Monday, December 30, 2019

Analysis of Ainsworth´s Strange Situation - 773 Words

Ainsworth’s study â€Å"Strange Situation† showed that bonding between mother and infant has an effect on the infant’s behavior and development. How mother’s respond to their infant’s signals is major in the development of mother and infant relationships. Ainsworth study investigated how attachments might vary between children, the nature of attachment behaviors and styles of attachment. Ainsworth theory was to help prove validity to Bowlby’s attachment theory that infants who experienced a secure attachment â€Å"is likely to see attachment figures responsive, and helpful†. Ainsworth (1970) used experimental procedures in order to observe the variety of attachment forms exhibited between mothers and infants. Ainsworth used a sample of 100†¦show more content†¦Ainsworth analyzed her findings further and developed three types of attachment: secure, avoidant, and resistant. The secure type of child seeks protection or comfort from their mother. The secure type of infant uses the parent as a safety net to explore the environment and seek the attachment parent in times of distress (Main, Cassidy, 1988). The avoidant type of infant resist attention from their mother. The resistant type of infant tends to stay close to their mother (Fraley Spieker, 2003). Ainsworth’s theory about attachment has been found by many researchers to have validity. Many researchers have duplicated Ainsworth procedures in order to examine if there is any change over time between mother and child’s attachment styles. Many studies have shown validity to Ainsworth findings, such as: Toni Antonucci Mary Levitt (1984) they found consistency between attachment styles at 7 and 13 months. Main, Kaplan Cassidy (1985) assessed infants before 18 months and with both mothers and fathers and then followed up with them at the age of 6 and their findings were the same as Ainsworth. They found that 100% of the secure infants were still secure and 75% of the anxious-avoidant were still anxious-avoidant. Attachment Matters Ainsworth’s research along with other research has shown that the reward for a child during their first year of life is related to the cues from their parent.Show MoreRelatedA Study On Infant Mother Attachment1493 Words   |  6 PagesInfant-mother attachment was first proposed by Bowlby (1958) and was further explored by Ainsworth and Bell (1970) in a Strange Situation study where they categorized infant-mother attachment into three which are secure, avoidant and ambivalent. In this context, attachment can be defined as an interaction between a child and a mother which implies affections that is observable through the act of the child to seek for proximity or contact with the mother (Dallaire Weinraub, 2005). Nevertheless,Read MorePsychology is not just common sense1300 Words   |  6 PagesTheory was continued by Mary Ainsworth, who added greatly to the original concept of attachment discovered that the theory consisted of three main sub-behaviours or attachment styles, i.e. Secure, Ambivalent and Avoidant attachment. Her psychological methods and study, dubbed as Ainsworth’s â€Å"Strange Situation† in 1970, revealed the insightful results of attachment on behaviour. She observed children from the ages of twelve to eighteen months and their reactions to situations where they were left aloneRead MorePersonality Development By Mary D. Salter Ainsworth And John Bowlby1322 Words   |  6 Pagesplentiful. However, explanations have often proven to be disputable and researchers continue in their effort to determine how attachment develops and what factors influence such development. This brief critical analysis of An Ethological Approach to Personality Development by Mary D. Salter Ainsworth and John Bowlby explores their approach on attachment. Theoretical Basis For decades, attachment theorists have claimed to have the answers to how the connection between an infant and caregiver develops.Read MoreImportant Women Of History Of Psychology1460 Words   |  6 Pagesher interest in child psychoanalysis. And although she never pursued a higher degree her work piggy backed on the ideas of her father and contributed to child psychoanalysis. According to Cherry (2015) she states: She also expanded on her father s work and identified many different types of defense mechanisms that the ego uses to protect itself from anxiety. While Sigmund Freud described a number of defense mechanisms, it was his daughter Anna Freud who provided the clearest and most comprehensiveRead More Does attachment theory provide a sound basis for advice on how to brin2578 Words   |  11 Pagesresearch. Subsequent research has based measuring security and insecurity in a child from an early age using the Strange Situation Test. Other research has shown certain trends of difficult behaviour and how the child interacts with the caregiver actively. Bowlby’s theory was based on ideas from ethology and previous work, psychodynamic theory by Sigmund Freud, it was appropriate for the 1950’s after the 2nd World War when women were returning to household duties and motherhood as men returned to theirRead MoreFactors Influencing The Attachment Risk Model896 Words   |  4 Pagessecurely or insecurely attached based on maternal sensitivity, which therefore predicts long-term adverse behavioral outcomes. This analysis sets up and evaluates the attachment risk model. The attachment risk model is a single factor main effect model. The unit of analysis of the model is twofold. From the time of the child’s birth until two years of age, the unit of analysis is the mother and after two years, the child becomes the unit. The cause is seen as maternal sensitivity during the critical periodRead MoreJohn Bowlby s Theory Of Attachment1423 Words   |  6 Pagesof attachment asserts that an infant forms an attachment to the primary caregiver to ensure survival. Developmental psychologist Mary Ainsworth furthered this idea by devising attachment styles in infants. Ainsworth believed that the quality of care given by the mother or primary caregiver results in the infant developing a secure or insecure attachment. Ainsworth identified three attachment styles, namely; secure, avoidant and anxious/ambivalent attachments. As the word infers, a secure infant hasRead MoreThe Effects Of Maternal Reflective Functioning On Infant Mother Attachment Essay1918 Wor ds   |  8 Pagesfear, the attachment behavioral system is activated and motivates the infant to seek out the caregiver for protection, comfort, and support. Ainsworth, Blehar, Waters Wall (1978) conducted an empirical study known as the â€Å"Strange Situation† to assess infants and toddlers’ responses to strangers and to a brief separation from their mother. Ainsworth et al. (1978) categorized infants according to their responses to one of three categories: â€Å"securely† attached children were upset by the mother’sRead MoreThis Paper Investigates The Application Of Attachment Theory2882 Words   |  12 PagesThis paper investigates the application of Attachment Theory to the study of infants with sensory-motor disabilities. It first summarizes the tenets of classic Attachment Theory as developed by Bowlby and Ainsworth in the second half of the twentieth century. Next, it argues that some of the underlying assumptions of the canonical form of Attachment Theory need to be revised in light of feminist and cultural critiques and work in Disability Studies in order to develop more appropriate metrics andRe ad MorePerspectives on Individual Development and Change Essay2500 Words   |  10 PagesThe aim of this assignment is to provide a critical analysis of theory in relation to psychological and emotional impact and its application to social work. I will look at the psychological and emotional impacts in relation to discriminatory and oppressive constructions in order to develop and demonstrate my understanding of social work within a multicultural diverse society. I have chosen internal working model and within this attachment theory as a psychological theory, widely used within social

Sunday, December 22, 2019

Grace Millan . Mrs. Schroeder . Ap Literature And...

