Understanding Stages in Developmental Psychology

Understanding Stages in Developmental Psychology Theories Developmental Psychology Print Developmental Psychology By Kendra Cherry facebook twitter Kendra Cherry, MS, is an author, educational consultant, and speaker focused on helping students learn about psychology. Learn about our editorial policy Kendra Cherry Medically reviewed by Medically reviewed by Steven Gans, MD on August 13, 2016 Steven Gans, MD is board-certified in psychiatry and is an active supervisor, teacher, and mentor at Massachusetts General Hospital. Learn about our Medical Review Board Steven Gans, MD Updated on August 13, 2019 More in Theories Developmental Psychology Behavioral Psychology Cognitive Psychology Personality Psychology Social Psychology Biological Psychology Psychosocial Psychology In This Article Table of Contents Expand Overview Developmental Psychology Theories Developmental Psychologists Developmental Stages Developmental Disorder Diagnosis View All Back To Top People go through many changes over the course of their lives. Development describes the growth of humans throughout their lifespan, from conception to death. Psychologists strive to understand and explain how and why people change throughout life. While many of these changes are normal and expected, they can still pose challenges that people sometimes need extra assistance to manage. By understanding the process of normative development, professionals are better able to spot potential problems and provide early interventions that can result in better outcomes. Developmental psychologists can work with people of all ages to treat issues and support growth, although some choose to specialize in a specific area such as childhood, adulthood, or old age. What Is Developmental Psychology? Developmental psychology is the branch of psychology that focuses on how people grow and change over the course of a lifetime. Those who specialize in this field are not just concerned with the physical changes that occur as people grow; they also look at the social, emotional, and cognitive development that occurs throughout life. Some of the many issues that developmental psychologists may help patients deal with include: motor skill developmentlanguage acquisitionemotional developmentthe emergence of self-awareness and self-conceptcognitive development during childhood and throughout lifesocial and cultural influences on child developmentpersonality developmentmoral reasoningdevelopmental challenges and learning disabilities These professionals spend a great deal of time investigating and observing how these processes occur under normal circumstances, but they are also interested in learning about things that can disrupt developmental processes. By better understanding how and why people change and grow, developmental psychologists can help people live up to their full potential. Understanding the course of normal human development and recognizing potential problems early on is important, because untreated developmental problems may lead to difficulties with depression, low self-esteem, frustration, and low achievement in school. Developmental Psychology Theories Developmental psychologists often utilize a number of theories to think about different aspects of human development. For example, a psychologist assessing intellectual development in a child might consider Piagets theory of cognitive development, which outlined the key stages that children go through as they learn. A psychologist working with a child might also want to consider how the childs relationships with caregivers influences his or her behaviors, and so turn to Bowlbys theory of attachment. Psychologists are also interested in looking at how social relationships influence the development of both children and adults. Eriksons theory of psychosocial development and Vygotskys theory of sociocultural development are two popular theoretical frameworks that address the social influences on the developmental process. Each approach tends to stress different aspects of development such as mental, social, or parental influences on how children grow and progress. When You (or Your Child) Might Need a Developmental Psychologist While development tends to follow a fairly predictable pattern, there are times when things might go off course. Parents often focus on what are known as developmental milestones, which represent abilities that most children tend to display by a certain point in development. These typically focus on one of four different areas: physical, cognitive, social/emotional, and communication. For example, walking is one physical milestone that most children achieve sometime between the ages of 9 and 15 months. If a child is not walking or attempting to walk by 16 to 18 months, parents might consider consulting with their family physician to determine if a developmental issue might be present. While all children develop at different rates, when a child fails to meet certain milestones by a certain age, there may be cause for concern. By being aware of these milestones, parents can seek assistance and healthcare professionals can offer interventions that can help kids overcome developmental delays. These professionals often evaluate children to determine if a developmental delay might be present, or they might work with elderly patients who are facing health concerns associated with old age such as cognitive declines, physical struggles, emotional difficulties, or degenerative brain disorders. Developmental psychologists can provide support to individuals at all points of life who may be facing developmental issues or problems related to aging. Concerns at Different Stages of Development As you might imagine, developmental psychologists often break down development according