Fundamental Attribution Error Essay Example for Free

Fundamental Attribution Error Essay The fundamental attribution error is when a person overestimates the influence of another person’s personality over a remark or behavior rather than giving credit to the influence the situation may have on the person. A famous experiment demonstrating this â€Å"error† was conducted by David Napolitan and George Goethals. In this experiment, they instructed a woman to act either rude and critical, or warm and friendly to each person individually. Half of the group was told that the woman would be acting spontaneously, and the other half was let in on the experiment. The result was that the assumptions about her personality did not change even though half the group had known that she was an actor. Each group assumed that because the woman behaved coldly, her personality was so. Even the group who was told that her behavior was situational had still believed that she was warm and friendly because of the way she was acting in the situation. Many times, we find that we commit this error. If we simply looked at a situation from the other person’s point of view, perhaps they were having a bad day; we would then understand their behavior and perhaps even become sympathetic toward them. This relates to me because I tend to make this error a lot throughout the day. Many times, however, it has to do with my situation as well. For example, if I am having a bad day, it makes me harder to sympathize and/or understand when someone else is having a bad day. It’s like I don’t see it. Their bad attitude is just like another notch of bad onto the belt of bad day: another thing that went wrong. However, if I stop to think about why this person is so snappy, I might be able to see that it is not just the type of person that they are, but it is perhaps the situation that they were put in.

Development of SMEs in Malaysia

Development of SMEs in Malaysia The Global Enterprise Introduction Malaysia is a developing nation with a population of 30 million and currently classified in the upper middle income category. It is situated in the South East Asia Region and is part of the Association of South East Asian Nation; which also comprises of countries such as Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, as well as Thailand and Vietnam (ASEAN, 2014). Malaysia is a unique country as it is made up of a variety of races such as Malay, Chinese and Indian as well as indigenous races, making it an ethnically heterogeneous nation. This thus sets a very diverse and vibrant cultural backdrop in Malaysia. Important Benchmark in the Malaysian Economic Policy In their study of strengthening entrepreneurship in Malaysia, Ariff et al (2000) describes that during the British colonial rule of Malaya (pre-1957), the British implemented the practice of separating economic activity along racial boundaries. Malaya’s main economic drivers at the time were tin mining and production of rubber. In order to streamline operations of the industry, Indian and Chinese migrant workers were imported to work on the rubber plantations and in the tin mines respectively. The Chinese were allowed to run certain businesses; becoming shopkeepers, peddlers and petty traders in the towns. The Malays were mainly concentrated in the agricultural sector and were the only ethnic-group that was allowed into the bureaucracy. However, only members of the royal or upper-class families of the different states of Malaya were usually allowed into the administration, whereas the majority of Malays were limited to the low-income agricultural sector. This resulted in a ver y multi-layered society, segregated economically and racially with the majority of Malays (Bumiputras) at the bottom rung. To rectify the economic disparity that existed within the country, the representatives of the three major ethnic groups (Malay, Indian and Chinese) agreed that upon independence from colonial rule, the Malays would be given certain â€Å"special rights† in the fields of religion, economics and politics. The main reason for this â€Å"positive discrimination† was to elevate the status of the economically marginalized Malays, and therefore create a more equitable and balanced society. Under the New Economic Policy (NEP) established in 1970, these special rights received more comprehensive enunciation. This was a reaction to the growing discontent about the economic inequalities between the Malays and the other races who were still gaining economic ascendancy. The main objectives of the NEP were to reduce and eventually eradicate poverty, and to accelerate the process of restructuring Malaysian society to correct economic imbalance, so as to reduce and eventually eliminate the identification of race with economic function (Kuala Lumpur: Government Press, 1972) The NEP emphasised on increasing effective Bumiputra ownership and participation in the corporate sector, improving Bumiputra participation in high-income occupations, as well as narrowing income inequality and eradicating poverty. Within these larger policies, the subject of constructing a Bumiputra Commercial and Industrial Community (BCIC), which involves fostering Bumiputra entrepreneurs, professionals and creating a Bumiputra middle-class (Economic Planning Unit, 2001) is deeply prevalent. This has become the backbone of Malaysia’s strategy for strengthening national entrepreneurship, and all related policies and strategies have to take this into consideration. However non-Bumiputra entrepreneurs have not been completely neglected. The State of the Malaysian Economy (2013-2014) Malaysia has a medium-sized but rapidly growing economy. It is self-sufficient in important natural resources, including gas and oil, and has a conducive environment and climate for the production of various crops (oil palm being one of those). Her especially strategic location provides further advantages for the development of its international trade. As of 14 August 2014, Malaysia has posted a Gross Domestic product (GDP) of 6.4%, amounting to RM262.8 billion. This is a very encouraging sign for the national economy. This is a slightly marked improvement from the first quarter of 2014 which was 6.2%. In the fourth quarter of 2013, the nation posted a GDP of 5.1% (Department of Statistics, Malaysia, 2014). This can be seen in Chart 1. The construction sector was the main contributor to the GDP at 9.9%, followed by manufacturing (7.3%), agriculture (7.1%), private consumption (6.5%) and petroleum and mining (2.1%) according to The Star (2014) An additional point to note; the twin tragic disasters that befell Malaysia especially Malaysia Airlines this year (flights MH370 and MH17 respectively) have not significantly affected Malaysia’s bullish economic performance. However, Malaysia Airlines (MAS) have been experiencing heavy losses in the 2nd and 3rd quarters of the year (Malaysia Airlines, 2014) As an oil and gas exporter, Malaysia has profited from higher world energy prices, although the rising cost of domestic gasoline and diesel fuel, has forced the government to begin to address fiscal shortfalls, through initial reductions in energy and sugar subsidies and the announcement of the 2015 implementation of a 6% goods and services tax. The government is also trying to lessen its reliance on state oil producer PETRONAS. The oil and gas sector supplies about 32% of government revenue in 2013. Bank Negara Malaysia (central bank) maintains healthy foreign exchange reserves, and a well-developed regulatory regime has limited Malaysias exposure to riskier financial instruments and the global financial crisis. Nevertheless, Malaysia could be vulnerable to a fall in commodity prices or a general slowdown in global economic activity because exports are a major component of GDP. In order to attract increased investment, the Prime Minister of Malaysia Dato’ Sri Najib Razak earlier raised possible revisions to the special economic and social preferences accorded to ethnic Malays under the New Economic Policy of 1970, but retreated in 2013 after he encountered significant opposition from Malay nationalists and other assigned interests. In September 2013 Najib launched the new Bumiputra Economic Empowerment Program (BEEP), policies that favor and advance the economic condition of ethnic Malays, further strengthening the economic stature and power of the Bumiputras in the nation. Malaysia has a diversified and rapidly expanding manufacturing sector. Malaysia was able to join the worlds leaders in some fields although in many areas of manufacturing, it relies on imported technologies and foreign investments. In the 1990s, it became the worlds third-largest producer of integrated circuits and one of the leading producers of domestic appliances. Agriculture is still an important export earner. Malaysia is the worlds second largest producer of palm oil behind Indonesia, amounting to 39% of the world’s palm oil production (Malaysian Palm Oil Council, 2014). Malaysia has always been very open to foreign investment (FDI), especially for export-oriented manufactures, with relatively few restrictions and easy return of profits. This has prompted some of the worlds largest corporations, such as Dell and Microsoft of the United States, NEC and Mitsubishi of Japan, and others, to set up production branches in Malaysia. Small Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in Malaysia Normah Mohd Aris (2007) says that: â€Å"The Malaysian economy is driven and influenced by many factors. Some of these factors include Small and medium enterprises (commonly referred to as SMEs) have been the backbone of economic growth of an economy in driving industrial development. Due to their sheer numbers, size and nature of operations, the role of SMEs in promoting domestic sources of growth and strengthening the infrastructure for accelerated economic expansion and development in Malaysia has been recognised. The interdependence of SMEs and large enterprises in collaborating with each other has led to the further expansion of SMEs.