Self Reflection Paper Essay Example for Free

Self Reflection Paper Essay As a young boy growing up in a rural town (Dublin, VA) in Southwest Virginia, the furthest thing from my mind was â€Å"learning styles†. We had one stop light, a tight knit community where everyone knew everyone. The only learning we concerned ourselves with consisted of the lake, the river and the local church grounds. We went fishing, we liked to swim and participate in local sports activities (whatever sport that was relevant at the time) against local neighbor kids. Our learning was not about how we learned; it was about fitting in and learning how to be a great fisherman and a good athlete. What was important was fitting in both socially and athletically. I came from a family where education wasn’t important. The community, working hard and making a living were the important aspects of life. Learning style and school were the furthest things from my mind. However, once I started high school it all changed, I realized I had a dream to pursue. During high school it was my dream to play college football. Randy Flinchumm a special teams football coach made me realize that I was capable of living my dreams. He said â€Å"Son you have the talent to make it to college on your abilities, but your grades have to get better to qualify you to get into college†. I never took school seriously; it was boring and I struggled with the subjects I was trying to learn. I found classes were difficult. For me, classes which were fun and interesting were those that included charts, diagrams and physical activities that would allow me to stay focused and to really understand what I was learning. I had never heard of learning styles until now, here at the University of Phoenix. While taking Com/516 and reading an article called â€Å"Different Strokes: Learning Styles in the Classroom†, I have learned about three learning styles. There are three: Visual, Auditory, and Kinesthetic. In the article â€Å"The Effect of Learning Styles on Education and the Teaching Process† by Ibrahium, he tells us that visual learning is where the student uses items such as charts, pictures, diagrams and animations to learn. He also explains further that auditory student’s use listening as means of learning and kinesthetic learners use physical activities rather than watching and listening to a demonstration.

Synthesis And Characterization Of Glycerol Based Polymer Biology Essay

Synthesis And Characterization Of Glycerol Based Polymer Biology Essay In oleochemical industry, glycerol (1,2,3-propanetriol) is always produced as a by-product in the manufacturing of acids, soaps, methyl esters, alcohols or nitrogen-containing derivatives. It can also be made from propene via epichlorohydrin (1-chloro-2,3-epoxypropane). However, the petrochemical supply route is less important due to the increasing supply of glycerol from oleochemical industry, the high price of propene and the demand for epichlorohydrin for other purposes (Gunstone Henning, 2004). Figure 1.1 Glycerol Glycerol possesses a unique combination of physical and chemical properties which are utilized in many commercial products. It is hygroscopic, colourless, odorless, viscous, sweet-tasting, low boiling point, non-toxic, emollient, a good solvent, and water soluble. Besides, it is easily biodegradable (Gunstone Henning, 2004). Furthermore, it is very stable under normal storage conditions, compatible with many other chemical materials, non-irritating in its various uses, and does not have negative effects on the environment (Pagliaro Rossi, 2008). The glycerol market is currently undergoing radical changes, driven by very large supplies of glycerol arising from biodiesel production. The effort to reduce the dependence on foreign oil has increased the production of biodiesel and glycerol is the major co-product from the transesterification process used to produce biodiesel. Hence, there is a need to find new uses for glycerol. Polymerization is one of the methods which large amount of glycerol can be used (Wyatt et al., 2006). There two types of polymerizations. First, soluble products are obtained regardless of the extent to which the reaction is carried toward completion. The products formed are mainly linear polymers. The second type of polymerization is those that lead to gelled or insoluble products, provided that the reaction is carried far enough. The reactants are capable of producing large three dimensional molecules (Flory, 1941). According to Flory (1941), gelation occurs only when there is the possibility of unlimited growth in three dimensions. It is a significant characteristic of polymerizing systems to have a sharply defined gel point at a certain critical extent of reaction which is independent of temperature, amount of catalyst and so on. Through polymerization of glycerol, the pre-polymers synthesized could be further reacted to produce longer chains of hyperbranched polymers. Hyperbranched polymers belong to the family of macromolecules known as dendrimers. Dendrimers are highly branched monodispersed molecules produced by multistep syntheses. Preparation of dendrimers requires a high degree of purity of the starting material and high yields of the individual synthetic step. On the other hand, hyperbranched polymers are randomly