Review on Data impediments to empirical work on health insurance Article

Review on Data impediments to empirical work on health insurance markets paper - Article Example it is found out that majority of the publicly available sources of data, that is commonly used by researchers are to carry out their study on the health insurance market shares, is unreliable. These data sources are said to portray great variability over the years and are relative to both a rational prior and to the inconsistency demonstrated in the health sectors discharge data. These data sources assume merger activities from specialized and from high professional findings. Their unreliability to the studying competition in the health insurance sector is revealed in their character to omit significant components of the market. Such omitted components may include the self-insured health plans. The article considers the private insurance industry that plays a more significant role in the health care sector in the United States. A large number of individuals in U.S purchase private insurance plans. Another significant number of individuals are covered through Medicaid while they are still enrolled in the private plans. The article compared the elderly people in U.S to the nonelderly. It was revealed that majority of the nonelderly individuals opt for the private insurance plans while 95 % of the elderly people are enrolled to the Medicare. Although a few numbers of the nonelderly are enrolled to the Medicaid, they are also found to have enrolled into the private plans. Only a quarter of the elderly people opt for the private insurance plans (Leemore et al. 11). According to this paper, the antitrust analysts and researchers cannot generate an accurate empirical analysis of competition in the health insurance industry through the use of a readily available market share data. These differences in shares and the concentration reported within different data sources would force researchers to choose among the competing data sets. The doubtfully high unpredictability within the data sets suggests

Ethics in Information Technology Essay Example for Free

Ethics in Information Technology Essay Chad White (2009) discussed that by the end of 2008, retailers have been sending a record breaking number of promotional emails. The main question is, is this increase worth the price of all the negative consequences of such campaign? Cassar (2009) said that people had less money to spend in 2008 and that they view the internet as a deal seeking venue but not actually purchase online. There are a lot of costs associated with even simple system messages like, â€Å"You have items left in your cart. † Doubling the sending of these emails over the holiday period can cause some serious irritation, too, as the company can easily be marked as spam because of these emails that are being sent at least twice daily by some. Before actually spending out the money for these promotional mails, it might be better if the companies spend the extra cost in promotion by helping the customers save more, for instance, they can offer a promotional coupon or free shipping. Noguchi (2008) said that email has become too time-consuming for people that instead of aiding to get things accomplished, email has become a distraction from work being done. In another article, Noguchi (2008) said that family can be reasons for email overload as some members of the family love sending pictures, videos and all other stuff they can think of to every email address they have on file. These things can get really distracting especially at work. Suggestions to resolve this dilemma: a person can always limit messages in his mailbox, do not open personal emails at work, mark emails requiring action, use spam blockers, be alert on the proper subject headings (Asiado 2010). The key is being organized (Asiado 2010). Schaper (2009) said that one way to avoid email overload is taking a break from emails even once a week. In fact, his research showed one Chicago based company is implementing this exact same rule. They understand that email is important and necessary to business but it can just be toxic, hence this policy. Glenn (2008) said that there is practically no privacy at work. Everything done by an employee on a work computer can easily be seen by his employer as everything is saved in the company’s hard drive. There is only one suggestion to resolve this: avoid using work computer to do incriminating acts against your own person or another. References: Asiado, T. (2010). Tips How to Reduce Email Overflow at Work. Suite101. Retrieved, 14 July 2010, from http://businessmanagement. suite101. com/article. cfm/tips-to-reduce-email-overflow-at-work Cassar, K. (2009). Little Holiday Cheer Ahead for Online Retail. neilsenwire. Retrieved, 14 July 2010, from http://blog. nielsen. com/nielsenwire/consumer/little-holiday-cheer-ahead-for-online-retail/ Glenn, H. (2008). E-mail at Work: Tips to Keep You out of Trouble. npr. org. Retrieved, 14 July 2010, from http://www. npr. org/templates/story/story. php? storyId=91604666 Noguchi, Y. (2008). Help! Family Spam is Crowding My Inbox! npr. org. Retrieved, 14 July 2010, from http://www. npr. org/templates/story/story. php? storyId=91402876 Noguchi, Y. (2008). Make it Stop! Crushed by Too Many E-Mails. npr. org. Retrieved, 14 July 2010, from http://www. npr. org/templates/story/story. php? storyId=91366853 Schaper, D. (2009). An E-Mail Vacation: Taking Fridays Off. npr. org. Retrieved, 14 July 2010, from http://www. npr. org/templates/story/story. php? storyId=91724075 White, C. (2009). Email Volume Sets New Records During Holidays. mediapost. com. Retrieved, 14 July 2010, from http://www. mediapost. com/publications/? fa=Articles. showArticleart_aid=98215

