Talent Management Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Talent Management - Essay Example Talent cannot be gained by any other means other than through inherent acquisition. From a business point of view, talent may be seen as a creative skill to use innovative techniques in solving problems that one is often faced with the business environment. That is, when business challenges arise such as in the case of competition, talent could be used to devise a strategic advantage that makes one’s company a preferred option over other competitors (Young and Poon, 2006). For a talented person, the strategy should be innovative enough to be different from all known and existing strategies.As a person, I have an organizational talent that makes it possible for me to organize people, ideas, places, events, and even challenges to ensure that a targeted goal is achieved through this organization. In order words, I have an exceptional way from which I approach and use my organizational skill. Because it is used as a talent, when I am given the task to organize a group of people or an event with another person with organizational skill, results from my end always stand out. Talent pipeline may be referred to as a system that identifies all relevant, qualified and competent candidates to benefit a company’s course of hiring. This is commonly done by use of a database of the available human resource to the company. Companies may also have their strategies of ensuring that they attract such line of employees who can better help with the achievement of the goals of the company.

Special Education Laew and Litigation Essay Example for Free

Special Education Laew and Litigation Essay * Special education teachers must know legal liabilities and rights pertaining to student, parent, and teachers. Special education teachers recognize that special education practice is heavily regulated and are able to define relevant laws and policies that related to specific special education. (APTS 8, 9; INTASC 1; CEC 1, 9) Assessment Tool Selected * Essay Specific Performance/Task(s) Articulate relevant educational laws and ethics pertaining to student, parent, and teacher rights and responsibilities. (APTS 8. 13) Explain state and federal laws, rules, and regulations as they pertain to special education. (APTS 9. 2) Identify legal responsibilities of teachers (special and general) in accordance with special education laws, rules, and regulations. (APTS 9. 2) Define relevant laws and policies that relate to specific special education situations. (CEC 1. 2) Analyze influential historical events and human issues in special education from various points of view. (CEC 1. 3) Apply ethical/professional standards, follow legal parameters, and keep within limits of practice in the design and implementation of instruction, decision-making, and collaborative interactions with students, families, colleagues, and agencies. (CEC 9. 1) Relevancy of Task to Teacher Candidate * In the special education classroom setting, teachers must comply with laws and rights pertaining to the field of special education. Assessment: Student Prompts/Teacher Directions * Discovering the Relationship Between the Law and Your School (Benchmark Assessment) Use the GCU eLibrary to research information beyond what is provided in the course materials to explore the law and its application to special education issues covered in this course. Explore state departments of education Web sites to investigate the laws of your state and other states as well as their application to special education issues covered in this course. Schedule an appointment with an attorney well-versed in school law or with a special education director to learn about the following issues: a) How has the legal system evolved, as it applies to special education, over the past 20 years, and how has that affected the legal framework for special education today? b) How does the legal framework differ for special needs students and regular students in private and public schools? c) Who monitors the implementation and evaluation of IEPs in private and public schools? d) In the legal expert’s opinion, are there any elements of special education law that need refinement? Explain. Write an essay of 1,750-2,000 words in which you compare and contrast the findings of your research and the information obtained in the interview. Prepare this assignment according to the APA guidelines found in the APA Style Guide, located in the Student Success Center. An abstract is required. Additionally, submit the assignment in TaskStream. Directions for submitting to TaskStream can be found on the College of Education’s page in the Student Success Center. Scoring Tool/Guide (Rubric) Discovering the Relationship Between the Law and Your School Criteria| 1: Unsatisfactory| 2: Less Than Satisfactory| 3: Satisfactory| 4: Good| 5: Excellent| * Required Content * 85% * * CEC: 9, 10| Central purpose or argument is not clearly identified. Analysis is vague or notevident. Reader is confused or may be misinformed. | Information supports a central purpose or argument at times. Analysis is basic or general. Reader gains few insights. | All required content is discussed. Information provides reasonable support for a central purpose or argument and displays evidence of a basic