Essay The Stroop Word-Color Test - 1200 Words

Introduction: In this Stroop experiment we attempt to investigate the inference in perception by showing 20 participants a Stroop color model and a controlled black and white model and compare the reaction times of the two. Stroop investigated in interference in perception demonstrating perception is a dynamic process open to influence. The Stroop word-color test can be modified into other languages other than English, thereby demonstrating how the Stroop Effect works across a range of languages, i.e. it is cross-cultural. In the traditional Stroop effect, naming the print color of a word is delayed if the word itself is a color word which names a different color (e.g., responding red to the word blue displayed in red letters is†¦show more content†¦Word colour incongruence will not slow word recognition. Method: Design: The variables we are presented with in this experiment are a dependent variable, and independent variable, and a controlled variable. The independent variable is the interference in perception put to use by changing the color of the words. The dependent variable is the processing and this is put to use by the time taken to read the words. There are no ethical considerations in this experiment because all participants were debriefed and signed a consent form, and no psychological or physical harm was done. Participants: The target population was 11th graders and teachers from UNIS (The United Nations International School in Hanoi). The participants come from all different parts of the world to ensure diversity and eliminate any cultural bias or concerns. The participants were both male and female and their ages ranged from 16 to 45. This sample was an opportunity sample because it was the most convenient and hassle free method of collecting data in the amount of time we had. Name Clint Hamada Karen Hafner Robert DeAbreu Heather Buck Wayne Hodgkinson Steve Powers Melissa Griffin Julie Shaw Ali Shebani Jeremy Thompson Nivedita DHuys Mana Kanatsu Matthew Rickard Mikaela Westwood Nadia Asmal Jennifer Mullen Liza Gatineau Peter Reardon Mandy Baxter LaurenShow MoreRelatedStroop Effect Essay1125 Words   |  5 PagesExamination of the Stroop Effect among College Students Esmeralda Fierro Dixie State University  Abstract 250 word summary of the paper One paragraph only Do not indent the paragraph An Examination of the Stroop Effect among College Students The Stroop experiment by J. Ridley Stroop in 1935 was performed in order to analyze the reaction time of participant’s stimuli and desired results while also obtaining a collective result of color interference and word reading(Stroop, 1935; Lee Chan,Read MoreUnderstanding the Results: Breakdown of the Stroop Effect1199 Words   |  5 PagesUnderstanding the Results: The Breakdown of the Stroop Effect The beauty of science is the fact that it is not ever a complete certainty. There are times when an experiment might yield results that conflict with prior results in past experiments, which then forces the researcher to try to account for the possibility of new findings that lay outside the range of prior discourse. This is the case here, where a variation of the Stroop test was conducted, with atypical results. After coming to theseRead MoreThe Stroop Effect On The Reaction Time1254 Words   |  6 PagesLiterature Red, Green, Purple, Blue! Neurologists test the brain’s cognitive skills by trying to determine the text of the word the color is printed in; in which they have to differentiate the color from the meaning of the word. The subject is shown a color, and it will take the person longer to identify the color of the word, if the word is in an incongruent word color. This cognitive phenomenon is more commonly known as the Stroop Effect. The Stroop Effect is a study that lead to the occurence whereRead MoreEffect Of The Stroop Effect On Accuracy, Time And Confidence Levels1286 Words   |  6 Pages The Effect of the Stroop Effect on Accuracy, Time and Self-Confidence Levels Stroop’s 1935 study was the first experiment to test the Stroop effect as we know it now. The Stroop task measures the participants’ ability to ignore some parts of the stimuli, either the color of the word or what the word actually reads and pay attention to others. This is especially the case when the stimuli is incongruent, or when color written does not match the color of the font it is written in. The researchRead MoreMy Experience With The Stroop Effect862 Words   |  4 Pages Based on my experience with the Stroop effect I have concluded the test with the conflicting words and colors showed increased complexity. I realized during the test that the incompatible inputs created conflict in my mind. In order for me to formulate a response I had to disqualify an input and validate the solution prior to the final answer. According to George Washington University’s cognitive psychology department this phenomena is due to the top down processing theory. This theoryRead MoreThe Stroop s Stroop Experiment1308 Words   |  6 PagesIntroduction In 1935, John Ridley Stroop further researched and printed the whole idea of the Stroop