Arab Revolt Affect on World Economy

â€Å"A civilization which leaves so large a number of its participants unsatisfied and drives them into revolt neither has nor deserves the prospect of a lasting existence. † (Freud, 2011) As the above quote describe the revolt took place when the citizen of the country are left unsatisfied and there are demands and rights ignored by the government or the king/queen or by the monarch for their benefits and luxury it triggered the citizen to come on the roads or even to pick up the arms for the their freedom to breath in their country. This is what the world has witnessed from winters of 2010. When the citizen of the Middle East countries and North Africa mainly Tunisia, Egypt, Libya, Syria and Yemen came together to throw away the rule of the old tyrants which are ruling them for years and suppressing their lives for the lavishness in their own countries by exercising the their power on them. But once the revolt got the spark it turns into the fire and it burnt the all the ruler rules and even some ruler also have to loose their lives. The revolt which took place in the Middle East countries and North Africa was named as Jasmine revolution and Arab spring. The revolt was first triggered from the North Africa country Tunisia, and from there the demand of democracy travel to Egypt, Libya, Syria and Yemen. Facebook was one of the major tools for the revolutionary, which united them collected them and helps them to share ideas for finding the way to achieve the democracy dream. The youth played the major role in the revolt and it was fueled by the seven metrics which include price rise, corruption, income disparity, unemployment, repression, external (NATO) support and internet and mobile media support. Anderson, 2011) The Jasmine revolution or Arab Spring started from Tunisia on 18 December 2010 where the Tunisia citizen which turn out to be the revolutionary in the end for their right for democracy. Tunisia citizen was very unsatisfied from the rule of their dictator Zine el-Abidine Ben Ali who was ruling the country from 1987. In the 23 years rule zine el-Abidine Ben Ali has never thought of the citizen of the country and only thought o f his luxurious life, which resulted into the high unemployment, low income, corruption and food inflation. The balloon which was filled with hot air of the problem and concerns for their and their children life from 23 years exploded. The Tunisia citizen came on the streets on 18 December evening demanding Zine el-Abidine Ben Ali to leave the throne. The vendor Mohamed Bouaziz who killed himself by setting himself on fire in Sidi Bouzid to demonstrate Zine el-Abidine Ben Ali that it is more easy to do suicide by setting himself on fire then to live with his family in Tunisia under the rule of Zine el-Abidine Ben Ali which has only giving him problem life food inflation, poverty, no liberty and no right to even ask for his right. The death Mohamed Bouaziz work as a catalyst in the Tunisia revolution the demonstration and protest started to get more fierce which was shaking the 23 years rule of Zine el-Abidine Ben Ali. Zine el-Abidine Ben Ali tries his best to safeguard his rule by using power of police and security force. Police and security forces open fire on the demonstrators. Thousands of demonstrators got injured and hundreds of demonstrators were killed by the forces. After 28 days of Mohamed Bouaziz death On 14 January 2011 Zine el-Abidine Ben Ali has to resign from his post and to save his live he has to leave Tunisia and fly to Saudi Arabia. After the demolition of the rule of Zine el-Abidine Ben Ali a state emergency was declared. This inspired the other Middle East countries and North Africa countries to fight for the problems, rights and their freedom. ( Chick,2011) As the revolt has not only impacted the Tunisia economy itself but also the European union, Arab league and western countries. As Tunisia has very good trade relation with the European Union, United States, China and many other Asian countries so it also going to affect the economies of these countries. Tunisia is very close to European union economically and commercially, On 1 January 2008 European Union and Tunisia signed a association agreement in which all the trade barriers and custom tariffs was lifted for both the countries on manufactured goods which made free trade for both the European Union countries and Tunisia. Tunisia used mainly deals in manufacturing goods, textiles, footwear’s, petroleum and electrical and mechanical goods. Tunisia exports count of $ 16. 416 billion which is mainly clothing, semi finished goods and textiles, mechanical and electrical goods and hydrocarbons. The main importers of the Tunisian goods are European Union countries, European Union import more than 76% of Tunisia goods which are export from Tunisia to other countries. Asia, Africa and Americas are the next major importer of the Tunisian goods. So the revolt has significant affect on the European Union countries market. Tunisia is not only the supplier of goods to European market but it is also very good market for the European Union countries as the European countries export more than 71% total import of the Tunisia which accounts for $ 22. 08 billion, Asia and African next two major exporter for Tunisia. (European Commission Trade,2010) The United States of America has also signed a Trade and Investment Framework Agreement in October 2002. Tunisia has also signed a Agadir Agreement with Saudi Arab, Jordan and Morocco In 2004. (U. S. Department of State,2011) Egypt was the next country which got inspired by the Tunisia revolution and was ready to do the same which Tunisia citi zen has done for their democracy and right because Egypt was also suffering from the same disease from many years name dictatorship. Egypt economy was growing under the rule of Hosni Mubarak but some factors that triggered the Egypt citizen to fight for the resignation of Hosni Mubarak was the corruption, low incomes, high unemployment, food inflation, emergency law and no right to speak. These were the factors which was the cause of the end of the Hosni Mubarak rule over Egypt. Hosni Mubarak got the power to rule Egypt in 1981 and he ruled Egypt for 30 years by imposing the continuous state of emergency in the country. On 25 January 2011 young generation of Egypt decided that they are going to fight against the corrupt government of Hosni Mubarak by using the social networking sites like Facebook and twitter. The social media and television media played very big role in Egypt revolution. On 28 January 2011 thousands of people came out of their houses on streets for the peaceful demonstration in Cairo. President Hosni Mubarak tried very hard to cling on the power by giving speeches to the nation, by promising he want stand for election for next time and by forming a new cabinet. But on 3 February in Cairo on Tahrir square the tsunami of protestor has been witnessed by Egypt and then riots broke out in which many people died and got injured. After the 18th day protest on 11 February 2011 Hosni Mubarak step down from the post of the president and the Egyptian Armed force took over the control of Egypt. (Amar, 2011) Egypt is not a oil exporting country but it play a very vital rule in providing the oil to the other through the gift of Suez canal. Suez Canal is 102 mile long canal situated in the red sea. Through Suez Canal and overland pipelines in Egypt nearly 3. 6 % of total oil production passes to the world which is 3 million barrels of oil every day. 2700 crude oil tanker ships passes through the canal and if the revolt continues and it disrupted the canal then it will directly lead to the price rise of the oil which will be the strong reason for spreading the food inflation in the world. (Dadwal, 2011) After Tunisia and Egypt it was turn of Libya which was suffering from the rule of Colonel Muammar Gaddafi. Libya citizen was facing many problems during the 42 years rule of Colonel Muammar Gaddafi like unemployment, corruption in government office, no right speech, human right violation and food Inflation. But after the success of Tunisia citizen Libya got the new hope that they can fight for their right and they can win they rights. The protest was started on 15 February 2011 and turn into civil war when security force fire on the crowd. After that rebellion group was formed. On 20 February rebellions captured Tripoli which is the capital of Libya. In this fight the rebellion also got the support of the NATO forces which was bombarding on Gaddafi army. After capturing the Tripoli the one and only aim of the rebellion force was to capture Muammar Gaddafi and kill him. On 20 October Muammar Gaddafi rule ended on Libya and his life to he was killed by rebellion army when he was trying to escape from Libya. On 23 October 2011 the civil war of Libya ended. (BIX, 2011) Economically Libyan Civil war has many major impact on the global economy as Libya is one of the oil producing country in the North Africa and it’ s oil production counts for 1% or 2% of total oil production of the world. But Libya export more than 85% oil to Europe and 5% oil to US. Because of the Libyan Civil war the oil price have rocketed in global market. Libya produces 1. 7 million barrels a day on the normal day of Libya but after the protest started the oil production has gone down more than 50%. In the revolt time Libya is just producing half of the oil compare to normal day which is less than 400000 barrel a day. The production has gone down because the foreign workers which work in oil refinery have to flee to their homes to safe their life and because of which in the oil refineries few worker are left. The energy export of Libya has been completely stopped after the revolt which has given the new jump to the oil in the world market. Italy imported 25% of oil and 15 % of natural gases from Libya. Greenstream pipeline which carriers’ natural gases from Sahara field of Wafa to Mediterranean port which ship to Italy for meeting the energy requirement of Italy. But during the Libyan Civil war it was under the control of rebellion forces because of which Italy has to suffer from energy shortage. Because of Libyan civil war the oil futures rises to $120 barrel in London and $100 in US which was the highest since the global slowdown of 2008. ( WATSON,2011) And the oil will have more price rise because the Libya output might be vanished for some time from the global market. Saudi Arab have also announced that it will cover the oil production from Arab nation by producing more oil which will cover for the lost of oil production of Libya. And they will ship extra barrels to European countries through Red sea. Saudi Arab has also convinced the West African countries to divert the shipment of oil from Asia to Europe. But the high quality oil of Libya which has low sulphur contain and which can easy be refined will created problem for the European small refineries to refine the heavy sulphur Saudi Oil which will also increase the cost of the European countries and which will be seen on the price of the product of goods in the long run. But it not all about Libya export it also about the Libya Import as the Libya Import account for more than $ 22 billion. The goods which is mainly imported by Libya are machinery, transport equipment, food, manufactured goods and consumer products and the major countries which export these goods to Libya are Italy, China, Turkey Germany and South Korea etc. These countries will be also being facing problem because the market where they were selling the goods it is completely destroyed by the revolt. (Reddy,2011) Syria is also included in the name of the countries which are fighting for their freedom like Tunisia, Egypt and Libya. The causes for the Syrian revolution was quite same with the other three countries like corruption in government, dictatorship, no human rights, unemployment and inspirational success of the revolt of Tunisia and Egypt. In Syria this war is not for one person this war is against the corrupt government of Syria which is ruled by Ba’ath Party who’s Hafez al Assad ruled this country for 30 years and after his death his son Bashar-al-Assad succeeded him and capture the throne of Syria. On 15 march the Syrian decided to protest against the Assad family which is ruling them from 1970 by using their terror and power. Assad family have many examples of brutality on Syria back but on 15 march citizen of Syria called it â€Å"Day of Dignity† and thousands of people came out to protest against Bashar-al-Assad demanding his resignation. Bashar –al-Assad is clinging to the power by security forces and police. Security force and police has killed many protestors during the protest to safeguard the crown of the president of Bashar-al-Assad. Bashar–al-Assad has fired his old government but he remain in the power and he formed a new government to manipulate the people of Syria. But the protest is still going on and Bashar–al-Assad is using army to suppress the revolt. Blanford, 2011) Economically Syrian uprising will also affect the world and first it will affect it neighboring countries mainly Turkey, Jordan, Lebanon and Iran. Turkey and Syria has the trade of $2. 27 billion last year it is definitely going to hurt Turkey badly. Firstly the demands for the Turkey goods are decr easing in Syria after starting of the Syrian uprising. The sources have estimated that the demand of the imports and Turkish goods which used to be high has decreased very sharply. The percentage decrease in the demand of Turkish imported goods in Syria has fallen between 30% to 40%. nd it is expected that the percentage decrease may also drop more than this. Both Turkey and Syria are not even having the desire to renew their contracts because of Syrian Uprising. In 2010 Turkey exported goods to Syria which account for $ 630 million while Syria exports goods to Turkey which account for $ 1. 6 billion. Turkey has invested around $ 260 million in sector such as lighting industry and construction industry. Second country which is going to get affected from this revolt is Lebanon. Lebanon is going to affected by Syria in two ways. Firstly the Syria and Lebanon has very good trade relation with each other. In 2010 the trade between both the countries is valued around $ 1. 3 billion. Secondly Lebanon got cheap labour from Syria and because of Syrian uprising the movement of labour will become difficult which rise the labour cost in the Lebanese economy. But because of this revolt Lebanese bank will have benefits, as Syrian merchants and businessmen use Lebanese banks to keep their deposits. And because of the revolt and instability in Syria the banking activity of Syrian merchant and businessmen will increase in Lebanese bank. Iraq is primary destination of Syrian exports as the Syria export goods to Iraq which account for $ 2. 5 billion which is the 18. 8% of the total Syrian export. (Saif, 2011). Syria is not a major oil producing nation. Two Asian emerging economies China and India has also invested in the Syria Al-Furat Petroleum company in 2005. India OVL and China CNPC jointly bought a 37% stake in the Syria Al-Furat Petroleum Company, which own 39 oil and gas fields in whole Syria. Share of OVL (India) was 0. 72 million tones in 2009- 2010 in the production of the crude oil in Syria. In 2009 OVL (India) founded oil on onshore block of North-Eastern Syria which are under the commercial development. So India and china also might get affected if the revolt continues in Syria. Syria uprising will also have impact on Russia and the European Union countries as they are one of the important trade partner of Syria. ( Balakrishanan,2011) Yemen Upspring 2011 started on 27 January when 16000 demonstrators came on to the streets against the president of Yemen Ali Abdullah Saleh and start demanding the resignation from the post of the president, which he was holding from 1978. After Tunisia revolution success Saleh was aware of the protest is going to happen in Yemen too. So Soon after the Jasmine revolution success he increased the salaries of military officers and civil servants by 25%. On 3 February 20000 people of Yemen protested against Saleh in Capital of Yemen Sana’a. On 18 march Saleh force killed 52 and injured hundred of protestors in Sana’a. But people of Yemen are still fighting for their human rights and against corruption. Ali Abdullah Saleh is evacuated to Saudi Arab Because he got injured in Bomb blast in the presidential compound mosque. And he hand over the power to vice president Abd al-Rab Mansur al-Hadi and revolt is going on and on. (Economist, 2011) Economically Yemen uprising impact will be seen mostly in the Asian Countries China and India. As China and India has very good trade relation with Yemen from many years. Yemen is a one of the largest market for Chinese product. Yemen export nearly account for $ 7. 5 billion which is mainly petroleum products, liquefied natural gas and refined oil products and the major market for the Yemeni goods are China, India, Thailand, South Africa, South Korea and United States. Yemen Import accounts for around $ 9. 2 billion and the major supplier are China, India, UAE, Saudi Arab and Kuwait. As the revolt goes on these are the countries whose market might suffer in the future. (U. S. Department of State 2011) Before the start of the Arab spring the Brent crude oil price was $100 per barrel. International Energy Agency has shown an astonishing figure of the growth by 2. 7 billion barrel per dollar, and has also predited that the growth will have a pace of 1. 5 million barrel per day for the world. The Arab Spring 2011 has had its major impact on the oil prices. The prices have risen in all parts of the world as there has been the unfavorable condition of more demand than the Arab countries can supply. The risk is greater in the emerging economies of the world than on the developed economies, because the developed economies have the money and they hold some power in these Arab economies which the emerging economies cannot enjoy. The main countries which are facing the revolt are Tunisia Libya and Egypt. As Libya is the 13th largest oil producing country and Egypt also control the supply of oil in foreign countries by Suez canal. The price of Brent crude oil has increased to $115 per barrel and on 24 February the price of oil got increased to $120 per barrel because it was realize that the world have to manage without or less supply of oil from Libya which accounts for 2% of worlds need. During the period of oil embargo in 1972, Iranian revolution and invasion of Iraq on Kuwait the world had witnessed a recessionary period and had also suffered from high oil prices to the low supply of the same. The world economy is very sensitive to oil price. As the price of Brent Crude oil had jumped 25% in last year which $23 per barrel. IMF has recognized that 10% increase in the oil price will decrease the GDP of economies by 0. 2% to 0. 3% in year. Increase in the oil prices may send back US and UK economy in double dip recession in the future. Every dollar increase in the oil price leads to the increase in US gas price by 2. 3 cent per gallon and which leads to the consumer taxes to $ 1. 2 billion per year. Emerging countries like India and China will be hard hit from the rise in the oil prices. The higher oil price may increase the inflation rate in the Emerging countries as China was targeting the Inflation rate of 4% but it rose well above the target which is 4. % and India inflation has been more than 9% in this which. The higher oil price may jump inflation rate in the near future. The increase in the oil prices may also result in higher unemployment as the rise of the oil price will increase the price of manufacturing which will lead to layoffs which will cause the stagflation in the economy. (Economist, 20 11) As the Arab Spring was for the democracy and for the Human rights of the citizen of MENA countries but the fact can’t be neglected that it had hurt the world economy quite badly and it may also worsen the current situation of world, hich is already suffering from other wounds like recession, Euro zone crisis, Japan crisis due to tsunami and earthquake and occupy wall street and many more events. But â€Å"You are a human being. You have rights inherent in that reality. You have dignity and worth that exist prior law† (Neylon,2011) Reference List 1. Anderson, L (2011), ‘Demystifying the Arab Spring', Foreign Affairs, 90, 3, pp 2-7. 2. Amar, P (2011), ‘EGYPT AFTER MUBARAK', Nation, 292, 21, pp. 11-15 3. Blanford, N (2011), ‘Could Syria see an uprising like Egypt's? Not likely', Christian Science Monitor. Available at: http://ehis. ebscohost. com/ehost/detail? vid=6=121=f6bf370c-a90d-4f69-a3a9-eecc26d597ec%40sessionmgr115=JnNpdGU9ZWhvc3QtbGl2ZQ%3d%3d#db=aph=57765811 4. BIX, HP (2011), ‘The North African–Middle East Uprisings from Tunisia to Libya', Massachusetts Review, 52, 2, pp. 329-347. 5. Balakrishanan ,B (2011) ‘Global Impact of Syria’a crisis’ The Hindu Business Line, Available at: http://www. thehindubusinessline. com/opinion/columns/bhaskar-balakrishnan/article2032363. ece [Accessed on 6/11/2011]. 6. Chick, K, (2011). How revolt sparked to life in Tunisia. Christian Science Monitor , Available at:. ttp://ehis. ebscohost. com/ehost/resultsadvanced? sid=f6bf370c-a90d-4f69-a3a9-eecc26d597ec%40sessionmgr115=3=20=(yet+more+cracking+down)=JmRiPWFwaCZ0eXBlPTEmc2l0ZT1laG9zdC1saXZl 7. Dadwal. R. S, (2011) ‘The Crisis in Egypt and its Impact on the Oil Market’ Available at: http://www. eurasiareview. com/05022011-the-crisis-in-egypt-and-its- impact-on-the-oil-market/. [Accessed on 7/11/2011] 8. European Commission Trade (2010), ‘Tunisia’ Available at : http://ec. europa. eu/trade/creating-opportunities/bilateral-relations/countries/tunisia/ [Accessed on 8/11/2011] 9. Freud,S (2011) ‘Sigmund Freud quotes’ Available at: ttp://www. brainyquote. com/quotes/quotes/s/sigmundfre401883. html [Accessed on 8/11/2011] 10. Neylon. L. B (2011) ‘Quotation about human rights’ Quote Garden Available at: http://www. quotegarden. com/h-rights. html [Accessed on 9/11/2011] 11. Reddy,S,B,S (2011) ‘ Libyan crisis to hit domestic inflation’ India Today. in, Available at: http://indiatoday. intoday. in/story/libya-unrest-to-hit-domestic-inflation/1/131802. html [Accessed on 6/11/2011 ] 12. Saif, I, (2011). Syria:Crisis may hurt economies of Turkey,Lebanon,Jordan,Iraq. Los Angeles Times, 13 August.. 13. ‘The price of fear' (2011), Economist, 398, 8723, pp. 29-32. 4. U. S. Department of State (2011) ‘Tunisia economy’ Available at: http://www. state. gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/5439. htm [Accessed on 7/11/2011] 15. U. S. Department of State (2011) ‘Yemen Economy’ Available at: http://www. state. gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/35836. htm [Accessed on 7/11/2011] 16. WATSON, T (2011), ‘THE PRICE OF REVOLUTION', Canadian Business, 84, 5, pp. 12-14. 17. ‘Yet more cracking down' (2011), Economist, 398, 8725, p. 57. Available at: http://ehis. ebscohost. com/ehost/resultsadvanced? sid=f6bf370c-a90d-4f69-a3a9-eecc26d597ec%40sessionmgr115=3=20=(yet+more+cracking+down)=JmRiPWFwaCZ0eXBlPTEmc2l0ZT1laG9zdC

