ShantanuT01/DACTYL-Pretraining huggingface dataset:
Introduction Asch conformity experiments, also called Asch Paradigm, are a series of studies that verified the power of conformity that existed in groups. These experiments were first carried out by Asch Solomon in his vision test, where many students took part (Zimbardo, 2007). Apart from one real subject, other participants were confederates that had been instructed to give wrong answers. In the experiment, Asch used two cards, one with three lines drawn on it, and the other with only one line. In the experiment, had had two sets of lines that he required his respondents to compare. The first set had three lines and the second set had just one. The respondents were required to select one line from the first set that is as long as the line in the second set. This experiment was repeated a number of times, with the cads being varied each time. Asch arranged so that the real subject was to be the next to the last person or the last person in every group to announce his/her answer. This was in order for him/her to hear most of the confederates’ wrong responses before giving his/her own. The last bit of the experiment was done and the participants were to write their answers on a paper (Zimbardo, 2007). The Analysis of the case In the first part of the experiments, the subject gave the wrong answer just like the other confederates. Whenever the group gave the same answer, there was a high likelihood of the real respondent giving that answer as well, regardless of whether it is right or wrong. When the participants were given a chance to give their answers in written form, the real subject gave her answers without interruption and most of them were correct. How people respond to group pressure In the Asch experiment, the real subjects admitted to having been influenced by the group to give the answers they gave. They gave the wrong answer so as to conform to the group, even though they knew it was not right. Some admitted that they did this to please the group, and avoid being segregated by it. A few of the respondents believed that the group was better informed than them, and therefore they were wrong, and the group was right. This, therefore, shows that people respond to a group mainly because they want that group to like them (Kristo, 2003). When these respondents were allowed to write down the answers, the level of conformity greatly reduced (Kristo, 2003). This gives the second way in which an individual responds to group pressure. In addition, the level at which an individual conforms to a group is also dependent on the group size (Zanna, 1992). When the respondent was in a group of three, the answer she gave
Period under consideration   * Japanese occupation (1910–1945)   * World War Two (1939-1945)   * The U.S. occupation of Korea (1945-1948)   * Korean War (1950 – 1953)   * The Second American Occupation (1950)   * Cold War (1947-1991) Important dates and key events for the entire unit   * In the 1943 Cairo Declaration , adopted by the United States, China, and Britain, it was outlined that Korea would gain independence “in due course,” which implied its gradual transition from being part of the Japanese Empire to an independent existence.   * Korea’s Liberation from Japanese colonial rule on August 15, 1945.   * Division of the Korean Peninsula into two hostile states supported by two opposing blocs, Soviet and American, in August 1945.   * American troops entered Korea in September 1945 under the command of Lieutenant General Hodge.   * Adoption of the constitution at a special session of the National Assembly on July 12, 1948.   * Proclamation of the Republic of Korea on August 15, 1948.   * The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea was proclaimed on September 9, 1948.   * Guerilla movement from 1948 to 1950. Major historical figures discussed for the entire unit   * Yi Wan-Yong (1858-1926): the last Prime Minister of Korea, who signed the Treaty of Annexation and placed Korea under Japanese rule in 1910.   * Syngman Rhee (1875-1965): was a South Korean politician who served as the first President of South Korea from 1948 to 1960. Rhee was the most influential fighter for Korean independence and the leading member in the founding of the Provisional Government of the Republic of Korea in Shanghai in 1919.   * Kim II Sung (1912-1944): with the full support of the Soviet military command, seized power in the Communist Party and the North Korean government. In 1950, on his orders, North Korean troops attacked South Korea, unleashing the Korean War. After the war, he eliminated all opposition groups in the country’s leadership and established a sole power regime.   * Kim Ku (1876-1949): a prominent nationalist and leader in the Korean Independence Movement. The founder of the Korean Patriotic Corps and the Korean Liberation Army. Kim was assassinated by Korean lieutenant Ahn Doo-hee in 1949.   * John R. Hodge (1893-1963): Lieutenant General leading American troops in September 1945, who refused to treat Koreans as an independent nation. He accepted the surrender from the last governor-general of Korea and became the American military government commander in Korea in 1948.   * Douglas MacArthur (1880-1964): a General who played a significant role in constructing a post-war Japan. He assumed command of the U.N. forces, developed the Incheon Landing Operation, which resulted in the North Korean army’s defeat. Historical sources used for the entire unit   * Japan–Korea Annexation Treaty   * Cairo Declaration   * Korean Declaration of Independence   * U.S. – Japan Administrative Agreement   * Constitution of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea   * Korean Armistice Agreement Key concepts or arguments Stueck and Yi’s reading: First, the Korean War’s impact on the US-Korean relationship since September 1945 is cons
