Improving Management Essay Example for Free

Improving Management Essay It has been established that Company Q is a small grocery chain that has recently decided to close two of their stores in heavily populated areas due to profit loss and high crime statistics. The necessity to close two stores is a significant economic failure for both the community and the stake holders involved in the franchise. Company Q has demonstrated that improvements need to be made to restore their reputation within the community and gain the confidence it needs to succeed among the share holders of the company. Since Company Q has closed these two stores, the loss of employment by members of the community has been recognized along with the need for citizens to travel further outside of the community for groceries. This takes tax revenue away from the city and has also resulted in two vacant buildings. In a community already plagued with crime, this adds to the potential of additional crime. In order to salvage Company Q’s reputation with the community and restore trust with the shareholders, significant changes will need to be made. Based on the closure of two stores, the social responsibility that Company Q exudes is very poor and concerted effort will need to be displayed in order to prove they are a socially responsible company. Part B For several years, customers of Company Q have requested that Company Q offer a more health conscience and organic variety of foods. Due to the recent closure of two stores, it is noted that there are now funds available to provide this request at the remaining open franchises. Company Q recognizes that in order to regain the customer’s trust, they need to be accommodating to the desires and needs of their customers. The first recommendation is to continue to provide the healthier, organic food varieties being requested. This action recognizes the customer’s desires and validates that Company Q is listening and wants to be accommodating.  Money that is no longer being utilized to manage the two stores that are closed can now be allocated to the high margin items at the stores that remain open. Company Q has been asked by the local food bank to donate day-old products instead of throwing it away. Company Q has denied this request citing worries about fraud and possibilities of employees stealing and stating that they were actually donating it. Our first recommendation is to rescind this policy and work with your local food bank to be able to obtain this otherwise wasted food. The reputation with the community is already fragile after the closure of two nearby stores. In order to build trust with the community and the shareholders of Company Q, simply providing the requested healthier, organic food will not be enough. Extra effort being demonstrated by Company Q will need to be recognized. The next recommendation would be to create an Action Committee within each of Company Q’s open stores. This Action Committee will work together to create a system that  monitors the amount of high margin items being purchased from the distributor and then being sold to the customer. The products that can be donated to the local food bank will be recorded. These records will be maintained by the Action Committee and preferably a member of the managerial staff. The donated product can be considered a tax write off at year end. Since there is a committee monitoring what is coming in and what is being donated out, it will help minimize the potential of fraud or possible theft by employees. This Action Committee can then determine which products are being sold on a consistent basis and which products are being donated. The purchasing of high margin items from the distributors can be adjusted so that more popular items are being sold and fewer items are being donated. This action will demonstrate to the community that Company Q cares about the citizens and they want to be an active part of the community. It also can instill trust with Company Q’s employees that they are not the reason the business wasn’t donating to the local food bank, and that they believe their employees are trusting and have integrity. A final recommendation would be for Company Q to establish their own volunteer program consisting of members of management. If additional employees of Company Q desire to be part of the volunteer committee, it is completely on a volunteer basis. This volunteer team will periodically represent Company Q at local events. They can volunteer time at the food bank, local homeless shelters, charitable events and so forth. The team can organize events to paint over graffiti in the part of town where they previously closed two of their stores. The presence of Company Q in the community can help restore trust that was lost when two stores were closed and the community suffered. The stockholders in Company Q will also see a significant change in the community’s perspective of their company. Based on these three recommendations, we believe that Company Q will exemplify the social responsibility expected by a company this size and that has such a presence in this populated community. Upon request, additional recommendations can be made to ensure Company Q sustains and improves upon its reputation with the public.

