The Perception Of Tourists Tourism Essay

The Perception Of Tourists Tourism Essay The tourism industry has become a powerful engine for the economy in many countries. The impact of tourism on society is also related to the different kinds of tourists and a variety of host societies. Hence, their special interest is, in particular, based on their perception. Therefore, the present research will focus on the perception of international tourists, when selecting their World Heritage tourism destination, as this will help us establish the marketing strategy for the World Heritage sites in Thailand. In order to illustrate the heritage tourism in Thailand, this study will focus on the ancient capital cities of the kingdom of Thailand, in which long prosperous eras have been run. Quantitative and qualitative data obtained from questionnaires and an in-depth interview with a president of a world historical park will be the main sources of input for analysis. This chapter starts by outlining the topic and major constructs of the research. It also provides the reason why this information needs to be examined; this is in order for the Tourism Authority of Thailand to increase the number of travellers to Thailand, especially to the heritage sites. The chapter will provide the background information, which is related to the summary of the previous research, followed by the research aims and objectives and the proposed value on the current study. Thailand is also known as the Land of Smiles, which is a reflection on the hospitality and friendly nature of the country as a tourist destination. Peleggi (1996) states Thailand is a country provided with rich culture, history and public museums containing valuable archaeological collections. Moreover, Baedekere (1997) elaborated that Thailand is a must go destination for everyone who has an interest in Asian culture, and for anyone looking for beautiful landscapes and a pleasant climate (Wongkerd, 2003). Tourism represents one of the most dynamic economic sectors of the world. The tourism industry has also increased significantly in the developing countries, especially Southeast Asia and the Pacific. According to the World Tourist Organisation (WTO), tourism trends in Asia and the Pacific were only second after Europe as the most visited regions in the world. As a result, cultural tourism is the fastest growing segment of the tourism industry, so its clear that a trend is developing; an increased interest in more specialised activities among tourists. (This trend is evident in the rise in the volume of tourists who seek adventure, culture, history, archaeology and interaction with local people (Wikipedia, 2010). As Thailand enters the 21st century, the tourism industry continues to play an important role in contributing to the growth of economic and social development. It has been reported that tourism makes up 6.7% of the Thai economy and 7% of the jobs. Thailand is also well known for the enduring hospitality of its people, its ancient culture and natural environment on offer to visitors. Hence, the number of tourists has steadily increased over the last ten years. The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has stated that Thailand is the myriad tourist destination as its a cultural, natural, exotic and historical site (TAT, 2009). Thailand was ranked eleventh in International tourism receipts (US$ 15.6 billion), and eighteenth in international arrivals with 14.5 million visitors in 2007 (Tourismroi, 2008), (See Appendix 1). Moreover, Thailand wins four Go Asia awards honouring the best service provided for travel to Asia at ITB Berlin 2010 (The Worlds Leading Travel Trade Show), worlds best tourist country in eight consecutive years and also the Swedish Grand Travel Award 2010 (Tatnews, 2010). This research will expand concepts and benefits for the tourism industry especially in the World Heritage sites in Thailand. It will provide essential information, which will improve the services provided not only for international visitors but also for domestic tourists. However, the global crisis, the rising cost of gasoline and the instability of political sense in Thailand, all can be contributing to the decreasing the number of flights and visitors. These issues have become more challenging for the tourism industry in Thailand in its ability to compete with others, in particular, its neighbouring countries like Vietnam and Laos. Thailand Tourism Marketing Plan Rittchainuwat et al. (2001) state that it is difficult to get rid of a negative image but it is easier to increase tourists positive attitudes. The authorities that are directly in charge with the tourism industry such as the Thai government and Tourism authority of Thailand need to make an effort to create positive images through promotional strategies. In addition, Chon and Sigh (1994) also explained that the government should be attempting to change its tourist image by promoting the cultural, natural attractions and the inexpensive shopping in Thailand rather than its sexual attractions. However, a decline of tourist arrivals resulting from the global economic downturn, the 2009 flu pan epidemic and the instability of the internal political situation following the year of 2008 to 2010 have had a significant impact on the tourism industry as initially feared. According to Thailand Tourism Report (pr-inside, 2009), the number of international visitors has fallen down 3% from 14.58 million in 2008 to 14.4 million in 2009 and the total revenue also decreased by 2.8% in the year of 2009. Therefore, these situations have forced the Thai government to focus on stimulating demand and boosting exports in the travel industry. Therefore, the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) expects the tourism sector to recover as soon as possible. In June 2010 the TAT has set a budget 1.6-billion-baht, with 600 million baht targeting domestic tourism and 1 billion baht for international markets (Bangkok Post, 2010). The tourism authority of Thailand (TAT) launched the marketing slogan Amazing Thailand for promoting Thailand internationally in 1997. Then in order to react to the tourism crisis in 2009, TAT then re-launched the slogan again as Amazing Thailand, Amazing Value (Tat news, 2009). Thus, this program will help to increase the countrys tourist image and stimulate the number of tourists in order to stop the downturn of the tourism industry in Thailand. 