The Mozart Effect: Concept Overview and Analysis

The Mozart Effect: Concept Overview and Analysis The Mozart Effect Beth Boardley Abstract The Mozart Effect is said to occur when individuals listen to the two piano sonata. It is hypothesized that by listening to this ensemble that individuals will remember information more easily. Two studies were conducted relating to the Mozart Effect. The first study relates to spatial skill performance and how we use the same neural pathways to process this as we do music, the second study was conducted to challenge the first study. The second study’s argument was that any music that is appreciated can cause the same memory effect. In the second study they conducted one experiment in which they exposed unborn mice to Mozart’s piano sonata K448 and then also conducted a study to see how Mozart’s piano sonata K448 affected patients who suffered from epilepsy. The conclusions were that Mozart’s piano sonata K448 did have a positive effect on both animals and humans. In this paper we will discuss the parts of the first study including the hypothesis, variable s, evidence, and explanations the researchers use. We will also examine the merit and generalizability of the second study. Music and Spatial Task Performance By conducting research and doing experiments we can gain reliable answers to the millions of questions we have. There are many different types of research that can be conducted. Researchers choose the type of research and experiments to conduct based on the hypothesis, and the resources available to them. This purpose to this paper is to examine the study of the Mozart effect in relation to two articles, â€Å"Music and Spatial Task Performance† written by Rauscher, Shaw Ky in 1993, and â€Å"The Mozart Effect† written by Jenkins in 2011, and to answer specific questions based on their research. Fundamentally the Mozart Effect is a study that examines whether or not music helps individuals complete tasks better. The first article in question is Music and Spatial Task Performance. This article was written by Rauscher, Shaw Ky in 1993. They strove to prove that there was a causal relationship between â€Å"cognition and cognitions pertaining to abstract operations such as mathematical or spatial reasoning† (Rauscher et al., 1993). They hypothesized that scans of the brain and its neural pathways would show that the intake and processing of music and our spatial ability would use the same pathways. They also hypothesized that theses paths cover large portions of the same areas of the brain. To better understand these articles it is important to understand what spatial task performance is. â€Å"Spatial ability is the capacity to understand and remember the spatial relations among objects† (Jhu.edu, n.d.). In other words it is the ability to visualize in one’s mind. This ability is not static as it develops throughout one’s life. In relation to application, spatial ability is related to a person’s ability to perform at a minimum of two tasks at the same time. An example of a spatial skill would be walking and dribbling a ball. Many occupations require prominent spatial ability such as mathematics, meteorology, natural sciences, engineering, and architecture, among many others. Many of these jobs require research. Conducting research also requires spatial ability. There are many components to conducting research. Two of the most important components are the independent and dependent variables. An independent variable is a variable that stands alone and has no changes made to it. The independent variables in this study are Mozarts sonata, the college students, and the three-year-olds (Rauscher et al., 1993). A dependent variable is a variable that depends on other factors and changes. In the Rauscher et al., study the dependent variable was the memory. Another component of a research study is the controlled variables. A controlled variable is a variable in which the researcher wants to remain constant. The controlled variables in the Rauscher et al., 1993 study consist of Mozart’s sonata, the college students, and the three-year-olds. The music was a necessary controlled variable because the study was music based. The age ranges of the participants was important to control because they wanted to find out how memory was affected in children and in adults. They wanted to see who would remember the information the longest. Rauscher et al., 2013, presented data from two studies. They proved that the college students had better short term memory as a result of listening to Mozart’s sonata. They also showed that the three year olds had advancements, particularly in nonverbal cognitive ability, as a result of listening to Mozart’s sonata too. The evidence from this study was empirical and valid. The researchers explained that infants have the maximum ability relating to developing nonverbal cognitive skills as well as memorization. It has been