Executive Summary of Anheuser-Busch Companies, Inc. Essays -- Brewery

Executive Summary of Anheuser-Busch Companies, Inc. Anheuser-Busch Companies, Inc. continually seeks opportunities to maximize shareholder value and increase efficiency. Through their extremely effective marketing strategies A-B has gained control of over 47% of the global market share. In the process of doing this, Anheuser-Busch has become one of the most recognizable trademarks. This is not without its faults though. Anheuser-Busch’s aggressive advertising campaign has targeted more than who they bargained for. Through A-B’s catchy advertisements, they have attracted customers other than the 21+ age group, and recreational drinkers. It is the opinion of many researchers that Anheuser-Busch is negligent in their advertising, and insists that changes need to be made. Through proper regulation of their advertising, consumers would be allowed to make choices free of media persuasion. Situation Analysis Environment: Cooperative Anheuser-Busch Companies, Inc. continually seeks opportunities to maximize shareholder value and increase efficiency. As noted in the Annual Report for 1999, Anheuser-Busch remains focused on three major objectives to enhance shareholder value: ï  ± Increasing per barrel profitability which, when combined with continued market share growth, will provide solid long-term earnings per share growth. ï  ± Profitable expansion of international beer operations by building the Budweiser brand worldwide and making selected investments in leading brewers in key international beer growth markets. The company has made significant marketing investments to build Budweiser brand recognition outside the United States and operates overseas breweries in China and the United Kingdom. The company also has a significant equity position in Grupo Modelo, Mexico’s largest brewer and producer of the Corona brand. ï  ± Continued support of profit growth in packaging and entertainment operations. Packaging operations provide significant efficiencies, cost savings and quality assurance for domestic beer operations, while entertainment operations enhance the company’s corporate image by showcasing it’s heritage, values and commitment to quality and social responsibility to 19 million visitors annually as well as adding their profit contribution. The company’s strong commitment to achieve these objectives benefits a... ...th the regulations. Works Cited 1999 Annual Report, Anheuser-Busch Companies â€Å"Anheuser-Busch Announces Record Sales and Earnings for the Fourth Quarter and Full Year 1999; Worldwide A-B Brand Shipments Exceed 100 Million Barrels.† Business Wire, 2/2/2000. Online. Electric Library. Atkin, C.K., â€Å"The Role of Alcohol Advertising in Excessive and Hazardous Drinking.† Journal of Drug Education 1993, p.313-325 Best, Kathleen. â€Å"Simon Wants Warning on Liquor Ads.† St. Louis Post-Dispatch 3/31/93, p. 15A. Online. Electric Library. Fox, RichardJ.;Krugman, Dean M.; Fletcher, James E.;Fischer, Paul M., â€Å"Adolescents’ attention to beer and cigarette print ads and associated product warnings.† Journal of Advertising, 9/22/98. vol. 27. p. 57. Online. Electric Library. Gerbner, G., â€Å"Stories That Hurt.† Journal for Substance Abuse Prevention, 1990, p. 53-57 Saffers, H., â€Å"Alcohol Advertising and Motor Vehicle Fatalities.† Review of Economics and Statisitics. 1993, p.431-442 Sellers, Patricia. â€Å"Selling: How Busch Wins in a Doggy Market.† Fortune Magazine, 6/22/87, p. 99. Electric Library. â€Å"Tax and Sin in Moderation.† St. Louis Post-Dispatch 2/26/98. Electric Library.