1.2 Research Aim and Objectives Research Aim Since the tourism industry is a very important sector for generating huge revenue for Thailand, it is necessary to determine the relationship between visitors perception of Thailand and the image of Thailand as a country. Therefore, in this research we will examine Thailands image, which will affect the travellers destination choice. Moreover, this study will also step forward by examining the perception of tourists concerning the World Heritage sites as one of their destinations. Thus, the result of this study will be to obtain a suitable strategy in order to meet tourists expectations for their future journeys to Thailand. The research objectives can be defined as: Research Objectives The main research objective is to determine what Tourists perception of Thailand is. This research study also examines the travel characteristics, what tourists are expecting when they are going to Thailand and the socio-demographic characteristics, which affect the destination choice prior to visiting a heritage site. Moreover, the research will examine whether the concept of heritage tourism is popular among the tourists. It also profiles tourists who travel to Thailand, discussing their reasons for travelling and particularly, on a socio-demographic level. The findings will identify a key element, i.e. the major motivation and socio-demographic differences involved between the heritage tourists and other activity participation groups in order to understand consumers travel perception and choice of destination. Subsequently, this will be essential data to develop appropriate marketing strategies to generate greater benefit for the tourism industry and the World Heritage sites in Th ailand. 1.3 Value of the study A lot of research is conducted in the study on the perception of visitors, concerning the attributes of the destination. There are rarely studies of literature on tourism regarding heritage sites, particularly in Thailand This research will be helpful for the tourism sector and marketers to gain a better understanding of the visitors particularly in Thailand. It also can help to develop strategies, which will help the Tourism industry in a long business growth. 1.4 Organisation of the study This study is divided into six main parts, which will be explained as follows. Chapter 1: Introduction This chapter provides an introduction to the current study. It is explaining the importance of the research aims and research objectives. A background of the topic, some of the previous research conducted and the value of this research will be contained in this chapter. Chapter 2: Literature Review The second important part is a literature review. This chapter will provide a better understanding about the topic. Moreover, this chapter will give detail and show the development of the research, which has been gathered for the topic. This information will help to clarify and construct this research, which then leads to the research model and hypothesis formulation. Chapter 3: Conceptual Development and Hypothesis formulation The third chapter is based on the literature review, which will be included in the conceptual model for this project. In addition, the formulation of hypothesis will also be explained. Chapter 4: Research Design and Methodology This chapter will give details on how the research is designed and how methodology will be used in order to carry out the research in its entirety. Chapter 5: Results and Analysis The result and analysis chapter will discuss the findings and results after conducting statistical analysis by using the statistical tool SPSS program. The results will be shown, analysed and discussed in this stage. Chapter 6: Conclusion and Implication The last chapter includes the discussions and implication of the study. The limitation of the study, further study and conclusion for the entire piece of research will also be included in chapter six. 2. Literature Review 2.1 Introduction This chapter is aiming to give an overview of related theories and perceptions that affect to tourism industry. The review also includes the concept of beneficial image, the image of Thailand and heritage tourism and it also provides a concept which previously has been developed by different researchers who were undertaking the research study with a similar approach. 2.2 How Perception Affects Tourism The term perception of the tourism industry generally can be viewed in two ways. The first one is the mental image created by marketing and media. Another way of perceiving it can be developed by the consumers. In general, the destination will market itself as much as possible in order to persuade the traveller to buy a trip there (Tuohino, 2002 cited from Henkel et al, 2006). Travellers go to the destination in order to consume the products, services and experiences offered to them. Travellers will form their perceptions related to their expectations, which are based on their former experiences, friends, the internet, marketing and information from travel agencies (Kotler, Bowen Markens, 2006). Thus, if the products or services at that particular destination exceed the travellers expectations, it means that they are satisfied. On the other hand, travellers are dissatisfied when their expectations are not met (Mcdowall, 2010). According to Crompton (1979), people travel for four different reasons: personal business travel; corporate business travel; visiting relatives and friends or for pleasure. Therefore, tourists have stereotypical images and different perceptions of travel locations, so it is important for tourism marketers to promote the destination image in a way that will increase the number of tourists (Sirgy Su, 2000). Moreover, the individuals cultural belonging and heritage does not only affect the way people experience and interpret the products and services supplied to them, but it also influences their decision making in regard to choices of vacations and destinations. Furthermore, customers have different perceptions and individual needs, which hold different values to a destination. The collection of customer information is a way to discover the customer needs and their values. Thus, customers benefit the destination through their tastes and preferences, which can directly contribute to ma rketing new products and services in tourism industry (Reportforu, 2010). Fakeye and Crompton (1991), has outlined the tourists image formation process (see Figure 1). It is clear to see from this Figure that the consumers organic images and the induced image of tourist destinations can be obtained from elsewhere, i.e. literature, friends or relatives. These messages play a significant role in influencing the evaluation of alternative travel destinations and finally in making a decision about the destination they will visit (cited from Henkel et al, 2006). Hu Ritchi (1993) stated that the more tourists think that the destination will satisfy their vacation desires, the more likely the visitors will choose the destination. Figure 1: Faye and Cromptons Tourists Image Formation Process (Tuohino, 2002). 