Learning and Memory Essay

If one were to explain what it is to learn something new, they would certainly mention memory somewhere in their explanation. As well as if someone was to explain memory, they certainly would have learning mentioned in their explanation. This is because learning and memory go hand in hand. When one learns, they store what they learned in their memory whether it is short term or long term. It would go without saying that memory and learning has to do with the brain, hence the importance of keeping one’s brain functioning properly by insuring proper stimulation and continuously learning new things. Now, the ability to learn and to memorize what is learned stems from different areas of the brain. The brain is a part of an individual’s neuroanatomy. Neuroanatomy refers to the structure of the nervous system. The nervous system is made up of different parts. Those parts are broken up by having the main one being the nervous system, and then it is divided by the central nervous system brain and spinal cord on one end. The other ends are much more complex and, consist of the peripheral nervous system which then branches off to other ones. These each control different parts of the nervous system and give the ability for people to sleep, eat or learn. The part of our nervous system that pertains to learning is the brain. The part in the brain that helps with learning is called the hippocampus. The hippocampus is in the limbic system. It is the part of the brain where the learning that people do in day to day life takes place. Learning is a neurobiological that is important to humans and being able to be conscious. The communication that happens between singular neuroanatomical structures and their abilities to repeat neurophysiologic activities is combined as a network of neural activity. These things occur in the cortex and create different types of learning for people. The movement that is ongoing changes in the synaptic area of the nerves. These active activities make the synaptic connectors stronger with the result of the continuous activity and then this creates memories that help an individual learn and remember what they have learned. It has been taught that learning is not singled out to one certain area of the brain itself. The cerebral cortex is where all the learning is. When a person is learning to read, walk, or talk it occurs here. One of the many different neural processes involved in learning is the synaptic inputs that occur in the brain. When a synaptic input in a certain neuron is combined with two different synapse then; it creates a long term depression or a long term printed memory, this is something that occurs and has been known to create learning involved with motor skills. Learning is mainly either a process that one learns through the brain with the use of classical conditioning and also instrumental conditioning. Our brains respond to the many different things that are in a human’s surroundings. In the process of a human’s learning new things is by the development of a neuron and its effectiveness to make new synaptic connections or reinforcing the strengths of the neurons that are already in place. The relationship between learning and memory has been a subject of much debate among psychologists, teachers, and society in general for many years now. It is what we learn and how we learn it that is responsible for how we live in the world and how we deal with the world around us. Learning has been a fundamental part of our survival ever since Cro-Magnon man. He/she had to learn how to make spears, sharp points, even mastering the bow and arrow was important to the survival and the spread of the human species. Why, though, if humanity has so much â€Å"experience† in learning, then why do we forget things? The brain is the organ that is responsible for what we call the mind. It is the basis for thinking, feeling, wanting, perceiving, learning and memory, curiosity, and behavior. Memory is a fundamental mental process, and without memory we are capable of nothing but simple reflexes and stereotyped behaviors (Okano, 2000). Both the brain and memory are responsible for our learning. The brain assists us in figuring out a solution to the problem and to solve it. Our memory is responsible for storing that information within our brains in case we ever need it for a later date, or if we ever need to apply it to another problem which is similar. During this learning process, our brain is communicating with that section of our mind that is responsible for memorizing methods, actions, and procedures for finding a solution to a given problem. Since our memory is only a mental process and not a â€Å"supercomputer† like the brain, it stands to reason that our memories need to recall different types of information using dissimilar methods. We define memory as a behavioral change caused by an experience, and define learning as a process for acquiring memory. According to these definitions, there are different kinds of memory. Some memories, such as those concerning events and facts, are available to our consciousness; this type of memory is called â€Å"declarative memory. † However, another type of memory, called â€Å"procedural memory,† is not available to consciousness. This is the memory that is needed, for example, to use a previously learned skill (Okano, 2000). When