A.(1981). Mental Health in America: Patterns of help-seeking from 1957-1976. New York: Basic Books.

The Importance of the Sea in Chopin’s The Awakening Essay examples --

The Importance of the Sea in Chopin’s The Awakening Unlike Marà ­a Eugenia, Edna in Kate Chopin’s The Awakening chooses not to fill her family’s expectations. As she takes her final steps into the sea she thinks to herself: â€Å"they need not have thought that they could possess her, body and soul† (655). Edna treasures her autonomy and chooses death over familial subjugation. However her transformational journey, alluded to by the title of the novel leads to more than the rejection of her self-sacrificing familial roles as wife and mother and her death. We first meet Edna on her way back from a swim with Robert Lebrun, as Chopin begins to establish Edna’s burgeoning transformation in the context of her relationship with Robert and to the sea. While Robert and Edna’s relationship develops, Edna becomes increasingly dissatisfied with her marriage to Là ©once Pontellier and her traditional roles as wife and mother to her two children, Rauol and Etienne. Edna learns to swim, takes up painting, befriends Madame Reisz, an eccentric old woman that plays the piano, and moves into her own house. After Robert leaves for Mexico, she engages in an affair with Alceà © Arobin, until Robert returns and they affirm their love for one another. However, Robert, afraid of the social repercussions of their affair, leaves town. As a result of losing Robert, failing to find fulfillment in her life without a man, and failing to reconcile her roles as a good and faithful wife and mother while becoming an artist and falling in love, Edna com mits suicide by drowning herself in the sea. The sea, or green-world token is present throughout the novel as Edna engages in her innermost thoughts and her relationship with Robert, the green-world lover. Although ... ...pport of Mr. Pontellier, her children, Madame Ratignolle, Robert, Madame Reisz, and her father. While Edna sees support for herself in these roles the way the other characters see them, she does not believe that she has their support for herself as an individual, apart from these roles, or as a person defining these roles for herself. As she takes her final walk down to the beach, the sea continues to call to her soul: â€Å"The voice of the sea is seductive, never ceasing, whispering, clamoring, murmuring, inviting the soul to wander in abysses of solitude† (654). The sea has helped Edna see into her innermost being and the transformational journey has helped her realize that she wants to fulfill her roles in life as an autonomous individual. But because Edna feels that she cannot achieve her goals, she succumbs to that which is closest to her innermost being, the sea.

Plays :: essays research papers fc

Imagine a poem that explained the mysteries behind life. This poem would use the symbolism of a play in order to give the concept to the reader. A poet by the name of Walter Landor did create a piece of writing like this. Landor's Poem â€Å"Plays† is an insight into the forces controlling human nature.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã¢â‚¬Å"Plays† is a poem about control of one self's life. Landor uses words such as â€Å"Counted us out† and â€Å"Allotted us to play† to describe how a higher being might be in ultimate control. Those phrases connect the idea of choice and destiny. Do we have a choice in our roles in life, or are we just controlled by a higher power? This is what the first meaning of the poem is stating. The second meaning is about society and its effect on life when your are judged. Landors words â€Å"And how much narrower is the stage Alloted us to play the sage!† explains how the wise and ones without problems are often looked over and forgotten. A person that is down and is having trouble; however, would be scrutinized and talked about. These opposite situations show how Landor views society.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  His views on being controlled by a higher being, is a idea I do not personally believe in. I believe my God gives me choices and decisions, but I can relate and understand what Landor is depicting. I personally believe and agree with him on society's attempt to control life though. It seems often, I see or experience judging in my own life. â€Å"Plays† hits the mark on explaining this. His word choices such as â€Å"prompters†, helps to better understand the coercion used in this world of ours. I feel the message of influence from society is the strongest message conveyed in this poem.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  A poem such as â€Å"Plays† is a good example of a attempt to explain life and its mystique. Landor gives a good insight on human nature and life. When I read this poem over and and over, I began to understand what he wanted a reader comprehend.

