The Triggering Factors Influencing Individual Entrepreneurs Commerce Essay

The Triggering Factors Influencing Individual Entrepreneurs Commerce Essay Research in entrepreneurship has introduced many aspects of how and why people make decisions in new venture creation (Shane, 2002). Entrepreneurs are often motivated by economic and/or psychological factors. Scholars have agreed that the entrepreneurial process and theories involve a complex set of variables that are beyond any single aspect. To identify motives and incentives of entrepreneurial activities involves disseminating several layers of relationships between personal factors, external forces and other random events (Liang and Dunn, 2007). From the existing literature we can rationally hypothesize that, the decision to launch a new venture probably includes individual endogenous factors and exogenous factors of the environment. Limited studies have discussed the possibility that individuals who are planning to become entrepreneur might have different triggers to launch new ventures compared to in-business (who are expanding the business) professionals. Triggers as defined by Liang and Dunn (2007) forces in the individuals or in the individuals perception of their situation that move them toward the entrepreneurial process. It is important to distinguish triggering factors and triggering events from triggers. Triggering events are more like something happened as an occasion or an episode that influence individuals assessment on the situation. Triggering factors could be interpreted as issues or features that influence individuals perspectives about certain situations (Liang and Dunn, 2007). Problem Statement Every day new ventures takes place and new business are created. The reasons behind new business entities come into existent are not explained in the literature with respect to Pakistan. Especially which factors triggers individual to become entrepreneur and which factors triggers individual who are already running the business to go further develop the business. Significance of the Study This study measures the triggers, which influences the professionals (who are planning to become and those who wants to expand their business) to become entrepreneurs. In addition to this we will also measure the relationship between the triggers and demographics of individuals. This study is of major interest to various government organizations like small and medium enterprises (SMEDA), non government organizations (NGO), policy makers of government and business to business organization (B2B). Implications of this research study will help them to identify the pattern of individuals, who wants to become entrepreneurs and which triggers them to think about starting new venture. Literature Review The purpose of the literature review is to outline the triggers identified by various researchers/authors and to analyze the dimensions in which different authors works on the entrepreneurs triggers. At a basic level, entrepreneurship is recognized as a highly personalized activity. The entrepreneur is motivated to create a venture, which reflects their vision and ambitions, and is prepared to review and reorganize their social environment to make it materialize (Morrison, 2000). Characteristics of entrepreneurs identified by various authors (Longenecker, Moore, Petty,2000; Scarborough Zimmerer, 2000; Bhide, 2000) are high achievement drive, action oriented, optimism, opportunistic, internal locus of control, tolerance for ambiguity, moderate risk taking, commitment/tenacity, commitment, initiative, independence or some form of one or more of these. These authors also determines motivation related to new venture formation, to enjoy what individuals are doing, revolves around the opportunity to gain control over personal lives/independence, to achieve personal goals and recognition, to get profits/financial rewards, and to make a difference/contribute to society. The key of the entrepreneurship process initiations depends within the individual of the society and the extent to which individuals wants to enter in new ventures and holds the spirit of enterprise (Morrison, 2000). McClelland, (1961) identified common characteristics and behaviors, Those which emerged relative to all the entrepreneurs are: they bring intelligence and sound analytical skills to bear on risk management; they are all in some respect deviants from the social norms within their countries; to differing degrees they exhibit strong moral, work and business ethics; irrespective of industry sector a strong traders instinct is apparent; they are committed to life-long learning through both formal and informal mechanisms; and extensive use is made of both informal and formal networks. Morrison et al., (1998) proposed that the entrepreneurship is initiated by the personal, society and culture intuition. Entrepreneurship is not only initiated by the economic aspects but it involves material, immaterial and idealism functions. The fundamental nature of the entrepreneurship is the use of innovatory process and the risk bearing by the individual, through which individual wants to bring change in both a social and economic nature of his own and the society. Kirzner (1979) believes that the source of entrepreneurship within the human spirit flourish when there is uncertainty and competition. This enterprising spirit in terms of inspirational means is described by Gilder (1971, p 258). The spirit of enterprise wells up from the wisdom of ages and the history (of the west) and infuses the most modern of technological adventures. It joins the old and new frontiers. It asserts a firm hierarchy of values and demands ad hard discipline. It requires a life of labor and listening, aspiration and courage. But it is the source of all we are and can become, the saving grace of democratic politics and free men, the hope of the poor and the obligation of the fortunate, the redemption of an oppressed and desperate world. Longenecker, Moore, Pettit, Palich (2006) suggested that entrepreneurs wanted to make money, become their own boss, escape a bad situation, enjoy and satisfying life, and contribute to the community. Bygrave (1989) discussed entrepreneurship as a process that involved triggering event, innovation, implementation, and growth. In the triggering event stage he suggested that there were sociological, personal, and environmental factors that led to entrepreneurship. Again, both internal and external forces seemed to be at play. Culture is an important variable in entrepreneurship because it establishes the attitudes of individuals towards the commencement of entrepreneurship (Vernon-Wortzel and Wortzel, 1997). Every era produces its own models of entrepreneurship according to its specific needs of the host society; however, it has been described consistently using terms such as innovative, holistic, risk-taking and co-coordinating ways of behavior. Certain cultural institutions may facilitate, or hinder, entry into entrepreneurship. Thus, it is proposed that the culture of societies and the characteristics of people living in these societies, impacted by certain innate personality traits, will influence the degree to which entrepreneurship is initiated (Morrison, 2000). The above provided argument by the Morrison, (2000) is supported by the  Bateman (1997), those economies and regions which have flourished in the late 20th century, have in common a business culture, which can be broadly described as entrepreneurial. It is attuned to the needs of a changing market economy and receptive to changing demands, innovations, products, opportunities and technologies. Entrepreneurship has been found to be important and meaningful in society at points of transition, for example, traditional to modern, modern to post-modern and state-controlled economies to free-market. At each of these points, entrepreneurship is harnessed by societies as a common approach to solving dilemmas, to break old, stable and hierarchical traditions and institutions and to introduce new, innovative ways of behavior. Thus, it is suggested that entrepreneurship can be regarded as an instrument for changing the culture of an era (Morrison, 2000) According to Timmons (1994, p. 9) about entrepreneurial behavior is, what is needed is a favorable environment which combines social, political and educational attributes. In particular it requires: A culture that prizes entrepreneurship, an imperative to educate our population so that our entrepreneurial potential is second to none; and a government that generously supports pure and applied science, fosters entrepreneurship with enlightened policies, and enables schools to produce the best educated students in the world. Dollinger (1995) discussed what he characterized as the impetus for entrepreneurship. He discussed the Sociological Approach which focused on four factors that led entrepreneurs toward new venture creation. Negative displacement was where individuals were marginalized from society, because of who they were or their situation including being fired or not satisfied with their current employment or divorced. Between things included individuals between stages of their life. Positive pull included other people (potential collaborators, parents, customers) who provided an impetus to entrepreneurship. Positive push included entrepreneurs who, because of their education or situation, were pushed toward entrepreneurship. Individual factors or a combination of any of these factors could move the entrepreneur toward new venture creation. The manner, in which the young are conditioned from an early age through the formal education system, and the fact that dominant approaches are frequently reinforced within family life, plays a significant role in the initiation of characteristics generally associated with entrepreneurial behavior (Gibb, 1996). It has been identified that a characteristic of entrepreneurship is that it tends to pervade family life, with the entrepreneur being unable to divorce business from social living (Deakin, 1996). In this respect, family background plays a role in two ways. First, if an entrepreneur has previous experience of the effect of entrepreneurship from a family member they are more prepared for the consequences of