Factors Affecting Consumer Buying Preferences

Factors Affecting Consumer Buying Preferences The definition of consumer buying behavior by Kotler describes a person who buys goods and services for their individual needs as for Peter and Olson, (1993) say that consumer behavior is simply an interaction between peoples moods, feeling and affections. The study of purchaser performance has evolved in early prominence of rational choice to focus on irrational buying behavior and the use of logical models to understand the consumers mind set. From the very beginning, researches have been carried out; to replica the effects of advertising mix variables such as income, social groups, lifecycle stage, buyers impulse and access to media, however gradually, the variables affecting consumer behavior kept ever-increasing as researchers came across new factors affecting behavior. Numerous models have been formed to understand consumer behavior, which have been modified, discarded, criticized upon, adjusted, and used over the years. The latest approaches have come up with many consumer behavior models to understand the motivation behind the purchase, information processing model (Bettman 1979) according to this theory the consumer is viewed as a logical thinker who makes purchase decisions. The variety of models thus now includes stochastic models, mathematical models, sociological models, psychological models, economic models and business models; all to define consumer for the manufacturers and service providers. The black box model of human behavior is forever unpredictable; the model has been named as black box, suggesting human mind is like the black hole of the universe. The model revolves around responses of consumers to different stimuli. The model aims to list factors that can define buying decisions by explaining human behavior. Formerly a lot of study has been conducted to identify the consumer response to various marketing strategies, what makes the consumers actually go and buy a product. There have been studies to measure the factors that affect consumer buying behavior. Studies and theories have also been conducted against organization buying behavior (Webster, JR., Fredericke, and Yoram Wind, 1972). Studies have also been conducted to see the long term effect of some factors such as income, age and gender on consumer behavior and how these factors were seen in post purchase and post purchase behavior. Studies related to interpersonal factors and personal factors have also showed a correlation between consumer behavior and these variables. Measurement of Consumer Susceptibility to Interpersonal Influence (William O. Bearden, and E. Tee, 1989) they had developed a two-dimensional measure of informational and normative interpersonal influence and examined its reliability and validity. A 12-item, two- fact or scale was developed with factors counting to interpersonal influence, susceptibility, value expression, informational influence and self esteem. A questioner was administered and five different studies were conducted to out figure the relationship of normative and informational influences measures of attention-to-social-comparison information (ATSCI) susceptibility to interpersonal influence. The results corresponded as ATSCI was expected to correlate strongly with normative factors then with informational measures, the limitations to their study was more work had to be done in the area of interpersonal influences to further make their scale more reliable. Social Comparison Information: An Individual Difference Factor Affecting Consumer Conformity (William, 1990) attention-to-social-comparison-information (ATSCI) is identified as a variable that can help separate personal from social reasons that influence consumer behavior. The variables involved in this study were neuroticism and fear of negative assessment. If a person scores high on ATSCI, they are well attentive of what people around him think, and thus his decisions are affected by external factors. The papers lay out different studies that were carried out to find out the level to which the clients are sensitive to social cues involving their purchase and consumption patterns. These studies stated that measure of ATSCI is internally constant. The paper thus concludes that the ATSCI internal measurement is consistent valid and reliable. This paper thus reinforces the previous studies which helped identify social reason as one of the main factors affecting consumer behavior. It mo ves on to identify a measure which can help marketers to identify to what scale the social factors affect consumer choices, and thus a combination of strategies can be concluded out from the findings to cater to consumers in their specific market. ATSCI is concerned with normative influences that effect the persons perception in making a decision the study of Normative Influences on Impulsive Buying Behavior (Dennis W. Rook Robert J. Fisher, 1995) explains that normative views are accompanied by a view that spin around large impulsive spending that put forwards that consumer normative evaluations have the potential to manipulate their buying patterns. Consumers impulsive buying traits depends on their normative judgments. The study evaluated consumers impulsive traits with consumer buying behavior, thirty five items measuring buyers impulsiveness were measured by looking at the literature of impulsive buying phenomenology (e,g, Rook 1987). The results explain the hypothesizes that consumers with higher normative values act absolutely well with the degree of impulsive buying traits they posses example even consumers with low cash reserves tend to buy products on impulsive due to their normative influences. The limitations to th is study propose another study suggesting that even when an impulsive purchase is viewed as bad they are still likely to buy things on their impulsive traits due to their normative backgrounds. The normative influences consists of social factors, when a person tries to copy someones judgments worry about societal impressions as compared to informational influences they consist of gaining the knowledge through family friends and option leaders and then making a comprehensive decision to buy a product. The lifecycle stage of a person influences the buying decisions they make which in return reflect the informational