Academic Honesty Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words - 1

Academic Honesty - Essay Example Many students want to strive for the degree but they have difficulty maintaining academic honesty because of many factors. Many students must balance home, school and work. Others are taking too many course hours at one time. Still others have a lack of understanding as to how to do the work they are required to do. Many students are too intimidated by their instructors to ask questions or they do not know the questions to ask. All of these factors can stop a student from having the highest academic honesty possible. The question is, "Why is academic honesty important?" Most people would say that the reason has to do with a students ethics. Taylor-Mendes (n.d.) states that "Academic honesty is about protecting and preserving the reputation of your university degree and your personal integrity." (p. 1). Higher education and society benefit when colleges and universities have standards of integrity that provide the foundation for a vibrant academic life, promote scientific progress, and prepare students for responsible citizenship. (p. 5). Both authors state that it is important for students to be honest in their dealings in college because it helps them to become better citizens. The challenge for students who cheat is that if they are caught, it can ruin their chances of passing a class or of getting their degree. If they cheat on a job application and say they won the degree, they can be fired for falsifying the application at a later date. Values are another area that is being talked about when discussing academic honesty. As an example, Keohane points out that there are five values that universities should promote: "honesty, trust, fairness, respect, and responsibility" (p. 5). When these values are examined it may be said that some people have them, in some people they can be cultivated and some people do not care about them. In

Impact of the recent decision by the Supreme Court of the United Essay

Impact of the recent decision by the Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) - Essay Example The first class action involved prisoners who had serious mental disorder (Coleman v. Brown), while the second class action involved prisoners who had serious medical conditions (Plata v. Brown). Release of Prisoners after many years of failed justice in large numbers, if the state did not get another way of complying with the order, is without doubt a matter of grave concern to the Californian people. The state argued that such violations could be reduced by new constructions and transferring prisoners out of the state, hiring more medical personnel and increased efforts by Coleman Special Master and Plata Receiver. The fast impact of the decision on Californian people is bankrupting the Californian state, (Anonymous 1053). This is because; remedial efforts of meeting medical requirements, food and shelter for prisoners who were highly populated could financially strain Californian sate, rendering it bankrupt. Building of new facilities and hiring of new staff. This is because plans of funding such plans had not yet been secured and while funding of other plans had been delayed.

