The Theories of Albert Bandura Essay -- Behaviorism Behavioral Psychol

The Theories of Albert Bandura Albert Bandura was influenced by behaviorism while at the University of Iowa studying for his PhD in the early 1950s, he developed his own theories called reciprocal determinism, he believed that not only does the environment influence behavior, but behavior influences the environment, or to put it in his own words ’the world and a persons behavior cause each other‘. Bandura is often considered a ‘father’ of the cognitive movement, he looked at personality as three things that interact, the environment, behaviour and the person’s psychological processes. The psychological processes consisted of language and the ability to use our minds imagery. It was really at this stage in his life that he moved from being a behaviourist and became a cognitivist. Bandura carried out hundreds of studies but the ones that stand out more to me than any others, are the Bobo doll (a inflatable doll of Bobo the clown, with a weight in the bottom so it will stand back up when you hit it) studies. (Bandura Ross and Ross 1961) Bandura made a film of one of his female students being aggressive in actions and words towards a Bobo doll. This film was then shown to kindergarten children, who were then left to play with a Bobo doll, a lot of the children proceeded to imitate the aggressive behaviour towards the Bobo doll, they had witnessed the student carrying out. To counter criticisms that the children are just doing what comes naturally, as Bobo dolls were designed to be hit, he made another film of the woman beating up a real clown, when this was shown to children and then they were left in a room with a live... ...rcial and buy that particular product. Bandura’ s Social Learning Theory also has an important role in the study of aggression and criminal behaviour. To control aggression, he believed ‘family members and the mass media should provide positive role models for their children and the general public’ (Bandura, 1976). This statement is what influenced me to read about social learning theory, and Bandura in particular. Bibliography Bandura, A., Ross, D., & Ross, S. A. (1961). Transmission of aggressions through imitation of aggressive models. Journal of Abnormal and Social Psychology, 63, 575-582 Bandura, A. (1977). Social Learning Theory. New York: General Learning Press. Bandura, A., & Ribes-Inesta, Emilio. (1976). Analysis of Delinquency and Aggression. Lawrence Erlbaum Associates, INC: New Jersey

Analysis of Nextcard.Inc

Nectar, Inc. Jeremy Lent lunched a company named Nectar. Inc. Aims to earn money by helping people get credit card more conveniently. But there is two huge flaws in this strategy, first, the way nectar to obtain new customers proved to be much higher than the figure Lent had originally projected. Second, the people who signed up for the Neckband credit card proved to be much higher credit risk than Lent had expected. So, the result is big bad debts. But the company officials still Insist that theIncreasing allowance for bad debts Is caused by hackers and other Internet miscreants. Then in late 2001, they got a large class-action lawsuit by the angry Investors. While the real big problem Is what the audit partner Thomas Trigger did. In order to make the workspaces appear as If the addling teams had been ‘right on the mark' all along, he modifying the workspaces and scour the evidences. Instead of scour the evidence, Trigger's subordinate gave It to federal authoresses. I think t he audit Issue we should concern about Is the destroying of documents.As It Is said In the paragraph, the financial markets depend on the integrity of auditors, lawyers and other professionals to do their jobs ethically and fairly. If they fail to do so, the damage is huge, and the mistake is unforgivable. But I didn't appreciate what Outrages subordinate did. He should at least persuade his superior not to do this. He pretend to be obey the boss's order while do another thing behind wisher's back is kind of betraying. On the other side, Trigger is incompetent to be a good mentor. He didn't teach his subordinate to be honest auditor.Whether the auditor should evaluate the soundness of a client's business model is depends on the position of the auditor. If the clients asked about the suggestions, they can give some advices. If they are not been asked to do, I think the business model is out of an auditor's obligations. Analysis of Nectar. Len By redeemed So, the result is big bad deb ts. But the company's officials still insist that the increasing allowance for bad debts is caused by hackers and other Internet investors. While the real big problem is what the audit partner Thomas Trigger did.In order to make the workspaces appear as if the auditing teams had been ‘right on the mark all along, he modifying the workspaces and scour the evidences. Instead of scour the evidence, Trigger's subordinate gave it to federal authorities. I think the audit issue we should concern about is the destroying of documents. As it is said in other professionals to do their Jobs ethically and fairly. If they fail to do so, the Trigger's subordinate did. He should at least persuade his superior not to do this. He didn't teach his subordinate to be honest auditor. Whether the auditor should

Viktor Frankl and his Theory of Logotherapy Essay