influences as well, in Family Members Perceptions of Adolescents Influence in Family Decision Making (Ellen R. Foxman Patriyas. Tansuhaj Karin. Ekstrom, 1989) they demonstrate that the changes in demographics of a house hold structure have shifted towards childrens impact on their parents decisions. There are limited studies that have dealt with the extent of influence children have on family. (Atkin 1978; Belch, Belch, and Ceresino 1985; Darley and Lim 1986; Moschis and Mitchell 1986; Roberts, Wortzel, and Berkeley 1981). Children from all ages were tested to see which age of adolescent effects the most in purchase decisions. They survey with different consumer related items that a family buys, expensive and complex items were chosen because almost most of them have been used in the previous husband and wife decision related studies. Influence on decision process related to five different areas ranging from price, taking part in shopping, suggesting super markets, suggesting different products and paying attention to new products being launched. Multi-trait/multi- method analysis (MTMM; Campbell and Fiske 1959) was use to find patterns of discrepancy among purchase decisions. The study showed the results that mother, father and children all had a significant role in the decision process; the study suggested that spouses decisions were closely linked with each other as compared to their children. Two directions for further research concern the connection between supposed influence in purchase process and supposed influence for unambiguous pr oducts, as well as measurement of house hold decision making needs to be clear. From house hold family decisions researchers have also introduced different theories related to consumer buying behaviors all these theories consist of different factors such as culture, social, personal and physiological. Social factors are considered one of the most important factors that influence consumer behavior. In a research paper, Social Factors in Consumer Choice: Replication and Extension (Gordon, 1975) the studies of Rich and Jain (1968) are challenged which concluded that life cycle stages and social class may not have a direct relation with consumer behavior as many studies point out. The paper uses empirical methods to stand against the general hypothesis; a sample was generated using the random walk sampling method, the main aim being replicating the methods of Rich and Jain but extending the product categories from fashion to food items and domestic appliances. With independent variables, social class and family life cycle, Rich and Jain used dependent variables like different interest in fashion, where do they get there shopping influences and interpersonal influences and the Newcastle study used pre-purchase information, the shopping trips people made and different patterns of interpersonal behavior. The country of origin also differed among the two experiments. Rich and Jains first hypothesis was that there is no difference between different social classes in pre purchase decisions about domestic appliance, as if there was a difference. A very small quantity of the inferior and middle class used newspapers as source of information compared to the high proportion of the upper class. This dissimilarity may be because of the different products that were used in both researches. The second hypothesis stated that there is a difference between classes when it comes to shopping trips, which was refuted since percentages showed that there was a difference between lower and middle classes since trips of shopping were greater in number for the latter. The third hypothesis which was challenged by this replication of study was that there is no difference between women at different life cycle stage when it comes to shopping for groceries, which however is not true, since women over 40 tended to shop more than younger women, plus the presence of children also increased shopping trips for housewives. The fourth and last hypothesis stated that there is no difference in classes with respect to acquaintances on shopping habits. The study showed that lower class seemed to discuss their purchases with their husbands and other family members compared to middle class women who mainly shopped on their own. This paper thus concludes that there may be a lot of reasons that caused this diversity in results, like the area where the research was conducted, the definition of class and the products that were different from one another. Both researches thus had their limitations, its thus obvious that these researches cannot be generalized to all pr oducts and all kinds of consumers, however in their area of focus they may provide insight for firms dealing in that product and area. Social Class and Income as Indicators of Consumer Credit Behavior (John, 1970) is another study which further tested social class as a main factor influencing consumer behavior in the credit card market compared to another important factor, income. The researcher said that the consumer would go for installments if they differ in different social classes. Although social class is considered as a very significant factor while segmenting consumers, and the hypothesis stated that being involved in a social class above their income standing would result in greater use of credit card. A questionnaire was sent out to 25000 credit card holders which used occupation and educational level as variables that comprise social class. The survey helped conclude that consumers attitudes can be understood by income and social class. This study is limited to credit card users, however it helps identify income as another important factor which can be used to segment consumers and identify their differin g buying habits. According to the communication note (Gordon, 1975) social class was the main reason why consumer buying habits changed, but in this paper, it is income which may be a reason why the use of credit cards differs. This study is again not all encompassing, as it cannot go on and explain the correlation of income and social class. Social factors are important but they need to be persistent with the marketing and advertising so the marketers can gain some understanding of their target groups. In a study of Coca-Cola or Pepsi; that is the Question ( Andersson, and Arvidsson ,2006) the researcher