Key Personality Attributes Of An Entrepreneur Business Essay

Key Personality Attributes Of An Entrepreneur Business Essay According to Carland et al. (1984:356), an entrepreneur is defined as an individual that establishes and manages a business for the principal purpose of profit and growth. Characterisation of the entrepreneur is by innovative behaviour and strategic management practices will be used in the business (Carland et al., 1984:356). Entrepreneurs have several personal characteristics that enhance their ability and enable them to be successful in whatever venture they decide to focus on. In this essay, entrepreneurship theory such as Mclelland, internal locus of control and Schumpeter will be used to form an analytical framework in order to critically analyse and evaluate the key personality attributes that prompted Victoria Tomlinsons entrepreneurial pursuits. Analytical framework: DREAM WILL TO ESTABLISH A PRIVATE KINGDOM INTERNAL LOCUS OF CONTROL NON-CONFORMIST NEED FOR ACHIEVEMENT PERSONALITY ATTRIBUTES = ENTREPRENEUR The analytical framework above reveals the personality attributes that make an individual become an entrepreneur and the attributes are illustrated from conception to the end process. It is made up of a combination of entrepreneurial theories that allude to the psychological traits of an individual. A variety of entrepreneurial theories will be used to explain the framework. Conception of the personality attribute of an entrepreneur is the will to establish a kingdom, followed by the need for achievement, then internal locus of control closely followed by non-conformist and finally the culmination of all the personality attributes lead to an entrepreneur. According to Goss (2005), Joseph Schumpeter suggested that one of the psychological traits of an entrepreneur is the will to establish a private kingdom. This is not only a personality attribute but it is a form of entrepreneurial motivation that can be found in entrepreneurs and individuals who might become entrepreneurs. In the framework above, it is highlighted as the first stage of one of many personality traits attributed to entrepreneurs. Goss (2005) argued that Schumpeters entrepreneurial motivation with regards to the will to establish a private kingdom is focused on an individual gaining and losing social status i.e. the motive is one gains power which protects one from the feelings of shame. Goss (2005) views Schumpeters three entrepreneurial motives from a sociological prism and not a psychological one. After much examination of Schumpeters writings, Goss (2005) arrived at the conclusion that social interaction and emotions are key variables in entrepreneurial actions. Also, Barnes (2000) views the motives from a sociological prism and argues otherwise that the drive to establish a private kingdom is based on an individuals independent ability to pursue a course of action. What remains to be seen is if this course of action is related to entrepreneurial actions. Need for Achievement was identified by David Mclelland (Kalantaridis, 2011). According to McClelland (1990), entrepreneurs have a high need for achievement and this was confirmed by Hansemark (1998) who carried out a research and found high levels of need for achievement in entrepreneurs. Hansemark (1998) argued that the need for achievement for an entrepreneur is based on an achievement motive to perform better than their previous performance or a need to be better than other that were before them. This motive can be learnt and it can be seen as an expectation. McClelland revealed one of the characteristics common in achievement motivated people are the desire for job relevant feedback i.e. how well one is doing? This is exhibited in Victoria who as the boss of her firm encouraged feedback from her employees on her performance in order to improve the person and set her sights on high but obtainable goals and vice versa for her employees. Rotter came up with Internal Locus of Control whereby individuals believe whatever happens to them is dependent on their actions (Kalantaridis, 2011). A high internal locus of control is found in entrepreneurs. This is a social learning theory of personality. Hanesmark (1998) suggests that locus of control is focused on the expectation of either success or failure in a judgement task. Hanesmark (1998) identified several authors that have found new entrepreneurs and existing entrepreneurs to have a high locus of control. Zhang and Bruning (2011) argued that individuals with a high level of internal locus control believe they can make things happen for their business and take responsibility for their successes and failures knowing the outcome is based on their actions. Kets De Vries (1977) argues that the entrepreneur is anxious, non-conformist and has a self destructive behaviour. The non-conformist according to Kets De Vries (1977) is seen as a way of exercising power and control in a vicinity recognised as dangerous and uncontrollable. One of the key personalities attributes