Data Mining In A Nut Shell Essays - Business Intelligence

Data Mining In A Nut Shell In todays business world, information about the customer is a necessity for a businesses trying to maximize its profits. A new, and important, tool in gaining this knowledge is Data Mining. Data Mining is a set of automated procedures used to find previously unknown patterns and relationships in data. These patterns and relationships, once extracted, can be used to make valid predictions about the behavior of the customer. Data Mining is generally used for four main tasks: (1) to improve the process of making new customers and retaining customers; (2) to reduce fraud; (3) to identify internal wastefulness and deal with that wastefulness in operations, and (4) to chart unexplored areas of the internet (Cavoukian). The fulfillment of these tasks can be enhanced if appropriate data has been collected and if that data is stored in a data warehouse. According to Stanford University, A Data Warehouse is a repository of integrated information, available for queries and analysis. Data and information are extracted from heterogeneous sources as they are generated....This makes it much easier and more efficient to run queries over data that originally came from different sources. When data about an organizations practices is easier to access, it becomes more economical to mine. Without the pool of validated and scrubbed data that a data warehouse provides, the data mining process requires considerable additional effort to pre-process the data (SAS Institute). There are several different types of models and algorithms used to mine the data. These include, but are not limited to, neural networks, decision trees, rule induction, boosting, and genetic algorithms. Neural networks are physical cellular systems which can acquire, store, and utilize experiential knowledge (Zurada). Neural networks offer a way to efficiently model large and complex problems. Decision trees are diagrams used for making decisions in business or computer programming. Branches are used to represent choices with associated risks, costs, results, or probabilities. Rule induction is a way of deriving a set of rules to classify cases (Two Crows). These set of rules differ from those in a decision tree in that they are independent from one another. Boosting is a technique in which multiple random samples of data are taken and a classification model for each set of data is made (Two Crows). The genetic algorithm is a model of machine learning, whose behavior is based on the processes of evolution in nature. Populations of data are resented by chromosomes and then go through a process of evolution. The members of one set of data compete to pass on their most favorable characteristics to the next generation of data. This process continues until the b est data is found. Many of the models and algorithms used in data mining are simplifications of the linear regression model. Data Mining is largely, if not entirely used for business purposes. The highest users of data mining include banking, financial, and telecommunications industries (Two Crows). A survey taken by Two Crows Corporation turned up these applications of data mining: ? Ad revenue forecasting ? Churn (turnover) management ? Claims processing ? Credit risk analysis ? Cross-marketing ? Customer profiling ? Customer retention ? Electronic commerce ? Exception reports ? Food-service menu analysis ? Fraud detection ? Government policy setting ? Hiring profiles ? Market basket analysis ? Medical management ? Member enrollment ? New product development ? Pharmaceutical research ? Process control ? Quality control ? Shelf management/store management ? Student recruiting and retention ? Targeted marketing ? Warranty analysis Data mining will have a different effect on different industries in the business world. In the telecommunications industry, for example, in order to retain or build market share and expand or develop new products and services, service providers will have to make the necessary adaptations and changes that the industry and pace setting technology requires. The most successful telecommunications companies will, of course, be the ones who can develop and market products and services that customers will buy, says Julian Kulkarni, SAS institute Europes Product Marketing Coordinator for telecommunications. But high customer churn rates in telcom markets show that you cannot depend on customer loyalty. To thrive, companies must know their customers, their products, their own operations, and the competition better. The key to succeeding in

Facing the problem of market positioning for Qatar Airways bran

Facing the problem of market positioning for Qatar Airways bran Introduction Statement of the problem The current research addresses the problem of positioning of corporate brand of Qatar Airways through strategies for improving customer satisfaction. This problem is significant since brand development and brand management encompass one of the important aspects for making an organization gain global competitive advantageAdvertising We will write a custom report sample on Facing the problem of market positioning for Qatar Airways bran specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Purpose of the study and delimitations Purpose of study The purpose of this study is to aid in resolution of the problem of determining ways of positioning the corporate brand of Qatar Airways through strategies for improving customer satisfaction. It seeks to draws knowledge from the body of literature on techniques of marketing research and their applications in solving marketing problems and formulating marketing strategies in helpi ng to resolve likely marketing problem of positioning the corporate brand image for Qatar Airways Limitation and delimitations In the quest to achieve this concern, this research has a major limitation since it uses a small sample size (34 respondents). However, this limitation is countered by random distribution of questionnaires to persons of different demographical characteristics so that the responses to questionnaires reflects general customer views about Qatar airways Theoretical perspective Research findings such as Wirtz and Chung Lee (2008) and Yelkur (2007) contend that customer satisfaction comprises one of the most important aspects for incorporation in the marketing planning strategies for organizations considering global growth plans as a measure for securing competitive advantage. Qatar airline is one of such companies