Recent orders
PMP Social Science
PMP Social Science
Exam (B)
-441960371475Instructions to students
Use this document to write your answers to the Exam. The answers must be written in an essay format. Make sure you write a title for your essays. You can use the last page of the document to write an outline (do not delete it).
You are advised to use the same font style and size throughout, with 1.5 space for the text and single space for the references.
Do not write your name in the document but include your name in the file name when you save it in your computer: P_SSc_Exam_SURNAME_Name (Example: P_SSc_Exam_HERNANDEZ_Andira)
You have 2 hour and 30 minutes to complete this exam. Use the Turnitin link in: Assessments and Feedback/ Summative Assessment 1: Open Book exam folder. Late submissions are not allowed.
Before you start, read the questions carefully. Answers have to reflect understanding of the learning materials of this module. Do not use other sources besides the Open Book Exam: Readings (available in: Assessments and Feedback/ Summative Assessment 1: Open Book exam folder).
00Instructions to students
Use this document to write your answers to the Exam. The answers must be written in an essay format. Make sure you write a title for your essays. You can use the last page of the document to write an outline (do not delete it).
You are advised to use the same font style and size throughout, with 1.5 space for the text and single space for the references.
Do not write your name in the document but include your name in the file name when you save it in your computer: P_SSc_Exam_SURNAME_Name (Example: P_SSc_Exam_HERNANDEZ_Andira)
You have 2 hour and 30 minutes to complete this exam. Use the Turnitin link in: Assessments and Feedback/ Summative Assessment 1: Open Book exam folder. Late submissions are not allowed.
Before you start, read the questions carefully. Answers have to reflect understanding of the learning materials of this module. Do not use other sources besides the Open Book Exam: Readings (available in: Assessments and Feedback/ Summative Assessment 1: Open Book exam folder).
-371502282327Questions:
Answer two of the following questions below. Answers must be 500 words each (+/-10%)
Individual behaviour
1. Jane’s friends invite her to go out for dinner at a restaurant. While Jane does not have a lot of spare money at the moment, she has enough for a simple meal, so she decides to go. After the dinner, Jane’s friends suggest that everyone should leave a generous tip for the waiter, increasing the total amount of money Jane has to pay. Jane decides to leave the tip anyway. Is Jane’s behaviour rational? Explain your answer based on your knowledge of assumptions of individual behaviour.
Social behaviour
2. Consider the following scenario: in the country of Zerkia the deer population has been hunted to a critical point, with very few deer left in the habitat. The government wants to introduce a regulation to address the problem. What are their options? Explain your answer based on your knowledge of tragedy of the commons.
3. Consider this scenario: Jane decides to buy a non-electric car. She knows that driving a car contributes to CO2 emissions, which will further contribute to climate change. However, she believes that buying one more car will not make a difference on the larger scale. Discuss Jane’s decision to buy a car with reference to the collective action problem.
Political behaviour
4. Consider the following scenario: In the country of Greenistan, the citizens are upset with the poor quality of air pollution (smog) in their cities. The government has previously said that they would address the situation and work on improving the air quality, but a few years have passed and no improvements have been observed. You are invited to give them advice on how they can best influence the government. What would you advise them to do: establish a political party or form an interest group? In your answer, compare these two forms of participation to justify your advice. Then, give examples of the tactics they would use and the challenges they may face to achieve their goal.
5. Consider the following scenario: you are having a conversation with your friend, Jane, who has recently become acquainted with anarchist views on government. Jane tells you that she sees no good arguments for existence of the government, as it only creates conflict and violence. What alternative views on the need of government could you present to Jane? Use your knowledge of social contract theories.
020000Questions:
Answer two of the following questions below. Answers must be 500 words each (+/-10%)
Individual behaviour
1. Jane’s friends invite her to go out for dinner at a restaurant. While Jane does not have a lot of spare money at the moment, she has enough for a simple meal, so she decides to go. After the dinner, Jane’s friends suggest that everyone should leave a generous tip for the waiter, increasing the total amount of money Jane has to pay. Jane decides to leave the tip anyway. Is Jane’s behaviour rational? Explain your answer based on your knowledge of assumptions of individual behaviour.