2.3 Conceptualisation of beneficial image It was described by the previous study on destination image that a destinations image could contribute to the destination-making process. During this process, travellers build a destination image based on the informative and persuasive information obtained from friends, news and travel agencies (Rittichainuwat, 2001). Thus, an effective destination image strategy will be very important in order to make the particular destination stand out from other countries. Crompton (1979) states that not all images can influence the travellers decision-making process. The research examines the relationships between the attributes of a destination and the decision-making process of tourists. Therefore, understanding the evaluation of the characteristic image related to destination choice is needed in tourism marketing. Moreover, Kotler and Barich (1991) state that the consumer will form an image based on the benefit or value that they expect to get from those products or services. Sheth, Newman, and Gross (1991) suggested that marketing choice behaviour is a multidimensional phenomenon involving multiple values: functional, social, emotional, epistemic, and conditional (see Appendix 1). The study also states that these seven important factors are influencing market choice behaviour. Based on the theory and marketing image concept, the beneficial image model was developed by Tappachai and Waryszak as shown below. Figure 2: Beneficial image model (Tapachai Waryszak, 2000) Figure 2 shows traveller consumption values that are in the beneficial image model. These five consumption values include the functional characteristics of the destinations, Social perception about the destination, the emotions of the traveller in connection to the destination, (epistemic) of the destination meaning that the traveller can gain new experiences from the destination and conditional such as the accessibility to other countries. (Tapachai Waryzak, 2000, cited from Henkel et al, 2006). By using Thailand as an example to describe the model above, Thailands functional values are the bargain shopping, the variety of food and the beautiful scenery. The social result is a destination that is suitable for all ages of people. The emotional value is that it is a place to relax and unwind. An epistemic value is that Thailands culture is beautiful and finally the conditional value is mainly about the location, the traveller can easily gain access to other countries. According to Echtner Ritchie (1993), the destination image refers to the attributes base or holistic (imagery), with each component containing functional (tangible) or psychological (intangible or abstract) characteristics ( Echtner Ritchie, 1993). The attributes perspectives include tourists perceptions through the characteristics of the vacation destination such as beautiful architecture and buildings, numerous cultural, historical attractions and psychological characteristics like a safe place to visit and also friendly people. Moreover, the holistic perspective of the destination relates to the destinations image in terms of physical characteristics such as beaches, mountains, likewise the psychological characteristics are the destinations atmosphere or mood (Echtner Ritchie, 1993 cited from Henkel et al). Rod Davies (2003) explained that every destination has its own brand image. Also, factors like cost and convenience play an important role in decision-making about the destination. However, the strongest influence and motivator is the image of the tourism destination (Davies, 2003). Therefore, images are the brand identity, which tourists can perceive. In addition, images can both increase and decrease the selection of the destination by the traveller (Henkel et al). However, Bigne et al. (2001) argued that image does not only influence the destination choice, but it also has an influence on the evaluation of the destination after the vacation. It can be clear whether or not the traveller will return to the destination (Bigne et al, 2001 cited from Henkel et al). Moreover, a high positive image of one particular destination means that it is more likely to be chosen by the tourist in the process of decision-making (Echtner Ritchie, 1993). In conclusion, image plays an important role in tourist satisfaction and the preconceived image of the destination will influence the tourists decision on their vacation destination. 2.4 The image of Thailand Destination image can be both positive and negative, if two destinations are offering almost the same characteristics for the travellers perception. Therefore, the more positive the image is of a destination, the more likely that the traveller will go there (Rittichainuwat, 2001). Thailand is not only a land of smile as a result of the friendly people and the safety of the place, but also as a result of its cultural, natural and historical attractions. Due to the study of Yau and Chan on the image of Southeast Asia, Thailand has been perceived as a reasonably priced place with beautiful beaches and various attractions (Rittichainuwat, 2001). In addition, Tapachai Waryszak conducted a study about the beneficial image characteristics of Thailand and grouped the results, showing that the functional attributes are the cheap shopping, variety of food, friendly people and historical sites as well as the epistemic attribute of experiencing the rich culture (Henkel et al, 2006). Furthermore, the research between Tourism Authority in Thailand (TAT) and Siam University showed the result that there was a positive image of its being seen as a natural and historical travel destination (Henkel et al., 2006). This positive image can be reflected by its being an award winnin g destination from the perspectives of different countries. For example, International Tourisms Bourse Berlin (ITB), awarded Thailand the four go Asia Awards honouring the best service providers for travel to Asia in 2010. The Swedish grand travel award has ranked Thailand as the World Best Tourist Country. However, Thailand has also suffered from a negative image because of prostitution and pollution, which led to the decline of tourist attractions (Rittichainuwat et al., 2001). Prideaux et al (2004) has also stated that the image of Thailand is one of it being an erotic destination. In addition, the image of Thailand was also related to international news coverage being described as a place of prostitution. These negative images can, obviously, affect visitors and might make them not want to visit Thailand. This also leads to the cause of some health and moral issues in Thailand (Henkel et al., 2001). However, the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) never promotes Thailand as a sex tourism destination (Prideaux et al., 2004). Suwanmolis study about international media coverage of prostitution in Thailand, revealed that foreign reporters usually report the negative side such AIDS and prostitution because this kind of news very easily gets attention from public. Moreover, Suwanmoli expl ained that there are a high number of as many as 2.8 million prostitutes working in Thailand (Rittichainuwat, 2001). Therefore, the governments concern over this issue should be to minimize the pandemic diseases and prostitution. Alternatively, the Thai government must actively seek to reduce these negative images such as sex tourism, by positive image marketing of other tourism products and by trying to decrease the illegal activities such as prostitution within the country (Henkel et al, 2006). Finally, Thailands image has suffered from a decline of tourist attractions, pollution, traffic jams, a lack of new tourist attractions and the image of sex tourism. Additionally, Ahmed states, once a negative image is established in the minds of potential travellers, even a full range of marketing activities cannot entirely reverse it. Thus, Marketers can do little to eliminate the negative image. In contrast, marketers can offset the negative perception by creating positive images through promotional strategies, including advertising, arranging events, and hosting international conventions and exhibitions (Rittichainuwat, 2001). 