Research hypotheses It is hypothesized that Qatar Airways has poorly positioned its corporate brand Image by building strong local customer relationshi ps, but insufficient customer relationships to global clientele. Various factors and variables may affect satisfaction of consumers depending on the industry within which a business operates. For the airline industry, it also hypothesized that independent variables such as product (which include services, quality and brand image) offered by Qatar Airways affect perceived satisfaction and hence customer satisfaction. Literature review Research on the best strategies for positioning cooperate brand of an organization has yielded huge body of literature on organizational brand inventories and brand elements to induce customer satisfaction. Customer satisfaction is a critical element of retention of existing clients for an organization coupled with attraction of new ones (Yelkur, 2007). Customers possessing good organizational reputation share it with other people. This aspect creates the urge amongst potential customers to experience the service or product offered by an organization. B rand inventories are aimed at availing comprehensive profile of the manner in which products coupled with services that are sold by a given organization are branded and marketed.Advertising Looking for report on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Hill and Ettenson (2005) note that profiling a product or a service â€Å"requires marketers to catalogue visually and in writing various products or services sold, the names, logos, symbols, characters, packaging, slogans, or other trademarks used† (p.86). Outcome of any product profile requires accuracy, high precision, comprehensibility, and reflective of the status of a product or service brand for a given organization. Brand inventories should highlight the brand elements utilized to build brand loyalty and the manner in which this goal is accomplished coupled with how it is reflected on any necessary marketing program. Qatar Airways’ com petitive brand profiling is done to unveil the probable points of difference coupled with points of parity. In these extents, brand’s inventory is valuable at Qatar Airways, as it helps in determining the platforms anchoring customer perceptions. A brand identifies and distinguishes an organization from other organizations even though two or more organizations offer similar products or services. Organizations not only sell products or charge for their services, but they also sell their brands (Hill Ettenson, 2005). A number of elements including the brand name, logo sounds, tagline, tastes, and scents among others identify brands (Hill Ettenson, 2005). The Qatar Airlines protects its brand name consisting of ‘Qatar Airways’ with the symbol (logo) of the Arabian Oryx. People living within the Arabian region are highly familiar with the animal. Any attempt to use a brand name possessing the Arabian Oryx symbol and the brand name ‘Qatar Airways’ amoun ts to a legal challenge by the organization. In a bid to enhance its brand identification and association, Qatar Airways uses the slogan ‘World’s 5 Star Airline’. The recognition of the extent to which an organization meets satisfaction of its customers is critical in aiding to channel the efforts of employees to meet the anticipated needs and perceptions of services provided. In this extent, marketing scholars such as Yelkur (2007) and Farris, Neil, and Pfeifer (2010) perceive customers’ satisfaction as entangling the dominant business strategy that may affect the profitability of an organization positively if it is cutely developed. Given this merit, it is significant for an organization to be in a position of developing metrics of measuring customers’ satisfaction and determine the marketing factors that help to induce the same (Farris, Neil, Pfeifer, 2010).Advertising We will write a custom report sample on Facing the problem of market positioning for Qatar Airways bran specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Some metrics measure customers’ satisfaction, but the applicability and appropriateness of any metric depend on the industry of operation of an organization. One of the metrics entangles the number and frequency of the complaints raised by clients (Farris, Neil, Pfeifer, 2010). However, this research does not adapt its research methodology to measure customer satisfactions for Qatar Airways via this way; rather, customers’ surveys through responses to questionnaires act as a resourceful way of measuring customers’ satisfaction. The focus of this research is not on measuring customers’ satisfaction. Rather, the measures are used to establish factors that may influence customers’ satisfaction. Marketing mix comprises one of such factors. After the establishment of an appropriate brand, the next phase of corporate brand positioning entails it s supporting. Holt and Quelch (2009) support this assertion and further add that for success of any brand, a means of supporting it to ensure that its preferences among customers do not fall when new competitors in the same industry emerge should be created. For Qatar Airways, brand promotion is a central component for supporting its brand. Promotion is done through various ways such as sponsorships. The main aim of collaborating with Barcelona FC in the 2013/2014 Spanish premier league season is to create a global image for the existence of the Qatar Airways brand. Through this partnership, Qatar Airways endeavors to display passion for its brand as being the best in the airline industry tantamount to that of FC Barcelona in the football industry. In the effort to access the perception of customers on the brand of an organization, brand exploratory is important. The concept refers to any research executed by an organization to garner information, which upon analysis, helps to give an indication of the manner in which customer feel or think about a given product or service and their associated classes of brand equity sources (Hill Ettenson, 2005). Conducting brand exploratory requires the execution of a number of preliminary activities. One of such activities entails conducting an interview to an organization’s personnel to acquire an understanding of manner in which they think coupled with determining their beliefs and perceptions about the brand (Hill Ettenson, 2005). Opinions accruing from the above interviews are normally diverse and they serve several functions in determining the manner in which consumers of a