Adolescence and Emerging Adulthood Chapters 1-4 Vocabulary Essay Example

Adolescence and Emerging Adulthood Chapters 1-4 Vocabulary Paper adolescence A period of the life course between the timepuberty begins and the time adult status is approached, when young people are in the process of preparing to take on the roles and responsibilities of adulthood in their culture. life-cycle service A period in their late teens and 20s in which young people from the 16th to the 19th century engaged in domestic service, farm service, or apprenticeships in various trades and crafts. child study movement Late 19th century group, led by G. Stanley Hall, that advocated research on child and adolescent development and the improvement of conditions for children and adolescents in the family, school, and workplace. recapitulation Now-discredited theory that held that the development of each individual recapitulates the evolutionary development of the human species as a whole. storm and stress Theory promoted by G. Stanley Hall asserting that adolescence is inevitably a time of mood disruptions, conflict with parents, and antisocial behavior. survey A questionnaire study that involves asking a large number of people questions about their opinions, beliefs, or behavior. stratified sampling Sampling technique in which researchers select participants so that various categories of people are represented in proportions equal to their presence in the population. random sample Sampling technique in which the people selected for participation in a study are chosen randomly, meaning that no one in the population has a better or worse chance of being selected than anyone else. menarche A girls first menstrual period. emerging adulthood Period from roughly ages 18 to 25 in industrialized countries during which young people become more independent from parents and explore various life possibilities before making enduring commitments. Lamarckian Reference to Lamarcks ideas, popular in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, that evolution takes place as a result of accumulated experience such that organisms pass on their characteristics from one generation to the next in the form of memories and acquired characteristics. early adolescence Period of human development lasting from about age 10 to about age 14. late adolescence Period of human development lasting from about age 15 to about age 18. individualism Cultural belief system that emphasized the desirability of independence, self-sufficiency, and self-expression. collectivism A set of beliefs asserting that it is important for persons to mute their individual desires in order to contribute to the well-being and success of the group. interdependence The web of commitments, attachments, and obligations that exist in some human groups. scientific method A systematic way of finding the answers to questions or problems that includes standards of sampling, procedure, and measures. hypotheses Ideas, based on theory or previous research, that a scholar wishes to test in a scientific study. sample The people included in a given study, who are intended to represent the population of interest. population The entire group of people of interest in a study. representative Characteristic of a sample that refers to the degree to which it accurately represents the population of interest. generalizable Characteristic of a sample that refers to the degree to which findings based on the sample can be used to make accurate statements about the population of interest. procedure Standards for the way a study is conducted. Includes informed consent and certain rules for avoiding biases in the data collection. method A scientific strategy for collecting data. peer reviewed When a scholarly article or book is evaluated by a scholars peers (i.e., other scholars) for scientific credibility and importance. informed consent Standard procedure in social scientific studies that entails informing potential participants of what their participation would involve, including any possible risks. consent form Written statement provided by a researcher to potential participants in a study, informing them of who is conducting the study, the purposes of the study, and what their participation would involve, including potential risks. closed question Questionnaire format that entails choosing from specific responses provided for each question. open-ended question Questionnaire format that involves writing in response to each question. interview Research method that involves asking people questions in a conversational format, such that peoples answers are in their own words. qualitative Data that is collected in non-numerical form, usually in interviews or observations. quantitative Data that is collected in numerical form, usually on questionnaires. ethnographic research Research in which scholars spend a considerable amount of time among the people they wish to study, usually living among them. ethnography A book that presents an anthropologists observations of what life is like in a particular culture. reliability Characteristic of a measure that refers to the extent to which results of the measure on one occasion are similar to results of the measure on a separate occasion. validity The truthfulness of a measure, that is, the extent to which it measures what it claims to measure. experimental research method A research method that entails assigning participants randomly to an experimental group that received a treatment and a control group that does not receive the treatment, then comparing the two groups in a posttest. experimental group In experimental research, the group that receives the treatment. control group In experimental research, the group that does not receive the treatment. interventions Programs intended to change the attitudes and/or behavior of the participants. natural experiment A situation that occurs naturally but that provides interesting scientific information to the perceptive observer. monozygotic (MZ) twins Twins with exactly the same genotype. Also known as identical twins. dizygotic (DZ) twins Twins with about half their genotype in common, the same as for other siblings. Also known as fraternal twins. correlation versus causation A correlation is a predictable relationship between two variables, such that knowing one of the variables makes it possible to predict the other. However, just because two variables are correlated does not mean that one causes the other, longitudinal study A study in which data is collected from the participants on more than one occasion. patriarchal authority Cultural belief in the absolute authority of the father over his wife and children. filial piety Confucian belief, common in many Asian societies, that children are obligated to respect, obey, and revere their parents, especially