Motivation The Reason For On Acting A Particular Way.

Motivation : The reason for on acting a particular way. Alone and for the right reason motivation can be an extremely powerful tool for success and well-being. Yet, what is it that provokes motivation ? Many studies have been conclusive to culture and religion being an enormous trigger to motivation. Why is that exactly? To answer this question one should examine what hinders motivation. Many young people suffer from identity and social issues, such as not truly knowing who they are, anxiety and questioning of their morals. Even though religions differ, it enables one to realize who they truly are, reduce anxiety and creates lifelong morals. In this ever changing world what does one hold on to, ensuring they do not disappear with†¦show more content†¦On the basis of Stace s conceptualization, Hood (1975) developed the Mysticism Scale (M-Scale) to measure these eight phenomenological characteristics of religious experience† ( Lazar, Aryeh. â€Å"Cultural In fluences on Religious Experience and Motivation.†) All of theses qualities or experiences are vital to identifying oneself. Looking closer into the study it suggest that having an insight on your religion and culture creates a less introverted person and more willing to adventure and explore along with being uninfluenced by others opinions. They even gathered real life testimonials to back up their study. â€Å" Factor analysis of the M-Scale has uncovered a three-factor solution (Hood et al. 1993). Hood et al. identified the first factor of their three-factor solution with Stace s (1960) extrovertive mysticism, defined as the experience of unity with all and containing two qualities: unity in diversity (e.g., I have had an experience in which I realized the oneness of myself with all things) and inner subjectivity (e.g., I have had an experience in which all things seemed to be conscious). The second factor was identified with Stace s introvertive mysticism, defined as an experience of self-loss, contained the following three qualities: unity of ego (e.g., I have had an experience inShow MoreRelatedKants Views on Morality949 Words   |  4 Pagesthat the reason for doing a particular action or the drive to do good things is a fundamental basis of defining moral quality in a person. To him, an action could be considered morally right only if the motivation behind doing that action was out of ‘goodwill’. When he defines these moral rules, he characterizes them in the form of imperatives – the hypothetical imperative and categorical imperative. While hypothetical imperatives deal with motivations and actions that lead to a particular end, categoricalRead More Motivations Of Terrorists Essays710 Words   |  3 Pages Discussing terrorism and motivations leading to terrorism brings up thoughts of random acts of violence. These acts are mostly considered to be methods of insane men. Most of these modern terrorists follow their own political agenda with each group trying to achieve a particular goal. There are three types of terrorists in today’s society: the single individual, a certain group, and government funded organization. These terrorists all resemble criminals with one major difference; they are dedicatedRead MoreDifferent Content And Three Process Theories Essay1046 Words   |  5 PagesIntroduction What is motivation? According to the Oxford dictionary, it is â€Å"a reason or reasons for acting or behaving in a particular way†. Contemporary authors have defined motivation as the psychological process that gives behaviour purpose and direction (Kreitner, 1995); a predisposition to behave in a purposive manner to achieve specific, unmet needs (Buford, Bedeian, Lindner, 1995); and the will to achieve (Bedeian, 1993). This essay is to reflect on three content and three process theoriesRead MoreIntroducing The Sessions That Helped Me Improve1479 Words   |  6 PagesIn this essay , I’m going to introduce the sessions that helped me improve , clarify my comprehension of the craft of acting. I’m also gonna Include my understanding of what an actor needs from a script; how an actor uses backstory to inform the present and the techniques around the revelation of backstory and motivation,. What is my interaction with actors in preparing a script, and in on-set procedure? how i go about analysing an actor’s performance and how do I get the best out of it in termsRead MoreStaff Mortivation1580 Words   |  7 PagesCase Study: Staff Motivation: Not so much a pyramid, More a Slippery slope. Case Introduction: The ca se study is about an International Air Passenger Transport Organization, facing difficulties even as now This case mainly forces on Team Motivation amp; the way of managers’ balance the work with their own teams, So the relevant case study mainly talks about, Two Managers â€Å"Piet† And â€Å"Robert† how they are managing, day to day work keeping customers happy to move forward. Task 1 – PietRead MoreThree Major Ethical Theories925 Words   |  4 Pages(A) Business ethics is the critical structured examination of how people and institutions should behave in the world of commerce. 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As a result of these debates, a number of alternative philosophical perspectives arguing for the existence ofRead MoreThe Self-Determination Theory by Edward Deci and Richard Ryan1720 Words   |  7 PagesThe motivation of different individuals can vary for many reasons, two of those reasons can be internal and external factors. The internal factors are referred to as intrinsic motivators and the external factors are signified as extrinsic motivators. The Self-Determination Theory developed by Edward Deci and Richard Ryan is constructed o n the basis of three distinctive psychological essentials, which include competence, relatedness, and autonomy (self-determination) (Moneta, 2004, p. 181). In orderRead MoreBusiness Plan For An Organization994 Words   |  4 Pages2013). The reason that brought about the change must be discussed and talk about the consequences of not implementing the change. Explain why everyone’s input is important, then brainstorm to get the input for cause and effect. Get commitment for the change as well as keeping the change fresh through discussion. Lastly celebrate any and all success through the implementation process. However, managers must also know their personnel and what motivates them. Motivation is the reason or reasons one hasRead MoreUtilitarianism and Euthanasia1031 Words   |  5 Pageseuthanasia should be the right to die for patients who are intensely ill. Euthanasia is natural in a way because in real life, there is a matter of life and death. It is natural for people to live but death is also part of nature. No one can live forever, and since euthanasia is performed on people facing serious illness and facing death. Euthanasia seems to understand the course of nature and its ways by letting the patient wish be fulfilled and let them die in peace instead of suffering in pain.