2.5 Heritage Tourism The vast majority of literature on heritage, apart from the philosophical and intellectual, has concerned itself with heritage tourism, a sector that has grown globally and also created the revenue and employment for undeveloped countries (Misiura, 2006). The World Tourism Organisation (1992) defines heritage tourism as an immersion in the natural history, human heritage, arts, philosophy and intuitions of another region or country (Laws Pan, 2004). Moreover, Rowan and Baram (2004) describe heritage tourism as a consumerist phenomenon and hence the marketing of this phenomenon is bound to be driven by capitalist tendencies. (cited from Chabra, 2009). Thus, the core of heritage marketing is to find out what the customer wants and to deliver it. Particularly, in relation to built environment, i.e., the marketing activity should be designed to stimulate demand and to satisfy the customer but not to the detriment of that which needs to be preserved for future generations (Misiura, 2006, p.2). Yale (1991), explains that heritage tourism is centred on what we inherited, from historic buildings, to art works, to beautiful scenery. Ashworths (2000) defined the commodification and the past in heritage tourism as that which is based on the commoditized, buildings, memories and experiences of the past (cited from Grace Yan et al). From a demand aspect, heritage tourism is about finding something, which is linked between the present and the past and the travellers emotional experiences (Richards 1997 and Prentice 1993). However, Poria et al. (2001) argued that the relationship of heritage tourism should be based on the individual and the heritage presented rather than on specific site attributes. In addition, they described heritage tourism as a subgroup of tourism, in which the main motivation for visiting a site is based on the places heritage characteristics according to tourists perception of their own heritage (Poria et al., 2001, p. 1048). Also, in order to combine both sup ply and demand in that heritage tourism relies on the strength of both the push and pull factors of the resources located in the area in order to appeal to the potential tourists (Apostolakis (2003, p. 800) Cited from Grace Yan et al). Heritage visitors, try to find the different benefits from trips. Poria et al. (2004) pointed out that the reasons for visiting heritage sites for travellers can be grouped into three categories which are under the headings of heritage experience, learning. These explain that there are people who are emotionally involved with a sense of belonging to the site. In contrast, for some tourists, heritage tourism is more than an educational or recreational experience. Something further suggested by Martin et al. (2004, p.131), is that determining the potential of heritage tourism and the possible impact and the marketing direction needed to attract these visitors will be less speculative if the nature of the tourist is better understood. World Heritage is the programme administered by the UNESCO, the programme aims to catalogue, name, and conserve sites of outstanding cultural or natural importance to the common heritage of humanity and to raise awareness of how to maintain the sites to last for future generations of humanity (Thaiwh, 2010). In Thailand, there are The World Heritage sites of Ayutthaya, Sukhothai, Si Satchanalai and Kamphaengphet provinces. It is the rich heritage and magnificent architecture that make them World Heritage sites that are listed in 1991 by UNESCO (UNESCO, 1992). Therefore, the marketing of heritage, especially heritage tourism will help to serve the products and services to customers related to those World heritage sites in Thailand. It can be seen that strategic planning has been used within many organizations. In order to be successful, travel and tourism industries must not only understand who the customers are but also know how to market them in order to satisfy the needs of their customers. In addition, tourism organisations should identify groups of customers with homogeneous characteristics and behaviours and try to adapt their offers to the unique needs and desires of the segment members. Heritage marketing, therefore, is both management philosophy and a set of business techniques. It is very important to recognise that the management of tourism will be ineffective without an understanding of the way tourists make decisions and act in relation to the consumption of tourism products. This research not only provides an opportunity for people to fulfil their individual needs, but to exceed their expectations and ensure that it brings benefits to the World Heritage sites in Thailand (Reportforu, 2010). 2.6 Conclusion The literature reviewed has provided general information about the perception of the tourists through the image of Thailand and Thailands image dimensions. However, the review has also identified both positive and negative imaging, which affects the tourists destination choice. It is worth noting that the concepts described in previous articles, journals and text book, are pertaining and believed to have a direct effect on to the research model which is proposed in the current investigation. Therefore, the proposed research model and hypotheses formulation will be discussed in the following chapter. 3. Conceptual Development and Hypothesis formulation 3.1 Introduction This conceptual development and hypothesis chapter aims to clarify the relationship between offering destination characteristics and the perception of the traveller through the image of Thailand toward its heritage sites. Moreover, the study will define whether particular perception will have a relationship with the decision-making of the traveller as to the choice of destination. This research will provide the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) with an understanding of how the perception of tourists will affect the destination. Therefore, the TAT can be able to launch alternative promotion strategies for particular destinations that need to be considered. Therefore, the research model and formulation of hypothesis that are results from the literature review in chapter two will be explained as seen below in order to maintain these sites for future generations of humanity (Thaiwh, 2010). 3.2 Research Framework How tourists go about choosing their destination, the relationship of independent variable, factors like offering characteristics and tourist perception through Thailands image and the effect this has on the travellers destination choice. Also, the moderator variables such as demographic are used to determine the effect on tourist destination choice. Therefore, the research model has been constructed as shown below. Research Model Research Questions: H1: There is a significant relationship between offering characteristics and the destinations chosen in Thailand H2: There is a significant relationship between tourists perception of Thailands image and the destination choices. H3: There is a significant correlation with the demographics of tourists in relation to the destination choices? 3.3 Hypothesis Formulation According to the research model and existing hypotheses in the literature review that were formulated and clarified. Later, the hypotheses will be tested for the significant relationships under analysis. 