Privacy of Information Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Privacy of Information - Assignment Example This is because it is possible for companies and organizations to use this data in an unauthorized manner. The main stakeholders around the privacy of information include the internet users, the websites visited by these internet users and the United States National Security Agency that has the ability to access internet communication from across the globe. In considering the issue of privacy of information in respect to online customer transactions, there are a number of factors that the team needs to consider. One of these is the question as to whether there are currently any legal restrictions that target the issue of privacy of information. This is important as it is essential for the company to ensure that it constantly remains within the legal parameters. Another aspect that the team needs to think about is the question as to what is the current prevailing feeling among customers about the collection of their personal information from the online transactions that they make. This is important as it will help in informing the company’s decision making process. To learn more about the main issues, the best action that the team can engage in is to organize a professional training course whereby the team members can be educated on the latest main issues surrounding the issues of privacy of information and exactly how to tackle them. There are a number of difficulties that surround the maintaining of privacy of information. Some of these include the difficulty facing users in preventing cookies spyware from illegally accessing their information. Companies such as social media sites, email service providers and banks are faced with the risk of having their customer information becoming illegally accessed by hackers (Easttom and Taylor, 10). Some of the possible solutions that can be employed by users to help in better securing their personal information include the

Education Essay Essay Example for Free

Education Essay Essay Education is a vital part of growing up. Without it, our potential cannot be utilized. We use education to make decisions, interact with others, and survive in general. In order for society to improve as a whole, we must use our education to improve on the knowledge we have already attained. Public education gives American citizens the chance to become critical thinkers, prepare for work, and compete in a global marketplace. Public education has transformed into a corrupt system. A system centered around the GPA. Getting a good percentage is the only thing that seems to be important in school. The only thing students care about is how they can pull off a 4.0. Even the teachers’ focus is on the grades. Teachers are rated based off how their students did on standardized tests and their grades. There is almost no focus on the pure attaining of knowledge. Once a student finishes a class, about 90% of the information they learned is lost. There is almost no importance on retaining knowledge after they finish testing on it. Students only about care their grades because that is what colleges look at. Everyone strives for that 4.0 GPA so they can get into their dream school. Once students get to college, their focus goes from learning to get a good grade to learning to prepare for their job. College students have to truly understand and retain the information they learn because it is important to their potential career paths. Although many problems can be found in public education, there are few that can actually be solved. Public education cannot be easily changed without disrupting the foundations of what public education does for students. If we change our focus from grades to pure learning, colleges would have no way of judging a student. It is the nature of the beast.

The Awakening :: essays research papers

Edna Pontellier The Awakening, which was written by Kate Chopin, received a great deal of criticism when it was first published in 1899. Much of the controversy over the novel arose because of the character of Edna Pontellier. Edna was very much unlike the women of her time. In today's terms she would be considered a rebel. Edna opposed the traditional roles of society that kept many restraints on the women of the 1800's. According to traditional society of the 1800's women were assigned the duties of tending the home, caring for their husband, and bearing children. On the other hand, the men of this time were to be considered the authority of the household and were basically in charge of what goes on throughout the household internally and externally as well as mentally and physically. It is Edna's choice to disobey these roles and her need for self-discovery, which cause a shocking end to this adventure to find her true self. In her critique, the female artist in Kate Chopin's The Awakening: Birth and Creativity, Carlene Stone takes the reader through stages of Edna's struggle to become an artist showing direct correlation with her becoming and individual and in control of her own self. For example she states how Robert's encouragement while she is painting is very innocent in the beginning but eventually lead's to the awakening of her passions of her body and her falling in love with Robert. The fact that Edna falls for Robert goes against those societal roles which where followed by some many women of the 1800's. Robert plays a big role in Edna's self-development through artistry and love by being a huge source of imaginative power. Stone then goes on making references to the scene in which she grows tired during Mass and leaves with Robert who takes her to Madame Antoine's home. She states that stories told by Madame Antoine represents the oral tradition of art and that this day is the high point o f Edna's imagination and she will return to it in her memory as she paints. Another form of art in which Stone refers to is structured art, which is supplied by Mme. Reisz. Mme. Reisz plays her music with great feeling and art, which evokes pictures in Eden's mind and her passions of her body, arise once again. These pictures and passions once again contribute greatly to the continuing development of Edna's artistic growth, which continues to lead to her self-discovery.

BADM 3601 †Operations Management Assignmen

Caroline Walsh BADM 3601 – Operations Management Assignment # 4? Due: Monday November 12th ? 5:00 PM (a) Â  A study? aid desk manned by a graduate student has been established to answer student’s questions and help in working problems in your OM course. The desk is staffed eight hours per day. The dean wants to know how the facility is working. Statistics show that students arrive at a rate of four per hour, and the distribution is approximately Poisson. Assistance time averages 10 minutes, distributed exponentially. Assume population and line length can be infinite and queue discipline is FCFS.Using this information, answer the following questions. i. Calculate the percent of utilization of the graduate student P= 4/6 = 2/3 = . 6667 percent utilization ii. Determine the average number of students in the system ?= 4 per hour ?= 6 students helped an hour Ls= 4/ 6-4 = 4/2 = 2 students in the system on average. iii. Calculate the average time in the system Ws= 1/ 6-4 = ? = . 5 hours average time in the system iv. Find out the probability of four or more students being in line or being served P0= 1 – 4/6 = 1- 2/3 = . 33 probability that there are 4 or more students being in line or being served. . Before a test, the arrival of students increases to five per hour on the average. ?Compute the average number of students waiting under this scenario. Lq= 4^2 / 6 (6-4) = 16/ 12= 1. 33 student waiting in line on average. (b) Â  What are the three characteristics of a waiting? line system? 1. Arrivals or inputs to the system: these have characteristics such as population size, behavior, and a statistical distribution. 2. Queue discipline, or the waiting line itself: characteristics of the queue include whether is it limited or unlimited in length and the discipline of people or items in it. . The service facility: its characteristics include its design and the statistical distribution of service times. —————— ———————————————————————– Question 2. Radovilsky’s Department Store in Haywood, California, maintains a successful catalog sales department in which a clerk takes orders by telephone. If the clerk is occupied on one line, incoming phone calls to the catalog department are answered automatically by a recording machine and asked to wait.As soon as the clerk is free, the party who has waited the longest is transferred and serviced first. Calls come in at a rate of about 12 per hour. The clerk can take an order in an average of 4 minutes. Calls tend to follow a Poisson distribution, and service times tend to be exponential. The cost of the clerk is $10 per hour, but because of lost goodwill and sales, Radovilsky’s loses about $25 per hour of customer time spent waiting for the clerk to take an order. ?= 12 ? = 15 (a) What is the average time that catalog customers must wait before their calls are transferred to the order clerk?Wq= 12/ 15 (15-12) = . 2667 average time to wait before transferred (b) What is the average number of callers waiting to place an order? Lq = 12^2 / 15 (15- 12) = 3. 2 average number of callers waiting to place an order (c) Radovilsky’s is considering adding a second clerk to take calls. The store’s cost would be the same $10 per hour. Should it hire another clerk? Explain your decision. Yes they should hire another clerk because the customer average wait time and average number of callers waiting to place an order indicate that a second representative is needed.

Management: Innovation

Business is said to consist of four elements: Principles, Models, Rules and Behaviours, the first constrains the company scope, the third the procedures, both being static elements. The interplay (feedback) between changing models and behaviours however is what drives innovation – the exploration of adjacent new possibilities. This is a step at a time mode of innovation, yet rules actually prevent these improvements which, it is shown, derive largely from the staff breaking rules. After looking more closely at complexity concepts (see later), the importance of language and metaphor is considered, especially the need for free format communications (stories) between employees. The knowledge and ideas thus exchanged are considered far more valuable to the company, in the new thinking, than any time wasted. This leads on to applications of the co-evolution metaphor central to complexity thinking, stressing that the future is no longer predictable from the past. The importance of ideas in defining company possibilities, and the need for a high ratio of information (ideas) to infrastructure (events), brings us to the successful franchise system, said to be the current best model of CAS thinking in action. This highlights the importance of independent feedback between control levels in achieving adaptation, plus the superiority of information flow over infrastructure change. The ramifications of understanding and challenging our basic assumptions (including principles) in order to make the necessary paradigm shift cannot be stressed enough, otherwise we merely tinker with the parts. Anyway, these serve to illustrate the benefits of devolving power and decision making to individuals or groups in the company (who form purposeful agents in the CAS). The self-organization that then occurs allows the rule transcendence (going beyond routine) necessary to generate that flexibility crucial to success in a modern co-evolutionary environment. The point that such emergence takes time is well made, and highlights one possible problem in the management of such complexity based systems – impatience. Another problem is the ability of staff to adopt such lateral, divergent thinking (the creative basis of adjacent innovation), and this requires that the employees change their mindset also, to embrace and not abuse the new freedoms. This both necessitates and will drive a society wide change, following the same devolution of power – complexity thinking isn't a change just to company behaviour, but to overall lifestyle. Many of the concepts are presented in a guru style, as claimed ‘truths', without justification, and this lack of depth means that inadequate background is given to many of the complexity terms used (e.g. attractor, fractal, fitness), so much so that their true relevance could be missed by the intended business audience. For example, the important idea of crossover, the re-combination of old ideas in new ways to cause step jumps in performance, with stress being placed instead on mutation style evolution (a move to an adjacent point on the fitness landscape). Additionally the emphasis on breaking down barriers, and the resultant freedom and unpredictability, neglects the spontaneously appearance of new dynamic barriers (by self-organization effects), which can prevent the feared chaos dissolving the business. On a more detailed level, there is inadequate mention of the many computer programs using complexity techniques available (outside the Santa Fe environment), which could help businesses gradually introduce this style of thinking, targeting specific existing problems (e.g. using Genetic Algorithms, Neural Networks, Fuzzy Logic, Artificial Life and Cellular Automata techniques). Those seeking a more in depth knowledge of general complexity ideas should therefore look elsewhere, but considerable scope is still provided here for the remodelling of overall business structures, along the lines of the organic complexity paradigms recommended. It would have been nice to have seen simulations used to give quantitative comparisons between the new, complexity, assumptions and the old (in the style of Epstein & Axtell's ‘Growing Artificial Societies'). It is not specific enough however, in my opinion, to convince old style managers to alter their ways. The implications that they must give up power, status and possibly reward for unpredictable ‘cognitive' gains is unlikely to appeal to closed minds, unless a suitable ‘bottom-line' accountant focus is given, emphasising a point that the book itself makes – that new thinking must be phrased in terms of the old concepts to make an impact. It is suggested that there are different types of patterns found in the organizational structure of a group. The patterns are referred to as paradigms. Closed Paradigm The structure is a traditional hierarchy of authority (similar to a CC team). This kind of team is good at creating software that is similar to its previous experience and it is less likely to be imaginative. Random Paradigm The team is not strictly centered and depends upon the members of team to be responsible for their tasks. When innovation or technological breakthrough is required, teams following the random paradigm will excel. Unfortunately, this type of team will not always excel if everything is completely organized. Open Paradigm The open paradigm is a combination of the closed and random paradigms. It structures the team so that there is control of tasks similar to the closed paradigm and has the attempts at innovation found in a random paradigm. Work is performed collaboratively with heavy communication and consensus-based decision making. This type of team structure is appropriate for teams that must deal with complex problems. Unfortunately, it may not be well suited for many people. Synchronous Paradigm This depends on the modularity of the entire project that is being solved. The problem can be broken down into smaller parts where team members work on a section independently. There is not much communication required among members. Such patterns, when changed to another pattern, can be called paradigm shifts, and form the underlying structure for talking about the future. They are pervasive and would be included in the driving forces as well as scenarios. They are the â€Å"unwritten rules† of how the emerging society might function.).   

