Introduction to Social Sciences

Topic of study – Sociologist and Psychologist â€Å"Do people from deferent background Influence they choice of school they go to? † This topic Is derived from the article, which states: â€Å"What we are seeing Is that the students who are going to some of the more brand-name schools, they're all coming from a certain background†¦ Expanded financial help for students who are keen to enter top independent schools but are put off for fear they cannot afford it or fit in. This might be of interest to both sociologist and psychologist, looking at the activities/ behavior of small groups at ground level, both will then examine whether what is mound on small scale applies on large scale. 1. 1 Sociologist Approach For sociologist, the question they might ask could be: â€Å"How did this social idea comes about? ‘ Sociologists study the social norms and values, and also social processes like formation of power and status relationship. In this case, they may be int erested to find out how come most students that are enrolled In elite schools are from better background.The social function for hilling practice might derive from schooling. It might be believed that students that graduated from an elite school have higher neighborhood school. This would then drive the parents who have adequate financial ability to enroll their children into a better school so that their child may have a better chance of getting employed in the future. As a result, students from better background will end up in top independent school as their parents can afford to put them through the education. 1. 2 Psychologist Approach As for psychologist, they may ask: â€Å"How do groups influence human behavior? They are interested in how it will develop one's belief system. In this case, it is said that students from better background are enrolled in top schools. That being said, what ill happen if a student from normal background were to be awarded with study grant to be e nrolled in the elite school? If students from top schools are mostly from better background, they will start thinking that because they come from better background, they are entitled to go into this school. Consequently, will a student from normal background choose to enroll into the elite school, if given study grant?There could be fear of being ostracizes and not being able to fit in due to the differences. While both disciplines are concerned on the same topic, the emphasis on sociology is the individual in interaction with others. On the other hand, psychology focuses on the individual, which explains human behavior. 2. Topic of study – Political Scientist and Economist â€Å"How effective is introducing niche program able to accommodate multiple pathway of success? † This might be of interest to both political scientist and economist as it both consists of decision making.The topic is derived from the article that mentioned: â€Å"†¦ Opportunity arises becau se we have been committed to this philosophy of many alternative ways of success. † 2. 1 Political Scientist Approach For political scientist, they study on who gets what, when and how. In short, they decide how the society should operate. They analyses the forms the institution takes and the process that emerge. Political scientists look at how the policy introduced will impact the situation. In this topic, the policy is introduced and time is taken to find out how effective is the proposed policy. . 2 Economist Approach For an economist, usually it decides on how to allocate scarce resources, deciding what to produce, how and for whom. In this case, they will be interested to know if the policy introduced will affect the labor market. With the program introduced, will it eve any significant impact on how the distribution, production, and consumption of might be an increase in new businesses emerging from graduates since the school they attended focuses on personal interest a nd competencies, rather than academic standing of school.On the other hand, there is also a concern whether Singapore will have enough Jobs to support the increase in graduates. 3. Social Science Discipline, Chosen Topic of Study and Hypothesis The social science discipline chosen to discuss in this essay will be sociology and the selected above topic: â€Å"Do people from different background influence they choice of school they go to? † 3. 1 Hypothesis With this topic, the hypothesis formed is: â€Å"Having a better background can influence the student's choice of selecting top school†. 3. Variables They key variables are â€Å"better background†, â€Å"type of students† and â€Å"choice of top school† Independent variable, which can be changed during the study, is â€Å"Background†. Different type of background can be chosen to study anytime. Background is chosen as it can affect the type of school a student enrolls into. Having a better background means student can afford to study in independent school. Dependent variable, which would be measured and counted in the study is â€Å"Choice of top school†. Choice of top school means the results of what the student chosen.Will a student from better background choose to enroll into a normal school because of the extra-curriculum offered or will the student choose a top independent school because he/she knows that they can afford it? This is the variable that is observed during the study. Controlled variable, which is not changed throughout the study, is â€Å"type of students†. The same type of students (graduating students who is at the stage of choosing their schools) is used for this study. It will not be fair if the students used are of