Charles Dickens’s Great Expectations Essay

Charles Dickens’s Great Expectations is the coming-of-age story of Philip Pirrip, better known as Pip. The story presents the development and growth of Pip as he becomes an adult. During the novel, the characters seem to have trouble communicating with each other. Because of the characters’ interest in only themselves, especially Pip, messages, some important and some not, are delayed or not received at all. According to G. K. Chesterton (1911/1996) in his article The Characters in Great Expectations, despite the novel’s title, expectations were never realized. This statement could be interpreted as expectations were never realized because of the communication problems between the characters. The characters never seem to express what they want to tell one another. Messages are misinterpreted, and some messages are never heard. For example, Pip had loved Estella from the first time he met her. Toward the end of the novel, he finally told her so, but she did not reciprocate his love for her. She replied instead that she never misled him into thinking she felt the same way about him that he did for her. As a result, Pip was heartbroken (Dickens, 1861/1998). Pip only believed what he wanted to believe, and saw what he wanted to see. This was evident when he dismissed her cold-hearted personality. She tried to tell him that she did not love him, but he would not listen. Pip turned a blind eye and a deaf ear to Estella until he was ready to profess his love for her. Perhaps he was hopeful that, one day, she would love him as much as he loved her. Pip refused to see that Estella did not love him; he instead chose to look at the world through rose-colored glasses. This was not the only time in the novel when Pip had trouble communicating with another character. Early in the story, Pip is reunited with Magwitch. Pip wanted Magwitch to know that he did not turn Magwitch in to the police. However, Magwitch is seemingly not interested in what Pip has to convey. Instead, Magwitch gives Pip a look that Pip cannot quite understand (Dickens, 1861/1998). Magwitch does not seem at all interested in Pip’s explanation. It was evident to Pip that Magwitch did not comprehend the message Pip was trying to get across to him. Many of the characters have facades (Harris, 2000). This could be a cause of the communication problem. For instance, Pip, when he became a gentleman, began to act how he though a gentleman should act. This led Pip to alienate Joe. Toward the middle of the story, Joe visited Pip in London. Although the visit was awkward, Joe wanted to tell Pip about what was happening back home. Joe was going to tell Pip that Wopsle became an actor. However, Pip did not listen. Instead, he was only interested in hearing that Estella wanted to see him. After Joe told him that Estelle did want to see him, Pip became friendlier and was then open to hearing what Joe had to say. Unfortunately, Joe ended their visit before Pip had a chance to change his behavior (Dickens, 1861/1998). Had Pip not been interested only in himself, Joe would have been able to tell Pip about Wopsle. Because Joe felt alienated, Pip never heard the news about Wopsle. Perhaps if Pip had stopped thinking about his own, selfish needs for a few minutes, he would have been able to hear the news from Joe. On the road to adulthood, there are many times when miscommunication occurs. At the beginning of the story, Pip was an orphaned boy trying to find his way. On his path to adulthood, he was misled. Paul Pickrel (1960/1999), editor of the Yale Review, likened Pip’s journey to adulthood to a fairy tale, with Joe and Jaggers as Pip’s guides, and Magwitch as the terrible ogre. Magwitch led Pip to try to become a gentleman; Magwitch was the benefactor for one of Pip’s â€Å"great expectations. † While Pip was thinking he was being a gentleman, he alienated Joe, one of his guides to adulthood. This alienation led to the miscommunication when Joe went to visit Pip in London. The reader follows Pip on his journey to adulthood from an innocent little boy to a man educated by experience. He is a fantasist; he thinks he can have the best of both worlds (Pickrel, 1960/1999). Pip isolates himself, and in the process becomes a terrible snob. He cut himself off from the people he loved, the people who loved him. At the end of the story, Pip returned to the forge. He was then informed that his sister has died and Joe married Biddy. Had he not been sucked into the myth of his own life, Pip could have married Biddy. Pip’s life could have turned out much differently had he kept the lines of communication open with Joe. Miscommunication happens along the way, but Pip learned from those experiences, and he became a better man for it. – Chesterton, G. K. (1911/1996). The Characters in Great Expectations. In Harold Bloom (ed. ), Charles Dickens’s Great Expectations. Broomall, PA: Chelsea House Publishers. 34. – Dickens, Charles. (1861/1998). Great Expectations. New York: Barnes & Noble Books. 43, 216-217, 345. – Harris, Robert. (2000). Notes for Great Expectations. Retrieved June 10, 2009, from Virtual Salt. http://www. virtualsalt. com/lit/greatexp. htm – Pickrel, Paul. (1960/1999). Pip’s Personal Journey to Adulthood. In Lawrence Kappel (ed. ),

