Mental State Of A Social Environment - 1254 Words

The Child that Lives from Within The social sciences often question if psychopathic behaviour is innate or a product of a social environment. In the movie Psycho by Alfred Hitchcock, Norman Bates’ downfall proposes how crucial a healthy childhood is to the mental state of a developing child. Contrary to nature focused beliefs, not all human behaviour comes from an individual’s genetic makeup, but rather through experiences that become ingrained in the mind like scripture (Cooke 25). Theories proposed by Sigmund Freud and other research comparing the relation between psychopathy and environment can help to rationalize the reasons behind Norman Bates’ unsuccessful childhood, the impact of his parent-child relationship on his self-perception,†¦show more content†¦Beginning as a child, Norman kills his mother and her partner out of jealousy. In light of Freudian theory, the Oedipus complex, Norman emulates the â€Å"mythological king Oedipus†¦a young boy who is sexually attracted to h is mother, and as a result desires to kill his father in order to possess the mother† (â€Å"Hitchcock Psychoanalysis†, pars. 10). Norman’s deep infatuation makes him unable to discern where to put his sexual feelings towards her. Freud suggests that normal children are able to relocate their intimate emotions onto different people and things (Ponce, pars. 4). Although, Norman experiences â€Å"hysterical amnesia which is the repression of infantile sexuality† (Ponce, pars. 4). In this case, biological determinism, an explanation that psychotic behaviour is an innate deficit, does not relate to Norman after it is clear that his repressed childhood memories reflect his adult behaviour. Additionally, the way his behaviour changes once he takes on the role of his mother shows the challenges of their past bond. Norman plays his mother up to be cruel and capable of murder. Peter Murris’ findings propose that Norman’s negative representation of h is mother and behaviour are symptoms â€Å"related to low levels of parental care† (5). Familial factors explain why children struggle with psychological problems, demonstrated in the context Norman emulates his mother. As a result, Norman’s life from infancy to adulthood is filled with

Adventures Of A Once Homeless Girl - 1501 Words

Adventures of a Once Homeless Girl UXDE dot Net Wordpress Themes by SamPac07/07/07 ( I have noticed this very odd coincidence that every night we slept on the street was the anniversary of terrorist bombings and catastrophes, as I look back on it, I am not really sure what to think, was it just a coincidence? or is there more than meets the eye†¦I hope to find the answer) The night I slept outside in September was definitely the worst and horrific and I could never forget this one either. This experience was slightly different because it was in London. Yet again we had run out of money to pay for another night stay at a hotel. We had run out of money the night before when we only had  £60 left enough to pay for one night sharing a single room. The hotels are usually not allowed to do this but the lady at the reception desk allowed us to stay because we explained to her that we had no money left. We did not have any dinner that night and had no clue of what to do the next day. The next morning we had to check out. And still we had no money, we had no idea what to do. The suitcases were still with us and they were so difficult to travel around London with. So I decided to put all our luggage inside the hotel’s storage room and leave it there until we knew what to do. The hotels that we had been staying at in London were within close proximity of Hyde Park, so we would spend hours everyday just sitting there. Hour after hour we sat in the park that day asShow MoreRelatedThe Foundation of My Identity2044 Words   |  9 PagesSkloot experienced, and they are helpless as their memories and identity slowly slip away from them. Still other people may find themselves desperately searching for acceptance and identity similar to the homeless man in Gina Berriault’s article, â€Å"Who Is It Can Tell Me Who I Am.† Unlike the homeless man and Malcolm X, I was fortunate to have extremely proficient â€Å"carpenters† establish the sturdy foundation of my identity while growing up, and, thankfully, memories of my nurturing childhood remain fullyRead MoreProstitution Is Morally Wrong And Should Be Eradicated From Society1673 Words   |  7 Pagesas a way to pay for university education and further advancement. Most state that they intend to leave the business once they have earned the amount they want or need. They also see themselves as helping men save their marriages by suppl ying something they cannot get at home, or helping them chase away loneliness when they are on business trips.† The Prostitution of Women and Girls, â€Å"The worldwide sexual exploitation of women and children through sex tourism, sexual slavery, pornography, pedophiliaRead MoreHomelessness And The Homeless Youth1442 Words   |  6 Pagesincredibly vulnerable group is the homeless youth due to their young age and lack of education. According to Edidin, Ganim, Hunter, Karnik (2012) on any particular night in the United States there are ~2 million homeless youth living on the streets, in shelters, or in other temporary accommodation. Youth become homeless for multiple reasons whether it be because they have aged out of foster care, ran from home, were kicked out of their home, or because they have become homeless along with their family membersRead MoreMy Year Of My Life1330 Words   |  6 Pagesyear of my life I have been homeless. No, not in the sense people instinctively think of. It has been a different, but similar kind of homeless. It s been the kind of homeless that makes you feel a s if you are supposed to be somewhere you aren t and you never really feel at rest. This kind of homeless feeling has worn on me for the last year, but finally I have found a home. For so long I believed that tennis was the thing in my life that I was â€Å"supposed† to do, but once I realized that it was myRead MoreThe Path of Recovery Is for Everyone 812 Words   |  3 Pageseducation. She reached a life altering decision and started going to school again. This lead to her ultimate goal of going to college, and at one of the most profound ones in the United States. If these three girls can overcome the intense situations they endured, anybody can. Jeannette was an average girl, brought up in an environment where moving every few weeks was acceptable. She never had any thing stable in her life, and basically had to raise herself with the help of her brother and sister. NeitherRead MoreDynamix, Inspiring Vivacious Adventurer (DIVA)1172 Words   |  5 PagesAdventurer (D.I.V.A) Who is Meredith? This adventure began a long time ago with a quiet young naà ¯ve girl, who was unclear of who she was and what her purpose was on Earth. Young D.I.V.A is a girl that wanted to please everyone and be liked by all. In the beginning of her path she encountered many different individuals who mistook her kindness for weakness and these people set out to abuse their privileges by trying to use this unselfish girl. As time passed and many obstacles and challengesRead MoreWinters Bone Essay966 Words   |  4 Pagesmarital relationships. Her mother, who is nearly brainwashed and cannot function on her own, is described as â€Å"a Bromont, born to this house, and she’d once been pretty. Even as she was now, medicated and lost to the present, with hair she forgot to wash or brush and deep wrinkles growing on her face, you could see she’d once been as comely as any girl† (6). This quote shows how marriage affected the life of Ree’s mother in a detrimental way. Before, she was lively and â€Å"comely†, but now she’s â€Å"medicatedRead MoreCharacter Sketch on Idgie Threadgoode from Fried Green Tomatoes.1304 Words   |  3 Pageswasn t like the rest of the girls, and she didn t want to be either. Idgie almost spoiled her older sister s wedding when she wouldn t put on a dress. Finally, Idgie wore the dress and was made fun of by her siblings because it didn t suit her. So Idgie ended up going to the wedding in a suit, dressed as a boy. Idgie s best friend was her brother, Buddy. She would hang around him, instead of play with the other girls her age. Idgie didn t want to be just another girl in a dress, she wanted toRead MoreNeverwhere: Book Analysis1304 Words   |  6 PagesLondon with his fiancà ©. †¢ Strange Encounter o He stumbles across a bleeding young lady on the side of a road and takes her in, nurses her wounds and lets her stay the night. †¢ The Next Morning. o He was sent out by the girl named Door to find the Marquis de Carabas. o When Door and the Marquis disappear, Richard then recognizes the consequences of his actions. o He becomes invisible to London Above, losing his job, his fiancà © and his entire life. Read MoreHoles by Louis Sacher1571 Words   |  7 Pageslater and spot a mountain with the contour of a thumb, Stanley decides to follow his great-grandfathers example and climb the mountain. On this mountain they find onions and water which gives them strength to survive and continue their adventure. On their adventure, Stanley and Zero develop a solid friendship. They face a lot of challenges which makes them bond even stronger. A good example is when Stanley carries Zeros almost lifeless body up the high, steep mountain. Stanley steals a car just