different age group as they may have different maturity level in their way of thinking.Choosing the same age group of graduating students to study on the choice of school chosen to enrolled into will be the most desirabl e. 4. Developing Research Design This is the stage after hypothesis is formed. Decisions must be made about how best to obtain the data through research methods. By personalizing variables, questioned are asked to covert them into a form which is measurable or testable. In this topic, we are discussing about: â€Å"Having a better background can influence the student's choice of school†.Do student has siblings or friends in the school they are enrolled in? – This is to measure if the choice is affected by other factors such as peers. How many students enrolled in top independent schools come from better background? -This is to measure the past and existing patterns, whether the social structure is built in a way that it influences them to choose the school because ‘it's the way. 4. 2 Research Methods To test and bolster hypothesis formed, there will be research carried out and the 2 hat will be discussed here will be Survey and Secondary Data Research. 4. . 1 Sur vey Research This method is used for establishing facts and subjects of research will be a statistically valid sample of a population. A series of questions will be asked to collect the data needed. Questionnaires will be designed in a way that does not lead the subject. No. Question What is the top factor in mind when choosing a school? (a) Affordability (c)Friends/siblings state: 2. (b) Vicinity (d) Rank of school Others, please If given a choice to enroll in any school, will an elite school be your choice? (a) Yes (b) No For both answers, please explain why: 3.Do you think it is important to be in a school you feel socially accepted? (a) Yes Once these questions are designed, the next step is to survey the sample population. This survey can only be used at the point of time when the student is preparing to enroll 4. 2. 2 Secondary Data Research This method of research gathers relevant information on one's research topic. One will be able to discover what other researchers have wr itten related to that topic and what research methods they have used. It can also be used to obtain other research studies/methods backup or contradict one's findings.As extracted from Ministry of Education Singapore Preliminary Replies, it shows that there is higher percentage of students from better background in top independent schools. With this backed up from a credible source, it supports the hypothesis that students from better background tend to be influenced and choose a top independent school. 5. Possible outcome of study This study shows that there is a possibility of social gap between the rich and poor in Singapore. Due to the influence that because students that comes from better background are choosing to enroll in brand-name schools, they think they are entitled to enter this school.This is a concern, as this social gap will also affect other factors such as the economic in Singapore. The income between rich and poor might widen, as the poor never got the chance to s tudy in a good school for a better Job in the future. Policymaking is vital in Singapore as it maintain order in a country. It is a good effort to introduce niche program in schools and taking steps to tear down any walls that may reinforce elitism in Singapore. Definitely, there will not be instant results shown on how effect a policy is but people must be willing to accept and give it time to work. Introduction to Social Sciences Topic of study – Sociologist and Psychologist â€Å"Do people from deferent background Influence they choice of school they go to? † This topic Is derived from the article, which states: â€Å"What we are seeing Is that the students who are going to some of the more brand-name schools, they're all coming from a certain background†¦ Expanded financial help for students who are keen to enter top independent schools but are put off for fear they cannot afford it or fit in. This might be of interest to both sociologist and psychologist, looking at the activities/ behavior of small groups at ground level, both will then examine whether what is mound on small scale applies on large scale. 1. 1 Sociologist Approach For sociologist, the question they might ask could be: â€Å"How did this social idea comes about? ‘ Sociologists study the social norms and values, and also social processes like formation of power and status relationship. In this case, they may be int erested to find out how come most students that are enrolled In elite schools are from better background.The social function for hilling practice might derive from schooling. It might be believed that students that graduated from an elite school have higher neighborhood school. This would then drive the parents who have adequate financial ability to enroll their children into a better school so that their child may have a better chance of getting employed in the future. As a result, students from better background will end up in top independent school as their parents can afford to put them through the education. 1. 