Difference Between Strategic Hrm And Hrm Business Essay

Difference Between strategical Hrm And Hrm Business EssayThe aim of this assignment is to analyze the relationship amongst Strategic and Human resource prudence. It explores the developing image of HRM in providing a strategic dimension to an composition. This essay identifies a number of hypercritical organizational behaviors in clubs that seek to inter-link its HRM practices with its strategy.Companys Strategies should be formulated by considering the human resource aspects and the human resources should be managed based on the lodges strategies. In fact, the consequences of liberalizations, privatization and globalization viz., competition, Quality, low cost, high upper in deli genuinely, customization and customer relationship, made the CEOs of Various companies to include the human resource aspects in the strategic precaution surgical process and manage the human resources based on the companies strategies. As such, strategic human resource management gained its sign ifi bottomce in the post liberalization period. Now, human resource manager, in most of the companies, is a part of strategic management team. (Ref P. Subba Rao book)Strategy (ref P. Subba Rao book)Increasing the sales of Suzuki by 1lakh motor cycles in 2012 is ane of the objectives of the company. It can be finded by increasing the elicit efficiency, reducing the price of the through reducing the production costs or by improving the design etc. Increasing the fuel efficiency or reducing the costs argon the strategies.Strategy, in simple terms, is a unified course of action to achieve the goal. Glueck defined the strategy as Unified, comprehensive and unified plan designed to ensure that the basic objectives of the enterprise argon achievedHenry Mintzberg views that strategy need non be the eruptcome of rational planning. With this view, Mintzberg defines strategy as, a pattern in a stream of ends or actions The pattern of decisions or actions is aimed at achieving the goal s and objectives of the company.Human resource managementThe function within an organization that foc consumptions on recruitment, management and providing counselling for the people is known as Human resource management. It in like manner deals with issues related to people such as hiring, compensation, employee motivation, carrying out management, safety, wellness, training, benefits, administration, communication and organizational development. HRM manages the relationship between the management and the employees. Whatever definition we use for defining HRM, It is all about people in organizations. No wonder, in some MNCs (Multinationals) HR managers are called People managers. Nowadays, HR manager or People manager is no longer seen doing the activities or work described in the traditional way. In fact, most organizations have different teams dealing with payroll, retention and staffing etc. The HR manager is responsible for managing employee fulfillment and realization of m anagement objectives.Difference between Strategic HRM and HRMHuman resource management is a strategic approach to the management of employees. As explained earlier, it mainly deals with the recruitment, compensation etc. There are no detail rules for HRM whereas in Strategic HRM, there are specific rules specified for specialized fields. SHRM mainly focuses on programs with long term objectives. Unlike the traditional HRM, Strategic management uses some(prenominal) strategic methods and establishmentatic tools for increasing employee motivation and productiveness. The strategic HRM represents the latest shift that explains how the continuing training and development of employees can directly contribute to wider writ of execution and function of the firm. (See Delery and shaw, 2001 Mathis and Jackson, 1999). Armstrong (2006a) explains the above notion in a brief summary by stating that The Fundamental aim of strategic HRD is to enhance resource capability in accordance with the belief that the human capital of an organization is a major source of competitive advantage. It is therefore about ensuring that the right quality people are available to accommodate present and future needs. This is achieved by producing a coherent and comprehensive framework for developing people. Whereas HRM realizes the important contribution employees make to the life of the peck but does not make a direct impact to its procedure. SHRD argues how an organization where employees realize new opportunities of growth and where they are able to utilize new capableness represents an interrelated link with the working of the organization and its process. SHRM argues that the role of the employees should be managed and aligned to the wider corporate objective of its management.Performance AppraisalPerformance appraisal is a process of assessing the consummation of an Employee compared to the standard/pre-determined level set by the organization according to its objectives. Perfo rmance appraisal indicates the level of desired performance by the employer, actual performance of the employee and the gap between these two. Performance appraisal is useful for deciding upon employee promotion, salary determination etc but recent developments in the human resources management indicate that performance appraisal is the basis for employee development. The basic objective of Performance appraisal is to take a measurable account of its employees with positive or negative performance so that the organization is able to have a better control over its operations and accordingly forecast work. Armstrong explains how Performance management reviews provide the inputs required to constitute personal or team development plans, and to many people performance management is essentially a development process. Performance reviews can, however, produce data in the form of individual ratings, which may be used as the basis for performance-related pay decisions.Performance appraisal can be of benefit if it is exercised in a positive way, even though measuring of performance is a positive way in detecting strengths and weaknesses of an employee such kind of exercises can be comprehend as intimidating by the employees deceaseing to issues like demotivation and lack of enthusiasm at work. According to Wiese and Buckley (1998) some of the advantages of a performance appraisal system are that it facilitates organizational decisions such as rewards and recognitions, promotion/demotions, layoffs/recall and transfers. It may also assist managers in developing employees. It serves to assist individual employees decisions regarding career choices and the subsequent direction of individual time and effort. Additionally, performance appraisals may increase employee commitment and satisfaction due to cleansements in organizational communication. The exercise of PA systems play a very important role in organizations that seeks to integrate HRM with its strategy because o f the belief that managing and assessing the performance of each employee has a direct relation with the performance of the corporation as a whole. It is a very essential process to understand and improve the employees performance through HRD (Human Resource development). The process of HRD helps the employees to develop technical, behavioral knowledge, skills and abilities, beliefs and attitudes necessary to perform and attain future goals. Performance appraisal is the basis for HRD.The question however arises what kind of performance will be appropriate to produce the required satisfaction amongst employees in come out to get positive performance as well as point out areas of improvements when weaknesses are detected? Many authors support the argument crosswise a wide spectrum that Performance appraisal systems, cannot in themselves, become a positive resource for improvement in the organization. Performance management system can be manipulated by the members of the organization. For example, the line manager can deliberately give low scores to an individual if the person has any personal grudges against him/her, to send a message to someone that they should consider leaving the organization to speed up termination. All of the above features indicate how people deploying the performance appraisal can use it in a number of ways and according to their interests.Self-Managed Teams and High Performance work practices.Self-Managed Teams are believed to contribute to an increase of input and efficiency and it has become a popular way of organizing an employees working environment. It said that by being self-managed, employees get a greater sense of responsibility which leads to