Winged Genius is an astonishing work of art from t Essays

Winged Genius is an astonishing work of art from the Mesopotamian palace of Ashurnasirpal II created between 883 -859 B.C.E . It was not uncommon for a king ruling during the Ancient Near-Eastern period to have large pieces of art created on their behalf, as they believed it showed their power and strength when carved larger than life . Made out of limestone and cut into three parts , Winged Genius has dimensions of approximately 72 inches tall by 40 inches wide . Overall, i t is a carving of the profile of a winged man with a beard, and shoulder length , tightly braided hair, holding a sma ll basket or pot in his left hand while his right hand is open and held in the air as if waving to someone. On his wrists are bracelets with one flower in the middle, making it look comparable to a watch. He wears a long robe lined with tassels and thin-strapped sandals o n hi s feet similar to what Jesus a n d his contemporaries would wear. The placard next to the relief carving states: This panel was taken from th e remains of an imperial palace at Nimrud, the capital of the Assyrian empire, now located in modern Iraq. The walls of the palace, constructed by Ashurnasirpal II (883-859), were decorated with stone panels carved in low relief, narrating hi s hunting and military exploits. This genius, or demi-god, was part of a grouping of winged creatures facing a stylized tree, a scene repeated numerous times in the palace. They appear to be performing fertility rites associated with the date palm, a tree held sacred by the Assyrians because it provides food, drink, wood, and shelter. The cuneiform text which covers the surface is part of a standard inscription that extol the victories and greatness of Ashurnasirpal and describes the building of his palace. Traces remain of the bright colors with which the panel was painted, increasing its visual impact. The palace at Nimrud was excavated between 1 845 and 1851 A.D. by Sir Austin H . Layard working on behalf of the British Museum. This panel was among a number of palace scul p tures acquired at that time for a private and public collections in the United States, making them the first examples of ancient Mesopotamian art to reach the wester n world. ( MIA placard) From what we have learned in the textbook and class, I believe that Winged Genius came out of the culture of Assyria. In Gardner Kleiner , ( 2013 , pg. 46) , we notice that there is a painting on glazed brick (f igure 2-2 1) that was created during of the same timeframe. Another created work is 2-22 Gardner Kleiner , (2013, pg. 47 ) , which is a horizontal relief piece from the same time and culture. The top section of the relief sculpture contains many tiny details a person does not notice u ntil star ing at it for a very long time. At first you just see a human head, a large hand and beard and a shoulder. The relief is huge and we can notice earrings and a small type of headpiece when studying further. The largeness of the body tells the people that this subject larger than life and cannot forget that this is a demi-god. The large hand can remind people that the demi-gods are here with them and can either help or harm them at the demi-gods whim. The earrings and headpiece remind the people of the richness and prosperity of their calling as a demi-god. The long, flowing braided hair and decorated beard remind the people of the prosperity and higher station of a demi-god, so u nlike the working class culture that slaves away for the king and his palace. The large empty eyes remind the king and his people that the demi-god is all seeing and can contr ol them at his whim. The flowered bracelets are another way to show the king and his subjects the overindulgence of the demi-god. The bracelets are unneeded by common folk, but remind them of the demi-gods need to be showered with gifts