Is there a correlation between happiness and sociability Essay Example

Is there a correlation between happiness and sociability Essay Example Is there a correlation between happiness and sociability Essay Is there a correlation between happiness and sociability Essay The aim of this investigation was to discover whether there is a correlation between happiness and sociability. The experimental hypothesis was that there would be a significant correlation between happiness and sociability, because most of the background research indicated that this would be the case. A total of 20 participants were used from college that were selected using a casual sample. The results were in terms of numerical scores and were analysed using the Spearman Rank Order Correlation Coefficient, and were found not to be significant at the 0.05 level of significance for a one tailed test. The results for the mean (11.3 (happiness), 7.7 (sociability)), median (12 (happiness), 7.5 (sociability)) and mode (14 (happiness), 5 (sociability)) reflected this with there being fairly significant differences between the results for happiness, and those for sociability. The range (14 (happiness), 12 (sociability)) showed that the data for both sets of scores was skewed. The conclusi on was that the results were inconclusive, as most evidence pointed to there being a positive correlation between happiness and sociability.Introduction:To be able to gain a better understanding of what this questionnaire is about the terms happiness and sociability need to try and be defined, so it can be seen what is actually being measured.Definitions of Sociability:The tendency to have and make personal relationships'(*1)Ability to engage in an appropriate range of social relationships.'(*2)Definition of Happiness:Having, taking, or demonstrating pleasure or satisfaction'(*3)glad, content, happy'(*4)There is lots of evidence that points towards happiness and sociability being related. These quotes show this relationship:Social science surveys have universally concluded that people claim to be most happy with friends and family, or just in the company of others(*5).This shows how people who socialise are likely to get a feeling of happiness; therefore, in theory the more sociable a person, the happier they should be.Relationships make us extremely happy when they go well, and very depressed when they dont work out(*5).This shows how the breakdown of social relationships can be the cause of unhappiness, but these relationships can also cause a person to be happy when they are going well.Happiness, along with health and mental health, is increased by presence of certain social relationships and depressed by those losing these(*6).This demonstrates how social relationships can not only affect a persons happiness, but also their health.Horowitz et al., 1982, and Weeks et al., 1980(*6) concluded that lonely people become depressed, and Horowitz et al. also concluded that lonely people also feel excluded, alienated and angry. This demonstrates how those who dont socialise very much may become unhappy.Reich and Zautra, 1981 (*6) have shown that increases in social contact lead to increases in happiness, therefore suggesting that the results to our questionnaire ar e likely to show that the more sociable a person is the more likely they are to be happy, and visa versa.Wessman and Ricks, 1966 (*6) conducted an experiment between happy students and unhappy students. Their findings showed that the students who had the better relationships with other students were the happier ones, whilst those students who were unhappy their social relations were often sources of anxiety, anger and guilt that led to cautious withdrawal and empty isolation. This study demonstrates well how the happiness of a person can affect their sociability, although it is not clear how Wessman and Ricks measured the students happiness.For this investigation we have comprised a questionnaire with questions taken from Eysncks (*7) Personality questionnaire, which has been accepted in terms of reliability and validity.Campbell, Converse and Rodgers, 1976 (*5) compiled the following table taken from an American national sample survey of 2164 people in 1971 showing what peoplethoug ht were the main sources of satisfaction in everyday life:Source of satisfactionMean importance ratingFamily lifeMarriageFinancial situationHousingJobFriendshipHealthLeisure activities1.461.442.942.102.192.081.372.79From this table we can see that two of the things that people regard as being among the most important sources of satisfaction are friendship and leisure activities which are both associated to sociability, showing that being sociable can cause happiness. We can also see that a persons financial situation gives them the most satisfaction in everyday life. If a person is financially secure then they can afford to participant in leisure activities, and meet new people.Aims: The aim of this investigation is to see if there is a positive correlation between how happy a person is and how sociable they are.Experimental hypothesis: There will be a significant positive correlation between happiness and sociability, as measured by questionnaire.This hypothesis has been decided up on because past research, such as that done by Horowitz et al. (1982), Reich and Zautra (1981), and Wessman and Ricks (1966) indicates that this hypothesis should be true.Null hypothesis: There will be no significant correlation between happiness and sociability, as measured by questionnaire.*1 The Penguin Dictionary of Psychology*2 A Students Dictionary of Psychology Second Edition*3 Readers Digest Universal Dictionary*4 Collins mini Gem English Dictioary*5 Flow the Psychology of Happiness*6 The Psychology of Happiness*7 Know your own PersonalityMethod:A correlation was used so that it could be discovered if there is a relationship between happiness and sociability.The two variables being investigated were happiness and sociability.Participants were given a pre-prepared questionnaire (see Appendix item 1) that contained a mixture of both questions related to sociability and questions related to happiness selected from Eysencks personality questionnaire. There were 18 questions re lated to each of the variables, plus 14 unrelated questions randomly mixed together to try to stop the participant from guessing the nature of the questionnaire.To analyse the data the Spearmans RHO test was used, at the 0.05 significance level (see Appendix item 6).In total we used 20 participants, 10 female and 10 male. Participants were taken from the local 6th form college, BHASVIC, and were selected using a casual sample. Participants were approached and asked if they wouldnt mind filling in a questionnaire for a Psychology project.. Once they had agreed each participant was given an A4 questionnaire (see Appendix item 1) with 50 YES, MAYBE, or NO answers to be circled with instructions at the top and debriefing at the bottom. They were also given a pen. Once all the results had been collected back the results were scored using Eysencks scoring system (see Appendix item 2) and they were then analysed using the Spearmans Rank Order Correlation Coefficient (see Appendix item 6).R esults: (For table of results see Appendix Item 3)(For workings of results see Appendix Item 4)Mean for Happiness = 11.3Mean for Sociability = 7.7Median for Happiness = 12Median for Sociability = 7.5Mode for Happiness = 14Mode for Sociability = 5Range for Happiness = 14Range for Sociability = 12Statistical Analysis:The Spearmans Rank Order Correlation Coefficient calculated value of -0.0004 at the 0.05 significance level is less than the critical value of 0.377, therefore the results are not significant and the null hypothesis cannot be rejected. This means our correlation did not show a relationship between how happy a person is and how sociable they are. This is reflected in the results of the mean, median and mode, with there being fairly significant gaps between the results of happiness and sociability. This means that the middle points for the sociability scores, and the happiness scores were far apart in each of the descriptive statistics done for averages.Both the ranges for happiness and for sociability were very far apart, with the range for happiness being 14, and the range for sociability being 12. The range shows that the spread of each of the results for sociability and happiness were far apart, with their being 14 points between the highest score for sociability and the lowest score, and there being 12 points between the highest score for happiness and the lowest score.As can be seen from the scattergraph there is not a clear relationship between the scores for happiness and those for sociability. It can be seen that some results do support our hypothesis of a positive correlation between happiness and sociability, but most of the results do not. Trying to draw a line of best fit through this graph would be nearly impossible.Discussion:The evidence that is shown in the introduction all supports our experimental hypothesis. This includes the research conducted by Horowitz et al. (1982) and Weeks et al. (1980) that lonely people become depressed, b y Reich and Zautra (1981) that increases in social contact lead to increases in happiness, and also the research done by Wessman and Ricks (1966) that students who had the better relationships with other students were the happier . Our results do not support our experimental hypothesis, or the evidence shown in the introduction, therefore it is hard to draw a conclusion. The null hypothesis could not be rejected because the result for the Spearmans Rank Order Correlation Coefficient showed that our results were not significant. The mean, median and mode reflected this, as there were large gaps between the mean, median and mode for happiness and sociability. The range shows that there were big gaps between the scores in the happiness section, and in the sociability section. This clearly shows that there was skewed data.As can be seen from the scattergraph there is no clear relationship between happiness and sociability, although some of the results do show this, but there may be fact ors that affected our results.This data all shows that just because a person is sociable, it doesnt mean that they are happy as well.Summary:Our results did not support our experimental hypothesis, therefore the null hypothesis has not been rejected, meaning that there might well not be a correlation between happiness and sociability.To get a better idea as to whether our experimental hypothesis is correct a far more representative sample would have to be used.Limitations of the design and Modifications:One reason as to why our results may not have been significant may be due to the questionnaire. However much care is taken over the wording of the questions, even if they are seen to be reliable and valid (as Eysencks questions are), different respondents may interpret the questions differently, meaning we may not have got answers to the questions we intended to get. The questions we used were only a sample from Eysencks questions, and therefore this may have affected the results. Wh en using a questionnaire there is little opportunity for the researcher to quantify what the question actually means. It may also be the case the respondents may interpret the terms in the questions differently. For example people may have different ideas as to what happy or sociable actually means (as the definitions in the introduction were merely a guide).Respondents to the questionnaire may not have given full and accurate answers. They may answer the questions in a way that makes themselves look good, or in a way in which they think the researcher wishes them to answer.The layout of the questions and the answers on the questionnaire did not line up due to limited space, therefore the respondents may have possibly got confused as to which question went with which answer. This may have affected our results.It is hard to measure the degree of happiness from person to person from a simple questionnaire, such as the one we conducted. More detailed questions would have to be asked in which the respondent could give their own answers. Problems would also arise from this as it is hard to define happiness.This study was conducted using only a small amount of participants, therefore not being very valid. This could be a reason as to why the results for our study did not support our experimental hypothesis, despite all of the evidence in the introduction supporting the experimental hypothesis. The age of the participants in our sample may have differed from those that were used in the background research that I conducted and this may have affected the results.The environment in which the participant filled in the questionnaire may have affected the results. If the room was too warm, too cold, too noisy, or to crowded it may have meant that the participant rushed their answers, or misread the questions. If the participant didnt have much time they may have rushed because they needed to get somewhere else.Further Study:In this study an equal amount of males and female s were used, but a comparison of the two was not conducted. This could be done to see if there is a difference in the happiness and sociability of males and females.The sample size could be increased to see if the result found in this study would be the same, this could also then include many different ages to see if age affected the results. Samples could be taken from different areas from the country, and also from other countries to test if this would affect the results.Instead of using questionnaires, interviews could be conducted to collect the data, this way the questions could be clarified.People in solitude could be studied to see if they consider themselves to be happy.Different sources of happiness could be explored, for example the financial situation a person is in or their health.Implications:Implications of this study, from the results that we obtained from our questionnaire, could be that those who are in solitude, such as people in prison should not suffer from unhap piness. These results could well mean that happiness is just a state of mind, and not affect by your sociability, as some people enjoy being on their own. This is reflected in the quote happiness, happiness, the greatest gift that I possess taken from a well-known song.Our study did not show a correlation between happiness and sociability, but if we were to assume that the evidence shown in the introduction was correct, then those who suffer from unhappiness could be placed into more social situations to try and improve their happiness.References:Michael Argyle The Psychology of Happiness (1987) Methuen and Co. LtdCollins mini Gem English Dictionary (1986)H.J Eysenck Know Your own Personality (1975) Maurice Temple SmithRichard Gross et. al Psychology-A New Introduction-Study Guide (1999) Hodderand StoughtonArthur S. Reber The Penguin Dictionary of Psychology (1985) Penguin GroupVivian Shackleton and Clive Fletcher Individual differences Theories andApplications (1984) Methuen and Co. LtdPeter Stratton and Nicky Hayes A Students Dictionary of Psychology-secondedition (1993) Edward ArnoldReaders Digest Universal Dictionary (1987)Appendix:Item 1: Sample QuestionnaireItem 2: Score sheet for questionnaireItem 3: Explanation of score sheetItem 4: Table of resultsItem 5: Workings for mean, median and modeItem 6: Workings for Spearmans Rank OrderCorrelation CoefficientAppendix Item 4 Table of ResultsParticipant numberScore for happiness(out of 18)Score for sociability(out of 18)1234567891011121314151617181920161076398111414141212915617141712551055641432211121397811814Appendix item 5: workings for mean, median and modeMEAN:Happiness:= 3+6+6+7+8+9+9+10+11+12+12+12+14+14+14+14+15+16+17+1720= 11.3Sociability:= 2+2+3+4+5+5+5+5+6+7+8+8+9+10+11+11+12+13+14+1420= 7.7MEDIAN:Happiness:= 3, 6, 6, 7, 8, 9, 9, 10, 11, 12, 12, 12, 14, 14, 14, 14, 15, 16, 17, 17= 12Sociability:= 2, 2, 3, 4, 5, 5, 5, 5, 6, 7, 8, 8, 9, 10, 11, 11, 12, 13, 14, 14= 7.5MODE:Happiness:= 3, 6, 6, 7, 8, 9, 9, 10, 11, 12, 12, 12, 14, 14, 14, 14, 15, 16, 17, 17= 14Sociability:= 2, 2, 3, 4, 5, 5, 5, 5, 6, 7, 8, 8, 9, 10, 11, 11, 12, 13, 14, 14= 5Range:Happiness:= 17 3= 14Sociability:=14 2= 12ContentsAbstract..1Introduction1Method4Results5Discussion..7References.9Appendices10Is there aCorrelationbetween Happinessand Sociability?Appendix item 3: Explanation of score sheet for questionnaire.The questions highlighted in pink are questions relating to happiness.The questions highlighted in yellow are questions relating to sociability.The questions crossed out are unrelated questions.On the answers the YES , MAYBE , or NO answers that are circled are the desired answers, meaning a person is happy/sociable. If a participant circles one of these answers on their copy of the questionnaire they are awarded one point, to either happiness or sociability depending on what the question was (whether highlighted in pink or yellow) related to. For example, if a participant was to answer NO to Question 1 (Do you think that people really dont care what happens to you?) the participant would be awarded one point on their happiness tally.The scoring system has been done in accordance with Eysencks scoring system to ensure the results were as valid and reliable as possible.

