Exploring Cognitive Behavior Theory And Therapy - 897 Words

Exploring Cognitive Behavior Theory and Therapy From the time of the advent of Sigmund Freud’s psychoanalytic theory and therapy until now, psychologists have searched for new and better ways to both understand and treat the human psyche. Many psychologists have spent their lives analyzing the complexities of human thought, behavior, and interactions with societal influences in order to find new ways to guide humans towards a more fulfilling human experience. Throughout time, various theories and models of therapy have emerged, each with their strengths and weaknesses in their efforts to help humanity live more fulfilling lives. Psychoanalytic, Adlerian, existential, person-centered, gestalt, behavior, cognitive, cognitive behavior (CBT), reality, feminist, postmodern, and family systems approaches have all made important contributions towards the evolution of psychological theory and therapy. One of the most widely accepted and practiced forms of theory and therapy in today’s world of psychology is CBT. Cognitive-Be havior Therapy has a rich and storied history, contains more inherent strengths than weaknesses, and provides effective treatment for a variety of psychological conditions. History of Theory According to Thoma, Pilecki, and McKay (2015), CBT is a result of the evolution and the intertwining of cognitive therapy and behavior therapy. Many of the early behavior theories and therapy techniques are combine with cognitive theories and techniques to form CBTShow MoreRelatedCognitive Therapy for Depression1317 Words   |  6 PagesCognitive Therapy for Depression Cognitive Therapy also known as (CT) is a form of psychotherapy that was developed by the psychiatrist Aaron T. Beck. This style of therapy is one that can change the unrealistic views and way of thinking of the client. This paper will discuss Cognitive Therapy for Depression on children, adults, the evidence that supports CT, and the disadvantages and advantages of CT. This paper will also discuss on how certain life experiences can cause psychological distressRead MoreDefinition Of Person Centered Therapy1202 Words   |  5 Pages Person-Centered Theory Kebeh Beyan Walden University Person-centered therapy can be understood as a form of counseling and psychotherapy which puts a particular emphasis on conceptualizing and engaging with people in a deeply valuing and respectful way (Cooper McLeod, 2011). It was also mentioned that Person-centered therapy aims to provide clients with a set of therapeutic conditions in which they can reconnect with their actual, individual experiences and valuing processes, movingRead MoreThe Importance Of Clinical Psychology Within The Correctional Setting1285 Words   |  6 Pagesfurther harm by the individual. In the best-case scenario, the interaction between therapy and the law will lead to a rehabilitation of the offender, help her change her maladaptive behavior, and give her the tools to deal with problems in the future. However, women experience many barriers after being released, such as being treated as outcasts, an inability to find employment, being judged for their criminal behavior, and experiencing shame (Dodge P ogrebin, 2001). This shame is exacerbated forRead MoreTheoretical Orientation At Your Field Placement959 Words   |  4 Pagesbecause it is more structured and goal oriented. We will serve clients of different cultures and norms, backgrounds and environments. Theoretical orientations are just as diverse as our clients which allows us a broader spectrum of counseling and therapy for intentional and effective service. In this paper the writer will discuss how to develop a theoretical orientation, how to explore your theoretical orientation, how to integrate your theoretical orientation at your field placement and in conclusionRead MoreA Reflective And Competent Practitioner Essay1292 Words   |  6 PagesIn my journey to become a reflective and competent practitioner, the approach to counseling theory, which I espouse, will play an integral role in my development as a counselor. It will define the techniques I employ, how I develop and view the therapeutic relationship, how involve d I will be in client’s goal setting and change process, as well as, my view of human nature. I fully comprehend that as I progress in my career, my approach may alter and adjust as I actively work with clients and utilizeRead MoreContrasting Psycodynamic, Cognitive Behavioral and Person-Centered Counseling Theories1732 Words   |  7 Pages2005). Counseling theories are used by counselors as part of their treatment plan for clients. There are many types of theories that counselors can choose from. These theories are usually hosen based on the client needs and what the counselor feel will be most effective. Counselors are not limited to just one theory when it comes to treating their clients. Theories can be used in conjunction with one another to effectively treat clients. Counseling does not just involve theories alone, it in involvesRead MoreEssay about Group Therapy Theory Comparison1475 Words   |  6 Pagestherapists may often begin to consider leading a group therapy session. Group therapy is a form of therapy in which a therapist either treats or provides psychoeducational skills to a small, carefully planned target group of individuals in an effort to ameliorate the issues and dysfunctions of each individual in that particular group of patients together (Scheidlinger, 2004). In this group, therapists often utilize some of the psychotherapy theories such as Gestalt, transactional analysis, psychotherapyRead MoreCase Study : Client Mental Health Characteristics Essay1617 Words   |  7 PagesCase Study: Client Mental Health Characteristics During the initial phase of therapy, Jane exhibited characteristics that I considered mentally unhealthy in CBT. She had little insight into her maladaptive information processing; she could identify that she was anxious, but was unable to trace the source of this anxiety. I identified two types of cognitive distortions that were problematic for the client: arbitrary inference and mislabeling. Arbitrary inference became particularly obvious asRead MoreCase Study : Wedge Recovery Center1202 Words   |  5 Pageshours addiction groups per week, along conducting 15-20 individual sessions per week, which includes assisting the individuals with developing their treatment plan. Cognitive Behavior Therapy is the primary methodology Wedge institute, where I also include the Systems method toward treatment, mainly the sub-systems aspect of the theory to assist the individuals with addressing their environment and how it impact their progress toward regaining their life. To address the objective of this paperRead MoreCognitive Behavioral Therapy Essay example1507 Words   |  7 PagesCognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is among the most extensively tested psychotherapies for depression. Many studies have confirmed the efficacy of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) as a treatment for depression. This paper will provide background information about the intervention, address the target population, and describe program structure and key components. It will also provide examples of program implementation, challenges/barriers to implementing the practice, address how the practice supports