analysis of a significant topic. Reader gains insights. | All required content is discussed and examples are provided to support or exemplify main ideas. | All required content is thoroughly discussed and examples are provided to support and exemplify main ideas. | Comments| Organization and Format (10%)| Essay Structure, Paragraph Development, and Transitions| Paragraphs and transitions consistently lack unity and coherence. No apparent connections between paragraphs. Transitions are inappropriate to purpose and scope. Organization is disjointed. | Some paragraphs and transitions may lack logical progression of ideas, unity, coherence, and/or cohesiveness. Some degree of organization is evident. | Paragraphs are generally competent, but ideas may show some inconsistency in organization and/or in their relationships to each other. | A logical progression of ideas between paragraphs is apparent. Paragraphs exhibit a unity, coherence, and cohesiveness. Topic sentences and concluding remarks are used as appropriate to purpose, discipline, and scope. | There is a sophisticated construction of the essay. Ideas universally progress and relate to each other. The writer has been careful to use paragraph and transition construction to guide the reader. | APA Format and Style Requirements| APA format and style are not evident. | Title page is present, but is missing APA elements. In-text citations, where necessary, are used but they are formatted inaccurately and not referenced. | All key elements of an APA title page are present. An abstract is present and formatted correctly. In-text citations and a reference section are present with few format errors. Mechanics of writing are reflective of APA style. | Plan elements are theoretically supported with accurate citations and references. | A broad understanding of APA format and style is evident in the use of level headings and lists, for example. | Comments| Mechanics, Language Use, and Audience Awareness (5%)| Mechanics of Writing (includes spelling, punctuation, grammar)| Surface errors are pervasive enough that they impede communication of meaning. | Frequent and repetitive mechanical errors distract the reader. | Some mechanical errors or typos are present, but are not overly distracting to the reader. | Prose is largely free of mechanical errors, although a few may be present. | Writer is clearly in control of standard, written American English. | Language Use and Audience Awareness (includes sentence construction, word choice, etc. )| Student uses noncollegiate, conversational tone, inappropriate word choice and/or sentence construction, and lack of variety in language use. Student appears to be unaware of audience. Use of primer prose indicates student either does not apply figures of speech or uses them inappropriately. | Language lacks clarity or includes the use of some conversational tone. Language choice (register) can be distracting or inconsistent with sentence structure. Some lack of control in using figures of speech appropriately is noted. | Language is clear and audience-appropriate. Sentences display varied structure with minor errors. Use of collegiate language is appropriate for the most part. | Uses a variety of sentence structures and collegiate-level vocabulary. Uses figures of speech and idioms to communicate clearly. | Language is precise and sentences display consistently strong, varied structure. Approach to use of language is unique, creative, and appropriate to purpose, discipline, and scope of topic. | Comments| * * * Â © 2012. Grand Canyon University. All Rights Reserved.

Hofstede And Trompenaars Framework Of Cultural Dimensions Commerce Essay

Hofstede And Trompenaars Framework Of Cultural Dimensions Commerce Essay Well known experts have dimensioned culture on both societal as well as organisational perspective. Culture seems to be an ideology comprising framework for every human in the group (David B. Dickerson, Alexander Kouzmin, Nada Korac-Kakabadse,2006). Cultural frameworks may be quite broad as witnessed in the instances of national identification such as the Dutch, the African, the American, and the Asian and so on. Such framework develops the personality even though it might not be tangible; its representation is viewed under its image and behaves as adjoining parts of a picture. (Counts, James,1996). Since more than two decades, the findings and studies relating to the need and application of culture has been influenced by the framework of Geert Hofstede. He is a renowned Dutch anthropologist. During the year 1970, Geert hofstede presented various dimensions of culture by evaluating values concerning work of International business management employees. Geerts most master peace of work was recognised when he divided culture into four different dimensions: Power distance, uncertainty avoidance, Individualism versus collectivism, and masculinity versus femininity. In the year 1991,Geert Hofstede demonstrated a fifth dimension of culture. Hofstede explains the long term orientation as featured by continuation of existence, forming relations by the level of a post, and containing a feeling of disgrace. The short term orientation is featured as having a perfect balance and saving self image concerning the beliefs and traditions and a mutual sharing of good regards(Svend,Hollensen,2007) . The