Free Essays on Methadone

Methadone-A Treatment? Methadone is a synthetic opiate. It was first synthesized by a German chemist during World War II and used as an analgesic. Methadone produces almost identical effects of that of morphine, but chemically they are very different. Methadone is used as a detoxification treatment for heroin addicts. It is also used to manage pain in cancer patients. Methadone belongs in the drug family opiates. It is grouped with such drugs as opium, morphine, codeine, and heroin. Opiates date back more than 3,000 years. Papyrus of Thebes, one of our earliest written records, gave instructions for the use of opium in the treatment of pain. (Hutchings, 1992) Opiates come from the milky juice of the poppy plant, in fact, the word opium comes from the Greek word for vegetable juice. Traces of poppy juice being used to alleviate pain can be found back to the third century B.C. By the 16th century though, the medicinal uses of opium were widely known across Europe. It was even written in 1680 â€Å"Among the remedies which it has pleased almighty God to give to man to relieve his suffering, none so universal and so efficacious as opium.† (Hutchings, 1992) During the 1800’s opium was so readily available it could even be purchased at the local grocery stores. Due to death rates increasing due to opium use, and rising drug-related crime rates, restrictions were implemented on the sale and use of opium in England in 1868. During the 19th century the United States caught on and they started importing opium for use as an aspirin. Physicians openly distribute the drug. You could also purchase opium in the grocery store, general, pharmacies, and even mail order. Many over-the-counter medicines, from teething medicines, to painkillers, could be purchased that contained opium. During the mid to late 19th century opium was very common. Opium dens, places where people would go, usually locat... Free Essays on Methadone Free Essays on Methadone Methadone-A Treatment? Methadone is a synthetic opiate. It was first synthesized by a German chemist during World War II and used as an analgesic. Methadone produces almost identical effects of that of morphine, but chemically they are very different. Methadone is used as a detoxification treatment for heroin addicts. It is also used to manage pain in cancer patients. Methadone belongs in the drug family opiates. It is grouped with such drugs as opium, morphine, codeine, and heroin. Opiates date back more than 3,000 years. Papyrus of Thebes, one of our earliest written records, gave instructions for the use of opium in the treatment of pain. (Hutchings, 1992) Opiates come from the milky juice of the poppy plant, in fact, the word opium comes from the Greek word for vegetable juice. Traces of poppy juice being used to alleviate pain can be found back to the third century B.C. By the 16th century though, the medicinal uses of opium were widely known across Europe. It was even written in 1680 â€Å"Among the remedies which it has pleased almighty God to give to man to relieve his suffering, none so universal and so efficacious as opium.† (Hutchings, 1992) During the 1800’s opium was so readily available it could even be purchased at the local grocery stores. Due to death rates increasing due to opium use, and rising drug-related crime rates, restrictions were implemented on the sale and use of opium in England in 1868. During the 19th century the United States caught on and they started importing opium for use as an aspirin. Physicians openly distribute the drug. You could also purchase opium in the grocery store, general, pharmacies, and even mail order. Many over-the-counter medicines, from teething medicines, to painkillers, could be purchased that contained opium. During the mid to late 19th century opium was very common. Opium dens, places where people would go, usually locat...