Introduction Kuwait is a country found in the Western Asia region, at the North edge of Eastern Arabia and alongside the Persian Gulf. Kuwait borders Iraq from the North point, and from the South, it borders Saudi Arabia. Kuwait is a nation that is affected by corruption cases, and it is one of the states in the world that are highly corrupt. Bribery in Kuwait is almost becoming a way of life in various sectors. Thus, one can analyze different aspects of Kuwait’s corruption to determine how it has affected the country and its causes. Objectives Broad objective Discussing corruption in Kuwait. Specific objectives  1. Ways in which corruption is practiced in Kuwait  2. Who is involved in corruption?  3. The government involvement in corruption. Background Problem and Structure The people in government who should be working hard to curb corruption cases in the country are the ones that are engaging in bribery. Kuwait Anti-Corruption Authority has introduced measures to curb fraud in the nation. However, the involvement of the administration individuals in the bribery acts is still being experienced. Thus, corruption in the country has become a menace that is hard to eradicate. There is tension due to misunderstandings and conflicts between the country’s high officials and the public because of corruption. Many citizens are not comfortable with how the civil servants are stealing their money in different sectors. There is a suspected political dispute between the two groups. The country has been ranked number eighty-five in fraud cases by Transparency International in their latest ranking (Aldaihani, 2017). Thus, Kuwait should ensure that conflicts in politics are curbed. Since corruption in Kuwait is from the country’s government officials, managing it is difficult, and it requires external efforts and transparency agencies to intervene. The bureaucracy is very inefficient and not authentic. Additionally, the government is bias and makes decisions mostly in favor of domestic organizations and institutions (Aldaihani, 2017). These administration officials own these local companies; therefore, their choices favor them. Statement of the problem  1. The public procurement process is bureaucratic and cumbersome; thus, it is susceptible to corruption.  2. The unending corruption in Kuwait has led to the poor performance of different industries. Discussion About the Factors Associated With Corruption in Kuwait Corruption in Kuwait is an aspect affecting the country, causing tension between the public and civil servants due to economic crises. Although the government’s high officials should protect the public amenities and resources, they are stealing and misusing the funds (Alrashidi, 2020). In Kuwait, the biggest group of people under investigation due to suspected corruption cases are none other but the government officials (Alrashidi, 2020). Thus, curbing bribery in the country should start by focusing on administration officials. Transparency International Flagship on the corruption perceptions index ranked Kuwait at seventy-eight out of the total one hundred and eighty corrupt countries (Alrashidi, 2020). The information h
Introduction Adidas is an internationally recognized company that has major operations in Asia, Latin America, North America, and Europe. Its major sales have been from the European market with sales of over 51%. However, the overall market share of Adidas is 13% which makes it the second largest manufacturer (Bloomberg Business Week 2010). Adidas AG is a German-based company involved in the manufacture of sports apparel. Other than sports footwear, Adidas AG is also involved in the manufacture of shirts, bags, eyewear, watches, and other clothing-and sports-related products. The company is the leading manufacturer of sportswear in Europe. Globally, it comes second after Nike, the American-based rival company (Bloomberg 2008). Adolf “Adi” Dassler founded the company in 1948 and registered in 1949 (Runau. 2011, p.3). Based on the 2010, Adidas Group reordered revenues of €11.990billion in 2010 compared to €10.381 billion of the previous year 2009 (Adidas Group 2010, p.134) The paper analyses market environment, strategy, and strategic position of Adidas so as to establish the best strategic plan that can be adopted to gain more competitive advantage. Market Environment Analysis This section identifies the competitive advantage of Adidas AG, its successes and its market share position. PESTEL Analysis Figure1: PESTEL framework. Political factors Like any other company with product manufacturing and production in a foreign country, Adidas is prone to political threats like insecurity and some regulations which are politically instigated. Adidas was accused of paying its employees as low as less than $3 especially in the nations where production is carried (Oxfam Australia 2007). Other political accusation is breaking International Labour Organizations requirements and standards. ILO advocates for the basic working conditions and rights to all employees in a workplace. For example, the company does not allow labor unions participation and strikes as witnessed in one of the factories in Indonesia in 2005 were members were fired after participating in a strike (Oxfam Australia 2007). Economic Adidas group margins increased in 2010 from 45.4% in 2009 to 47.8% despite the macroeconomic challenges (Adidas group 2010, p.134). However the consumer spending has