to various phases of life. Each of these periods of development represents a time when different milestones are typically achieved. People may face particular challenges at each point, and developmental psychologists can often help people who might be struggling with problems to get back on track. Prenatal: The prenatal period is of interest to developmental psychologists who seek to understand how the earliest influences on development can impact later growth during childhood. Psychologists may look at how primary reflexes emerge before birth, how fetuses respond to stimuli in the womb and the sensations and perceptions that fetuses are capable of detecting prior to birth. Developmental psychologists may also look at potential problems such as Down syndrome, maternal drug use, and inherited diseases that might have an impact on the course of future development. Early Childhood: The period from infancy through early childhood is a time of remarkable growth and change. Developmental psychologists look at things such as the physical, cognitive, and emotional growth that takes place during this critical period of development. In addition to providing interventions for potential developmental problems at this point, psychologists are also focused on helping kids achieve their full potential. Parents and healthcare experts are often on the lookout to ensure that kids are growing properly, receiving adequate nutrition, and achieving cognitive milestones appropriate for their age. Middle Childhood: This period of development is marked by both physical maturation and the increased importance of social influences as children make their way through elementary school. Kids begin to make their mark on the world as they form friendships, gain competency through schoolwork, and continue to build their unique sense of self. Parents may seek the assistance of a developmental psychologist to help kids deal with potential problems that might arise at this age including social, emotional, and mental health issues. Adolescence: The teenage years are often the subject of considerable interest as children experience the psychological turmoil and transition that often accompanies this period of development. Psychologists such as Erik Erikson were especially interested in looking at how navigating this period leads to identity formation. At this age, kids often test limits and explore new identities as they explore the question of who they are and who they want to be. Developmental psychologists can help support teens as they deal with some of the challenging issues unique to the adolescent period including puberty, emotional turmoil, and social pressure. Early Adulthood: This period of life is often marked by forming and maintaining relationships. Forming bonds, intimacy, close friendships, and starting a family are often critical milestones during early adulthood. Those who can build and sustain such relationships tend to experience connectedness and social support while those who struggle with such relationships may be left feeling alienated and lonely. People facing such issues might seek the assistance of a developmental psychologist in order to build healthier relationships and combat emotional difficulties. Middle Adulthood: This stage of life tends to center on developing a sense of purpose and contributing to society. Erikson described this as the conflict between generativity and stagnation. Those who engage in the world, contribute things that will outlast them, and leave a mark on the next generation emerge with a sense of purpose. Activities such as careers, families, group memberships, and community involvement are all things that can contribute to this feeling of generativity. Old Age: The senior years are often viewed as a period of poor health, yet many older adults are capable of remaining active and busy well into their 80s and 90s. Increased health concerns mark this period of development, and some individuals may experience mental declines related to dementia. Erikson also viewed the elder years as a time of reflection back on life. Those who are able to look back and see a life well lived emerge with a sense of wisdom and readiness to face the end of their lives, while those who look back with regret may be left with feelings of bitterness and despair. Developmental psychologists may work with elderly patients to help them cope with issues related to the aging process. Diagnosis of a Developmental Issue To determine if a developmental problem is present, a psychologist or other highly trained professional may administer either a developmental screening or evaluation. For children, such an evaluation typically involves interviews with parents and other caregivers to learn about behaviors they may have observed, a review of a childs medical history, and standardized testing to measure functioning in terms of communication, social/emotional skills, physical/motor development, and cognitive skills. If a problem is found to be present, the patient may then be referred to a specialist such as a speech-language pathologist, physical therapist, or occupational therapist. A Word From Verywell Receiving a diagnosis of a developmental issue can often feel both confusing and frightening, particularly when it is your child who is affected. Once you or your loved one has received a diagnosis of a developmental issue, spend some time learning as much as you can about the diagnosis and available treatments. Prepare a list of questions and concerns you may have and discuss these issues with your doctor, developmental psychologist, and other healthcare professionals who may be part of the treatment team. By taking an active role in the process, you will feel better informed and equipped to tackle the next steps in the treatment process.