motivation of his framework throughout the academic background, and the results occurring through his findings would imply the validity of the application of such cultural frameworks. Although with the implementation of his cultural frameworks, its reliability had not been fully approved. This may be because his cultural framework being more responsive in terms of standardised point of view than its psychological characteristics(Geert, Hofstede,1991). Enormous findings and research reflect about the actual validity of hofstedes cultural framework. These in-dept findings which have concentrated on people are cross cultural dimensions, which depicted some unreliability on its framework. Few have discovered essential overlap on several dimensions of culture and rest have noticed some cultural dimensions to be less valid. On an aggregate, these studies imply the emergence of finding the reliability of hofstedes cultural framework (Carlos M. Rodriguez,2005). Fons Trompenaars is another Dutch expert of cultural framework, had founded seven cultural orientation in his book Riding the waves of culture (1997). These seven dimensions are universalism versus particularism, achievement versus ascription, neutral versus emotional, defuse versus specific, Communitarianism versus individualism, Human-Time relationship and Human-Nature relationship, and Sequential vs. synchronic. Among these seven cultural dimensions, two of them are quite familiar to that of hofstedes cultural dimensions: collectivism versus individualism, and power distance to some extent. Trompenaars communitarianism 1 vs. individualism is almost very similar to that of Geert Hofstedes collectivism vs. individualism. Trompenaars ascription/achievement cultural orientation implies the accordance of status seems to have connection with that of hofstedes cultural dimension: power distance. This states that if one agrees the accordance of status by the nature except the achievement which depicts a higher capability of accepting power distance. These assumptions or dimension even though essential in analysing the culture of various countries, do not give a clear idea about their preferences and impact on peoples behaviour. This is although not completely linked, as Geert Hofstedes power distance index the way status being accorded, but to the approvable power index in the society, which is not examined by Trompenaars. His other cultural dimensions have more focus on resulting consequences of specific values(Geert Hofstede,1993). The neutral/ emotional cultural dimension explains the capacity of the expr ession of the feelings, which implies a behavioural feature other than a value. With respect to the cultural dimensions of hofstede, Fons Trompenaars had not created his framework on mathematical or statistical information, but on self gathered instrument which he believed having an approved relevancy. Hofstedes five cultural Dimensions: Cultural Dimensions Power Distance Masculinity vs. femininity Individualism vs. Collectivism Uncertainty Avoidance Long vs. short term orientation Source: Geert hofstede (1980), figure 1.1 Power distance  : Power distance index is an element that conveys an allowance or expectation of lack of equality between the people who are either more or less efficient in the society. It explains how the strong people of the organisations and institutions agree and consider that the power is not distributed equally. It shows a feeling of inequality (higher versus lower), but meant from bottom, and not from the top. It describes how the extent of inequality in the society is transferred by the leaders as well as the followers. This dimension enlightens that all the members of the society are unequal, but few are not equal even than the others. Under high power distance societies, the decision makers are the people at the top level whereas in case 2 of low power distance societies, the power is widely distributed and links among the members of the society comprising the feature of equality. Low power distance gives an opportunity to the people for playing an essential role in making decisions for the organization. Hofstedes scale of culture shows that there is high power distance in Arab countries (80) when compared with countries like Austria which consists only 11. Germanys position is nearly in the middle with only 35. The reason is the powerful belief for equality and not the distance between the rich and the poor. It means that Germany has a very good opportunity to grow in the future society. The countries, such as United States shows a power distance of 40 on hofstedes cultural scale. Comparing with Germany, there is an uneven distribution of wealth seen in the United States. This distance between the societies and its members goes on increasing every year. Uncertainty avoidance: In a high uncertainty risk, the members of the society abide by the rules, policies and corporate laws, such as the future methods as a source of enhancing and encouraging society. This dimension tells us that there is a mutual approval of regulation and authority by accepting high risks in order to make essential decisions for the organization. The employees or the members of the organization with low uncertainty avoidance have a fearless feeling for the future. Under high uncertainty