shown that as we increase in age we lose memory recall and execution skills with the decrease in brain elasticity. This also makes it harder for adults to retain new information. The evidence presented in the article justified their explanation and proved that music and spatial ability travels among the same pathways in the brain. The Mozart Effect In 2001 another researcher Jenkins analyzed the work and studies conducted by Rauscher et al., 1993 in relation to the Mozart effect. Jenkins used the concept of â€Å"enjoyment arousal† as an explanation to the Mozart effect. Jenkins believed two specific factors that affected the study was the type of music being played and the participant’s particular taste for the music. For instance if the participants were to have been of a younger age such as a teenager then they would most likely respond with more positive results to music from their generation such as Taylor Swift or Carrie Underwood. In order to test the challenge hypothesis Jenkins conducted a study Jenkins conducted animal experiments. They used rats in utero and exposed them to music for 60 days. The rats were split into groups where each group were exposed to different music. The ensembles in which the rats were exposed to were â€Å"Mozarts piano sonata K448, to minimalist music by the composer Philip Glass, to white noise or to silence† (Jenkins, 2011). After the rats were born and the exposure period was ended they were tested using a maze navigation course. The results from the study were surprising. The study from the maze navigation showed that the rats who were exposed to Mozart’s sonata were the quickest and also the most accurate at completing the maze (Jenkins, 2011). This information is significant because it showed that Mozart’s sonata and the Mozart effect does exist, that it is provable, and that it has an effect on memory. An additional study conducted did not relate to spatial skills or maze navigation. This study involved persons suffering from epilepsy. For this study they used â€Å"29 patients with focal discharges or bursts of generalized spike and wave complexes† (Jenkins, 2001). While listening to Mozart’s piano sonata K448 patient’s EEG results had a visible reduction in epileptic activity. They study showed for some patients there was great improvements. For example â€Å"in one male, unconscious with status epilepticus, ictal patterns were present 62% of the time, whereas during exposure to Mozart’s music this value fell to 21%† (Jenkins, 2001). According to another study, â€Å"The long-term effect of listening to Mozart K.448 decreases epileptic form discharges in children with epilepsy†, the Mozart K448 also had effectiveness in reducing epilepsy and the frequency of epileptic episodes in children (Lin et al., 2011). This study holds merit for several reasons. One reason is that it proves that the Mozart effect does exist. Secondly it provides evidence that the Mozart effect is not based only on music appreciation per the unborn rat’s performance in the maze. It also showed that this effect is not limited to spatial ability or memory as it was also proven to have profound effects in epileptic patients. This study did not take into account individual spatial ability. For instance all the rats were apparently able to complete the maze. The researchers gave no warning that any rats were impaired leading us to assume all of the rats were healthy. The only difference encountered was the music in which the rats were exposed to, or lack thereof. The study performed with the patients suffering from epilepsy did not pertain to their spatial abilities it focused on the decrease of epileptic episodes. .In order to make this study more generalizable all they would need to try and test the spatial ability of many different types of rats. There should be normal functioning rats, mentally deficient rats, deformed rats, and rats that suffer blindness and deafness issues. Added in there could be rats that suffer from malnutrition as well as obesity. With keeping the rest of the study the same a more wide-ranging inference can be made in relation to Mozart’s sonata and the effects it has on the rat’s performance in the maze navigation. In regards to the studies with the epileptic patients other types of music should be used rather than just Mozart’s sonata. Other classical selections could be used such as selections from Bach, Chopin, or other Mozart selections. This could be helpful in order to see if the epileptic episodes are decreased with the various selections or if it is just that particular Mozart sonata. The study could break the music down farther by examining the type of instrumentation within the selection. In the studies it was stated that the Mozart sonata was a piano piece. With this we may deduce that selections using the piano may have an effect on epileptic episodes. A generalization from this is that soothing piano music with no words could