IQ Testing Essays - Intelligence, Psychometrics,

IQ Testing Many times in our society intelligence is judged by test scores, careers, and success. Although these methods of measuring intelligence are not always accurate they are still used. IQ tests are given to people and the scores on these tests are supposed to reflect the level of intelligence a person has. What makes these tests so accurate? What about intelligent people who do not take tests well? They may become nervous and may not work well under pressure. I believe there are many forms of intelligence, some more important than others are. A person may be very smart but when it comes to subjects like math and science, but when it comes to English and writing they may not know much about it. Also, some people may not do very well in school but can fix almost anything that you put in front of them. Often times those who are smart in school subject lack the common sense needed to survive outside of work or school although that is not always the case. Others who may very intelligent when it comes to common sense and making the right decision on the street lack the wisdom need in school or work. This is a critical part of survival and I believe common sense is needed just as much as anything else. There are those people who are naturally smart, who grasp concepts well, and do not need to study much at all to do well. There are others who need to work hard to do well. They need to study and concepts do not come as easily to them as others. Are they not considered intelligent because of this? Also many people may be very intelligent yet they are either lazy or uninterested, therefore their natural mental ability never is shown. Many cultures have their own opinion of intelligence. If you are born and brought up as an Indian, to them intelligence comes with age and strength. If you can hunt well and survive on you own then you are considered intelligent, you are not given a written test and judged buy the scores. Many other cultures also have their own definition of intelligence too. Social status also has a very big impact on people perspective of your intelligence. Upper to middle class people not only have a better chance of getting a good education, but are thought of as more intelligent because they have money. Lower-middle to lower class people do not have all the opportunities that the others do and are also perceived as unintelligent because of their lack of money and those opportunities. Judging people on their level of intelligence, mental ability, and level of success through tests and careers gives you a very poor judge of character. I do not agree that intelligence can be measured at all. To me it is not only how smart you are, but also your attitude, who you are as a person, and the decisions you make in life. Your intelligence should not only be graded through a test but rather on how you live your life.

Admissions Guide - Admissions Guide to Private Schools

Admissions Guide - Admissions Guide to Private Schools If youre applying to private school, you might be wondering if you have all the important information and know all the steps that you need to take. Well, this admissions guide offers some important tips and reminders to help you apply to private school. However, its important to note that even this guide isnt a guarantee for admission to the school to your choice; there are no tricks or secrets to getting your child into a private school. Just a lot of steps and the art of finding the school that meets your needs and where your child will succeed most. Start Your Search Early   It doesnt matter whether you are trying to find a place in kindergarten,  ninth grade in a college prep school or even a postgraduate year at a boarding school, its important that you start the process a year to 18 months or more in advance. While this isnt recommended because it truly takes that long to apply, but there are a number of things to consider before you even sit down to complete the application. And, if your goal is to get admittance at some of the best private schools in the country, you need to make sure that you are ready and have a strong background.   Plan Your Private School Search From the moment you ask yourself how you get your child into private school until the much-awaited acceptance letter arrives, there is a lot that you need  to do. Plan your work and work your plan. A great tool is the Private School Spreadsheet, which is designed to help you keep track of the schools youre interested in, who you need to contact at each school, and the status of your interview and application. Once you have your spreadsheet ready to use and you begin the process, you can use this  timeline  to stay on track with dates and deadlines. Keep in mind though, that every schools deadlines may vary slightly, so make sure youre aware of all the different deadlines. Decide if Youre Using a Consultant While most families are able to navigate the private school search themselves, some opt to engage the assistance of an educational consultant. Its important that you find a reputable one, and the best place to determine that is by referencing the IECA website. If you decide to contract with one, make sure that you communicate regularly with your consultant. Your consultant can advise you on ensuring that you choose the right fit school for your child, and can work with you to apply to both reach schools and  safe schools. Visits and Interviews Visiting schools is critical. You have to see the schools, get a feel for them and make sure they meet your requirements. Part of the visit will be the admissions interview. While the admissions staff will want to interview your child, they may also want to meet with you. Remember: the school does not have to accept your child. So put your best foot forward. Take some time to prepare a list of questions to ask, too, because the interview is also an opportunity for you to assess if the school is right for your child.    Testing Standardized admissions tests are required by most schools. The SSAT and ISEE are the most common tests. Prepare for these thoroughly. Make sure your child gets lots of practice. Make sure she understands the test, and how it works. Your child will also have to submit a writing sample or essay. Want a great SSAT prep tool? Check out this Guide to the SSAT ebook.   Applications Pay attention to the applications deadlines which are typically mid-January, though some schools have rolling admissions with no specific deadlines. Most applications are for an entire school year though from time to time a school will accept an applicant in the middle of an academic year.    Many schools have online applications. Several schools have a common application which saves you lots of time as you only complete one application which is sent to several schools you designate. Dont forget to complete your Parents Financial Statement(PFS) and submit it as well. Part of the applications process is getting teacher references completed and submitted, so make sure to give your teachers plenty of time to complete those. You will also have to complete a Parent Statement or Questionnaire. Your child will have his own Candidate Statement to fill out as well. Give yourself plenty of time to get these tasks done. Acceptances Acceptances are generally sent in mid-March. If your child is wait-listed, dont panic. A place might just open up. Article edited by  Stacy Jagodowski:  If you have more questions or need more information about getting into a private school, tweet me or share your comment on Facebook.