Criticism of a Social Group

Criticism of a Social Group The intergroup sensitivity effect occurs when people perceive criticism of a social group they belong to. Group members evaluation of the criticism depends largely on the source of the message. According to social identity theory outgroup members are typically evaluated less positively than ingroup members because people are motivated to perceive their group (and themselves) as more favorable than a reference group. Applying this ingroup preference to intergroup criticisms; outgroup critics are evaluated less positively than ingroup critics, and their comments arouse greater sensitivity than do the same comments made by an ingroup member. Since ingroup members receive more positive appraisal, their criticisms are perceived as more constructive, provoke less sensitivity, and are agreed with more. Research by Hornsey and Imani (2003) supported the intergroup sensitivity effect by revealing that ingroup critics were met with less defensiveness than were outgroup critics, regardless of t he amount of experience they had with the ingroup. The black sheep effect is another phenomenon related to social identity. When ingroup member deviate from the defining norms of the group they threaten the image of the group. One goal of group membership is positive distinctiveness; to be distinct from a reference group in a more positive way. When ingroup members deviate from norms that define the group they threaten the positive distinctiveness of the group. These individuals are then negatively evaluated. The black sheep effect refers to more negative evaluations of ingroup deviants compared to outgroup members, deviant or otherwise. Outgroup deviants cannot threaten the positive distinctiveness of the group like an ingroup member can. Groups may have a tendency to agree on more extreme positions than those held by individuals through a process called group polarization. Often this occurs following group discussion. Two theories may account for this phenomenon, social comparison theory (SCT) and persuasive arguments theory (PAT). According to SCT, people are motivated to evaluate and present themselves positively, in order to do this an individual must be continually processing information about how other people present themselves and adjust their self-presentations accordingly. People also want to be perceived to be better than average so they present themselves in a more favorable light. When all members of a group engage in this comparing process the result is a shift in a direction of perceived greater value. To do this people engage in removal of pluralistic ignorance, where they present their views as compromises between the ideal and the desire to not be too deviant from the group. People then tend to shift towards the ideal position, leading to group polarization. The bandwagon effect, or one-upmanship, also occurs because people want to be different and distinct from other people in their group in a more favorable direction. This happens when people infer the norm of the group, then shift their respo nse to a more ideal position. The persuasive arguments theory (PAT) suggests that an individuals choice or position on an issue is a function of the number and persuasiveness of pro and con arguments that that person recalls from memory when formulating their position. Discussion causes polarization because it provides persuasive arguments to the individual. These arguments tend to be evaluated on their validity and novelty. A meta-analysis by Isenberg (1986) suggested that, while there is evidence for both SCT and PAT as mediators of group polarization, PAT tends to have a stronger effect. While both may occur simultaneously, there is evidence that they are two conceptually independent processes. One of the primary ways that individuals maintain independence from norms associated with social groups is through social support. Allen (1975) proposed that social support serves to provide an assessment of physical and social reality. Under situations of conformity (experimentally manipulated by consensus on an incorrect answer) social support encourages individuals to express responses inconsistent with those of the group. Social support counteracts negative social factors related to dissent by reducing anxiety related to potential rejection, and reducing the perception that the group will make negative dispositional attributions about the dissenter. On a cognitive basis, social support helps nonconformity by simply breaking the expectation of group consensus, by cognitively restructuring the meaning of a given stimulus, and by reassuring the dissenting person that they have not lost touch with reality. Nonconformity aided by social support is enhanced by previous social contact w ith the supporter, and occur whether the supporter is an ingroup or outgroup member (as long as the conformity issue is not related to the salient social identity. The effectiveness of minority influence relies on a number of factors. According to Moscovici Faucheux (1972) one of the main factors is consistency of the message. People are motivated to seek consistency in their social world and it is easier