International real estate market essay

International real estate market essay International real estate market essay International real estate market essayInternational real estate market is one of the most attractive investment options for SMEs. Although the market itself is perceived as one of the most secure ones, there are both risks and opportunities associated with emerging real estate markets. Emerging markets became more attractive for SMEs after the U.S. housing crisis of 2007-2008 (Howard, 2010). However, taking into account higher risks associated with marketing strategies and policies in emerging countries, the optimal strategy for SMEs is to diversify their real estate investments or to purchase real estate and resell it in the short- or medium-run period. It should be noted that many countries have favorable regulations aimed at boosting the housing market and allow SMEs to purchase and sell out property.Most buyers of real estate belong to middle and upper class, and the proportion of upper class buyers recently increased due to the recession which took place in 2008 while middle-cl ass buyers chose to save instead of investing (Howard, 2010). The major number of real estate purchases is made by home owners for personal use; the remaining purchases are made for SMEs and wealthy individuals for resale and sometimes for rental purposes. There is also a category of buyers who belong to emerging economies but tend to invest into real estate in developed countries.European real estate market is largely characterized by purchases for local purposes, while real estate customers in Russia, China and in the Middle East are very active and tend to purchase property abroad (Van der Borght, 2012). European SMEs prefer to purchase real estate in Spain, Greece, Cyprus and in French Riviera. The criteria for choosing real estate among European SMEs are taxation, recreational opportunity and safe environment. In general, the preferences of European buyers from different countries such as Germany, Norway, Sweden, the UK, Finland and Netherlands are similar.Russian SMEs seek for expensive real estate purchases the number of affluent Russian customers searching for luxury real estate above â‚ ¬2 million increased to 8% (Van der Borght, 2012). Russian customers focus on the following countries: Bulgaria, Spain, Turkey, Montenegro, Italy, Cyprus, Germany, Greece and France (Van der Borght, 2012). Key psychological factors driving the purchases of Russian buyers are the prestige of foreign possessions and the need to secure investments against political and economic instability. The criteria for purchasing real estate for Russian SMEs include proximity to well-developed European countries, personal experience and opportunities for tourists.Chinese SMEs also demonstrate strong interest to real estate overseas, primarily due to heavy regulations and control measures used for the internal real estate market. Statistics shows that 30% of Chinese home buyers started looking for overseas real estate (Dunning, 2008). In particular, the investors from mainland Chi na and Hong Kong constitute 10.8% of real estate seekers in the United States (Garvin Artermis, 2009). Chinese SMEs also actively purchase real estate in Australia and Europe and are most attracted to countries with large Chinese diaspora. Chinese buyers pay a lot of attention to educational opportunities for their children, and view investments into real estate overseas as a means of securing their future and the future of their relatives in the case of problems in China.Middle Eastern real estate buyers express notable interest to the European market and moderate interest to the real estate market in the United States. Middle Eastern SMEs prefer purchasing premium segment real estate objects. Customers from Middle East pay significant attention to the UK real estate market, primarily due to the historical links created between Middle Eastern countries and the UK in the colonial era. For Middle Eastern buyers, the prestige of the location and the neighborhood are very important re al estate characteristics.Regarding Cypruss position in real estate market, it is possible to assess it as emerging. The country is now challenging real estate positions of such market leaders as Spain and Greece. While Spain is viewed as a more expensive investment location and Greece is perceived as the economically unstable market, Cyprus emerges as an important real estate player with reasonable real estate prices and sufficient level of economic development. Although Cyprus is located relatively far from key European countries, its integration with the EU made real estate market more attractive for European buyers. Russian buyers also demonstrate notable interest to real estate in Cyprus. Further improvement of economic situation and social stability combined with loyal fiscal policies and encouragement of foreign investment will attract more international customers to Cyprus and fuel real estate market.