branched molecules prepared by a simple one-step reaction (Wyatt et al., 2006) via polyaddition, polycondensation, radical polymerisation, and so forth, of an ABn monomer (Vogtle et al., 2009). Due to their unique combination of low viscosity, excellent solubility, and facile synthesis, hyperbranched polymers have received significant attention (Lin, Q Long, T.E., 2003). Reaction of the functional A groups with the functional B (coupling) groups of a second monomer molecule gives rise to randomly branched molecule. Since the C groups are present in excess (n à ¢Ã¢â‚¬ °Ã‚ ¥ 2), crosslinking are avoided from the outset. Reaction can be brought to a standstill by addtion of stopper components. Since the synthesis of hyperbranched polymers does not involve coupling to core molecule, but only ABn monomers react with one another. Both branched molecules and linear sequences maybe formed (Vogtle et al., 2009). Hyperbranched polymers produced from diacids (A2) and glycerol (B3) are an example of the AB2 system. AB2 monomers are not readily available and kinetic calculations show that the first condensation reaction, which produces an AB2 species, is faster than the subsequent polymer propagation. Thus, the remainder of the reaction progresses as polycondensation between AB2-type species prior to the gel point. Several methods have been used to avoid gelation in A2+B3 systems, including performing the reactions in dilute solutions or reacting them in the absence of solvents while monitoring. This glycerol-based polymer is expected to show similar properties and characteristics as polyalkylene glycol (PAG). A polyalkylene glycol having the general formula: HO-[R-O-]n H in which n has a value of at least 2 and R is an alkylene radical containing at least 10 carbon atoms. PAG liquid are used as synthetic lubricants in many diverse applications. Thus, glycerol-based polymers could also have the potential to be use as high performance lubricant, coolant or as a lubricant additive (such as viscosity modifier). Materials with polymeric structures can be used in lubricant to enhance its properties, such as viscosity, pour point and so on. It can be used as starting material for certain types of additives. These polymeric additives can be viscosity modifier, pour point depressants, emulsifiers and demulsifiers, and foam inhibitor in lubricants (Totten, G.E. et al., 2003). Oils can be effective lubricants at low temperature. However, at higher temperature, they become less effective. To overcome this problem, viscosity modifiers are useful in minimizing viscosity variations with temperature. Viscosity modifier is a polymer with average molecular weights of 10000 to 150000. At all temperatures, viscosity modifier is able to increase oils viscosity. The thickening of oil at lower temperature is less than that at higher temperature. At low temperatures, the polymer molecules occupying a small volume have a minimum association with the bulk oil. The situation is reversed at high temperatures as the polymer chains expand due to the increased thermal energy. Besides, at higher temperatures, polymers are more soluble and therefore cause the viscosity to increase(Totten, G.E. et al., 2003). There are two types of viscosity modifiers available commercially: olefin-based polymers and ester polymers. Polyisobutylenes (PIBs), olefin copolymers (OCPs), and hydrogenated styrene-diene (STDs) polymers. Ester polymers include polymethacrylates (PMAs) and styrene ester polymers (SEs) (Totten, G.E. et al., 2003). Literature Review In a research done by Wyatt and his co-workers (2006), novel oligomeric prepolymers were synthesized by acid-catalyzed condensation of glycerol with iminodiacetic. The prepolymers were obtained after purification by chromatography in an average yield of 62%. The compounds were characterized by using 13C NMR, 1H NMR, matrix assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight-mass spectrometry, and gel permeation chromatography. It was discovered that linear products bearing cyclic urethane structures were obtained in the reaction between iminodiacetic acid and glycerol. Qi Lin and Timothy E. Long (2003) studied the polymerization of A2 with B3 monomers to produce hyperbranched poly(aryl estrer)s. A dilute bisphenol A (A2) solution was added slowly to a dilute 1,3,5-benzene tricarbonyl trichloride (B3) solution at 25 °C to prepare hyperbranched poly(aryl ester)s in the absence of gelation. The molar ratio of A2:B3 was maintained at 1:1. The maximum final monomer concentration was ~0.08 M. The phenol functionalities were quantitatively consumed during the polycondensation. This was showed in 1H NMR spectroscopy and derivitization of terminal groups. Two model compounds were synthesized to identify 1H NMR resonances for linear, dentritic, and terminal units. The final degree of branching was determined to be ~50%. The hyperbranched polymers exhibited lower glass transition temperatures compared to their analogues. J.F. Stumbe and Bernd Bruchmann (2003) also used the A2+B3 approach to prepare hyperbranched polyesters with controlled molecular weights and properties. The process was carried out by reacting glycerol and adipic acid without any solvents. Tin catalysts was used. The products were evaluated by size exclusion chromatography(SEC) analysis