2 Psychologist Approach As for psychologist, they may ask: â€Å"How do groups influence human behavior? They are interested in how it will develop one's belief system. In this case, it is said that students from better background are enrolled in top schools. That being said, what ill happen if a student from normal background were to be awarded with study grant to be e nrolled in the elite school? If students from top schools are mostly from better background, they will start thinking that because they come from better background, they are entitled to go into this school. Consequently, will a student from normal background choose to enroll into the elite school, if given study grant?There could be fear of being ostracizes and not being able to fit in due to the differences. While both disciplines are concerned on the same topic, the emphasis on sociology is the individual in interaction with others. On the other hand, psychology focuses on the individual, which explains human behavior. 2. Topic of study – Political Scientist and Economist â€Å"How effective is introducing niche program able to accommodate multiple pathway of success? † This might be of interest to both political scientist and economist as it both consists of decision making.The topic is derived from the article that mentioned: â€Å"†¦ Opportunity arises becau se we have been committed to this philosophy of many alternative ways of success. † 2. 1 Political Scientist Approach For political scientist, they study on who gets what, when and how. In short, they decide how the society should operate. They analyses the forms the institution takes and the process that emerge. Political scientists look at how the policy introduced will impact the situation. In this topic, the policy is introduced and time is taken to find out how effective is the proposed policy. . 2 Economist Approach For an economist, usually it decides on how to allocate scarce resources, deciding what to produce, how and for whom. In this case, they will be interested to know if the policy introduced will affect the labor market. With the program introduced, will it eve any significant impact on how the distribution, production, and consumption of might be an increase in new businesses emerging from graduates since the school they attended focuses on personal interest a nd competencies, rather than academic standing of school.On the other hand, there is also a concern whether Singapore will have enough Jobs to support the increase in graduates. 3. Social Science Discipline, Chosen Topic of Study and Hypothesis The social science discipline chosen to discuss in this essay will be sociology and the selected above topic: â€Å"Do people from different background influence they choice of school they go to? † 3. 1 Hypothesis With this topic, the hypothesis formed is: â€Å"Having a better background can influence the student's choice of selecting top school†. 3. Variables They key variables are â€Å"better background†, â€Å"type of students† and â€Å"choice of top school† Independent variable, which can be changed during the study, is â€Å"Background†. Different type of background can be chosen to study anytime. Background is chosen as it can affect the type of school a student enrolls into. Having a better background means student can afford to study in independent school. Dependent variable, which would be measured and counted in the study is â€Å"Choice of top school†. Choice of top school means the results of what the student chosen.Will a student from better background choose to enroll into a normal school because of the extra-curriculum offered or will the student choose a top independent school because he/she knows that they can afford it? This is the variable that is observed during the study. Controlled variable, which is not changed throughout the study, is â€Å"type of students†. The same type of students (graduating students who is at the stage of choosing their schools) is used for this study. It will not be fair if the students used are of different age group as they may have different maturity level in their way of thinking.Choosing the same age group of graduating students to study on the choice of school chosen to enrolled into will be the most desirabl e. 4. Developing Research Design This is the stage after hypothesis is formed. Decisions must be made about how best to obtain the data through research methods. By personalizing variables, questioned are asked to covert them into a form which is measurable or testable. In this topic, we are discussing about: â€Å"Having a better background can influence the student's choice of school†.Do student has siblings or friends in the school they are enrolled in? – This is to measure if the choice is affected by other factors such as peers. How many students enrolled in top independent schools come from better background? -This is to measure the past and existing patterns, whether the social structure is built in a way that it influences them to choose the school because ‘it's the way. 4. 2 Research Methods To test and bolster hypothesis formed, there will be research carried out and the 2 hat will be discussed here will be Survey and Secondary Data Research. 4. . 1 Sur vey Research This method is used for establishing facts and subjects of research will be a statistically valid sample of a population. A series of questions will be asked to collect the data needed. Questionnaires will be designed in a way that does not lead the subject. No. Question What is the top factor in mind when choosing a school? (a) Affordability (c)Friends/siblings state: 2. (b) Vicinity (d) Rank of school Others, please If given a choice to enroll in any school, will an elite school be your choice? (a) Yes (b) No For both answers, please explain why: 3.Do you think it is important to be in a school you feel socially accepted? (a) Yes Once these questions are designed, the next step is to survey the sample population. This survey can only be used at the point of time when the student is preparing to enroll 4. 2. 