their own activities. Second, family support of entrepreneurship can make a positive contribution to its sustenance. For all the entrepreneurs represented in the study, positive immediate family support for their entrepreneurial behavior had played an important part in its sustenance. What was also identified as of significance was the role of the extended family in enabling access to funds and markets to support individual entrepreneurs in the creation and development of their businesses Within some societies there is a practice of saving for the future, while within others the focus is on living and spending to enjoy the moment. This has an implication for the amount of personal funds that may be available for investment in business. The dominant cultural attitudes, values and beliefs of a population at one particular point of time will result in a particular common mind-set relative to the degree to which entrepreneurship is supported by society (Gilder, 1971). The entrepreneur in terms of who he/she is and what he/she does, which has often resulted in characterizing persons who might be more likely to become entrepreneurs than others (Rerup, 2005). To date, scholars suggest three broad types of entrepreneurs, namely (a) Nascent, (b) Novice, and (c) Habitual entrepreneurs (see e.g. Birley and Westhead, 1993; Kolvereid and Bullvà ¥g 1993; Wright 1997; Westhead and Wright, 1998). The (a) nascent entrepreneur has not yet engaged in an entrepreneurial venture but has a general aspiration of establishing a business. The (b) novice entrepreneur has established one venture but does not have any prior entrepreneurial experience (Westhead et al. 1998). Lastly, the (c) habitual entrepreneur has established at least one other business prior to the current venture, hence possesses prior entrepreneurial experience. At some point, all entrepreneurs are nascent and then novice. Hall (1995) who divides habitual entrepreneurs into four sub-types; namely serial entrepreneurs, portfolio entrepreneurs, serial inheritors or serial management buy-outs (MBOs) /management buy-ins (MBIs), and multiple corporate entrepreneurs. Serial and portfolio entrepreneurs have repeatedly engaged in the creation of new ventures Serial entrepreneurs exit (close or sell) their current business before establishing a subsequent venture, whereas portfolio entrepreneurs keep ownership in more than one business at a time; hence have ownership stakes in a portfolio of businesses. In contrast, serial corporate entrepreneurs (or intrapreneurs) are persons who create new combinations of resources or realize new business opportunities in existing companies. Both, inheritors or serial MBO/MBI entrepreneurs are not traditionally regarded as trueentrepreneurs because MBOs and MBIs do not create new businesses per se (Deakins and Freel, 2003). Objectives of the Study The main purpose of this study is to investigate theoretically and test empirically which triggering factors influence individuals to become entrepreneur or expand their existing business. Research Questions: To measure the research objectives following research questions have been developed: Does education of the person influence as triggering factor to become entrepreneur? Does experience of the person influence as trigger to become entrepreneur? Does idea generation quality of the person influence as triggering factor to become entrepreneur? Does financial strength triggers a person to become an entrepreneur? Does Inheritance of a person influence as triggering factor to become an entrepreneur? Research Hypotheses To answer the research questions formulated, we developed the research hypotheses, which are as follows: HA1: Education has a relationship with triggers that influences person to become entrepreneur. HA2: Experience has a relationship with triggers that influences person to become entrepreneur. HA3: Idea generation has a relationship with triggers that influences person to become entrepreneur. HA4: Financial Strength has a relationship with triggers that influences person to become entrepreneur. HA5: Inheritance has a relationship with triggers that influences person to become entrepreneur. To answer the first research question alternate hypothesis HA1 has been developed. To answer the second research question HA2 has been developed. Similarly research question no. third, fourth and fifth is answered by hypothesis HA3, HA4 and HA5 respectively. Conceptual Frame Work The conceptual frame work of this study is taken from the study of Liang and Dunn (2007). Dependent Variable Independent Variable Education Inheritance Education Trigger to Become Entrepreneur Financial Strength Inheritance Education Experience ( Idea Generation Inheritance Education Research Methodology Research Instrument A close ended structured questionnaire was developed to collect the data. The questionnaire consists of two parts. In the first part personal characteristics of the respondents and in the second part triggers are provided. All the variables of the questionnaire are taken from the study of Liang and Dunn (2007). First part of the questionnaire consists of the following variables gender, education level, age, marital status, type of business and years of experience of respondents. In the second part 42 entrepreneur triggers were mentioned and respondents were asked to indicate the importance of each trigger. Where 1 is taken as least important and 5 is taken as most important. Triggers were not presented in the groups so that an unbiased ranking can be obtained. Data Collection Data was collected from the entrepreneurs who are running their business of construction; wholesaler or they are involved in some kind of manufacturing activities. Data was collected from the entrepreneurs from the cities of Islamabad and Rawalpindi. All the responses were filled under the administration of the authors of the study. Sample Size The total sample size was 70 entrepreneurs from Islamabad and Rawalpindi. While collecting the data emphases were given on equal representation of both the cities. The characteristics of the respondents The characteristics of the respondents are as follows: Age of the respondents is shown in the figure no.1 below. We found that most of the respondents belong to age group of 50-60 years. Figure 1 Number of people employed in the respondents organization can be seen in the figure 2. Figure 2 The type of business in which respondents are can be seen in the figure 3. We found that most of the entrepreneurs belong to wholesale / distributing business. Figure 3 Working experience of the respondents can be seen in the figure 4. Figure 4 Results Discussion Data Analysis Techniques The data was analyzed using the softwares SPSS version 15 and Microsoft Excel 2007. Data was analyzed using the following tests. Cronbachs alpha for internal consistency. Correlation to check the relationships between the independent variable and dependent variable. Regression analysis to measure the effect of one independent variable on dependent variable. Cronbachs Alpha To check the internal reliability of the variables, Cronbachs Alpha was run. Correlation Analysis Correlation is a statistical tool which can determine the strength and direction of relationship between two variables. The value of correlation ranges from +1 to -1 and both these values show strong positive and negative relationships. While the value 0 show no relationship. Pearson correlation was run to check the relationship between the independent variables and the dependent variables. Complete results of the correlation analysis are shown in the table 5. Table No. 5 below suggests that all the variables are positively correlated to dependent variable Entrepreneurship. Figure 5 Correlations Education Experience Entrepreneurship Inheritance Idea Generation Financial Strength Education Pearson Correlation 1 .769(**) .717(**) .747(**) .576(**) .553(**) Sig. (2-tailed) .000 .000 .000 .000 .000 N 70 70 70 70 70 70 Experience Pearson Correlation .769(**) 1 .741(**) .780(**) .612(**) .583(**) Sig. (2-tailed) .000 .000 .000 .000 .000 N 70 70 70 70 70 70 Entrepreneurship Pearson Correlation .717(**) .741(**) 1 .680(**) .656(**) .479(**) Sig. (2-tailed) .000 .000 .000 .000 .000 N 70 70 70 70 70 70 Inheritance Pearson Correlation .747(**) .780(**) .680(**) 1 .611(**) .518(**) Sig. (2-tailed) .000 .000 .000 .000 .000 N 70 70 70 70 70 70 Idea Generation Pearson Correlation .576(**) .612(**) .656(**) .611(**) 1 .508(**) Sig. (2-tailed) .000 .000 .000 .000 .000 N 70 70 70 70 70 70 Financial Strength Pearson Correlation .553(**) .583(**) .479(**) .518(**) .508(**) 1 Sig. (2-tailed) .000 .000 .000 .000 .000 N 70 70 70 70 70 70 ** Correlation is significant at the 0.01 level (2-tailed) The most correlated variable was experience which has Pearson correlation value of .769 and significance value of 0.000. It was followed by Inheritance with Pearson correlation value of .747 and significance value of 0.000. Idea Generation and Financial Strength comes third and fourth with Pearson value .576 sig. value of 0.000 and Pearson value of 0.553 and sig. value of 0.000 respectively. The relationship between all variables is significant at ÃŽÂ ± 0.01. All relationship shows a positive and moderate to strong relationships. Multiple Regression Analysis In order test the developed hypotheses and since we have more than one independent variable, so multiple regression analysis was run to check the relationship between variables. Variables Entered/Removed (b) Model Variables Entered Variables Removed Method 1 Inheritance, Financial Strength, Idea Generation, Education, Experience(a) . Enter a All requested variables entered. b Dependent Variable: Entrepreneurship Model Summary Model R R Square Adjusted R Square Std. Error of the Estimate 1 .806(a) .650 .622 .41431 a Predictors: (Constant), Inheritance, Financial Strength, Idea Generation, Education, Experience ANOVA(b) Model Sum of Squares df Mean Square F Sig. 1 Regression 20.386 5 4.077 23.753 .000(a) Residual 10.986 64 .172 Total 31.371 69 a Predictors: (Constant), Inheritance, Financial Strength, Idea Generation, Education, Experience b Dependent Variable: Entrepreneurship Coefficients(a) Model Un-standardized Coefficients Standardized Coefficients t B Std. Error Beta