and NMR spectroscopy to determine molecular weights and degrees of branching. A study was also carried out on the glycerol esters from reaction of glycerol with dicarboxylic esters. The glycerol esters were synthesized by the base catalyzed reaction of glycerol with aliphatic dicarboxylic acid esters (such as dimethyl oxalate, dimethyl glutarate, dimethyl adipate, etc). Various parameters that may affect the transesterification were studied in order to optimize the yield of products. The reactions were carried out by varying the glycerol/ester molar ratios. The optimum ratio was 4:1, whereby the quantity of the monoester was 60% after 8 h. The conversion decreased slightly when the molar ratio exceeded 4:1. At higher temperatures, the amount of monoester in the reaction mixtures increased and it reached a maximum level after 6 h when the reaction was carried out at 100  °C to 120  °C. It took 8 h at a lower temperature. However, the overall yield at the end of the reaction was not affected by the temperature. The formation of both monoester and diester wer e produced in an overall yield of 80% after 15 h of reaction time (Cho et al., 2006). Sunder et. al. (1999) carried out a controlled synthesis of hyperbranched polyglycerols by ring opening multibranching polymerization. Hyperbranched aliphatic polyethers with controlled molecular weights and narrow molecular weight distribution were prepared via anionic polymerization of glycidol with rapid cation-exchange equilibrium. Glycidol which represents a cyclic AB2 monomer was polymerized in a ring-opening multibranching (ROMBP). The anionic polymerization was carried out under slow addition conditions with partially deprotonated (10%) 1,1,1-tris(hydroxymethyl)propane (TMP) as the initiator. 13C NMR, MALDI-TOF spectrometry, vapor pressure osmometry (VPO), and GPC were used to characterize molecular weights and polydispersities of the polyols formed. The 13C NMR spectra used to assess the degree of branching (DB) ranged from 0.53-0.59. A complete attachment of hyperbranched polymers to TMP initiator and the absence of macrocyclics were showed in MALDI-TOF spectra. There was n o macrocyclics or hyperbranched macromolecule obtained, due to slow addtion. T.J. Mulkern and N.C. Beck Tan (2000) studied a series of blends of hyperbranched polyester with high molecular weight polystyrenes. The processability and compatibility in the blends were investigated as a function of volume fraction of hyperbranched polyols (HBP) added and reactivity of the matrix phase. Due to its low viscosity and high reactivity, HBP polymers are suitable for reactive polymer blending. Through processing and rheological studies, it was found that HBPs are effective processing aids. A significant drop in the blend viscosity occurs immediately on addition of HBP, even at levels as low as 2 vol. %. In 1934, Herman Bruson discovered a synthetic oil additive when he was exploring the synthesis and possible applications of longer alkyl side chain methacrylates. Brusons invention, polymethacrylates (PMAs) was found to have the potential to function as thickener or viscosity index improver for mineral oils. It increases viscosity at higher temperature more than at lower temperatures (Kinker, B.G., 2009). The alkly group in the ester portion of the polymer can be altered to obtain products with better oil solubility and viscosity-improving properties. It also have good compatibility with a large number of refined and synthetic basestocks. In a study by Duncan and Turner (1997), blends of lubricant basestocks with high viscosity complex alcohol esters were produced. The blend comprises of a polyhydroxyl compound R(OH)n, a polybasic acid and a monohydric alcohol. The complex alcohol ester showed a pour point of less than or equal to -20 °C and a viscosity in the range about 100-700 cSt at 40 °C. The lubricating oil according to Duncan and Turners invention has excellent lubricity as determined by engine performance, vane pump test, Yamaha Tightening Test, and reduced valve sticking. Besides, it has good stability as evidenced by the results of RBOT and Cincinnati Milacron tests. The lubricant has also unexpected biodegradability as measured by Sturm test (Duncan et al., 1997). Hunt et al. (1993) carried out supercritical fluid extraction to analyse liquid poly(alklene glycol)(PAG) lubricants and sorbitan ester formulations. The PAG matrix was adsorbed onto silica and the selectivity obtained by this method was compared with that obtained by the direct extraction of adsorbed and unadsorbed PAG. Extraction was also done for unadsorbed PAG through the in-line column and it was successful in separating additives from all but the lowest molecular mass PAG oligomers. This extraction procedure enabled fractionation of the product and could be used as a sample preparation technique for further spectroscopic analysis. It is difficult to produce polymers with narrow molecular weight distributions by traditional methods. Supercritical fluid technology is applied to overcome the conventional methods. The solubilty parameter of supercritical fluid can be tailored. Selective extraction and fractionation are possible from multi-component mixtures. The key to making high quality polymers is to ensure precise control of molecular weight and polydispersity