2 Secondary Data Research This method of research gathers relevant information on one's research topic. One will be able to discover what other researchers have wr itten related to that topic and what research methods they have used. It can also be used to obtain other research studies/methods backup or contradict one's findings.As extracted from Ministry of Education Singapore Preliminary Replies, it shows that there is higher percentage of students from better background in top independent schools. With this backed up from a credible source, it supports the hypothesis that students from better background tend to be influenced and choose a top independent school. 5. Possible outcome of study This study shows that there is a possibility of social gap between the rich and poor in Singapore. Due to the influence that because students that comes from better background are choosing to enroll in brand-name schools, they think they are entitled to enter this school.This is a concern, as this social gap will also affect other factors such as the economic in Singapore. The income between rich and poor might widen, as the poor never got the chance to s tudy in a good school for a better Job in the future. Policymaking is vital in Singapore as it maintain order in a country. It is a good effort to introduce niche program in schools and taking steps to tear down any walls that may reinforce elitism in Singapore. Definitely, there will not be instant results shown on how effect a policy is but people must be willing to accept and give it time to work.

Discuss one or more theories of Moral Understanding and evaluate its conclusions Essay

The term morality, according to Shaffer (1993) means â€Å"a set of principles or ideals that help the individual to distinguish right from wrong and to act on this distinction. Morality is important to society, as it would not function effectively unless there is some agreement of what is right and wrong. There are many underlying processes and environmental factors, which limit or promote social, cognitive and moral development in children. In modern society, television could be considered to be one of the major influences on a child’s moral development. There are three approaches to moral development; the cognitive approach, the psychodynamic approach and the social learning theory. The Cognitive-Developmental approach of Piaget and Kohlberg studies how children become more able to reason morally and make moral judgements, whereas the Freud’s psychodynamic approach is more concerned with the development of the conscience and moral feelings such as guilt and anxiety. The social learning theory of Bandura and Mischel investigates the development of moral behaviour and how role models in the family, society and the media, influence it. The theory I am going to discuss is Piaget’s Cognitive-Developmental Approach. His theory of moral development is concerned with how the child’s moral knowledge and understanding change with age. Piaget saw morality as any system of rules, which governs interaction between people. The methods of investigation he used to develop his theories were, he looked at the way children imposed rules in their games. He used games to study the development of children’s moral development as he thought that by studying rules in the context of a game, he could study the child’s spontaneous though directly. He also, assessed changes in the child’s moral judgements by telling hypothetical stories about children who lied, stole or broke something. When using hypothetical stories, Piaget was generally more interested in the reasons why the children give the answers they did and not particularly the answers. Piaget identifies stages of moral development just as he identified stages with cognitive development. His theories of the way children think and their moral reasoning goes through a series of stages, as they are adapting to the world, these are also known as the processes of accommodation and assimilation. He believed that as children’s reasoning about the world changes when they grow older and gain more experience, so does their reasoning about morality. Their ability to think about the world in more complex ways is what causes them to move on from one stage to the next. This is known as cognitive development. Piaget stated that infants don’t understand much about morality until they are about three or four years of age. Their development divides into two main stages after infancy. His stages of moral development are: Pre Moral Stage (up to three or four years) Children don’t understand about rules, and so they don’t make moral judgements Stage of Heteronomous Morality (aged three – six years) Children at this stage think rules are absolute and unchangeable, and the goodness and badness of an action is judged largely on the basis of its consequences rather than by taking intent into account. Stage of Autonomous Morality (from around six or seven) Children at this stage now see rules as more changeable and intentions are taken into account. Children also start to believe that it is possible to break rules and get away with it, whereas earlier they tended to think they will always be found out and possibly punished. Researchers from Europe and America have tested some of Piaget’s theories and have concluded that distinct stages of development do seem to exist however, other research found that children do not see all rules as being equally important as Piaget thought they did. Heteronomous Morality, also known as moral realism, means when the child is subject to another’s laws or rules. Children think that rules must be obeyed no matter what the circumstances. A