Master Harold and the Boys Free Essays

â€Å"Master Harold†. . and the Boys is not an overtly political play, but a depiction of â€Å"a personal power? struggle With political implica-tions. We will write a custom essay sample on Master Harold and the Boys or any similar topic only for you Order Now † The only definition that the South African system can conceive of in the relationship of White to Black is one that humiliates black people. This definition â€Å"insinuates itself into every social sphere of existence, until the very language of ordinary human discourse begins to reflect the policy that makes black men subservient to the power exercised by white children. † In the society depicted by Fugard White equals â€Å"Master† and Black equals â€Å"boy. It is an equation, continued Durbach, that ignores the traditional relationship of labor to man-agement or of paid employee to paying employer. During the course of the drama, Hally rapidly realigns the components of his long? standing friend-ship with Sam into the socio? political patterns of master and servant. Hally changes from intimate familiarity with his black companions to patroniz-ing condescension to his social inferiors. It is an exercise of power by Hally, himself a â€Å"boy† who feels powerless to control the circumstance of his life and therefore seeks some measure of autonomy in his interaction with Sam and Willie. Robert Brustein, in a review in the New Repub-lic, described’ ‘Master Harold† . . . and the Boys as the â€Å"quintessential racial anecdote,† and ascribed to Fugard’s writing â€Å"a sweetness and sanctity that more than compensates for what might be prosaic, rhetorical, or contrived about it. † There is a sugges-tion that Fugard’ s obsession with the theme of racial injustice may be an expression of his own guilt and act of expiation. As Brian Crow noted in the Inter-national Dictionary of Theatre, Critical Overview 24 biographical in-formation, however, is not needed in order for the play to make its full impact in the theatre. This is achieved primarily through an audience’s empathy with the loving relationship between Hally and Sam and its violation through Hally’s inability to cope with his emotional turmoil over his father, and its expression in racism. If to what extent the play manages. . . to transmute autobiographical experi-ence into a larger exploration or analysis of racism in South Africa is arguable; what seems quite cer-tain is its capacity to involve and disturb audiences everywhere. Yet not all critical reaction to Fugard’s work has been positive. Failing to see the play’s wider message on racism, Stephen Gray saw â€Å"Master Harold† as nothing more than a play about apart-heid. In a 1990 New Theatre Quarterly article, Gray noted that South Africa’s dissolution of apartheid has made the play obsolete, stating that it â€Å"feels like a museum piece today. † Other negative criticism found the play’s black characters to be falsely repres ented As Jeanne Colleran reported in Modern Drama, â€Å"To some black critics, the character of Sam is a grotesquerie. His forbearance and forgive-ness, far from being virtues, are embodiments of the worst kind of Uncle Tom? ism. † Such reproach prompted Fugard to clarify his intentions during the Anson Phelps Stokes Institute’s Africa Roundtable. As Colleran reported, Fugard stated that his inten-tion was to tell a story: â€Å"I never set out to serve a cause. . . . The question of being a spokesman for Black politics is something I’ve never claimed for myself. † Such criticism for â€Å"Master Harold† was spo-radic, however The majority of Critics and audi-ences embraced the playas important and thought? rovoking. Commenting on Fugard’s ability to fuse theatricality with strong political issues, Dennis Walder wrote in Athol Fugard, â€Å"Fugard’s work. . . contains a potential for subversion, a potential which, I would suggest, is the hallmark of great art, and which qualifies his best work to be called great. † In this essay Wiles examines Fu gard’ splay as a political drama, taking into account the dissolution of the apartheid system in South Africa and how that affects contemporary perceptions of the work. He concludes that the play is still relevant as a chroni-cle of human relations. What happens to the overall effect of a play when the societal forces that shaped it have changed to the point where the playwright himself says: , , [A] political miracle has taken place in my time. † Such might appear to be the case for Athol Fugard and his play â€Å"Master Harold†.. and the Boys The South African system of apartheid? legislated separation of the races? has been dismantled; free and open elections have been held; a black man, Nelson Mandela, has been elected president of the country. The power of whites, regardless of their age or station, to subjugate and humiliate blacks with he full blessing of the government and society at large has evaporated. The question that begs to be asked, then, is: What is this play about if not about political struggle? By focusing attention on the adolescent antago-nist Hally, Fugard creates a more personal drama-, a drama rooted in the uncertainties of a youth who attends a second? rate school and whose parents own and operate a third? rate cafe. Displaying â€Å"a few stale cakes,† â€Å"a not very impressive display of sweets,† and â€Å"a few sad ferns in pots,† the St. George’s Park Tea Room hardly seems the seat of power. And, the arrival of Hally, in clothes that are â€Å"a little neglected and untidy† and drenched from the heavy rains that keep customers away, does little to prepare the audience for the play’s explosive confrontation. When Hally enters the cafe, it appears that he is glad for the lack of patrons so that he and Sam and Willie can have a â€Å"nice, quiet afternoon. † There is the implication that both he and the two men have enjoyed these types of days in the past. Hally’s world, however, begins to crumble when Sam in-forms him that his mother has gone to the hospital to bring his father home. Hally’s annoyance at the comic books piled on the table? â€Å"intellectual rubbish†? changes into fury when Willie throws a slop rag at Sam, misses, and hits Hally. Hally swears and tells both Willie and Sam to â€Å"stop fooling around. † Hally calls Sam back to have him explain what Hally’s mother said before she left for the hospital He convinces himself that his father is not coming home, that Sam heard wrong, and that the world he has created for himself will continue undisturbed. His willingness to shift the discussions to the varieties of textbook learning and then to the more Important learning gleaned from the servants quar-ters at the old Jubilee Boarding House under the tutelage of Sam and Willie, indicate Hally’s inabili-ty to accept that his life is about to change once again. Hally returns to the comfort of the historical past, discussing Joan of Arc, World War I, Charles Darwin, Abraham Lincoln, and William Shake-speare with Sam. He also returns to his own familiar past and the flying of a homemade kite that Sam made for him. It is the kite that provides Hally with the defin-ing moment of his young life a black man and a young white boy enjoying each other’s company and a shared accomplishment. Hally says, â€Å"I don’t know how to describe it, Sam Ja! The miracle happened! † Hally appears to want to return to the safety of their shared past when he mentions to Sam that â€Å"[I]t’s time for another one, you know. † The uncertainties of adolescence challenge Hally’s place, not only in the world at large but in his family as well. Of his time spent with Sam he summarizes: â€Å"It’s just that life felt the right size in there. . . ot too big and not too small. Wasn’t so hard to work up a bit of courage. It’s got so bloody complicated since then. â€Å" Hally’s violent reaction to the news that his father is indeed returning home (the stage directions describe Hally as â€Å"seething with irritation and frustration†) clearly illustrate the complications Hally must now face. â€Å"Just when things are going along all right, without fail someone or something will come along and spoil everything. Somebody should write that down as a fundamental law of the Universe The principle of perpetual disappoint-ment† Hally’s attack on Willie’s backside WIth a ruler and the â€Å"I? llow? you? a? little? freedom? and-? what? do? you? do? with? It† speech show that Hally resists acknowledging the changes and accompany-ing complications that will inevitably take place when his father returns home. In the ensuing ballroom dancing discussion (Fugard himself was a dancing champion in his teens), Sam describes the dance finals â€Å"like being in a dream about a world in which accidents don’t happen. â €  Sam’s view of the world as dance floor contrasts sharply With Hally’s nostalgic view of life as the right size in the old Jubilee Boarding house. Hally wants things to remain static, to never change. Sam, on the other hand, wants the world â€Å"to dance like champions instead of always being a bunch of beginners at it. † There are no collisions in Sam’s view because the participants have discovered ways of moving around the dance floor without bumping into one another; symbolically, this is Sam’s hope that the world can live together peacefully without prejudice or inequality. Hally appears momentarily convinced at the end of this discussion: â€Å"We mustn’t despair. Maybe there is hope for mankind after all. † But then the phone rings and Hally’s world shatters with the news that his mother will be ringing his father home. At this point, Hally’s demeanor becomes â€Å"vicious† and â€Å"desperate,† and at the end of the conversation Hally is â€Å"desolate. † He slams books and smashes the bottle of brandy his mother had told him to get for his father. With reckless words and ugly laughter, Hally mocks his c rippled father, insinuating him into the dance metaphor as the ones who are â€Å"out there tripping up everybody and trying to get into the act. † His childhood world is now smashed beyond recognition as Hally swears at Sam and chastises him for meddling in something he knows nothing about. Hally’s adolescent posturing leads him to de-mand that Sam call him â€Å"Master Harold, like Willie [does]. † Because he cannot control the events sur-rounding his father’s homecoming, Hally lashes out at the convenient targets of Willie and Sam, people he feels he can control. The youth’s petulance manifests itself with a vengeance. Hally lets fly with a racist comment and compounds the ugliness of the offense by insisting that it is a â€Å"bloody good joke. † Hally’s final act of naked cruelty is to spit in Sam’s face. For Hally, the bond with Sam is forever broken. The demarcation between master and ser-vant is clearly defined. Although sorely tempted to repay violence with violence, Sam remains the gentle father, the true friend, the moral teacher. Having removed the symbol of servitude (the white servant’s jacket) that distinguishes him as a â€Å"boy,† Sam presents the personal rather than political response to Hally’s indignities? an extended hand and the offer to try again and â€Å"fly another kite. † But Hally has shamed himself beyond compassion and cannot respond to Sam’s final lesson. Errol Durbach wrote in Modern Drama that the final dramatic images? he rain of despair, the wind where no kites fly, the hopelessness of rela-tionships ripped apart by racist attitudes, the com-forting music that elicits compassion for children who are a victims of their own upbringing, and â€Å"the image of a world where ‘Whites Only’ leave two black men dancing together in an act of solidari-ty†? represent Fugard’s movement between hope and despair, qualified only by the realization that â€Å"‘Master Harold’ grows up to be Athol Fugard and that the play itself is an act of atonement to the memory of Sam and ‘H. D. F. [Harold David Fugard]? the Black and White fathers to whom [the play] is dedicated. â€Å" So, then, back the original question? what is the play about if not political struggle? It is a play about fathers and sons, and how those roles can be both supportive and destructive. It is a play that illustrates how relationships can be strained by factors beyond the participants. It is a play that offers suggestions and gestures for forgiveness and compassion. It is a play ultimately about race. Not black, or white, or red, or yellow, or brown, but human. How to cite Master Harold and the Boys, Essay examples Master Harold and the Boys Free Essays Master Harold and the Boys, a play written by famous playwright Althol Fugard, shares the story of a seventeen year old white boy, Hally, who spends time with two African- American servants, Sam and Willie. While the majority of the play is a conversation between the three inside a tea room, Fugard does a brilliant job of exposing the struggles that is dealt with at the time. The context of Master Harold and the Boys is deep and meaningful, especially since the play sets in South Africa. We will write a custom essay sample on Master Harold and the Boys or any similar topic only for you Order Now He depicts how industrialized racism really is, showing that when an individual lives under a certain set of assumptions, it is really easy to catch others views of hatred, bigotry, and at the time, apartheid. Fugard shows his true artisism for publishing this play because it takes a true artist to be able to confront problems that a society deals with and to be able to make people more considerate of their actions towards others. There is a great deal of emotional value that comes with this play. When this play was written back in 1982, South Africa was still dealing with apartheid which is similar to the United States’ time of segregation. In fact, the emotional value of this play was so enormous that it was actually banned in South Africa at the time. The plot is heavy because it takes Hally’s childhood innocence and turns him towards a poisness bigotry, just like what most of the adult society did during that time. The real turning point is when Hally finds out about his father returning home from the hospital. In the beginning of the play, Sam and Willie talked about ballroom dancing. They could relate to readers of the play who also dance because they might understand the pressures of dancing and the amount of skill that goes into it. However, no matter what the pressures of dance may be, it is never acceptable for a man to hit a woman. Fugard might have showed this side of Willie because domestic relationships were very common back in the 1950s. Even though there was a rise in feminism movements, men still had most of the control and strength. While blacks were still considered to be property, women during that era did not have many rights as well. Hally, Sam, and Willie have more of a friendship during the beginning of the play, but when Hally becomes distraught with the news of his dad coming home, he violently unleashes on his servants. It becomes clear that his father’s vicarious racism was a learned behavior observed by Hally. From this point on, Hally no longer treats Willie and Sam as friends, but as subservient help. Hally demands that they must call him â€Å"Master Harold† as he spits on his servants. Using the word â€Å"master† showed that Hally had full possesion over them, and he wanted them to know it. He also used the spitting incident as a way to show control because that was typical during that time era. Spitting on someone is considered to be very degrading to that individual and is a form to show their unworthiness. I think my personal impact on the play has definitely changed. After I read the play, I understood what happened, but it was not until our class discussion where I really put the pieces of the play together. One eye opener during out discussion was when we were talking about the word â€Å"boys† in the title. I simply thought that Fugard used that word because of their gender, but I had no idea that using the word â€Å"boy† towards a black person is degrading. I really admired how Fugard attacked this problem that was facing South Africa’s society and how he exposed the realities of bigotry. I think it would be great to see this play as a production. I believe the acting of the words verses just a persons imagination could be a real eye opener to how people see and treat others. This play will continue to be relevant in American and South Africas societies because it is a reminder of our history and how our society needs to continue to grow away from racism and towards a more accepting society of all. How to cite Master Harold and the Boys, Papers Master Harold and the Boys Free Essays In the play Master Harold and the boys, the telephone is a very significant symbol. It acts as a scene changer, as well as a mood changer the most for one particular character, Hally. In this summary, I will briefly describe a few instances throughout the play where the telephone is described, and the effects it has on the characters. We will write a custom essay sample on Master Harold and the Boys or any similar topic only for you Order Now In the beginning, Hally, a young white man arrives at his mother and father’s restaurant where he is greeted by two black â€Å"servants. † One of the â€Å"servants†, Sam informs Hally that his mom had phoned for him about a half an hour ago. Hally’s mood immediately changed from happy/content to nervousness/worry. Hally seemed to know that when his mother called, it was for good reason. Hally began pestering Sam with questions about the phone call. He wanted to know where his mother called from, what she called for and how long ago it was that she called. Sam explained that his mother had told him that she was bringing his father home from the hospital. Hally then became even more worried and tried to accuse Sam of lying. There was no way Hally’s mother was bringing his father home from the hospital, because he was still too sick. He then tried to call his mother at home, but there was no answer. This made Hally contemplate if the news could be true. As the two servants went back to work, Hally stood alone in confusion and worry. All he could seem to do is think about what this news means, and how it will affect him. Ring†¦ring†¦ring. Sam answers the phone while Hally stops his train of thought. He is listening and holding on to every word Sam says. This telephone call acts as a scene changer and also a mood changer for Hally and the servants; they all stop what they are doing to find out what is happening. Hally relates the phone ringing to something bad happening. Sam tells Hally that it is his mother on the phone for him. In worry Hally asks if the call is local or private, almost as if he is preparing his speech to his mother. Once Hally musters up the courage to speak on the phone, Hally finds out that the news is true; Hally’s father is asking to come home. Shocked, he cannot believe what he is hearing. He becomes angry with his mother, demanding that she make him stay at the hospital. But you know that Hally doesn’t really seem to care how his dad is feeling, he just doesn’t ant him back home. Hally’s mom agreed to try to keep his father at the hospital, but she wasn’t making any promises, Hally’s father was acting too persistent with his decision. Hally’s mother told him that she would call him back. After he hung up the phone, he was in complete shock. All he could do was stare at the telephone as Sam and Willie began bombarding him with questions. Hally had told them that Sam was right and his father wanted to come home. Hally’s mood changed to anger after that phone call. He kept going back and forth across the restaurant saying what kind of a mess this was going to make for him. He even got so angry about this news, that he began ordering same and Willie around, telling them to quit fooling around and to get back to work. As the servants obeyed his command, all Hally could do is pace back and forth through the restaurant and wait for that next phone call. Then, finally†¦ring†¦ring†¦ring. Hally took a lot longer to answer the phone this time. Sam even had to remind him not to keep his mother waiting. Hally’s mom was calling from home this time. She told her son that his father was home. Infuriated, Hally scolded his mother, asking her why she didn’t stop him and why she didn’t make him stay. He went on to tell his mom that he had an exam coming up, and how could he focus on that when his father is home causing trouble. Hally’s mom tells him that his father wanted to speak with him. Hally’s tone immediately changed when he spoke with his father. He sounded happy to speak with him, asking him how he was feeling. He also told his father that he was happy that he was home. After he hung up the phone he went right back to being angry. He acted like he was so much more superior to the black servants, walking around telling them what to do. In conclusion, the telephone was a very important symbol in the play Master Harold and the boys. Every time the phone rang, it changed all of the characters mood. Although the telephone acted like more of symbol to Hally, it did affect all the characters. Each time the telephone rang, Halley’s mood grew more nervous and more angry. He related the telephone ringing to anger, worry and frustration How to cite Master Harold and the Boys, Essay examples