Grace Millan Mrs. Schroeder AP Literature and Composition January 3 2017 The Awakening: 2014 Prompt In The Awakening by Kate Chopin, Edna Pontellier is a housewife who spend her days chatting with friends and going to the beach in Grand Isle, Louisiana. She feels empty, and almost like an object, whose sole purpose is to satisfy the needs of her family. However, after a summer on Grand Isle, she begins to express her feelings and desires with the help of her friends and the surrounding Creole culture. Edna eventually undergoes a massive transformation during which she discovers what she is really passionate about and begins to do what she wants, when she wants, without the limitations of her husband or children. However during this†¦show more content†¦However, all the time she spends listening to piano playing, is time she is not spending with her children or husband and neglecting her social duties. They become so distanced around this time that they are not even sleeping in the same bed and barely even see each other. This demonstrates that all of Edna’s creative ventures have come at a price, her marriage, but she values her self expression so much that she does not seem to mind. Edna’s sacrifice of her family also illuminates one of her main values, freedom. In the beginning of the novella, Edna is reserved and demure. However her friendship with Adele Ratignolle encourages her to follow the creole style of expression and become more open and candid with her actions and voice. The friendship helps her learn to value herself as a person with real emotions, rather than a piece of property for her husband. This marks the beginning of her awakening, as she becomes more open with her feelings, prompting her to further her relationship with Robert. They begin to move past the level of innocent flirtation the Creoles are accustomed to, against the advice of Adele, leading Edna to a new sexual freedom as she continuously chooses to spend her time with Robert rather than her family. However, perhaps one of the most prominent examples of Edna’s high value of freedom comes at the very end

Saturday, December 14, 2019

A necessary Evil Free Essays

I am completely against the proliferation of supermax prisons. Despite the fact that these people who are put in there are put with a reason I still think that this is not a final solution but instead it is a beginning of a bigger problem. The fact that these prisoners will one day be set free and come to join us is actually threatening after looking at the effects these super max prisons have on the victims. We will write a custom essay sample on A necessary Evil or any similar topic only for you Order Now I will want to discuss the effects of these as analyzed in `A Necessary Evil? ` By Vince Beiser These super max prisons are turning prisoners into mental cases; the set up of these prisons is very different in terms of isolation and activities. Unlike other prisons including Maximum security prisons where inmates can play basketball, work in the laundry room or in the dining room, the super max prison one can hardly take in to any activity, there aren’t any jobs, nothing educational. You are left alone and there is no human contact! One is locked in a room of 8 – by – 10 foot almost the whole time. One can not even see other prisoners or the prison guards. It is truly a cage of isolation. These places are meant for those prisoners who commit crimes while in prison and therefore can be as ‘prison in prison’ When one is left in such isolation for a long period, a lot of things are likely to happen affecting especially the psychology of the victim. ‘Psychiatrists, activists and some correctional officials say the intense isolation of supermaxes is producing prisoners who are uncontrollably furious and sometimes violently deranged. Most of those Prisoners will one day be set free. In the past three years, in fact, Nearly 1,000 California SHU inmates at the end of their sentences were moved to less-restrictive prisons for just a few weeks, and then released’. As seen from Dr. Stuart study of effects of solitary confinement for a period longer than two decades, the examination was on more than one hundred super max prisons and his conclusion was: super max can literally drive inmates crazy. The fact that there are many cases of people who never suffered psychiatric illnesses but once they went through super max prisons they developed such illness. This is enough good prove that these institutions are doing more harm than good. People going through these institutions are expected to come out worse than they were in the beginning. Dr Terry Kupers, a psychiatrist based in Oakland who has many years of experience in prison work had this to say â€Å"I’ve almost never seen self-mutilation among adult males anywhere else, but it’s very common in SHUs.† At the landmark Madrid v. Gomez federal trial in 1995 over conditions at Pelican Bay, even the prison’s senior staff psychologist acknowledged seeing psychiatric deterioration among some SHU prisoners. There are problems faced and experienced by the prison in the super max prisons such as hypersensitivity to external stimuli, paranoia and sometimes hallucinations. Prisoners some time develop panic attacks, hostile fantasies involving revenge, torture, mutulatuion and outbursts. This at times gets to higher extents and the prisoner can even gorge out their eyes, they can bite chucks of their own flesh†¦ The speech of one prisoner featured is â€Å"Matthew Lowe’ he confesses that in his years at the super max prison he only had a chance to speak to five or six people in the whole period of three years. He says that he just sat there and thought of doing something crazy all the time. He has known that since then he has become paranoid and jumpy; ‘†So many times I’ve come so close to snapping since I got out,† he says. â€Å"One time in a store, someone cut in front of me in line—a 50-year-old guy, I don’t think he even realized it. I had to catch myself, because my first thought was just to smash him.† An interview conducted to the other prisoners of the regular prisons support the fact that those in the supermax prisons are getting damaged psychologically was by Dr. Grassian. Almost all the inmates interviewed including one correctional officer admiited that other prisoners suffer serious mental deterioration in the SHU; they could be heard screaming, banging on doors cutting themselves. How to cite A necessary Evil, Papers

