The Human Perception of Loudness Essay Example for Free

The Human Perception of Loudness Essay Aim: The aim of the experiment was to discover the difference between loudness and sound pressure level, gain knowledge of typical sound level values in common environments and to be able to make rough estimations of what sound level measurements could be in different places. Method: The CEL-440 sound level meter was used to measure sound pressure levels in dbz and loudness levels in dBA. It was decided to base the experiment on learning environments around the university, ranging from areas of study inside and outside. This was done because, as the areas that are considered in the experiement are ones that the group would use in everyday life so it would be interesting to see what loudness and sound pressure levels most people live and sit in during there every day lives. Loudness is a psychological quality which relies on human interpretation. Loudness is hard to measure as it depends on how the human ear responds to it. Sound Pressure Level is linked to loudness as it is a physical quantity which can be measured. Sound Pressure Level can be measured, when loudness cannot. Sound pressure level ranges from the smallest detectable sound which is measured in pa (pascals). Sound is heard, by air follicles vibrating on the ear. The highest sound is atmospheric pressure around 1,000,000pa that can not physically be heard. If it was any louder then there would not be any atmospheric pressure left so everything would be destroyed. Threshold of human aural perception is the pressure of the air molecules colliding with the ear drum which is close to the threshold of perception. Young people with sensitive hearing are able to hear as little as 20pa, but most people will not be able to hear this measurement. The just noticeable difference depends on factors such as overall levels and frequencies. However, it is conveniently remembered as 1dB, one decibel. When something is measured in decibels it is refering to ratio (10log power difference, 20 log voltage difference) between the amount of two levels and the level being measured. How do people hear sound? When a sound is made, it is dependant on the response of the human ear and every ear responds in a different manner. Everybody has a different individual shape to their ear. The ear canals are unique to every individual, and ear canals resonances occur at approximately 3.4khz and 13khz, but this depends on age and health. There is no accurate way of measuring sound as everybody interprets is differently. The diagram below shows the basic structure of the ear and where the ear canal is situated. Fletcher and Munson Experience 1993 was the breakthrough of an investigation that explains a great deal. They investigated the perception of loudness in human subjects. The loudness level estimated by the subject for different stimulus levels and different frequencies was recorded. Humans have a limited range of hearing whereas dogs can hear things much louder. Fletcher and Munson discovered a graph of equal loudness contours. Shown below. When the ear hears sound it is not equally sensitive to all frequencies, especially the low and high frequency ranges. Fletcher and Munson charted the response to frequencies over the entire audio range and this is shown in the graph above. The set of curves show the sound pressure level of pure tones that are percieved as being equally loud. The graph has been plotted for each 10 decibel rise in level when the reference tone is 1kHz. This is also referred to as loudness level contours. From 1 to 5kHz the curves are lowest in the range. There is a slight dip at 4kHz which probably indicates that the ear is most sensitive to frequencies in this particular range. The levels of intensity for higher and lower tones had to be raised in order to create the equal impression of loudness. The results were accurate to the predictions made for the different locations. The sound pressure level in the places such as the computer labs and lecture theatres were thought to be quieter. However there were many computers and equipment which were left on standby, appearing off and very quiet. It was thought that the the library upstairs should have been quieter than downstairs as it is where books are kept and downstairs is where groups congrigate. Although it seems fairly quiet in the upstairs section, the air conditioning fitted can effect the sound pressure level recorded. The recording booths and live room were exactly as predicted which is very good as it means they have been built correctly and are one hundred percent sound proof. The relationship between the dBa results that were collected and the dBz were more or less as expected. The measurements that stood out were the library upstairs as the sound pressure level was much higher than the loudness along with the Lecture room. The lecture room was empty until it was entered by the group and there were no lights on either. The lights turned on automatically when people entered. It was thought that in both the library and the lecture theatre there are a lot of frequencies that exist but cannot physically be heard. This would include certain machinary such as air conditioning, automated light response system, fans from computers that seem very quiet, anything that is left on standby which appears off. Loudness is a subjective quality in which is depends a huge amount on sound pressure level as well as the frequency spectrum and amplitude envelope of sound. It also depends on the environmental conditions under which it is heard and the auditory of the listener.