Mental illness and prison

From the 1960’s to the 1980’s, the deinstitutionalization movement demanded that the mentally ill be treated in the community, using new drug therapies that appeared to control even the most extreme behaviors of the mentally ill.   This liberation of psychiatric patients was reinforced by court decisions that awarded certain legal rights to the emotionally ill.   But few community-based programs were developed to treat psychiatric patients effectively.   Released to the community without adequate support and treatment services, the mentally ill gravitated to criminal confinement facilities for offenders, particularly the jail but also to the prisons of the United States. It is estimated that about 15 percent of offenders imprisoned at any time have severe or acute mental illnesses, such as schizophrenia, manic-depression illness, and depression.   Approximately 10 to 15 percent of persons with these three illnesses die by suicide.   Yet current treatment is extremely effective, if given.   Prisoners tend to be in poor mental health and about 80 percent of male prisoners and 80 percent of female jail inmates will, over their lifetime, have at least one psychiatric disorder. The greater the level of disability while in prison, the more likely the inmate is to receive mental health services.   In practice, proportionately more female prisoners use mental health services than do males, and whites are more likely to seek or secure prison mental health services than others.   At least half of the inmates who need such treatment go without it (Sigurdson, 2001). While the U.S. Supreme Court has not found that inmates have a constitutional right to treatment, it has ruled an inmate’s constitutional right to medical treatment includes the right to treatment for serious emotional illness.   The correction system is caught in the middle.   Institutions are not required to provide services simply because their clients are criminals, and thus have shifted critical funds to other uses, such as increased security staffing.   The threat of potential litigation has meant that some revision and provisions of mental health services for seriously ill inmates is necessary. As the mentally ill become a larger segment of the population in jails and prisons, professionals in the mental health field became essential to the correctional administrators.   The ratio of mental health practitioners to inmates remains much too low, there has been some progress.   Because many institutions must deal with mental health issues on a priority basis, few to no services are provided for the majority who do not exhibit violent or bizarre behavior.   It is a practical fact that in corrections â€Å"the squeaky wheel gets the grease† (Steadman, 1991). For some inmates, the impacts of prison life overwhelm their usual coping patterns.   Some factors that lead to prison psychosis include the routine of prison, fear of other inmates, forced homosexual behavior, assault and fear of assault, deteriorating in affairs and circumstances of family on the outside of prison and depression.   When the psychological crisis comes, correctional administrators frequently transfer affected inmates to prison infirmaries or psychological treatment words, or initiate inmate transfer to a mental health system. Long-term and intensive psychotherapy for mentally ill inmates is believed to be rare.   Treatment for episodic mental crisis tends to remain at the first aid level in many states.   Death rows do not usually contain a large proportion of a prison’s population but subsume a disproportionate share of the per inmate cost due to the demands of observing, caring, and maintaining death row.   That includes a lower staff-inmate ratio, mail processing, death-watch officer workload, closer custody during recreational periods and so on.   Some inmates on death row become mentally ill and as such cannot be executed (Ford v. Wainright, 106 S. Ct. 2595, 1986). The state has an additional burden of determining if the death-row inmate is insane, establishing some procedure to restore the inmate to sanity, and then certifying the sanity of the patient-inmate.   Because this would be tantamount to a death sentence and not a favor for the inmate, it is unlikely mental health physicians would undertake that process alone or with any great enthusiasm.   It remains for the states to develop procedures for identifying, diagnosing, treating, and certifying the sanity of death row inmates who claim to be insane (Steadman & Monahan, 1984). For the extreme behavior cases, there are special units for more intensive treatment, such as the one in Washington State.   That unit is a model of how to deal with extreme mentally and behaviorally disordered prisoners.   Unfortunately, that facility can handle only 144 inmates.   The figure is only about one-tenth of the commonly recognized population of inmates who could use more intensive mental health services.   One quickly finds that only the really severe cases are able to be referred to the Special Offender Center. It appears that the relationship between crime and mental disorder has no real cause effect.   It is essential for society to learn more about distinguishing between different kinds of mental illness and their impacts on safe and secure administration of correctional institutions.   It is important to remember that the real link to look for is one that indicates the potential for harm to the mentally ill person and others.   It may be a long time before such options are available to the already overcrowded corrections system in the United States (Wessely & Taylor, 1991). There are two justifications that defendants can invoke in an attempt to relieve themselves of criminal responsibility for a criminal act.   