Absolute and Relative Error Calculation

Absolute and Relative Error Calculation Absolute error and relative error are two types of experimental error. Youll need to calculate both types of error in science, so its good to understand the difference between them and how to calculate them. Absolute Error Absolute error is a measure of how far off a measurement is from a true value or an indication of the uncertainty in a measurement. For example, if you measure the width of a book using a ruler with millimeter marks, the best you can do is measure the width of the book to the nearest millimeter. You measure the book and find it to be 75 mm. You report the absolute error in the measurement as 75 mm /- 1 mm. The absolute error is 1 mm. Note that absolute error is reported in the same units as the measurement. Alternatively, you may have a known or calculated value and you want to use absolute error to express how close your measurement is to the ideal value. Here absolute error is expressed as the difference between the expected and actual values. Absolute Error Actual Value - Measured Value For example, if you know a procedure is supposed to yield 1.0 liters of solution and you obtain 0.9 liters of solution, your absolute error is 1.0 - 0.9 0.1 liters. Relative Error You first need to determine absolute error to calculate relative error.  Relative error expresses how large the absolute error is compared with the total size of the object you are measuring. Relative error is expressed as a fraction or is multiplied by 100 and expressed as  a percent. Relative Error Absolute Error / Known Value For example, a drivers speedometer says his car is going 60 miles per hour (mph) when its actually going 62 mph. The absolute error of his speedometer is 62 mph - 60 mph 2 mph. The relative error of the measurement is 2 mph / 60 mph 0.033 or 3.3%

Free Essays on Fatal Poison

A Fatal Poison The possession of power is a tainted possession indeed. To have complete power over another human being is arguably one of the worst. â€Å"When I went there, she was a pious, warm, tender-hearted woman. There was no suffering for which she had not a tear. She had bread for the hungry, clothes for the naked, and comfort for every mourner that came within her reach.† (Douglass 50) When Fredrick Douglass came to Baltimore, this was his description of his new mistress, Mrs. Hugh, a kind gentle woman who had no ill will towards any human being, including slaves. Her manner was like no other woman Douglass had ever known. Eye contact was something a slave was never allowed with a white person; she allowed it. Slaves were expected to cower in the presence of their masters; she despised it. Douglass had no instruction for this kind of treatment. He had never been treated as a real human by any white person, especially white women, in his whole life. This appearance of equ ality did not last long however. To this Douglass states, â€Å"But alas! this kind heart had but a short time to remain such. The fatal poison of irresponsible power was already in her hands, and soon commenced its infernal work.† Mrs. Hugh had forever changed. This fatal poison that Douglass speaks of is detrimental to both slave and slave owner. The first being the obvious. Any person denied there freedom and rights lives a tormented and depressing life. Imagine having the right to eat when you would like, or to sit when you would like, or to do any other thing you desire for that matter, stripped away from you. A life of no freedom is no life at all. This is the life a slave led. A day primarily consisted of a long period of hard labor, an inadequate meal and a very short night of sleep. To make matters less bearable, those who tried to embrace any of these presently unalienable rights, were severely punished. By physical and ment... Free Essays on Fatal Poison Free Essays on Fatal Poison A Fatal Poison The possession of power is a tainted possession indeed. To have complete power over another human being is arguably one of the worst. â€Å"When I went there, she was a pious, warm, tender-hearted woman. There was no suffering for which she had not a tear. She had bread for the hungry, clothes for the naked, and comfort for every mourner that came within her reach.† (Douglass 50) When Fredrick Douglass came to Baltimore, this was his description of his new mistress, Mrs. Hugh, a kind gentle woman who had no ill will towards any human being, including slaves. Her manner was like no other woman Douglass had ever known. Eye contact was something a slave was never allowed with a white person; she allowed it. Slaves were expected to cower in the presence of their masters; she despised it. Douglass had no instruction for this kind of treatment. He had never been treated as a real human by any white person, especially white women, in his whole life. This appearance of equ ality did not last long however. To this Douglass states, â€Å"But alas! this kind heart had but a short time to remain such. The fatal poison of irresponsible power was already in her hands, and soon commenced its infernal work.† Mrs. Hugh had forever changed. This fatal poison that Douglass speaks of is detrimental to both slave and slave owner. The first being the obvious. Any person denied there freedom and rights lives a tormented and depressing life. Imagine having the right to eat when you would like, or to sit when you would like, or to do any other thing you desire for that matter, stripped away from you. A life of no freedom is no life at all. This is the life a slave led. A day primarily consisted of a long period of hard labor, an inadequate meal and a very short night of sleep. To make matters less bearable, those who tried to embrace any of these presently unalienable rights, were severely punished. By physical and ment...