a more innovative decision making and greater performance.In using the work by Sirking (1993) Elmuti (1997) argues that Self-Managed Teams programmes can produce greater satisfaction, reduced costs, faster and better decision making, improved pricing, and change magnitude market share. E lmuti (1997) makes the distinction between two most popular approaches to self managed teams, namely a) work teams and b) problem solving teams. Elmuti (1997) argues that A problem-solving team is similar to a taskforce in that it is formed for temporary purposes. While problem solving teams are temporary, work teams, which are used by two-thirds of US companies, tend to be permanent. sooner than attack specific problems, a work team does day to day work activitiesIn addition to the above, the study of self-management has been an issue because of lack of appreciation from the management for the employees contribution and decision making. The question remains of whether the hard work and commitment of the employee is evaluated and recognized by the organization.From the above discussion, we understand that the use of Self-Managed teams can be a win-win situation, when the individual contribution to the organization is being recognized by exercising proper(a) evaluation process. It ca n also be a loss-win situation for the employees when they do not get any profit from their innovative ideas which help the organization. At the same time, it can also be loss-win situation for the organization when the employees do not take advantage of their independence and become unproductive for the organization.High Performance work practices.The study of SHRM focuses on high performance work practices (HPWP) because it can lead to higher level of performance when implemented. De Waal (2007) argues that high performance organizations (HPO) share some certain characteristics like strong financial results, satisfied customers and employees, high levels of individual initiative, productivity and innovation, aligned performance measurement and reward systems, and strong leadership.There is not very much difference between HPWP and HRM, In fact HPWP aims at strengthening specific set of relationship within HRM practices. Huselid argues that certain criteria must exist if human res ources are to be a source of competitive advantage first, the individual performance significantly affects the organizations productivity second, that the skills must be rare, and finally that the human capital is difficult to imitate.Performance Management (PM), Learning and Change Management.Performance Management system is the associated with measuring the employees performance against the criteria introduced by the management or from the discussion with the employee. Organizations operating in the service sector (e.g. Call Centre) often want to measure whether the employee initiated proper contact with the customer, whether all questions asked by the customer was answered in a professional manner resembling the values and principles of the organization. Authors argue that PM should not notwithstanding point out the different targets to be met by the employee but also provide the necessary learning structures so employees are able to develop the right competencies to meet them. Kirkpatrick, (2006) also argues that In an extensive study on performance reviews, researches at general electric came to the following conclusion Implicit in performance appraisal programs are now structured and include two distinct objectives 1) letting a person know where he or she stands via ratings and salary actions, and 2) Motivating him or her to improve The learning or change management is about introducing employees to new or different knowledge areas that needs to be developed in order for them to meet their targets. Armstrong (2006b) rightly argues how Discussions takes place on ways in which the individuals role could be developed so that it becomes more challenging from the view point not only of new tasks to be accomplished but also need to acquire or extend knowledge and skills to carry out those tasks.A-One BakeryA-One bakery is one of the leading bakeries in the Indian Market. They have approx 800shops nationwide it has been maintaining a reputation for freshness a nd quality for years now and because of this A-One has won a trust of many customers, overtime. Rolls, Samosas, pastries, Cake, doughnuts and soft drinks are some of the products it deals with. There are many small shops and malls where A-One supplies its freshly made products hence due to the difficult logistics demand, employees play a critical role in the rangy selling and manufacturing targets. In order to achieve customer satisfaction one of the important activities of A-One is that it keeps a personal interaction with the customers at the time of selling despite the fact of distribution of products from the central bakery around the country. By examining the companys published information and report. It is clear that A-Ones envisaged expansion is achieved by not positioning the role of its employees at a strategic level. The companys function which is not perceived as critical is supported by the role of employees. The image of the corporation is improved by the involvement o f the employees within the wider community. In addition to that, little information is provided by the company about the competencies and skills that might be needed by the employees in order for them to apply it in different depts. Reference is made to different sections such as Marketing, purchasing, food/health and safety, finance, IT etc. Even though the above presentation of A-One bakeries treatment of its employees might not reflect the working of its staff environment, it is clear that the strategic importance on its people is not placed by the company. In contrast, the corporation emphasizes more on expansion of its products, marketing practices, opening or more stores worldwide and use of more robust advertising. The company would have positioned the areas of employee development, learning and training as more central to its growth.Creating a more strategic HRM focus.After examining a number of key areas constituting important strategic approach to HRM, It can be argued t hat A-One bakeries is able to incorporate some of the traditional practices in order to provide a more strategic edge to its recruitment and retention of employees. For identifying the areas of improvement and strengths, there can be a performance appraisal system introduced. More explicit areas of improvement within its HRM can be identified by the company that would be supplemented with the strategy to be committed in addressing the identified needs. Similar to the marketing and advertisements, a specific budget should be introduced for training and development of employees. There is absence of different forms of empowerment and involvement even though distinction is made by the company in regards to the working environment. Instead of following the traditional way of HRM, they could be rewarding the innovative role of its staff and how they have contributed towards the companys growth and current achievements. Despite of the recruitment of large number of employees, it can be sur prising to know that the presentation of the targets by the company is loosely defined. A-One bakery might be serious about its performance targets and growth but they should communicate this clearly and explicitly to the current and future employees.Conclusion.The aim of this assignment has been to analyze how an organization can achieve a corporation a between its strategic and human resource management. This Essay argued that the changing role of HRM is an indication of the development of Strategic HRM as compromising a much more critical role than it did in the past. This essay identified four areas which are critical for developing a strategic approach to HRM and also provided a literature review on them. All of the above practices aim at providing a more explicitly measured as well as managed role and performance of the employees. The improvement of the corporation as a whole is believed to be a result of training and development of the employees. By examining the case of A-O ne bakery, this essay identifies how an organization does currently possess a strategic focus on its HRM practices. The employees are seemed to be treated as functional role providers translating into the manufacturing and selling practices. In order to develop a strategic focus to its HRM functions, A-One needs to be more committed towards training and development as it is an important perquisite to its wider corporate performance.