3.3.1 Construct 1: How does the fact the trip offers characteristics have an effect the destination chosen? RQ1: What important characteristics are travellers expecting on their trip when visiting Thailand? H1 : There is a significant relationship between the offering of characteristics and the destinations chosen in Thailand A traveller goes to the destination in order to consume the products, services and experiences that that particular destination offers. Travellers will form their experience related to their expectations, which are based on their former experiences, friends, the Internet, marketing and information from travel agencies (Kotkew, Bowen Markens, 2006). In addition, the study of Crompton (1979) states that not all images can influence the travellers decision-making process. The research examines the relationship between the attributes of a destination and the decision-making process of tourists. Therefore, understanding the link between the destinations characteristic related to the destination choice is needed in tourism marketing. Thus, this research will discover the relationship between offering characteristics and destination choices. 3.3.2 Construct 2: What are tourists perceptions through the images presented of Thailand? RQ2: What are tourists perceptions through the images presented of Thailand? H2 : There is a significant relationship between tourists perceptions of Thailands image and destination choice. The second major hypothesis is about the image perceived by visitors when making choices about a destination to visit within Thailand. Destination image can be both positive and negative, if two destinations are almost offering the same characteristics. Therefore, the more positive the image is of a destination, the more likely that traveller will go there (Rittichainuwat, 2001). Due to the study of Yau and Chan on the image of Southeast Asia, Thailand has been perceived as a reasonably priced place with beautiful beaches and various attractions (Rittichainuwat, 2001). In addition, Tapachai Waryszak conducted a study about the beneficial image characteristics of Thailand and grouped the results, the research showed the attributes as the cheap shopping, the variety of food, the friendly people and historical sites as well as the epistemic attribute of having a chance to experience Thailands rich culture (Henkel et al, 2006). However, Thailand also has a negative image because of

The Turtle Jean Lafitte: Adventures of a Pet Psychic

Gordon 1 Stephanie Gordon College Writing 112. 005 Guyant 10/11/11 Psychics reading the gullible Gordon 2 The world today is filled with psychics claiming they can perform tasks involving extrasensory projections. There are people who say they can speak with the dead, read minds, feel energies, and see into the future. It is very easy, when vulnerable and gullible enough, to fall into what these psychics are saying. Most will say what you want to hear in order to gain credibility for themselves, or even to just earn a living. It is a complicated thing to argue, however, because this science cannot be proven true. It has undoubtedly been proven a hoax time and time again, but there are two sides to every story. Those who believe and buy into what these psychics are saying are the ones who keep this business alive. I think that people will believe what they want to believe, which is why psychics can continue putting on a show to make believers out of the gullible. There is a term used in Psychology to represent when it is actually the subjects who make a reading succeed. It is called the â€Å"fallacy of personal validation. This means that when someone is being read by a psychic, the way they interpret the reading to match their own character is what makes them believe in what the psychic is saying (Gordon 48). This is most often true with horoscopes. We usually only read the horoscope that matches up with our own birthday, but when reading ones that are for other months, they can be matched up to anyone. Horoscopes can be very general, such as, â€Å"Good things are coming your way†, or â€Å"You will meet someone with potential for a relationship next month†. These things could be interpreted in a different way for every person who reads them. Almost anyone could find a way to fit the readings into their own lives. Most of the time the horoscope â€Å"predicts† things that would have happened to a person anyways. Chances are whoever reads it will have something good happen to them or meet someone new any period of time after they have read it. It is the fallacy of personal validation that makes astronomical readings seem so accurate for each individual. Psychics themselves have a lot of confidence in what they do. Though there are some who know they are putting on an act, there are others who truly believe they have a gift. One psychic who Gordon 3 makes a living off of being a reader, DeAna, lives in the United Kingdom. She explains in an interview that ever since she was a young girl, her family and friends were baffled when DeAna knew information that she was never directly told. She constantly knew information that she not only should not, but could not have possibly known. Using her skill as a career measure did not come until much later in life. When asked â€Å"How have you become a psychic reader? † DeAna replies, â€Å"A lady I worked with was dreadfully distraught about a relative who had gone AWOL. One day she handed me a coffee and I found information about the person flooding in – as she touched me. I gave her the info and the person was located. She was shocked at first and then thrilled and told an awful lot of people! Before I knew it, after a 12 hour shift – 6 days a week, I would arrive home to find people waiting on my doorstep needing a reading. † (DeAna) She continues to explain how she helped people before and after her shift at her regular job, for no pay. One day a woman came along who was offended when DeAna would not accept payment. She scolded the psychic and said that she was offering a service and should expect payment for her skills. DeAna decided to make her readings a full time job, after the woman put things into perspective for her. She thought she should use her gift to help whenever she could, whenever she could. DeAna soon realized this was her calling, and chose to start charging all of her clients and turn her talent into a career. DeAna helps people who are looking for answers. Her clients who now pay her for reading sessions in person and over the phone, come to her because they need help with something in their lives. DeAna even helps corporate businesses in finding the correct applicant for a job. She states that she wrote out a paragraph for each applicant on their character traits and strengths as she saw it. Perhaps the person in charge of hiring had poor skills in his job area to begin with, which is why other people he had hired did not end up working out for their company. The fact of the matter is, every person DeAna has picked out for the company has worked extremely well in their position. One man, who admits to being a fake, is Henry Gordon. He calls himself a mentalist-magician, Gordon 4 because his tricks are what he calls slight of mind. His career has been based on debunking those who claim to have magical or psychic powers. In 