What causes regime change Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

What causes regime change - Research Paper Example South Korea and Taiwan are some of the East Asian countries that have faced many challenges towards their democratization. In fact, South Korea and Taiwan share a lot as far as their democratization and regime changes are concerned. The aim of this document is to conduct a comparative study of the democratization of South Korean and Taiwanese political regimes. South Korea and Taiwan are some of the East Asia countries that have come a long way in so far as establishing democratic systems are concerned. The two countries certainly share a lot in common as far as their democratic histories are concerned. For one, the two countries were once ruled by autocratic regimes that curtailed the development of democracy. Nevertheless, the two countries fought very hard by establishing democratic institutions that have made them some of the best examples of democracies in the world. Secondly, both countries achieved their democracies after successful industrialization. Both countries shared a lot in common with regards to the roles they played in post-war foreign relations. Kihl (2005) notes that both Taiwan and South Korea were once anticommunist military outposts. Additionally, both Taiwan and South Korea were once dominated by the Japanese colonialists in the pre-war era. Therefore, in the global perspective, the two countries represent the latest examples of Western European-type modernization because the social changes that resulted from industrialization finally promoted the establishment of democratic systems and institutions in them. Although Taiwan and South Korea share a lot in common with regards to the democratization process, the two countries also differ in some areas. One area where the two countries differ is in the state of political stability. In this regard, history shows that South Korea has experienced many political changes compared to Taiwan. Some of the changes

A Critical Examination of Business Set Up Opportunities in USA from A Essay

A Critical Examination of Business Set Up Opportunities in USA from A Company Perspective - Essay Example A number of forces drive organizations into expanding their operations to the foreign markets. Increased competition in the local and foreign markets as well as reduced trade barriers are some of the factors. The international business environment is quite dynamic and a business organization that has to survive in its international operations has to respond to the changes. The strategic business planning to manage this dynamics involves an examination of the bargaining power of the buyers, the bargaining power of the suppliers, the magnitude of rivalry, the other product or service substitutes, or the threats of other new entries into the market. The vending business is not a new practice in the United States, the first machine of this kind being developed as early as the late nineteenth century. The changing patterns are observed in the quality and types of products offered as well as improvement in the vending machines to ensure security and efficiency. Most recently, there have be en shifts towards high capacity vending machines that can vend healthy juices, yoghurt, fresh fruits, or vegetables. Investment in the healthy vending machine can be incredible in the contemporary society if proper strategic planning and management is carried out. The vending machine business is quite appealing to many individuals in the contemporary markets. The business has several associated benefits to the investor. It is characterized by immediate cash flows, all-cash business (no debts or accounts receivable), can operate 24 hours a day everyday, and it needs little expertise in business management or sales and marketing . The clients in this industry require quick service and ‘demand immediate result making fast food too slow. [The] vending machines provide an affordable quick snack’ (Vending Man, 2011b). The clients give more value to healthy vending that produces healthy foods and with no negative long-term effects on the health of the clients. The business is a fun industry that can generate high returns with little investment since it requires few employees (Vending Man, 201 1a). An individual can supply and manage millions of these machines at different locations with the little task of putting in food occasionally, after every few weeks. This report focuses on these opportunities and the establishment strategy for vending machine business in the US market. The socio-political and economic factors in the US market as well as the business strategy to be employed in this business are illustrated. The US market- Environmental analysis The factors external to our organization like laws and regulations in another country, the country’s economic profile, national culture, and market competition affect the decision to establish business in the country (Mead, 2005). Economic analysis The United States is among the countries that suffered the financial crisis and the resulting economic problems that have been experienced globally (Jickling, 2010). Nonetheless, the Federal Reserve and other government agencies like the US Treasury have shown relentless ef forts to restore the situation through improving the financial systems (Marshall, 2009). It is then likely that the buying ability of the US citizens will be improved giving hope for a new business opportunity. Socio-cultural influence The socio-cultural factors in the country also favor the investment in food industry with focus on healthy eating habits. The consumption of soft drinks has been high in the United States in the past and yet these foods have negative impacts on the consumer heath (Jacobson, 1999). The soft drinks add unnecessary calories to the diet and