given product or service may be feeling or thinking about the same. Among such functions includes the generation of vital and informing ideas about products from an organization’s perspective and providing likelihoods for understanding any preconceived internal misconceptions and on inconsistencies on the way people internally percei ve the products and services (Hill Ettenson, 2005).Advertising Looking for report on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More This exercise is necessary since customers think about products that they consume depending on how the communications personnel within an organization portray the products (Farris, Neil, Pfeifer, 2010). However, even though it is important to unveil an organization’s internal inconsistencies and misconceptions about products, such an endeavor is not adequate to develop brand explorations fully. Conducting additional research on customers is necessary to establish how their own experiences with the products or services of an organization shape their thoughts and feeling about the products. This aspect is the central concern of brand exploratory, as a component of successful corporate brand positioning strategy at Qatar airlines addressed in this research. Methodology Research design A research can be designed as one of four main approaches, viz. qualitative, quantitative, mixed methods (pragmatic approach), and emancipator approach (participatory or advocacy approach). In thi s research, pragmatic approach is utilized. Freshwater, Sherwood, and Drury (2006) posit, â€Å"Pragmatic researchers grant themselves the freedom to use any of the methods, techniques, and procedures typically associated with quantitative or qualitative research† (p.295). The freedom of choice of method depends on the researchers’ perception and evaluation of methods that best suit the particular kind of research they are conducting. The best choice is the one that utilizes methodologies that complement one another. This aspect forms the basic logic for designing this research to use pragmatic approach deploying aspects of both quantitative and qualitative research. Population, sample, and participants Thirty-four (34) copies of questionnaires were distributed without selection of certain demographic characteristics of people that received the questionnaires. Rather, the respondent was required to indicate these characteristics in the questionnaires. The entire sample (34 people) answered all the questions in the questionnaires promptly. Hence, no questionnaire was rejected. Data collection instruments, variables, and measurements The research used questionnaire as the primary data collection tool. The independent variable was the impact of positioning of the Qatar airline product and services. Independent variable was customer response and prevalence to the positioned brand as is an indication of customers’ satisfaction, which is measured from the context of quantitative number of Qatar Airways’ customer perceptions and preferences on the product and services. Some questions requiring qualitative information were also used to help in the provision of data on specific perceptions about the products and services offered by Qatar Airways. Ten (10) questions were used to capture the aspects of customer satisfaction with the company’s product and services as shown in appendix 1 Data analysis procedures Data was analyzed through computations of percentages of responses for each question in the questionnaire. These results were then used to conduct an analysis of the brand positioning challenges likely to be encountered by Qatar Airways, which helps in the identification of areas that pose challenges in the positioning of the Qatar brand to correspond to its global growth strategy. Validity and reliability Quality research should possess several characteristics, which include credibility reliability, use of rigorous methods, and verification (Cohen Crabtree, 2008), validity, clarity, and coherence in reporting (Yardley, 2000) among others. Validity can both be internal and external. Validity entangles the â€Å"best approximation to the truth or falsity of proportions† (Rolfe, 2006, p.307). Validity and reliability in this research were enhanced by the choice of primary method for data collection (questionnaires) as a tool for ensuring that the research findings add significant knowledge to the body of knowledge (market research) that the research seeks to amplify. However, the sample was too small. The demographic characteristic of the sample are perhaps not exact representation of the population seeking service from Qatar Airlines, which poses challenges to the reliability and validity of the research. Nevertheless, given that the sample was small, it was possible for the researcher to administrate the process of filling the questionnaires so that ambiguity of the question was addresses. This move helped to improve both reliability and validity of the responses and hence research findings Data analysis, findings and discussion Table 1 below shows the findings obtained on administration of the questionnaires. Table1: Results for questionnaires for a sample of 34 respondents Responses Questions A B C Total response Gender 8 26 34 Age 26 4 4 34 Nationality 26 2 6 34 2- used Qatar airways 32 2 34 3- if yes 2 14 16 32 4- if the answer c 12 2 2 16 5- if other Turkish 1 6- depend on 5 2 2 7- depend on 6 0 8- raise concern 12 20 32 9- responses 6 6 12 6 6 12 4 4 8 Many routes, great schedule 4 10 30 4 34 Ninety-four percent (94 %) of the respondents had used Qatar Airways while 6% percent had not used it. While only one person (3%) prefers Turkish Airlines, 3% did not cite their preferred airline. This aspect indicates that some people are undecided on their preferred airline brand. It also shows that Turkish Airlines may become the biggest competitor. While deciding on the most appropriate strategy to position Qatar Airways to win these people, gender preferences and tastes for airline services play a significant role because most people who have used Qatar Airways are more likely to be women (76%) as opposed to men (24%). Nationality is another important demographic factor to consider when choosing brand-positioning strategy for Qatar Airways. Although the company seeks to grow its global courier capacity, the adaption of brand promotional strategies to meet local tastes should not be abandoned. Most people using the airways are Qatari (76%) compared to other people of the Middle Eastern nationality (6%). The low number of