the father. caste system Hindu belief that people are born into a particular caste based on their moral and spiritual conduct in their previous life. A persons caste then determines their status in Indian society. globalization Increasing worldwide technological and economic integration, which is making different pars of the world increasingly connected and increasingly similar culturally. bicultural Having an identity that includes aspects of two different cultures. resilience Overcoming adverse environmental circumstances to achieve healthy development. culture The total pattern of a groups customs, beliefs, art, and technology; a groups common way of life, passed on from one generation to the next. the West The United States, Canada, Europe, Australia, and New Zealand; they are all developed countries, they are all representative democracies with similar kinds of governments, and they share to some extent a common cultural history; today, they are characterized by secularism, consumerism, and capitalism, to one degree or another; usually refers to the majority culture in each of the countries, but each country also has cultural groups that do not share the characteristics of the majority culture and may even be in opposition to it. developed countries Includes the countries of the West along with Eastern countries such as Japan and South Korea; all of them have highly developed economies that have passed through a period of industrialization and are now based mainly on services (such as law, banking, sales, and accounting) and information (such as computer-related companies). majority culture The culture that sets most of the norms and standards and holds most of the positions of political, economic, intellectual, and media power; in America, the mostly White, middle-class majority in American society. society A group of people who interact in the course of sharing a common geographical area; may include a variety of cultures with different customs, religions, family traditions, and economic practices; different from a culture: members of a culture share a common way of life, whereas members of this may not. traditional cultures Refers to a culture that has maintained a way of life based on stable traditions passed from one generation to the next. These cultures do not generally value change but rather place a higher value on remaining true to cultural traditions; often, they are called preindustrial, which means that they technology and economic practices typical in developed countries are not widely used. developing countries Previously traditional, preindustrial cultures that become industrialized as a consequence of globalization. socioeconomic status Often used to refer to social class, which includes educational level, income level, and occupational status. For adolescents and emerging adults, because they have not yet reached the social class they will have as adults, this is usually used in reference to their parents levels of education, income, and occupation. young people Adolescents and emerging adults together. research design The plan for when and how to collect the data for a study. cross-sectional research Research in which data are collected on a sample of people at a single point in time. national survey Research technique which utilizes both stratified sampling and random sampling on a large scale. national survey Research technique which utilizes both stratified sampling and random sampling on a large scale. puberty The changes in physiology, anatomy, and physical functioning that develop a person into a mature adult biologically and prepare the body for sexual reproduction. endocrine system A network of glands in the body. Through hormones, the glands coordinate their functioning and affect the development and functioning of the body. hormones Chemicals, released by the glands of the endocrine system, that affect the development and functioning of the body, including development during puberty. hypothalamus The master gland, located in the lower part of the brain beneath the cortex, that affects a wide range of physiological and psychological functioning and stimulates and regulates the production of hormones by other glands, including the ones involved in the initiation of puberty. gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) Hormone released by the hypothalamus that causes gonadotropins to be released by the pituitary. leptin A protein, produced by fat cells, that signals the hypothalamus to initiate the hormonal changes of puberty. pituitary gland A gland about half an inch long located at the base of the brain that released gonadotropins as part of the bodys preparation for reproduction. gonadotropins hormones (FSH and LH) that stimulate the development of gametes. follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) Along with LH, stimulates the development of gametes and sex hormones in the ovaries and testicles. luteinizing hormone (LH) Along with FSH, stimulates the development of gametes and sex hormones in the ovaries and testicles. gametes Cells, distinctive to each sex, that are involved in reproduction (egg cells in the ovaries of the female and sperm in the testes of the male). gonads The ovaries and testicles. Also known as the sex glands. sex hormones Androgens and estrogens that cause the development of primary and secondary sex characteristics. estrogens The sex hormones that have especially high levels in females from puberty onward and are mostly responsible for female primary and secondary sex characteristics. androgens The sex hormones that have especially high levels in males from puberty onward and are mostly responsible for male primary and secondary sex characteristics. estradiol The estrogen most important in pubertal development among girls. testosterone The androgen most important in pubertal development among boys. adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) The hormone that causes the adrenal glands to increase androgen production feedback look System of hormones involving the hypothalamus, the pituitary gland, and the gonads, which monitors and adjusts the levels of sex hormones. set point Optimal level of sex hormones in the body. When this point is reached, responses in the glands of the feedback loop cause the production of sex hormones to be reduced. adolescent growth spurt The rapid increase in height that takes place at the beginning of puberty. peak height velocity The point at which the adolescent growth spurt is at its maximum rate. asynchronicity Uneven growth of different parts of the body during puberty. extremities The feet, hands, and head. vital capacity The amount of air that can be exhaled after a deep breath, which increases rapidly during puberty, especially for boys. maximum oxygen uptake (VO2 max) A measure of the ability of