B 1 (Constant) .404 .350 1.155 Education .268 .123 .276 2.175 Experience .296 .123 .331 2.402 Idea Generation .275 .101 .272 2.725 Financial Strength -.043 .098 -.042 -.437 Inheritance .060 .109 .071 .548 a Dependent Variable: Entrepreneurship Hypotheses Testing Hypothesis One: The hypothesis postulates that education has a relationship with triggers that influences person to become entrepreneur. Hypothesis developed is: HA1: Education has a relationship with triggers that influences person to become entrepreneur The results of multiple regression analysis to check the alternate hypothesis HA1 is as follows: We reject the null hypothesis and accept the alternative hypothesis as in the coefficients table of the regression analysis, value of t is 2.175 which is more than +2 thus making it a useful predictor and sig. value is 0.033 which is less than 0.05 (0.033 Hypothesis Two: This hypothesis postulates that the experience has a relationship with triggers that influences person to become entrepreneur. So, the hypothesis is developed as: HA2: Experience has a relationship with triggers that influences person to become entrepreneur The results of regression analysis to check the alternate hypothesis HA2 is as follows We reject the null hypothesis and accept the alternative hypothesis as in the coefficients table of the regression analysis, value of t is 2.402 which is more than +2 thus making it a useful predictor and sig. value is 0.019 which is less than 0.05 (0.019 Hypothesis Three: This hypothesis describes that the idea generation has a relationship with triggers that influences person to become entrepreneur. Hypothesis developed in this regard is: HA3: Idea generation has a relationship with triggers that influences person to become entrepreneur. The results of regression analysis to check the alternate hypothesis HA3 is as follows We reject the null hypothesis and accept the alternative hypothesis as in the coefficients table of the regression analysis, value of t is 2.725 which is more than +2 making it a useful predictor and sig. value of 0.008 which is less than 0.05 (0.008 Hypothesis Four Through this hypothesis, we are intended to check whether Financial strength has relationship with triggers to become a entrepreneurship. Hypothesis developed is: HA4: Financial Strength has a relationship with triggers that influences person to become entrepreneur. The results of regression analysis to check the alternate hypothesis HA4 is as follows We accept the null hypothesis and reject the alternative hypothesis as in the coefficients table of the regression analysis, value of t is -0.437 which is less than 2, making it not a useful predictor and sig. value of 0.663 which is greater than 0.05 (0.663>0.05). Beta coefficient is -ve, which also confirms our result. So, we reject alternative hypothesis and conclude that there is no relationship between Financial Strength and triggers that influences person to become entrepreneur. Hypothesis Five This hypothesis describes that Inheritance has a relationship with triggers that influences person to become entrepreneur. HA5: Inheritance has a relationship with triggers that influences person to become entrepreneur. The results of regression analysis to check the alternate hypothesis HA5 is as follows In the light of data analysis, we accept the null hypothesis and reject the alternative hypothesis as in the coefficients table of the regression analysis, sig. value is 0.585 which is greater than 0.05 (0.585>0.05). So, we reject alternative hypothesis and conclude that there is no relationship between inheritance and triggers that influences person to become entrepreneur. Overall our model is significant with F value of 23.753 and sig. value of 0.000. Adjusted R square is 0.622 which means 62.2% of the variance in the dependent variable is explained by the predictor variables. Summary and Conclusion Demographically, the pre business entrepreneurs are different from in business entrepreneurs. In business entrepreneurs were significantly more male, older, married, more experienced, had more education and were more likely going into wholesale or distribution businesses. The results of this study seem to show that there are significant differences in triggers between pre business and in business entrepreneurs. We found that majority of our entrepreneur respondents belong to age group of 50-60 it means they are older. Numbers of peoples employed however are younger and majority belongs to age group of 21-30. We also found that a lot of entrepreneurships are in wholesale / distribution business as compared to any other trade. It also means either these two trades have more profit margin or more business opportunities exists in these trades which attracts majority of entrepreneurships in these trades. Experience also plays a key role for business success. We found that majority of respondents have experience between 13-16 years of working as entrepreneur in their respective trades. We found that education has a relationship with triggers that influences person to become entrepreneur. We accepted our alternative hypothesis HA1 as analysis showed the value of t is 2.175 which is more than +2, and sig. value of 0.033 which is less than 0.05. So, we accept alternative hypothesis and conclude that education has a positive relationship with triggers that influences person to become entrepreneur. Our data analysis showed that experience also play a key role as influencing trigger to become entrepreneur. Our data analysis showed the value of t as 2.402 and sig. value of 0.019 which is significant. So, we accept alternative hypothesis HA2 and conclude that experience has a relationship with triggers that influences person to become entrepreneur. Idea generation also affects a person to become entrepreneur. Data analysis for alternative hypothesis HA3 showed there is that idea generation has a relationship with triggers that influences person to become entrepreneur as value of t is 2.725 and sig. value of 0.008 which is less than 0.05 (0.008 HA4 showed there is no relationship between Financial Strength and triggers that influences person to become entrepreneur. Literature also confirms the same. It means that to become an entrepreneur, financial strength and money matters a lot. Our data analysis showed the value of t as -0.437and p-value of 0.663 which is greater than 0.05 (0.663>0.05). Beta coefficient is -ve, which also confirms our result. So, on the basis of analysis we can conclude that there is no relationship between Financial Strength and triggers that influences person to become entrepreneur. Our data analysis rejects hypothesis HA5 regarding relationship between inheritance and triggers that influences person to become entrepreneur having p-value of 0.585 which is greater than 0.05 (0.585>0.05). So, we conclude that there is no relationship between inheritance and triggers that influences person to become entrepreneur. Among the personal triggers, pre business entrepreneurs were more likely to feel that they were not accomplishing what they could or realizing their potential, and were changing for more satisfying careers. Idea / Opportunity triggers are also important as influencing factors to become entrepreneur. Entrepreneurs were more likely to rank idea grew out of job, saw idea, pursued it, hobby grew into a business, and bought business higher than other entrepreneurs e.g. saw a customer need, or an opportunity, were among the most important triggers chosen entrepreneurs. Financial strength or financial

The Character Vasia in Boris Pasternacks Doctor Zhivago :: Doctor Zhivago Essays

The Character Vasia in Boris Pasternack's Doctor Zhivago The character Vasia Brykin, in the novel Doctor Zhivago by Boris Pasternack, is created and developed as a symbol of the rampant and chaotic times during the turbulent Russian Revolution. His significance in relation to the overall plot is minor because of his only two sub-chapter appearances, but thematically he works to show the breakdown of the Russian economic and social infrastructure in the country, and the lasting effects it has on the generation of lives that were swept up in its political turmoil. Vasia is introduced in chapter seven, on the train to the Urals, where Yurii Andreievich Zhivago learns of his depressing story. Vasia Brykin's father was killed in the war, and his mother had sent him to be apprenticed to his uncle at age sixteen. One day his uncle was called in by the local soviet authorities to answer some questions, and accidentally walked into the Bolshevik's labor recruitment office, where he was conscripted into forced labor and herded off to a train. Vasia and his aunt went to say farewell the next day, and his uncle pleaded with the guard, Voroniuk, to let him out of the car to see his wife for one last minute. Voroniuk, fearing for his own position, allowed him to leave only if Vasia stayed in his place for insurance. Vasia's uncle never returned, and he cried and pleaded with Voroniuk, but it was to no avail. Physically, Vasia appeared "an attractive boy with regular features who looked like a royal page or an angel of God in a picture" (223). He has red hair, and an unspoiled innocent look to him. On the external, he is a very enthusiastic person, full of compassion and emotion, especially when he speaks of his family and life back in his home village of Veretenniki: That's what I say-Buisky-Buisky village. Of course I know it, that's where you get off the main road, you turn right and right again. That's to get to us, to Veretenniki. And your way must be left, away from the river, isn't it? You know the river Pelga? Well, of course! That's our river. You keep following the river, on and on, and away up on the cliff...(224-225)

Motion Sickness Essay -- Biology Essays Research Papers