Effects That Caffeine Consumption

Effects That Caffeine ConsumptionCaffeine is the most commonly calld psycho alive(p) substance in the get together States (Roehrs Roth, 2008). Regular coffee drinkers overhear an average of 200-500mg of caffein per mean solar day (Julien, 2005). Caffeine is name in a broad variety of sources including coffee, tea, energy drinks, chocolate and any(prenominal) over the counter medications (Roehrs Roth, 2008). Upon utilization, caffeine reaches peak plasma directs in 30-75 minutes and has a half life of 3-7 hours when consumed in a single dose (Roehrs Roth, 2008). When consumed in greater quantities, the half life is extended (Roehrs Roth, 2008). Caffeines amplyschool rate of aspiration may be due to the desirable effects it produces, such as profit mental alertness, improved flow of thought and of course, feelings of wakefulness (Julien, 2005). Caffeine is not without its undesirable effects caffeine white plague may have a prohibit effect on tasks which require fin e motor skills, complex arithmetic skills, or precise timing (Julien, 2005).Structurally, caffeine is similar to adenosine. In the brain, adenosine decreases neural firings and inhibits neurotransmitter electric discharge (Roehrs Roth, 2008). Caffeine actions as an adenosine antagonist blocking adenosine receptors in the brain. As a consequence, caffeine prevents adenosine from decreasing neural firings, leading to an increase in firings, and the input signal effects caffeine is swell up known for (Roehrs Roth, 2008). Caffeines blocking of adenosine receptors leads to dopamine release in the prefrontal cortex, ca victimisation caffeines alerting effects (Julien, 2005). While discontinuation of caffeine consumption may produce withdrawal symptoms, caffeine does not influence the dopaminergic structures associated with rewards and addiction (Julien, 2005). Typical withdrawal symptoms include headache, drowsiness, fatigue, and invalidating mood (Julien, 2005).It is often trying to estimate the amount of caffeine a person consumes due to great variability in the amount of caffeine per beverage (particularly coffee), exclusion of new caffeinated products on questionnaires, and variation in consumption from day to day. It is also difficult to comp ar results mingled with studies due to a great amount of variation in methods of footstep caffeine consumption levels (Shohet Landrum, 2001). A conduct by Shohet Landrum (2001) of undergraduate university students implemented the use of an updated version of the caffeine consumption questionnaire as well as smell at chronotype and age. The caffeine Consumption questionnaire decreases a great deal of inaccuracy of caffeine consumption measurement. Shohet Landrum (2001) found that the average participant in the study consumed 1597.6mg/week. They also found that level of caffeine consumption is positively correspondd with age. It was speculated that this increase may be an effort to compensate for decreased me tabolism and subsequent decrease in energy (Shohet Landrum, 2001). In the same study, there was no fundamental difference in caffeine consumption between males and females (Shohet Landrum, 2001). Caffeine consumption in the eventide was higher(prenominal) among older people, who tended to be morning-types (Shohet Landrum, 2001).The effects that caffeine consumption has on tranquillity are vast. Orbeta, Overpeck, Ramcharrin, Kogan Ledski (2006) found in a study of American high school students that those who sketched a high rate of caffeine consumption also reported much difficulty falling a short nap and felt more tired in the morning. In a number of studies, caffeine administration in varying amounts significantly cut total catch some Zs time and change magnitude respite onset latency (Roehrs Roth, 2008). or so studies also found a reduction in percentage of slow wave repose after caffeine administration (Roehrs Roth, 2008). In a study where caffeine was admini stered prior to intermission, encephalogram spectral power tautness was reduced in the .75 4.5 Hz band. In a parallel study, men were administered 200 mg of caffeine upon waking (0700 h) still experienced a reduction in EEG spectral power density in the .75 4.5 Hz electron orbit in the subsequent night sleep (Landolt, Werth, Borbely, Dijk, 1995). In this same study, total sleep time and sleep efficiency were reduced following caffeine administration in the morning. Power density was reduced in the .25 .5 Hz come in, and enhanced in the 11.25 12.00 Hz and 13.25-14.00 Hz ranges for NREM sleep (Landolt et al., 1995). Though a single 200 mg dose of caffeine in the morning clearly influences sleep propensity and power density of the EEG in the subsequent sleep episode, there was no deterioration in subjective sleep quality, and there is not a severe disruption of sleep continuity (Landolt et al., 1995). In contrast, a study by Sanchez-Ortuno, Moore, Taillard, Valtat, Leger, Dam ien, Bioulac, and Philip (2005)found that up to eight cups of coffee consumed by regular coffee drinkers was not associated with reduced TST. on that point was also no kin found between caffeine consumption and day time sleepiness in participants consuming up to eight cups perfunctory (Sanchez-Ortuno et al., 2005).The chronotype of an individual may be related to caffeine consumption. Chronotypes are a taste perception for being active during a particular time of day (Giannotti, Cortesi, Sebastiani, Ottaviano, 2002). Some individuals may be categorized as Morning-Types. Morning Types prefer to wake early in the morning, retire earlier in the evening, and are most active in the early hours of the day, where as evening-Types prefer to rise later, and engage in activities later in the day. Others may fall slightlywhere between the morning-type and evening-type extreme. Daily physiologic rhythms such as core body temperature, blood pressure and hormone secretions vary from one chr onotype to another. Morningness and even outness also tend to vary with age, with older adults generally demonstrating a mouthful for morning military action, and younger adults a preference for evening activity (Giannotti et al., 2002). A study by Giannotti et al. (2002) of adolescents found that as they approached young adulthood, their circadian preference shifted more towards Eveningness. Giannotti et al. (2002) also found that Evening types tended to consume more caffeine, particularly in the morning. This may be due to forced pressure to adhere to a schedule more appropriate for those with a preference for morning activity (Giannotti et al., 2002). In a study of both men and women with different, but fixed work schedules by Ana Aden (1994) it was found that caffeine consumption increased with preference for evening. Evening types consumed more caffeine than neutral types, and neutral types consumed more caffeine than morning types. Interestingly, a large percentage of eveni ng types were found to be caffeine abusers. 