the body to take in oxygen and transport it to various organs; peaks in the early 20s. cardiac output A measure of the quantity of blood pumped by the heart. health promotion Efforts to reduce health problems in young people through encouraging changes in the behaviors that put young people at risk. primary sex characteristics The production of eggs and sperm and the development of the sex organs. secondary sex characteristics Bodily changes of puberty not directly related to reproduction. ovum Mature egg that develops from follicle in ovaries about every 28 days. spermarche Beginning of development of sperm in boys testicles at puberty. vulva External female sex organs, including the labia majora, the labia minora, and the clitoris. labia majora Part of vulva; Latin for large lips. labia minora Part of vulva; Latin for small lips. clitoris Part of vulva in which females sexual sensations are concentrated. breast buds The first slight enlargement of the breast in girls at puberty. areola Area surrounding the nipple on the breast; enlarges at puberty. secular trend A change in the characteristics of a population over time. reaction range Term meaning that genes establish a range of possible development and environment determines where development takes place within that range. incest taboo The prohibition on sexual relations between family members. Believed to be biologically based, as children born to closely related parents are at higher risk for genetic disorders. premenstrual syndrome (PMS) The combination of behavioral, emotional, and physical symptoms that occur in some females the week before menstruation. semenarche A males first ejaculation. age-graded Organized by age, for example in schools. nature-nurture debate Debate over the relative importance of biology and the environment in human development. theory of genotype>environment effects Theory that both genetics and environment make essential contributions to human development but are difficult to unravel because our genes actually influence the kind of environment we experience. passive genotype>environment effects Situation in biological families that parents provide both genes and environment for their children, making genes and environment difficult to separate in their effects on childrens development. evocative genotype>environment effects Occur when a persons inherited characteristics evoke responses from others in the environment. active genotype>environment effects Occur when people seek out environments that correspond to their genotypic characteristics. mikveh Among Orthodox Jewish women, a ritual bath taken a week after the conclusion of the menstrual period, believed to cleanse the impurity believed to be associated with menstruation. cognitive development Changes over time in how people think, how they solve problems, and how their capacities for memory and attention change. Jean Piaget Influential Swiss developmental psychologist, best known for his theories of cognitive and moral development stage A period in which abilities are organized in a coherent, interrelated way. mental structure The organization of cognitive abilities into a single pattern, such that thinking in all aspects of life is a reflection of that structure. cognitive-developmental approach Approach to understanding cognition that emphasizes the changes that take place at different ages. maturation Process by which abilities develop through genetically based development with limited influence from the environment. schemes A mental structure for organizing and interpreting information. assimilation The cognitive process that occurs when new information is altered to fit an existing scheme. accommodation The cognitive process that occurs when a scheme is changed to adapt to new information. sensorimotor stage Cognitive stage in first 2 years of life that involves learning how to coordinate the activities of the senses with motor activities. preoperational stage Cognitive stage from ages 2 to 7 during which the child becomes capable of representing the world symbolicallyfor example, through the use of languagebut is still very limited in ability to use mental operations. concrete operations Cognitive stage from age 7 to 11 in which children learn to use mental operations but are limited to applying them to concrete, observable situations rather than hypothetical situations. mental operations Cognitive activity involving manipulating and reasoning about objects. formal operations Cognitive stage from age 11 on up in which people learn to think systematically about possibilities and hypotheses. pendulum problem Piagets classic test of formal operations, in which persons are asked to figure out what determines the speed at which a pendulum sways from side to side. hypothetical-deductive reasoning Piagets term for the process by which the formal operational thinker systematically tests possible solutions to a problem and arrives at an answer that can be defended and explained. abstract thinking Thinking in terms of symbols, ideas, and concepts. complex thinking Thinking that takes into account multiple connections and interpretations, such as in the use of metaphor, satire, and sarcasm. metacognition The capacity for thinking about thinking that allows adolescents and adults to reason about their thought processes and monitor them. individual differences Approach to research that focuses on how individuals differ within a group, for example, in performance on IQ tests. postformal thinking Type of thinking beyond formal operations, involving greater awareness of the complexity of real-life situations, such as the use of pragmatism and reflective judgment. pragmatism Type of thinking that involves adapting logical thinking to the practical constraints of real-life situations. dialectical thought Type of thinking that develops in emerging adulthood, involving a growing awareness that most problems do not have a single solution and that problems must often be addressed with crucial pieces of information missing. reflective judgment The capacity to evaluate the accuracy and logical coherence of evidence and arguments. dualistic thinking Cognitive tendency to see situations and issues in polarized, absolute, black-and-white terms. multiple thinking Cognitive approach entailing recognition that there is more than one legitimate view of things and that it can be difficult to justify one position as the true or accurate one. relativism Cognitive ability to recognize the legitimacy of competing points of view but also compare the relative merits of competing views. commitment Cognitive status in which persons commit themselves to certain points of view they believe to be the most valid while at the same time being open to reevaluating their views if new evidence is presented to them. information-processing