Gay Marriage Persuasive Essay Free Essays

string(164) " A very concerning concept is that a vast majority of the groups that are fighting to keep the ban on gay marriage, are traditionalists and religious based groups\." When taken at face value, many Americans would not think that forbidding gay couples to marry affects them. What many fail to recognize is that these kinds of discriminatory laws reach out and touch every life in this country. For a nation to intentionally and blatantly tell one group of people that they are not entitled to the same rights and protections as other groups of people sheds a dark shadow on the rest of the nation. We will write a custom essay sample on Gay Marriage Persuasive Essay or any similar topic only for you Order Now If the government can interfere so wholeheartedly into the lives of those it is supposed to serve, then none of us are safe. Very few people actually understand why gay marriage is an issue. The overwhelming trends of â€Å"changing values†, abandoning religion, and the adaptation of new lifestyles have brought this issue to the forefront. So, if everyone is so against gay â€Å"marriage†, the nation needs to extend the rights of marriage to gays, even if it means that it needs to be done under a different title. The Legislative Branch is responsible for making the laws which govern the country. It is never possible to please all of the people, but fairness is always an option. While the traditionalists and religious majority are claiming that â€Å"Marriage is a holy union between a man and a women with vows taken before god† (â€Å"Same Sex Marriage? â€Å"); the government needs to find a position somewhere in the middle of protecting the traditional marriage, and allowing for equal rights and protections for all of its citizens. When the government stepped in and became a part of â€Å"marriage†, they essentially needed to remove the religious aspects of it in order to adhere to the long standing policy of â€Å"separation of church and state†. This was never done, and because it was never a problem, it has remained a government/religious union that many felt the need to protect because of the religious attachments. Well, it is a problem now. There are hundreds of thousands of American citizens being denied rights and protections because while they are a strong and powerful part of our population, they are still heavily outnumbered by the religious majority seeking to protect the institution of marriage. To see what must be done by the legislature to right the wrongs done by anti-gay legislation, one must understand the history of this battle and the causes for the recent influx of gay marriage supporters. This battle has been raging since the 1970’s when gay individuals first started questioning why they were not allowed to get married. At that time, most reasoned that they (gays) would just go away, that they were just looking to have the wedding, but cared little about actually being married. No one could have guessed that forty years later, the â€Å"gay† population would be doubled in size, the American idea of the â€Å"traditional family† would be drastically changed, the religious majority would be experience a major power shift, and that our supreme court would be hearing these cases on a regular basis. If one were to ask the opponents of gay marriage how we got to where we are today, they would likely respond with some kind of comment regarding the demise of the traditional family, or how integrative teaching has changed the expectations of marriage (Sharp 71). Those with a more liberal view may state that, throughout the years, science has opened the eyes of many to be more understanding of homosexuality and may therefore link it to a better tolerance for progressive ideas towards gay marriage (Bornman 30-33). The increase in the size of the â€Å"gay community† has made this an issue that must be addressed. In the 1970’s when the gay marriage debate began, it was fueled mainly by gay males, and lesbian females only. Since then, the â€Å"gay community† has increased to include gay men, lesbian women, bisexual men and women, and the transgendered community. The additions of these groups to the supporters of gay marriage, has called for a numbers increase of great magnitude. An example of this increase can be shown based on statistical data (still widely viewed as an estimate only) obtained by the Williams Institute at the UCLA school of law; in 2011 there 9 million (3. 5% of the population) that identify as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, or Transgender. When this number is broken down, it is reported that only 1. 7% of this 3. 5% are identified as gay men or lesbian women (Gates 1). That is less than half of the people. This increase has led to stronger lobbying and more strength in numbers. The legislature cannot simply ignore the needs and wants of 3. 5% of the American population. Another significant cause of this increase in support for gay marriage can only be described in â€Å"the changing times†. (Sharp 71) History has shown that conservative attitudes have changed dramatically throughout the years. Just looking at the basic ways of life for example can attest to the change in attitudes. In the 1950’s life was centered around the family. The wife stayed home, cooked, cleaned, and tended to the children. There were various images of the â€Å"perfect housewife† plastered all over the media- a smiling perfectly kept woman waiting at the door wearing an apron and holding a steaming hot turkey on a platter all while kissing her husband as he walks through the door from a hard day’s work. That was the image of the family that was portrayed and lived. Divorce was rare and those leading any lifestyle other than the mainstream norm, were frowned upon and shunned from communities. Obviously this is not the picture of life today. More mothers are working outside of the home. The term â€Å"latchkey kids† is now the norm. Divorce rates are at an all-time high, with single mothers never having been married to their children’s fathers being considered normal. Obviously the American opinion of family and normal has changed, thus changing the opinions of who can be a normal family as well. A very concerning concept is that a vast majority of the groups that are fighting to keep the ban on gay marriage, are traditionalists and religious based groups. You read "Gay Marriage Persuasive Essay" in category "Papers" (â€Å"Same Sex Marriage?†) As a country founded to escape religious persecution, it is highly concerning that in 2011, the opinions of the religious majority are still governing our nation. According to the U. S. Census Bureau, the percentage of the population identifying as â€Å"Christian, Catholic, Baptist, or Protestant† (the four largest religious groups in the nation) has declined from 86% in 1990, to 76% in 2008 (U. S. Census 2011 61). In addition to this, the percentages identifying as â€Å"No religion, Atheist, or Agnostic† increased from 8% in 1990, to 15% in 2008 (U. S. Census 2011 61). It can be speculated that based on the above mentioned â€Å"rule by the religious majority†, that the decline in religious individuals in America, coupled with the rise of those claiming to carry no religious beliefs, has helped the trend of supporters for gay marriage increase. An important fact that needs to be established is that gay marriage is not illegal. Each individual state has the right to create laws to govern their people. Throughout the years as couples attempted to secure marriage licenses that would recognize their same sex partnerships, states began passing statutes that define marriage as a union between man and woman. Some states determined long ago that it was wrong to discriminate and therefore, they should allow gays to be married. (â€Å"National Conference of State Legislatures†) Other states have given the title â€Å"domestic partnership† or â€Å"civil union† to the union between same sex couples. This will allow them to be placed on the same insurance policies and even in some cases file state taxes together, but little other benefits are afforded to these types of unions, and the big question is â€Å"why are these unions allowed but only under a different title? †. This calls to question the obvious. Why are the gays fighting for marriage? Some states recognize it, so they can just go there and get married (or participate in a civil union ceremony) then go home to their states and live their lives. It makes sense in theory but the big problem is that while these states have taken the steps to allow equal protections to all of their citizens, the federal government refuses to recognize these marriages- essentially rendering them invalid. It is because of this, that the solution must lie in the hands of the Federal Government, if they do not make the change, then any change made will be insignificant and superficial at best. In 1993 the Hawaiian Supreme Court ruled that denying marriage to same sex couples was unconstitutional. Uproar spread throughout the country as fear grew that this ruling would open the floodgates allowing gay marriage to be legal everywhere. As a precautionary move, in 1996 President Bill Clinton signed the Defense of Marriage Act into legislation. This put a federal ban on gay marriage, and is really where the battle begins. (â€Å"National Conference of State Legislatures†) In 2009 at the 111th congress, a bill was entered as a proposal to repeal the Defense of Marriage Act. This act was called the Respect for Marriage Act. After some bureaucratic push and pull, in March 2011, this act was signed into legislation- officially ending the government’s long standing ban on state recognized same sex marriage. (â€Å"National Conference of State Legislatures†) While this act does not directly legalize or recognize gay marriage at the federal level, it does take away the only standing legal defense that federal courts were able to use in the many cases waged to allow gay couples to have the same rights as heterosexual couples. It is a move in the right direction for lawmakers to finally end the decades long discrimination of gay individuals and couples. While the apparent causes for the influx in gay marriage support is obvious, those not involved in the battle should understand why it is an issue that needs to be solved. Marriage is not only a union made between two people, but it comes with several rights and â€Å"rewards† that are afforded only to married couples. There is the obvious tax break that is available to those filing â€Å"Married† on their federal income tax returns. The amount of money varies greatly depending on income, but it is a financial break nonetheless. There is also the issue of insurance, both health and life. While most states allow those in â€Å"domestic partnerships† to be placed on each other’s insurance, this is not guaranteed by all states and in all circumstances. This means that a gay couple cannot be on each other’s insurance. There are also issues of parenting and adoption. Each state has a different variety of laws, though some do not allow those not married to become adoptive parents. A very large and concerning issue is that of Social Security Survivor Benefits. If a man or woman works all of their lives and pays into the Social Security system and then dies, the money is left to no one because the Federal Government refuses to accept the legal marriages performed in individual states. (â€Å"Center For American Progress†) According to the Center for American Progress, there is a total of â€Å"1,138 federal statutory provisions classified to the United States Code in which marital status is a factor in determining or receiving benefits, rights, and privileges.† (â€Å"Center For American Progress†) That is a total of 1,138 rights and benefits that require a legal marriage to be considered; which is also a total of 1,138 rights and benefits currently being denied to American citizens. The effects are obviously endless, and the solution should be obvious. To properly come up with a solution to this problem, the government must look at the opinions of the majority, coupled with the rights of the minority and find a happy medium. If the government removed all ties to the term â€Å"marriage†, it would then be enabling the religious majority to continue protecting the â€Å"holy union† they so desperately feel the need to protect. This solution would require very little funding, or extreme measures, rather would just take some tricky new wording of the laws to cast a new shadow of fairness upon the nation. This idea makes plenty of sense when you break it down. In order for any man and women to legally be married, they must go to the clerk of court for their locality, and obtain a marriage license. This marriage license is a legal document signed by an employee of a government agency, therefore making marriage a government institution instead of a religious one. There is no currently no requirement that makes it mandatory to get married in a church, or by a member of a church, which goes to reason that a couple can be married without their union being religious. So the government must then decide, do we strip the traditionalists and religious groups of their â€Å"holy union† and create an uproar which will no doubt further clog the courts with cases seeking a repeal? Or should we remove our ties to this union and create our own union that is available to all citizens and would therefore afford them all of the protections and benefits of being â€Å"married†. When it is put this way, the answer is obvious. The federal government can rearrange the terminology of the laws in place today and replace all of the use of the term â€Å"marriage† with a new term. It could be â€Å"civil union† for example. This would, in turn, allow all men and women in the United States to enter into this type of union, and be protected by all laws that â€Å"marriage† currently affords to those married. The traditionalists and religious individuals that want to desperately protect the â€Å"sanctity of marriage† can still do so without having any infringement on their religious beliefs. They can still participate in marriage ceremonies but instead of picking up a â€Å"marriage license† they would need to also obtain a â€Å"civil union license† in order to have their marriage protected by the government. While this idea may put most of the opposition at bay by allowing them to keep their â€Å"marriage†, others who were not previously opposed to gay marriage might consider it too much of a change. For a country that has been â€Å"getting married† for hundreds of years, it is unreasonable to expect all of the people to suddenly change their way of thinking. To start having â€Å"civil union planners† instead of â€Å"wedding planners†, for example, is just asking too much of the people. The government must then ask the people, â€Å"is asking the American people to change their normal ways of thinking to allow for their fellow men and women to be treated fairly under the law really asking too much? † When it is a matter of something being too hard, or too much change; individual rights and freedoms should always come first. Our constitution was drafted in such a way to allow for future leaders to change or amend it as the changing needs of the nation are being met. There was a time when women were not allowed to vote. It had to be a big change for the people to suddenly change everything into such a way that would allow women to vote. There were times when whites were allowed to keep segregated from blacks and to deny blacks the use of public institutions. Laws were written to change these practices as well. People fought and died over the implementation of this new legislation, but it was put in place nonetheless. The government has asked a lot more of the people in regards to changing popular ways of thinking, and all was done in the name of equality. In 2011 this should be an easy task to accomplish. As stated earlier in this essay, times have changed, views are more liberal. Yes it will be an adjustment, but it will be one that will benefit all people eventually. The ideas as to why gay marriage has now become an issue in the forefront of American politics are endless. The effects of the constant denial of rights to American citizen are obvious and in devastating numbers. There is a plausible solution to the problem that will protect not only the wants, but the needs of several different groups of citizens. The resolution of those against it is so strong, as is that of those that carry favorable beliefs. The government has taken steps- both large and small to afford more protections to more people, but it hasn’t been enough. There needs to be new laws written, ones that can allow for all people to feel as though they are American and deserve American freedom. Studies have been done, research compiled, statistics published, and only one answer has been derived. Gay marriage is an issue, and it will not go away. How to cite Gay Marriage Persuasive Essay, Essays

