Abstract
This paper provides a summary and analysis of Jack Ives' book, "Himalayan Perceptions: 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."

Tags:ecosystem, disaster, degradation

Abstract
A research critique of the article, "Forming Self-Regulated Learning Perceptions: The Influence of Internal and External Comparisons." The paper discusses the theoretical framework of the article, and what the study did and its purpose.

From the Paper
"This article presented a study in which the researchers explored ways students obtained efficacy perceptions of self-regulated learning. What the study did and the purpose of the study were presented but there were no formal research questions or formal hypotheses. The question to be answered was implied from the goals and purpose statements and the hypotheses were implied from the expectations presented as the theoretical framework was applied to..."

Tags:Learning, Perceptions, Internal, External, Comparisons"

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."

Tags:competence, job, satisfaction, Likert, scale

Abstract
This paper examines different perceptions of police throughout the world. According to the paper, it might be thought that this perception depends on the quality of the police force in various countries. Additionally, the paper notes that people will have a poorer perception of the police in military dictatorships, where the police are used to keep civilians in line, than in democracies where the police are primarily there to protect law-abiding citizens. However, this would not explain why people's perception of the police varies within countries, if in fact they do vary.

From the Paper
"Perceptions of the police are known to vary throughout the world. It might be thought that this perception depends on the quality of the police force in various countries. For example, it can be expected that people will have a poorer perception of the police in military dictatorships, where the police are used to keep civilians in line, than in democracies where the police are primarily there to protect law-abiding citizens. However, this would not explain why people's perception of the police varies within countries, if in fact they do vary. The first step would seem to be to..."

Tags:sociology, research, qualitative

Abstract
The paper examines the role risk perceptions play in shaping citizens' policy preferences on three issues involving types of potential harms: air pollution, crime, and hazardous waste storage and disposal. The paper uses cases studies to illustrate that risk perceptions are relevant to the public's views on environmental issues. The analysis shows that crime, as a personal safety/social policy issue, and air pollution as an environmental regulatory issue are extremely similar in terms of determinants of policy preferences. Hazardous waste storage and disposal is quite dissimilar. The paper concludes that that it is evident that most individuals do see the role of government as inclusive of a duty to protect the citizenry from such hazardous materials and environments.

Outline:
Introduction
Specific Case Studies Regarding Waste Management Issues
Specific Relationships between Risk Management and Policy
Risk in Individual Policy Preferences
Conclusion

From the Paper
"Individuals' perceptions of risks are relevant to the policy process. The degree of risk individuals assign to activities (e.g., cigarette smoking) or technologies (e.g., genetic modification of foods) involving possible harm helps shape their attitudes toward public policy on such issues. Extensive literatures explain both the underlying causes of risk perception per se and the determinants of assigning risk to particular activities, situations, or technologies. But relatively few studies account for how those risk perceptions specifically influence preferences toward government policies designed to manage potential public health, personal safety, or ecological hazards."

Tags:public, policy, contamination, waste, disposal, air, force, environment, agency, hazardous, waste

Abstract
This paper is a study that provides information on the varying perceptions of crime, which is contingent upon gender and race. The author describes his sample size of 200 tenants in a housing community, selected due to the varying races and the percentage of males and females and explains that the questionnaire provides information about the gender, race and the questions asked, which determine the perception of particular 'white collar crime' by the individual questioned. The author also details the study method and processes, and uses SPSS software to analyze the data collected. The paper also includes tables.

From the Paper
"From there it has been determined that crime has continued to capture the attention even though there has been a decrease in the number of crimes over the past decade. While this has been stated, a lot of attention has been paid to the propitious drop in the nation's crime rates. The rate of incarceration has been increased and has been considered one of the key factors behind this drop despite the fact that a number of notable criminologists disagree. This paper has brought out the fact that incarceration is one of the major consequences for youth and young adults arrested for committing violent crimes."

Tags:case study, public opinion

Abstract
The following paper will look at the differing perceptions of gender in Paradise Lost and in Aphra Behn's, Oroonoko. Specifically, the paper will argue that Milton's text portrays women as weak-willed beings (for the most part) who are credulous and who should remain loyally fastened to their husbands' sides. By comparison, Aphra Behn - through the character of Imoionda - shows women (at least one woman) as being thoughtful, defiant, able to manipulate others (in Imoionda's case, it is the elderly king), and assertive when it comes to her own sexuality (she knows the man she wishes to be with, in other words). Ultimately, it may be argued that Milton presents a very Christian and patriarchal view of women while Aphra Behn provides a very feminine - and feminist - depiction of the so-called "fairer sex".

From the Paper
The Different Perceptions of Gender in Paradise Lost and Oroonoko The following paper will look at the differing perceptions of gender in Paradise Lost and in Aphra Behn's, Oroonoko. Specifically, the paper will argue that Milton's text portrays women as weak-willed beings (for the most part) who are credulous and who should remain loyally fastened to their husbands' sides. By comparison, Aphra Behn - through the character of Imoionda - shows women (at least one woman) as being thoughtful, defiant, able to manipulate others (in Imoionda's case, it is the elderly king), and assertive when it comes to her own sexuality (she knows the man she wishes to be with, in other words). Ultimately, it may be argued that

Tags:gender, milton, behn

Abstract
This paper argues that the media greatly shapes our perceptions of economic terms, theories, and concepts. In particular, concepts such as supply and demand and terms like marginal cost are often distorted by the media inasmuch as it is trying to cater to as large an audience as possible - and is prepared to feed the public's instinctive dislike of powerful corporations in order to do so. This paper also looks at the controversial documentary, The Corporation, and outline how the film offers a simplistic view of a core tenet of supply and demand - "market equilibrium" - and also offers a simplistic view of marginal cost.

Tags:equilibrium, market, corporation, television, advertising

Abstract
This paper explores two perceptions of the early exploration of Mexico by the texts of two noted explorers, Hernan Cortes and Bernal Diaz del Castillo. In particular, two works are noted as being representative of the texts of that era, being Cortes' "Letters from Mexico" and del Castillo's "The True History of the Conquering of New Spain". This paper focuses primarily on these two sources, although other sources are used.

Abstract
This paper discusses different classes of society and people's perceptions both of the class that they fall into and the class that other people fall into. The paper looks briefly at the ramifications of falling into a particular class category. The paper also looks at how an individual can perceive himself as being in one class, while others perceive him differently.

From the Paper
"The most interesting aspects of these interviewees was the man who had nothing who thought of himself as middle class. He had been raised as the last of six children with good, upper middle class parents who provided everything for him that he desired. His mom even did his homework for him. Even though he had nothing to his name, (when interviewed everything had been hocked to buy drugs) he was still a member of the middle class. Answers from the other five interviewees were not surprising and mostly complemented their status with their perceived status. This could be due to the fact that they are all Americans."

Tags:status, equality, society