effect which is also named after himself. The main purpose of the stroop experiment is to time how fast the participants are to respond to different coloured stimuli presented to them in different conditions. This measures the cognitive ability of the individuals involved as it tests the memory and focus. The work of John Ridley Stroop was originally a study that came from James McKeen Cattell (1991)Read MoreThe Matter Of Paying Attention1494 Words   |  6 Pagesprocesses; one of which is the capability to read words and the other to detect colors through visual stimuli. A way to understand the how this part of the brain works is through attention fails. J. Ridley Stroop (1935) investigated the response of the brain through the Stroop Effect, and attention fails as two cognitive processes conflicting each other. Stroop (1935) asked students to read off lists in two types of conditions; the congruent condition (NC test), which consisted of solid colored squaresRead MoreThe Effect of Visual Field Position and Type of Stimuli on the Stroop Effect1184 Words   |  5 PagesAbstract An experiment was conducted to test the effect of lateralization and congruency on reaction time to name colors. This was done using a computer program provided by The University of Mississippi. This effect is called the stroop effect. Results showed that it was neither lateralization nor congruency had a significant effect on reaction time, but the interaction of these two variables that created a significant change in the time needed to recognize colors. It is believed that this is due toRead MoreThe Stroop Effect On Children1134 Words   |  5 Pages Abstract Despite there being so many stroop effects studies done, people might ask themselves where it came from, how is the procedure done, and what can it conclude. This literature review informs about John Ridley, the creator of the stroop effect. How he tested the performance of participants and after many years in psychology, devote his life to religion. Since then many psychologists have tried to answer the effects the stroop effect might have on anxious adults as well as childrenRead MoreStroop Lab Report1407 Words   |  6 Pagesand colors and are generalized by attractiveness. For example, when putting in â€Å"cute animals† into Google search engine pictures load of puppies, kittens, bunnies, baby animals, and other animals deemed cute. This attribute is used in emotional Stroop. The original Stroop test was word and color congruence and incongruence (Stroop, 1935). With this experiment many more have popped up using the general guidelines of the test to create new Stroop tests. One form of Stroop is an Emotional Stroop using

Types Of People Conformists And Non Conformists

In this world, there are two types of people: conformists and non-conformists. Non-conformists do not like to follow people’s path and prefer to create his or her own path and let others follow them. Being a non-conformist is not easy because there are many people who disagree with one’s beliefs or practices and one of the reasons why to that is people do not like changes or being different. They prefer to keep things the same as long as it is still working followed by the phrase, â€Å"If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it†. Although, a non-conformist might argue that it is necessary to keep certain traditions or practices that we think are important. To counter, a conformist might say, if we do not try out new things or look at it in a different way then how could we ever improve ourselves to become a greater individual? During the summer of 2015, as I was watching the first presidential debate began live on Fox News channel. I found the entire audience s seemed to be upset, exhausted, and were hoping for someone who could make positive changes to the country and motivates people to work hard. On the contrary, the debate turned out to be more of a comedy show than an actual debate. The judges made fun of the candidates and asked many unnecessary questions. For example, during the debate, â€Å"Fox News Megyn Kelly called Trump out on his sexist behavior during the GOP debate on August 6, reminding him: ‘You have called women you don’t like ‘fat pigs’, ‘dogs’, ‘slobs’, and ‘disgustingShow MoreRelatedTypes Of People, Conformists And Non Conformists939 Words   |  4 PagesIn this world, there are two types of people. Conformists and non-conformists. Non-conformists do not like to follow people’s path and more likely would prefer to create his or her own path and let others follow them. Being a non-conformist is not easy because there would be many people who would di sagree with your one’s beliefs or practices and one of the reasons why to that is people do not like changes. They prefer to keep things stay the same as long as it is not broken followed by the phraseRead MoreThe Lamb and The Tyger by William Blake Essay863 Words   |  4 Pagespoems and this was to make people think about what was being said. Although they are not the first to do something like this the romantic poets are most known for this idea of seeing the double meaning so to speak. Each poem when it’s meaning is revealed