someone is learning something, they assume that they are acquiring the knowledge to write a paper or to build a chair. Actually, all a person is really doing is creating memories for them to recall the information. While we are in the process of creating these memories, our brains are at work in determining the best ways to store them in our memories. This might be learning a piece of music by only playing the 3rd or 4th notes, or by building a chair by starting with top first instead of the bottom. Each person’s brain is different from another person so each method of memorization would be different. This theory has been proven using animals that work together. For instance, one taxonomic group of birds, the oscines or true songbirds, all learn to sing by imitation. To produce biologically functional songs, they need to hear examples of species songs during development, which they commit to memory. They subsequently perfect their song performance by ear and are capable of using both memorized material as well as songs of birds they can hear to produce an acceptable species song (Okano, 2000). Birds, and other animals, have shown that they use memory in order to learn a skill or to work together to achieve a common goal or result. The ability to apply the right knowledge effectively is an important skill and the cornerstone of our success, because we live in the Knowledge Age. People who have not used a computer in 10 years to find an article on the Internet definitely understand strength of knowledge and learning. Learning develops interesting people. Knowledge enables us to have different perspectives, fascinating conversation and a deeper understanding. It makes us well rounded better people; it allows us to make better, informed decisions; and assists us in becoming more successful in our lives and careers. Technology has made our lives become fast paced; the advancement of technology has boosted the pace of our lives, and requires us to learn something new each day just to stay current in the workplace. The day’s on-the-job training is something we can no longer rely on; companies can no longer be the basis to provide the necessary education. We must seek out more education just to keep up. It’s advantageous for everyone to make time for learning, seek out their own opportunities, use available resources wisely, and find new resources. Our children are a good example of how fast technology has increased the need for learning. They our learning how to use technology much earlier than we ever did, it seems like they are born with the ability to operate a computer. Brain stimulation can help with Parkinson’s disease, chronic pain, Major depression, and Tourette syndrome. Stimulating the brain helps to relieve symptoms of these conditions when medications are not working or have major side effects. The stimulation can help people with Parkinson’s disease to manage their symptoms of tremor, rigidity, bradykinesia and postural instability. Brain stimulation has produced impressive results with some patients with chronic pain, some patients are virtually pain free after treatment and even released from the hospital. Brain stimulation has been found to significantly decrease depression and increase in function. Although highly experimental, brain stimulation has had success. Patients experience reduction in tics and the disappearance of obsessive-compulsive behaviors. Lifelong learning and brain stimulation helps to manage and relive a symptom which increases life longevity and quality of life for the patients. Patients who continue to learn and stimulate their minds increase life longevity and quality of life because they are able to eliminate medications which can have very harmful side effects. These medications can actually shorten life and decrease quality of life because of the side effects. Taking medication out of the treatment of any kind will always increase life longevity and quality life. Most of all any time a patient is able to manage and relive symptoms, their life longevity and quality of life will have a great increase. As must as society tells us our physical up keep is so important for our health and life longevity, it would seem keep care of our brain is just as important as well. The brain is a muscle, and it is a part of our nervous system. It controls our breathing, eating, learning, memory, and so much more. Keeping care of our brains allows an individual to learn, remember things, and increase their life longevity as well. It would not seem that is keeping up on learning and remembering what we have learned will make us live longer, however this is how this muscle is exercised! It can also help control and care for one’s mental defects as well. It would seem, no matter what someone is wanting to believe, learning is never finished! REFERENCES Fernandez, A. (2011). Brain Health Business Grows With Research and Demand. Retrieved from http://www. sharpbrains. com/blog/2008/05/20/brain-health-business-grows-with-research-and-demand/ Lopez-Hernandez E. and Solis, H. (2012). Proceedings of the National Academy of Applied Sciences. Retrieved from http://www. pnas. org/content/97/23/12403. full Okano, H. (2000). Learning and memory. Retrieved from http://www. pnas. org/content/97/23/12403. full Pinel, J. P. J. (2009). Biopsychology (7th ed. ). Boston, MA: Allyn and Bacon.