child at this stage will think that rules are only made by authority figures, such as, parents and teachers. Two other features that are displayed in moral reasoning at this stage are, first they expect bad behaviour to be punished in some way, they believe that the punishment should be expiatory – the wrongdoer must make amends for the crime by paying with some kind of suffering. They have the view that the amount of punishment should match the badness of the behaviour. Secondly, if the bad behaviour goes undetected then the child believes in immanent justice – where any misfortune occurring after the bad behaviour can be seen as a punishment. For example, if a child tells a lie and gets away with it, then later trips and falls, the younger child could consider this as a punishment. In general, they believe punishment should be fair and that wrongdoing will always be punished in some way. Autonomous Morality, which means when the child is subject to one’s own laws and rules. It involves moral relativism whereby the child comes to realise that rules evolve from social relationships. Due to the child ‘decentring’ and their developed ability to think more flexibly about moral issues, they have began to realise it is important to take other people’s opinions into account. At this stage a child will have developed the understanding that sometimes rules of morality can be broken in certain reasonable circumstances. They believe in reciprocal punishment, whereby the punishment should fit the crime. For example, if a child takes another child’s sweets, the first child should be deprived of their sweets or should make it up to the victim in some other way. This is known as the principle of reciprocity. Children will also have learnt at this stage that wrongdoers often avoid punishment, diminishing any belief in immanent justice. They see punishment as a method of making the offender understand the nature of the crime and that punishment is also a deterrent. The move from heteronomous morality to autonomous morality is influenced by two factors. Children around the age of seven begin to move on from the pre operational stage of an illogical and an egocentric way of thinking to more logical and flexible way of thinking, in the operational stage. Their growing awareness that other people have different views allows them to develop more mature moral reasoning. However, moral development lags at least one to two years behind cognitive development because the whole process depends on the cognitive changes occurring first. Kohlberg expanded Piaget’s theory to form a theory that also explained the development of moral reasoning. While Piaget described a two-stage process of moral development, Kohlberg’s theory outlined six stages within three different levels. Kohlberg extended Piaget’s theory, proposing that moral development is a continual process that occurs throughout the lifespan. A study by Colby et al (1983) criticised Piaget’s assumption that children of ten and eleven years old had reached an adult level of moral reasoning. Piaget was always focusing on what an average child was capable of achieving so he neglected the idea of great variations between the individual child’s ways of thinking. In general, Piaget’s cognitive theory has been criticised for the methods of investigation not being as precise as they could have been. Methods he used were seen as complicated, leading critics to think he under estimated younger children’s capabilities of what they could and could not do. This was because later research went on to conclude that children could actually take other motives into consideration, when they understood what motives were involved. Despite criticism, Piaget’s work is still regarded as a revolutionary step forward in the way we understand how children think. It has led to a much more realistic ways of understanding children’s moral development. Many attempts to test Piaget’s theories from researchers around the world have resulted in acceptance that some of his views and methods do appear to exist.

Corporate Social Responsibility in Business Essay

Corporate Social Responsibility in Business - Essay Example Is Corporate Social responsibility a realistic possibility that takes place in company or is it a public relations gimmick for â€Å"window dressing†. CSR is realistic but its realism goes as far as a pipe dream in literature. Companies have turned the noble idea into a PR strategy to endear themselves to target prospects.  How do companies choose beneficiaries of their CSR projects in your view? Companies demonstrate CSR towards the masses that will raise their turnovers.  Ã‚   Businesses are meant to grow benefits over a period of time. Does SCR stand to benefit firms in the long term? Marginally they do. A company that gives back to society (on purpose or not) endears itself to them. It is an indirect guaranteed marketing.  Ã¢â‚¬Å"BLT is a noble concept that has been misinterpreted and misused by the corporate world â€Å" BLT is a choice for the companies not a necessity. It’s a ‘checklist’ for the progress of an all round company.Corprates with CSR strategies have very poor approaches to its implementation. What are these approaches and why are they weak? The strategies are crafted without insight of the future and there are no laid out schedules of how to achieve the milestones.How much do you agree with Fiedman’s quip that â€Å"by fulfilling economic charter of maximizing profits, does a firm meet its societal responsibility?† The societal expectation on any company is profitability.  What in your view is the difference between BLT and CSR?