usually has a deep and important meaning. Some writers reveal their most inner thoughts within their poetry. For example in The Lamb and The Tyger by William Blake his idea that there are two different types of people in this world yet we need bothRead MoreTranscendentalist Mccandless Essay1021 Words   |  5 Pagestranscendentalism? How is Christopher J. McCandless a transcendentalist? Transcendentalism is a philosophy, and a way of life. It consists of being a non-conformist, becoming one with nature, and rejecting materialism. Throughout Jon Krakauer’s novel, Into The Wild, McCandless happens to achieve all of the above. â€Å"Whoso would be a man, must be a non-conformist† (Emerson). He defied society, lived in the wild, and never cared about â€Å"things†. He existed off the land in Alaska, the west coast, and evenRead MorePositive And Negative Impacts Of Social Psychology1404 Words   |  6 PagesSocial Psychology is defined as â€Å"a subfield in psychology that focuses on social interaction between people, how people influence and are influenced by others, and the relationship between the individual’s behaviors/cognitions and that of others in a group† (Robertson, 2002-2015). Within that subfield there are many theories and concepts that explain these feelings, thoughts, and beliefs that are constructed and how psychological factors influence our interactions with other s. The topics examinedRead MoreCrime Theories: Strain Theory, Social Bond Theory, and Differential-Association Theory957 Words   |  4 Pagesor even why something is. In the case of criminology the main question being asked is â€Å"why does crime occur?†, but some theories also attempt to answer another equally interesting question â€Å"if being a criminal is the easy choice, why are so many people law abiding?† in order to understand criminal behavior. In order for a hypothesis to be moved forward into the category of a theory it must first be tested, and those tests must be able to be reconfirmed. In the case of criminology most of thisRead MoreThe American Culture Of Strict Conformity Accounts1588 Words   |  7 Pagesa result of many different aspects of American culture. However the American culture in the 1950’s was one of strict conformity. This conformist society, created in the late 1940’s was created by many early discoveries that uncov ered Communist members as Soviet spies. There arose a prevalent belief that anyone who thought differently was unpatriotic. This conformist nature of American society thus resulted in few organizations fighting for social justice. The Communist party therefore attracted aRead MoreAssess the Claim That Social Class Differences in Educational Achievement Are Primarily the Result of School Factors1746 Words   |  7 Pageschild’s achievement in education. The 1944 Act tried to create education for all – secondary schools were made free for all and the school leaving age was raised to 15. Children had to maxine hingstontake a test called the 11+ exam to determined what type of secondary school they would attend. Grammar schools were for the able children who passed the 11+ exam. Pupils were taught traditional subjects ready for university. 20% of children got in to grammar schools. Grammar schools were aimed at the middleRead More Non-conformity in The Sailor Who Fell From Grace With the Sea, Medea, and The Stranger1802 Words   |  8 PagesNon-conformity in The Sailor Who Fell From Grace With the Sea, Medea, and The Stranger      Ã‚  Ã‚   We are constantly being affected our surroundings. As a result, our attitudes and personalities are a product of our experiences and the various environments in which they occurred . Furthermore, the society we live in presents to us a set of standards, values, and givens that we may or may not agree with. 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The movie is set in a boy’s only private school called Walton that sends its graduates to Ivy league colleges. Where Mr. Keating is the new English teacher were he introduces non conformity and transcendentalism to his students. In the movie each boy

Alcoholism and Drinking Alcohol Abuse and the St Essay Example For Students

Alcoholism and Drinking Alcohol Abuse and the St Essay ate Exploratory Essays Research Papers Alcohol Abuse and the State In our country today there is a serious problem plaguing families and people everywhere. This problem is alcohol abuse and alcohol addiction, and it is not something that will go away. According to many sources this problem can cause many implications and can casue severe harm to those it touches(Venturrelli 222). And one of the main problems with the disease of alcoholism, is that it does not effect just the drinkers, but everyone who cares about them. It is seen as impossible to ever cure all situations of alcohol abuse, but is possible to help those who have a problem and to try and prevent others from becoming addicted. Most poeple do not realize what they are getting themselves into when they drink, and some who do drink never engage in aproblem. But there are also people who have a disorder in their genes, and those are the ones who have the most serious