† According to the Malaysian SME Corp website, SMEs are defined by the following features: Manufacturing sector, sales turnover not exceeding RM50 million OR full-time employees not exceeding 200 workers Services and other sectors, sales turnover not exceeding RM20 million OR full-time employees not exceeding 75 workers SMEs are further divided into three different categories as shown in Table 1. SMEs in Malaysia are generally focused in the textile and apparel, food and beverages, metals and metals products and wood and wood products sectors. The majority of manufacturing companies are located in the central parts of Malaysia and around the country’s major industrial regions. Challenges Faced by SMEs in Malaysia According to Muhammad et al., (2010) many previous studies conducted by Saleh and Ndubisi (2006); Samad (2007); Abu Bakar et al. (2006); Aris (2006); Harvie (2004); Wang (2003); Wafa et al. (2005); Ritchie Brindley (2000); Decker et al. (2006) and Foon (2006) various challenges faced SMEs in a globalized environment. The SMEs should mainly concentrate in overcoming the challenges, which include recession, barrier from global sourcing, low productivity, lack of managerial capabilities, and lack of financing, difficulty in accessing management, technology and heavy regulatory burden. In the same way, Teoh and Chong (2008) reasoned that the major hurdles to entrepreneurship development are lack of access to credit, formal business and social networks. Muhammad et al. (2010) identified that the main problems faced by SMEs in Malaysia are the lack of knowledge regarding marketing techniques, branding, customer loyalty and also lack of good contacts with others local and international ent erprises. How the Government is Helping SMEs in Malaysia The Malaysian Government’s commitment to and involvement for the development of SMEs has been palpable since the early 1970s. The ‘New Economic Policy’, which mainly aimed to improve people’s welfare and restructure ethnic economic imbalances, was introduced in 1971. The government’s commitment to the development of SMEs is also evident in the second Industrial Master Plan (IMP2), which is then followed by the Third Industrial Master Plan (IMP3) 2006–2020; to coincide with the country’s vision for 2020.The Malaysian Government has implemented various policies and strategies under these plans. (Saleh et al, 2006) Further understanding the role of SMEs, the government’s commitment towards the development of SMEs was emphasized when the National SME Development Council (NSDC), was established in 2004. This Council embodies the highest-level policy making body to chart the direction and strategies for the development of SMEs. Some of the initiatives announced include the formulation of targeted strategies for the development of SMEs across all sectors; the establishment of a comprehensive National SME database and the expansion of development support programmes and facilities to enhance access to financing and accessibility of markets for export (Bank Negara Malaysia, 2006). The Small and Medium Industries Development Corporation (SMIDEC) was also set up, with the goal of developing capable and resilient Malaysian SMEs to be competitive in the global market. In 2007, the NSDC decided to appoint a single dedicated agency to formulate overall policies. SMIDEC was chosen to tackle this role and was transformed into the Small and Medium Enterprise Corporation Malaysia (SME Corp. Malaysia). SME Corp. Malaysia is now the central point of reference for information and advisory services for all SMEs in Malaysia. (Small and Medium Enterprise Corporation Malaysia, 2014) Saleh et al (2006) have also identified other key areas in which the Malaysian government have been helping SMEs. These areas include: 1. Developing Access to Markets The Malaysian External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE) facilitates the participation of SMEs at trade fairs and trade exhibitions by financing their participation costs. This gives the SMEs a platform to market and showcase their companies. 2. Upgrading Technology Technology provides SMEs with the opportunity to increase their efficiency and productivity with tools to better manage their business amidst the growing demands of the current market. 3. Promoting the Application of ICT ICT allows effective and speedy communications and can ensure timely responses to market requirements. 4. Research Development (R D) and Innovation A total of RM280million was allocated to the Industry Research and Development Grant Scheme (IGS) and Commercialization of Research and Development Findings (CRDF) schemes under the 8th Malaysian Plan. 5. Productivity and Quality Assistance programs are aimed at encouraging SMEs to acquire quality standards (health, safety, environment and labour) that will assist them to leverage their strengths. 6. Awards and Recognition The government introduced various award programs to acknowledge companies that have attained excellence. Such programs include: The Prime Minister’s Industry Excellence Award Productivity and Quality management Award (PQMA) Enterprise 50 Award (E50) 7. Access to Financing and Grants The government has allocated substantial funds for borrowing by SMEs. 8. Supply of Skilled Labour In regard to SMEs, SME Corp. Malaysia collaborates with around 20 skill centres to provide training to local SMEs in technical and managerial proficiencies. The Electrical and Electronics, automotive, machinery and engineering services are some of sectors receiving priority in terms of training. References Ariff, M. and Abubakar, S.Y. (2004) Strengthening Entrepreneurship in Malaysia, pp. 2-12 Aris, N. M. (2006) SMEs: building blocks for economic growth. http://www.statistics.gov.my/conference/download.php?cat=1id_file=22. accessed 20/10/2014 ASEAN (2014) ASEAN Member States. http://www.asean.org/asean/asean-member-states accessed 15/10/2014 BNM – Bank Negara Malaysia (2004), â€Å"National SME Council Meeting†, Press Release, Bank Negara Malaysia. Foon, L. S. Eu-Gene, S. (2006) The Changing of Education in the Globalized World. Proceedings of Persidangan Kebangsaan IKS 2006, Kuala Lumpur: Universiti Utara Malaysia. Decker, M., Schiefer, G. Bulander, R. (2006). Specific challenges for small and medium-sized enterprises (SME) in M-business: a SME-suitable framework for mobile services. Proceedings of the International Conference on E-Business (ICE-B 2006), Setà ºbal, Portugal: INSTICC. Department of Statistics, Malaysia (2014) Press Release Gross Domestic Product, 2nd Quarter of 2014. http://www.statistics.gov.my/portal/images/stories/files/LatestReleases/gdp/2014/GDP_PRESS_RELEASE_Q2_2014.pdf accessed 20/10/2014 Economic Planning Unit, Prime Minister’s Department. Eighth Malaysia Plan, 2001-2005. Kuala Lumpur: Government Printers, 2001 Harvie, C. (2004) East Asian SME capacity building, competitiveness and market opportunities in a global economy, pp 2-10 Index Mundi (2014), Malaysia Economy Profile 2014. http://www.indexmundi.com/malaysia/economy_profile.html accessed 25/10/2014 Malaysia Airlines (2014) IMPACT OF MH370 TRAGEDY DENTS MALAYSIA AIRLINES Q2 2014 RESULTS http://www.malaysiaairlines.com/my/en/corporate-info/press-room/latest/mas_q2_2014_result.html accessed 5/11/2014 Malaysian Palm Oil Council (2014) Malaysian Palm Oil Industry. http://www.mpoc.org.my/Malaysian_Palm_Oil_Industry.aspx accessed 5/11/2014 Ministry of International Trade and Industry, ‘MITI’ (1996) â€Å"Second Industrial Master Plan, 1996–2005 — Executive Summary†, MITI, Malaysia, pp. 10–13. Ministry of International Trade and industry, ‘MITI’ (2005), â€Å"The Third Industrial Master Plan (IMP3)† http://www.miti.gov.my/miti-imp3.html accessed 25/10/2014 Yusoff, M.B., Hasan, F.A., Jalil, S.A., (2000) Globalisation, Economic Policy, and Equity: The Case of Malaysia, pp. 6-15 http://www.oecd.org/countries/malaysia/2682426.pdf accessed 20/10/2014 Muhammad, Mohd Zulkifli, Char, Abdul Kamal , Yasoa, Mohd Rushdan bin and Hassan Zakiah, 2010. Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) Competing in the Global Business Environment: A Case of Malaysia. International Business Research, Vol.3, No1, pp. 66-72 Saleh, A.S. and Ndubisi, N.O. (2006) SME development in Malaysia: domestic and global challenges, pp. 12-25 Samad, N. A. (2007) Positioning Malaysian SMEs in the global. Proceedings of Persidangan Kebangsaan IKS 2007,Kota Kinabalu: Universiti Utara Malaysia. Second Malaysia Plan 1971-1975 (Kuala Lumpur: Government Press, 1971), p. 1. 2 SME Corp Malaysia (2014) About SME Corporation Malaysia. http://www.smecorp.gov.my/vn2/node/40 accesssed 27/10/2014 Teoh, W. M. Y. Chong, S. C. (2008) Improving Women Entrepreneurs in Small and Medium Enterprises in Malaysia: Policy Recommendations. Communication of the IBIMA, 2, pp. 31-38. The Star (2014), Malaysia’s services sector to contribute more to economy. http://www.thestar.com.my/Business/Business-News/2014/08/18/Malaysias-services-sector-to-contribute-more-to-economy/?style=biz – accessed 25/10/2014 Ritchie, B. Brindley, C. (2000). Disintermediation, disintegration and risk in the SME global supply chain. Management Decision, 38(8), 575-583. Wafa, S. A., Noordin, R. Kim-Man, M. (2005). Strategy and performance of small and medium-size enterprises in Malaysia. Proceedings of the International Conference in Economics and Finance (ICEF), Labuan: Universiti Malaysia Sabah. Wang, S. D. (2003). The implications of e-financing: implications for SMEs. Bulletin on Asia-Pacific Perspective 2003/2004. New York: United Nations. Chart 1: GDP and Annual Percentage Change

Energy Efficient Building Design Strategies For Hot Climates Construction Essay

Energy Efficient Building Design Strategies For Hot Climates Construction Essay This research discusses energy efficient design strategies of traditional houses in Iraq (hot-arid climate), climatic design techniques and potentials for renewable energy systems that can be implemented in the contemporary residential design techniques in order to offset the absence of produced energy (due to current economic and political issues) and help decreasing demand for electricity, which is used extensively to overcome the indoor thermal discomfort during the harsh summer seasons. A comparison between traditional Baghdadi house (Hosh), which existed before the discovery of oil, and a contemporary house design option is to be made to evaluate the thermal performance of both options in this climatic zone in order to adapt more energy efficient design strategies; and also to integrate features for sustainable building design and potentials to implement renewable energy systems. A simulation modeling is to be used to conduct analysis of energy efficient design strategies, namely relating to building envelope, size and direction, ventilation, shading elements, and using renewable energy systems in order to present recommendations that helps in consequential energy offset while preserving comfort. Keywords: Introduction Examining the energy demand in such region, buildings, with particular reference to residential houses, are one of the most significant energy-sensitive entities (Al-ajmi Hanby, 2008). It is stated that buildings consume over half of all electricity and one-third of natural gas (Yilmaz, 2007). Reduction of energy consumption in residential buildings is a major aim worldwide and is a particular challenge in this region for the reasons mentioned previously (Al-ajmi Hanby, 2008). Therefore, sustainable design strategies are of great importance nowadays in order to reduce energy consumption in residential buildings. One may say that sustainability was already a driving force in the past, showing its validity in those days in different forms and techniques. Therefore, problems and precautions in design and construction did not change fundamentally, although a lot of development was seen in materials and technology. Of course, these developments may have had some negative effects (Yilmaz, 2007). Energy efficient design strategies for traditional houses in such climate are significantly different from each other as it can be easily seen in the traditional design (Yilmaz, 2007). Description of Problem Area Energy consumption is becoming more and more important in todays world because of a possible energy shortage in the future. Efficient use of energy has become a key issue for the most energy policies (Yilmaz, 2007). In regions where hot-arid climatic zone is prevailed, practically in Iraq, present economic and political circumstances have become the main reasons that led to a significant energy shortage although Iraq has a spare operational capacity of oil supply in comparison with other countries around the world. A significant need for new energy efficient design strategies and developed buildings construction standards in this area has become essential in order to offset the absence of produced energy and help decreasing demand for electricity, much of which is consumed in air conditioning systems, which is used extensively to overcome the indoor thermal discomfort during the harsh summer seasons (Al-ajmi Hanby, 2008). Conceptual Framework Figure (1) provides a diagram of the conceptual framework that has devised for this research. The proposed research study into traditional and contemporary building design systems will rely on an experimental research strategy in the positivist system of inquiry (developed design strategies). The research will attempt to establish a comparison (Groat and Wang, 2002, P. 254) between a treatment (independent variable) and an outcome (dependent variable) through the evaluation of measured results. Figure (1) Conceptual diagram of the research variables (Groat Wang, 2002) Research Questions Do traditional houses perform better than contemporary ones? Why? Is it feasible to use traditional design strategies in contemporary houses? How could we achieve a sustainable building design in such climatic zone? Do we need new or developed strategies in order to achieve sustainable building design in such climatic region? What if we integrate renewable energy systems into traditional house design? Project Goals and Specific Objectives The purpose of this research is to: Make a comparison and evaluation of thermal performance of residential houses (traditional vs. contemporary) in Iraq (hot-arid climate) in order to adapt more developed and energy efficient design strategies. Integrate new trends for sustainable design in residential houses in this area. Potentials to implement renewable energy systems. This research is achieved through the following: Extensive overview of the antecedent literature in the area of energy efficiency and thermal building performance in such climatic zone. Identify the most effective strategy from the literature that can be applied in order to develop more energy efficient design strategies. Un-wrap issues of energy efficiency, building performance and sustainable design systems. Use a simulation modeling as a tactical tool to make comparison between contemporary and traditional building design systems and energy performance in order to investigate the thermal characteristics and energy savings for both building designs using different strategies and also potentials to integrate sustainable features using renewable energy system. Test outcome results and write a research report accordingly which combines my understanding of the relevant theory and previous research with the results of my empirical research. Literature Review The literature review is structured around the key concepts of significance of energy efficient design strategies, thermodynamics of hot-arid climates, Inventory of traditional design elements in hot-arid climate and energy simulation methods. These key concepts have led to the research questions and the proposed methodology for this research proposal. See figure1 for the map of literature reviewed. Figure () Map of sources reviewed Figure () Research Literature Review Diagrammatic (Groat Wang, 2002) Building Design Strategies Climatic Building Strategies Research by Ochoa Capeluto (2008) states a quick review of design strategies for different climatic zones. This is necessary to examine when and how design strategies should be considered, particularly during design process. Climatic building strategies in hot climates differ from those of cold ones, For example, in cold climates heat collection and storage is essential, and ventilation must be limited for the same reasons. Short daytime and low radiation levels in winter make maximum penetration of