Friday, December 6, 2019

An Effective Counsellor free essay sample

Counsellors should continually assess their own feelings and needs to maintain an appropriate relationship with the client. There are issues that a counsellor should be aware of when doing a self-assessment; The counsellor should be aware of when they feel uncomfortable with a client or a topic being discussed. The counsellor must choose to either be honest with the discomfort of a situation or topic, or they may refer the client to another counsellor. The counsellor should be aware of their own avoidance strategies. The counsellor must be able to recognize when they avoid certain topics, or allow distractions and then find an effective way to facilitate help appropriately. The counsellor should be able to recognize when they are trying to control a situation. It is important that the counsellor engage in responsive listening so that theyre not controlling the communication process. The counsellor must remind themselves continuously that any issue being discussed has many perspectives and that theirs may be different, from that of the clients. We will write a custom essay sample on An Effective Counsellor or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page It is important not to express whether the clients view is right or wrong. The counsellor must avoid being omnipotent. It is not the counsellors job to make the client better. It is the counsellors job to help facilitate the client in addressing and resolving the issues. It is also important that the counsellor identifies and responds to positive feelings, and that they dont just focus on negative ones. This provides balance for the client and allows them to amplify positive strengths in their lives. Lastly, the counsellor must keep in mind to never ask a question, or discuss a 1 topic that you would not be able to discuss in a similar situation. These issues should always be addressed when a Counsellor is engaging in a self-assessment. By completing a self-assessment I was able to address my values, skills, attributes and my interests. I identified that while I am not a judgemental person, I do hold values that if not addressed prior to a situation could cause myself to become close-minded and that would ultimately put a barrier up in my ability to help the client. I also was able to identify how I can use my skills and attributes to counsel my clients in a positive manner. I have identified that I try to find a positive in all situations but I dont ever be-little the seriousness of the topic at hand. With a self-assessment I am able to recognize when and how to communicate appropriately with a client. The individuals I support will be able to discuss issues with me and feel comfortable knowing that I dont judge or assume things about them. Both my verbal and non-verbal skills will make this evident to the client. As a registered Developmental Service Worker I could be taking on a role as a counsellor where self-assessment is crucial as it is important to be able to identify when or if I am not dealing with a situation or topic appropriately. I will use the skill of self-assessment in any other role whether that be taking on a position as a Personal Support Worker or working in a group home. It is important that I am able to identify my strengths and weaknesses when it comes to helping a client and that I am able to do so in a way that is prudent. It is also important to continually perform a self-assessment as situations change or evolve. A counsellor who understands how they communicate and who has self-awareness is likely to be more effective in helping the client, then those who are not aware of these issues. Counsellors who are able to identify aspects such as if a topic being discussed makes them feel uncomfortable, if the topic goes against their own values or beliefs, if it is causing different emotions in themselves and why that may be, if they are projecting these feelings and whether or not they are really listening to the 2 client. Continual self-awareness is crucial to the development of the counsellor and their ability to help the client.

Friday, November 29, 2019

Testicular Cancer Essays - Mens Health, Scrotum, Testicle

Testicular Cancer 1. Introduction The testicles are male sex glands. They are located behind the penis in a pouch of skin called the scrotum. The testicles produce and store sperm, and they are also the body's main source of male hormones. These hormones control the development of the reproductive organs and other male characteristics, such as body and facial hair, low voice, and wide shoulders. Cancer is a group of more than 100 diseases. Although each kind differs from the other in many ways, every type of cancer is a disease of some body ?s cells. Testicular cancer is a disease in which cells become malignant (cancerous) in one or both testicles. Testicular cancer is one of the most common cancers in young men between the ages of 15 and 35, but the disease also occurs in other age groups, so all men should be aware of its symptoms. While testicles cancer is common among young men, young men typically do not get a lot of cancer, so overall testicular cancer is a relatively rare disease. In the year 2000, an estimated 7600 cases of testicular cancer are diagnosed in the United States, and a little less than 400 of them died. Caucasians are more likely to get it than Blacks or Asians. Disturbingly, the incidence of testicular cancer around the world has basically doubled in the past 30 to 40 years. Testicular cancer can be broadly classified into two types: seminoma and nonseminoma. Senomas make up of 30 percent of all testicular cancers. Nonsminoma are a group cancers that include choriocarcinoma, embryonic carcinoma, teratoma, and yolk sac tumors. A testicular cancer may have a combination of both types. 2. Causes So far, research has not shown a connection between testicular cancer and any particular habits, activities, or lifestyle, there is evidence that the risk of testicular cancer is higher in whose testicles did not descend normally- that is, move down from lower abdomen into the scrotum, for this reason, surgery is often performed to correct this problem before the testicle has been left undecided for very long. It has even said that the risk o testicular cancer may by higher in men infected with HIV, the virus that causes AIDS, but evidence for this is weak. Although the exact causes are not known, there several predisposing factors may place some men higher risk, these include past medical history of undescended testicle, mumps orchitis, ingunal hernia during childhood, or previous testicular cancer on other side. Frequently, testicular tumors are noted after an episode of trauma however, trauma is not believed to be a causative or predisposing factor. Testicular cancer is not contagious, no one can catch it form another person. Exactly what cause this disease is unknown and seldom can it be explained why one person gets it while another doesn't. Research does show that some men are more likely than other to develop cancer. For example, the risk is higher than average for boys born with their testicles in the lower abdomen rather than in the scotrum. The cancer risk for boys with these conditions is increased regardless of whether the condition is corrected, and in fact, the risk exists even in the normal testicle. The theory is that the increased risk of testicular cancer is due to whatever caused the undescended testicles, not just by the fact that the testicles was undescended. Some men whose mother took a hormone called DES (diethylstilbestrol) during pregnancy to prevent miscarriage have testicular abnormalities. But scientists have never proven that prenatal exposure to DES (or any other female hormone) increases the risk of testicular cancer. Some patients with testicular cancer have a history of injury to the scrotum. But again, no one whether such an injury can cause cancer. Many doctors think such an injury simply calls attention to a tumor that was already growing. 3. Symptoms Testicular cancer can cause a number of symptoms. Listed below are warning signs that males should watch for: 1.A lump in either testicle 2.Any enlargement of a testicle; 3.A significant shrinking of a testicle; 4.A change in the consistency of a testicle (hardness); 5.A feeling of heaviness in the scrotum; 6.A dull ache in the lower abdomen or in the groin; 7.A sudden collection of fluid in the scrotum; 8.Pain or discomfort

Monday, November 25, 2019

Communist Party in China essays

Communist Party in China essays First, I strongly feel that Mao was stupid. He was destroying Chinese ¡s thought and knowledge. No one will work hard if everybody is equal. But, most of people were poor after the war. It is the reason why they kicked Kuomintang out of China and stayed with Mao. If they know the history; they would change their mind. It sounds like Mao made the communist system worse than before. There is one thing that still in my mind. That is  ¡The Great Proletarian Cultural Revolution ¡. It was the most stupid idea that came out from his mind. I remembered when I was young I watched the news that they use tank to smash on the university students. They also killed many of them. It was the reason why no body wants to go on strike. Can you image a tank smash on your face? Now, the Chinese people just want to have food can eat and safe place to live because they don ¡t want to have any fighting with their government anymore. They don ¡t care anything else unlike America. When people get ri ch and have enough food, they will be asking something else to make them feel happier; just like salary, freedom, right. I just saw funny news last week. Two American girls went on strike in China about Chinese kill a lot of animals. Lately, police came and took them to the police car, so the news reporter asked a man  ¡What do you feel about them? ¡ He said, ¡ They ate too full and have nothing to do ¡. You can tell that Chinese doesn ¡t want to against with their communist government, so every bill can process easy and fast. ...