at high yield while keeping residual contaminants below acceptable tolerance levels. Hernandez et. al. (2005) tested the rolling fatigue of three polyglycols (PAG-9, PAG-12 and BREOX-B-135X). Polyglycols (also called PAG or polyalkylene glycols) are widely used in the lubrication industry. These compounds have very high viscosity indexes, very low pour points, a high thermal conductivity with respect to mineral oils, hydrolytic stability, etc. Rolling fatigue tests were carried out using IP-300 standard in order to obtain the characterization of the fluids. A four ball test machine was used and 10% life (L10) and 50% life (L50) were obtained. The stress-time curves for L10 and L50 were also determined. All polyglycols were tested under boundary lubrication regime (ÃŽÂ » In oils of the same family, the pressure-viscosity coefficient is relatively constant. An increase in viscosity improved the minimum film thickness with the consequent increase of the ÃŽÂ » ratio. Fatigue life is largely a function of the ratio of lubricating film thickness to composite surface roughness (ÃŽÂ » ratio). Differences in ÃŽÂ » ratio for the three polyglycols resulted in different asperity interactions and rolling contact fatigue lives. With regard to rolling contact fatigue, the choice of viscosity class should avoid asperity interaction, so that the only mode of failure will be subsurface failure. Although average pressure in the contact was the same, increase in viscosity from PAG-9 to BREOX-B135X improved the ÃŽÂ » ratio from 0.18 to 0.34. At less ÃŽÂ » An investigation was then carried put by Garcia and co-workers on PC-SAFT volumetric and phase behavior of carbon dioxide + PAG or POE lubricant systems. The densities of synthetic PAG oil was measured from 283.15 K to 333.15 K while the solubilities of CO2 in this oil was measured from 253 K to 333.15 K. Molecular weight of the lubricant was estimated using fast atom bombardment (FAB). Molecular weight and experimental densities were used to calculate characteristic parameters of PC-SAFT model for several commercial PAG oils. Transferable characteristic parameters were used for POEs. The thermophysical properties and phase behaviour of CO2-lubricant oil mixtures is important for the design of refrigeration and air-conditioning. The circulating fluid comes into contact with the lubricant used in compressors and a portion of the oil is transported into the refrigeration circuit with various effects in terms of performance. If the oil is immiscible with the refrigerant, the compressor may be damaged due to poor oil return to the compressor. Oil may accumulate inside the heat exchanger tubes reducing heat transfer capabilities, enthalpy change and resulting in an overall decrement of the refrigeration capacity and cycle performance. In addition, high solubility of the refrigerant in the lubricant may reduce the viscosity of the oil-rich phase and results in lower lubrication properties which gives rise to breakdown of the compressor mechanical parts. Hauk Weidner (2000) studied the thermodynamic and fluid-dynamic properties of carbon dioxide with different lubricants in cooling circuits for automobile application. The datas of the binary mixture were measured at temperatures between 5 and 100  °C under pressure of up to 150 bar. The phase behavior was observed qualitatively in a hugh-pressure view cell and was determined in an autoclave based on a static-analytical method. The viscosity of the lubricant saturated with carbon dioxide was measured with an integrated quartz viscosimeter. The applicability of lubricants in car-climatization systems can be evaluated with the knowledge of phase behavior and the resulting viscosity of gas-saturated lubricantsThe phase behavior of oils with carbon dioxide can be divided into three different types which are binary systems with closed miscibility gaps, systems with open miscibility gaps, and systems that show barotropic phenomena. Oils that show barotropic behavior in contact with compressed carbon dioxide are not recommended as lubricants. Oils with complete or limited miscibility with carbon dioxide may be used. Firdovsi Yagoub (2006) investigated the synthetic heat carrier oil compositions based on polyalklene glycols. Thermal stability, mass loss on vaporisation at 250  °C, 350  °C and changing the specifications after heating at 300  °C for 10 h were also studied. The prepared PAGs have been taken as basic components for heat carrier oil compositions. It was discovered that the specifications of PAGs such as viscosity indices, pour points, acid number and flash points changed dramatically upon heat treating. In order to improve the thermal stability and viscosity indices, anti-oxidant and anti-foaming additives were added to the base material to reach optimum compositions. The obtained heat carrier oils showed comparable improved properties in comparison with commercially available heat carriers. Methodology This project will be divided into 2 stages as listed below. Poly(glycerol-diacid) polymer will be prepared by using different hydrocarbon chain length of diacids (such as azelaic, succinic and adipic acid). The products will be analysed in order to study their chemical and physical properties. Phase 1 : Chemical reactions of glycerol with different