Tuesday, January 28, 2020
Self Esteem Essay Example for Free
Self Esteem Essay People who base their own self-worth on what others think and not on their value as human beings might pay a mental and physical price, according to research by Jennifer Crocker, PhD, a psychologist at the University of Michigans Institute for Social Research. Crocker, who has worked on a series of self-esteem studies, found in her latest research that college students who based their self-worth on external sourcesincluding appearance, approval from others and even their academic performancereported more stress, anger, academic problems, relationship conflicts, and had higher levels of drug and alcohol use and symptoms of eating disorders. For the study, Crocker surveyed more than 600 college freshmen three times during the yearbefore they left for college and at the end of the fall and spring semesters. Overall, students were found to have a high level of self-esteem. When students were asked about what they base their self-worth on, more than 80 percent said academic competence, 77 percent said their familys support, 66 percent said doing better than others, and 65 percent70 percent of which were womensaid their appearance. College students who based their self-worth on academic performance did not receive higher grades despite being highly motivated and studying more hours each week than students who did not rate academic performance as important to their self-esteem, Crocker found. Students who based their self-worth on academic outcomes also were more likely to report conflicts with professors and greater stress. They feel motivated to do well in academics, but having their self-worth on the line doesnt help their performance, Crocker says. She speculates that students who base their self-worth on academic performance might become anxious and distracted and threatened by feelings of failure, and, as such, their anxiety might then interfere with their memory. Students who based their self-esteem on internal sourcessuch as being a virtuous person or adhering to moral standardswere found to receive higher grades and less likely to use alcohol and drugs or to develop eating disorders. We really think that if people could adopt goals not focused on their own self-esteem but on something larger than their selfsuch as what they can create or contribute to othersthan they would be less susceptible to some of the negative effects of pursuing self-esteem, Crocker says. Its about having a goal that is bigger than the self.
Monday, January 20, 2020
The Great Pyramid Essay -- essays research papers
Outline     Thesis Statement: The Great Pyramid is a mystery to the modern age, even though its purpose, uses, history, and condition have challenged explorers for centuries it will always be considered one of the greatest wonders of the world. 1.     Why was the Great Pyramid built? A.     Who built the Great Pyramid? B.     Why was it built? C.     Comparative theories. 2.     What was the Great Pyramid used for? A.     Religious uses. B.     Astronomical uses. C.     Environmental uses. 3.     How was the Great Pyramid built? A.     Workers. B.     Dimensions. C.     Surrounding community. Why the Great Pyramid of Giza was built is a question that has been challenging archeologists, philosophers, and historians for hundreds of years. What we do know is that the Egyptians built it during the fourth dynasty under the rule of King Khufu in the area known as Giza. (i) The amount of people that it took to build such a massive structure has been the subject of dispute for hundreds of years. The Greek historian Herodotus believed that it took one hundred thousand workers over a twenty-year period to build the great pyramid, but recent archaeologists using modern calculations believe that the pyramid was built by four thousand primary laborers and sixteen to twenty thousand secondary workers but also over a twenty year time period. (ii)      There are many competing theories on why the great pyramid was built, none of them are definite but all of them are interesting. Many other pyramids have been built in the Middle East but none of the same stature. Other pyramids have been found to be burial chambers for various kings and pharaohs, but the Great Pyramid contained no burial remnants even though its essential design is the same as other pyramids, even containing special chambers for a king and a queen. (iii) Modern day scientists have discovered many interesting correlations between the location and dimensions of the Great Pyramid, that relate to the earth, the stars, and the seasons. (iv)      Several controversies have risen over the last hundred years about the reasons for the building of the Great Pyramid. Some