Cloning 9 Essay Research Paper Cloning has free essay sample

Cloning 9 Essay, Research Paper Cloning has been in being in society for many old ages, but it is merely since the twelvemonth of 1997 that the subject of cloning has sparked a contention of positive and negative sentiments. It was in the twelvemonth of 1997 that the first cloning of an animate being had been performed. This sheep # 8217 ; s name was Dolly and Dolly created a craze within the scientific universe. With the successful result of Dolly the World began to put the sky as the bound of possibility. However it is merely now in this modern age that we can come to understand what effects cloning could hold on World society. The subject of cloning is a cosmopolitan job nevertheless it is besides an incredible human discovery. Aspects such as moral issues, ethical issues and the overall consequence of cloning set up uncertainties and positive feelings for this universe phenomenon. The procedures that were used to clone the first of all time genetically engineered sheep # 8220 ; Dolly # 8221 ; was a hard procedure. # 8220 ; Dolly # 8217 ; s # 8221 ; discovery was the first ever-successful ringer utilizing an grownup sheep cell. The first measure was roll uping some bodily organic structure cells from the sheep. These cells are the cells that are the first measure to cloning. Unfertilized eggs are than collected from a Ewe. Using carefully calculated information sections of Deoxyribonucleic acid are removed from the egg cells. After this procedure one of the original bodily cells is placed into the cardinal yolk of the unfertilised egg. Using chemical and electrical stimulations the freshly formed embryo is made to make it # 8217 ; s ain fertilisation. This embryo is so developed in a civilization. The embryo develops and signifiers in a civilization that sustains needful foods for the embryo to last. Once a sufficient civilization is developed the embryo is implanted into a replacement female parent. A new sheep is so born through this fantastic technique of cloning. Using the method of cl oning, scientists are able to take specific cistrons and features in different animate beings to make the perfect specimen. Many people believe that Cloning is incorrect, nevertheless many people believe that Cloning is a necessity for universe endurance. It is difficult to find whether or non the advantages of cloning are more of import than the disadvantages. Cloning opened the universe to an limitless ere of Advantages. From nutrients to worlds, cloning could set up tremendously good results. Take cloning Dolly the sheep for an illustration, you could make an limitless supply of # 8220 ; Dolly # 8221 ; sheeps, this would make a figure of advantages. Imagine that if the specimen of Dolly was in menace of going nonextant, good cloning could get the better of this scenario. Through cloning a big figure of # 8220 ; Dolly # 8221 ; sheep extinction would be about impossible. This would let a fantastic species such as # 8216 ; Dolly # 8221 ; to be viewed for coevalss. Some negativ e facets of cloning nevertheless would originate. First there is a high cost factor involved in cloning and therefore tremendous fiscal backup is required. Second indistinguishable familial information could ensue in a major epidem Intelligence Community. Speciess with the same familial information could wholly be killed with one virus. One other consideration is for the animate beings. It would be barbarous and morally incorrect to make a production line of indistinguishable animate beings. Starving states would no longer hold to populate through hungriness and hurting. Cloned animate beings and works life could provide the hapless states with an limitless sum of right foods and minerals. Imagine a universe without famishment? Well Cloning has the possible to supply a luxury such as this. Disease is besides presently blighting metropoliss across the full universe, killing 1000000s of people each twelvemonth. With the assistance of Cloning disease could be wiped from being. Scientists could bit by bit outbreed disease by cloning those people who have perfect immune systems and were free from any disease. Another method would be to change cistrons in worlds so that diseases have no consequence. This would be a great advantage to communities throughout the universe. Although these are all positive results of cloning, there are a big figure of negative facets to closely look at. Disease would be a fantastic portion of life to pass over out. However many ethical and spiritual questions need to be putt frontward. What would go on to our Earth if everyone lived an excess 20 old ages? Well possibly there is a ground that we have things such as famishment and disease in our universe. The quest for additions in human life span and animate beings could endorse fire and have lay waste toing effects on the universe. The strive for flawlessness could take to living conditions going progressively worse. Farmers would observe at the idea of cloning limitless sums of animate beings, fruits and veggies. Production would finally be cheaper therefore economic benefits would billow. Merchandises could be cloned to organize the biggest and juiciest apples, the longest and tastiest Cucumis sativuss and sheep with the softest and thickest wool. Not merely would at that place be an limitless sum of resource but the quality of resource would be the best that the universe has of all time experienced. However a negative side to this would be that big farms would shortly set up a big proportion of market portion and would therefore strike hard out of the market smaller farms. One of the major dangers of cloning is the extent that scientists throughout the universe will persue the discovery. Soon scientists could experiment with cloning full worlds and this would do many ethical and spiritual jobs. It is believed that person, someplace creates every populating thing different on Earth. So the inquiry of why alteration nature? Beckons to be answered. Well, before any farther production of cloning should travel in front I believe that limitations and guidelines should be established. However what could halt person from cloning a human today? Possibly they already hold? Well these are some of the limitless inquiries that need to be answered before we should come on further into the scientific universe of Cloning. Possibly we are get downing and stop to civilization? No 1 truly knows

The Metamorphosis by F. Kafka an Example of the Topic Literature Essays by

The Metamorphosis by F. Kafka Franz Kafka belongs to those writers of the twentieth century whose fiction express sorrow over the fracturing of the human community. His well-developed, modernist parables often do not have any fixed meaning, yet they reflect the insecurities of age when faith in old-established beliefs has crumbled. Kafka masterfully combines within one framework the knowable and mysterious, an exact portrayal of the actual world with a dreamlike and magical dissolution of it. The analysis of one of his works will allow seeing in what way Kafka attains that profound quality of his expression of the experience of human loss, estrangement, and guilt - an experience increasingly dominant in the modern age. Kafkas best-known story The Metamorphosis is the illustrative work in which the realism of commonplace detail clashes with not improbable but absurd turns of events. Need essay sample on "The Metamorphosis by F. Kafka" topic? We will write a custom essay sample specifically for you Proceed The inner world of Kafkas character passes through the imaginable world into actual one. Gregor Samsa in The Metamorphosis transforms into an insect as the only way to manifest his insect-like relationship to the world, where he lives. The Metamorphosis is peculiar as a narrative in having its climax in the very first sentence: As Gregor Samsa awoke one morning from uneasy dreams, he found himself transformed in his bed into a gigantic insect. (Kafka, 19) The rest of the story drifts down from this high point of astonishment as one great revelation of truth. This form of narrative, which contradicts all conventional concepts of presenting the discourse, violates the rules just the same as the peoples faith in particular ancient beliefs had been violated in the twentieth century. His story is about death, but death is not dnouement of the story, as it is not the most horrible event in the life of the character. The first sentence of The Metamorphosis announces Gregor Samsas death, and the rest of the story is his slow death. For a moment, near the end of his long dead, while listening to his sister play the violin, he feels as if the way were opening before him to the unknown nourishment he craved (Kafka, 76); but he could not get out of his room-cell, and he expires. University Students Frequently Tell EssayLab specialists: Who wants to write assignment for me? Essay writer professionals advise: Get Help In Writing An Essay Essay Helper Students Best Essay Writing Service Review Top Essay Writing Best Essay Writing Service What Gregor awakens to on the morning of his metamorphosis is the truth of his life. That dreadful dream, which he got into, reveals, in fact, reality, which he could not have understood before - he is a vermin, a disgusting creature shut out from the human circle. (Kafka, 33) Kafka prefers to use a metaphor so that Gregor Samsa is not like a vermin, but he is vermin. This metamorphosis is indeed no dream but a revelation of the truth. In giving up all hope of reentering the human circle, Gregor finally understands the truth about his life; and as he accepts this truth, he begins to sense a possibility that exists for him only in his outcast state. He is hungry enough, he realizes, but not for the worlds stuff, not for that kind of food. (Kafka, 74) This truth is composed of an array of facts. First of all, he grasps the deteriorative effect of his job upon his soul, the position that materially supports him but cuts him off from the possibility of real human associations. He has been sacrificing himself by working at his meaningless, degrading job to pay off an old debt of his parents to his employer. Otherwise Id have given notice long ago, Id have gone to the chief and told him exactly what I think of him. (Kafka, 21) Another truth revealed through metamorphosis is the situation in the Samsa family: on the surface, the official sentiments of the parents and the sister toward Gregor, and of Gregor toward them and himself; underneath, the horror and disgust, and self-disgust: ... family duty required the suppression of disgust and the exercise of patience, nothing but patience. (Kafka, 65) His metamorphosis is a judgment on himself from the standpoint of his defeated humanity. Creating in The Metamorphosis a character who is real and unreal, that contains specific meaning but is deprived of self, Kafka encourages his readers to fill in the void that exists at the center of the insect-Gregors self. Thus, as a reader, one can conclude that Gregors metamorphosis is a symbol of his alienation from the human state, of his awakening to the full horror of his dull, spiritless existence, and of the desperate self-disgust of his unconscious life. Works Cited List: Kafka, Franz (1952) Selected Short Stories of Franz Kafka. Translators Edwin Muir, Willa Muir New York: Modern Library, 1952

Anorexia Nervosa

Anorexia Nervosa Explanation of Concepts: Anorexia Nervosa Anorexia nervosa is many times confused with the disease of bulimia. Many people are confused as to what the difference is between the two diseases. Let us settle this now so there is no further confusion. People with anorexia starve themselves, avoid high-calorie foods and exercise constantly. People with bulimia eat huge amounts of food, but they throw up soon after eating, or take laxatives or diuretics (water pills) to keep them from gaining weight. People with bulimia don't usually lose as much weight as people with anorexia. It is said that bulimia is the least fatal of the two diseases because bulimics are at least putting some kind of food into their body where is the victim of anorexia refuses to eat anything at all.Anorexia nervosa is a disorder characterized by deliberate weight loss, induced and/or sustained by the patient. Just as some of us develop cancer and other fatal diseases, some people develop the disease of anorexia nerv osa.A summary of the strategy Zucker et al. (2007) use...Those who develop this fatal disorder intentionally starve themselves or severely restrict their food intake. Some people feel that this isn't actually a disease, but in fact, it is just as much as a disease as cancer.Unlike many of the other diseases, anorexia nervosa is psychological. Most people perceive anorexia as an obsession that people have with being thin. The disease usually begins in young people around the time of puberty. "They lose a lot of weight, at least 15 percent below a young man/woman's normal body weight." (Rowan 1) They are terrified of gaining weight. Victims believe they are fat even when they are very thin. Food and weight eventually become an everyday obsession. The compulsiveness shows up in strange eating rituals or the refusal to eat in front of others. The ironic...