1977 (Gordon 3), he put on a magic show in his hometown, but performed under the stage name Elchonen and wore a mask so his identity would stay hidden. After performing several amazing tricks, the audience was completely hooked and bought into his entire performance. When it came time for the second act, Gordon walked out on stage without his mask and was instantly recognized by his community. He told people they had been duped, and proceeded to explain why it is so easy for them to believe his tricks. People in the audience had every reason to be upset. They had put themselves in a vulnerable position and got sucked into Gordon's act. This is also part of the reason people believe so strongly in psychics and their readings. Those who are curious are the ones who are easily pulled into the hoax. After an atmosphere is created with a crystal ball, one or two correct guesses, and just a hint of belief, a psychic can pull a client in and the rest is history. It is very easy for a mentalist magician like Gordon to pull simple tricks and attract a following. Some members of the audience in Gordon's show were so upset they demanded their money back. Gordon told them they would receive a full refund for their ticket if they asked for it at the ticket office. He later found out most of the people who received their refund came back to find out the tricks of his trade. He calls himself a mentalist magician, because he uses slight of mind tricks, as opposed to sleight of hand. His tricks test a person's mind, rather than how well they were paying attention. Gordon makes a living off of debunking psychics and anyone who claims they have extra sensory projection. He says that he could make a much better living off of being a magician, but there is something standing between him and a life full of riches. His conscience. Psychics make general assumptions that lead to specific answers, based on the responses of the person they are reading. (75) This is what makes the person believe they are taking part in something outside our natural world. It is what pulls them in and makes them a believer in this phenomenon. Some people tend to believe when they need an answer that they cannot seem to find on their Gordon 5 own. Local law enforcement has been known to use a psychic when they have hit a dead end during a case. This happens rarely. Often times the psychic is brought in by the family of the victim, and not law enforcement directly. Law enforcement will comply with the psychic if they feel they have no other options and need help taking a step in a new direction. The psychics, however, can be more of a problem than a help. Police may be looking for a step in the right direction, but what if the psychic sets them on a completely wrong path? Time is of the essence in the majority of these cases and a psychic may throw off the entire investigation. If a psychic chooses to help in a search, officials may decide to ignore their claims. One man, Mr. Earl Curley, is extremely confident in his psychic abilities. He brags to his followers about how his help led to an arrest in a murder investigation. Curley states that he gave a composite drawing of the alleged killer in the investigation of the Atlanta Child Murders. He then claims that because of his help, a criminal named Wayne Williams was apprehended four and a half days later. Since Curley seemed to be so confident in his help, Henry Gordon went to investigate how much he had really helped the investigators on the outcome of this case. When Gordon contacted the Federal Bureau of Investigations about Curley's help with the case, he received a direct quote from the Press Information Office. â€Å"Mr. Earl Curley contacted our Atlanta office (voluntarily) in 1980 and 1981. He sent in some kind of write-up of what he thought the subject would look like, and he sent in some sort of a drawing. However, there was no impact on the case as a result of what he sent in. (Gordon 88) This goes to show that psychics can brag about using their abilities, but unless someone digs deeper in the matter, they will not know how much the psychic really helped. Psychics may have helped law enforcement with their two cents worth, but it does not mean that they led to any kind of conclusion in a case. Suppose the FBI had used Curley's drawings. They might have arrested a man who matched the picture, but who was not the criminal who committed the murders. Any set of circumstances resulting from Curley's voluntary help could have sent the entire investigation in a completely wrong direction. Luckily the Bureau was smart enough to ignore this psychic and stick with their own set of techniques. Gordon 6 Having confidence in their work is part of what makes them so believable. If they believe in it themselves, others are sure to follow in the hype. Psychics use all sort of ways to show their skills. Whether it is using a reading to predict an outcome, predict the future, communicate with the afterlife, they all have their own set of ways to create believers. A popular method some psychics use when attempting to contact someone who has passed on, is the Ouija board. It is a board with numbers from zero to nine and all of the letters of the alphabet on it. A game piece in the shape of a triangle with a plastic center is used to spell out the answers to questions asked. When the piece goes over a letter or number, it is supposed to spell out a word of phrase that is from a spirit. This board was considered a game in the United States. It sold extremely well, mostly to people who had lost a loved one in World War I. The woes of someone dying, going missing, or simply being affected by the tragedies of war, drove some people to turn to magic. These were people who needed answers from their loved ones and had no way of getting them elsewhere. The man who created the Ouija board, Isaac Fuld, was a toymaker. He attempted to say the game was a scientific instrument, so that he would not have to pay a ten percent tax on toy sales. This was even argued all the way to the Supreme Court. There is no way to test that connecting with those in the afterlife is a scientific measure, so the board was ruled a toy. How surprising. To make a point as to how the toy could not possibly be magic, Henry Gordon, once again was there to help us out. He taught a class on the paranormal at McGill University. He brought in a woman who claimed to be a psychic and used the Ouija board as a tool to contact spirits from the afterlife. Since Gordon made his living off of proving psychics to be fakes, she was one of his star guest speakers. She wore a long green dress and a turban, which made her appear as someone who you would see behind a crystal ball in a dimly lit room. This was obviously a part of her performance. She demonstrated how the board worked, and allowed Gordon to ask a few questions to someone he knew who had passed. After receiving a few answers from the â€Å"spirits† (Who knows if they were right? ), Gordon tested the woman’s skills. To Gordon 7 prove the board, and the woman, who truly believed in her gift of communicating with spirits, were both fake, he placed a piece of brown paper wrapping over the board. The game piece moved around over the paper, so the numbers and letters were hidden. This way