Thursday, November 21, 2019

Little Red Riding Hood and the Wolf by Roald Dahl Essay

Little Red Riding Hood and the Wolf by Roald Dahl - Essay Example Roald Dahl takes this story and narrates it in his own way. According to Dahl, the wolf after feeling hungry, reached grandma’s door and after knocking, ate her up. However, he was still hungry due to which, he waited took the clothes of grandma and posed to be her. But in this story, Dahl not only saves the little girl but also kills the wolf with the hands of the little girl. Lastly, the girl is shown wearing a furry coat of the wolf’s skin, leaving her red hood and cloak (Orrell & Jones, 2004). The most significant change that the writer makes to the traditional tale is modernizing the tale by giving the little girl a pistol and showing her interest in the wolf’s skin for her coat. There are many other changes such as there is no introduction as to the mother of Little Red Riding Hood, she was out of grandma’s house for a walk in the forest. At reaching the juncture where the girl asks the wolf about his big teeth, she omits this question on which, the wolf gets upset and tells her that he would eat her even then. This upsetting of the wolf and then the girl’s whipping a pistol from her knickers and finally shooting the wolf with a â€Å"bang bang bang†, everything is quite humorous and adds color to the story. In the traditional tale, the wolf not only kills the grandma but also the little girl giving a moralistic ending while in the modern tale, there is comedy and indication of the intelligence that human beings keep. The message that is hidden in the newly developed Little Red Riding Hood is that human beings whether they are young or old can make use of even the wildest creatures for their own benefit. In addition, this message can also be taken from the story that nowadays, the little children are not as innocent as the Red Riding Hood of the old times was. Today’s children are much sharp and smart and know how to defend themselves. However, the grandma’s gets eaten by the wolf because of her negl igible resistance power and her age. The little girl is no more coward, she is intimidating for those who are troublesome for her. In Dahl’s story, wolf was himself aware of the grandma’s house and did not ask it while in the traditional tale, the address was asked technically from the little innocent child who gave the address explicitly. The wolf also prepared to be grandma by combing and curling his hair, putting on grandma’s shoes and his clothing along with hat while in the traditional tale, the wolf just got into the grandma’s bedding. The little Red Riding Hood of the traditional tale is unable to identify the wolf in her grandma’s bed due to which, she becomes the wolf’s eatable while in the modern tale, the little child after asking only two questions, identifies the wolf from his furry and hairy skin and also finds some interest in him as her future coat. After recognizing his proposition, she at once, draws her pistol to shoot the wild animal at his head. The girl is also shown skilled at using the pistol as she not only fires it but fires it perfectly in the head of the wolf. Her fire does not go useless as she successfully kills the wolf. Even the girl changes her outfit by showing that the old outfit was silly and new one is furry and lovely. After noticing a lot many changes in the newly written story by Roald Dahl, it is quite clear that the little Red Ridi

Wednesday, November 20, 2019

Australian Accounting Philosophies and Theories Essay

Australian Accounting Philosophies and Theories - Essay Example Clearly, the â€Å"Within the discourse of CORPORATE RESPONSIBILITY, various concepts are used to express the rights and obligations that corporations have, to those they work with and work for† corporate responsibility had been accomplished through the compliance of SAC no. 1 and accounting pronouncements by the International Accounting Standards Board. SAC no 1 states that general purpose financial reports like the balance sheet, income statement and statement of cash flows should be prepared when there are users. The Australian corporation is responsible for the proper periodic recording of daily business operations and presenting them in audited general purpose financial reports in accordance with the International Accounting Standards Board. The IASB accounting pronouncements had superseded the Australian SAC 1 to 5 in the year 2005 yet. These IASB authoritative pronouncements are being followed in most countries of the world. The IASB’s main purpose is to facilita te communication and understanding among the different users of the financial statements by using the same accounting procedures. The implementation of these accounting pronouncements in the audited recording of the assets, liabilities, capital, revenues, expenses and net income of all Australian corporation is in compliance with its corporate responsibility to all its stakeholders. The stakeholders include the stockholders, employees, managers, customers, suppliers, creditors, community, investors, banks, loan institutions, etc.government regulating agencies and other interested parties. The corporation must comply with government’ anti- air pollution laws, anti-water pollutions laws, zoning regulations and other city and state laws and regulations. Also, the government tax agencies will continuously monitor if the Australian companies paid the correct amount of taxes by scrutinizing the corporations’ audited financial statements. Furthermore, the corporations’ board of directors will use the financial statement to determine if the company’s actual performance for the entire year exceeded their pre-planned goals and objectives. In addition, the other stakeholders will use

Monday, November 18, 2019

The Stone Age Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

The Stone Age - Essay Example During this time, people made their tools and weapons mainly with the help of stones when metal working had not taken place yet. Geographically primeval culture has spread to all continents except Antarctica. The Stone Age is divided into three eras, which differ from each other with own peculiarities and conditions. The Stone Age brought humans to a totally new stage of their development. When climate drastically changed and glaciers melted, nomadic people reached the territory between Israel and Iraq, which hills were full of verdurous trees and wild animals. The Middle East became very attractive to humans who found favorable conditions for living here. Ancient people discovered that grain could give a lot of harvest, so eventually they found a way to gather crop with the help of appropriate stone tools. According to the archaeobotanist, George Willcox (2003), it had been noticed that during three-week period of time one person could gather enough grains for being able to feed fou r people for the entire year (Stories from the Stone Age). In additional, ancient people realized the efficiency of grain that could be stored for a long period of time without decay in case it was kept in a dry place. Consequently, discovering a very profitable place full of potential food, people at last found a reason to stop their nomadic life and settle down. Moreover, their decision to stay on chosen territory was also influenced with the fact that all tools made of stones and intended for gathering harvest were quite heavy, therefore people’s inability and lack of desire to carry their burdens eventually managed to change their lives irrevocably. Settling down in the Middle East made ancient people to face several challenges, one of which was finding ways to produce food out of plants. Also humans managed to develop and widen variety of tools for hunting realizing how precarious this activity was. Hence, people started to use stones connected by cords for catching wild animals and double-bladed sickles for cutting grass. In addition, people discovered usage of grains and began to produce so-called ancestor of bread. Gathering harvest and sharing tools helped people to unite their strength in a way when priority moved from individual prosperity to community’s wellbeing. People of that era had a special ritual for burial. They put dead person into the hole, placed a big stone on a chest and laid some personal possessions and various offerings. As archeologists found out, with the lapse of time this funeral rite faced some changes, like later n people started to took the scalp of the dead person out of a hole and bring it back into the world. Stones which had been found on the mentioned territories contained some scratches, which nowadays archeologists interpret as a first attempt to represent numbers. This fact has a great importance in a formation of ancient culture. Despite the fact that ancient people at last found an ideal place to stay on, they again were forced to return to their former nomadic lifestyle later on. Hence, the climate change brought draught which in its turn caused a dreadful shortage of food. So this was another challenge which ancient people were forced to overcome. All population split for small groups and began searching for food. One part of people finally settled down in Jordan near the