Introduction Test administration is meant to conclusively help the teacher gauge the level of achievement and skills learnt by the student in the relevant area. Mathematics and reading are the two areas of learning upon which this test is to be administered. In the assessment of the skills attained, the tests are formal with the reading area test diagnostic while the mathematics area is standardized but all are applied to the 5 th Grade learner. Mathematics Assessment Test for Fifth Grade This assessment test is designed for a fifth grade learner. It is a standardized formal assessment based on the FCAT of 2007. The purpose of the assessment is to test the ability of the learner in the study areas of fractions, numbers and weights, probability, problem solving, time, distance, algebra and measurements according to the benchmark standards required by the Florida state for fifth grade. The administration considerations include: each correctly answered question earns two points, a partially correct answer earns one point, while a wrong answer earns no point. It takes into consideration the grade level and current performance of the student. It is a test with fifty questions that are mostly based on multiple choice responses and other individual responses. The test is recommended to be administered occasionally throughout the course. The skills to be measured for fifth grade assessment include: computational skills of basic mathematics, applications of mental computations, addition, subtraction, multiplication and division, basic arithmetic skills, comprehension skills in mathematical cases, application skills to real life situations and estimation abilities. This standardized mathematics test has the strength of being summative hence can be used to measure the level of achievement of the learner in various topics and allows for no discrimination (McLoughlin & Lewis, 2005). It also allows for validity in interpretation, convenience, effective revision, comparison and relating the topics of study as well as quick implementation while being comprehensive and convenient to be applied at many other times. The weakness of the test is its limitation in terms of scores, questions and multiple choices used. Reading Assessment Test for Fifth Grade This test is a standardized formal and diagnostic assessment test for fifth grade applied to Florida Sunshine State. The diagnostic test is to be applied formally and has criterion applications through the use of multiple choice responses. The purpose of the test is to identify the problem areas the student may have in reading. The administration considerations are based on the Florida State standards and take into consideration the grade level of the student and the current performance. The considerations for answering the test is reading of the article provided as “Betsy Brandon meets the president” by Pollock, the poem “Washingto
Reflection Essay The global prevalence of childhood obesity/overweight in children and adolescents aged between 2 and 19 has risen rapidly over the past 30 years to epidemic proportions. According to Ogden, Carroll, Kit, and Flegal (2014), up to 16.9% of the children in the US could be diagnosed as obese (BMI≥30.0) while the population that is either overweight (≥25) or obese stands at 31.7%. Further, obesity-related costs consume a significant portion of the public health budget, estimate at $150bn yearly (Ogden et al., 2014). In addition, childhood obesity increases the risk of chronic disease and leads to poor physical/social health outcomes. The rising recognition of the role of preventive interventions should be followed by systematic policy actions to reduce childhood obesity. Enacting a vending machine policy would ensure schoolchildren consume healthier food to curb the obesity epidemic. Issue Selection My choice of the childhood obesity issue for this paper was informed by its serious physical and social consequences on the child, impacts on public health spending, and the apparent policy gaps in addressing it. An elevated BMI in childhood is considered a risk factor for chronic conditions, such as heart disease, certain cancers, and hyperglycemia (Karnik & Kanekar, 2012). In addition, obese or overweight children lead poor a quality of life owing to constant harassment, bullying, low self-esteem, and social exclusion. The proposed policy action entails replacing unhealthy snacks and beverages in vending machines with nutritious alternatives in schools. Issue Relevance The childhood obesity issue is relevant to public health in two ways: its effects on child health outcomes and public health costs. According to Ogden et al. (2014), obesity affects up to 16.9% of American children and young people (2-19 years) with a prevalence increase of 13.1% among 6-11-year-olds from 1980 baseline. Childhood obesity contributes a significant economic burden to our public health system, estimated to be $150bn yearly (Ogden et al., 2014). It is also a significant risk factor for hyperglycemia, hypertension, colorectal cancer, and cardiovascular disease, among others (Karnik & Kanekar, 2012). These non-communicable diseases (NCDs) account for the high co-morbid illnesses and premature deaths in children. Thus, childhood obesity is a serious public health problem that needs effective policy action. Financial Impact An effective childhood obesity policy, such as a school nutrition law, could save the country millions in expenditure for managing obesity-related chronic disease or NCDs. The cost-effectiveness of a policy action, whether additional or incremental, determines its feasibility for public funding. The annual cost of obesity in the US is about $150bn, equivalent to 9% of entire health care spending (Troiano, Briefel, Carroll & Bialostosky, 2006). Child admissions due to obesity-related type 2 di