3 Major Ways Slaves Showed Resistance to Slavery

3 Major Ways Slaves Showed Resistance to Slavery Slaves in the United States used a number of measures to show resistance to slavery. These methods arose after the first slaves arrived in North America in 1619. Slavery created an economic system that persisted until 1865 when the Thirteenth Amendment abolished the practice. But before slavery was abolished, slaves had three available methods to resist slavery: they could rebel against slaveholders, they could run away, or they could perform small, daily acts of resistance, such as slowing down work. Rebellions The Stono Rebellion in 1739, Gabriel Prossers conspiracy in 1800, Denmark Veseys plot in 1822, and Nat Turners Rebellion in 1831 are the most prominent slave revolts in American history. But only the Stono Rebellion and Nat Turners Rebellion achieved any success. White Southerners managed to derail the other planned rebellions before any attack could take place. Many slave owners in the United States became anxious in the wake of the successful slave revolt in Saint-Domingue (now known as Haiti), which  brought independence  to the  colony  in 1804 after years of conflict with French, Spanish, and British military expeditions.  Slaves in the American colonies (later the United States), knew that mounting a rebellion was extremely difficult. Whites greatly outnumbered slaves. And even in states like South Carolina, where whites made up only 47 percent of the  population by 1810, slaves could not take on whites armed with guns.   Importing Africans to the United States to be sold into slavery ended in 1808. Slave owners had to rely on a natural increase in the slave population to increase their labor force. This meant breeding slaves, and many slaves feared that their children, siblings, and other relatives would suffer the consequences if they rebelled.   Runaway Slaves Running away was another form of resistance. Slaves who ran away most often did so for a short period of time. These runaway slaves might hide in a nearby forest or visit a relative or spouse on another plantation. They did so to escape a harsh punishment that had been threatened, to obtain relief from a heavy workload, or just to escape the drudgery of everyday life under slavery. Others were able to run away and escape slavery permanently. Some escaped and hid, forming Maroon communities in nearby forests and swamps. When northern states began to abolish slavery after the Revolutionary War, the north came to symbolize freedom for many slaves, who spread the word that following the North Star could lead to freedom. Sometimes, these instructions were even spread musically, hidden in the words of spirituals. For instance, the spiritual Follow the Drinking Gourd made reference to the Big Dipper and the North Star and was likely used to guide slaves north to Canada. The Risks of Fleeing Running away was difficult. Slaves had to leave family members behind and risk harsh punishment or even death if caught. Many of the successful runaways only triumphed after multiple attempts. More slaves escaped from the upper south than from the lower south, as they were nearer to the north and thus nearer to freedom. Young men had the easiest time of running away because they were more likely to be sold away from their families, including their children. Young men were also sometimes hired out to other plantations or sent on errands, so they could more easily come up with a cover story for being on their own. A network of sympathetic individuals who helped slaves escape to the north emerged by the 19th century. This network earned the name the Underground Railroad in the 1830s. Harriet Tubman is the best known conductor of the Underground Railroad, helping over 200 other slaves escape after she herself reached freedom in 1849. But most runaway slaves were on their own, especially while they were still in the south. Runaway slaves would often choose holidays or days off to give them extra lead time before being missed in the fields or at work. Many fled on foot, coming up with ways to throw off dogs in pursuit, such as using pepper to disguise their scents. Some stole horses or even stowed away on ships to escape slavery. Historians are unsure of how many slaves permanently escaped. An estimated 100,000 fled to freedom over the course of the 19th century, according to James A. Banks in March Toward Freedom: A History of Black Americans. Slaves Retaliate With Ordinary Acts of Resistance The most common form of slave resistance was day-to-day resistance or small acts of rebellion. This form of resistance included sabotage, such as breaking tools or setting fire to buildings. Striking out at a slave owners property was a way to strike at the man himself, albeit indirectly. Other methods of day-to-day resistance were feigning illness, playing dumb, or slowing down work. Both men and women faked being ill to gain relief from their harsh working conditions. Women may have been able to feign illness more easily, as they were expected to provide their owners with children. At least some owners would have wanted to protect the childbearing capacity of their female slaves. Some slaves could also play on their masters and mistresses prejudices by appearing to not understand instructions. When possible, slaves could also decrease their pace of work. Women more often worked in the household and could sometimes use their position to undermine their masters. Historian Deborah Gray White tells of the case of a slave woman who was executed in 1755 in Charleston, S.C., for poisoning her master. White also argues that women may have resisted against a special burden under slavery, that of providing slaveholders with more slaves by bearing children. She speculates that women may have used birth control or abortion to keep their children out of slavery. While this cannot be known for certain, White points out that many slave owners were convinced that female slaves had ways of preventing pregnancy. Throughout the history of American slavery, Africans and African-Americans resisted whenever possible. The odds against slaves succeeding in a rebellion or in escaping permanently were so overwhelming that most slaves resisted the only way they could - through individual actions. But slaves also resisted the system of slavery through the formation of a distinctive culture and through their religious beliefs, which kept hope alive in the face of such severe persecution. Sources Banks, James A. March Toward Freedom: A History of Black Americans. Paperback, 2nd edition, Fearon Publishers,1974. Ford, Lacy K. Deliver Us From Evil: The Slavery Question in the Old South. 1st Edition, Oxford University Press, August 15, 2009. Franklin, John Hope. Runaway Slaves: Rebels on the Plantation. Loren Schweninger, Oxford University Press, July 20, 2000. Raboteau, Albert J. Slave Religion: The Invisible Institution in the Antebellum South. Paperback, Updated edition, Oxford University Press, October 7, 2004. White, Deborah Gray. â€Å"Let My People Go: 1804-1860† The Young Oxford History of African Americans, Hardcover, 1 edition, Oxford University Press, September 12, 1996.