Saturday, November 16, 2019

Setting Up a Joint Venture in China

Setting Up a Joint Venture in China FDI into China: Brief history Before 1980, under the presidency of Mao Tse Tong, China was a country completely closed to the world with a rigid and communist government. After that date, Deng Xiao Peng and the post-Mao government established a new foreign economic policy and announced that China would open to the outside world (Pearson, 1991). This new open-door policy only allowed contractual JVs (as lower risks) and China provided foreign investors with a specific partner. In the first years of the countrys opening, only  ¼ of contractual FDI where realized as investors were uncertain of this completely new environment. Moreover, many FDI were fraudulent (Fung, 2002). From 1992, FDI doubled and China started to welcome western multinational enterprises in specific sectors: automobile, petrochemical, telecommunicationsà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦ but only in selected zones of the country (SEZs: Special Economic Zones). China has quickly become the fastest growing economy and possesses 25% of the worlds population. FDI to China represents more than $80 billion in 2007 which shows that a decline in the economy is almost impossible ($130 billion in 2009) in comparison, FDI to India represent $3 billion per year (Lau, 2007). China: the best place to invest? However, despite the many attractive sides of China as a FDI destination, many western companies have faced failure when doing business in China. Indeed, in the case of JVs, the government provides a Chinese partner to the foreign investors that can face many different roadblocks: unfamiliarity with the business environment, corruptionà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦ (Yallapragada, 2003). In front of the rapid and unique economic development of China, some investors have rushed into investing in this promising country that seemed to offer so many advantages, ignoring some essential facts, (that will be developed later in the study) critical for the success of an investment. Since 1990, broad researches have been conducted concerning FDI and more particularly JVs in China and there is a good understanding of FDI mode decisions, the behavior to adopt to lead to a JV, inter partner concernsà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦ More research needs to be done concerning the factors that lead to success or failure of JVs Dissertation background The main reason behind the topic selection is that it is an area of interest to the author who can research what makes companies chose China as an FDI destination but more specifically what should be looked at to avoid the multiple failures that foreign companies have faced by developing a JV with a Chinese partner. The author aims at giving a more definitive picture of the Chinese FDI environment and that behind the image of China as a very attractive place for FDI, there are complex laws, regulations and a multitude of other factors that are not necessarily looked at by foreign investors and cause failure. Another reason is that this topic covers issues which are very relevant in todays business environment. It is a topic of interest for many business people and more and more academics around the world due to its unique development: 9% growth of the GDP per year since 1978 and 15% growth of the foreign trade per year (Lau, 2007). There is a belief that China could become the worlds largest economy in 25 years. Aims and objectives The overall aim of the dissertation is to study and critically analyse the foreign direct investment (FDI) environment of China by focusing on market-seeking joint-ventures (JVs) in a specific industry: food and beverage (soft). This study will be carried out using and appraising current academic literature and theories on JVs forming in China. Both secondary and primary research will be used. This critical study will be carried by tempting to achieve the following objectives: Identify the motives and determinants of FDI, focusing on market-seeking joint-ventures (JV) in China Identify the environmental regulations that facilitate or slow JVs down in China Identify the barriers to JVs in China and the main causes of failure Identify the key success factors (KSF) of western companies forming JVs with a Chinese partner and how barriers can be overcome The main focus will be on Western companies, especially French firms in the food and beverage industry. Structure of dissertation The study will be divided in 7 chapters: Chapter 1 is an introduction to the dissertation, explaining the background of the topic, the aims and objectives Chapter 2 is a review of the existing literature: journals, newspaper articles, books and Internet-based sources giving more insight into the topic of setting up an  IJV in China Chapter 3 explains the methodology that has been adopted to research and write the dissertation, including secondary and primary research methods Chapter 4 provides with findings and analysis trying to answer the aims and objectives of the dissertation Chapter 5 is a discussion of the findings Chapter 6 concludes the study and gives some recommendations. The author will in this part develop a model for successful IJV setting up in China Chapter 7 is a reflection on learning Chapter 2: Literature Review The following literature review is based on existing sources coming from a hybrid of academic books, journals, newspapers and credible Internet-based sources. This literature review will allow giving more insight into the topic and will also allow identifying any gaps in the existing literature to be covered in further primary research. The literature review will provide the author with a stronger base on which to develop a theory at the end of the dissertation. 2.1 Chinese investment environment 2.1.1 China, the fastest-growing economy The Chinese investment environment has been widely reported in the literature. Most of the authors agree that the Chinese government has made great achievements in terms of FDI since 1980. Lau Bruton (2007) describe China as the fastest-growing economy which can be explained by greater economic liberalization and easier repartition of profit by foreign investors. Fung (2002) explains that the promotion of FDI by the Chinese government has been an important part of the economic reforms since the open-door policy and made China the most important destination for FDI. The authors explain how China has gradually evolved in terms of FDI policy: Stage 1: Gradual and limited opening Stage 2: Active promoting through preferential treatment Stage 3: Promoting FDI in accordance with domestic industrial objectives Ng Tuan (2002), describe China as a FDI-friendly environment that possesses very attractive environmental factors such as the size of the Chinese market, its potential to growà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦ Argawal Wu (2003) describe China as a key player in the global economy and that its high economic growth has transformed China into one of the worlds largest economy. The transition from a command economy to a market-based economy has been incredibly and remarkably successful. Another factor that made China even more successful in terms of FDI is its entry to the World Trade Organisation (WTO). Fung (2002), Ng Tuan (2002), Yin (2009), Hoa (2010) and many other authors agree to say that China has had many difficulties to become a member of the WTO. After 15 years of high improvements, by reforming its economy and trade to be more market-oriented, by reducing tariffs and non-tariffs barriersà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦China finally accessed the WTO in 2001. This accession gave remarkable benefits to China, who was promoted by the organization as a central stage in international trade. The Chinese battle to enter the WTO is described as an example that other nations (eg Russia), could learn from in order to access this organization. 2.1.2 Problems More and more authors in the literature insist on the difficulties to enter China. Being the fastest-growing economy does not mean that any MNE can enter the market easily and without any risk of failure. In front of all the attractive sides of the Chinese investment environment, and after its accession to the WTO that gave trust to foreign investors, many western MNEs (eg: Pepsi) have rushed into entering China and have faced insurmountable problems such as corruption, absence of trust and transparencyà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦ (Yallapragada, 2003). Zhang Fu (2008) describe China as a stringent environment that can have a negative impact on FDI. They remind us that even if China is the first recipient of FDI, there is a high disparity in geographical distribution. It is important to determine which region the foreign company is to invest. Indeed, the remarkable economic development of China has developed major problems such as extreme pollution. Because of the environment deterioration caused by FDI in certain regions, the government has put in place very strict laws that foreign investors are not necessarily aware of before setting up their business in China. While many countries in the world are facing an economic downturn, Chinas economy is still expecting to grow by 11% in 2010. However, Tse (2010) explains that despite this fact, the Chinese market is really tough. He explains how the recent clash of Google and the Chinese government; the vulnerability of property rights; the remaining restrictions on foreign ownershipà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦ are good reasons that CEOs should take into account before deciding if entering China is a risk worth taking. The authors explain that the decision to physically enter China must be taken really carefully; a lot of research must be followed and more importantly companies must be ready to compromise and comply with Chinese laws. 2.2 Joint-ventures in China 2.2.1 Definition of a JV There is no legal definition of a JV in the literature. A JV is commonly defined as a partnership between two or more companies who create a legal entity to undertake economic activities. In this dissertation, the author focuses on international JV that necessarily includes two or more parties from different countries. Hollensen (2007) defines a JV as an equity partnership typically between two partners. It involves two parents creating a child acting