people from other Middle East nations using Qatar Airways suggests that the airline should position its brand as a regional courier. This strategy also needs to extend to global platforms as the company seeks to become a global courier as suggested by the low percentage of people from other nations (18%) using the airline. This positioning reflects well on the strategy of the company to position itself on a global scale through partnership with Barcelona FC in the 2013/2014 season. As at the time of conducting the research, the results show the ability of Qatar Airways to position its brand to young people, 18-28 year (76%) as compared to 29 -39 (12%) and 40 and above (12%). This aspect means that the company needs to adapt its services and produc ts to meet the needs of all customer age groups while attempting to become the world’s best courier. Customers are also more interested and satisfied by good flight experience (50%) and easiness of accessing booking and tickets (44%) than the cost of travelling. This realization explains why Turkish Airlines may not become the Qatar Airways’ near future competitor, as customers prefer it only on low cost basis, which is not an important factor in positioning an airline brand seeking to compete with Qatar Airways. Indeed, customers are not interested at all (0%) with flight experience. Customers define flight experience to encompass good entertainment (75%), as opposed to seating arrangements (12.5%) and on board customer experience (12.5%). This element means that Qatar Airlines will face the problem of marketing itself as the global best onboard entertainer. A major problem for Qatar Airways encompasses convincing its customers to express their concerns on areas where the company may need to improve to serve them better, as evidenced by 37.5% of people who have raised their concerns with the services and 63.5 % of those who have not. The media for collection of customer concerns should be hybrid in nature since 50% percent of persons raising concerns over the services and product of Qatar Airways prefers the Internet while 50 % prefers traditional means such as suggestion boxes and registering their concerns at the customer-service front desk. Customers are also happy when Qatar Airways responds to their concerns since this element may (50%), or may not (50 %) make them alter their air travel company. As the company works hard to positions itself as a customers’ needs and concerns centre Airways, many routes and schedule flexibility are important factors to consider when seeking to enhance customer satisfaction among 100 % of the customers who consider the current response mechanisms of Qatar Airway inappropriate. The establishment of dem otic or popular travel routes and positioning of the Qatar’s brad image as the best global leader in this extent remains the most important driver of Qatar Airlines success and marketing challenge. Recommendations and conclusion Summary of the research problem, objective, findings, and discussion The research’smain problem was the determination of ways of positioning the corporate brand of Qatar Airways through strategies for improving customer satisfaction. The objective encompassed the identification of mechanisms in which Qatar Airways can position and manage its brand to achieve global, regional, and local success. The findings indentified gender, nationality, and age demographic factors as important elements in facing the problem of brand positioning strategies focusing mainly in good on board customer experience (specifically good entertainment) and easiness of accessing booking and tickets while also capitalizing on increasing the number of flight routes and fle xibility in schedules. The discussion of the results treated this challenge to entail facing the problem of enhancing customer satisfaction with the product and services offered by Qatar Airways. Limitations Although the research indicates customers’ perception about the Qatar Airways, the research has some limitations. Questionnaires were administered to a sample of 34 respondents. No scientific method was applied to recruit this sample in a bid to ensure that it demographically reflected the population. A small sample size of 34 respondents also presents difficulties for construing into a perfect technique for marketing research or even a random sample. Ethical issues in the study In collecting primary data, addressing ethical concerns of the respondents is important. Respondents may be concerned about the intentions of seeking information from them. Another concern encompasses whether giving truthful and accurate information on their perceptions about an organization would lead to the victimization or any other unprecedented consequences. These ethical concerns were addressed by providing an explanation of the purposes of the data sought in the questionnaires in the first part of the questionnaire. The introduction and statement of the purpose of the questionnaire explained that Qatar Airways endeavors to develop a global brand by expanding its courier capacity and the number of routes. It also explained that in deriving its marketing planning, the company should get right a number of interrogatives based on its ability to gain competitive advantage in both Middle East domestic markets and global markets. The respondents were further made aware that these interrogatives formed the basis of the questionnaires, which then would be deployed to conduct a research into the problem likely to be encountered by the airways courier in its effort to reach global markets. Recommendations for managers, and for other researchers For Qatar Airways, the customersâ €™ perceptions shaping their satisfaction and preference to the product and services are dependent more on the nature of the product and service experience than the costs of the product and services. To the managers of Qatar Airways, this aspect implies that even though some airline companies elsewhere in the world have successfully positioned themselves as low costs couriers, in the context of the operational environment of Qatar Airways, such a positioning strategy might not work. The research suggests the existence of a correlation between positioning strategy for an organizational brand and the degree of customer satisfaction in the airline industry. However, the exact correlation coefficients were not determined. Therefore, research opportunity exists in which regression analysis can be deployed to determine the correlation coefficients between brand