Guide to Sentence Patterns for ESL Learners

Sentence patterns can be understood as the way sentences are usually structured. It is important to learn the most common sentence patterns in English, as most of the sentences you will hear, write, and speak will follow these basic patterns. Sentence Patterns #1 - Noun / Verb The most basic sentence pattern is a noun followed by a verb. Its important to remember that only verbs that do not require objects are used in this sentence pattern. People work.Frank eats.Things happen. This basic sentence pattern can be modified by adding a noun phrase, possessive adjective, as well as other elements. This is true for all the sentence patterns that follow. People work. - Our employees work.Frank eats. - My dog Frank eats.Things happen. - Crazy things happen. Sentence Patterns #2 - Noun / Verb / Noun The next sentence pattern builds on the first pattern and is used with nouns that can take objects. John plays softball.The boys are watching TV.She works at a bank. Sentence Patterns #3 - Noun / Verb / Adverb The next sentence pattern builds on the first pattern by using an adverb to describe how an action is done. Thomas drives quickly.Anna doesnt sleep deeply.He does homework carefully. Sentence Patterns #4 - Noun / Linking Verb / Noun This sentence pattern uses linking verbs to link one noun to another. Linking verbs are also known as equating verbs - verbs which equate one thing with another such as be, become, seem, etc. Jack is a student.This seed will become an apple.France is a country. Sentence Patterns #5 - Noun / Linking Verb / Adjective This sentence pattern is similar to sentence pattern #4, but uses linking verbs to link one noun to its description using an adjective. My computer is slow!Her parents seem unhappy.English seems easy. Sentence Patterns #6 - Noun / Verb / Noun / Noun Sentence pattern #6 is used with verbs that take both direct and indirect objects. I bought Katherine a gift.Jennifer showed Peter her car.The teacher explained the homework to Peter.   Parts of speech  are the different type of words. They are put together to create sentence patterns in English. Here are the  eight parts of speech. Learning parts of speech make understanding sentences easier.   Noun   Nouns are things, people, places, concepts - computer, Tom, table, Portland, Freedom Pronoun   Pronouns replace nouns in sentences. There are subject, object, and posessive pronouns - he, I, them, our, its, us Adjective Adjectives describe things, people, places and concepts. Adjectives come before nouns. - big, excellent, fun, tiny Verb   Verbs are what people do, the actions they make. Verbs are used in many different tenses. - play, visit, buy, cook Adverb Adverbs describe how, where or when something is done. They often come at the end of a sentence. - always, slowly, carefully Conjunction Conjunctions connect words and sentences. Conjunctions help us give reasons and explain. - but, and, because, if Preposition Prepositions help us show the relationship between things, people and places. Prepositions are often just a few letters. - in, at, off, about Interjection Interjections are used to add emphasis, show understanding, or surprise. Interjections are often followed by exclamation points. - Wow!, ah, pow! There are a number of common sentence patterns used to write most sentences in English. The basic sentence patterns presented in this guide to sentence patterns will help you understand the underlying pattern in even the most complex English sentences. Take this quiz to test your understanding of sentence patterns and parts of speech.   What are the parts of speech of the words in  italics  in each sentence?   My friend  lives  in Italy.Sharon has a bicycle.Alice has a banana  and  an apple.  He  studies French at school.Jason lives  in  New York.Wow! That sounds difficult.He lives in a  big  house.Mary drove home  quickly.   Which sentence pattern does each sentence have? Peter studies Russian.  I am a teacher.I bought him a gift.Alice is happy.My friends danced.  Mark spoke slowly. Answers to parts of speech quiz verbnounconjunctionpronounprepositioninterjectionadjectiveadverb Answers to sentence pattern quiz Noun / Verb / NounNoun / Linking Verb / NounNoun / Verb / Noun / NounNoun / Linking Verb / AdjectiveNoun / VerbNoun / Verb / Adverb

Erik Erikson s Theory Of Psychosocial Development

1 Describe the growth and developmental tasks that were displayed by the child you interacted with in this setting (Erikson, Piaget, and Freud). Were these tasks age appropriate? Did you assess any developmental challenges in the client that you interacted with? How were they dealt with (by you and by the health care team)? Answer: Industry vs inferiority, the fourth stage of Erik Erikson’s theory of psychosocial development. This stage occurs during the stage occurs during childhood between the ages of six and eleven. School and social interaction play an important role during this time of a child’s life. Through social interactions, children begin to develop a sense of pride in their accomplishments and abilities. During the industry versus inferiority stage, children become capable of performing increasingly complex tasks. As a result, they strive to master new skills. Children who are encouraged and commended by parents and teachers develop a feeling of competence and belief in their skills. I interacted with many kids they all developed feeling of competence and performed various tasks such as reading, writing, drawing, and so forth. According to Piaget, this stage occurs in the concrete operational stage. During this period the kids acquire motor skills and develop a sense of self. There are capable of imaginative thinking and playful activity. These tasks were appropriate with the age because the children met all the criteria based on Erickson and Piaget’sShow MoreRelatedErik Erikson s Theory Of Psychosocial Development884 Words   |  4 PagesErik Erikson Erik Erikson was born June 15, 1902. Erikson is best-known for his famous theory of psychosocial development and the concept of the identity crisis. His theories marked an important shift in thinking on personality; instead of focusing simply on early childhood event, his psychosocial theory looked at how social influences contribute to personality throughout the entire lifespan. Erik Erikson died May 