have studied the influence of different cultural, social, personal influence, media variables on consumer buying behavior. With these factors they also studies the brand equity of Coco Cola and Pepsi with various factors such as brand strength, brand performance etc. They also looked at sponsored events with celebrity endorsement campaigns. They used the quantitative approach as their methodology by using questioners they gathered information specific to Coco Cola and Pepsi consumers, trying to know what drives people to have Coke or Pepsi. They divided there sample in three different age groups and saw the life cycle stage of every respondent. The conclusion they reached was that their analysis, that they have drawn sho ws the following conclusion that advertising, social factors, brand and age all affect consumer preferences to some extent. The limitations to this study were that the researcher had preconceived notion about Pepsi and Cokes advertisement however there research focused more on advertisement as compared to other cultural and social factors. Reference groups and formal groups form part of the social factor that influences consumer buying behavior. In Social Comparison and Informal Group Influence(George, 1976), according to a theory of Festinger which states that individual have a habit of comparing themselves with others and see the consequence of their behaviors. With social comparison ones evaluation about themselves increases or decreases and due to this people give themselves internal rewards. A consumer can thus use two ways to approach his group, either through a reflected appraisal, or through a comparative appraisal. The study was carried out by sending out questionnaires to 408 females who used cosmetics. The hypothesis that were tested by this survey was that is a positive relationship between consumers communication with informal groups and a need to obtain information from them, secondly, theres a positive relationship with the credibility of the source and thirdly the greater the consumer is associated with the group the greater the influence on purchase decision. The information gathered supported all of the above hypothesis, thus the findings can be useful for marketers in the sense that if they want to penetrate a market, they need to find out if similar characteristics exist in it, since consumers then are significantly exaggerated by the behavior of their social group, or people they find are similar to them. However, this study cannot be used by the marketers who cant operate in such a market where no similarities among customers. Social factors such as price, quality, product attributes and other factors influence a persons mind set for purchase decisions. Explaining the Choice of Organic Produce: Cosmetic Defects, Prices, and Consumer (Gary D. Thompson and Julia Kidwell, 1998) explains how consumers decision differ in buying organic or normal quality products. The researcher used random utility and discrete choice models to see how consumers choose between organic verses a predictable product. Choice between the two items was measured on a scale of price, attributes of the product as well as a persons income, quality of the product and traits of random components, Data was collected through observation of two utility stores in different areas the loyalty towards a store was also looked upon. Information about the consumers demographics and social economic status was also gathered. Researcher wanted to gather that does cosmetic defect in items, price or other factors motivated the consumer to buy organic or conventional items. Some significant results were deduced that age and gender has little significance, however house hold with more children bough organic food. Effects of education on organic food purchase were mixed, the store choice played an important factor in the decision process, nevertheless there were some restrictions to the learning there was geographical concerns, and further studies related to organic produce needs to conduct. All these researches however focus on consumers as the target market, few pieces of literature are found on industry buyers as their area of focus. A General Model for Understanding Organizational Buying Behavior (Frederick, 1972) provides a general model to help understand organizational buying behavior. According to the paper, organization buying decision is a process which involves interacting with other people. The organization is thus affected by four main factors; individual, social, organizational, and environmental. Organizational buying decision is a process rather than a single act and is way more complex. This paper devolves a model called skeleton identifying the major variables that must be selected for planning strategies. The model however fails to point out which factor takes precedence over another, and thus it is obvious that organizational buying behavior is an area needs more detailed analysis, which can help firms point out the glitches in the general model and c reate a more comprehensive model for planners. Many theories have been provided above with the researches point of views on how to interpret consumers buying behavior patterns, what consumers do when they purchase a product. More research needs to be carried out in Consumer Behavior physiology under separate variables to see which variables effects the most in consumer physiology. Different views and some consumer related models need to be test more to gain a deeper understanding of the consumers mind set. By focusing more on consumers reasons to purchase a product, marketers can gain a deeper understanding of the consumer, which will help them in capturing their target market. Judgment making needs to be simplified for marketers, which can only happen if adequate information is presented regarding consumer buying behavior. REFERENCES http://www.jstor.org/stable/1250972 http://www.jstor.org/stable/2489047 http://www.jstor.org/stable/2489543 http://www.jstor.org/stable/2489616 http://www.jstor.org/stable/1244500 (Eva-Lena Andersson ,Evelina Arvidsson ,Cecilie Lindstrà ¶m )Coca-Cola or Pepsi; that is the Question A study about different factors affecting consumer preferences http://www.jstor.org/stable/3150733 http://www.jstor.org/stable/2489457 http://www.jstor.org/stable/2489544 http://www.jstor.org/stable/1250840