Quotes from the Book Things Fall Apart

Quotes from the Book Things Fall Apart Things Fall Apart  an important African novel by Chinua Achebe, is  one of the greatest classics of its time. The book involves the clash of cultures and belief systems, as colonization affects the people. Here are a few quotes from Things Fall Apart. Quotes From Things Fall Apart A proud heart can survive general failure because such a failure does not prick its pride. It is more difficult and more bitter when a man fails alone.- Chinua Achebe, Things Fall Apart, Ch. 3 But he was not the man to go about telling his neighbors that he was in error. And so people said he had no respect for the gods of the clan. His enemies said that his good fortune had gone to his head.- Chinua Achebe, Things Fall Apart, Ch. 4 No matter how prosperous a man was, if he was unable to rule his women and his children (and especially his women) he was not really a man.- Chinua Achebe, Things Fall Apart, Ch. 7 When did you become a shivering old woman, Okonkwo asked himself, you, who are known in all the nine villages for your valor in war? How can a man who has killed five men in battle fall to pieces because he has added a boy to their number? Okonkwo, you have become a woman indeed.- Chinua Achebe, Things Fall Apart, Ch. 8 After such treatment it would think twice before coming again, unless it was one of the stubborn ones who returned, carrying the stamp of their mutilationa missing finger or perhaps a dark line where the medicine mans razor had cut them.- Chinua Achebe, Things Fall Apart, Ch. 9 Beware Okonkwo! she warned. Beware of exchanging words with Agbala. Does a man speak when a god speaks? Beware!- Chinua Achebe, Things Fall Apart, Ch. 11 It was like beginning life anew without the vigor and enthusiasm of youth, like learning to become left-handed in old age.- Chinua Achebe, Things Fall Apart, Ch. 14 We have heard stories about white men who made the powerful guns and the strong drinks and took slaves away across the seas, but no one thought the stories were true.- Chinua Achebe, Things Fall Apart, Ch. 15 Living fire begets cold, impotent ash.- Chinua Achebe, Things Fall Apart, Ch. 17 The white man is very clever. He came quietly and peaceably with his religion. We were amused at his foolishness and allowed him to stay. Now he has won our brothers, and our clan can no longer act like one. He has put a knife on the things that held us together and we have fallen apart.- Chinua Achebe, Things Fall Apart, Ch. 20 Okonkwo stood looking at the dead man. He knew that Umuofia would not go to war. He knew because they had let the other messengers escape. They had broken into tumult instead of action. He discerned fright in that tumult. He heard voices asking: Why did he do it?- Chinua Achebe, Things Fall Apart, Ch. 24

Literary Analysis Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words - 2

Literary Analysis - Essay Example The fact that everything is red is something Carson brings and uses. Everything about Geryon is red, as well as everything in Autobiography of Red. What does red mean? Is the book a personal history of the color red as composed by Anne Carson? Not likely. Red is a striking color, more striking than dark, or chestnut, or blue. Red is striking and peculiar and, accordingly, red is the ideal illustration for difference, which Carson uses throughout Autobiography of Red to convey Geryons part as an outsider, a test to the hetero-narrative. Geryon had, what most would say, a bad youth and, likely, a different one from his peers. His mother was well intentioned, however pointless, while his father was mostly absent. Geryons older sibling sexually abused him. Geryon was red even in his adolescence, as was every little thing about him, from the "red silk chalk" utilized by his instructors to the "dull pink air" that encompassed his home (Carson 26, 36). In Geryons personal history, he set down the facts believed about himself, above all else of which is that "Geryon was a monster whose every little thing about him was red" (Carson 37). Geryon was such a different individual, to the point that he would not take the conventional route to his classroom at school. He would stroll to the most distant end of the building and "stand still until somebody inside noticed and turned out to show him the way. He didnt move neither did he knock on the glass but little, red, and upright he held up† (Carson 25). When he was far fro m his peers, he stood and waited to be included in their games or activities. He was commonly known as the different one, the other. Having a contemporary hero who is actually red is, to a degree, a different thing from what people are used to. Yet, what difference is using red, as an analogy, if yellow or orange would work and are additionally striking shades? Geryon must be red or the analogy, primarily,

Reflective journal on management skills Article Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words - 3

Reflective journal on management skills - Article Example They were possibly held by unavoidable situations elsewhere. Secondly, I also thought that at least having made an effort to make it to class, they should have been allowed to go over the whole session before seeing the lecturer in camera to explain themselves. Nowadays as a manager I have come to understand that everything happens for a reason and that man is prone to error. What is important in whatever situation as a manager is to have a listening ear. It is important to allow subordinates to express themselves every time there is a crisis. This helps one to first have a grasp of the reasons behind whatever action has been taken by employees. Listening is a human virtue. It is central to managerial principles and has thus been central to my managerial style too. As per Hamilton (2010: Pg. 12 ) allowing two-way communication in organisation also helps forestall potential fallouts in future as one is able to come up with preventive mechanisms One thing I know for sure is that listening works miracles even in situations that seem so bad. Dialogue is the key for survival in the current competitive world. It is what all the business moguls have used across all ages. Dale Carnegie has advocated for it so have Henry ford and Andrew Carnegie among many others. So as manager I know I have discovered my tool and I can attest to the enormous impact this has had on my operations. I now shun highhandedness and value dialogue and respect for my subordinates. The commonwealth bank Australia is one of the largest and most versatile financial institutions in Australia. It has been in operation since 1912. It currently boosts of over 1000 branches plus an equally large distribution of ATMs. The bank offers a number of customer-tailored services and solutions key among tem being a number of affordable mortgage options and foreign funds transfer services. In of the programs aimed at encouraging diversity, the Commonwealth Bank Australia has set up a special intranet site

