The paper explores the debate between Sut Jhally and James Twitchell entitled "On Advertising" that looks at their views on consumerism, advertising and the relationship between people and materialthings.
Abstract The paper explores the perspectives of Sut Jhally and James Twitchell on the relationship between materialthings and people as manifested by advertising communications. The paper explains both positions but argues in support of Twitchell's view as the more realistic of the two, given its grounding in the reality of human conduct rather than in the idealistic projection of what human actions should or might be.
From the Paper "In order to explore the perspectives of Jhally and Twitchell it is first necessary to understand the basic ideas and concepts that inform their arguments. Scholars conducting research in fields adjacent to communication studies, such as Jhally and Twitchell, tend not to see material objects as simply artifacts of human construction that take up space and may have ranges of value attached to them by human individuals and collectives. Rather, these material things are visual vehicles of meaning."
Abstract This paper examines and compares the writings of two authors on the cause and effect of consumerism. The paper argues that, of the two books, Schudson's analysis in "Delectable Materialism" is more plausible than that of Schor's in "Work and Spend". The paper outlines Schor's work and then explains Schor's inability to establish cause and effect in her hypothesis. The paper then outlines Schudson's work and shows how he has established a cause-effect relationship in his hypothesis on consumer culture.
From the Paper "In developing the argument that capitalism and advertising have created a consumerist treadmill resulting in discontent, Schor traces the advent of consumerism as concurrent with the development of the market system and the growth of the middle class. As further support of her claim, she cites the historically relative absence of materialism prior to the advent of capitalism. Thus, Schor concludes that it was capitalism that precipitated the rise of a consumerist culture and the breakdown of historical values: "Thrift and sobriety were out; waste and excess were in"in the midst of all this buying, we can discern the origins of modern consumer discontent? (Work and Spend). The key to Schor's hypothesis here is the apparent absence of materialism prior to the advent of capitalism. However, the seeming absence of consumerism could well have been a function of other factors such as lower incomes and more important, the absence of a wide range of consumer goods."
Abstract This paper discusses the themes that are explored in Tim O'Brien's "The Things They Carried." Particularly, the paper focuses on the most prevalent and important of those themes - those of identity and individualism. It also discusses the figurative and physical weight of carrying around one's identity. The paper discusses how these themes are expressed in the book.
From the Paper "When Lavender dies, Lt. Cross blames himself for being too wrapped up in Martha. When he burns the letters from her he is trying to get rid of the guilt he feels since the two are related (O'Brien 1122). But in this case, he cannot escape the guilt because it is something he carries that he cannot get rid of. He has gotten rid of the physical weight of the letters but not the mental weight of them. His only way of dealing with his burden is to "repack and shift the weight so it will be more bearable" (Piedmont-Marton, par. 9)."
Abstract This paper looks closely at the elements of materialism and spirituality. It contends that materialism takes the more significant role in our daily lives. The paper firstly looks at the ideas of psychology, Marx and Nietzsche to prove that materialism is central to our human nature. The author explains that writings negative to materialism usually only deal with the excess of materialism, not materialism itself, to finally conclude that spiritually is important but not vital to existence.
From the Paper "This estrangement between the two spheres of life, the relationship between materialism and spirituality, is as central a divide as one can imagine. From the remains of our earliest writings, these concepts have been illuminated for us by religious figures, philosophers, novelists, and literary critics, amongst many others. The two concepts, however, are often inextricably linked. In our daily lives, it is clear that materialism remains dominant, and it is vital to our survival as a species. Substance, then, is the true reality of the world, as it is used for the medium of explanation. Spiritualism, too, has been shown to play an important role in our lives as well, as faith has been illustrated as a guiding construct for people daily. The following will address the concepts of materialism and spirituality, analyzing the importance or vitality of acknowledging our material nature while allowing that spirituality too has a place ..."
This paper uses a case study to examine United Kingdom Consumer Laws and Consumer criminal laws. The laws are meant to protect consumers against defective and unsafe products and services.
Abstract United Kingdom Consumer Laws and Consumer criminal Laws are meant to protect consumers against defective and unsafe products and services. They can be invoked if a consumer feels he was taken for a ride and given product or service, which did not meet his needs or was faulty in any sense. We need to understand that certain conditions apply when these laws are made use of to bring charges against a trader. For example, the nature of product or service doesn't count at all but the length of use; special seller instructions, representation of a product etc. play a dominant role in determining the exact nature of breach of contract between the seller and the consumer.