Rules about Delivery in Contracts Involving the Sales of Goods Assignment

Rules about Delivery in Contracts Involving the Sales of Goods - Assignment Example Before the creation of laws governing sales of goods contracts, the right of ownership or Law merchant was the major concept under sales law (Mann & Roberts, 2007, p. 398). Such laws comprised a system of regulations, customs, as well as usages self-imposed by the sellers themselves, in order to settle disputes while enforcing agreement duties between them. Such rules were introduced during fairs when merchants met to swap goods even as they settle their differences via the fair courts they operated themselves. Hence, from 17th-century judges refined the codes behind mercantile laws into contemporary commercial law of sales (Mann & Roberts, 2007, p. 398). certain issues arose under rules governing delivery in sales of goods. Firstly, how do you determine what time the title actually changed from seller to buyer? As it presented a challenge in deciding which party the possession title had at the instance of a loss. Secondly, even though orthodox assessment under such rules would probably indicate that equity laws do not pertain, it would be hard to uphold such view in a contemporary and globalized world. Thus, the aim of this paper is to evaluate how del ivery of contracts involving the sales of goods offers a contemporary uniform and fair regime practices for both domestic and international sale of goods. The paper also discusses the controversies surrounding such rules. In most jurisdictions, the sale of goods contracts is accorded between the seller and a buyer meant to cover the trade and delivery of goods, or any other personal property (Atiyah, Adams, & MacQuee, 2005, ch 1). For instance, in the US, domestic sales-contracts fall under the Uniform Commercial Code, while in Australia the contract for delivery under sales of goods falls under the Australian Sales of  Goods Act 1893. The rules are based on the Freedom of Contract, thus it is up to the concerned parties to agree on their bargain (Bridge, p. 45). Nevertheless, international sales contracts are governed by the United Nations Convention on Contracts for the International Sale of Goods 2009, or Vienna Sale Convention.  