that make up the analytical framework is need for achievement developed by McClelland. McClelland argued that entrepreneurs possess and exhibit a high need for achievement. The achievement motive deals with the psychology of entrepreneurship. Victoria has invested the time and effort in her skills, abilities and personal attributes in order to set up her Public Relations (PR) business. This was done by her being in charge and delivering a PR campaign for the National Association for Colitis and Crohns Disease (NACC). Need for achievement is satisfied by an intrinsic sense of success rather than an extrinsic one. Sagie and Elizur (1999) suggests that in entrepreneurs, the need for achievement is manifested in behaviours such as carrying out different tasks the outcome of which is uncertain, the entrepreneurs willingness to take responsibility for the consequences of their action and inconsistent behaviour is highly unlikely to be exhibited by entrepreneurs. According to Sagie and Elzur (1999), the need for achievement and entrepreneurial orientation revealed entrepreneurs were prompt in their ability to find solutions to problems, undertake personal responsibility for the outcome of their work rather than a shared responsibility. This was the initial case with Victoria, in that she chose to take responsibility for all tasks yet as time went by, she has increasingly delegated and responsibility is shared. Also, Victoria noted her love of problem solving and this characteristic has been on display in her business with regards to providing solutions for clients and meeting their needs. The need for achievement is a personality characteristic yet Zhang and Bruning (2011) suggest it can be obtained through education in the case of an MBA programme. Johnson (1990) reveals that a positive relationship between the need for achievement and entrepreneurship. The entrepreneurs firm will be both proactive and competitive in nature, therefore entrepreneurs need for achievement will affect firms strategy directly and the firms performance indirectly. Victoria exhibited an intense need for achievement due to the people in her family. Both parents are highly successful in their chosen career fields and her younger brother is equally successful and smart. Yet there was a yearning in her to match her familys success. The longing for individual success is translated into a high need for achievement in her academic studies while she was at school, in the corporate world working for top firms and now in her business as an entrepreneur. Zhang and Bruning (2011) suggests that personal characteristics of an entrepreneur like need for achievement and internal locus of control influence the organisation owned and controlled by the entrepreneur in a positive manner. Yet Zhang and Bruning (2011) argue that when entrepreneurs have a high need for achievement, they tend to focus more on meeting the needs of their customers through creativity and innovation. Entrepreneurs with a high internal locus of control believe they can make things happen in their firm and success is dependent on their actions. Zhang and Bruning (2011) argue that firms have a market-oriented organisational culture whose entrepreneur has a high internal locus of control, will be more in tuned with their own innovation and creative ideas, more internally driven and less willing to seek directions for the firm with regards to the future from customers, competitors or other entities. Zhang and Bruning (2011) suggest that there is a positive correlation between internal locus of control and entrepreneurship behaviour. Using the entrepreneurship theory of Internal Locus of control, Victoria believes that whatever happens to her in life is dependent on her behaviour and controllable by her actions. She believes she is in charge of her destiny. She commented that if you are good and honest with your clients, then good business will follow. Korunka et al. (2003) argument is personality characteristics seen in entrepreneurs are high need for achievement, a high internal locus of control and a medium propensity for risk due to increased security motive and favourable personal resources. Kets De Vries (1977) argues that entrepreneurs are anxious individuals, who are non-conformist, poorly organised and not a stranger to self-destructive behaviour. The attribute of non-conformist can be applied to Victoria yet the characteristics of poor organisation or self-destructive behaviour cannot be applied to Victoria as she does not portray these personalities. Although Victoria reveals she has an inner direction with self-reliance, she does not neglect interpersonal relations with her family, work colleagues and clients. Overall, the dream to establish a private kingdom, a high need for achievement, internal locus of control and non-conformist behaviour all contribute towards the personality attributes of an entrepreneur. In conclusion, entrepreneurs need to possess a high need for achievement and a high internal locus of control.