approach An approach to understanding cognition that seeks to delineate the steps involved in the thinking process and how each step is connected to the next. discontinuous A view of development as taking place in stages that are distinct from one another rather than as one gradual, continuous process. continuous A view of development as a gradual, steady process rather than as taking place in distinct stages. componential approach Description of the information-processing approach to cognition, indicating that it involves breaking down the thinking process into its various components. selective attention The ability to focus on relevant information while screening out information that is irrelevant. divided attention The ability to focus on more than one task at a time. short-term memory Memory for information that is the current focus of attention. long-term memory Memory for information that is committed to long-term storage, so that it can be drawn upon after a period when attention has not been focused on it. working memory An aspect of short-term memory that refers to where information is stored as it is comprehended and analyzed. mnemonic devices Memory strategies. automaticity Degree of cognitive effort a person needs to devote to processing a given set of information. reductionism Breaking up a phenomenon into separate parts to such an extent that the meaning and coherence of the phenomenon as a whole becomes lost. critical thinking Thinking that involves not merely memorizing information but analyzing it, making judgments about what it means, relating it to other information, and considering ways in which it might be valid or invalid. behavioral decision theory Theory of decision making that describes the decision-making process as including (1) identifying the range of possible choices; (2) identifying the consequences that would result from each choice; (3) evaluating the desirability of each consequence; (4) assessing the likelihood of each consequence; and (5) integrating this information. organizational core Term applied especially to cognitive development, meaning that cognitive development affects all areas of thinking, no matter what the topic. social cognition How people think about other people, social relationships, and social institutions perspective taking The ability to understand the thoughts and feelings of others. mutual perspective taking Stage of perspective taking, often found in early adolescence, in which persons understand that their perspective-taking interactions with others are mutual, in the sense that each side realizes that the other can take their perspective. social and conventional system perspective taking Realizing that the social perspectives of self and others are influenced not just by their interaction with each other but by their roles in the larger society. prosocial Promoting the well-being of others. theory of mind The ability to attribute mental states to ones self and others, including beliefs, thoughts, and feelings. adolescent egocentrism Type of egocentrism in which adolescents have difficulty distinguishing their thinking about their own thoughts from their thinking about the thoughts of others. imaginary audience Belief that others are acutely aware of and attentive to ones appearance and behavior. personal fable A belief in ones personal uniqueness, often including a sense of invulnerability to the consequences of taking risks. optimistic bias The tendency to assume that accidents, diseases, and other misfortunes are more likely to happen to other people than to ones self. psychometric approach Attempt to understand human cognition by evaluating cognitive abilities using intelligence tests Alfred Binet French psychologist who developed the first intelligence test in the early 20th century, which later became known as the Stanford-Binet. Stanford-Binet Widely used IQ test developed by Alfred Binet and revised by scholars at Stanford University intelligence quotient A measure of a persons intellectual abilities based on a standardized test. Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children (WISC-IV) Intelligence test for children ages 6 to 16, with six Verbal and five Performance subtests. Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale (WAIS-IV) Intelligence test for persons ages 16 and up, with six Verbal and five Performance subtests. Verbal subtests In the Wechsler IQ tests, subtests that examine verbal abilities Performance subtests In the Wechsler IQ tests, subtests that examine abilities for attention, spatial perception, and speed of processing. relative performance In IQ tests, performance results compared to those of other persons of the same age. absolute performance In IQ tests, performance results compared to those of other persons, regardless of age. age norms Technique for developing a psychological test, in which a typical score for each age is established by testing a large random sample of people from a variety of geographical areas and social class backgrounds. median In a distribution of scores, the point at which half of the population scores above and half below. test-retest reliability Type of reliability that examines whether or not persons scores on one occasion are similar to their scores on another occasion. fluid intelligence Mental abilities that involve speed of analyzing, processing, and reacting to information. crystallized intelligence Accumulated knowledge and enhanced judgment based on experience. predictive validity In longitudinal research, the ability of a variable at Time 1 to predict the outcome of a variable at Time 2. transracial adoption The adoption of children of one race by parents of a different race. theory of multiple intelligences Howard Gardners theory that there are eight separate types of intelligence. fMRI A technique for measuring brain functioning during an ongoing activity. PET scans A technique for assessing ongoing brain functioning, in which a chemical that emits positrons is injected into the body, and detectors measure their activity levels in various parts of the brain. synapse The point of transmission between two nerve cells. neurons Cells of the nervous system, including the brain. overproduction or exuberance A rapid increase in the production of synaptic connections in the brain. gray matter The outer layer of the brain, where most of the growth in brain cells occurs during overproduction in adolescence. frontal lobes The part of the brain immediately behind the forehead. Known to be involved in higher brain functions such as planning ahead and analyzing complex problems. synaptic pruning Following overproduction, the process by which the number of synapses in the brain are reduced, making brain functioning faster and more efficient but less flexible. myelination Process by which myelin, a