Passive Heating Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words

Passive Heating - Essay Example The analysis comprises of examples from both the KYOTOi protocol of the United Nations and the Energy performance of Buildings Directive of the European Union that is being enforced across the west for energy efficiency and savings of the conventional sources of energy. The analysis predominantly focuses upon the energy efficiency of the buildings using the passive heating strategy. Nuclear sources also cater the energy requirements in certain cases where it generates the electricity required for the generation of electricity. In all the aforementioned cases, the pollution into the atmosphere due to heating is enormous indirectly because the generation of electricity in case of electric heaters causes pollution of the atmosphere if not in the immediate vicinity of the users whilst the gas heating systems cause the pollution in the vicinity itself. The atmosphere being a single entity, the greenhouse effect spreads across the entire spread of the atmosphere irrespective of the location of emission of Carbon Monoxide and Carbon di-oxide gases. David Taylor (2005)ii further argues that the main reason for the increase in the energy consumption by the domestic buildings is the inability or the reluctance of the people to utilise the energy of sunlight and natural means for cooling during the summer. This is also due to the fact that the increase in the density of the buildings in the urban areas like the busy areas of London where the density of the domestic buildings has increased by more than 10 times in the six years as argued by W. L. Lee and F. W. H. Yik (2005)iii. The study by the authors have proved that the population density increase in the urban areas has accompanied with the steep density of the buildings thus presenting a congested environment for the energy management and the use of natural resources of energy for cooling during the summer. Furthermore, the use of each kWh (kilo Watt hour) of energy Douglas Lancashire (2005) has identified the emission rations as described below 1.5 lb (680 grams) of Carbon Di-Oxide 0.2 ounce (5.67 grams) ounces of Sulphur Di-oxide and 0.08 ounces (2.27 grams) of nitrogen oxides The information presented above reveals that through saving every kWh of electricity alone, a building could contribute to the reduction of emission and pollution of the atmosphere. Even though the pollution is not caused at the surroundings of the building, the fact that the consumption of energy is directly proportional to the emission of gases and pollution by the power generation plant justifies the need for energy efficiency in the buildings. The aforementioned makes it clear that the costs involved with the energy consumption and the maintenance of the heating systems is a critical element both to the homeowners, which is a direct cost whilst the indirect cost is mainly the loss of non-renewable sources of energy and atmospheric pollution. In order to overcome this problem, passive heating is proposed by researchers as an effective alternative. Passive heating as argued by Raymond Ward (2005) is the method of using the non-conventional sources of energy like the solar energy to generate the energy required to cater the heating requirements in domestic buildings. Another source of energy is the wind energy that is in abundance especially in the UK where the sunlight is treated as a rare commodity with only short spells of summer every year. Alongside, passive heating can