500 mg or more of caffeine per day was considered abuse (Aden, 1994).Adolescent evening types showed a more irregular sleep schedule and poorer subjective sleep quality in a study by Giannotti et al. (2002). Evening types also had higher sleep/wake behaviour bulls eyes than morning types, an indication of more sleep problems in evening types (Giannotti et al., 2002). Evening type adolescents reported consuming more sleeping pills than morning types as well as more day time sleepiness (Gianotti et al., 2002). Evening types had a greater tendency to fall hibernating(prenominal) at school, and attention problems as well (Giannotti et al., 2002).An increase in the accessability of applied science like reckoners, internet, television, and MP3 players may also impact caffeine consumption as well as sleep. A study by Calamaro, Mason, Radcliffe (2009) found that adolescents with higher scores on the multi-tasking index also reported higher ca ffeine intake, increase solar day sleepiness, increased incidents of falling asleep at school, and decreased total sleep time. Only 20% of the teenagers in this study received the recommended 8-10 hours of sleep for their age (Calamaro et al., 2009). 33% reported falling asleep at school on a regular basis, and 37% and 42% take naps on school days and weekends respectively (Calamaro et al., 2009).Clearly there is a great deal of interaction between caffeine consumption and chronotype. There is also apparent interaction between caffeine consumption and sleep quality. Chronotype had an influence on sleep quality in adolescents, There is also a family relationship between caffeine consumption and sleep quality and multi-tasking/technology use. The present study aimed to examine the interrelationship between these variables in a group of university students. It was hypothesized that students who reported higher caffeine consumption would report lower subjective sleep quality. This re lationship would be demonstrated by a significant positive correlation between level of caffeine consumption determined by Caffeine Consumption Questionairre (mg/week) (Modified from Landrum, 1992) and score on the Pittsburgh residue flavour Index (a higher score indicates poorer sleep quality) (Buysse et al., 1989). It was also predicted that students who were evening-types would consume a greater amount of caffeine than morning-type students. This would be demonstrated by a significant negative correlation between Morningness-Eveningness Questionairre (a lower score indicates a preference for eveningness) (Horne stberg, 1976) and daily caffeine consumption (mg/week) . Next, it was predicted that evening types would experience more subjective sleep problems than morning types. More specifically, there would be a significant negative relationship between scores on the Morningness-Eveningness Questionnaire and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index score. The fourth prediction was that st udents who scored higher on the Nighttime Activities (Multi-tasking) Index would also consume a greater amount of caffeine. Specifically, there would be a positive relationship between Caffeine Consumption Questionnaire score and Nighttime Activities (Multi-Tasking) Index score. Finally, we predicted that students who were evening-types would use more technology between 2100 and 0600. This would be indicated by a significant negative relationship between Morningness-Eveningness score and Nighttime Activities (Multi-Tasking) Index score. systemParticipantsParticipants in this study were 49 undergraduate students enrolled in a Sleep and Arousal course and Trent University. Student age ranged from 20-31 years. Mean age of participants was 22.12 years (SD 2.26). 9 males and 39 females participated in this study.MaterialsMaterials used were 4 established questionairres. The Morningness-Eveningness Questionairre (Horne stberg, 1976) was used to determine an individuals chronotype (prefer red or peak time of day (morning, evening or neutral)). Scores range from 16-86. Questionnaires were scored as follows (16-30) Definitely Evening, (31-41) Moderately Evening, (42-58) Neutral, (59-69) Moderately Morning, (70-86) Definitely Morning.The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index was used to measure students overall sleep quality (Buysse et al. 1989). Scores range from 0-21, with lower scores indicating better sleep quality.A modified version of the Caffeine Consumption Questionairre (Landrum, 1992) was used to estimate weekly caffeine consumption in students. Participants indicate how much caffeine they consume in the morning, afternoon, evening, and night time. Students also indicate the source of caffeine (small coffee, medium tea, soft drink, large coffee). The caffeine fill of each type and size of drink was determined by Calamaro et al. (2009) and Roehrs and Roth (2008).Finally, the Night-Time Activities Questionnaire, modified from Calamaro et al. (2009) was used to measure the amount of time students worn-out(a) doing various technology ground activities in the evening (900pm 600am). Activities such as watching television, and using the computer were included). A multi-tasking index was then created by adding the total hours of time spent on all tasks and dividing this number by 9 (the total hours between 900 pm and 600 am). A student who engages in 9 hours of activity in that 9 hour period would receive a score of 1.0 (A score greater than 1 is possible, for example, if a student was listening to music and using the computer at the same time).ProcedureParticipants filled out all four questionnaires during a scheduled lecture period. The Morningness-Eveningness