Analysis of KFC free essay sample

The secret recipe has long been a source of advertising, and allowed KFC to set itself apart. Also, KFC was the first chain to enter the fast-food industry, just before McDonalds, which opened its first store a year later, and the secret recipe was the initial home replacement strategy. 2. Name recognition and reputation. KFCs early entrance into the fast-food industry in 1954 allowed KFC to develop strong brand name recognition and a strong foothold in the industry. The Colonel is KFCs original owner and a very recognizable figure, both in the U. S. and internationally, in their new logo. In fact, in the fourth annual LogoValue Survey, done by The Schecter Group, the KFC logo was the only one which significantly enhance the brands image (Logos add†¦1). 3. PepsiCos success with the management of fast food chains. PepsiCo acquired Pizza Hut in 1977, and Taco Bell in 1978. PepsiCo used many of the same promotional strategies that it has used to market soft drinks and snack food. By the time PepsiCo bought KFC in 1986, the company already dominated two of the four largest and fastest-growing segments of the fast food industry (Wright, p. 424-426). 4. Traditional employee loyalty. KFCs culture was built largely on Colonel Sanders laid back approach to management (Wright, p. 433). Before the acquisition of KFC by PepsiCo, employees at KFC enjoyed good benefits, a pension, and could receive help with other non-income needs. This kind of personal human resources management makes for a loyal workforce (Wright, p. 434). 5. Improving operating efficiencies by reducing overhead and other operating costs can directly affect operating profit. Due to the strong competition in the US, the fast-food chains are reluctant to raise prices to increase profit. Many of the chains are turning to operating efficiencies to increase profit. For many companies, operating efficiencies are achieved through improvements in customer service, cleaner restaurants, faster and friendlier service, and continued high-quality products. Weaknesses Weaknesses are also found internally like strengths. Weaknesses, however, can limit a company’s potential. The weaknesses for KFC are identified as follows: 1. The many sales of KFC lead to a confusing corporate direction. Between 1971 and 1986, KFC was sold three times. The first two sales, to Heublein, Inc and to R. J. Reynolds, left the company largely autonomous. It wasnt until the sale to PepsiCo in 1986 that changes in top management started to take place. These changes happened almost immediately after the sale (Wright, p. 421-426). 2. KFC has a long time to market with new products. Because of the nature of the chicken segment of the fast food industry, innovation was never a primary strategy for KFC. However, during the late 1980s, other fast food chains, such as McDonalds, began to offer chicken as a menu option. During this time, McDonalds had already introduced the McChicken while KFC was still testing its own chicken sandwich. This delay significantly increased the cost of developing consumer awareness for the KFC sandwich. 3. Conflicting cultures of KFC and Pepsi Co. While KFCs culture was largely based on the Colonels laid back approach to management, while PepsiCos culture is more of a fast track attitude. Employees do not have the same level of job security that they enjoyed before the PepsiCo acquisition (Wright, p. 433-434). 4. Turnover in top management. PepsiCo bought KFC in 1986. By the summer of 1990 PepsiCos own management had replaced all of the top KFC managers. However, by 1995 most of this new PepsiCo management had either left the company or been moved to a different division. In addition, Kyle Craig, who was named president of KFCs US operations in 1990, left in 1994 to join Boston Market (Wright, p. 434). 5. Recent contractual disputes with franchisees in the United States. This is also an example of the conflicting cultures of KFC and PepsiCo. KFCs franchisees had been used to little interference from corporate offices. In 1989, the CEO announced new contract changes the first in thirteen years. The new contract gave PepsiCo management greater power to take over weak franchises, to relocate restaurants, and to make changes in existing restaurants (Wright, p. 434). The franchisees protested these changes and the relationship between the corporate KFC and the franchisees in the United States have been strained ever since this announcement (Wright, p. 434). Opportunities Opportunities represent external finding which can enhance a company’s performance. Opportunities that KFC can take advantage of are as follows: 1. The Mexican market, which offers a large customer base, lesser competition, and close proximity to the US. The growth in the fast-food industry is limited due to the aggressive pace of the growth in the 70’s and 80’s. As a result, the market is saturated and the cost of finding prime locations is rising. With the higher cost of the initial investment, the new restaurants are pressured to increase per-restaurant sales. Many companies are realizing that in order for them to grow they need to pursue foreign market. One of the potentially profitable markets is Mexico. Mexico has over 91 million people and growing. This give companies a huge customer base to work with. Also, the companies are able to take advantage of the close proximity to the US. The transportation cost to Mexico compared to other countries is very minimal. Despite the advantages, US companies in general have not expanded much in the Mexican market compared to European or Asian market. Therefore, the companies can expect lesser competition when expanding in Mexico. 