Describe and evaluate the multi-store model of memory Essay

Describe and evaluate the multi-store model of memory - Essay Example This essay will focus on the â€Å"multi-store model of memory developed by Richard Atkinson and Richard Shiffrin in the year 1968† (Kipp & Shaffer, pp. 300, 2009). Multi-store memory model revolves around three basic types of memories, namely, â€Å"sensory memory, short-term memory and long-term memory† (Nash & Bernstein, pp. 209, 2006). Therefore, it is essential to understand the types in detail. Many a times, one realizes that they have seen an object and have a picture of it in their mind. However, within a fraction of a second, it fades away. Other times, one asks another to repeat a certain thing just to realize they know it already. These instances depict the sensory memory. According to an experiment, when subjects are asked to report all the three letters they can see in a brief flash of a letter array, they usually can report only four of five letters. The number of reported letters is independent of the number of displayed letters. However, according to demonstration of a partial-report procedure, subjects are able to store a dozen or more items in a very short-term memory" (Gegenfurtner & Sperling, pp. 1, 1999). Another type of memory is the short-term memory. Whenever a person is thinking about a certain situation, their short-term memory begins its functioning. At any one time, the short-term memory may get its input from the external environment i.e. the surroundings of a person or from the long-term memory of that individual. An example of the former case may be a thought process of a conversation a person is into while the example of the latter may be the thoughts occurring about an event that happened in the distant past, which may be stored in the long-term memory. The short-term memory of any individual may show increment by recoding information. â€Å"Miller (1956) summarized evidence that people can remember about seven chunks in short-term

Same Sex Marriage Controversy in the United States Essays -- gay marri

In a very real sense, it is reasonable to argue that the government should have no say at all in the processes of marriage, or decide which adults may or may not legally marry. State and federal governments play a role, of course, in that marriage is a civil union, and provides benefits and legal protections for the couple. Historically, marriage serves the interests of the society by promoting stability and future generations of citizens, and governments usually act in ways to promote this very vital element. At the same time, it is highly questionable whether this governmental authority should have any voice in who chooses to marry, provided those involved are adults and wish to do so. This is in fact, at the heart of the same-sex marriage controversy still gripping the United States. Gay men and women, eager to gain the legal benefits and cultural recognition of legal marriage, demand it as a right, while others assert that marriage itself is defined as a union between only a man and a woman. Meanwhile, states today vary and alter individual state laws, as further debate rages over whether legally permitting same-sex marriage is a federal or state prerogative. As the following will examine and support, same-sex marriage should be at best only a state concern, and the federal government should play no part beyond upholding states’ rights in the matter. This is essentially because governmental jurisdiction over the right to marry should be at a minimum, given the right to marry as not defined by gender within the Constitution or any other foundational law. Moreover, as states increasingly legalize same-sex marriage, a process occurs that is purely democratic in principle; the people are by degrees influencing the nation as ... ...of Chicago Press, 2013. Print. Meezan, W., & Rauch, J. â€Å"Gay Marriage, Same-Sex Parenting, and America's Children." The Future of Children 15.2 (2005): 97-113. Print. Mello, M. Legalizing Gay Marriage: Vermont and The National Debate. Philadelphia: Temple University Press, 2008. Print. Murray, M. â€Å"Marriage rights and parental rights: Parents, the state, and proposition 8.† Stan. JCR & CL 5 (2009): 357-407. Web. Rimmerman, C. A., & Wilcox, C. The Politics of Same-Sex Marriage. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 2007. Print. Schram, S. After Welfare: The Culture of Postindustrial Social Policy. New York: NYU Press, 2000. Print. Strasser, M. P. On Same-sex Marriage, Civil Unions, and the Rule of Law: Constitutional Interpretation at the Crossroads. Westport: Greenwood Publishing, 2008. Print.

