Influences on Achievement of Funding Goals

Influences on Achievement of Funding Goals Donna R. Lowe The purpose of the following dissertation, A content analysis of Kickstarter: The influence of framing and rewarding motivations on campaign success (Sauro) was to examine the implications of message framing in determining the success or failure of Kickstarter campaigns. The study also explored to what extent conditional cooperation influences the achievement of funding goals. The study applied framing theory on the decision-making process, which has significant prior research but not in regards to crowdfunding. Sauro (2014) uses a definition used in a previous study by Dr. Inge Sorenson. Crowdfunding is defined as â€Å"the micro-financing of individual projects, and is catered for online by sites like indiegogo.com, sponsume.com, crowdfunder.co.uk, pledgie.com, and kickstarter.com (Sorenson, 2012). Sauro (2014) also uses the term project-based communities â€Å"meaning a unique community of early adopters and investors of a new product or service that hone and gather funding ple dges. One hundred and twenty Kickstarter campaigns were randomly selected and sampled. The key findings were broken down by research questions. The first research question sought to uncover to what extent did the choice of framing methods affect success or failure of the crowdfunding campaigns. The finding was campaigns that used framing had a significantly higher rate of success as opposed to campaigns that used no framing. â€Å"Out of all campaigns that were successful, 83.3% utilized a prescribed framing method, opposed to 40.8% of unsuccessful campaigns that did not† (Sauro, 2014, p. 24). The finding of research question two suggests a strong correlation between successful campaigns and conditional cooperation measures. The study identified a relationship between conditional cooperation and donation levels at the end of set funding periods across all categorical tiers (low, medium, and high). Supplemental data was also provided. Additional factors that had an impact on t he probability of a successful crowdfunding campaign were identified. The findings were factors such as including a self-narrative, stating personal qualifications, and having a lower funding goal had a strong influence on the outcome. Sauro (2014) found â€Å"of the campaigns that were successful, a self-narrative was present 82.0% of the time, as opposed to 62.2% when campaigns were unsuccessful† (p. 29). Suggestions for further research included the need to use a larger sample size from all project categories and continued investigation of personal narratives influence. There was also a suggestion to include research on whether text-based, video-based, or combination-framing messages could be efficiently used to achieve objectives. Sauro (2014) used prospect theory and message framing as drivers for the crowdfunding donor decision-making process. Prospect theory attempts to explain the decision-making process based on the way the material is presented (Sauro, 2014, p. 8). In involves a decision problem, decision maker, and a decision frame. Rational decision-makers â€Å"will opt for the prospect that offers the highest expected utility† (Tversky Kahneman, 1981, p. 453). Prospect theory expresses outcomes as positive or negative deviations (gains and losses) with regards to an S-curve. Message framing is an important concept for crowdfunding and the study by Chun-Tuan Chang and Yu-Kang Lee (2010) was used to support Sauro’s dissertation. Framing is â€Å"the presentation of one of two different but equivalent value outcomes to decision-makers, where one outcome is presented in positive and the other in negative terms† (Chang Lee, 2010, p 197). Compliance is encouraged using framing demon strating gains and losses. Bruno S. Frey and Stephan Meier conducted a field experiment about charitable giving and conditional cooperation in 2004. The experiment supported the theory on conditional cooperation and found that if people know others are making charitable contributions, the likelihood of them making contributions increases but is still linked to previous charitable behaviors (Frey Meier, 2004, p. 1717). People tend to compare themselves socially to others and are inclined to make charitable donations based on those they identify with. These works are extremely important and the foundation for understanding donor behavior while researching crowdfunding. Crowdfunding is a relatively new concept. It involves communications, fundraising, technology, and a social media platform. Sauros (2014) used prospect theory, framing, and conditional cooperation as factors of influence for successful crowdfunding campaigns. Daniel Kahneman and Amos Tversky (1979) developed the prospect theory. Kahneman and Tversky’s study â€Å"Prospect Theory: An analysis of decision under risk† introduces one of the most quoted theories in economic psychology. Developed in the 