Reflection Cultural Values

Question: Discuss the cultural values, concept of modern families, job mobility and values and traditions? Answer: Introduction This reflection paper has been prepared to explain the relevance of the familial culture and practices followed by majority of Indian families. There has been a drastic change in the family patterns that was earlier followed in India. This has been mainly due to the economic development of the country, and change the standard of living of people and the family members. Cities and towns have expanded due to urbanization, which is known to be one of the major factors that caused the major changes in the country. Industrialization has increased the job availability for the qualified and unskilled people in the country. This has encouraged the families to move to another state to earn livelihood. Unlike earlier days, both men and women work to support the expenses of family, which has also changed the living style and familial patter of the Indian families. Cultural values Change in the economic independence, occupational mobility, and quest to earn more has encouraged women to work. This has contributed towards the change in the pattern of living and the family lifestyle followed by majority of the people. Industrial development has encouraged people to adopt and follow secular methods for living their lives. Many of the families now adopt anti-traditionalism, which varies from the conventional traditional methods followed by the family members in rural and urban states of the country. Concept of modern families Modern families prefer to follow open class system, which is associated with high percentage of geographical mobility, which is being supported by urbanization. During earlier times, the status of Indian family was the utmost important factor. The families followed cultural values, which differed from each other. Interdependence, harmony, family bonding, and cooperation were some of the characteristics of the Indian family. This changed over the period of time, due to increase in the percentage of mobility. Modern family prefer to follow nucleus family values, which was quite different from the traditional method. However, the cultural values and practices are still practiced by the family members. One of the major characteristics of familial relationship is bonding and sharing of the family values and cultures with the next generation of the family. This is done to encourage the new or next generation to follow the practices that were inherited by the family members. Such factors increases and improves the family values and cultural practices. Job mobility Increase in the demand for different types of jobs, and willingness to explore the opportunities has encouraged the families to adopt and follow nuclear family pattern. However, the relevance and importance of the family bonding within the family still exists with the nuclear family. There are few joint families that exist in the country. Majority of the family are found in the rural parts of the country. The system is being eroded due to change in the work pattern and living standards of the families. There are evidences which reflects the relationship between the natural harmony that arouse due to industrialization and the other related to conjugal system followed by the families of the country. Emotional values and satisfaction can be also associated with the industrial system that has been associated with the increasing industrial system that is followed in the country. Conjugal bonds are related to the factors that causes emotional satisfaction amongst the Indian families in the country. Indian families adopt an effective family value system that can be associated with the requirements of industrialization. Values and traditions The values and traditions about the family practices are taught to the next generation in a precise and careful manger. This helps in carrying forward the cultural practices that was followed by the family members for ages. Practices and values of the conjugal family method are known as neo-local, which has a weak networking system. Due to this factor, it has few or no barriers in the process of geographical mobility pattern. Change in family value system has been constantly changing. This has been contributed to various factors like increase in the schools, hotels, hospitals, and many others. Such institutions play a major role in executing the activities that is being performed by the families located in rural and urban areas. However, the challenge faced by the family members exists with the process followed for sharing values and cultural practices. The task is achieved by adopting and implementing informal training process, which teaches the younger generation the process expected to be followed for improving the educational values amongst the younger generation. Practices and teachings have become quite challenging as there has been an increase in the number of working wives. The household tasks have been shared, but there is little time that is available for the heads of the family to share with the family members. The practices and expectations of the younger generation have drastically changed. This has been because of quest to know different things that are being seen around. There has been a demand for an increase in the liberal values that has been caused due to an increase in the industrial capitalist society. The change in living pattern of the family orientation process has affected the values of nuclear family system. There has been a change in the relationship pattern and living standards which has affected the family system followed in the country. An increase in the divorce rates and modern system has affected the school of thoughts of younger generation. Conclusion There are different factors that have impacted the traditional values of the familial cultural practices that were followed in the Indian society. Such changes have been attributed towards tan increase in the modernization and growth of industrialization in India. The cultural values and practices in the country have affected the traditional practices that were followed by majority of the families. Such changes have impacted the living standards and style of people and the Indian families. Changes has been implemented or introduced within the family practices for increasing the original values that was followed by the people. Such changes have become an inevitable part of majority of the Indian families that prefer to follow nuclear style of family. References Aronson, J., Steele, C. M. (2005). Stereotypes and the fragility of academic competence, motivation, and self-concept. In A. J. Elliott C. S. Dweck (Eds.), Handbook of competence and motivation (392-413). New York London: Guilford Press. AyadiKafia and Bree Joel.( 2010).An ethnography of the transfer of food learning within the family, Young Consumers, Vol 11, No 1, 67-76 Brooks-Gunn, J., Markman, L. B. (2005). The contribution of parenting to ethnic and racial gaps in school readiness. The Future of Children, 15, 139-168. Fryer, R. G., Torelli, P. (2010). An empirical analysis of acting white. Journal of Public Economics, 94(5-6), 380-396. Grolnick, W. S., Friendly, R. W., Bellas, V. M. (2009). Parenting and childrens motivation at school. In K. R. Wentzel A. Wigfield (Eds.), Handbook of motivation at school, 279-300. New York London: Routledge. McLanahan, S. (2004). Diverging destinies: How children are faring under the second demographic transition. Demography, 41(4), 607-627. Rouse, C., Brooks-Gunn, J., McLanahan, S. (eds.) (2005). School readiness: Closing racial and ethnic gaps: Introducing the issue. The future of children, 15(1), 5-13 Tyson, K., Darity, W. A., Castellino, D. (2005). Its not a black thing: Understanding the burden of acting white and other dilemmas of high achievement. American Sociological Review, 70(4), 582-605. Williams Shanks, T. R., Destin, M. (2009). Parental expectations and educational outcomes for young African American adults: Do household assets matter? Race and Social Problems, 1, 27-35. Young, A., Johnson, G., Hawthorne, M., Pugh, J. (2011). Cultural predictors of academic motivation and achievement: A self-deterministic approach. College Student Journal, 45(1), 151-63. Fryer, R. G., Torelli, P. (2010). An empirical analysis of acting white. Journal of Public Economics, 94(5-6), 380-396. Rouse, C., Brooks-Gunn, J., McLanahan, S. (eds.) (2005). School readiness: Closing racial and ethnic gaps: Introducing the issue. The future of children, 15(1), 5-13 Brooks-Gunn, J., Markman, L. B. (2005). The contribution of parenting to ethnic and racial gaps in school readiness. The Future of Children, 15, 139-168. Aronson, J., Steele, C. M. (2005). Stereotypes and the fragility of academic competence, motivation, and self-concept. In A. J. Elliott C. S. Dweck (Eds.), Handbook of competence and motivation (392-413). New York London: Guilford Press. McLanahan, S. (2004). Diverging destinies: How children are faring under the second demographic transition. Demography, 41(4), 607-627. Tyson, K., Darity, W. A., Castellino, D. (2005). Its not a black thing: Understanding the burden of acting white and other dilemmas of high achievement. American Sociological Review, 70(4), 582-605. Grolnick, W. S., Friendly, R. W., Bellas, V. M. (2009). Parenting and childrens motivation at school. In K. R. Wentzel A. Wigfield (Eds.), Handbook of motivation at school, 279-300. New York London: Routledge Aronson, J., Steele, C. M. (2005). Stereotypes and the fragility of academic competence, motivation, and self-concept. In A. J. Elliott C. S. Dweck (Eds.), Handbook of competence and motivation (392-413). New York London: Guilford Press Young, A., Johnson, G., Hawthorne, M., Pugh, J. (2011). Cultural predictors of academic motivation and achievement: A self-deterministic approach. College Student Journal, 45(1), 151-63 Williams Shanks, T. R., Destin, M. (2009). Parental expectations and educational outcomes for young African American adults: Do household assets matter? Race and Social Problems, 1, 27-35. AyadiKafia and Bree Joel.( 2010).An ethnography of the transfer of food learning within the family, Young Consumers, Vol 11, No 1, 67-76