12, 1994 due to prostate cancer. (Erik Erikson, 2015). Stages of Psychosocial DevelopmentRead MoreErik Erikson s Theory Of Psychosocial Development Essay1177 Words   |  5 Pages Erik Erikson was born in Greman in 1902-1994, American psychoanalyst; known for psychosocial theory of emotional development of human beings. His theory looks at the impact of parents and society on personality development from childhood to adulthood. Erikson believes, each person has to pass through a series of eight stages over there entire life cycle. I will look at the first 3 stages that cover the childhood years. There are set of conflict at each stage, which allows individual to developRead MoreErik Erikson s Psychosocial Development Theory1518 Words   |  7 PagesABSTRACT This research paper will show a thorough review of Erik Erikson s Psychosocial Development Theory, specifically the transition from adolescence to adulthood. Psychosocial Development, according to Erik Erikson, is a continuity of crisis throughout our lifespan; these challenges will shape our personality and the way we perceive our surroundings. In addition to this, the different stages mentioned in this Theory complement each other and help us to develop the tools to achieve a sense ofRead MoreErik Erikson s Theory Of Psychosocial Development Essay1366 Words   |  6 PagesAbstract Erik Erikson (1902-1994) provided a new perspective of psychosocial behavior and development while expanding on the works of other theorists. Erikson believed there to be eight stages of psychosocial development which a person transitions through. These stages start at birth and end with old age/death. Erikson’s work is used throughout many outlets of social work. Social workers use this information to help them figure out what is going on with clients and how best to help them. Erikson providesRead MoreErik Erikson s Theory Of Psychosocial Development1445 Words   |  6 PagesErik Erikson was an ego psychologists who developed one of the utmost popular and prominent theories of development. While Erikson’s theory was influenced by psychoanalyst Sigmund Freud s work, Erikson s theory centered on psychosocial development rather than psychosexual development. Erik Erikson s theory of psychosocial development is one of the best-known theories of personality in psychology. Much like Sigmund Freud, Erikson believed that personality develops in a series of stages. UnlikeRead MoreErik Erikson s Theory Of Psychosocial Development1818 Words   |  8 Pagesinfluential theories in developmental psychology, which is Erik Erikson’s theory of psychosocial development. It is a very interesting theory, and although it was influenced by Sigmund Freud, it centers more on the social component rather than the psychosexual stand of Freud. According to Erikson, our personal development occurs as we interact daily with others and have new experiences that shape us throughout our lives. This paper will review the eight stages of the psychosocial theory: 1. TrustRead MoreErik Erikson s Theory Of Psychosocial Development Essay1775 Words   |  8 Pages Erik Erikson’s theory of psychosocial development is one of the most influential theories of human development. While highly influenced by the works of Sigmund Freud, Ericson’s theory incorporates the impact of society and conflicts of the ego, and expands it across the entire life-span of human existence. His theory breaks a life into eight stages of Psychosocial Development. In each stage a person will undergo a psychosocial crisis, which he defines as â€Å"†¦not a threat of catastrophe, but a turningRead MoreErik Erikson s Psychosocial Theory On Child Development1388 Words   |  6 PagesErik Erikson’s Psychosocial Theory on Child Development Erik Erikson, a well known developmental theorist, developed his theory about stages of human development from birth to death by using Freud s work as a starting point. According to Erikson, personality develops in a series of stages. Erikson found out that children experience conflicts which affect their development. He described the internal conflict which children go through in developmental stages using the term ‘crisis’ and are based onRead MoreErik Erikson s Theory Of Psychosocial Development1359 Words   |  6 Pages Erik Erikson â€Å"There is in every child at every stage a new miracle of vigorous unfolding.† And no matter who you are and what you do, I believe that everyone will go through stages in their life. Erik Erikson was a famous psychologist in the twentieth – century, where he developed â€Å"Psychosocial stages†. Erikson’s theories centered on issues that were met on specific ages in someone’s life. Love, care, and tender is critical and many parents do not realize how much nurturing and caring for a childRead MoreErik Erikson s Theory Of Psychosocial Development1007 Words   |  5 PagesErik Erikson was a German born, American developmental psychologist. He is known best for his theory of psychosocial development, and creating the phrase â€Å"identity crisis†. He practiced after Freud, adopting some and disagreeing with some of his theories. Erikson continued the theory of the id, ego, and superego. However, unlike Freud, Erikson believed that personality development cannot be explained or identified solely based on sexuality. He believed that society and culture also influence Erik Erikson s Theory Of Psychosocial Development Erik Erikson â€Å"There is in every child at every stage a new miracle of vigorous unfolding.† And no matter who you are and what you do, I believe that everyone will go through stages in their life. Erik Erikson was a famous psychologist in the twentieth – century, where he developed â€Å"Psychosocial stages†. Erikson’s theories centered on issues that were met on specific ages in someone’s life. Love, care, and tender is critical and many parents do not realize how much nurturing and caring for a child is very important. Erik Erikson’s developmental theory is the development of a person’s identity. Erikson states, â€Å"The conscience sense of self that is developed through social interaction.† Erik Erikson was a psychoanalyst who believed that,†¦show more content†¦Erikson expanded on psychoanalytic theory by exploring development throughout the life, including events of childhood, adulthood and old age.