Philosophy and Socrates Essay

SOCRATES THE PHILOSOPHER Socrates is a noteworthy and important historical figure as a philosopher, because of his and his pupils’ influence on the development of the philosophical world. His teachings, famous arguments, and ideas began the outgrowth of all later western philosophies. Born in 469 BC just outside of Athens, Socrates was brought up properly, and thoroughly educated. He was raised as most Athenians; developing both physical and mental strengths. Socrates then went on to learn from Archelaus the philosopher. Here he studied astronomy, mathematics, and was introduced to philosophy, which was a new concept at the time. Archelaus taught of explanations for the world with a scientific approach. Socrates, however, turned away from this idea and created his own. He decided that instead of trying to understand the universe, a person should try to understand himself. To express his philosophy, Socrates spent his days in the marketplace of Athens, telling people of his ideas. His voice was heard, and he was soon declared to be the wisest of all men. Socrates’ was skilled in the art of arguing. He developed a method by which he would win every debate. His favorite hobby was going to the marketplace and debating philosophical issues with other men in front of an audience. The result of these debates was that Socrates embarrassed the wise men in front of the crowd. This caused many to dislike him. After being named the wisest man, Socrates attempted to prove that this was not true. He debated with many men in the streets. These debates are some of his most famous argument methods. He started the discussion by stating that he knew nothing. As a result of the debate, he was able to prove that although his opponents claimed that they were wise, they knew nothing either. Socrates concluded that he really was the wisest man because unlike the others, he knew that he knew nothing. Socrates had many ideas and philosophies concerning issues other than the knowledge of oneself. These included explanations of the universe, the belief in god, and life’s goals. Other, earlier philosophers, had many different interpretation for the makeup of the world. Some believed that it was made out of numbers, others thought that it was made of a single substance, or many different substances, while still conflicting philosophers theorized that everything was formed out of atoms, and even illusions. Socrates had his own, different ideas. He believed that the world was made of forms that are not within the reach of our senses, but only of our thoughts. This means, for example, that when we think of characteristics such as roundness, we only picture ideas of it like a ball or a wheel. Therefore, he assumed that we only understand specific things that participate in our lives. In his search for the inner truth of oneself, Socrates theorized the explanation to the question of what the goals of life are. He concluded that everyone tries to find the meaning of happiness and goodness in their existence. This is the purpose of life. However, true happiness comes in many forms and is disguised in a way that people spend their lives looking for goodness, but finding only the evil in which it is concealed. The only way to discover true happiness, goodness, and the right way, is to fully understand oneself. Socrates did not believe in the Greek gods or religion. He had his personal view of god. Socrates felt that there must be some form of divine power because everyone seemed to believe in some kind of god and religion. He also believed in a sort of immortality. He hypothesized that there was an afterlife. His explanation for it was that people who had achieved goodness in their lives knew where they were going afterwards, and that evil people tried to ignore the fact that immortality existed. He preached that the soul was a person’s true being, and that our goodness in life reflected on the goodness of our souls. According to Socrates, each individual should try to make his soul as moral as possible so that it can be like god, which will allow the achievement of an afterlife. Debating in the marketplace of Athens was not Socrates’ only daily activity. He also taught his philosophies to a group of students in a small classroom. These students were much like disciples. They respected and followed in the philosophies of their teacher. Socrates’ most famous pupil, Plato, went on to become a great philosopher like his mentor. Socrates lived through and fought in the Peloponnesian War. After Athens’ defeat, the democracy was replaced by a tyranny. This did not bother Socrates much because his belief in government was a rather simple and apathetic one. He thought that no matter what kind of government subsists; it should be followed solely because a form of law and order must exist in a society to control it. One of the tyranny’s leaders was a former pupil of Socrates and hated his teacher. He tried to make life harder for Socrates by banning the t eaching of philosophy in the streets. Socrates ignored him. In response to this, the tyrant tried to kill Socrates; but the tyranny was overthrown right on time to prevent this. A new democratic government came into power, the leader of which, Anytus, also hated Socrates because his son, who was the philosopher’s pupil, turned away from the family’s business to become a philosopher. Anytus had Socrates arrested on charges of corrupting Athens’ young and turning them away from Paganism, the Greek religion involving a belief in many gods. Anytus announced the death penalty as a punishment for this crime. It was obviously an outrageous sentence for a crime that was not even committed. Socrates was brought before a jury and instead of using his debating skills to defend himself, he did nothing in his own defense because he was convinced that the entire trial was a joke. The jury voted on the death penalty. Now Socrates had a chance to appeal to the court. He was entitled to suggest forms of punishment other than death to satisfy his crime. Instead of proposing a reasonable penalty, Socrates suggested ridiculous ones which angered the jury; causing them to vote on the death penalty once again. Socrates did not seem to mind at all. He was sent to prison and lived their surrounded by his friends and disciples for his last few days. His life ended by drinking hemlock as his friends cried at his bedside. Only after this scandalous death, did all of Greece realize what they had done; that they had killed one of the greatest philosophers of all time. Socrates’ life achievements were vast. He introduced new ideas and theories into the philosophical world. His pupil, Plato, went on to influence all of the western world’s philosophical development. Socrates began the evolution of philosophy throughout the world. He took the first step toward advancing modern philosophy, as we know it. His theories and ideas were a whole new concept that helped progress the western philosophy through all of later history. In conclusion, Socrates’ historical importance is great, due to his extreme influence on the evolution of the world’s ideas of philosophy. Even though Socrates never made written records of his work, his finest and most successful pupil, Plato, recorded much of his teacher’s accomplishments and deeds. From these history has learned so much as to be able to advance and heighten its entire philosophical viewpoints; and until this day, learn from the ancient philosopher, Socrates. INTERVEIW WITH A PHILOSOPHER: Mark ? Socrates, you were raised and educated in many different fields, why did you decide to spend your life as a philosopher? Socrates ? It is true that I have been educated in the arts, literature, and gymnastics as a youth; but in my continuing education as you may already know, I was taught by Anaxagoras, the famous early philosopher. His theories were not ones with which I would agree; such as those stating that all things were made of tiny substances which contained a little of everything, that the sun was a hot rock, and that the moon was made of earth. For these teachings, he was banished from Athens. Nevertheless, he was a good teacher and allowed me to realize that my philosophies were going to be antiscientific and quite different from his. My following philosophical teacher was Archelaus, with whom I studied mathematics, astronomy, and philosophy. I knew that my opinions and theories were strong, I had performing and arguing skills, and my ideas would consist of principles rather than sciences. The simple lifestyle of the philosopher appeals to me. I enjoyed the unusual behaviors that I associated myself with. All that really interested me was the great mysteries of philosophy, and the questions of knowing oneself, which I devoted my life to learning and teaching. Mark ? Your teaching was remarkable and much can be learned from studying it even after your death; why is that you never bothered to record your works for later generations? Socrates ? Many have asked this before and for quite obvious reasons. Most other noteworthy historical figures did keep a record of their works ever since the invention of written language, yet not one of mine exists in writing. I do not exactly know the reason for this. Whether there are records of my work or not, does not matter. I will forever be remembered by my loyal pupils, the Athenian population, and the world. Furthermore, nothing I ever said was of too great importance. And to tell you the truth, I never really wanted to take the time to keep useless records. That nonsense did not concern me nearly as much as most of my other problems as a philosopher. I had to make money somehow, to support my wife and three sons. As you might have guessed, being a philosopher does not exactly bring you riches. One of the reasons I began teaching was to make money. Also, I had to deal with many people’s constant hatred of me, mainly due to my victories in debates against them. Some, with high political positions, even wanted me dead at points of my life. And one even succeeded. So, you see, no matter how simple and easy going my life may seem, there are quite a few difficulties attached to it. Mark ? Your trial and death are quite interesting and famous historical events. They have been interpreted by many and confused some; what caused you to make such drastic and unusual decisions, the consequence of which you knew forehand? Socrates ? This I am aware of. As a matter of fact, some even claim that I was mentally ill, and blame that as the cause for my actions. This of course I deny. The truth includes a mixture between my philosophical beliefs and the thoughts that have occurred to me during my last days. I always believed that there is an after-life. And that must have somehow influenced my decisions. Even though the religious part of this came to me only afterwards. At first many others and I thought that this ridiculous trial was an obvious hoax. Who would have thought that such a crime, which I was evidently not guilty of, be punished by the death penalty. I fooled with the court. They on the other hand were quite serious about it. In the last days, I realized that there was no way out. True I could have argued with the court and won. I could have escaped using the plan devised by my dear friends. But since there was a high-ranking leader who wanted me dead, it was going to happen no matter what. Furthermore, my governmental beliefs stand true in all situations; the law should be followed and that is all. There was not much I was willing to do. After some thinking, I decided to go along with the law, after all, I had lived a happy life. One that I was proud of living, no matter how unusual it may appear to others. I was an old man of seventy. I found and understood myself, and had achieved happiness and goodness. There was nothing more that I desired. I knew what was waiting for me after death and was ready for it. Word Count: 2066.