Top Narrative Essay Examples To Help You Write Better

Writing a narrative essay for the first time? Don't know how to tell an engaging story? We have explained the dos and don’ts of narrative writing with the help of few examples here. Continue to get some great narrative essay examples. Quick Links 1. What is a Narrative Essay? 2. Narrative Essay Examples 2.1 Narrative Essay Sample 2.1.1 Death of a Moth 2.1.2 A Teeny Tiny Treasure Box 2.1.3 He Left so I could Learn 2.1.4 Violence can be an Answer 2.1.5 My College Education 3. Tips to Write a Great Narrative Essay 1. What is a Narrative Essay? A narrative essay tells a story. It could be anything like a childhood memory or a personal narrative or experience, or anything that affected you in any way. It is somewhat like a descriptive essay and tells a story in elaborate details. However, a good narrative essay not just tells a story, it engages the readers and makes them a part of the writer's personal experience. It is one of the most common types of essays that the students get in high school and college. It is simpler than writing an analytical and reflective essays that are much more complex than it. To help you understand better, the movies and videos that we see on YouTube are perfect examples of a narrative essay. They tell a story and engages the readers. However, it is not limited to storytelling only. It also explains the influence and importance of the experience also. 2. Narrative Essay Examples Good narrative essay examples help you to understand how this type of essay is written. They are structured and they tell an engaging story. They follow the usual essay structure and includes: An introduction A thesis statement Main body Conclusion Generally, there are 5 paragraphs in an essay. However, you can increase the number based on the topic to write a narrative essay step by step. Below, we have discussed a narrative essay example in detail and have added some more examples to guide you. You can download the samples and go through them before writing your essay. A Spontaneous Visit to Ukraine Travelling has always been one of my favorite activities. By the time I was 30, I had already visited a number of countries in North America. However, I had never been to Europe. Visiting the grand places like Venice, London and Paris are one of my unfulfilled and burning desires. My chance of visiting Europe came as a surprise. A distant friend called to give Season Greetings and invited me to visit Ukraine. He was working for an NGO there and wanted me to visit him. I was looking for a chance only and it came quite unexpectedly. Without further adieu, I booked the first flight to Ukraine. It was a completely different place than what I have known for so far. Its culture is quite different than what we have in the US and Canada and it is situated on a territory that is a bit smaller than Texas. Surprisingly, it was considered quite big by the European standards. Lvis, where I went, is a beautiful city that is filled with spiritual symbols and objects. The people are deeply religious and traditional as you will find statues of Jesus Christ and the Virgin Mary nearly in every corner. The people are friendly and the place is exquisitely beautiful with traditional churches and wooden houses, mountain rivers, beautiful lush forests and bright meadows. It is a beautiful place and I believe that everyone should visit it at least once. As for me, I have grown quite a fondness for it and will be coming back to explore it. The example is ideal to understand how a good narrative essay is written. It explains the writer's visit to Ukraine and his experience and observation there. 2.1 Narrative Essay Samples Below are some PDF examples that you can download and save. 2.1.1 Death of a Moth 2.1.2 A Teeny Tiny Treasure Box 2.1.3 He Left so I could Learn 2.1.4 Violence can be an Answer 2.1.5 My College Education 3. Tips to Write a Great Narrative Essay Having great narrative writing skills is important. No matter in what field you are, there will be a time when you will have to explain some things. And this is why teachers give these types of essays to you. They want to train you to present your point of view engagingly.. Following are some helpful tips that will help you write a narrative essay. It should be clear and described in detail. It should be in the first person narrative. It is presented in chronological order. It includes dialogues and vivid sensory details. It should have strong motifs and symbols. It should be engaging. Besides, a strong narrative essay example will make it more engaging. It is important that you have a strong topic for your narrative. Here is a list of narrative essay topics for your help to choose from and write a good essay. However, it is not possible for every student to write an impressive essay. That is why some students are always looking for professional assistance. Do you also need help for your narrative essay? 5StarEssays is an experienced writing assistance company. We have a team of expert writers, strong customer support and affordable prices.Order now to get your perfect narrative essay.

Free Essays on Darker Face Of The Earth

Review: Darker Face of the Earth â€Å"The white power structure must have seemed as all-encompassing as the implacable will of Zeus,† Rita Dove states in an interview. This statement inspired a new awareness, in trying to comprehend the feelings of those enslaved in the nineteenth century. Having read Oedipus Rex, and after seeing the play Darker Face of the Earth, it allowed me to recognize the similarities and differences of powerful white slave owners and Greek Gods. Gods of ancient Greece were viewed as being superior to humans although they shared many of the same traits. This is the same in relation to slaves and their owners. Just as the gods choose the fate of the people of ancient Greece, the owners choose the fate of their slaves? The gods in Oedipus were harsh in creating his fate just as many slave owners were harsh in shaping the fate of their slaves. The difference between the powerful white slave owners and gods are few. The fact the slave owners were mortal and lack supernatural abilities are the only things that set them apart from the gods. The theme of Mrs. Dove’s play closely resembled that of Oedipus Rex, however there were a few changes. I was disappointed that the theme of sight and blindness was excluded. I felt that this was an intriguing part of Oedipus Rex that added great philosophy to the text. The literal and metaphorical relationship between eyesight and insight is a theme that can be applied to any ones â€Å"everyday life† I feel that Dove’s work would have been enhanced with the addition of this theme. There was also a change in character in her work. Tiresius was cut out and a conjure woman that would prophesize the curse was substituted in his place. The conjure woman was wonderful in the play, however I feel that the presentation could have benefited from a character more like Tiresius. The play was easy to follow and had the ability of comprehension without prior knowledge of... Free Essays on Darker Face Of The Earth Free Essays on Darker Face Of The Earth Review: Darker Face of the Earth â€Å"The white power structure must have seemed as all-encompassing as the implacable will of Zeus,† Rita Dove states in an interview. This statement inspired a new awareness, in trying to comprehend the feelings of those enslaved in the nineteenth century. Having read Oedipus Rex, and after seeing the play Darker Face of the Earth, it allowed me to recognize the similarities and differences of powerful white slave owners and Greek Gods. Gods of ancient Greece were viewed as being superior to humans although they shared many of the same traits. This is the same in relation to slaves and their owners. Just as the gods choose the fate of the people of ancient Greece, the owners choose the fate of their slaves? The gods in Oedipus were harsh in creating his fate just as many slave owners were harsh in shaping the fate of their slaves. The difference between the powerful white slave owners and gods are few. The fact the slave owners were mortal and lack supernatural abilities are the only things that set them apart from the gods. The theme of Mrs. Dove’s play closely resembled that of Oedipus Rex, however there were a few changes. I was disappointed that the theme of sight and blindness was excluded. I felt that this was an intriguing part of Oedipus Rex that added great philosophy to the text. The literal and metaphorical relationship between eyesight and insight is a theme that can be applied to any ones â€Å"everyday life† I feel that Dove’s work would have been enhanced with the addition of this theme. There was also a change in character in her work. Tiresius was cut out and a conjure woman that would prophesize the curse was substituted in his place. The conjure woman was wonderful in the play, however I feel that the presentation could have benefited from a character more like Tiresius. The play was easy to follow and had the ability of comprehension without prior knowledge of...