positioning and customer satisfaction. Amid, the view that the research has not considered to determine the correlation coeff icient within its scope, the hypothesis that independent variables such as the product (which include services, quality, and brand image) offered in the airlines industry affect perceived satisfaction. Hence, a relationship between brand positioning and customer satisfaction has been confirmed. The first hypothesis was unconfirmed since although the main clients of Qatar Airways studied were Qatari, a significant number of customers from the global market have developed loyalty to airline’s services. References Cohen, D., Crabtree, B. (2008). Evaluative criteria for qualitative research in health care: controversies and recommendations. Criteria for Qualitative Research, 6(4), 331-339. Farris, P., Neil, P., Pfeifer, D. (2010). Marketing metrics: The definitive guide to measuring marketing performance. New Jersey, NJ: Pearson Education, Inc. Freshwater, D., Sherwood, G., Drury, V. (2006). International research collaboration: Issues, benefits and challenges of the global ne twork. Journal of Research in marketing, 11(4), 295-303. Hill, S., Ettenson, T. (2005). Achieving the ideal brand portfolio. Sloan Management Review, 2(1), 85-90. Holt, A., Quelch, T. (2009). How global brands compete. Harvard Business Review, 7(3), 68-75. Rolfe, G. (2006). Validity, trustworthiness and rigor: Quality and the idea of qualitative research. Journal of Advanced Marketing Research, 53(3), 304-310. Wirtz, J., Chung, M. (2008). An empirical study on the quality and context-specific applicability of commonly used customer satisfaction measures. Journal of Service Research, 5(4), 345-355. Yardley, L. (2000). Dilemmas in qualitative marketing research. International Journal of Marketing Research, 15(3), 215-228. Yelkur, R. (2007). Customer satisfaction and service marketing mix. Journal of Professional Services Marketing, 21(1), 105-115

Indigenous Religions Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 1

Indigenous Religions - Essay Example The Apache dwelled in a desert environment and led a nomadic life. This environment and way of living is difficult and consumes most of the individual’s time in the search for food and water and moving (Hunt). The tribe could not picture an afterlife in an environment similar to their current one; hence they may have chosen to ignore the thought that there could be an afterlife altogether. Living in such an environment, it is easier for a victim to have the view that their survival solely depends on their hard work rather than by the grace of some god or supernatural being. The tough situations that this tribe went through may have driven their lack of acknowledgment of the existence of both a god and an afterlife.Olorun is a higher being, with more powers who assigns tasks or duties to other beings, the Orishas to accomplish. Olorun is thus like the leader whose role is to manage, direct and oversee the progress of any desired work.The messenger tool along a calabash, a chick en and his helper, Oduduwa. All came to the world by descending on a rope. However, Obatala got drunk when they stopped over at a party, and Oduduwa had to carry on with the task at hand. Oduduwa created the earth by sprinkling soil from the calabash over the water. He then released the chicken which ran spreading the earth over until the whole place was filled with land. When Obatala recovered from this drunk state, he was assigned the task of creating the people who would live on the land. That was how the world and the people therein came to be.

For Reebok Web Site Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words

For Reebok Web Site - Essay Example Now web sites are used not only for promotions but for actual sales as well. Companies are giving lot more emphasis on Online Retailing. Branding itself is an investment in letting the people 'know' about the company. A brand is the promise that a company makes to customers combined with the customers' judgment about how well the company can deliver on that promise.2 Business becomes easier when you have a recognisable brand. With a strong brand, the company doesn't have to sell nearly as long or as hard. For example Reebok itself is a renowned brand associated with sports accessories. Mention the name 'Reebok; and millions of people throughout the world have an immediate perception and expectation of what the company stands for. For an International branding name, company's personality requires to be easily identifiable at every customer touch point, from word of mouth to final sale. It is therefore to be made sure that every bit and byte of packaging, presentations, communications, and marketing speaks with a brand-consistent look and voice. Think of Boeing and what comes to mind is the huge aircrafts. Think of Intel and the association is synonymous with microprocessors. In fact, what these brands have done is to become generic in the minds of customers. This involves not just selling products or services but positive buying experiences. A collaborative effort is a must enroute to building a brand. Advertising campaigns duly supported by PR exercises and philanthropic generosity makes a roadmap for branding. For this very reason Reebok relies on sponsoring sporting events, investing in famous sportspersons as brand-ambassadors and helping the environmentalist campaigns, human rights activities etc. The RE EBOK HUMAN RIGHTS AWARD gives recognition and financial support to young activists who have made significant contributions to human rights through non-violent means.3 The mission statement of RHR foundation states, "The Reebok Human Rights Foundation seeks to promote and protect human rights through grantmaking that is motivated by the principles outlined in the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The Foundation supports initiatives that generate awareness and motivate advocacy, particularly among young people, to defend human rights."4 It is an established fact that sporting equipment are not made at one single factory, but this job is outsourced to different unnamed units worldwide and thereafter the brand name 'Reebok' is put on the finished product. Reebok therefore takes pride in describing their business practices by stating, "Our commitment to human rights extends to the thousands of workers worldwide who make our products. We know that to be proud of the pr oducts we put our name on, we cannot be indifferent to the conditions in which they are made."