In September of 1942, Viktor Frankl was arrested in Vienna and taken to one of the many Nazi death camps. Frankl was working on a manuscript which was confiscated from him in a move to Auschwitz. In this manuscript entitled, The Doctor and the Soul, Frankl had began his work on a theory he would later call logotherapy. The term logotherapy is derived from the Greek word logos, which means meaning. According to logotherapy, the striving to find a meaning in one’s life is the primary motivational force in man (Frankl 121). Frankl’s theory and therapy generated and grew through his experiences in the concentration camps. While being held prisoner in the death camps, Frankl began to observe his fellow inmates. He payed close attention to†¦show more content†¦Frankl had compared himself to two other Viennese psychiatrists, Sigmund Freud and Alfred Adler. In saying that Freud suggested a will to pleasure while Adler suggested a will to power. Logotherapy on the other hand is a will to meaning. This indicating that when a person cannot realize his or her â€Å"Will to Meaning† in their lives they will experience an abysmal sensation of meaninglessness and emptiness (Frankl Institute). This focuses on the meaning of human existence as well as the search for that meaning. According to logotherapy we can discover the meaning of life in three different ways: by creating a work or doing a deed, by experiencing something or encountering someone, and by the attitude we take toward unavoidable suffering (Frankl 133). The meaning of love is a core factor in logotherapy. Every human posses the potential to achieve greatness and unless someone loves that person these potentials will not be fulfilled. By being or feeling loved, people become more aware of what they are capable of through the encouragement of the lover. No one can be fully aware of the very essence of another human being unless he loves him (Frankl 134). An additional way to find mean ing in life is through irreversible suffering. When someone no longer has the power to change their situation, that person now has the opportunity to choose their attitudes about thatShow MoreRelatedJoseph Frankl s Man s Search For Meaning1348 Words   |  6 Pagesthe section in Chapter One that spoke of Viktor Frankl and his horrific imprisonment in the ghastly concentration camp. Frankl said â€Å"Man’s search for meaning is the primary motivation in his life. This meaning is unique and specific in that it must and can be fulfilled by him alone; only then does it achieve a significance which will satisfy his own will to meaning.† In that phrase I was curious to find out more about this man and how he put his theory to the ultimate test in the worst of humanRead MoreViktor Frankl And The Holocaust1517 Words   |  7 PagesViktor Frankl, renowned psychiatrist and Holocaust survivor, often quoted Nietzsche saying, â€Å"He who has a ‘why’ to live for c an bear almost any ‘how’†. Viktor Frankl, known for his development of logotherapy, a form of therapy that teaches individuals to live a life of meaning, put this saying to use when he experienced unspeakable atrocities during the holocaust. Given his medical and psychological history, Frankl was able to withstand Nazi concentration camps and not give into the hopelessnessRead MoreJoseph Frankl s Man s Search For Meaning1679 Words   |  7 PagesPsychiatrist and author, Viktor E. Frankl, chronicles his imprisonment and survival in Auschwitz and Dachau concentration camps throughout his memoir, Man’s Search for Meaning. Frankl describes his life in captivity during the holocaust and how he overcame grotesque and egregious circumstances by surviving through spiritual composure. Frankl’s theory logotherapy, is the certitude that humans are compelled to seek meaning in one’s life over the drive for pleasure. His theory has contributed greatlyRead MoreFreud Vs Frankl And Freud1323 Words   |  6 PagesCOMPARITIVE PERSONALITY THEORIES OF SIGMUND FREUD AND VIKTOR FRANKL Comparative Personality Theories of Sigmund Freud and Viktor Frankl Luke McGeeney William James College For my comparison, I’ll be looking at the theories of Sigmund Freud and Viktor Frankl, the creators of both the first and third Viennese Schools of Psychotherapy, respectively. To begin with, I’ll examine Frankl’s theory of existential analysis known as logotherapy. Logotherapy states that we asRead MoreViktor Frankl and the Development of Logotherapy1827 Words   |  8 PagesViktor Emil Frankl was born on March, 26th 1905, at Czeringassa 7, in Leopoldstadt, in Vienna Austria, where Sigmund Freud and Alfred Alder also grew up (Klingberg, 2014). He was the middle child out of three children. His older brother, Walter was two and a half years older, and his younger sister, Stella, was four years younger. His mother was Elsa Frankl, was a polish woman from Prague with a gentle manner. His father, Gabriel Frankl, had been a hard working man who was the Director of SocialRead More Quest for Wisdom Essay914 Words   |  4 Pagesare Walden, by Henry David Thoreau and Man’s Search for Meaning, by Viktor E. Frankl. Both of the authors took similar approaches by using narration of a main segment of their lives to explain their philosophy and how they arrived at their conclusions. Though both conclusions represent individualism they are strikingly different. Thoreau values the doctrines of Transcendentalism, seeking ones inner self through Nature, while Frankl Existentialism values the interpretation of individual experiencesRead MoreThe Fundamental Principles That Confirm The Importance Of Frankl s Existential Theory And Logotherapy4000 Words   |  16 Pageswill explore the fundamental principles that confirm the importance of Frankl’s, Existential Theory and Logotherapy. Keywords: Meaningfulness, Freedom, will (as in will power), and isolation to name a few. Holocaust survivor, Viktor Frankl, along with his mother, wife and brother, endured horrific and dehumanizing conditions