Colors of Love Essay

They say in love nothing is impossible. Height, weight, distance and of course age is just a damn number. To love is a great feeling but to be loved is a much greater feeling. But it’s hard to be hurt, that feeling like when your heart’s gonna burst and while in pain, you’re just crying and crying and crying. The first time I saw him, I was starstrucked! â€Å"Wow, he’s so tall and kinda handsome. Does he have any talent and is he that smart enough? If he does, then he’s already!† When my classmates and I began to study with him the girls were like â€Å"Oh my gosh!† they started to like him. â€Å"If only I could, tsk† I murmured. At first, I thought that love isn’t true because reading then studying and vice versa are the things I only do, because my goals are to finish my studies in the best university, then to have a job with a high salary, and to have my own family, as simple as that. We are not very rich just rich alone. My mother is a doctor; in fact she belongs to the family of doctors, while my father is an engineer and a president in one of the biggest hotel and casino here in the Philippines. They both met in Europe while having a vacation in Switzerland. My family owned a lot of businesses and properties worldwide. But, even though, I can live without working, I still wanna pursue my dreams on my own. I have an older sister and she’s eight years older than me, but we are still very close. She is my best friend and mentor. She has no boyfriend; I mean she doesn’t have a boyfriend anymore. By the way enough with my life, let’s go back to my story. After a while I get to know him and to my surprise he doesn’t have any girlfriend. The more we have conversations the more I fall to him. Then one day, he uttered all the characteristics he wanted for a girl. â€Å"Of course I want an honest and loyal in a way that she won’t flirt with others, responsible, kind-hearted, loving and sweet ‘cause I want a girl who can take good care of me, smart, has a great sense of humour, since I don’t want a boring girl and she should know how to make me smile and laugh, knows how to cook well, pretty and with a killer smile and also a prayerful one.† He said that while smiling. â€Å"Shit! His voice is so attractive. The way he smiled made me speechless† I mumbled. Then jokingly he asked me. â€Å"How about you what do you want for a guy?† â€Å"I want a guy who loves me a lot, and only me alone, protective and concerned but not in a way that I’ll not be suffocated, I want a guy who allots his time for me, I also wants who loves me not with what I have but with who I am, an honest one that will not hurt and give me pain, brave and strong and ready to stand-up for me, of course I also think about our future, so that, I want a smart, resourceful and an industrious one. The looks and talent should be there also but being taller than me and a sport minded one is an edge.† â€Å"Whoa! You are still young but you think and plan deeper than me, on the other hand, is it really possible that we can find the one for us that has the attitudes we like?† â€Å"Yes, if God and the future will be good to us. But God won’t give us the things we wanted, but, instead, He bestows us the things we needed.† â€Å"You’re right; by the way I ha ve a class to attend to. Just study first, your too young for love.† When I got home, I was like an idiot smiling and laughing alone. Until my sister noticed me, she asked â€Å"Hey, why are you smiling like a freak there? Want to share? Is it about your lovelife?† â€Å"Ye†¦Ã¢â‚¬  â€Å"But I want to share my story to you first† â€Å"Okay† â€Å"Do you know that my ex-boyfriend’s cousin has a friend. Then his friend has a brother that I saw a while ago in one of our stores together with JJ, my ex- boyfriend. He introduced Grey to me and vice versa. Grey is the perfect for an ideal boyfriend!†. â€Å"Wow, he’s name is like mine’s it’s so manly too.† â€Å"So a guy is the cause of your smile right?† â€Å"Yeah† â€Å"Are you in love?† â€Å"No! It has only been five months since we met.† â€Å"Denying is also lying right? So are you lying to me? Ok, fine I’ll gonna sleep!† â€Å"Ok, Purps good night!† The next day we meet again and talked about the girl he likes. â€Å"You know what she’s so kind, even though, we just known each other for a short period of time. I think that I like her, but I shouldn’t be.† â€Å"Huh? But why?† â€Å"No, nevermind!† â€Å"Wait are we considered as close friends already?† â€Å"Of course. I think we are more than close, we are best friends.† â€Å"Really? Aren’t we awkward?† â€Å"Of course not! We are not doing anything bad naman ah!† â€Å"Okay, it’s my turn now, do you know that there’s a guy I like?† â€Å"Whoa! Really do you have a love life now?† Laughingly I said â€Å"Lovelife in an instant, can’t I have any crush first? By the way, aside from his looks, he also dances naturally plus he’s smart also!† â€Å"Really? If that so, he would be very lucky.† He answered in a low tone of voice. â€Å"Why?† â€Å"Oops, the bell already rang. Okay, catch yah later!† Tsk. Crap that’s it na nga eh! He’ll gonna tell the reason. Badtrip! I went home so late because of the plenty requirements my teachers gave plus I have so many things to bring! Then my friends went home early and my driver can’t fetch me because he has to attend his son’s wedding tonight! This is an unlucky day. I really don’t want to ride in a cab and I’m not used to commute alone. â€Å"As I was waiting for a cab to arrive someone shouted† â€Å"Hey!† I looked back and said â€Å"Oh, it’s you! I thought you already went home† â€Å"Yeah, I was walking straight to my apartment but I saw your driver near the church. So I hurriedly go back here to check if you already have gone home. Let me have your things, I’m gonna accompany you, so that, I am ensured that you will be safe.† I was really so flattered about the things he said and didn’t have the chance to answer him back or even thank him. After an hour of standing there, he finally decided that we should take a jeepney. As we sit upon, the people are all staring and were like â€Å"Seriously?† Since I am really tired I almost fall asleep, he hugged me, so that, my head will be supported. An ensuing silence between us two was felt. And as the driver said the destination, I hurriedly thank him and got down the jeep. â€Å"Take care!† he shouted. And I replied him with a smile. As I am walking a group of men suddenly grabbed my hair and pointed me with a knife. I tried to scream but they are too strong for me. My things fell off on my hands. I am really scared, there was nothing that I could do, but to cry and cry as they were unbuttoning my blouse, I am really hopeless. But out of the blue, I heard gunshots, and as I open my eyes, all I can see darkness, and a man wearing a yellow shirt, but I didn’t have the chance to thank him or even see his face. The next thing I know is that it is already morning and I’m in a hospital, my things are also there too. The nurses already contacted the number in my I.D. They said that a man named Y.L. brought me there. I am fine and still not touched, although I got some bruises. Purps texted me that she can’t come because her boss didn’t still arrive in the office, she just advised me to call my driver quickly, so that, I can already rest. As we arrived in our house, I quickly sleep, and when I woke up my sister texted me that she can’t go home early, because she have to visit her boss in the hospital who had been beaten up and has deep stab. The next day, I ignore everyone, as if I’m the only one living in this world, and I pay no attention even to my bestfriend. â€Å"Hey are you okay? What happened why were you absent yesterday?† he asked when I was about to ride in the car. â€Å"I’m sorry I’m really tired. I’m not in the mood to talk about anything today.† I answered. As Manong Fred is preparing to start the engine, I heard my bestfriend whispered. â€Å"Is she okay? Is it my fault? I really miss her a lot.† It has been weeks since we had our last convo. He texts, calls and even send me cards to know my situation, although I really appreciate his efforts, I still avoided him, I just don’t know why I’m doing this to him, maybe I’m just blaming him to what had happened to me. Today, a month before my birthday, Purps told me something. â€Å"Sis, do you remember my boss?† â€Å"Yeah?† â€Å"Well he was the one who saved you last month from those maniacs.† â€Å"Really, how’d you know?† â€Å"He accidentally saw your picture on my phone and told me the story.† â€Å"But why didn’t he show up?† â€Å"It is because he had a deep cut and needed an operation quickly, that’s why you had blood stains on your uniform right?† â€Å"Oh. But why is he strolling around our village?† â€Å"He will pick me up because we had a date that night; actually until now we are dating. By the way, do you still rememb er Grey?† â€Å"Kinda?† â€Å"Well, he’s Y.L’s brother and he’s teaching in your school, in fact he’s real name is Derrick Kryp.† Those words of Purps made me speechless. I am really surprised. â€Å"Wha†¦What did you say? Because Grey or Sir Rick is the one I love.† â€Å"Really? Whoa! Actually I asked Y.L to bring Grey together with him, for you two to meet each other, but to my surprised I’m the one who needs to know my sister’s love more.† I have nothing to do but to be amazed, ‘cause we are so connected with each other. â€Å"Red, they also have a little sister named Gelai or Green. Isn’t it amazing our names just like them are like colors?† â€Å"Yeah, it is.† In any minute they’ll be here. And I’m not yet ready to face them. Then they arrived, and as we ride the car, no one speaks, as if the four of us don’t know each other. Rick and I are seemed to be very surprised of what is going on, then an ensuing silence was heard To bring out the mood, Y.L began to speak â€Å"How are you now Red? Aren’t you traumatized?† Then Rick started to ponder â€Å"Huh? What’s going on? Are you two knew each other? What traumatized?† â€Å"Yeah, Y.L, I’m much better now than last month. By the way, thank you very much.† I answered. Then Purps replied to Rick’s question. â€Å"Y.L was the person who saved my sister from those maniacs who attempted to rape her last month.† â€Å"Really? Red, is that the reason why you had avoided me these past weeks? Are you really okay now?† Rick asked me, but I didn’t answered. When we arrived in the restaurant, Purps reserved as another table. â€Å"Red, why didn’t you tell me about that incident? You know what I’m really mad that you aren’t talking to me last month.† â€Å"I’m really sorry, I just didn’t want to talk about it and maybe I’m too scared of what had happened.† â€Å"I really miss you Red, I thought that you are about to forget me, without knowing the reason why. â€Å"I missed you too Derrick, but remember that I won’t forget you, you’ll always be in my heart.† â€Å"Red, I love you, I love you more than anything else in this world. I even love you more than my life.† Those words of him made me wordless, I feel like I has been struck by a lightning, my heart beats so fast and I feel like I am jumping in the cloud nine, I’ve never felt this feeling before. â€Å"What? Are you crazy? I’m a graduating highschool student who is deeply inlove with her teacher, and 15 year-old girl who has a relationship with her educator. What will others say to us? What will be our future?† â€Å"Really, do you also love me? I don’t care what will others will say to us, as long as we are both happy of what we are doing and we aren’t hurting others. I’ll just resign being a teacher after you had graduated and work for my brother in our company, is it okay with you?† â€Å"Yeah, as long as we will be together legally. I really love you.† He suddenly hugged me and whispered unto my ears the words I love to hear everyday â€Å"I love you and I will always do.† â€Å"We will be legalized after I graduated don’t worry, just wait for a month and you can call me your girl and not your student anymore.† â€Å"Of course, for you I’ll do everything.†