Whitey’s: The Bar amidst the Prairies :: Free Descriptive Essay About A Place

Whitey’s: the Bar amidst the Prairies Before going to the legendary Whitey’s in East Grand Forks, MN, I had thought it was bar patroned by middle-aged people. There didn’t seem to be as many college students going there. When writing about this place, I positioned myself in a neutral ground. I am from Grand Forks, and lived there for ten years, but attend college at NDSU, not UND (NDSU’s rival). I came to see or know Whitey’s through my older sister and friends who frequented there and I actually went there for my sophomore year of homecoming with friends when it was a restaurant as well. It is strange to write about the bar now that both the bar and I have changed. What I found by visiting Whitey’s was some the joy of watching others. Listening to their conversations, hearing their whispers, feeling like a part of something in that bar was fulfilling. I came to find Whitey’s as being a place of fulfillment and satisfaction not only for the alumni of UND or the regulars, but for myself as an outsider as well. I felt comfortable at this local nostalgic bar. When coming into this place, I felt a sense of comradry and affection. It was UND’s homecoming weekend, and this was the place to be for the alumni. The first thing you see when you walk into Whitey’s is the bar to your left, the bar down the aisle, and the pool tables to your right and left, different from most bars I have been to with the dance floor being the first thing you see. There are neon signs hanging behind the bar to your left giving specials on $1.50 pints of beer. As I glided in I could feel the reunion amongst the alumni and it almost became cozy to an outsider such as myself. It happened to be very cold outside, and very warm inside, furthering the sense of coziness. I sat at the bar farthest back with friends and began to try to understand and learn about the people around me, without interfering. The first person who caught my eye was a young man, probably late 20’s. He reeked of alcohol and walked in surrounded by friends coming down that long aisle that lead to the bar.

Desperation By Stephen King :: essays research papers

Desperation, a recent Stephen King novel, is not just a book, but an experience that leaves the reader frightened, paranoid, and questioning his moral beliefs. Picture, if you will, a lone, crazed Nevada policeman who pulls over vehicles on a lonely desert highway and forcefully takes away their occupants. Whichever of them he doesn’t kill immediately, he locks up in the jail of the small desolate town of Desperation. Among those captured are the vacationing Carver family, whose RV is sabotaged on its way to Arizona. Already incarcerated is Tom Billingsley, a once well-known member of the now slaughtered community of Desperation. They are soon joined by formerly famous, currently old and overweight writer, Johnny Marinville, who is riding across the country on his Harley-Davidson gathering material for a book of short stories. How to escape Desperation isn’t the only unanswered question, though. How could and why would one man single-handedly murder the population of an entire town? How does he have such control over the minds of the animals? Why are they locked up when he could have killed them like every one else? Whatever it is that possesses the body of officer Collie Entraigan can’t last forever, though. After several days his body is falling apart at the seams, and he is bleeding from every orifice. Weirder yet, he is growing several inches a day and is bound to burst soon. Will he? Or are the occupants of the local Desperation jail just backup bodies that the possessor will use when it wears out its current one? If so then what is it? More importantly, who’s next?An intriguing aspect of this book is that there is no real protagonist. King leaves the reader in constant suspense. Frequently changing views, the story follows one character or group of characters for one chapter and then in the next chapter, follows another, often intertwining the time sequences. The overlapping action is interrupted only by flashbacks that allow the reader to sympathize with a particular character’s actions or feelings. These flashbacks are so intricate that it is difficult to believe they are fictional at all. They go into such detail of the life-altering experiences of everyone involved that the reader gets a sixth sense as to how the characters will react to certain situations. Telling the story in this manner allows the reader to see why every character acts the way that he does.