theories believe that the Great Pyramid was built by or aided by alien beings because of the precise nature of its location and dimensions. While others believe that, the pyramid represented a symbol of ultimate power for t... ...tration along with metalworkers, joiners, painters, and draughtsmen because of various workshops found in the ruins. (xvi) It has been thought that feeding these armies of workers were extensive bakeries because bread mold from the same period has also been uncovered. (xvii) All these discoveries are the main reason why it is believed that this great giant of a structure was built out of national pride, by volunteers and not by slave labor as previously theorized. When one looks at the overall task and complexity of building this Great Pyramid, it certainly will always remain one of the greatest accomplishments of humankind. Bibliography 1. "Pyramid." Encyclopedia Britannica. 2003. Encyclopedia Britannica Premium Service. 27 Sep, 2003 . 2. â€Å"Egyptians.†British Broadcasting Service. 2003. British Broadcasting Service Interactive. 26 Sep, 2003 3. â€Å"Excavations at Giza 1988 – 1991.†University of Chicago. 1992. Oriental Institute, University of Chicago. 26 Sep, 2003 4. â€Å"Q&A with Dr. Kent Weeks.†The Learning Channel. 2003. The Learning Channel Online. 26 Sep, 2003 5. â€Å"Great Pyramid Facts and Statistics.†Egyptian Pyramids Index. 2001. Crystalinks. 27 Sep, 2003 The Great Pyramid Essay -- essays research papers Outline     Thesis Statement: The Great Pyramid is a mystery to the modern age, even though its purpose, uses, history, and condition have challenged explorers for centuries it will always be considered one of the greatest wonders of the world. 1.     Why was the Great Pyramid built? A.     Who built the Great Pyramid? B.     Why was it built? C.     Comparative theories. 2.     What was the Great Pyramid used for? A.     Religious uses. B.     Astronomical uses. C.     Environmental uses. 3.     How was the Great Pyramid built? A.     Workers. B.     Dimensions. C.     Surrounding community. Why the Great Pyramid of Giza was built is a question that has been challenging archeologists, philosophers, and historians for hundreds of years. What we do know is that the Egyptians built it during the fourth dynasty under the rule of King Khufu in the area known as Giza. (i) The amount of people that it took to build such a massive structure has been the subject of dispute for hundreds of years. The Greek historian Herodotus believed that it took one hundred thousand workers over a twenty-year period to build the great pyramid, but recent archaeologists using modern calculations believe that the pyramid was built by four thousand primary laborers and sixteen to twenty thousand secondary workers but also over a twenty year time period. (ii)      There are many competing theories on why the great pyramid was built, none of them are definite but all of them are interesting. Many other pyramids have been built in the Middle East but none of the same stature. Other pyramids have been found to be burial chambers for various kings and pharaohs, but the Great Pyramid contained no burial remnants even though its essential design is the same as other pyramids, even containing special chambers for a king and a queen. (iii) Modern day scientists have discovered many interesting correlations between the location and dimensions of the Great Pyramid, that relate to the earth, the stars, and the seasons. (iv)      Several controversies have risen over the last hundred years about the reasons for the building of the Great Pyramid. Some theories believe that the Great Pyramid was built by or aided by alien beings because of the precise nature of its location and dimensions. While others believe that, the pyramid represented a symbol of ultimate power for t... ...tration along with metalworkers, joiners, painters, and draughtsmen because of various workshops found in the ruins. (xvi) It has been thought that feeding these armies of workers were extensive bakeries because bread mold from the same period has also been uncovered. (xvii) All these discoveries are the main reason why it is believed that this great giant of a structure was built out of national pride, by volunteers and not by slave labor as previously theorized. When one looks at the overall task and complexity of building this Great Pyramid, it certainly will always remain one of the greatest accomplishments of humankind. Bibliography 1. "Pyramid." Encyclopedia Britannica. 2003. Encyclopedia Britannica Premium Service. 27 Sep, 2003 . 2. â€Å"Egyptians.†British Broadcasting Service. 2003. British Broadcasting Service Interactive. 26 Sep, 2003 3. â€Å"Excavations at Giza 1988 – 1991.†University of Chicago. 1992. Oriental Institute, University of Chicago. 26 Sep, 2003 4. â€Å"Q&A with Dr. Kent Weeks.†The Learning Channel. 2003. The Learning Channel Online. 26 Sep, 2003 5. â€Å"Great Pyramid Facts and Statistics.†Egyptian Pyramids Index. 2001. Crystalinks. 27 Sep, 2003