Self Regulation Theory In Relation To Motivation Education Essay

Learning and geting a 2nd or foreign linguistic communication can be hard for some people and at the same clip easy for others. Factors act uponing this observation may be explained in footings of single differences in Second Language Acquisition ( SLA ) . These person ‘s differences may include personality, intelligence, linguistic communication acquisition schemes, attitude, emotion and motive. Some research workers believe that motive may impact scholars ‘ whole procedure of larning a 2nd linguistic communication ( L2 ) ( Gardner & A ; Lambert, 1972 ) . One theory which has long been recognised in the field is called self-government theory ( e.g. Brown 1981, 1990 ) , and it examines intrinsic/extrinsic motive in L2 acquisition. However, there has besides been a development of a more process-oriented theoretical attack viz. the procedure theoretical account of L2 motive by Dornyei & A ; Otto ( 1998 ) . They have highlighted the importance of developing self-regulatory schemes to pull off, reinforce or prolong one ‘s motive during the class of larning. Consequently, L2 self-regulation theory was subsequently proposed by Dornyei ( 2005 ) , and the theory represents a major reformation of old motivational thought. This essay, hence, will discourse the extent in which motive plays a cardinal function in 2nd linguistic communication acquisition. The focal point of this essay is specifically on the linkage between self-regulation theory and 2nd linguistic communication acquisition, utilizing the writer ‘s personal experience in Iranian linguistic communication acquisition as a instance survey. Research Objective The purpose of this essay is to analyze the writer ‘s experience in Iranian linguistic communication acquisition and analyse, based on self-regulation theory, to what extent motive contributes to the acquisition of a 2nd linguistic communication. Methodology The essay employs a qualitative analysis based on theories and the writer ‘s personal experience in Iranian linguistic communication acquisition. First, definitions of the term ‘motivation ‘ will be briefly demonstrated, and the most appropriate definition for this essay will be chosen. Second, theories and concepts of motive in relation to self-regulation will be explored. Third, the function of motive in the writer ‘s Iranian Learning Experience will be evaluated based on self-regulation theory. Finally, a decision will be presented with a farther treatment on future recommendations.Chapter TWODEFINITIONS OF MOTIVATION Motivation is a wide construct, and definitions of motive vary harmonizing to research and findings. The purpose of this subdivision is to research several definitions of the term ‘motivation ‘ and conclude on the most appropriate definition in 2nd linguistic communication ( L2 ) larning which will lend to this essay. To get down with, motive comes from the Latin verb ‘movere ‘ which means to travel. It can be described as the driver bring oning a individual to take a certain action, do a determination, or invest attempts toward transporting out certain behaviors ( Dornyei & A ; Ushioda, 2011: 3 ) . In a psychological position, motive is frequently defined as the psychological quality that leads people to accomplish a end. For linguistic communication scholars, command of a linguistic communication may be a end. For others, communicative competency or even basic communicating accomplishments could be a end. In a socio-educational model, motive to larn the 2nd linguistic communication is viewed as necessitating three elements: attempt, desire, and enjoyment. First, the motivated single must use an attempt to larn the linguistic communication. There must be a relentless and consistent strive to accomplish success in larning such as by making prep, practising the linguistic communication whenever there is an chance, etc. Second, the person must show the desire to accomplish the end. Such single will make all that is necessary to accomplish the end. Third, the motivated person will bask the undertaking of larning the linguistic communication. Such an person will state that it is fun, a challenge, and gratifying, even though at times enthusiasm may be less than at other times. All three elements-effort, desire, and enjoyment-are necessary in order to distinguish persons who are more motivated and those who are less motivated. However, each component, by itself, is seen as deficient to reflec t motive. Some pupils may expose attempt, even though they have no strong desire to win, and may non happen the experience peculiarly gratifying. Others may desire to larn the linguistic communication, but may hold other things that detract from their attempt, etc. Motivation in Second Language Acquisition In the field of Second Language Acquisition research, motive has been identified as one of the key factors which determines L2 accomplishment and attainment. Motivation ab initio serves as an drift to bring forth acquisition and subsequently as a prolonging force to guarantee that the scholar remains on-track with geting the mark linguistic communication ( Cheng & A ; Dornyei, 2007 ) . Harmonizing to Gardner ( 1985: 50 ) , he posits that motive in acquisition is based on four features: â€Å" a end, effortful behavior, a desire to achieve the end and favorable attitudes toward the activity in inquiry. † Dornyei and Otto ‘s definition of L2 motive ( 1998: 65 ) has a broader sense ; they defined motive as â€Å" the dynamically altering cumulative rousing in a individual that initiates, directs, co-ordinates, amplifies, terminates, and evaluates the cognitive and motor procedures whereby initial wants and desires are selected, prioritised, operationalised and ( successful ly or unsuccessfully ) acted out. † Harmonizing to Dornyei and Ushioda ( 2011: 4 ) , the by far definition that most SLA research, including this essay, would hold on concerns the ‘direction ‘ and ‘magnitude ‘ of human behavior, that is, motive histories for: why people decide to make something ( pick ) , how long they are willing to prolong the activity ( continuity ) , and how difficult they are traveling to prosecute it ( attempt ) . It is of import to observe that although pick, continuity, attempt are the three key issues leting scholars to modulate their ain motive, Ushioda ( 2003: 99-100 ) further demonstrates that in order for motive to turn in a positive manner, it can non be seen as a progressive efforts to modulate behavior from outside. There needs to be supportive interpersonal procedures which foster the development of liberty and the growing and ordinance of motive from interior. Thus, with this in head, this essay will see the issue of motive in relation to self-regulation in the undermentioned chapter.Chapter THREEREVIEW OF SELF-REGULATION THEORY IN RELATION TO MOTIVATION IN SLA It has been widely accepted that motive plays an of import function non merely in general academic acquisition, but besides in the procedure of accomplishing the end in a 2nd linguistic communication acquisition. Harmonizing to Dornyei ( 2002 ) , L2 motive has been seen as a dynamic concept that directs and enhances larning behaviors. There are many theories that devoted to motive in relation to autonomy and scheme usage, and two most-cited theories are self-determination theory and self-regulation theory. The self-government theory, which was developed from the instruction psychological science attack, examines about intrinsic and extrinsic motive in relation to the scholar ‘s behaviors and ordinance. It denotes a sense of pick, personal duty, and self-initiation of behaviors. While the self-regulation theory, a more recent development within the field of SLA research, refers to spontaneous ideas, feelings, and actions that are planned and cyclically adapted to the attainment of personal ends. Other well-known related theories are Language Learning Strategies ( LLS ) and L2 Motivational Self System. LLS is another attack which relates to strategic behaviors and keys property of good linguistic communication scholars. This theory has been seeking to set up a nexus between strategic behavior and existent acquisition additions, to show that schemes are non culturally biased, and to explicate why hapless schemes user differs from good scheme users merely in how they use schemes in context but non in the sorts or frequence of scheme they use ( Ortega, 2009:214 ) . Though self-regulation is a more recent alternate survey that replacing the traditional accent on sheer frequence of scheme usage. Its accent on the creativeness of attempts employed to command one ‘s acquisition processes is the chief issue I would wish to indicate out in this essay. L2 Motivational Self Systemis another of import recent theory of L2 motive proposed by Dornyei ( 2005 ) . It concerns motive particularly in footings of the theory of possible egos and the self-discrepancy theory ( Dornyei & A ; Ushioda, 2011 ) . Pulling on theoretical paradigms from