Proposal-Introduction
Executive Summary
-------Rights and Liabilities-Used car
-------Rights and Liabilities-Seat cover
-------Rights and Liabilities- Cell batteries
-------Rights and Liabilities-Re-roofing
-------Rights and liabilities-Dogs
Conclusions/Recommendations
From the Paper "Eleanor and Nicos needed to purchase a second-hand car and visited Solid Cars for this purpose. There they found a Range Rover, which was being offered for ?2,000. The salesman informed them the original engine of the Rover had been replaced with a reconditioned engine. After initial discussions with the salesman, they agreed to purchase the vehicle through their debit card. The salesman however told them few things, which later proved to be incorrect and caused them several problems during test-drive."
Tags:Consumers, Laws, United, Kingdom, Merchants, Legal, rights
Abstract This paper discusses the way in which Guy de Maupassant treats materialism in his short story, "The Necklace." This paper offers a characterization of the major female character who places value only on material objects.
From the Paper "In his short story "The Necklace" Guy de Maupassant tells the story of a woman who borrows a diamond necklace for a party and loses it during the course of the night. As a result, she and her husband must live in poverty and spend the next ten years working to pay off the debts to replace the necklace. In his characterization of Mathilde, Loisel de Maupassant clearly argues against materialism as she is forced to pay for her petty superficial desires."
Tags: de maupassant, necklace, materialism, irony, material objects, shallow
Abstract This study investigates the decision process of consumers purchasing property in Spain. The paper focuses on the underlying reasons for purchasing a property in Spain, the methods used by the purchaser to gather information and the overall satisfaction with the purchase process. The paper links a report about current theories on consumer purchasing behaviour to the purchase of property abroad.
The investigation reveals a clear link between the level of satisfaction of the purchase process and the level of information and advice sought. The paper includes flow charts, tables, and graphs. It also appends the questionnaire used in the research and data analysis pages.
Outline:
Abstract
Contents
List of Tables
List of Figures
List of Appendices
Acknowledgements
1. Introduction
1.1 Aspects and Foundation of the Research
1.2 Aim of the Research
1.3 Objectives of the Research
1.4 Hypothesis
2. Literature Review
2.1 Consumer Behaviour
2.2 The Consumer Decision Process
2.3 Problem Recognition
2.4 Information Search
2.4.1 Do Consumers Always Search Rationally?
2.4.2 Determinants of Information Search
2.4.3 Type of search
2.4.4 Evaluation of Alternatives
2.5 The Decision
2.5.1 Affect Referral Rules
2.5.2 Non Compensatory Decision Rules
2.5.3The Lexicographic Rule
2.5.4 Compensatory Decision Rules
2.5.5 Modified Rules for Research
3. Methodology
3.1 Methodology in Similar Research
3.2 Research Approach
3.3 Research Strategy
3.4 Method
3.4.1 Channels of Distribution
3.4.2 Ethics
3.4.3 Data Collection and Analysis
3.4.4 CHI-Square Test
3.4.5 Elements of Bias
3.4.6 Sampling
3.4.7 Pilot Study
3.4.8 Research Constraints
3.4.9 Response Rate
3.4.10 Variables
3.5 Null Hypothesis
4. Results
4.1 CHI Square Test
4.2 Data Interpretation
4.3 Summary of Key Findings
5. Discussion
5.1 Pre Purchase Process
5.1.1 Information Search
5.2 Purchase Process
5.3 Post Purchase Process
5.3.1 Consumer Behaviour Models
5.4 Consumer Profile
6. Conclusion
7. Recommendations and Further Research
8. References
9. Appendices
10. Glossary
From the Paper "Nicosia proposed a model that concentrated on the buying decision for a new product (illustrated in figure 2). The first stage of the model concentrated on the marketers' attempts to communicate with the consumer and the consumer's predisposition to act in a certain way. The scope of this research did not allow for the exploration of marketers' communication methods. However, the second stage of the model involved the consumer in a search evaluation process, which is influenced by attitudes. This follows a similar process to the Andreason model but it allowed the consumer to evaluate the process."
A critical paper on the nature of Marxist philosophy on materialism and an examination of whether or not the theory is of a 'scientific' nature as it claims.
3,051 words (approx. 12.2 pages), 10 sources, 2000, $ 89.95
Abstract This critical paper illustrates in a number of ways that dialectical materialism is arrived at through a process of scientific inquiry. The author gives a distinct definition of the meaning of what it is that warrants the description of a theory as "scientific". Next, she applies this definition to Marx's historical theory and shows how it corresponds to this description. Finally, she reflects and responds to some of the ways that Marx's critics are in disagreement with her argument that dialectical materialism is, in fact, a study of history that is based on scientific theory and objectivity.