hydrocarbon chain length of diacid compounds (e.g. azelaic, succinic or adipic acid) at different mole ratios, are carried out under N2. The mixtures were charged to a reaction vessel equipped with distillation apparatus. The reaction product is allowed to react at the desired temperature and time. Acid value (AV), hydroxyl value (OHV) and glycerol content will be measured to maintain the reaction progress. Optimization of the reaction parameters will be studied by varying different reaction parameters such as type and amount of diacid, reaction time, temperature and pressure. The final product will be washed, dried and characterised. Phase 2 : The products obtained will be analysed by using both High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) and Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS). Other instrumentation such as Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FT-IR), Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) and Gel Permeation Chromatography (GPC) will also be utilised to further confirm their molecular structure. Physical properties of the products obtained such as viscosity, solubility, flash point, fire point, density, specific gravity, biodegradability, and oxidative stability will be performed. Expected result: Polymers resulting from the copolymerisation of glycerol with diacids of varying carbon chain length, molecular structure, and composition will be obtained. Structures having more than two free acid functionalities at the end-terminals can occur only after branching. As the time of reaction proceeds, the viscosity increases which limits the interaction between the reactants and the growing polymers. The water solubilty of the oligomers decreases with increasing chain length of the diacid monomers of the diacid monomers used in preparing the oligomers. This glycerol based polymers are expected to possess wide range of applications such as cosmetics and lubricants.

Comparing Functionism, Marxism, and Social Action Theory Essay

Sociology is generally made up of three paradigms: Functionalism, Conflict Theory and Symbolic interactionism. A paradigm is a set of assumptions that shape and underlie explanations of why society is the way it is (Early Stratification Theory, internet 2003). Functional Theory is often traced from Durkheim, Parsons and Merton. Functionalists believe in shared norms and values, which are influenced by the Family, Education, church and employment. It sees society as a shaper of people rather than people shaping society. The functionalist says we need social order in which to survive normally. Roles are also important to the functionalist for example the roles in marriage. The functionalist believe we as humans look at the roles played around us, for example, our parents and then we copy them. We think the pattern of life that we see is a natural one. We learn roles from our family thus the son is expected to take the role/job of his father as is the daughter expected to cook and clean akin to her mother. The role of the family is to socialise its new members and teaches them the norms and values essential to the social life, working together to make society work as a whole. The church's role according to the functionalist, plays a major role in holding society together by endowing it's agreed values and beliefs with sacredness and, through rituals, eter Worsley 1970 pg 475) Harmony, common consent, unity, unanimity and agreement are common words used by the functionalist. If we all agree to peace and goodwill, have respect for each other and stick together and follow the guidelines set down for us by our an... ...me, although I understand we need the basis of structures and economics but we also need to be able to make up our own minds and direct our own actions. BIBLIOGRAPHY Berger, P. and Kellner, H. (1981) Sociology reinterpreted. U.K. Pelican books. Class: An Introduction (internet) Available from: http://www.sociologyonline.co.uk/soc essays/class.htm accessed 29.10.03 Early Stratification Theory (internet) Available from: http://www.wise.virginia.edu/p_withen/reviews/ST/STRev/revSTO4earlystratth.html accessed 29.10.03 Weber, M. (1999) (internet) available from: http://uregina.ca/~gingrich/S30f99.htm accessed on 29.10.03 Worsley, P. (ED) (1970) The New Introducing Sociology Penguin books Middlesex impressing them upon society's members and renewing and reinforcing their attachment to them. (P

Oppression and Class warfare Exposed in Dr. Howard Zinn’s A People’s Hi

Dr. Howard Zinn’s A People’s History of the United States might be better titled A Proletarian’s History of the United States. In the first three chapters Zinn looks at not only the history of the conquerors, rulers, and leaders; but also the history of the enslaved, the oppressed, and the led. Like any American History book covering the time period of 1492 until the early 1760’s, A People’s History tells the story of the â€Å"discovery† of America, early colonization by European powers, the governing of these colonies, and the rising discontent of the colonists towards their leaders. Zinn, however, stresses the role of a number of groups and ideas that most books neglect or skim over: the plight of the Native Americans that had their numbers reduced by up to 90% by European invasion, the equality