Western history Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Western history - Essay Example Around the start of the 16th century, the weakening of the Church was in conjunction with the strengthening force of socio-economic, philosophical and scientific liberation. The period witnessed important religious, political, social, and philosophical changes in Europe. The medieval age was characterized by the strong power of the Catholic Church that was more often greater than that of the ruling king. Thus, even the political and social aspects of the medieval life were dependent on the Church. However, the Protestant Reformation of the 16th century which was initiated by the arguments of Martin Luther, founder of Protestantism, weakened the Church. Kings and Princes worked together to challenge the power of the Church leaders, primarily the Pope. The cultural consensus of Europe based on universal participation in the Body of Christ was broken. Along with the Reformation came challenges to secular society. The nature and organization of power and government came under reevaluation as well. The huge impact of the Church in the medieval times2 caused the religious change to go hand-in-hand with changes in politics and society. Along with the decentralization of power from the Church and its supported rulers (kings and queens) came the rise of an expanding social class. The middle class, also known as the class of the bourgeosie, was growing and generally becoming more powerful. Merchants and learned artisans characterized this class, as opposed to the royal bloods and Church appointees who dominated the medieval age. The period was also home to the Commercial Revolution which was a time of European economic expansion, colonialism, and mercantilism which lasted from approximately 1520 until 1650. Voyages of discovery in the 15th and 16th centuries allowed European powers to build vast networks of international trade. This then resulted to the generation of a great deal of wealth for them. This growing global economy was based on silver, which allowed an easier

Social Learning Theory of Albert Bandura: Analysis

Social Learning Theory of Albert Bandura: Analysis Child development and welfare Gemma Smith An experiment was conducted to explore the social learning theory of Albert Bandura. The experiment involved small children that were exposed to different forms of aggression and violence to study if the behaviour modelled by an adult would then be reflected upon the child. The experiment provided a range of results that supported the hypothesis and some results that were unexpected. The experiment was effective for the purpose and the settings with the controls provided an ideal environment. Albert bandura was a behaviourist who performed an experiment on children who had been exposed to different behavioural conditions. Bandura’s theory states Learning would be exceedingly laborious, not to mention hazardous, if people had to rely solely on the effects of their own actions to inform them what to do. Fortunately, most human behaviour is learned observationally through modelling:from observing others one forms an idea of how new behaviours are performed, and on later occasions this coded information serves as a guide for action (Social learning theory, 2013). Bandura believed that the behaviour of children could be shaped by either classical conditioning or through operant conditioning (The distance learning centre, 2013, pg. 8). Operant conditioning was brought about by Burrhus Frederic Skinner, more commonly known as B.F. Skinner, along with his theory that he believed the best way to understand behaviour is to look at the causes of an action and its consequences (Simply psychology, 2014). To study this theory Skinner performed experiments on animals (You tube, March 2007). He placed pigeons in individual boxes; kept the birds at three quarter of their normal weight to ensure they would be hungry then used food as a reward for their behaviour (You tube, March 2007). He used his controlled conditions to isolate the first type of behaviour where the pigeon would peck at a red disc to then be rewarded with food (YouTube, March 2007). The pigeon’s behaviour has now been shaped through operant conditioning to receive food through reinforcement after the desired response has been performed (Boundless, nd). This type of conditioning be it positive or by the removal of punishment can be applied to the behaviour of children (Boundless, nd). A child that receives a reward for picking up the toys in their room for example will do this to receive the prize (Boundless, nd). Or a child’s behaviour could be altered by negative reinforcement such as a child’s favourite teddy or doll being confiscated if they did not perform a particular task. Therefore this demonstrates the power that reinforcement has upon the conditioning and the after affect being the repetition of the actions once the child has been rewarded (Boundless, nd). Reinforcement could easily have the opposite affect if the correct wording is not used and if there is not a clear explanation to follow (education.com, 2014). Then the effectiveness of the behavioural moulding is not as good as it could be. However if the parents are to use responsive language it demonstrates verbal guidance that is respectful to children by clarifying the rules and responsibilities, therefore giving the parents power (education.com, 2014). Although this may prove to be effective it raises some ethical issues. A parent could be considered as using positive reinforcement to manipulate the child (az central, 2014). This manipulation could be used to benefit the parent whilst placing the child in the middle (Parent alienation support, 2010). If a child were to provide reports to their main carer about the other parent to receive a reward this would be classed as manipulation and raise the point of it being unethical (Parent alienation support, 2010). When negative reinforcement is instilled the desired outcome is the same but the procedure is different (behavioural consulting, 2013). Instead of encouragement to promote more good behaviour something negative would be removed to motivate the child to respond (behavioural consulting, 2013). This can