in the market (Hollensen: 339). Figure 2: Equity Non-equity JVs by Hollensen (2007) A non-equity JV is defined by Hollensen as a strategic alliance between partners who do not commit equity or invest into the alliance. It is also called Contractual JV and does not involve the creation of a third entity. This form of JV will not be taken into account in this dissertation. Fung (2002) mentions that CJV were the vehicle of choice in the early opening of the Chinese market as it lowers the risks for the foreign partners. An EJV is a third entity formed by firm A and B. Both firms contribute equity to firm C. This form of JV allows international marketers to access complementary skills and resources, share risks and costs (Clarke Wilson, 2009). According to Hollensen (2007), the JV can be: resource-seeking and based on upstream collaboration (RD and production) market-seeking and based on downstream collaboration (marketing, distribution, sales, service) Both upstream and downstream-based collaboration 2.2.2 JVs in China It is widely reported in the literature that JV has been, from the opening of the Chinese market, a vehicle of choice. Yallapragada et al (2003) define JV in China as a sort of arranged marriage as the government provides a Chinese partner to the foreign investor. The authors mention that most of the JV failed and sustained huge losses or just abandoned the project because of the lack of understanding of the Chinese partner. EJV became increasingly important from 1987, representing more than 60% of all FDI. This tendency is now decreasing as the government encourages FDI in the form of wholly foreign-owned enterprises (Fung, 2002). The literature insists on the cultural differences leading to failure when forming a JV in China. However, there are many other factors to consider, the main important one being the law. The JV laws and regulation are different in China and in Western countries. Indeed, if we take the example of Europe, the regulations are different from a country to another: in France, a JV exists if a new juridical personality is created, has means and capital. In Anglo-Saxon law, a new created entity does not necessarily have juridical personality but is however considered a JV (ChinaOrbit.com). The country of origin of the foreign partner is an important determinant of success or failure of a Sino-foreign JV (Osborn Hagedoorn, 1997; Lin, 2004). Several case studies in the literature give example of the importance of country of origin as a determinant of IJV success in China. Those studies will be used as examples by the author to answer objectives 3 and 4 of the dissertation. The case studies include giants in the FB industry: Coca-Cola (Datamonitor, 2009; Mok, 2002), Pepsi-co (Yallapragada, 2003), Danone-Wahaha (Dickinson, 2009), Carrefour (Child, 2006). 2.3 Doing business with China 2.3.1 The cultural gap The unique culture of China is widely reported in the literature as being the main cause of failure for Sino-foreign JVs. It is really important to understand the Chinese culture before investing in China (Stark et al, 2005). Chinese business people are described as being extremely tough negotiators. Some authors in the literature think that negotiating is an art for Chinese business people (Pye, 1982; Lee Lo, 1988; Graham et al 1994). China has a really unique view of the world and if the foreign partner is ignorant of the other parties views of the world, it will create a major problem in the negotiation process (Stark, 2005). For example, Tuttle et al (2009) explain that business in China is more to serve the interest of the state rather than the owners of the business. Mc Kenna Sun (2007); Woo (1999); Herbig Martin (1998); Trombly (2006) and many other authors explain different aspect of Chinese negotiation such as the issues for women to participate in negotiations, the saving-face concept of China, the attitude to adopt when negotiating business (eg: building trust as a first step)à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦ The authors are only describing the Chinese way of doing business. In the framework of this dissertation those information can be used as tips for foreign investors willing to invest in China. Katz (2006), founder of Leadership Crossroads has had a successful experience in productive cooperation across cultures. He has interacted in China with employees, customers, outsourcing partnersà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦ Katz describes in his book the best ways to negotiate international business with China. His study is based on his experience but also on the work of Trompenaar (1997) who divided culture into seven dimensions (Appendix 1). Once again the author describes the unique Chinese culture and the best ways to approach it in a business environment. Using both authors theories together with Hofestede cultural differences, the author will consider wether western culture, especially French culture give the firms an advantage in dealing with the Chinese as many studies shows that cultural misunderstanding causes major problems in IJVs. 2.3.2 GUANXI In the literature, some authors insist on the Guanxi concept when establishing business relationship with China. Zhu Zhang (2007), define Guanxi as the need to establish a relationship either with someone or something (e.g a brand-name). Guanxi mainly is a relationship building and according to the authors, it takes into account several notions: Jianli ganqing: developing connection between people Jiao pengyou: making friends Yanxuing touzi xingwei: continual investment behaviour Chinese business leaders such as Mr. Chang and Mr. Cao, CEOs of telecommunications companies based in Zhengzhou and Xian indicate that the action word for developing Guanxi is Jianli meaning establishing the connection with people but not forcing it by dishonest means. For some Chinese business people, Guanxi is an essential element when doing business in China and is strongly related to the Confucian tradition and collectivist culture (Xin Pearce, 1996). However, other authors in the literature have reported that even if Guanxi has long been the best approach to successfully set up an IJV in China the effect of Guanxi are not only positive. Rahman (2008) explain the risks that exist when establishing a Sino-foreign IJV based on Guanxi (high performance, resource and trade-off risks). The author reminds that Guanxi is necessary when collaborating with a Chinese partner but not sufficient. When a Western company chooses a local Chinese partner according to the size of its Guanxi, it will be beneficial for the companys short term goal of market entry, but its long term goal of succeeding in the IJV will encounter problems. Gu et al (2008) define Guanxi as the durable social connections and networks a firm uses to exchange favors for organisational purposes. The authors draw the benefits and risks of Guanxi and show that Guanxi can be necessary but does not always matter. Even if personal networks are popular all over the world, the authors insist on the uniqueness of China who has distinct ways of operation. 2.4 Critical literature conclusion The literature widely mentions that JV in China fails because of the huge cultural differences between China and the western partner. However, there is a gap in the literature as there are many other aspects that can cause failure and that are not deeply taken into account in the literature: law, bureaucratic roadblocks, corruption, management controlà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦ The literature tends to concentrate on Sino-American/ Japanese/ British JVs, there is a lack of information about Sino-French JV and the primary research of this dissertation will mainly aim at filling this gap by focusing on the food beverage sector which is not widely reported in the literature. Moreover, the literature describes that ignorance of the other parties culture, regulations, the non-establishment of Guanxià ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦ are main causes of failure but fails to explain how a two-way dialogue can be established between Chinese and Western leaders to make the JV successful. The dissertation will also point-out what makes cross-cultural relationship successful as it is not clear in the literature. Chapter 3: Methodology 3.1 Data requirements To recap, the overall aim of the study is to acquire a better understanding of the Chinese business environment for a Western company to successfully set a JV up with a Chinese partner. After examining the literature review, the author has identified key research questions that will be answered in chapter 4 of the dissertation to meet the objectives stated in chapter 1: What makes a western MNE chose to deal with a Chinese partner to set up a JV in China? What factor is the most determinant: political, economic, demographic, labour (cost, productivity, education level), ease of access (market, suppliers) etc? What western investors should be aware of before setting up a JV in China in terms of legislation and regulation? Will the JV be private or state owned? What are the positive factors of setting up a JV in China (law, regulation, policies)? What are the negative factors that investors must be aware of to be best prepared? Why culture seem to be the main cause of JV failure? What western investors must know about the Chinese business culture? Does Guanxi always matter? How to overcome the cultural differences and set-up a two-way dialogue? What were the main causes of failure and KSF of Sino-French JVs? What contribution is put by each party in the JV? How each party value the JV? Is it more beneficial for the French firm to own more than the Chinese partner? To answer those questions, the author will analyse the existing academic literature, including articles and case studies that will be used to provide issues and/or solutions that exists in the food and beverage industry. Case studies such as PepsiCo, Coca-Cola, Carrefour, etc. will be analysed. To feel the gap in the literature, the author will also implement real world researches to have an in-depth understanding of the Chinese culture and also, to have a better understanding of Sino-French business relationships as it is not widely reported in the literature. By this mean, the author will be able to collect major primary data provided by experts that have experience in doing business with China. 