Swot Analysis: Pepsi

SWOT Analysis: PepsiCo Diversification Strategy in 2008 Name Course Instructor Name Date PepsiCo Diversification Strategy in 2008 PepsiCo History †¢ PepsiCo is the second largest snack and beverage company in the world. Established in 1965 when Pepsi-Cola and Frito-Lay shareholders merged their salty snack icon and soft drink giant. With revenues of $500 million with popular brands such as Pepsi-Cola, Mountain Dew, Fritos, Lay’s, Cheetos, and Ruffles, they have achieved growth and long-term value in its operational activities by creating competitive advantages through new product innovation and acquisitions. Its portfolio has grown year after year with its acquisition of Tropicana in 1998, two largest bottlers (Pepsi Bottling Group/PepsiAmericas) in 2010 and Wimm-Bill-Dann (dairy products) in 2011, and the merger with Quaker Oats in 2001. Profits generating $39. 5 billion in net revenues in 2007 leading to 19 products each generating $1 billion in worldwide retail revenues in 2010. Some of the most popular inclusions have been Quaker Oats, Gatorade G2, Tiger Woods signature sports drinks, Cap’n Crunch cereal, Aquafina, and Aunt Jamima pancake mix. In keeping up with consumer health and wellness concerns of reducing saturated fats, cholesterol, trans fats, and simple carbohydrates, PepsiCo created better-for-you and good-for-you products under the Power of One alliance strategy which focused on increasing customers tendency to purchase more than one PepsiCo product during each visit. A quite ingenious innovation! †¢ †¢ SWOT Analysis Strengths Branding Diversification Distribution Weaknesses Overdependence on Snacks & Non-carbonated drinks Large Size Low Productivity Opportunities Broadening of Product Base International Expansion Growing Snacks of new flavors and Bottled Water market in U. S. Threats Decline in Carbonated Drink Sales Potential Negative Impact of Government Regulations Intense Competition Potential Disruption Strengths Branding †¢ PepsiCo’s top brand is its most recognized brand in the world, Pepsi, followed by its 155 varieties of Frito-Lay, PepsiCo beverages, Tropicana, Gatorade, and Quaker Oats brands. Most PepsiCo brands reached number one or two positions in their respective categories and has â€Å"24 other global and local brands with annual retail sales ranging from $250 million to $1 billion, including Sobe, Naked, AMP Energy, Propel Zero, Sabritas, Gamesa, Lebedyansky, Aunt Jemima and Rice? A? Roni . † (PepsiCo website) In2008, Frito-Lay was the top selling chip brand in the U. S. and Propel Fitness Water was the leading brand of functional water; In 2007 it was Gatorade, propel, and Aquafina with a 76 percent market share. Three initiatives leading the industry were â€Å"convenience, a growing awareness of nutritional content of snack foods, and indulgent snacking. † (Gamble & Thompson, 2012, pg. 426) The strength of these brands is evident in PepsiCo’s presence in 200 countries and proven in it’s 2007 net revenues of $39. 5 billion globally and annualized revenues of $60 billion in 2010. (PepsiCo website) The company has the largest market share in the US beverage at 39%, and snack food market at 25%. Such brand dominance insures loyalty and repetitive sales. †¢ Diversification †¢ PepsiCo’s diversification not only integrates snacks (chips), ready-to-drink teas, juice drinks, flavored/bottled water, as well as breakfast cereals, cakes and cake mixes, but its brands are catered to its international franchise such Crujitos corn snacks, Fruko beverages, and Crueslic cereal sold in the UK, Europe, Asia, Middle East, and Africa. All the various products plus a multi-channel distribution system, and its 300,000 team of professionals that thrive on collaboration and respect were led by three CEOs (Enrico, Reinemund, Nooyi); all of which served to insulate PepsiCo position as the â€Å"world’s second largest food and beverage business†. (PepsiCo website) Distribution †¢ The company delivers its products through direct-store-delivery (DSD) from manufacturing plants and warehouses to customer warehouses and foodservice and vending distribution networks to retail stores. PepsiCo website) These delivery options allow maximum visibility and appeal (DSD), costs savings for fragile/perishables with lower turnover (customer warehouse), and the use of third party distribution services (foodservice/vending) to schools, stadiums and restaurants reducing stock-outs. All are based on â€Å"customer needs, product characteristics, and local trade practices†. (PepsiCo website) Weaknesses Overdependence on Snacks and Non-carbonated drinks †¢ PepsiCo failed to focus on its main brand, Pepsi. Although sales of carbonated drinks