Motion Sickness Ever felt carsick, airsick or seasick? Motion sickness is the most common medical problem associated with travel. As a child I was always told that "it was in my head," that if I wanted to, I could make it go away. I was made to believe that motion sickness was a psychological problem. To certain extend it is true that it is in my head, but it is not a psychological defect, but rather, a disorder that occurs when conflicting sensory information is sent to the brain. This mild and self-treatable disorder can affect anyone, but recent studies seem to imply that motion sickness may affect certain groups of people more than others. This paper will discuss the causes of motion sickness and will question the genetic and racial implications as contributing factors. The anatomy of balance Balance is maintained by a complex interaction of sensory parts of our body. The first are the inner ears, which monitor the directions of motion (such as side to side, back to front, up and down, and turning). Some people may feel dizzy without having to be spinning or turning. This dizziness is sometimes caused by an inner ear problem. Changes of fluids in the semicircular canals of the inner ear are one of the attributing factors of motion sickness. (1). Second, the eyes monitor where the body is in space and also the direction in which the motion is taking place. Third, the skin pressure receptors (joints and spine) send messages to the brain to inform what part of the body is down and touching the ground. Lastly, the muscle and joint sensory receptors are in charge of informing the brain which parts of the body are in motion. Through the interaction of all these parts, the central nervous system (the brain and the spinal c... ...should therefore, not be used or imply that motion sickness is part of one's self identity. It is true that some individuals are naturally prone to motion sickness since childhood (including myself), but this should not be because one is Latino or African-American. In fact, I dismiss the notion that race has anything to with one having motion sickness. Perhaps, it would've been better to investigate the environment and conditions of where people are located; there may be risk factors related to one's location in a geographical space. References 1)What Causes Motion Sickness http://www.bcrescue.org/carsickness.html 2)Dizziness and Motion Sickness http://www.entnet.org/healthinfo/balance/dizziness.cfm?o=0 3)What's Motion Sickness http://community.healthgate.com/ 4)What Causes Motion Sickness http://www.motion-sickness.net/aboutms2.htm<br>

Ethical Use of Assessment Essay

Abstract In this report Julia has selected an assessment instrument that will be used in the mental health counseling field area of professional practice, the Beck Depression Inventory-II. Reviews of the assessment will be read to ensure that the assessment measures what it purports to measure and that the article reviews will also establish an appropriate use of that tool. Julia has also analyzed the theoretical basis of the article choice for the chosen assessment tool. In addition, Julia will compare who the test developers or publishers and independent reviewers to discuss the applicability of the assessment tool to diverse populations. Julia will provide information cited by the publisher where applicable. Along with this information, Julia will discuss how the comparison of the BDI-II to other assessments can help the counselor make an ethical judgment of the applicability of using the tool within diverse groups of clients. Finally, Julia will cite any relevant sections of the code of e thics for mental health counseling within the American Counseling Association as well as the Mental Health Professional code of ethics. It is also important to state that the names of participants used are fictional due to privacy of certain individuals. Ethical Use of Assessment Psychological Testing Ethics Ethics are an essential part of administering psychological tests and it is necessary that all test users follow the ethical guidelines for assessment when using any type of psychological test. Psychological tests are an important tool in terms of many professions in an array of settings such as in clinical psychology, education, and even business. However, misuse of psychological test by the administrators is a constant and troubling issue that has the potential to harm the individuals who are taking the test and even society as a whole. For test takers, the misuse of a psychological test could result in improper diagnoses or inappropriate decision making for their therapeutic process. The misuse of tests reflects very poorly on the  professional organizations along with highly trained test users. Overall this will result in poor decisions that may harm society in both an economic and mental fashion (Beck, Steer, & Garbin, 1988). Usually test administrators do not intentionally misuse tests, but rather are not properly trained within the technical knowledge and overall testing procedure involved in administering the test. In an effort to prevent the misuse of psychological tests, psychologists developed a set of professional and technical standards for the development, evaluation, administration, scoring, and interpretation of all psychological tests. Professionals can overcome the misuse of tests simply by understanding these professional and technical standards involved in using psychological tests (Beck, Steer, & Garbin, 1988). Beck developed a manual to help the administrator of the BDI to interpret the results of the inventory, which includes fifty reviews within a thirty page manual (Conoley, 2012) In any situation in which a professional offers advice or intervenes in a person’s personal life in any way, issues regarding fairness, honesty, and conflict of interest can exist. The term ethics dire ctly indicates any issues or practices that have the potential to influence the decision making process that involves doing the right thing. Therefore, ethics refers to the moral aspect of right or wrong in regards to various things such as an entire society, an organization, or a culture. Among many professions, there is a set of practice guidelines which are known as ethical standards in which each member of those professions elect on such codes after debating and discussing their various concerns of these particular guidelines that would make the process of testing more effective and ethical (Beck, Steer, & Garbin, 1988). However, it is exceptionally difficult to achieve universal agreement when it comes to ethics. For example, numerous psychologists disagree with each other in terms of the proper way to interpret a client’s right to privacy. Issues such as whether knowing a client may be a danger to themselves and others should be protected from legal inquiry poses what is known as an ethical dilemma. Ethical dilemmas are problems that will arise in which there is no clear, direct, or agreed upon moral solution. While ethical standards are not government appointed laws, violating ethical standards of an organization or profession can have numerous and varied penalties as well which can include expulsion from the organization. Testing is an essential  part of the psychological network, and if used improperly, can cause harm to individuals without their knowledge. Therefore, it is necessary that an ethical use of psychological tests is provided to anyone who relies upon them (Beck, Steer, & Garbin, 1988). Psychological Testing and Privacy Ethical standards indisputably cover a large amount of ethical concerns and issues with a common purpose involving protecting the rights of any individual that becomes a recipient of any psychological service including testing. The Ethical Principles have a goal to respect individuals, safeguard individual privacy as well as dignity, and censure any unfair or discriminatory practices. There are many issues of concern when it comes to ethics, one such issue being the right to privacy (an enormous issue in the mental health counseling profession). The concepts of individual rights and privacy are a fundamental part of any society. The Ethical Principles affirm individual rights to privacy and confidentiality as well as self-determination, meaning that each client has the right to be able to discuss any presenting issue with their therapist and the discussion stay within the bounds of the office and to participate in the decision making of the therapeutic process. The term confidentiality indicates that individuals are guaranteed privacy in terms of all personal information that is disclosed and that no information will then be disclosed without the individual’s direct written permission. There are times however, that confidentiality is breached because counselors within a business setting, for example, will seek out psychological information about their employees. Another example of confidentiality being breached in a professional setting is when teachers may seek prior test scores for students, however, with the good intention of understanding issues of performance (Beck, Steer, & Garbin, 1988). Counselors will also disclose any information the client discusses with them if the client intends to harm himself/herself and or others and when any type of abuse is indicated during the session. Psychological Testing and Anonymity Another term involved with an individual’s right to privacy is known as anonymity. Anonymity refers to the practice of obtaining information through  the use of tests while concealing the identity of the participant involved. Anonymous testing is more commonly used in double-blind studies in which the researchers are completely unaware of the identity of the participants of the study. It is suggested that anonymous testing may provide more validity in terms of accurate and truthful information about participants because participants will be more likely to answer questions truthfully about themselves when their identity is not revealed (Beck, Steer, & Garbin, 1988). Psychological Testing and Informed Consent Another important issue is the right to informed consent which means that the client has the right to know exactly what is happening at all times during the testing and therapeutic process during therapy. Self-determination is a right to every individual which means that individuals are entitled to complete explanations as to why exactly they are being tested as well as how the results of the test will be utilized and what their results mean. These complete explanations are commonly known as informed consent and should be conveyed in such a way that is straight-forward and easy for examinees to understand which is most of the time done in a language in which the client