Theories Of The Term Structure Of Interest Rates Finance Essay

Theories Of The Term Structure Of Interest Rates Finance Essay This coursework explains what information does term structure of interest rate gives to finance executives while analyzing project. Term Structure of interest rate is important in formulating investment decisions. Term structure of interest rate compares the market yield (Saunders Cornett, 2003, p. 190). The shape of the yield curve reflects the markets future expectation of the interest rate. Thus, the term structure is important for a finance executive, because they believe that interest rate across time tells about the markets expectation of future events (John Cox et al, 1985). Also, the behaviour of term structure impacts monetary policy (Marvin, 1998), economic activity (Dotsey, 1998) and inflation. By having understanding the term structure will help them to extricate information and predict how variables such as interest rates, maturity will affect the yield curve. Thus, helps them to take investment decision in order to generate future capital gain and cash flow. This coursework will first discuss about interest rate, yield in context of term structure of interest rate. Next section critically assesses the four different theories of term structure and what information do these theories have. In conclusion, importance of interest rate to finance executive is portrayed and validity of which theory holds good in todays market is discussed. Interest rates, Yield curves and Term Structure of Interest rates The main component of term structure is prices, Interest rates and time (term). Interest rates are important to understand because all the financial instruments are sensitive to interest rates. Financial executive invest in the projects depending on alternative options and cost of capital which depends on interest rates. One of the major concerns in making investment decision is uncertainty about the future capital/ rewards from the investment. Finance executives have to take decision in the unstable economic environment where the information comes gradually, so knowing term structure interest rate helps them to decide whether to invest and when to invest (Dias Shacklenton, 2005). Interest rate change with time due to risk, inflation, and also depends on variables such as tax, term of maturity. Term Structure of interest rate i.e. Yield curve is analysis tool of different interest rates of bonds or securities with different term of maturity (Marvin, 1998). Why to understand yield curves? The yield to maturity is quantified as the rate of return that mathematically equates the fixed payment stream to the bonds current market price. The yield to maturity cannot be easily calculated, so it must be analysed through trial and error method. Yield to maturity is same as internal rate of return (McInish, 2000). Finance executives are concerned with the internal rate of return the project will generate. Term structure is relation between different yields. This section first explains about yields and their importance and then assesses theories of term structure of interest rates. There are three yield curves: upward sloping, downward sloping and flat. If the yield curve is upward sloping it means that long term rates are above short term rates. As depicted in the figure, it has positive slope means that finance executive expects the economy to grow in future (Mishkin, 1990). As economy will grow it will lead to increase in inflation rates. With the rise in the inflation rate, central bank with tighten the monetary policy to control the inflation rate (Marvin, 1998). This generates the risk for uncertainty in inflation rate and to future value of cash flows. If the yield curve is downward sloping it means that long term rates are below short term rates (Mishkin, 2006).It means that finance executive expects interest rates and economy to fall. Tight monetary policy could lead long term rates to be lower than short term rates. If the yield curve is flat means that long term rates are equal to short term rates. Term structure of interest rate is defined as relation between interest rate and yield curve for default free securities having different maturity (John Cox et al, 1985). Term structure of interest rate is the correlation between different yields of financial instruments with same risk, tax but different maturity (Saunders Cornett, 2003). The term-structure model mainly analyses the expectations channels and the interest rate. While taking decision, the IRR (Internal rate of return) of the projects needs comparison with the opportunity cost of capital. But often the long run and short run interest rate/opportunity costs differs. And both cash flow and cost of capital include the inflation. Below theories of term structure of interest rates helps finance executives to understand expected inflation and interest rates. Theories of term structure of interest rates There are four theories namely expectation theory, market segment theory, liquidity preference theory and preferred habitat theory that explains the shape of yield curve (Saunders Cornett, 2003, p. 190). Expectation Theory John Hickss (1939) expectation theory suggests that expectation, of the investors in the market, about the future interest rate determine the term structure of interest rates and these expectations could affect the economic growth (Russell, 1992). This theory assumes that bonds with different maturities are perfect substitutes. Buyers will not prefer bond for which expected return is less than the expected return of another bond. Inflation and interest rate risk are not considered in this theory (Mishkin, 2006). According to this theory, expected return of the long term rates are average of short term rates. It means there is no uncertainty in expected rate of return over the holding period as return is same for all the securities over the holding period (Mishkin, 2006). Expectation theory proves that two facts, first, Interest rate for different maturities move together over the