Summary and review for one chapter Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Summary and review for one chapter - Essay Example In the Old Testament, animals were sacrificed by the High Priests. The blood of these sacrifices and the broken bodies of the animals were teaching the people that Jesus would come as Savior. These rituals were preparing the people for the time that Jesus would come and sacrifice his person for all the world. Other teachings about sacrifice are found in Jeremiah and Isaiah. It was prophesied by these prophets that the servant or Son would make the greatest of all sacrifices. Unlike Abraham that was willing but had his hand stopped before sacrificing his son, the Father would allow the son to be sacrificed in the case of Jesus. This was necessary for salvation. In the Mass, as in the old days, the priests are the most important participants in worship. All participants are considered priests during the Mass and the Eucharist, but only an ordained priest can oversee the change of the Eucharist and officiate in the Mass. This shows us that the purpose of the Eucharist is to remind us of the sacrifice of Jesus that makes salvation possible for all that will follow

Homer argues thaat human victory over desire is possible because Essay

Homer argues thaat human victory over desire is possible because - Essay Example (Barnouw, 1) Unlike other Gods, Homer chooses to remain mortal and in such a life he has to face number of challenges and situations where he has to choose between his desire and his duty. His biggest challenge was the resistance of temptation. The first temptation he and his men had to face was while encountering sweet lotus plant. â€Å"They fell in, soon enough, with Lotos Eaters, who showed no will to do us harm, only offering the sweet Lotos to our friends...† (IX. 98-100) They thought if they ate the plant it was not a bad idea, but to resist the plant was a much wiser option. â€Å"†¦but those who ate this honeyed plant, the Lotos, never cared to report, nor return: they longed to stay forever, browsing on that native bloom, forgetful of their homeland† (IX. 101-104). Homer not only resisted this tempting plant but also forced his soldiers to get back into the ship, when he said, â€Å" I forced them, eyes full of tears, into our hollow ships, dragged them underneath the rowing benches, and tied them up†. (IX. 105-107) Yet another temptation they had to face was Seirenes. She would try to lure men with her beauty and music, â€Å"Square in your ship’s path are Seirenes, crying beauty to bewitch men coasting by...† (XII. 101-104) If men are not able to show their resistance towards Seirenes, they could fell into her clutches and no body could save them from death. â€Å"Woe to the innocent who hears that sound! He will not see his lady nor his children in joy, crowding about him, home from sea; the Seirenes will sing his mind away on their sweet meadow lolling†¦(XII. 50-54)† Sirens also tried to tempt Odysseus when she said that, â€Å"Come this way, honored Odysseus, great glory of the Achaeans, and stay your ship, so that you can listen here to our singing; for no one else has ever sailed past this place in his black ship until he has listened to the honey-sweet voice that issues from our lips; then goes on well pleased knowing more than ever he did; for we

The Process of Market segmentation Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

The Process of Market segmentation - Essay Example This paper illustrates that the market consists of different types of consumers that have a variety of needs and various types of products. The market further divides itself into different types of consumers, further divided into subgroups and segments. The needs of these different types of consumers may vary due to a variety of factors. The concept of market segmentation, therefore, refers to the process of targeting different types of consumers with different marketing programmes and products, suitable to their needs. Market segmentation appears to be a simple theory; however, it remains one of the most widely researched marketing topics. The topic of market segmentation has been around in the world for nearly a decade. It has gained large importance these days, especially in the industrialized world. The needs of consumers are widely heterogenic; therefore, different products are made that target specific needs of consumers. The theory of market segmentation, given by Smith has ma intained its value, for he recognized the heterogeneity of the needs of the consumers, because of their differing preferences. The purpose of market segmentation covers maximizing sales and profits. In the modern world of today, the theory of market segmentation has undergone various changes and has gotten more complex. It remains extremely important for a marketer to have a detailed analysis of the needs and preferences of different types of consumers. Mass marketing does not take in to account all these different types of preferences. Therefore, the approach of market segmentation proves to be extremely beneficial. The marketing theory takes into account the different segments of the market. It also does not remain feasible to target the needs of each consumer. Consumer groups are divided according to their similar requirements and buying characteristics. The process of market segmentation begins this way. The factors that determine these segments include ‘geographic, demogr aphic, psychographic, and behavioral’ factors.