the woman could not see what characters her hands were moving over. He asked a few more questions, but the game piece only spelled out gibberish for answers. Gordon 110) If the spirits really were speaking to Gordon and the class through the Ouija board, would it matter if there was paper covering it? This throws the Ouija board in with the crystal balls, tarot cards, astrological charts, and any other tricks a psychic may use to convince the world of their talent. Another way the public is pulled into psychic hysteria is with animals. Some pet owners claim that their horse or dog o r pig have psychic powers. The most well-known psychic animal came around in the 1920s. (Milbourne 40) She was a benign mare named Lady who performed in a red barn near Richmond, Virginia. Mrs. Claudia Fonda, Lady’s owner claimed she could spell, add, subtract, multiply, divide, tell time, and answer questions. Reporters who visited Lady to see the Wonder Horse with their own eyes wrote that she could predict the future and read minds. Mrs. Fonda charged a fee of fifty cents for children and one dollar for adults for admission to see Lady and her talents. People would ask the horse a wide range of questions. Lady was asked anything from â€Å"When will I marry? † to â€Å"How should I invest my money? † (41) Lady even took part in helping find the body of a missing boy in Norfolk County, Massachusetts. She also knew a lot about baseball, and even had a more success in picking winners than most professional sportswriters. Everything in Lady’s career left everyone astonished, and in 1956 (43), Mrs. Fonda shortened Lady’s time with the public to afternoons only. A man named John Kobler was being sent to write an article on Lady for the Saturday Evening Post. He asked Christopher Melbourne if he was available to come along as a consultant, because he was one who was familiar with the techniques of deception. Since Melbourne had written articles on the horse before, he introduced himself to Mrs. Fonda as John Banks, so that she would not be upset by his Gordon 8 presence. Banks carried a camera, so that he would be accepted as a photographer associate to Kobler. When they arrived at Lady’s Barn, Mrs. Fonda assumed her position to the left of Lady. Lady communicated through a giant typewriter-like machine. When she pushed down a plank with her nose, a letter popped up. Mrs. Fonda instructed the men to ask Lady whatever they wanted. Banks asked the horse â€Å"What is my name? † Lady spelled out B-A-N-K-S on her typewriter, but his name was not really Banks. He also asked when his brother would return from Europe, and Lady answered â€Å"S-U-M-M-E-R†. Banks did not have a brother. After Kobler asked several questions of his own, Mrs. Fonda handed each of the men a long, skinny pad of paper, and a long pencil. She instructed them to write down a number, and Lady would read their minds and know the number. Kobler did as he was told, and Lady guessed everytime. Banks, however, would write the number one, but act as though he was writing the number 9. He would only push the pencil to paper as the spine of the 9 came down. He used this technique for almost every number, and Lady guessed wrong every time. It was obvious that a technique called pencil reading was being used. Mrs. Fonda had given the men skinny pads, so that the stroke of the pencils could easily be seen. This is the same reason for giving them longer pencils. Had a large pad of paper and short, stubby pencils been used, pencil reading could not have occurred. At the end of the visit, Melbourne had come to the conclusion that Lady had indeed been trained very well by Mrs. Fonda, but Lady was no psychic. Mrs. Fonda stood on Lady’s left side. Horses cannot see what is in front of them, only what is on the side. Therefore the only thing in Lady’s sight was Mrs. Fonda, and the stick she held in her hand. The stick is what Fonda used to direct Lady for which plank she should push. This means that Lady was simply doing as her master instructed, and that Fonda was really answering everyone’s questions. Although it has been proved that Lady was not a psychic animal, it leaves us with the question as to how Mrs. Fonda knew all of those answers? One way researchers attempted to discover just how many people believed in Psychical Phenomena, was with a survey called the Sheep-Goat scale. In the late 1970s (Haraldsson, Journal of Gordon 9 American Society for Psychical Research 2), a group of researchers set out to discover how belief in psychical phenomena may be related to attitudes, experiences, and activities in the domain of religion and politics. The survey asked questions about belief in the existence of telepathy, ability to know the future, spiritual experiences or dreams, and whether the person read books or articles on psychic phenomena. (2-3) Subjects were scored on their answers and only taken into account if they had answered every question. This scale was used in four different to obtain information on the public’s knowledge on psychical phenomena. The first study was done in Iceland on persons ranging from 30-70 years old, selected at random. About 80% of the original sample size returned the survey, which was enough to use the results as a representative of the Icelandic population in that age range. (3) The other three studies were done at the University of Iceland. All of the studies concluded that belief in the psychic and religious beliefs have common facts to some extent. 9) This positive correlation may be due to the fact that the respondents read often. Belief in one item may lead to a belief in the other. As a result of this research, I feel it is clear that psychics can absolutely be proven to be fakes. They cannot, however, be proven to be real. Their profession relies solely on belief, most of which is from vulnerable, gullible people. Psychics use their props, tricks, and performances to pull in peo ple and turn them into believers. Depending on the type of hoax they use to attract a clientele, they can make an entire living off of other people’s gullibility. I feel it is wrong to be able to do this, but am happy there are people such as Henry Gordon who continue to work on proving them wrong. There are still some questions left unanswered, like how Claudia Fonda, knew all of the answers to everybody’s questions. The fact of the matter is that there will always be questions left unanswered, because there is no science developed to prove or disprove a psychic’s abilities. Gullible people will continue to be fed on by psychics. Only a look into the crystal ball will tell when the hoaxes will all come to an end. Gordon 10 Christopher, Milbourne. ESP, Seers & Psychics. New York: Thomas Y. Crowell Company, 1970. Print. DeAna. Interview. Jacob. Parapsychology articles and blog. 3 May. 2007. Web. Gordon, Henry. Extra Sensory Deception. Buffalo: Prometheus Books, 1987. Print. Haraldsson, Erlendur. â€Å"Representative national surveys of psychic phenomena: Iceland, great Britain, Sweden, USA, and Gallup’s multinational survey. † Journal of the Society for Psychical Research 53(1985) pg. 1-14. Web. Haraldsson, Erlendur. â€Å"Some Determinants of Belief in Psychical Phenomena. † The Journal of the American Society for Psychical Research 75(1981): pg 1-10. Web.