Negative effect of video games on children Essay

The Negtive Effects of Video Gaming on Children Children don’t have to buy an expensive gaming system to play video games anymore, than can simply log onto the internet through their home computer or their handheld devices and they have an array of videogames to choose from. Every time a child pops a role playing videogame into their gaming console or logs onto the internet to play so called interactive video games, they enter a virtual world where there are no real consequences for their actions. While playing violent video games children can choose to play the violent roles of either car thieves or killers. The more time a child spends playing video games the less time they spend engaged in normal social activities with their friends. When a child is allowed to spend hours a day playing video games, especially violent role playing games, they can cause them to become violent, socially isolated, and depressed. First person role playing games allow children to identify with their character (Harding). The more time children spend as killing machines in the false reality of the video gaming world, the more desensitized they become to death and killing in the real world. Studies have shown the more time children spend playing violent video games, the more likely they are to respond to real world situations with aggression and violence (Gordon). A 2004 study published in the Journal of Adolescence found children, particularly teens, who played violent video games are more likely to become aggressive, confrontational, and see a decline in their academic performance (Harding). Allowing children to play violent video games is not worth the risk they pose! Children are exposed to enough violence through television without the help of violent games offered to them over the internet and through popular video gaming systems. Video games do not only expose children to violence they allow them to engage in it through the violent roles they allow them to play. Many of the roles children play over the internet or through their game consoles simulate real world situations where they can steal and murder with no consequences. Parents should not need to read the results of a study for them to realize that allowing their child to play violent roles in video games, where they kill and steal, will encourage violent behavior from them in the real world. During September 2009 in Ohio a sixteen year old boy named Daniel Petric was forbidden by his father from buying the new version of the violent video game Halo that he was obsessed with. After being forbidden from buying the new version of the violent game Daniel snuck out of his house and bought it anyway. When Daniel’s father discovered he had disobeyed him, and bought the game, he took it away from him and locked it in his lockbox where he kept his gun. Later that same night, sixteen year old Daniel unlocked his father’s lockbox to retrieve his game and found his father’s gun. After finding the gun Daniel went into his parent’s bedroom and shot both his father and mother in the killing them (Gordon). No one can say with absolute certainty that the video game Halo caused the boy to shoot his parents. One thing is obvious, if the boy’s account of events are to be believed, the game played a huge factor in his descion to murder his parents that evening. Violent behavior unfortunately is not the only negative effect from children playing video games to often. A recent study by Douglas A Gentile, an associate professor of psychology at Iowa State University found that children who spend several hours a day playing video games are at risk to become addicted to them. Once a child becomes addicted to their video game, their addiction can cause them to become depressed, anxious, and have social problems including social isolation (Gilmore). If a child is spending several hours a day gaming they can very easily become depressed. When a child spends most of their day playing video games they do not engage in normal healthy physical activity with their friends. It makes sense that the more time a child spends isolated playing video games the more likely they are to become depressed. Children need to spend time interacting with their friends in order to develop normal social skills. When children isolate themselves playing videogames alone all day, they begin to lose their friends and social skills. Studies show that the depression caused from children pathologically playing video games can be easily lifted when they simply stop playing them (Frontelera). Douglas Gentile said, â€Å"We found in children who started playing pathologically anxiety and depression got worse. And, when they stopped gaming the depression lifted† (qtd. in Gilmore). The idea that allowing a child to play his or her favorite video game for a couple hours a day can lead them to social isolation may sound farfetched, unfortunately it is not. The more time a child spends playing video games the less desire they have for one on one human contact. Although, children have the ability to interact with other players including their friends through the internet, their friends become part of the game itself and there is no real contact. Children need to spend time in social environments with their peers in order to learn and maintain the social skills they need to navigate through life. When a child loses his or her social skills they quickly become isolated and depressed. Their isolation and depression can lead them to identify themselves more with the character they are playing in their videogame than their own real life. First person role playing games allow children to identify with their character. Studies have shown the more time teenagers spend playing violent videogames at home the more likely they are to respond to real world situations with aggression and violence. A child’s imagination is amazing and sometimes limitless, unfortunately it can become dangerous when they begin to imagine themselves stealing cars and murdering people while playing first person role playing Videogames allow children to become kings and queens, or car thieves and murderers. Children can become so entranced by the different roles they play in the virtual worlds created for them through videogames that the line between the real world and the virtual one depicted in the video games they are playing becomes blurred. . Violent video games rewarded children for things like stealing cars and killing people.