have a positive effect on the epileptic episode reductions. Another possibility, just as with the rats, the type of epileptic could be factor such as the severity of the epilepsy in the patient. Conclusion The conclusion of these studies is that the Mozart effect does in fact exist, that it is provable, and that there are positive results in the participants. The first study conducted pertained to spatial skills in college students as well as three year olds. This study proved that younger individuals have the ability to remember information more easily as a result of listening to Mozart’s sonata. The college students showed that information was retained only short-term. Also proven was that the intake and processing of music and spatial abilities use the same neural pathways in the brain. It was later argued that any type of music can make people remember more as long as they appreciate they music being played. This however was disproved through the experiment that was conducted using the rats. They study showed that the rats that listened to Mozart’s piece performed better and more accurately in the maze vs. rats that listened to Philip Glass, white noise, or nothing at all. Also interesting was the discovery that listening to Mozart’s piano sonata K448 was proven to reduce epileptic episodes. The Mozart effect unquestionably warrants further study. There needs to be different types of rats to determine if disabilities such as blindness or injury has an effect on their ability to navigate the maze. More studies with epileptic patients could be conducted as well in order to test different types of music’s relation to the reduction of episodes if any, as well as more studies on individuals and children. References Jenkins, J.S. (2001). The Mozart effect. Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine, 94, 170-172. Retrieved January 21, 2015, from http://web.b.ebscohost.com.libproxy.edmc.edu/ehost/pdfviewer/[emailprotected]vid=1hid=116 Jhu.edu. (n.d.). What is spatial ability? Retrieved January 21, 2015, from Lin, L., Lee, W., Wu, H., Tsai, C., Wei, R., Mok, H., Weng, C., Lee, M., Yang, R., (2011). The long-term effect of listening to Mozart K.448 decreases epileptic form discharges in children with epilepsy. Epilepsy Behavior, 21(4), 420-424. Retrieved January 21, 2015, from http://www.sciencedirect.com.libproxy.edmc.edu Rauscher, F. H., Shaw, G. L., Ky, K. N. (1993). Music and spatial task performance. Nature, 365. 6447: 611. (October 14, 1993). (ProQuest Document ID 76004658). Retrieved January 21, 2015, from http://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/ED390733.pd

Conservation of Water Essay

Nothing could be truer and telling than the fact that water is the elixir of life. Conservation of water is as much essential as preserving our flora and fauna and also protecting our heritage. With the highly disturbing reports of our water sources drying up or depleting in nature and nuance, it is time that we sat up and gave a serious thought and consideration to measures that could help save water and conserve it for use, both for the present and future generations. There is no denying that with the fast changing patterns of life, the demand for water is going to increase, both for domestic and non-domestic purposes. Unless some prompt and purposeful measures are taken to save and conserve water, the day would not be far away when we might be asked to face the music for want of adequate and regular supply of water, for domestic, agricultural, industrial and many other usages. The problem of depleting water sources is real and therefore the measures to meet the challenge should be equally robust and realistic. Knowledgeable people visualise the solution in traditional wisdom and modern technology. Just as the subject of environmental studies is being taught at different levels of school and college education, similarly the subject of water (how to avoid its wastage and conserve it) should be included in school curriculum. If students, in particular, and the public, in general, are made aware how to use water prudently and conserve every drop, we can face the dilemma of scarce water resources and increasing demand for this precious liquid. With modern technology at our disposal, waste-water from cities and industry should be recycled. A comprehensive water policy that addresses the issues related to water resources, water-table going down in certain States, crop pattern or diversification ensuring linkages with sectors like energy, forestry and agriculture, should be drawn up. Last but not least is the crying need to work in harmony with nature and give back what we take. After all the havoc that we have done to nature, the latter is still benign and bountiful. To make the best use of nature’s benevolence, all users of water in India are required to know that discretion is the better part of valor and prudence is the panacea for many a man-made mess.