Social behaviour
2. Consider the following scenario: in the country of Zerkia the deer population has been hunted to a critical point, with very few deer left in the habitat. The government wants to introduce a regulation to address the problem. What are their options? Explain your answer based on your knowledge of tragedy of the commons.
3. Consider this scenario: Jane decides to buy a non-electric car. She knows that driving a car contributes to CO2 emissions, which will further contribute to climate change. However, she believes that buying one more car will not make a difference on the larger scale. Discuss Jane’s decision to buy a car with reference to the collective action problem.
Political behaviour
4. Consider the following scenario: In the country of Greenistan, the citizens are upset with the poor quality of air pollution (smog) in their cities. The government has previously said that they would address the situation and work on improving the air quality, but a few years have passed and no improvements have been observed. You are invited to give them advice on how they can best influence the government. What would you advise them to do: establish a political party or form an interest group? In your answer, compare these two forms of participation to justify your advice. Then, give examples of the tactics they would use and the challenges they may face to achieve their goal.
5. Consider the following scenario: you are having a conversation with your friend, Jane, who has recently become acquainted with anarchist views on government. Jane tells you that she sees no good arguments for existence of the government, as it only creates conflict and violence. What alternative views on the need of government could you present to Jane? Use your knowledge of social contract theories.
Answers
Question 1
Individual Behaviour: Jane’s Rationality in Individual Decision Making
Jane’s behavior and choice to participate in generously tipping the waiter is rational. However, her rationality is bounded rationality in that it is not an independent decision but is rather bounded on the situation at hand. The basic unit of society, according to rational choice theory, is the self-seeking person driven by the needs and desires to maximize their own benefits. In accordance with rational choice theory, individuals rely on logical calculations in order to make reasonable decisions, which result in results that are consistent with their own better position. As per the theory, Jane’s behavior best achieves her own best interests. She made a rational calculation that given her situation, the best action was to participate in “generously” tipping the waiter against her budget. More specifically, Jane’s actions and behavior were bounded rationality. In bounded rationality, we make decisions in which we strive to meet our goals rather than optimize them as much as possible. In other words, rather than attempting to choose the best alternative available, we seek a selection that will be sufficient. As a result of cognitive and time constraints, we are not disposed to find all of the crucial knowledge that would be required to reach a reasonable judgment. Therefore, we make judgments that are less than optimal, but which are nonetheless fulfilling.
When an individual just considers the information and resources that are genuinely available to them, the resultant judgments are still reasonable; yet, when the individual considers all of the available information and resources, their decisions may not be reasonable. In spite of the fact that it is difficult to conduct business in accordance with complete economic rationality, which is to maximize benefits while simultaneously minimizing costs, making judgments based on limited rationality may lead an individual to act in a manner that is at odds with our objectives. Because of the limitations of the human brain capacity (which is primarily due to cognitive biases), time, and readily available knowledge, one must make decisions by relying on shortcuts wherever possible. However, while these shortcuts make it easier for a person to make decisions, they also place a burden on their ability to be rational, leading them to reach less than optimum conclusions in some situations.
With the confines of the rational choice theory and bounded rationality explored as above, Jane’s behavior can thus be regarded as rational. She weighed the available options at the time and make a quick decision based on her own reasoning. Bounded rationality indicates that her decision was satisfying. However, it may not be optimal for her, especially with the afore-knowledge that she was operating under a tight budget. She made a good-enough decision at the time instead of the most optimal one in order to meet her own parameters of rationality.
Question 3
Social Behaviour: Jane’s Behaviour in Collective Action Problem Decision Making
Jane is caught up in a classic collective action problem. A collective action problem is a scenario in which the interests of the individual and the interests of the group are at odds with one another. When presented with this circumstance, each member of the group must choose between acting selfishly and acting collaboratively. Individuals always keep the best interests of the group in mind when dealing with a problem that necessitates collective action, regardless of what the other individuals are doing. On the other hand, when individuals behave in a selfish manner, they will all bear the repercussions of their conduct, as opposed to when they behave in a cooperative manner. Or, to put it another way, while it is in the individual’s best interests to act selfishly, it is in the collective’s best interests for everyone to collaborate. In this circumstance, the interests of individuals and the interests of the community are at conflict with one another.