Aiming Toward A Hydrogen Economy Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Aiming Toward A Hydrogen Economy - Essay Example Thus, when discussing the strength, weakness, opportunities and threats of the hydrogen fuel technology enthusiastically researched and developed in Iceland, the inevitability of the political, economical, social and technological implications continue to remain unabated at each step and level although their form may differ from country to country and region to region, depending on each country's political, economical, social and technological status, political system and relationship with the world community. (China Energy Industry - PEST Framework Analysis) The main advantages of using Iceland as base for Hydrogen Fuel Technology are her abundant natural resources, her desire to appropriate technology to tap her resources through research and development without upsetting her ecological and environmental balance, and her potential to return to her pristine, original and idyllic landscapes through sustained innovation and tie up with major energy corporations such as Shell, DaimlerChrysler, etc. Till the 1970s, Iceland was dependent on whatever energy she could muster from fossil fuel her lackluster economy could afford. The shift to Hydrogen fuel energy brought about a sea change economically, socially and corporately. It not only catapulted Iceland as a case study of immense potential and promise for other nations to emulate but also rejuvenated the nation's economy and social scenario. (Ken Mark and Jordon Mitchell, p12) Iceland's proximity to affluent Western European nations, as also its own skilled and dedicated human resource provides it the potential to harness the latest and the best in terms of human skills and technological resources. With this proven record of pollution-free energy use Iceland's credentials as trend-setter in the important energy sector can only grow from strength to strength in the international arena. Weakness Despite Iceland's success with Hydrogen fuel technology, a universal change over to this form of energy is not viable as of now. Globally, hydrogen fuel technology is in its infancy and the world has a long way to go before its usage could be made safe and cost-effective enough for the end-user to switch over to the same extent as in the case of Iceland. It is difficult and unsafe to store hydrogen in gaseous form. In its independent state, hydrogen burns out. In its liquefied form it is necessary to keep it at -217C. It is not possible to store and distribute hydrogen fuel in the existing infrastructure. A new infrastructure has to be created for its storage and distribution. Geothermal production of hydrogen is not possible

Criminal law newspaper article anyleses Assignment

Criminal law newspaper article anyleses - Assignment Example laws concerns the jurisdiction of disputes between different parties and with which the jurisdiction’s law is applied, we have also the constitutional and administrative law which deals with the governing of the interactions within a state. The aim of this paper is to analyze the three articles concerning the criminal law and thereby analyzing them with regard to legal issues involved and thereby giving views concerning the press reports’ overall accuracy. If there are any inaccuracies, the paper will identify the common reasons for inaccuracies depicted by those reports. According to the article in the Daily mail on-line, 15 January 2011 about the jail for Sainsbury’s IT boss who stole 17 million Nectar points’ the fraud crime is identified. Fraud is said to be a deception made for personal gain that the intentions is either to hurt another individual. Fraud is a civil law violation that is punishable. According to the article about Sainsbury’s he was able to fraud the Nectar points because he had access to the internal administration systems there for fraud occurs when one have the authority or connections to the individual or the intended media of fraud. His fraud was motivated by persona l greed of money, after carefully planning he found a way which he could implicate the fraud, Stevenson had worked in the Sainsbury’s company for 20 years before he was arrested of the Nectar points fraud. During his prosecution he gave an explanation for the fraud, he admitted that he had found a loophole in the system of the company that he used to put points to his own card. Therefore a fraud occurs when there are loopholes in a company that reads to people to gain access and manipulate the resources also being trusted can lead to manipulation of resource. Stevenson said that he was trusted employee so no one was looking over his shoulder. In relation to this Mr. Stevenson was given a penalty of 20 months in jail for the fraud. The related law according to

The form and function of Concept Store Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 4750 words

The form and function of Concept Store - Essay Example The research adopted a survey research design, combining exploratory, inductive, and qualitative study approaches. The exploratory element involved developing research questions, for presentation to selected concept stores staff members and customers, from examining relevant theoretical information on this type of stores. It was possible to look for patterns in the acquired information, while analyzing extant observations made by customers and concept store employees. In consideration of the qualitative study approach, the research involved observation, administration of the structured questions to chosen research subjects, and comprehensive interviews. The focus groups comprised of select individuals from diverse genders, from different regions, and customers who frequented selected concept stores. The comprehensive nature of the research design made it possible to collect already recorded information, as well as, first hand information hence providing a basis for comparison of exta nt and new information. Shopping luxury, associated with fashion retailing in mid and upscale markets, is progressively shifting from product sale to enhancement of customer experience, through specific design considerations in the form and function of concept stores. This chapter aims at providing an in depth analysis of literature addressing the emergence, development, and present day status of concept stores. The analysis of literature seeks to primarily focus on the design aspects of concept stores.