while being forcefully held under NAZI supervision. On a daily basis, Frankl and his family suffered mental, physical and spiritual abuses. They were held at various extinctionRead MoreEssay about Dr. Viktor Frankls Mans Search for Meaning1051 Words   |  5 PagesDr. Viktor Frankls Mans Search for Meaning He who has a why to live for can bear any how. The words of Nietzsche begin to explain Frankls tone throughout his book. Dr. Frankl uses his experiences in different Nazi concentration camps to explain his discovery of logotherapy. This discovery takes us back to World War II and the extreme suffering that took place in the Nazi concentration camps and outlines a detailed analysis of the prisoners psyche. An experience we gain from the first-handRead MoreVictor Frankl s Man s Search For Meaning2174 Words   |  9 PagesIntroduction Viktor Frankl’s Man’s Search for Meaning is a very popular script and has great renown in the world of psychology. It has been said that the book should be a mandatory reading for all up and coming psychology students and professors alike. The book supplies valuable insight into logotherapy as well as Freud’s theory of psychoanalysis and is inspirational to all those who read it. It has been said that the riveting tale will â€Å"make a difference in your life†. The book and Frankl’s ideasRead MoreHuman Nature By Viktor Frankl1035 Words   |  5 PagesAccording to Viktor Frankl, the most fascinating aspect of human nature is the use of spiritualism and how it manifests into the desire to discover the meaning of one’s existence. This frustration for meaning results in, what Frankl calls, â€Å"noogenic† neurosis, which is the spirit to find meaning. It causes anxiety at a spiritual human level to experience meaninglessness. In his own therapeutic theory, he creates a system that he calls â€Å"logotherapy†, which points to the unconscious seeking the â€Å"will

The Impact Of Science Fiction in Our Life...

The Impact Of Science Fiction Kurt Vonnegut’s Slaughterhouse-Five brilliantly illustrates how being in combat traumatically affects soldiers in time of war. Indeed, the author uses science fiction and the creative use of time travel as a mold to bring about his true feelings towards war, thus making Slaughterhouse-Five a quintessential anti-war book. Vonnegut’s usage of science fiction creates an outlet to the planet of Tralfamadore where Billy is able to escape his mental damage from war. The author, Kurt Vonnegut, saw much battle in his days of combat. He begins, not as Billy Pilgrim, but as Kurt Vonnegut, explaining his personal war experiences. He writes in first person to give the reader a primary source of what it was like to be†¦show more content†¦The famous line, â€Å"Billy Pilgrim has come unstuck in time† (Vonnegut 23), explains how Billy is not stuck in the same day as the rest of the world, rather he was traveling back in time to the war. Escaping into the science fiction world was the best way for Vonnegut to express himself. This brought joy to Kurt Vonnegut as he realized he was able to get his story of war at Dresden out. It is explained that, â€Å"he can talk about why he was writing this book and the difficulties involved† (MacFarlane), it was the only way to get his feelings down on paper without reliving his horrific memories. He used this creative writing style to leave, â€Å"the delusion or escape fantasy of a cha racter who is unable to live with the reality...(Bà ©nyei). Therefore, Vonnegut geniusly created the alter ego of Billy Pilgrim, and the fictional planet of Tralfamadore. Due to the fact that Billy Pilgrim is essentially Kurt Vonnegut, it is indicated that Billy faces much depression and misery. Since depression and misery are very pessimistic traits, Billy goes into the fantasy world. He escapes to the planet of Tralfamadore. After the war â€Å"when he was abducted by the Tralfamadorians...† (Vonnegut 75) Billy became unchained, escaping from the generic world around him. At that point in time Billy starts to see life in a very offbeat way. Instead of having recurring thoughts of war, â€Å"Billy finds meaning and importance in some aspects of life†Show MoreRelatedEssay on Coping Mechanisms in Kurt Vonnegut’s Slaughterhouse-Five1679 Words   |  7 Pagesmourn, some speak up, and some avoid the sorrow. In Slaughterhouse-Five, Kurt Vonnegut suggests the danger and inhumanity of turning away from the discomfort by introducing Billy Pilgrim as someone who is badly affected by the aftermath of the Dresden bombing, and the Tral famadorians as the aliens who provide an easy solution to Billy. It is simpler to avoid something as tragic as death, but Vonnegut stresses the importance of confronting it. Vonnegut, like many artists, expresses his ideas through hisRead MoreVonnegut : An Outlook On Fate1477 Words   |  6 PagesCarroll English IV AP 10/26/15 Vonnegut: An Outlook on Fate In Kurt Vonnegut’s classic fiction novel, Slaughterhouse Five, we experience the horrors of war through the eyes of fictional character Billy Pilgrim, and their effect on him. Pilgrim, who was a POW in Dresden during the firebombing, is obviously impacted by the war, like many others who experience combat. By channelling his own experiences into Billy Pilgrim, Vonnegut explores his belief in the inevitability of our fate, and the effects of warRead MoreSlaughterhouse Five By Kurt Vonnegut871 Words   |  4 PagesThe novel Slaughterhouse-Five by Kurt Vonnegut is an American classic that centers on the life of Billy Pilgrim. There are three key phases in Billy’s life that Vonnegut focuses on: before World War II, during World War II, and after World War II. The main reason for Vonnegut to write this novel is not to show how war is evil, but to show how war influences the lives of the soldiers who have engaged in battle. In this essay, it will show how Kurt Vonnegut u ses the life of Billy to represent theRead MoreWar Destruction on Combatents in Kurt Vonnegut ´s Slaughterhouse- Five1776 Words   |  7 Pagescan follow intense fighting. Kurt Vonnegut’s Slaughterhouse-Five explores the harmful effects of isolation, imprisonment, and oppression through a soldier’s perspective. Sections of Vonnegut’s novel take place during World War II: the bloodiest war ever fought. The story follows Billy Pilgrim, a young man who is forced to fight overseas despite the rough conditions he will face. Billy joins his regiment as â€Å"it [is] in the process of being destroyed by Germans† (Vonnegut 40), and Vonnegut’s description