Problems with collective action arise when people are disinclined to take action as a result of their circumstances. During the course of his landmark work, The Logic of Collective Action, author Mancur Olson analyzed the conditions under which collective action difficulties would arise, and he observed that they were particularly widespread among organized interests. When the perceived gain is inadequate to outweigh the costs involved with engaging in the action, people are more likely to refrain from taking action. Despite the fact that many people may take an issue with concepts such as environmental preservation, these issues are not always strong enough to motivate them to become politically engaged. In reality, most individuals do nothing about most problems, either because they do not feel passionately enough about them or because their actions are unlikely to have a significant impact on whether a particular policy gets approved. As a result, there is a disincentive for Jane to fully engage in environmental preservation because she would argue that her indulgence would not make a difference. Her belief that buying an extra vehicle would not make a difference in relation to climate change and environmental preservation is a selfish decision and one that perfectly denotes collective action problem.
Individuals frequently choose to engage in activities that generate significant amounts of greenhouse gases, while society as a whole may benefit from less climate change. Similarly, people frequently desire to drive automobiles in order to move around more quickly, yet driving increases air pollution, which is harmful to the entire community. Jane’s behaviour in buying a second car would lead to the society overall being worse off if every one took a similar route in decision making. Her individual decision serves her immediate need/want to own a second car because it would be good for her, knowing that the same decision would make the society worse off.
Note-taking pages
Use this space to write the outlines of each of your questions.
History of a patient presenting with a cough
History of a patient presenting with a cough
Cough is a reflex action in which the body gets rid of foreign material or sputum in the respiratory tract. It can also be as a result of the irritation of the respiratory pathway and bronchoconstriction. Coughing is a sign of an underlying disease, so proper history taking and examination are required to identify the underlying disease.
John is a patient who presents to the clinic with a cough. He is an alcohol addict. For the history taking, I would like John to tell me the following things: when the cough started, to determine whether the cough is acute, sub-acute or chronic. A cough which lasts less than three weeks is acute, between three to eight weeks is sub-acute and more than eight weeks is chronic according to Brenda, Janice and Kerry, (2009). An acute onset cough could be an acute infection. If the cough is recent, John should explain when it started if it started when he was eating then the cough could be a sign of some foreign body in the respiratory tract and he could be choking.
Find out from John whether cough is productive or non-productive. In a productive cough, sputum or phlegm is expectorated but in a non-productive cough, the cough is dry. A dry nonproductive could be a sign of a viral infection.
In the case the cough is a productive cough, then find out the characteristics of the sputum. Color and amount of the sputum produced should be noted. Copious amount of thick yellow, green or rusty sputum could be an indication of a bacterial infection. Pink tinged sputum suggest lung tumor. Profuse and pink sputum might indicate pulmonary edema according to Brenda et al. (2009). If John reports that the sputum has a foul smell then, it could be an indication of lung abscess. Blood tinged sputum might be an indication of pulmonary and cardiovascular disorders thus it is of essence to ask if he has noticed any blood in the sputum. Production of blood also could be an indication of trauma; thus it is also important to ask John if he had a traumatic experience.
It is important to find out the time that the cough occurs. A cough that occurs mostly at night might indicate an onset of left sided heart failure, in the morning indicates asthma or bronchitis.
I would also like to find out whether there may be other associated signs and symptoms that accompany the cough such as; fever, weight loss,loss of appetite, pain when coughing, chest tightness when coughing, shortness of breath, and heartburn. Fever accompanied with coughing is an indication of infection. If a productive cough is reported that is associated with night sweats and weight loss, then Tuberculosis investigations are required.
Underlying illnesses might also be the cause of the cough, so it is necessary to find out from John whether he has any other illness such as asthma the bronchoconstriction and irritation of the airway by allergens could lead to the coughing more. In the case of asthma, it is important to inquire of any exposure to allergens such as dust, pollen, smoke and any new pets. De Blasio et al. (2007) in gastroesophageal reflux disease, the gastric acid irritates the esophagus thus stimulates the cough receptors.