natural light to be desired. On the other hand, in hot climates heat must be excluded, the amount of relative humidity controlled, and the thermal mass cooled usually through natural ventilation during the night. Daylight penetration must be carefully managed using control devices (see figure 1) (as cited in Ochoa Capeluto, 2008, Building and Environment, P.1830). Figure (1) Building strategies for cold and hot climates (Ochoa Capeluto, 2008). Optimized Building Envelope A building envelope is a skin that separates between the interior and the exterior of a building. It serves as the outer shell to protect the indoor environment as well as to facilitate its climate control (controlling heat transfer between building layers). The study by Danny Harvey (2009) reviews the literature concerning energy efficiency that can be achieved through optimized building envelope. According to Danny Harvey (2009), The effectiveness of the thermal envelope depends on: (1) The insulation levels in the walls, ceiling, and other building parts; (2) The thermal properties of windows and doors; and (3) The rate of uncontrolled exchange of inside and outside air which, in turn, depends in part on the air tightness of the envelope (infiltration/excitation) (Energy Efficiency, P. 141). Reducing the Cooling Load Energy conservation and climatic design techniques that can be implemented in residential houses in this area (hot-arid climate) are useful for reducing cooling energy consumption (Al-Temeemi, 1995). Danny Harveys (2009) research found the following: Reducing the cooling load requires: (1) Orienting a building to minimize the wall area facing directions that are most difficult to shade from the sun; (2) Clustering buildings to provide some degree of self shading (as in many traditional communities in hot climates); (3) Providing fixed or adjustable shading; (4) Using highly reflective building materials; (5) Increasing insulation; (6) Using windows that transmit a relatively small fraction (as little at 25%) of the total (visible + invisible) incident solar energy while permitting a larger fraction of the visible radiation to enter for daylighting purposes; (7) Utilizing thermal mass to minimize daytime interior temperature peaks; (8) Utilizing night time ventilation to remove daytime heat; and (9) Minimizing internal heat gains by using efficient lighting and appliances. The combination of external insulation, thermal mass, and night ventilation is particularly effective in hot-arid climates, as placing the insulation on the outside exposes the thermal mass to cool night air while minimizing the inward penetration of daytime heat into the thermal mass (Energy Efficiency, P. 141). Passive cooling techniques By using the above measures to reduce the thermal load of the building, other techniques requires small inputs of mechanical energy to optimize passive cooling processes (Danny Harvey, 2009). Danny Harveys (2009) research discussed the following major passive cooling techniques: Passive ventilation Passive ventilation reduces the need for mechanical cooling by directly removing warm air when the incoming air is cooler than the outgoing air, reducing the perceived temperature due to the cooling effect of air motion and increasing the acceptable temperature through psychological adaptation when the occupants have control of operable windows. Passive ventilation requires a driving force, and an adequate number of openings, to produce airflow. It can be induced through pressure differences arising from inside-outside temperature differences or from wind. Design features, especially traditional, that create thermal driving forces and/or utilize wind effects include courtyards, atria, wind towers, solar chimneys, and operable windows. Passive ventilation not only reduces energy use, but can improve air quality and gives people what they generally want. In buildings with good thermal mass exposed to the interior air, passive ventilation can continue right through the night, sometimes more vigorously than during the day due to the greater temperature difference between the internal and external air. Night time ventilation, in turn, serves to reduce the cooling load by making use of cool ambient air to remove heat (as cited in Danny Harvey, 2009, Energy Efficiency, P.142). Evaporative cooling Danny Harveys (2009) study further discussed the following in terms of producing evaporative cooling techniques: Evaporation of water cools the remaining liquid water and air that comes into contact with it. The coldest temperature that can be achieved through evaporation is called the wet-bulb temperature and depends on the initial temperature and humidity (the higher the initial humidity, the less evaporation and cooling that can occur). There are two methods of evaporative cooling the air supplied to buildings. In a direct evaporative cooler, water evaporates directly into the air stream to be cooled. In an indirect evaporative cooler, water evaporates into and cools a secondary air stream, which cools the supply air through a heat exchanger without adding moisture. By appropriately combining direct and indirect systems, evaporative cooling can provide comfortable temperature-humidity combinations most of the time in most parts of the world. Evaporative cooling is most effective in dry regions, but water may be a limiting factor in such regions. However, arid regions tend to have a large diu rnal temperature range, so thermal mass with external insulation and night ventilation can be used instead (Energy Efficiency, P.142). Influence of Energy Efficient Design Strategies on Design Stages The architectural design process is iterative and moves from the abstract (definition of massing, orientation, and image) to the specific (lighting control, mechanical ventilation type) (as cited in Ochoa Capeluto, 2008, Building and Environment, P.1830). At the design stage, key decisions taken by architects can significantly influence potentials to optimize building efficiency. These include decisions affecting the selection of building components. According to Ochoa Capeluto (2008), As it advances and more specialists are called in to solve details, earlier decisions, which could have an enormous influence on the building performance, are expensive and harder if not impossible to change (Building and Environment, P.1830). Other influential factors unrelated to climatic strategies must be taken into account. For example, a certain orientation that is bad for energy consumption might define how well the building performs (Ochoa Capeluto, 2008). However, it would require an Integrated Design Process (IDP), in which the design process optimizes the building performance by involving all members of design-making team from the beginning. The importance of an Integrated Design Process (IDP) on building systems approach Danny Harveys (2009) study found the following: The systems approach requires an Integrated Design Process (IDP), in which the building performance is optimized through an iterative process that involves all members of the design team from the beginning. However, the conventional process of designing a building is a largely linear process, in which the architect makes a number of design decisions with little or no consideration of their energy implications and then passes on the design to the engineers, who are supposed to make the building habitable through mechanical systems (Energy Efficiency, P. 140). The steps in the most basic IDP are: to consider building orientation, form, and thermal mass to specify a high-performance building envelope to maximize passive heating, cooling, ventilation, and daylighting to install efficient systems to meet remaining loads to ensure that individual energy-using devices are as efficient as possible and properly sized to ensure the systems and devices are properly commissioned By focusing on building form and a high-performance envelope, heating, and cooling loads are minimized, daylighting opportunities are maximized, and mechanical systems can be greatly downsized (Danny Harvey, 2009). Thermodynamics of Hot-Arid Climates Any consideration to energy efficiency applications or design strategies in any climatic zone requires examining of thermodynamics and human comfort. In his Text Natural Energy and Vernacular Architecture: Principles and Examples, With Reference to Hot Arid Climates, the author demonstrates properties of energy that must be considered in order to fully understand climatic phenomena. Heat, radiation, pressure, humidity, and wind, among other factors, interact mutually to establish microclimatic conditions appropriate to hot-arid climatic (Fathy, 1986). According to Fathy (1986), the following are some of these basic concepts applied to hot-arid climates: Thermal gain Solar radiation is the principal source of heat in hot-arid zones, and this heat can be