Five Types Of Qualitative Research Psychology Essay

Five Types Of Qualitative Research Psychology Essay This essay will start by defining qualitative research, it will then continue to discuss Creswells five types of qualitative research. Each type of study will be discussed and an argument will be made supporting these qualitative research technique in an organisational context (over quantitative methods). The essay puts much emphasis on justifying qualitative research in organisations to positivists. It will conclude with a short summary of the provided arguments that justify qualitative research in organisations. Qualitative research can be defined as, any kind of research that produces findings not arrived at by means of statistical procedures or other means of quantification (Strauss and Corbin p.17). One might argue that in todays business world there is no room for qualitative research, but only for solid proven statistics. However, organisations are not just numbers and numeric devices it is important to realise that the most important asset of organisations are its people. The aim of qualitative research is to find out more about the human element within organisations, and looks for meaning behind the numbers. The definition of qualitative research by Strauss and Corbin (2007) is very broad. Creswell (2009) defines qualitative research as a means for exploring and understanding the meaning individuals or groups ascribe to a social or human problem. This definition narrows down qualitative research. Creswell also states that qualitative researchers can choose from a wide range of researching methods such as; open-ended questions, interview data, observation data, document data, audio-visual data, text and image analysis, emerging methods, and themes patterns and interpretations. He (2009) goes even further and puts forward five types of qualitative research; narrative research, phenomenology, ethnography, grounded theory studies and case studies. Narrative Approach The narrative approach or the story telling approach is an account or a history of something. Storytelling is an effective tool in making sense of change; identifying who we are, and where we come from. According to Rouse and Boff (2005), human culture itself, rests to a large extent on our ability to capture real and imagined events as sequences of cause and effect (i.e. stories) and share these sequences (pg. 300). The need to share these experiences is crucial in the process of collective sense-making, which we can find all around us. Newspapers for example, were referred to by Philip Graham, are the first draft of history. We tell each other stories to make sense of our social environment, and these stories keep developing. In the cultural web of organisations proposed by Johnson, Scholes and Whittington (2006), they argue that stories are a key proponent to the organisations culture. They are devices for telling people what is important in the organisation (pg. 203). A narrative approach to understanding organisational theory is crucial as Zukier (1986) argues that most people think in a narrative fashion as opposed to paradigmatically or argumentatively (in Weick, 1995). Through a subjective, collective storytelling effort, an objective reality is created. Positivists however, seek the rational pursuit of factual truth (Thorpe and Holt, 2008: pg. 155), and criticise the narrative approach as being unreliable due to its subjective nature. However as Czarniawska (1998) explains, the perceived coherence of the sequence of events rather than the truth or falsity of story elements determines the plot and thus the power of the narrative as a story (pg. 5). When examining organisational culture, the validity of the stories told is not what is of essence, seeing as whether true or false, the story plays a hand in creating the culture. In the Laskarina case study by Brown, Humphreys and Gurney (2005) for example, employees were all familiar with the story of how t he founding couple of the company fell in love with Laskarina on their honeymoon. Whether this story is true or not, it is clearly a key aspect of the companys culture and as such is relevant to understanding the organisations identity. A positivist would fail to recognise this, as the subjectivity of respondents is replaced by the objectivity of the researcher whose voice is that of a disinterested scientist [who] is simply an informer of decision makers (Lincoln and Guba, 1994: pg. 112). We find in the Humphreys and Brown (2008) Credit Line case-study, storytelling efforts made by managers and others regarding their corporate social responsibility (CSR). Boonstra and Caluwe (2007) explain that, [As an organisation] you process what you find difficult, but you comment on the things that people are proud of (pg. 49). We find that at Credit Line, CSR is a top-down approach, where managers heavily promote social responsibility through storytelling. Again, regardless of the storys vali dity, the narrative approach provides insight into the corporate culture. Not only are crucial points overlooked with a positivistic framework, but a disinterested scientist is unlikely to engage the reader very well. During my internship, whilst trying to better understand cultural differences, I interviewed some of my colleagues to learn how they felt about the need to be secluded from the rest of the bank. I was surprised to receive a variety of responses; some felt it was unnecessary, while others were quite adamant. This plays to an advantage of narrative analysis; representing the organisation as encompassing a variety of viewpoints that coexist as polyphony. Phenomenology Phenomenology is a philosophical school of thought which aims to recognise the association between human consciousness and the social environment. Developed in the early twentieth century by Edmund Husserl, its existence is a result of the shortcomings of positivist mentality (Orleans, 2001). Husserl felt the predominant school of thought at the time precluded an adequate apprehension of the world (Husserl, 1931 in Orleans, 2001: pg. 1). The main issue is that positivists do not recognise the importance of the process of thought and the direct impact this has on ones environment, which is the essence of phenomenology. In an organisation (as in any other social setting), in order to understand its way of life, we must first understand the mindset of its members. Understanding the individual and collective sphere of human consciousness allows a level of intimate comprehension, far greater than would be possible with positivist methodology. Unlike positivism and other scientific methods , phenomenology does not produce propositions that can be empirically tested. Human consciousness and thought process is too complex for quantitative analysis. Furthermore the transferability of findings from one social environment to another is not possible. Organisational culture is a subject that can benefit from this type of qualitative analysis. The concept of culture is in itself a human construct. It is a shared experience between members of a particular society. According to Connor (2000), when studying organisational culture it is important the researcher enters the field without any predetermined problems or hypotheses that require solving or testing. Such a positivist approach can lead to an inadequate apprehension of the world (or at least of the organisation). An interesting aspect of social behaviour is that of common sense. This constitutes what the norm is in the organisation. Orleans (2001) claims, common sense serves as an ever present resource to assure actors tha t the reality that is projected from human subjectivity is an objective reality (pg. 4). Hence we find that through sense making an objective reality is created. This is because the organisational social environment and its culture are human constructs. A positivist approach in defining common sense would be inappropriate. A positivist researcher would take the process of thought for granted, as subjectivity in not encouraged. This would lead to a tainted view of the life-world. Upon starting my internship in Islamic banking during the summer, and entering the field, the most challenging aspect was the culture change (perhaps even culture shock) involved with being a western, non-Muslim working in Islamic banking. This became evident on my very first day, when I tried to introduce myself to a female colleague with a handshake. What I did not realise, was that her culture prohibited such physical contact with a stranger. Interestingly, their organisational culture was that of their religion, Islam. It governed their subjective thought processes and determined common sense, providing an objective social reality. The purpose of my project was to determine whether due to their cultural difference, if Islamic banking and conventional banking were compatible (i.e. ability to exist under a single corporate umbrella). If I were to have approached this study as a phenomenological researcher, I would be more interested in the thought processes of the employees. As suc h, I may seek to understand what the notion of cultural difference means to those working in Islamic Banking but for a Western organisation. The key theme of phenomenology is understanding how consciousness of the self affects reality. This is important not only for the members of the society (the subjects), but also for the researcher. Introspection is necessary to determine any effects the researchers presence may have on the social environment. Reflexivity is the chief aspect of Watsons (1995) study. Watson provides us his subjective sense-making process involved with how to write his paper, in the form of a dialogue with himself. In my case, as an outsider in Islamic Banking, it is possible my interpretation of the data can be wrong, as I am attempting to analyse the situation through a familiar (western) lens. As Levinas states, western ontologyis [the] reduction of the other to the categories of the same (Levinas in Kearney, 1995: pg. 183). Grounded Theory Grounded theory, in comparison to scientific methodology, is a reverse style research system developed by Barney Glaser and Anselm Strauss. The basic process involves; coding the key points in a data set, using theoretic sensitivity to group codes into categories by looking for links, and formulating theories from these categories. The purpose being, that if completed correctly, the formulated theory is grounded in the data, and should perfectly fit the dataset. Glaser and Strauss realised at the time, sociological practice relied exclusively on quantitative analysis. Goulding (1999) refers to the research of the time as extreme empiricism or grand theory (Mills, 1959). According to Glaser and Strauss, the result was that theory had restricted empirical relevance, and grounded theory was their solution to shut this embarrassing gap between theory and empirical research (Glaser and Strauss, 1967: pg. vii). Their main objective was to derive theory from the data that could provide pred ictions, explanations, interpretations and applications (Glaser and Strauss, 1967, pg. 1). A positivistic quantitative method of data derived theory is the ANOVA process. However ANOVA is a simplistic additive model that fails to explain the complexities of the manner in which variables interact. Furthermore, unlike grounded theory, the ANOVA process does not necessarily take into account the entire dataset. Outlying data variables are deleted and not accounted for in the theory. Though grounded theory (if performed correctly) can better represent the dataset than quantitative methods, according to Strauss the theoretic development process determines the quality of the theory. Glaser and Strauss (1967), proposed that theory is never a finished product. Instead it is a work in progress that requires continuous updating. Theoretic development as a sustaining concept is relevant to organisational theory (e.g. culture). This is because an organisation is a work in progress as well. Mark et conditions change, competitors come and go, and organisational culture needs to adapt. Unlike positivistic methodology, a grounded theorist enters the field without preconceived hypotheses that need to be tested, resulting in a better understanding of the organisations true naturalistic situation (Douglas, 2003). Positivists such as Haig (1995) argue that constructing hypotheses prior to entering the field is necessary because a researcher must identify a specific question that needs to be researched. A grounded theorist can enter the field having a general reason for undertaking the specific research. This does require the formulation of hypotheses and hypothetical problems. In Jefferys (1979) study Normal Rubbish, he identified the casualty department at the NHS had problems, and that it was an undesirable place to work, before entering the field. Formulating hypotheses as to why this was the case at this stage would not have been fruitful. Through conducting qualitative resear ch (interviews, participant observation, etc) Jefferey was able to identify links through the language used by doctors and staff (good patients, rubbish, etc). By adopting such an emergent theory development process, Jefferey discovered the culture that was associated with the casualty staff at the NHS. Douglas (2003) found that when grounded theory is applied in the organisational context, theory emerged from empathising the ways in which respondents construct their reality, their world (pg. 53). That is, grounded theory enables understanding of how the organisation views itself in the context of its environment. Through appreciation of the interactions and processes of the organisation in its natural setting, its culture can be understood. Grounded theory is a complex process, which if fulfilled, provides many benefits. Due to its advantages, many researchers claim to have fully undertaken the process, but few actually do (i.e. cook the carrot for the full nine hours). While conducting my study on the culture of Islamic banking I did not use a grounded theory approach due to my lack of experience and understanding. Van Maanen (1979) emphasises the importance of recognising the issues in their natural context. This is especially important in the case of understanding organisational culture. By formulating a theory, without forming prior hypotheses and being purely grounded in the data, we can appreciate the organisations true nature. Ethnography Ethnography is a descriptive style of study on human society. In terms of studying organisational culture (or any culture), ethnography is arguably the most relevant methodology that can be utilised. Ethno-graph literally translates to, culture- writing. Ethnography has its roots in colonialism, in the quest to learn about the other and their culture. It is of little surprise that ethnography was developed outside the United States (Kenya, Samoa, Bali, Brazil) (Schwartzman, 1993: pg. 1). Ethnography is a reality-based research system which is placed in the context of the subjects life. This is more effective than quantitative methodology as the research is grounded in the respondents natural setting, and does not require the participant to place themselves in hypothetical situations (such as when answering questionnaires). This is crucial as there can be a difference between what participants do as opposed to what they say. Mariampolski (2005) points out that participant observation is an advantage since a respondents self disclosure can be idealised, obscured and poorly recalled (pg. 10). As such, ethnography provides an insight into the organisations social setting through understanding the respondents interactions with it. Positivistic methodology however, lacks engagement of the natural setting. For example, by defining variables such as gender, expectations, and pay-level of participants, positivists can determine the level of correlation. However this is not helpful in explaining the social world as experienced by its social actors. We need to ask, what is the meaning behind the numbers? Mariampolski (2005) points out that ethnography is the closest a researcher can get to the respondent. Given this, she questions why it has taken over one hundred years for qualitative research to become popular in organisations (such as marketing firms conducting consumer brand research). Similar to the findings of Glaser and Strauss (1967) and Edmund Husserl (1931), pos itivist mentality used to be the norm. In such a world anything can be objectively perceived and counted. This makes life easier for managers, who need to worry about consumer targets and budget reports. However Mariampolski (2005) points out that the positivistic methodology is a fantasy. It fails to understand the complexities of human behaviour and fails as a predictive tool (Mariampolski, 2005: pg. 13). Spradley (1979) defines culture as, the acquired knowledge that people use to interpret experience and generate social behaviour (pg. 5). In essence, it is a group of peoples way of life, and cannot be measured through quantitative techniques. As mentioned earlier ethnography aims to understand the other in our terms (i.e. by us, for us). However auto-ethnography is an autobiographical style of writing, where the researcher investigates a familiar culture for non-members of that society. The benefit of this is that the reader is provided with a genuine account of a social environ ment by a member of that culture. Hence the concern of misinterpreting data by viewing it through a familiar lens is overcome. Positivist methodology does not benefit from such valuable insight, as the researchers role in minimised in the outcome of the study. The study I compiled while doing my internship in Islamic banking was definitely of an ethnographic nature. I was the first non-Muslim to work in that division at the bank, and that made me feel as though I were back in the days of colonialism, setting off to learn about the other and their culture, so that I could bring my findings back to the West and report them (to my university). In order to understand a society, entering the field is necessary. For example, prior to arriving in Dubai, one of the aspects of Islamic banking I did not understand was their need for segregation from all other operations of their own organisation. However upon entering the field, I learned that according to Shariah law (the Islamic law), the Islamic banking division of an organisation cannot have any affiliation with any conventional banking operations. Other than having to be physically separated, Islamic banking earnings and funds cannot be reported along with conventional banking earnings. In fact within the organisation, the Islamic banking division operated like an independent sub-organisation, which included its own name. As Mariampolski (2005) explains, ethnography is holistic in that one needs to piece together the respondents world, through utilising inner and outer-world elements that can only be identified upon entering the field. Conclusion The colonial days of travelling to unchartered territories to research an unknown tribe of people in their local setting may be over. Today, organisations provide the perfect social environment. Corporate culture varies not only across national boundaries but from organisation to organisation. Quantitative methods, though useful in understanding certain aspects of organisational theory, is unable to explicate the human dimension of organisations. Through the use of the mentioned qualitative research techniques, valuable insight can be gained into many aspects of an organisation, not just culture. Which qualitative technique to choose, depends on the nature of the study at hand. It has been shown that there is a definite benefit (if not requirement) of using qualitative analysis in an organisational context. Eigentlich Intro This is because positivists are usually sceptical of qualitative methods and undergo technical and quantitative training. The disadvantages of positivistic methodology in organisational research will be emphasised. The purpose of this is not to prove one is better than the other. But to justify the need for qualitative research, the shortcomings of positivistic, quantitative methodology must be emphasised. As a student of Corporate Strategy and Governance, I understand the significance of corporate culture. It is an organisations identity and has been described by some as its soul. For the purpose of this study understanding an organisations culture will be the focus of the justification of qualitative research in organisational studies. This is because quantitative research is unable to explain organisational culture. My interest in corporate culture also arises because I have undertaken field research in the area before. In the summer of 2007, I applied for an internship in Islamic banking with a large English multinational bank in Dubai. Other than gaining practical exposure to the field, my primary motivation was to conduct research for a strategy based assignment I had been given for university. As a westerner I was looking forward to understanding the cultural differences between Islamic banking and conventional banking. Wherever appropriate, I try to relate my experiences. Word Count: 3,200

The Debate of Abortion Essay -- Pro Life Pro Choice Pregnancy Rights E

The Debate of Abortion After more than a quarter-century of frenzied debate and denunciation (which began well before Roe v. Wade), one might think not. But there is at least one viewpoint that polls indicate is widely held but that is hardly ever heard amid the screams of ''Murderer!'' and ''Keep your rosaries off my ovaries!'' It deserves a full and reasoned exposition, however; it might even shed some light on the controversies about the confirmation of Dr. Henry Foster as Surgeon General and about harassment of abortion clinics. It is that abortion is justifiable only in extreme cases -- but that nevertheless the state must respect the right to receive and perform abortions. In other words, it is possible to be pro-life and pro-choice -- and as a matter of moral principle rather than political expediency. As many people of both sexes instinctively recognize, abortion has to be looked at as a question not of law but of morality. Begin then with the position, common to most religions and many naturalistic systems of morality, of respect for life -- all life, but especially human. It seems impossible to deny that the developing fetus is a potential human being. Yes, from the moment of conception: in the early stages it may be a clump of cells, but that cannot be equated with the clump of cells that might be removed in an appendectomy. The fetus from the very beginning is endowed with all the genetic information that will enable -- in fact make inevitable, absent so...