If he has taken any medication to treat a cough. The time that he began taking the medication and if he has cleared the medication. If he has been taking medication and the cough is worsening, thorough investigations are needed to find out the specific causative microorganism, or any other disease for treatment. If the condition is improving then, one can watch and wait as other investigations are carried out. If the cough clears after taking medication but then recurs after a short period, then further investigations should be carried out.
It is necessary to ask if John is on any other medication. Coughing is a side effect for angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors. The cough is usually nonproductive according to the research done by Joseph et al. (2011).
One should ask about social habits such as smoking, the duration of smoking and also the number of cigarettes smoked per day. Prolonged and heavy smokers are at a high risk of Congestive and Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) and chronic bronchitis of which one of the signs is coughing. The occupation could also be a predisposing facto, if he works in a tobacco firm; timber industry could be disposed to sawdust or textile industry.
Find out if there are other members of his family with respiratory of cardiac disorders such as asthma, cystic fibrosis, heart failure. Some of these diseases can be inherited, and the cough could be a symptom.
In conclusion, a thorough history taking of a patient presenting with a cough is crucial. It guides patient’s caretakers on the investigations and diagnosis of the disease. Some of the investigations to be carried out are sputum culture and sensitivity, chest x-rays, Echocardiography and blood tests. Proper history taking also aids in planning care of the patient.
References
Brenda, G., Janice, L., Kerry, H. (2009). Bruner & Suddarths Textbook of Medical Surgical Nursing (12th ed.). Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.
De Blasio, F., Johann, C.V., Mario, P., Allesandro, Z., Panagotis, K.B., Gunsley, K., Rosella, B., Gianluca, D.D., Luigi, L. (2011). Cough Management. A Practical Approach, 7(7), 10. Retrieved from http://www.coughjournal.com/content/7/1/7Joseph, J., Benich, M., Peter, J. (2011). American Family Physician. Evaluation of the Patient with Chronic Cough, 84(8), 887-892. Retrieved from http://www.aafp.org/afp/2011/1015/p887.html
Essay prompts related to the films “Food Inc.” and “The Corporation”
(Name)
(Instructors’ name)
(Course)
(Date)
Essay prompts related to the films “Food Inc.” and “The Corporation”
In the year 2008, the documentary film ‘Food Inc’ debuted, and this is due to the efforts of Robert Kenner the film’s director. The film focuses upon the United States whereby, corporate farming is tremendously affecting the nation. The director wants the world to know that the unhealthy food, which people consume, is obtained from agribusiness. Moreover, this has lead to the employee and animal abuse as well as environmental destruction. On the other hand, a documentary film from Canada in the year 2003, known as ‘The Corporation’ shook the world. The film’s directors were Jennifer Abbott and Mark Achbar and Joel Bakan wrote it. The film focuses upon corporations, which exist in the modern age. The film was successful in finding out that there are certain classes, which are held by corporations. They assume legal status, which they use to their own advantage. Also, the film, gave a critical view about how society is affected by some of the world’s leading corporations.
This paper seeks to give a critical analysis of how corporations behave, as well as the American food industry problems. Also, it seeks to find out if the given realities are problematic or they reflect how society functions.
Critical Analysis of the realities of American corporations and that of the Food Industry
In the United States, meal choices are often made in a prompt manner since the food, which is available is tasty, cheap and fast. The Film ‘Food Inc’ portrays how Americans under look matters concerning convenience and putting value. This is compared to vital aspects such as environmental impacts and nutrition. The film’s director is known as Robert Kenner and he has made excellent use of direction in coming up with this informative documentary. The issue being investigated has been viewed from many, various angles. Kenner had many interviews with key players in the American food industry. Some of these individuals were CEO’s, advocates, authors and farmers. Also, a woman known as Barbara Kowalcyk was interviewed in order to come up with the informative documentary. She came to the public light after the death of her young son from E-Coli poisoning.