† As it mentions in the Psychology Core Concepts textbook. Erik Erikson believed that â€Å"individual development takes place in a social context.† According to Erikson, as human beings age, we go through eight different stages to mature. Erikson’s theory of psychosocial development, is a theory that describes stages in which a human being should pass as he or she are going through life. Erik describes each of the stages to have a positive and a negative characteristic. The personality of an individual changes and develops over a lifetime and these charges may either help or hold one back from attaining their objectives. While Erikson’s theory has its critics, â€Å"the criticism resolves primarily around whether his eight stages occur in their prescribed order for everyone or whether they can be experienced at different times for different people (based at least in part on cultural norms).† Erikson’s theory remains prominent today in the study of huma n development. Many of Erikson’s theories were influenced by psychoanalyst, Freud’s work, and Erikson’s theory centered on development. His theory of psychosocial development is one of the best known theories of personality in psychology. He believed that

Strategies by Apple for Successful Change Free Essays

Apple’s CEO Steve Jobs recently described apple as a mobile device company. Apple once considered a desktop computer company is slowly moving towards mobile devices. This statement shows how apple’s strategy has changed significantly in past few years. We will write a custom essay sample on Strategies by Apple for Successful Change or any similar topic only for you Order Now Challenges faced in the past – The major challenge Apple faced in the past was the isolation it has created from other products and companies in the market. Apple users had very limited options. The other challenge faced by the Apple was the compatibility of its product with the other products available in the market. Core Competency – Apple’s core competency is to provide exceptional experience through superb user interface. Apple provide this experience along with very large ecosystem of various online distribution system (App stores) where user can find almost every application they need. Strategy – Apple’s strategy is to provide superior product in the market through innovation. Apple also charges premium price for these product and keeps high margins. Strategy Execution – Moving towards mobile products -Apple identified the customer behavior of moving away from desktop computers towards mobile products at the very early stage. Apple realized it much earlier then any other computer manufacture or software company. In last few years Apple created two superior mobile products, iPhone and iPad. iPhone was superior then any other mobile phone product in the market and because of that Apple captured the big percentage of smartphone market. iPad had the first mover advantage in the market backed by superb marketing of the product and created a new market space for product. Ecosystem Creation – Apple also created a very effective ecosystem of apps store for their products. This ecosystem gave Apple more acceptances in the market and among the customers. Apple also created the ecosystem for developers to develop the application for their products, which help them to get continuous supply of very good application for their products. High Margins – Apple charge premium price for its products and makes big profits since manufacturing cost is considerable low once product is designed and developed. Apple also charges a big percentage of the data plan price from the mobile service provider and big percentage from apps store application and it is another big source of profits for them. Also by managing and keeping tight control on these distribution channels, Apple dictates the terms to their suppliers. Timing for implementation – Apple’s timing of the implementation in last few years has been very good. They understood the need of the customers in the market in advance and developed the products to meet that need much in advance then any other competitors. How to cite Strategies by Apple for Successful Change, Papers

Accounting Services Strategic Information System

Question: Discuss about the Accounting Services for Strategic Information System. Answer: Introduction The assignment studies the evolution of accounting software highlighting the dramatic revolution that took place at the present and future of accounting services and software. The adoption and development of accounting software have been an evolution to paperwork in accounting and finance. Moreover, the review highlights the history as well as present scenario of accounting software packages that enabled quick reporting, storage and easy processing of financial information (Murungi and Kayigamba 2015). History of Accounting Software/ Packages in Australia In general, history dates back to millenniums, with the necessity for tracking assets and transactions during the initial development of numbers, arithmetic and even writing. However, with each passing day until our millennia our dependency in computers increased every day to a point where we require computers to even drive our cars, let alone provide entertainment, enforce global communication, etc. Accounting softwares millennia begin when a modern digital computer was gradually developed and was sold to private business for accounting purposes in 1955, 61 years from now. However, the first business to ever introduce computers for accounting dates back to the 1960s where a modern computer (at that time) was used for accounting related calculations. In Australia, standards of accounting were originally burgeoned by the professional accounting bodies, which were prosecuted under the code of ethics forming the Australian Accounting Standards Board (Scott 2015). Prior to the modern era of todays, accounting software were modified and was considered a superhuman task that could be prepared byte by byte over months of hard work. Moreover, to reduce mass employment significantly over adding machines and immense paperwork, there was a lot that needed to be improved upon (Curtis and Averis 2014). However, in 1980s software began improving such that during the eighties, a mettlesome young company known as Teleware Inc. developed an avant-garde accounting software which caught the attention of many accounting firms