Gothic Cathedrals Essay

Gothic architecture flourished during the Medieval times or Middle Ages. It evolves from the Romanesque style of architecture. The best example of Gothic architecture are the Gothic Cathedrals, specifically the La Sainte-Chapelle Cathedral in France and the Salisbury Cathedral in England. This paper will discuss the main and identifiable features of Gothic Cathedrals and explore the changes and evolution in floor plans and sculptural program of the exterior of the church from a stylistic and conceptual point of view. It will also explain how Christian religion’s needs and preoccupations changed overtime by using the buildings of La Sainte-Chapelle Cathedral and Salisbury Cathedral. II. Identifiable features: pointed arch, flying buttresses and ribbed vaulting The three most noticeable characteristic of Gothic Cathedrals are its height (tall), spaciousness and good ventilation (light). This is made possible by the development of new style technology, the pointed arch, flying buttresses and the ribbed vaulting. Prior to the use of pointed arch, the roofs of churches in the olden times were supported with a rounded arch. However, architects discovered that with a pointed arch, they can build taller buildings. With a higher building came a new type of buttress that takes care of the weight of the roof by supporting the walls from the outside by leaning arches called â€Å"flying buttresses† which are usually placed one above the other. As a result walls could be made taller and less massive, enabling a wide expanse of wall space for stained-glass windows. Meanwhile, the idea of ribbed vaulting also becomes popular. Instead of the groin vault of the Romanesque period, the Gothic architects discovered that ribs (diagonal arches) could be built that would support the entire weight of the roof. The space between the ribs could then be filled in with lighter material (Dudley & Faricy, 1973, p. 291-295; Perry, 1988, p. 189). With the adoption of these three technological styles, the Gothic cathedrals as compared to the somber, dark churches that preceded it are much higher, lighter and more spacious making it more inviting for the Christians. On the other hand, the concept of allowing more light inside the church is derived from the concept that God is Light. As much as possible partitions in the floor plans were removed so that a dazzling light will emanate from the choir toward the congregation. Moreover, the concept of building tall churches with tall towers and spires conveys the idea of the supremacy and importance of Christian religion in a person’s life especially that it towers above all other buildings surrounding it. Such are the qualities and impression that La Sainte-Chapelle Cathedral and Salisbury Cathedral projects. Both two cathedrals still uses the cross floor plans, the Salisbury cathedral, however, though it contained two transepts, is much simpler than the La Sainte-Chapelle which was built upon the order of the fashionable French monarch, Louise IX. La Sainte-Chapelle is elaborately decorated, the elaborate ornamentation conveying the idea of the wealth of the church and hence the prosperity of the Kingdom (Scott, 2003, p. 21-23; Vauchez, 2000, p. 1228). II. Reflection of Christian needs and Preoccupation of the Middle Ages The Gothic cathedrals, although took many years (even centuries) to build, first began to be created during the Middle ages, a time characterized by feudal wars ,famine and epidemics. In spite of these unfavorable conditions, the Christians took the effort to make a big church, as an expression of their Christian devotion. One notable feature of Gothic stained glass windows, as seen in the two cathedrals, are the paintings of Biblical characters. The primary purpose why they paint them all over the walls is so that the illiterate could picture out what was written in the Bible (Perry, 1988, 189). Le Sainte-Chapelle, howvere, housed important Christian relics collected by Louise IX signifying the preoccupations of the rich Christian monarchs with anything regarding Christianity. The facade of Gothic cathedrals are also elaborately decorated using sculptured human figures ( saints ,kings and peasant life) as the main features, illustrating their growing interest in humanism ideas ( human life and accomplishments) as it replace the usual carvings of animals, fruits and other figures. The story of Christ, specifically his incarnation, decorate the entrance of the church, urging whoever will pay homage or pilgrimage to the church not to admire its gold or cost but to focus their attention to Christ ( Dudley, 1974, p. 291; Scott, 2003, pp. 47-48) . II. Conclusion Gothic Cathedrals, like the Salisbury Cathedral and La Sainte-Chapelle, are the best representative of Gothic art. The knowledge of new style of architectural technology by using a pointed arch, flying buttresses and ribbed vaulting paved the way for a taller , more spacious and well-lighted or ventilated churches. It erased therefore the somber, gloomy aura of the Romanesque churches, and the new concept of God as Light and Supreme was successfully incorporated into the church structure. In spite of the presence of wars, famines and epidemics, this ambitious project was embarked on, signifying the Christian devotion of the people of the Medieval era. Works Cited Dudley, Louise and Austin Faricy. The Humanities, 5th edition. New York: McGraw-Hill Company, 1973. Perry, Marvin. A History of the World. New York: Houghton-Mifflin, Inc, 1988. Scott, Robert A. The Gothic Enterprise: A Guide to Understanding the Medieval Cathedral. Berkeley: University of California Press, 2003. Vauchez, Andre, and et al. Encyclopedia of the Middle Ages. New York: Routledge, 2000.