Psychopathy And Borderline Personality Disorder Essay

     INTRODUCTION Personality disorders constitute a major group in the classification of mental disorders. According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fourth edition, text revision (DSM-IV-TR),1 these conditions are defined by maladaptive personality characteristics beginning early in life that have consistent and serious effects on functioning. Borderline personality disorder (BPD) is frequently seen in clinical practice.2 Characterized by emotional turmoil and chronic suicidality (suicide ideation and attempts), this type of personality disorder presents some of the most difficult and troubling problems in all of psychiatry.   The majority of patients with BPD are seen in psychiatric clinics or in primary care. The keys to successful management include making an accurate diagnosis, maintaining a supportive relationship with the patient and establishing limited goals. Although BPD may persist for years, it does not last forever, and one can be reasonably optimistic that most patients will recover with time.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Psychotherapy can help speed up the recovery from BPD. The most effective forms of treatment have been developed by psychologists, and therefore when making a referral, physicians should consider a patient’s ability to pay for such therapy.   More research into the causes of BPD is needed, the results of which may help to develop evidence-based approaches to treatment that are practical and specifically designed for this challenging disorder.   THE EPIDEMIOLOGY OF BORDERLINE PERSONALITY DISORDER   Epidemiologic studies of personality disorders are at an early stage of development. Community surveys of adults have indicated that the prevalence of BPD is close to 1% (similar to that of schizophrenia).3,4 About 80% of patients receiving therapy for BPD are women,2 but sex differences are less striking in community samples.4 As is the case for personality disorders in general, BPD is associated with lower social class and lower levels of education.3,4   THE ETIOLOGY OF BORDERLINE PERSONALITY DISORDER We are only beginning to understand the causes of BPD. As with most mental disorders, no single factor explains its development, and multiple factors (biological, psychological and social) all play a role.   The biological factors in personality disorders consist of temperamental (inborn or heritable) characteristics that present in adulthood as stable personality traits: patterns of thought, affect and behaviour that characterize individuals and are stable over time.5 Heritable factors account for about half of the variability in virtually all traits that have been studied.6 Specifically, both affective instability6 and impulsivity7 have a heritable component of this magnitude, and studies involving twins have demonstrated that BPD itself shows a similar genetic influence.8 Also, family history studies have found that impulsive disorders such as antisocial personality and substance abuse are particularly common among firstdegree relatives of patients with BPD.9 Studies of central neurotransmitter activity have shown that impulsive traits, a major component of BPD, are associated with deficits in central serotonergic functioning.10,11 However, the biological correlates of affective instability are unknown, and no markers specific to the overall disorder have been identified.10 The psychological factors in BPD can be striking but are not consistent. BPD first presents clinically in adolescence, at a mean age of 18 years.12 Although many patients describe adversities such as family dysfunction as well as mood and impulsive symptoms that go back to childhood, longitudinal data are needed to determine the precise influence of early risk factors. 13 Reports of a high frequency of traumatic events during childhood in this population need to take into account community studies, which show extensive resilience following trauma, particularly for less severe adversities.13 The most careful studies have shown that a quarter of patients with BPD describe sexual abuse from a caretaker14 and that about a third report severe forms of abuse.15 However, although child abuse is clearly a risk factor, it is not specific to BPD.13 In general, adverse life events are not consistently pathogenic by themselves but, rather, produce sequelae in vulnerable populations.16 Social factors in BPD are suggested by indirect evidence.   Thus far, there have been no cross-cultural studies of BPD, although characteristic symptoms such as recurrent suicide attempts are less common in traditional societies, in which there is little change from one generation to the next, but are on the increase in modern societies and in societies undergoing rapid change.17   DIAGNOSIS AND SYMPTOMS OF BORDERLINE PERSONALITY DISORDER The term â€Å"borderline† is a misnomer, based on an old theory that this form of pathology lies on a border between psychosis and neurosis. Actually, BPD is a complex syndrome whose   central features are instability of mood, impulse control and interpersonal relationships.2 Box 1 presents the DSM-IV-TR1 criteria, reorganized in relation to these basic dimensions, as well as cognitive symptoms.   Since the DSM-IV-TR requires only 5 of 9 criteria to be present, making a diagnosis on this basis leads to heterogeneity; more precise research definitions have been developed that require high scores for all 3 dimensions.18 The affective symptoms in BPD involve rapid mood shifts, in which emotional states tend to last only a few hours.19 When affective instability is monitored with standardized instruments,20 emotions are found to be intense but reactive to external circumstances, with a strong tendency toward angry outbursts. Levels of affective instability are most predictive of suicide attempts.21 Impulsive symptoms include a wide range of behaviours and are central to diagnosis.22 The combination of affective instability with impulsivity in BPD23 helps account for a clinical presentation marked by chronic suicidality and by instability of interpersonal relationships.23 Finally, cognitive symptoms are also frequent. In one case series,24 about 40% of 50 patients with BPD had quasi-psychotic thoughts. In another series,25 27% of 92 patients experienced psychotic episodes.   In a third series,26 psychotic symptoms were found to predict self-harm in patients with personality disorders. BPD is common in practice. A recent study involving patients in an emergency department who had attempted suicide showed that 41% of those with a history of multiple suicide attempts met the criteria for BPD this disorder.27   However, many cases are also seen in primary care settings.   Data from a survey conducted in a US urban primary care practice indicated that BPD was present in 6.4% of a sample of 218 patients.28   Because of the wide range of symptoms seen in BPD that are also typical of other disorders (Table 1), such as mood and anxiety disorders, substance abuse and eating disorders,29 patients may be felt to have one of these conditions while their BPD goes undetected. The most common disorder associated with BPD is depression, but in BPD, symptoms are usually associated with mood instability rather than with the extended and continuous periods of lower mood seen in classic mood disorders.19 Also, because of characteristic mood swings, BPD is often mistaken for bipolar disorder.30 However, patients with BPD do not show continuously elevated mood but instead exhibit a pattern of rapid shifts in affect related to environmental events, with â€Å"high† periods that last for hours rather than for days or weeks.30 BPD may be mistaken for schizophrenia; however, instead of long-term psychotic symptoms, patients with BPD experience â€Å"micropsychotic† phenomena of short duration (lasting hours or at most a few days), auditory hallucinations without loss of insight (patients with schizophrenia do not recognize that a hallucination is imaginary, whereas patients with BPD do), paranoid trends and depersonalization states in which patients experience themselves or their environment as unreal.   24 Finally, patients with BPD are at increased risk of substance abuse, which forms part of the clinical picture of widespread impulsivity.2 To diagnose BPD in practice, clinicians must first establish whether a patient has the overall characteristics of a personality disorder described in the DSM-IV-TR;1 that is, long-term problems affecting cognition, mood, interpersonal functioning and impulse control that begin early in life and are associated with maladaptive personality traits, such as neuroticism (being easily prone to anxiety or depression, or both) or impulsivity. Personality disorders can often account better for the multiplicity and chronicity of symptoms than can alternative diagnoses such as mood or anxiety disorders. The next step is a personality assessment, which requires a good history. Although practitioners will be able to obtain needed information from most patients during a routine visit, they may also, with the patient’s consent, wish to speak to family members or friends.   The final step is to determine the category that best fits the clinical picture. To diagnose BPD, clinicians   need to establish that patterns of affective instability, impulsivity and unstable relationships have been consistent over time.   THE COURSE AND MANAGEMENT OF BORDERLINE PERSONALITY DISODERs Managing patients with BPD can be burdensome for clinicians because they may have to deal with repeated suicide threats and attempts over years. Also, patients with BPD do not easily respect boundaries and may become overly attached to their therapists.31 When practitioners fail to diagnose BPD, they may be at risk of becoming overinvolved with patients who suffer greatly but can be personally appealing to the physicians. Fortunately, most patients with BPD improve with time.32–34 About 75% will regain close to normal functioning by the age of 35 to 40 years, and 90% will recover by the age of 50.32 Unfortunately, about 1 in 10 patients eventually succeeds in committing suicide.35 However, this outcome is difficult to predict, and 90% of patients improve despite having threatened to end their lives on multiple occasions. The mechanism of recovery in BPD is not fully understood, but impulsivity generally decreases with age, and patients learn over time how to avoid the situations that give them the most trouble (e.g., intense love affairs), finding stable niches that provide the structure they need.35 BPD is a therapeutic challenge. A series of randomized controlled trials of pharmacotherapy and psychotherapy36–47,50,52–54 have been published; however, the trials had a number of defects, most particularly small samples, attrition and durations that were too short (usually 8–12 weeks) for a chronic disorder that can last for years. Finally, outcomes in these studies were generally measured by self-report and did not indicate whether the clinical picture had actually shown full remission. The pharmacologic treatment of BPD remains limited in scope. By and large, the result can be described as a mild degree of symptom relief. A number of agents, including low-dose atypical neuroleptics,38 specific serotonin reuptake inhibitors39,41–43 and mood stabilizers,44,45 all alleviate impulsive symptoms. However, antidepressants are much less effective for mood symptoms in BPD patients than in patients without a personality disorder.48 Benzodiazepines are not very useful in BPD and carry some danger of abuse.49   Thus, although several drugs â€Å"take the edge off† symptoms, they do not produce remission of BPD. Failure to understand this point has led to polypharmacy regimens, on the assumption that multiple drugs are needed to target all aspects of the disorder. The result is that many patients receive 4–5 agents — with all their attendant side effects12 — in the absence of evidence from clinical trials supporting the efficacy of such combinations. Future research may lead to the development of agents more specific to the symptoms seen in BPD.   The mainstay of treatment for BPD is still psychotherapy. Dialectical behaviour therapy is a form of cognitive behavioural therapy that targets affective instability and impulsivity, using group and individual sessions to teach patients how to regulate their emotions. This form of behaviour therapy has been shown to be effective in bringing suicidal behaviours under control within a year.50–53 However, whether this method is effective in the long term is unknown. There is evidence from a randomized controlled trial supporting the use of a modified form of psychoanalytic therapy in a day-treatment setting that also makes us of cognitive techniques.54   Unfortunately, these forms of psychotherapy for BPD are expensive in terms of resources and are not generally available. In practice, therapy tends to be practical and supportive.   Practitioners who manage these cases can also use educational materials for patients and their families.31   BORDERLINE PERSONALITY DISORDER AND SUICIDE   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The main problem that practitioners face in managing cases of BPD is chronic suicidality. Physicians in primary care settings are prepared to care for many patients with psychotic disorders but are likely to ask psychiatrists to manage patients who make repeated suicide threats and attempts, or to suggest hospital admission. However, there has been little research on the   Efectiveness of hospitalization for the treatment of BPD and no evidence that it prevents completion of suicide.55 Suicidality in BPD peaks when patients are in their early 20s, but completed suicide is most common after 3035 and usually occurs in patients who fail to recover after many attempts at treatment. In contrast, suicidal actions such as impulsive overdoses, most often seen in younger patients, do not usually carry a high short-term risk and function to communicate distress.56 Self-mutilating behaviours such as chronic cutting, often referred to as â€Å"suicidal,† are problematic but are not associated with suicidal intent and instead serve to regulate dysphoric emotional states.56 Practitioners should move beyond their concerns about these patients and instead concentrate on managing symptoms and the life problems that exacerbate suicidal thoughts or behaviours.   THEORIES OF BEHAVIOR INTENT   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Explaining and predicting consumer behavior has been the focus of research for many years. Marketing research seeks to find the answers as to why people make specific choices and how can these be predicted.   Are there commonalities among purchasing groups that can be identified as predictors?   The literature available is rich, as researchers try to understand the drive forces and motivators of the consumer. Hovland and Rosenberg (1960) proposed that attitude, acting as an intervening or moderating variable, consists of three components: cognition (knowledge, ability), affect (beliefs, opinions) and conation (behavior or intent of behavior) (Fishbein and Ajzen, 1975; Hansen, 1972).  Ã‚   In order for behavior intent to exist, the three components must be present (Fazio & Olsen, 2003). Fishbein and Ajzen (1975) proposed that attitude does not consist of three components, but is the moderating or intervening variable between cognition and the behavioral intent.   Attitude is derived from cognition, which in turn determines the intent to act or not (Ryan, 1982)   They proposed that researchers need to look at four categories: 1) knowledge, opinions and beliefs (cognition) about the object, 2) attitude (affect) towards the object, 3) behavior intent (conation) and 4) observed behavior to the object (Fishbein and   Ajzen, 1975). The specific action cannot be determined by the assessment of the knowledge of attitude toward an object but rather through the person’s intention to perform the act (Fishbein and Ajzen, 1975).   Previous studies have shown that people may have a positive attitude toward an object; however, the intention of behavior will be negative.  Ã‚   This was found in studies concerning blood donation, condom use, and racial prejudice (Ajzen and Fishbein, 2005; Burnkrant and Page, 1982; Fazio and Olson, 2003; Fishbein and Ajzen, 1975). Although many previous surveys showed favorable attitudes toward blood donation, condom use, and other races, their intention to give blood, use condoms or socialize with racial groups was negative.   Therefore, the intent of behavior of an individual must be determined, as well as his beliefs and attitude.   An in-depth discussion of each component will be addressed at a later point of this chapter.   MOA THEORY   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Related to the behavioral intent theories is the motivation-opportunity-ability theory of processing information.   Although this theory is in response to communication outcomes, the components are relative to this study.   According to the MOA theory, a person must have motivation, opportunity, and ability to process information in order to develop an attitude towards a brand, which can be enhanced through advertising cues (MacInnes et al., 1991).   Motivation in ad processing refers to the consumers’ willingness to allocate processing resources; whereas, opportunity is the amount of attention that is allocated without disruption; and ability is the â€Å"skills or proficiencies† or prior knowledge (MacInnes et al., 1991).   Each component of the MacInnes et al. model will be discussed in greater detail.   Cognition – Knowledge, Opinions and Beliefs The cognition or knowledge, opinions and beliefs component of the Fishbein and Ajzen model is considered to be the driving force of the model.   Beliefs about an object are formed through direct observation, with information received from outside sources or by inference processes (Fazio and Olsen, 2003; Fishbein and Ajzen, 1975).   The information or knowledge sought in belief formation in a specific situation can be influenced by the effort needed to obtain the information, the time constraint, and the likelihood that the information will be useful (Hansen, 1972).   Opportunity Opportunity pertains to those distractions or environmental factors which affect the consumers’ attention to information (Agho et al., 1993; MacInnes and Jaworski, 1991; Mooy and Robben, 2002).   Fazio and Olsen (2003) further proposed in their MODE or Motivation and Opportunity as DEterminants of attitude-behavior relationship that in order for deliberate processes such as activities used in belief formation, opportunity to engage in the deliberate process must first be available, otherwise, the consumer will resort to memory (Fazio & Olsen, 2003).   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Time is reflective of opportunity as it influences consumer behavior and choices.   This finite and intangible resource is allocated by the consumer by choice, and is acquired by trading for another resource such as money (Bergadaa, 1990).   Therefore, consumers must choose how to use and manage their time.   Okada and Hoch (2004) found that consumers place a higher value on time spent if the outcome is positive and a lesser value if the experience is negative.   Consumers who have little time pressure will process the information in a leisurely fashion.   However, consumers who experience greater time pressure will generally use less time to process the information (Suri and Monroe, 2003).   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Therefore, this study will propose that if the consumer has little time or reduced opportunity to expend on search and information gathering, he or she will be more likely to enlist the services of a realtor.   