The Significance of the Open-Source Act and Linux Essay -- Exploratory

The Significance of the Open-Source Act and Linux In the 1980's hardly anyone knew what a DOS attack was, most people hadn't ever seen a computer. There was one great OS for companies back then, UNIX. Unix was commercially made, very expensive, but was a very strong Operating System. Because of the price of equipment, many people wouldn't get into computers, but there was no reason to. Nothing of great significance was stored on computers. By 1985, computers hit the mainstream, providing many universities with links to each other and their libraries. This all came along with the invention of the Internet. Suddenly there was a great amount of information available to those who had access. There were many people who wanted to have the information these universities had, and they tried to get it any way possible. Within almost no time an underground culture started to spawn on the net. This underground consisted of many different type of people: Hackers, someone who exploits security for their benefits; Crackers, someone who breaks software to get it for free; Phreakers, someone who hacks the phone system; and other various, less significant others. These people alone were useless, but once the Internet had connected them, they are allowed to do what they want, when they want. Most of them were stuck with early versions of Microsoft Windows, or Unix. In 1986, another big boom caused the internet-underground to increase in size. Congress passed what is known as the "Open-Source Act." It allowed any code that was made open source to be edited by anyone, as long as the copyrights remained intact in the source-code. Suddenly there were thousands of the underground types getting into programming more than ever. With every... ...s are sure to surface. And with many companies producing versions of Linux, more and more people switch to it over Windows. Any software you use on your Mac, PC, or Unix can be ran on Linux, which causes more people to switch there. Everyone who opens up X Windows, the GUI in Linux, will almost unsurably notice the Source-Code compilers and examples in the startup menu. If just one out of a hundred of those tries to run it, and one out of a hundred of them keeps at it, there will be many more open-source programs out, most of them not made to better the world. Works Cited: Raymond, Eric. The New Hacker's Dictionary. Online: http://info.astrian.net/jargon/Local/, Perodically Updated Raymond, Eric S. The Cathedral And The Bazaar. 2001 Verton, Dan. The Hacker Diaries. Osborne McGraw-Hill 2002 Thomas, Douglas. Hacker Culture. Univ of Minnesota Pr. 2002 The Significance of the Open-Source Act and Linux Essay -- Exploratory The Significance of the Open-Source Act and Linux In the 1980's hardly anyone knew what a DOS attack was, most people hadn't ever seen a computer. There was one great OS for companies back then, UNIX. Unix was commercially made, very expensive, but was a very strong Operating System. Because of the price of equipment, many people wouldn't get into computers, but there was no reason to. Nothing of great significance was stored on computers. By 1985, computers hit the mainstream, providing many universities with links to each other and their libraries. This all came along with the invention of the Internet. Suddenly there was a great amount of information available to those who had access. There were many people who wanted to have the information these universities had, and they tried to get it any way possible. Within almost no time an underground culture started to spawn on the net. This underground consisted of many different type of people: Hackers, someone who exploits security for their benefits; Crackers, someone who breaks software to get it for free; Phreakers, someone who hacks the phone system; and other various, less significant others. These people alone were useless, but once the Internet had connected them, they are allowed to do what they want, when they want. Most of them were stuck with early versions of Microsoft Windows, or Unix. In 1986, another big boom caused the internet-underground to increase in size. Congress passed what is known as the "Open-Source Act." It allowed any code that was made open source to be edited by anyone, as long as the copyrights remained intact in the source-code. Suddenly there were thousands of the underground types getting into programming more than ever. With every... ...s are sure to surface. And with many companies producing versions of Linux, more and more people switch to it over Windows. Any software you use on your Mac, PC, or Unix can be ran on Linux, which causes more people to switch there. Everyone who opens up X Windows, the GUI in Linux, will almost unsurably notice the Source-Code compilers and examples in the startup menu. If just one out of a hundred of those tries to run it, and one out of a hundred of them keeps at it, there will be many more open-source programs out, most of them not made to better the world. Works Cited: Raymond, Eric. The New Hacker's Dictionary. Online: http://info.astrian.net/jargon/Local/, Perodically Updated Raymond, Eric S. The Cathedral And The Bazaar. 2001 Verton, Dan. The Hacker Diaries. Osborne McGraw-Hill 2002 Thomas, Douglas. Hacker Culture. Univ of Minnesota Pr. 2002