Effective Performance Appraisal Essay Example for Free

Effective Performance Appraisal Essay In spite of this fact, however, there are some elements which are common to all effective performance appraisal systems, regardless of the actual method(s) used in the system. These elements will be discussed shortly. However, before examining these common links, a brief overview of performance appraisal as it is currently practised in American organisations is in order. Current Trends in Performance Appraisal As previously noted, controversy over the best performance appraisal system continues. The dilemma was highlighted in the 19 May 1980 issue of Business Week where the editors concluded that managers want a system that will pinpoint specific marginal behaviour that should be reinforced or discontinued, serve as a personnel development tool, provide a realistic assess ­ ment of an employees potential for advancement, and — a particularly hot issue in the 1980s — stand up in court as a valid defence in discrimination suits. Has the search for a best system affected what companies actually do in performance appraisal? A study conducted by Taylor and Zawacki[2] in 1981 set out to answer this question y sending a mail questionnaire to 200 firms located throughout the United States — these companies were selected at random from the Fortune 1000. Eighty-four (42 per cent) were returned and used in the study. The size of respondent firms ranged from less than 1,000 employees (nine), 1,000-5,000 employees (63), and more than 5,000 employees (12). Non-respondent firms did not vary significantly in terms of size. This study, which duplicated a previous one conducted in 1976, asked what kind of performance appraisal system was used for management and blue-collar employees. It also asked for the interval between ratings, productivity and employee reaction to the appraisal system, anticipated changes and respondent satisfaction to the present system. While it is not possible to go into all the detailed findings of this study, some of the most pertinent information is summarised below. ? While in 1976 43 per cent of the respondent firms had used a traditional performance appraisal system (e. g. , forced distribution) and 57 per cent had used a collaborative system (e. g. , MBO), in 1981 these figures had changed to 53 per cent and 47 per cent respectively. In other words, the proportion of companies using a traditional approach to performance appraisal had increased while the proportion of those using a collaborative approach had decreased. Several respondents provided written comments stating that they had changed to quantitative (i. e. traditional) systems in recent years in reaction to legal challenges to their previous collaborative system. In 1981, 39 of the 41 organisations using a traditional system used a graphic rating scale. Of the collaborative forms, 23 firms used MBO and 11 used a BARS system. The percentage of firms not satisfied with their current appraisal system increased from only nine per cent in 1976 to 47 per cent in 1981. In addition, those with collaborative systems were more likely to be satisfied, while the majority of firms with traditional systems expressed dissatisfaction. As far as the effect of the type of system used on employee attitudes went, 37 per cent of the ? IMDS January/February 1988 13 ? companies using a traditional approach felt that it had improved employee attitudes while 63 per cent felt it had not. Of those companies using a collaborative approach, 77 per cent felt it had improved employee attitudes and 23 per cent felt it had not. ? Of the 22 firms indicating that they anticipated changing their performance appraisal system in the near future, 12 were moving from a collaborative system to a traditional system. This is especially interesting in light of the fact that, in the 1976 study, the majority of firms indicating that they were considering a change said that the move would be from a traditional to a collaborative approach. While the 1981 study did not delve into the reasons behind this shift in attitude, Taylor and Zawacki conjectured that it was due to governmental and legal pressures for precise (i. e. , quantitative) measures which overwhelmed a desire to help people develop and grow towards becoming more effective employees. Of the firms surveyed, 49 per cent felt that their performance appraisal system had improved employee performance (roughly the same proportion found in 1976). However, the number of firms that did not believe employee performance had improved as a result of the appraisal process had gone from four per cent in 1976 to 19 per cent in 1981 — and none of these firms anticipated changing their system! (5) The appraiser should be given feedback regarding his/her effectiveness in the performance appraisal process. (6) The performance appraisal system, regardless of the methodology employed, must comply with legal requirements (notably, Equal Employment Opportunities guidelines). Since the factors listed above are consistently highlighted in the literature as essential elements of an effective performance appraisal system, each of them warrants individual attention. Performance Goals Must Be Clearly and Specifically Defined Special emphasis should be placed on this phase of performance appraisal, since the lack of specifically defined performance goals will undoubtedly undermine the effectiveness of the entire performance appraisal process. The key performance areas need to be identified, assigned priorities and stated in quantifiable terms whenever possible. The mutual goal-setting process between a manager and subordinate associated with Management by Objectives is a particularly beneficial way to foster acceptance and internal motivation on the part of the employee[3]. As is often the case, if multiple goals are established, they should be ranked so that the employee has a clear understanding of which areas may warrant more attention and resources than others. Furthermore, every attempt should be made to describe performance goals in terms of their time, quality, quantity, and monetary dimensions. This will reduce the opportunity for misinterpretation about what is to be accomplished and what limitations there are. The quantification of goals will also make it easier for the manager and the employee to measure the employees progress towards achieving the objectives. The need for quantifying objectives is succinctly summed up by George Ordione: If you cant count it, measure it, or describe it, you probably dont know what you want and can often forget it as a goal. There is still too much, do your best, or Ill let you know when its right, going around in todays organisations. If you cant define the desired type and level of performance in detail, then you have no right to expect your subordinate to achieve it. [4] ? To summarise, it would appear that while most firms wish to use a collaborative form of performance appraisal, they feel thwarted by outside forces (notably Equal Employment Opportunities requirements) in their attempts to implement such a system within their organisations. The dilemma, then, is finding a workable solution which will meet both constraints. The remainder of this article will take a look at these two seemingly conflicting areas (effectiveness vs. efensiveness) and how they can be integrated into a meaningful performance appraisal system. Elements of an Effective Performance Appraisal System While various authors use different names and modified descriptions for them, the following factors seem to be universally accepted by most authorities on the subjects as requisites for an effective performance appraisal system: (1) Performan ce goals must be specifically and clearly defined. (2) Attention must be paid to identifying, in specific and measurable terms, what constitutes the varying levels of performance. 3) To be effective, performance appraisal programmes should tie personal rewards to organisational performance. (4) The supervisor and employee should jointly identify ways to improve the employees performance, and then establish a development plan to help the employee achieve his/her goals. The Varying Levels of Performance While setting performance goals is a crucial first step in the process, managers also need to concentrate more attention on identifying what constitutes the varying levels of performance. If the organisation uses the typical poor, fair, good, very good and excellent scale of performance, the manager has a responsibility to identify at the beginning what levels of performance will produce a very good or excellent rating. However, setting specific goals for organisational performance is not enough — managers also need to relate performance to the individuals rewards. Agreeing on what is to be accomplished and what varying levels of performance represent in terms of evaluation and rewards is crucial for the performance appraisal process to be effective[5]. Since the first two steps of this process (i. e. , defining performance goals and setting performance standards) IMDS January/February 1988 14 are closely connected, an example of how these steps might be achieved is warranted. A prerequisite for setting performance goals is to establish job tasks. To measure performance realistically, objectively and productively, we must base our reviews on job content rather that job constructs. Constructs are broad, often self-evident terms which describe a general task, activity or requirement. Richards refers to them as garbage words in terms of their usefulness as performance standards). An example might be communication skills. While few would argue the need for skills in communication for many employees, the problem is how to define the term in light of the requirements of the specific job in question. Will the employee be required to: ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? Write memos? Write letters? Conduct interviews? Deliver public speeches? Present pr oposals to clients? Describe features and benefits of a product? Resolve face-to-face conflicts? Handle customer complaints? Write job descriptions? Describe and define job standards? Manage meetings? Present ideas to top management? Initiative: Resourceful in taking necessary or appropriate action on own responsibility. Unsatisfactory Poor A routine Often waits unnecessarily worker; usually for direction. waits to be told what to do, requiring constant direction. Satisfactory Good Excellent Seeks and gets added tasks for self; highly selfreliant. Assumes responsibility. Does regular Resourceful; work without alert to waiting for opportunities directions. or Follows improvement directions with of work. little follow-up Volunteers suggestions. Table I. drinks per bottle, etc. In turn, these indicators should be broken down into measurable standards, as shown in Table II. As shown, when identifying what constitutes the varying levels of performance, we need to decide what we can expect in terms of outstanding performance, what is satisfactory and what is the minimum level of perfo rmance we can tolerate. One could argue that these are subjective determinations, and this is of course true. What is important, however, is that once these determinations have been made, performance can be measured objectively against the standard. It is important to keep in mind that standards should be set based on what we require or need in the performance of a job and not on our assessment of a specific individuals ability to do the job. Unless we specify the behaviour we want in the context of job content requirements, it will be near impossible objectively to measure someones performance under the generic construct of communication. We must determine the sort of communicating the job requires of the employee. Some organisations attempt to aid supervisors by providing rating scales which are anchored to descriptions of performance (i. e. , the BARS approach), such as the one shown in Table I. While this type of scale is certainly a vast improvement over those that offer no anchors (rating descriptions) at all, we could still argue over the ratings. The standards are subjective and unmeasurable, both undesirable traits in any performance appraisal system. To overcome these problems, the job should be broken down into responsibilities, with a series of performance indicators provided for each responsibility. In turn, these indicators should be accompanied by objective and measurable performance standards. An example will help illustrate the process. A bartenders job can be broken down into several responsibilities, including mixing drinks, cost control, inventory control, house keeping, safety, law enforcement, supervision, customer relations, etc. In turn, each of these responsibility areas can be broken down into several performance indicators. For example, performance indicators of the job responsibility mixing drinks might include complaints, returns, brands used, appearance, speed, number of Personal Rewards and Organisational Performance To be truly effective, performance appraisal programmes should tie personal rewards to organisational performance. Too many reward systems are based on time on the job, are divided evenly among employees, or offer too little incentive to increase motivation significantly. As noted by Harper[3], performance appraisal systems need to be designed with the three Es of motivation in mind. The first E refers to the exchange theory, which states that people tend to contribute to the organisations objectives as long as they believe they will be rewarded. The second E refers to the equity theory, which states that motivation is tied to the relative, rather than the absolute, size of the reward. For example, if person A does 25 per cent better than person B, but gets only five per cent more in a merit increase, then person A is likely to feel that management has actually punished him or her for doing noticeably better than person B. The third E is the expectancy theory of motivation, which asserts that motivation is a combination of the persons perceived probability (expectancy) of receiving a reward and the worth of the reward. Even when the reward is great, motivation may in fact be quite low if the employee does not believe that he or she has a reasonable chance of achieving the necessary level of performance to get the reward. Conversely, if the employee believes that the probability of receiving the reward is high, there will be little motivation if he or she does not need or value the reward. IMDS January/February 1988 15 Job: Bartender Job responsibilities Mix drinks, etc. Indicators Complaints Returns Measurements used (recipe) Brands used Appearance Time No. of drinks per bottle, etc. feedback to managers about the quality of their performance appraisal ratings would seem to have several advantages: ? ? It is relatively inexpensive and easy to develop and implement. The feedback is based on ratings made by each manager as part of the formal performance appraisal process. This enables the feedback to be tailored to the individual. The feedback can provide managers with a basis upon which to compare their ratings with those made by other managers. This normative type of feedback is rarely available to managers; as a result, there is very little information upon which they can evaluate how lenient or strict they are. A feedback system should help to ensure comparability of ratings among managers, which in turn may increase employee satisfaction with the appraisal process. That is, employees are more likely to perceive that their performance has been evaluated equitably since managers are using the same standards when evaluating performance. ? Job: Bartender Standards Job responsibilities Mix drinks Indicators Minimum Complaints 4/week Satisfactory 2/week Outstanding 0 ? Table II. In summary, then, for a performance appraisal programme to be successful in this area, it must: (1) Tie rewards to performance (2) Offer a high enough level of reward (3) Have the level of reward reflect the relative differences in the various levels of performance (4) Tailor the rewards to the needs and desires of individual employees. Development Plans Ideally, the performance appraisal programme should be comprised of two separate sessions between the manager and the employee. In the first session the manager and employee review the level of performance from the previous period — what went well, what did not, and why. This session also identifies the employees strengths as well as the areas that need to be improved. The manager then encourages the employee to prepare a development plan to be discussed at the second meeting. The development plan is intended to identify areas that should be improved upon during the coming period. The subordinate should be encouraged to: (1) Concentrate on those areas that will affect results (2) Select three or four particular areas for improvement rather than an unrealistic and unmanageable number (3) Set improvement goals that are specific and measurable[6]. Whatever the end result happens to be, the employee needs to be the principal author (although the manager should offer help and suggestions) since people tend to be more motivated to accept and implement a plan of their own making. IMDS January/February 1988 16 Indications of the usefulness of such a feedback system were documented in a study by Davis and Mount[7] in which managers were provided feedback vis a vis the ratings they gave to employees. In response to a questionnaire distributed one week after they had received feedback regarding the quality of their performance ratings, 79 per cent of the managers indicated they were either satisfied (seven per cent) or very satisfied (72 per cent) with the feedback; 93 per cent said they considered it when making subsequent performance evaluations; 70 per cent said it influenced their ratings either appreciably (47 per cent) or substantially (23 per cent), and 79 per cent said the feedback had utility for making managers ratings more comparable. The test results from this study indicated that the feedback also significantly reduced the presence of leniency error (the tendency to skew the rating distribution towards the higher rating categories) in the managers ratings. This is significant from an organisational perspective because of the multiple uses of performance ratings in organisations. Often, performance ratings are the criterion on which selection tests are validated and often provide the basis on which merit pay increases are determined. According to Davis and Mount, improving the psychometric quality of the ratings may enable the tests to be validated more effectively and provide a more equitable method for distributing pay increases — an important consideration, as previously discussed. Conforming to Guidelines Obviously, in addition to the other factors which have already been discussed, another practical consideration which must be taken into account is that any performance appraisal system, regardless of the methods employed, must comply with all Equal Employment Opportunity guidelines. While a complete discussion of this important area is beyond the scope Feedback Regarding Effectiveness It is surprising how infrequently organisations provide their managers with information about their performance appraisal ratings. However, providing of this article, the Uniform Guidelines on Employee Selection Procedures, put together by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) and several other agencies in 1978, deserve special mention. These procedures were meant to clarify the exact requirements which appraisal and other selection systems must meet, and include the following points: (1) To continue using an appraisal system that has adversely affected one or more protected groups, the company must demonstrate that the system is valid, that it is job related, and that it accurately measures significant aspects of job performance. (2) The company must establish that there is no other available method of achieving the same necessary business purpose that would be less discriminatory in its effects, and none can be developed. According to the courts, the plaintiff (employee), rather than the defendant (company) must show the availability of the alternatives. The EEOC has told employers what they cannot do, but it has not provided them with definitive guidelines for solving the performance appraisal puzzle. However, some help in this regard was provided in the Autumn, 1980 issue of EEO Today[8]. (1) Base your appraisal on a comprehensive job analysis. EEOC guidelines dictate that you measure job performance against specific, clearly defined standards of performance. The performance you appraise, says the EEOC, must represent major critical work behaviours as revealed by a careful job analysis. Without a clear, written statement of job responsibilities, you increase your risk of EEO liability. (7) Submit the appraisal to several reviewers, especially if it is negative. To prevent conscious or unconscious bias from creeping into the appraisal process, develop a multilevel review system. Have your superior review and sign the appraisal. This system of checks and balances will reduce the risk of losing a court action. Final Comment As can be seen from the foregoing discussion, an effective performance appraisal system involves much more than a mere annual or biennial evaluation of an employees past performance. Nonetheless, astute managers are becoming increasingly aware of the value of their human resources, viewing them as an investment rather than merely an expense or overhead to be minimised. Accordingly, many organisations are taking the time and effort necessary to develop an effective performance appraisal system in order to help their people achieve their personal goals, which in turn allows the organisation to meet its own objectives[9]. Unfortunately, many managers still object that they just do not have the time to make performance review and development an ongoing process. However, if management is defined as the ability to get things done through people, and if we accept the fact that an effective performance evaluation process helps in getting the most important and productive things accomplished, then what else should managers spend their time doing? References 1. Fletcher, C. , Whats New in Performance Appraisal? , Personnel Management, February 1984, pp. 20-2. 2. Taylor, R. L. and Zawacki, R. A. Trends in Performance Appraisal: Guidelines for Managers, Personnel Administrator, March 1984, pp. 71-80. (2) Know the details of your companys 3. Harper, S. C. , A Development Approach to Performance nondiscriminatory policies. You and every other Appraisal, Business Horizons, September-October 1983, pp. manager in the company should aim for the 68-74. uniform application of all appraisal guidelines. 4. Mellenhoff, H ow to Measure Work by Professionals, Management Review, November 1977, pp. 39-43. (3) Avoid subjective criteria. According to the Albemarle Paper Co. v. Moody decision, subjective 5. Richards, R. C. , How to Design an Objective PerformanceEvaluation System, Training, March 1984, pp. 38-43. supervisory appraisals of job performance are 6. Kellogg, M. S. , What to do About Performance Appraisal, inherently suspect if they produce adverse impact American Management Association, New York, 1975. against a protected group. To stand up to the 7. Davis, B. L. and Mount, M. K. , Design and Use of a scrutiny of the courts, these judgements must Performance Appraisal Feedback System, Personnel be considered fair and job-related. Administrator, March 1984, pp. 1-7. 8. Block, J. R. , Performance Appraisal on the Job: Making it (4) Document! Keep records. That is the only way Work, Prentice-Hall, Inc. , Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey, 1981. you can support whatever subjective judge ­ 9. Butler, R. J. and Yorks, L. , A New Appraisal System as ments creep into the appraisal process. (They Organizational Change: GEs Task Force Approach, are inevitabl e. ) Personnel, January-February 1984, pp. 31-42. (5) Aim for a group of appraisers who have common demographic characteristics with the group being appraised. This criterion was established in Rowe v. General Motors. When only white males appraise blacks, Hispanics, women and other protected groups, the courts question the fairness of the. system. Once a system is challenged and shown to have adverse impact, the company must prove its validity. (6) Never directly or indirectly imply that race, colour, religion, sex, age, national origin, handicap, or veteran status was a factor in your appraisal decision. Making any disciminatory statement, orally or in writing, will make your organisation subject to court action. Additional Reading Kaye, B. L. and Krantz, S. , Preparing Employees: The Missing Link in Performance Appraisal Training, Personnel, May-June 1982, pp. 23-9. Performance Appraisal: Curre. Practices and Techniques, Personnel, May-June 1984, pp. 5799. Heneman, R. L. and Wexley, K. W. , The Effects of Time Delay in Rating and Amount of Information Observed on Performance Rating Accuracy, Academy of Management Journal, December 1983, pp. 677-86. The Trouble with Performance Appraisal, Training, April 1984, pp. 91-2. Gehrman, D B. , Beyond Todays Compensation and Performance Appraisal Systems, Personnel Administrator, March 1984, pp. 21-33. IMDS January/February 1988 17