and was later on bought by an Australian publisher and was named MYOB Limited (Mind Your Own Business) in 1999 (Fletcher-Brown 2015). Therefore, it created a revolution in the accounting software packages in Australia. In the current scenario, accounting software handled almost all aspects of tracking the movement of money for essentially everyone in the world. The updated approaches in hardware and the rise of cellular technology meant less reliance on outdated, bulky and rather expensive boxes in order to achieve advantage. However, with modern mobile technology and modern user interface, the human elements of business became more friendly and accessible (Scott 2015). Development and Adoption The computerised accounting system was known as off the shelf accounting programs at remarkably low cost as it carried out different functions of payments, invoicing, wages and providing regular accounting reports. The accounting software packages were principally adopted for high speed, accuracy of operations and real-time status of companys financial position. Although, it was primarily done for ease of use to get instant reports on management on sales analysis, trial balance, stock valuation, budget analysis, payroll analysis as well as GST/ VAT returns. However, computerised accounting software also provided a basis for day-today bookkeeping tasks, clients accounts and returns which freed the staff of business from time consuming as well as administrative tasks (Hadler 2016). Moreover, with addition of cloud system, it added alertness in the system as one could set up its early warnings for unused activities like posing for profit and loss account instead of balance sheet, maintaining in clients books. Nevertheless, the alert system developed the easier way of resolving disputed before becoming an issue while saving time and clients information (Coltman 2014). Current Market Size and Competitors The accounting, more precisely, the bookkeeping system has been blown wide by the cloud services such as Intuit and Xero. The market leaders that are known to be big players in accounting software market are MYOB, Xero and Intuit. However, MYOB had been growing at a fast pace and has been maintaining its market share and a rise between AU831.7 million dollars and AU833.8 million dollars based on a revealing range of price between 34 dollars a share in IPO (Heber 2015). The two giants rolled up in the Australian market and are described to be combative as the accounting software industry is disturbed. However, in the past 12 months, Xero and Intuit has evolved. Xero has evolved from a start up with more than 400,000 paying customers with 240 billion dollars transactions whereas Intuit, since past 12 months has grown to 60 staff members and had made two acquisitions that is Invitco and Fifo (King 2014). However, in the recent years, global incumbents have been investing in building in their own cloud-based offerings through acquisitions and internal development. However, to compete the growing competition in the recent market trend, MYOB has invested 40 million dollars to make developments in bills and invoices, automated data entry system, improving mobile experiences, payments as well as banking. Figure 1: MYOB and (MYOB vs. Xero) Source: (Heber 2015) Moreover, recent small businesses like QuickBooks Online and Reckon have also come in business. Although, the small businesses are uncomfortable with the idea of cloud computing products but with extra features like payroll, time tracking, billing, inventory as well as Point of sale (POS), the customer can subscribe to a different payroll program in the view of integration (James and Maher 2016). According to the present scenario, the software publishing industry has shown a steady growth in the last five years with emergence of new technology and online connectivity. Increased high-speed internet has taken advantage of cloud computing as well as new hardware like tablest and smartphones. The industry revenue is expected to rise at an annual rate of 10.9% in a period of five years from 2015-16 to achieve 2.3 billion dollars. Therefore, the growth is forecasted to increase by 14.8% to adopt the distributive model of software as a service (SaaS) for the industry participants (Ibisworld 2016). Current Challenges The current challenges that accounting software system has been facing highlights in the problem of stream of payments (Hossack 2015). Additionally, there is no rigorous back up regime such that if the data gets lost, it is hard to sustain it. However, a major concern is data security as the online content is vulnerable to hackers, threats as well as frauds. However, accounting software are not novice-friendly as a result; organizations trained workforce can only use it (Rittinghouse and Ransome 2016). Recommendations The recommendations that can be made to the accounting software packages in Australia are given as: The official should ensure system maintenance of routine programs in order to get liberated from different threats and frauds. Apart from training the staff, it is also important the staff have a continuous check on failing the system as the concern to report impartial financial information. However, there is a need for more audit reviews to check the strength as well as appraise the introduced within the system controls (Murungi and Kayigamba 2015). Conclusion To conclude, it can be said that the accounting software packages were developed to free from paperwork system and provide a refined yet organized way of performing accounting tasks. However, this method had been adopted in 1955 but it all started because of software named MYOB Limited (Mind Your Own Business) in Australia. Although, the market for accounting software are increasing in the market but on the other hand, MYOB had been facing a tough competition from Xero and other new entrants like QuickBooks Online and Reckon. Moreover, there are certain challenges that it has been facing in day to day operations and certain recommendations had been made to provide a change in the given scenario of accounting software packages. References Coltman, E. 2014.Are you wasting time with these give accounting software problems | FreeAgent | ICAS. Icas.com. Available at: https://www.icas.com/ca-today-news/are-you-wasting-time-with-these-five-accounting-software-problems [Accessed 23 Aug. 2016]. Curtis, V. and Averis, L., 2014.Bookkeeping For Dummies-Australia/NZ. John Wiley Sons. Fletcher-Brown, R., 2015. Mind Your Own Businesshow can we best support employers to improve the mental health of their employees?.Perspectives in public health,135(1), pp.18-20. Hadler, G. 2016.The Advantages of Using Computerised Accounting Software, MYOB, Mind Your Own Business. Itseducation.asia. Available at: https://www.itseducation.asia/computerized-accounting.htm [Accessed 23 Aug. 2016]. Heber, A. 2015.The cloud accounting supremacy war in Australia. Businessinsider.com.au. Available at: https://www.businessinsider.com.au/charts-the-battle-for-supremacy-in-australias-cloud-accounting-market-2015-4 [Accessed 23 Aug. 2016]. Hossack, S., 2015. Cloud-based accounting and productivity tools for practitioners and taxpayers.Taxation in Australia,50(5), p.265. Ibisworld. 