of these peoples in many regards to their European counterparts, the importation of slaves into America and their unspeakable travel conditions and treatment, the callous buildup of the agricultural economy around these slaves, the discontented colonists whose plight was ignored by the ruling bourgeoisie, and most importantly, the rising class and racial struggles in America that Zinn correctly credits as being the root of many of the problems that we as a nation have today. It is refreshing to see a book that spends space based proportionately around the people that lived this history. When Columbus arrived on the Island of Haiti, there were 39 men on board his ships compared to the 250,000 Indians on Haiti. If the white race accounts for less than two hundredths of one percent of the island’s population, it is only fair that the natives get more than the two or three sentences that they get in most history books. Zinn cites population figures, first person accounts, and his own interpretation of their effects to create an accurate and fair depiction of the first two and a half centuries of European life on the continent of North America. The core part of any history book is obviously history. In the first three chapters of the book, Zinn presents the major historical facts of the first 250 years of American history starting from when Christopher Columbus’s Nià ±a, Pinta, and Santa Maria landed in the Bahamas on October 12, 1492. It was there that Europeans and Native A... ...form of rhetoric, concessions, and propaganda calling for loyalty to America’s upper classes and rebellion, first quiet and then loud, against England. â€Å"[The bind of loyalty] was the language of liberty and equality, which could unite just enough whites to fight a Revolution against England, without ending either slavery or inequality† (58). Zinn is absolutely correct in seeing the ulterior motives of our founding fathers; they realized that splitting from England would be good for them financially, socially, and politically. What they did was harness the people’s anger against them and used it, quite ironically, for their own advancement. Ultimately, for the first 250 years of America’s history, there was oppression and class warfare on varying scales that are traditionally ignored or unemphasized by traditional history texts, but Zinn masterfully shows the reader are major and influencial parts of American history. To ignore the plight of the conquored and oppressed is to ignore a part of history that cannot be ignored. Work Cited Zinn, Howard, A People’s History of the United States, New York: Harper and Row Publishers, 1980

Comparing the Grandmother in The Necklace and A Good Man is Hard to Fin

The Grandmother in The Necklace and A Good Man is Hard to Find The main characters Mrs. Loisel in "The Necklace" and the grandmother in "A Good Man is Hard to Find" are very similar because both these characters refused to admit to a mistake that they had made. They both had the same motivation prior to the mistake and they also had the same reason as to why they wanted to keep quiet about it. Although Mrs. Lisle's and the grandmother's penalties were different, it is still fair to compare the two because either way, dead or alive, both their lives were ruined. Mrs. Loisel and the grandmother are very similar due to the fact that they both had the same motivation prior to their accident. It was a selfish motivation that cost them their lives. Mrs. Loisel's character was selfish in "The Necklace" because instead of wearing flowers like her husband suggested, she chose to borrow her friend's jewelry. "You can wear some natural flowers. At this season they look very chic. For ten francs you can have two or three magnificent roses. 'No, she replied, there is nothing more humiliating than to have a shabby air in the midst of rich women.'" (67) This is truly an act of selfishness on Mrs. Loisel's part. If she wouldn't have been so arrogant, she could have just worn the flowers to the party and it would have saved her a lot of trouble. The grandmother's character in "A Good Man is Hard to Find" is also very selfish in her motivations. She felt she had to lie to her son, daughter-in-law and her grandchildren in order for her to be able to see that nice house again. "'There was a secret panel in this house' she said craftily, not telling the truth but wishing that she were, 'and the story went that all the family sil... ... comparable because like I illustrated before, they were both selfish people. All in all, these two characters were very similar. They both had the same selfish motivations. They both wanted something, and they didn't care what they did to get it. They also had the same reasons for keeping their secrets quiet, they were afraid of embarrassment. And in the end they both ruined their lives. Mrs. Loisel had to be a hard working woman for 10 years, which really took a toll on her. The grandmother was killed, as well as the rest of her family. If Mrs. Loisel and the grandmother would have told the truth from the start none of this would have happened. But now, just like most everyone in life, they were forced to pay the consequences for doing something wrong. Even though they didn't deserve the punishment they got, I guess it was all in the "luck" of the draw.