blanket of fat wrapped around the main part of the neuron, grows. Myelin serves the function of keeping the brains electrical signals on one path and increasing their speed. cerebellum A structure in the lower brain, well beneath the cortex, long thought to be involved only in basic functions such as movement, now known to be important for many higher functions as well, such as mathematics, music, decision making, and social skills. Vygotsky Russian psychologist who emphasized the cultural basis of cognitive development. zone of proximal development The gap between how competently a person performs a task alone and when guided by an adule or more competent peer. scaffolding The degree of assistance provided to the learner in the zone of proximal development, gradually decreasing as the learners skills develop. guided participation The teaching interaction between two people (often an adult and a child or adolescent) as they participate in a culturally valued activity. cultural psychology Approach to human psychology emphasizing that psychological functioning cannot be separated from the culture in which it takes place. cultural beliefs The predominant beliefs in a culture about right and wrong, what is most important in life, and how life should be lived. May also include beliefs about where and how life originated and what happens after death. symbolic inheritance The set of ideas and understandings, both implicit and explicit, about persons, society, nature, and divinity that serve as a guide to life in a particular culture. It is expressed symbolically through stories, songs, rituals, sacred objects, and sacred places. roles Defined social positions in a culture, containing specifications of behavior, status, and relations with others. Examples include gender, age, and social class. gender roles Cultural beliefs about the kinds of work, appearance, and other aspects of behavior that distinguish women from men. socialization The process by which people acquire the behaviors and beliefs of the culture in which they live. self-regulation The capacity for exercising self-control in order to restrain ones impulses and comply with social norms. role preparation An outcome of socialization that includes preparation for occupational roles, gender roles, and roles in institutions such as marriage and parenthood. Bat Mitzvah Jewish religious ritual for girls at age 13 that signifies the adolescents new responsibilities with respect to Jewish beliefs. Bar Mitzvah Jewish religious ritual for boys at age 13 that signifies the adolescents new responsibilities with respect to Jewish beliefs. sources of meaning The ideas and beliefs that people learn as a part of socialization, indicating what is important, what is to be values, what is to be lived for, and how to explain and offer consolation for the individuals mortality. interdependent self A conception of the self typically found in collectivistic cultures, in which the self is seen as defined by roles and relationships within the group. independent self A conception of the self typically found in individualistic cultures, in which the self is seen as existing independently of relations with others, with an emphasis on independence, individual freedoms, and individual achievements. broad socialization The process by which persons in an individualistic culture come to learn individualism, including values of individual uniqueness, independence, and self-expression. narrow socialization The process by which persons in a collectivistic culture come to learn collectivism, including values of obedience and conformity. custom complex A customary practice and the beliefs, values, sanctions, rules, motives, and satisfactions associated with it; that is, a normative practice in a culture and the cultural beliefs that provide the basis for that practice. ontogenetic Something that occurs naturally in the course of development as part of normal maturation; that is, it is driven by innate processes rather than by environmental stimulation or a specific cultural practice. first-generation families The status of persons who were born in one country and then immigrated to another. second-generation families The status of persons who were born in the country they currently reside in but whose parents were born in a different country. secular Based on nonreligious beliefs and values. social desirability The tendency for people participating in social science studies to report their behavior as they believe it would be approved by others rather than as it actually occurred. poetic-conventional faith Fowlers term for the stage of faith development most typical of early adolescence, in which people become more aware of the symbolism used in their faith and religious understanding becomes more complex in the sense hat early adolescents increasingly believe that there is more than one way of knowing the truth. individuating-reflective faith Fowlers term for the stage of faith most typical of late adolescence and emerging adulthood, in which people rely less on what their parents believed and develop a more individualized faith based on questioning their beliefs and incorporating their personal experience into their beliefs. heteronomous morality Piagets term for the period of moral development from about ages 4 to about 7, in which moral rules are viewed as having a sacred, fixed quality, handed down from figures of authority and alterable only by them. autonomous morality Piagets term for the period of moral development from about ages 10 to 12, involving a growing realization that moral rules are social conventions that can be changed if people decide they should be changed. preconventional reasoning In Kohlbergs theory of moral development, the level in which moral reasoning is based on perceptions of the likelihood of external rewards and punishments. conventional reasoning In Kohlbergs theory of moral development, the level of moral reasoning in which the person advocates the value of conforming to the moral expectations of others. What is right is whatever agrees with the rules established by tradition and by authorities. postconventional reasoning In Kohlbergs theory of moral development, the level in which moral reasoning is based on the individuals own independent judgments rather than on egocentric considerations or considerations of what others view as wrong or right. justice orientation A type of moral orientation that places a premium on abstract principles of justice, equality, and fairness. care orientation Gilligans term for the type of moral orientation that involves focusing on relationships with others as the basis for moral reasoning. worldview A set of cultural beliefs that explain what it means to be human, how human relations should be conducted, and how human problems should be addressed.