understands what is being explained to them. In the case of minors or those with limited cognitive abilities, informed consent needs to be discussed with both the minor examinee themselves as well as their parent or guardian (Beck, Steer, & Garbin, 1988). However, informed consent should not be confused with parental permission. Counselors have a responsibility to ensure that the minor examinee as well as their parent or guardian understand all implications and requirements that will be involved in a psychological test before it is even administered. In addition to the issue of informed consent, participants are also entitled to be prompted with an explanation of the test results in a language structure that they understand. However, due to the fact that some test results may influence the participant’s self-esteem as well as behavior, it is crucial that a trained professional explain the results to the participant in a sensitive and understanding manner so that the participant responds to the items on the test with accuracy (Beck, Steer, & Garbin, 1988). Psychological Testing and Stigma Another issue that involves ethics in terms of psychological tests is the right of protection from stigma. In conjunction with the participant’s right to know and understand their results, researchers need to be careful not to use any labels which might be interpreted as a stigma when describing the results in terms of and to the participant. Counselors and researchers must refrain from using terms such as â€Å"insane,† â€Å"feebleminded,† or â€Å"addictive personality†. Therefore, the results that the client receives, along with the parent or guardian in cases involving minors, should be describe in a positive way so that the growth and development of the participant is not disrespected in any way (Beck, Steer, & Garbin, 1988). Beck Depression Inventory versus Beck Depression Inventory-II Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) was designed to evaluate the possibility and severity of depression along with suicidality issues. The BDI was developed by Aaron Beck and his associates back in 1961 as a structured interview. Even though Beck is known for using a cognitive therapy methodology, the BDI is not designed in that fashion. Beck used language that was conducive of a fifth grade level to develop twenty-one items from which the participant can choose a level of severity from four option with each particular item. Cautions that Conoley (2012) mentioned in the review are those of fakability and social desirability. The individual participant may not be entirely truthful when choosing the severity of his or her level for items on the inventory. He or she may score higher or lower depending on how the individual responds to the inventory. Julia has also found that sometimes a participant has suffered from depression for a length of time in which makes responding to the items difficult since this individual may feel as though what is normal for him or her may not be normal for another individual. For example, Elka may score lower but has been presenting with depression much longer than Norma who scored higher due to the adult onset of depression versus the early onset of depression. Even though the BDI has been used extensively for about twenty-five years prior to revision in 1987 and again in the 1990s. Many articles touted the use of the BDI causing psychologists and therapists to use the origin al version created by Aaron Beck. The most recent BDI revised the original version with the rewording of fifteen out of twenty-one of the items due to discriminatory wording. The most recent revision also took into account the changes that were made to the Diagnostic Manual for  Mental Illness which correlate with the criteria for depression on a much higher level. It is plausible to have a more recent version created due to the Diagnostic Manual revision this past year in 2013. All versions of the BDI are designed to evaluate the probability of depression and suicidal tendency for individuals aged thirteen and over for a timeframe of five to ten minutes of the participant choosing the criteria associated with each item. The most recent version of the BDI has also revised to avoid sex and gender discrimination. These factors make the BDI-II a much stronger assessment tool which the counselor uses to evaluate the client’s presenting symptoms of depression (Arbisi & Farmer, 2012). Psychological Testing and BDI-II All of the ethical issues discussed above come into play when the counselor tests for depression of a client including the severity and longevity of the presenting symptoms of depression. Mental health counselors use the BDI-II to evaluate the possibility and severity of depression with which the client presents, in which it does. Usually the client will make a statement concerning the longevity of their presenting symptoms of depression which gives the counselor an idea of how long the client has been feeling depressed. Both are helpful in not only appropriately diagnosing the severity of the depression but also knowing what steps to take in the way of a treatment plan. Beck Depression Inventory-II and Diversity BDI-II has been modified and or translated into several different languages to address diversity in several cultures, such as Mexican-American, Chinese, as well as the elderly and older women groups. The items are modified in a way so that each group understands what the item is addressing as well as the ethnicity of each diverse group. Depression presents itself differently across cultural groups. What displays as depression in a Caucasian is most likely not display in an identical way with another culture group, such as African-American, Hispanic, Latino, Norwegian, etc. (Joe, Woolley, Brown, Ghahramanlou-Holloway, & Beck, 2008). The BDI-II has also been modified to address differences between adolescents, adults, and elderly. The elderly population has a much different presenting issue with depression. BDI-II and Counselor Judgment The counselor must make a sound judgment in choosing the BDI-II for use in evaluating a client’s presenting issues concerning depression, which includes comparing the BDI-II to other depression inventory assessments such as the CAD (Clinical Assessment of Depression) or the PHQ-9 (Patient Health Questionnaire-9). While the BDI-II is comparable to the PHQ-9 in statistical analysis, the CAD seems to be more accurate in evaluating clinical depression. However, the CAD consists of fifty questions which take about ten minutes or more to complete. For this factor alone the client may not accurately respond to the items on the CAD due to the length even though studies show that it results in a more accurate evaluation of depression (Arbisi & Farmer, 2012; Faxlanger, 2009; Kung, Alarcon, Williams, Poppe, & Frye, 2012). Even though the cost of the BDI-II cost much more than the CAD, the CAD is a relatively new assessment that has not had the longevity that the BDI-II has. The PHQ-9 does not have a cost connected to the assessment, but it is not as well-known as the BDI-II. Once Julia has established herself as a mental health counselor, she will explore the three tests further to see the effectiveness of each test compared to the other so that she can make a judgment on which test is more accurate and effective in diagnosing her clients (Arbisi & Farmer, 2012; Faxlanger, 2009; Kung, Alarcon, Williams, Poppe, & Frye, 2012). Summary In conclusion, the BDI-II seems to be the most effective assessment tool in diagnosing clinical depression. The American Mental Health Counselors Association Code of Ethics (2000) reports that the counselor is responsible for ensuring that each client is assessed appropriately including using the most appropriate test for the client’s presenting issues for diagnosis. The Code of Ethics also cautions the counselor in privacy, interpretation of the results, and to be trained for the assessments in which he or she will use in practice. As before stated, Julia will explore all options for testing for diagnosing clients as well as continued training in testing and interpretation of the results of each test used in practice. References American Mental Health Counselors Association (2000). Code of ethics. Retrieved March 9, 2014 from www.amhca.org/assets/content/CodeofEthics1.pdf Arbisi, P. A., and Farmer, R. F. (2012). Beck depression inventory-ii. Mental Measurements Yearbook and Tests in Print. Accession Number: TIP07000275. Mental Measurements Review Number: 14122148. Beck, A. T., Steer, R. A., & Garbin, M. G. (1988). Psychometric properties of the Beck Depression Inventory: Twenty-five years of evaluation. Clinical Psychology Review, 8, 77-100. Cappeliez, P. (1989). Social desirability response set and self-report depression inventories in the elderly. Clinical Gerontologist, 9(2), 45-52. Dahlstrom, W. G., Brooks, J. D., & Peterson, C. D. (1990). The Beck Depression Inventory: Item order and the impact of response sets. Journal of Personality Assessment, 55, 224-233. Gatewood-Colwell, G., Kaczmarek, M., & Ames, M. H. (1989). Reliability and validity of the Beck Depression Inventory for a White and Mexican-American gerontic population. Psychological Reports, 65, 1163-1166. Joe, S., Woolley, Ghahramanlou-Holloway, M., Brown, G. K., Beek, A. T. (2008). Psyc hometric properties of the Beck Depression Inventory-II in low-income, African American suicide attempters. Journal of Personality Assessment Volume 90, Issue 5, 2008. Retrieved March 8, 2014 from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2729713/ Kung, S., Alarcon, R. D., Williams, M. D., Poppe, K. A., Moore, M. J., Frye, M. A. (2012). Comparing the Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II) and Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) depression measures in an integrated mood disorders practice. Journal of Affective Disorders, Volume 145, Issue 3, Pages 341-343, 5 March 2013. Retrieved March 9, 2014 from http://www.jad-journal.com/article/S0165-0327%2812%2900586-1/abstract Faxlanger, L. (2009). The clinical assessment of depression vs. the Beck depression inventory. Retrieved March 9, 2014 from http://lisamarie1019.blogspot.com/2009/09/clinical-assessment-of-depression-vs.html Steer, R. A., Beck, A. T., & Brown, G. (1989). Sex differences on the revised Beck Depression Inventory for outp atients with affective disorders. Journal of Personality Assessment, 53, 693-703. Steer, R. A., Beck, A. T., & Garrison, B. (1986). Applications of the Beck Depression Inventory. In N. Sartorius & T. A. Ban (Eds.), Assessment of depression (pp. 121-142). Geneva, Switzerland: World Health Organization. Talbott, N. M. (1989). Age