Questionnaire and the Pittsburg Sleep Quality Index were scored by students after completion, while the other two questionnaires were scored by the instructor.ResultsCaffeine Consumption QuestionairreThe pixilated level of caffeine consumption in milligrams per week for the morning (0600 1200) period was 685.63 (SD = 1032.21). Mean afternoon (1200 1800) period caffeine consumption was 394.90 (SD = 554.39). The correspond level of evening (1800 0200) period caffeine consumption in these university students was 320.49 (SD = 355.48) and mean night time (0200 0600) caffeine consumption was 24.84 (SD = 64.49) milligrams per week. Mean caffeine consumption total in milligrams per week was 1425.86 (SD = 1737.82). These results were similar to results found by Shohet et al. in that the greatest amount of caffeine was being consumed in the morning time. There was a slightly lower level of total caffeine consumption in our study compared to the results found by Shohet et al., with a difference of 171.74 mg/week between the two studies. This amount is equivalent to about 1 cup of coffee. (MORE COMPARISON between OURS AND SHOHET..SEE TABLE 2 IN PAPER AT BATA)The mean source of the caffeine consumed weekly in milligrams was 974.69 (SD = 1713.09) for coffee, 270.12 (SD = 338. 18) for tea, 99.24 (SD = 163.39) for soft drinks, 45.06 (SD = 127.23) for energy drinks, and 36.73 (SD = 74.44) for hot chocolate. The vast volume of caffeine consumed weekly by these university students was via coffee while very little caffeine was consumed in hot chocolate.Morningness-Eveningness Questionnaire (MEQ)The mean MEQ score was 43.59 (SD = 12.25). Scores ranged from 24 to 69. 16.33% of participants were Definitely-Evening (n= 8), 34.69% were Moderately-Evening (n=17), 36.73% were Neutral (n=18) and 12.24% were Moderately-Morning. None of the participants were Definitely-Morning types.Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI)Each subscale of the PSQI has a possible score of 0-3. The mean Subjective Sleep Quality score was 1.37 (SD = 0.83). The mean Sleep Onset Latency score was 1.84 (SD = 1.01). The mean Sleep Duration score was 0.78 (SD = 0.82). The mean Habitual Sleep Efficiency score was 0.69 (SD = 0.98). The mean Sleep Disturbances score was 1.55 (SD = 1.14). The mean Us e of Sleeping Medication was 0.37 (SD = 0.83), and the mean Daytime Dysfunction score was 1.35 (SD = 0.83). The mean total score on the PSQI was 7.78 (SD = 3.93). According to Buysse et al. (1988), a score greater than 5 indicates that someone is a poor sleeper. The mean score of our participants was within the range of abnormal. The greatest amount of sleep disturbance came from high sleep onset latency, while the least disruptive factor was reliance on the use of sleep medications.Night-Time Activities Questionnaire (NTAQ)The mean entropy for the activities included on the NTAQ are included in figure 1. The mean multi-tasking index of these night time activities is 0.60 (SD = 0.29). The range of multi-tasking index scores was 0.12 1.39. A score of 0.60 means that the participant was doing some combination of the activities on the NTAQ for 5.40 hours. (0.60 x 9 hours = 5.40) of the 9 hour sleep period. In the case of the score of 1.39, the participant was engaging in an activity on the NTIQ for 12.51 hours. Since the measured period is only 9 hours, this participant was engaging in more than one activity at a time, for example, listening to MP3 player and online computer use.Results of Correlation AnalysisThere was a significant negative correlation between MEQ and Multi-Tasking Index. Morning types tended to have lower Multi-Tasking Index scores than Evening types, r = -.32, p Table 1Correlations found between Morningness-Eveningness Questionnaire (MEQ), PittsburgSleep Quality Index (PSQI), Multi-tasking Index, and Caffeine ConsumptionQuestionnaire. . _ MEQ PSQI Multi-Tasking .MEQ score -.16 -.32*PSQI score .03Caffeine ConsumptionCoffee -.06 .31* -.06Tea .20 -.20 -.08Hot Chocolate .13 -.18 .08Soft Drinks -.30* .02 .08Energy Drinks -.14 .20 .07. Total Caffeine -.06 .25 .01 .* p DiscussionWe predicted that participants who consumed a greater level of caffeine would have higher scores, indicating poorer sleep quality, on the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index. Although total caffeine consumption level failed to predict a higher sleep quality score, there was a significant negative correlation between level of coffee consumption and PSQI.Morningness-Eveningness Questionnaire Score was predicted to negatively correlate with score on the Caffeine Consumption Questionnaire. Total caffeine consumption did not significantly correlate with MEQ score. Level of caffeinated soft drink consumption did significantly correlate with MEQ with evening types consuming greater amounts of caffeinated soft drinks than morning-types.It was predicted that evening types would report more sleep problems via the PSQI. This correlation failed to reach significance in our analysis. There is no significant difference between Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index score in evening-types from morning-types.We predicted that students who scored higher on the Nighttime Activities (Multi-tasking) Index would also consume a greater amount of caffeine. The analysis revealed no sig nificant relationship between these variables.Our final prediction was that evening-types would engage in a greater level of technology use in the evening, as indicated by a significant negative relationship between MEQ score and Multi-Tasking Index. There was a significant relationship between MEQ and Multi-Tasking Index. Evening types did tend to engage in more activities involving technology between the hours of 2100 and 0600 than morning-types, as predicted.Using The Caffeine Consumption Questionnaire and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index as a measure, consumption of higher levels of caffeine did not did predict poorer sleep quality. Although several studies found that caffeine consumption increased sleep onset latency, decreased total sleep time and increased daytime sleepiness, we did not find that high levels of total caffeine consumption predicted a significantly poorer sleep quality score (Roehrs Roth, 2008). Although total caffeine consumption and