However, if the consumer is seeking monetary savings, and believes that time is less than the value of monetary costs, that consumer will participate in a For Sale by Owner transaction. Reference groups, friends, and family are important resources for the search of information, which is an integral part of buying or selling real estate.   This social network provides a means for sending and receiving information.   Word-of-mouth communication is important in shaping the attitudes and behaviors of the consumer.   â€Å"Personal word-of-mouth influence has a more decisive role in influencing behavior than advertising and other marketer dominated sources (Herr et al., 1991).   Brown and Reingen (1987) found that the stronger the relationship tie, the more influential the communication.   The weaker relationships, on the other hand, were instrumental in developing a bridge in the communication flow and in providing a means for referrals.   The opportunity to obtain information increases as the number of people a person comes into contact with increases.   Ability Ability comprises the second component of cognition.   Not only does the consumer need opportunity to process information, but he or she must have the skill set or ability to access and process the information (MacInnes et al., 1991; Mooy and Robben, 2002).   Any increase in ability can reduce the search process for information, as consumers will rely more on internal information than external information (Gibler and Nelson, 2003). The Internet has become a primary source for product research.   By using the Internet, consumers are afforded the ability to research a specific product, as well as compare products, attributes and prices.   â€Å"Retail businesses must struggle with facing an era of unprecedented consumer power obtained through Internet information† (Schoenbachler and Gordon, 2002).   This phenomenon would apply to the sale or purchase of a home as well (Muhanna, 2000).   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Technology and the Internet have provided consumers access to information and products that were previously difficult, if not impossible to obtain, as well as have significantly influenced lowering of search costs.   Armed with this advantage, consumers are now afforded with possibilities of researching on the Internet and taking virtual tours, or viewing pictures and descriptions of available properties from the comfort of their own home.   The use of the Internet as one source of information will reduce the cost to the consumer during the search process (Baen, 1997; Baen and Guttery, 1997; Bakos, 1998; Seiler et al., 2001; Giaglis et al., 2002).   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Ability is an intangible attribute that is often related to age and education.   As a person ages, or attains higher levels of education, the level of ability increases (Alba and Marmorstein, 1987; Huneke et al., 2004; Maheswaran and Sternthal, 1990).   Age contributes to the informal knowledge base while education contributes to the formal knowledge.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Experience is also often associated with the level of ability (Alba and Marmorstein, 1987; Huneke et al., 2004; Maheswaran and Sternthal, 1990).   Alba and Marmorstein (1987) studied the correlation of frequency or the number of times an event occurs, of experience to knowledge levels.  Ã‚   The greater the number of times a person was exposed to information or experience, the process of decision making was observed to be faster and less complicated.   Furthermore, â€Å"task performance is improved by different types of experiences† (Alba and Hutchinson, 1987).   Gibler and Nelson (2003) described that experienced home buyers remember which dimensions were useful in the past; on the other hand, inexperienced buyers ar e more susceptible to external influences, such as real estate agents, in determining their criteria for selection.   Therefore, the more homes a person has bought and/or sold, the more experience he/she has gained, and the less likely will that person enlist the services of a real estate agent.   The measurement of the levels of ability by the consumer can be ascertained by examining age, education level and prior experience.   â€Å"The greater the accumulation of experience and knowledge as one ages creates a reduced desire for additional information† (Gibler and Nelson, 2003).   Conation/Motivation – Dependent Variable   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Conation is defined as behavior or behavior intent.   Fishbein and Ajzen (1975) determined that conation is motivation or behavior intent.   Behavior only occurs if motivation is present to perform the behavior.   MacInnes et al. (1991) stated in their MOA theory that motivation is defined as the consumers’ desire or readiness to process the information.   Therefore, motivation can be defined as behavior intent.   Opportunity, measured by time and social contacts, and ability, measured by Internet access, education and experience (cognition) directly influence the level of motivation or behavior intent (conation).   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Hovland and Rosenberg (1959) proposed that attitude consists of three elements:   cognition, affect and conation.   Fishbein and Ajzen (1975) argued, however, that attitude is affect, or the feelings toward a behavior.   â€Å"Attitudes reflect reasons for acting, and focus on what the decision maker does or can do† (Bagozzi et al., 2003)   For the purposes of this study, affect and attitude will be treated as the same and will be referred to as affect.   Affect is the result of cognition (Perugini and Bagozzi, 2001). Therefore, if behavior intent is a result of persuasion and persuasion is the result of cognition, then persuasion will act as a moderating variable.   As the persuasion increases positively and based upon previous studies, behavior intent will increase positively.   Media habits, or message exposure, will also moderate cognition-affect-behavior intent (MacInnes et al., 1991; Mooy and Rubben, 2003).   The higher the levels of exposure to television, radio, newspaper, and internet, the more frequency the messages will occur (Alba and Marmorstein, 1987).   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Demographics have been routinely used in marketing to assist in segmenting markets based upon gender, age group, income, culture, marital status, education and household size.   These variables are often referred to as demographics; however, as pointed out by Art Weinstein (1994), many variables used for demography are often socioeconomic.   It is common in marketing research to refer to all of these variables as â€Å"demographics† (Weinstein, 1994).   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Demographics are commonly used in business management due to the fact that they are easy to collect, group and analyze.   Furthermore, demographic variables typically have an interrelated correlation, which facilitates generalization and analysis of demographic data (Weinstein, 1994).   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Household income and household size have a direct correlation with the monetary asset or value.   Consumers with lower incomes, or who have a large number of members in the household, are generally more price conscious.   Therefore, it is proposed that these consumers would prefer to participate in a For Sale by Owner transaction, foregoing the commissions paid to a real estate agent.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The purpose of this study is to identify those determinants which persuade a consumer to participate in a For Sale by Owner transaction.   Therefore, in order to identify these factors, the proposed model is an integration of the three major theoretical models discussed. Fishbein and Ajzen’s expectancy value model, and Hovland and Rosenberg’s tripartite theory of behavior, provides the cognition-affect-conation model and cognition-attitude-motivation.   Integrated with this model, is the MOA model as proposed by MacInnes, Moorman and Jaworski (1991), in which behavior is influenced by motivation, opportunity and ability.   Through literature, it has been determined that opportunity and ability are components of cognition, and motivation is influenced by cognition and moderated by affect.   METHODOLOGY Study Population   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The selected population for this study is the participants of a study conducted by Bluefield State College School of Business.   The purpose of the study was to collect raw data regarding the real estate buying and selling behavior of the consumer in the local area, which would be available for future analysis and interpretation.   Their sample is composed of participants over the age of 18 at a local annual exposition held in Mercer County, West Virginia.   Mercer County has a population of 61, 589 people with a median income of $28,130. In 2004, 30,207 housing units existed in the County, with 63.5% of the population living in the same house in 2000.   The homeownership rate was 76.8% in 2000 (US Census Bureau).   The attendance rate at this particular event was approximately 6000 people, approximately 10% of the population (Princeton Mercer County Chamber of Commerce, 2006).   Table 2 provides a summation of the demographics of Mercer County, West Virginia, in comparison to the State of West Virginia and United States averages.   Table 2. Demographic Data Mercer County, WV, State of West Virginia and United States (US Census Bureau, 2000) Demographic Mercer County West Virginia United States Population 62, 980 1,816,815 281,421,906 Median Household Income 28,120 32,967 43,318 Homeownership 76.8% 75.2% 66.2% For Sale By Owner N/A N/A 13% Living in the same home in 1995 and 2000 63.5% 63.3% 54.1% Housing units 30,207 866,944 122,671,734 High School Graduates 72.1% 75.2% 80.4% Bachelor’s Degree or above 13.8% 14.8% 24.4% In order to determine the appropriate sample size needed to complete this study, the following formula was used (Malhotra, 372); whereas the number of possible homeowners is 76.8% or 77% (US Census, 2000), Proportion of population that are homeowners (Ï€) = .70 Desired precision level (D) =.05 Confidence Level (CL) = 95% z value associated with 95% confidence level =1.96: Therefore, the number of samples needed:   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   n = Ï€(1-Ï€)z2/D2   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   n=.77(1-.77)(1.96)2/.052   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   n=.77(.23)(3.8416)/.25   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   n=272.13 or 272 samples needed   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The Bluefield State College study contains 356 usable surveys of individuals rather than households, which is in excess of the 272 samples required for this study.   Based upon attendance of 6,000, this represents .0593% or 6% of the attendees surveyed. Instrument   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The questionnaire developed consists of 42 questions including 35 opinion statements followed by 4-point Likert Scale responses and 8 demographic questions.   The Likert responses ranged from â€Å"mostly disagree† = 1 to â€Å"mostly agree† = 4.   Therefore, those who prefer to purchase or sell real estate without the assistance of a real estate agent will answer 1’s or mostly disagree.   These questions were drawn from Mitchell’s 1980 VALS; however, drawing from the works of Wells (1975) the constructs were changed to reflect product specific behavior. Opportunity H1  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   As the level of opportunity, measured by time and social contacts, increases, the behavior intent or motivation to buy or sell real estate without a professional agent will increase.      Two variables will be measured to identify the positive or negative level of opportunity.   As previously stated in the literature, opportunity is influenced by time and social contacts. Six opinion statements are used to identify respondents’ attitudes and opinions regarding time, or the lack of time. These statements are followed by four Lickert-scale responses to choose from with 1 = â€Å"mostly disagree† and 4 = â€Å"mostly agree†.   An example statement from the questionnaire is, â€Å"I spend more than 40 hours a week outside of the home†.   Those respondents, who disagree with this statement, will have more time available to search or sell a home.   Previous research cited has shown that reference groups are an important factor during the information search phase of the decision making process.   Therefore, the more people a consumer comes into contact with, the greater access to information.   The questionnaire contains eight opinion statements with 4-point Lickert-scale responses.   These statements represent the respondent’s network by asking questions in regards to school, community, church and family gatherings.   It is proposed that respondents who have a larger network of social contacts will have access to more information than those who choose not to participate in outside of the home activities.   Therefore, based upon the scale responses, 1=mostly disagree and 4=mostly agree, responses that are higher numbers, will most likely have a stronger social network.   For instance, the statement â€Å"I am active in my community†, reflects the activities of the respondent.   If the response is a 4, then the respondent has outside of the home social contacts and access to information. Affect H1a  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The direction of the level of affect will moderate the level of motivation to purchase or sell real estate without a professional agent.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   In order to determine affect, or beliefs, the survey provided seven belief statements.   Respondents responded using a Lickert scale, with â€Å"1† = mostly disagree to â€Å"4† = mostly agree.   A sample statement from the questionnaire is â€Å"I believe real estate agents are a necessity when buying or selling a home†.   Responses with higher numbers will have a strong belief concerning real estate agents. Ability H2  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   As ability, measured by age, education and experience, increases, behavior intent or motivation to purchase or sell real estate without a professional agent will increase. Ability is measured by three variables:   experience, Internet access and education. In order to determine experience, the survey provides two questions and twelve opinion statements.   Experience can be measured by the number of homes purchased or sold in a lifetime.   Respondents to the questionnaire were asked to choose 1, 2, 3, or 4 or more.   As the number of homes purchased or sold in a lifetime increases, the level of experience increases.   The highest possible response will be a 4 and the lowest 1.   Furthermore, experience with a real estate agent is questioned.   If the respondent had used an agent to buy or sell his/her home the answer would be no, represented by the number 1.   If yes, then number 2. Internet presence, which is also an indicator of information access, is determined in the questionnaire by requesting the respondent to choose which email providers they use for email.   The more email providers would indicate a higher Internet usage of the respondent.   Also, based upon the provider, it can be determined if the respondent has high speed cable or DSL access.   Those respondents without email would respond to â€Å"none†. Information regarding education level will then be analyzed to determine correlation with the questions and statements regarding ability.   According to the literature cited, it is proposed that as the level of education, Internet access, and experience increases ability will increase, which will directly impact behavior intent. Motivation (Behavior Intent) The next twelve statements contained in the survey are opinion statements regarding the use of real estate agents, brokers and intentions of the respondent.   A sample statement from the questionnaire is â€Å"I would always use a real estate agent to help with purchasing a home†.   Respondents were given four Lickert-scale responses to choose from with 1 = â€Å"mostly disagree† and 4 = â€Å"mostly agree†.   Therefore, â€Å"3† and â€Å"4† would indicate the respondent’s intent to use a real estate agent, rather than for sale by owner. Media Habits H1b  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   An increase in the level of media habits will moderate the level of opportunity and its relationship with motivation to purchase or sell real estate without a professional agent..      Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   H2b  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   An increase in the level of media habits will moderate the level of ability and its relationship with   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Media habits, is also an indicator of information access.   Survey questions ask respondents the number of hours spent weekly watching television, listening to the radio, as well as newspapers read.   It is proposed that as the hours spent watching television or listening to the radio will moderate cognition and behavior intent.   As the number of hours exposed to media increases, the level of behavior intent will increase. Demographics H1c  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Demographics, measured by age, household income and household size will mediate the relationship between opportunity and motivation to purchase or sell real estate without a professional agent.      Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   H2c  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Demographics, measured by age, household income and household size will mediate the relationship between ability and motivation to purchase or sell real estate without a professional agent.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Demographic information regarding age, household income and household size will be collected.   This information will mediate cognition and behavior intent. Questions concerning gender, marital status and zip code will be used as descriptor or extraneous variables which are not statistically significant in this study. Data Analysis Descriptive Statistics   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The data that will be used in this study has been collected by the Bluefield State College School of Business; however, statistical analysis has not been completed.   Therefore, raw data obtained will be used for this study. The first step will be determining the descriptive statistics of the variables used in the study.   This will provide the mean, median and standard deviation of each survey question.   The aggregate mean will then be used for each variable.   The results of this analysis will then be used to conduct inferential statistic analysis. Inferential Statistics Inferential statistic analysis will be conducted in four steps.   Multiple regression analysis will be conducted to determine the affect of the moderating and mediating variables.   The dependent variable is dichotomous; therefore, logit analysis will be conducted, followed by model fit and significance testing. Due to the existence of several independent variables, mediators and moderators influencing the dependent variable, multiple regression analysis will be conducted to determine the relationships (Hair, 2003, p579).   The steps that will be taken to accomplish this, as recommended by Hair (2003, p579) are: assess the statistical significance of the overall regression model using the F statistic with a level of significance