Marketing principles for organizations

1. Marketing PhilosophyThe adoption of marketing is nearly as old as humanity itself.   Whenever there is a consumer demanding a product or service and a supplier willing to supply such good, marketing is adopted.   The marketing philosophy essentially entails the strategic organizational aim of determining needs and wants of selected markets and providing goods and services that satisfy such wants in a more efficient and effective way than competitors.   In the last decade several organizations started following such principle in order to endure in the market.For instance, McDonald’s Corporation applies a strong marketing orientation.   They are constantly keen on what the customer wants and change their products and services accordingly.   For example, McDonald’s adopted the philosophy of ‘QSC & V’ to attract and retain clients.   It stands for quality, service, cleanliness and value.   They guarantee that clients enter a spotless clean rest aurant and are served by friendly personnel.   Indeed employees are carefully thought the art of servicing clients in all regions across the world.Recently the aforementioned marketing concept has evolved to consider also the need of society.   The societal marketing philosophy, as it is commonly known, comprises that apart from determining the needs and wants of clientele in target markets and delivering goods and services that better than competitors, these goods and services are also provided in a way that sustain the society’s well-being.This is a challenging principle as one can note.   However, some meticulous organizations are already following it.   For example, when the tampered cyanide-laced capsules of Tylenol were marketed by Johnson & Johnson and ended up killing a number of persons, the company immediately collected back all the defective goods, even though the corporation supposed that the pills had been altered only in a few retail shops.   Although the collection expenses amounted to $240 million, the company managed to keep customers’ confidence and loyalty on the products offered, leading such good to remain a leading pain reliever in its market.1.1   Need for market researchAs one can note, to successfully adopt an effective marketing orientation, it is important that managers are fully aware of the customers needs and wants.   To further compound the issue, today’s markets are extremely dynamic and susceptible to change.   For example, car manufacturers are extremely keen on customer tastes in order to produce vehicles in line with such wants.   Therefore management is required to be constantly on the alert of what the client is demanding.   The effectiveness of marketing intelligence systems to obtain such information is weak. The need thus arose of obtaining information directly from the market through marketing research.The marketing research process consists of the following four steps: · Defi ning the problem and research objectives – market management and researchers define thoroughly the problem at hand and the research objectives that can aid in solving such issue. · Developing the research plan – the information needed is determined at this stage.   Researchers will then seek the secondary data already available and how the primary data can be obtained.  Ã‚   Primary market data can be achieved through a variety of marketing research mediums available, such as experimental research, observational research and more. · Implementing the research plan – once the methods of collecting information are set, the collection of such information commences in this stage together with the processing and analyzing of such information gathered. · Interpreting and Reporting the findings – the last but not least step is the interpretation of the date collected and presented jointly with valid conclusions.Marketing research is a very expensive bus iness operation, which sometimes may amount to millions of dollars.   However, the information derived is very valuable to the organization and can aid management in good decisions to be a market leader.   A typical example that comes to mind is the Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC) venture in the Japanese market.Such market seems impenetrable by many American and European organizations.   The non-tariff barriers, the iron grip of the keiretsu kigyi (banking groups), and the committed Japanese workforce make it very complex for an outside firm to infiltrate their market.   KFC, yet, was capable to enter this market and is actually performing better than the United States Market.   As a matter of fact, in the 90s the 1,470 Asian outlets sales averaged 60% more than the United States average.Through vigilant marketing research the KFC management, comprehended that in large Asian cities there is an increasing absorption of young middle-class workforce with growing income who are e ager to pay further for American-style restaurants.   