Kenner goes to various places with his camera in order to shoot the best possible photos. He visits factory farms and slaughterhouses, which are known for being animal torture houses. The cows are pumped and injected with toxic chemicals, and chicken grow at extremely fast rates. Human beings are not spared from this catastrophe, and this is felt by the illegal immigrants. The latter are involved in extensive marketing to ensure that the products that they have on offer are sold at an affordable price. The manner, which Kenner presents, his findings in the documentary is done in the most attractive and professional way. It has the ability of converting most of its viewers to be aware about the horrific catastrophe. Furthermore, it will reach those who do not know about various aspects of the food they consume on a daily basis. Americans are known to be too busy to care about the food that they eat. In turn, some do not know that they are consuming genetically modified foods, which they hate.
Food Inc makes the problem of food known by highlighting it in a broader view. The stance taken by Kenner concerning the corporations and the politicians is not as tough as it ought to be. It seems that the he favors them despite being the reason why this issue exists. Moreover, the retailer Wal-Mart is praised, yet it is responsible for stocking some of the food products, which Kenner is against. Wal-Mart is known to stock organic products and this makes it responsible for enhancing this issue. Matters on economics seem to be the reason why this development cannot be easily stopped. The film makes people engage in informative decision making about the food that they will eat. The conglomerate that exists in the food world is explored to the deepest angles, and this makes it a must see. The issue involving Genetically Modified Foods is indeed one that affects society. The latter affects the international food chain as the people at the bottom are affected by what takes place by the Multinationals dealing with GMO’s. The suit filed by the Monsanto Company is one such issue where legality matters are vital. In this case, farmers are accused of not using the patent seeds provided to them as is required. This is despite there being a contract signed by the farmers and the Monsanto Company.
In the film ‘The Corporation’, a lot of emphasizes went towards finding out how American business corporations have developed. Some decades back, such corporations were institutions, which were charted by the government. People were affected by these developments and in turn, had to advocate for their legal rights. This lead to the formation of commercial institutions, in the modern era of government. Other vital aspects, which one cannot, fail to witness in the film include; the American constitution and the fourteenth amendment, among others. According to an assessment conducted in the film, it seems that corporations are behaving like psychopaths. A renowned psychologist known as Robert Hare provided his services in carrying out the assessment. Furthermore, business practices in the American corporate world are not up to standards. Various essential elements, which are needed in successfully running corporations, are not being followed. The result is that it is the ordinary American citizens who are affected by such practices.
The valuable information of critics in the corporate world was provided in order to provide sufficient evidence regarding this problem. Some of these notable critics include; Michael Moore, Noam Chomsky, Howard Zinn as well as Naomi Klein, among others. There is a connection between the ‘Film Inc’ and ‘The Corporation’ In that they are against corporations that are harmful to people, animals and the environment. For example, in ‘The Corporation’ there is a scene, which features the case concerning the company, known as Monsanto. The latter is accused of using a milk production inducement in cows. The used chemical is known as Posilac and is known to affect cows in a negative manner also, the usage is considered being unethical.
Most people who have watched this film have praised it as it makes society aware about what large companies are doing to earn high profits. It seems that in this modern era people should be well informed about what is affecting their life quality levels. Furthermore, the film is credible as it has obtained sources from interviews involving people with knowledge concerning this matter. It is not an unusual scene to hear people talking about the issue highlighted in the film ‘The Corporation’. Theories, which were introduced by the notable Max Weber, are made known in this film. The latter focused on the ideals of bureaucracy in the government as well as being an entity that is psychopathic. The film is in favor of a public corporation ownership in an attempt to solve the problem at hand. History seems to disapprove, in that evils occurred when ownership was left to the public. Examples of the evils that occurred due to public ownership include the Soviet Union and Communist Party. Some universities in the world have taken advantage of the film and used it to teach students. In the University College London, the film is used as a case study on matters related to intellectual property rights.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the films ‘The Corporation’ and ‘Food Inc’ were extremely informative in letting people know about issues affecting the society. It is indeed true that the latter are realities, which cannot be easily escaped. The documentary films are the ones, which have the ability of highlighting such issues. Even, the talk show queen known as Oprah Winfrey has been involved in campaigning against large corporations. She wants Americans to know about matters concerning their food and the role played by large corporations. Lastly, the realties are indeed, not in support of what it means to be a developing potent society.