transmitted during the day to the building interior in a number of ways. The most important is by conduction of the absorbed solar radiation through the walls or roof at a rate determined by the thermal conductance (or thermal resistivity) of wall components. (The relationship involving the incoming and reflected solar radiation absorbed and re-emitted heat and heat gain is shown in figure 2 below for the case of a typical white painted surface). Figure (2) (Fathy, 1986) Heat gain can also be caused by ventilation. The rate of gain is dependent on the ventilation rate. Ventilation heat gain can be avoided by restricting the size of openings, especially during the heat of the day. The other sources of heat gain are the inhabitants of the building themselves and household equipment such as electric lights and appliances. These sources, unlike the solar radiation, can contribute heat even at night (see figure 3) (Fathy, 1986). Figure (3) Modes of heat transfer (Fathy, 1986) Thermal loss Heat is lost by conduction through the walls, by exactly the same process that it is gained from the direct solar radiation once it has been absorbed by the surface or through the roof by a combination of convection and conduction. Ventilation is also another mode of heat loss. Evaporation from the surface of the building or from objects within the interior can produce a cooling effect on the building which acts as a source of heat loss. In hot arid climates, this can be a particularly effective cooling mechanism since the rate of evaporation in dry air is very high. Figure 3 also shows the modes of heat loss (Fathy, 1986). Cooling by evaporation Evaporative cooling is used for cooling in hot dry areas (such as in Iraq, where the people place against the windows panels of dried desert plants, which are kept moist by water dripping from perforated pipes positioned above them) (Fathy, 1986). Dynamic thermal equilibrium The heat gained by the building can be expected to be balanced by the heat lost and an internal temperature distribution thus established. These temperatures are dependent on the outside temperature and the ratio of the heat gained to the heat lost and can be adjusted by regulating the sources of heat gain and loss. Before examining the systems and devices that have been developed to do this in the hot arid zones, it is first necessary to have an idea of the heat-regulating mechanism of the human body and the microclimatic conditions for human comfort. Table (1) Heat gain and loss processes for the human body (Fathy, 1986). Mechanism Gain Process Loss Process Metabolism Basal heat production Digestion Activity Muscle tensing and shivering in response to cold Radiation From solar radiation-direct and reflected To surrounding air From radiation by radiators Conduction From air above skin temperature (increased by air movement) To air below skin temperature From warmer bodies in contact To cooler bodies in contact Evaporation From respiratory tract From skin covered with perspiration or applied water Conditions of human comfort A convenient standard for thermal comfort is required. Analysis shows that a variety of factors can be involved in situations of discomfort. For example, temperature alone does not determine discomfort. In Athens, 32  °C is quite bearable, but it is generally intolerable in Bahrain. The difference is due entirely to the relative humidity of the atmosphere. In Bahrain the air is very humid and perspiration evaporates slowly, decreasing the bodys ability to lose heat. In Athens, with its dry air, the evaporation rate is high and perspiration evaporates quickly lowering body temperature. The factors that have been identified as standard for thermal comfort within buildings are: air temperature, air humidity, rate of air movement, level of radiation, and rate of heat production by the bodies of people in the building [4]. Inventory of design elements for traditional housing design in hot-arid climates Building materials The materials surrounding the occupants of a building are of prime importance for protection against heat and cold. Considering an external wall exposed to a high outside air temperature and a lower inside air temperature (see figure 4), the rate of heat flow transmitted through the wall from the outside air to the inside air is proportional to the air temperature difference, area of the wall, and rate of global heat transmittance that can be determined from an analysis of the components of the total resistance to heat flow. The total resistance is composed of the resistance to heat flow through the material, the interfacial resistance at the external surface, and the interfacial resistance at the internal surfaces. Since the interfacial resistances are determined primarily by temperature conditions over which the builder has little control, his principal effect on the heat transmittance is on changing the resistance to heat flow through the wall material (Fathy, 1986). Figure (4) (Fathy, 1986) Table 2 lists the thicknesses of walls composed of various construction materials needed to achieve coefficients of approximately 1.1 kcal/hm ²C °. The mud brick is most appropriate for achieving thermal comfort in addition to being widely available to all segments of the population (Fathy, 1986). Table (2) Thicknesses of walls of different material (Fathy, 1986) Wall Material Wall Thickness Thermal Transmittance (in m) (in in) (in kcal/ hm ²C °) Hollow brick block 0.30 12 1.10 Double-wall brick with holes and 8-cm cavity 2 x 0.12 2 x 4.7 1.12 Brick wall with holes 0.38 15 1.03 Sand-lime brick 0.51 20 1.25 Hollow block sand-lime brick 0.51 20 1.16 Lime 0.51 20 1.10-1.35 Concrete 1.00 39 1.20 Orientation In hot climates, the sun is the major source of heat. The position of the sun must be determined for all hours of the day at all seasons as well as the direction of the prevailing winds, especially during the hot season. In addition, for an ensemble of buildings forming a sector, there will be reflection from adjacent buildings and wind screening by clusters of buildings, which contribute to a specific microclimate for each location in the sector. Wind movement and humidity also are important and should be considered simultaneously with the direct and indirect effects of the sun. The main objective is to establish the optimum orientation with regard to the sun and the prevailing wind (Fathy, 1986). Shading Generally, a building with a facade opening to the west is the worst case encountered in hot-arid climate, owing to the heat gain of the surrounding environment during the day and the angle of altitude, which allows the suns rays to penetrate into the interior. Openings Window openings normally serve three functions: to let in direct and indirect sunlight, to let in air, and to provide a view (Fathy, 1986). The venetian blind One device which can be added directly to the window is the venetian blind. This blind is made of small slats, about 4-5 cm wide, closely set in a wooden frame at an angle that will intercept the suns rays. The slats are often movable so the angle can be changed. This feature of adjustability renders venetian blinds very useful in regulating solar radiation and wind flow into rooms. Using the venetian blind, the suns rays can be blocked out without obstructing the breeze, which generally blows from the northwest in most hot arid areas like Iraq. As shown in figure 5a, changing the position of the blind alternatively by to block the direct sunlight, the wind is redirected uselessly over the heads of the occupants, as figure 5b illustrates. Also, if the slats are made of metal, they then absorb some incoming radiation and reradiate it into the room as heat (Fathy, 1986). Figure (5) (Fathy, 1986) The Shanshool or Mashrabiya This was a cantilevered space with a lattice opening, where small water jars were placed to be cooled by the evaporation effect as air moved through the opening. The name is used for an opening with a wooden lattice screen composed of small wooden balusters that are circular in section and arranged at specific regular intervals. The shanshool has five functions. These functions involve: (1) controlling the passage of light, (2) controlling the air flow, (3) reducing the temperature of the air current, (4) increasing the humidity of the air current, and (5) ensuring privacy. Its cooling and humidifying functions are closely related. All organic fibers, such as the wood of a shanshool readily absorb, retain, and release considerable quantities of water. Wind passing through the interstices of the porous-wooden shanshool will give up some of its humidity to the wooden balusters if they are cool, as at night. When the shanshool is directly heated by sunlight, this humidity is released to any air that may be flowing through the interstices. This technique can be used to increase the humidity of dry air in the heat of