PSQI were not correlated, c affeinated coffee consumption did predict a poorer sleep quality score. This contrasts findings by Sanchez-Ortunga et al. (2005) in which up to eight cups of coffee consumed by regular coffee drinkers did not result in a significantly lower TST. Although it should be taken into love that TST is only one component of the PSQI.Contrary to our findings, Gianotti et al. (2002) found that Evening-types tended to consume a greater amount of caffeine than morning types. Ana Aden (1994) also found that daily caffeine consumption increased as preference for evening activity increased. Although these results contrast our findings, we did find a slight but significant relationship between consumption of caffeinated soft drinks and preference for evening.Gianotti et al. (2002) also found that evening-type adolescents reported poorer subjective sleep quality than morning types. These evening-type adolescents also showed a more irregular sleep schedule. Evening types showed greater daytime sleep iness, increased oftenness of falling asleep during the day, and other indications of poor sleep quality (Gianotti et al., 2002). Contrary to these findings, we found no relationship between PSQI score and chronotype.Although Calamero et al. (2009) found that those reporting an increased multi-tasking index score also consumed greater amounts of caffeine, we found no relationship between the two. We did, however, find a significant relationship between chronotype and multi-tasking index. Evening types tended to engage in more technologically based activities between 2100 and 0600. There was no previous question available examining the relationship between chronotype and Night-time Activities/Multi-tasking Index. This may be a possible area of further investigation.One limitation of this study is the lack of diversity in the sample. The participants were a comparatively small group of undergraduate psychology students between the age of 20-31. The small sample size may have made it difficult for ways in the data to reach significant levels. Also, chronotype and caffeine consumption have been shown to change over the lifetime, however, we were able to examine only a small window of young adulthood, release little opportunity for drastic variations. Also, being students, many of these participants may have schedules which vary drastically from day to day, as well as an increased frequency of engaging in late night activities with peers. These behaviours may have a confounding influence on many sleep variables. Thus, these findings may not be generalized to the population. Re-examining the same material with a larger and more diverse sample may yield more helpful results. This would be fairly transparent to do since the questionnaires may be filled out with little guidance or instruction, and simply be distributed and returned by post or electronically administered.another(prenominal) limitation is that the entire data collection procedure relied completely o n student self-reports. The accuracy of these self-evaluations of sleep quality, sleep latency, and level of caffeine consumption may not have been accurate. Some questionnaires were also self scored, leaving open the opportunity for error in calculations. Although much of our analysis of caffeine consumptions effect on sleep quality failed to reach statistical significance, the trends in the data indicate that caffeine does likely noxiously influence sleep quality. As previous research has shown, the impact caffeine may have on daytime functioning and sleep may be greater than many people realize. Caffeine consumption may be leading to a poorer nights sleep, and this less recuperative sleep subsequently may lead to more caffeine consumption the following day to compensate for the caffeine disrupted sleep of the night before. One can see how this may result in a caffeine/poor sleep cycle.Another interesting finding was the correlation between chronotype and Multi-tasking index score . It would be interesting to investigate whether this relationship is due to evening-types engaging in more night-time activities in order to simply occupy the time between when they believe they should be sleeping and when they are able to sleep, or if the opportunity to occupy the mind and faculty off sleep, and disrupting their natural activity time preference.Although we did not specifically make any predictions regarding Multi-tasking Index and PSQI, it is interesting to note that there was no relationship between Multi-tasking Index and PSQI. Research by Calamaro et al. (2009) found that a high Multi-tasking Index was related to sleep problems like difficulty falling asleep, decreased total sleep time and daytime sleepiness.There was no relationship between chronotype and sleep quality in our study, despite findings of a significant relationship by Gianotti et al. (2002). Although the trend in our data leaned towards a similar relationship, it did not reach significance. The difference in our findings compared to Gianotti et al. (2008) may have to do with factors unique to adolescents.In summary, there is a significant relationship between Multi tasking and chronotype, PSQI and coffee consumption level. All other comparisons failed to reach significance. The trend in the data indicate that caffeine does indeed detrimentally effect sleep quality, but the degree of influence it has remains unclear.ReferencesAdan, A. (1994). Chronotype and personality factors in the daily consumption of alcohol and psychostimulants. Addiction, 89(4), 455-462.Buysse, D.J., Reynolds, C.F., Monk, T.H., Berman, S.R., Kupfer,D.J. (1989). The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) A new instrument for psychiatric research and practice. Psychiatry Research, 28(2), 193-213.Calamaro, C.J., Mason, T.B., Ratcliffe, S.J. (2009). Adolescents living the 24/7 lifestyle effects of caffeine and technology on sleep time and daytime functioning. Pediatrics, 123(6), 1005-1010.Gianotti, F., Cortesi, F., Sebastiani, T., Ottaviano, S. (2002). Circadian preference, sleep and daytime behaviour in adolescence. Journal of Sleep Research, 11(3), 191- 199.Julien, R.M. (2005). Caffeine and nicotine. In A primer of drug action. (10th ed., pp. 225-251). New York value Publishers.Landolt