African Americans and Racial Diversity

There are many organizations that advocate equality for African Americans in the United States. Many organizations will promote the African American race and show what concerns are being felt by their race. Those that advocate for their race give a description of how they fall in history, what discrimination they endured and what prejudice they still have to deal with. These groups and organizations promote the idea to bring discrimination to a stop in their cultures around the world. African Americans and Racial Equality African Americans have made their way to freedom, but have been left with a heavy burden of their ancestor’s slavery. Would they ever be seen as anything but slaves brought unwilling from Africa to the United States to be enslaved and be servants to the White Man? Those questions can be answered by looking at the history of African Americans and how they have become great leaders in this country. Rosa Parks may have not been the first Black woman to give up her seat on the bus, but she stared a chain of events that would eventually bring segregation to an end. That day in 1955, Rosa Parks paved the way for people like Barak Obama to become the first African American President the United States has ever had. Before that time, African Americans had endured slavery, segregation, discrimination, and prejudice because of the color of their skin. Many African American men fought for our country in the civil war so they could be granted freedom after they served. Butler (2013) stated, â€Å"the Fourteenth Amendment was added to the Constitution revoking that fateful decision and ensuring citizenship, with all its rights and esponsibilities, to everyone born in the United States regardless of race. † (para. 1). There have been several political, social, and cultural issues and concerns throughout American history. Some political issues African American have faces according to history. house. gov (2013) â€Å"Since 1870, when Senator Hiram Revels of Mississippi and Representative Joseph Rainey of South Carolina became the first African Americans to serve in Congress, a total of 139 African Americans have served as U. S. Representatives or Senators. Social issues among African Americans are discrimination and prejudice within the United States and beyond. Many are discriminated against because of their race. Many black men and women are deprived of the earning abilities of that of the White man. They make less money and live in poverty striking communities. Because of slavery, many African Americans feel as though they will never been seen equal to others because of their ancestors. Until this mind set changes, history will continue to run the ideas and future of African Americans. Some cultural issues among the African American throughout history would be being accepted into a culture. Many slaves when freed started large communities made up of just Blacks. Without the same education and opportunities as White men and woman, they fell into poverty and struggled to grow as respected Americans. This permits for crime rates to be higher because they had to survive any way they could if only by stealing to be able to live. These issues among African American still exist today. The NAACP has fought for African American rights for generations. According to â€Å"Naacp: 100 Years Of History† (2009-2013), â€Å"The NAACP seeks to remove all barriers of racial discrimination through the democratic processes. † (Founding Group). The have helped many African American groups with their right to vote because even after they were granted the right, many were still denied. The NAACP has fought along site African Americans to bring justice and rights to those people who worked so hard to become free and receive equal rights in the United States. The United States Supreme Court alleviated slavery, and wrote into law that ll people should be treated equal. They gave African Americans the right to vote and be equals in their communities and states. They also were granted the right to become government officials. Although these laws have been added, discrimination and prejudice still exist in the United States. The NAACP and other organizations have and continue to fight for the rights of African American and other races. Blackradicalcongress. org has a list of originations that promote blacks in our country. These groups give support to African Americans and show the history of their culture. African Americans may carry a heavy burden of slavery from their ancestors, but they have become the staples of our culture. Through their determination our country has changed to make way for new opportunities for us to grow as a Nation. Every man has equal opportunity to make change and live a life without discrimination and prejudice. It takes one person to show the world that change can happen. Let’s make a change. Let’s all live without discrimination and treat everyone as an equal to ourselves. Reference Butler, C.  (2013).  The African-American Experience FROM ENSLAVEMENT TO EMANCIPATION.  Retrieved from http://www.civilwar.org/education/history/african-american-experience/the-african-american.html History, Art & Archives, U.S. House of Representatives, â€Å"Black Americans in Congress,† http://history.house.gov/Exhibitions-and-Publications/BAIC/Black-Americans-in-Congress/ (July 07, 2013) NAACP: 100 Years of History. (2009-2013). Retrieved from http://www.naacp.org/pages/naacp-history Black Organizations. (). Retrieved from http://www.blackradicalcongress.org/

What is Behaviorism?