the day, cooling and humidifying the air at a time when most needed. The balusters and interstices of the shanshool have optimal absolute and relative sizes that are based on the area of the surfaces exposed to the air and the rate at which the air passes through. In addition to these physical effects, the shanshool serves an important social function: it ensures privacy from the outside for the inhabitants while at the same time allowing them to view the outside through the screen (Fathy, 1986). Table (3) Summary of architectural elements of traditional building in Iraq (hot-arid climate), as they have been common from the 13th to the end of the 19th century. Retrieved from http://www.brainworker.ch/Irak/architecture.htm Oda: the simple room Tarma: open balcony with pillars Ursi: most probably from russi, russian. The most important room of the house, as at the same time you may see, but not been seen as much as in a tarma, ivan or talar. Its separated from the tarma by a window-wall from colored glasses, without door. Those were the masterpieces of Baghdadi carpentry. Talar, a usable open room behind the tarma. The difference to the iwan is, that it cant be entered directly from the rooms beside it. Is separated from the tarma by additional pillars. Iwan(or Liwan), a room behind the tarma or adjacent tot the inner courtyard, that is on one side open. Hosh, the central courtyard, often with a fountain in the middle. sirdab, the cellar, that did not only serve as store, but   as cooling hall and for the provision of cool air through the badgir-sirdab-system. neem, a cellar that is only half buried. Mostly with one window. During the hot summer nights the roof was and is used in Baghdad for sleeping. The high value of privacy demanded, that no house was higher than the others, so that nobody was able to look down on his neighbors roof. kabishkan: The Penthouse, from where one is able to control all the house. Often those rooms have been placed like eyries in all four corners of the inner courtyard.   The roof If the outdoor air temperature is higher than the indoor temperature, the outer surface of the roof exposed to the sun is heated as it absorbs radiation, and, being in contact with the outside hot air, also is heated by conduction. The roof then transmits this heat to the inner surface, where it raises the temperature of the air in contact with it by conduction. At the same time, it radiates heat that is absorbed by people and objects indoors, thereby affecting thermal comfort. In hot arid countries, since the air temperature drops considerably during the night, the inhabitants have arranged the roof architecturally into loggias or open galleries and lightweight roof covers. These loggias and roof covers have the double function of shading the roof during the day and providing physiologically comfortable living and sleeping spaces at night (Fathy, 1986). Figure (6) Different types of roofing in hot-arid climates (Fathy, 1986) The wind-escape The technique of using the suction caused by low air-pressure zones to generate steady air movement indoors is used in the design of the wind-escape. The funnel and side tube used to illustrate the Bernoulli effect or Venturi action (see figure 7) are transposed into the structural elements of an architectural design in order to accelerate air movement and to create drafts in places with no exposure to the outside, such as basements in Iraq. This concept can be applied more advantageously in designs for use above ground. The wind-escape can accelerate effective ventilation and air circulation when used with other devices for air movement such as windows, doors, and the malqaf or wind-catch (Fathy, 1986). Figure (7) Bernoulli Effect (Fathy, 1986) The malgaf In hot arid zones, a difficulty is found in combining the three functions of the ordinary window: light, ventilation, and view. Therefore, it is necessary to satisfy the three functions ascribed to the window separately. To satisfy the need for ventilation alone, the malqaf or wind-catch was invented. This device is a shaft rising high above the building with an opening facing the prevailing wind. It traps the wind from high above the building where it is cooler and stronger, and channels it down into the interior of the building. The malqaf thus dispenses with the need for ordinary windows to ensure ventilation and air movement. The malqaf is also useful in reducing the sand and dust so prevalent in the winds of hot arid regions. The wind it captures above the building contains less solid material than the wind at lower heights, and much of the sand which does enter is dumped at the bottom of the shaft. In the areas of An-Najf and Al-Kufa in Iraq, where air temperature is very high in summer, people live in basements ventilated by small holes in the ceiling and a malqaf with a very small inlet. Figure 8 shows plans and the section of a residence with a basement from this region. However, as the airflow is small and the air circulation is insufficient, this design is unhealthy and a possible cause of lung diseases. In some designs, the drafts from the malqaf outlet are cooled by passing over water in the basement. Figure (8) The Malgaf (Fathy, 1986) The Bà £dgir-sirdab In Iraq (hot-arid climate)and the countries of the Gulf, a specific type of malqaf called the bà £dgir was developed. The system badgir-sirdab was a cheap, environmentally friendly and energy saving solution to create an acceptable cl

Humans Effect on Nature in the 20th Century Essay -- Essays Papers

Humans Effect on Nature in the 20th Century Nuclear Waste With the dawn of the nuclear age in the early 1900’s, came a problem that became a force to be reckoned with. Its name is nuclear waste. This is yet another harmful side effect brought on by man’s drive to find the cheapest and most powerful source of energy technology has to offer. Nuclear waste, ranging from harmful radiation caused by nuclear meltdown to unused military weaponry, has been a serious issue in the past few decades, and is a perfect example of humans effect on nature. Many would argue that the history of nuclear energy and nuclear waste began in 1898 when Marie Curie discovered two radioactive elements; polonium and radium.1 The nuclear scene was relatively quiet until 1838, when a German scientist, Otto Hahn was successful in demonstrating nuclear fission.2 This set off an alert that reached the ears of Theodore Roosevelt, who was President of the United States at the time. With the threat of Germany making a nuclear bomb, the nuclear race was on. The Manhattan Project was launched in an effort to secretly build a nuclear bomb before the Germans. The most commonly known events in nuclear waste history were the near catastrophic meltdowns at Three Mile Island nuclear power plant in Pennsylvania, and Chernobyl power plant in The Soviet Union. Radiation leakage was minimal at Three Mile Island, however, Chernobyl experienced the release of massive quantities of radioactive materials accompanied by a dangerous fire.3 People from all nations came in contact with radioactive particles which the wind blew around the Earth. These two events sparked nuclear awareness by the general public as well as governmental programs that... ...only aid in cleaning up and preventing nuclear waste, but also to inform and educate the public. Until more effective methods of nuclear waste management are devised, the energy hungry U.S. will have to put up with the environmental parasite it has created. Notes 1. "Curie, Marie" Funk and Wagnalls 27 Mar. 1999 2. "Hahn, Otto" Funk and Wagnalls 3. Meshkati, "Chernobyl" 27 March, 1999 4. Konrad B. Kauskopf, Radioactive Waste Disposal and Geology (London: Chapman and Hall, 1988) 10-11 5. "mixed waste" 28 March, 1999 6. "mixed waste" 28 March, 1999 7. "Yucca Mountain Homepage" 28 March, 1999

Police Brutality Essay -- Policeman Violence Rights Papers