H.P., Werth, E., Borbely, A.A., Dijk, D.J. (1995). Caffeine intake (200 mg) in the morning affects human sleep and EEG power spectra at night. Brain Research, 675(1-2), 67-74.Landrum, R.E. (1992). College students use of caffeine and its relationship to personality. College Student Journal, 26(2), 151-155.Orbeta, R.L., Overpeck, M.D., Ramcharran, D., Kogan, M.D., Ladsky, R. (2006). blue caffeine intake in adolescents associations with difficulty sleeping and feeling tired in the morning. Journal of Adolescent Health, 38(4), 451-453.Roehrs, T., Roth, T. (2008). Caffeine Sleep and daytime sleepiness. Sleep medication Reviews, 12(2), 153-162.Sanchez-Ortuno, M., Moore, N., Taillard, J., Valtat, C., Legar, D., Bioulac, B., Philip.,P. (2005). Sleep duration and caffeine consumption in a French middle-aged working population. Sleep Medicine, 6(3), 247-251.Shohet, K.L., Landrum, R.E. (2001). Caffeine consumption questionnaire a standardized measure for caffeine consumption in undergraduate students.Psychology Reports

Emily Dickinson - The Feet Of People Walking Home :: essays research papers fc

One of Emily Dickinsons poems, formally titled The feet of mountain walking home, is of some recreate in its own merit. Unlike some of Dickinsons other poems, such as the ones that exist among other versions due to a few dissimilarities, this poem is duplicated verbatim. To the ferocious eye, this triviality would often be overlooked, were it not for the f come that Emily Dickinson had not intended on publishing many of her poems. Why, then, did she duplicate this poem? Perhaps a more(prenominal) in-depth analysis of the poem, as well as the current events in Dickinsons life, would answer this query. Estimated to have been written in the year 1858, the poem begins its first stanza by conveying the emotions of gaiety and joyfulness, which are associated with passage to heaven. A much more somber note pervades the second stanza, in which Dickinson uses metaphors to compare the entrance to heaven with the act of theft. The third stanza combines the previous two by hinting at the th eory that those who are already in heaven do not want more people entering heavens gates, because that would diminish the high status that heaven and angels hold. The tone in the first stanza is of joyousness and excitement, as people make their authority to heaven. Dickinson uses the words gayer, hallelujah, and singing to emphasize the uplifting feeling here. It could be argued that this is the point in the humans lives (or deaths, or afterlives, depending on how one looks at it) when they reach the stature of happiness, for they have finally entered heaven. The humans, now dead, would then acquire wings, immortality, and an angelic status that rises far above that of humans. Much like Dickinsons other poems, this one uses metaphors to render similar things, such as home, which represents heaven, snow, which represents the clouds on which heaven resides, and vassals, which represents the angels who serve God. The second stanza shares a relation to the first, but it could be des cribed as being alone opposite in tone. Dickinson uses the words extorted, larceny, and death to emphasize the crime that is personified here. Dickinson uses more metaphors in this stanza to compare the onrush of people entering heaven to divers who betroth pearls from the sea. In both cases, a sense of value is diminished, or perhaps even lost. Referring back to the first stanza, Dickinson subtly states that the status of angels would no longer be as honorable or magnificent as it is now if everyone were to acquire wings, achieve immortality, and enter heaven.

Destruction of the Ibo Tribe in Chinua Achebes Things Fall Apart Essay

The Assisted Suicide of the Ibo Tribenothing on this orbiter is indestructible, everything must go at some point in being. merely, if an object is left untouched, it will not disappear. Something has to assist its end. The same concept applies for the tribe of Umofia. The Umofian tillage cannot prosper forever, something had to aid in its d sufferfall and in Chinua Achebes Things Fall aside, the British were to blame for the downward spiral the Umofian people saw. The novel Things Fall Apart is set in Africa and focuses on Okonkwo, the main character. Okonkwo leads an ambitious life until he mistakenly shoots a member of the tribe during a festival. His reprimand for this act was seven years in exile in which he served reluctantly. Upon his arrival to his home tribe, he observed that his clans folk had become women-like. He quick noticed the reason of this sudden change and held the British responsible. At this point, the tribe runs down a dark tunnel, one that Okonkwo does not want to see so he performs suicide. Okonkwos death symbolizes the Ibo tribes downfall and the group that assisted both deaths was the British. The ways that the British aid in the falling obscure of the Ibo tribe is by taking away the Ibo culture, belittling their gods, and converting Ibo clans folk.When a society gets its traditions taken away, they can assume they have taken the stolon step towards assimilation, for without their culture, they have nothing proving who they are. The same concept can be applied to the situation in Umofia. When the British came and started to change Umofian culture, things started to fall apart. The first live up to the British did was change the Umofian Judicial system. Instead of meeting in front of the Egwugwu, as cu... ...nsidered a being to fear, however, Mr. Brown implies that Chukwu is a Loving father and Not feared by those who do his will (Achebe 181). By saying this, Mr. Brown alters the way the Umofian people believe in God which may m ake them confused for never hearing of another religion before. In the novel, things started to fall apart because the British came and took away the Umofia peoples culture which includes their right of jurisdiction, belief in their own God and, converting the clans folk. This shows that nothing, however big, or small can flourish forever. Even if the British had not of come, something would have caused the Umofian downfall. Everything must come to an end, in this case it was the Umofian clan. However Okonkwo sums it all up the best The British has put a knife on the things that held us together and we have fallen apart (Achebe 176).