Advocating Elderly Americans Essay -- Advocates Senior Citizens

The elderly in America have many needs that can range from transportation, a little more money, and even just a little companionship but one of their major needs is advocacy. They need someone to stand up and fight with them for what the need. The elderly of today did so much for this country such things as fight both world wars and the Korean Conflict, they fought for equality, and the escalated this country to the greatness we have today.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  So what is an advocate? Advocate is a person or group that represents a common interest and goes to great lengths to see that their cause is not neglected. So why does our elderly need advocates? Our elderly need advocates for various reasons. They need someone to fight with congress over healthcare cost and issues, they need someone to defend them against neglect and abuse, and most of all they need someone to make them aware of the services and programs available to make their lives easier. Advocates are very important to our elderly as well as they should be no one wants to be alone, we all want someone to fight beside us. So who does stand up and fight for our elderly?   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  In all parts of the United States there are Offices for the Aging to assist our elderly with obtaining the services they deserve. The Office for the Aging was created to promote self-determination, self-promotion and self-sufficiency among the elderly. They also wanted to make seniors aware of the services available to them and their families. Over the years that Offices for the Aging has existed they have created networks of connections in many aspects with in each of their communities. Through their broad range of connections they can assist any one with any problems. Most people feel as though the Office for the Aging is nothing more than a referral agency. There could be nothing further from the truth, Office for the Aging offers a wide variety of services but if they do not offer a service that you need they can and will refer you to an agency that can. One of the services that the Office for the Aging offers is Social Security counseling. This is a big servi ce because of the changing laws and the complexity of the laws it is tough for many elderly to understand properly obtain all of the money they are entitled to. Office for the Aging can also go to your Social Security hearing for you if you wish that they do so. The Office for ... ...as quoted as saying, â€Å"It’s virtually impossible to take back the House or win the presidency without taking back the seniors. That makes them the key battleground†¦Ã¢â‚¬  In the upcoming decade there will be over 76 million baby boomers that will be over 65 that mean they will have more power then any other voting cohort in America. This means the attention that the senior vote is getting will become stronger and stronger. Older people are more likely to vote that are younger people this means that seniors can be their own advocate. Seniors can be their own advocates by voting people into office that will vote their way on important issues. Voting is a powerful instrument for all people but is often overlooked.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Advocacy is an important in order for voices to be heard. Seniors citizens have various needs and as fellow humans it is our obligation to protect them. They paved the way for our country’s prosperity who are we to put them out pasture. Works Cited www.aarp.org www.americangeriatrics.org www.carie.org www.commoncause.org www.ncscinc.org www.senior.org The gerontologist. â€Å"Older People and Voting Participation: Past and Future† by Robert Binstock. February 2000.