problems. Alcohol abuse can skip generations in families and show up only in one or two family members every couple of generations(Martin 676). What this means is that Janes(fictious name) great- grandfather may ahve been an alcoholic and no one else in the family will have a problem, and then Jane begins to have a problem. It is impossible to predict who this disease will strike, but when it does it strikes very hard and very deadly. Many times alcohol abuse begins as just ahving a good time, throughout high school I drank a lot and I enjoyed it. I dont think a week went by that I didnt drink at least four times a week, but I never let it get out of control and I knew my limits and when to quit for the night. When I got in to college things cahnged, I still drink but my priorities became more clear and I know when to draw the line. There are a lot of people that never got to experiment in high school and they got to college and really screwed up. Many people can not react well with alcohol in their bodies and that is where a problem starts with them. A main area of alcohol abuse is in greek organizations, Im not saying that they are bad because there are amny non- greek that drink, but these organizations help many to have access to alcohol. Those people drink to be social but it goes past social to being plain- hammered for the fun of it. The first stage in controlling the abuse of alcohol is to realize there is a problem(Martin, 673). once the problem has been defined and is known then the real work starts. From that point there are many different solutions to solve the enigma. Each solution has its own merit, and with every idea there is a group of people who are sure that it is a fool proof method to solve this dilemma. The truth is that there is no fool-proof method to solve this problem. It has been present for centuries and it will take at least that long if not longer to make major advances in this quest of purity and properness. Another part of the solution is on the school administration level and the city itself. The main deterrent to alcohol consumption on campus is the ban. It is similar to prohibition of earlier times, there is no sort of alcohol permitted on campus. Along with a violation of this rule comes very serious consequences effecting residency and student status. To enforce this rule there are campus police that encompass the campus and try to promote a sense of security. As do regular police, they can issue tickets for alcohol possession, public intoxication, and minor in possession. .ue9a48e61824c463397267da34920ad6a , .ue9a48e61824c463397267da34920ad6a .postImageUrl , .ue9a48e61824c463397267da34920ad6a .centered-text-area { min-height: 80px; position: relative; } .ue9a48e61824c463397267da34920ad6a , .ue9a48e61824c463397267da34920ad6a:hover , .ue9a48e61824c463397267da34920ad6a:visited , .ue9a48e61824c463397267da34920ad6a:active { border:0!important; } .ue9a48e61824c463397267da34920ad6a .clearfix:after { content: ""; display: table; clear: both; } .ue9a48e61824c463397267da34920ad6a { display: block; transition: background-color 250ms; webkit-transition: background-color 250ms; width: 100%; opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #95A5A6; } .ue9a48e61824c463397267da34920ad6a:active , .ue9a48e61824c463397267da34920ad6a:hover { opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #2C3E50; } .ue9a48e61824c463397267da34920ad6a .centered-text-area { width: 100%; position: relative ; } .ue9a48e61824c463397267da34920ad6a .ctaText { border-bottom: 0 solid #fff; color: #2980B9; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0; padding: 0; text-decoration: underline; } .ue9a48e61824c463397267da34920ad6a .postTitle { color: #FFFFFF; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 100%; } .ue9a48e61824c463397267da34920ad6a .ctaButton { background-color: #7F8C8D!important; color: #2980B9; border: none; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: none; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 26px; moz-border-radius: 3px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-shadow: none; width: 80px; min-height: 80px; background: url(https://artscolumbia.org/wp-content/plugins/intelly-related-posts/assets/images/simple-arrow.png)no-repeat; position: absolute; right: 0; top: 0; } .ue9a48e61824c463397267da34920ad6a:hover .ctaButton { background-color: #34495E!important; } .ue9a48e61824c463397267da34920ad6a .centered-text { display: table; height: 80px; padding-left : 18px; top: 0; } .ue9a48e61824c463397267da34920ad6a .ue9a48e61824c463397267da34920ad6a-content { display: table-cell; margin: 0; padding: 0; padding-right: 108px; position: relative; vertical-align: middle; width: 100%; } .ue9a48e61824c463397267da34920ad6a:after { content: ""; display: block; clear: both; } READ: The passage by Igor Stravinsky Essay All three of these are very serious penalties and carry heavy fines. In conjunction with the campus police there are also city police. These officers are there for more than just alcohol dealings, but they do spend a great deal of time working with the university police. They have the same powers as do the campus cops, and .