Overestimation of the Placebo Effect :: Biology Essays Research Papers

Overestimation of the Placebo Effect The purpose of this paper is to investigate whether the Placebo Effect is overestimated through misinterpretation of the data. Specifically, the objective is to explore whether the passage of time during clinical trials accounts for many results widely attributed to the placebo effect. That is, the passage of time in itself-through a combination of spontaneous changes in symptoms, regression effects, and homeostatic changes-produces most of the favorable results credited to the placebo. Despite its widespread acceptance for approximately fifty years, the Placebo Effect has recently become controversial, with several researchers claiming that the presumed benefits of placebos are overestimated. Dr. Asbjorn Hrobjartsson and Dr. Peter C. Gotzsche of the University of Denmark and the Nordic Cochran Center reviewed journal articles looking for the original research stating that 35% of patients improve if given a placebo. Interestingly, none of the papers they examined included original research on the placebo effect, but all cited the same reference. The original source was a 1955 article, "The Powerful Placebo," published in the Journal of the American Medical Association and written by Henry Beecher, chief of anesthesiology at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston. Dr. Beecher had analyzed about a dozen studies and had come up with the 35% figure (1). Challenging the validity of this finding, Drs. Hrobjartsson and Gotzsche hypothesized that two important factors were ignored. First, that the natural course of many diseases is to wax and wane. Second, that a patient who feels terrible one day will almost certainly feel better the next day. Hrobjartsson and Gotzsche analyzed 114 studies conducted between 1946 and 1998 that used not the usual two, but three groups of patients. One group received appropriate medical treatment, one group received placebo treatment, and the third group received nothing. (The studies involved 7,500 patients with 40 different medical conditions, including high blood pressure, high cholesterol levels, asthma, behavior disorders, such addictions as alcohol abuse and smoking, and such neurological diseases as Alzheimer's Disease, Parkinson's Disease, epilepsy, as well as bacterial infections and the common cold (5). As Hrobjartsson and Gotzsche predicted, the patients in this third group improved as often as the patients in the placebo group (1). Carol Hart (2) cites Shapiro and Shapiro, who offer possible confounds that lead to overestimation of the placebo effect. Observations of the third control group-the group with neither treatment, nor placebo-may have improved because of three mechanisms.