The first is not guilty by reason of insanity and the second is incompetent to stand trial.   In the first instance, offenders do not deny the commission of the act, but assert they lacked the capacity to understand the nature of the act or that it was wrong. The second instance is based on the common law criterion that defendants must be able to understand the charges against them to cooperate with their counsel in the preparation of their own defense.   The procedures for determining competency vary considerably among jurisdictions, but most make it a court decision based on psychiatric testimony.   If defendants are found incompetent to stand trial, then they are usually committed to a mental institution until declared competent (Hans, 1986). Psychiatric judgment of mental abnormality enters into the criminal law in three ways.   Aside from fitness to stand trial and criminal responsibility, if an individual is convicted, psychiatry is often consulted in designing a custodial or treatment program for him or her. One problem in the use of psychiatry in the legal system is that there are vast and irreconcilable differences in the legal standards; fairness is achieved by responding to a specific act with a specific type of reaction while ignoring a mass of details about the accused. On the other hand, in the mental health approach of psychiatry the whole personality of the accused is relevant in determining the state’s response to criminal behavior.   Psychiatry is an applied science, but legal practice makes no such claim.   Clearly, as long as a judge and jury have such important roles in the court process, convicted criminals cannot be treated primarily according to scientific standards.   While it is customary for a judge and jury to participate in the legal process, we would find their dealing with matters of mental health bizarre and while the legal process is typically open to scrutiny by all people affected, the procedures of psychiatry are almost never made public.   The types of accountability of the legal and mental health systems are quite different. If a court correctly describes the facts of a case and chooses the correct legal response to these facts, the court is never held accountable for any negative consequences flowing from its actions, such as the suicide of a convicted offender.   What ultimately happens to the convicted offender or whether the offender’s family must go on welfare is not the court’s concern.   The judge is not bound to such utilitarian considerations.   However the judge is bound by law to a specific range of responses.   Psychiatry, on the other hand, is responsible for how its decisions affect the individual in the future (Galliher, 1989). With the advent of legal insanity and legal incompetence as defenses against criminal conviction caused the development of special asylums for the criminally insane, in most cases just another form of prison without due process protections.   In more recent years those claiming to be not guilty by reason of insanity have been the subjects of considerable debate.   President Nixon sought to have the not guilty by reason of insanity defense abolished.   More informed criminologists point to such problems with the insanity defense as excessive media coverage, suspicion of malingering by the defendant, and conflicting and suspicious testimony by mental health professionals testifying for either the defense or the prosecution. The insanity defense is used in less than 1 percent of all felony cases and of those only one in four are found to be not guilty by reason of insanity.   One study found only the most emotionally and behaviorally disturbed defendants to be successful in their plea and that the successful petitioners had committed more serious offenses.   The decision to acquit is more frequently made in court b y prosecutors, defense attorneys, and the judge, and less frequently by jury members.   Persons acquitted by the not guilty by reason of insanity are generally found less likely than their cohort offenders to commit crimes after release (Hans, 1986). Prosecutors often hope that those accused offenders acquitted through the plea of not guilty by reason of insanity will be institutionalized for a period sufficient to reduce their dangerousness, and to provide both public and safety and some retribution.   The debate continues.   Perhaps the most reasonable solution would be to determine guilt first and then sift the issue of diminished capacity or insanity in that case to the sentencing or case disposition state.   The American Psychiatric Association, following the attack by John Hinckley on the life of President Reagan, recognized that position. As a response, by 1986, twelve states abolished the insanity defense entirely then created guilty by mentally ill statutes in its place.   Under those statues, an offender’s mental illness is acknowledged but not seen as sufficient reason to allow him or her to escape criminal responsibility.   If convicted, offenders are committed to prison.   Some states will provide mental health treatment in the prison setting, but others may transfer the offender to a mental health facility for treatment.   In Georgia, defendants who entered insanity pleas but were determined guilty by mental illness received harsher sentences than their counterparts, whose guilt was determined in trial suggesting increased punishment for the disturbed offender (Callahan, McGreevy & Cirincione, 1992). Persons with mental disability, such as mentally disturbed or disorders, were once scorned, banished, and even burned as evil.   But in more enlightened times we have built backwoods fortresses for them to protect ourselves from contagion.   They have been executed as witches, subjected to exorcism, chained or thrown into gatehouses and prisons to furnish a horrible diversion for the other prisoners.   