Abstract This is paper bases its discussion on the sociological hypothesis that " external conflict promotes internal cohesion". The author looks at the study by sociologists Kyriacos Markides and Steven Cohn who found that the effect that the Turkish invasion had on the Greek Cypriot community showed the hypothesis to be untrue, and suggests factors that may have produced this result.
From the Paper "Within the world of Sociology (specifically the world of social conflict theory) there exists the hypothesis that ?external conflict promotes internal cohesion" within a group that is antagonized by another. Yet in order for this to happen certain conditions by the oppressed group must be met. The group must be a "going concern", in other words members of the group must feel that its preservation is important and "the threat must be perceived to be against the group as a whole, not just a part".
In regards to this hypothesis a study was done on the country of Cyprus by Sociologists Kyriacos Markides and Steven Cohn. Their findings on the effect that the Turkish invasion had on the Greek Cypriot community showed the hypothesis to be untrue. Dominance by an antagonistic group did not bring Greek Cypriots together but rather split them apart. Their analysis of Cyprus took the hypothesis one step further, insisting that ?one factor determining whether external conflict produces internal consensus is the degree of preexisting unity,? thus arguing that this unity did not exist within Greek Cypriot society."
Tags:cohesion, conflict, ethnicity, external, race, social
Abstract This paper discusses how although Singapore cannot necessarily be considered as a strict democracy in the Westernised conception of the term, it results however from an authoritarian conception of how the state should be administered to achieve social and economic progress and multi-ethnic cohesion. It looks at how social cohesion had to be ensured so that economic progress could be achieved and how therefore the People's Action Party has constantly been putting the emphasis on agglomerating the widest range of interests, even though this has meant the establishment of a "limited democracy".
Outline:
The Main Objectives For a Pragmatic PAP: Economic Success Combined With Social Harmony and Well-Being
An 'Asian' Idea of the State?: Confucianism, Shared Values and Communitarianism
Acceptation of the Regime by the Population?
The Difficulties of Goh Chok Tong
The PAP's Willingness to Maintain Itself as the 'National' Party
What is to be Expected From a Mutating Society?
Conclusion
From the Paper "Goh Chok Tong succeeded Lee Kuan Yew as Prime Minister of Singapore in 1990, but Yew became Senior Minister and thus occupied the position of advisor to the Prime Minister. This succession resembles a transition between the first and the second generation of leaders in the PAP, a transition that was supposed to lead to more openness of the political regime. Indeed, Lee Kuan Yew and his partisans had recognised a rising aspiration for more popular participation in the ruling of the country. The emphasis was put on the necessity of maintaining continuity and not to produce a rupture with the past. In the 1991 parliamentary elections, the PAP obtained a 'limited' performance in comparison with what it had achieved in the past: the party lost four seats, the parliament being composed of 83 seats. "
Tags: asian, cohesion, communitarism, ethnic, liberalism, multi, national, rights
Abstract This paper discusses how multicultural backgrounds give rise to varying perceptions and cognitive perspectives on an individual basis from student to student and how the comprehensive management and orientation plan today must address not only the diversity of students, but the goal of systemization of the learning process and experience. In particular, the paper looks at how the use of Piaget's function invariants becomes extremely helpful because it provides a cohesive sense of developing a systemized learning plan, a plan that addresses the commonality of human cognition and de-emphasizes proactive and cognitive disparities that arise from multicultural backgrounds.
Outline:
The Cohesiveness of Piaget's Functional Invariants in Approaching the Instruction Task
The Staged Approach to Cognition
Managing Interpersonal Relationships in the Classroom
Covenant Management Integration
Content Management Integration
From the Paper "Piaget applied a staged approach to learning, where he defined functional invariants as intellectual functions "unchanged through development," consisting of the three stages of organization, adaptation and equilibriation (Miller, 1993). Thought is the integration or organization of cognitive systems. The second stage is concerned with how organisms interact with the environment. Equilibriation is the balance of interaction between these two cognitive processes, and reminds me that I am constantly balancing different cognitive dynamics that need to be identified according to an ongoing and systemized basis. The balancing process of cognition struck me as the key aspect in an increasingly efficient standardized approach to organizing and staging the learning process of the instructor. "
From the Paper " Introduction
The purpose of this paper is to review the group cohesion literature. The presented review first covers those findings that have been relatively well-established and then examines current research trends in the field.
Group Cohesion: The Established Findings
The great bulk of the literature on group cohesion or cohesiveness has been based on what Mudrack (1989) has termed "traditional definitions." These definitions, Mudrack states, center around the concept of a bond, a feeling of solidarity, harmony, and/or commitment on the part of group members. In other words, the cohesive group has a sense of connectedness, a feeling of unity that transcends individualistic differences or motives, and there is a force of attraction between the group and.."
Abstract Dominance, resistance, gendering of organizations, team and group cohesiveness, and media are all elements that form the basis of an organization in modern societies. This paper explores all of these elements and shows how they affect an individual and a company in terms of communicating effectively.
From the Paper "Introducing new ideas and new mediums into a work setting has been better accepted if the ideas are introduced to groups and teams. Groups that are assigned to a particular task seem to generate better ideas and higher productivity (Yoo, 2001). In a group setting the dominance aspect is minimized due to the fact that everyone is working on an equal level. The group works together in a position that is gender neutral, lacks hierarchy, and therefore, produces better outcomes. There is more of a peer- to-peer morality than one of a superior-subordinate (Yoo, 2001). This leads to the central point illustrated in Engestroms journal that organization emerges in the interplay between conversation and text; conversation being the action and text being the criticism and understanding of the events (Engestrom, 1999)."
This paper discusses issues of gay and lesbian clients who need fair and fully sensitive treatment during group therapy sessions led by psychotherapists.
Abstract This paper explains that experts believe that, when there are gays and straights in the same group, it is important at the outset of a group session for clear lines of communication to be kept open. The author points out that respect for others is something every therapist leading a group should not only ascribe to, but also should engender as a moral philosophy in all group members. The paper states that, as good group leaders are supposed to do, group leaders must understand that misperceptions read from a scholarly article can endanger group cohesiveness.
From the Paper "Thinking perceptively about those actions which give rise to a group member's popularity, one can imagine the possibility that the obese lesbian could ? notwithstanding all the physical and emotional issues ? become a popular member of the group. In order to do that, she would need to ask others a lot of questions, disclose a lot about herself, show leadership by understanding others? dilemmas and by being acutely interested in what others say and feel."
This paper discusses the history of the European Economic Community (EEC), organized in 1958, which predated the European Union (EU), organized in 1992, especially the positions of Germany and the U.K. (Britain).
2,125 words (approx. 8.5 pages), 10 sources, APA, $ 66.95
Abstract This paper explains that the European Economic Community (EEC) was established to lower custom barriers between European countries and to create greater political cohesion and ultimately an economic entity, which would increase Europe's power in the world market. The author points out that the major reasons Germany, which was more familiar with federalism, wanted the states of Europe to join together as a European federal state were: (1) The quicker the integration process, the shorter time period needed for Germany to overcome the loss of the war and the status of being the 'loser' of the war and (2) if a European union would control all members, then there would be less or even complete avoidance of discrimination towards Germany by other nations. The paper stresses that the major reasons Britain, on the other hand, did not want to be a part of a united Europe were: (1) They viewed unification as a European super-state being run by the Britain's oldest rivals French and German and (2) Britain, having had a stable democracy for many centuries and never having been subject to totalitarian rule, saw themselves as different and unlike any fellow European member.
From the Paper "At the end of the Second World War, Europe was devastated and economically exhausted, and its most urgent need was to restore its economy. In this situation two great powers, the United States and the Soviet Union, uneasily confronted each other across Europe. Europe would be organized in such a way that war between Western European countries could not recur. There was an urgent need to construct war shattered economies that led the countries of Western Europe to begin working together. Finally, after long and complicated negotiations, the "Treaty establishing the European Economic Community (EEC) was signed in Rome on March 25, 1957 and came into affect in January, 1958." (Palmer and Lambert, 1968, 33). What this Treaty established was a European free trade eliminating all tariffs on trades between members of the EEC, which included Belgium, Netherlands, Italy, France, Luxembourg, and the Federal Republic of Germany."
Abstract The paper summarizes the life of Frederick Douglass, as seen in his autobiography. The writer discusses the main themes in the book, namely a lack of family cohesiveness for plantation slaves and the effect of slavery on the slave holders. The paper explains that Douglass was a plantation slave and a city dwelling slave at different times, and details the differences in the way the slaves were treated in these two settings. In conclusion, the writer explains that because of the vivid detail in this work, it was used by the abolitionist movement to further their cause.
From the Paper "One theme that is found early in this book is the lack of family cohesiveness for plantation slaves. Their owners often separated family members by selling or loaning them to other nearby farms or selling them to slave traders who would then take their property long distances away. Although Douglass knew his mother, he never got to spend time with her. His father was a white man whom he did not know. Young children had no work to do, so Douglass often found himself just playing with other slave children not related to him. The few family members he knew were often tortured or raped; he was witness to some of these scenes. Because of this lack of family cohesiveness, the concept of being property was impressed upon Frederick Douglass at an early age.
"Although he had only two masters in the whole time he was a slave, those masters were more owners than masters. As a result, Douglass was often shipped from farm to farm, or to the city of Baltimore, depending on the whim of the master. He was exposed to two cultures, the plantation and city home dweller. The underlying principle was the same, that a slave was property, but there was a difference in the treatment of plantation slaves versus city dwelling slaves."
Abstract Based on the case study and the literature of current literature, this paper shows that Disney's corporate management is characterized by a low level of cohesiveness, effecting their stock value and performance.
From the Paper "Since March of this year Disney's institutional investors and disillusioned former board members such as Roy Disney and Stanley Gold who own a portion of Disney's stocks have sought to oust CEO Michael D Eisner from his leadership position. According to these stockholders Eisner's autocratic management of the operations has led to the departure of many creative individuals from the Disney Corporation and its ..."
Abstract This paper takes a look at the responsibilities of managing a business project, as well as, the required business management characteristics and skills to successfully do so. The paper points out that due to the ever-changing marketplace, demand for qualified and experienced project managers continues to rise.
Contents:
Project Manager Key Skills
Project Managers and Delegation
Poor Communication in Project Management
Project Managers, Sexual Harassment, Racial Issues and the Link to Poor Communication
Turning Groups Into Highly Effective Teams
How Threats Create A Cohesive Team
From the Paper "For a project manager to perform the tasks required in a project management position, which include delegation and supervision, a project manager has to not only understand team members skills and abilities but have the ability to assess what members of the project team will work well together and identify potential problem areas, whether in the form of communication or skills development (Decarlo, Lewis & Wysocki, 2001). The ability to read and understand people will help a project manager work more closely with team members. An adaptable and flexible project manager is more likely to have the ability to work with diverse populations of people, a necessary job function of a project manager in any environment.
Project Managers and Delegation
Project managers have multiple responsibilities including: providing a supportive environment, offering mutual respect among co-workers and teams, providing an organized and flexible environment to work in, establishing an honest and trustworthy working relationship, building teams and delegating responsibilities (Decarlo, Lewis & Wysocki, 2001). Of these project managers often have the most difficulty with delegation."
This paper examines Irving Janis' groupthink theory that shows how integration within a culture or group can result in increased conflict and defective decision-making.
Abstract The paper analyzes group interaction based on the context of a medical environment/workplace. The researcher, as a professional registered nurse, uses the medical setting as an example of Irving Janis' groupthink theory. This theory inevitably reflects the dynamics, both positive and negative, within group decision-making. The paper posits that groupthink is a phenomenon often overlooked, yet an ever-present factor that causes poor decision-making and ineffective leadership among the members of the medical community. The paper concludes that acceptance, or at least tolerance and respect of each other's cultures are imperative actions that lessen the effects of groupthink without necessarily influencing the level of cohesion and unanimity present within a group.
From the Paper "Groupthink theory as defined by its creator and developer, Irving Janis, is "a mode of thinking that people engage in when they are deeply involved in a cohesive in-group, when members' strivings for unanimity override their motivation to realistically appraise alternative courses of action" (Kreitner &Kinicki, 1995:255). Key terms that make up the core idea of the theory are "in-group" and 'cohesion': the strength of cohesion in a group (in-group) determines the level of "groupthink" present within (the group). That is, cohesion and groupthink level are positively correlated the more cohesive a group is, the greater the level of groupthink or unanimity of thinking the group has. Conversely, a lower or low level of groupthink can be found in groups determined to have lesser cohesion or unity among each other."
Abstract This paper explains that the primary reasons for the decline and eventual fall of the Roman Empire are the moral, social and political decadence and the loss of inner integrity that marked the final stages of this society. The author points out that this cause is linked with other factors such as the invasion of the various "barbarians", economics and the unequal distribution of wealth among others. The paper relates that the basic aspects of this decline refers to a combination and interaction between economic and political power including the disassociation of this power from the electoral base, invasive elements from outside the country that sapped important resources, internal and external strife and the decline of the cohesion of the society. The paper includes many quotations.
Table of Contents:
Introduction
Reasons for the Decline of the Roman Empire
Decline and Decadence
Conclusion
From the Paper "However, some historians are of the opinion that, while all the above elements are critical to an understanding of the decline, they are all subservient to a central and vital factor, namely that the inner decadence, moral decline and loss of integrity within the Roman society and body politic in general were the foundational causes for the decline and fall of the Roman world. According to the renowned scholar in this area, Edward Gibbon, the fall of the Roman Empire was due to a loss of "Civic Virtue"."
Abstract In this article, the writer first explains that group think is a way of thinking when a group of people are together and decisions are often made due to loyalty and cohesiveness rather than critical evaluation. The writer studies evidence of group think apparent in the storyline of the film "Twelve Angry Men". The writer notes that perhaps the most important remedy for group think was clearly portrayed and that was the presence of critical evaluators who point out the errors of key members of the group. The writer shows how decisions were made via group think and then looks at how the members of the jury in the film were shown how their original argument is not sound.
From the Paper "In the film Twelve Angry Men, the situation is a little different. The members of the group are on a jury and have never met before, nor will they be likely to meet again afterwards. They have only one task to accomplish, and that is to decide on the guilt or innocence of an 18-year old boy from the ghetto accused of murder. For the boy, the stakes are high because the law mandates the electric chair if he is found guilty. In the beginning of the deliberations, eleven of the twelve members are already in agreement. They have heard the prosecution's case and found no fault with it. They believe so strongly that the boy is guilty they feel invulnerable (at least, as long as they stick together, that is, as long as they are cohesive). As a group, they want to hurry up and find him guilty, so they can go home."
Abstract This paper discusses the prevailing theories of altruism and attempts to develop a better contextual understanding of its core concepts. It discusses whether altruism fits into evolutionary biology and shows how altruism helps us understand how to create greater cohesiveness in society as well as encourage pro-social behavior.
From the Paper "Understand these evolutionary theories become crucial on a societal level to leverage the altruistic intent and evolutionary instincts within human beings. Societies and leaders need to understand that mutual altruism is the only way for the improvement of the group and the survival of the individual within the group context. By leveraging the knowledge of reciprocal altruism, leaders can create a convincing argument for why it is imperative for everyone to become active members of society. Kinship selection also helps in our understanding of group activity; leaders can utilize this theory to articulate a vision for the needs of a strong and interconnected community. Human beings as evolutionary creatures have highly evolved instincts for altruism. Perhaps one of the reasons that we have survived so long and past the prime of many other animals is our sense of altruism. Therefore to understand how altruism can help on a communal level, one only has to look at the sacrifices each individual makes in every aspect of community growth."
Abstract This paper analyzes the book, "Ruling Canada: Corporate Cohesion and Democracy," written by J. Brownlee. The paper discusses Brownlee's observations that Canada has been in a state of decline in recent decades. It describes, according to the book, the elite power and dominance in Canada and how this affects the economic and political order of the country.
From the Paper "The unity of elites was dramatically demonstrated in a corporate offensive that was reflected in the early stages of globalization. Globalization refers to the reaction by corporate leaders to reduced profits, slowed economic growth, and government regulation who "attempted to mobilize their collective resources to increase their power and control over the global economic system". At that time, such changes as advances in telecommunications and financial deregulation provided economic elites with enhanced power. The elites gained sufficient power to be able to launch an attack on the state and the nature of democracy. Associated with globalization was a complex process of economic and political restructuring, which became known as neoliberalism. Neoliberalism "incorporates a range of elite policy imperatives such as trade liberalization, privatization of publicly owned enterprises, deregulation, emphasis on deficit and/or debt reduction and business-friendly tax reform"."