wound Care :: Health Care, Pressure Ulcer

Wound care (Pressure Ulcer) Descriptions During community placement, my mentor and I visited M (patient), a 75years old lady, who was presented with a Pressure Ulcer, on the heel of her right leg. On arrival, my mentor asked me to manage M’s wound. However, I have observed and participate in carrying out this skill (wound care) with my mentor on several occasions. I explained the procedure to M and gained her consent to carry out the procedure. The preparation and application of aseptic technique was quite challenging in M’s home, however I washed my hands, worn apron and gloves, and adopt aseptic technique. When I remove the old dressings and assessed the wound, I observed that M’s wound was slightly exudates, odour, sloughs and dry skin (flakes) around the wound. When M asked me, how the wound was, I was not confident to answer her question, but rather turn to my mentor, who then answered her. I displayed the sterile pack on a flat surface and I dipped the gauze into a warm normal saline and gently cleaned the wound; I cleaned the slough and remove the dead tissues, under my mentor’s supervision and I also applied intrasite gel unto the wound bed, and put an antimicrobial heel dressing and securing it with a two way stretch bandages (tubifast). Feelings I was nervous, when my mentor asked me to carry out this procedure and thus, became very careful not to cause more pain to M. Being an invasive procedure, I was worried not to infect the wound when it was exposed, and when I could not answer her question, I felt uncomfortable. Evaluation Being an invasive procedure, I adopt aseptic techniques; Hart (2007) state’s that, employing aseptic technique helps to create an environment (asepsis) free from living pathogenic micro-organisms. Aziz (2009) conceded that, it helps prevent wound from contaminations and other susceptible site, by organism that could cause infection (HCAIs). I gently remove the slough and dead tissues, and applied an intrasite gel unto the wound bed, and then I put an antimicrobial heel dressing on the wound. Fletch (2007) suggests that, the removal of necrotic tissue and thick slough from wound bed, helps to promote healing by creating moist balance and controls bio burden to ensures optimal healing environment. Barrett (2009) concurs that, the management of wound required dressing that can maintain a moist environment, absorbs exudates as well as remain in situ over number of days.

Online Game Addiction Essay

Online game addiction is no longer just a worry of an American-chubby-child’s mother, but the worry of many parents in Cambodia and other less affluent countries. Recently, more teenage Cambodians were addicted to online games, in order to satisfy their fantasy of being heroes or warriors. Cambodian teens would rather eat less or even skip meals just to save money for the online games. Other than spending money, they also wasted their time. According to Chheng Roth Donior, a Cambodian teen, he normally spends three to five hours a day in internet cafes, even under the threat of his mother. It might have sounded strange to you, since Cambodia is not a wealthy country and most of the urban teens do not have internet at home, and why would they be addicted to online games? One of the reasons is more and more internet cafes have opened up, and Web access is growing rapidly these years. Another reason would be the teenagers in fact do not know they’re addicted to the online games or its harmful effects. The consequence of online game addiction could be serious, for example, last year in South Korea, a man died after playing online games for five days straight. For sure, the teenagers would waste all their money and time on those internet cafes. They would have less incentive to work or study since the satisfaction gained from the games is far more than those they could gain in their daily lives. It would also harm the gamers’ health (e. g. with poorer eyesight and less exercise) and would lower their face to face communication skills. Later, they may not be able to distinguish between the reality and the created world. Teenagers are the future of the country, measures must be taken as soon as possible to curb the addiction. First, promotion from the government is very crucial. The teenagers may not understand the harmful effects of online game addictions, government should advertise the harmful effect and possible consequences through mass media, i. e. TV advertisements, news paper, radio etc. Posters should also posted in school, streets and especially the internet cafes, just like a warning note must also included on the package of cigarettes. For why the teenagers would addict to online games, is that they could gain a sense of satisfaction by beating down their created enemies. Therefore, the teachers and parents of the teenagers should help them build their confidence, like giving them chances to develop their talents. For example, school can provide more Extra-curriculum activities for them afterschool. They should also help the teenagers to identify their dreams and targets, assuring them that nothing is impossible and encourage them to fight for their dreams through talks and lessons. Then they would not stick to the computer screens, instead, they would work very hard on their dreams. On their ways towards their goals, parents and teachers should give supports and advice to them. Third, government should set up clinics to help the gamers overcome their internet addictions, just like what China and South Korea did. The clinics should provide counseling and information about online game addiction, this could help those people who had already addicted to online games. Lastly, education is always the last resort of most problems. Schools and parents have the responsibility in teaching the teens about the harmful effects of online game addiction. They should educate the students or their children starting from their childhood. Schools can hold more talks on the issue in order to make sure that they receive related information. If we do not cope with the problem as soon as possible, the situation would become more complicated and serious. The solutions I suggested above would definitely help dealing with the problem, and I hope the situation would be improved soon.

