Do Consumers Really Make Rational Decisions Essay

Do Consumers Really Make Rational Decisions - Essay Example To be able to answer the question regarding the rationality of the choices made by the consumers, it is important to explore the issues related to the decision-making process of the consumers. There are different internal and external factors that can affect the choices of the consumers. The internal factors of a consumer include factors in his or her psychological core such as motivation, ability, and opportunity; exposure, attention, and perception; knowledge and understanding; attitude formation and change, memory and retrieval. These factors comprise the core values of a consumer which can affect the decisions that he or she makes. In addition to these factors, the external aspects or the consumer’s culture also contributes to the choices made. The external parameters are composed of the consumer diversity, the social class and household influences, the psychographics or the values, personality, and lifestyles, and the social influences. Through the interaction of the internal and external factors, the decision-making process can be completed.... The problem can be equated to the need of a consumer which can only be answered by a particular product or service. This need also dictates the possible outcome of the decision-making process. The needs of a consumer can be defined by the necessities of the daily existence (Mullen and Johnson, 1990, p. 91). One paradigm that presents the basis of a consumer’s needs is the Maslow’s hierarchy of needs which defines the consumer behavior as an effect of the human needs. The said needs then are considered as â€Å"underlying factor of consumption† which are classified into physiological and psychological needs. Physiological needs are for survival thus considered basic and found at the lowest level of hierarchy. This is followed by another physiological need which is the safety needs such as shelter and insurance. The next levels consecutively comprise the psychological needs such as belongingness and love needs; need for esteem; and self-actualization needs (Jansson -Boyd, 2009, p. 119). By tapping any of the said needs different companies and business can generate profits. Although this is one of the basic factors, the consumers’ needs are only considered as one of the many factors that contribute to the complicated web of interaction to come up with the client’s choice. Actual Process of Decision-Making It is important to consider that the said needs are the stimuli that can lead to the decision of the client to buy a particular product or avail a particular service offered. Once the need of the client had been recognized, it leads to the second level of the decision-making process which is deciding whether to buy a product or not. It is important to consider that the act

Prescription drugs Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2750 words

Prescription drugs - Research Paper Example The large numbers of emergency room admissions from prescription drug abuse in the US are a compelling argument against DTC advertising. There is the need for pharma companies to show a higher degree of restraint in such DTC advertising, keeping in mind that the messages are viewed by people with varying levels of understanding of possible side effects from improper use of prescription drugs. Key words: Prescription Drugs, DTC advertising 1. Introduction The US is the only country in the world (apart from New Zealand) that permits Television advertisements for prescription drugs. The US Federal Drugs Administration (FDA) relaxed its requirements for information content needed in such advertising in 1997. The pharma industry’s spending on DTC (direct-to-customer) advertisements has grown rapidly since the FDA rule change and reached a peak of over $ 6 billion in 2006 and 2007 before falling off due to the global economic crisis. The spending in 2012 was still a high $ 3.47 bill ion (Mack, 2013). The European Union does not permit DTC advertising by pharma companies. This was reaffirmed in December 2010 when 22 of the 27 EU countries voted against the proposal despite lobbying by the pharma industry. Instead, the new ad regulations have become even tougher with the focus â€Å"on the rights of the patient to get the information he needs and not on the rights of pharma companies to spread information† (Golby, 2010). This paper examines the arguments in favor and against DTC advertising prescription drugs. PhRMA, the pharma industry association, in its 2008 guidelines for DTC advertising lists the benefits of DTC advertising as increased patient awareness about disease and the treatment options. The ads motivate patients to contact their doctors and engage in a dialogue about health concerns and increases likelihood of receiving care for conditions that get under-diagnosed or under treated. The advertisements also help patients to continue taking the prescribed medication (PhRMA, 2008). The beneficial effects of DTC advertising based on surveys of patients and doctors are shown in the chart below (Shaw, 2008). The chart shows that 95% of the benefit is from patient awareness and better discussion the doctor can have with the patient. The question clearly is whether these benefits outweigh potential negative effects of DTC advertising. 3. Top pharma companies advertising budgets in 2012 The table below shows the 2012 advertising budgets of the top 10 global pharma companies. The tabula tion has been made from data published on 26 February 2013 in FiercePharma.com (Palmer, 2013) Pharma Ad Spend 2012 ( in $ million)                   TV Magazine Other Total   Products       Pfizer 342.7 240 39.6 622.3 Celebrex- pain drug, Viagra, Lyrica - pain drug Eli Lilly 367.3 43.4 22.7 433.4 Cymbalta for pain, Cymbalta for depression, Cialis Abbott 264 35 2.7 301.7 Humira for arthritis, AndroGel, Humira for Crohn's disease Merck 133.7 87.8 64 285.5 Shingles awareness, Nasonex, Zostavax Amgen 164 52.1 13.2 229.3 Enbrel for arthritis, Prolia, Enbrel for psoriasis Astra Zeneca 156.5 41 11.8 209.3 Nexium - stomach , Symbicort, Crestor - cholesterol Allergan 85.9 107.2 0.23 193.3 Restasis, Botox for wrinkles, Botox for migbraine Boehringer 119.6 54.7 0.36 174.7 Spiriva, Pradaxa Glaxo SmithKline 70.3 84.8 15.5 170.6 Advair Diskus - respiratory , Lovaza - cholesterol , Jalyn Otsuka 73.9 41.2 0 115.1