1980s, the theory has had considerable impact on understanding how decisions are derived using gains and losses. The theory of framing was introduced by Erving Goffman (1974). Goffman was considered â€Å"the most influential American sociologist of the twentieth century† (Fine Smith, 2000). Goffman wrote several books and fundamentally changed the way we think of social interactions. His work is considered unparalleled and he is extensively cited in behavioral studie s. His greatest contribution to social theory is his study of symbolic interaction, which began in 1959. He studied social order, interactions, stigmas, routine transactions, human behavior, etc. He was not a traditional sociologist and his work was influenced by Durkheim, Freud, Mead, Simmel, and Radcliffe-Brown (Yakkaldevi, 2013, p. 74). Albert Bandura is associated with social learning theory. According to Bandura (1977), Learning would be exceedingly laborious, not to mention hazardous, if people had to rely solely on the effects of their own actions to inform them what to do. Fortunately, most human behavior is learned observationally through modeling: from observing others one forms an idea of how new behaviors are performed, and on later occasions this coded information serves as a guide for action.† Bandura is well known for his famous Bobo doll experiment where children were demonstrated to learn aggression through observations and interactions (Bandura, Ross, Ross, 1961). His work is considered to be part of the cognitive revolution in psychology. References Bandura, A. (1977). Social Learning Theory. New York: General Learning Press. Bandura, A., Ross, D. Ross, S.A. (1961). Transmission of aggression through imitation of aggressive models. Journal of Abnormal and Social Psychology, 63, 575-82. Chang, C., Lee, Y. (2010). Effects of message framing, vividness congruency and statistical framing on responses to charity advertising. International Journal of Advertising, 29(2), 195-220. Fine, G. A. Smith, G. W. (2000). SAGE Masters of Modern Social Thought: Erving Goffman (Vols. 1-4). London: SAGE Publications Ltd. doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.4135/9781446261545 Frey, B. S., Meier, S. (2004). Social comparisons and pro-social behavior: Testing conditional cooperation in a field experiment. The American Economic Review, 94(5),1717-1722. Sauro, J. J. (2014). A content analysis of Kickstarter: The influence of framing and rewarding motivations on campaign success (Doctoral dissertation). Available from ProQuest Dissertations and These Database. (UMI No. 1556435) Sorenson, I. E. (2012). Crowdsourcing and outsourcing: The impact of online funding and distribution on the documentary film industry in the UK. Media Culture and Society, 34, 726-743. doi:10.1177/0163443712449499 Tversky, A., Kahneman, D. (1979). Prospect theory: An analysis of decision under risk. Econometrica, 47(2), 263-291. doi: 10.2307/1914185 Tversky, A. Kahneman, D. (1992). Advances in prospect theory: Cumulative representation of uncertainty. Journal of Risk and Uncertainty, 5(4), 297–323. Yakkaldevi, A. S. (2013). Phenomenology and Enthomethodology. India: Laxmi Book Publication.

“On The Rainy River” Analysis Essay

The short story â€Å"On the Rainy River† is an integral chapter in the memoir The Things They Carried written by William Timothy O’Brien. The short story is written through the perspective of O’Brien in present day and as a young man faced with a draft notice for the Vietnam War. In â€Å"On the Rainy River,† O’Brien portrays the importance of bravery of individuals in the society through the use of symbolism, powerful tone, reflective point of view, narrative devices, and through the reoccurring theme of courage. In the short story, O’Brien uses symbolism to depict the religious aspect of the Rainy River, a watercourse which segregates the land of Minnesota and Canada, a divide that tested O’Brien’s bravery to either enlist in or flee the Vietnam War. O’Brien states that â€Å"the Rainy River . . . separated one life from another [;] . . . the cold [sprayed] against [his] face . . . [as] [they] . . . passed into Canadi an waters, across that dotted line between two different worlds . . .† (1012). The Rainy River symbolizes the rebirth of O’Brien into a new world; water epitomizes the purity and renewal of a new identity. This symbol adds great significance to the anecdote because it portrays the man vs. self-conflict of O’Brien; he has to choose a life of fearing the U.S government in exile, or a life of hostility and bloodshed in a war that he does not support. The author’s use of symbolism allows the reader to construe the variation in O’Brien’s point of view as he flees to the land of Canada to evade the drafting: that in fear, he gains the courage and strength to return to the U.S and face the inevitable war. Susan Farrell communicates in â€Å"The Vietnam in Me† that â€Å"[e]ven though the young narrator believed the war was morally wrong, he was unable to defy the traditions and expectations he had been raised with [;] [h]e was afraid of what people would say about him should he flee the draft, and he could not . . . leave behind everything he knew and loved.