Personal Growth and Development

Psychology 101 TuThu 3:30-4:45 The concept of personal development has been an important factor that shapes the characters we develop, and the overall person we become. Research suggests that many of the values and traits we possess stem from both genetics and the environment. In terms of genetics, hereditary traits are passed down from the mother and father, which play a huge role in personal development, but research and personal experience also suggest that the impact of the environment parallels the importance of genetics.Environmental factors have been proven to significantly impact the growth and development of an individual. The home the individual is raised in, the people they are surrounded by and the individual’s role model all play an important role in the molding of the individual. Such is the reason why cultural relativism impacts individuals, and guides the way they perform tasks, execute decisions, and their way of thought. The American culture, for example, has slowed down the transition of adolescence into adulthood due to cultural ideals, and the greater need to pursue a higher education in order to compete successfully in the country.Research by the 1958 National Child Development Study, and the 1970 British Cohort Study support these statements, and have shown that we have reached a generation in which adolescents are transitioning into adulthood more slowly, yet more psychological stress is placed on them, and reports of depression have raised since the 50s. Personal growth and development traces back to genetics. Each individual is born with a specific set of genes depending on the mother and father.Genetic traits such as weight, height, appearance, and in some cases, personality, are passed down the hereditary line, and predisposes individuals to certain traits and qualities. The health of the individual is also largely influenced by the care taken by the mother while the fetus was developing within the womb. Proper nutrition, and avoiding neglectful habits such as drinking and smoking, all help to shape the health of the individual from the time they are born. The environment we are raised in is also another factor in the shape and development of an individual.Take for instance the study that examined how environment affects individuals such as siblings, twins, and kids not related by blood, but raised in the same environment. It is shown that even twins who exited the womb during the same birth can come out profoundly different in their adulthood if they were raised in a different environment from their twin. The food that we eat, the habits that we employ, and the overall lifestyle of the individual play an important role as well as genetics.Two similar children who are raised in different environments may possess the same genetic traits, but overall can be distinguished by the environment they were raised in. Cultural relativism plays a role as well in the well-being of the individual. Being raised in Ame rica sets a different standard for living vs. being born elsewhere. In America, individuals are taught to be creative and unique, rather than conform to group ideals. It is in this culture that children are taught to employ creative ideas, and to break away from the grain.In other cultures, such as those in China, kids are raised to follow the grain, and rather than question elders and peers, are taught to accept what is given and told to them. With that in mind, the transition into adulthood has also slowed down due to various factors such as cultural acceptance, and the need to pursue a higher education in order to be more competitive in the job market. As the years pass, so does the standard of education raise as more occupations open up to individuals with special skills and knowledge achieved through a higher education in college.Although this slower transition into adulthood and independence may seem less stressful for individuals, studies from the British Cohort Study show th at individuals in the 70s vs. the 50s reported more cases of depression, and stress due to factors such as economic recessions which hindered the job market availability. This generation is especially pressed to reach higher educational goals as the market for unskilled labor reduces as the market for skilled labor increases hindering the transition into adulthood and independence.In conclusion, personal development and growth are influenced by several factors such as genetics, environment, cultural relativism. These factors shape an individual in specific ways. Genetics passed on influence one’s height, personality, and predispositional thinking that affect the person in everyday situations. Proper health from the time the embryo is implanted is necessary for a healthy baby. The environment also plays a role in the shaping of the individual. The home one was raised in, the nutrition, and overall lifestyle impact the health and behavior of a person.Cultural relativism also pl ays a role, as culture follows an individual around regardless of location, and influences what one finds acceptable, and follows due to social norms. Because of the need for a higher education in today’s job market, a slower transition into adulthood can be traced to the need for more schooling, and a slower transition to independence.References Spiro, Melford E. (2001). Cultural determinism, cultural relativism, and the comparative study of psychopathology. Ethos. Berkeley:. Vol. 29, Iss. 2; pg. 218, 17 pgs. Huffman, Karen (2010). Life Span Development I. John Wiley and Sons, Psychology in Action 314-347. Personal Growth and