2. Peso devaluation has made it less expensive for US to buy assets in Mexico. US companies are able to invest less money in buying assets in Mexico due to favorable exchange rate. This opportunity gives the companies a reduced risk in investing in Mexico. Also, the companies that are already in Mexico are able to import raw materials at a favorable rate by converting dollars into peso. 3. Dual branding helps to appeal to the wider customer base and also provide higher profit. This strategy helps to improve economies of scale within its restaurant operations. For many companies that own more than one fast-food chain, dual branding is an ideal way to expand quickly and increase profit. The companies no longer need to wait for the store to be built or spend time and money looking for the location. By adding a brand to the existing fast-food store, the companies are able to expand quickly and for less money. The companies are also capitalizing on the increased customer base due to the increased menu offering. Increased profit is another benefit of dual branding. The companies are enjoying higher profit due to the low cost in expanding and the reduced advertising dollar spent by advertising the two chains together. 4. New franchise laws in Mexico give fast food chains the opportunity to expand their restaurant bases. In January 1990, Mexico passed a law that favored franchise expansion. The law provided for the protection of technology transferred into Mexico. The law also allowed royalties. Before 1990, there was no protection for patents, information, and technology transferred to the Mexican franchise. Also, before the new law royalties were not allowed. This resulted in higher number of the company owned fast-food chains rather than the franchises in Mexico. However, with the new law, the companies are given an opportunity to benefit from selling franchises. The fast-food chains are now able to expand to other regions of Mexico by selling franchises to individuals rather than keep building company owned stores in centralized locations to keep the operation simple and effective. 5. Australian opportunity Growth in international profits were highest in Australia, which is now KFC’s largest international market. 6. New distribution channels offer a significant growth opportunity. Especially in the last few years, consumers are demanding fast food in non-traditional locations, such as shopping malls, universities, hospitals, and other high-traffic areas. Consumers are demanding greater convenience when purchasing. The locations listed above are some of the most popular non-traditional locations that could be exploited by a fast-food chain. The fast-food chains are recording high sales in those areas due to high-traffic. Consequently, the companies are constantly looking and testing for new high-traffic locations to expand. Threats Threats to a company are those business characteristics that endanger the company’s position within its industry as well as jeopardize its profits. The threats that KFC faced with include the following: 1. Saturation of the US market. According to the National Restaurant Association (NRA), food-service sales in 1995 will hit $289. 7 billion for the U. S. restaurant industry. The NRA estimates the sales in the fast-food segment of the food industry will grow 7. 2% to approximately $93 billion in the United States in 1995, up from $87 million in 1994. Although the restaurant industry has outpaced the overall economy in recent years, there are indications that the U. S. market is slowly becoming saturated. 2. Increasing competition and rising sales of substitute products. Faced by slowed sales growth in the fast-food industry, other segments of the industry have turned to new menu offerings. McDonald’s introduced its McChicken sandwich in the US market in 1989. Jack in the Box has introduced chicken and teriyaki with rice. Domino’s has introduced chicken wings to its menu. Pizza Hut has tried marinated, rotisserie-cooked chicken. 3. Changing preferences of consumers. During the 1980s, consumers began to demand healthier foods and KFC was faced with a limited menu consisting mainly of fried foods. In order to reduce KFC’s image as a fried chicken chain, it changed its logo from Kentucky Fried Chicken to KFC in 1991. In 1992, KFC introduced Oriental Wings, Popcorn Chicken, and Honey BBQ Chicken as alternatives to its Original Recipe fried chicken. In 1993, KFC rolled out its Rotisserie Chicken and began to promote its lunch and dinner buffet. 4. Obstacles associated with expansion in Mexico. One of KFC’s primary concerns is the stability of Mexico’s labor markets. Labor is relatively plentiful and cheap in Mexico, though much of the work force is still relatively unskilled. While KFC benefits from lower labor costs, labor unrest, low job retention, absenteeism, and punctuality continue to be significant problems. Though absenteeism is on the decline due to job security fears, it is still high, at approximately eight to fourteen percent of the labor force. Turnover also continues to be a problem. Turnover of production line personnel is currently running at five percent per month. Therefore, employee screening and internal training continue to be important issues for foreign firms investing in Mexico. Another area of concern for KFC has been the increased political turmoil in Mexico during the last several years. For example, on January 1, 1994, the day NAFTA went into effect, rebels (descendants of the Mayans) rebelled in the southern Mexican province of Chiapas on the Guatemalan border. Around 150 people were killed. The peso crisis of 1995 and resulting recession in Mexico left KFC managers with a great deal of uncertainty regarding Mexico’s economic and political future. KFC’s approach to investment in Mexico is to approach it conservatively, until greater economic and political stability is achieved.