Syrian Civil War The Arab Springs - 1286 Words

Comparable to past catastrophic events throughout world history, Syria’s civil war began as a chain of significant circumstances which lead to eventual turmoil. Although the Arab Springs, a series of uprisings against dictators in northern Africa and southwest Asia, was the primary basis for the Syrian civil war, climate change induced drought was undoubtedly the inception that provoked the Arab Spring in Syria. Water is essential to human life aiding in agriculture production and livestock care as well as basic human nourishment. Without this life supporting element, rural people flooded to the cities in droves seeking their basic human needs. Along with millions of rural Syrians, Iraq refugees were also flocking to the Syrian cities for comfort and aid. With overcrowded cities, minimal resources, few jobs, and an oppressive government, Syria was doomed for rebellion and civil war, especially considering rebellions in neighboring countries was so successful. Peaceful protests for basic human needs and equal rights were met with aggressive opposition by government militants, which fueled more protests and more deaths. Ultimately, the record drought of 2006-2011 eventually caused the Arab Spring which lead to the Syrian civil war. The Land of Syria Snug within the Fertile Crescent, Syria lies in the Middle East region within the southwest Asian realm and is encircled by Turkey to the north, Iraq to the southeast, and Jordan on the southern border, while Lebanon and theShow MoreRelatedThe Syrian Civil War Was Influenced By The Arab Spring2795 Words   |  12 PagesThe Syrian Civil war is now entering its third dreadful year as the death toll continues to rise and is now over 200,000. The Civil War was influenced by the Arab Spring which was a wave of revolutionary ideals and movements that swept through the Middle East. Therefore, when the Syrian Government arrested and tortured a group of teenagers who painted revolutionary slogans on a school wall, the people erupted. The Syrian people were fed up with the prolonged suppression by the Syrian governmentRead MoreThe Syrian Civil War : An International Conflict Between Usa And Its Allied Groups1526 Words   |  7 PagesThe Syrian Civil War has become now an international conf lict between USA and its allied groups and Russia and its allied groups. USA and its allied groups support free Syrian army who are fighting against Syrian Government Bashar Al Asad. On the other hand. Russia support Syrian Government Bashar Al Asad. The two super power(USA and Russia) are engaging Syria war for their own benefit. Russia supports Syrian Government for remaining historical relation between Russia and Syria. By remaining goodRead MoreA Brief Note On The Syrian Civil War1708 Words   |  7 PagesWar is a terrible situation to be caught up in the middle of, especially if it is a civil war. A civil war is when people of the same country fight one another because of differing political opinions. Death prevails, citizens escape the country as refugees, and hopelessness lurks in the air during war, since victims amidst it are afraid that it will never end. A scenario similar to this is occurring in Syria, which started out as a revolution part of the Arab Spring in 2011, a nd it is now an ongoingRead MoreA Brief Note On The And Foreign Involvement908 Words   |  4 PagesISIS and Foreign Involvement In Syria civil war has been raging since March 2011. The conflict an attempt to overthrow the second Assad regime, led by Bashar al Assad, and multiple rebel groups, including the Free Syrian Army (FSA), the Islamic Front, the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria(ISIS), and Jabhat al-Nusra (the Syrian branch of al-Qaeda). Like his father, who held power before him, Bashar al Assad has been a corrupt tyrant who rigged elections and eliminated personal freedoms. TwoRead MoreThe Core Sparks Of The Syrian Civil War1423 Words   |  6 Pagesof the core sparks of the Syrian civil war and will attempt to connect them to comparative politics. This paper will first discuss a brief relevant history on Syria which is important to the structure of the subsequent arguments, and by looking at the structure of the government and argument will be made about the nature of authoritarian regimes in sustaining social capital in developing countries. Also, this argument will lead to an examination of the suppression of civil society in Syria which contributedRead MoreAn Analysis of the Current Conflict in Syria1253 Words   |  5 Pagesparty that controlled of Syria in 1963 (Diamond Plattner, 2012) . The party has been in control of the country ever since, but the Arab uprising that began in 2011 appears to have cast doubt on the continuity of the Baath government. The civil war in Syria developed from the trendy uprising