† The narrator considers that he is reared to take responsibility and is expected of his family and the society to do the right thing: join the war; even though he does not support the battle, O’Brien feels pressured by the fear of shame and embarrassment of not enlisting. Although the symbolism of the story reflects the author’s self-conflict, tone also enhances the significance of the decision he has to make. O’Brien  creates the tone of fear in the short story; he reflects on his cowardice and dreads the fate of his life if he were caught. O’Brien expresses that there are instances in which he is overwhelmed by fear: He stays up at night envisaging being chased by the border patrol and helicopters; he sweats while envisioning himself fleeing through the woods and being thrown to the ground by police. He feels dizzy with sorrow, guilt, and regret for parting the country and not enlisting into the war; he is troubled by the lack of sleep and the sickness that consumes him. (1009) The tone is created by the character’s personal emotions towards his life decisions and his dread upon the events that are foreseeable. The tone deepens the meaning of courage because it allows for a reflection on what could have contributed to the fear and how the character’s courage would ultimately overcome it. The tone of fear supplemented to the importance of O’Brien’s decision to escape the Vietnam War; he is acting out of fear—he, â€Å"was no soldier . . . [he] hated dirt . . . and mosquitos . . . [t]he sight of blood made [him] queasy, and [he] . . . didn’t know a rifle from a slingshot.† (O’Brien 1003). Bobbie Ann Mason observes that, â€Å"[t]he litany reifies the sense of constancy the men experienced: constant conditions, constant fear and apprehension, constant movement, and constant burdens† (Mason). Mason recognizes that the narrator’s use of a long and repetitious list of complaints and problems enables the reader to perceive the burden that he feels. The tone presented in this story allows for depth and apprehension that heightens the an xiety for future events. The point of view in the short story is presented in first person; by using first person narration, the author is enabled to express his internal emotion throughout the story. O’Brien perceives that â€Å"[c]ertain blood was being shed for uncertain reasons [; he] saw no unity of purpose, no consensus on matters of philosophy or history or law . . . facts were shrouded in uncertainty . . . [w]as it a civil war [,] a war of national liberation or simple aggression† (1002). O’Brien expresses his personal views on the war: there is no purpose for it to occur or for him to engage in the battle. Tegmark states in â€Å"The Perspectives of Other Characters† that â€Å"[there is] relative importance . . . [of] the perspective of . . . [Tim O’Brien as] the protagonist . . . and that of what I call [primary]  narrat[ion] [;] in . . .†The Things They Carried†. . . O’Brien functions as [a] focalizer, constituting the main perspective from which the reader perceives the story.† Tim O’Brien is the protagonist and the primary narrator; he is able to contribute to the story as the main perspective which allows him to provide memories and anecdotes, thus deepening the plot. The first person account gives the narrative credibility because the protagonist is telling the story; he can recall past events that relate to the occurrence or contemplate on what may ensue next. The narrator experienced the emotional battle and retreat to Canada first-hand; in turn, this interesting relationship gives the reader a direct account of the topic. O’Brien writes that â€Å"[he] felt something break open in [his] chest . . . [b]ut it was real, [he] know[s] that much, it was a physical rupture- a cracking-leaking-popping feeling† (1006). O’Brien speaks directly to the reader presenting the reader an emotional perception. His narration provides a contemplative and insightful voice while relating events that have happened; he describes what is learned from the experience and how it has affected his life. The use of flashbacks is prominent throughout the short story; O’Brien switches between the past and present tense throughout the story to narr ate his memoir. By using flashbacks, shifts and reflective moments are created. O’Brien states that he remembers that when walking out of his house in the year 1968 to leave for Canada, he carefully observed all of his familiar possessions that he would leave behind, including his life (1006). This scene reveals the use of flashback and enhances the meaning of his separation from the life he had known; he feels expressively attached to his home country. This man vs. self-conflict of whether to stay or go lingers when he sees the chrome toaster, the telephone, and the bright sunshine that sparkled in the room. O’Brien uses recollections throughout the story to incorporate former events that contribute meaning and sentiment. Susan Farrell states that â€Å"[t]he [short story] alternates between present-day [narration and the scenes] that take place during [1968] . . . [the] flashbacks . . . explain how [O’Brien] arrived at [his] present circumstances.