The Split Cherry Tree Essay Example For Students

The Split Cherry Tree Essay The Split Cherry tree by: Jesse StuartThe setting takes place when people own a large amount of land. It is when the average family consisted of many children, and the children helped the family out. The boys usually tended the land with their father, and the girls were taught to wash clothes and to clean and cook. The setting consists of the same things as did the families of the frontier times. The plot tells a story of a boy named Dave who was on a mission to recover four-legged scaly specimens of the kingdom of Nimalia. In order to complete such a task the boy was required to climb a cherry tree. He and his chums went over to a cherry tree that was in the property of a man who lived near the school. When they arrived at the spot where he was to begin his task, they observed a lizard who was patiently absorbing the warmth of the sun in order to be able to enjoy the night. As soon as the boys had spotted the lizard, they gave chase. The lizard noticing them instantaneously high tailed it to the nearest tree which happened to be a cherry tree. David and his friends followed the lizard up the tree. When the boy was near the top of the tree, the weight of him and his friends caused the tree to wilt until it came to a breaking point where it could no longer stand the stress that was being applied to it so it snapped. The man who owned the land, and the tree that was on it, took the boys to their teachers and demanded an explanation. When that could not be evident the man who owned the tree charged each of the boys a dollar each for the damages that were inflicted onto his tree. While the other boys seemed to be able to reach into their pockets and pay their fine, little David was unable to. Therefore, the teacher paid for him and in return for his gratitude had the boy commit himself to two hours of labor in the school, after school. And the man would pay him a quarter every hour. So in two days the boy no longer had a debt to pay. The boys father was outraged because his son couldnt come and help him out. He went down to the schools to tell them how lousy they were. On the other hand, when he got home his mind was totally changed toward the school. We will write a custom essay on The Split Cherry Tree specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now The main character was Dave. He was about in his mid-teenage years. He was very devoted to his work, but he was somewhat ashamed of his father. He thought of his father as an old man that didnt know much. Then there was Daves father Luster. He was about in his forties, and he hated moderation because to him it was confusing. In the end he didnt really have anything against it. Then finally there was Professor Herbert. He was a little timid when he first met Daves father. I think it was because Luster had a gun with him. I think it was man versus society. I think this because at fir St Luster Didnt like the modern society. He believed that Dave shouldnt be going to school because there was so much to do on the farm. It was resolved by having an open mind. As soon as Luster started listening to the teacher, he had a change of mind and a change of heart. I think the theme was donOt judge a book by its cover I think this because if somebody judged something before they had a chance to actually get acquainted with it, it wouldnt make any sense. .u5fdfcdbb1dc94fffdf13f7ea32d5bfa8 , .u5fdfcdbb1dc94fffdf13f7ea32d5bfa8 .postImageUrl , .u5fdfcdbb1dc94fffdf13f7ea32d5bfa8 .centered-text-area { min-height: 80px; position: relative; } .u5fdfcdbb1dc94fffdf13f7ea32d5bfa8 , .u5fdfcdbb1dc94fffdf13f7ea32d5bfa8:hover , .u5fdfcdbb1dc94fffdf13f7ea32d5bfa8:visited , .u5fdfcdbb1dc94fffdf13f7ea32d5bfa8:active { border:0!important; } .u5fdfcdbb1dc94fffdf13f7ea32d5bfa8 .clearfix:after { content: ""; display: table; clear: both; } .u5fdfcdbb1dc94fffdf13f7ea32d5bfa8 { display: block; transition: background-color 250ms; webkit-transition: background-color 250ms; width: 