Hostile work environment

IntroductionTitle VII of the 1964 Civil Rights Act prohibits sex discrimination within the workplace. In line with this, according to the Supreme Court’s Decision in the Meritor Savings Bank v. Vinson, cases of sexual harassment occur during instances wherein a form of sex discrimination occurs. Three primary elements must be specified in order to consider a particular act as a sexual assault: (1) the disputed behavior was gender-based; (2) the behavior was sufficiently severe or pervasive to create a hostile environment; and (3) the employer is liable for the behavior (Kleiman, Cass, & Samson, 2004, p. 54).It is important to note that there are two types of sexual harassment: quid pro quo and hostile environment. The difference between the two lies in the nature of the circumstance involved. In quid pro quo harassment, the employee is required by another individual to provide sexual favors in order to enable the continuance or growth of the career of the employee involved. Ho stile environment harassment, on the other hand, occurs during instances wherein another individual’s sexual behavior leads to the interference of an employee’s work performance thereby leading to the creation of an intimidating and hostile environment.The above-mentioned distinction between the two forms of sexual harassment, are based upon the circumstance of the act involved, another distinction between the two, however, can be gleaned in relation to their effects to the individuals involved. In the former type of sexual harassment, the result of the act may be in favor to the individual involved. In the later form of sexual harassment, the act tends to impede the development of the individual involved as it leads to the creation of a hostile atmosphere within the workplace.It is important to note that the occurrence of sexual harassment within the workplace does not merely cause harm upon the individuals but it also causes harm upon the organization or institution in which such incidents occur. The Labor Department has noted that these incidents have led to the loss of millions of dollars from companies due to its ensuing effects amongst the other members of the workforce such as â€Å"loss of productivity, absenteeism, and low employee turnover† (Kleiman, Cass, & Samson, 2004, p. 54).Due to the widespread character of the incident, employers have placed into consideration the formulation of company guidelines and principles that enable the prevention of such incidents. The reasons for such actions, however, does not merely lie in the current statistical rise of information regarding the occurrence of such incidents but they also stem from the recognition that the implementation of such guidelines and principles minimizes the occurrence of low productivity resulting from incidents of sexual harassment. In lieu of this, this paper will discuss a scenario in which sexual harassment [of the hostile environment type] occurred. Such a discu ssion will pave the way for the elucidation of the conditions existing within cases of sexual harassment.ScenarioA male corporate sales supervisor (Frank) talks to a female sales associate (Mary) regarding an account within the company break room. During the conversation, Frank hinted that certain persuasive means were employed by Mary in order to get the account. At the end of the conversation, Frank implied that Mary is obliged to meet him for dinner so as not to lose the account. Mary refused and went to the Human Resource Office immediately.Analysis of the ScenarioIn the scenario mentioned above, when Mary walked away, Frank has already insinuated that Mary should give him some sexual favors before he will sign off the expense reports of Mary. While it may be argued that Frank did not explicitly ask for such sexual favors, such may implied from the facts that he approached Mary in a manner which made the distance between them seemed awkward, that he insisted on a dinner meeting beyond office hours, that he tacitly said that he will not sign the expense reports if Mary will not give in, and that he capped his approach with the words ‘if you know what I mean'. Such meaningful verbal statements and unwelcome approaches can already constituted sexual harassment. It is not even necessary that the victim suffered any injury (Harris vs. Forklift).Furthermore, the fact that Frank is not the direct supervisor of Mary, hence, there is no ascendancy between them, is not material or relevant in considering his liability. In relation to the conduct between employees, Chapter XIV of the Federal Law states that an employer is accountable during instances wherein the employer [whether an agent or supervisor] takes no heed of a reported sexual harassment if it failed to take immediate and appropriate corrective action for the reported incident. This fact thereby renders moot and academic the question whether or not Frank abused his power, authority and trust as a sup ervisor.Considering the situation mentioned above, the recommended mode of action for Mary is as follows. If she believes that, the employer is well intentioned but unaware, a possible course of action to adhere to would be to utilize the grievance complaint filed in the office at court. The importance of doing such is partly due to the dependence of receiving recovery damages from submitting the aforementioned complaint. Thus, Mary should first comply with the grievance procedure established by her employer.In case there is no such grievance procedure or in case it fails to work, she may file a claim before any appropriate state agency. In case there is no such state agency, she may file her claim before the Federal agency, which is the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). In the process of formulating complaints, it is necessary that any complaint she makes is documented so that they may be utilized in court during the trial period if such is the case that the complaint was not well addressed in the institution of her employment (Sexual Harassment Center, 1995). Furthermore, it is necessary that Mary consult an attorney that specializes on cases regarding sexual harassment.Conclusion and RecommendationsThe proliferation of sexual harassment cases within various institutions is a cause for alarm as far as it mirrors the manner in which certain forms of sex-based discrimination continually pervade within society. Furthermore, it also leads to the degradation of productivity within the workplace. In order to prevent such instances there is a need for organizations to create policies that are strict on incidents of sexual harassment.It has been proven, for example, that a zero-tolerance sexual harassment policy enabled the reduction of sexual harassment cases within a company (2001, p.6). Such programs may enable the encouragement of substantial punitive measures that enables employees to be fully aware of the nature of the offense. Furthermore, such programs should enable the institution of procedural rules and methods that ensures the safety of their employees in cases wherein harassment occurs. In relation to this, programs should be created that enable the dissemination of information regarding the above-mentioned policies. Such actions should be performed by organizations in order not merely top prevent incidents of sexual harassment but also in order to promote equality within the workplace.It should be recognized by companies and organizations that cases of sexual harassment does not merely occupy the social sphere but also the personal sphere thereby the importance of enabling programs that ensures its prevention ensures the development of discourses that opt for the development and furtherance of equality in both the private and public spheres.ReferencesGardner, S. & Johnson, P. (2001).   â€Å"Sexual Harassment in Healthcare: Strategies for Employers.   Hospital Topics 79:4: 5-12.Kleiman, L., Kass, D., & Samson, Y . (2004).   â€Å"Sexual Harassment and the Law: Court Standards for Assessing Hostile Environment Claims.† Journal of Individual Employment Rights, 11.1, 53-73.Supreme Court (1986).   Meritor Savings Bank v. Vinson, 40 FEP 182.