Is Utopia Possible in This World and How Are the Ideas Represented free essay sample

As a result of extensive analysis of the four texts: the novel â€Å"The Giver† by Lois Lowry, the film â€Å"Gattaca† directed by Andrew Niccol, the website â€Å"Design Your Own Utopia† by Chaz Bufe with Libby Hubbard, and the newspaper article â€Å"Woman-town loses its lip gloss† by Anita Quigley, one would suggest that Utopia, (as represented by the four texts), is not possible in the modern and contemporary Western society we live in today. What comprises Utopia in â€Å"The Giver† includes: elimination of emotion, purging of colour, population control, and lack of freedom. In â€Å"Gattaca†, Utopia consists of: lack of privacy and freedom, and the use of eugenics. â€Å"Design Your Own Utopia† involves the Utopian ideas: dissolving of religion, disintegration of mental depression, and banishment of extreme criminals. Finally, the ideas of Utopia in â€Å"Woman-town loses its lip gloss† are: the undermining of the male gender, a consumerist society, and the dense building structures. We will write a custom essay sample on Is Utopia Possible in This World and How Are the Ideas Represented? or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page The Utopian idea of elimination of emotion, as expressed in â€Å"The Giver†, would not be possible in our current Western world. When Jonas, the protagonist, asks his surrogate parents if they love him, they are shocked and reply, â€Å"Jonas†¦Precision of language, please! † Jonas’ parents react in this manner because, in Utopia, all kinds of deep and intense emotions are eliminated from society by a scientific genetic process – â€Å"Sameness†, a recurring metaphor throughout the story. The use of italics portrays Jonas’ parents’ utter distress over the situation; the raise in tone of voice is their way of emphasising the importance of the issue to Jonas. Jonas’ parents also mention, â€Å"of course our community can’t function smoothly if people don’t use precise language†. The use of alliteration also helps to define the tone of voice as harsh and domineering. Furthermore, the biting alliteration creates a monotonic expression. Without such robotic language, the sentence would be disrupted, symbolic of how its absence would disrupt their community. In our world, the ability to feel and express emotions is part of our human genetic makeup, and science has not yet found or attempted to discover a procedure to eliminate them. Secondly, to rid society of emotion would mean to create one that is made up of robots. In short, this idea of Utopia would not be possible in Western society, as there is no known way of removing emotion from people. Additionally, the Utopian idea of purging of colour in â€Å"The Giver† would not be possible in the Western world in which we live. Jonas is often found wondering why everyone wears a â€Å"colourless fabric† and why nature is a â€Å"flat and hueless shade†. The use of the ‘bland’ – sounding and closed letter ‘l’ is representative of Utopia, which could be seen as insipid, as it lacks colour – literally. The absence of colour and the importance of this theme are also evident in the front cover of ‘The Giver’. The main focus is a black and white photo of the wrinkled face of an old man, however, in one of the corners, there is a coloured photo of trees in the sunrise/sunset. Separating these two images is a picture of a line of ripped paper. The rip emphasises that colour is separate from Utopia and an unnecessary factor – symbolic of one ripping out an unwanted page from an exercise book. ‘The Giver’ replies why Utopia does not have colour, â€Å"we relinquished colour when we relinquished sunshine and did away with differences. In Utopia, no one is able to see colour, (even as children), due to a genetically engineered intervention. In the Western world we live in today, the undertaking of this procedure would not be allowed. Certain ethics would be upheld and argued by human rights organizations, such as Civil Liberties, against such a practice. Freedom of the individual is one of the highest freedoms in today’s world, and civil rights are upheld as the most important values a human being can have. To have one’s ability to see colour taken away at childbirth would challenge this freedom, sending ethics committees up in arms. As can be seen, Utopia would not be possible in the Western world today as the taking away of one’s ability to see colour would not be allowed due to the issues of ethics and human rights. Also, Utopia, as depicted in â€Å"The Giver†, would not be possible in the Western world, as it involves the Utopian idea of population control for the purpose of conformity. One day, Jonas sees his father administer a fatal injection to a newborn child (his job in society), as it is an identical twin. If both twins were allowed to live, the predictability and order of society would be disrupted. Secondly, the harsh elements of population control can be seen when Jonas’ father light-heartedly speaks of Gabriel’s, a troublesome newborn, â€Å"Release†. â€Å"Release† is a euphemism used constantly throughout the book, utilized by the ‘rulers’ of Utopia to distance society from the concept of euthanasia practiced on the very young who do not conform, the elderly, and those whose errors threaten the stability of the community. Jonas listens to his father say to Gabriel, â€Å"It’s bye-bye to you†, and notes that he had said it in a â€Å"sweet, sing-song voice†. The use of monosyllabic