100%; opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #95A5A6; } .u5fdfcdbb1dc94fffdf13f7ea32d5bfa8:active , .u5fdfcdbb1dc94fffdf13f7ea32d5bfa8:hover { opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #2C3E50; } .u5fdfcdbb1dc94fffdf13f7ea32d5bfa8 .centered-text-area { width: 100%; position: relative ; } .u5fdfcdbb1dc94fffdf13f7ea32d5bfa8 .ctaText { border-bottom: 0 solid #fff; color: #2980B9; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0; padding: 0; text-decoration: underline; } .u5fdfcdbb1dc94fffdf13f7ea32d5bfa8 .postTitle { color: #FFFFFF; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 100%; } .u5fdfcdbb1dc94fffdf13f7ea32d5bfa8 .ctaButton { background-color: #7F8C8D!important; color: #2980B9; border: none; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: none; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 26px; moz-border-radius: 3px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-shadow: none; width: 80px; min-height: 80px; background: url(https://artscolumbia.org/wp-content/plugins/intelly-related-posts/assets/images/simple-arrow.png)no-repeat; position: absolute; right: 0; top: 0; } .u5fdfcdbb1dc94fffdf13f7ea32d5bfa8:hover .ctaButton { background-color: #34495E!important; } .u5fdfcdbb1dc94fffdf13f7ea32d5bfa8 .centered-text { display: table; height: 80px; padding-left : 18px; top: 0; } .u5fdfcdbb1dc94fffdf13f7ea32d5bfa8 .u5fdfcdbb1dc94fffdf13f7ea32d5bfa8-content { display: table-cell; margin: 0; padding: 0; padding-right: 108px; position: relative; vertical-align: middle; width: 100%; } .u5fdfcdbb1dc94fffdf13f7ea32d5bfa8:after { content: ""; display: block; clear: both; } READ: Stock Picks Essay I think it would be ignorance. Because if you dont know anything about something, you should try and understand at least a little. I didnt find any in this story. I think the irony was that the father was bad-mouthing the school, but at the end he started to grow fond of it. School has changed from my day and time I think that this is significant because the father actually admitted that the old way was

Corporate Crime in America essays

Corporate Crime in America essays With the latest string of corporate crime "busts," we are realizing more and more that wearing a suit and tie to work does not exempt one from criminal action. Corporate crime, though not violent in nature, is incredibly harmful with regards to society. Chief executive officers in companies such as Enron, Worldcom, and Tyco cheated their employees and investors out of millions of dollars (Puscas 2003). Much of that money was earmarked for pension benefits, retirement plans, and medical insurance for the company's workforce. Corporate crime can also be detrimental to the economy in that it reduces confidence in the stock market and other related There are two reasons why corporate crime is so prevalent (at least recently). Firstly, because those committing corporate crimes think they can get away with it, and secondly, because they believe that punishments for the crimes will be minimal. In order to fight corporate crime, we need to address these two prevailing notions. The first issue to address is criminal prosecution. It is often the case that prosecuters assigned to a case involving white collar crime will be reluctant to push the case as far as one involving drugs or violence. The reality is that corporate crime, at least in the past, was a low priority for District Attorneys. It was easier to justify sending someone to jail who had murdered another individual, then someone who falsified White collar crimes are defined as nonviolent crimes committed in commercial situations by individuals, groups, or corporations for financial gain. They include but are not limited to the following types of fraud: antitrust fraud, bankruptcy fraud, bribery, computer fraud, credit card fraud, counterfeiting, embezzlement, environmental fraud, financial fraud, government fraud, identity fraud, insider trading, insurance fraud, kickbacks, mail fraud, and trade secret ...