time and second Yields on short-term bond more volatile than yields on long-term bonds (Mishkin, 2006). Yield curve is based on market expectation. If the finance executives expect that the short term rates will be 10% in next 3 years, then interest rate on 3-year bond will also be 10%. For finance executive opportunity will be less because the yield curve will be flat as current long term rate is equal to current short term rate. This imply that movement of short term rates and long term rates can be predicted and if the yield curve is sloping upward then future interest rate will increase and if curve is sloping downwards then future interest rate will decrease (Russell, 1992). If the short term rates are high, yield curve will be downward sloping. Yield curve will be expected to be upward sloping if short term rates are low  [1]  . Hence this theory doesnt prove why the yield curve is usually upward sloping (Mishkin, 2006). As per this theory, finance executives are assumed to be investing in efficient market and with less transaction cost. Thus, Yield curve is determined by the short term interest rates and by uncertainty in the accuracy of their expectation. Liquid preference theory As the expectancy theory doesnt completely explain the term structure i.e. current rates are not perfect predictor of future interest rates (Saunders Cornett, 2003), this theory is an extension of the expectancy theory i.e. it gives some importance to the expected future rates but give more importance to the risk preference of the finance executives or investors (Mishkin, 2006). If the market is uncertain then finance executive will make decision based on capital gain/loss, revenue generated (Kessel, 1965). This decision will be based on their willingness to take risk. Risk  [2]  causes the interest rates to be greater than the expected rates and this amount increases with the maturity. Long term interest rate includes the expected rates and premium for holding long term rates bond. This premium is known as liquidity premium (Mishkin, 2006), which is compensation to the finance executives or investors for holding long term securities. The theory assumes that bonds are substitutes but not perfect substitutes .Short term rates are of lower inflation and low interest rate risks (Mishkin, 2006). Investor prefers short term rates (Keynesian view) and hence be given premium for long term rates. Long rates will be less volatile as it is the average of the short term rates and risk premium will increase with the maturity, thus, yield curve will be upward sloping (Kessel, 1965). With the increase in the maturity, sensitivity to capital loss increases with decreasing rate (Saunders Cornett, 2003). Investor prefers short term rates as it is less prone to capital loss. It doesnt mean that they are risk averse; they may be unwilling to take the risk due to economic activity. As mentioned above, risk premium will increase with the term of maturity, upward sloping yield curve may reflect the expectation of investor that future short term rates will rise and therefore, the yield curve will also increase with the term to maturity (Saunders Cornett, 2003). Segmented market theory This Theory assumes that credit markets are segmented (Shelile, 2006). Investor has preference for specific maturity bonds and hence the market for these bonds are separated based on their maturity. This means that longer interest rate securities are completely different asset when compared to short term interest rate securities (Mishkin, 2006). As per this theory, Investors decide which term securities they want to hold. They dont prefer to change the market segment to take the advantage of the changing yields in other segment (Saunders Cornett, 2003). Investor preference depends on the asset and liability they hold. For example bank prefers short term interest rate due to their deposit liabilities and insurance company prefers long term interest rate due to their contractual liabilities. Thus, Demand and supply for particular securities, with in particular segment, determine the interest rates (Howells and Bain, 1998). This theory explains the fact 3 why the yield curves are usually upward sloping and assumes that Investor prefers liquid portfolio. Thus they prefer short term securities. Bonds/securities with shorter period have low risk and lower inflation, means yield will be lower and yield on long term bond will be higher (Shelile, 2006). This proves the fact that yield curve is usually upward sloping. However, as the market for the bond is segmented, it fails to prove why the yields of different term move together (Mishkin, 2006). Preferred habitat theory Moldigliani and Sutch (1966) recognised the limitation of market segment theory and gave preferred habitat theory, which is a combination of both expected theory and market segment theory. According to Mishkin, preferred habitat theory is closely related to liquidity premium theory. Preferred habitat investors invest in their preferred maturities and do not invest in across market segment. Movement in yield of different maturity has no effect in demand by preferred habitat (Doh, 2010). Finance executives will invest in outside of preferred maturity if they are compensated by higher expected return or term premium (Howells and Bain, 1998). Finance executives consider both expected return and maturity. However, understanding of determinant of term premium is difficult (John Cox et al, 1985). Below chart shows that there is close relationship between the risk premium and the yield curve. If risk premium is positive then yield curve tend to be upward sloping and vice versa. This proves that investor/ finance executives expect interest rate to rise when yield curve is upward sloping and require positive risk premium to compensate for future capital losses (Christopher Peacock, 2004) Source: Christopher Peacock, 2004, Bank of England: Deriving a market-based measure of interest rate expectations Why to have understanding of different theories Term structure inform about the expectation