The Whole Foods Market 2010

The Whole Foods Market 2010 The retail grocery industry has increasingly become very attractive in the recent past. Many firms have realized that this industry is lucrative given the increase of the number of people looking for healthy foods. In order to understand the attractiveness of this industry, Porters five forces will be used.Advertising We will write a custom case study sample on The Whole Foods Market: 2010 specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More The first force is the risk of entry by other potential competitors. This risk is relatively low because most firms these products highly perishable and therefore, prone to high risk if customers are not accessible in time. The bargaining power of the buyers is relatively low because they are convinced that such healthy foods are worth high prices. They are always willing to pay such high prices. The bargaining power of the suppliers is also low because they are always striving to release these products while they ar e still fresh. They would try to avoid situation where they stay with the products for long because they can go at serious loss. The threat of substitutes in this industry is extremely low. It is not easy for the customers to find a perfect replacement for these products. This makes retail grocery industry very attractive. Whole Foods is one of the leading firms in this industry. The macro environment has a number of factors that affect the retail grocery industry in general, and Whole Foods in specific. The Political environment would dictate ease of doing business in this country. With political stability, the industry will have the needed security to conduct business. The economic environment may also affect players in this industry. With economic recession, the industry may experience low sales because consumers will have less disposable income. As shown in the case, the economic environment is a main factor that has been considered to affect players in the industry. The social environment may dictate the nature of products that players in this field may stock. Technology is coming out strongly as another important factor in the external environment. Environmental concern is another important factor. The Green Movement is a clear indication that consumers expect firms to be environmentally friendly.Advertising Looking for case study on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Finally, the legal environment is a factor that must be considered in the external environment. In the internal environment, the financial position of a firm heavily affects its operations. A firm must understand its sales and the net income. The figure below shows the sales and net income of Whole Foods. The figure above shows the sales made by this firm and the net income from the year 2005 to 2010. From the figures above, it is clear that this firm has been experiencing a steady increase in sales over t he years. Although the net income was a little unsteady, especially in 2008 and 2009, it started rising again in 2010. The slow rate of income in 2008 and 2009 can be attributed to the 2008/2009 economic recession in the country. Based on the above findings, the main recommendation that the management should consider taking seriously is the need to increase its sales volume by going beyond its current market. The management should consider moving to other European markets besides United Kingdom. China and India can also make very attractive market for this firm given the huge population they have. This will help in increasing their net income.

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

Philosophy - Essay Example Introduction Death Penalty, also referred to as Capital punishment, entails the execution of a convicted wrongdoer by law/judicial process enforcement officers as a punishment for a particular crime(s). It is ever the most severe punishment form. The various lawful means through which death penalty is administered comprise hanging, lethal injection, firing squad, electrocution, gassing and use of the guillotine (Duhaime 1). The offences punishable via capital punishment include but are not limited to rape and other sexual crimes, murder, espionage, treason and repeated crimes. They are referred to as capital crimes. This form of punishment is also performed as part of military justice. The criminal provisions for death penalty deem such individuals (convicted offenders) as a gross menace to the existence of the society (Legal-explanations.com 1). Majority of countries around the world have banned the death penalty. Infoplease.com quotes Amnesty International which records that 137 co untries have abolished this form of punishment. Additionally, a considerable reduction in the number of executions yearly in countries that have not banned it is evident. For instance, in the year 2007, twenty-four countries put 1,252 people to death, (of which eighty-eight percent took place in Saudi Arabia, China, Pakistan, Iran and USA alone), while in the previous year, they had executed 1,591 individuals. In 51 countries that apply death penalty to particular crimes’ offenders, approximately 3,350 people received the death penalty in 2006. In the year 2009, more than twenty thousand prisoners were on death row globally (Infoplease.com 1). In the view of people who support capital punishment, the threat of executions dissuades individuals from committing capital crimes, and thus it is more effective than incarceration. While this claim is credible, numerous studies on the topic of death penalty and deterrence in addition to the rate of capital crimes in countries that app ly the death penalty yields different result – they do not support this idea. In effect, in countries that do not apply the death penalty, the rate of capital crimes is continuously lower as opposed to those countries that apply it.  For instance, of the four regions of the United States, the Southern region has the highest rate of capital crimes despite the region having more than eighty percent of all executions in the United States. Moreover, a recent study revealed that of the surveyed United States’ top criminologists, eighty-eight percent are not for the belief that capital punishment deters capital crimes (Lacock & Radelet 503). There is ample prove that capital crime rates and the death penalty lack correlation. A major study by the United Nations concluded that there lacks substantiation of the view that compared to life incarceration; death penalty has a greater deterrent effect. Findings from the United States of America in addition indicate that death pen alty does not prevent capital crime. Moreover, reports from the American Civil Liberties Union divulge that states that apply death penalty laws do not have lower rates of capital crimes than those states that do not apply it (Peikrishvili 5). What is more is that a US police chiefs’ national survey disqualifies the  claim that death penalty is an essential tool of reducing the number of capital crimes with the police chiefs