Before the Middle Ages persons with a mental illness were generally tolerated and usually cared for locally by members of their own family, tribal system, or primitive society. However widespread poverty, disease, and religious fanaticism seemed to trigger intolerance for any unexplainable deviation from the norm.   The mentally disturbed were thought to be possessed by devils and demons and were punished harshly because of it.   The first insane asylum was constructed in Europe in 1408.   From that date until recently the asylum was a dumping ground for all the mentally disordered people that could be neither understood nor cured. In the United States, one after another of the individual states responded to that compelling method of ridding society of misfits, and built numerous institutions during the mid 1800’s.   The inflated claims of cures for mental illness could not stand up against the process of institutionalization and long-term commitments sometimes for a lifetime and not cures became the rules of the day (Ives, 1914). Asylums became yet another invisible empire in America with the punitive excess and lack of care or caring ignored by society. â€Å"Out of sight, out of mind† was the catch phrase of these unfortunates.   With the discovery of tranquilizing drugs, these places became a place where patients were put into a controllable stupor, until a cure could be found.   Because of longer and longer periods of institutionalization usually by family members finally got the attention of the courts. In the 1960’s the rights of all citizens, including the mentally ill and convicts, were being re-examined at every level. The abuses in the back wards of the asylums were brought to light and the counter-reaction was extreme.   In the early 1970’s, state after state adopted policies under the Community Mental Health Act that swept the country.   The essential goal was to release all inmates of the asylums who were not a clear and present danger to themselves and society.   This act flooded the central cities of America with tens of thousands of mentally impaired street people and created poorhouses.   The response by most jurisdictions has been to transfer the problem to the criminal justice system, filling the jails and correctional institutions of America, a process known as transintitutionalization (Arrigo, 2002). There appears to be some confusion between physical disease and mental disease.   Because physicians have made great strides in gaining knowledge about physical disease, it is assumed by some people that this is also true of physicians’ knowledge about mental disease.   That is the tendency is to apply the same standards of competence to both areas of practice, even though this is hardly warranted. The distinction between crime and mental illness is unclear.   Some of the writers assume that nearly all criminal behavior is a manifestation of mental disease.   It seems that the reason for both of these ambiguities is that we really do not know what mental illness is, and that is the reason we cannot distinguish between mental illness and physical illness on the one hand and mental illness and crime on the other.   It is unfortunate that the long indeterminate sentences often given to mentally disordered offenders reflect a fear that those committed might be a problem in the future. It is the expectation that someone is capable of predicting criminal inclination that makes so questionable the programs for treating the mentally disordered.   So, one can see the paradox of requiring psychiatrists to predict behavior and to attach a label to offenders, when that might result in an indefinite or even lifelong commitment to a mental institution for someone who is not really dangerous, such as a false-positive prediction.   The individual is then labeled for custody and treatment in a special area within that institution.   When you consider the wealth of folklore surrounding mental institutions, it becomes clear that a dreadful lifelong stigma accompanies the label of criminally insane.   While the public remains upset by the gaping loophole in the net of justice, the courts continue to seek out equitable ways to deal with the offender who has diminished mental capacity. Reference: Arrigo, B. (2002). â€Å"Transcarceration: A Costructive Ethnology of Mentally-Ill    Offenders†.   Prison Journal 81(2), 162-186. Callahan, L., McGreevy, M., & Cirincione, C. (1992).   â€Å"Measuring the Effects of the   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Guilty but Mentally Ill Verdict: Georgia’s 1982 GBMI Reform†.   Law and   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Human Behavior 16(4), 447-462. Galliher, J. (1989).   Criminology: Human Rights, Criminal Law, and Crime.   N.J.:   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Prentice Hall. Hans, V. (1986).   â€Å"An analysis of Public Attitudes toward the Insanity Defense†.   Criminology 24(3), 393-413. Ives, G. (1914). A History of Penal Methods.   London: S. Paul. Sigurdson, C. (2001).   â€Å"The Mad, The Bad and The Abandoned: The mentally Ill in   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Prisons and Jails†.   Corrections Today 62(7), 162-186. Steadman, H. (1991).   â€Å"Estimating Mental Health Needs and Service Utilization Among   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Prison Inmates.†Ã‚   Bulletin of the American Academy of Psychiatry and the Law    19(3), 297-307. Steadman, H. J. & Monahan, J. (1984).   Crime and Mental Disorder.   Washington, D.C.:   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   U.S. Department of Justice. Wessely, S., & Taylor, P.J. (1991). â€Å"Madness and Crime: Criminology versus   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Psychiatry†.   Criminal Justice