† The author uses flashbacks throughout the story to allow the reader to visualize the shifts in his voice and the change in his views between the past and the present. O’Brien creates pathos towards the protagonist by expressing the hardships of his decision of leaving his life  in the United States for a life of hiding in Canada. O’Brien mentions remembering â€Å". . . self-pity . . . driving aimlessly around town . . . feeling sorry for [himself] . . . paralyzed . . . [feeling] guilt [and] sorrow† (1003-4). O’Brien references his emotional pressure to gain the readers’ sympathy by stating â€Å"[a]nd so [he] sat in the bow of the boat and cried . . . [i]t was loud now . . . [l]oud, hard crying† (1016). He provides his audience the capability to commiserate by giving the reader a view into his distressed core. Werlock states that O’Brien was â€Å". . . faced with [a] choice and imagining a host of people, real and imaginary, on both shores encouraging him one way or the other, the fear of shame holds him back from jumping overboard and swimming to Canada . . . O’Brien cries in the boat over his future . . .† The reader sympathizes with the protagonist because he is afraid of what people might think of him; the reader is placed in his shoes and realizes that O’Brien is in a painful position. O’Brien presents the themes of courage and cowardice throughout the short story. O’Brien states that â€Å"[it] was a kind of schizophrenia . . . [a] moral split . . . [he] couldn’t make up [his] mind . . . [he] feared the war . . . exile . . . walking away from [his] whole history. . . losing the respect of [his] parents . . . the law. . . ridicule and censure† (1005). Bloom states that â€Å"[w]hen the narrator writes, ‘This is one story I’ve never told before,’ it suggests [that] [r]eaders come to learn that the narrator’s reluctance may stem from what he perceives as revealing weakness: his emotional breakdown, his lack of courage actually to desert, and a fear of his family and friends learning of his weakness.† O’Brien portrays the theme of courage and cowardice to reflect on his decision to either enter or flee the Vietnam War. He was split between choosing a life of war or fear. Because of his fear of shame and humiliation of his friends and family, cowardice consumes him and he is unable to will himself across the Rainy River into Canada. His cowardice is a vital part of the story because it conjures internal conflict, hallucinations, fear, pathos, and emotion throughout the story. The theme of shame is existent throughout the short story. In the beginning of the narrative, O’Brien reveals that he has never told this story before because of the shame and embarrassment that he would have felt if he had. O’Brien states â€Å"[what] it came down to, stupidly, was a  sense of shame [,] [h]ot, stupid shame . . . [he] was ashamed of his conscience . . . [of] doing the right thing† (1009-10). O’Brien dreads the indignity and humiliation of his friends, family, and people of great importance if he does not enlist into the war: He states that when he visualizes people of relativity and of importance on the sides of the river urging him toward one shore or the other he feels himself redden. He could not risk the disdain, ignominy, or derision and that he would go to war because he was ashamed not to. (1016) Werlock avers that â€Å"[w]hen Berdahl takes O’Brien fishing on the Rainy River, . . . he is confronted with the decision between one life or the other . . . the fear of shame holds him back.† The importance of the role of shame develops throughout the story; it is the motivating factor that prevents O’Brien from leaving to Canada. Shame held him back because he did not want his family to feel that he was a raised to become a coward. The author uses shame to enhance the emotional depth of the story; the shame compels the reader to recognize the struggle of his situation. In the end, O’Brien overcomes the barrier of shame and acquires the courage to return to the United States to fight in the Vietnam War. In the short story â€Å"On the Rainy River,† William Timothy O’Brien explores the importance of courage and shame when he evades his draft notice for the Vietnam War by fleeing to Canada. Throughout the story, the reader gains a sense of emotional perspective for what draftees distress and anticipate through O’Brien’s use of symbolism, tone, point of view, flashback, and the themes of courage and shame. O’Brien’s decision to be reborn into a new world is reflectively symbolized by the Rainy River and a penetrating tone of fear provides apprehension and unease upon the reader. The use of the first person point of view and the narrative devices of flashbacks and pathos allows O’Brien to recall the past and to provide emotion. O’Brien overcomes his fear of shame which ultimately enables him to gain his courage and fight in the Vietnam War. Works Cited Bloom, Harold, ed. â€Å"The Things They Carried.