Disscusion board (criminology) Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Disscusion board (criminology) - Essay Example The doctor should have checked the man’s workplace conditions, his habits and other proclivities. A more detailed and in-depth examination would have revealed the cause. The doctor’s perfunctory approach resulted in the man ultimately suffering heart attack. There are cases where even after all standard examinations patients have had heart problems. The blood can clot without notice, block blood circulation in the heart and trigger heart attacks (Sardi, Bill). Heuristics is the â€Å"rule-of-the-thumb† analysis. Other than the standard examination, doctors apply their minds to other causes responsible for ailments like heart attacks. It is possible to apply heuristics in criminology as well. The study of criminology is not limited to law enforcement agencies alone. The medical line must also go into the social and mental causes of the crime (Zalman, Marvin; 1981) In this case, although the patient had fever and was experiencing discomfort, the doctor could not find the cause for the fever. The next day the patient suffered severe infection on the side of the body the doctor did not examine. Maybe the doctor was tired and called it a day. Even then, in medical parlance, this is medical malpractice. The doctor could be legally taken to task for this lapse (Doctor Negligence, 2010) Doctors as well as criminologists need to be open to all options. There may be situations when nagging doubts and lack of evidence evade solution. A doctor who is too tired to attend to patients must have fresh replacement to attend to the patient. In most cases, a criminologist gets enough evidence or witnesses to make his case. In difficult and/or complex cases, a criminologist can only wait for the courts to decide the