Buddhist Psychology Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Buddhist Psychology - Essay Example But as we begin to discover more of ourselves, and we begin to understand and honor the presence of things and people around us, we become less of a person who is self-seeking but we are slowly being transformed to become self-giving. The more we enjoy the meaning of ourselves, the more we want to share it or give part of ourselves away. As we get to know each other more, it is much simpler to be generous to others, in almost everything. This is because of our increased sense of security, we have taken from our self-awareness. In my opinion, a person who is self aware, is less insecure. We become more comfortable even in unknowns spheres and parameters. We are no longer confined to restrictions and it becomes a need to share what we are and who we are. Buddhism or Psychotherapy invokes that the further we look at/into our selves the further we are perpetuating the notion of no self. No self basically means letting go of narcissistic notions and furthermore allowing oneself to become part of a bigger picture in the world. This may sound very paradoxical but this can be explained in several ways. For example, the more we are in touch with our senses, the better we perceive the senses of others. Our personal sensitivity becomes not just means to promote our own needs but also to meet the needs of others. Simple fact such as being sensitive to foul smell, we cannot just easily ignore it, because our senses can perceive it, at the same time we subconsciously know that others smell it too, thus we begin to "care" about others, and how they would perceive things. This is purely a function of departing from our own self.Such tendency allows us to discover our inner connection to the world and other beings. As Aristotle says, men indeed are social beings. We are born to form communities and relate with fellow beings. This way of looking at ourselves, will definitely bring us back to the essentials of becoming social beings.According to Mark Epstein, "What Buddhism teaches is that the connection, the ability to find intimacy or connection, is inherent within us, and that if we can j ust surrender back into that capacity for love, that is all of our birthrights--all babies are born with that; they instinctively love their caretakers. So if we can find that again, then our relationships will take care of themselves."(Epstein, 2005) Mark Epstein pioneered the Eastern teachings of non-self, something that is so different and new to the Western mind. Instead of the usual or traditional Western teaching of separation, individuality as the ultimate psychological goals of human development, he opted to create a theory that is based on connection. Through Buddhism, the idea of "self" becomes a part of a certain whole- which is the universe. Each soul or person becomes a vehicle of spirituality, common to all people. Thus, if we look deeper within ourselves, we find it natural to relate and connect with other people because there is something common amongst all of us, it can be the presence of a higher being within us, or simply the common kind of spirituality which has

Problem of Stereotype Essay Example for Free

Problem of Stereotype Essay Stereotypes may lead ineffective communication when we communicate with strangers. Our stereotypes tend to be activated automatically when we categorize strangers and when we are not communicating mindfully (see von Hippel, Sekaquaptewa, Vargas, 1995). We, therefore, unconsciously try to confirm our expectations when we communicate with strangers. Our stereotypes constrain strangers’ patterns of communication and engender stereotype-confirming communication. In other words, stereotypes create self-fulfilling prophecies. We tend to see behavior that confirms our expectations even when it is absent. We ignore disconfirming evidence when communicating on automatic pilot. When we communicate on automatic pilot, we do not cognitively process all the information about others that is available to us (Johnston Macrae, 1994). Generally, the greater our cultural and linguistic knowledge, and the more our beliefs overlap with those of the strangers with whom we communicate, the less the likelihood there will be misunderstandings. To increase our accuracy in making prediction, we must try to understand which social identity is guiding strangers’ behavior in a particular situation. And to be effective in communication with strangers, we must keep our minds open and be mindful. Since stereotypes are a natural product of the communication process, they influence the way we process information. Stereotyping is the result of our tendency to overestimate the degree of association between group membership and psychological attributes. While there may be some association between group membership and psychological characteristics of members, it is much smaller than we assume when we communicate on automatic pilot. When we communicate on automatic pilot, we interpret incoming messages on the basis of the symbolic systems we learned as children. Besides, our processing of information is biased in the direction of maintaining the preexisting belief systems. We remember more favorable information about our ingroups and more unfavorable information about outgroups (Hewstone Giles, 1986). So we tend to process information that is consistent with our stereotypes and our stereotypes