also prove to be effective if it is not used to an excessive amount or the psychological affect can damage the child’s self-esteem (global post, 2014). The damage can cause the child to become withdrawn or unwilling to try therefore giving their parents the ability to make them feel poorly about themselves (global post, 2014). Punishment is another form of reinforcement that can be used positively or negatively (behavioural consulting, 2013). Both can be used effectively if they are performed consistently (about.com, 2014). Skinner believed that this type of punishment would only be temporary and perhaps this is occurs because there is not an explanation to accompany the punishment (about.com, 2014). Punishment could also raise concerns later in life for a child whom is smacked for example; they may become aggressive or their behaviour could worsen into antisocial behaviour (about.com, 2014). Conditioning has been used before Bandura by John B. Watson and Rosalie Raynor (1920) in an experiment called little Albert (about.com, 2014). They experimented to see how phobias are the consequence of learnt behaviour (Mike Cardwell, Liz Clark and Claire Meldrum, April 2004, Psychology, third edition, Hammersmith, Collins, pg. 133). Banduras theory follows with the social learning theory (1973) being that violent behaviour is learnt by observing and copying another performing this (Mike Cardwell, Liz Clark and Claire Meldrum, April 2004, Psychology, third edition, Hammersmith, Collins, pg. 134). When Bandura performed the bobo doll experiment he set out to find if modelling influenced the behaviour of young children (youtube, May 2011). Watson and Raynor had the starting point and basis for Banduras theory to become more effective because people are social beings that may observe to learn (youtube, 2011). During the time of Banduras experiment the widespread view was that watching violence reduces aggression however Bandura wanted to prove that a child who watched an adult be violent towards the Bobo doll would then copy the behaviour not reduce it and that is what happened (youtube, May 2011). Modelling on a child could not only achieve what Bandura did but it could cause damage to the child (about.com, 2014). As observational learning has a great effect on what children learn as acceptable behaviour and for a child this shapes their personality (about.com, 2014). On the other hand John Bowlby (1907-1990) studied the attachment behaviour and believed that behaviours are instinctive (simply psychology, 2007). He said the behaviour becomes activated by any conditions that seem to threaten proximity (simply psychology, 2007). A study to investigate whether children learn from observing a model exhibiting aggressive behaviour to a Bobo doll. If violent and aggressive behaviour is modelled to a child then the significant outcome from the child will be aggressive. Whilst the child observes the adult being aggressive or violent to the doll they may not repeat the action and act the opposite with the doll. There is no significant difference between condition 1 (child praised) and condition 2 (child punished) when acting aggressively towards a Bobo doll. An experiment will be carried out using controlled conditions and variables to prove that aggressive behaviour can be modelled to a child, which they will then copy. The study will be an experimental and independent subject design. The independent variable would be the amount of children exposed to the aggressive and non-aggressive behaviour (simply psychology, 2011). The dependent variable is the measure of aggressive behaviour. The participants included seventy two children and two adult’s one of each gender. The children were separated evenly into three groups. In one half of the first two groups there were six boys and six girls with a female and in the second half there were six boys and six girls (simply psychology, 2011). The third group did not contain a model. The children ranged in age from three to six years old (simply psychology, 2011). The experiment contains many children of a range of ages so as to provide a varied amount of results. The apparatus needed for the experiment will be the videos of the children and model, a tick sheet to mark down the aggressive and non-aggressive acts. A stopwatch to be certain each observational study takes the same amount of time. Inferential statistics Using novel objects to hit the bobo doll 28/12= 2.3 35.5/12=2.95 F 2.95 Playing without showing aggressive actions 35/12=2.9 6.8/12=0.56 0.56 2.95/0.56= 5.26 The degrees of freedom for numerator are 15 and the degrees of freedom for dominator are 6. This makes my test two tailed therefore giving it a two directional outcome when looking at the results. This result does reflect the hypothesis and the alternate hypothesis but not the null hypothesis. The hypothesis and alternate hypothesis provides two directions to which the result can travel. The null hypothesis however is very specific to generalising that both of the conditions will not provide different results. Using the variance test provides information on two groups and as my results involved this test seemed appropriate to use. The experiment has clearly proven that children do learn from observation and can show just how much behaviour can be modelled to a child. A child’s way of thinking has been uncovered in this experiment when the results are explored. This is reflected when looking at the age range of the children and their results. In the Praised section of the table the ratings are all between three and four but as soon as the children are being punished for their behaviour the numbers dramatically drop and begin to range from zero to two. Although the results for non-aggressive behaviour under praise were surprisingly low whilst the punishment was high from three up to six on the scale. The controls that were put into place were effective and not in a way to be misleading to the child. For instance there was a kitchen set, a ball or two, a gun and a mallet. Even though the children used these for their own weapons these ideas were not modelled by the adult. The experiment could be described as ethical and unethical. Ethical because modelling behaviour is a way to teach children