Sunday, January 12, 2020
Strategies to Fight Low-Cost Rivals by Nirmalya Kumar
HP’s restructuring has shrunk Dell’s cost adv from 20% to 10%. Customers have appreciated added benefits like instant deliver, ability to seeYour traditional operation will become more competitive.Your low cost venture will make more money that it would have made as an independent unit. You can allocate adequate resources to the low cost unit. Dow Corning’s Xiameter unit – low cost provider of silicone products sells only 350 of Dow’s 7000 offerings, doesn’t cannibalize the its parents sales. From 28 M loss in 2001 to 500 M profit in 2005 Switch to selling solutionsNo synergies possible between existing enterprise and low cost unit. Integration of your products and services offer unique vale to customers. Australian mining company Orica – sold explosives to stone quarries. New service laser profiling rock faces to identify best places to drill holes. Become exclusively low customer cost providerNo synergies possible between existing en terprise and low cost unit. A major portion of customer segment is price sensitive. You are willing to acquire new business capabilities.RyanairFirms can either attack, co-exist uneasily or become low cost plays themselves. It is easy to fight traditional rivals due to similarities in their game plans and prowess but most companies overlook the threats from disruptive, low cost competitors. Coke fights Pepsi, sony with Phillips, avis with Hertz, P$G with Unilever. Amazon with Ebay etc.Businesses that sell at very low prices as compared to the incumbents might go to bankruptcy (US Airlines) but the point worth considering is that, they quickly reemerge. They slash fares and cut thrills and eventually grab a chunk of market. E.g. Southwest airlines, JetBlue, Aldi supermarket in Germany and other parts. The financial calculations of low cost players are different from the established ones. They earn smaller gross margins but their business models turn those into higher operating margin s.Higher than avng asset turnover ratio, impressive return on assets, because of returns and high growth rates, market capitalization is higher than industry leaders despite larger equity base. Framework for responding to low cost rivals.ASK – will this company take away my present or future customers? NO – watch but don’t take on the new rival. YES – don’t launch price war, instead try and increase product differentiation.ASK – are sufficient number of customers willing to pay more for the benefits my product offer? YES – Intensify differentiation by offering more benefits and over time restructure your company to reduce the price of benefits you offer. NO – Learn to live with the smaller company. If possible merge or take over rivals.ASK – if I set up a low cost business, will it generate synergies with my existing business? NO – Switch to selling solutions or transform into a low cost player. YES – Attac k your low cost rival by setting up a low cost business.Low cost players stay ahead in the market because consumer behavior work in their favor, new low cost entrant pose stiffer challenge compared to the traditional ones. e.g. – JetBlue’s entry is a concern for Southwest.The Futility of Price Wars. Even when market leaders copy the critical elements of the low cost rivals’ business models, they are unable to match their prices. e.g. – Internet booking for airlines doesn’t deliver the kind of cost reductions to traditional airlines that they do to low cost carriers. Slashing prices lowers the profit for leaders without driving the low cost rivals out of market.When Differentiation works: When leaders realize, they cannot win the price war, they opt for differentiation.Differentiation approaches: Design cool products. e.g. – Apple Continually innovate. e.g. – Gillette, 3M Offer a unique product mix. e.g. – Sharper Image, whole f oods. Brand a community. e.g. – Harley Davidson Sell experiences. e.g. – Starbucks, Nordstrom.Differentiation works when: Smart business don’t use this tactics in isolation. Companies must be able to persuade customers to pay for benefits. Companies must bring cost and benefits in line before implementing it.Dealing with dual strategies. Companies should set up low cost operations only when the traditional ones will become competitive as a result and new business will derive some benefits that that it would not have enjoyed as an independent unit. E.g. – First Direct, ING Direct. Low cost business unit should use a unique brand name like HSBC’s First Direct. Subsidiary should be housed separately.A two-pronged strategy delivers results only when the low cost operation is launched offensively to make money and not as a purely defensive ploy to hurt low cost rivals. Eh – Dow Corning’s creation of Xiameter.Switching to Conquer If there i s no synergy between traditional and low cost businesses, there are two other options to deal with the low cost rivals. Start selling solutions. E.g. – Orica’s blasting solutions Convert into low cost player. E.g. – Ryanair.Original Article by NIrmalya Kumar