Haikouichthys - Facts and Figures

Haikouichthys - Facts and Figures Name: Haikouichthys (Greek for fish from Haikou); pronounced HIGH-koo-ICK-thiss Habitat: Shallow seas of Asia Historical Period: Early Cambrian (530 million years ago) Size and Weight: About one inch long and less than an ounce Diet: Small marine organisms Distinguishing Characteristics: Tiny size; fin along length of back About Haikouichthys The Cambrian period is famous for its explosion of bizarre invertebrate life forms, but this span of time also saw the evolution of the earliest almost-vertebratesmarine organisms like Haikouichthys, Pikaia and Myllokunmingia that bore the faintest outlines of backbones and had a noticeably fish-like shape. As with these other genera, whether or not Haikouichthys was technically a prehistoric fish is still a subject of debate. This was certainly one of the earliest craniates (i.e., organisms with skulls), but lacking any definitive fossil evidence, it may have had a primitive notochord running down its back rather than a true backbone. Haikouichthys and its companions did, however, introduce some features that are so commonplace now as to be completely unremarkable. For example, this creatures head was distinct from its tail, it was bilaterally symmetric (that is, its right side matched up with its left side), and it had two eyes and a mouth on its head end. By Cambrian standards, it may have been the most advanced life form of its day!

Nike Case Study Analysis Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Nike Case Study Analysis - Essay Example According to Jeff Ballinger, a key Nike critic, he argued that Nike’s policy of competing on the basis of cost reduction by outsourcing manufacturing to countries where production cost were low encouraged contractors to mistreat their workers. He believed that, Nike contractors flouted labor laws by paying below subsistence wages that did not enable the workers meet daily needs. The contractors bribed their way out. Ballinger also found Nike’s attitude at the height of these labor practices galling. In 1992, August issue of Harper’s magazine, Ballinger published an annotated pay-stub, comparing workers’ wages with Michael Jordan’s endorsement contract. He noted that it would take an Indonesian worker 44,492 years to make an equivalent of Michael Jordan’s endorsement contract. Other critics, Newspapers (The Portland Oregonian), Protestors, ran critical articles and were vocal at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics where they charged Nike with exploitation of factory workers. On July 1996, Life magazine, ran a story of a Pakistan boy stitching a Nike ball a concern about child labor, this prompted calls to endorsers such as Michael Jordan to investigate the source of the products before endorsing them. Critics, such as Ballinger, goals were to draw worldwide attention to the exploitation of third world factory workers by using Nike as the ideal target. Nike responded to the allegations through several ways, through the intervention of President Clinton, Nike was the first company to join the Apparel Industry Partnership (AIP), a taskforce of leaders of apparel and footwear industries whose role was to develop acceptable labor standards for US firms in foreign countries. This committee also included members of activist, labor and religious groups. It was meant to be collaboration between the industry and its most outspoken critics. Nike also set up a labor practices department; this was meant to promoting fair

The connectionist model theory Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

The connectionist model theory - Essay Example In Experiment 2, the prime–target pairs had different main verbs. Facilitated target sentence processing was observed in both Experiments 1 and 2 when the target sentences were preceded by a prime sentence with the same syntactic structure. These results provide the first evidence of lexically independent, between-sentence structural priming in online sentence comprehension. Abstract: Strong evidence suggests that prior syntactic context affects language production (e.g., J. K. Bock, 1986). The authors report 4 experiments that used an expression–picture matching task to investigate whether it also affects ambiguity resolution in comprehension. All experiments examined the interpretation of prepositional phrases that were ambiguous between high and low attachment. After reading a prime expression with a high-attached interpretation, participants tended to interpret an ambiguous prepositional phrase in a target expression as highly attached if it contained the same verb as the prime (Experiment 1), but not if it contained a different verb (Experiment 2). They also tended to adopt the high-attached interpretation after producing a prime with the high-attached interpretation that included the same verb (Experiment 3). Finally, they were faster to adopt a high-attached interpretation after reading an expression containing the same verb that was disambiguated to the high-attached versus the low-attached interpretation (Experiment 4). Attachment during Comprehension.† Journal of Experimental Psychology: Learning, Memory and Cognition. 2005. Vol. 31, no. 3, pp. 468-481. 16 February 2011

Health and Wellness Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Health and Wellness - Essay Example My recognition and awareness of maintaining good health has been shaped, to a great extent, by my teachers at school and parents at home. They have influenced my perceptions of health along with inculcating in me the seriousness required in maintaining personal hygiene and a healthy diet. In addition, my experience of the Irritable Bowel Syndrome has also helped in shaping my perceptions of health and wellness. After being diagnosed with this disease, I started caring more about myself, thinking less about issues in life that worried me, controlling my anger and sharing my feelings with others. Indeed, I started focusing more on the kind and amount of food I ate after being diagnosed with this disease. For example, I used to eat a lot of fast food prior to this disease which could have contributed to my ill health. However, soon I became proactively involved in developing healthy habits, including giving up on fast food, with the help of my support network. Moreover, one of the major individuals who have influenced me a lot when it comes to maintaining good health is my father. Despite being diagnosed with diabetes and high cholesterol and having suffered a heart attack, my father was sustain himself through these times and, in the process, learnt how to control his ill health rather than being control by it. He has started to exercise on a daily basis and play different kind of sports such as tennis, horse riding and volley ball. He also eats whatever food he feels like eating.

Horror movie- Man versus monsters Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2250 words

Horror movie- Man versus monsters - Essay Example An all-time rival of Mr. James Devin- The neighbor of Mr. James who also does fishing. Martha- An old superstitious neighbor of Mr. James. She is a widower who lives alone with her numerous cats. Plot The movie starts with Mr. James on the lake in his boat. It is late in the afternoon and Mr. James is fatigued with the day’s work. He harms his usual favorite tune as he goes about his final fishing of the day. Devin, his childhood friend and a neighbor, is watching from the sides of the lake as he smokes tobacco from his pot. Somehow Mr. James’ vessel stops to move and he does not understand why. He tries to speed up the engine but all is in vain as the boat rocks up and down from the forming waves in the lake but does not move a single inch forward. From the shores of the lake, Devin spots the mayhem that is going on in the lake. He stands up and looks on more keenly and closely. He discovers that Mr. James is indeed in some kind of a limbo and that not all is well with him. He shouts at the top of his voice inquiring on how Mr. James is faring. His voice is however drowned by the sound of the roaring engine of the vessel which Mr. James is trying to speed up so as to get off the stuck position. â€Å"James, are you alright?† shouts Devin over and over again. After struggling with the vessel for some four or so minutes, Mr. James decides to find out what is getting the vessel stuck and to deal with it at once. Over the years of his fishing endeavors, Mr. James has come about such instances but every time the vessel would veer off the path of whatever was getting it stuck if the engine was speeded up. This does not seem to work this time round and it got Mr. James a little bit nervous. As Mr. James approaches the side of the boat to check out the state of the water surrounding the boat, the entire vessel is abruptly lifted up and it comes down tumbling in the water in a capsizing position. Devin gets all jittery as he is helplessly watching Mr. James going into the water with his head first. Mr. James has been brought up near the lake and he has very perfect swimming skills. He drops into the water and recollects his senses, then immediately tries to come up above the level of the water and swim to the shore. He feels something pulling his leg down in a manner that would definitely get to drown him. He uses his left foot to kick the foreign creature that is pulling him down. The first sight of the monster flashes on the screen for seconds as it is shown receiving the kick blow from Mr. James and letting him loose. As proposed by Kleeblatt (58), this is a perfect way of introducing a key element in a film. Apparently, Mr. James gets to kick the monster in his left eye and it loses its composure. Devin jumps into the water and helps James as he is swimming outside. They get to the shore and both can not tell what exactly has attacked them. The winds drive the James’ boat to the shoreline and it spends the night th ere unmanned. James and his neighbor Devin go home with no fish and with very frightened faces. Soon, the story of the ordeal that has happened at the lake gets to the entire locality. People have mixed reactions concerning the story. Most of the people find it difficult to believe that the story has indeed happens. Some believe in it partially, but still leave some room for doubt. The James’ old neighbor Martha is among those who have a very weird explanation of the ordeal. She believs that the story

Work Based Learning in the Creative and Cultural Industries Assignment

Work Based Learning in the Creative and Cultural Industries - Assignment Example As the paper declares the concept of the employer caring for the employee through symbolic means is not only cultural significant because of the interactions that take place on several levels. More importantly, there is an association with the cultural expectations that come into the work organization. From the report findings mass culture is developed through commercialization and the expectations that are a part of the culture that is created. From the mass culture, there is a development of specific attitudes and understandings that relate to the overall values of society. The idea of culture is one that is not only based on movements and expressions, but instead is significant of different industries and the commercialization that is included in culture. It is not only the cultural expectations that have developed the responses to the swine flu and the organizational environment that responds to this. The knowledge that is depicted with the swine flu, health issues and expectations from the work place come specifically from the media and the regulations that are a part of this. When the media presents specific information to the public, it is required to first find imperative information that makes a difference in the knowledge that the mass culture is given. The impact that th is has is one that directly affects the mass public and can create controversy as well as alternative expectations that can be held in different arenas of life.

INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS STRATEGY Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2250 words

INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS STRATEGY - Essay Example As such, the 3D printing industry would hereby be more closely evaluated in terms of the industries seen to be disrupted; as well as the forces influencing the industry. The concluding portion would determine a trend to explain the 3D technology in general. The 3D printing industry has evolved from prototyping to manufacturing Lakhani and Lane (2014). As clearly explained by Lakhani and Lane (2014), â€Å"3D printing was an additive production process that, using varied techniques, repeatedly deposited one thin layer of material at a time that fused, bonded, or adhered to adjacent layers to create an integrated whole† (p. 2). A more comprehensive analysis of the 3D printing industry would be presented through the PEST analysis and the Porter’s five forces framework. including the need for more stringent regulations pertaining to identifying users (purchasers) of 3D printers and for specifically identified purposes. This is relevant to avoid misuse of products being produced from these printers. Likewise, aside from identifying authorized users through proper licensing to conform to government regulations, the possibilities of coming out with diverse products might also increase preponderance of misuse or abuse that could endanger the lives of the public. The economic impact of proliferation of 3D printing includes potential losses of jobs, especially in manufacturing firms that are seen to belong to the industries to be disrupted. Likewise, closing or potential bankruptcy of manufacturing firms would be detrimental to the economy in terms of lesser tax revenues for the government, lesser purchasing power for consumers who lose their jobs, as well as lesser funds to be earmarked for infrastructure and economic development projects. On the positive side, more goods manufactured locally would be made available, making cheaper alternatives easily accessible to the consumers. More interaction is

Work Based Learning in the Creative and Cultural Industries Assignment

Work Based Learning in the Creative and Cultural Industries - Assignment Example As the paper declares the concept of the employer caring for the employee through symbolic means is not only cultural significant because of the interactions that take place on several levels. More importantly, there is an association with the cultural expectations that come into the work organization. From the report findings mass culture is developed through commercialization and the expectations that are a part of the culture that is created. From the mass culture, there is a development of specific attitudes and understandings that relate to the overall values of society. The idea of culture is one that is not only based on movements and expressions, but instead is significant of different industries and the commercialization that is included in culture. It is not only the cultural expectations that have developed the responses to the swine flu and the organizational environment that responds to this. The knowledge that is depicted with the swine flu, health issues and expectations from the work place come specifically from the media and the regulations that are a part of this. When the media presents specific information to the public, it is required to first find imperative information that makes a difference in the knowledge that the mass culture is given. The impact that th is has is one that directly affects the mass public and can create controversy as well as alternative expectations that can be held in different arenas of life.

The Bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki Research Paper

The Bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki - Research Paper Example Hiroshima underwent the massacre due to the weapon titled ‘Little Boy’ on the 6th of August whereas the ‘Fat Man’ was dropped on Nagasaki three days later. In order to let peace prevail after, Japan sent an instrument of surrender after almost a week of the bombings which marked the end of the Second World War. Prior to the surrender of the Nazi army in Germany, the Allies of World War II had already made plans to go ahead with Operation Downfall which was supposed to be the invasion of Japan. In 1945 when Germany was defeated, the Allies turned their attention towards Japan. Under the guidance of Major General Leslie Groves, U.S Army Corps of Engineers, the first atomic bombs were finally designed. Even though preparations were going on since 1939, fearing the Nazi army to build worse nuclear weapons kept the Allies in check and made them not reveal their weaponry. Both the Little Boy and the Fat Man were implosion weapons designed as gun type fission weapo ns; Little Boy was made of a rare isotope of uranium-235 and the Fat Man formed its base in plutonium-239. On receiving the Potsdam Declaration, the Japanese government decided to ignore it or kill it by silence and despite being given an ultimatum to surrender and told by the Allies that the consequences of non compliance with the same would result in the complete destruction of the Japanese Armed Forces as well as proper devastation of Japan on the whole, a clear rejection of the Declaration was provided by the then Prime Minister, Kantaro Suzuki. Hiroshima was of prime importance to the Japanese because its strategic location made the city a backbone for developing industry, trade and commerce. The city also had attached towards itself a great amount of military significance. The Allies had decided that in case the bombing of Hiroshima did not go as planned, they would target the cities of Kokura and Nagasaki alternately. The point which was aimed from the craft, Enola Gay, (whic h was the craft used to drop the bomb on Hiroshima), was the Aioi Bridge however, it missed and landed on the Shima Surgical Clinic, blasting at least 12km2 of the city and spreading fire everywhere. 30% of the population of the city at the time was killed immediately, with the effects ranging on another million or so that were riddled with the gases and fumes and burns due to the fire of the blast. Many people were affected by cancer and leukaemia due to the after effects of the blasts, which led to their death eventually as well. The Hiroshima Genbaku Dome is one of the few known surviving ruins post the attacks and in 1996; it was termed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO which followed repeal from countries like US and China. Nagasaki was one of the largest ports that Japan had and thus it was vital to the country’s growth and development because of its connection with overseas routes which were especially of use during the time of the war in order to import and export ma terials, keep an eye on invading foreigners, as well as produce and distribute military equipment

Is Privacy in the 21st Century Possible Essay Example for Free

Is Privacy in the 21st Century Possible Essay Privacy in the 21st century will affect every human beings life as we know it in the future. Is privacy in the 21st century possible? No. Whether we are talking about issues like video surveillance detecting our every move or computer hackers stealing identities, privacy is dead as we know it. The only way to bring more privacy back is if we all come together and demand the privacy we deserve. Making correct decisions at home, work, and church, about who we vote for and the groups of people we support, will greatly impact our world around us and the freedoms we strive to keep for our children and generations to come. Three areas of concern for many people are having a government with too much information and too much control, having less and less privacy as the years go by, and how some religions are responding to certain privacy issues that some say are talked about in the bible. These three topics or issues are some of the most controversial areas of concern and is also growing at an exponential rate. When studying the fourth amendment and what our forefathers were trying to preserve and protect, we realize that we have been given the right to be free of unreasonable searches and seizures, and that is why we need to make sound educated decisions when trying to correct the negative problems in our world. Rights and freedoms do not need to be sacrificed. Having many wonderful rights and freedoms is one of the main reasons this country has become such an inventive and successful country, like the world has never seen before. As we venture into the 21st century, our freedoms and the way we are supposed to live and act, has changed dramatically. It seems that every time we turn around we have less privacy and government has more control. When it comes to our rights and freedoms, the governments ability to make us feel safer and more secure has made us except policies and procedures that normally would not even been thought about in the past. Not all the spy technology that humans create is going to cause harm though. Biometrics is a technology that applies a persons unique physical traits to a sophisticated electronic device or system to confirm identity. This kind of technology has its upsides and downsides. Facial recognition is one aspect or system of biometrics. Facial recognition biometric systems are everywhere today. We can find them in many places throughout large cities. Places like transit vehicles, city streets, casinos, banks, hospitals, and many other common places people are found have facial recognition technology. The upside to having this type of technology is that it would be a good crime deterrent. Crime is probably the number one reason having this type of technology would be a huge benefit. Law enforcement departments would be able to sometimes prevent crimes before they happen and definitely have concrete evidence if the crime is not stopped beforehand. Recently, after the Boston Marathon bomb exploded, the different law enforcement agencies used the cities video surveillance technologies to track down and find the criminals. Finding the bombers before they were able to do more damage would probably not have been possible without video surveillance. The downside to this technology is the assumption that people are secretly being videotaped. According to a study by the New York Civil Liberties Union, people in Manhattan are being secretly videotaped on public streets, outside buildings, and even in their backyard, by hidden surveillance cameras. Most hidden surveillance cameras are secured to rooftops, lampposts, and building entrances, but almost four hundred rotating cameras are hidden in light bulbs that look like street lights stated Dority (2001). People that are constantly in fear of crime will sometimes sacrifice freedoms to insure their family safety and security of the world around them. This could be the reason why so many are flocking to the idea of having security with video surveillance and other surveillance technologies without thinking about the consequences of what freedoms and rights might be given up. Video surveillance and other surveillance technologies are everywhere. We can find them at A. T. M.  machines, convenience stores, parking garages, corporate offices, hotels, storage facilities, amusement parks, supermarkets, and do not forget about all the webcams all over the world, stated Soat (2005). The political and commercial applications of invasive surveillance technologies, together with gathering large quantities of data made possible by the Internet and high-speed computers, have brought frightening scenarios uncomfortably close to the realm of possibility, according to Jasper (2003). When government  knows everything we say and do, including passport information, drivers license information, etc, then what is to stop nefarious people from trying to carry out their own agendas? The right and the left wing people in this country will sometimes do anything to accomplish their goals, including attempting to use any type of technology at their disposal. These types of technology could be used on people that are behind on their taxes, having traffic violations, or people who just own gold and silver. In the past gold has been rounded up and confiscated said Jasper (2003). Tyrannical governments have been around since the beginning of time. Why would we not at least have some officials in our own government that have tyrannical tendencies and will do everything in their power to capitalize on new invasive technologies that will further their cause or propose? Talking to many people and researching the ways and means of some tyrannical governments in this world, one could only imagine what certain human beings will do for more money and power. The more privacy we give up empowers some government officials to use the system no matter how invasive on we the people to acquire their own agenda. Our forefathers fought very hard to protect the rights and freedoms that we are losing more and more of everyday. When too much money, power, and control is given to so few individuals, it seems they become corrupt. The old saying Absolute power corrupts absolutely. The bigger that our government becomes our freedoms disappear and we are told how to live by someone else. There have always been, and there always will be people that have evil tendencies and motives. If they are able to create this type of power, they will use it for selfish and evil deeds. Clark (2009) stated when large corporations and governments get together they become an entity that believes their way is the only way. When we look at the history of privacy and the human race, it has only been in the last forty to sixty years that we have had to really protect our privacy rights as governments work with large corporations to gain more control over us. Even before the digital revolution, the ability of individuals to maintain control over the improper discovery, dissemination, or misuse of their identity was threatened by the potential for governments to wiretap telephone lines or impose overly broad restrictions or burdens on speech for businesses to misuse customer data and for thieves to steal personal information said Jasper (2003). Privacy today is definitely a more pressing issue than ever before. If we as people ever needed to think about and make the correct decisions, now is the time. If there was ever a time in the history of the world to protect ourselves from the hand of Big Brother, and all of the devious ways it is coming up with to grow bigger and control everything it can touch, now is the time. One issue that stands out when it comes to privacy is religious beliefs. Religious Beliefs and Privacy when it comes to implanting human computer chips has very much intensified in recent decades. Not only has putting computer chips into animals been a hot topic, computer chipping everything from humans to the products we buy is also an issue many are concerned about. According to Katherine Albrecht (2005), when it comes to implanting computer chips into humans, some very powerful people are pushing for this very technology. This issue is gaining momentum in the religious communities because of its resemblance to the Mark of the Beast in the bible. Ever since the introduction of the implantable computer chip, the issue has been gaining momentum in religious circles because many are worried about going to money less economic systems that can only be accessed by a implantable computer chip. There is quite a bit of evil that is involved with this topic in the bible. Bamford (2002) stated that when there is such a large religious base, and one looks at how passionate people can become over different issues, it is easy to see that these kinds of decisions need to be well thought out to prevent riots and wars. Just about every person in America has some kind of data file on them by one or more of the big private companies, let alone the databases compiled by the Government. When we lose privacy we are told it is for our own good, or our own protection, or to make our lives better. But is it worth it? With companies like Google reading all the contents that travel through their computers then, handing all of the information over to the government, what are we supposed to do? Technology is like a gun. A gun is neither good nor evil. It is who is using the technology, or gun, and what their intentions are for using it. If people do not stand up for their rights, big government will take more and more freedoms and rights away. Since the beginning of time governments have become large and then they destroy the country from within before anyone realizes what has happened. Technology is clashing with privacy. We need to figure out how to have the benefits of technology while keeping the privacy we need and deserve. There needs to be a happy medium. Could you imagine the freedoms we would lose if we had to obey a one world government? Most other leaders from other countries do not believe the average person deserves the rights and privacy that we as Americans have. Our forefathers understood that if you give the government unchecked powers, you were inviting abuse of power and tyranny. Whether we are talking about the decisions we make today affecting or our world in the future, when it comes to privacy issues, it is safe to say that looking out for our own privacy is just going to be normal. Life as we know it can change in a heartbeat if we as human beings cannot make the right decisions to impact our world in a positive way.

