Subconscious Priming of Performance

Priming is a concept that entails embedding a concept into the human subconscious in an effort to alter behavior. Dr. Minas, Dr. Bhagwatwar, and Dr. Dennis from the University of Indiana have studied priming on a group to improve business communication and creativity on a group level (2013). They used computer simulated games to provide neural priming and then test creativity and ideation thereafter and found that there was a high correlation between the two. 

Organizations often seek to create higher levels of creativity and innovation to produce new products and services for market. Some are searching methods for using online communication methods in order to develop a stronger level of communication performance. This can help in everything from workplace productivity to effective marketing methods. If online communication can influence behavior the overall financial and social benefits are large. 

Our subconscious cognition influences our online behavior.  The use of priming taps into our working memory through beliefs, values, and attitudes that impact subsequent behaviors.  It can be primed through words, pictures, symbols, and a number of other ways. The researchers used a simulation game to create primed behavior. 

The use of supraliminal priming allows the participants to know the stimulus but not know its overall intention. Postmes et al. (2001), found that priming online in pro-social stimulus produced positive pro-social behaviors. An anonymous group’s behavior changed to develop higher levels of performance in social ways.

The key to priming is to activate mental representations (i.e. images). The use of subliminal priming focuses on imperceptible bursts of information that is then masked.  Supraliminal priming is an obvious stimulus that activates mental representations but the intent is hidden from the participants conscious. The two can be used together or separate to influence follow-up thinking. Participants shouldn’t be aware that they are being primed in order for it to be effective. 

Priming can impact access to categories of concepts through a series of words. The author uses the word “popcorn” to show how categories of eating, corn, family, etc… can be primed. The primed words can be used in an individual or within a social setting. When groups are primed for performance or creativity they can perform better due to previous mental representations that were activated. 

The researchers used 175 sophomores working in groups of five participants creating thirty-five groups. The participants worked on generating ideas for increasing tourism as well as reducing pollution. They were instructed to generate as many ideas as possible and build off of the ideas of other groups. They used group chat rooms to foster their discussions. Participants were performance primed or neutral primed by sequentially picking words that created newspaper headlines. 

The researchers found that those who were primed for performance achieved significantly higher new ideas and performance than those whose primes were neutral. The priming impacted an individual’s semantic networks and they in turn influenced other peoples. The impact is additive as each person generates ideas and builds off of others ideas. 

The significance is profound as it could impact both marketing and group performance. By using proper primes within a sequence it is possible to ensure that the priming effects do not wear off and that certain behaviors are more likely to be exhibited based upon their semantic category mapping (i.e. mind mapping). We are consistently and randomly primed in our environment. How, we act and react to others primes our next thoughts and behaviors. People are not able to often connect the primes to accurately understand their environment. If a group of people are negatively priming others they can expect lower performance while if they are positively priming others they can expect higher performance. This is done without intention but is a natural part of living socially and helps us create culture. This is why our social environment is extremely important to our overall success. Organizations can seek to create positive priming environments that foster higher levels of creativity, performance, and development. 

Dennis, A., Minas, R. & Bhagwatwar, A. (2013) Sparking creativity: improving electronic brainstorming with individual cognitive priming. Journal of Management Information Systems, 29 (4). 

 Postmes, T. et. al. (2001). Social influence in computer mediated communication: The effects of anonymity on group behavior. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 27 (10)

Veteran's Day: Marking a Point in History

The guns in The War to End All Wars went silent on November 11^th, 1918. Even though the French signed the Treaty of Versailles on June 28^th, 1919 the fighting ended seven months prior. At this time, much of Europe was in shambles and the war marked a fundamental shift into a new economy by destroying older state institutions. Europe was rebuilt away from the traditional monarchical models and into an international economic framework.

WWII

President Wilson proclaimed the day a holiday in 1919 with the words, “To us in America, the reflections of Armistice Day will be filled with solemn pride in the heroism of those who died in the country’s service and with gratitude for the victory, both because of the thing from which it has freed us and because of the opportunity it has given America to show her sympathy with peace and justice in the councils of the nations…”

The war was seen as resulting from 1.) the assignation of Archduke Francis Ferdinand, 2.) rise of nationalism, 3.) build up of power, 4.) colonial competition, 5.) alliances that drew in other countries, and 6.) a change of economic landscape. As these factors rose, there was also pressure to create republics that were more economically open than the feudal system. WWI helped to change the overall economic underpinnings of Europe into what it is seen today.