The Challenges for India in the Next Millennium

India ,like all other countries world over ,is at the threshold of next millennium. We have challenges to face as we prepare ourselves to step into 21st century. Let us briefly explore some of these challenges. As we all know, India is a wonderful mixture of so much diversities – different religions,languages,geographical conditions, cultural habits and so on. maintaining harmony among these diversities against growing tendency of separatism is one of the main tasks lying ahead of us as we enter the next millennium. If this harmony is destroyed, the foundation of India is sure to collapse. Preserving unity among so much diversities is indeed, a difficult task . Especially , when we consider the influx of selfish, individualistic approach in our societies. The nation is built up on the value system of its people. The problems we have now – communalism, regionalism, growing violence, separatism are all directly or indirectly reflection of erosion of our basic value system. Re building this should start from each one of us , from our families, from our homes. It will then spread to the societies that we live in and will eventually keep on strengthening the nation. Ironically we all keep on lamenting about the pathetic situation of India without doing anything constructive to resolve it. Next millennium will experience unimaginable technological advancement. Nations all over the world are striving hard to keep pace with this. In India we face a Herculean task to prepare ourselves to meet this challenge . The basic ingradients required are proper education for all our citizens & opportunities to flourish. Education should not be just for the sake of degrees or diplomas. People need to be educated so that they expand their horizon of knowledge, wisdom, attitudes and become real human beings of superior qualities. Considering our present literacy rate of and our budget allocation only this indeed is a great challenge for the next mellinnium. Providing education is not enough; we need to create enough opportunities for our people to use their talents. Considering our unemployment rate of we have to go a long way in stimulating our economy & industrialisation. Rapid industrialisation while preserving our natural resources & less pollution is a huge challenge to face in the next millennium. Economic advancement requires rapid industrialisation. Pollution, destruction of natural resources, urbanisation & subsequent social tensions are the obvious consequences of fast pace of industrialisation. We need to carefully formulate our policies to have full advantages of industrialisation while minimising its negative side effects. Next millennium is likely to face acute shortage of energy. Conservation of energy & expanding utilisation of our natural energy sources (solar, wind, wave etc) are the solutions to meet this challenge. We need to produce simple mechanisms so that the practice of using natural energy sources will reach common man. Our present political system has lost its credibility. Rampant corruption & misuse of power has created an ugly image of politics among the younger generation and they prefer to totally detach from politics. This is not a desirable tendency for the future of the nation. We need talents in future politics of our country. It is a great challenge to cleanse politics off corruption and restructure it for the next millennium. We have already crossed 1 billion mark of our population. This rate of growth of our population poses great challenge for the next millennium where resources will be scarce. We need to enhance our efforts considerably to control this explosive growth of population. The easiest way to destroy a country is , perhaps, to destroy its culture. With the advancement of mass media , the erosion of our cultural heritage is also speeded up. Many western countries, after realising the evils of the so called ‘modern free society' are slowly going back to their original cultural ethics. Where as , we in India , are on the verge of breaking it. In the next millennium, as world gets smaller & smaller through media, it is a great challenge to preserve our cultural ethics. There are no easy solutions to any of these challenges we have to face. We, the younger generation, cannot remain aloof and let things happen just like that. We need to awake and seek ways & means to live up to the challenges. Indeed , we shape the future – whether it is good or bad depends a lot on us.