both motivational psychological science and L2 motivational research, Dornyei ( 2005 ) ‘s L2 Motivational Self System theoretical account has three chief dimentions: the Ideal L2 ego, the Ought-to L2 ego, and the L2 Learning Experience. Rationale of this Essay: Self-regulation Theory in Relation to Motivation Despite the fact that there are many theories on motive in the context of SLA, self-regulation theory seems to outdo tantrum this essay. The self-regulatory attack allows for the combined survey of motive and strategic behavior, and of knowledge and affect, under a individual theoretical model. As supported by Ortege ( 2009: 211 ) who demonstrates a clear relevancy of self-regulation theory to SLA and single differences when â€Å" larning another linguistic communication poses a high-anxiety and complex challenge that demands cognitive every bit good as affectional self-regulation, and persons differ in their capacity to self-regulate. † There have been concerns about the clear-cut of LLS, as harmonizing to Dornyei ( 2005: 162 ) , there is a alteration of position that the LLS are â€Å" vastly equivocal phenomena and nil is distinct about them. † Furthermore, Dornyei ( 2005: 190 ) stated that research workers started to accept that analyzing the LLS was non of import every bit much as the fact that the ‘good ‘ scholars choose to set originative attempt in their ain acquisition and that they have the capacity to make so. Therefore, because of larning schemes examine the result of these forces, I decided to pull self-regulation theory which is looking at the initial drive forces. The L2 Motivational Self System besides does non suit in my context of depicting a short linguistic communication experience. It concerns more in footings of primary beginnings of the motive to larn another linguistic communication which are the Ideal L2 Self, Ought-to L2 Self, and L2 larning Experience. Review of Self-regulation Theory in Second Language Acquisition The get downing point of self-regulation theory is that human enterprises are ever purposive, knowing, effortful and voluntary ( Boekaerts et al. , 2006 ) . In the face of multiple ends and resulting environmental challenges, worlds are capable of accomplishing the terminals they choose to prosecute because they are able to self-regulate their behavior ( Ortega, 2009: 211 ) . In the context of SLA, L2 self-regulation is a procedure by which persons direct their attempts, ideas, and feelings toward the attainment of their personal ends, and self-regulation is neither a distinct mental ability nor an academic accomplishment ( Zimmerman, 2000 ) . In other words, self-regulation involves procedures, responses, and schemes that pupils initiate and regulate ( Zimmerman, 1986 ) to trip and prolong both their behavioural behavior and their cognitive and affectional operation ( Boekaerts, Pintrich, & A ; Zeidner, 2000 ; Zimmerman, 2001 ) . Self-regulation theory became the recent developments in the field of L2 single differences as there has been a demand to reconceptualize the ‘strategic behavior ‘ into a theory over the past decennaries. The two chief advocates for this impulse are Dornyei and Skehan ( 2003 ) who have pointed out that the L2 larning strategic behaviour should non be limited to O'Malley and Chamot ( 1990 ) ‘s taxonomy of ascertained heuristic and reported mental procedure or Oxford ( 1990 ) ‘s stock list of self-reported frequences of scheme usage. Then, in 2005, Dornyei pushed frontward the solution to speculating larning schemes and claimed self-regulation theory as a model for SLA research about strategic behavior during L2 acquisition. Self-regulation Schemes Dornyei has created a theoretical account of motivational schemes based on the psycholinguistic construct of selfaˆ?regulation which is intended to reaˆ?theorize linguistic communication larning schemes by analyzing strategic acquisition in the paradigm of selfaˆ?regulation ( see Dornyei, 2005 ; Tseng et al. , 2006 ) . This taxonomy of strategic acquisition is based in the model of motive control schemes ( Dornyei, 2001 ) and consists of five classs. Dornyei ( 2006 ) notes that his system was based on Kuhl ‘s ( 1987 ) and Corno and Kanfer ‘s ( 1993 ) taxonomy of action control schemes. The classs are defined below: 1. Commitment control schemes Commitment control schemes examine the pupils ‘ ability to put and make ends in their acquisition. It helps to continue or increase the learners'original end committedness. For illustration, pupils may maintain in head favorable outlooks or positive inducements and wagess, or pupils may concentrate on what would go on if the original purpose failed. 2. Metacognitive control schemes Metacognitive control schemes involve the monitoring and controlling of concentration, and the curtailing of any unneeded cunctation e.g. placing repeating distractions and developing defensive modus operandis, and concentrating on the first stairss to take when acquiring down to an activity. 3. Satiation control schemes Satiation control refers to pupils ‘ capacity to command ennui and dissatisfaction in a acquisition undertaking, and the ability to get by with these negative feelings ( Dornyei, 2005 ) . For illustration, pupils may add a turn to the undertaking or utilizing one ‘s phantasy to invigorate up the undertaking. These schemes can assist to extinguish ennui and add excess attractive force or involvement to the undertaking. 4. Emotion control schemes Emotional control schemes examine how scholars cope with emotionally charged feeling such as emphasis, depression and letdown that may impede their linguistic communication development. For illustration, pupils may utilize self-encouragement or utilizing relaxation and speculation techniques. 5. Environment control schemes Environmental control schemes refer to how a pupil controls their acquisition environment in order to ease survey. Learners with good environmental control are more cognizant of how their environment affects their acquisition and hold schemes to control these negative effects. For illustration, pupils may seek to extinguish distractions or inquiring friends to assist. Such activities will assist in extinguishing negative environmental influences and working positive environmental influences by doing the environment an ally in the chase of a hard end.Chapter FOURPERSIAN LANGUAGE LEARNING EXPERIENCE Learning Context Iranian Language Experience is portion of the Second Language Teaching and Learning faculty. The purpose of this linguistic communication experience is non chiefly for future usage but to represent, and do more existent, some of the issues connected with the linguistic communication instruction and acquisition with which the faculties trade. The teacher gives the grounds for taking this linguistic communication as follows: It is improbable that any of the faculty pupils has learned it before. It is an Indo-Europeaen linguistic communication, and so its grammatical classs, and some of its vocabulary, will be comparatively familiar to pupils. The class runs eight hebdomads, covering the first six lessons of the text edition. The pupils will larn in romanised written text non the Arabic book version as the intent is to larn a limited sum of colloquial Persian ( Farsi ) , with associated grammar and vocabulary. There will be a reappraisal session at the terminal of each two-lesson subdivision. ( See Appendix 1 for more inside informations ) The category consists of about 30 pupils from assorted nationalities, assorted with females and males, aged about from 20 to 25, and all the lessons are taught in English. The teacher is the native talker of the mark linguistic communication. I am a complete beginner-level scholar as I have no old cognition in Iranian linguistic communication or civilization. Though, I still show a great involvement in larning a new linguistic communication. I see this as a challenging undertaking, and I am extremely motivated by the idea of utilizing the linguistic communication as a mean of researching Iranian civilization and people. Iranian Language Learning Experience in Relation to Self-regulation Theory Personally, I aware that larning a 2nd linguistic communication is considered as a challenging undertaking which requires clip and attempt. As I am extremely motivated to utilize the linguistic communication non merely merely for the intent of the faculty, I developed my ain end to larn the linguistic communication every bit much as I could within the clip bound. In order to accomplish the end, maintaining my acquisition on path is really of import and the undermentioned schemes are how I regulate my Iranian linguistic communication acquisition in conformity to self-regulation theory: Commitment control schemes During the first two hebdomads, I was really interested to larn the linguistic communication when the teacher began to present the lesson with an easy to retrieve greeting phrase. I became more motivated to larn Iranian when the teacher presented about the tourer topographic points and the civilization. Hence, I made up my head that I have to take this as an chance to larn the linguistic communication every bit much as I could in order to go to the country in the hereafter. With this in my head, I committed myself to purchasing a Iranian text edition, so I would hold to to the full use the book and survey exhaustively throughout the class. Metacognitive control schemes After the consequence of the first quiz, I became cognizant that keeping my motive through civilization geographic expedition was deficient, and I needed to reexamine more grammar and vocabularies sporadically. In other words, I needed to construction my Iranian acquisition by puting frequent ends. To exemplify clearly, I set mini-goals for myself to finish one or two exercisings in the text edition per twenty-four hours. I besides had a specific end for each hebdomad that I must complete analyzing one chapter in the text edition before every Monday category. In the instance that there were other deadlines from other classs and I could non complete one chapter by weekend, I told myself to give a Sunday eventide to finish the chapter. These mini ends provided me an chance to reflect and supervise my ain advancement each hebdomad and helped supplying the motive to concentrate on my undertakings. Satiation control schemes During the class, I was ever looking for a new inspiration or a new motive in larning the linguistic communication. I enhanced