The Gender Discrimination In Pakistan Sociology Essay

The Gender Discrimination In Pakistan Sociology Essay This paper demonstrates a societal status of women and their pondering image in a perspective of social, political and economic contexts in Pakistan. The explicit spectrum of gender in different academic shapes does not rectify the comprehensive mode of subject due to lack of research and policy implementation. This thesis provides an appropriate source in the light of Islamic sharia law, cultural and uneducated state regulations towards gender understanding in Pakistan. Social injustice, economic domination by men and culturally bindings and borders make an oppressed environment for womens. Urban and rural, tribal and family moralistic restrictions amidst more and broader complications to the uplift of women in various areas of Pakistan. Women in Pakistan are living in critical social scenario and struggling to gain its level role and rights in all spheres of life. This study provides a precise shade of womens situation in Pakistan by connecting to social, political, and economic as pects of discrimination. Research needs more empirical academic work to identify issues and solutions regarding this burning topic. Chapter 1 1.1 Introduction Womens right in the world is an important indicator to understand global well-being. No society can function properly without women. Aristotle the father of political science had said that the state is a union of families and villages. Family plays a very important role in society, and makes the foundation of the state .Happy families build healthy societies and healthy societies are prerequisites of strong political order in democratic societies. A woman is an architect of society. She forms the institution of family life, takes care of the home, brings up the children and tries to make them good citizens. Her role in totality contributes to the building of an ideal family, ideal society and an ideal state. In order to build the prosperous and healthy society both men and women demand for equal rights. About half the mankind consists of women and they are treated as second class citizens all over the world, but especially in developing states they are oppressed in different sectors of life. In these developing countries one of the living examples is Pakistan which has been coming across this issue since it got independence in 1947. Womens lives are controlled and shaped by various gender discriminatory structures in Pakistan. Their contribution to the production and physical hardships are not acknowledged. A woman suffers in education, health and gender biased feeding and recreation practices. As a human being she is denied from her own identity. In some parts she is considered as commodity owned by her brother and father before marriage and then by her husband. She does not have the power to make a decision for her life. Someone else takes decisions on behalf of herself about marriage, education or giving birth to a child. In this paper I will explain the situation of women with a special focus on discrimination against them in different sections of society. What are the main obstacles in the development of womens rights. Furthermore I am also going to explain womens rights from an Islamic point of view, since this is sometimes used as an explanation or an excuse, for violating womens human rights. The essential teaching communicated to each woman in this patriarchal society where I myself grew up, is to stay a quiet viewer, even as a silent party to any unfairness done by a man. Women from 48% of the inhabitants in Pakistan. A huge number inhabits in countryside areas, where essential facilities are lacking and womens rights are mistreated. In those areas they are kept away from education, dont have access to schools and colleges and usually became victims of honor killings, rape, early marriages and gender discrimination. In remote areas, women are treated as slaves and remains under their men only as a labor force. Usually their fate will be decided by their husbands, fathers and brothers, which are often called male dominating societies. They do not have the right to make a decision concerning important aspects of lives. For instance, marriage is also a kind of business among rich and poor families; this tradition exists both in the villages and cities, which is extremely infringing on their rights to exist. In some of the areas the customary act of Swara is largely prevalent especially in Khyber Pakhtoon Khwa and Balochistan ( provinces of Pakistan), by the virtue of which, instead of giving blood money as badl-e-sulha(retribute) an accused family gives their girl or girls in marriage to an aggrieved family as compensation to settle down the blood feud between them. In this study I have used the concept of Martha Nussbaum ,, capability approach,, According to her the ten capabilities are life, bodily health, bodily integrity, senses, imagination and thoughts, practical reason, Emotion, Affiliation, Other species, Play, and control over ones environment. These capabilities are related to one another in many complex ways. It must be protected and guaranteed in order to have happy and successful life. 1.2 Aims of the thesis The topic of this assignment is discrimination, a very broad term which for this thesis have been narrowed down to,gender discrimination in Pakistan.In this study my aim is to analyze the situation of womens rights in Pakistan. How they are discriminated in different spheres of life and what are the main causes of discrimination. 1.3 Research Questions My research question is following. 1. What are the major causes of gender discrimination in Pakistan? 1.4 Methodology and material This thesis is a qualitative case study of Gender discrimination in Pakistan in order to collect qualitative data for this research I have chosen to use secondary materials such as books, internet materials, and some relevant articles related to my study. In theory. I have used the book Women and human development by Martha C. Nussbaum except from course literature. I have used the main book Al-Quran and different articles from journals. Apart from this I have also used materials from UN resources such as articles from very conventions sources from internet and data from newspaper have also been used. 1.5 Chapter Outline In this paper I start my work with a brief introduction to the field. In the second chapter womens situation in Pakistan is described briefly and some articles from CEDAW and the constitution of Pakistan is described. Furthermore the women status under sharia law has also been discussed. The subsequent chapter 3 discussess the main reasons of creating discrimination and inequalities between men and women in Pakistan. In chapter 4 I have analyse the topic and then finally I have given the conclusions with the answers to the research questions. 1.6 Theory. Martha Nussbaums Capability Approach Nussbaum presents the important ingredients necessary for living an honorable life. Her concept is derived from the Aristotle notion of human beings as a political animal and from Marx idea that the human being is a creature. She thinks that her approach is a defensible theory of justice and although a partial one and calls it the capability approach. Capabilities are important for the achievement of well-being for everyone. It helps to compare one nation to another. In Nussbaum view, the capability approach is used in analysis of women human rights. This is because the capability approach provides a social and political framework to implement the solution to the problems of human welfare. It also provides a guide for policy makers and governments ( Nusssbaum 2000, P-14). According to Nussbaum the ten capabilities are following. Life. A person must be able to live to the end of a human life of normal length, not dying prematurely, or before ones life is so reduced as to be not worth living. Bodily health. A person should be healthy, including reproductive health, to be adequately nourished and to have proper shelter. Bodily health. Must be able to move freely from one place to another, having ones bodily boundaries treated as sovereign, i.e. being able to have physical security and having opportunities for sexual satisfaction and for choice in matters of reproduction etc. Senses thought and imagination. Everyone in society has to be able to use the senses, to think, to imagine and reason. To do all these things in the proper way they all need adequate education and basic scientific and mathematical training. In order to be able to use thought and imagination everyone has the right to freedom of expression, choice of religion and free association in order to be able to search for the ultimate meaning of life in ones own way( Nussbaum 2000, p-78). Emotion. Everyone has the right to be attached to things and people outside ourselves, to care and love for those who care and love for us, to grieve at their absence, in general, to love, to grieve, to experience longing, gratitude, and justified anger. Do not harm other emotions with fear and anxiety. Practical reason. Everyone in society has the right to plain their own life in a good way without any interference from others. Affiliation. Being able to recognize and show respect for other human beings, to engage in different forms of social interaction, to be able to understand the situation of another and to have compassion for that situation. Further to have the ability for both friendship and justice. Being able to be treated as a respectable human being whose worth is equal to that of others. Protection against any type of discrimination on the ground of sex, race, religion, ethnicity etc. ( Nussbaum 2000, p-79) Other species. ,, Being able to live with concern for and in relation to animals, plants, and the world of nature,, Play. Everyone has to be able to have recreational activities and to be able to laugh and to play. Control over ones environment. A. Political. Being able to take part in political activities of their own choices, having the right of protection of free speech, association and political participation. B. Material. Being able to hold movable and immovable property, having equal property rights of possession and ownership, having equal opportunity for employment. (Nussbaum 2000, p-80). The above items on the list are interrelated to one another in many complex ways. One of the most effective ways of promoting womens control over their environment and their effective right of political participation, is to promote womens literacy. According to Nussbaum a woman who can seek work outside the home have exit option that helps them protect their bodily integrity from assaults within it. She futherly says that reproductive is related to many complex ways to the practical reason and bodily integrity. As a result this gives us more reason to avoid promoting one at the expense of the others ( Nussbaum 2000. P-81). Women do not have a chance to live a valuable life. Nussbaum thinks that this is because of lack of support for basic functions of a human life. She thinks that the capability approach serves as a good basis for a specific political conception and a specifically political overlapping consensus (Nussbaum 2000, p. 14)Â  . According to her these capabilities are very important for individuals lives and are connected to each other in many complex ways. These capabilities must be fulfilled by the government instutions especially in women casese in order to have happy and successfull life. As we see that in a country like Pakistan all the above capabilities are mostly missing in womens lives and leads them to discrimination in different spehers of life. Chapter # 2 2.1 Women situation in Pakistan Pakistani society is a male dominated society where women are isolated from different spheres of life which is perhaps due to the traditional norms prevailing in society. The status and role of Pakistani women in all aspects of life have been highly undermined. Most women in rural areas work in the fields and industries in Pakistan. It is a poor and illiterate majority, which usually lead a life of physical hardship, long hour work for which there is neither reward nor compensation (Mumtaz/ Shaheed, 1987:p-78). Most of women in rural areas have to perform double burden of domestic and outside work. Usually they get up first and last to bed. They are the first to prepare breakfast, clean the house and wash the utensils before setting out on their outside work. Although in urban areas the conditions of women are better than those of the rural, yet the old traditions and religious restraints have hindered the independent and free movement of women (Mumtaz/ Shaheed, 1987:78). The women in Pakistan are approximately equivalent to men in numbers. They live in the most diversify site of the tribal, feudal or urban culture. In Pakistan women can be an extremely qualified and self-confident professional or a diffident peasant toiling along with her menfolk. They have traditionally been expected to live under the constraints of purdah. Therefore, the analysis of womens life and status in the society cannot be adequately carried out without taking into account the importance of purdah as a constant element in everyday life in Pakistani Muslim culture. Mostly women observe Pardha while coming out of domestic environs or mixing up with other sections of society. Basically Pardha, or veil, is meant to segregate the womenfolk from the male section of the society. Women are not prohibited from working but at the same time are supposed to observe strictly the rules of morality (Hanna Papanek, p 517,518). Due to Pardha system, most of women have to take up work at home. They involve themselves in dressmaking, embroidery, knitting etc. In the areas like Khyber Pakhtoonkhwa and Balochistan, life is regulated and governed by strict beliefs and behavioral patterns (Fariha Razak Haroon p 5). In remote areas women do not have rights to say anything in all aspects of their lives including their marriage choice. In populated provinces of Punjab and Sindh a woman can keep her connections with her family after marriage. She can expect support from her fathers and brothers in case of separation and divorce from her husband. In Sindh and Punjab, women work in the fields with their menfolk collecting fuels and in some cases working on the construction sites shifting material from one place to another. 2.2 State violation of womens rights in Pakistan Almost all kinds of crimes are committed against women in Pakistan, including, murder, rape and gender discrimination. In 1971 Pakistani military took action on the East Pakistan now called Bangladesh in which serious crimes were committed against the civilians and especially women. During 9 month operation Pakistani military raped 200,000-400,000 women and young girls. In 2002 at 28 years old women Mukhtara Mai was gang-raped in Punjab in front of her village by the Jirga (court of village elders) decision for the alleged wrongdoing of her 12 years old brother. In 2006 in her blog for the BBC, Mukhtara tells another story of a rape victim in Punjab, Shamshad Bibi, a poor woman who was gang-raped during a visit to the famous town shrine town of Uch Shareef the police declare it to be a case of consensual sex. (Soraya Makhdoom, 2009:1) To add insult to injury the Pakistani president and Dictator General Pervez Musharraf complained that his country was unfairly portrayed a place where women were subjected to violence. The Washington post, published in an interview with General Pervez Musharraf in which he stated, A lot of people say if you want to go abroad and get a visa for Canada or citizenship and be a millionaire, get yourself raped( BBC, 16 September 2005). According to the same paper the Canadian government and human rights activists declared Pervez Musharrafs assertion as outrageous lie: only one known rape victim, a lady doctor assaulted by a military officer had moved to Canada. That lady doctor was Khalid Shazia, working in Pakistan petroleum in Baluchistan. She was raped by an army captain in January 2005. This incident made the local Bugti tribe furious for whom such outrageous acts were against their norms and values. As a result they attacked the gas field. But instead of presenting the rape issue General Pervez Musharraf sent more soldiers and arms to guard the installation. Baloch leadership wanted justice for the rape victim. Nawab Akbar Bugti said, As long as the perpetrators of this heinous crime are not dealt with, there can be no talks. As a result General Pervez Musharraf regime killed Nawab Akbar Bugti an eighty year old leader fighting for his country Balochistan in august 2006 (Suraya makhdoom , 2009:P-1). 