The 7 Steps to Becoming a Doctor A Complete Guide

The 7 Steps to Becoming a Doctor A Complete Guide SAT / ACT Prep Online Guides and Tips Medicine is one of the most challenging, yet rewarding fields a student can enter. Before deciding whether becoming a doctor is right for you, it’s important that you’re well-informed about every step you’ll have to take along the way. Here, I’ll walk you through exactly how to become a doctor, starting with high school. This career is definitely not for everyone- it requires huge investments of time, money, and effort- but if this career path is right for you, this post will help you start preparing now for a successful career. Career Outlook Medicine is a super competitive and rigorous field- doctors have a lot of responsibility, and have to spend a lot of time and money on their training. Healthcare is also a growing field, which means that the demand for good doctors will continue to increase over the coming years. This means that if you pass all of the necessary steps, you probably won’t have an issue finding a good job. Let’s take a look at the career outlook for physicians and surgeons (Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics): 2015 Median Pay: $187,200 per year Job Outlook, 2014-2024 (percent change in employment): 14%, which is much faster than the average % change of 7%. This means that there will likely be an increase in demand for doctors. Pay and job outlook can vary depending on what type of doctor you want to be, so if you have a particular specialty in mind (e.g. dermatology, rheumatology), I encourage you to do your own research on projected career outlook. How to Become a Doctor: Career Path Overview Becoming a doctor is a pretty complex, multi-step process. Here are all the major steps I’ll cover in more detail in this post: Do well in high school Get into a great college Take the MCAT (and get a good score) Apply and get into medical school Become a licensed doctor by passing your boards Choose your specialty and complete your residency Take and pass your final boards to practice independently Still interested in how to become a doctor? Let’s get into the nitty gritty details of each major step. High School If you’re serious about becoming a doctor, you’ll do yourself a big favor by getting focused in high school. Like I mentioned, this is a pretty competitive field- the earlier you start distinguishing yourself as a great student, the easier the process will be. Here’s what you can do in high school to help prepare for later steps: Focus on Science and Math To fulfill all pre-med requirements in college (I’ll get to that in a bit), you’ll have to take quite a few science and math classes. Lay a solid foundation by taking a science and math course every year, and make it a priority to take advanced and/or AP courses. You’ll also want to keep your GPA (in these classes and all others) as high as possible. This is an important step because it also gives you a tiny glimpse into what college and medical school will be like. If you don’t enjoy science and math courses in high school, it’s unlikely you’ll enjoy them later on. Use this as an opportunity to think critically about whether you’d like to pursue this career. Do Plenty of Community Service Being a good doctor isn’t just about being a science and math whiz- it’s about being invested in caring for other people. Show how you care about helping others by volunteering consistently in high school. It’s best if you can do volunteer work that’s at least somewhat related to healthcare. You might see if there are any opportunities at a nearby hospital or clinic (I had friends in high school who helped escort people who were visiting family members in the hospital, for example). These volunteer opportunities can also help you decide fairly early whether a career in medicine is something you’re interested in pursuing. Of course, you don’t have to volunteer exclusively in healthcare environments- any community service opportunity where you’re helping other people is a good fit. Read more about the benefits of community service, and then check out our list of the nine best places to volunteer. Is working in healthcare a good fit for you? Volunteering in the field is a great way to find out. Get a Great Score on the ACT or SAT To get into a great medical school, it helps to go to a great college. To get into a great college, it helps to get a high score on the SAT or ACT. Plan on taking your first test by the end of your junior year- this gives you time to take your test of choice again if you want to try to raise your scores. Read these guides for more info on how to get a great score: What counts as a good, bad or average ACT or SAT score? How to get a perfect score on the ACT or SAT How long should you study for the ACT or SAT? Submit Stellar College Applications Your senior fall will be all about researching and applying to colleges. You don’t necessarily need to go to a school with a dedicated pre-med program, but it helps if your college or university has strong science and math programs- they’ll help prepare you for the MCAT and med school. If you want to go to a top-tier private school, you’ll have to submit applications with: High GPA High SAT/ACT scores Great letters of recommendation Polished and thoughtful personal essays Some great public schools may not require letters of rec or applications essays- nevertheless, it’s wise to start preparing these materials early in the college application process if you think you’ll apply to any colleges that require them. If you’re still working on college research, read more about: The best rankings lists and whether you should trust them Whether it matters where you go to college How to decide where to go to college College College is where you really start focusing your studies and preparing for a career in medicine. Here’s everything you should do as an undergraduate to prepare yourself for the next major step: medical school. Meet All Pre-Med Requirements Most medical schools require students to have taken a series of courses as undergraduates. This ensures that they have strong foundational knowledge in math and science, and will be well-prepared for the more advanced courses they’ll take as med students. Here are the core classes that most medical schools require: Two semesters of biology with laboratory Two semesters of inorganic chemistry with laboratory Two semesters of organic chemistry with laboratory Two semesters of math, at least one in calculus Two semesters of physics with laboratory Two semesters of English and/or writing This comes to 12 course requirements at minimum, which doesn’t give you a ton of wiggle room if you also have to meet requirements for a major without much pre-med overlap (say, romance languages or studio art). Because of this, many pre-med students choose majors like biology or chemistry- this makes it much easier to meet both pre-med requirements and the requirements for your major. If you decide later in college that you’d like to apply to medical school but you know you don’t have time to fit in all these requirements, don’t panic just yet. It’s fairly common for people to wrap up pre-med requirements by taking an extra semester or two at college (some schools call these students â€Å"super seniors†). You may also look into full-time post-bac programs if you have more than a few requirements left to fulfill. These options mean extra time and extra expenses, but they’re helpful (and sometimes necessary) steps before applying to med school. Keep Your Grades Up Your transcript will be a very important part of your med school applications, so your academic performance should really be your #1 priority as you work your way through college. Build Relationships With Professors and Mentors You’ll need a few strong letters of recommendation from respected faculty members when you submit your med school applications- use this to motivate you to network with as many people as possible. Develop relationships with professors and mentors by going to office hours, participating in class, and taking opportunities to work on research projects. Your nerdy professors will prove to be invaluable resources when you’re applying to med school, but only if you have relationships with them! Get Some Research Experience Having research experience under your belt is a big plus for med school applications, especially if you can squeeze in a publication or two. Working in a biology or chemistry lab would probably be most helpful for medical school. There are a couple ways you can get research experience as an undergraduate: Work as a research assistant (paid or unpaid) in an on-campus lab or an off-campus research institute. Look at campus job postings, or approach specific professors in your department about potential lab openings. If you don’t have time during the semester to take on extra work, consider summer opportunities. Complete an undergraduate thesis, which involves research work. This usually requires a professor to officially take you on as his/her student. Each school (and each department within a school) will have its own procedures and policies for undergraduate theses, so educate yourself early on (i.e. freshman year) if you’re interested in this track. Continue With Community Service Medical schools are going to look at your community service record as an important part of your application. You should make time for volunteer work in college just as you did in high school. The good news is that it should be easier to find relevant advocacy and community service clubs and organizations in college. Here are a few example activities you may be interested in (although this list is by no means exhaustive): Volunteering at a homeless shelter Joining a public health advocacy society or organization Volunteering at a nursing home, or engaging in other forms of elder care (e.g. Meals on Wheels) Joining a peer counseling organization It’s better to stick with a few clubs or activities over the long term (as opposed to jumping around between activities year after year). This demonstrates that you’re consistent and reliable- it also opens up opportunities for leadership roles, which is a big plus for your applications. Ace The MCAT The MCAT (or Medical College Admissions Test) is used as a predictor of your success in med school, and as such is weighted pretty heavily when compared to other parts of your application. Most students take the MCAT their junior year- this is arguably the most optimal time to take the test. You will have gone through many of your pre-med courses at this point, which makes studying for the MCAT a lot easier. Test Scoring and Logistics In total, it takes 7.5 hours to complete the MCAT. The sections on the test include: Physical Sciences Verbal Reasoning Biological Sciences Psychological, Social and Biological Foundations of Behavior Each section is scored on a range from 118 to 132, with a median score of 125. You’ll receive an individual score for each section in addition to an overall score. Total (overall) scores range from 472 to 578, with the average score sitting at about 500. This scoring system is relatively new, so there isn’t any historical data available to predict what a good or â€Å"safe† MCAT score will be for med school admissions. Hypothetical percentile ranks state that the 85th percentile score will sit at 508-509. This coincides with a score of 30 on the old MCAT, which was thought to be a good score to aim for. The new MCAT encourages admissions officers to look favorably upon students who score around 500 or above. The MCAT is administered 15 times per year, so you have quite a bit of flexibility when it comes to scheduling the test. Be prepared for some hefty expenses - it costs $305-$355 to register for the test depending on how far in advance you sign up. There are Fee Assistance Programs available for students who may not be able to shoulder these expenses. After your scores are calculated, they’re automatically released to AMCAS (American Medical College Application Service) - you won’t have to submit them separately to any schools unless they don’t use the AMCAS. Get more information on test dates and registration. If you’re adequately prepared the first time you take the test, you could save yourself the cost of an extra registration fee. Studying for the MCAT Plan on studying 200-300 hours if you want to do well on the test. Since it’s a 7.5 hour exam, you really don’t want to have to take it twice. There are a few different ways to prep for the MCAT exam: Independent study. This may work for students at a school with strong pre-med support who are also performing well in their classes. Strong foundational knowledge is the most important factor that affects performance on the MCAT, but students would still, of course, need to spend significant time preparing. An MCAT Prep Course. Pre-med students commonly take prep courses when they want a solid review schedule that will keep them on track. There’s a lot of material to cover, and a good course helps you make sure there aren’t any major gaps in your knowledge of content or strategy. They can be very expensive most are several thousand dollars. Kaplan and Princeton Review are a couple of the most popular options. Online Prep- Online resources can offer a great combination of structure and flexibility when you’re working to cover a lot of material. Khan Academy offers some free study material if you’re looking for a place to start, although it won’t suffice if you’re putting together a full online study plan. Dr. Flowers Test Prep is another, more comprehensive, resource for online studying. A private tutor. Students whose grades aren’t up to par or who have poorly on the MCAT before may want to consider this option. If you choose to seek out a tutor, choose someone with glowing recommendations and years of tutoring experience- they won’t come cheap, but they’re also less likely to waste your time and money. You can buy an official practice test through the AAMC for $25, in addition to other official study guides and prep materials. Applying to Medical School The medical school application process is extremely long. If you want to start med school the fall after you graduate from college, you’ll have to start your applications your junior year. Researching Medical Schools The average student applies to about 13 schools to optimize their chances of getting in- I wouldn’t recommend that you put together a list much smaller than that. The MSAR (or Medical School Admissions Requirements) website is one of the best tools for looking into important medical school information. For a $25 year-long subscription, you can easily access: Acceptance rates Average MCAT and GPA of applicants and accepted students Numbers of out-of-state students Application requirements Application deadlines Like with any school or program, there are med school rankings lists. Because US medical schools’ admissions criteria and curricula are so stringent and rigorous, however, keep in mind that admission to any school in the country should be considered an accomplishment. If you end up in a school in the country, and you follow through with a residency at a good hospital, you’ll have no trouble finding work. Types of Medical Schools There are two types of physicians in the US: allopathic physicians (MDs) and osteopathic physicians (DOs). Both types are fully licensed physicians, and are often very similar in the way they practice medicine- they just receive degrees from slightly different types of programs. We’re most used to hearing about doctors with MDs, so if you’re not familiar with DOs then I encourage you to do more research on these types of programs. DOs receive additional specialty training in certain areas, including using the hands to diagnose/treat illnesses and injuries. Read more about osteopathic medicine. Allopathic or osteopathic: which type of med school is right for you? The Application There are three steps to the application process: Step 1: Primary Application You send in your primary application by June the year before your first year of med school. Most med schools use the American Medical College Application Service (AMCAS), which is like a Common App for med schools. This application includes official transcripts, a personal statement, your resume/CV, and your MCAT scores. Start preparing these materials a few months before submission. Step 2: Secondary Application This usually happens in July-August on a typical application timeline (i.e. one where you submit the primary application in June). At this point, a school will either reject your primary application OR ask you to complete its secondary application. The secondary application will differ for each school you apply to. Sometimes, schools just ask you to submit an application fee to continue with the application process. Other times, schools send fairly extensive lists of essay prompts (e.g. â€Å"Why are you interested in attending this medical school?†). If the school is happy with your primary + secondary application, you will move on to the next step. Step 3: Interview If a school definitely does (or definitely does not) want to interview you, you’ll hear back from them pretty quickly. Some students are left in limbo for a while as schools deliberate about what to do with them. Interviews are the final decision-making phase. Your interview will either make or break your application. Preparing for interviews is tough because each school (and each interviewer) will have its own priorities and questions. Overall, you want to come off as (1) committed to the medical track (2) confident about your abilities (3) eager to learn (4) warm and empathetic (5) grateful for the opportunity to be there. Medical School After fulfilling all those pre-med requirements and submitting all those applications, you finally arrive here: med school. You’ll spend four years here, but that doesn’t mean the experience will be very similar to that of your undergraduate education- there are more decisions to be made, more opportunities for hands-on experiences, and more professional licensing requirements to worry about. Here’s an overview of what these four years will look like: First two years- Primarily classroom-based courses Third year- Training in each major medical specialty (also known as rotations) Fourth year- Primarily elective courses based on preferred specialty There are some other important steps along the way- like board exams- that I’ll address here as well. Years 1-2: Classroom Work You won’t have much say in what courses you’ll take during your first two years of med school. Your education during this time will be an extension of your pre-med requirements- you’ll take many advanced courses that will give you the important biological, anatomical, and chemical foundations you’ll need to work as a physician. These courses will obviously have an important impact on your GPA, which will affect how competitive you are when you’re matched for your residency/internship (we’ll get to that shortly). As such, it’s important to keep your grades up- your future self will thank you. At the end of your second year you’ll take the United States Medical Licensing Examination, or the USMLE-1. This test assesses your medical competency to see if you should continue with your education and medical licensure (another name for the USMLE exams is â€Å"Boards†). At most medical schools, you need to pass this exam in order to progress to your third year of school. Read more about the test and access exam practice materials. Year 3: Rotations In your third year, you’ll start working with patients in a medical setting (under a supervisor) within different medical specialties. This helps you gain hands-on experience as a physician, but perhaps more importantly, you’ll learn more about what sort of specialty you may be interested in. After the bulk of your rotations experiences in your third year, you’ll have to decide what sort of medicine you’d like to pursue. This decision will dictate what sort of elective courses you’ll take in your fourth and final year of med school, as well as how long you’ll spend in your residency (get more information on this in the Residency section). Med school rotations are a bit more productive than the one the hamster’s doing on this wheel. Year 4: Pursuing Your Specialty As you now know, your fourth year is dedicated primarily to taking elective courses to prepare for your preferred specialty and continuing gaining hands-on experience. You’ll also take the USMLE Level 2 (it’s similar to the first examination, only testing more advanced knowledge)- it includes a clinical knowledge and clinical skills portion. Residency Residencies (also known as internships) are supervised positions at teaching hospitals. You’ll be matched to an available residency position through the National Resident Matching Program, also known as the NRMP. You’ll be able to note your preferences, but you won’t have ultimate decision-making power over your matches. Once the NRMP sets you up, you sort of have to take what you’re given. You’ll spend at least three years in your residency program, but may spend more there depending on your specialty. During your first year, you’ll be known as an intern- you’ll be at the bottom of the totem pole, but not for long. During your residency you’ll also need to pass your final licensing exam (USMLE-3). The third and final licensing exam is taken during the first year of your residency. It tests your ability to utilize your medical knowledge and provide care in an unsupervised setting, which is what you’d have to do as a licensed physician. You will receive a salary as a resident, but it won’t be much. The average resident gets about $48,000/year, which will cover living expenses and your minimum medical school loan payments. Here are some example specialties and their respective residency requirements: Anesthesiology- 4 years Dermatology- 4 years Emergency Medicine- 3-4 years General Surgery- 5 years Internal Medicine- 3 years Neurology- 4 years Obstetrics and Gynecology- 4 years Pathology- 4 years Pediatrics- 3 years Psychiatry- 4 years Radiology- 4-5 years Beyond the Residency Once you’ve finished with your residency and passed all your boards, you can officially practice independently as a licensed physician! It probably won’t take you long to find work. You may want to practice in a hospital, a clinic, or private practice. You’ll have to keep up with Continuing Medical Education in order to practice as a physician, no matter specialty. This ensures that you stay educated and up-to-date on the latest research and best medical practices. Your education doesn’t end here- you’ll be working to keep up with new information and best practices for the rest of your career. Summary This is a ton of information to take on at once, especially if you’re at the beginning of this process (or even if you’re still unsure about becoming a doctor). There are a few good things you should take away from this, though: You don’t have to decide at the beginning of college that you want to become a doctor (although it does make it easier to fulfill pre-med requirements). The path to becoming a physician isn’t completely rigid, especially if you’re interested in other biological and physical science careers. You don’t have to think about all of these steps at the same time. Once you’re in med school, your peers will be thinking about (and worrying about) the same things- there’s no way you’ll forget any important steps. Becoming a doctor is definitely not for everyone- getting into medical school is really tough, and you still have a lot of training to complete after you graduate. But if you decide you want to enter the medical profession, you now have the info you need to start off on the right foot. What’s Next? If you want more information on what to do to prepare for med school while you’re in high school, you’re in the right place. Check out our guide on 59 great medical programs for high school students and our list of the 7 books every pre-med student should read. Starting to research different college or med school options? Start off with this complete list of BA/MD and BS/MD programs in the US. You may also be interested in our step-by-step guide on how to get into a BS/MD program. Want to improve your SAT score by 160 points or your ACT score by 4 points? We've written a guide for each test about the top 5 strategies you must be using to have a shot at improving your score. Download it for free now: