Abstract This paper provides a summary and analysis of Jack Ives' book, "HimalayanPerceptions: Environmental Change and the Well-Being of Mountain Peoples". The paper looks at the book in context of the author's other writings and analyzes the purpose and viability of the research that was done for it. The paper also provides the writer of this paper's opinion regarding the book and Ives's position regarding the Himalayan ecosystem.
From the Paper "Ives uses a compelling methodology followed by a strong amount of research. He structures the book to show the problem. By focusing on the area and its environmental problems first, he sets a tone that does not simply invalidate the fact that there are problems with the Himalayan ecosystem. He offers strong evidence to show that the natural disasters are real. However, he does not merely end there, but continues to show that the common perceptions are incorrect. As an example, he quotes an article the Basler Zeitung, which states, "The severe floods in eastern India and Bangladesh are not the result of a natural disaster, but of the ruthless exploitation of the forests which has been practised over many centuries in the Himalayas" (103). Ives then spends the rest of the chapter offering evidence that shows that this belief is incorrect. By doing this, he acknowledges the common belief, then uses research and facts to prove that common belief to be incorrect. This example is one of many, but it shows that Ives is not merely trying to remove an old lie and replace it with a new one, but rather to effectively communicate a new perspective that is founded on research and facts."
Abstract This paper gives an analysis of how perception plays a vital role in the decision-making process of an organization. It examines the effect of perception, shortcuts to perception and how decisions are actually made. Also explored is the impact of perception on moral and ethical decisions.
From the Paper "What is perception? Perception is defined as the process by which people organize and interpret their sensory impressions in order to give meaning to the world around them (Robbins, 2005). Perception is basically how each individual views the world around them. What one perceives can be very different from actually reality (Robbins, 2005). The perception of one person will vary greatly from that of another person. Perception can have a huge impact on decision-making and on an organization's behavior in whole."
Abstract The paper examines whether our conscious perception is an epiphenomenon of the activity of our central nervous system. The paper states that the argument is based on the fact that perception is shaped by cultural factors, meaning that people from two different cultures do not perceive the world in exactly the same way and explains that if conscious perception was not an epiphenomenon of the central nervous system, there would be no significant differences between cultures.
From the Paper "In order to prove this point it is necessary to look at the nature of perception. Emily A. Schultz and Robert H. Lavenda in Cultural Anthropology define perception as, "The processes by which people organize and experience information that is primarily of sensory origin"(Schultz and Lavenda 1995: 139). What this means is that perception involves two distinct components. The first components are
the sensory organs themselves. The detect stimulus from the environment. However,sensory organs can only detect, they can't process the information. The central nervous system processes the information that the sensory organs have detected."
Abstract This paper looks at the nature of logic and perception, and the relationship between logic, critical thinking, and perception. It looks at principles of logical reasoning, perceptual inference, rationality, and perceptual blocks.
From the Paper "Science is based on logic, yet it is also based on perception and observations. Logic is often seen as a form of deception - a way to trick the mind into believing something without proof, whereas observations appear to be more reliable because people tend to agree that seeing is believing. However, perception is a preliminary acquisition of data without testing or evaluation applied, whereas logic is the application of reason and critical thinking to the observation. Logic is the test of accuracy and is therefore the..."
A summary and review of "The Contingent Effects of Risk Perception on Risk-Taking Behavior: Adolescent Participative Orientation and Marijuana Use", the authors C.F. Lee, Y. Su, and B.P. Hazard
Abstract This paper critiques an article about the use of marijuana by American high school seniors, entitled "The Contingent Effects of Risk Perception on Risk-Taking Behavior: Adolescent Participative Orientation and Marijuana Use". The paper first explains that the authors of the report see marijuana use as an example of risk-taking behavior, and presume that a reduction in marijuana use would mean that the perception of risk has increased and that this is leading to a lower rate of use. The paper then goes on to summarize the report and explain its findings.
From the Paper "The authors find that risk perception by itself accounts for about 21% of the variation in risk-taking behavior of marijuana use. Using the four participative orientations - sports, fun, school, and creative - the explained variance of marijuana use was increased to 33%, and all activity orientations except creative significantly affected marijuana use. Sports and school showed relatively small negative effects, while fun activities had a distinctively large and positive effect on marijuana use. The authors also find after analysis that the net effect of risk perception on marijuana use was statistically insignificant. "
Abstract This paper is in two parts. Part I concerns top-down and bottom-up theories of perception, and Part II discusses strategies for improving memory and problem solving.
Abstract This paper discusses and examines the phenomenon of extrasensory perception or ESP, which refers to a capability to receive external information through means or pathways not through the five physical senses. It describes the evidence and experiments that have been done to explain the existence of ESP and discusses whether science supports these findings.
Table of Contents:
Rhine's Experiments
Evidence
Experiment
From the Paper "By immersing one's mind on the script of a page, the reader should be able to discern the writer's personality or mood. Some penmanship shows short temper, for example, with either very big or very small but sharp letters. Letters or scripts, which occupy the entire page can suggest a person who wants all the space and attention for himself. A very small or short handwriting can reveal a shy person who has a lot to hide. A nice penmanship does not necessarily mean a pleasant personality. Many times, the person uses it as a cover-up. But if the person is generally a warm, compassionate and good-willing soul, his penmanship will be genial, even and easy. First-time researchers can begin analyzing his own friends' penmanship whose traits he is familiar with and conduct simple experiments. With some success, they can "investigate" and analyze the handwriting of others like their teachers to know how to better deal with them."
Abstract This paper explores the area of consumer food marketing which has been an unresearched area in the realm of empowerment and employee perceptions. The purpose of the research is to determine the relationships among the study variables of opportunity, fulfillment, expectations and performance, since these factors are related to perceptions of empowerment in the literature, and to determine if these factors varied by age, income and marital status in a sample of 224 participants. This problem is studied through the use of the Work Perceptions Profile, a survey devised, tested and validated by Pace and Mills (1990). Data in the paper is analyzed by correlational and chi square statistics to answer the research questions regarding variable correlational relationships and effects of demographics (age, income, marital status).
Table of Contents:
Introduction
Employee Perceptions to Empowerment
Statement of the Problem
Background of the Study
Theoretical Support
Definition of Terms
Significance of the Study
Scope, Delimitations, & Limitations
Research Questions
Summary
Literature Review
Introduction
Theoretical Models
Psychoanalytical Models
Behavioral Models
Self-Efficacy Models
Models of Motivation
Empowerment
Job Characteristics and Job Design
Research Study and Design
Job Satisfaction
Career Self-Efficacy
Life Styles and Marital Status
Summary
Methodology
Research Methods
Population and Sample
Instrumentation
Procedures
Data Analysis
Limitations
Results
Study Background
Findings
Corollaries of Age and Income
Opportunities for Growth
Perceptions of Fulfillment
Perceptions of Advancement
Perceptions of Performance
Summary, Conclusions and Recommendations
Conclusions
Implications
Limitations
Recommendations
Researcher Note
References
From the Paper "Literature on empowerment shows the subject has been approached mainly from an end-state perspective or has focused on a single dimension. Relevant literature can generally be grouped into result orientation. Successful cases on empowerment studies includes (Berman, 1995; Burbidge, 1995) study on operational orientation, which focuses on empowerment through delayering, involving, establishing commitment, teaming and intervening (Bogg, 1995; Lashley, 1995b; Nixon, 1994; Osborne, 1994). Empowerment has been studied from the perspective of trait orientation, characterized by preconditions of control and power, trust and inclusion, accountability, honesty and risk-taking (Anfuso, 1994; Foster-Fishman & Keys, 1995). Another study on empowerment focused mainly on individual orientation, which included personal feeling, personal power, self-determination and cognitive variables of empowerment (Baird, 1994; Fulford & Enz, 1995; Spreitzer, 1995). In-depth investigation of a single dimension may provide a useful perspective, yet, at the implementation level, such an approach does not reflect adequately the complex sets of variables involved. Zimmerman (1990) commented that an overly individualistic conception of empowerment might limit one's understanding of the environmental influences, organizational factors, or social, cultural and political contexts. As organizations have striven to become more competitive, many have overlooked a critical element-the overall framework that could turn empowerment from a nice concept to a competitive advantage. Those employees? perception of expectations, opportunities, fulfillment and performance when factored into the organization's culture, could determine if these variables impact an employee's perception of empowerment. The culture of the organization could increase employee loyalty which would increase employment longevity and reducing the attrition rate."
Abstract This paper examines how the issue of perception in various fields, including philosophy and psychology has been debated with vigor over the last fifty years. In order to consider the theory of perception , it evaluates Gibson's ecological approach which believes there is no mediation from the mind between the object of perception and the perception event itself. The function of perception is thus one of adaptation and therefore the purpose of perception is then to adapt the organism to its environment. In contrast it compares this theory to Marr's computational theory in which perception is seen from the neuropsychological level. Marr in fact compares the human visual system to a computer system. It analyzes how the computational theory appears to oppose the environmental theory in its paradigm that the mind mediates all that is perceived.
From the Paper "In contrast to Gibson, Marr studies the deep recesses of the body in order to come to a conclusion about perception. This is a very scientific approach, whereas Gibson relied on data gathered from observers and from himself in a more philosophical paradigm. For Marr then a thorough study going beyond the anatomy and physiology of the retinal ganglion cells and lateral geniculate neurons is essential in order to understand the reasons for their receptive fields. Furthermore the connections and interactions of these cells are useful in understanding their behavior. However in order to understand the reasons for the nature of the receptive fields, it is necessary to study the phenomena of differential operators, band-pass channels, and the mathematics of the uncertainty principle."
Abstract This paper discusses cognitive and visual perceptions, the perspective of Gestalt psychologists on perception and how perception during the decision-making process can be based on the attribution theory. The paper explores how perceptions during the decision-making process are formed by an individuals' biases, and goes on to list the ways in which biases can affect one's perception. The paper therefore shows how perception plays a key role when the decision-making process is not based strictly on rational, objective measurements.
From the Paper "In order to fully understand the role of perception in the decision making process, we must first understand what each is. First, there are a variety of theories and perspectives available discussing the human performance involved in the decision making process. Decision making always results in a final choice being made whereby the output can be either an opinion or action. Perspective viewpoints of human performance in the decision making process include 1) Normative, where the analysis involved in the decision making process is concerned with rationality and logic; 2) Psychological, where an individual's decisions are based on their set of needs, values sought, and personal preferences; and 3) Cognitive, where the decision making process is seen as a continuous process that is integrated along with the interaction one has with their environment. At another level, decision making can be seen as an emotional process that can be either irrational or rational, with assumptions being explicit or tactical. (Kahneman, 2000)"
Abstract Within the realm of cognitive psychology, the concept of perception is a controversial topic. Various approaches attempt to explain the concept of perception. Perception involves the relationship between the observer and the environment. For the purposes of this discussion, this paper focuses on evaluating two fundamental approaches to explaining perception: Direct perception theory and inferential theory.
From the Paper "Furthermore the theory asserts that the retinae move in correlation with the visual world (Warren and Wertheim, 1990). As a result of such movement, the visual streaming action of the optic array relative to the retinae is described as the optic flow (Warren and Wertheim, 1990). In addition, these movements of the retinae in space occur because the eyes move with in their orbits, because the head shifts, because the whole observer is in motion, or any comparable combination (Warren and Wertheim, 1990). In Gibson's estimation, these factors are described as self-motion. (Warren and Wertheim, 1990)"
Abstract Analysis of the cool medium of Rlay Bradbury's science fiction novel in terms of two theories on cause & effect in terms of changes in perception. Marshall McLuhan's theory of perception altered by technology. David Abram's theory of everday perception as the primary perception. Bradbury's vision. How characters in the novel illustrate the theories. Problem of objective truth.
From the Paper "One of the key theories of Marshall McLuhan is that technology and the way we relate to and view technology shape our way of thinking about the world. In his discussion of phenomenology, David Abram suggests something similar in that he finds that language shapes how we view the world. Both see a connection between our subjective perception and the objective world we perceive. Both would also agree that our perceptions are neither completely subjective or completely objective. We might think they are subjective, but McLuhan says we are shaped by the technologies we use and by the way those technologies extend our perceptions outside the body. Abram follows the phenomenology of Husserl and Merleau-Ponty and accepts the notion that perception is participation. If this idea is extended to consciousness as such, it could lead to the..."
Abstract This paper examines how the concept of visual perception is complex in nature and how a number of different interpretations of the concept have been established throughout the field of psychology. Although the eyes view objects in a series of short, erratic movements, the brain processes these actions efficiently, so that actual visual experiences are smooth and steady. It looks at how, in order to evaluate perception effectively, two distinct schools of thought must be evaluated: modular and interactive; this paper assesses the circumstances surrounding these two experiences and the factors leading up to a conclusion of the most appropriate solution to the perception dilemma.
Outline
Introduction
Review of Related Literature
Movement and Action in the World
Visual Recognition in Relation to Object Processing
Cognitive Psychology and Visual Perception Conclusion
From the Paper "Research conducted by Humphreys, Price, and Riddoch in 1999 in the article entitled "From objects to names: A cognitive neuroscience approach" indicates that the recognition of objects is largely based on a series of processing actions and that object naming is based on a combination of visual processing and recognition tasks. The research designates that "objects from categories with similar members produce a spread of activation across the structural descriptions of perceptual neighbors, and this slows the time for object decision" (Humphreys, Price, & Riddoch, 1999, p. 120). A number of neuroscientific studies are discussed in this essay, and the primary conclusion that the authors portray is that retrieving an object's name is dependent upon visual differentiation between categories, and may involve visual processing in earlier stages."
Abstract This paper explains that risk perception examines the opinions of people when asked to evaluate hazardous activities, substances and technologies, which helps policy-makers by improving communication between them and the public, by directing educational effort and by predicting public responses to new technologies, events and new risk management strategies. The author points out that the fields that have the most important influence in evaluating risk perception are (1) geography because of the recent broadening of focus on technological hazards, (2) sociology and anthropology because risk perception is influenced by friends, family and co-workers, and (3) psychology because of the use of psycho-physical scaling and multivariate analysis techniques to produce quantitative representations or'cognitive maps' of risk attitudes and perceptions, which demonstrate that every hazard has a unique pattern of qualities related to its perceived risk. The paper states that, for the last 30 years, instead of asking how to prevent lead poisoning, the medical community has taken a risk assessment approach, asking, "How much lead is safe for industry to put into children?"
From the Paper "The present 'risk balance' situation also does not appear to differentiate between different sorts of risk. For example, a one in 1000 risk imposed on someone is different to a one in 1000 risk accepted by someone. It is often the case that the risk from using a chemical, say, is borne by the population as a whole, whereas the benefits accrue only to a minority. This is inequitable, and a new focus in risk - allowing a product on the market only if it passes a criterion of 'social need' for example, would ensure that inequitable distributions of costs and benefits were reduced."
Abstract This paper discusses the impact of perceptions in employee interviews, performance and ethical judging. In particular, the paper looks at perceptive "shortcuts" that people use to judge others such as projection and stereotyping and shows how when a perception is made about a person, place, or thing it can commonly be far off from the true reality. Finally, the paper explains why understanding the factors of perceptions and decision-making can be a valuable tool to any individual.
From the Paper "All individuals make perceptions in their own way based on different individuals and assorted situations. A perception is defined as how people view others or objects by interpreting an impression to give meaning to their surroundings. Perception is the process of organizing ones sensory data. An individual's brain is flooded with enormous amounts of information gathered by senses, in which a human could only spontaneously process. Perception plays an immense role in the course of decision-making. The process of decision-making is dependent on several aspects which may change ones perception. Frequently, a perception being made can alter one's process of making a decision. In decision-making, perception has a vast impact, both positive and negative in organization behaviors, in judging others, and in reality."