3.2 Research Design 3.2.1 Review of the fundamental research methodologies 3.2.1.a: Exploratory, causal and descriptive research Wrenn et al (2007) states that there are three main categories of research design: exploratory, causal and descriptive, the can use both qualitative and quantitative methods. An exploratory research design is used to gain more insight and understanding into a topic. It is described by some authors as a detective work when the author as to look for clues to find out what happened or is currently taking place. It required the author to adopt a very flexible attitude to collecting information. Wrenn et al (2007: 34) state that an insatiable curiosity is a valuable trait for exploratory researchers. This type of research is needed when the author has an objective of depth interviews, one of the best ways to acquire desired insight, clarificationsà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦ Exploratory research is a type of qualitative research. A Causal research design is used when there is a need to determine whether two or more variables are causaly related and to what extent. When using causal research, the researcher manipulates the independent variable, measure the dependant variable and control other variables that could have an impact on the dependant variable. This type of research requires the use of quantitative research methods such as statistics (Chi-square analysis, correlation, regression testsà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦). A descriptive research design seeks to describe a phenomenon. It is used when the researcher has an objective of describing the characteristics of a specific group, estimate the percentage of the population that act, thinkà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦the same way, make specific predictions (Wrenn et al, 2007). Descriptive research is the most rigid research design and needs to be very structured. This type of research implicates that the author already have a major knowledge of the topic or research. Descriptive research uses quantitative research methods. 3.2.1.b Qualitative v. Quantitative Qualitative research is defined by Schimdt Hollensen (2006) as an investigation to help understanding and answering questions by collecting evidences. This type of research method allows conducting exploratory researches and requires the use of: Observations: observing and analysing behaviours in their usual contexts Focus groups: group discussion to collect effective data about a group of individuals having the same cultural norms In-Depth interviews: usually individual face-to-face interview to understand what is in a specific persons mind about a specific topic Qualitative research allows the researcher to collect open-ended data and develop themes from the data collected. Quantitative research can be both descriptive and causal. Aliaga Gunderson (2002: 1) define quantitative research as explaining phenomena by collecting numerical data that are analysed using mathematically based methods (in particular statistics). Because quantitative research involves numbers, statistics it is seen as a more realist research method. Quantitative methods are good at looking at cause and effect relationships between two or more variables. The majority of researchers talk about paradigm war when it comes to differentiate qualitative and quantitative methods. They are seen as incompatible (Muijs, 2004). However, more and more commonly, researchers use mixed-method approach. It is a more pragmatic way to collect data, using both quantitative and qualitative research methods. In order for a mixed-method approach to be efficient, the researcher needs to consider all the relevant characteristics of both quantitative and qualitative methods. Table 1: Comparison of quantitative, qualitative and mixed methods QUANTITATIVE QUALITATIVE MIXED METHOD General Framework Aim at confirming a hypothesis about a phenomenon Predetermined Rigid style of categorising responses to questions Structured methods  : questionnaires, structured observfations, surveys. Aim at exploring and understanding a phenomenon Emerging Flexible style of categorising responses to questions Semi-structured methods  : participant observation, depth interviews, focus groups Both exploring and confirming a phenomenon Both predetermined and emerging Both rigid and flexible Both structured and semi structured methods Objectives of type of research Descriptive: To describe and quantify a phenomenon Causal  : to predict causal relationships To describe the characteristics of a population Explanatory  : To explain a phenomenon Exploratory  : to describe and explain relationships To report individual experiences To both quantify and describe a phenomenon To both causal and exploratory To both describe a population and an individual Question type Closed-ended Open-ended Both closed and open-ended questions Format of data Numerical data (statistical, assigning values to responses)  : performance, attitude, observational and census data Textual data from interviewees,observations, case studies analysis, video/audio tapes Multiple form of data drawing on all possibilities  : Statistical and text analysis Flexibility of each methods The response of participants does not influence which question is to be asked next The design of the study remains stable Subject to statistical assumptions and conditions The response of participants influences which research question to ask next Some aspects of the study are flexible  : wording (addition or exclusion) of a particualar interview Data collection and research questions are adjusted according to what is learnt Can be both flexible and rigid Table 1 has been realised following two authors theories: Creswell (2003) and Bernard (1995). According to them, it is useful to first consider qualitative and quantitative possibilities for data collection before selecting one, to which the dissertations author has added mixed-method approach. 3.2.2 Choice of research method and justification Desk research has first been used to collect information that already exists in the literature. This information was both internal and external to organizations and help having an in-depth understanding of the subject. Primary research has then been used to fill the gap that secondary research cannot fill. Quantitative methods have not been used as the author wants to explore the topic in depth. According to Muijs (2004), quantitative methods fail when an in depth understanding is needed, when the author wants to really get under the skin of a problem. Moreover, quantitative methods require the author to define the variables to be studied whereas in the authors topic area, unexpected variables can emerge. The author chose to use qualitative research only. Indeed, the dissertation topic requires to specifically knowing what is going on in peoples mind, what are their views and opinion about doing business in China. More specifically, exploratory research has been used as the author needs to gain broad inside into the dissertation topic and achieve a better feeling when investigating. According to Schimdt Hollensen (2006), the most used qualitative research method is focus-group. However, the author chose to make use of individual depth interviews as current information is needed by directly asking questions to specific persons. Depth interviews allow the respondent to openly talk about his/her experience of doing business with a Chinese partner. Depth Interviews can be: Non-directive: the respondent is given freedom to answer by staying within the bounds of the topic Semi-structured: a specific list of topics is covered. The author is looking to establish the meaning of Sino-western/French business relationships from the views of experts. Indeed, in order to understand those relationships better as the literature fails to explain it in depth, the author seeks to listen to different individuals who have experience in the topic area and build an understanding based on their ideas. 3. 3 Research Approach Conclusion Recommendation Diagram 1 shows the plan followed by the author. In stage 1, the author research academic literature in accordance with the topic and develop research questions. Stage 2 is an in-depth analysis of the existing literature to help answering the research questions developed in stage 1. Stage 3 is what the author called real world analysis. This stage will allow the author to collect primary data to fill the gap of secondary research and bring a creative thinking input to the dissertation. Stage 4 consists of an analysis of the theoretical findings and real world findings. By combining both secondary and primary research, the author will be able to answer the research questions and to meet the dissertations objectives. Those findings will then be discussed and the author will conclude by providing western investor with recommendation by drawing a model including all the variables to take into account to successfully set a JV up in China. 3.4 Data collection methods and analysis As mentioned above, the author chose to use exploratory qualitative research only. In exploratory research, the main methods of data collection that is potentially suitable for collecting data are observations, focus groups and depth interviews. Observation is used to understand a phenomenon by observing it in its natural setting. The topic area does not belong to a phenomenon that can be observed by the author. Focus group involves a group of persons that discuss a subject under the direction of a moderator. The author is willing to distinguish individuals as opposed to groups and have the opinion of individuals. The author has selected in-depth interviews as the only method for data collection. As mentioned earlier, this method involves conducting intensive individual interviews with a small number of persons. The reason is that the author wants detailed information about doing business with a Chinese partner, the different stages in the JV forming, the advantages, difficultiesà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦Acquiring detailed information about a specific persons opinion, behaviour, will allow the author to explore new issues in-depth. The sample is divided in two categories and includes: Individuals having experience in doing business with China: executives from French MNEs having formed IJVs in China, Juniors working in China for a French company. Chinese business people. The author has divided the s