Write a well-developed response to the following Essay

Write a well-developed response to the following - Essay Example This is the reason why, when Confucianism was to syncretize Judaism, it would not be as easy compared to syncretizing other religions. Judaism believes that there is only one God, the creator of all things, humans and animals and that He is above all his creations, able to deicide on what to do with them according to his personality, that is, Provider, Healer, Righteous Judge, Sanctuary and many more. They strongly believe in a God who is able to do impossible things like the seemingly mythological events in the Jewish Bible. They recognize their being chosen as a people to enjoy the protection and power of God. They believe that the patriarch Abraham was appointed to sire a son who would become a great nation, Israel. During his old age, the promised son, Isaac was born but God gave him a great test that endangered the life of his son. Nevertheless, Abraham obeyed God by faith and he was rewarded with the life of Isaac being spared. Israelites admire and look up to Abraham for the example of faith that he has shown, but they do not worship him because they understand that Abraham is but a man like them. On the oth er hand, Confucianism worships Confucius, the founder of the religion, a mere man like his followers, a despicable act in the eyes of Judaism. One of the strong characteristics of Judaism is monotheism. They worship only one God, the Creator of heaven and earth not like other religions which believe in a higher power but still worship men who walked this earth. Such strong belief is strengthened by the face to face interaction of the Jewish forefather, Moses who brought the Israelites out of bondage from Egypt to the wilderness where they stayed for forty years before going to the Promised Land, Israel. God gave his commandments to the Israelites through Moses and on top of the list is the avoidance of worshipping other gods like the sun,

President Polk War Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

President Polk War - Research Paper Example However, the president was not planning to go to war until his efforts to persuade Mexican authorities to sell the disputed territories failed. Polk decided to draft a war message and send it to the Congress because he was growing tired of waiting and all the negotiations had proved futile. Yet, on May 9. 1846 Polk received the news about the attack by Mexican soldiers on US troops stationed in the disputed territory On May11, 1846, the president to address the Congress with a special message for a declaration of war (DeLay 247). Polk claimed that: As war exists, and, notwithstanding all our efforts to avoid it, exists by the act of Mexico herself, we are called upon, by every consideration of duty and patriotism, to vindicate, with decision, the honor, the  rights, and the interests of our country† (Polk). Despite the fact that Congress passed the war resolution, the war was not universally supported. Polk’s opponents claimed that the President and his party initiated the conflict with a weaker neighbor state not to protect the US citizens against the foreign aggression. In the opponents’ view, the true purpose of the war did not deal with national pride or improvement of trade relations in the region. Those who opposed the war claimed that Polk and congressmen representing southern state started the war in order to expand slavery to new territories. As a northern congressman Joshua Giddings underlined: â€Å"apprehend that much blood and much treasure will be expended before   the people of   New Mexico will be compelled to unite with slave-holding Texas. Those Mexicans love freedom. They have abolished slavery

African American Characteristics Paper Essay Example for Free

African American Characteristics Paper Essay African American culture in the United States refers to the cultural contributions of Americans of African descent to the culture of the United States, either as part of or distinct from American culture. The distinct identity of African American culture is rooted in the historical experience of the African American people. The culture is both distinct and enormously influential to American culture as a whole. African-American culture is rooted in Africa. It is a blend of chiefly sub-Saharan African and Sahelean cultures. Although slavery greatly restricted the ability of Americans of African descent to practice their cultural traditions, many practices, values, and beliefs survived and over time have modified or blended with European American culture. There are some facets of African American culture that were accentuated by the slavery period. The result is a unique and dynamic culture that has had and continues to have a profound impact on mainstream American culture, as well as the culture of the broader world (Rydell, 2010). Learning Team B has chosen African Americans as the culturally diverse group we will focus on. The subjects in this paper will be African American history, family characteristics, parenting practices, language, and religion. Also, the primary characteristics of African Americans and how those characteristics impact their experience as a subculture in American Society will be a topic. The last topic will be the implications of the characteristics for psychological theories and practices. History African Americans are the descendants of Africans brought to America during the slavery era. Many were owned as property and forced to work as day laborers in the fields or as servants in their owner’s homes. Others were allowed to work off their debts by being bough and sold on the block. An article titled The Slave Auction of 1859 gives a brief account of what it was to be sold on the block: The buyers, who were present to the number of about two hundred, clustered around the platform; while the Negroes, who were not likely to be immediately wanted, gathered into sad groups in the background to watch the progress of the selling in which they were so sorrowfully interested. The wind howled outside, and through the open side of the building the driving rain came pouring in; the bar down stairs ceased for a short time its brisk trade; the buyers lit fresh cigars, got ready their catalogues and pencils, and the first lot of human chattels are led upon the stand, not by a white man, but by a sleek mulatto, himself a slave, and who seems to regard the selling of his brethren, in which he so glibly assists, as a capital joke. It had been announced that the Negroes would be sold in families, that is to say; a man would not be parted from his wife, or a mother from a very young child. There is perhaps as much policy