the difference between what is acceptable and what is not. On the other hand it is not ethical do use a blow up doll to demonstrate a child causing pain to it just because they have been shown to do so. How does it prove that the same child would repeat the actions months later on the Bobo doll and if that child does this because they remember it or their behaviour has changed. If the experiment were to be carried out again the Bobo doll would not be used another way of demonstrating behavioural changes should be used to vary the results. The results cannot be generalised to the whole public in every aspect but perhaps the ideas could be. The experiment is not generalised enough from the beginning the children were tested to see how aggressive they were to start with and with everyone being different the results would be inaccurate. The theory of social learning has some value in terms of associ ating many children to this type of learning from a very young age. The research could be expanded to deeper exploration in to the brain and what triggers are common in already aggressive people to what the triggers are for those whom are not aggressive my nature against the impartial people. The results for this can link the behaviourism to many types of crime, antisocial behaviour and even domestic violence. In conclusion the experiment to find out if modelling aggressive and violent behaviour would influence a child to observe and copy seems to have been proven a success. Albert Bandura’s theory can be applied to so many different aspects to behaviour and he chose one of the most interesting areas. The results have shown what power adults can have over their children and that reinforcement is not something to be taken lightly but supports the social learning theory. Conducting an experiment with small children was a good place to start because of their innocence and little or lack of knowledge of morals. Word count: 2063 References http://www.instructionaldesign.org/theories/social-learning.html Social learning theory 2013 http://www.distancelearningcentre.com/access/assessments/cdw/dip_cdw_child_rearing_assess.pdf bandura 2013 http://www.simplypsychology.org/operant-conditioning.html skinner 2014 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I_ctJqjlrHA Skinner March 2007 https://www.boundless.com/business/motivation-theories-and-applications/modern-views-on-motivation/reinforcement-theory/ Reinforcement theory nd http://www.education.com/reference/article/positive-guidance-techniques/ positive reinforcement 2014 http://yourbusiness.azcentral.com/ethical-consideration-negative-positive-reinforcement-27520.html ethics and reinforcement 2014 http://parentalalienationsupport.com/2010/09/09/methods-of-emotional-manipulation-understanding-parental-alienation-using-behaviorism/ ethics and reinforcement 2010 http://bcotb.com/the-difference-between-positivenegative-reinforcement-and-positivenegative-punishment/ negative reinforceme nt 2013 http://everydaylife.globalpost.com/effects-negative-reinforcements-selfesteem-14366.html negative reinforcement self-esteem 2014 http://psychology.about.com/od/operantconditioning/f/punishment.htm punishment 2014 http://psychology.about.com/od/classicpsychologystudies/a/little-albert-experiment.htm Watson and Raynor 2014 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zerCK0lRjp8 albert bandura may, 2011 http://psychology.about.com/od/early-child-development/a/experience-and-development.htm experience and development 2014 http://www.simplypsychology.org/bowlby.html Bowlby 2007 http://www.simplypsychology.org/bobo-doll.html bandura Bobo doll 2011 Book Mike Cardwell, Liz Clark and Claire Meldrum, April 2004, Psychology, third edition, Hammersmith, Collins

Do You Have the Power? :: Creative Writing Essays

Do You Have the Power?      Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   It all started in the interesting city of New York.   The smog ridden streets were filled with people.   On a quiet little street corner, there was a small shop owned by Harvey Goldstein.   Mr. Goldstein   was a well-to-do merchant. He traded in all sorts of imports, and was generally a moral man.   He did not buy goods from sweatshops nor did he ever cheat a customer.  Ã‚   At 1:31 P.M. on May 15, 1996, he stepped out of his shop on the Upper East Side of Manhattan to meet a man who dealt in Asian silk screens downtown.   He had been listening to traffic radio AM 530 and, deciding that traffic was too heavy, planned to take the subway.   Goldstein was a smart man, very smart, who had built his store and his fortune out of   blood, toil, tears, and sweat. Goldstein was also an upstanding member of the Jewish community whom everybody loved, but he never did anything extra, out of the ordinary, for anyone but himself.      Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   On the other side of town there was a new arrival to the city.   This man's name was Running Bear.   He was an American Indian who had gone to New York to seek his fortune; however, he soon fell upon hard times.   He had lived a life of monetary deprivation on the plains of Colorado, and had proceeded to New York by Amtrak with only a dollar and a dream.   Things did not go as planned, though; he could not find a job and had taken to panhandling and sleeping in the streets. His dreams, no doubt influenced by the fumes coming up from the sewer, were of money.   A good man who only wanted to work and make a decent living, he had gone to the welfare office a few blocks north of Goldstein's shop.   He was sent to the employment office downtown, and decided to take the subway.   No doubt, the welfare officials and social workers sent him away with a sad shrug and a sigh. They knew he was a simple man.      Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The two men saw each other waiting for the same train downtown. Interestingly enough, they were the only two waiting for the subway car, as a terrorist group had threatened to bomb a train and New Yorkers had generally taken the threat seriously.   They looked at each other briefly, sized one another up, and got on the train. While on the train, Running Bear began fiddling with a hatchet;   tossing it up in the air over and over again in