Saturday, January 4, 2020
What Is Cultural Capital Do I Have It
Cultural capital is the accumulation of knowledge, behaviors, and skills that a person can tap into to demonstrate ones cultural competence and social status. French sociologist Pierre Bourdieu coined the term in his 1973 paper the Cultural Reproduction and Social Reproduction, coauthored by Jean-Claude Passeron. Bourdieu later developed that work into a theoretical concept and analytic tool in his 1979 book Distinction: A Social Critique of the Judgement of Taste. In their early writing on the topic, Bourdieu and Passeron asserted that the accumulation of knowledge is used to reinforce class differences. Thats because variables such as race, gender, nationality, and religion often determine who has access to different forms of knowledge. Social status also frames some forms of knowledge as more valuable than others. Cultural Capital in an Embodied State Image Source​ / Getty Images In his 1986 essay, The Forms of Capital, Bourdieu broke down the concept of cultural capital into three parts. First, he stated that it exists in an embodied state, meaning that the knowledge people acquire over time, through socialization and education, exists within them. The more they obtain certain forms of embodied cultural capital, say knowledge of classical music or hip-hop, the more they are primed to seek it out. As for norms, mores, and skills such as table manners, language, and gendered behavior, people often act out and display embodied cultural capital as they move through the world and interact with others.​ Cultural Capital in an Objectified State Astronaut Images​ / Getty Images Cultural capital also exists in an objectified state. This refers to the material objects individuals own that might relate to their educational pursuits (books and computers), jobs (tools and equipment), clothing and accessories, the durable goods in their homes (furniture, appliances, decorative items), and even the food they purchase and prepare. These objectified forms of cultural capital tend to signal ones economic class. Cultural Capital in an Institutionalized State Jeffrey Coolidge / Getty Images  Finally, cultural capital exists in an institutionalized state. This refers to the ways in which cultural capital is measured, certified, and ranked. Academic qualifications and degrees are prime examples of this, as are job titles, political offices, and social roles like husband, wife, mother, and father. Importantly, Bourdieu emphasized that cultural capital exists in a system of exchange with economic and social capital. Economic capital, of course, refers to money and wealth. Social capital refers to the collection of social relations an individual has at ones disposal with peers, friends, family, colleagues, neighbors, etc. But economic capital and social capital can be exchanged for each other. With economic capital, a person can buy access to prestigious educational institutions that then reward one with valuable social capital. In turn, both the social and cultural capital accumulated at an elite boarding school or college can be exchanged for economic capital via social networks, skills, values, and behaviors that point one to high-paying jobs. For this reason, Bourdieu observed that cultural capital is used to facilitate and enforce social divisions, hierarchies, and ultimately, inequality. This is why its important to acknowledge and value cultural capital thats not classified as elite. Ways of acquiring and displaying knowledge vary among social groups. Consider the importance of oral history and spoken word in many cultures. Knowledge, norms, values, language, and behaviors differ across neighborhoods and regions of the US. In urban environments, for example, youth must learn and adhere to the code of the street to survive. Everyone has cultural capital and deploys it on a daily basis to navigate society. All forms of it are valid, but the hard truth is that they are not valued equally by societys institutions. This begets real economic and political consequences that deepen social divides.
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