Police Brutality Government policies reflect choices made among conflicting values and many different people, groups, and institutions influence policy decisions. Police brutality is influenced by many, such as our American political ideals of civil rights and liberties, the political process in terms of the media and our political institutions, one which the courts. CIVIL RIGHTS:Whats are out civil rights and liberties relating to the public policy issue of police brutality? Our civil rights and liberties are embedded in our constitution and state religion, freedom of speech, the rights to assemble peacefully and to petition the government, the right to bear arms, freedom of the press, the rights of the criminally accused, requirement of due process, and equal protection of the laws. Among these rights and liberties, we also have the right to not be inflicted any kind of cruel and unusual punishment. We as citizens of America have many rights and freedoms, of which we exercise everyday. The police are there to ensure us these rights and to protect harm to individuals or to society. However we as citizens tend to mistake police officers for robots who entail no hatred nor prejudices in other words society forgets that are also human. Human enough to feel many different feelings, emotions and attitudes towards many different issues or even people. This is not to say that every police officer would subject a citizen towards this negative attitude but current events and statistics show that the civil rights and liberties of Americans are being challenged everyday of the hands of â€Å"our protectors†, the police. Police brutality may occur violating the rights and liberties of any individual at any given time. How... ... WORK CITED CIVIL RIGHTS The Challenge of Democracy, Janda 5th Edition P.217 Beyond The Rodney King Story, Ogletree Northeastern University Press, 1995 Violence And the Police, William Westley, The mit press, 1970 Ebonye,†How TO STOP POLICE BRUTALITY†:HNS J. MASSAQUOI,V.46 JULY 1991 P.58-60 Essence,†Up Against The Wall Black Men and Cops†:LEs Payne;v.23 Nov.1992 p.72 Essence,†The Black and The Blues†, Jill Nelson; v.29 Sep 1985 p. 91-93 Jet,†NAACP’S Wade Henderson Testifies On Capitol Hill About Police Over reaction†: v.80 May 20,1991 p.32 THE MEDIA Washington Post, Bline Harden, June 14 1997 Washington Post,Frank G. Scifidi,March 16,1998 THE COURTS The Anarchical Society, Hedley bull, copyright 1997 Maclean’s, v.28 Dec 22,1997 Maclean’s, v.27 Dec 22 1997 The New York Times, Jan 1998, v147: p A18

Lady Capulet Analysis Essay

Capulet’s wife is the matriarch of the house of Capulet, and Juliet’s mother. She plays a larger role than Montague’s wife, appearing in several scenes. In Act One, Scene three, she refuses to talk to her daughter about marriage, as she feels uncomfortable about it, but in Scene four, she is pleased about Count Paris’s â€Å"interest† in her daughter. When Tybalt is killed in Act Three, she expresses extreme grief and a strong desire for revenge on Romeo. In Act Three, Scene 5, she becomes very angry with Juliet for refusing to marry Paris, and she coldly rejects her, saying â€Å"Talk not to me, for I’ll not speak a word; do as thou wilt, for I am done with thee†. By the final act, she is nearly overcome by the tragic events of the play.[6] We know that Juliet was born when her mother was 14, thus she is about 28 years old, and her husband is many years older than her. Calling her â€Å"Lady Capulet† is a modern convention; it is an echo of Juliet’s form of address in 3.5.65: â€Å"my lady mother†.[4] In the first quartos the stage direction and speech headings can be â€Å"mother†, â€Å"wife†, or even â€Å"old lady†, but nowhere â€Å"Lady Capulet†. Lady Capulet Character Analysis Like many other mothers of teens, Lady Capulet and her daughter clearly have a troubled relationship. The interactions between Lady Capulet and Juliet are strained and distant. Lady Capulet does make an effort to reach out to her daughter now that she’s of an age to be married. But it’s obvious that Juliet’s closest bond is with the Nurse; Lady Capulet never even comes close to challenging that. As a result, Lady Capulet doesn’t come across as a particularly great mom. The big question with her character is why. Why isn’t she close to her daughter? Why isn’t she supportive when Juliet needs her most? Just when Juliet needs her mom’s support, Lady Capulet coldly ignore her daughter’s pleas to help her avoid marrying Paris. After Lord Capulet storms out, Juliet turns to her mother to soften her father’s punishment. Juliet begs her even to delay the marriage. Lady Capulet responds, â€Å"Talk not to me, for I’ll not say a word / Do as thou wilt, for I have done with thee† (3.5.15). That’s pretty cold. What’s up with that? There could be a few different things going on here. It seems very likely that Lady Capulet herself had an arranged marriage with Juliet’s father, and it seems she went along with it obediently. When Juliet rebels against the planned marriage with Paris, she is rebelling against her mother’s way of life, and against the kind of marriage that Lady Capulet learned to suffer through. If Lord Capulet is an abusive husband, that gives Lady Capulet further reason to refuse to defy his wishes, even for the sake of her daughter. Also, in Shakespeare’s day, women were expected to be â€Å"obedient† to their husbands. We should also mention that some rather edgy modern interpretations of the play go so far as to say that Lady Capulet is having an affair; or at least actively pursuing one. We’re guessing these productions of the play are picking up on Lady Capulet’s over-the-top praise of Paris’s manly virtues (1.3.9) and her excessive grief over Tybalt’s death (3.5.7 The Nurse foils the character of Juliet’s mother, Lady Capulet. As her mother, Lady Capulet should know everything that there is about her daughter; she should know how old she is and her innermost feelings. However, Lady Capulet knows neither. Early on in Act 1, Lady Capulet is unsure of Juliet’s age and the Nurse has an extended speech in which she explains to Juliet’s mother how she knows how old Juliet is better than her mother does. Additionally, throughout the play, it is the Nurse that Juliet goes to for advice and assistance, not her mother. From the beginning of the play it becomes obvious that Juliet Capulet is being pushed into the idea of marriage by her mother, Lady Capulet. Lady Capulet is a minor character who first enters the play by demanding to speak to her daughter. She explains to Juliet that a handsome man named Paris would like to be her husband, and makes it clear that his wealth will bring Juliet an easy lifestyle. Her speech is unselfish, and shows that she does care for her daughter. Her round character exhibits her impatience and her inability to maintain a relationship with her daughter. This is proven when Juliet’s mother is left in the dark about her secrets, and the Nurse is confided in. The Nurse acts as a foil to Lady Capulet because of her nurturing nature. In the time period, the rich are portrayed as proper and superior, and an appropriate lady must remain obedient to her husband. So when Capulet threatens to throw Juliet into the streets it is only natural that Lady Capulet supports his decision. The play conveys Lady Capulet as rude and self-serving, but also as a caring mother. By being an opulent noblewoman in the late 1500’s she comes across as snobby which can be overlooked due to the time period. The first time you see Lady Capulet in the movie â€Å"Romeo and Juliet† you notice her eccentric behavior. Her apparel and attitude scream for attention. When she speaks with Juliet about marriage it seems that she wants her to marry wealthy Paris for her own†¦

Hispanic Americans in the United States Essay

Abstract Over the past several decades, the United States has become a much more diverse country. Immigration from most if not all countries throughout the world are the reason for this. A large portion of the immigrants that make up our country are Hispanics. Hispanics aren’t just made up of one group of people, but rather several groups from different countries of the world including Cuba, Puerto Rico, Mexico, Dominican Republic, Central America, and South America. They differ in many ways from one another including but not limited to their method of entry into the United States, the color of their skin, traditions, culture, political background, musical trends, and lifestyle. In many ways, Hispanics are disadvantaged from non-Hispanic whites. This has been the way since they first came to the United States. If it wasn’t for the color of their skin and for some of them, their dialect or language, they may not be subject to the prejudice and discrimination they encounter on a daily basis. HISPANIC AMERICANS IN THE UNITED STATES 3 Hispanic Americans in the United States A large portion of the population in the United States is made up of immigrants. Many of those immigrants are of Hispanic origin. Hispanic Americans make up several groups of people. Each of the different groups have a set of their own traditions and their cultures vary slightly and sometimes very significantly. Americans tend to group all Hispanics into one group and forget that not all of them came from one country, but rather several countries. Entering the United States Mexican Americans Throughout most of our history, Mexicans have entered the United States voluntarily. The American Southwest was previously part of Mexico until they lost it to the United States after the Mexican War (Marger, 2012). The Mexicans that inhabited those areas were then incorporated into the United States (Marger, 2012). Puerto Rican Americans Puerto Ricans didn’t come to the United States by force, nor voluntarily. The United States gained Puerto Rico as part of its territory after the