Kendrick Lamars Positive Influence Through His Song “Swimming Pools”

Jacob Standage Daniel Hogan English 99 5 November 2012 Swimming Pools by Kendrick Lamar Many people listen and like music just for the rhythm or the flow, but not many people realize what kind of a message some of these artists are trying to send to society through their lyrics. Kendrick Lamar or â€Å"K-dot†, the lyrical genius of today’s rap culture, is one of my all-time favorite artists in hip-hop and is one of the rappers that send these messages to their audience.Recently, one of K-dot’s popular new singles â€Å"swimming pools† got released rapidly throughout the world. This single impacted society positively inspiring teenagers and anyone else with a family member that has drinking problems to get through it and to never give up by relating himself in that same situation, and it also impacted older high school and college students by hazing the negative effects of alcohol and also by stating the false feelings alcohol portrays.Some of Kendrick Lama r’s lyrics can have positive effects for teenagers growing up with, or living with, parents and family that are irresponsible drinkers by inspiring the teens to push through it and not to give up when times could get bad. He is very successful at this because he can relate to anyone in this situation. I think that the name of â€Å"swimming pools† serves as a metaphor for how some people’s lives are so engulfed by alcohol that it’s like their constantly swimming in it.Kendrick himself in one of his lyrics states â€Å"now I done grew up round some people livin their life in bottles, granddaddy had the golden flask, backstroke every day in Chicago†. In stating â€Å"granddaddy had the golden flask† this is not to say that his grandpa is a classy drinker, but rather that he may be an enthusiastic drinker and with having enough time to pour liquor from a bottle into a flask, his granddaddy probably has a drinking problem. In other words, Kendri ck is explaining that his grandpa is one of those people that are engulfed in alcohol, relating to anyone else with this problem.Equally, â€Å"backstroke every day in Chicago†, explains how his grandpa is doing a backstroke in this swimming pool of liquor meaning that he is drinking every day and probably has a problem. Also, when he states â€Å"now I done grew up with some people living their life in bottles† he can be referring to his grandpa and everyone else around him being a bad influence. These two lyrics can inspire other teenagers in this situation to get through it and to inform them that they’re not the only ones dealing with these kinds of problems, also just not to give up when times get hard.Other than creating a positive impact on teenagers with alcoholic parents, Kendrick also sends a positive message to high school and college students by portraying how they may act, drinking at a party or anywhere else, by his own experiences. For example, â €Å"I was in the dark room, loud tunes, looking to make a vow soon, that imma get fucked up, fillin up my cup, I see the crowd move, changing by the minute, and the record on repeat†. Kendrick, by this lyric, puts the setting probably at a house party meaning he is probably targeting more of high school and college students.In this lyric, Kendrick is justifying that he is at a party and he is pretty much making a promise to himself that he is going to get irresponsibly drunk (just like college and high school students do when they’re at parties). Then, right after that lyric Kendrick finishes up with â€Å"took a sip and another sip, then somebody said to me, (hook) why are you only babysitting two or three shots? Imma show you how to turn it up a notch, first you get a pool full of liquor then you dive in it†.In other words, Kendrick is saying that he was sipping shots relatively moderately and then someone at the party sees him not slamming them down, so that person peer pressures him into taking more shots and not stopping until he is completely drunk. This is not to say that getting drunk is a good thing, but rather to inform high school and college students that getting peer pressured into drinking carelessly happens and precautions should be made. Getting peer pressured at parties happens because of the alcohol induced lifestyle reflecting itself onto others simply because it’s the cool thing to do.Kendrick also makes note of the false feelings alcohol can portray in his lyrics. In his second verse, this is proved by, â€Å"I think that im feelin the vibe, I see the love in her eyes†. Basically Kendrick is mocking the feeling of alcohol. He is probably one more shot away from death, but he is still â€Å"feelin the vibe†. He is telling his audience the false feelings alcohol gives people when they consume large amounts. In addition, he states â€Å"I see the love in her eyes† meaning this is another false feeling that alcohol may give people generally because when people are drunk , they are more attracted to women.These fake feelings can get anyone that consumes too much alcohol into danger simply because they think that they are ok but in reality no one is â€Å"ok† after consuming massive amounts of alcohol. This fake feeling can make people push themselves way past their limits and put their life at risk. In short, Kendrick is informing people that may not know what it’s like to be this drunk and encouraging them not to do so, affecting society positively. Believe it or not, the single â€Å"swimming pools† by Kendrick Lamar has a positive impact on society.People may disagree because of the negative context of the song, but if someone really looks into his lyrics, they might find themselves extremely surprised of what Kendrick is actually portraying. He inspires teens that have parents with drinking problems, portrays the negative effects of alcohol, and als o the false feelings alcohol gives drinkers. By doing this, he helps society become aware of the problems of drinking and also is a kind of inspiration to the teens and other people that abuse the use of alcohol. Works Cited Kendrick Lamar. â€Å"Swimming Pools (drank). † Good Kid m. A. A. d City. Interscope, 2012. CD.