Strategies to Develop Communication in Healthcare

Strategies to Develop Communication in Healthcare Numerous human services associations are utilizing social networking to captivate with patients and buyers. The essential centre for most associations online networking projects is showcasing and interchanges. Social networking is moving individuals far from a dependence on publicizing in settling on acquiring choices; buyers are depending all the more on the data they discover on the web. For medicinal services, this gets to be progressively applicable as the general population has entry to quality and expense appraisals. Purchasers additionally are utilizing the sentiments they discover online to educate their buys. Organizations are utilizing social networking to showcase their messages and urge their clients to advertise their items and administrations. Medicinal services associations that offer a venue for patients to impart their constructive encounters and particular stories can send an effective message to buyers who are figuring out where to get their social insurance administrations. Medicinal services associations likewise utilize online networking to convey their mission and vision, depict the administrations they offer, and give wellbeing training. A few associations use social networking to advertise health and backer online help discussions where people who are managing unending wellbeing issues or disastrous conditions can discover help from other people who are having comparable encounters. On a few destinations, doctors and different clinicians teach general society on basic ailments, what is possible to adapt to conditions, and how to augment the personal satisfaction for the person who is experiencing the ailment. Many organizations use social media to encourage philanthropy. By publicizing their services, promoting patient advocacy, displaying credentials, and describing the tangible and intangible community benefits they provide, organizations can encourage benefactors to invest in their mission. Finally, many organizations including healthcare are using social media for recruitment. They advertise their available positions and also search social media sites to determine the integrity and trustworthiness of potential hires. Human resources departments must be fully aware of labor laws when accessing social media on new hires or current employees. Social media are not the answer to everything, but do afford opportunities for people to keep in touch, increase their networks and reduce isolation. I believe they provide a useful additional tool in the practitioner’s tool kit. The culture of a health care organization, whether big or small, plays an important role in the ethical decision-making it undertakes. When small businesses serving the health care industry place more emphasis on profit, they risk losing their integrity. Health care practices that are more concerned with their place in the market often face greater challenges in maintaining ethical standards. On the other hand, an organization that promotes a thoughtful culture fosters decision-making based on what’s best for your patients, your staff and the community as a whole. The key components for organisation culture like performance measurement, leader ship, coordinating. The culture of a health care organization, whether big or small, plays an important role in the ethical decision-making it undertakes, according to the Ethics Resource Centre. When small businesses serving the health care industry place more emphasis on profit, they risk losing their integrity. Health care practices that are more concerned with their place in the market often face greater challenges in maintaining ethical standards. On the other hand, an organization that promotes a thoughtful culture fosters decision-making based on what’s best for your patients, your staff and the community as a whole. There are three leadership characteristics that potentially affect leadership effectiveness. These include the leader’s background and training; leader autonomy; and position formality. Coordinating comprise of six ways mechanism, mutual understand. direct supervision. Training and education. standardisation of routine and programme. Standardisation of output goals. standardisation of organisational norms and values. Decision-making is the two-way communication process between a patient and one or more health practitioners that is central to patient-centred healthcare. It reflects the ethical principle that a patient has the right to decide what is appropriate for them, taking into account their personal circumstances, beliefs and priorities. This includes the right to accept or to decline the offer of certain healthcare and to change that decision. In order for a patient to exercise this right to decide, they require the information that is relevant to them. Certain principles need to be fulfilled: Patient ability to make decision Patient can clearly understand medical language Transparent communication between patient and healthcare provider Providing information and education improves patient, family and carer capacity for involvement, understanding, participation and partnership in an individual’s care. It can also build an individual’s engagement with health practitioners. Key steps that required in decision making process: identify and obtain existing care instructions clarify relevant medical issues define decision making capacity identify the primary decision maker certify the existence of any qualifying conditions define and present relevant health care issues update care instructions, as needed implement choices related to health care decisions review situation and continue or modify approaches Firstly, as with so many aspects of organisational management, developing plans, system, pathways, and a conductive climate for internal communication is only the beginning. In order to maintain internal communication and continue to make it better I have to look at it regularly to see how I am doing. Monitoring it on a regular basis will help me identify where it’s working and where it’s not, and to keep working toward my communication goals. Check staff satisfaction on the level, speed and inclusiveness of the information and other communication they received. I will feel that they are working in organisation and they are important to the organisation always. I will feel them more comfortable in organisation so they can easily communicate with each other employees in the organisation and will give outcomes. I will provide accessibility to everyone to speak in organisation without taking permission from anyone else. To mitigate communication obstacles, occasionally celebrate social activity, arrange party for employees to get relaxation. Celebrating birthdays, organisational anniversary and particularly success is another way to bring people together. The goal is not necessary to make staff member’s best friends who spend all their time together out of work but rather to make people comfortable with one another. Second strategy to mitigate communication obstacles in given case study, as a manager I should do regular meetings of his staff once in a week or monthly. Meetings are very essential to achieve a goal in organisation so in meetings every staff members can share their idea and problems. As a manager I should hear that what’s going in the hospital in the staff. After listening all issues I will make one chart of rescheduling the duty between title supervisor so nobody can suffer from heavy duty role and workload. Whenever I know that work load is growing, immediately I will arrange other supervisor from my group to help the transcription supervisor to reduce the burden of work. In given situation, I personally arranged meeting with transcription supervisor to discuss about problems so that we can negotiate about it and reached towards a solution. Meetings can arrange in any time like lunch or breakfast meetings so it change the tone of employees. For improving team work as a man ager of health information I will provide all key tasks and training to each team member to better communication between them.