was considerable his, it was carried by it’s non-carbonated which increased revenues 5 percent; consequently, carbonated revenues dropped 3 percent the same year, 2007. †¢ The company focused on more healthy products by trying to develop new sweeteners and acquiring Izze lightly carbonated sparkling fruit drinks in 2007. It failed to strengthen its position in the U. S. to out beat Coca-Cola and lagged 10 percent in 2007; bumping PepsiCo to the number two position of nonalcoholic beverage producer. (Gamble & Thompson, 2012, pg. 430) Large Size †¢ Despite its international presence, 48 percent of its revenues originate in the US. (Gamble & Thompson, 2012, pg. 431) This leaves PepsiCo vulnerable to the impact of changing economic conditions. Large US customers could exploit PepsiCo’s lack of bargaining power and negatively impact revenues. Acquisition of Pizza Hut, Taco Bell, and KFC initially proved beneficial but continued growth in snack food and beverage acquisitions deemed its strategic-fit benefits existing between restaurants and its core beverage and snacks were difficult to capture. Benefits were offset by fast-food industries fierce price competition and low profit margins. (Gamble & Thompson, 2012, pg. 423) †¢ â€Å"Its value chain consists of 230 plants, 3,600 distribution systems, and 120,000 service routes around the world. (Gamble & Thompson, 2012, pg. 436) Low Productivity †¢ Low profit margins on PepsiCo’s international business demanded the need for a new organizational structure leading to the 2008 realignment creating a three division structure under one roof with six reporting segments: Frito-Lay North America, Quaker Foods North America, Latin American Foods, PepsiCo Americas Beverages, United Kingdom & Europe, and Middle East, Africa & Asia. (Gamble & Thompson, 2012, pg. 36) In an article from the Dow Jones & Company, dated 21 November 2012, it reports a disappointing year for Pepsi and the speculation that PepsiCo may be reconsidering its refusal to create separate global snacks and beverage companies. † (Proquest) Opportunities Broadening of Product Base †¢ PepsiCo seized opportunity of potential weaknesses by acquiring Mexico’s largest Pepsi bottler, Pepsi-Gemex SA de CV, for $1. 26 billion capitalizing Mexico’s number one producer of purified wa ter. (Gamble & Thompson, 2012, pg. 34) In addition, the two largest bottlers (Pepsi Bottling Group/PepsiAmericas) in 2010 and Wimm-Bill-Dann (dairy products) in 2011, and the merger with Quaker Oats in 2001. †¢ It continues to broaden its product base by introducing what consumers want most: Healthier snacks and drinks, convenient snack size portions, and introducing multiple flavors to the needs of various cultures. These initiatives will enable PepsiCo to adjust to the changing lifestyles of its consumers and appeal to its international customer base. International Expansion †¢ PepsiCo is focused on expanding Gatorade into 15 additional countries, Tropicana into 20 new markets, and Lipton into five international markets in 2012. (Gamble & Thompson, 2012, pg. 434) Its expansion into international markets and a lessening its dependence on US sales in addition to the company plans on major capital initiatives in China will increase their global customer base. Growing Snacks of new flavors and Bottled Water market in US †¢ Products such as Aquafina, and Propel are well established products and in a position to ride the upward crest. PepsiCo products such as, Doritos tortilla chips, Cheetos cheese flavored snacks, Tostitos tortilla chips, Ruffles potato chips, Sun Chips multigrain snacks, Rold Gold pretzels, benefit from a growing savory snack markets.. Threats Decline in Carbonated Drink Sales †¢ Soft drink sales have decline by as much as 2 percent from 2005 to 2007 due to a health conscience society. Fruit beverages went down slightly and others stayed relatively the same. The future state of the economy and additional emphasis on health could drive these numbers in the negative direction. Potential Negative Impact of Government Regulations †¢ Manufacturing, marketing, and distribution of food products may be altered as a result of state, federal or local dictates. In 2000, PepsiCo experienced FTC setbacks due to concerns over the merger of Gatorade and that it might give the company too much leverage in negotiations with convenience stores. The FTC stipulated that PepsiCo could not jointly distribute Gatorade with soft drinks for 10 years. (Gamble & Thompson, 2012, pg. 423) This could have set them so far ahead of their number one competitor to stay number one. There’s also been talk about the ingredient, acryl amide, suggesting it could cause cancer if consumed in significant amounts in rats. If the company has to comply with a related regulation or add warning labels, it could have negative impacts. Intense Competition †¢ The Coca-Cola Company is PepsiCo’s primary competitors. Intense competition may influence pricing, advertising, sales promotion initiatives