A Worst Teacher

I have a terrible teacher in my middle school life, his name is Jian Yang. Mr. Yang was my Chinese teacher, he has model stature, but every time I bethink his face, I feel nausea. I had dreamed about him several times, his face was clearly emerging in my mind, I will never forget his pair of fierce eyes and that wicked mouth. Mr. Yang was the worst teacher in my middle school, although most my middle school’s teachers are not very good. My middle school is a private school. When I was sophomore, Mr. Yang and our Music teacher had been espousal at same year. We all think they will have a ceremonious wedding soon. But the fact is not what we think. In Chinese school, every teacher has an assistant in each class, those assistants help teacher pick up papers and books, or take homework from us and edit then. My friend Yu was Mr. Yang’s assistant. Yu was a cute girl, she have nice voice and smooth long hair. But I detected a strange thing; every time she back to classroom from Mr. Yang’s office, her emotion had been changed, sometimes glad, sometimes displeased. â€Å"Mr.  Yang must did something to her,† I thought, anyway it’s not my business. Five years later, once all my middle school’s friends and I went to my birthday party, I began to ask our middle school career’s mysteries of the unknown. Yu began to crying, I understand why, and ask her â€Å"you cry because Mr. Yang, right? † â€Å"Yes. † She answered. Then I took her to side. She said as she cried â€Å"He is my boyfriend. † I been shocked, doesn’t he have fiancee? Is this the reason why Mr. Yang and our music teacher haven’t done their wedding yet? I have a thousand questions to ask Yu, but it isn’t right timing. Yu kept telling me, and my eyes being opened more and more large. â€Å"Wait; did you just say you went to hotel with him? † I ask her. â€Å"Um†¦ He also asks me some excessive demands. About†¦Ã¢â‚¬  At same time, I can’t inhibit my dander. I tried to call my friend and go find him, but Yu stopped me. â€Å"Let him go, we were just break, I believe that he won’t have a blest wedding. † Right, I thought, he did once, and then he will do twice, until he die, he will never find true love. Whenever I bethink of this event, I can’t stop to think and image Mr. Yang’s lousy eyes. I remember once my classmate Henry and I got a fight in second floor of our school’s hostel. This event becomes a legend in my middle school. The source of the story is, one day afternoon, my friend Bob and I were playing soccer in ours room. After 30 minute Bob has accidentally kicked our roommate Henry’s kettle. We looked at each other’s face and slackened about ten seconds, and then he hastily said, â€Å"Hide it! And never mention this kettle, or†¦ stay it, anyway no one knows. I nod immediately because I felt like I am an ant on a hot pan, but after half hour, this guilty feeling has gradually disappeared. â€Å"I didn’t break anything,† I thought, â€Å"but I won’t tell anyone Bob did it. † Until to evening, we were all going to class, suddenly, a loud voice came â€Å"Who did it! Who break my kettle!? † â€Å"No one break your kettle! Go to your sit and sit! † our math teacher stand behind Henry and said; Henry have got to do so. After evening class, Henry walked to me and asked about his broken kettle. I pretend to do my homework and said â€Å"Don’t know. Then I were peeping him once when he walked away. Second evening class was Mr. Yang’s Chinese class, After this period, every student began to walk back to school’s hostel; I followed people until to second floor of the hostel, a soft and cold voice came to my right ear, even I can felt that breath, â€Å"I know is you, swindler. † â€Å"What did you just said?! † I yelled. And then he yelled back â€Å"I know is you broke my kettle, Bob told everything to me. † Suddenly, I felt I been insult, I lost my mind, clenched my fist and gave his nose a full power punch, and he punched back of course. The result of this fight was disastrous, Henry’s nose bone been broke by me, and my right calf been cut and the wound is about three inches. That’s why this event becomes a legend in my middle school. We two have been taken to hospital then, two hours later we two back to our room. Henry’s bad is below mine, a kind of heavy atmosphere around this room for whole night. At 12 o’clock Mr. Yang came to our room, he punched my right calf and yelled â€Å"you! Get up! † And this punch such as rubbing salt in my wound. I groan out â€Å"what are you doing?! † â€Å"What did you do,† he asked back to me, â€Å"You just broke a nose bone, don’t you know it? â€Å"I know, but he cut my leg also,† I watched his angry eyes and keep groan out; â€Å"you even don’t realize the fact and conclude it my fault? † â€Å"The fact is you hurt Henry,† he said. I hesitate two second, it’s really my fault? Henry didn’t hurt me? I know the fact is Henry cut my calf, and Mr. Yang punched at same wound just 10 second ago. I was hardly getting up and trying to debate with Mr. Yang, â€Å"He was†¦Ã¢â‚¬  Mr. Yang interrupts my speech and yelled â€Å"You have nothing to argue, school will expel you! † Then he shut the door hardly. I can’t believe it, he such a dictator and gave m e a conviction. While I’m thinking, Henry laughed. Then he said â€Å"deserved nemesis, you know who am I? My dad and our president are old friend. I can even call the president dad. † I was silenced. At that time, I understood everything. I understood why Mr. Yang says that, but why does he punch my calf, will he get his wage growth up? By this point, I classify Mr. Yang is a lackey. A teacher teaches student a lot of things; include morality, not just education. You may never meet a teacher such like Mr. Yang. Something that cannot be publicity, but I must write about it. I will never meet a teacher â€Å"great† then Mr. Yang.

Descriptive Essay - Original Writing - 1113 Words

Lost It happened once a year. Going to my grandparents house by the lake. I ve always loved going. Fishing, swimming, even campfires, we had them all, It s like the perfect vacation for free. Well, it was perfect. Until one day when it all went wrong... It was a Beautiful day. The sun was shining the trees were swaying to the breeze. That morning wasn t very interesting all we did was watch TV, which wasn t that bad but I really just wanted to go fishing. Finally after hours of watching TV I asked my grandma one more time hoping she would say yes. â€Å"can we go fishing?†. She sighed â€Å"Fine, but if you want to go fishing you have to get the bait, go to the shed and get the bait from the fridge, grandpas already there.† But I didn t know were the shed was, And that was my first mistake. Ok, technically I did go in the shed but grandma did say that grandpa was there and I didn t see him. He was there though, hiding in the darkness I called for him â€Å"Hello, Grandpa are you there.† But being the old person he is he couldn t hear me, so being the sensible person I am I simply shrugged and walked away. After that I decided to ask my grandma again. â€Å"Grandma where is the shed† I yelled. â€Å"I told you already it s right up the driveway you can t miss it!† She shouted back. Well I already tried there so maybe it s by the edge of the woods. I walked around the house to the right side of the house and started walking. After about 10 steps I realized this was the wrong way. IShow MoreRelatedDescriptive Essay - Original Writing1110 Words   |  5 PagesI don’t know how I got to where I am, but I’m here now, and I have to win if I want to live. I am in a game, and in order to live, I have to escape. That’s the thing, though: I don’t know how to escape. I was running for my life around this old house that looked like it came straight out of a horror movie. 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