Spanish-American War and those on the island were automatically given American citizenship (Marger, 2012). Puerto Ricans were then able to come and go freely as they chose, just as American citizens are able to go from state to state. Cuban Americans Cubans have recently come to the United States voluntarily similar to the Puerto Ricans and Mexicans. Their motive for migrating to the United States though was for political reasons rather than economic reasons like the Mexicans and Puerto Ricans (Marger, 2012). When the HISPANIC AMERICANS IN THE UNITED STATES 4 Cubans came to the United States, they tended to be more educated and more prepared to begin an occupation than most other foreign immigrants (Marger, 2012). Central Americans Many of the Central American immigrants have come to the United States as political refugees (Marger, 2012). Most have come voluntarily like many of the Hispanic migrants have. Another large reason for Central Americans migrating to the United States was for economic opportunities (Marger, 2012). Hispanics and Music About Latin Music Latin music first developed in different Latin American countries, mainly Cuba and it is originally derived from African religious ceremonies (Revels-Bay). Latin music is a unique kind of music and it has a unique rhythmic structure when compared to American music (Revels-Bay). American music can be considered by most people to be Rock and Roll. Latin music is typically viewed as dance music. It has a lot of rhythm which is highly syncopated (Revels-Bay). Latin music, like American music includes many instruments. American music tends to be more on the beat than Latin music. Latin music also uses more percussion instruments than American music and it includes several different string instruments. Some of the string instruments include timbales, congas, congo, guitar and the Cuban guitar (Revels-Bay). Over the years, the bass, trumpets, trombones and woodwinds were added to play melodies and repetitions of sound and the piano replaced the guitar (Revels-Bay). Latin Music Gaining Popularity The motivations underlying the boom of Latino music have brought possibilities for economic gain and increase the visibility of Latin Americans within the United States (Cepeda). HISPANIC AMERICANS IN THE UNITED STATES 5 Two Latin Americans who have brought Latin music to America are Emilio and Gloria Estefan. They have hits in the United States and also have Crescent Moon Studios. Crescent Moon Studios are a Mimi-based Sony affiliate that grosses 200 million dollars yearly (Cepeda). Their Crescent Moon Studios are also a reason for the popular building of the Latino music in the media industry in the United States. Gloria and Emilio Estefan are two very successful Hispanic Americans. There are several famous musical artists but because of their race, it is harder for them to be accepted into the musical industry. The number of Hispanic Americans who have been successful making music is relatively small when compared to the number of non-Hispanic musical artists. There have been several popular Latin musical artists who have brought new meaning to Latin music in the United States. Some examples are Ricky Martin, Jennifer Lopez and Shakira. They keep a lot of the Latin culture in the Latin-American music, but they â€Å"Americanize† it in a sense and the language used is English. This has helped to integrate one part of the Hispanic cultures into today’s American society. Hispanic American Families Family Structure Traditionally in the Hispanic culture, the father or the oldest male in the family holds the greatest amount of authority over the family and women typically show submission (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention). The responsibilities tend to be shared among the members of the family. When compared to the non-Hispanic whites, many of the households are similar. Although, throughout the years, the father or oldest male is no longer always the authority holder in the home. Instead, the mother and father hold equal amounts of authority. HISPANIC AMERICANS IN THE UNITED STATES 6 The household size of Hispanic American families is larger than other American families. The average size of a Hispanic household is 3. 47 people and for the rest of the population, the average is 2. 62 people (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention). Family Values Family is an important part in most Hispanic American’s lives. Family is a large reason for immigration for many of them. They may have family ties here who they wish to move closer to or they may be moving here to provide a better life for their family. The extended family of Hispanic Americans plays a major role in each family member’s life (Moitinho). They tend to have strong bonds and a lot of interaction among much of the family and extended family. In many households, parents, grandparents and children live in the same home or live nearby (Moitinho). Among most Hispanic families, faith and church are a lot times central to their family and community life. Most Hispanic homes have a religious object and most attend a religious service once a month or more (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention). Single Parent versus Two Parent Families. In the United States, 70% of Hispanic children live in two parent homes (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention). Single parent families among Mexican Americans have grown from 14% in 1980 to 22% in 2001 (Zeiders, Roosa, & Yuntein, 2011). Children who live in a single parent home tend to be at greater risk than children in two parent homes for academic and conduct problems, substance abuse and depression (Zeiders, Roosa & Yuntein, 2011). This may be due to the fact that there is a lack of financial resources for some of the single parent families versus the two parent families who may have a double income. Although there are some studies HISPANIC AMERICANS IN THE UNITED STATES 7 that show Latino children in single parent homes are more likely to have negative outcomes, there are also some studies that show they are not (Zeiders, Roosa & Yuntein, 2011). Marriage Patterns In the United States, Mexican American females are most likely to be married and non-hispanic blacks are the least likely (Landale, Oropesa, & Bradatan, 2006). Among some of the Hispanic races in the United States, 4% of Cuban females and 38% of Puerto Rican females aged 20-24 are married (Landale, Oropesa, & Bradatan, 2006). Fitting In Over recent decades, Hispanic Americans have adapted to more of the â€Å"Americanized† way of living. Many of them dress alike, eat American food, go to college, etc. They have assimilated somewhat, but are far from being fully assimilated. They may never actually be fully assimilated into American society. One main reason is their race. It has typically been shown throughout history that races made up of white people are able to assimilate much easier than those with different skin colors. Conclusion Hispanics have come from several different countries and even look dissimilar from each other but are still each identified as Hispanics. Throughout the years, Hispanics have adapted to the American way of living and continue to do so. The only thing separating many Hispanics from non-ethnic whites is the color of their skin. As a whole, Hispanics have assimilated in many ways but they will probably never be fully assimilated. Instead, they may be working towards full acculturation. HISPANIC AMERICANS IN THE UNITED STATES 8 References Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (n. d. ). Retrieved November 14, 2013, from http://www. cdc. gov/†¦ /Audience/AudienceInsight_CulturalInsights. pdf Cepeda, M. E. Mucholoco for ricky martin; or the politics of chronology, crossover, and language within the latino music â€Å"boom†. Popular music and society, 55-67. Retrieved November 7, 2013, from Ebscohost. Landale, N. S. , Oropesa, R. S. , & Bradatan, C. (2006). Hispanic families in the United States: Family structure and process in an era of family change. In Hispanics and the future of America. Retrieved November 14, 2013 from http://www. ncbi. nlm. nih. gov/books/NBK19902/ Marger, M. N. (2012). Race and ethnic relations American and global perspectives (9th ed. ). Belmont, CA: Wadsworth, Cengage Learning. Moitinho, E. (n. d. ). Hispanic culture 101. In American association of christian counselors. Retrieved November 18, 2013, from http://www. aacc. net/2012/09/21/hispanic-culture-101-increase-your-hispaniclatinocultura l-iq/ Revels-Bey, N. (n. d. ). History of Latin music. In Revels-Bay Music. Retrieved November 18, 2013, from http://www. revels-bey. com/history_of_latin_music. htm Zeiders, K. H. , Roosa, M. W. , & Yuntein, J. (2011). Family structure and family processes in mexican-american families. Family process, 70-91. Retrieved November 7, 2013, from Ebscohost.