W7Department-wide Information Systems Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

W7Department-wide Information Systems - Essay Example This section will discuss the concept of â€Å"Dysfunctional departments† and problem associated to these departments. The complicatedness of dysfunctional departments bend forward to begin through unusual structures of department society that builds up when one individual or a little group of individuals make use of a crucial as well as negative pressure on friendly discourse over an extensive period of time. In this way we reached to dysfunctional departments that are recognized, not born. Sometimes high position administrators support the conditions in which intact department turns out to be dysfunctional. A dysfunctional organization or department can be dysfunctional in many ways, like that the major reason is the deprived administrative performance, and then there is also lack of business knowledge as the main reason at the back of the dysfunctional behavior. The negative internal departmental politics is also one of the main reasons at the back of the dysfunctional depa rtments (Maghroori., 2006). This section covers few main elements that are the fundamental reasons behind the dysfunctional department. All the way through this assessment we will be able to access the reason behind the failing of the information system in the dysfunctional departments. (3) Administrators are able to prevent from this progression if they are capable to become aware of it unfortunate and if they are ready to smoothly model additional positive types of collegial behavior, but frequently ignorance of the management make the overall environment more critical. In up to date business practices the information system is the fundamental need for any business. The business with an information system can be able to take an effective lead in the marketplace. The accomplishment of the information system sometimes exposes lot of realties and

Violence and Exploitation of Women and Children Essay

Violence and Exploitation of Women and Children - Essay Example Children are no less exposed to violence than women. In fact, many of the girls that are raped and mutilated are also children. According to the estimates recorded by Feminist.com (2008), as many as 17.6 per cent of women in US have undergone forced rape of which, 21.6 per cent were not even 12 years of age at the time of first attempt of rape and another 32.4 per cent were aged between 12 and 17 years. Baum (2005) has noted that likelihood of children and adolescents aged between 12 and 19 years to be exposed to violence as compared to adults were more than twice. Thousands of children are abuse, physically, emotionally or both in US every year. â€Å"A large proportion of children surveyed (38.7 percent) reported more than one direct victimization (a victimization directed toward the child, as opposed to an incident that the child witnessed, heard, or was otherwise exposed to)† (Finkelhor et al., 2009, p. 7). Many women and children are victimized by their own relatives. It is interesting to note that a vast majority of the women are raped by their own ex-husbands, boyfriends or room mates. According to Feminist.com (2008), 64 per cent of the women who are raped in US are related to the rapists. The rapists usually take revenge from the girls for their personal grudge.

Factors in Inventoriable Costs

Factors in Inventoriable Costs 1) Definition of inventoriable costs In accounting, inventoriable costs are those costs incurs when company obtain products or make to the end products before they sell them. So inventoriable costs are also involving to product costs which include costs of direct labour, direct material and manufactural overhead. inventoriable costs are recorded in inventory account as assets in balance sheets before products are sold as costs of goods sold expenses which are recorded as expenses in income statements. (Wilkinson, 2013) 2) Examples of costs are included and not included in inventoriable costs Costs are included in inventoriable cost such as raw material and direct labour. For example, raw materials such as cloth and zipper which are purchased by hang bag factories. Direct labour which are workers use those raw material to make hand bags. All finished hand bags cannot be recorded into expenses until they are sold and will record into costs of goods sold expenses in income statements. Selling expenses and administrative expenses are not included in inventoriable costs .They are period costs which are recorded as expenses directly into income statements. Examples of costs are not included in inventoriable costs such as salaries paid to salesperson, advertisements expenses which are not related to production costs. Activity based cost drives can be identified as volume-based cost driver and non-volume cost based drivers. Volume based cost drives include input and outputs. Volume cost based drivers Outputs are one of cost drivers such as the number of units produces. If a business has only one product, then if use outputs cost drives will be the simplest method. However, if businesses have more than one product, and each product need to allocate difference overhead resources, the outputs will not be cost drivers. A noodle shop in the night market in Auckland can use outputs as cost drives because they only have product of noodle and the ingredient and labour costs in each bowl of noodle is same. However, there are different breads in bakery, so bakery cannot use outputs as cost drivers. Inputs. Direct labour hours or direct labour cost. Many businesses uses direct labour hour or cost as manufacturing overhead cost driver. For example, tax agency they charge their client by their time cost. Machine hour. Some business their equipment is more automatic and they need fewer direct labour cost, so they