to persuade individuals of the legitimacy of ones view on issues when the message is consistent, particularly when the answer is unknown (e.g. how to fix  the economy). Moscovici also suggests that rigid minorities tend to have a less direct influence than more flexible minorities, which may imply that Palin needs to portray her views as more moderate. Alvaro and Crano (1997) suggest that indirect minority influence may be effective at changing attitudes. In an effort to effect popular opinion about highly contested and core political issues (e.g. abortion rights) she ought to target an associated, less contentious issue (e.g. sex education in public schools). In order for her to have any success at indirect influence however, she needs to present herself as an ingroup member. She might focus on her identity as a woman, a mother, cite a long familial American heritage or any other potential cross-cutting categories. She will have more success if she portrays herself as more similar to the majority of Americans. Old fashioned prejudice may be characterized as overt prejudice where discrimination is obvious and public. Modern prejudice can be conceptualized as aversive racism (Gaertner Dovidio, 1986) which is characterized by ambivalence between feelings and beliefs associated with a egalitarian value system and unacknowledged negative feelings and beliefs about African Americans. For most Americans an egalitarian value system is important to the self-concept, demanding a nonprejudiced self-image. This is the result of sympathy for victims of past injustices leading to support of public policies that promote racial equality. However, negative attitudes toward African Americans are still pervasive. These feelings and beliefs may be derived from a historical and contemporary culturally racist contexts (creating uneasiness or discomfort). They may be biases derived from cognitive mechanisms that contribute to the development of stereotypes. They may also develop from any combination of historic al stereotypes, institutional racism, need for self-esteem, or economic competition. As opposed to the direct link between old fashioned racism and acts of prejudice, aversive racism has more complex antecedents for expression of prejudice. When there is weak, ambiguous or conflicting normative structure defining appropriate interaction or if a prejudiced response can be rationalized or justified through attribution to some factor other than race, actsof prejudice are more likely to occur. When there is clearly appropriate normative structure and a prejudiced response cannot be rationalized acts of prejudice are less likely to occur. Deindividuation effects have classically been described as anti-normative behavior stemming from decreased self-awareness and decreased self-evaluation, occurring when the presence and identity of a group supersede individual identity. Specific antecedents of deindividuation effects were proposed by Zimbardo (1969), which included anonymity, sensory overload, novel situations, loss of individual responsibility and substance abuse. Zimbardo proposed that deindividuation effects manifested as behaviors that were violations of norms and largely characterized as antisocial. Diener (1980) further elaborated on the effect as decreased self-awareness by an individual, making them responsive to external stimulus over internal monitoring and planning. It is important to note that these classical conceptions of deindividuation effects largely as an individual process, rather than a group process. A more contemporary model that challenges classical conceptualizations of deindividuation is the social identity perspective on deindividuation effects (SIDE; Reicher et al., 1995). The SIDE model proposes that deindividuation effects fall into one of two categories; (a) cognitive effects and (b) strategic effects, depending on whether the self or other group members are anonymous. Cognitive effects are believed to occur in relation to others being anonymous or identifiable. When group members are anonymous the individual has a tendency to perceive indicators of group membership, making social identity and group norms salient, however when other group members are identifiable, individual identity becomes salient, decreasing the power of group norms. In contrast, strategic effects occur when the self is either anonymous or identifiable to the group. They are named as such because rather than being involved in perception of social identity, they are involved in displaying social identi ty. Studies suggested that when an individual was anonymous they expressed more punishable than unpunishable ingroup norms, when they were identifiable, they expressed more unpunishable than punishable ingroup norms. When identity is available to an ingroup, individuals express group norms in an effort to enhance social identity, but when identity is available to an outgroup, individuals are less expressive of group norms, possibly for fear of retribution. The SIDE model suggests that crowd behaviors related to anonymity rarely result from deindividuated states, rather that behaviors were context dependant and consistent with group norms.