undertaken by PepsiCo. Potential Disruption †¢ The economy is unstable and people are cutting back on spending. Although people want to eat and drink healthier products, the costs to eat healthier is more expensive so the changes to make healthier snacks need to stay reasonable. Another potential threat are the generic brands most stores sell that appeal to the penny pincher during hard times. Alternatives Smaller packaging †¢ PepsiCo could expound on making smaller portions to all their products that have high sale rates. Selling in bulk at cheaper prices is another option for the residential and business arena. Advertisements †¢ Promote their products through effective marketing strategies. Utilize internet, facebook and other resources that hit thousands at one time but isn’t expensive. Do funny advertisements like the Super Bowl ones more often. These are things people remember and talk about for long periods. Intense Competition †¢ The Coca-Cola Company is PepsiCo’s primary competitors. Intense competition may influence pricing, advertising, sales promotion initiatives undertaken by PepsiCo. The economy is unstable and people are cutting back on spending. Although people want to eat and drink healthier products, the costs to eat healthier is more expensive so the changes to make healthier snacks need to stay reasonable. Another potential threat are the generic brands most stores sell that appeal to the penny pincher during hard times Potential Disruption Due to Labor Unrest – †¢ Outsource jobs to other countries to benefit their needs but provide job opportunities to people in the U. S. This provides added growth at home and abroad while not jeopardizing at home support. Assessment †¢ PepsiCo has held their own for decades and have grown into the global market becoming diverse in the snack industry, carbonated and non-carbonated drinks, and incorporating new seasonings and spices to appeal to the local nationals. Pepsi has a large loyal group of customers that they need to stay attuned to and ensure they offer incentives for being so loyal. Offering discounts is a great way to not only keep customers, but it helps gain new customers. Overall, Pepsi has achieved success and stayed in the running. Although they were bumped down to number two, it seems as though the take great care in addressing lessons learned and are not fast to make a rash decision as they Dow recently reported that I mentioned above. They have cross-communication and rotate managers to keep them fresh on new initiatives and this puts fresh eyes on the situation to better capture new ideas and identify potential shortfalls. PepsiCo commitment is to deliver sustained growth. They offer a wide variety to meet the needs and preferences to satisfy fun to contributing to healthier lifestyles. It has a solid foundation and is only going to progress back to the number one position in the future. I think it needs to continue what it’s doing but not over extend themselves to where they lose focus on what started them in the first place, their number one product, the Pepsi. Which happens to be my favorite soda! †¢ †¢ †¢ References PepsiCo, (n. d. ). PepsiCo. Retrieved from http://www. pepsico. com/ on December 12, 2012 PepsiCo, (n. d. ). PepsiCo. Retrieved from http://www. pepsico. om/Download/PepsiCo_Quick_Facts. pdf on December 12, 2012 Bary, A. , (2011). Don't Rule Out a Pepsi Breakup Yet. Barron's, 91(47), 20. Retrieved from http://proquest. umi. com/pqdweb? index=0&did=2526832001&SrchMode=1&sid=9&Fmt=3&VInst=PROD&VType=PQD& RQT=309&VName=PQD&TS=1323732097&clientId=74379 on December 12, 2011, (Proquest Document ID: 2526832001). Gamble, J. E. , & Thompson, A. A. , (2011). Essentials of Strategic Management: The Quest for Competitive Advantage. (2nd ed. ). New York: McGraw-Hill

Free Essays on Stroop Effect With Modern Teenagers

Abstract: This study is based in cognitive psychological perspective. It is an original study used to verify the previous findings regarding the Stroop effect. Twenty participants were selected at random and were treated entirely according to ethical standards set forth by the International Baccalaureate Organization. The researchers used repeated measures, whilst controlling as many environmental variables as possible. The independent and dependent variables were test taken and response respectively. Both inferential and descriptive statistics were used to verify the hypothesis that deciphering the color of a word is more difficult than processing the word itself. The data presented in this study reproves previous studies by Stroop, Melara, and Virzi, and supports the hypothesis.Introduction: The psychological study performed concerned the cognitive aspect of psychology. This perspective is classically recognized by it focus on the mental processing of stimuli. In this particular study written language processing versus color processing interference was observed and measured. The study was designed to find the effects of Stroop