 

 WWII was even larger than WWI and many more lives were lost in the battle. Congress amended the act and replaced Armistice Day with Veteran’s Day in 1938. It is a day to celebrate those who fought to protect American liberties and who fought for a common good. Typically, one will find parades, events, memorials, and a short rest from business activities. Most employers celebrate the day off.

Britain, France, Australia, and many other countries that were involved in the war also celebrate a similar type day.  The purpose is to mark a point in history for future generations and try to set a cultural tone that reminds people of the many trials of a country. It is an effort to teach people about the great wars and how they have influenced the development of the country.

WWII

It should be remember that even though Veteran's Day is about actual veterans it takes many different types of people with a wide variety of skills to make and develop a country. Some are warriors, some are teachers, some are business members, some writers, others are artists, and still others are peace makers. The goal of any nation should be to develop their people to the highest point possible and use their unique skills to keep the nation adjusting toward stronger political and social frameworks. Each person can contribute based upon their God given abilities and strengths. It is this collective effort that marks a nations point on a continuum of development.

Make sure you hire a veteran when opportunities are available.

August Abel

Veteran's Association History 

The History Professor

World War Histories

Veteran's Day Events Nationally

Universities and Economic Innovation

Universities are commonly seen as partners in innovation development. Research by Howels, Ramlogan, and Cheng (2012) suggests that most traditional universities have a natural divide with businesses. These universities do contribute to the fundamental foundations of innovation by training and retaining new talent within local economies but are not often seen as partners in innovation.

Brestow, et. al. (2011) found that universities are known to develop local human capital, attract, develop and retain graduates. This affords businesses an opportunity to gain knowledge transfer by hiring recent graduates that have update theoretical skills with greater capacity to use technology. The transfer is indirect and not well connected.

Universities often seek to measure their success in fostering business development. Links are considered informal. They ignore the concept that both formal and informal links contribute to innovation development. The ability to measure these informal links is difficult and companies do not regularly see the benefits of such connections due to their indirect nature.

Those firms that have direct connections to universities also have higher funded research and development departments. Medium and small companies do not consistently have access to university research, information or libraries. They rely more on their supplier networks for new ideas and information.

In their literary search, the authors found that both UK and U.S. traditional colleges seem to have this great divide with business. Due to the nature of such universities and lack of direct connections, they appear to lack formal communication with companies. The theoretical and practical research generation from university endeavors is not often seen or accessible to such companies.

The authors conclude that even though universities have a hand in innovation development they are often informal in nature and rarely direct. To move beyond this report it is possible to see how online universities, with greater internet connectivity, could collaborate more with businesses through open innovation platforms and available library access. Research findings made public, business collaboration platforms, and access to libraries may make direct connections between business innovative development and university success. Relationships between universities and the business sector could be become more collaborative and concrete.

Bristow, G., Pill, M., Davies, R. and Drinkwater, S. (2011). Welsh Graduate Mobility , Cardiff, Welsh Institute of Social and Economic Research, Data and Methods

Howells, J. & Ramlogan, R. & Cheng, S. (2012). Innovation and university collaboration: paradox and complexity within the knowledge economy. Cambridge Journal of Economics, 36 (3). 

The Rape of the Lock: Canto V by Alexander Pope

The Rape of the Lock: Canto V by Alexander Pope is a poem that addresses conflict as well as larger social issues. Women are seen as angels even they may or may not hold values accordingly. Women have and internal side as well as an external side. Society spends a great amount of time focusing on the outside instead of the inside. 

Likewise, there is gentle critique of the aristocracy of the time. The idle wealthy are seen as gods compared to mere mortality of average folk. Their time in leisure is spent in drama, romance, and chasing of gossip. The lives of the wealthy are still people who have the same feelings, passions, and desires as everyone else. 

The game is one of love and fantasy. Pursuers seek to consummate a relationship with a young lady. The males chase and play a “battle” on each other to have and hold the women they love. The emotions are high and game heart wrenching as each chases a course against the others. Women are fighting against men in the game of love. The lock is only a symbol for beauty and the chasing of immortality.

To lovers it is the smile or the frown that can raise one to new heights or crash them into an emotional oblivion. The two play a game of chase and riposte to have and hold each other. The end game is the muting of emotion into indifference where the two are joined into the same routines and life. In this case the game was more important than the win. The lock became a symbol of something that fades away with age.