Interconnection of Parental Psychological Support, Self-Efficacy and Dissertation

Interconnection of Parental Psychological Support, Self-Efficacy and Self-Regulated Learning for Elementary School Students - Dissertation Example They are able to take decisions that would help them achieve the said goals and turn to adults when they need inputs. Children are not born with such internalized educational goals, and it is necessary to provide them with the appropriate environment that will help them to internalize the desire to succeed and the ability to set personal goals (Ryan & Deci, 2000). Such an environment may be provided by parents and the school, though parents play a more important role as compared to the teachers or the school (Soenens & Vansteenkiste, 2005). Children learn to respond to rules and targets set down by parents early in their lives. Parents are a primary source of information, discipline and appreciation for young children, and they quickly learn to internalize the goals and attitudes that gain them appreciation and affection form the parents. This makes it important that parents present the child with experiences that help to develop the qualities that they require in order to succeed. O ne such set of behaviors and attitudes have been discussed by the Self Determination Theory, a macro theory that attempts to explain human decisions, choices and behaviors in terms of the source of motivation. 2.1 Self Determination Theory The term self – determination was initially coined to describe political and philosophical perspectives on the nature of the State and it’s governance (Price, Wolensky, & Mulligan, 2002)and the attributes of the Person and was used to some extent in Psychology to describe the way humans viewed themselves (Wehmeyer, 1999). The Psychological perspective was developed through the late 20th century by Deci and Ryan (1985), who have defined Self Determination as â€Å"A quality of human functioning that involves the experience of choice, in other words, the experience of an internal perceived locus of causality; it is the capacity as well to choose and to have those choices, rather than reinforcement contingencies, drives, or any other f orces or pressures, be the determinants of one’s actions.†(p. 38). Self Determination Theory has been studied by a number of researchers, and has been developed as an explanation of human motivation, behavior and personality (Niemiec & Ryan, 2009; Ryan & Deci, 2000). It assumes that a human being is by nature active, curious, interested in events, self motivated and desirous of success since the experience of success is a satisfying and rewarding experience that reinforces itself (Deci & Ryan, 2008a). Initial work on Self Determination Theory started in the 1970’s and was refined by Deci and Ryan (1985; 2008b) in the 1980’s. The last few decades have seen tremendous work in Self Determination Theory, and various researchers have applied it’s principles to various areas of human functioning like health (Deci & Ryan, 2008b), parenting (Joussemet, et al., 2008), work (Frederic Guay, Senecal, Gauthier, & Fernet, 2003), sport (Standage, Duda, & Ntoumanis , 2005), education (Deci, Vallerand, Pelletier, & Ryan, 1991), psychotherapy (Ryan & Deci, 2008). Although Self determination is neither absolute control, nor to be confused with success (Wehmeyer, 1998); it does involve the person’s ability to make choices that is autonomous of the influence of others. It is important not to confuse self determination with either self sufficiency or self reliance as Self Determination