In the United States, there are two conflicting psychology schools of thought. The first is the introspective psychology which has also been considered as speculative psychology and the other being behaviorism psychology, which is also considered as objective psychology. Although introspective psychology has long been accepted in the field of psychology, behaviorism has not only begun to gain more ground among psychologists but it has also begun to contest and question the premise of introspective psychology and their method of analysis and research.It was only during the 19th century that development of the field of psychology began to become evident through the efforts of Wundt who is considered to be the father of experimental psychology. Wanting to find a solution on the mind-body problem, Wundt decided in 1879 to develop psychology as a science rather than a field of study associated with philosophy. He substituted the term â€Å"soul† with the concept of the â€Å"consc iousness† and eventually developed the introspective approach in the study of psychology.According to this approach to the study of psychology, the consciousness of the individual is the primary subject matter of psychology which led to psychologists such as William James to define psychology as the study aimed to describe and explain the various states of an individual’s consciousness. In order to do this, psychologists observe the consciousness through catching it as it occurs. This school of thought had become highly accepted that it had reached the United States from Germany and became the dominant form of psychological analysis in American universities.Among the most noted introspective psychologists in the United States were E. B. Thchener of Cornell University and William James of Harvard University. In 1912, a new group of psychologist emerged. These were the behaviorists or behavioral psychologists. They began to see the shortcomings of introspective psychology . As a result, behavioral psychologists decided that the information being discovered and disseminated are no longer sufficient and they began to create their own methods for the study of psychology.The first thing done by behavioral psychologists was to change the subject matter of the field of psychology. Because the consciousness is deemed to be unobservable, they began to search for some characteristic or trait of individuals that could be observed. It was then that they began to observe the behavior of individuals which has been defined as what an individual says or does. Hence, this approach of the study of psychology as the behaviorism school of psychology. Behaviorism has also been considered as the objective approach to the study of psychology.This is because behavioral psychologists gather facts about an individual’s behavior and analyze the data through the use of logic and mathematics. This is why behaviorism has been defined as a natural science that is intereste d in the adjustments done by individuals through the study of changes in the physiological conditions of the individual which they termed as the stimuli and the response the individual would have as a result of the stimulus presented. Based on the studies done by behavioral psychologists, there are four kinds of responses exhibited by individuals.The first kind of response is classified as overt or external responses. These responses are those responses that the individual in consciously aware of such as the act of sitting, standing or walking. The second kind of response is termed as internal or implicit responses. These responses are more difficult to observe since they involve responses that occur within the body of the individual such as digestion in the stomach of the individual after the individual takes in food. The third type of response is the unlearned response which refers to instinctive responses to stimuli such as breathing.The last form is classified as learned respons e which includes the habits done by the individual such as observed when an individual sits, facial reactions and hand gestures while communicating. Analysis Up to the 1900s, the study of the human psyche was hindered by the teachings of religion. Even today, people remain to be apprehensive if the new information that is presented is contrary to the generally accepted belief. Back then, it was the teachings of the Church that provided answers and explanations to life and the universe.This is why despite the desire of Wundt to establish psychology as a branch of science, the influence dualism had on him while he was growing up provided him a subject matter that cannot be observed. As a result, all the observations done and the theories conceptualized based on these observations were viewed as speculative and were frequently contested by fellow psychologists. Behaviorism psychology developed as a result of a group of psychologists who realized that the only their theories would not b e susceptible to much speculation from their peers is by substantiating these theories with verifiable data and results.This could only be done if their subject matter could be observed. Seeing that they would be able to observe the behavior of individuals, these psychologists broke away from the accepted notion that the consciousness of the individual is the basis of the study of psychology and instead viewed that it is the behavior, and not the consciousness, of the individual that is the prime subject of study of psychology.Today, it is clear to see that behaviorism has superseded introspective psychology as the practiced school of psychology with the association of the field of psychology as the field of science that is associated with the study of an individual’s behavioral patterns and the causes for such behavioral patterns to arise. This does not mean to say that introspective psychologists failed to contribute to the current accepted school of psychology. On the cont rary, introspective psychologists paved the way for psychology to develop as it is known today.Through the introduction of the introspective school of psychology, men in the field of neurology and the other sciences were presented a field of study that would allow them to understand the human psyche and the human mind more comprehensively. Being men of science, they would eventually find loopholes to a theory or finding made by one of their peers. This would result to them further studying the human mind. It was through this process that behavioral psychologists were able to determine the shortcoming of this field of science.As a result, behaviorism through the scientific method used to validate assumptions may be able to determine just how close the speculations stipulated by the introspective psychologists were in their assumptions about the human mind and psyche. Finally, the development of behaviorism shows that psychology is continuously evolving. This is because the subject ma tter being studied is the human mind, which is considered as the most complex body part of one of the most complex, if not the most complex, organisms on this planet.