† The Things They Carried, Bloom’s Guides. Philadelphia: Chelsea House Publishing, 2004. Bloom’s Literature. Facts On File, Inc. Web. 25 Sept. 2014. Farrell, Susan. â€Å"O’Brien, Tim.† Critical Companion to Tim O’Brien: A Literary Reference to His Life and Work, Critical Companion. New York: Facts On File, Inc., 2011. Bloom’s Literature. Facts On File, Inc. Web. 28 Sept. 2014 Farrell, Susan. â€Å"‘The Vietnam in Me’.† Critical Companion to Tim O’Brien: A Literary Reference to His Life and Work, Critical Companion. New York: Facts On File, Inc., 2011. Bloom’s Literature. Facts On File, Inc. Web. 25 Sept. 2014. O’Brien, Tim. â€Å"On The Rainy River.† Literature Grade 10. Ed. Janet Allen. Evanston: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company, 2010. 999-1016. Print. Tegmark, Mats. â€Å"The Perspectives of Other Characters.† In the Shoes of a Soldier: Communication in Tim O’Brien’s Vietnam Narratives (Uppsala University, 1998): pp. 245–71. Quoted as â€Å"The Perspectives of Other Characters† in Bloom, Harold, ed. The Things They Carried, Bloom’s Modern Critical Interpretations. New York: Chelsea House Publishing, 2011. Bloomâ⠂¬â„¢s Literature. Facts On File, Inc. Web. 27 Sept. 2014. Werlock, Abby H. P. â€Å"‘On the Rainy River’.† The Facts On File Companion to the American Short Story, Second Edition. New York: Facts On File, Inc., 2009.Bloom’s Literature. Facts On File, Inc. Web. 27 Sept. 2014.

Animal Testing and Mistreatment of Animals Essay - 554 Words

Animal research has played a major role in developing medications and treatments available to humans today, without animals, doctors would not be able to introduce these medications and treatments without initially testing them for safety. My wife has a son who was born without the pulmonary artery and because of animal research; he was provided another outlet for survival. In his first five days of life, he underwent surgery. It was the longest days of her life as she reminiscences, for twelve hour’s doctors could not get her son stable; his body was rejecting the human organ. Once he was stable, they kept his chest open for ten days to allow the swelling to decrease. Forty-eight days later, she was able to leave the hospital with her†¦show more content†¦Doctors perform medical procedures like organ transplants on animals before testing them on humans†(Chang 9). While minimizing animal testing utilizing alternatives is vital, doing so is not always possible, e ven as medical research moves forward. According to Marianne Kock of the Health Safety and Research Alliance of New York State, â€Å"alternatives such as cell cultures and computer models can only supplement animal research, †¦. A computer can’t generate blood to test the blood sugar of a diabetic patient†(Chang 12). Voluntary donors and those who die in Intensive care units can be selected in cell culture studies. Although, functional human organs required for transplants hold the highest priority and will not be used for research. Cell cultures reduce the numbers of animals tested while providing better results for humans but it does have shortcomings, as do all alternative methods. Due to animal testing, my wife’s son had an operation considered new research fourteen years ago and was able to live. If it had not been for animal testing, we would never have known the operation was a safe and viable option, and he may have died. Image how far we have come in medical research today and where we will be in 20 years. The use of animal testing in medical research has led to many discoveries improving human and animal quality of life. WhenShow MoreRelatedThe Animal Welfare Act ( Awa )897 Words   |  4 Pages Some scientist argue animals often make better research subjects than humans. Certain scientists believe this because many animals have a shorter life cycle than humans. In the same manner that mice are one of the most used animals for medical research testing, they live for only two to three years. Scientist are able to study the effects of treatments or genetic manipulation over a whole lifespan and even across several generations. By doing this scientists are able to develop new medicine andRead MorePersuasive Essay On DonT Be Cruel764 Words   |  4 Pagestwo-thousand, five hundred and forty-two rats on average get used for makeup testing and must continue living with gruesome deformities and/or lose their lives because of it. Many popular makeup brands take this route to ‘ensureâ €™ the safety of their