What were the causes of the collapse of the Soviet Union Essay

What were the causes of the collapse of the Soviet Union - Essay Example 149). There are others who propound the theory that the Soviet Union had been deliberately dismantled. In their opinion, this system would have continued; but for the destructive acts of some individuals. This conjecture results in the question of who had been responsible for the collapse of the Soviet Union. The erstwhile Communists of Moscow have held that Gorbachev was the sole cause for this unwelcome development (Ekedahl and Goodman, 1998, p. 149). Yeltsin embarked upon a program of consolidating his power. In this endeavour, he acted with great haste, and this had a major contribution to the disintegration of the USSR. Gorbachev also played a major, but unintended role in the process of disintegration. Some of the reasons for the dismantling of the Soviet Union are the liberalization of the system, and its democratization; and permitting the Eastern European countries to claim independence. In addition, the Soviets did not employ force against those seeking self-determination, this proved to be highly encouraging for those seeking self rule (Brown, 2007, p. 318). Prior to Gorbachev’s rule, any expression of nationalism was dealt with very severely. Some of the modes of punishment for such activity were arrest, imprisonment, exile to Siberia, or even execution. Gorbachev liberalised the system and provided the opportunity for democracy to flourish in the Soviet Union. These measures resulted in the disintegration of the USSR (Brown, 2007, p. 319). The Second World War was highly damaging for the Soviet Union. The innumerable executions of persons suspected of being dissidents, had a number of adverse effects on the Soviet system. The Red Army’s leadership was incompetent, it was poorly armed and troop morale was at its nadir. The extant transport arrangements were woefully inadequate, and this led to serious shortages, all over the country (Kenez, 2006, p. 133). The dissolution of the Soviet Union was accompanied with considerable bloodshed,

The Underground Railroad from Slavery to Freedom Essay

The Underground Railroad from Slavery to Freedom - Essay Example Seibert’ book presents a number of interesting people and unsung heroes before it readers. Among all of them, one person that particular catches the interest is Calvin Fairbank. Fairbank lived in an affluent family that was 'assigned' with two slaves. As these slaves did all the housework, once he got the opportunity to listen to the slave-woman's tale of sorrow, which kindled anger in Fairbank. Once when he was in charge of a raft of lumber, he saw a woodsman who was going to be a slave very soon. Fairbank took him on the raft and helped him. Along with o an old slave woman with 7 children, he helped this man escape by taking them to a secure location on his raft. However, this met with a lot of issues because Fairbank was charged with helping the slaves help and was sent to the penitentiary. Before he was released, the Fugitive Slave law was passed, but this did not prove to be a deterrent to his ideas. According to him, 'I resisted its execution whenever and wherever possib le'. He continued to help the slaves escape. This landed him in the prison again and he spent more than 17 years of his life in the prison, where some phases were filled with physical and mental torture. Through his strategy of using disguises and helping people hide, he played pivotal part in making the life better for many slaves. One of the very interesting events in the book is about how the disguise was used as a very effective technique to help the slaves escape quietly without the threat of being caught.... Fairbank lived in an affluent family that was 'assigned' with two slaves. As these slaves did all the housework, once he got the opportunity to listen to the slave-woman's tale of sorrow, which kindled anger in Fairbank. Once when he was in charge of a raft of lumber, he saw a woodsman who was going to be a slave very soon. Fairbank took him on the raft and helped him. Along with o an old slave woman with 7 children, he helped this man escape by taking them to a secure location on his raft. However, this met with a lot of issues because Fairbank was charged with helping the slaves help and was sent to the penitentiary. Before he was released, the Fugitive Slave law was passed, but this did not prove to be a deterrent to his ideas. According to him, 'I resisted its execution whenever and wherever possible' (Siebert, 1898, p. 159). He continued to help the slaves escape. This landed him in the prison again and he spent more than 17 years of his life in the prison, where some phases wer e filled with physical and mental torture. Through his strategy of using disguises and helping people hide, he played pivotal part in making the life better for many slaves. One of the very interesting events in the book is about how the disguise was used as a very effective technique to help the slaves escape quietly without the threat of being caught. Mr. Sidney Speed of Crawfordsville narrates the incident when a mulatto girl was about 20 years of age reached their home. As the level of vigilance was very high, they could not move her despite many efforts. The owners of this slave were searching for her all across the place. When they got the right opportunity, she was taken to a coloured man's house to devise a plan of escape. There, she was disguised in a dress of silks and