Serial Killers :: Papers

In the last three decades the the States has been troubled by an approaching problem, the serial killer. A serial killer is a person who kills a number of people, usually considered over five, with a cooling off period between each murder, usually one murder at one given time). Two murders at one time occasionally happen and these murders may go on for a period of months or years until the killer is caught. Through reveal the last three decades the US serial killer rate has risen 94% and it is estimated that by the next millennium it will birdsong an average of 11 lives a day. Serial Murder is an epidemic there atomic number 18 at least 35 serial killers active in the USA today who claim one third of the annual murder rate. The USA has 6% of the worlds population yet it has three quarters of all serial killers. non only are serial killers appearing in more numbers in the US but also all over the world countries are terrorized by serial killers, which are appearing in more number s year and year after. KILLER TRAIT A serial killer is a typical white male, 20-30, and most of them are usually in the USA. Their main motives are sex (even though the act of sex may or may not take place), power, manipulation, domination and control. The sex motive is usually rape for an organized killer and sadism for a disorganized killer. They act in a serial publication of 5 or more murders with a cooling off period between each murder. Serial killers can go on for months and years to begin with they are usually caught. The victim is usually the same for every killer - prostitute, hitchhiker etc. Their victims may also have the same or similar attributes in gender, age, race, general look, residence etc. Serial killers also stick by their modus operandi very closely and may change it with experience. Most murders occur by strangulation, suffocation, slap-up etc. Serial killers act by a sex-murder romance based with their control, they usually live in this dream world in the ir teens until they act it out for real when they get into the adult stage. As each murder occurs a serial killer may be disappointed by his murder fantasy and may act it out again to achieve it to there own satisfaction. CHARACTERISTICS OF A SERIAL KILLER 1. Killings are separate (serial), occurring with greater or less(prenominal) frequency, often escalating over a period of time, sometimes years, and will continue until the killer is taken into custody, dies, or is himself/herself killed.

The Status of Women in New Testament and Lysistrata :: Lysistrata Essays

The Status of Women in New testament and Lysistrata         Since the beginning of time the intervention of women has improved dramatically.  In the earliest of times women were mere slaves to men.  Today women are near equals in almost all fields.  In 411 B.C., when Lysistrata was written, men had many immobilize advantages to that of their female counterparts. Although womens rights between 30 and 100 A.D., the time of the New Testament, were still not what they are today, the treatment of women was far better. Overall, the equality of women in the New Testament exceeds that of the women in Lysistrata in three major ways  physical mobility, societys view of womens nature, and womens public legal rights.         Albeit in Lysistrata the women were shown as revolutionaries rising up against the men, women in neoclassic Greece were never like that.  Aristophanes created the play as a comedy, showing ho w the world might be in the times of the Peloponesian war if women tried to do something.  It was the womens descent to stay home and tend to the house, and never leave, unlike they did in the play, the women were shown as revolutionaries rising up against the men, women in classical Greece were never like that.         The activities of women in determinate Athens were confined to bearing children, spinning and weaving, and maybe managing the domestic arrangements. No wandering in the beautiful streets for them.   The suppression of women went so far as to basin the house into separate areas for males and females.  While the women stayed home, the men were usually out fighting, and when they werent fighting, they were entertaining their friends and having sexual favors performed by courtesans.         The rights of women in early Christianity were a far cry from today, although they were untold better off than their Athenian counterparts.  In the Christian church, women were treated as equals.  The first evidence of this is when the woman with hemorrhages touches Jesus clothing and he says that her faith has made her substantially (Mark 534).  This shows that both sexes are treated equally in that eyes of god even though at this time the hemorrhages that the

Peyton Place :: essays research papers

In 1956, a woman from middle class Manchester, saucily Hampshire wrote a book that shocked the nation. At 32 years old, Grace Metalious wrote the blockbuster novel Peyton Place. It transformed the publishing industry and made the author angiotensin converting enzyme of the most talked about people in the nation. Metalious wrote about incest, abortion, sex, rape, adultery, repression, lust, and the secrets of small town New England, things that were never discussed before in conservative America. She interpreted incest, wife beating, and distress as social failures instead of individual flops. When Metalious published Peyton Place, the country was in the grasp of a new wave of sexual panic. The book turned the " snobbish" into the "political." The avant-garde disturbed the country and critics called the book "wicked," "sordid," and "cheap." Canada declared it indecent and made the importation of the book illegal. Parts of Rhode Island, India na, and Nebraska followed suit arguing that the book would foul young minds. Wealthy communities banished Peyton Place. To read Peyton Place was to read it in secret and were sometimes discussed only among the closest of friends. Everyone was reading it - college and high school students, college graduates, mothers, wives, and even husbands and fathers. In 1956, a sexual act such as sodomy, oral sex, and intercourse with another matrimonial person in most states was illegal. Also, abortion was illegal, and birth incorporate was unreliable and in many cases, difficult to find. To many critics, Metalious book was not scandalous because of its case in point, but because of the sexual pleasures that were received and given by the female characters. Peyton Place begins with Indian summer in 1939. It takes place in a very descriptive, postcardesque New England town. The main story focuses on three women characters and their underlying search for their identities as sexual women in sma ll town America. Allison Mackenzie is the bastard daughter of Constance Mackenzie who had an affair with a married man. She illegally changed Allisons birth present and lied to the Peyton Place locals that her husband died. Connie didnt want any of the town folk to find out the equity that the father of her child was a married man because she would become the town gossip of ridicule. She kept this secret to herself, and only to herself until an argument between her and Allison occurred when Connie thought Allison was having sex with one of her friends, and so she lashed out the truth to Allison.