This exposed the viability of the project to KFC managers.   Market research also brought to KFC attention that the number of Asian women in the labour force is increasing considerably, who has a smaller amount of time for food preparation at home and consequently the need for fast-food restaurants in Asia is increasing.   With this information KFC management instantaneously recognised the strategic window of opportunity that is available and took appropriate action to operate fruitfully in that market.1.2   Marketing Mix ElementsThe marketing mix concept originated from Neil. H. Borden who suggests the utilization of the four main controllable variables of management to reach the marketing orientation approach.   The marketing mix elements are the following: · Product – there are three levels of products, which the organization should classify their products in, because customer attitude and response would be different under each category.   These are augmented, actual and core products.   In marketing, the product quality and features are not the only elements that form a good product.   Today’s fierce competition demands that managers also focus on the product design apart from the ones previously mentioned.   Nike, for example, employs 60 designers and issue 500 different footwear designs each year.   Attention should also be directed towards branding, product packaging and labeling.  Ã‚   These are important features to attain market leadership.Every product or service marketed passes through a life, commonly known as product life cycle.   These are product development stage, introduction, growth, maturity and decline.   The other marketing mix elements described below should be in line with the stage the product is in to ensure a proper market orientation. ·   Price – the price decision is also an important one.   Management can choose from three main categories, being cost based pricing methods, market pricing methods and competition based pricing methods.   The selection of the optimal price depends on internal and external variables.   Internal factors affecting pricing decisions are:   marketing objectives, marketing-mix strategies, costs and organizational considerations.   The external factors are:   market features and demand, competitors’ costs, prices and offers and other external factors like economic conditions. · Distribution – the distribution channels utilized should be effective in order to ensure that the product is delivered more effectively than competitors.   There are different number of distribution channels used, like direct-marketing channel in which no intermediary levels are adopted, vertical marketing system and horizontal marketing system.   Under the latter two intermediaries are used. · Promotion – the promotion mix is a very expensive but effective marketin g mix element.   It can for instance sustain a product brand.   Promotion is also important to inform clients about the product or services offered especially at the introductory stage of a product/service.   The mass-promotion tools available are advertising, sales promotion and public relations.   These should be designed and implemented carefully to maximize their effectiveness.   Likewise it is important that personal selling maintain the messages adopted in the promotion mix through the sales force behavior with clients.1.3   Final Thought – Benefits of MarketingEven though marketing seems elaborate it is very fruitful for a firm.   By understanding the customer we can reach the clients and sell our goods.   Client retention and market leadership can also be attained with the aid of marketing.   Failure to apply marketing to understand the client can be detrimental.   .   For instance, Disney made the fatal mistake of not separating European custome rs with American ones in the Euro Disney project.They originally designed a park similar to the American one, incorrectly neglecting the cultural differences that exist.   For example, they adopted a policy of serving no alcohol in the park.   This was extremely unpleasant to such culture because in France wine is habitual for lunch and dinner.   Thus the organization suffered $921 million losses in the first financial year, and had to rapidly change some aspects of the park in order to survive in the European market.References:Hartley R. (2000).   Management Mistakes & Successes.   Sixth Edition.   New York:   John Wiley & Sons Inc.Hume S (1990).   Advertising Age.   McDonald’s Fred Turner:   making all the right moves.Kotler P.; Armstrong G.; Saunders J.; Wong V. (1999).   Principles of Marketing.   Second Edition.   London:   Prentice Hall.