of other investors in the market. Expectation of other market investor will influence the current decision and these decisions will determine what will happen in the future. Thus knowledge of other market investor is helpful in determining the future forecast (Russell, 1992) Theories explain that changes in short term rates will affect long term rates. Short term rates have direct effect on long term interest rates and finance executive are concerned majorly with the long term interest rates as it help them to make the decisions about investments (Russell, 1992) Monetary policy has direct effect on short term rates. Fama (1990) and Mishkin (1990) study shows that term spread gives information about the future macroeconomic variables such as inflation. To control the inflation central bank tightens the monetary policy and tightening leads to rise in short term interest rates. These theories predict about the economic activity and to know about the economic activity is important as this will help in forecasting, budgeting and meeting the future demand (Dotsey, 1998). Investor/ financial executives are forward looking and thus yield spread between short term and long term interest rate predicts the future economic activity (Watson, 1989). However, 1990-91 economic downturn was not predicted by these theories. But later studies by Estrella and Mishkin (1997, 1998) determined that spread contain the significant amount of information about the future economic activity. Their conclusion was supported by Dueker (1997) and Plosser and Rouwenhorst (1994) studies. CONCLUSION Which Theory is most appropriate? The Liquidity Preference hypothesis, the Preferred Habitat hypothesis, and the Market Segmentation hypothesis all depend on an analysis of investor and firm preferences under certainty to conclude about the term structure premium under uncertainty. Liquidity Preference hypothesis suggests that it is the nature of risk aversion which mostly causes the forward rate to be far greater than the expected future rate. This view has been criticized for overtly emphasising on capital-value risk as opposed to income risk. Someone who wants future flow of income could simply make a long term investment and stay unconcerned about variations in interest rate, also for them, a yield premium might be necessary to induce them to hold shorter term structure. Preferred habitat theory advocates that due to variation in individuals notion of saving and investment, different investor would be view the investment risk differently. Preferred Habitat Theory is the most consistent theory to analyse daily changes in the term structure. However, in the long run, expectations of future interest rates and liquidity premiums are vital elements of the shape and position of the yield curve. Why should finances executive have understanding of term structure of interest rate? While analyzing project proposals, the finance executives obviously expect stable cash flow or income generation for companys economic viability. As discussed above, the term structure of interest rate predicts the economic condition. So, instead of erratic cash flows of increasing flow in one cycle and decreasing in another, they expect stable value for their money. Hence, future growth can be forecasted by the term structure of the interest rates. While borrowing money for investments, both assets and liabilities are at interest rate risk. If liabilities have greater risk than assets, then there is a risk that an increase in interest rate might result in financial ruin. Financial executives can alter the risk by their choice of duration of portfolios. Risk aversion, investment alternatives, anticipations and preferences about the timing of investment all have a vital role in determining the term structure. Therefore, Finance executives should have good understanding of term structure. REFERENCES Cox, John C., J. E. Ingersoll, and S. A. Ross (1985). A Theory of the Term Structure of Interest Rates. Econometrica, 53, P. 385-408 Christopher Peacock, 2004. Deriving a market-based measure of interest rate expectations. Bank of England Quarterly Bulletin: Summer 2004. P. 142- 152 Dias, J. c., Shacklenton, M. B. (2005). Investment hysteresis under stochastic interest rates. Dotsey, Michael (1998). The Predictive Content of the Interest Rate Term Spread for Future Economic Growth, Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond Economic Quarterly. Fama, E.F. (1990): Term-structure forecasts of interest rates, inflation and real returns. Journal of Monetary Economics, 25 (1), January, P. 59-76. Goodfriend, Marvin. Using the Term Structure of Interest Rates for Monetary Policy. Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond Economic Quarterly Volume 84/3 Summer 1998 Hicks, John R., 1939, Value and capital, Reprinted 1968 (Oxford University Press, New York). HOWELLS, P. and BAIN, K., 1998. The Economics of Money, Banking and Finance, A European Text. Essex, England. Pearson Educational Limited. Jorion, P. and F. Mishkin (1991): A multicountry comparison of term-structure forecasts at long horizons. Journal of Financial Economics, 29 (1), March, pp. 59-80. Kessel, R. A. (1965). WHY LIQUIDITY PREFERENCE EXISTS. In The Cyclical Behavior of the Term Structure of Interest (pp. 44 58). National Bureau of Economic Research. Modigliani. F., and R. Sutch: Innovations in Interest rate policy, American Economic Review, 56(1966), P. 178-197 Mishkin, F. (2006). Money, Banking, and Financial. Pearson. McInish, Thomas H., 2000, Capital Markets: A Global Perspective. Oxford: Blackwell. Russell, S. (1992). Understanding the Term Structure of Interest Rates: The Expectations Theory. 36-50. Saunders, A., Cornett, M. M. (2003). Financial Institution Management. McGraw Hill. Taeyoung Doh , 2010. The efficacy of large scale asset purchase at the zero lower bound, Economic review, second quarter. Watson, M. , Stock, J., New Indices of Coincident and Leading Indicators, In O. Blanchard and S. Fischer ed. NBER Macroeconomic Annual, Cambridge, MIT Press.1989.