my involvement by seeking about tourer topographic points or Iranian civilization online. I besides recorded my ain voice to get the better of ennui while larning new vocabularies or practising pronunciation. Emotion control schemes It was obvious that I experienced negative feelings such as anxiousness, defeat, and disheartenment after the consequence of the quiz. I avoided interacting with the teacher in the undermentioned lesson. However, I understood that I could non maintain avoiding the interactions, and it would be better if I had prepared for the lesson in front. I tried to acquire rid of negative feelings and cheered myself up by reminding myself about the existent purpose of the class, which is to indicate out some issues in the instruction and acquisition of a 2nd linguistic communication, and that the quiz grade was merely a manner to reflect on my L2 acquisition advancement. Environment control schemes As the Persian lesson runs merely one hr per hebdomad, larning in category would be deficient to accomplish my personnal end. to finish the book. Therefore, I tried to hold excess lessons and/or sought out extra beginnings of input and interactions. I look for a good environment that have easy entree to clip and topographic point to avoid cunctation such as the cyberspace ; I pattern Iranian pronunciation through YouTube pictures and analyze more about Iranian grammar and vocabulary through free lessons online. Self-evaluation Due to the fact that I needed to reflect on my day-to-day advancement in order to integrate received feedback on the prospective assignment, it helped me to supervise my advancement and detect my schemes whether the manner I self-regulate has been bettering my acquisition or non. In footings of committedness control schemes, I had a high sum of motive in the beginning that I wanted to larn every bit much as I could. I had a really high outlook of myself and even bought the text edition in hope to analyze farther the demand. Although, this might non be strong plenty to maintain myself commit to my end, in fact it kept me engaged in the undertakings for a short period. Part of this failure was due to the fact that I did non hold a definite agenda of my Iranian acquisition and that I was distracted by other topics. Another portion might due to high intrinsic motive, I was excessively ambitious to larn and did non analyze my ability exhaustively. However, even though my motive was dropped after the quiz, when I subsequently set up the mini ends for each hebdomad, my procedure of learn became more construction and prolong my motive throughout the hebdomad. In other words, these schemes help me minimising cunctation or distraction and maximising concentration and maintaining ends in focal point. This can be said that metacognitive control schemes are indispensable to develop a scholar liberty. As Wenden ( 2001: 62 ) demonstrates that â€Å" a acknowledgment of the map of metacognitive cognition in the self-regulation of larning should lend to a clearer apprehension of scholar liberty, particularly how it can be developed and enhanced. † Wenden ‘s findings on the function of metacognitive cognition in self-regulatory procedure besides corroborate Chamot and O'Malley ‘s ( 1994: 382 ) observation that â€Å" expressed metacognitive cognition about undertaking features and appropriate schemes for undertaking sol ution is a major clincher of linguistic communication larning effectivity † . In add-on to my repletion control schemes, the manner that I ever look for inspiration from different beginnings for my ain acquisition can maintain my larning on procedure. In my sentiment, this scheme should be a manner to increase my motive when I feel procrastinated or bored. However, I found myself passing excessively much clip shoping on the cyberspace about Iranian civilization and had less clip to reexamine the undertaking. I should be careful that it would non take up excessively much clip of my day-to-day Persian acquisition otherwise it would non be effectual. So, it seems that this scheme might non be helpful to me sometimes because I can utilize it as an alibi to stall. My emotion control schemes, peculiarly to my positive self-talk is besides mentioned in a survey by Bown ( 2009 ) that this technique helped scholars maintain position on their linguistic communication acquisition. It alleviated feelings of defeat or anxiousness. Bown divided that scholars used self-talk for two primary intents: ( a ) to remind themselves of their ain motive for larning the linguistic communication and ( B ) to promote themselves when they felt that they were non doing adequate advancement. The usage of this self-talk besides served to assist scholars maintain their outlooks of themselves realistic, as informed by their beliefs about linguistic communication acquisition. Learners would state themselves that errors are portion of acquisition or that it takes longer to larn Russian than other linguistic communications they may hold studied antecedently ( Bown, 2009 ) . Though it is true that the usage of this scheme became effectual when I had a low quiz grade, in my i nstance it must be combined with other schemes ( such as metacognitive control schemes ) at the same clip in order to wholly encouraging myself. I must hold a definite program ( the mini ends ) to back up my positive self-talk. For my environment control schemes, Wolters ( 1998 ) , mentioning research from Corno ( 1989, 1993 ) , Corno and Kanfer ( 1993 ) , and Kuhl ( 1984, 1992 ) , pinpoints a self-regulation technique I employed: ( 1 ) environmental control, for illustration â€Å" a pupil who†¦ decides to travel to a quiet topographic point conducive to analyzing ( 225 ) . † In my sentiment, the manner that I ever try to turn my environing environment into a learning environment for me makes me sometimes bask larning by myself instead than analyzing in the schoolroom. It helps me finish the mini end I set for myself in each twenty-four hours. In add-on, this can be supported by the survey from Bown ( 2009 ) . The findings suggested that effectual self-regulation depended on the scholars ‘ sense of themselves as agents in the acquisition procedure. Learners who recognized their function as writers of their ain acquisition transformed the acquisition environment to run into their single de mands ( Bown, 2009 ) .Chapter FIVECONCLUSION AND DISCUSSION It is believed that motive is indispensable in larning a 2nd linguistic communication as it can be a goaded force for the scholars to get down their 2nd linguistic communication acquistion and it can be a force that sustain the acquisition throughout the acquisition. However, motive, harmonizing to Dornyei and Ushioda ( 2011 ) , is a dynamic and complicate factor which concerns about the pick, continuity, and attempt of the scholars in modulating thier ain motive. From this, motive can be seen as a factor that correlative to the scholar behavior which can lend to the scholar liberty. There are many theories which were developed to analyze about motive in relation to L2 learner behavior and scheme usage. Self-government theory ( SDT ) is one of the theories that has a wide model for the survey of human motive and personality. It is concerned chiefly with intrinsic motive and the manner to which the person is self-motivated and self-determined.Language Learning Strategies ( LLS ) is another attack which examines the schemes that the good linguistic communication scholar employ. The L2 Motivational Self System is another recent attack in relation to L2 motive and the ego model. It concerns three ‘self ‘ dimensions: Ideal L2 Self, Ought-to L2 Self, L2 Learning Experience. Self-regulation refers to the grade to which persons are active participants in their ain acquisition. It is a more dynamic construct than larning scheme, foregrounding the scholars ‘ ain strategic attempts to pull off their ain accomplishment through specific beliefs and procedures ( Dornyei, 2005 ) . In the context in this essay, it is found that motive became a critical factors on how the scholar will take the schemes to modulate his/herself and maintain the acquisition procedure traveling in order to accomplish end of larning a 2nd linguistic communication. In other words, it can be argued that self-regulation of L2 acquisition is multidimensional, including cognitive, metacognitive, motivational, and behavioural procedures that scholars can use to heighten accomplishment. The deliberative, adaptative procedure of self-regulation enables scholars to manage undertakings efficaciously and prepares them to take duty for their acquisition ( Wenden, 2001 ) . In chapter 4, based on the Self-regulation theory, my Iranian Learning Experience has been evaluated in relation to motive. Harmonizing to the four self-regulation schemes I employed, it is found that I depend much or less on motive to modulate or command the four schemes. For case, motive became a important factor on how I use the metacognitive control schemes to alter the manner I learn the linguistic communication. While motive has been seldom concerned on how I chose the topographic point to analyze as in the environment control schemes. Nevertheless, I could non hold more that both motive and the four self-regulation schemes are the two indispensable factors that can non be overlooked in scholar liberty and the development in the procedure to heighten single acquisition in order to accomplish the end. Though the purpose of the Iranian Language Learning category was simply to see the issues that can be raised in L2 acquisition and instruction, the fact that the category is conducted merely one hr per hebdomad might non be plenty to actuate some scholars to prosecute during the lesson. In order to hold a more effectual category, the teacher could raise an consciousness of utilizing self-regulation schemes which I believe will be fruitful for the pupils themselves to hold an chance to supervise their acquisition advancement and develop their larning liberty in L2 acquisition. As Hurd ( 2008 ) emphasises, awareness-raising of self-regulation in L2 acquisition is every bit if non more of import in independent larning scene ( e.g. on-line environments and distance acquisition ) , where pupils lack the sort of social-affective support provided by regular interactions with other scholars and the instructor, and typically may be prosecuting in linguistic communication acquisition on top of full-time survey and personal committednesss.