Art History Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Art History - Assignment Example In the piece On Abjection, the author delves into the limits a human being can sink to in order to ensure survival, as undoubtedly noted at Auschwitz. Is it the complete absence of ego or the antithesis of narcissism, he argues or just the reverse? (Anon,14). In La Frontera, Gloria Anzuldua laments the Anglicization of the Spanish language and says that it is tantamount to losing Chicano or Latino identity in the USA, although the Latin American population is fast growing into the nation’s largest ethnic community (Anzuldua, 87). In The System Shattered and Renewed, the author comments that dirt is reviled in most religious rituals, while water purifies (Douglas, 160). In all these articles, the agent that could cause disruption for the rest of the community is told to stay away from it till he or she is healed or the element causing the danger to purity has passed or faded away. Even in an enlightened society like the USA, we rightly consider abuse of power or proof of corrup tion or scandal as disastrous to the career of a politician or indeed, any public figure. It is for this reason (the Watergate and Lewinsky scandals) that Presidents Richard Nixon and Bill Clinton had to resign from the highest office in the

Internet Censorship Essays -- essays research papers fc

Censorship of the Internet   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  "We should demand that all public schools and libraries install and configure Internet Filters." This statement shows how Jeffery Pollock, a candidate for the 3rd Congressional District seat in Oregon, views the Internet. Unfortunately for him, the one thing that he ranted and raved about was the one thing that gave him an unfair disadvantage in the in the upcoming elections. (Blind Ballots) Cyber Patrol, One of the leading Internet censoring companies and is used in over 17,000 schools in the Untied States, actually blocked his website from potential voters. Needless to say, when Mr. Pollock discovered this injustice, some of his views about Internet censorship changed. But Mr. Pollock isn’t the only candidate whose chances of winning are diminished because of Internet censoring software. In Fact, The two leading school censoring products Cyber Patrol and N2H2 Bess, used in over 40,000 schools and school districts across the nation, also blocked millions o f people from viewing Pat Casey’s website, Mark Greene’s website, and over 37 other candidates’ campaign homepages. Most of the millions of people blocked from these campaign pages are also blocked from many pages dealing with gynecology, sex education, racism, gambling, ethics, teen parenting, and the list continues. (Blind Ballots)   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Certainly in some situations, censorship of some material can be justified. For example, A first grade teacher takes her students to the computer lab for a day, the teacher wouldn’t want the kids getting hounded by hundreds of porn sites, but would it really make a difference if a six year old kid was using a censored internet or uncensored internet? A kid is not going to be looking for anything that has to do with porn or anything remotely close to getting blocked. If a child goes to Yahoo and searches for cartoons or the mighty morphin’ power rangers, they will not get pummeled by so called â€Å"bad† internet sites, so there will not be anything to censor anyway.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Middle School and High School students across the nation are often required to do research papers and the Internet is a logical source because it contains so much useful information. It would be much harder for a senior in high school to find information about sex education or sexually transmitted diseases on a censored internet because the current software simply ca... ...th 6 person has a greater advantage using a computer with a complete database of information. Works Cited Bennett (2000) Blocking Software FAQ. Retrieved November 28, 2000 from the World Wide Web. http://www.peacefire.com/info/blocking-software-faq.html Bobby Ross (2000) What is Memorial Day?. Retrieved November 25, 2000 from the World Wide Web: http://members.aol.com/ceharger/what_is_memorial_day.htm Greg Lindsay (1997) Cybersitter Decides To Take A Time Out. Retrieved November 28, 2000 from the World Wide Web: http://www.time.com/time/digital/daily/0,2822,12392,00.html Hazelton, Bennett and Mcarthy, Jamie (2000) Blind Ballots. Retrieved November 26, 2000 from   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  the World Wide Web: http://www.peacefire.org/blind-ballots/ Linthicum, David S. (1999) â€Å"Site Building.† Computer Shopper Nov. 1999: 246. Unknown (1999). Censorship of the Internet. Retrieved November 26, 2000 from the World Wide Web: http://www.epic.com/censhp Unknown (1999). How a Bill Becomes a Law. Retrieved November 25, 2000 from the World Wide Web: http://www.expage.com/amonroe4993 Weckert, John and Adeney, Douglas (1997) Computer and Information Ethics Westport, CT: Greenwood Press.