Statement of purpose for international university teaching position Personal

Of purpose for international university teaching position School of Health Sciences - Personal Statement Example Despite the fact that I have obtained a Master's in Public Administration (MPA) I have considerable experience in nursing to meaningfully relate to the intricacies of a Master's in Public health (MPH). Especially my clinical experience in Haiti and Belize in 2010 and 2007 respectively would serve as the main criterion for decision making by the selecting panel at the William VS Tubman University. Also I have co-authored the literature review of a journal article along with Dr. William King MD for UCLA. Further, I hold a current IRB certification for research with human subjects. My landmark contributions to the administrative and professional programs of the hospital include the preparation of the Joint Commission Readiness Survey that scored almost 95% with commendation and watching over the ongoing quality assurance program which is in conformance with TJC standards for patient and staff safety. My teaching skills are essentially enhanced by orientation programs, procedural collaboration and compliance rules for Medicare and Medicaid (Bohmer, 2009). Further my professional administrative and career centric capabilities have been demonstrated in such varied fields as research methodology, epidemiology, pathology, disease management, program level coordination, multidisciplinary approaches, setting quality standards and establishing

In the light of the global financial crisis, discuss how the Essay - 1

In the light of the global financial crisis, discuss how the remuneration of chief executives of banks should be determined - Essay Example There are also macroeconomic factors for the occurrence of the crisis that include practices in accounting and lack of transparency among others. It has also been observed that major risks or weaknesses related to financial crisis lay in the fact that financial crisis occurred due to certain pre-crisis situations which arrived in relation the supervision and regulation of various activities. A few of the micro prudential regulations were poorly structured that contributed in systematic risks. Most of the banks became solvent due to the Basel capital rules (World Bank, 2012). Moreover, the global financial crisis has enabled to underline a critical agency problem which occurred due to excessive rise in the chief executives remunerations especially during the period of 2004 to 2007 in countries such as Australia and the United States (Ariff & et. al., 2012). With this consideration, the paper intends to discuss how the remuneration of chief executives of banks should be determined in o rder to ensue that the ill-effects of the crisis can be mitigated. Discussion The global financial crisis had brought about a greater concern regarding the usage and structure of remuneration which was based on the incentive systems. The executives of the banks were observed to be yielding their benefits on the short-term visions which became apparent upon the value and stability of the organization in the long term basis. It has been observed that banks with large and small amount of compensations had undertaken risks which resulted in significant losses during the crisis situation. It has further been observed that there were various variations relating to the structure of remunerations paid to the chief executives in banks in different countries. According to a study, in around six investment banks in the US the remuneration subscribed to the executives was nearly 2% of the total compensation on an annual basis, which was much lower from the remuneration provided to executives in the European countries which was ranging from 20 to 35%. Consequently, most of the European countries were in support and adapted the framework of corporate governance relating to the concern of remuneration aspect. The concept of surpassing payment of executives has also been paid greater attention to. . In this regard, it can be observed that the issues relating to financial crisis are specified to the corporate governance relating to the separation of position of Chairman along with the CEO, as the requirements of both the personnel are quite similar in issues relating to remuneration (The World Bank Group, 2011). With regard to the remuneration of the chief executives of banks, the remuneration committee should ensure by taking the responsibility that the organizations are selecting comprehensible policies of remuneration with respect to every employee in the organization. In response to the financial crisis which occurred in 2008, it can be observed that the payment of bonuses to the executives during and after the period of global financial crisis played a pivotal role in the remuneration aspect. The executives were paid their remunerations according to their performances in most of the banks. The rescheduling or rearrangement of incentives can be paid to the employees for showing greater sustainable performances.

China, India and Japan all face significant challenges with regard to Essay

China, India and Japan all face significant challenges with regard to their technological capabilities. What are these challenges and how likely are they to be overcome over the following two decades - Essay Example As such, both China and India need to invest more on R&D to compete at the same level with the developed countries in the next two decades. Conversely, while Japan’s technological capabilities are more advanced compared to China and India, Japan faces a challenge because of its protectionist policies. These policies impact negatively on Japan’s cooperation with other countries in terms of sharing knowledge. In addition, the country is faced with an aging population and thus; there is need for the country to access human capital abroad. This means that, Japan has to open up to the outside world by embracing trade liberalisation (Norma & Danny 2002, p.36). This paper examines the significant challenges faced by China, India and Japan with regard to their technological capabilities. As an emerging economy, the technological capability of China requires a focus on innovations. However, it is emerging that both the state and private sector is not aggressive in terms of improving innovations. A lack of a focus on basic research is an impediment to China’s technological capabilities. Most business enterprises in China do not engage in basic research, and this leads to imitation of foreign products. The country further has a weak system for managing rights related to intellectual property. This creates a situation where piracy is rampant in china, and impacts negatively on the country’s technological capabilities (Andrew 2005, p.16). On another note, since SMEs plays a critical role in advancing innovations, China faces a challenge in the sense that, their SMEs lack adequate funds and human resources to carry out large scale innovations. While China boasts of cheap labour, this is detrimental to its technology in the sense that, this leads to the production of poor quality products that is sold cheaply in the global market. As a result of the rising costs of production