Caring for children and young people Essay

Children’s Act 1989, 2004 Section 3 (1) in this act parental responsibility means all rights, duties, power, responsibilities and authority which by law a parent or a child has in relation to the child and their property. Children’s Act 1989, describes how local authorities should carry out their responsibilities in relation to care planning, placement and case review for looked after children. These responsibilities are designed to support the local authority in its primary duty set out in section 22(3) of the 1989 Act to safeguard and promote the welfare of the looked after child and to act as good corporate parents to enable each looked after child to achieve his/her full potential in life. A key principle of the 1989 Act is that children are best looked after within their families, with their parents playing a full part in their lives, unless compulsory intervention in family life is necessary. Children in Care This is where the local authority has gone to court for a care order, usually against a parents’ wishes. The local authority may place the child with relatives, with foster carers or in a community (or residential) home until he/she’s 18 years old or the court end the order. Under the Children Act 1989 a council can apply for a care order if it believes a child is suffering or at risk of suffering significant harm. If you agree to your child becoming ‘looked after’ and there is no care order, you’ll continue to have parental responsibility for your child. Children are put into care because their parents lack to show responsibility for them, or they are under the influence of drugs/alcohol and can appear abusive and a threat to the child’s life. Legal duties under the children act 1989 Child assessment order (sec 43) under which the child can be seen and assessed, It must only be requested if the applicant has reason to believe that the child is likely to suffer significant harm or that an assessment is  required to determine if the child is likely to suffer significant harm. Emergency protection order (sec 44) under which the child can be kept in, or removed to, a particular place (hospital or home). The court will only take the order further if it’s believed a child is likely in danger and harm, and that the order is both necessary and proportionate to the level of risk posed to the child. A care or supervision order (sec 31) the LA can decide where the child is to live until he/she is 18 years old. The LA has 3 duties towards the child under the SO; to advise, befriend and assist the child, to take steps that are necessary to give the order full effect and if the order is not followed then to consider whether to vary the order, attach requirements to it or even substitute it for a care order. Sometimes the children may not be taken into care, but you may have to be supervised by Social Services for a while to make sure the children are well cared for, this is called a â€Å"Supervision Order The foster placement regulations 1991 The child must be visited regularly in the foster home officer by a local authority. Foster parents must give information about their health, accommodation, religion and cultural background and capacity to care for a child of a particular racial/ethnic origin, culture or linguistic background. Children in foster care deserve to be treated as a good parent would treat their own children and to have the opportunity for as full an experience of family life and childhood as possible, without unnecessary restrictions. Parental reasons Parental reasons can lead a child to be put in foster care; the reasons are as followed; Family related reasons The main factor and reason children normally go into foster care is based on their family. Their family may experience financial problems, where they can’t take responsibility for their child nor provide food and support for them. In some cases, a parent may be very ill and unable to work or care for a child. The death of a parent may also make it difficult for the other parent to provide the care a child needs. Parents who are in incarcerated may lose custody of their children until they have served their sentences. Suspected abuse Suspected abuse can include physical and sexual abuse. Physical abuse usually means to the extreme, where bruising is left on a child and numerous attempts to help a family learn alternative means of disciple have failed, and sexual abuse can include persuading or forcing a child to take part in sexual activities, or encouraging a child to behave in sexually inappropriate ways. Any forms of this in household, social services will get involved and remove the child from the house and put them into care. Bereavement Though rare, as there is usually family available to care for a child after the death of a parent, there have been cases when children do enter foster care after the death of a parent. Maltreatment Child maltreatment, sometimes referred to as child abuse and neglect, includes all forms of physical and emotional ill-treatment, sexual abuse, neglect, and exploitation that results in actual or potential harm to the child’s health, development or dignity, this will lead the child to going into care. Loss of parent A loss of parent to a child, leaves a child with no adult responsibility, if under the age of 18, therefore this child will be taking into care to be properly looked after. Child or young person related e.g. health problems, learning difficulties, as a result of committing an offence Parental illness A parent being physically and mentally ill, will result to them not raising their child with full responsibility, from having lack of responsibility and full control over themselves, if this is noticed by social services they will make the decision to place the child in a better place. Behavioural problems The child can have behaviour problems to an extent (anger management) where their parents aren’t able to handle them properly and they are out of hand, the parents can seek help elsewhere too, but care can also be an option. Jamie Bulger case Robert Thompson and Jon Venables became Britain’s most notorious child killers in 1993 after murdering the two year old James Bulger. Outrage turned to shock when photographs of the two 10 year olds were released, showing a pair of frightened children. The two friends were both from broken homes. Robert Thompson who was described as quiet yet friendly, came from a dysfunctional family in which both parents were heavy drinkers and his six brothers fought constantly even threatening to knife each other. His father, who beat and sexually abused his wife and children, left the family when the Thompson was five. Pass Two- outline the arrangements for providing quality care for looked after children and young people The convention on the rights of the child 1989 The United Nations office of the high commissioner for human rights (UNCHR) based in Geneva, Switzerland. Under the term of the convention, a child under the age of 18. The section 54 articles in the convention explain the rights given to children in countries that have signed the convention. Governments have a responsibility to take all available measures to make sure children’s rights are respected, protected and fulfilled. Baby Peter Peter Connelly was a 17 month year old British boy who died n London after suffering more than fifty injuries over an eight month period, during which he was repeatedly seen by Haringey children’s services and NHS health professionals In November, Connelly’s new boyfriend, Steven Barker, moved in with her. In December, a GP noticed bruises on Peter’s face and chest. His mother was arrested and Peter was put into the care of a family friend, but returned home to his mother’s care in January 2007. Injuries to Baby Peter’s face and hands are missed by a social worker after the boy is deliberately smeared with chocolate to hide them. On the 3rd of august 2007, Baby Peter was found dead in his cot, Dr Jerome Ikwueke, a GP who saw Baby Peter 14 times before his death, is suspended by the General Medical Council. Two social workers, who dealt with Baby Peter, Gillie Christou and Maria Ward, lose their claim for unfair dismissal. They had argued they were s acked unfairly by Haringey Council following his death, but a tribunal found the authority acted reasonably because of failings in the care they  provided. Baby P was neglected, social workers and doctors failed to take authorities when clear evidence, showed he was in danger. The common assessment framework The common assessment framework is a key part of delivering frontline services that are integrated and focused around the needs of children and young people. It is a standardised approach used by practitioners to assess children’s additional needs and decide how these should be met. The CAF should be offered to children who have additional needs to those being met by universal services. Unless a child is presenting a need, it is unlikely the CAF will be offered. The CAF is a four-step process hereby practitioners can identify a child’s or young person’s needs early, assess those needs holistically, deliver coordinated services and review progress; a practitioner is worried about how well a child or young person is progressing (e.g. concerns about their health, development, welfare, behaviour, progress in learning or any other aspect of their wellbeing) a child or young person, or their parent/carer, raises a concern with a practitioner a child’s or young p erson’s needs are unclear, or broader than the practitioner’s service can address Hamza khan Hamza Khan was a 4 year old child who was starved to death by his alcoholic mother over a period of years. During his life, Hamzah missed a series of appointments at hospital, with health visitors and GPs, and he did not receive routine immunisations. His mother Amanda Hutton, 43, was jailed for 15 years last month after being found guilty of manslaughter. The framework for the assessment of children in need The framework for the assessment of children in need and their families provides a systematic basis for collecting and analysing information to support professional judgements about how to help children and families in the best interest of the child. In addition, it takes account of relevant legislation at the time of publication, but is particularly informed by the requirements of the Children Act 1989, which provides a comprehensive framework for the care and protection of children. The Assessment Framework involves gathering and analyzing information in three domains; Children’s developmental needs; Parents’ or caregivers’ capacity to respond appropriately; Impact of the wider family and environmental factors on parenting capacity and children. Pass Three- Explain the factors that would lead to suspicion of child maltreatment or abuse Risk of maltreatment Child maltreatment, sometimes referred to as child abuse and neglect, includes all forms of physical and emotional ill-treatment, sexual abuse, neglect, and exploitation that results in actual or potential harm to the child’s health. When a child is being maltreated a child’s rights are compromised and they are not cared for. A risk of maltreatment cause also be from within the family, and this could potential effect the growth of the child. Hamzah Khan Hamzah Khan’s case was showed to portray neglection, he was starved to death and his needs were not recognised Neglect Neglect is a form of abuse. It is the persistent failure to meet a child’s basic physical and/or psychological needs likely to result in the serious impairment of the child’s health or development. When a child does not have what they need to function effectively. They may be deprived of security safely, shelter, warmth, food or love. Bullying This term is used when someone uses their power or position to intimidate another individual Bullying can be classed as abuse. Bullying can be demonstrated through the physical actions as well as through verbal or written actions that lead to mental health and distress issues. Behaviours used to assert such domination can include verbal harassment or threat, physical assault or coercion, and such acts may be directed repeatedly towards particular targets. Abuse The word ‘abuse’ covers a wide range of behaviour. Abuse can be criminal acts of violence or acts of neglect. There are different forms of abuse: Physical; Sexual; Emotional; Psychological; Financial; Neglect;  Institutional Physical; Physical abuse is any intentional and unwanted contact with you or something close to your body. Physical abuse can include, pushing, slapping, expose to cold and striking with an object. Sexual; Also referred to as molestation, is forcing undesired sexual behaviour by one person upon another. This includes being touched in a way you don’t like, or you’re made to watch someone do something sexual. Psychological; Psychological abuse, also referred to as emotional abuse or mental abuse, is a form of abuse characterized by a person subjecting or exposing another to behaviour that may result in psychological trauma, including anxiety, chronic depression, or post-traumatic stress disorder. Institutional; Institutional abuse is the maltreatment of a person from a system of power, this can typically occur in a care home, nursing home or in-patient setting. Financial;   Financial abuse is one form of control used by domestic violence perpetrators in order to gain power over their partner, and is the most direct way in which domestic violence and financial issues relate to each other. Personal hygiene Hygiene is a set of practices performed for the preservation of health. Poor hygiene and lack of self-care can show that a person thinks little of themselves, and can cause skin complaints, unpleasant smells and bacterial or parasitic infections. Malnourishment Malnutrition is present in the form of under-nutrition, which is caused by a diet lacking adequate calories and protein. Indicators of malnutrition include the person looking thinner than average for their age and height. Extreme undernourishment is starvation, and its symptoms and effects are inanition. Emotional withdrawal A change in child’s normal behaviour is often a sign that they are being abused or have been abused. Emotional withdrawal is classified as a lack of emotional connection to others and the inability to communicate; this can affect a child’s self worth and self esteem, leaving them feeling devalued, and withdrawing themselves from others. Bruising Bruising on infants, unexplained bruises, bruises in unusual places (upper arms, hands, ears, neck, buttocks, etc.), and bruises in specific shapes, like a large bite mark, cigarette burn, or belt mark, can be signs of child abuse. Victoria Climbe and Baby P were covered with bruising due to their abusing, which lead them both to death. Pass Four- Explain appropriate responses when child maltreatment or abuse is suspected: Behaviour indicator: Withdrawal – A child that is being maltreated, will withdraw or isolate themselves from others, even close friends and other family, this is a response from them because they don’t want to communicate with anyone. Aggression – Aggression is a common response from a chid that is being abused or maltreated. They will become very frustrated and take their anger out on other people. Distress- Children get distressed from abuse; they will experience negative self identity, which also brings a feeling of worthlessness. Rocking/head banging – This is a response from abuse, children will do this as they see it as easing the pain and them being scared will lead them to self harming themselves. Hunger- Starvation could be done by a person to a child, or they could starve themselves. Reluctance to go home – A child will be scared to go home, fearing they will end up getting the same treatment, which affects their self esteem. Low self esteem – Children with low self esteem have been linked to abuse/bullying. They will experience negative self identity and they will feel highly depressed. Development delay – Children may have development delays as a result to abuse/maltreatment. They can lack in communication and being active as a young child, due to abuse not allowing them to be themselves. Consequences of maltreatment Emotion and physiological dysfunction – Psychological problems often manifest as high-risk behaviours, Maltreatment, for example, may make a child more likely to smoke, abuse alcohol or drugs, or overeat. Physical consequences, such as damage to a child’s growing brain, can have psychological implications, such as emotional difficulties. Illness – Consequences of maltreatment can affect a child’s diet, where they are not malnourished enough because they are under eating. This will also eventually lead a child to being anorexic. Social Inadequacy – Children who experience neglect are more likely to develop antisocial traits as they grow up. Mental health- Health and physical effects can include the immediate effects of bruises, broken bones etc, and also long term effects of the brain damage and permanent disabilities. Cognitive abilities (intellectual) – Some studies find evidence of lowered intellectual and cognitive functioning in abused children as compared to children who have not been abused. They will have troubles bonding with others. Lack of attachment – A child will be more anti, and have lack of trust in others, causing them not to social and get close to anyone. Substance abuse – children who have experienced abuse or neglect will smoke cigarettes, abuse alcohol, o r take illicit drugs during their lifetime. Safeguard initiative Is the process of providing protection. Safeguarding person There must be someone in your organisation that will take action if there is a concern or allegations made with regards to a child young person. Once you have contacted children’s social care. From this point your concerns are known as a ‘Referral’. Social workers then have a duty by law to investigate the situation or circumstances that have led to the referral. They will; complete an assessment/ child protection investigation in partnership with police and talk to the child/ family and visit home. Child protection conferences If the assessment indicates that the child is at risk of harm a child protection conference may be called. Its purpose is to:  Bring together and analyse, in an inter-agency setting, the information that has been obtained about the child’s developmental needs, and the parents’ or carers’ capacity to respond to these needs; Ensure the child’s safety and promote the child’s health and development within the context of their wider family and environment; Decide what future action is required to safeguard and promote the welfare of the child, including the child becoming the subject of a Child Protection Plan. Disclosure and barring service The disclosure and barring service (DBS) helps employers make safer recruitment decisions and prevent unsuitable people from working with vulnerable groups, including children. It replaces the criminal records bureau (CRB) and independent safeguarding authority (ISA). The checking service allows employers to access the criminal record history of people working, or seeking to work, in certain positions, especially those that involve working with children or adults in specific situations. Criminal records bureau CRB disclosures are made under the police act 1997. Child protection policy Children and young people are victims of different kind of abuse and that they can be subjected to social factors that have an adverse impact upon their lives. Including domestic violence, substance misuse, bullying, child prostitution and ritualistic abuse. Recognise its responsibility to safeguarding and promote the welfare of children under 18 within the legal framework of the children act 1989, 2004. Its purpose is to help us to develop a common understanding of child protection issues, develop good practice across the diverse and complex areas in which we operate and thereby increase accountability in this crucial aspect of our work. Pass five- Explain the strategies and methods that can be used to support children, young people and their families where abuse is suspected or confirmed Strategies with children Being respectful must be earned; it cannot be ordered or demanded, and it can easily be destroyed. Child- centred approach Remember that the child is at the centre and that they are the people who need to be empowered and supported so they can take control of their lives. Providing active support. Support needs to be readily available and practical when people are in need. Policies of the setting It is important that everyone working with children in a care and education setting is aware of, and has read, the policies of the setting. Doing ensures that staff members are at less risk of being accused of abuse or other neglectful things. Procedures needs to be followed to ensure that best practice is put in place and to ensure that setting is running smoothly and that everyone is acting in a consistent manner. Empowering children Children need to understand that they have rights of their own. Empowering children is about giving them information that is reliable, respecting their views, recognising each child and young person is an individual, that they might be exposed to damaging ideas and negative experiences and that this might influence their behaviour and own ideas. This can be achieved by; †¢ Helping them to understand the boundaries they might come across. Reinforcing issues when they arise in a positive manner such as turn taking, no pushing, being patient, understanding some children take more time than others to complete tasks, everyone has their own individual ways of completing tasks. Letting them resolve their own conflicts whenever possible. Supporting assertiveness, self-confidence, self-esteem and resilience Children need to be assertive at times and should be encouraged to do so. Supporting assertiveness is essential So that they can stick up for themselves and express their thoughts, feelings and desires with other people. These thoughts feelings and desires are their ‘personal boundaries. As well as supporting self- confidence to help them feel good about themselves and the way they see themselves. If a child has confidence then I believe he/she will be more relaxed and happy and not end up in situations they don’t want to be in. Children with good self esteem tend to do better and handle situations better than ones with poor self esteem. Sharing  information, and not keeping secrets Encourage children to have open relationships with people so that they can share, this will allow them to trust other and realise that people can be there for them as much as they didn’t think so, opening up is a key to having a better life. Development Those things children need to reach their full potential from education and play to freedom of thought, conscience and religion. Good development support will help a child be successful in the future, leading them on the right path. Improving self-image Children who have been abused will inevitably have a poor self-image and may need help in developing a more positive view of them, this can be done by going over what they dislike about themselves, and reassuring them, they are the complete opposite. Parenting skills Parenting skills do not always come naturally to people, especially if they were raised in a family situation where those skills were lacking, good parenting skills can include being a positive role model, not telling your child to not do one thing, when you do it yourself, things like reasonable discipline is good enough to being an effective parent. Whistle blowing Many settings have now also adopted a whistle blowing policy so that if any inappropriate behaviour is observed among the staff it can be reported in a appropriate way. Reporting arrangements The policy of settings will specify the lines of reporting in cases where abuse is suspected or confirmed. This can support young children as reporting will lead to the situation being solved and the child no longer has to go through that anymore. Security of records All records must be safely and securely stored, and only accessible to those who need to see them in a professional capacity Having an effective access and security program in place will help to ensure that records: are available, when appropriate, for use  are not subject to unauthorised use  cannot be altered, and  cannot be inappropriately destroyed.