Brand Extension – Furniture

In today’s fierce competition, organizations are driven to reach, strengthen their existences in particular markets, and become a multinational enterprise by taking a mixture of policies including finding new market, developing new features, or even performing a merger and acquisition (M&A). Concerning the developing market, this paper discuses and recommends corporate brand strategy for two companies that are proposed to merge; they are Habitat and Fabprefab. The discussion will first elaborate overviews of Habitat and Fabrefab including the elaboration of each strengths and weaknesses that will benefit the merger.In addition, this paper will also elaborate the benefits and perils of mergers and a concept of developing brand strategy. In the end, we provide recommendation for the merged companies, Habitat and Fabprefab, since it is potentially experiencing downfall. The recommendation should take into account considerations that ensure the delivery of best service and creativ e, strategic and economically sustainable ways to transfer the tangible and intangible values of a brand into new product (service) categories, new markets or new industries. Brand Extension – Furniture/Home furnishing Goes Prefab I. IntroductionIn order to broaden organization reaches, strengthen their existences in particular markets, and become a multinational enterprise, managements of the organization can take a mixture of policies including finding new market, developing new features, or even performing a merger and acquisition (M&A). Mergers and Acquisition (M&A) is one example that a business performs to keep their business growing and getting bigger. This makes sense since the number of M&A is getting bigger every year. According to the Securities Data Company, the dollar value of U. S. (M&A) in 1996 recorded a 27 percent increase to US$658.8 billion from US$518 billion in 1995. While an M&A becomes a corporate strategy, marketing strategy interprets the corporate st rategy to match the market characteristics and customers’ needs. Therefore, marketing department becomes the front liner of the company since marketers, people who work at marketing department, are those who made actual contact with customers within their daily operations. Their responsibilities are to generate constructive views of customers about their company. Therefore, it is their responsibilities to comprehend what customer really wants and how they want to be treated.This is important to ensure the products are saleable in the market. Under such circumstances, it is not a great surprise that term ‘marketing oriented management’ emerges in today’s management practice in order to help organizations to focus in serving customers. Concerning corporate and marketing strategies, this paper will discus and recommend corporate brand strategy for two companies that are proposed to merge; they are Habitat and Fabprefab. The discussion will first elaborate ove rviews of Habitat and Fabrefab including the elaboration of each strengths and weaknesses that will benefit the merger.In addition, this paper will also elaborate the benefits and perils of mergers and a concept of developing brand strategy. II. Proposed Mergers between Habitat and Fabprefab II. 1 Habitat Habitat is furnishing company that established in UK, especially London, in 1966. Within the over 40 years of operation, the company now serves in more than 76 stores worldwide in which 42 of them are in UK, 24 are in France, and the rests are in Spain (5), Germany (5), and other countries through franchise system. Like other furniture companies, Habitat also has wide range of products for living room, dining room to kitchen, and bathroom.In internet era, the company has also provided online catalogue although it has not enable the any online transactions. II. 1. 1 Habitat and Needs for Strategic Partnership By definition, alliance is an agreement between two or more individuals or companies that agree to perform particular action in order to achieve a common goal (Web Finance, 2005). Since the intention of a strategic alliance is to give strengths to each entity, therefore, each entity has to have particular strength that is beneficial for other allies. In this situation, the parties involved (allies) have harmonizing strengths.As explained above, strategic alliance in business situation has potential benefits and disadvantages. The intention of a strategic alliance is to grow a company’s revenue without the need to incur high expansion costs. Although Habitat is a large company, we see that the company is in need to perform strategic partnership so that they can quickly exist in target market and gain improved brand awareness. For that reason, we suggest that Habitat should perform strategic partnerships with other furniture companies or with supplier in order to gain one or more benefits as following:†¢ enable a company to enter a new market wi th new products and services without incurring costs of research and development for the products †¢ widening the market reach without the need to establish a new branch offices †¢ increase the volume of production output †¢ use new technology that simplify the process while enhancing the quality of products †¢ Speed up the research and development by sharing costs and resources (BDC, 2006). II. 1. 2 Habitat and Intention to be Real Estate Brokerage Service Real estate brokerage service has its own level of competition that Habitat may not comprehend yet.It means that Habitat should focus on developing core competences as furnishing retailers instead of extending services into real estate brokerage that Habitat does not have any experience in the industry (Habitat, 2006). We would rather suggest habitat to perform strategic partnership with multinational companies that have wide market penetration in locations that Habitat does not exist yet. This is in line with the one of the benefits of strategic partnership as mentioned above (Habitat, 2006). II. 1. 3 Habitat and construction serviceAlthough construction service is not Habitat core competence but construction service has relation with furnishing industry. It means that Habitat could enter the construction service but they had better to perform alliances with one company in the industry instead of by establishing its own company. The form of alliance could be the first options of using Habitat’ product in construction projects that require completed full furnished buildings or need an advisor to design furniture for building projects.