avoidance, the decision makers do a high planning to form protective barriers for reducing the risks concerning the events in the future. Countries like Singapore and Jamaica shows a very low uncertainty avoidance comparing with countries like Japan, Greece and Guatemala with high uncertainty avoidance. Individualism vs. collectivism: Individualism indicates the extent to which the people prefer to work as individuals rather than working in a group. It signifies the ambitions and ability of individuals as person. Under individualist approach people are not dependent on others for their decisions. They rather go with their own personal opinions and regards. The people under this kind of culture have a desire to satisfy their personal goals over the groups. In a collectivist society, people think as a group rather than individuals. Collectivist culture is quite opposite as compared to the individualist culture. The countries like United States and United Kingdom explains quite higher individualist ratings, whereas countries like Brazil, India, and Lebanon shows low ratings. For instance, people above the age of eighteen are regarded as matured individuals in making personal decisions independently irrespective of the interference by the elders. On the other hand, under collectivism pe ople depend on each other for their decisions. Team work is the essential objective of their culture. Masculinity vs. femininity: Masculinity refers to the extent to which values like self achievements, wealth, prosperity, property, success, competency, have a greater influence over care, relations, trust, honesty, dignity, maintaining the pleasant environment of the society. People have a certain misconception of this dimension relating to the sexes in the society. This culture specifies various different roles for both man and women in terms of bigger as essential. The feminine culture prefers simple or short as wonderful and assumes the nature of life and relations more vital than materialistic items. Countries like Unites States, Korea and Japan showed a high masculinity rate as compared to low rates seen in Denmark and Belgium. For instance, carrying heavy blocks of bricks is suitably done by a man, but the same work would be difficult for the women. 3 Long vs. short term orientation: Geert Hofstede and Bond (1988) discovered the fifth dimension which was finally stated as time orientation. This cultural dimension was revealed by the findings of the students from twenty three different countries all over the globe. This dimension clarifies that the people believe in a futuristic approach than relying on the past or the history. It also implies dealing with moral righteousness irrespective of the truth. The effect of the high rating in this long term cultural dimension is the tenacity, keeping the relations according to the order. On the contrary short term orientation indicates own stability and firmness. Some of the Asian countries like India and China have a high rating on long term orientation list whereas some of the European markets are seen under short term orientation index. The values concerned with long term orientation are reluctant as in the case of short term orientation is about the belief for the traditions and saving self image in the society (Hollensen, 2007). The seven cultural dimensions of Fons Trompenaars: Universalism versus particularism: Universalistic culture states that the people believe in following laws and rules of the society and they dont prefer exceptions, whereas under particularistic culture people like to be with the exceptional or flexible choices rather than following the specified rules and regulations. Communitarianism versus individualism: In a communitarism culture, people prefer to go with the taking care of their group and working under a team. It is the duty of the people to behave in a manner that serves the society. The needs of the people will be naturally fulfilled by such behaviors of the people.The people under individualism kind of culture go for the free activity and their personal choices. Neutral versus emotional: Under a neutral culture people do not believe in exhibiting their emotions. Exhibiting excess of emotions may flourish the ability to interest individuals. The people on the other hand tend to show their feelings and emotions for the emotional culture. Defuse versus specific cultures: In a defuse culture people believe in sharing everything they desired. The different roles played by the individuals in others life is not differentiated irrespective of their professional or personal life. In a specific culture people try to compete or relate with others on the basis of some specific intentions. The interaction between the people under specific culture is for a specific reason or a purpose. Achievement versus ascription: Under achievement culture, people are regarded on the basis of their performance and the successful results of their hard work, whereas in an ascribed culture people are judged on the basis of their background, sex they belong to, and even their age. Sequential vs. synchronic cultures: This culture is based on the aspects of time in terms of short term or long term and organising in it a sequence i.e. step by step or parallel. Under sequential culture people tend to do one thing at a