words illustrates Jonas’ father’s blunt acceptance of the fact that he will end Gabriel’s life – because he does not conform to the norms of infanthood, such as sleeping through the whole night. The majority of society is, in fact, ignorant to the euphemistic practices involved in â€Å"Release†. Such an accepted attitude to assisted death, and the idea of such an ignorant society, would not work in the Western world, as Western society acts in accordance with the organization, â€Å"International Task Force on Euthanasia†, which considers these actions as a rejection of the importance and value of human life. Society would not remain ignorant for long, in Utopia, as one cannot control dissension, which is to be expected in any society. Euthanasia has been attempted in Western societies, such as Australia. However, there has been a huge public backlash. As a result of these issues, Utopia, as portrayed in â€Å"The Giver, would not be possible in Western society. Furthermore, one Utopian idea represented in â€Å"The Giver†, which proves the statement that Utopia would not be possible in the Western world, is the issue of lack of freedom. After Jonas has been shown how controlled Utopia is, he cries, â€Å"I want to wake up in the morning and decide things! † â€Å"The Giver† agrees, â€Å"it’s the choosing that’s important, isn’t it? † The use of a question serves not only for the purpose of conversation in the novel but, just as â€Å"the Giver† questions Jonas, the reader is also able to question and realize the importance of freedom. Jonas later realizes, â€Å"â€Å"We really have to protect people from wrong choices. The use of the qualifier of certainty – â€Å"really have to† – stresses the need for ‘happiness’ and that the lack of freedom is an essential element of Utopia. In Utopia, as seen in â€Å"The Giver†, everyone is assigned a job for which he or she is suited emotionally, physically and mentally. Also, every surrogate family, (to which newborn children are allocated), has a mother, father, and two children, one of each sex. In the Western world, applying conformity to such an extent would not pass the laws of ethics, which state that individuals ave the right and freedom to make their own decisions. Controlling society to such an extent would not be achievable, as there will always be those who rebel, and dissension in society is inevitable. As such, Utopia would not be possible in the Western world, as the lack of freedom would contradict our fundamental human ethics. Similarly, Utopia, as expressed in â€Å"Gattaca†, would not be possible in this Western world we live in today, as a necessary Utopian factor portrayed in the film is the lack of freedom. In Utopia, pre – implantation genetic diagnosis is able to determine, at birth, one’s job, life partner, and the exact time and cause of death. Vincent’s predetermined and constricted life as someone who was not genetically conceived – an â€Å"invalid† – is evident when his father disapproves of his dreams of going to space, â€Å"the only way that youll see the inside of a spaceship is if youre cleaning it. Vincent’s lack of freedom is also portrayed in the scene where he is cleaning a workstation at Gattaca. A worm’s eye view shot is used, depicting a rocket ship blasting off into space. This technique emphasises Vincent’s feeling, and knowledge, of his low status as an â€Å"invalid†, rendering his desire as hopeless, because he does not have the necessary genetic perfections to fulfil his dreams of going to space. The mournful non – diagetic music used in this scene also helps to convey the desperation of Vincent’s situation. In the Western world, civil and human rights societies, and religious organizations, would oppose this. Civil and human rights committees would argue that altering a child’s life before they are even born would undermine their power to make individual decisions, as is legally required. Religious organizations would argue that meddling with ‘God’s handiwork’ would be an unethical and immoral act. Undoubtedly, Utopia would not be possible in this Western world because the Utopian ideal of lack of freedom would defy Christian and other religious ethics, and human rights issues. Secondly, the Utopian idea of eugenics, represented in â€Å"Gattaca†, supports the statement that Utopia would not be possible in our contemporary Western world. In Utopia, when a couple thinks of conceiving a child, they book an appointment with a geneticist. This is because, in Utopia, science is able to choose the ‘best’ genes from each parent to make a ‘perfect’ child – â€Å"We want to give your child the best possible start. † The prevalence and importance of eugenics in Utopia is also obvious when Vincent states, â€Å"They used to say that a child conceived in love [rather than with a geneticist] has a greater chance of happiness. They dont say that anymore. â€Å" In one scene, Vincent, as a child, is refused enrolment in a certain preschool as he is an â€Å"invalid† and that their insurance would not cover him. Here, an extreme close up is used of Vincent’s hand holding one of the bars on the preschool gate, as the principal bangs it shut. Diagetic sound is used here, magnifying the gate’s clang to an echo. The combination of these two techniques shows that Vincent’s natural conception and separation from society has echoed in his mind ever since his childhood, stressing the importance of eugenics in Utopia. Even if eugenics were more advanced than they currently are, the dominant