From the Paper "As a student of history, I believe that there is validity in Marx's "scientific" postulation. The study of history is very important, I believe, in discovering what lies ahead of us and how best to avoid repeating past mistakes. Although there are no "concretes" in history, and at this point, I diverge from Marxian historiography, there must be an objective way of looking at the past in order to theorize about how we have arrived at our current situations. Although I do not believe Marx's theory of history to be entirely correct, I do argue that this theory is arrived at objectively and scientifically."
Abstract "The God Of Small Things", a Booker Prize winning novel by Arundhati Roy, is a tragic story that renders rich psychological insights into the effects of India's political and social problems on an everyday family in their everyday lives; and illustrates in a powerful fashion the ways in which these problems can destroy both rich and poor people alike. This paper attempts to interpret the multitude of psychological meanings in "The God of Small Things".
Abstract This paper compares views on nonreductive materialism and substance dualism and looks at problems the philosophical theory of nonreductive materialism encounters with relation to causation. It also examines concepts of neurophysiological processes in the brain.
From the Paper "This essay will explain the philosophical theory known as nonreductive materialism. It will then identify the problems that this theory encounters with respect to causation and then given its ..."
Abstract This article discusses the situation of mental health and illness in today's society. The author argues that materialism, fame and fortune have taken over society and that as a result society has forgotten to give meaning to life.
From the Paper "Good mental health is a fundamental aspect of life, but, as we are aware, a huge proportion of our society, around 25%, will at some stage suffer from a form of mental illness. We must realize the enormity of this problem. Stalin once said, ?The death of one person is a tragedy, the death of a thousand is a statistic.? (Stalin). This means that we as humans, are unable to digest all the information that comes our way everyday and numbers are just that: numbers. 25% means that in every four people, one is likely to experience mental illness. Mental illness is a problem of the everyday, of the streets, of the ordinary man and woman that experience the joys, the sorrows, the trials and the tribulations of life."
Tags: american, carey, dream, health, illness, mariah, materialism, mental, society
This paper looks at different perspectives of operations strategy and how material requirements planning implementation shift according to which strategy is adopted.
Abstract This paper describes business as mathematics in that it is an equation of balance on both sides of the balance sheet: labor must be balanced with capital, resources with allocation, customers with services or goods and workers with rewards. The paper describes the perspectives of operations strategy and material requirements planning. It illustrates how business organizations differ dramatically in their underlying systems of organization because of the personal preferences and predilections of their managers.
Table of Contents
I. Operations Strategy and MRP: A Brief History
II. The Importance of Operations Strategy
III. Organizational Approach
IV. Political Approach
V. Cognitive Approach
VI. Conclusion
VII. Works Cited
From the Paper "Doing business is mathematics by other means ? all a question of keeping equations in balance on both sides. Labor must be balanced with capital. Resources with allocation. Customers with services or goods. Workers with rewards. At the heart of an ideal operation ? by which is usually meant a business, but a number of other multi-person organizations also qualify ? is a sound theory of operations strategy. Part of that strategy must be a well-designed program of material requirements planning or MRP. After looking generally at the field of operations strategy or operations management, this paper looks at different perspectives on operations strategy and the ways in which MRP implementation plans shift according to which operational strategy is adopted.
Operations Strategy and MRP: A Brief History
Industrial management in business is a term used to describe the techniques and expertise of efficient organization, planning, direction, and control of the operations of a business. In the theory of industrial management, organization has two principal aspects. One relates to the establishment of lines of responsibility, drawn usually in the form of an organization chart that designates the executives of the business, from the president to the foreperson or department head, and specifies the functions for which they are responsible. The other principal aspect relates to the development of a staff of qualified executives (Johnson, Newell & Vergin 19)."
Abstract This paper examines the history of composite materials in the aircraft industry, their uses, the benefits and downsides of their us, and their future applications.
Abstract This paper examines the significance of the body in anthropological thought and further argues that the body is the material locus of subjectivity. In order to build this hypothesis, it critically reviews the work of three key thinkers Merleau-Ponty (1964), Bourdieu (1984, 1990), and Taussig (1980, 1986, 1993). It also argues, together with Csordas (1990), for the possibility of a productive dialogic relationship between the preobjective and a conception of representation that includes a consideration of habitus.
From the Paper "Bourdieu (1990: 71-72) notes that the body takes metaphor seriously. By this Bourdieu implies that we live our lives through actions structured in time and space. Moreover, the material world that surrounds us is one in which we use our living bodies to give substance to the social distinctions and differences that underpin social relationships and symbolic systems. In the context of anthropological theory, Bourdieu's sentence takes on another meaning. The body has inherited a Cartesian dichotomy between the thinking mind and the mechanic body that means the metaphors ascribed to it did not give any agency to the body. The body takes this very seriously because, as Foucault (1979) shows, the body became a site of bio-political struggle."