against President Bashar al-Assad regime in early 2011 during the Arab Spring uprisings that affected the Middle East. The cruel reaction of the forces of security against peaceful protests, aimed at fightingRead MoreThe Arab Spring : A New Movement1587 Words   |  7 PagesThe Arab Spring is the name given to the wave of movement of anti-government protests within the Middle East and Northern Africa. The message of the Arab Spring is by no means an old one: there has been a significant amount of protest and movements prior to the modern 2010 one. The modern Arab Spring sparked in December 2010 when a local Tunisian vendor lit himself on fire in protest of the bribes demanded by the corrupt police. This action sparked similar movements in surrounding countries. ProtestorsRead MoreSyria And The Egyptian Empire1364 Words   |  6 Pageslongest settled city in the world and has been engaged in a bloody civil war that threatens not only Syria but also all of its neighboring countries. Damascus, Syria’s capital city has been a permanent settlement from as early as 9000 B.C. For thousands of years Syria has been a battleground for many wars from the Syrian wars which were a series of six wars between what is now Syria and the Egyptian Empire, to the current Civil War between the Basar Al-Assad regime and many rebel brigades. In theRead MoreWhat Is Syria Essay1398 Words   |  6 Pagesmultigenerational regime that keeps order with an iron fist. And currently, Syria is a land filled to the brim with warring ethnic and political groups that have shown to be susceptible to the whims of its’ bickering neighbors and is engulfed in a brutal civil war that has claimed close to a half a million lives. Syria began its existence under French rule. It wasn’t until 1946, when they were granted full independence by the French government, that they began to develop an internal governing structure.Read MoreU.s. And Syrian Refugees938 Words   |  4 PagesThe U.S. and Syrian Refugees December 10, 2010 witnessed the inception of the Arab Spring, a revolutionary wave of both violent and nonviolent protests and demonstrations in the Arab world that began in Tunisia. While the wave of initial revolutions and protests quelled by mid-2012, other large-scale conflicts in the Middle East intensified, such as the Yemeni and Libyan crises. In Syria, the unrest of the Arab Spring escalated to armed conflict after President Bashar al-Assad’s regime violently

Wal-Mart Ethics Case Free Essays

Wal-Mart is the largest grocery chain in the world, second largest company on Fortune’s 500 2012 list, and the largest employer in North America. Wal-Mart is faced with many dilemmas and issues that can be expected of such a large and imposing organization. These problems include environmental issues, employee’s issues, leadership issues, supplier issues and creating an uncompetitive market. We will write a custom essay sample on Wal-Mart Ethics Case or any similar topic only for you Order Now This is not an exhaustive list, and Wal-Mart has other dilemmas as well, but this paper will concentrate on the issues involving Wal-Mart interaction with employees and the problems Wal-Mart faces with them. Wal-Mart employees’ relations have been a dilemma for various reasons. One reason is that Wal-Mart has been criticized for not paying a decent wage or providing enough benefits. Another issue that Wal-Mart has with employee relations is Wal-Mart’s stance as not allowing any unions in Wal-Mart stores. Wal-Mart has also faced problems with discrimination and the allowed hiring of illegal immigrants. All of these are a dilemma for Wal-Mart because it is such a large employer and is well respected by other employers. This puts Wal-Mart in a corporate leadership position and the way in which Wal-Mart handles situations with employees is viewed by other corporations as potential solutions to their employee problems. This is also dilemma for Wal-Mart because it is such a large employer and its decisions affect a great number of people. Wal-Mart employs over 1. 4 million people in the United States alone, encompassing 1% of the U. S. work force. At the same time Wal-Mart wants to remain the low-cost leader in the grocery and box stores market. The conflicting forces that Wal-Mart must try to balance are maintaining their leadership aspect while maintaining healthy relationships with employees and customers. There are many stakeholders involved in this dilemma. These stakeholders include Wal-Mart’s employees, Wal-Mart customers, Wal-Mart’s competitors, and the unions. All of these stakeholders have the ability to influence decision concerning employee welfare, within the organization, as well as being influenced by those decisions. The first stakeholder mentioned is the employees for Wal-Mart. Employees are considered supportive stakeholder for the most part, although they can also be considered mixed. This stakeholder is important because Wal-Mart employees so many people, but it is also important because Wal-Mart wishes to stay competitive in the market place. One way to stay competitive is by recruiting good and hardworking employees who are invested and engaged in their work. Otherwise the employee retention will be low, and the work performed will be substandard. This stakeholder is important also because Wal-Mart’s reputation and commitment to low prices. One way to maintain low prices is by maintaining costs that permit these low prices. One way to keep costs down is to keep wages down and provide lower costing benefits. At the same time, one significant way to retain employees and ensure they are invested in their work environment is by paying them fair wages and providing essential benefits. Wal-Mart employees are also an important stakeholder because Wal-Mart has developed a reputation as being discriminatory in their hiring practices and use of illegal workers. This is important for Wal-Mart, because once again a negative reputation can make it hard to recruit and retain workers. It is also important because a negative reputation can spur litigation and lawsuits that can be initially somewhat costly and end up becoming a burdensome expense, as out of court settlements tend to large. These legal proceedings also garner new headlines and the negative publicity can negatively affect sales, and recruiting efforts. The publication of these problems can also embolden the unions who want to break into and unionize Wal-Mart’s employees. The problem with illegal aliens being used in the work force is a dilemma not only because Wal-Mart can face the cost of fines for breaking the law, but also because Wal-Mart already has a reputation as being bad for the American worker. It has been shown that Wal-Mart is the reason that some companies that supply Wal-Mart with goods, have moved their manufacturing overseas to keep labor and production costs down, and to be better able to maintain their supplier relationship with Wal-Mart. This has caused the loss of jobs in the United States, with the perception that Wal-Mart has no concern about the American worker. Wal-Mart using illegal workers could be perceive as Wal-Mart being only concerned about saving money, and once again denying American workers from jobs. This is also looked on negatively in the current political environment where illegal workers are such a hot topic and unemployment is high. Another stakeholder in these situations is the Wal-Mart customer. The Wal-Mart customer is considered supportive, and Wal-Mart tries to keep it this way. The customer is an important stakeholder because essentially they are the reason that Wal-Mart exists. Wal-Mart basically provides the facility of easing customer access to goods and services. Customers have a choice in this very competitive market environment and can find the same goods and services elsewhere, as Wal-Mart offers few exclusives on either of these. Wal-Mart does provide a presumed lower cost marketplace, and will match cost of competitors which is viewed as desirable traits from consumers. Still consumers will not continue to patronize organizations they feel are mistreating their employees and are using discriminatory practices in hiring and advancement. Wal-Mart has to maintain a reputation as being a good employer that has genuine concern about it employees and that is also dedicated in being fair in its labor practices. Otherwise customers will go elsewhere for their goods and services, even if they pay a little more. Consumers will no longer support companies that they feel are lacking in proper ethics, because the consumer feels that it will only be a matter of time before the company manages to treat them unfairly. Current consumers are especially proficient at the decision between saving money with one company, and supporting a more sustainable company even if it means spending more. This proficiency comes from facing this decision on a daily basis, and the ease of accessing information. So far, even with some well publicized discriminatory cases, Wal-Mart has been able to retain a strong customer base. Consumers will tend to give companies some benefit of a doubt, especially when it comes to saving money, but this cannot be viewed as a reason to willfully negligent in employee hiring practices. After all, a consumer boycott is only one corporate scandal away. Therefore, the customers can be considered the most important stakeholder, because without them Wal-Mart would cease operations. Another stakeholder involved in this case are Wal-Mart’s competitors, like Target, Kmart, Home Depot, etc. , who look at Wal-Mart as a leader in their market. Wal-Mart competitors are neutral because they are more concerned with their own operations than with Wal-Mart’s operations. The decisions that Wal-Mart makes concerning their employees are seen as opportunities to exploit or as problems. These decisions could be opportunities because decisions made in a positive light could be reviewed and possibly adopted by the competition. Whereas decisions made that reflect Wal-Mart negatively can be criticized by the competition and as a recruiting tool. Wal-Mart decisions with employees can also be problematic to competition because their decisions can force unwanted changes into the competitor’s organization. For example, if Wal-Mart changed ts viewpoint about unions it could have great impact throughout the box chain world giving unions leverage to be able to break into other store brands. The final stakeholders in Wal-Mart’s employee welfare situation are unions. Unions are considered an unsupportive stakeholder. The unions have a stake in this situation because their existence is based on membership, their fees, and continued support. Wal-Mart is v ery opposed to ever accepting a union in their work environment. Wal-Mart feels that it treats it employees fairly enough and a union would only complicate things. Unions see Wal-Mart as the great mountain to climb, and getting Wal-Mart workers to unionize would give the unions a large base of employees to their membership ranks, and leverage through the retail industry. Unionizing Wal-Mart would not necessary be all positive, as the unions would now be presented with a relationship with large market and an adversarial attitude towards them. The relationship between these stakeholders can be contentious. Consumers