SHE said: the pitying Audience melt in Tears,
But Fate and Jove had stopp'd the Baron's Ears.
In vain Thalestris with Reproach assails,
For who can move when fair Belinda fails?
Not half to fixt the Trojan cou'd remain,
While Anna begg'd and Dido rag'd in vain.
Then grave Clarissa graceful wav'd her Fan;
Silence ensu'd, and thus the Nymph began.

Say, why are Beauties prais'd and honour'd most,
The wise Man's Passion, and the vain Man's Toast?
Why deck'd with all that Land and Sea afford,
Why Angels call'd, and Angel-like ador'd?
Why round our Coaches crowd the white-glov'd Beaus,
Why bows the Side-box from its inmost Rows?
How vain are all these Glories, all our Pains,
Unless good Sense preserve what Beauty gains:
That Men may say, when we the Front-box grace,
Behold the first in Virtue, as in Face!

Oh! if to dance all Night, and dress all Day,
Charm'd the Small-pox, or chas'd old Age away;
Who would not scorn what Huswife's Cares produce,
Or who would learn one earthly Thing of Use?
To patch, nay ogle, might become a Saint,
Nor could it sure be such a Sin to paint.
But since, alas! frail Beauty must decay,
Curl'd or uncurl'd, since Locks will turn to grey,
Since paint'd, or not paint'd, all shall fade,
And she who scorns a Man, must die a Maid;
What then remains, but well our Pow'r to use,
And keep good Humour still whate'er we lose?
And trust me, Dear! good Humour can prevail,
When Airs, and Flights, and Screams, and Scolding fail.
Beauties in vain their pretty Eyes may roll;
Charms strike the Sight, but Merit wins the Soul.

So spake the Dame, but no Applause ensu'd;
Belinda frown'd, Thalestris call'd her Prude.
To Arms, to Arms! the fierce Virago cries,
And swift as Lightning to the Combate flies.
All side in Parties, and begin th' Attack;
Fans clap, Silks russle, and tough Whalebones crack;
Heroes and Heroins Shouts confus'dly rise,
And base, and treble Voices strike the Skies.
No common Weapons in their Hands are found,
Like Gods they fight, nor dread a mortal Wound.

So when bold Homer makes the Gods engage,
And heav'nly Breasts with human Passions rage;
'Gainst Pallas, Mars; Latona, Hermes arms;
And all Olympus rings with loud Alarms.
Jove's Thunder roars, Heav'n trembles all around;
Blue Neptune storms, the bellowing Deeps resound;
Earth shakes her nodding Tow'rs, the Ground gives way;
And the pale Ghosts start at the Flash of Day!

Triumphant Umbriel on a Sconce's Height
Clapt his glad Wings, and sate to view the Fight,
Propt on their Bodkin Spears, the Sprights survey
The growing Combat, or assist the Fray.

While thro' the Press enrag'd Thalestries flies,
And scatters Deaths around from both her Eyes,
A Beau and Witling perish'd in the Throng,
One dy'd in Metaphor, and one in Song.
O cruel Nymph! a living Death I bear,
Cry'd Dapperwit, and sunk beside his Chair.
A mournful Glance Sir Fopling upwards cast,
Those Eyes are made so killing---was his last:
Thus on Meander's flow'ry Margin lies
Th' expiring Swan, and as he sings he dies.

When bold Sir Plume had drawn Clarissa down,
Chloe stept in, and kill'd him with a Frown;
She smil'd to see the doughty Hero slain,
But at her Smile, the Beau reviv'd again.

Now Jove suspends his golden Scales in Air,
Weighs the Mens Wits against the Lady's Hair;
The doubtful Beam long nods from side to side;
At length the Wits mount up, the Hairs subside.

See fierce Belinda on the Baron flies,
With more than usual Lightning in her Eyes;
Nor fear'd the Chief th' unequal Fight to try,
Who sought no more than on his Foe to die.
But this bold Lord, with manly Strength indu'd,
She with one Finger and a Thumb subdu'd,
Just where the Breath of Life his Nostrils drew,
A Charge of Snuff the wily Virgin threw;
The Gnomes direct, to ev'ry Atome just,
The pungent Grains of titillating Dust.
Sudden, with starting Tears each Eye o'erflows,
And the high Dome re-ecchoes to his Nose.

Now meet thy Fate, incens'd Belinda cry'd,
And drew a deadly Bodkin from her Side.
(The same, his ancient Personage to deck,
Her great great Grandsire wore about his Neck
In three Seal-Rings which after, melted down,
Form'd a vast Buckle for his Widow's Gown:
Her infant Grandame's Whistle next it grew,
The Bells she gingled, and the Whistle blew;
Then in a Bodkin grac'd her Mother's Hairs,
Which long she wore, and now Belinda wears.)