2016.Software Publishing in Australia Market Research | IBISWorld. Available at: https://www.ibisworld.com.au/industry/default.aspx?indid=5275 [Accessed 23 Aug. 2016]. James, D. and Maher, W. 2016.7 accounting packages for Australian small businesses compared: including MYOB, QuickBooks Online, Reckon, Xero. BIT. Available at: https://www.bit.com.au/Review/344651,7-accounting-packages-for-australian-small-businesses-compared-including-myob-quickbooks-online-reckon-xero.aspx [Accessed 23 Aug. 2016]. King, R. 2014.Intuit buying cloud-based bookkeeping startup Invitco | ZDNet. ZDNet. Available at: https://www.zdnet.com/article/intuit-buying-cloud-based-bookkeeping-startup-invitco/ [Accessed 23 Aug. 2016]. Murungi, S. and Kayigamba, C., 2015. The impact of computerized accounting system on financial reporting in the ministry of local government of Rwanda.Journal of Emerging Trends in Economics and Management Sciences (JETEMS),6(4), pp.261-265. Rittinghouse, J.W. and Ransome, J.F., 2016.Cloud computing: implementation, management, and security. CRC press. Scott, B. 2015.The Accounting Journal: Accounting Software Grows Up - The Pulse Australia. The Pulse Australia. Available at: https://myob.com.au/blog/the-accounting-journal-accounting-software-grows-up/ [Accessed 23 Aug. 2016]. Scott, B. 2015.The Accounting Journal: Accounting Through Antiquity - The Pulse Australia. The Pulse Australia. Available at: https://myob.com.au/blog/the-accounting-journal-accounting-through-antiquity/ [Accessed 23 Aug. 2016].

Disparity and Discrimination in the Criminal Justice System Today Essay Example

Disparity and Discrimination in the Criminal Justice System Today Essay Disparity and Discrimination in the Criminal Justice System Today Kimberly Acreman Cultural Diversity in Criminal Justice CJA/423 Brian Bugge January 25, 2010 Today’s criminal justice system encounters several difficult and problematic circumstances. However, the following paper will refer to involvement in disparity and discrimination within court procedures and law enforcement. Each situation discussed will pertain to disparity and discrimination within today’s criminal justice system. In some situations disparity can result from discrimination. The following paper will provide examples, definitions, contrast of disparity and discrimination, and comparison. Disparity is based on two elements known as legal and extralegal and do not mean discrimination exactly. The legal element supplies lawful explanations for decisions based on one’s criminal behavior and record. For instance, in court when determining a sentence or amount of time one should receive for breaking the law by burglary, rape, murder, etc. Another instance, law enforcement officials arrest an individual for burglary based on the individual’s past criminal history, and the fact that the individual was not far from the scene of crime. The extralegal element contains gender, lifestyle, class status, and nationality. However, these particular elements are not lawful basis for determinations. For instance, in court the determination of sentencing for individual to serve will not be based on nationality, but rather on statics of the population and community; as well as the appearance of the individual. We will write a custom essay sample on Disparity and Discrimination in the Criminal Justice System Today specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on Disparity and Discrimination in the Criminal Justice System Today specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on Disparity and Discrimination in the Criminal Justice System Today specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer In result, discrimination constitutes a different approach or determination against individuals based on nationality, religion, class status, etc. Discrimination is composed of four types known as systematic, contextual, institutionalized, and individual discriminating acts. Systematic is the discrimination within the criminal justice system, contextual pertains to particular crimes, institutionalized pertains to the criminal record and behavior, and finally the individual acts of discrimination is the individual’s own actions. For instance, law enforcement officials notice a woman on a street that is known for prostitution but what the law enforcement officials do not know is the woman is walking home from the bar. The law enforcement officials pull over, stop the woman, and arrest her based on the outfit she is wearing. Therefore, the result was based on the woman’s appearance and location she must be a prostitute. Another instance of discrimination would be a Middle Eastern woman who is accused of making terroristic threats. The judge does not base his decision on lack or quality of evidence, but rather bases his decision on nationality and history. Therefore, the judge decided the Middle Eastern woman was guilty based on assumptions or stereotypes of Middle Eastern individuals. The end of result of the judge’s determination led to people on the outside looking in and wondering if we as a country have any unity among individuals of different nationalities. Therefore, when comparing disparity and discrimination they are alike because they both focus on sentencing an individual for a crime committed either in court or by arrest. Both disparity and discrimination assist in determining on whether or not an individual is guilty or an assumption that an individual is guilty. When contrasting