time, whereas under synchronic culture people believe in doing multitasking activities. They do many things at the same given time. Internal vs. External control: This dimension is related to the control of the nature internally by the people. They believe nature as a machine which can be easily controlled for their own beneficial. They also believe that the nature can be controlled 4 by the inner belief of the individuals like grabbing the opportunity at the right time. The other dimension specifies the control of nature externally to the human being. People under this external controlled culture abide by the changes in the nature. (Fons,Trompenaars, 1993). Strengths and weakness of Hofstedes cultural framework Strengths: Since the information derived by this study is quite old enough, it is still based on excessive and relevant samples. There are no other findings done as on so many national cultures as such by hofstedes in a detailed manner. The previous four cultural dimensions enlighten more by comparing more on the national culture. The deep studies of hofstedes framework are quite relevant as per the IBM employees and international managers. Hofstedes framework is regarded as the most popular framework in the field of cultural findings. Even though his framework is comparatively general for analytical purposes, it can be applied to our day to day cross-cultural outcomes. Weakness: Hofstedes framework of cultural issues is outdated. The data information is not complete in statistical terms because each and every country is not taken into concern. Alike other cultural research, hofstedes framework states that the borders of the nation and its cultural limits matches each other. The cultural mix cannot be considered in cross-cultural countries like United Kingdom, United States, and Spain. The cultural dimensions are quite in a brief structure to explain practical ways to face situations in a cross cultural environment. His framework exhibits only theoretical orientation. The application of his cultural dimensions may vary from one culture to another; the collectivism dimension varies in different countries. For example, Indian collectivism is family oriented whereas Japanese is organisational oriented. In India, an employee who prefers his family interest before organisational is regarded as loyal in nature. (Svend,Hollensen,2007) Strengths and weakness of Trompenaarss cultural framework Strengths: Trompenaars had added some essential cultural dimensions including few of hofstedes. Trompenaars described his framework as problem solving, specifically linked with time, connections and surrounding environment. (Trompenaars, 1993). Weakness: Trompenaars cultural dimensions were not created by statistical analysis. Indeed he developed his own collection framework only on the data he assumed to be reasonable. 5 This collection of information is mostly based on theoretical than derived from scientific experiments. The data collected from questionnaires is relevant to few questions through which its importance had been exhibited. The usefulness of the hofstede and Trompenaars cultural framework in terms of segmenting and targeting markets and predicting consumers behaviour in international markets is simplified with the help of figure1.2: 5 Table 1.2 Countries Power Distance Uncertainty Avoidance Individualism Masculinity Time-Orientation Evaluation of market segmentation and targeting Germany Small Medium Medium-high High Short Choosing products with better performance; utilisation of productive and successful achievement criteria, demand for variety, pleasure and equally risk oriented markets. Sweden Small Low High Low Long Comparatively lower resistance with the new products, high demand by the consumers for novelty, variety and pleasure, and highly environment friendly consumer desire for the people of marketing and firms concerning social issues. Source: Exhibit 3.8, International marketing Journal, Michael R. Czinkota, Ilkka A. Ronkainen, pg74, edition8, 2007. 6 Graph 1.3 Source: Cultural differences in decision making in project teams, Ralf Muller, Konrad Spang, Sinan Ozcan, 2009, vol.2, issue 1. The main reason of the graph 1.3 is to acknowledge the differences in the decision making process in a group comprising members from various nations. Its based on the pattern of the decisions made by the people of Germany and Sweden. This graph study had benifited the members of the group and the project managers in knowing the consequences of cultural diversity in the process of decision making. It indirectly helps to reduce the expected friction during cross cultural project work and also helps to overcome the crosscultural barriers. Figure1.4 Hofstede: Germany United States Power Distance 30 35 Uncertainty Avoidance 60 41 Individualism vs. Collectivism 63 88 Masculinity vs. Femininity 61 59 Long term vs. Short term Orientation 28 25 7 In 1998, arguing on the high rating on the individualist culture in the United States on the cultural scale of Geert Hofstede, Charles Campbell, wrote that It ought to be paradoxical, or at least oxymoronic, our being described as a culture of individualists. He had also stated D H Lawrence, whose philosophical belief is that, people are free to believe what they actually wanted to in United States, in circumstance it does