Droughts: The End of the American West Essay -- Climate Change and Dro

Droughts are one of the most expensive natural hazards and have the potential to last for months or even years (U.S. Drought Portal). Along with famine and flooding, droughts are considered one of the top three threats to the population (Oblack). A drought is defined as an unusually long period of time with persistent lack of precipitation that causes serious problems. Several factors that affect the severity of a drought are the degree of moisture deficiency, length, size, and location of where the drought occurs (Droughts). A drought can be categorized four ways. A Meteorological drought occurs when there are significantly lower levels of precipitation than normal. This type of drought is dependent on the region because what would be considered normal precipitation in one area could be different in another region. Agricultural droughts refer to when the amount of moisture is less than what the crop in that area requires. Hydrological droughts are when the water supply in the surface and subsurface of the ground is below normal. Socioeconomic are when the lack of water begins to affect people (Droughts). Droughts are caused when there is less rainfall then normal on a region. When the air sinks (subsidence) there is compressional warming or high pressure, which limits the formation of clouds. As a result, there is lower humidity and less precipitation (Predicting Droughts). Additionally, if there are higher temperatures or shifts in the wind pattern this could cause the evaporation of moisture in the ground to increase (Plumer). Droughts can be aggravated by people’s overuse through heavy pumping and farming of marginal lands that puts a strain on the water supply. Additionally people affect droughts by damming rivers. ... ...id W. Hyndman. Natural Hazards and Disasters. 3rd ed. Australia: Brooks/Cole, 2011. Print. Oblack, Rachelle. â€Å"What Causes Droughts?† About.com. N.p., n.d. Web. 10 Apr. 2013. . Plumer, Brad. â€Å"What We Know about Climate Change and Drought.† Wonkblog. Washington Post, 24 July 2012. Web. 10 Apr. 2013. . â€Å"Predicting Droughts.† National Drought Mitigation Center. N.p., n.d. Web. 10 Apr. 2013. . â€Å"Predicting Droughts with Greater Certainty.† Science Daily. N.p., 3 June 2009. Web. 10 Apr. 2013. . U.S. Drought Portal. NIDIS, n.d. Web. 10 Apr. 2013. .

The Important Things

The Important Things What are the most important things in my life? Family is the number one most important thing in my life. My girlfriend, education, career, money and happiness are also very important to me in life. Without my family I wouldn’t be the person I am today. I couldn’t ask for better parents. And I have a little brother I wouldn’t be able to live without. My parents work very hard to provide a wonderful life for us. We really enjoy going camping and taking other vacations together. It gives us a lot of quality time to spend together.My family helps me through the hard times in life. I have the best grandparents in the world that would do anything for me. I have been very fortunate being able to spend lots of time with them while growing up. We have made many special memories together that I will always hold close to my heart. There were six brothers and sisters on my dad’s side and four sisters on my mom’s side. Combining the two, I h ave twelve amazing cousins. We are all very close and get together to celebrate all of the birthdays and holidays.I love my family with all my heart and could never ask for a better one. My girlfriend means the world to me. Not only is she my girlfriend, she is my best friend. She knows how to make me smile when I’m not in a good mood. She is the one person I know I can count on. I love her with all my heart. I will never let her go. We have been together since the beginning of high school. We have a special connection with each other; there is something that will never break us apart. Education is a very important event in my life.Getting laid off for the second winter really inspired me to go back to school. I am now in a four semester program to become a Process Operator. Lewis and Clark provide a great education. I have been working hard and keeping my grades up so that I can graduate on time and look for a better job. My career is what I am working hard in school for now . The right job is out there for me somewhere. After I complete my education, I will find it. I am very determined. I feel that being younger I might have some advantages. My oal is to get hired on at Phillips 66. They will be hiring for the foreseeable future. Nine out of twenty people were hired from the last class that graduated from the program that I am in now. My cousin was one of them. Can money buy happiness? Some people are extremely wealthy but also very lonely, while others are poor but happy with their surrounding family and friends they have. You can buy many things with money but not happiness. There are many ways to obtain money. Some people may work for it while others might win the lottery.I am the type of person who works hard for my money and saves it. The more money I have available the happier I am with myself. I don’t let money take over my life though. I have a roof over my head and a meal to eat every night, so for that I am very happy. Being around my family and girlfriend is what truly brings happiness to my heart. The most important thing is to enjoy your life. Being happy is all that truly matters. Hold close those who are close to your heart. The love of family and the admiration of friends are much more important than wealth or privilege. The Important Things The Important Things What are the most important things in my life? Family is the number one most important thing in my life. My girlfriend, education, career, money and happiness are also very important to me in life. Without my family I wouldn’t be the person I am today. I couldn’t ask for better parents. And I have a little brother I wouldn’t be able to live without. My parents work very hard to provide a wonderful life for us. We really enjoy going camping and taking other vacations together. It gives us a lot of quality time to spend together.My family helps me through the hard times in life. I have the best grandparents in the world that would do anything for me. I have been very fortunate being able to spend lots of time with them while growing up. We have made many special memories together that I will always hold close to my heart. There were six brothers and sisters on my dad’s side and four sisters on my mom’s side. Combining the two, I h ave twelve amazing cousins. We are all very close and get together to celebrate all of the birthdays and holidays.I love my family with all my heart and could never ask for a better one. My girlfriend means the world to me. Not only is she my girlfriend, she is my best friend. She knows how to make me smile when I’m not in a good mood. She is the one person I know I can count on. I love her with all my heart. I will never let her go. We have been together since the beginning of high school. We have a special connection with each other; there is something that will never break us apart. Education is a very important event in my life.Getting laid off for the second winter really inspired me to go back to school. I am now in a four semester program to become a Process Operator. Lewis and Clark provide a great education. I have been working hard and keeping my grades up so that I can graduate on time and look for a better job. My career is what I am working hard in school for now . The right job is out there for me somewhere. After I complete my education, I will find it. I am very determined. I feel that being younger I might have some advantages. My oal is to get hired on at Phillips 66. They will be hiring for the foreseeable future. Nine out of twenty people were hired from the last class that graduated from the program that I am in now. My cousin was one of them. Can money buy happiness? Some people are extremely wealthy but also very lonely, while others are poor but happy with their surrounding family and friends they have. You can buy many things with money but not happiness. There are many ways to obtain money. Some people may work for it while others might win the lottery.I am the type of person who works hard for my money and saves it. The more money I have available the happier I am with myself. I don’t let money take over my life though. I have a roof over my head and a meal to eat every night, so for that I am very happy. Being around my family and girlfriend is what truly brings happiness to my heart. The most important thing is to enjoy your life. Being happy is all that truly matters. Hold close those who are close to your heart. The love of family and the admiration of friends are much more important than wealth or privilege.