Belonging Essay ‘Romulus My Father’, ‘the Lost Thing’ and ‘the Catcher in the Rye’

Our search for who we are is fuelled by our innate desire to achieve a sense of acceptance and belonging. Belonging doesn’t just happen; it involves many factors and experiences in order to feel that you truly belong. Feeling a sense of inclusion can enrich our identity and relationships and can lead to acceptance and understanding. In order to understand who we are we need to belong and this is effectively represented in Raimond Gaita’s memoir ‘Romulus My Father,’ Shaun Tan’s ‘The Lost Thing’ and JD Salinger’s ‘The Catcher in the Rye. An individual’s interaction with others and the world around them can enrich or limit their experience of belonging to an environment. ‘Romulus My Father’ demonstrates this through the profound sense of acceptance that exists within Raimond. He delivers his observations in a reflective and thoughtful tone, particularly in his recollections of his father, as he â€Å"loved him too deeply†¦ no quarrel could estrange (them)† and felt a genuine sense of familial belonging. This is also evident even after Christine dies. He observed, â€Å"We came together as son and husband with the woman whose remains lay beneath us. † Juxtaposed against Raimond’s belonging is the suffering of Christine in her displacement. Christine struggles to be the mother that society expects her to be, and her inability to relate and conform is described by Raimond as, â€Å"a troubled city girl, she could not settle†¦ in a landscape that highlighted her isolation. † Raimond’s despondent tone conveys how Christine could not fit into the community and in Australia. As a result, her isolation and alienation lead her to betray the institution of family juxtaposed by â€Å"I felt awkward with her,† which shows that Raimond’s relationship with his mother has lost the familial belonging it once contained. Similar to Christine’s feelings of estrangement, Romulus â€Å"felt like a ‘prisoner’ in Australia,† that was looked down upon and unwanted, resulting in a sympathetic response from the reader. Throughout the novel, we witness Romulus facing and struggling with these opposing pressures. Feelings of estrangement and an inability to simply ‘fit in’ are similarly explored in Shaun Tan’s â€Å"The Lost Thing†. Tan explores the attitude and bitterness towards things that do not belong, and the intricacies of a world that directly reflects society and its inability to accept differences. The fundamental need to belong can consequently result in many altering themselves in order to conform to societal expectations. Feeling a sense of belonging and acceptance involves facing many pressures and difficulties, which are clearly demonstrated by Tan. The Lost Thing is largely ignored and hardly noticed by the community, despite its bright red colour and large appearance that makes it stand out to the reader as it is juxtaposed with the dull and industrialized background. However, regardless of it curious appearance and obvious presence, the community is self-absorbed, too preoccupied with their ritual habits to even notice it. Towards the end of the book, it becomes clear that there are many other lost things that regularly appear in the city, but their presence can only be measured by the minimal extent to which they are noticed. This demonstrates the negative attitudes directed towards people or things that do not stereotypically fit in with the rest of society. Tan also explores the sense of belonging created in such a detached environment. The citizens of the organised community develop a sense of identity by conforming to the rule of society and following the organised standardizations, as demonstrated through the reoccurring motif of the identical houses drawn in neat columns. Ultimately for them to be accepted, they exclude others. Attaining a sense of ‘belonging’ can act as a nurturing force for notions of identity, bringing fulfillment and enrichment of character and this is clearly demonstrated throughout JD Salinger’s novel ‘The Catcher in the Rye,’ through the protagonist nature of Holden Caulfield. Holden seems to be excluded from and victimized by the world around him. As he mentions to his professor Mr. Spencer, he feels trapped on â€Å"the other side† of life, and he continually attempts to find his way in a world in which he feels he doesn’t belong. Part of Holden’s alienation is a result of his inability, or perhaps unwillingness to grow up. Holden is fearful of adulthood, claiming that adulthood is world of superficiality and â€Å"phonies. † We are constantly reminded of Holden’s war against â€Å"phonies†, ironically reflecting on Holden’s phoney and fake personality. Like a child, Holden fears change and is overwhelmed by the complexity, but he is too out of touch with his feelings to admit it. Instead, he spends much of his time criticizing others. When are you going to grow up? † Carl Luce makes it apparent to Holden that he must grow up and move on from his issues which are holding him back. In the conclusion of his journey, Holden is able to gain a sense of belonging and acceptance within his sister Phoebe. Although losing his brother Allie was incredibly hard, Holden finds comfort in his close relationship with his sister and is able to move on willingly. The feeling of acceptan ce involves many factors and experiences. The innate desire to belong and ramifications of not belonging are clearly represented within ‘Romulus my Father’. The struggles of belonging in the self-absorbed organized society of ‘The Lost Thing’ clearly demonstrate our basic need to be accepted. JD Salinger is able to prove that a sense of belonging comes from a sense of identity within ‘The Catcher in the Rye. ’ Belonging can enrich our identity and relationships and can lead to acceptance and understanding.

Fetac Level Customer Service

The hotel offers 104 superb bedrooms designed for guest comfort and relaxation, many with superb sews over the river and town. They have two penthouse suites known as the light and dark rooms offering luxury at its finest, ideal for special occasions. The Westport Hotel The Westport Hotel has been transformed into the hippest & liveliest luxury designer hotel in the region. After a major refurbishment in 2011, the Westport Hotel now attains the status as the most popular hotel in Dragonhead. The inviting exterior is that of sophistication and city reminiscence.Located in the very heart of Dragonhead it comprises of 27 tastefully decorated bedrooms all of different infatuations, flat screen televisions with cable channels and high speed internet access. The aim of the Westport Hotel is to make your stay one of comfort, enjoyment and relaxation. 2. Summary/Evaluation I The D Hotel I The Westport Hotel I Organization/Business Image I The image I got of the D Hotel was that it is a very middle of the road hotel. The d ©cord is standard and not very up-market. It is clean and tidy and felt very welcoming, making me want to stay there.I The image I got of the Westport Hotel was that It is very up-market, the lobby is spotlessly clean and the d ©cord is very high end. I think that the business image is better than that of the D Hotel. I Personal Presentation of Employees I The sales associate was wearing a black t-shirt and black trousers; I felt that she was well presented with regards to her the ends from dragging on the ground. I The sales associate was dressed in a black suit with a white shirt and no name tag. She was very well presented with minimal make-up and nicely groomed hair.The presentation of the staff is much better than that of the D Hotel. I Interpersonal Skills of Individual(s) Dealt With I I think the sales associate was very good at her Job; she was polite and welcoming and dad me feel like a valued customer. Her interpersonal skills were 100% better than those of the staff at the Westport Hotel. I The sales associate didn't do very well and I think she should consider another career path. She was impolite to me and seemed exasperated with my questions. She could improve on her manners towards customers.I Effective Handling of Enquiry I The sales associate was very efficient in handling my enquiry as she had a very good knowledge of the deals available to me. She was much more effective at handling my enquiry than the employee at the Westport Hotel. I The sales associate wasn't very efficient in handling my enquiry she made me feel like I was bothering her with stupid questions. I Ability of Employee to Present Information Accurately I The sales associate was brilliant she went through everything with me and explained what each price included making sure I knew what I was getting for my money.She was much better than the employee at the Westport Hotel. I Although I did eventually get the information I required the sales a ssociate didn't present it to me accurately as she Just scribbled some generic prices down onto a scrap of paper and thrust it into my hand before smiling me. I Overall Comment of Efficiency and Customer Service Delivered by the Organizations/Business I The only things that I found wrong were the fact that her trousers were far too long and she never offered me her name. Other than that it was a very good experience. My experience was much better than the one I had at the Westport Hotel.I The experience made me feel like the hotel didn't want me as a customer because I wouldn't fit their usual clientele, the sales associate was UN- friendly and rude and it made me not want to stay in the hotel. 3. Recommendations on Improving Customer Service The Only way I think that the D Hotel can improve on their customer service is to make sure that employees make the customers aware of their name so that they don't have to ask for it and to also make sure that employees are dressed in a more p rofessional manner with correctly tailored clothing.

