Language and memory Essay Example for Free

Language and memory Essay Limitations with the study included the sample range being too small. This means that it is difficult to make generalisations because 20 undergraduate students cannot possibly be representative of the sample population. In order to improve the experiment, a wider sample range could be used, including people from different age groups and ethnic backgrounds. Another limitation was gender bias. The driver in the vignette was male which could have meant that male participants may have been more sympathetic to him when giving an estimation. If a female character had been used, the results may have been different. This could be improved by using two sample groups, both with female characters, but again with either the smashed into condition or bumped into condition. The results of this and previous studies have a number of implications in todays society. Loftus and Palmers work (1974), showed how changing a verb in a sentence, can alter eyewitness recall of a car accident. These findings have major implications for the Legal Justice Systems. In a study by Rattner (1988), a review of 205 cases of wrongful arrest showed that 52% of the cases were associated with mistaken eyewitness testimonies. These results highlighted the unreliability of eyewitness testimony. Other studies have demonstrated that witnesses sometimes cannot attribute memory to its appropriate sources, or that they make source attribution errors. When witnesses get information from other witnesses and from the police, then their own recollection is likely to be contaminated (Fisher, 1995). This is yet further evidence suggesting that there should be less dependence on eyewitness testimony, and with the arrival of advanced gene technology, it is now possible to use alternative sources of evidence. References Carlson, N. R., Buskist, W., Martin, G. N. (2000). Psychology The Science of Behaviour, 266-267 Loftus, E. F. and Palmer, J. E. (1974). Reconstruction of automobile destruction: an example of the interaction between language and memory. Journal of Verbal Learning and Verbal Behaviour, 13, 585-589. Fisher, R. P., (1995). Interviewing victims and witnesses of crime. Psychology, Public Policy, and Law, 1(4), 732-764.  Nisha Ghei Eyewitness Practical

Ideology in Nathaniel Hawthorne’s The Minister’s Black Veil Essay

Ideology in Nathaniel Hawthorne’s The Minister’s Black Veil Bennett and Royle in their textbook, Introduction to Literature, Criticism and Theory, define ideology as representing â€Å"†¦ ‘the imaginary relationship of individuals to their real conditions of existence’† (161). The ideology of self, of personal identity, is represented by a person’s perception of what is acceptable in their society. In Nathaniel Hawthorne’s short story, The Minister’s Black Veil, the minister appears before his community with a black veil covering his face. He gives no explanation for this apparel and the community becomes agitated that their minister refuses to remove it. The readers challenge is to discover why the minister wears the veil and why he won’t take it off. Hawthorne challenges the readers ideology of self with his choice of words, by showing how ideology is redefined by each subject, and by using as his form the technique of the parable. The parishioners expectations are shattered by the appearance of their beloved minister wearing a black veil over his face. Children, with bright faces, tripped merrily beside their parents, or mimicked in graver gait, in the conscious dignity of their Sunday clothes. Spruce bachelors looked sidelong at the pretty maidens, and fancied that the Sabbath sunshine made them prettier than on weekdays (Hawthorne 1) These expectations are portrayed by the way the story begins. Hawthorne uses words that suggest happiness; â€Å"bright† â€Å"merrily† â€Å"pretty† â€Å"fancied† and â€Å"sunshine†. But this ‘happiness’ vanishes with the appearance of the minister. The expectations of what is socially acceptable are challenged by the appearance of the black veil. â€Å"But what has good Parson Hooper got upon his face?† c... ...o understand the parable. A parable is used to explain something that is unexplainable and cannot be explained if the reader does not understand it. The reader is in constant danger throughout the reading of having his ideology of self shattered by the very real possibility that he won’t ‘get it’. The entire story is as obscure and shaky as ideology itself. Hawthorne’s choice of words throughout the story set up the reader for a continual bombardment of his/her ideology of self and societal expectations. Works Cited Bennett, Andrew and Nicholas Royle. Introduction to Literature, Criticism and Theory. 2nd Edition. New York: Prentice Hall, 1999. Hawthorne, Nathaniel. â€Å"The Minister’s Black Veil†. Crown College. Accessed 27 Aug 2003. http://www.crown.edu/humanities/ratledgw/ENG%20132/stories/ veilhawt.htm> Miriam Webster Dictionary. Accessed 27 Aug 2003.

Internet and Modern Technology Essay

There are many forms of modern technology that have played important roles throughout my life, and the computer has affected my life the most. There are both positive and negatives aspects on how the computer has helped me. There are also advantages and disadvantages to this form of modern technology, called the computer. The first and foremost advantage of the computer is how it has helped me with my school work. With having Google, Dictionary, and Ask, these are sources on the computer that are very helpful with getting information. It is a lot faster and more convenient. Another thing I love about it, is the communication you can have with friends and family. With Facebook, email, and Skype, it’s a lot faster and easier way to communicate with your loved ones. I feel that one of the most important is that these communication avenues are free. Even though I use a lot of these technologies almost daily they can also cause distractions. On the down side, some of the negatives aspects of technology with computers are that it can be an expensive form of access to information. Also not only do you have to pay for the computer but you also have to pay for the internet access to get to some of these information sites. Another down fall is the networks do shut down. So if you are doing homework or talking with friends it can sometimes aimlessly stop working. Another negative to having a computer is it can affect people’s work ethic, by looking at Facebook, or playing online games. So they aren’t getting their job done. Knowing there are still disadvantages to computers there are still advantages in using it correctly. As a conclusion to technology and the ever ways it has changed and will change in the future. Hopefully some of the changes will be headed for advantages for the future, in a form of no charge for internet access, and not having to worry about towers going down. Also for the younger generations to know how to still look information without taking advantages of everything being at their fingertips. Unfortunately we cannot see into the future to see what advantages and disadvantages are in store for us, but hopefully they are for the better and I am very thankful for the modern technology that is available and the advantages it has for me.

Peggy Sturmfels s Birth Parents - 1806 Words

Peggy Sturmfels was adopted in the early 1990’s when she was two weeks old. Her birth parents were just teenagers and couldn’t even take care of themselves therefore they felt it would be in Peggi’s best interest if they allow her to get the best life possible with someone who could provide for her. They opted for a closed adoption because at the time no one knew she was even pregnant. Her adoptive parents John and Gabrielle Sturmfels agreed with Peggy’s birth parents and vowed not to tell her about the adoption. To her birth parent’s wishes John and Gabrielle gave Peggy the best life a child could imagine, she was their little princess and they treated her like royalty. Peggy was sent to the best schools and graduated high school as valedictorian. After graduation John and Gabrielle had a huge surprise for Peggy; they were going to allow her to attend the college of her dreams: UCLA. Peggi had dreamed to go there but her parents did not feel comfor table with her being so far away from home. Three months later Peggi had packed up and had started her first semester of college. She was doing very well and passing all her classes so she felt it was time for her to have a night to just relax and have some fun. Her friend Abby suggested that they go to one of the Frat parties close to their dorm. Peggy agreed and they went. At the party there was drugs and alcohol everywhere and Peggi didn t feel comfortable but Abby insisted she stayed and referred to her as a â€Å"party pooper†.