Skills Project--Shyness Essay -- essays research papers

INTRODUCTION:   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  All my life I have been shy. Also, all my life I’ve been hearing people say, â€Å"She will grow out of it.† I’m 20 years old and the shyness is still here. As a kid you can get by being shy but as an adult, shyness can hold you back in many aspects of your life. DESCRIBING PATTERNS OF BEHAVIOR:   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  After two weeks of recording my behaviors I’ve come to realize in what situations my shyness comes into play most often. There are very few situations that I feel comfortable with myself, allowing me to speak freely. The only people that I ever feel at ease with are my own family and friends. Even my own family and friends can turn me silent in some situations.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Meeting new people is a very hard task for me. Sometimes it feels almost impossible. My biggest fear of meeting new people is, not knowing what to say. In most cases I would rather avoid a situation than have to deal with the feeling of not knowing what to say. 2/6-2/9 I tried to avoid any situation that I thought I could feel awkward in. Avoidance can be either physical (steering clear of a friend after having an argument, or in my case, steering clear of a friend to avoid the chance of any awkward situation) or conversational (changing the topic, joking, or denying that a problem exists). (Ch.11-Managing Conflict, p.304) Most shy people would rather avoid the short term problem of meeting new people and asking for dates, even when the long term goal of intimate relationships are enticing.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  On 1/18 I had a job interview at a new pizza restaurant. My parent’s had been hounding me for months to find a job. The new pizza restaurant that was opening, the owner happened to be one of my dad’s co-workers, so I decided that even though I hated interviews I would give this one a try. It was 1/18 that the owner had called and asked for me to come in for an interview that same day. From the moment that I hung up the phone after agreeing that I would be there at 2:30 I had the same sick feeling I always got when I was nervous about something. All I could think about was all the other interviews that I had gone on in the past and never got the job, so that had to be how this was going to turn out too, that was my self-fulfilling prophecy. A self-fulfilling prophec... ...ome vain and bitter; for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.† (Desiderata)   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  One source of low self-esteem is inaccurate self-perception. Sometimes I can be overly harsh of myself, believing that I’m worse than the facts indicate. Learning to have a realistic perception of myself was a hard thing to learn. Gaining self-esteem isn’t something that you will gain over night. I think throughout this term I have learned many things leading me to gain the self-esteem slowly that I lost back in high school.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚     Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  To change my self-concept I have to have the will to change. I have said for many years that I want to change, but I don’t do anything but say that. I thought that being shy was who I was. My static evaluation that’s I’ve heard over and over in my head, â€Å"Ashley is shy.† (Ch. 4 – Language, p. 98) I am capable of changing this part of my life, it is something that I have to have the will to gain the skills I need to be able to change. The main thing that I learned from this project and life is, shyness may be difficult to overcome, but loneliness is harder.