Vicarious Learning Essays

Vicarious Learning Essays Vicarious Learning Essay Vicarious Learning Essay The Four Types of Vicarious Learning There are four separate types of vicarious learning. These are worth knowing, because they enable you can expect learners to change their behaviour as a result of observing someone else experience the principles described throughout this chapter. These four types of vicarious learning are summarized in Table 12. The Modeling Effect occurs when a person almost directly duplicates a behavior he has seen someone else perform and which the observer has not previously suppressed. The observer displays new behaviors that prior to the modeling had a zero probability of occurring. For example, my son bats the way he does because Barry Larkin is successful with that batting stance. The Eliciting Effect occurs when the observer performs a behavior to the models, but still somewhat different. For example, if I hear that a famous celebrity has donated $50,000 to charity, I would be demonstrating the Eliciting Effect if this generosity prompted me to volunteer to umpire Little League basebal games. The Disinhibitory Effect occurs when a person who has previously refrained from a behavior goes ahead and performs that behavior after seeing a model perform the behavior without receiving any negative consequences. For example, if I already knew how to speed in my automobile but refrained from doing so out of fear of a speeding ticket, I could demonstrate the Disinhibitory Effect by driving more quickly after several cars passed me on the expressway with no apparent negative consequences. The Inhibitory Effect occurs when a person refrains from a behavior after seeing a model punished for engaging in that behavior. For example, I once stopped asking questions in a high school class after I saw several students receive assignments to write reports on topics about which they asked questions. As Table 12. 1 shows, any of these four types of vicarious learning can lead to the development of either desirable or undesirable behaviors. TABLE 12. 1 Descriptions and Examples of Specific Types of Vicarious (Observational) Learning. Description Positive Example Negative Example Modeling Effect (A person directly imitated - models- the behavior of another person. )A person almost directly duplicates a behavior he has seen someon else perform and which the observer has not previously suppressed. The teacher uses an effective thinking strategy to solve a word problem, and the student employs that same strategy when faced with a similar problem in the future. The teacher responds sarcastically to a student question. Students who witness this sarcasm later use the same strategy in responding to their peers. Eliciting Effect (A behavior is elicited - drawn forth - rather than duplicated. )A person performs a behavior to the models, but still somewhat different. The teacher uses an effective thinking strategy to solve a word problem. When the student is faced with a similar problem in the future, he tries a different strategy which is similar (but not identical) to the one used by the teacher and which the student already knew how to employ. The teacher responds sarcastically to a student question. A student who witnesses this sarcasm later punches a friend who annoys him. Disinhibitory Effect (The person gets rid of an inhibition - hesitation - to do something. ) A person who has previously refrained from a behavior goes ahead and per-forms that behavior after seeing a model do so without receiving any negative consequences. A student is afraid to give a speech to the class because she thinks her classmates will make fun of her. A friend gives a speech, and no one makes fun of the friend. The student is now more willing to give her own speech. A student refrains from chewing gum in class, because she knows this behavior will be punished. A classmate in the front row chews gum, and the substitute teacher does nothing about it. The first student also begins chewing gum. Inhibitory Effect (The person is inhibited - stopped - from doing the behavior. )A person refrains from a behavior after seeing a model punished for engaging in that behavior. A child stops cheating on tests when he sees a movie in which a child is punished for cheating on tests. A child stops volunteering information in class because he thinks the teacher reacts harshly to other children who volunteer information. Models that people imitate take a wide variety of forms. A student may imitate another student, a teacher, a parent, a sports celebrity, a movie star, a cartoon character, a fictional character in a novel, a person demonstrating a skill in an educational film - anyone performing a behavior that can be observed (even in the observers imagination) can qualify as a model. It is also important to note that the behavior to be imitated takes shape within the mind of the observer. This means that if the observer thinks the model has been reinforced for performing a behavior, then the observer is likely to imitate that behavior - even if the model did not really perform that behavior or even if the model himself perceived the consequences to be unpleasant rather than pleasant. It is even possible to have people serve as models for themselves. For example, a teacher could view a videotape of her own performance in the classroom. If her performance contained errors, feedback from a knowledgeable colleague could enable her to visualize how she would do a better job next time. Athletes often use tapes of themselves during good times to teach themselves ways to improve during a slump in their performance. Box 12. 1 Accidental Modeling Kirk uses very offensive language in talking back to Mr. Winters. Mr. Winters realizes that Kirk is just trying to get his attention, and so he calmly ignores Kirk and attempts to go on with the class. Soon, other students start using offensive language. Ida is the first student of the year to fail to bring in her math assignment. Mrs. Peters knows from previous experience that keeping her for a detention will not be aversive to Ida but that a call to Idas mother will probably stop the problem for the rest of the year. However, several of the other students think that Ida has gotten by without doing her work, and so they slack off on their own work. Mary makes a slightly rude remark to Mr. King. Mr. King knows that Mary is testing him, and so he comes down on her with a very severe rebuke in front of the entire class. In addition, he talks to Mary alone after class, and urges her to stop playing games and get on with her job of learning. Mary appreciates Mr. Kings interest and decides to bear down and do good work in the course. However, several of the students in the class who dont know Mary or Mr. King very well decide to be as quiet as possible in the class. Whenever Mr. King raises a question, they look down so that he wont call on them and ridicule them. In the first two examples, the observers inaccurately concluded that Kirk and Ida were receiving reinforcement for their undesirable behaviors. Even though this perception was inaccurate, these observers still experienced vicarious reinforcement, and their behaviors were strengthened. In the third example, Mr. King has taken successful steps to minimize negative side effects in Mary; but the negative side effects have had an impact on other students. By anticipating such accidental modeling, we can greatly reduce inappropriate learning.