The Failure of Integration Essay -- essays research papers

The Failure of Integration After four decades of school integration America has given up, and the question is: "Why?". I believe the answer is because absolutely nothing worked! Bussing was a hassle, most magnet schools were set up for false reasons, and everything was very costly. With everything they tried there were still no significant changes in the test scores of the minority students. So now here we are in the late 21st century and it can all be summed up with what Chris Hansen of the American Civil Liberties Union in New York City believes the courts are saying, "We still agree with the goal of school desegregation, but it's too hard, and we're tired of it, and we give up." It all started with Brown v. Board of Education saying "Separate educational facilities are inherently unequal." There began a plan to desegregate public schools across America. The first plan was bussing when Swann v. Charlotte-Mecklenburg Board of Education stated that federal courts could order bussing to desegregate schools. However in most cases bussing became much more of a hassle than a helper. There were many revolts from parents making situations even more horrible. Most students wanted to go to their neighborhood schools and not be bussed for long trips to attend a 'better' school. In Seattle the school board unanimously voted to "avoid race-based school assignment and increase enrollment in s...

Mag Lev Trains :: Magnetic Magnet Train

The basic concept of how a magnetic train works is very simple. The train has magnets all along the underbody. Each magnet is faced the exact same way, with the poles all facing the same direction. As you know from playing with magnets, opposites attract and alike kinds always want to push away. The track which the train rides on is lined with these magnets, with alike poles facing the train. This creates an air cushion between the train and the track. Forward motion of these magnetic trains, resides on the magnetic propultion of the track. The track is lined with magnets that can be switched rapidly back and forth to attract and push the train. Each magnet has an electronic swith attached to it. All the magnet switches are computer controled to accelerate or decelerate the train. Today's world has an ever growing need for higher speed and less travel time, and Mag lev trains meet this demand. Maglev trains use superconducting magnets to propell them, and can reach speeds of up to 550 kilometers per hour. Japan is on the forfront of Maglev technology. Japnanese engineers have built a Maglev train known as the MLX01 which is the fasted train reaching a speed of 552 kilometers per hour. There are two tracks for the MLX01 currently in Japan. One of them is featured above. The Yamanashi test line is where most of the research and testing is performed. The track stretches a span of 42.8km (26.6miles). As stated earlier the MLX01 can reach speeds over 550km/h. However, its main purpose was to test and confirm the miniumum radius curve and steepest gradient and to confirm a steady travel speed of 500km/h (310mph). Japan has a large number of high speed trains. They hold the world record for speed of any train with the MLX01, known as the "Bullet Train". Japan is one the elite leading countries in Mag lev technology, innovation, and design. Look forward to seeing more Mag lev creations from Japan. Germany has shown much interest in Mag lev technology. They too are also on the forfront of Maglev design and technology. The principal high speed line in Germany runs between Wurzburg and Hanover, and part of the railway from Stuttgart to Frankfurt is high speed, and there is a major high speed line under construction which will run between Berlin and Hanover. The only high speed line in Italy runs between Firenze and Rome, a non-stop service using Pendolini trains taking 1hour 30 mins with an average speed of only 103mph, 165km/h.