Roald Dahl: Realism and Fantasy :: essays research papers fc

The Realism and Fantasy of Roald Dahl’s, Fantastic Mr. Fox â€Å"The delightful tale of a fox who lives by poaching food from his three neighbours, Messrs. Boggis, Bunce, and Bean, three farmers – each one meaner than the other† (Telgan, Children’s Literature Review, Vol. 41, pg. 27). Mr. Fox and his family endure the hardships of attempted murder, being hunted, and starvation as the farmers resort to violence to rid themselves of Mr. Fox and preserve their livestock. Out of an undying will to survive, and out of love and concern for his family and fellow animal community, Mr. Fox, is able to valiantly burrow a subterranean tunnel into the store houses of the three farmers. The triumphant Mr. Fox invites all of the community animals for a feast and propose that they build â€Å"a little underground village† (Dahl, Mr. Fox, pg. 88), that they may never have to contend with those farmers again. All the while, Boggis, Bunce and Bean still wait on the surface for the starving fox to surface. Roald Dahl’s Fantastic Mr. Fox is a fiction which employs devices of both realism and fantasy. Realism, in literature, is defined as a genre â€Å"that attempts to persuade its readers that the created world is very like the world the readers inhabit† (University of Victoria, 1995). Contrastingly, Fantasy is defined as a genre â€Å"of fiction that pictures creatures or events beyond the boundaries of known reality† (www.hearts-ease.org, 2001). The word, genre, refers to the â€Å"types or categories into which literary works are grouped according to form, technique, or, sometimes, subject matter† (Brown, 2002). As it will be adduced in this essay, Dahl is able to utilized conventions of realism and fantasy in complementary ways that make the existence and experiences of Mr. Fox believable within a known reality, yet enable the human reader to closely identify with the animal-protagonist beyond the dictates of a known reality. Devices of Realism One device of realism in, Fantastic Mr. Fox, is the allusion to nature which conveys the life- struggle of wild animals, drawing upon all the faculties in their power to keep safe and fed. Mr. Fox â€Å"creep[s] down into the valley in the darkness of night[;] . . . approach[ing] a farm with the wind blowing in his face . . . [so] that if man were lurking . . ., the wind would carry the smell of that man to Mr. Fox’s nose from far away† (Dahl, Mr. Fox, pg. 18). While Boggis, Bunce, and Bean were attempting to dig Mr.