not protest the mob (Charles P. Campbell,1998). Figure 1.5 Trompenaars: Germany United States Universalism vs. Particularism Universalism Universalism Individualism vs. Communitarianism Individualism Individualism Neutral versus emotional Closer to emotional Closer to Neutral Defuse versus specific Specific Partial specific Inner-directed vs. Outer-directed Inner directed Inner directed Achieved status vs. Ascribed status Achievement Achievement Time Orientation Future oriented Future oriented Source: http://www.geert-hofstede.com/hofstede_united_states.shtml http://www.geert-hofstede.com/hofstede_germany.shtml http://changingminds.org/explanations/culture/trompenaars_culture.htm#uni The characteristics of every country can be examined against the average of the world which is developed by Geert Hofstede. When the scores of the two countries stated in the figure 1.4 and 1.5 are compared with each other, than it shows quite close similarities. Neutral versus emotional and Defuse versus specific are the only to dimensions depicting dissimilarities. Such differences may lead to political, economical or business severe issues. Fons Trompenaars analysed and interpreted various nations concerning his seven cultural dimensions. He formulated them relating to their characteristic feature or importance, but he did not preferred them by scoring them. The outcomes of Fons Trompenaars tests alike Geert Hofstede, implied that their cultures showed quite close similarities, but still there were few vital differences. 8 Conclusion As this research study shows, that the evidence that might be valid for individual level of comparison may not be the same if we think at global issue or macro analysis.It can be seen that the universalism versus particularism cultural orientation differentiating groups collectivism and that of societys collectivism. The diffuse/specific dimension implying the series of involvement, show no evidence of relation to Geert hofstedes cultural dimensions. We can also see that the limited differences between Germany and United States corporate culture and even they are bounded to identical national cultures. It is desirable that further examination of this evaluation will definitely increase its utilisation in the organizations. Getting to know about ones culture enlightens the similarities or differentiations of other cultures. There have been many implications of the localization which has also taken into consideration Geert Hofstede and Fons Trompenaars cultural frame works. Fons Trompe naars cultural studies are based on the research which describes the misconceptions and difficulties faced in various cultures across the globe. Trompenaars also believed that his cultural views must be formed in an international pattern of cross cultural environment.

Q&A: US Treatment of Suspected Terrorists :: essays research papers

1) Summarize the arguments that the United States used to justify its treatment of the prisoners. Ans. There were many arguments offered by the United States to justify its treatment of the prisoners. One of the arguments was that, Taliban and Al-Qaeda prisoners were ?unlawful enemy combatants? so therefore, Third Geneva Convention does not apply due to the fact they are not prisoners of war. This meant that US could treat the prisoners how ever they favored. Another dispute was raised which was the US human rights, which was argued by the US by raising up a point that the prisoners were not US citizens and were not living there. Lastly another argument raised was that strict rules and conduct was necessary for the prisoners because they have threatened US and strict behavior from US was legitimate. 2) Summarize the arguments that critics used to pressure the United States into changing its treatment of the prisoners. Ans. Various organizations and governments have accused the US for the unsuitable treatment of the prisoners. Critics say that these people are prisoners of war. The conditions do not meet the requirement level that is expected for prisoners of war and also some prisoner?s officials agree with this concept. They have stated that the conditions are below standard for the prisoners and the NGO Human Rights Watch completely opposes the treatment of the prisoners. According to the NGO, US are supposed to treat every detained combatant humanely, including unlawful combatants. Amnesty International wrote: ?The USA has variously used hooding, blindfolding, handcuffing, and shackling of detainees in Afghanistan, Guantanamo Bay, Iraq) 3) Identify some important issues of international law raised by this situation. Ans. The legal limbo is an important issue of international law raised by this situation, in which prisoners existed, a situation for which there was no provision under international law. According to international and human rights law, legal status as a prisoner of war or criminal should be determined by a competent, independent tribunal, not by the US captors. 4) In your opinion, was the United States justified in its treatment of al-Qaeda and Taliban prisoners? Explain your viewpoint. Ans. I fully disagree with the treatment of the Al-Qaeda and Taliban prisoners that took place by the USA. This is because some of them might be innocent, some of them might of changed there thoughts if they were reasoned with.