as humanity in this arrangement, for thereby many aged and unserviceable people are disposed of, who otherwise would not find a ready sale (New York Daily Tribune, 1928). President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation on January 1, 1863, as the nation approached its third year of civil war. The proclamation declared that all persons held as slaves within the rebellious states are, and henceforward shall be free. Despite this expansive wording, the Emancipation Proclamation was limited in many ways. It applied only to states that had seceded from the Union, leaving slavery untouched in the loyal border states. It also expressly exempted parts of the Confederacy that had already come under Northern control. Most important, the freedom it promised depended upon Union military victory. History pages often claim President Lincoln as The Great Emancipator which most educated adults come to learn is an over exaggeration. The general consensus is that Lincoln never freed a single slave, and only used the proclamation as a means to get what he wanted from the states. Once freed most African Americans still experienced racial violence and lived in fear for many years. In 1870 the fifteenth amendment was added to the constitution giving blacks the right to vote. Although blacks were free they were still segregated from the white people, made to go to different schools, stores, and even ride at the back of the bus. In 1954 the supreme courts declared segregation in school unconstitutional due to the Brown vs. The Board of Education of Topeka Kansas. The civil right movement was at its peak during 1955-1965. Congress passed the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965, ensuring basic civil rights for all Americans, regardless of race, after nearly a decade of nonviolent protests and marches, ranging from the 1955-1956 Montgomery bus boycotts to the student-led sit-ins of the 1960s to the huge March on Washington in 1963. In 1968 President Johnson signed the Civil Right act prohibiting discrimination in the sale, rental, and financing of housing. Some of the most famous leader of the civil right movement includes Martin Luther King Jr. , Thurgood Marshall, Rosa Parks and many others. Although civil rights were established many African American still struggled to be treated fairly in America. Affirmative Action was established in 1978 by a ruling of the Supreme Court to ensure that minorities are given an opportunity that they may have missed because of their race. In 2008 Barack Obama was the first African American to be nominated for a major party nominee for president. He was elected the 44th President of the United States on November 4, 2008, and sworn in on January 20, 2009. Family and Parenting Characteristics As with most cultures, African Americans place a high value on their families. In the United States African American family’s make-up 12. 9 percent of the population according to the 2003 US Census. The US census also shows that for African Americans over the age of 15 there are 34 percent married, five percent separated, eleven percent divorced, seven percent widowed, and 43 percent were never married. According to the First Things First website, â€Å"African Americans are the most un-partnered group in America† (Medium, 2011, para. 4). One major goal of African American families is communalism, which is very important for effective functioning (Hall, 2010). Hall (2010) describes African American families as having three family types. The first type is the cohesive-authoritative that is explained to be a family with high cohesion along with being supportive, nurturing, and involved with their children (Hall, 2010). The second type of family is the conflictive-authoritarian that is defined as families with conflict and the parents are controlling, critical, and express unhappiness with children (Hall, 2010). The last type of family Hall (2010) explains is the defensive- neglectful, that did not like other racial groups and also did not teach their children to be proud of being an African American. One significant trend that has been determined about the African American family structure is that the more interconnected the family is, the lower the rate of depression in African Americans (Hall, 2010). Based on these findings, a program called Strong African American Families has been created in order to strengthen the relationships between parents and children. According to Hall (2010), â€Å"The Strong African American Families program also has been found to reduce preadolescent risky sexual behaviors, preadolescent alcohol use, and parental depression among African American families† (p.95). This kind of program has been very effective in keeping families cohesive and helping to improve the goal of communalism. Language Generations of hardships imposed on the African American community created distinctive language patterns. Slave owners often intentionally mixed people who spoke different African languages to discourage communication in any language other than English. This, combined with prohibitions against education, led to the development of pidginsimplified mixtures of two or more languages that speakers of different languages can use to communicate. Examples of pidgins that became fully developed languages include Creole, common to Louisiana, and Gullah, common to the Sea Islandsoff the coast of South Carolina and Georgia (Rydell, 2010). It is sad to think that slave owners intentionally put Africans with people who did not speak their language to discourage communication, but is have been researched and proven to be true. Slavery is not the only element to African American culture, and it often seems that when discussing African American culture slavery is the main topic. However, when discussing language the centuries of slavery that they endured have everything to do with the evolution of African-American language. Now that we have covered the origin of African American language we can discuss the American perspective of where modern day African American language stands, and how this effects the culture. African American Vernacular English (AAVE)—also called African American English; less precisely Black English, Black Vernacular, Black English Vernacular (BEV), or Black Vernacular English (BVE)—is an African Americanvariety(dialect, ethnolect and sociolect) of American English. Non-linguists sometimes call it Ebonics(a term that also has other meanings or strong connotations) or jive or jive-talk. Its pronunciation is, in some respects, common to Southern American English, which is spoken by many African Americans and many non-African Americans in the United States. There