NETFLIX Strategic Analysis Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

NETFLIX Strategic Analysis - Research Paper Example Smart televisions are getting better and every TV will eventually have Wi-Fi and applications, and will eventually be cheaper. Netflix continuously increases its global internet network as a result of the growth in technology. The company is expected that the company will in future offer more movies. It may also react to the expected increase in demand from customers by coming up with its own movie production company in order to have a variety of movies. The company has invested in marketing in order to attract people around the world to try Netflix. The company anticipates to spend approximately $500M in 2014 on marketing and $ 400M on technology development in order to improve its services. Considering these initiative, the company’s position in the next five years will be able to increase its market share because it is expected that the company will dominate the television show streaming and has a strategy of expanding quickly in order to stay profitable at a global basis (Hill, 2012). The company will be able to compete with companies like Google with its

Discussion Board 1-2 Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words - 2

Discussion Board 1-2 - Assignment Example Problems facing children are likely to be due to the mistakes of the parents (Nichols, 2013). However, blaming parents openly has clinical consequences that therapists need to observe to ensure effectiveness of treatment. A therapist can blame parents for problems of their children due to various motives. One of the motives is when parents especially a mother involved in uncontrolled drinking habit with little time to guide a child. The child then becomes desperate of love and care, and consequently walks out to explore alternatives to enable survival. It is under such circumstances that a child may learn improper behaviors and conducts, which may result serious family problems (Nichols, 2013). Another motive that may make a therapist blame a mother for the problems facing a child relates to situations where the mother formed a triangle relationship with a child against father or other family members. A mother forming triangle relationship with a child is likely to discuss negative issues, which are usually inappropriate for the age of a child. This kind of relationship can make a child become schizophrenic or withdraw socially depending on the nature of information shared. Nichols (2013) warns that blaming any individual in the process of family therapy may compromise the entire treatment. Blaming a family such a mother may pile all the problems faced a family on the mother and encourage other members to hate the former. Hatred in families is undesirable and may only work to scuttle and ruin entire system of a family. The move by a therapist to blame a parent on problems of a child may also lead to early withdrawal or discourage active participation of the victim in the treatment

Understanding Marketing Strategic Planning Processes (Marketing Idea Research Proposal

Understanding Marketing Strategic Planning Processes (Marketing Idea Product Plan) - Research Proposal Example Being alone is rather frightening to most senior citizens (Sachteleben, 1) supporting psychologists stating that warm interpersonal relationships are the most fundamental of human needs (Singer, 28). Off 2 Gran Grans will provide psychological adjustment for its target consumers and also fill a tangible need that need fulfilling due to limited mobility, lack of access to transportation, or lack of family and social support. The competitive innovation, completely unique in the competitive market, is the installation of a communications device modeled after the Life Alert system, a pendant/base unit system that contacts the company (Life Alert, 2012). Technology is intimidating to seniors (Sachteleben, 1) and this maintains significant comparative advantage to other similar, low-profile competitors. Off 2 Gran Grans will provide short- and long-term contracts with financed and pre-paid elements to ensure revenue that include device installation, with fees applied for early termination. The business will be positioned under quality and responsibility with less emphasis on pricing. Start-up costs will be higher than average, but revenues will offset the initial