A Critique on Berger’s Uncertainty Reduction Theory Essay

Introduction When people first meet and interact with each other, they are uncertain with their behavior and with what to say. When this happens, they have the tendency, of course, to reduce that uncertainty. This is what the uncertainty reduction theory of communication talks about. This theory is very applicable in people’s everyday living and experiences. However, although it is widely used, some are still ‘uncertain’ with this theory. This paper aims to give the reader an analysis of the uncertainty reduction theory. Background on Uncertainty Reduction Theory Uncertainty reduction theory or URT was started off by Charles Berger in 1975. During the start of his career, a number of his graduate students disputed that communication was too diverse and unpredictable. That means that it is impossible to be dealt scientifically. Because of this, Berger was challenged to find and present some proofs that would support his theory. He believed that human communication can be studied methodically and precisely. The uncertainty reduction theory was created. In the start of personal relationships, high level of uncertainty is about the other person is present. During the preliminary stages of interaction among strangers, Uncertainty Reduction Theory looks for to direct communication behavior. Then, the major goal or purpose of this theory is to reduce the uncertainty. Along with this, it also aims to increase the predictability. Shared characteristics occur at some point in the initial dialogue between strangers. These include recurrent questions and answers during the first few minutes. There is also an exchange of information with the absence of opinion and usually their conversation is focused on topics like hometown and occupation. In order to minimize uncertainty, URT ponders on how people use communication in obtaining knowledge and discernment. At the first meeting of strangers, their behaviors while communicating are influenced by a set of communication rules and norms. These norms are both explicit and implicit. Furthermore, these rules and norms put up expectations and precedents for early interactions which eventually, cause predictability in the discussion and a diminution in uncertainty. (Moncrieff, 2001) The Uncertainty Reduction Theory proposes that people, particularly strangers, have a want to reduce uncertainty or hesitation about others. This is done by gaining information from each other. This information can be used to predict the behavior of the other. The specific importance of the reduction of uncertainty is in relational development. Successful decrease of uncertainty supports or gives way for positive future interactions. There are two types of uncertainty, behavioral and cognitive. Behavioral uncertainty concerns the prediction or calculation of behavior in certain circumstances. For example, one can predict that interaction will go well because of positive behaviors like smiling. On the other hand, cognitive uncertainty is associated with mind-set or beliefs and attitudes people embrace and is reduced through the gaining of information. (Moncrieff, 2001) The Seven Axioms of Uncertainty Reduction Theory Berger suggests a series of axioms to further discuss the relation between uncertainty and seven vital variables. This is the axiomatic theory, certainty about uncertainty. Axiom 1 says that as the amount of verbal communication increases, there is a decrease in the uncertainty level of the two strangers that has just met.   As a result, the decrease in their uncertainty increases the verbal communication. Axiom 2 is known as the nonverbal warmth. Decline in uncertainty level will cause proliferation in nonverbal affiliative expressiveness. It is because as nonverbal affiliative expressiveness rises, uncertainty levels will lessen. Axiom 3 is about information seeking. Because of the high levels of uncertainty, increases in information-seeking behavior occur. When the uncertainty level drops off, information-seeking also decreases.   