France vs America essays

France vs America essays A Comaprison between France and America There are few countries in the world that share as similar governmental structures as the United States and France. It would be expected, however, that France and America would share such similarities in government based upon the fact that the original French Constitution was inspired by the U.S. constitution. Like America, France has an Executive, Legislative, and Judicial branch. However, the processes by which tasks are carried out by each of these branches are all slightly different from that of the United States. It is for this reason that the comparison of these two countries is so interesting; broadly speaking, both governments appear very similar, however, when looked at more closely there are smaller distinctions that keep them separate and unique. While examining the smaller differences between both countries, the chief distinction between the two governmentsthe political party system-will be discussed in detail. France today is one of the most modern countries in the world and is a leader among European nations. In 1958, France constructed a presidential democracy that has been resistant to the instabilities that other parliamentary democracies have faced. In recent years, Frances reconciliation and cooperation with Germany have proved to be key in the economic integration of Europe, which includes the introduction of a common exchange currency, the euro, in January 1999. Currently, France is at the forefront of European states and it continues to grow as a more unified and capable country. France, like the United States, is a republic with a written constitution. As previously noted, the French constitution was modeled after the U.S. constitution containing a preamble, seventeen articles, as well as illustrating the principle of the separation of powers. The French Constitution also spells out natural and indefeasible rights such as liberty, property, ...

The Flu Pandemic of 1918 Essays

The Flu Pandemic of 1918 Essays The Flu Pandemic of 1918 Essay The Flu Pandemic of 1918 Essay During the course of time certain incidents occur that change the course of our future and our thoughts.These incidents effect the population of the world either positively or negatively.Yet one event stood out to show how with the future brings both knowledge and power.Over the course of this century, scientific research has shown that modern medicine is not as exemplary as we would like it to be, since both we as people, and diseases are continuing a rapid growth or race to extinction of one another.For scientific comparisons, the 1918 Flu Pandemic will be the archetype. Since the beginning of time man has been haunted and tormented by one thing.Disease.Disease and bacteria have been causing great pain and strife to people since the beginning of time.From the Egyptians to the pioneers, and now today.As many different forms of diseases break out, society often is caught looking back in history to judge what to do in situations.This includes diseases.Scientists and researchers stil l havent found the direct cause of the Great Flu Pandemic of 1918, let alone many others that are taking place this very second.Diseases have damaged society for a long time, the bubonic plague that swept across Europe during the 1300s nearly half the population of Europe was killed by an epidemic of plague.(Fettner Pg. 1) Though diseases have been lingering in human society since the dawn of time, many have fought back diseases by researching and creating vaccines and advances in medicine to help the ill.From penicillin to advanced surgery techniques and Antibiotics, the world has given its best shots to end disease but are still falling up a little short. Since the beginning of the infectious influenza, which has been taking the lives of many humans for centuries, it has always been consistent with its treatments and symptoms.The flu is well known for being on time.As most are aware of the flu