Development Personal Development and Growth Zoheb Osmani Psychology 101 TuThu 3:30-4:45 The concept of personal development has been an important factor that shapes the characters we develop, and the overall person we become. Research suggests that many of the values and traits we possess stem from both genetics and the environment. In terms of genetics, hereditary traits are passed down from the mother and father, which play a huge role in personal development, but research and personal experience also suggest that the impact of the environment parallels the importance of genetics.Environmental factors have been proven to significantly impact the growth and development of an individual. The home the individual is raised in, the people they are surrounded by and the individual’s role model all play an important role in the molding of the individual. Such is the reason why cultural relativism impacts individuals, and guides the way they perform tasks, execute decisions, and their way of th ought. The American culture, for example, has slowed down the transition of adolescence into adulthood due to cultural ideals, and the greater need to pursue a higher education in order to compete successfully in the country.Research by the 1958 National Child Development Study, and the 1970 British Cohort Study support these statements, and have shown that we have reached a generation in which adolescents are transitioning into adulthood more slowly, yet more psychological stress is placed on them, and reports of depression have raised since the 50s. Personal growth and development traces back to genetics. Each individual is born with a specific set of genes depending on the mother and father.Genetic traits such as weight, height, appearance, and in some cases, personality, are passed down the hereditary line, and predisposes individuals to certain traits and qualities. The health of the individual is also largely influenced by the care taken by the mother while the fetus was devel oping within the womb. Proper nutrition, and avoiding neglectful habits such as drinking and smoking, all help to shape the health of the individual from the time they are born. The environment we are raised in is also another factor in the shape and development of an individual.Take for instance the study that examined how environment affects individuals such as siblings, twins, and kids not related by blood, but raised in the same environment. It is shown that even twins who exited the womb during the same birth can come out profoundly different in their adulthood if they were raised in a different environment from their twin. The food that we eat, the habits that we employ, and the overall lifestyle of the individual play an important role as well as genetics.Two similar children who are raised in different environments may possess the same genetic traits, but overall can be distinguished by the environment they were raised in. Cultural relativism plays a role as well in the well -being of the individual. Being raised in America sets a different standard for living vs. being born elsewhere. In America, individuals are taught to be creative and unique, rather than conform to group ideals. It is in this culture that children are taught to employ creative ideas, and to break away from the grain.In other cultures, such as those in China, kids are raised to follow the grain, and rather than question elders and peers, are taught to accept what is given and told to them. With that in mind, the transition into adulthood has also slowed down due to various factors such as cultural acceptance, and the need to pursue a higher education in order to be more competitive in the job market. As the years pass, so does the standard of education raise as more occupations open up to individuals with special skills and knowledge achieved through a higher education in college.Although this slower transition into adulthood and independence may seem less stressful for individuals, studies from the British Cohort Study show that individuals in the 70s vs. the 50s reported more cases of depression, and stress due to factors such as economic recessions which hindered the job market availability. This generation is especially pressed to reach higher educational goals as the market for unskilled labor reduces as the market for skilled labor increases hindering the transition into adulthood and independence.In conclusion, personal development and growth are influenced by several factors such as genetics, environment, cultural relativism. These factors shape an individual in specific ways. Genetics passed on influence one’s height, personality, and predispositional thinking that affect the person in everyday situations. Proper health from the time the embryo is implanted is necessary for a healthy baby. The environment also plays a role in the shaping of the individual. The home one was raised in, the nutrition, and overall lifestyle impact the health and beh avior of a person.Cultural relativism also plays a role, as culture follows an individual around regardless of location, and influences what one finds acceptable, and follows due to social norms. Because of the need for a higher education in today’s job market, a slower transition into adulthood can be traced to the need for more schooling, and a slower transition to independence.References Spiro, Melford E. (2001). Cultural determinism, cultural relativism, and the comparative study of psychopathology. Ethos. Berkeley:. Vol. 29, Iss. 2; pg. 218, 17 pgs. Huffman, Karen (2010). Life Span Development I. John Wiley and Sons, Psychology in Action 314-347.