Boast not my Fall (he cry'd) insulting Foe!
Thou by some other shalt be laid as low.
Nor think, to die dejects my lofty Mind;
All that I dread, is leaving you behind!
Rather than so, ah let me still survive,
And burn in Cupid's Flames,---but burn alive.

Restore the Lock! she cries; and all around
Restore the Lock! the vaulted Roofs rebound.
Not fierce Othello in so loud a Strain
Roar'd for the Handkerchief that caus'd his Pain.
But see how oft Ambitious Aims are cross'd,
And Chiefs contend 'till all the Prize is lost!
The Lock, obtain'd with Guilt, and kept with Pain,
In ev'ry place is sought, but sought in vain:
With such a Prize no Mortal must be blest,
So Heav'n decrees! with Heav'n who can contest?

Some thought it mounted to the Lunar Sphere,
Since all things lost on Earth, are treasur'd there.
There Heroe's Wits are kept in pondrous Vases,
And Beau's in Snuff-boxes and Tweezer-Cases.
There broken Vows, and Death-bed Alms are found,
And Lovers Hearts with Ends of Riband bound;
The Courtiers Promises, and Sick Man's Pray'rs,
The Smiles of Harlots, and the Tears of Heirs,
Cages for Gnats, and Chains to Yoak a Flea;
Dry'd Butterflies, and Tomes of Casuistry.

But trust the Muse---she saw it upward rise,
Tho' mark'd by none but quick Poetic Eyes:
(So Rome's great Founder to the Heav'ns withdrew,
To Proculus alone confess'd in view.)
A sudden Star, it shot thro' liquid Air,
And drew behind a radiant Trail of Hair.
Not Berenice's Locks first rose so bright,
The heav'ns bespangling with dishevel'd light.
The Sylphs behold it kindling as it flies,
And pleas'd pursue its Progress thro' the Skies.

This the Beau-monde shall from the Mall survey,
And hail with Musick its propitious Ray.
This, the blest Lover shall for Venus take,
And send up Vows from Rosamonda's Lake.
This Partridge soon shall view in cloudless Skies,
When next he looks thro' Galilaeo's Eyes;
And hence th' Egregious Wizard shall foredoom
The Fate of Louis, and the Fall of Rome.

Then cease, bright Nymph! to mourn the ravish'd Hair
Which adds new Glory to the shining Sphere!
Not all the Tresses that fair Head can boast
Shall draw such Envy as the Lock you lost.
For, after all the Murders of your Eye,
When, after Millions slain, your self shall die;
When those fair Suns shall sett, as sett they must,
And all those Tresses shall be laid in Dust;
This Lock, the Muse shall consecrate to Fame,
And mid'st the Stars inscribe Belinda's Name!

La Jolla Open Aire Market Draws in Local Crowds

Just down the street from La Jolla’s sea lion attractions and main tourist destination is a quaint bazaar that attracts all kinds’ shoppers.  Farmers, artisans, artists, and boutique shops assemble a farmers market where only a parking lot and baseball field sat hours before. Only on Sunday morning do the small tents and tables assemble to show the unique wares not offered anywhere in the world. 

Hundreds of locals walk the narrow isles to find bargains on 1600’s coins, fresh fruit, original paintings, clothing, Persian carpets, WWI paraphernalia and rare geodes. Any small entrepreneur can hang a shingle for their homemade wares giving them an opportunity to reach out to local customers. Shoppers will find special prices they cannot find in any major retail outlet. 

A main attraction is the food pavilion that hosts international cuisines. Indian curry chicken, bbq burgers, spicy kabobs, bread, and homemade dips are offered for a pittance. Ringing out over the picnic style dining is local music and home cooked aroma. The vendors are friendly and love to talk about their creations; so much so that you might say “look at the time…” 

Farmer markets offer an opportunity for artists and farmers to sell their products directly to customers. These small time producers seek to raise the value of their products and create a local market presence. Following history and tradition it is one of the most convenient ways to get their products into business districts with lots of traffic. Most of the customers come every Sunday religiously. 

 

The market is doing well because they also offer a web page that helps provide an online face with a brick & mortar presence. Customers come to touch the quality. The websites gives customers some place to grab their bearings, obtain directions, and see the vendors before taking a short drive. In the spirit of helping the community all of the proceeds from the rental of stands are donated to La Jolla Elementary School.

http://www.lajollamarket.com/

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