General motors transnational strategy Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

General motors transnational strategy - Essay Example General motors’ is a multinational organization with and have factories manufacturing vehicles and vehicle accessories in at least 37 countries and has 10 established brands (Pelfrey 2006: 129). The company was the leading automotive seller for 77 years which is the longest time that any automotive company has dominated the automotive industry (Holstein 2010). However, the company was seriously affected by the 2008 economic crisis which led to it closing three of her brands. Since 2008, the company has been observed to continue declining in terms of revenue earned.The data needed for this research will be collected by analyzing different papers that have been written regarding the strategies written by general motors and also scrutinizing its financial performance from the company annual reports. There are many studies that have been conducted to analyze GM performance.Expected resultsThis has resulted in creation of competition among different brands thus the company ends up sabotaging its own products (Husted & Allen 2011: 49). The structure is also vertically organized which inhibits communication between the top managers and the employees. This has resulted in a lot of labor union problem which has affected the company productivity (Crumm 2010: 267). GM has also failed to cater for the needs of the customer by developing alternative fuel vehicles in this age of energy crisis. Nevertheless, the company has been successful in entering emerging markets such as China and this has improved its global presence.

Case study Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Case study - Essay Example A higher level to the previous or a higher level as compared to the competitor indicates that the business is prospering. year 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 unit car sales expected 80 120 150 180 190 The profitability of the company: the organization has an anticipated annual change of 1.02. This shows that the organization is on the positive trend in profit making. The profits can only increase if the company focuses more in cost reduction than in production. Breakeven levels Unit break-even for the year 2012 Average Annual Fixed Cost/ (Average Per Unit Sales Price - Average Per Unit Variable Cost) Fixed costs= (direct labor +supervision + office staff+ managerial) 550,033 =33+130,000+120,000 + 300,000 Variable costs = production overheads + production person-hours + sales overheads + other office overheads 100,900 = 50,000 + 900 + 18,000 + 32,000 Therefore: average annual fixed costs = 550,033/ 12= 45836.08 Average per unit sales = 75000/80= 937.5 Average per unit variable cost = total variable cost / number of units/12 =100900/80/12= 105.10 Break even = 45836.08/ (937.50-105.10) = 55 units Sales break even for the year 2012 Annual Fixed Cost/1 - (Average Per Unit Variable Cost ? Average Per Unit Sales Price) =550033/ 1- (105.10/937.5) =550033/1-0.1121 =550033/0.8879 =619476.29 ? Sensitivity of the figures to the key estimates The estimated figures show a positive increase in both the expenses and incomes. For example on the sales estimates there is a gradual increase in the number of units to be sold annually. This is not reflected in the other expenses. For example it is assumed that the variable costs are not changing with the increase in sales. Other factors not considered include market trends, additional investments, depreciation of the cars. Too the interests on the borrowed capital are assumed that they will remain unchanged for the due period. There should be a provision for such changes as the global economy is fluctuating. Also there are provisions for bad debts. Everything is assumed to a clear cut transaction. Recommendations The company therein is sales oriented. It projects a sharp increase in sales without putting into focus the other internal and external factors. The company therefore change this trend and focus on both production and cost reduction. References Cooperative extension, (n.d), Agr-business management, viewed April 21, 2012,