Introduction Works of art were often created as a part of a religious cult. Such pieces of art do not only comprise a part of our cultural heritage but also play (or used to play) an important role in the lives of the people who consider them holy. Main body One of the works of art chosen for this analysis is the medallion depicting the vision of the Cross that, according to the legend, was shown to Constantine, the first Roman emperor to become a Christian, in his dream. It is situated at the bottom of the left-wing of the Stavelot Triptych, a relic created in the 12th century at Stavelot Abbey and performed in gold and enamel (Hourihane 3). It is a portable altar consisting of the outer triptych and two smaller inner triptychs that contain the pieces of the True Cross. An example of the Romanesque period art, the medallion described is a part of the legend about Constantine, “narrated” through three such medallions on the left-wing of the Triptych. According to it, Constantine had a dream in which he was told to fight under the sign of the Cross in order to win the battle of the Milvian Bridge. This dream led Constantine to the idea of converting to Christianity (Hourihane 3-4). It appears that the functions of the medallion and the Triptych are similar to the usual ones performed by such relics, including the Eucharistic one. Still, being a part of the narration, being dynamic and not static, it also fulfills the function of education, explanation, and attraction of new believers (Hourihane 257). The cross is one of the key symbols of Christianity, and the faith in its holiness and the miracles attributed to it can be fortified by the stories of the boons received by the true believers from their God. Another example that comes to mind when religious art is concerned is the places where people are supposed to converse with their gods, for instance, churches and mosques. It is hard to identify the ter
At the beginning of the 20 th century, the American government faced a wide array of challenges that were caused by changes in the socio-economic and political life of the country. The described issue concerned not only the tension in foreign political relations but also in home politics. Due to the increasing pressure from the working class, the unfairness of racial profiling becoming increasingly more evident, and the development of the women’s liberation movement, the atmosphere within the American society was rather tense at the beginning of the 20 th century. By creating the legal standards that promised protection to workers and introducing the basic principles of capitalism into society, the American government managed to address at least some of the social issues that were brewing within the U.S. at the time. The introduction of new economic principles allowed boosting American economic growth and, thus, expanding its power overseas. The regulations issued by Theodore Roosevelt, William Howard Taft, and especially Woodrow Wilson led to the creation of the capitalist principles by which the interactions within the American market were performed (Foner 691). For instance, the management of the tariff issue suggested by Wilson and the transfer of employees from a caste of people with very few rights to wage earners who could demand fair treatment created an unprecedented spur in the industrial and economic development of the U.S. (Foner 695). As a result, the setting of the American market was changed forever, representing the workforce as people with a loud voice in the community, whose needs had to be satisfied for organizations to perform properly. While the approaches that Theodore Roosevelt, William Howard Taft, and Woodrow Wilson utilized in boosting the economic development of the U.S. were different, at their core, they shared the same idea of increasing the influence of the U.S. as an economic power. Specifically, Roosevelt placing emphasis on the rights and needs of the working class as the foundation of the industrial development of the country led to the same outcomes as Wilson’s focus on federal oversight as the basis for managing economic relationships. Moreover, the presidents seemed to share the same sentiment about the necessity to provide assistance and additional opportunities to disadvantaged members of the population (Foner 697). As a result, prerequisites for massive economic upheaval in the U.S. were created successfully, encouraging every citizen to participate in new, equality-based relationships within the American market. The described semblance of proto-capitalism allowed establishing the market relationships that can be observed in the modern economic context. The cre
Introduction Some things that are evidence of destroying the world have fantastic beauty. An example is hordes of giant monarch butterflies, predicting the inevitability of climatic changes that threaten all living creatures. The novel Flight Behavior by Barbara Kingsolver is the exciting story of a young woman Dellarobia, closely connected with the unexpected appearance of a butterflies’ colony in her town. The heroine sometimes feels as lost in her life as these tiny insects, by chance, flew into these lands. In Flight Behavior , society wants the main character, Dellarobia Turnbow, to meet gender norms customary in their culture, to be a good mother and wife, but her inner spirit strives for freedom and new horizons. Dellarobia at the Novel’s Beginning: Fear of not Meeting Public Opinion In the first pages of Flight Behavior , readers see a woman tired of the life the local community attaches her to lead. The 28-year-old Dellarobia grew up in Tennessee, early married to a farmer, and became pregnant, losing the opportunity to get an education and work elsewhere. As a mother of two kids to date, the novel’s heroine spends her days almost monotonously and sometimes regrets the time when she could work as a waitress (Kingsolver 13). Dellarobia realizes that she is no longer in love with her weak-willed husband, Cub, who always “moves in slow motion” and “lets his mother boss him around” (Kingsolver 11-12). Therefore, the woman decides to start an intimate relationship with Jimmy, whom she calls “a telephone man” (Kingsolver 13). Thus, the reader can see the heroine’s dissatisfaction of current life. Simultaneously, Dellarobia has no idea how she will live if someone knows about her adultery with Jimmy. Moreover, the heroine has not worked anywhere for many years, and it is unlikely that she will be hired here if Cub leaves her. Therefore, the woman is at a crossroads without knowing how she should act. Dellarobia is afraid of social opinion and being “that one” everyone will point at because of her unfaithfulness (Kingsolver 4). Moreover, the woman fears that “the shame and loss would infect her children, too” (Kingsolver 4). Wishing to shed the fetters limited her freedom; at the beginning of the novel, De