Case study #2 Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

#2 - Case Study Example While this is so, there are those companies that show very little concern about what customers think about the services that they get and this can turn out to be very damaging to not only the reputation of the firm but also the income the firm generates. This paper will be looking at the two companies with both extremes in customer service- Amazon with the best and AT&T with the worst. The paper will also state a recommendation for each company that can help improve their customer service. Amazon has been voted the company with the best customer service the second time in a row. There are particular reasons why the company stands out in its customer satisfaction record. Those who have had to return items they had bought from Amazon agree that indeed the customer service of the company is commendable. Jeff Bezos, the founder of the company, is among the most passionate people when it comes to the satisfaction of the customer. Bezos’ is known for the use of his infamous "empty chair" in all boardroom meetings. Bezos asks that a chair be left empty as that is the spot for the customer. The use of the empty chair reminds the other panel members that the boss in the company is actually the customer and should be considered whenever developing any policies for the business. It is this culture of being customer minded that makes everyone in the firm be willing to serve the customers with high regard. Other than this, Amazon demands that every manager and other employees learn how to interact with the customer so that the entire firm is as customer-centric as possible. Bezos is quoted saying that every member of staff, including himself, has to be able to work at a call center. To make this possible, the CEO has every employee get in touch with the customers even if it is for a few days only. Amazon knows that understanding how the customers view, use, and talk about the products they sell is significant to a business and thus lets every member of

Innovation and change (Mobile phone industry ) Essay

Innovation and change (Mobile phone industry ) - Essay Example Government has always bended its brows on companies that have innovated in their technology and business practices but not provided for safe and eco-friendly disposal of parts and batteries (â€Å"Life Cycle Management: A business guide to sustainability†). Being responsible to the environment affects the product offering in the way that consumers make an image of unethical manufacturer in their minds. Nokia has been able to create a good image by providing for eco-friendly disposal of its handset parts across the world. Taxes are means of revenues for Government. A flourishing industry provides better prospects of high taxes to the government. Mobile phone industry has climbed up the ladder of evolution and growth in a very short span and has also been taxed heavily for latest technological innovations. These innovations sometimes help to curb emerging competition due to its monetary intensity and also help avoid malpractices which might take place under innovation disguise. Consumer protection laws and regulations also have a huge bearing on innovation taking place in mobile industry. Innovations are expensive and if the involved technology does not satisfy customer requirements, it has to be replaced abiding by consumer laws, which could be a means of huge losses for the innovator (Bonthron 2009). Technology reducing international distances every day, mobile manufacturers have to resort to efficiency in operational costs by rationalizing their supply chain through international trading. However, across borders, import and export charges and duties have much affected the growth of mobile phone innovation. There have been many cases where host government has denied entry of foreign players due to the fear of their market being captured by other telephony giant, thereby siphoning a major portion of their GDP. Competition has been very stiff in the mobile phone