Display advertising involved purchasing advertising space on websites Essay

3.Why did BBVA sign multiyear sponsorship deals with NBA and ESPN? Do you agree with this decision? To increase brand awareness. Yes, brand building is a long term process and needs continuous input. 4.What are the various steps in the online acquisition process and how can the bank improve this process? Paid search: Buy key words—ad shows up with the key word- banner with promotional offer(ipod, 5% cash back, or $100 to $150 in cash, under certain conditions)-link to official website–Open account Display: Buy ad space in prospect’s website— banner with promotional offer(ipod, 5% cash back, or $100 to $150 in cash, under certain conditions)-link to official website–Open account How they can do: Increase the people who see and click. Put more budget on Simply step/information required for online application. 5.What is the effective acquisition cost and lifetime value of customers acquired through the online channel? BBVA acquired its customers through its branches, website, telephone and direct mail. About 80% of the new checking accounts had been set up through BBVA’s branches, 15% through telephone and direct mail and 5% came from the on-line channel. BBVA’s goal was to keep the customer acquisition cost below $200 per new account. The bank considered acquisition cost between $100 and $150 to be good and below $100 to be great. The online channel had the least acquisition costs of all – on average, the effective cost of these promotions was about $100 for each new online checking customer. In the banking industry, the average lifetime value of a new checking account, with expected life of five years, is approximately $800. However, the net annual income generated by online customers is slightly higher than returns from clients using the local branch (online customers have lower balances and therefore pay higher fees). 6.What is the role of display and search advertising in acquiring new checking account customers? Is the 2010 advertising budget allocation between display and search appropriate? Paid search advertising entailed purchasing keywords on Google, Yahoo!, and Bing, the three major search engines. The largest portion of BBVA’s paid search budget was allocated for Google, as it had the biggest share of search queries. Words purchased included generic keywords, such as â€Å"consumer checking,† â€Å"checking account,† and â€Å"free checking account† as well as branded keywords, including â€Å"BBVA Compass† and â€Å"BBVA brand.† Buys for these keywords were analyzed and tracked through the bid management tool, which evaluated competitive prices, search volume and share of voice for each keyword. Media Contacts also sent weekly performance reports with analysis and recommendations for campaign optimization.