Frostbite Chapter 13

Thirteen PEOPLE STOOD UP AND SHOUTED, everyone wanting their opinion to be heard. As it was, most of them held the same view: Tasha was wrong. They told her she was crazy. They told her that in sending out Moroi and dhampirs to fight the Strigoi, she'd be expediting the extinction of both races. They even had the nerve to suggest that that was Tasha's plan all along- that she was somehow collaborating with the Strigoi in all of this. Dimitri stood up, disgust all over his features as he surveyed the chaos. â€Å"You might as well leave. Nothing useful's going to happen now.† Mason and I rose, but he shook his head when I started to follow Dimitri out. â€Å"You go on,† said Mason. â€Å"I want to check something out.† I glanced at the standing, arguing people. I shrugged. â€Å"Good luck.† I couldn't believe it had only been a few days since I'd spoken to Dimitri. Stepping out into the hall with him, I felt like it'd been years. Being with Mason these last couple of days had been fantastic, but seeing Dimitri again, all of my old feelings for him came rushing back. Suddenly, Mason seemed like a child. My distress over the Tasha situation also came back, and stupid words fell out of my mouth before I could stop them. â€Å"Shouldn't you be in there protecting Tasha?† I asked. â€Å"Before the mob gets her? She's going to get in big trouble for using magic like that.† He raised an eyebrow. â€Å"She can take care of herself.† â€Å"Yeah, yeah, because she's a badass karate magic user. I get all that. I just figured since you're going to be her guardian and all†¦Ã¢â‚¬  â€Å"Where did you hear that?† â€Å"I have my sources.† Somehow, saying I'd heard it from my mom sounded less cool. â€Å"You've decided to, right? I mean, it sounds like a good deal, seeing as she's going to give you fringe benefits†¦.† He gave me a level look. â€Å"What happens between her and me is none of your business,† he replied crisply. The words between her and me stung. It sounded like he and Tasha were a done deal. And, as often happened when I was hurt, my temper and attitude took over. â€Å"Well, I'm sure you guys'll be happy together. She's just your type, too- I know how much you like women who aren't your own age. I mean, she's what, six years older than you? Seven? And I'm seven years younger than you.† â€Å"Yes,† he said after several moments of silence. â€Å"You are. And every second this conversation goes on, you only prove how young you really are.† Whoa. My jaw almost hit the floor. Not even my mother punching me had hurt as badly as that. For a heartbeat, I thought I saw regret in his eyes, like he too realized just how harsh his words had been. But the moment passed, and his expression was hard once more. â€Å"Little dhampir,† a voice suddenly said nearby. Slowly, still stunned, I turned toward Adrian Ivashkov. He grinned at me and gave a brief nod of acknowledgment to Dimitri. I suspected my face was bright red. How much had Adrian heard? He held up his hands in a casual gesture. â€Å"I don't want to interrupt or anything. Just wanted to talk to you when you have time.† I wanted to tell Adrian I didn't have time to play whatever game he was into now, but Dimitri's words still smarted. He was looking at Adrian now in a very disapproving way. I suspected he, like everyone else, had heard about Adrian's bad reputation. Good, I thought. I suddenly wanted him to be jealous. I wanted to hurt him as much as he'd hurt me lately. Swallowing my pain, I unearthed my man-eating smile, one I hadn't used to full effect in sometime. I walked over to Adrian and put a hand on his arm. â€Å"I've got time now.† I gave a nod of my own to Dimitri and steered Adrian away, walking close to him. â€Å"See you later, Guardian Belikov.† Dimitri's dark eyes followed us stonily. Then I turned away and didn't look back. â€Å"Not into older guys, huh?† asked Adrian once we were alone. â€Å"You're imagining things,† I said. â€Å"Clearly, my stunning beauty has clouded your mind.† He laughed that nice laugh of his. â€Å"That's entirely possible.† I started to step back, but he tossed an arm around me. â€Å"No, no, you wanted to play chummy with me- now you've got to see it through.† I rolled my eyes at him and let the arm stay. I could smell alcohol on him as well as the perpetual smell of cloves. I wondered if he was drunk now. I had the feeling that there was probably little difference between his attitudes drunk or sober. â€Å"What do you want?† I asked. He studied me for a moment. â€Å"I want you to grab Vasilisa and come with me. We're going to have some fun. You'll probably want a swimsuit too.† He seemed disappointed by the admission of this. â€Å"Unless you want to go naked.† â€Å"What? A bunch of Moroi and dhampirs just got slaughtered, and you want to go swimming and ‘have fun'?† â€Å"It's not just swimming,† he said patiently. â€Å"Besides, that slaughter is exactly why you should go do this.† Before I could argue that, I saw my friends round the corner: Lissa, Mason, and Christian. Eddie Castile was with the group, which shouldn't have surprised me, but Mia was as well- which certainly did surprise me. They were deep in conversation, though they all stopped talking when they saw me. â€Å"There you are,† said Lissa, a puzzled look on her face. I remembered Adrian's arm was still around me. I stepped out of it. â€Å"Hey, guys,† I said. A moment of awkwardness hung around us, and I was pretty sure I heard a low chuckle from Adrian. I beamed at him and then my friends. â€Å"Adrian invited us to go swimming.† They stared at me in surprise, and I could almost see the wheels of speculation turning in their heads. Mason's face darkened a little, but like the others, he said nothing. I stifled a groan. Adrian took me inviting the others to his secret interlude pretty well. With his easygoing attitude, I hadn't really expected anything else. Once we had swimsuits, we followed his directions to a doorway in one of the far wings of the lodge. It held a staircase that led down- and down and down. I nearly got dizzy as we wound around and around. Electric lights hung in the walls, but as we went farther, the painted walls changed to carved stone. When we reached our destination, we discovered Adrian had been right- it wasn't just swimming. We were in a special spa area of the resort, one used only for the most elite Moroi. In this case, it was reserved for a bunch of royals I assumed were Adrian's friends. There were about thirty others, all his age or older, who bore the marks of wealth and elitism. The spa consisted of a series of hot mineral pools. Maybe once they'd been in a cave or something, but the lodge builders had long since gotten rid of any sort of rustic surroundings. The black stone walls and ceiling were as polished and beautiful as anything else in the resort. It was like being in a cave- a really nice, designer cave. Racks of towels lined the walls, as did tables full of exotic food. The baths matched the rest of the room's hewn-out d? ¦cor: stone-lined pools containing hot water that was heated from some underground source. Steam filled the room, and a faint, metallic smell hung in the air. Sounds of partygoers laughing and splashing echoed around us. â€Å"Why is Mia with you?† I asked Lissa softly. We were winding our way through the room, looking for a pool that wasn't occupied. â€Å"She was talking to Mason when we were getting ready to leave,† she returned. She kept her voice just as quiet. â€Å"It seemed mean to just†¦ I don't know †¦ leave her †¦Ã¢â‚¬  Even I agreed with that. Obvious signs of grief were written all over her face, but Mia seemed at least momentarily distracted by whatever Mason was telling her. â€Å"I thought you didn't know Adrian,† Lissa added. Disapproval hung in her voice and in the bond. We finally found a large pool, a little out of the way. A guy and a girl were on the opposite side, all over each other, but there was plenty of room for the rest of us. They were easy to ignore. I put a foot into the water and pulled it back immediately. â€Å"I don't,† I told her. Cautiously, I inched the foot back in, slowly followed by the rest of my body. When I got to my stomach, I grimaced. I had on a maroon bikini, and the scalding water caught my stomach by surprise. â€Å"You must know him a little. He invited you to a party.