Wednesday, November 13, 2019

Comparing Dreams in Catcher in the Rye, Night, and Their Eyes Were Watc

Dreams in Catcher in the Rye, Night, and Their Eyes Were Watching God   Ã‚  Ã‚   Throughout the novels Catcher in the Rye, Night, and Their Eyes Were Watching God, the main characters seem to have a dream. In their stories, Holden, Elie, and Janie tell the reader whether or not their dream was successful.    In Catcher in the Rye, Holden's dream is to be the catcher in the rye, meaning he wants to stop children or anything that may still be innocent from falling over the edge. This basically means he wants to preserve the innocence. That's why he likes Phoebe so much, because she's still young and youthful, and most importantly innocent.      Ã‚  Ã‚   The novel charts Holden's experiences over a long period of time. It starts on a Saturday in December just before school closes for Christmas break. He has been informed of his expulsion from Pencey Prep School. What worries him most about being kicked out of school is his parents' reaction, for he has already been expelled from other educational institutions. Soon, Holden decides to go to New York. Holden encounters a large number of people as he travels the city of New York and goes into nightclubs.    Holden looks for some amount of understanding and acceptance from all the characters he encounters, even taxi drivers, but he is denied his needs. As a result, Holden feels dislocated, as though he does not belong anywhere, and he is right. It becomes obvious through his meetings that he is in an entirely different path than the rest of the world. Each time Holden opens up himself, he is rewarded with rejection, until he is finally driven to almost a schizophrenic condition. With his mental health deteriorating, Holden returns to his parents' home,... ...cts herself by firing a rifle at him. She is then tried for his murder.      Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   In spite of the tragic circumstances and the hurricane and Tea Cake's death, the novel has a happy ending, for Janie is found innocent of murder and given a chance to run her life and find out who she really is. In telling her tale, it is obvious that she feels like a satisfied woman who has recognized love and has precious memories to surround her.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   If Janie's soul were to come out and see life, it would, unlike the others, be very pleased to see that her hearts desires were fulfilled.    Those were the dreams of Holden Caulfield, Elie Wiesel, and Janie Crawford-Woods.    Sources Hurston, Zora Neale. Their Eyes Were Watching God. New York: Harper & Row, 1937. Salinger, J.D. The Catcher In The Rye. Boston: Little, Brown and Company, 1951. Â