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Vegetarians - Essay Example Many humans follow omnivorous diet taking dramatic nutritional advantage flexibility that is not there to other omnivorous species. However, the flexibility has risks like failing to consume significant nutrients or harmful microbes or ingesting toxins an issue that gets known as "the omnivore dilemma". In contrast with animals, who instinctively are sure on what food to eat and what to avoid, human beings should learn these differences, relying heavily on the transmitted cultural information. Hence, the cultural information kinds that guide food selections are not well comprehended. Across the two studies in the article, they have given evidence on the psychological vegetarian's underpinnings are marked distinction in Indian cultural and Euro-American contexts. The Euro-American vegetarians seem to have more consideration of the daily food choices impact on the animal and environmental welfare (Ruby et al. 342). The consideration is more endorsed on universalistic values of equality , social justice, and peace than did their counterparts of omnivorous and less endorsed to authority ethic. On the contrary, the Indian vegetarians do not differ from their counterparts of omnivorous in reported environment concern, universalism, or animal welfare, though are more religious. They strongly believe that eating meat pollutes an individual personality and spirit and more endorsed on Purity Ethics, Authority, and In-group. Hence, different communities have different opinions and beliefs on vegetarian choices.

What internal and external sources are Essay Example for Free

What internal and external sources are Essay Introduction In this piece of coursework I will be describing what internal and external sources are. I will then state which finance source Asda are most likely to use and why. Internal sources Internal sources of finance can be either from a businesses owners own saving or from the profit the business makes. Owners fund The owner of a business might have to use there own savings to start there own business, especially if they are a new sole trader. This is a person who owns and runs the business at the same time. The reason why their owners might have to start of by using their savings is partially because banks are not willing to take any risks and invest someone quickly. Retained profit Retained profit is when the money that is saved goes back to the business in order for it to grow and get even bigger. When a business makes a profit, the owners have a choice: either take out it the profit from the business by way of dividend, or reinvest it by leaving profits in the business. Selling assets Selling assets is any item that is owned by an individual or business, especially that which could be converted to cash. Examples are cash, securities, accounts receivable, inventory, office equipment, real estate, a car, and other property. External sources External sources of finance can be funded to help the business. They get help from a number of different external sources. Government grants A grant is money that the government give to an entrepreneur that does not have to be paid back. The amount the government gives to the entrepreneur depends on where it is coming from. Grants help businesses when they most need the money. Hiring/Leasing assets Businesses often lease property machinery and vehicles (assets) for a short period of time. When businesses lease there property they make good money for it. The people that buy these for leasing/hiring pay for them and use them but do not own them. Hire purchase Hire purchase means that resources can be used by the business while they are being paid for by a finance company. However, when the last payment is made the goods are not owned by the business anymore. Issuing shares Issuing shares is a very good way for companies/businesses to raise finance. Small business will issue shares when they are transferring from sole trader or partnership to become limited, LTD. Limited companies are then able to sell shares. However, sometimes PLCs businesses will be able to have a new share issue and if they choose to invest a project they can. Venture capital These are people who invest in new things and usually return for a share of the owner ship. Venture capitalists provide money when banks have refused. Bank loans All banks offer loans. A loan is the same as a grant but with a loan you would have to pay the money back to the bank. So it is like borrowing, the bank will give your business a certain amount of money and you will have to pay the bank back. If this does not happen then your business can lose a lot of money and go down. Sources which Asda are most likely to use Owners funds are used in Asda. The manager would come to a point where he or she would have to use their own money for the business. The manager would be able to use there savings if the bank are not willing to take any risks. This way Asda can buy the things they need with the managers money such as equipment or technology. Retained profit is when the money that is saved goes back to the business in order for it to grow and get even bigger. When Asda make profit the manager would either take out the profit from the business and spend it within themselves or use the profit to buy things for the business for example equipment. Bank loans give Asda loans so that Asda can use the money on equipment, transport, pay there staff, training etc. Loans must be paid back to the bank, so once Asda have taken a loan from the bank they would give you a certain time to pay it back. Asda often hire/lease property, machinery and vehicles (assets) for a short period of time with a fee cost. When Asda are hiring or leasing property they make good money for it. The people that buy these for leasing/hiring pay for them and use them but do not own them. This money goes towards Asda and would help them gain more profit the more they hire their property. Asda hire people to deliver their stuff to customers when they order online. They also hire staff in order to serve the customers and keep the place running smoothly. Conclusion Overall, in this piece of coursework I have described all of the sources that include internal and external. I have also spoken about the sources Asda would use.