Christian morality upheld in the Western world would not allow such a procedure, as it would be considered altering God’s creation and playing with fate. Clearly, Utopia is not possible in the Western world, as the Utopian idea of eugenics would not be supported by the Christian morals the majority of Western society upholds. In addition to this, the lack of privacy in Utopia, as seen in â€Å"Gattaca†, confirms the view that Utopia would not be possible in the Western world. In Utopia, the population is constantly being asked to take urine samples, DNA finger swabs, (the equivalent of an ID card) – â€Å"they can always take a sample [of DNA] from a door handle or a handshake†, and even be surveyed and scanned while working or typing at computers. An important section of the film is when Vincent accidentally drops an eyelash on the scene of a recent murder. An extreme close up is used on the eyelash dropped, and the surroundings are blurred so as to focus on the item. This highlights the futility of preserving one’s privacy, as even an eyelash can be used to discover one’s identity. However, this shot also serves the purpose of identifying to the viewer that the dropping of the eyelash will affect much of the film. Secondly, the motif of water is used at varying stages throughout the film, symbolizing cleansing and rebirth. One scene depicts Vincent furiously rubbing off any loose skin cells and washing himself in the sea. He does this because he is impersonating Jerome Morrow, a â€Å"valid†, in order to fulfil his desire of going to space. The motif of water, in this scene, is important because it stresses the fact that one’s privacy is constantly being invaded, and so those who have something to hide must be very cautious in order to protect their identity. In the Western world, human rights committees would argue that this undermines one’s sense of security and completely disregards one’s right to privacy. The lack of privacy would probably also meet a strong uprising from society. As can be seen, Utopia would not be possible in the Western world, as removing one’s right to privacy would be opposed by both civil rights organizations and society in general. Correspondingly, the Utopian ideal of the fading of religion, as stated by â€Å"Design Your Own Utopia†, would make Utopia in our Western world impossible. Instead of religion, the website hopes that â€Å"a way of life based on ecological awareness, social consciousness, and a loving concern for our fellow humans and other creatures† would replace it. The website also believes that â€Å"as social misery abates, we’d expect a concomitant decline in traditional religions. † The website describes religion as an â€Å"institution† and thinks it to be made up of â€Å"hoary rituals†. The use of derogatory language shows its immense dislike of the issue. On the website, religion is only written about in a very brief paragraph. This technique of paragraph structure is used in order for the reader to remember the issue more easily. Throughout the centuries, and right from the beginning of time, man has always had some sort of religion or belief system, as is evident from the traditional forms of ancestor worship and shamanism in Neolithic times to henotheism of the Late Bronze Age, and even from the ancient tale of Adam and Eve. It is evident that society cannot live without some sort of religious conviction to hold on to, as philosophical questions, such as the meaning of life, rely on these beliefs for answers. Without a doubt, Utopia would not be possible in this Western society in which we live, as the need for a religion/belief system is inseparable from human nature. As well as the issues mentioned, the Utopian idea that depression would gradually alleviate, as put forward by â€Å"Design Your Own Utopia†, also shows that Utopia would not be possible in Western society. The website states, â€Å"We would expect†¦depression to gradually disappear as the reasons for them disappear. † The use of the word ‘would’ by the website is to distance itself from the possibilities of what could go wrong, remaining in a state subject to objection. This is done so as to not impose the ideas too much on the reader, leaving the reader freedom to decide what is right or wrong themselves. Such reasons suggested include â€Å"poverty†¦racism, sexism, sexual repression†. This would not work in the Western world, as depression is not so easily cured. The website seemingly fails to understand that depression of an individual is a mental disorder of the brain, and that the person’s physical surroundings may not necessarily affect their mental condition. As such, Utopia would not be possible in Western society as there is no complete solution to depression – the human mind is far more complex. Beyond what has been stated, Utopia, as described in â€Å"Design Your Own Utopia†, would not be possible in Western society because of its unfair treatment of violent individuals and criminals. The website states that it would tolerate and encourage all kinds of individual behaviour, but only until it becomes â€Å"directly harmful to others or obnoxiously intrusive†. One must wonder that if behaviour is antisocial and disruptive before it becomes â€Å"obnoxiously intrusive†, how a modern society would function. In today’s society, the principle of dealing with negative behaviour before it becomes extreme is firmly embedded. However, the website states, â€Å"one would hope that most disputes would be able to be â€Å"resolved