interference. This interference is caused by what is called The Stroop Effect. J.R. Stroop pioneered this research in 1935 with his study of interference of serial verbal reactions. Studies on this topic have yielded results that color processing interference with language processing. Melara and Mounts in 1993 and McClain in 1983 affirmed Stroop’s original findings concerning the difficulties of discriminating between processing a word and the format in which it presented. Yee and Hunt (1991) did research regarding to the level at which participants focus on thee task presented, the idea that information is captured at a â€Å"conceptual l evel† rather than some perceptual level. It has been surmised that the responses are not based on the speed of processing but rather the capability of the subject. Simil... Free Essays on Stroop Effect With Modern Teenagers Free Essays on Stroop Effect With Modern Teenagers Abstract: This study is based in cognitive psychological perspective. It is an original study used to verify the previous findings regarding the Stroop effect. Twenty participants were selected at random and were treated entirely according to ethical standards set forth by the International Baccalaureate Organization. The researchers used repeated measures, whilst controlling as many environmental variables as possible. The independent and dependent variables were test taken and response respectively. Both inferential and descriptive statistics were used to verify the hypothesis that deciphering the color of a word is more difficult than processing the word itself. The data presented in this study reproves previous studies by Stroop, Melara, and Virzi, and supports the hypothesis.Introduction: The psychological study performed concerned the cognitive aspect of psychology. This perspective is classically recognized by it focus on the mental processing of stimuli. In this particular study written language processing versus color processing interference was observed and measured. The study was designed to find the effects of Stroop interference. This interference is caused by what is called The Stroop Effect. J.R. Stroop pioneered this research in 1935 with his study of interference of serial verbal reactions. Studies on this topic have yielded results that color processing interference with language processing. Melara and Mounts in 1993 and McClain in 1983 affirmed Stroop’s original findings concerning the difficulties of discriminating between processing a word and the format in which it presented. Yee and Hunt (1991) did research regarding to the level at which participants focus on thee task presented, the idea that information is captured at a â€Å"conceptual l evel† rather than some perceptual level. It has been surmised that the responses are not based on the speed of processing but rather the capability of the subject. Simil...

Understanding the Glow of Noctilucent Clouds

Understanding the Glow of Noctilucent Clouds Each summer, people who live at high latitudes north and south of the equator are treated to a fantastically beautiful phenomenon called noctilucent clouds. These arent clouds in the normal way we understand them. The clouds were more familiar with are generally made of water droplets that have formed around particles of dust. Noctilucent clouds are generally made of ice crystals that formed around tiny dust particles in fairly cold temperatures. Unlike most clouds that float fairly close to the ground, they exist at heights up to 85 kilometers above the surface of our planet, high in the atmosphere that sustains life on Earth. They may look like thin cirrus that we can see throughout the day or night but are generally only visible when the Sun is no more than 16 degrees below the horizon. Clouds of the Night The term noctilucent means night-shining and it describes these clouds perfectly. They cant be seen during the day due to the brightness of the Sun. However, once the Sun sets, it illuminates these high-flying clouds from below. This explains why they can be seen in deep twilight. They typically have a bluish-white color and look very wispy. The History of Noctilucent Cloud Research Noctilucent clouds were first reported in 1885 and are sometimes linked with the eruption of the famous volcano, Krakatoa in 1883. However, its not clear that the eruption caused them - theres no scientific evidence to prove it one way or another. Their appearance may simply be coincidental. The idea that volcanic eruptions cause these clouds was heavily researched and eventually disproved in the 1920s. Since then, atmospheric scientists have studied noctilucent clouds using balloons, sounding rockets, and satellites. They seem to occur pretty frequently and are quite beautiful to observe. How Do Noctilucent Clouds Form? The ice particles that make up these shimmering clouds are quite small, only about 100 nm across. That many times smaller than the width of a human hair. They form when tiny particles of dust- possibly from bits