† â€Å"Yeah, but do you see him with us now?† She followed my gaze. Adrian stood on the far side of the room with a group of girls in bikinis much smaller than mine. One was a Betsey Johnson suit I'd seen in a magazine and coveted. I sighed and looked away. We'd all slipped into the water by then. It was so hot I felt like I was in a soup kettle. Now that Lissa seemed convinced of my innocence with Adrian, I tuned into the others' discussion. â€Å"What are you talking about?† I interrupted. It was easier than listening and figuring it out myself. â€Å"The meeting,† said Mason excitedly. Apparently, he'd gotten over seeing me and Adrian together. Christian had settled onto a small shelf in the pool. Lissa curled up beside him. Putting a proprietary arm around her, he tipped his back so it rested on the edge. â€Å"Your boyfriend wants to lead an army against the Strigoi,† he told me. I could tell he was saying it to provoke me. I looked at Mason questioningly. It wasn't worth the effort to challenge the â€Å"boyfriend† comment. â€Å"Hey, it was your aunt who suggested it,† Mason reminded Christian. â€Å"She only said we should find the Strigoi before they find us again,† countered Christian. â€Å"She wasn't pushing for novices fighting. That was Monica Szelsky.† A waitress came by then with a tray of pink drinks. These were in elegant, long-stemmed crystal glasses with sugared rims. I had a strong suspicion the drinks were alcoholic, but I doubted anyone who made it into this party was going to get carded. I had no idea what they were. Most of my experiences with alcohol had involved cheap beer. I took a glass and turned back to Mason. â€Å"You think that's a good idea?† I asked him. I sipped the drink, cautiously. As a guardian in training, I felt like I should always be on alert, but tonight I once again felt like being rebellious. The drink tasted like punch. Grapefruit juice. Something sweet, like strawberries. I was still pretty sure there was alcohol in it, but it didn't appear strong enough for me to lose sleep over. Another waitress soon appeared with a tray of food. I eyed it and recognized almost nothing. There was something that looked vaguely like mushrooms stuffed with cheese, as well as something else that looked little round patties of meat or sausage. As a good carnivore, I reached for one, thinking it couldn't be that bad. â€Å"It's foie gras,† said Christian. There was a smile on his face I didn't like. I eyed him warily. â€Å"What's that?† â€Å"You don't know?† His tone was cocky, and for once in his life, he sounded like a true royal touting his elite knowledge over us underlings. He shrugged. â€Å"Take a chance. Find out.† Lissa sighed in exasperation. â€Å"It's goose liver.† I jerked my hand back. The waitress moved on, and Christian laughed. I glared at him. Meanwhile, Mason was still hung up on my question about whether novices going to battle before graduation was a good idea. â€Å"What else are we doing?† he asked indignantly. â€Å"What are you doing? You run laps with Belikov every morning. What's that doing for you? For the Moroi?† What was that doing for me? Making my heart race and my mind have indecent thoughts. â€Å"We aren't ready,† I said instead. â€Å"We've only got six more months,† piped in Eddie. Mason nodded his agreement. â€Å"Yeah. How much more can we learn?† â€Å"Plenty,† I said, thinking of how much I'd picked up from my tutoring sessions with Dimitri. I finished my drink. â€Å"Besides, where does it stop? Let's say they end school six months early, then send us off. What next? They decide to push back further and cut our senior year? Our junior year?† He shrugged. â€Å"I'm not afraid to fight. I could have taken on Strigoi when I was a sophomore.† â€Å"Yeah,† I said dryly. â€Å"Just like you did skiing on that slope.† Mason's face, already flushed from the heat, turned redder still. I immediately regretted my words, particularly when Christian started laughing. â€Å"Never thought I'd live to see the day when I agreed with you, Rose. But sadly, I do.† The cocktail waitress came by again, and both Christian and I took new drinks. â€Å"The Moroi have got to start helping us defend themselves.† â€Å"With magic?† asked Mia suddenly. It was the first time she'd spoken since we'd got here. Silence met her. I think Mason and Eddie didn't respond because they knew nothing about fighting with magic. Lissa, Christian, and I did- and were trying very hard to act like we didn't. There was a funny sort of hope in Mia's eyes, though, and I could only imagine what she'd gone through today. She'd woken up to learn her mother was dead and then been subjected to hours and hours of political bantering and battle strategies. The fact that she was sitting here at all seeming semi-composed was a miracle. I assumed people who actually liked their mothers would barely be able to function in that situation. When no one else looked like they were going to answer her, I finally said, â€Å"I suppose. But†¦ I don't know much about that.† I finished the rest of my drink and averted my eyes, hoping someone else would take up the conversation. They didn't. Mia looked disappointed but said no more when Mason switched back to the Strigoi debate. I took a third drink and sank into the water as far as I reasonably could and still hold the glass. This drink was different. It looked chocolatey and had whipped cream on top. I took a taste and definitely detected the bite of alcohol. Still, I figured the chocolate probably diluted it. When I was ready for a fourth drink, the waitress was nowhere in sight. Mason seemed really, really cute to me all of a sudden. I would have liked a little romantic attention from him, but he was still going on about Strigoi and the logistics of leading a strike in the middle of the day. Mia and Eddie were nodding along with him eagerly, and I got the feeling that if he decided to hunt Strigoi right now, they'd follow. Christian was actually joining the talk, but it was more to play devil's advocate. Typical. He thought a sort of preemptive strike would require guardians and Moroi, much as Tasha had said. Mason, Mia, and Eddie argued that if the Moroi weren't up to it, the guardians should take matters into their own hands. I confess, their enthusiasm was kind of contagious. I rather liked the idea of getting the drop on Strigoi. But in the Badica and Drozdov attacks, all of the guardians had been killed. Admittedly the Strigoi had organized into huge groups and had help, but all that told me was that our side needed to be extra careful. His cuteness aside, I didn't want to listen to Mason talk about his battle skills anymore. I wanted another drink. I stood up and climbed over the edge of the pool. To my astonishment, the world started spinning. I'd had that happen before when I got out of baths or hot tubs too quickly, but when things didn't right themselves, I realized those drinks might have been stronger than I thought. I also decided a fourth wasn't such a good idea, but I didn't want to get back in and let everyone know I was drunk. I headed off toward a side room I'd seen the waitress disappear into. I hoped maybe there was a secret stash of desserts somewhere, chocolate mousse instead of goose liver. As I walked, I paid special attention to the slippery floor, thinking that falling into one of the pools and cracking my skull would definitely cost me coolness points. I was paying so much attention to my feet and trying not to stagger that I walked into someone. To my credit, it'd been his fault; he'd backed into me. â€Å"Hey, watch it,† I said, steadying myself. But he wasn't paying attention to me. His eyes were on another guy, a guy with a bloody nose. I'd walked right into the middle of a fight.