want to support organizations that treat workers fairly, but public support for unions is rather low (2010 Pew Poll places it at 41%). Wal-Mart also does not view unions favorably. The relationship between Wal-Mart and employees can be difficult at times also, but the relationship is mostly mutually beneficial for the majority of employees. The stakeholder with the most power is the customers because they still hold purchasing power over Wal-Mart. Customers could easily find other places to go to and buy goods, and therefore customers hold the most leverage over Wal-Mart. The stakeholder with the most to win would be the unions, because breaking the Wal-Mart wall would greatly heighten the power of the unions. The stakeholders with the greatest potential to lose are the employees because at this time and point Wal-Mart has the leverage of possible employment during such tough economic times. Employees may actually lose out on potential wage and benefit gains because of the economic downturn, and Wal-Mart has jobs and is one of the few companies with expansion plans in these times. To improve the situation with the employees and the public perception of Wal-Mart, the organization could attempt two corrective measures. The first proposal would be for Wal-Mart to start an employee appreciation and welfare camps in their stores. This would be through employee only contests or having a shopping day where employees get extra markdowns. This would make Wal-Mart a more popular place to work at, and could be considered a cheaper alternative to raising wages and improved benefits. Some employees might see these as cheap ploys to improve employee morale, but it could be quite popular. Another corrective measure would be a public relations campaign in which Wal-Mart explains to the public the benefits of working at Wal-Mart. This P. R. campaign would show Wal-Mart as an employer of choice, that people enjoy working for the company, and that Wal-Mart is a great place to work at. This campaign could help sway the public in favor of Wal-Mart and also convey the message that Wal-Mart doesn’t need unions and employee unrest is unfounded. The campaign could also show employees of differing backgrounds, gender, ages, ethnicities, capabilities and colors, thus displaying that Wal-Mart employs all types of people. My recommendation would be to go with the public relations campaign. This could prove to be the most beneficial, because the customers are the most important stakeholders in this situation. Also good public relations could help the bottom line of the company, but also make employees feel good about working there. It would keep the union at bay, and keep competitors on their toes because they would now have to compete with a Wal-Mart that people actually liked. Bibliography Blodget, Henry. â€Å"Wal-Mart Employs 1% of America. Should it be Forced to Pay it Employees More. † BusinessInsider. om. Business Insider, Inc. 10 Sep 2010. Web. Accessed 24 Nov 2012. http://articles. businessinsider. com/2010-09-20/news/30081785_1_minimum-wage-real-wages-employees Ferrell, O. C. et al. â€Å"Wal-Mart: The Future of Sustainability. † Business Ethics: Ethical Decision Making and Cases. Carnegie Learning. South-Western:Mason, OH. 9th ed. 2011. Surowicki, James. â€Å"State of the Unions. † New Yorker. Conde Nast. 17 Jan 2011. Web. Acessed 26 Nov 2012. http://www. newyorker. com/talk/financial/2011/01/17/110117ta_talk_surowiecki How to cite Wal-Mart Ethics Case, Essay examples

Employee Selection and Training free essay sample

Industrial and Organizational psychologist are able to walk into most any corporation and identify problem areas. The specialty skills that the industrial and organizational psychologist possesses are able to better equip the corporations to reduce employee turnover and improve the workplace. Having the ability to survey the employees and find weak spots allows the industrial and organizational psychologist to determine the best measures to improve the company from the inside out. Using surveys on current and potential employees as well as assessments can cause the company to find weak employees and strong leaders that might have been previously overlooked. Industrial and organizational psychologist can improve the potential employee selection process, train employees properly all while abiding by the law. Selecting and training employees The role of industrial and organizational psychology is one of the most important areas in the field of psychology and it entails research and analysis in the areas of hiring employees. I/O’s duties can range from conducting evaluations, analysis, and training, hiring, and consulting. Three examples of how industrial and organizational psychologists are an asset to a company are seen in positions like consultants, human resources specialist, and employee assessors and evaluators (Cascio, 1995). All these examples have one thing in common: they all work closely on selecting and training employees, and ensuring the best match for the position needed. Consulting IO’s, are hired by management to offer the best plan for success. These consultants are hired to design the best strategies for the business to work as a whole. Consultants offer strategic planning to achieve companies’ goals as well as employee’s goals. Through performance, selection, and intervention, they consult to the employer of what changes need to be done (Cascio, 1995). Their job is designed to offer the best possible advice to both parties with the goal of having a full functioning and effective business. They provide the best guidance and direction on how to work in an efficient and positive