GREAT EVENTS IN HISTORY Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

GREAT EVENTS IN HISTORY - Essay Example My beliefs on matters of justice and injustice I developed a belief that the world is still divided on issues to do with religion on matters relating to justice and injustice. As a female Muslim student, studying in a Christian dominated country, I have severally passed through thorough scrutiny, as compared to the rest of my American counterparts, when it comes to security checks when I visit some shopping malls in the city. I realized that some people relate Islam to terror and violence, thus, treating Muslims with utmost keenness. It made me develop a belief that the world is not fair to Muslims on issues relating to segregation based on terrorism and violence. I feel that the world treats Islamic religion unfairly because not all Muslims are terrorists. There is injustice in the treatment of Muslims by Christians in other countries that are not Islam dominated. This leads to isolation as a course of the discrimination. Whenever such happens to me, I feel it is a religious injusti ce and maybe even racial because, it is easy to recognize a Muslim who is of Arabic descent, as I am, from other Muslims in the USA. Matters of justice and injustice The death penalty It is an injustice to deny someone the right to live simply because of committing a capital crime; this is from my school of thought as an individual. The Sharia law advocates for death as a punishment to a heinous crime committers, Islam as a religion does support it basing on Sharia laws. The punishment for a crime like murder in Saudi Arabia is death by beheading in public; therefore, I believe that the death penalty is an injustice since it goes against everyone’s right to life, despite the mistake he or she has done. This is because, the penalty deprives the victims a chance to learn from the previous crimes they committed, so to me it serves no meaning at all. My religion, Islam, condones death penalty for various crimes committed, but, as an individual, I totally disagree with the stand. In Saudi Arabia, which is my country, death penalty, also called capital punishment, bases on Islamic Sharia law and has a wide range of crimes. The offences leading to its use vary from rape, murder, armed robbery, adultery and purported witchcraft. I do not support any of these crimes but I feel it is not right for a human being to lose a life for having committed any of these crimes. Criminals can undergo punishment in various ways apart from facing the death penalty in various ways. I strongly disagree with the Sharia law for necessitating capital punishment as a punishment for a capital crime. Many countries across the world do not subscribe to the use of capital punishment/death penalty as a means of punishing criminals. This is because; it is an injustice to humanity and a deprivation of an individual’s right to life. Gay rights Secondly, the issuance of gay rights is an injustice to the moral virtues and a defilement of my beliefs as a Muslim. I do not subscribe to ho mosexuality, lesbianism or bisexuality because, all this go against the teachings of the Quran. The Quran prohibits homosexuality because it goes against the natural order, ruins marriages, and makes individuals disregard God in other spheres of life (Stein & Marc 57). I think gays should not have the right to practice this dirty act anywhere in the world. As a Muslim, I feel like it is absolute immorality and going against the societal values and expectations. Gay

Facility location strategies Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Facility location strategies - Case Study Example Facility location in a central place does not mean it should be located centrally literally. It means locating it in a place, which gives access to all the customers with minimum costs. Sometimes located a facility in a single area with many customers may lock out other customers due to resulting distance that will arise. However, remember the objective of locating a facility is to serve all the customers. The process of finding the ideal place to locate a facility can be tricky. However, a number of methods have been used and they have proved successful. These methods include weighted load-distance method, centre of gravity, linear programming, weighted scores and break-even analysis (Suresh, 2009). This report will focus on using the weighted average method to locate the best place to put up a European facility for a US automobile company. The report took a number of location factors, which include location, geography, transportation, proximity to customers and the relative costs of supplying the goods to these destinations. In addition, these locations were ranked on a scale of 0 – 1 based on the said factors, depending on relative importance. After ranking, each location was then scored on a scale of 0 – 100 and this also depended on how important the location was depending on the factors listed.

Interpretation of the Enron Story Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Interpretation of the Enron Story - Essay Example Considering the unpredictable circumstances and calculated risks, Enron was successful on paper. This was reflected in the financial reports suggesting the extent of growth in the financial capability of the company. Specifically, the level of stocks reported by the company has skyrocketed. The information provided by the Enron 10-K annual report suggests that it was only in 1997 that the company experience a decline. The growth, however, can overcome such deficit. The best years of the company was observed from 1998 to 2000. Based on the information, the stock performance of Enron illustrated a positive growth of 37%, 56%, and 87% positive growth during the years mentioned in succession. Positive growth was also recorded from 1993-1995 which showed increase in stock ranging from 5%-25% (Healy and Palepu, 2003). The growth in stock is generally perceived as an advantage for the company. Increasing the stocks means that more investors become willing to invest in Enron. This will improve the financial resources of the company because the market capital also expands. Accordingly, this performance was fuelled by the intricate schemes of Enron in managing its operations. By 1995 accountants at Arthur Andersen knew Enron was a high-risk client who pushed them to do things they weren't comfortable doing. James Hecker wrote a parody to that effect in 1995. Discuss and analyze this parody and how it applies to Enron Accounting and Arthur Anderson. James Hecker was a partner of Enron based in Houston. Hecker became known for the parody of the Eagle's song Hotel California. Hecker made an analogy of the song as the likely situation that is observed between Andersen and Enron. Although the parody was written in 1995, it became an immediate source of reasoning for investigating Andersen for the Enron debacle. It has to be noted that Hecker also testified against Andersen further strengthening the evidences against the trouble auditing firm. According to Hecker, Andersen had knowledge on the nature of Enron's operations. The company even branded Enron as a high risked firm that is willing to do all means required to achieve its goals. Moreover, Hecker described the relationship of the Andersen employees to Enron. In the exact words, Hecker said: "Managers in the doorway, thinking out of the box. And I was thinking to myself, I'll bust by butt and then I'll bust my rocks (Schepp, 2002)." This satire showed how generously the employees of Andersen working for Enron were compensated and provided with great incentives. Moreover, Hecker described Enron as a lovely face and a fragile place. Basically, Hecker has knowledge on the true status of the company. Physically, Enron appears to be growing as it's financial reports suggest growth. On the other hand, Hecker had a premonition that the company was troubled inside. Hecker even mentioned in the satire that the managers will soon bring their alibis to court. Precisely, Hecker highlighted the events that will happen years later. Enron's malfeasance led to the creation of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. Please briefly describe the law and discuss its implications. Do you think it will eliminate future "Enron Like" scandals As U.S. witnessed the biggest corporate downfall in Enron, several policy makers have exerted efforts to prevent such from happening again. In response to the situation, the Sarbanes-Oxley Act was passed to emphasise management accountability. The Act

Do Animals Use Language Or Do They Simply Communicate Essay

Do Animals Use Language Or Do They Simply Communicate - Essay Example This essay stresses that the precise definition of language muddies the debate. Apes do not hold intellectual conversations similar to television cartoon characters but they are communicating using sign language based upon vocal human language. There are many identifying components that are required to formally label communicative skills as language. The intent to communicate must be exhibited along with an attached meaning, in other words, an exchange of ideas is necessary. Vocalizing language is not a requirement because the deaf and mute use sign language to communicate and their ability to use language is not in question. This paper makes a conclusion that in Charles Darwin’s studies, which lead to the theory of evolution, his examination of the linguistic-like characteristics in primates confirmed his historic, groundbreaking theory on the ancestry of mankind. Even the skeptic Chomsky admits that a better comprehension of the cognitive and intellectual aptitude of chimpanzees and other apes may allow for a deeper appreciation of the human thought process. Although animals have not as yet communicated vocally via human language, they have demonstrated the ability to converse with people to an amazingly large degree. They understand language and reply appropriately. Can animals use language? The answer remains dependent on how strict a definition one assigns the concept of language.

Plastics Essay Example for Free

Plastics Essay From the mid-1980s onwards, plastic bags became common for carrying daily groceries from the store to vehicles and homes throughout the developed world. As plastic bags increasingly replaced paper bags, and as other plastic materials and products replaced glass, metal, stone, timber and other materials, a packaging materials war erupted, with plastic shopping bags at the center of highly publicized disputes. Although few peer-reviewed studies or government surveys have provided estimates for global plastic bag use, environmental activists estimate that between 500 billion and 1 trillion plastic bags are used each year worldwide. Plastic has replaced the traditional material (paper/cloth etc) as packing and carry bags because of cost and convenience which is possibly a wrong choice of material for such use. Even though plastic bags can preserve food and can be used for growing vegetables in a controlled environment, their method of disposal has creates unprecedented pollution problem. Plastic has many more uses other than Plastic Bags and Packing material. It is used for manufacturing of protective covers and parts for many machines, which should be the preferred utility for plastic. More than a 100 million tones of plastic is produced world-wide each year. Though plastics have opened the way for a plethora of new inventions and devices it has also ended up clogging the drains and becoming a health hazard. Many countries, including India, are trying to increase the amount of plastic that is recycled. But commercial interests create hindrance for effective legislation to remove plastics from goods where they can threaten public health. Also there is a clear trend of shipping off the plastic waste of developed countries to under develop and developing countries. India imported 7,841. 8 metric tonnes of plastic waste from the US in the first half of 1994. India is the fourth highest Asian importer of plastic waste behind Hong Kong, Philippines,Indonesia. Environmental pollution caused by routinely used polythene packaging materials; it would be prudent, for the present, to use eco-friendly paper packaging. The manufacturers of plastic packaging like soft drink bottles/mineral water bottles etc must come forward and develop appropriate methods of disposal/own responsibility for disposal. Plastic bags were found to constitute a significant portion of the floating marine debris in the waters around southern Chile in a study conducted between 2002 and 2005. If washed out to sea, plastic bags can be carried long distances by ocean currents, and can strangle marine animals or, if ingested, cause them to starve to death. [8] Numerous deaths among animals such as sea turtles and dolphins have been attributed to the ingestion of plastic marine litter, which includes plastic bags. Littering is often a serious problem in developing countries, where trash collection infrastructure is less developed than in wealthier nations. The relatively limited adoption of modern biodegradable plastic bags means that many older landfills are filled with large, persistent deposits of non-degrading bags. It is, however, possible that in the future these deposits could be mined and reprocessed to replace dwindling raw material resources. In recent times due to widespread awareness drive by NGOS and government and to lesser extent by educational institutions has resulted in increasing the consciousness among few shopkeepers they have shifted back to the old system of wrapping up goods in paper bags or newspapers, Some people are slowly getting habituated to going to the market with cloth bags. Besides a few NGOs, even school students have come forward to take up a promotion campaign for the use of paper or cloth bags. Each year, as industry produces more and more nonessential products individually and excessively packaged, we throw away more and more trash. To a large extent, our garbage problem is a result of a corporate ethic that puts profits before people and the environment. Industry is pushing disposability because it pays. Plastic razors can only be used a few times before disposal, then more must be bought, making the plastic and razor industries rich and happy. Appliances designed to become obsolete guarantee youll have to buy new ones next year. Over 84 percent (by weight) of municipal solid waste could be reused, recycled or composted instead of being buried or burned. An exception is plastic, which comprises about 7 percent by weight or 20 percent by volume of municipal solid waste. Due to technical and financial limitations, less than ten percent of plastic is currently recycled. Furthermore, plastic recycling only defers the plastic disposal problem, since most plastic items can only be manufactured from virgin plastic. Recycled polystyrene foam (also known by the brand name Styrofoam) can be used to build marine docks but not to make a new polystyrene foam cup. New plastic will have to be produced from non-renewable oil stocks to make those cups, and eventually all the plastic will have to be disposed of. Last February 21, 2011, the province of Albay, spearheaded by Gov. Joey Sarte Salceda became the first in the Bicol region to ban the use of plastic bags. Provincial Ordinance No. 011 – 3, which is also known as the â€Å"Anti – Plastic† Ordinance of the Province of Albay, prohibits the use of plastic bags on dry goods and regulating the use on wet goods and prohibiting the use of Styrofoam and other synthetic materials harmful to the environment. The ordinance, signed into law by the governor and lauded by the members of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan is expected to eradicate the use of plastics bag by any means. As cited in Section 2 of the ordinance, the law is for the compliance of all business establishments, groceries, department stores, supermarkets, chain retailers and sari-sari stores in the province. Likewise, utilization of alternative packaging materials such as woven native bags (bayong), reusable cloth, shopping bags (katsa), paper bags and other similar materials is encouraged. It is also a known fact that many of those plastic bags that shop owners used to pack their merchandise often ended up in streets. The hazards plastic pose for the province are numerous. Albay being a favorite spot of natural disasters is at risk with the threats of excessive use of plastic products. Also, the province gets littered by plastic bag garbage presenting an ugly and unhygienic seen. The soil fertility deteriorates as plastic bags form part of manure remains on the soil for years. This new ordinance should be taken sincerely because this not only speaks for the lives at stake but for the environment of the next generations as well. Large food chains like McDonald’s, Jollibee and others should start to ban Styrofoam packages among their products. Large supermarkets should take the initiatives and act upon the given law and use alternatives to pack the purchase of their customers. They should also convince customers to bring their own reusable bags when they go shopping. Educational programs anchored to the ordinance should also be created to be able to grasp the students’ awareness about this law. They should be educated as early as in primary years that they may become fully aware of it. Massive campaigns like door-to-door information drive, barangay seminars and other promotions using quad media will be helpful in the realization of the law. Furthermore, environmental awareness of each individual should be encouraged as well.