Importance Of Sociology As A Field Of Study Essay Example for Free

Importance Of Sociology As A Field Of Study Essay Sociology as a field of study attempts to explain the relationship between an individual and society. Sociological theories are a tool used to explain sociological problems and social structures. (Blumer, 1969) Societies can be viewed as organic structures. This was first explained by Parsons and Durkheim as they developed structural theories. These theories can be applied in education i. e. how students view education. Societies can also be viewed as economic structures. Under this concept, falls the conflict theory developed by Carl Marx. Marx looked at a number of theories that attempt to explain how people’s lives are shaped by social structures. Other theories that share a similar perspective are the functionalist theories. Societies can also be looked as social action. This implies that society shapes how people view themselves. In line with this perspective, sociologists came up with the idea of symbolic interactionism. There are also other ideas that go hand in hand with this idea i. e. GH mead. Lastly, one must apply all the sociological theories stated above and many others that have not been mentioned. For example one can consider Medicalisation of society’s problems. This can be explained by a number of sociological theories like: Marx’s theories, interactionist theories and Durkheiman’ theories. Importance of sociology as a field of study Conflict theory Sociology assists in explaining social change. It helps us to understand what the role of the individual is in changing society. This is best explained by the Conflict theory. This theory does not have only one name connoted to it although the founder of the theory was Karl Marx. There are various regions in the world where sociologists elaborated on this theory. Some of these sociologists are; †¢ Ralf Dahrendorf – Germany †¢ Ludwig Gumpolvicz – Germany †¢ Lewis Coser and Collins – USA †¢ Max Gluchman and Rex – UK (Garfinkel, 1967) The conflict theory’s main idea is that there exists a constant struggle in society and every entity in society is trying to make the most of their reimbursement consequently bringing about social change. This change can come in form of revolutions or it may be political. It focuses on coercion by groups and individuals to alter or control others’ actions. The theory helps us to understand why ideologies like socialism and capitalism. There is a constant struggle within society for paybacks. This theory can be viewed from two angles. The first angle is a radical one; society will forever in conflict while the second angle is that conflict combines with struggle to make up society. This moderate angle is best explained by the functionalism. The latter mentioned theory postulates that every member of society has a specific role to play. Conflict theory can best be perceived as a pyramid. Influential people are at the top and they impose their will upon less powerful people who happen to be the majority. This implies that people in power are taken to be superior and they are the ones responsible for modern day laws, institutions and traditions. This theory can be stretched to explain how morality or deviance is defined. The powerful individuals in society label deeds or actions as immoral if those actions challenge their influence and power. Conflict theory also attempts to explain stratification in society but from an individualistic point of view. It looks at individuals needs instead of society’s needs as a whole. Every individual tries to struggle for respect, goods and services as well as power; these e all very scarce. In this light therefore, individuals belong to organisations that represent their own interests. The theory views organisations as entities that are mostly influenced by external rather than internal factors. (Goffman, 1958) In the theory, there are a number of conflicts that fall under. These include; †¢ Class †¢ Race and ethnicity †¢ Gender †¢ Religion Marx believed that class conflict was caused by differential ownership of property. However, this theory was later challenged by other sociologists who believed that there is more to class than property ownership. These sociologists believe that this is only one aspect. Racial conflict has its root cause in differential power. According to the theory, superior races are those one who are well endowed with power, prestige and education. There are four basic assumptions in this theory. The first is that there is inequality in society’s structures, secondly there is revolution as a result of struggle between a numbers of social classes, thirdly there is competition for resources and lastly war exists to unify or divide society. Conflict can take the form of a strike where workers struggle to gain back control after it has been taken from them by their employers. Another form of a conflict could be through wars. Wars usually represent clashes between social classes. Taking the case of military coups, this is an example of a conflict between the main population and the military. (Durkheim, 1915) Ethnomethodology Ethnomethodology is the study of how people interpret their social world. This theory has its history back in the mid twentieth century and was founded by Garfinkel who was an American sociologist. The theory is quite different form other well known theories. This theory is founded on the fact that there is no order in society; society is chaotic or has the potential to be chaotic. According to the theory, any semblance of order is created by the minds of actors within society it simply does not exist. This is in sharp contrast to other well known theories. Social order may be defined as the systematic pattern of behaviour within society. It opposes the fact that actions are not thought out and are simply haphazard. Ethnomethodologists believe that individuals encounter several experiences in their lives. These individuals try to make sense of these encounters by placing them into a form of organised system. They believe in a documentary method. Here, individuals simply pick out certain events within a social situation and try to make sense of them. After they have organised those events into a pattern, then they use that pattern as a template to explain other situations that may arise. Garnfinkel used an experiment to demonstrate this theory. He got a number of students and instructed them to ask a supervisor about a number of issues on their mind. The students could not see the advisor but could talk to him. They asked him a number of questions and this advisor could only say yes or no. What the students did not know was the advisor was reading out a list of responses that did not match their questions in any way. It was found that most of the responses did not make logical sense but most of the students tried to interpret them nonetheless. They did not question the integrity of the advisor but they tried to compare past responses with present ones in order to come up with an orderly pattern. For example one of the students thought that he should quit school and asked the advisor this. The advisor told him ‘no’ and out of disbelief the student repeated this same question after which the advisor said ‘yes’. It was found that this particular student did not dismiss the advisor but tried to make sense of the situation. According to the theory, the students were trying to form sense out of senselessness. They were trying to turn chaos into order. Garfinkel introduces the idea of indexicality. This means that human beings have a tendency to index things that occur to them i. e. they always try to put things within a certain social context. They must relate it to other things that have occurred to them before or during a particular scene. For example, the interaction that took place between the students and the advisor followed a certain path because the students held the advisor in high esteem. This implies that if the student could see what was happening with the advisor behind the screen that had covered him, or if their classmates asked answered their questions, then their reactions would have been totally different. This is because the students would simply have formed another documentary. People who adhere to this theory believe that all human beings have preconceived notions about their daily lives. This means that if a sudden change was brought into someone’s life their reactions are quite different. This is justified by the fact that it would be very chaotic if we looked at things differently at all times. We must become familiar with some aspects of our lives so as to be able to Symbolic interactionism This theory has its history in the late nineteenth century. It was pioneered by a sociologist from Germany called Marx Weber. The theory is best known for its subjectivity rather than its objectivity. Interactionists focus on individuals rather than on society as a whole. They perceive human beings as creatures whose behaviours are reactive or subject to the approval of others. This is because all actions, according to them, are like symbolic actions which are interpreted differently according to one’s perspective. This theory also looks at human beings as symbolic objects who can think and react to situations. This means that individuals within a society are active participants of their society. They determine what happens to them. Sociologists adhering to this theory believe that we are not passive entities who must mould themselves to society’s rules and standards. This theory focuses on external issues and simple interactions. It cannot be used to interpret deeper social settings like capitalism. It is also quite crucial to note that this theory perceives society’s norms as transient and constantly changing. Stability and order in society is determined by negotiations. The systems themselves are not stable but the means by which these systems in society are created is stable. (Merton, 1968) The theory therefore points one on the direction of roles played by people in society. The theory places importance in role making and role taking. This means that individuals must put themselves in a certain perspective in order to understand another person’s point of view. Studies on interactionism are therefore done through active role taking. This is because they believe that one must interact thoroughly with another party in order to understand the reason why they made their decision. However critics have claimed that the theory is too narrow and cannot be applied to macro situations. It has also been criticised for its impressionism during research methods. (George, 1964) Functionalism The theory was pioneered by a French sociologist called Emile Durkheim back in the mid to late nineteenth century. This theory compares the individual with his/her society and also scientific method of analysing society. This implies that one can be able to study the social world using observation and analysis. It also assumes that studies of society can be done freely and without any bias. Another crucial aspect of the theory is the organic aspect of society. It compares society to an organism. That there are various parts of the body that each has their own function. This is analogous to society and its members. It is also important to note the homeostatic nature of interactions. This theory looks at society as a system that must remain in equilibrium. Any deviation from this is corrected by a number of mechanisms like gossip or even imprisonment depending on the scenario. Conclusion Interactionists believe that social order is continuously remade as people interact. Social order is not static and changes with time. Functionalists believe that order within society exists as a result of an agreement between members of society. That is collective behavioural patterns that are regarded as the norm in society. Again, the theory strongly affirms that social order does exist. Marxists believe that social order is created from a struggle to gain control of limited resources while ethnomethodologists mould situations to fit into a certain behavioural pattern. All these theories attempt to explain why human beings behave the way the do either as individuals or as a group on a macro scale. This is the essence of sociology.