Kant vs. Singer

November 29, 2012 Singer VS. Kant Duty can be defined in numerous ways but what is difficult to know is what our moral obligations are? Immanuel Kant and Peter Singer have attempted to find a more simple, rational, and supreme rule for what our duty is. Singer makes the distinction between charity and duty. He attempts to show that we, in affluent countries such as the United States, have a moral obligation to give far more than we actually do in international aid for famine relief, disaster relief and much more.According to the reading, Singer believes we need to drastically change our way of life in order to help others. He is making the argument that â€Å"if it is in our power to prevent something bad from happening, without thereby sacrificing anything morally significant, we ought, morally, to do it (231). † And he defines â€Å"bad† as â€Å"suffering and death from lack of food, shelter, and medical care (231). † The example he offers is a situation in wh ich a little girl is drowning in a shallow pond. One can easily rescue her, but doing so would wreck one’s new fifty-dollar shoes.Singer believes that morally, one needs to go in and save the girl. Anybody who would walk by and refuse to save her would be considered a horrible person. Then, he continues and introduces a different moral situation. A little girl is starving in a poor country. One can easily spend fifty dollars to save her life, but then one cannot use that money to purchase a new pair of shoes. Again, one is faced with a choice; do you save the little girl or buy new shoes? He believes that there is no moral difference between these two cases.In conclusion, he is saying that as a moral obligation, you should save the little girl in Africa instead of buying the new pair of shoes. People in affluent countries can prevent people dying from starvation by giving more money to famine relief without sacrificing anything morally significant. Therefore, they should. He believes that no matter how close or how far someone is, if you know you can prevent bad without sacrifice, it is your moral obligation to do so. Sometimes, the excuse people use for not donating to charity is that they don’t have much money right now but when they do, they will.Plus, they acknowledge the fact that there are other people who do have extra money at the time, so it is their responsibility. On the other hand, they also know that a lot of these people have the money but choose not to help. And the fact that they don’t help does not justify a person with less means not to help. In the Groundwork of the Metaphysics of Morals, Kant is looking to find an understanding of morality that can be drawn from first principles rather than from empirical experience, which is knowledge that we gain from experiences.Morality needs to be established in pure reason and not gained form human experiences, but applicable to any and all rational beings. He is attempting to com e up with a rational supreme principle of morality. He begins by addressing the idea of duty. Kant says that the only quality that is actually good is good will. Any other quality can be accompanied by bad will. And good will is not good because of what it achieves, it is good for the reason to do it. He argues that reason must be meant to help us develop a good will.The purpose of having a good will is not to do good things, it is good in itself. And a person’s will is only good if they are motivated by duty, not any selfish wants. The idea of a good will is supposed to be the idea of one who only makes decisions that she holds to be morally worthy, taking moral considerations to guide their behavior. Kant believes that the fundamental principle of our moral duties is a categorical imperative. A categorical imperative is a command that expresses a general, unavoidable requirement of the moral law.Its three forms have universalizability, respect, and autonomy. Together they e stablish an action that would be considered â€Å"good† only if we can will everyone to do it, it enables us to treat other people as ends and not as the means to our own selfish ends, and it allows us to see other persons as mutual law-makers in an ideal ‘realm of ends. ’Kant believes that the difference between being motivated by a sense of duty in the ordinary sense and being motivated in his sense was that he thinks that motivation by duty is motivation by our respect for whatever law it is that makes our action a duty.Our respect for the laws that guide is qualified in the sense that we pick which is more or less important and which has more value. In contrasting and comparing Kant’s and Singer’s argument, I have come to the conclusion that Kant’s argument is more realistic than Singer’s. Singer is expecting everyone to accept the fact that helping others, whether they are close or far, is one’s duty and one must act upon i t. He is being too optimistic to think that humans will give away what is not necessary and help the people who are starving instead. His argument is weak because it achievable. Singer is asking us to sacrifice too uch and this makes it unattainable. Kant on the other hand is acknowledging that the human species is rational and is always progressing towards the good. He believes that it is one’s duty to raise ourselves from the unpolished state of our nature and move forward towards humanity. He also knows that our actions will be based on pure reason. And he knows that the motivation for duty consists on the bare respect for lawfulness. These laws he speaks about are established by the city or the state and they’re a guide for our moral compass. His expectation of us is much more attainable and real.