use machine hour as overhead cost drivers. For example, Fuji Xerox they charge their client by printers meter reading. Direct material quantities or costs. Some businesses require large numbers of material and they use direct materials as cost drivers. (Langfiled-Smith, 2012) Example: Management accountant he use input of volume cost based drivers to decide the price of custom furniture for their clients in ABC furniture design shop. The costs of custom a chair as following: There are $50 direct material, $100 labour cost, $20 machine hour. Management accountant will set that chairs price must be more than $170. Examples: followings are electricity costs for producing cookie in a cookie company. Month Electricity cost for month Numbers of batches produced for month January $7200 1210 February 6950 1050 March 6100 980 April 7300 1350 May 5990 810 June 6530 990 July 5700 790 August 5400 750 September 6800 990 October 7150 1190 November 5800 820 December 7400 1320 Variable cost of Electricity per batch = ($7400-5400)/ (1320-750) =3.51 per batch produced At the lowest activity of 750 batches, total variable cost is $2633 ($3.51750), subtracting lowest cost in lowest activity was $5400, and difference was $2767. Monthly cost of electricity = $2767+ ($3.51 x number of batches produced in a month) Weakness of high low method: this method is not recommended in estimate cost behavior, because this method only use two data (highest and lowest) and ignore the rest data. So we have no assurance about this method to present cost behavior accurately. a. Avoidable and unavoidable costs Avoidable costs are those costs will not happen if some particular decision is made. (Langfiled-Smith, 2012) Example: Bank of New Zealand they decided to close some braches and cutting opening hours because they use digital bank more. BNZ use this method to save the avoidable cost such as wages, rates, and rents in some branches by closing them. (Parker, 2017) Unavoidable costs: are costs still incur even no matter what decisions or actions are made. Example: residential property owner whatever the decision is made to rent or not rent the house, the council rate and insurance costs are not avoidable. Sunk and Opportunity costs Sunk costs are those costs already happened and cannot be changed now and in the future. Those costs are resources already acquired and they will not be affected by different decisions are made. So when make decision can ignore those costs. (Langfiled-Smith, 2012) Example: accountant purchase a printer for $1000. The cost of $1000 is sunk costs. Opportunity costs are potential benefits are arisen when alternative decision is made over another. (Langfiled-Smith, 2012) Example: if accountant did not purchase that printer cost $1000, he/she will save $1000, and $1000 is opportunity cost. Relevant and irrelevant costs Relevant costs: costs are affected by the different managerial decision made. Normally, there are two or more alternative managerial decision, and manager will choose more profitable alternative. Relevant costs will be incur in one managerial decision but avoid in another. Example: those costs in closed BNZ branches are relevant costs, because BNZ will save more expenses and to get more profit if they close those branches. Irrelevant costs: costs are not affected by different decision making. In other words, irrelevant costs are costs will continually happen no matter what decision are made. Example: CEO salary is irrelevant costs whether BNZ decide to close some branches References Langfiled-Smith, K. (2012). Management Accounting: information for creating and managing value. Sydney, NSW 2113, Australia: Rosemary Noble. Parker, T. (2017, March 17). BNZ cuts branches and opening hours. Retrieved from nzherald.co.nz: http://www.nzherald.co.nz/personal-finance/news/article.cfm?c_id=12objectid=11820201 Relevant VS Irrelevant costs. (n.d.). Retrieved from accountingexplained: http://accountingexplained.com/managerial/costs/relevant-irrelevant-costs Wilkinson, J. (2013, July 24). The Strategic CFO. Retrieved from Inventoriable costs: https://strategiccfo.com/inventoriable-costs/

The Book of Enoch :: essays research papers

The Book of Enoch We first learn of Enoch in Genesis 5 but it leaves us with questions. Hebrews 11 has the answers and Jude quotes Enoch! How did Jude come to know the words of Enoch? They are not in the Bible. The answer of course, is The Book of Enoch. A book which is actually quoted not only by Jude, but also James the natural brother of Jesus. The quote in (Jude 14-15) & (1 Enoch 1:9) is as follows: "In the seventh (generation) from Adam Enoch also prophesied these things, saying: 'Behold, the Lord came with his holy myriads, to execute judgment on all, and to convict all the ungodly of all their ungodly deeds which they have committed in such an ungodly way, and of all the harsh things which ungodly sinners spoke against him'." What is the Book of Enoch and where did it come from? Enoch was the grandfather of Noah. The Book of Enoch chapter 68:1 "And after that my grandfather Enoch gave me all the secrets in the book and in the parables which had been given to him, and he put them together for me in the words of the book of the parables." This makes it possible for the Book to have survived the flood as its not too hard to accept that Noah would have taken his Great Grandfathers writings with him onto the ark. The Book of Enoch was extant centuries before the birth of Christ and yet is considered by many to be more Christian in its theology than Jewish. It was considered scripture by many early Christians. The earliest literature of the so-called "Church Fathers" is filled with references to this mysterious book. The early second century "Epistle of Barnabus" makes much use of the Book of Enoch. Second and Third Century "Church Fathers" like Justin Martyr, Irenaeus, Origin and Clement of Alexandria all make use of the Book of Enoch. Tertullian (160-230 C.E) even called the Book of Enoch "Holy Scripture". The Ethiopic Church even added the Book of Enoch to its official canon. It was widely known and read the first three centuries after Christ. This and many other books became discredited after the Council of Laodicea. And being under ban of the authorities, afterwards it gradually passed out of circulation. At about the time of the Protestant Reformation, there came to be a renewed interest in the Book of Enoch which had long since been lost to the modern world.