Impact of Branding on Social Class

Impact of Branding on Social Class BRANDING AND ITS IMPACT ON MIDDLE CLASS Introduction 1.1 BRAND What is a brand? The Oxford American Dictionary (1980) contains the following definition: Brand (noun): a trade mark, goods of a particular make: a mark of identification made with a hot iron, the iron used for this: a piece of burning or charred wood, (verb): to mark with a hot iron, or to label with a trade mark. A short history of brand The word ‘brand’ comes from the Old Norse ‘brandr’, meaning to burn. In pre-historic times when the initial phases of trade was coming to existence, it was by burning that early man stamped ownership on his commodity, and with the development of advanced trade of goods; buyers would use such marks (brands) as a means of distinguishing between the goods being transacted. For example a farmer with a particularly good reputation for the quality of his animals would find his brand much sought after, while the brands of farmers with a lesser reputation were to be avoided or treated with caution. Thus the utility of brands as a guide to choice was established, a role that has remained unchanged to the present day. With rapid and gradual advancement in the acknowledgement of brand for particular goods and commodity, people started vying for goods with a good reputation i.e. brand. With the elapse of time goods and brands have changed but the basic concept remains unchanged and it is ultimately brand that persuades a buyer to go for that product. And with the advanced and developed market situation, brand has become an identity not only for the company it represents but also of its customers. Brand itself has developed into a niche and people vie for that segregated population associated to that brand. Brand today holds a very specific position and top brands have today become a sense of class amongst the top notch people. People associated to a brand don’t go for the product but rather to the brand itself. And brand has set a platform to the people specially the elite class people as a way of differentiating themselves from others. But today with the financial strength of the overall population brand has become a favorite among the middle class population as well. Middle class population that focused on reliable and durable products in the past have started becoming brand conscious and the major factor for this can be the realization in part of the companies in better understanding of the market scenario of the middle class population and diversifying itself in catering to that segment of people. And in parts of the customers they have started realizing in the concept of quality over quantity. Brand established companies nowadays have started manufacturing goods and services as per the demand of these middle class people with quality goods on reasonable prices. And this has played a major role in attracting more and more people into its circle. But a major hindrance for these products and services has become cheap imitation and delicacy. From the time of establishment of brand, imitation has been found along time, so it can be justified that the practice of unlawful imitation lurked close behind, a practice that remains common till this day, even in the presence of highly developed legal systems. 1.2 SOCIAL CLASS Social class refers to a group of people with similar levels of wealth, influence, and status. Sociologists typically use three methods to determine social class. Humans have evolved living in a closed community and have thus been categorized according to their surrounding and their social identity and circle. Social class is that segmentation which varies the people according to this social status and financial stronghold. Accordingly they can be differentiated as follows: Upper class people Upper-middle class people Middle-class people Lower-middle Class People Lower Class People This segmentation according to their financial situation has been the center of attraction for marketers around the globe. Marketers focus on individual segment of people according to the product and services they serve. Some serve the niche market while many serve other general segments. But with financial increment of other class especially of the middle class, more companies serving the top class have started putting their focus on middle class people. 1.3 Objectives: General Objectives To find the importance of brand amongst general public. To identify the market scenario of branded products. Specific Objectives To analyze the trend of brand influence among the middle class population. To study the stronghold of middle class people in the space of branded goods. 1.4 SIGNIFICANCE OF STUDY Brand has come a long way with the advancement of market and the people associated to the market. Brand nowadays cannot sustain itself only by serving the elite class so the focus has been made relying on the trend and demand of the market, and accordingly their focus has been more directed towards middle class people and their demands. Another aspect of analyzing the situation can be the possibility of threat to the companies itself in trying to penetrate such a volatile segment that are still price conscious in some regards. And identifying the challenges for the brands itself and the consumers is also an important part of this study. 1.5 RESEARCH QUESTIONS Has brand become so strong that it can easily influence the price sensitive population or is it the cheap imitation that has taken over their market? 1.6 RESEARCH STATEMENT The present middle class population feels more connected to the brand they are attached to than the traditional people/ family. With more and more brands being made available at reasonable price, this segment of population has become the magnetic pull for companies that carry its significant brand. So have the companies really succeeded in luring this class of people towards itself or is it just an unsung tale of what they are yet to achieve. 1.7 LIMITATIONS OF THE STUDY Although this study has tried uncovering the areas related to brand and its impact on middle class population, total evaluation may be lagging, and the limitation for this has been mentioned below: As the cause of lack of adequate time and required information, some aspect of this study may do injustice to the overall scenario of the market. Limited number of people of this segment will be interviewed and the questionnaires filled accordingly. Some of the filled questionnaires may have doubtful results so proper information may be absent. 2. Literature Review Brand itself is not a product nor an identity put forward by an individual or a company, rather it is an instinctive feeling that individual carries about for a product or services. Trust and Gut feeling on any product is a brand. And this trust comes from meeting and beating customer’s expectation, which comes from brand values as: Price premium Customer preferences Replacement cost Stock Price and Future Earnings And the main purpose of branding is to get more people to buy more stuff for more years at a higher price. (Brand Gap: A VISUAL PRESENTATION BY MARTY NEUMEIER) And brands that catered to the top class people has successfully lured in more and more middle class population into its circle through this trust it has created amongst the total population. The penny pinching population that thrives on price subsidized products has started minimizing their quantitative expenses to focus more on brands they get attracted to. Different types of companies have different concepts of exactly what it means to be middle class. Using income level as the defining criterion for differentiation of class is reasonable. But simply judging a group by income is far from sufficient for marketers of consumer goods. Such marketers trying to reach the middle class have to know more than their salaries. They must know what makes middle class consumers tick. Income plays a powerful role in most purchasing decisions for any consumer segment, but other elements play a role that is sometimes greater than income. When products are relatively inexpensive, income has little influence on a consumer’s decision making process. Deciding to buy chocolate, for example, depends significantly more on consumers’ emotion and shopping experience—a store’s ambience, for example—than it does on how much money they make. /’Using income as the only indicator of spending habits allows much information to slip through the cracks. In addition, income is a difficult variable to act upon, in part because the data on income can be either unavailable or unreliable in most cases. Thus, companies must find meaningful alternatives to predict what consumers can afford and what they are willing to pay for certain goods and services. Zeithaml (1982, 1988) suggests in most purchasing decision customers objective is to Get the best for the money. This represents the combination of price and value orientation which is the most important consideration for most of the consumers. Crier and Ross (1997) maintains that the greater the perceived value, the greater that the customers will be interested in purchasing. They (Crier Ross) explained the term value orientation saying Consumer trends to select the lowest price alternatives when the options in the choice set are perceived to have the same level of benefit. Consumers are becoming more price conscious does not mean that they always go for the lowest price, rather they will seek for affordable price range among their acceptable quality range. Maccilil, (1987), in his study told about the total business and household consumer market that both classes consider price, quality, convenient location as the most powerful influential factors in selecting or buying consumer goods. In the same time Winklin and Duery (1987) conducted a similar study focusing on the two groups of consumers having high income and low income in USA proved the influential forces earlier described by Maccilil. In the theory of marketing and buyer behavior, the concept of social class is considered the basic determinant of consumption behavior. In fact, among behavioral scientists, there was a consensus that market behavior of individuals is closely related to their social class. In this context, social class was often considered more important than income in affecting buying behavior (Slocum and Mathews, 1970). Though these mentioned research pave a road map as to how brand influence the market of middle class people and how brand has come a long way from being a niche to being available for all in the developed nation; the basic format or the fundamentals remains the same even for developing nation like ours. And it can be concluded that of the all class of people, middle class population has become the center target for the companies to penetrate and establish itself. 2.2 THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK The dependent and independent variables are as follows: Dependent variables Sales Volume Customer Loyalty Independent Variables Availability of products at affordable prices Financial Stronghold Environment Social Up gradation 3. Research Methodology 3.1 Research Design: This research can be categorized as descriptive and observational study. This can be explained on the fact that it is based on what the trend persists on the market place and also includes facts and findings based on survey being carried out. 3.2 Population/ Sampling: Provided the fact of more brand conscious population is on the rise, this report is based only on limited sampling given the limited time period and resources. Not much study has been conducted on this topic; hence it is limited to certain aspect and does not represent the total scenario of the market. 3.3 Nature of data The source of data is categorized on two fronts: Primary Source: Interview Questionnaire Secondary Source: E-Books and magazines 3.4 Data collection technique Interview: Interview is the best and the most effective method of collecting data, because you get a firsthand knowledge about the present market scenario and the impact of what you’re searching for your study. This helps the interviewers gets to observe the intended market and its population and extract the immediate knowledge of the market. Questionnaire: Questionnaire helps the researcher to find exactly what is to be found and analyzed. A perfectly shaped set of questions gives the intended findings. It also helps to get quick results on a limited time frame. 3.5 Expected Findings Through this research I expect to understand the real market scenario of the branded products and its impact on the middle class population; their reaction towards branded goods and services and their responsiveness towards the strategies played by the companies. References: http://www.chinabusinessreview.com/understanding-chinas-middle-class/ http://www.dailymail.co.uk/travel/travel_news/article-2921577/Middle-class-travellers-demanding-300MILLION-upgrades-holiday-homes-luxury-self-catering-trend-takes-hold.html The Oxford American Dictionary (1980) Zeithaml (1982, 1988) Crier and Ross (1997) Maccilil (1987) Winklin and Duery (1987) Slocum and Mathew (1970) Gantt chart / Work plan Budget S.N Particulars Budget Head Amount 1. Travelling expenses Travelling and expenses 700 2. Stationery Miscellaneous 500 3. Printing of questionnaires, proposal and final report Print and publishing 200 Total 1400 Questionnaire Describe what ‘brand’ means to you? †¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦.. In which social class do you put yourself in? Upper Class Upper Middle Class Middle Class Lower Class Define your annual income in the scale (in thousand) If others specify†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦ What do you see in a product? Price Quality Brand All of the above Scale your reliance on brand? 1086420 Do you always purchase branded products? Yes No Why do you prefer branded products? To maintain social status Brand consciousness Peer pressure Quality What do you think influences people to buy a branded product? Quality Product Availability Competitive Price Good value and services Do you think branded products marketed for upper class people is as same as the products for the middle class people? Yes No Do you think brand has really attracted the middle class people of our market scenario? Strongly Agree Agree Neutral Disagree Strongly Disagree When it comes to consumable goods do you think brand for a product has a significance? Yes No Do you consider yourself a price sensitive costumer? Yes No Do you bargain when buying a branded product or do you settle at the set premium price? Yes No Do you actually prefer brand or does cheap imitation satisfy you? Brand Cheap imitation is preferable Brand helps middle class people to upgrade their social status? Strongly Agree Agree Neutral Disagree Strongly Disagree If you consider yourself a brand conscious person, has brand upgraded your status? Yes No Do you agree the price tag placed is justifiable for the branded products? Strongly agree Agree Neutral Disagree Strongly Disagree