International Business - Free Essay Example

Sample details Pages: 5 Words: 1643 Downloads: 8 Date added: 2019/10/10 Did you like this example? Introduction International business comprise of all profitable transactions which occur between more than two states or religion (Hill, 2008).   The transaction may include the exchange of recourses like capital and goods.   Studying international business will give one an insight into the world economy as well as world business climates.   The paper will discuss how the Google Company as one of the companies that do the business internationally. It will also show how each of the seven international environmental forces influences the behavior of the company basing on given instructions. Google is the second largest companies in world. It is an international company which provides many services for all the consumers as the well as the business.   It is frequently known as the search engine. Google incorporates many operational technologies like Gmail that is an open email provider service as well as the Google chrome that is, the browser. Other goods under this company are YouTube plus bloggers. This is mainly common blogging podium. Google Company owes more of its achievement to advertisements.   It was first company to sell advertisements. These advertisements are found alongside the outcomes of all researches. In truth, one hundred present of revenue of the company revenue comes from advertising.   It also involves itself in technological research beyond the internet.   In Addition Google is distinctive because of its various products on the market. The Android operating system is one of the products that ensure the company is successful (Ferguson, 2005). Don’t waste time! Our writers will create an original "International Business" essay for you Create order Business international foundation This company has been in a business since the year 1998.It was created by two student graduates of Stanford in California who initially called the search engine as BackRub. They began the company in Menlo Park. According Vise (2007), Google was formed after the googol. This was the name for computer number one, which was followed by one hundred zeros. This equated the journey of inventing  Ã‚   technology  Ã‚   phenomenon known as the Google. Global business environment or international environmental forces The global business environment may be termed as an environment in various sovereign countries, with the issues to exogenous to home environment for the company. This may affect decision making   Ã‚  and behaviors of the company. (Tayeb, 2002).  The business environment comprises of both external and internal factors which constitute the seven international forces.   This forces or factors include political forces, economic forces, technological forces, social cultural forces, natural forces, legal forces and financial forces. To begin with political forces.   One example of political force is government stability. The strategies of Google Company requires the government stability as one of mains aspects. When the market is stable, the government assist business which makes the businesses to advertise mare on the Google Company thus, benefiting the company.   Moreover, many of the government do have laws which are identified for the online data sharing, therefore allowing the Google to operate the laws.   But, china made an obstacle for Google by establishing rules which denied Google from working to their wish, though does not have influence on the general achievement of the whole company (Aguilar, 2007). Economic factors or forces.   This include, cost, taxes and revenues. These forces help to determine the future and investment of any company. Gross national products have been increasing for a very long time.   In each year, they increase at a parentage rate of three point two reaching the greatest level of seventeen points two. This is a positive force for the Google Company.   Considering the stable  Ã‚   as well as the stable growth for the international countries, an internal as well as external investments of the Google will always be in great numbers.  Ã‚   Consumers research more, thus more ads are placed on the search engines of Google.   The number of the users in those securities may have influence on company positively mad making them establish better services. They even get many products for their customers making the company to bring power to the economy of the Google. Technological forces. The success of Google is because of the innovative concepts as well as the technologies like PageRank which is present in search engine, AdWords which acts as the advertising system.   There are also other technologies which determine the success of the  Ã‚   Google like Gmail, desktops, page creator of the goggle and more. These tools are proposed for free of charge in order to make the life of the use easier, practical, and efficient and exciting. Therefore, technological factors have influences the company positively. Socio-Cultural Factors. Google acts as the leader of the society since its goal is organizing the information of the world and making it universally accessed by everybody. Sociocultural forces are traditions, values, social trends, and society anticipation for businesses. These general community desires can be collected into population statistic, pay dissemination, a way of life change as well as degree of instruction. Google Company is not constrained to a particular statistic population. This is because Google is a global organization that provides international clients with worldwide managements. It  Ã‚   also ensures global  Ã‚   studies for anything  Ã‚   so that people may have knowledge on internet. Along these lines, there is no constraint on a specific statistic, culture or else a specific salary appropriation. This provides Google with solid positive position in the market. Its devices are offered to anyone and consequently, anyone, anyplace in earth c may publicize o n Google and increase their benefit. Legal forces. All the business have to operate within the framework of the legal environment.   