customers and to avoid lawsuits. I believe that animal testing is cruel, unfair, and dignified. Many brands that are used by most people everyday use these types of animal tests. Brands like Avon, Estee Lauder, Clinique, Maybelline, Benefit, OPI, Victoria’sRead MoreAnimal Testing Should Not Be Banned Essay1369 Words   |  6 Pagesheartbreaking, miserable animals: that is what comes to mind when animal testing is mentioned. While some of it may be true, testing animals for medical reasons is necessary. Animal testing has led to the advancement of medical research and has help device many medicines, it is the reason animal testing is still being used. The fact that experimenting on animals has led to great medical discoveries, does not mean that animal testing is not morally ambiguous. Animal testing has many flaws and reasonsRead MorePersuasive Essay On Animal Testing1521 Words   |  7 Pagesmillion animals are killed each year in the name of animal testing. Now as some might say that sacrifice is needed for the common good, it is safe to say that animal testing may be taking it over the top to get such test results for the common good. Animal testing has been a common practice for many years to get results and side effects for food, drugs, pesticides, beauty products, and just about everything one uses in an average day. But now, in the modern world where ethics and animals rightsRead MoreImportance Of Animal Testing1726 Words   |  7 PagesAnimal testing: Is it necessary? People take medicine, and they wear makeup. Most people own one or two or maybe more pets. Some people love their pets as if they were their own children. Pets are loved and taken care of. They are rescued and adopted. But do people know that they are treated the opposite in a laboratory? It is estimated that every year, 26 million animals are used for scientific and commercial testing in the United States. There are many reasons animals are used for testing. SomeRead MoreAnimal Cruelty And Animal Abuse1572 Words   |  7 PagesIII. LITERATURE REVIEW 5 China, US and the EU 5 A. Research Connections to Animal Cruelty and Abuse 6 B. Alternatives to Animal Testing 6 IV. SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION 7 V. REFERENCES 8 â€Æ' I. INTRODUCTION The abuse and cruelty by humans towards animals have been on the rise as producers and retailers of cosmetics and drugs rush to position their products in the global markets. Scientific tests remain a leading player in animal abuse, especially due to the controlled environment while being experimentedRead MoreAnimal Cruelty Every year, the RSPCA (Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) takes1200 Words   |  5 PagesAnimal Cruelty Every year, the RSPCA (Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) takes in close to 50,000 reports of animal mistreatment in Australia and about 150,000 in England and in Wales (RSPCA, 2013). However, these figures do not include the cases when mistreatment is not reported which, according to the RSPCA, happens almost as often as the ones recorded (RSPCA, 2013). Maltreatment occurs when an animal is tormented or harmed, imprisoned or transported from one place to anotherRead MoreAnimal Experimentation At University College London1685 Words   |  7 PagesI. Introduction a. Attention getter device: This is a picture of a kitten that was forced to undergo animal experimentation However, this is only one of the 11 at University College London that had part of its skull removed for a three-day round of experiments. The first day involved the kitten being paralyzed as electrodes and probes were put into their brains to be able to measure what they saw. The second day involved a plate being screwed into the skulls of the 11 kittens and they were placedRead MoreAnimals Should not be Kept in a Box Essay821 Words   |  4 Pagesjudge a mans true character by the way he treats his fellow animals.† This famous quote applies to Dr. Randy Malamud, an animal ethicist who believes strongly in the idea that zoos are no place for animals. In the interview â€Å"Please Don’t Read the Animals: An Interview With Dr. Randy Malamud,† conducted by Professor Anna Schachner, Dr.Malamud clearly explains that wild animals should be kept in their own hab itats. Rather than forcing animals into a box with metal bars around them, in order to be usedRead MoreAnimal Testing Is Inhumane And Inhumane946 Words   |  4 Pagesbeen using animals since the famous Greek doctor Galen (AD 129-200) studied animals. William Harvey used animals 400 years ago to discover how blood circulated through the body. Many medical advances have been made using animals. The â€Å"modern† era of animal research started about 150 years ago. People think that animal testing is inhumane and cruel, and it used to be. In the beginning it was very different then it is today, there were no anesthetics or effective pain killers. The animals involved with

Malaphors Definition and Examples