atmosphere. The next example would be human resources specialist, which would be running all aspects of the hiring process. This would include advertising, application process, interviewing, and training. They would assist management in taking care of all the angles needed to find personnel. They would normally advise management on which candidates they should consider interviewing. Human resources specialists would take care of checking references, background, education, and all aspects of the application process. They would take care of the training sessions through meetings, orientations, and any other process of that nature (Cascio, 1995). The next example: assessors and evaluators would be what would follow the human resources process. These evaluators would review all the information collected by human resources specialist, and all the candidates that have been selected, would be scheduled for a more in depth interview. These evaluators would conduct surveys, skills tests, personality tests, questionnaires, and many more evaluation methods. Their job is to screen the applicants that have been selected to see if they are indeed a perfect match for the job. Evaluators and assessor use scientific selection methods when conducting job analysis. Through statistical and correlation data, they evaluate all intellectual, psychological, physical and emotional aspects of the candidate before the hiring process is done (Cascio, 1995). Legal Issues An organization must have a training program to establish a standard operation uideline that must be followed. During this training the organization must ensure the material and presentation is not legally or ethically controversial in any manner. The training provided must be unbiased and sensitive to race, age, national origin, sex and religion. If an individual feel any sort of discrimination during training, the organization can be subject to legal action. The tr aining provided must not display negative attention or single out any specific group, this may provide circumstantial evidence for that group of people to pursue legal action for discrimination in the workplace. Another issue in training could consist of ethical issues; the trainer must conduct themselves with respect, tact, honesty, trust and leadership. The organizational values, ethical guidelines, policies, procedures and accountability should be addressed. By planning ahead, industrial and organizational psychologist can work with trainers to address the ethical issues within the training period. The health and welfare of the employees are important; injury to an employee during training can lead to lawsuit and worker’s disability compensation. The ailure of an organization to abide by laws that protect employees can lead to court and be liable to pay the employee up to $300,000. Evaluation of study â€Å"There is little difference between conducting an evaluation of study for a training program and conducting a research study to determine the effects of any intervention that is tried in an organization† (Specter, 2008). The training program is not considered completed unt il it has been evaluated. There are five stages in performing a training evaluation. The first step is to define the criteria for evaluation. There are several criteria to determine. One of the criteria is the training- level criteria and the other is the performance- level criteria. The training level is directed to what was learned and the performance level is directed with the levels of effectiveness. It is also possible to brake down criteria into four groups. The four smaller levels include reactions, behaviors, learning, and results and are sub levels to performance and training levels. Second a design of the study must be selected. The structure of the study is determined by how the data is collected. Third the measures used to assess need to be determines. Fourth the data needs to be collected. The third and fourth steps are two steps preformed at the same time. Collecting data can be without bias can be a difficult task and following the measuring criteria is vital for accurate results. The final step is analyzing the collected data to determine a conclusion. The conclusion will tell the effectiveness of the training program. An evaluation carried out properly will generate valuable information on the training program’s effectiveness. Conclusion When selecting and training employees there are various forms that can improve performance such as; training assessments, employee evaluations, and consulting. Once a foundation was completed more in depth surveys, personality interviews, questionnaires, skills tests would ensure that the job is filled with the most suitable person to perform the job. Industrial and organizational psychologist can assist the corporation to stay within the law while completing training which keeps both the employee and employer safe from bias, sexism, discrimination, and racism. Evaluating a training program can provide tremendous benefits when the data is properly analyzed. Industrial and organizational psychology will provide multiple benefits to a corporation on many levels from potential employees, training, internal employee promotion selection, and determining employee terminations. Reference: Cascio, W. F. (1995). Whither Industrial and Organizational Psychology in a Changing World Of Work? American Psychologist, 50(11), 928 Spector, P. E. (2008). Industrial and organizational psychology: Research and practice (5th ed. ). Hoboken, NJ: Wiley. Society for Industrial and Organizational Psychology, Inc.. (2011). Student Resources. Retrieved from http://www. siop. org/studentdefault. aspx