Axiom 4 is self-disclosure. The reduction in the intimacy level of communication content is usually caused by relationship’s high level of uncertainty. When there is a decrease in the levels of uncertainty, high levels of intimacy are produced. Axiom 5 is known as reciprocity. Like Axiom 3, high rates of uncertainty also yield high levels of reciprocity. When there is low level of uncertainty, there is low level of reciprocity. Axiom 6 is about similarity. Likeness between persons decreases uncertainty. Much difference between persons produce high rate of uncertainty. Last but not the least, Axiom 7 tells about liking. When there is high uncertainty level, a person tends to dislike the other person. Hence, when there is a decrease in uncertainty, increase in liking is produced. (McGlish, 2006) Critique on the Uncertainty Reduction Theory Natalie Wright critiques Charles Berger’s Uncertainty Reduction Theory in terms of scientific and humainstic. She believes that Berger uses scientific method in dealing with humanistic values to prove and certify his theory. In the Uncertainty Reduction Theory, Wright said that ‘Berger addresses the humanistic feelings of understanding how people feel in unfamiliar relationships and the appeal we have to reduce those anxieties by learning more about others’. However, still according to her, URT is scientific because Berger makes used of all five elements of the scientific model to substantiate and defend his theory. Wright presents a table that would further explain the distinction between scientific and humanistic models (Wright, 2000): Scientific: Humanistic: explanation of data understanding of people prediction of future clarification of values relative simplicity aesthetic appeal testable hypothesis community of agreement practical utility reform of society As a researcher, I support the claim of Natalie Wright. Berger’s theory is scientific because he has clear definition and explanation of his theory. He even provides theory’s purpose and seven axioms that explain how to reduce uncertainty. It is true that it is cored to humanistic ideas. However, its scientific strategies make this theory useful and practical in everyday living. I could say that his axioms are effective. For example, when someone observes two persons who have just met and interact for the first time follow Berger’s patterns of uncertainty reduction, that someone may prove that Berger’s axioms are very accurate. Furthermore, I can say that these axioms are true based on my personal relationships. I also experience meeting a stranger and has applied the uncertainty reduction theory in my own ways. In general, Uncertainty Reduction Theory focuses on how to reduce uncertainty by using human communication in gaining knowledge about the other person. Hence, it results in creating a more predictable and directed relationship. Charles Berger, who designed the theory, comes up with seven axioms. These axioms are accurate and practical enough to be understood and applied by anyone. BIBLIOGRAPHY McGlish, G. (2006). A First Look at Communication Theory Retrieved November 21, 2006, from http://www.afirstlook.com/manual5/ed5man10.pdf. Moncrieff, K. (2001). Uncertainty Reduction Theory.  Ã‚   Retrieved November 21, 2006, from http://www.colostate.edu/Depts/Speech/rccs/theory52.htm Wright, N. (2000). A Critique of Berger’s Uncertainty Reduction Theory Retrieved November 21, 2006, from http://oak.cats.ohiou.edu/~nw583098/unc.htm

Opposites Attract essays

Opposites Attract essays Persons attempting to find a motive in this narrative will be prosecuted; persons attempting to find a moral will be banished; persons attempting to find a plot in it will be shot - By Order of the Author, (Twain 1) reads the Notice before The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, by Mark Twain. Twain claims that he wrote the entire novel purely as an adventure story, and had no intention of creating a deeper statement about the human condition. On the contrary, Twain creates an insight into humanity that the reader hardly expects from the authors impractical notice. He does this by using the two main characters in the novel, Huck Finn, an uneducated boy running away from civilization and Jim, the runaway slave. As these two misfits float down the Mississippi River on a raft, Twain uses the character of Jim and his interactions with others to defy the white perception of the Negro and to ultimately demonstrate his place in American society. Twain does this by showing how Jim does not form to the mold of the stereotypical slave, has real emotions just like anyone else and is an example of the Negros social standing at that time. In the beginning of The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, Twain introduces Jim by describing the stereotypical Negro. Jim represents the ignorance and superstitions that most white believed to be the slaves persona. As seen through the eyes of Tom Sawyer and Huck Finn, Jim personifies the stereotypical characteristics of the carefree and often ridiculous Negro. This is demonstrated when the reader first meets Jim, as Tom and Huck attempt to sneak out of the house. Jim, hears the boys moving and decides to wait until he hears it again but promptly falls asleep. Tom moves Jims hat by hanging it on a tree limb. Afterward Jim said the witches bewitched him and put him in a trance, and rode him all over the state, and then set him under the trees again, and hung ...