2.3 The CEDAW convention and Pakistan. The convention on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) has enriched of Articles regarding how to eliminate gender discrimination against women. Article 2 of the convention states that the state party has the responsibility to assure legal protection and the laws which leads to gender discrimination should be changed or abolished (Article 2 of CEDAW). In article 3 it has been stated that the upbringing of children needs shared responsibility which means that a father should also contribute in upbringing the kids, as it is not only a mothers job. The convention states that women have equal rights as men e.g. they can work with NGOs, they have the right to cast votes, this part has a very vital role as this approach can help a countrys economic growth too. The convention has emphasized on the equal rights of women in education, sports, career and health etc. (Article 10 of CEDAW). In article 14 it has been stated that state should overlook the problems faced by rural women. This is the most relevant article from Pakistan as the rural women come across lots of problems and they do not have awareness how to deal with such problem s. Another important article is 16 which usually violated in Pakistan, which is about the marrying of women to a person of their own choice. In Pakistani society especially in pushtoon (Pakhtoonkhwa) and Balooch (Balochistan) tribes, the parents take the decision on behalf of the girl, without even asking her opinion (Aniqa, 2010 p-1). The above articles are mostly relevant for our society,which is also covered by Nussbaum in her apparaches but it is sad to say that any of the articles and approaches has not been enacted in Pakistan. Article 18 has clearly stated that the parties to the convention has suppose to report to UN within a year of signing the convention regarding the progress, whereas Pakistan joined the CEDAW convention in 1996 and has reported only once yet (May 2007) (Aniqa, 2010 p-1). 2.4 Womens rights in constitution of Pakistan In constitution 1973 of Pakistan from article 8 to article 28 describe the fundamental rights which are to be available to all citizens, men as well as women wherever they are, as well as all people temporarily or permanently in Pakistan. However the freedoms guaranteed can be curtailed or taken away by the government on the grounds of integrity of the sovereignty of Pakistan, maintenance of public order, public morality. But these restrictions can be challenged in the superior courts. The executive is bound to implement these rights and the judiciary is bound to take notice of violation and provide redress on individual complaints (constitution of Pakistan 1973 article 8 and 28). The basis of fundamental rights is laid out in Article 4, which states that it is the inalienable right (i.e., can never be taken away) of individuals (citizens wherever they may be as well as individuals currently in Pakistan) to be treated in accordance with the law. It guarantees the protection of liberty, life, body, reputation and property of an individual (constitution of Pakistan 1973 article 4). 2.5 Women Status under Sharia Law In Arabic sharia means, path, It is a position which guides all aspects of Muslim life including daily routines, familial and religious obligations and financial matters. It primarily derived from the Quran and Sunna the practices, sayings and teachings of the prophet Muhammad (PBUH) It is a position which covers every aspect of life for both men and women and is incompatible with the standards of liberal Western societies and the basic principles of western human rights that include equality under the law and the protection of individual freedoms. The Shariah code gives equal roles to men and women and not contradictory roles, when women had no rights in the world it declared, And women shall have equal rights to the rights against them, according to what is equitable (Al Quran Surah Baqara 2.28). However the task assigned to both of them is not same. They have given different capabilities by their creator, and the task assigned to them is based on those capabilities. This distinction is natural and not an error which has to be corrected, this is only for the purpose to build a healthy and prosperous society. In different verses in the Quran God has discussed women as well as mens rights. Allah says, for Muslim women and Men, for believing men and women, for women and men who are patient and constant, for true men and women, for men and women who humble themselves, for men and women who guard their charity, for men and women who fast, for men and women who engaged in best practices, for them God have forgiveness and great reward. (Al Quran Surah 33.35) Any kind of discrimination based on gender is severe offenses and are against the teaching of Quran and the sayings of the Prophet (PBUH) teach the lesson of equal rights of men and women. Islam does not consider women as subordinate to men and just follow them without any reason. Women have full freedom as individual and will be asked for her practices. ( Jamal Badawi 2007, p-6). As we have discussed earlier Pakistan is a country where culture and traditions have great influence on people lives, they follow it without even caring of sharia laws. 2.5 Sharia law in Pakistan In Pakistan there is triple legal system. Which consist of the general law (state law) of Pakistan, secondly the customary law and thirdly Sharia law. In general law or in constitution the current status of Sharia law is unclear. It provides for the existence of the triple legal system, acknowledges the existence of Sharia law in Pakistan and recognizes the associated court system, but the jurisdiction of Sharia courts is set to matters of personal status and therefore does not extend to the criminal jurisdiction. This is attributed to it by the penal codes that have been adopted at the level of states. The Constitution does not explicitly state, however, that criminal matters are the exclusive jurisdiction of federal courts and it is therefore possible to address criminal matters in Sharia courts. Regardless of the jurisdiction of Sharia courts, it is possible to appeal Zina (Sex without marriage) cases on the grounds that their punishment is inconsistent with the human rights provisions of the Pakistani constitution. For instance, Chapter II Article 19 enshrines human dignity as a value of the Pakistan legal order. It seems unlikely that the public nature and prolonged pain associated with lashing and stoning sentences would be found to be consistent with the dignity provision of the Constitution (Walter, 2001). Chapter # 4 4 Reason of Women Discrimination in Pakistan 4.1 Male domination Pakistani society is mostly male dominated society. The behavior towards women is reflected like women are the males property. She has to remain under the mans control. She cannot take any decision on her behalf. In some areas of rural Sindh and Khyber pakhtoonkhwa ( provinces of Pakistan) a girl cannot decide for her marriage. Her parents have to take decision on her behalf. If she takes the decision for herself she can be killed or punished.Household responsibilities are given to them at a very young age. Taking care of others and sacrificing her rights is a part of her life and to get married is her ultimate goal in her life. In rural areas the the violence against women is considered the right of man. Usually men use their power to beat and abuse women in all spheres of public and private life. It is present in the workplace, family and in the community. Intimidates, humiliates, violence and perpetuated fear in women. As women are weak so they usually controlled by men in many sp heres of life (Allama, G.A. 1998,P-22). 4.2 Customs and laws Womens lives are usually governed by local customs rather than statutory laws of the country. Customs and tradition deny women basic rights. Access to legal rights is usually denied. The bad customs like honor killings are highly praised in rural areas of Pakistan.The law of Diyat and Qisas (retribution and family distribution of money) contains discriminatory provisions and ambiguities. The Qisas and Diyat law may encourage the murder of women by making it possible to absolve murders. Another area of discrimination against women in mostly rural areas of Pakistan is linked to the question of the age of puberty. As girls reach to puberty at an early age, they are considered mature at a younger age than boys. Therefor they receive harsher punishments for the same crimes in the same age as the boys. For instance if a young boy is found to be guilty of rape, his punishment will be less than that of a girl of the same age. In Pakistan generally men dictate women in different sectors. They want to dominate them.physical mobility of women is restricted. They are not asked in mate selection. In the name of tradition and culture a woman is told that she must be gentle, submissive, patient and forgiving. She is not allowed to go anywhere without the consent of her husband even to her parents house. Culture of oppression exists in rural areas of Pakistan. Men believe that women are inferior. They usually marry twice or thrice. This is a culture that denies their social, political and legal rights. It gives them no identity at any level (Allama, G.A. 1998,P-24). 4.3 Income disparity One of the reason of women discrimination is income disparity which has made them economically weak. Improvement in womens financial status is very important to their overall betterment. Women cannot get their rights until they are financially strong and economically independent. Women play the main role in national development. But unfortunately their role is rarely recognized. Usually women work is unpaid and even if they are paid its usually less than men. Women are not given property rights and usually husband has the control of money and property (Allama, G.A. 1998,P-25). 4.4 Role of media Media play a key role in reflecting the values and norms of ones society. It helps to change peoples views. Media shows that the women are physically weak and subordinate to men. The media are controlled by the state, electronic media especially television, have been hesitant to highlight the issue, avoiding documentaries and talk shows domestic violence, rape and incest. While highly severe incidents like gang rape may occasionally appear in the regular news bulletin. The local rural press media have a mixed policy covering women issue not infrequently with negative slant and giving far more space to barbaric and traditional perspectives and viewpoints on women. In all over the rural areas the patriarchal attitude persists in the newspaper .The media either electronic or print have the same attitude towards sexual harassment violence. If a girl is sexually abused, the entire blame is put on her clothes, on her beauty or on the the fact the she was in the street at that time, whereas the abuser act is usually justified because he was young, he was drunk and his sexuality was out of control. Thus we can say that the media also play a vital role in gender discrimination in a society (Allama, G.A. 1998,P-26). 4.5 Lack of practical implementation of rules Regulations One of the main reasons of gender discrimination in Pakistan is the lack of practical implementations of rules and regulations. The 1973 constitution of Pakistan is enriched of the fundamental rights to all citizen men as well as women. The executive is bound to implement all the fundamental rights and the judiciary is bound to take notice of violation and provide redress on individual complaints (1973 constitution of Pakistan ). Article 4 of the convention covers inalienable rights (i.e., can never be taken away). It guarantees the protection of life, body, protection of liberty, reputation and property of the individual. The above rights are also mentioned in Nussbaums capability approach. According to her theses rights are connected to each other in many complex ways and necessary to be satisfied in order to have a happy life and the government is responsible to take care of these rights. But as we see that all the above rights are mentioned in the constitution but are not practic ally implemented in Pakistan (1973 constitution of Pakistan,Article 4). Pakistan is also a party to the convention on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women which has enriched of Articles regarding how to eliminate gender discrimination against women. But it is sad to say that no articles of the convention has been practically enacted in Pakistan. 4.6 Islamic fundamentalism In Islamic fundamentalists think that the struggle for womens rights as a western conspiracy. They consider women as inferior and their main duty is to please men. Women have been oppressed and segregated from from different spheres of life in the name of Islamic culture. According to many Islamic scholars, the customs and traditions are un-Islamic. But fundamentalists defend them in their own way. They include the practice of honor killing which allows male members of the family to kill female members for having sexual relations without marriage. Swara is a custom in the tribal district of Khyber pakhttonkhwa and Punjab (provinces of Pakistan) under which girls are given in marriage to men of rival or tribes in order to settle cases of murder and other blood feuds (daughters and sisters of accused murders are given to affected families to release their fathers and brothers). The girl is then treated harshly in the rival clan. Islamic fundamentalists never raised their voices against these inhuman and cruel customs and traditions. Love marriage is considered a crime and sin according to the religious leader. These fundamentalists and religious parties are against the ,Hudood, laws. These were the laws introduced by the military dictator, General Zia-UL- Haq, in 1979 to viciously curb womens rights. According to theses horrific laws, a rape victim needs the evidence of four male witnesses in order to prove her claims in the court. If she fails to provide this, she will be charged with adultery (sex with her own consent) which means imprisonment for between 5 and 15 years. These laws were made by a dictator for their own interest but in the name of Islam. According to a report made by professor Shaheen, a minister during the period 1999 to 2002: 95 % of cases registered under the Hudood laws are false. Hudood laws have proved to be instruments of personal interest. These religious leaders are using religion to oppress women and other sections of society. The rise of fundamentalism is a threat to womens rights (www.socialistalternati