of micro-meteors in the upper atmosphere- are coated with water vapor and frozen high in the atmosphere, in a region called the mesosphere. During local summer, that region of the atmosphere can be quite cold, and the crystals form at about -100 ° C. Noctilucent cloud formation seems to vary as the solar cycle does. In particular, as the Sun emits more ultraviolet radiation, it interacts with water molecules in the upper atmosphere and breaks them apart. That leaves less water to form the clouds during times of increased activity. Solar physicists and atmospheric scientists are tracking solar activity and noctilucent cloud formation to better understand the connection between the two phenomena. In particular, they are interested in learning why changes in these peculiar clouds dont show up until about a year after UV levels change. Interestingly, when NASAs space shuttles were flying, their exhaust plumes (which were nearly all water vapor) froze high in the atmosphere and created very short-lived mini noctilucent clouds. The same thing has happened with other launch vehicles since the shuttle era. However, launches are few and far between. The phenomenon of noctilucent clouds predates launches and aircraft. However, the short-lived noctilucent clouds from launch activities provide more data points about the atmospheric conditions that help them form. Noctilucent Clouds and Climate Change There may be a connection between the frequent formation of noctilucent clouds and climate change. NASA and other space agencies have been studying Earth for many decades and observing  the effects of global warming. However, the evidence is still being gathered, and the link between the clouds and warming remains a relatively controversial suggestion. Scientists are following up on all the evidence to see if there is a definite link. One possible theory is that methane (a greenhouse gas implicated in climate change) migrates to the area of the atmosphere where these clouds form. Greenhouse gases are thought to force temperature changes in the mesosphere, causing it to cool down. That cooling would contribute to the formation of ice crystals that make up the noctilucent clouds. An increase in water vapor (also due to human activities that produce greenhouse gases) would be part of the noctilucent cloud connection to climate change. Much work needs to be done to prove these connecti ons. Regardless of how these clouds form, they remain a favorite of sky watchers, particularly sunset-gazers and amateur observers. Just as some people chase eclipses or remain out late at night to see meteor showers, there are many who live in the high northern and southern latitudes and actively seek out the sight of noctilucent clouds. Theres no doubt of their magnificent beauty, but they are also an indicator of activities in our planets atmosphere.

Titanic The Best Film I Have Ever Seen Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Titanic The Best Film I Have Ever Seen - Essay Example Cameron weaves the tale of the ill-fated voyage around an intense love relationship between two mismatched and star-crossed protagonists whose affair seems doomed to failure because of class differences. Handsome Leonardo DiCaprio as the poor artist Jack Dawson and beautiful Kate Winslet as the American debutante Rose DeWitt Bukater give stellar performances, ably supported by outstanding acting by Billy Zane as Rose’s cold-hearted fiancà © Cal Hockley, Frances Fisher as Rose’s financial ruin-facing mother Ruth DeWitt Bukater, and Bernard Hill as the imposing ship captain Edward John Smith. By ensuring the tragic sinking of the Titanic does not eclipse the protagonists who are in priority focus from start to end, Cameron adroitly sidesteps a common failing in most epic disaster films – too many sub-plots interwoven around too many supporting characters. Two other contributors to the gripping nature of the film are its powerful visual effects whereby computer-sim ulated realities are used with devastating effect, and the outstanding soundtrack, especially â€Å"Hymn to the Sea† and the super-hit number by Celine Dion â€Å"My Heart Will Go On.† Although 80 percent of the 3-hour plus film comprises flashbacks, Cameron’s use of genuine documentary images traverses the thin line between illusion and reality so effectively that viewers do not just watch the film, but vibrantly experience it right from the day the ship was launched in Southampton to the time it sinks. The climax of the film is undoubtedly the overwhelming scenes of the mighty ‘unsinkable’ ship in its death throes as it slowly but surely sinks into a cold watery grave.  After viewing ‘Titanic,’ I was so awe-struck that it seemed James Cameron went to great lengths to specially construct a brand new ‘Titanic’ ocean liner, launch it with grand pomp and fanfare, and then let it sink with terrible grandeur†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦I ha ve no doubt ‘Titanic’ is the best film I have ever seen.