The Importance Of A Sports Doctor

The Importance Of A Sports Doctor A sports doctor is a type of doctor who pursues in the prevention and treatment of injuries that affiliated with sports athletic activity. In professional sports, a sports medicine will be in group with a specific team and will be paid to care for the health for athletes. Sports doctors are most frequently associated with injuries to the joints, bones, and muscles. They focus primarily on injuries and conditions of the feet and legs are called orthopedic procedure. Sports doctors also work in athletic internal medicine, which concentrates on cardiac rehabilitation, lung performance, and circulatory issues combined with exertion. Sports Doctor Background A sports doctor studies health employing medical and scientific knowledge to prevent, observe, manage, and recover sports injuries. Exercise and sports science is the study of physiology and biomechanics that relates to the ability of the human body to adapt to movement and physical activity. When students graduated from studying exercise and sports science programs, they usually have big educational backgrounds because they can in both clinical and academic settings. Students who have a degree in sports science can also lead to career opportunities in fitness instruction, sports medical research, and nutrition. What Sports Doctor Focus On? A sports doctor focuses a lot on the medical phase of physical activity. Professionals of sports medicine, who work in the NFL, NBA, and other professional sports, train in the diagnosis and treatment of injuries that happen during sporting events, athletic training, and physical activities. It does not mean sports medicine degree can be involve the courses in injury prevention, analysis, therapy, and management, but it will involve understanding how illnesses and disease meets health and physical performance on injured athletes. If you earn a degree in sports medicine, it can lead a new career opportunities in athletic training, personal training, physical therapy, diet nutrition etc. You would work with some teams to help athletes and active people carry on the optimal health of becoming a sports medicine. Educational Requirements for Sports Doctors Sports doctors are fully trained medical doctor who would focus on sports medicine. In order to become a sports doctor, they have to do the same requirement of training before they can proceed. Sports doctor will need a Bachelors Degree to pursue in medical residency and school. In residency level, sports doctors are very determined but they can educate their focus on pre-med with great understanding of what elective courses will be best for their future career goals. Curriculum for sports medicine majors are: Physiology, Practicum in Athletic Training, Motor Development and Learning, Sports Psychology, Rehabilitation of Athletic Injuries, and Nutritional Science. Preparing for Sports Science and Sports Medicine School For becoming a sports medicine, you must require a college. Healthcare professionals, who concentrate in sport medical, draw seriously on scientific knowledge in a degree program. The class students will have a combination of math, medical, and science courses so that they can have all the training theyll need. Before making the decision on enrolling in sports medicine degree program, you should give some careful thoughts of personal interests and career goals. Students are often engage to the field of sports medicine because they have an enjoyment for sports. They should also have a serious interest in science and medicine and be willing to study hard in order to dedicate their studies to serve the needs of other athletes and active people. Successful sports healthcare professionals enjoy helping others, have an affinity for physiology and science, and possess a strong commitment to advancing and improving the health and physical capabilities of others. Successful sports healthcare professionals enjoy helping others and have a likeness for physiology and science, and acquire a strong commitment to advancing and improving the health and physical capabilities of others. A degree in sports medicine will require intensive and advanced studies of biology, biochemistry, physiology, anatomy, and other fields of science and math. With the strong fundamental skills in sciences and math, it will help them develop the skills they need in sports medicine college degree program. Job opportunities in the field are abundant and various for sports medicine. It can often be difficult to decide exactly on what kinds of sports science college students would like to study. If students are having trouble deciding exactly which path to take, they should try conducting sports healthcare professionals in the workplace. They can take an opportunity to ask acknowledged questions about the field to the professionals because they would like to give advice, guidance, and ideas about job o pportunities in the field. This can really help themselves focus on their own studies and choices of becoming a sports medicine. Once college students have made a decision to pursue a career in this field, they will make sure they know the differences between sports medicine degree programs to find an appropriate interest and goals. When they have gathered a lot of information about the options of becoming a sports medicine, the best information will be their best decision depending on their choice. Certificate Programs in Sports Fitness Sports and fitness certificate programs are options for new college students, current athletic trainers, nutritionists, and other professionals who want to develop a new set of skills. Certificate programs will teach students how to apply accepted physical and psychological theory for the world of sports to see most professional careers in this field are requires having college degree, but students can transfer their completed certificate credits to a Associate or Bachelors Degree program that will allow them to continue there studies on becoming a sports medicine. Associate Degrees in Sports Fitness In Associate Degrees, students must complete two years of class that will allow them an access to the fundamentals of sports science or they may train players in a specific part, like exercise science and fitness. If students want to study on advance careers in sport medicine, they must have a bachelors degree with the certificate programs. It can be possible to transfer the credits if they earned and minimize their time to a degree. Associate degrees are qualified to graduate for entry-level positions of sports and fitness. Many students choose to earn these degrees because they can move on directly into the workforce and then earn a bachelors degree when they get there. Bachelors Degrees in Sports Fitness After students earned the Associates Degree, they must earn a Bachelor of Science degree because it is the minimum requirement for employment of sports medicine professions. Mostly, earning a Bachelor of Science in sports science needs to have four years of academic study in college. These degree programs acknowledge the general concepts of physiology, medical science, nutrition, health, and related training. Many schools offer different occupations like physical therapy, athletic training, and nutrition. Masters Degrees in Sports Fitness After four years of study experience to earn a bachelors degree, students can work up to earn a Master of Science degree. The Masters Degree can let them do advanced training in achieve of progressing upper-level job opportunities. There are many healthcare professionals that pursue a Master of Science degree with a study in many different kinds of sports science, such as human movement, sports psychology, sports science, etc. Masters Degree, in sports and fitness, introduce students with advanced scientific concepts and procedures that will qualify them to better serve the needs of athletes and injured individuals. It also encourages them on focusing their knowledge, abilities and skills in a way that will make them grateful successors for advanced positions. It is their decision if students who want to pursue on earning a Masters Degree while to continue working full-time. They could earn more money than a Bachelors Degree. (World Wide Learn, Guide to College Majors in Sports Medic ine Science) Other Advanced Sports Medicine and Sports Science Degrees After students earn a certificate, Associates degree, Bachelors degree, and Masters Degree, they can choose to become a Medical Doctor degree and be into a sports medicine or surgical specialties. They can earn this degree to work in professional sports, like NFL, NBA, or etc. There are many students who are interested in helping, counseling, and monitoring the mental health of professional athletes and would likely to succeed in PhD program that focuses on sports psychology and psychiatry. Students can also choose to be Sports Doctor of Education, which would mainly be interested in teaching and advising sports science to new students who want to become a sport medicine. Trends for Sports Science and Sports Medicine Careers Professional athletes from colleges and high school can continue to push themselves to perform a better, faster, and stronger body. As personal trainers and nutritionists careers increases, there will be opportunities for employment in the healthcare field. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) predicts that fitness and recreation professionals, physical therapists, and athletic trainers, will grow faster than average over the next decade, and athletes and coaches will continue to grow, while nutritionists and dieticians will grow at an average rate. Salary Expectations for Careers in Sports Medicine and Sports Science According to the BLS, the median salary for fitness instructors was $25,910 in 2006. Coaches and scouts took $26,950, while nutritionists and dietitians earned $46,980. The median salary for physical therapists is approximately $66,200 per year. Salaries and earnings depend on the level of education, location of job, and experience. (World Wide Learn, Guide to College Majors in Sports Medicine Science) Certification and Licensure Areas of sports medicine or sports science are needed to acquire a certification. Students need to plan a way to acquire the certification for their workplace of sports medicine or sports science. The most popular sports certifications are: the Board of Certification (BOC) certification for athletic trainers, the American College of Sports Medicine Certified Personal Trainer certification (cPT) and the Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) certification. (World Wide Learn, Guide to College Majors in Sports Medicine Science)