is little regional variation among speakers of AAVE. Several creolists, including William Stewart, John Dillard, and John Rickford, argue that AAVE shares so many characteristics with Creole dialects spoken by black people in much of the world that AAVE itself is a Creole dialect; while others maintain that there are no significant parallels. As with all linguistic forms, its usage is influenced by age, status, topic and setting. There are many literary uses of this variety of English, particularly in African-American literature (Rydell, 2010). Of course this information does not imply that all African Americans speak a version of AAVE, only that it is very common and prevalent throughout the modern day African American culture. Religion In the African American community religion plays an extremely significant role. The story of African-American religion is a tale of variety and creative fusion. Enslaved Africans transported to the New World beginning in the fifteenth century brought with them a wide range of local religious beliefs and practices. This diversity reflected the many cultures and linguistic groups from which they had come. The majority came from the West Coast of Africa, but even within this area religious traditions varied greatly. Islam had also exerted a powerful presence in Africa for several centuries before the start of the slave trade: an estimated twenty percent of enslaved people were practicing Muslims, and some retained elements of their practices and beliefs well into the nineteenth century. Preserving African religions in North America proved to be very difficult. The harsh circumstances under which most slaves lived—high death rates, the separation of families and tribal groups, and the concerted effort of white owners to eradicate heathen (or non-Christian) customs—rendered the preservation of religious traditions difficult and often unsuccessful. Isolated songs, rhythms, movements, and beliefs in the curative powers of roots and the efficacy of a world of spirits and ancestors did survive well into the nineteenth century. Historically during their most difficult times the African American relied on their religious beliefs to endure. During the civil rights movement black churches were often the target of racial violence because that was a place that African Americans spent most of their time. This was a place where they often held meetings to discuss their civil rights efforts. African Americans practice a number of religions, but Protestant Christianity is by far the most prevalent. Some African and African American also follow the Muslim and Judaism. According to Fife, Kilgour, Canter and Adegoke (2010), â€Å"African spiritual traditions have historically held a central place in African American communalism (Mbiti, 1990) and were vital to survival during the time of slavery. In African and African American culture the concept of spirituality is inseparable from all other aspects of human experience. The spiritual and the physical are indistinguishable (Mbiti, 1990). A deep connection exists between humans, God, family, and group (Barrett, 1974). Spirituality is not compartmentalized into systematized beliefs and practices but woven into everyday experience (Boyd Franklin, 1989). The Black church is the primary means through which many African Americans express their religious and spiritual beliefs and values (Richardson June, 1997). This institution is a central force in African American childhood and adolescent identity and helps to shape ideas about what comprises community. † Many African American children have christen ceremonies for they can even walk or talk. African American families generally spend a substantial amount of time within their places of worship. Conclusion For review, the big questions the above research addressed were: †¢What are the primary cultural characteristics of this selected group? †¢How do the characteristics of this group impact its experience as a subculture in American society? †¢How might the cultural aspects of this group be applied to traditional psychological theory? †¢What are the implications of these characteristics for psychological theory and practice? We have found that the primary cultural characteristics of the African America culture are their history of slavery in America, distinct family and parenting practices, slavery based evolution of their language, and their dedicated religious beliefs. The characteristics of this group impact its experience as a subculture in American society by enticing others in to the culture and sparking curiosity around the world. African Americans make up a small percentage of the minority in America. However African American culture dominates the world of music, fashion, and professional sports. The cultural aspects of the African American group can be applied to traditional psychological theory when considering family dynamics, cultural perspectives, and how these aspects influence mental health. The implications of these characteristics for psychological theory and practice would focus on how the African American history of slavery in America influences their world view, how family and parenting practices mold their ideals of what a family should be, how religion influences their beliefs and actions, and how language distinguishes them from others and what psychological impact this has on them as a whole. For many years African-American culture developed separately from mainstream American culture, both because of slavery and the persistence of racial discrimination in America, as well as African-American slave descendants desire to create and maintain their own traditions. Today, African-American culture has become a significant part of American culture and yet, at the same time, remains a distinct cultural body. References Fife, J. , McCreary, M. , Kilgour, J. , Canter, D. , Adegoke, A. (2010). Self Identification Among African American and Caucasian College Students. College Student Journal, 44(4), 994. Retrieved from EBSCOhost. Hall, G. C. N. (2010). Multicultural psychology (2nd ed. ). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson/Prentice Hall. Medium. (2011). First Things First. Retrieved from http://firstthings. org/page/research/african-american-family-facts New York Daily Tribune, March 9, 1859 reprinted in Hart, Albert B. , American History Told by Contemporaries v. 4 (1928). Retrieved from http://eyewitnesstohistory. com Rydell, R. J. , Hamilton, D. L. , Devos, T. (2010). NOW THEY ARE AMERICAN, NOW THEY ARE NOT: VALENCE AS A DETERMINANT OF THE INCLUSION OF AFRICAN AMERICANS IN THE AMERICAN IDENTITY. Social Cognition, 28(2), 161-179. 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