Legal Environment. Some of the legal forces which affect the Google Company include, one, regulations of the products as well as the services. Two, controlling practices of the trade. Three, regulations of antitrust.  Ã‚   Four, patent protection. Lastly rules and laws made by the government.   Natural forces. Though the Google Company is able to generate revenues from online, the firm subject is the natural environment.   Natural trends affect the strategic direction of the business.   Google have chances of addressing the natural factors.   By improving the natural places. Therefore, the Google may aspects a lot from the users perceptions based on the positive perceptions of the  Ã‚   Google natural contributions. Finally, the financial forces may affects the behavior of the Google Company positively. International strategy It is the plan that is used to guide business transactions in  Ã‚   different countries. According to (Hagiu, 2009).   Google is strategy based on an idea of only purchasing in small niche markets, as well as only if it cannot produce a product better in-house. It has made an important contribution to its international expansion, with regard to business analysts. This enables the company to venture into the social media. Google is receiving a Global methodology. In any case, to be more applicable in a few regions the indexed lists are adjusted to the business sectors restricted adaptations of its internet searcher, there is some particular outcome for France for instance. At that point that Google is utilizing Global procedure yet in a few nations, they additionally make a Regional Strategy due to their provincial list items. This technique is effective, giving Google the best outcomes in every nation they are, drawing in more activity than some other contender. Therefore, its st rategy is to ensure clients receive the best; Management strategies Management strategy is the formulation and application of main goals and ingenuity taken by the highest management of the company instead of an owner.   It is centered on the resources  Ã‚   as well as the as an assessment of a macro and micro environment whereby the company completes. Management strategy helps in providing the direction and goal for the change of plans of the management plans. It also helps the managers to allocate the resources of the efficiently. The Google operations helps their workers to meet the goals that workers set for themselves.  Ã‚   The companies perceive its managers as the leaders who facilitate motivation and empower the workers. This strategy helps in controlling the works responsibility in the same way to America government. Works use the metric which they decide themselves to measure assess their progress to their goals. Supervisor’s acts as managers in order to ensure the workers meet the goals. On the finances, Google Company have an average of twenty-five percent this makes the real revenue to be high. This assures the management that they may consistently offer products and services which users pay for. Ethical issue and Christian value One of ethical issues that the company has faced in the international business is repressive policies of the China. The actions of the Google in China made a storm of disapproval at the time company agreed to wishes of the administration and repress pro-democracy and other webs. This made the Google relocate its actions in China to Hong Kong, keeping aside censorship system of China.   Those who supported the decision said the Google should not cooperate with repressive policies. On the other hand, critics claimed that, removal of Google will cut off many Chinese countries from the services of the company, therefore flagging its presence in one of the biggest realm market. This posed a challenge to Google in making its rigid decision. The Google portray the Christian values by respecting the users. Conclusion From the above   discussion, It is   clear that international business comprise   of all  Ã‚   business transactions   which   occur among   more than two states, beyond their   political boundaries. Google is one of the examples of an international business. Google is second largest international company. It provides many services to the users. There are seven international environmental forces which affect entire Google Company. These are political forces, economic forces, technological forces, social cultural forces, natural forces, legal forces and financial forces. They mostly affect the companies positively. All these forces make up business environment.  Ã‚   In addition, Google has international strategy which encourage the workers. Also, it is clear that,  Ã‚   Google have been faced with challenges and therefore it has been portraying Christian’s values on the outcomes of their decisions.