Essay examples --

INTRODUCTION In an electronic commerce environment, trust is difficult relation to build and even more critical for business success than in traditional commerce. The electronic commerce is not an ordinary business environment where we can trust the vendors. In order for electronic business to prosper, consumers must not be concerned that they will be manipulated, have their credit card numbers stolen, or receive poor quality goods or service. In response to the electronic business needs created by electronic transactions and with the increasing need for third-party assurance to guarantee the trustworthiness of the whole transaction, web seal assurance services have emerged. These web trust assurance services were developed to reduce consumers' concerns. To help consumers determine whether the website is secure, and decide to do online shopping, the AICPA (American Institute of Certified Public Accountants) and the CICA (Canadian Institute of Chartered Accountants) have jointly developed the Web Trust Seal to help business entities in maintaining an effective privacy program that addresses their privacy risks and business opportunities.. The seal allows consumers to make purchases online with certainty that vendors have met high standards of business practices disclosure, transaction integrity, and information protection. This paper will focus on defining what the AICPA Web Trust Seal, its development background, what the principles are for obtaining the seal, who is responsible for issuing it, its process, cost, and finally the advantages and disadvantages of obtaining the Web Trust Seal. WEB SEAL DEFINED Web Trust is an international electronic commerce seal of approval designed to improve the confidence and security of co... ...ng doing business online. For those firms seeking the highest standards of assurance, the web seal provided by the AICPA is the most appreciated but also the most expensive among the other seals offered as it is evaluated based on the AICPA attestation standard basis. The web seal is considered to improve the customers' perceptions about the online shopping but business firms need to make sure that their customers are well- educated about the seal. The web seal service has several advantages such as ensuring the vendor's credibility, increasing the trustworthiness of the website, improving the company's internal controls, moreover, web seal assurance may lead to higher sales and better brand recognition. On the other side, it is an expensive service, and requires customers to be well informed about it in order for the mentioned advantages to be fulfilled.