disparity and discrimination an individual is sentenced on a separate scale that is typically harsher. Discrimination separates into several difficult situations that compare to disparity, but are limited in the area. Discrimination can be possible and yet ending in results. However, they are not the same. Therefore, we can decrease the chance of discrimination by making sure that all laws are applied equally to all individuals who break them. If an African American is arrested and charged for a drug offense, and it is their first offense then the individual should receive the same sentence determination as any other individual with regard to their personal criminal history and the seriousness of the crime. What many people ponder about is how can just as many white people deal drugs as African Americans, but yet they receive unequal and unfair punishments with one another. Therefore, constant and consistent punishments are crucial to decline disparity and maybe even deduct the belief that our system discriminates. The biggest obstacle will be to make sure that all local and state departments come together to reach a solution that everyone can agree with. This is the biggest obstacle because every area from rural to urban to city have their own crimes that they are tougher and more lenient on. However, it is these particular inconsistencies that fault our system and makes people whole heartedly believe that our system discriminates (2006, Rivera). In closing, discriminating situations do happen within our justice system, and it is crucial for our system that reform is developed. Without some come of reform that focuses on racial disparities within our system the next generation of prisoners will be created. Therefore, reform is crucial to cease any disparities and discrimination within our system to resolve the particular issues pertaining to disparity and discrimination. Reference Rivera, B (2006, March 15) Disparity verses Discrimination in the Justice System. Retrieved January 23, 2010 from: http://www. associatedcontent. com/article/23944/disparity_vs_discrimination_in_the_pg3 [The abbreviation for page in an in-text citation is p. ] . html

Writing Effective School Policy and Procedures

Writing Effective School Policy and Procedures Writing policy and procedures for schools is a part of an administrators job. School policies and procedures are essentially the governing documents by which your school district and school buildings are operated. It is essential that your policies and procedures be current and up-to-date. These should be reviewed and revised as necessary, and new policies and procedures should be written as needed. The following guidelines are tips and suggestions to consider when you are evaluating old policy and procedures or writing new ones. Why Is the Evaluation of School Policies and Procedures Important? Every school has a student handbook, support staff handbook, and certified staff handbook which are loaded with policies and procedures. These are vital pieces of each school because they govern the day-to-day occurrences that happen in your buildings. They are valuable because they offer the guidelines for how the administration and school board believe their school should be run. These policies come into play every single day. They are a set of expectations that all constituents within the school are held accountable by. How Do You Write Targeted Policy? Policies and procedures typically are written with a specific target audience in mind, This includes students, teachers, administrators, support staff, and even parents. Policies and procedures should be written so that the target audience understands what is being asked or directed of them.  For example, a policy written for a middle school student handbook should be written at a middle school grade level and with terminology that the average middle school student will understand. What Makes a Policy Clear? A quality policy is both informative and direct meaning that the information is not ambiguous, and it is always straight to the point. It is also clear and concise. A well-written policy will not create confusion. A good policy is also up-to-date. For example, policies dealing with technology probably need frequently updated  due to the rapid evolution of the technology industry itself. A clear policy is easy to understand. The readers of the policy should not only understand the meaning of the policy but understand the tone and the underlying reason the policy was written. When Do You Add New Policies or Revise Old Ones? Policies should be written and/or revised as needed. Student handbooks and such should be reviewed on a yearly basis. Administrators should be encouraged to keep documentation of all policies and procedures that they feel need to be added or revised as the school year moves along. There are times to put a piece of new or revised policy in effect immediately within a school year, but the majority of the time, the new or revised policy should go into effect the following school year. What Are Good Procedures for Adding or Revising Policies? The majority of policy should go through several channels before it is included within your proper district’s policy book. The first thing that has to happen is that a rough draft of the policy has to be written. This is usually done by a principal or other school administrator. Once the administrator is happy with the policy, then it is an excellent idea to form a review committee made up of the administrator, teachers, students, and parents. During the review committee, the administrator explains the policy and its purpose, the committee discusses the policy, makes any recommendations for revision, and decides whether it should be submitted to the superintendent for review. The superintendent then reviews the policy and may seek legal counsel to make sure the policy is legally viable. The superintendent may kick the policy back down to the review committee to make changes, may kick out the policy completely, or may send it on to the school board for them to review. The school board can vote to reject the policy, accept the policy, or may ask that a part be revised within the policy before they accept it. Once it is approved by the school board, then it becomes official school policy and is added to the appropriate district handbook.