Demonstrate how people draw on social representations in making sense Essay

Demonstrate how people draw on social representations in making sense of their career trajectories. Draw on theoretical and empirical work in your response - Essay Example tremendous impact from these social representations, such as the need to conform and identify with similar groups of people, to act within the context of rule systems, and to be shaped by human relationships in our decisions. Occupational pursuits structure a large part of people’s daily social relations. How, then, does one come to choose the path of one’s career? In this paper, we will explore this very question, using the concepts of social representation and examples drawn specifically from an interview conducted with Bryony, a 19-year-old second year university student (see Appendix for interview transcript). systems of values, ideas and practices with a two-fold function; first, to establish an order which will enable individuals to orientate themselves in their material and social world and to master it; secondly, to enable communication to take place amongst members of a community by providing them with a code for social exchange and a code for naming and classifying unambiguously the various aspects of their world and their individual and group history. (Foreword) A social representation, then, is a kind of social knowledge which is shared by individuals through communication. It is practical in the sense that it is aimed at mastering real problems and issues, and is situated within unmistakable contexts faced by different groups of people in different positions. The manner in which one happens to be living ultimately directs the extent along which identities and relations unfold, and essentially defines social representation. Moscovici argues that there is a connection between the self-directed individual’s choices and his notions of the family, institutions, and professional categories, which determines possibilities for action, and eventually the destiny of each individual as well as society as a whole (International Balzan Foundation, 2006). Individuals essentially organize their experiences in the social realm, in situational dynamics

Risk and Returns Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Risk and Returns - Assignment Example In order to diversify the risk, the assets are held together forming a portfolio. The sum of variance for the portfolio is almost lower than a single average weight of individual portfolio, therefore, minimizing the overall risk of investment (Rachev, 2005).  To clearly illustrate the model, the following capital structure for Wal-Mart stores for the year 2010 is used. Each component cost could be determined using various formulas. For instance, to determine the cost of debt using the Wall mart sore which has $1,000 PV (par value) zero coupon bond outstanding. Assuming that the bonds are currently trading at $ 385.54 with a 10 year maturity period and a tax rate of 40%, then the cost could be determined as follow. Finally the cost of equity would be determined using capital asset pricing model would be used to determine the cost of the components. Assuming that the risk free rate in the market is 4% and having been given the beta factor of 3 for bond and 0 for money market instruments. For a risk take investor, he will consider using debt which is much cheaper than common equity and preference stock. This is a risky investment, though the overall return will be much higher. The average weighted cost of capital will be much lesser i.e. 9% as par the computation above. On the hand if the investor considers using less debt which is cheaper and opt to use more equality and common stock as shown in the capital structure bellow; In conclusion, it is clear that risk is a universal factor in investment decision since no one can really stay away fro it. Though that is the case, risk can be reduced based on individually capability as well as their knowledge. For one to have successful portfolio management, then it will depend on the right mix of all assets and individual investor’s overall risk expectation. One of the key important choices which an investor has to consider is his where his risk tolerance lies. This