through mediation† and believes â€Å"social cohesion/citizen social involvement†¦is the best means of discouraging and dealing† with such behaviour. The use of formal language, â€Å"one would hope†, is not only for the purpose of a formal essay, but it is also used to ease the ideas onto the reader. Yet the website is still very strong about its ideas, as seen through the persuasive language and tone, â€Å"is the best means†. Many Western societies are heading towards mediation today, but the logistics of it are still being debated. Furthermore, mediation presupposes that the parties involved are willing to cooperate. One must also consider how practical it is to implement on such a large scale, in terms of amount of staff required and training of staff, as well as a total shift in philosophy. Later on, the website mentions that in extreme cases, consistent re – offenders would be banished from society. It would be very difficult to determine what is meant by banishment and what exactly a re – offender is. Strangely enough, the website agrees that this is â€Å"far from a perfect solution†. Here, the website attempts to maintain a neutral tone by providing more than one viewpoint on its idea of ‘Utopia’, assisted by the neutral background colour of the website. If this is the case, one must wonder whether this really is Utopia if even its creators point out its imperfections. As such, Utopia, as illustrated in â€Å"Design Your Own Utopia†, would not be possible in the Western world because of its ill – reasoned solutions to violence and because it lacks complete perfection, contradicting the idea of a ‘utopia’ by definition. Comparatively, the Utopian idea of female authority, as is evident in â€Å"Woman-town loses its lip gloss†, would not be able to be upheld in Western society. The motto of Woman-town is – A woman never makes a mistake, a man must not refuse a womans request. Men can also be punished by women through â€Å"kneeling on an uneven board or by washing dishes in a restaurant. The article has commented on this as being a â€Å"selfish quest for gender parity†. In this way, the writer is incorporating her own opinions and adjectives into the story to make it more interesting than plain facts and, perhaps, to sell herself as a writer. She also writes of the motto, â€Å"Such wisdom, I briefly thought, must date back to Confucius’s time†. Here, the writer has utilised humour for entertainment’s sake, making a joke of the motto, however, she is careful in that she refers to this as her own opinion so as to not overly criticize the creators of ‘Woman-town’. In the Western world, there are laws in place, which state the equality between individuals and equality between genders. Additionally, there would most likely be a revolt among the male, and possibly female, genders against such activities. As a result, Utopia would not be possible in Western society due to the unequal gender hierarchy. Besides these arguments, Utopia, as presented in â€Å"Woman-town loses its lip gloss†, would not be possible in Western society due to its financial viability. Woman-town is presented as being a very consumerist society – â€Å"there would be shoe shops on every corner with SALE signs always dangling in the windows†. Here, one must wonder whether such a world would be able to be supported financially. The writer describes ‘Woman-town’ as – â€Å"a Disneyland full of screeching, credit-card wielding women†. Throughout the novel, the writer uses first – person to incorporate a narrative – type element into the article to appeal more to the readers. One must also consider where the money will come from. The website states that ‘Woman-town’ would be â€Å"very good†¦ for entertainment and relaxation†. Here, it must also be noted that if pampering and ‘living the good life’ are the only motives to Utopia, how is it to be upheld politically, economically, and ecologically? Because of this, Utopia would not be possible in the Western world due to its lack of practicalities. In the same way, Utopia, as presented in â€Å"Woman-town loses its lip gloss†, would not be possible in the Western world due to its dense building structures. In Utopia, the article states that there would be â€Å"shoe shops on every corner†. The writer uses alliteration to depict the catchy and appealing nature of the seemingly cliche ‘Woman-town’ to the stereotypical woman. If this is to be the case for the whole Western world, one must wonder what will happen to all the forests and plant – life if there are buildings and shopping centres covering the whole region. The animals that rely on the ecosystems provided by such plant – life must also be taken into consideration. Imagine a life, (and a world), where flora and fauna were non – existent. Furthermore, in Western society today, people are leaving ‘urban jungles’ and the ‘rat race’ of city living to escape to nature, and they do this as often as possible – sometimes even forming isolated communities. There is something in human nature that craves contact with nature. In short, Utopia, as described in â€Å"Woman-town loses its lip gloss†, would not be possible in Western society, as the human and animal reliance on plant life is too great a necessity to be compromised. In conclusion, it is evident that Utopia, as portrayed in the texts – â€Å"The Giver†, â€Å"Gattaca†, â€Å"Design Your Own Utopia†, and â€Å"Woman-town loses its lip gloss† – would not be possible in the modern and contemporary Western society we live in today.