Comparison of the Transformation of Characters in Gullivers Travels and

The Transformation of Characters in Gullivers Travels and Robinson Crusoe   The characters in Gullivers Travels and Robinson Crusoe are portrayed as resembling trained soldiers, being capable of clear thought during tense and troubled times. This quality possessed within Robinson Crusoe and Gulliver is a result of the author's background and knowledge. Daniel Defoe was knowledgeable and proficient in seamanship, he understood the workings of a ship and the skills required for its operation. Daniel Defoe, an intelligent man who is knowledgeable in self defense and military tactics, which is reflected in the actions of Robinson Crusoe who insists on always one step ahead of his opponent, wether it be an enemy, nature or himself. Robinson Crusoe is the know all, does all type of person. He becomes stranded on a desolate island and does whatever is necessary to survive. After being on the island for several years Crusoe learns to adapt to his surroundings (an important feature in becoming a good soldier) and lives with what he has. In the 17th century, the Catholic reform was sweeping through many parts of Europe. The period from 1600 to about 1750 is known as the Baroque Era. Throughout this period the Catholic Church was fighting back against the effects of the Renaissance. The people of the Renaissance society started to question their beliefs in the church and tried to rationally explain the world around them. Several crusades were fought throughout this period and in the end England and France became "Christianized." Robinson Crusoe was published during the Baroque Era and it contained a great amount of Catholicism. Crusoe becomes a good Christian during his lonely stay on the deserted island and converts his companion F... ... an attorney, a traitor, or the like: this is all according to the due course of things: but when I behold a lump of deformity and diseases, both in body and mind, smitten with pride, it im-mediatly breaks all the measures of my patience; neither shall I be ever able to comprehend how such an animal and such a vice could tally together. (Jonathan Swift, Gulliver's Travels) Both Gulliver and Robinson are changing characters. At first they could not see the hidden details of life. But through solitude, trauma, conquest and failure have allowed both characters to realize the achievements, failures, and stupidity of man kind. Being able to rationalize from experience and calculation is a quality of a soldier. Works Cited: Defoe, Daniel. Robinson Crusoe. New York: Bantam Books, 1991 ("Defoe") Swift, Jonathan. Gulliver's Travels. Oxford: Basil Blackwell, 1959 Comparison of the Transformation of Characters in Gullivers Travels and The Transformation of Characters in Gullivers Travels and Robinson Crusoe   The characters in Gullivers Travels and Robinson Crusoe are portrayed as resembling trained soldiers, being capable of clear thought during tense and troubled times. This quality possessed within Robinson Crusoe and Gulliver is a result of the author's background and knowledge. Daniel Defoe was knowledgeable and proficient in seamanship, he understood the workings of a ship and the skills required for its operation. Daniel Defoe, an intelligent man who is knowledgeable in self defense and military tactics, which is reflected in the actions of Robinson Crusoe who insists on always one step ahead of his opponent, wether it be an enemy, nature or himself. Robinson Crusoe is the know all, does all type of person. He becomes stranded on a desolate island and does whatever is necessary to survive. After being on the island for several years Crusoe learns to adapt to his surroundings (an important feature in becoming a good soldier) and lives with what he has. In the 17th century, the Catholic reform was sweeping through many parts of Europe. The period from 1600 to about 1750 is known as the Baroque Era. Throughout this period the Catholic Church was fighting back against the effects of the Renaissance. The people of the Renaissance society started to question their beliefs in the church and tried to rationally explain the world around them. Several crusades were fought throughout this period and in the end England and France became "Christianized." Robinson Crusoe was published during the Baroque Era and it contained a great amount of Catholicism. Crusoe becomes a good Christian during his lonely stay on the deserted island and converts his companion F... ... an attorney, a traitor, or the like: this is all according to the due course of things: but when I behold a lump of deformity and diseases, both in body and mind, smitten with pride, it im-mediatly breaks all the measures of my patience; neither shall I be ever able to comprehend how such an animal and such a vice could tally together. (Jonathan Swift, Gulliver's Travels) Both Gulliver and Robinson are changing characters. At first they could not see the hidden details of life. But through solitude, trauma, conquest and failure have allowed both characters to realize the achievements, failures, and stupidity of man kind. Being able to rationalize from experience and calculation is a quality of a soldier. Works Cited: Defoe, Daniel. Robinson Crusoe. New York: Bantam Books, 1991 ("Defoe") Swift, Jonathan. Gulliver's Travels. Oxford: Basil Blackwell, 1959

Benefits of the Red Drum Fishery :: Red Drum Populations

Red Drum populations along the east coast and gulf coast of the United States, have drastically diminished over the past thirty years. The cause of the drop in numbers of this beautiful fish is primarily due to the overfishing from both recreational and commercial fishermen. Federal and State governments have implemented measures in to prevent this fish from being targeted, and to make sure that the population numbers increase. Not only is this fish important for the fisheries in which they thrive, but they also contribute to the biodiversity of a number of different ecosystems. The Red Drum (Scianops Ocellatus) gets their name from the drumming sound they make. [3] Most of these fish, depending on where they are caught, have an orange color to them and typically have at least one black spot on their tail. Depending on where you are at, red drum are also called redfish, channel bass, spottail, red bass, and reds. [3] Red drum have been caught as far north as Massachusetts, though they typically don’t migrate that far north. In fact, the Chesapeake Bay is normally the farthest north that they can be found, and they are caught as far south—in the United States—as the gulf coast of Texas. [1] Red drum spawn between late summer and fall. Females lay their eggs in estuaries and inlets during the night. A single female can produce up to two million eggs per season. The eggs will then hatch anywhere from 24-36 hours after being spawned. As the fish matures, the area in which it lives will change, as will its feeding habits. A male is considered to be mature once it reaches anywhere between 20-28 inches. By this time, the fish is between one and four years of age. Females are considered to be mature when they are between 31-36 inches. A female between these lengths is typically between three-six years old. Red drum can grow upwards of 60-inches, which equates to a 90-pound fish. [1] As a juvenile, red drum eat zooplankton and invertebrates such as crabs and shrimp. A juvenile will spend the first part of its life in estuarial waters, but when they get older they typically move towards the ocean. When red drum move to the ocean, their feeding habits change slightly, to satisfy their hunger. Not only will they eat zooplankton, but they also begin to target larger invertebrates as well as fish. [2] The red drum fishery encompasses both recreational and commercial methods.