Tourism in Japan Today Essay Example

Tourism in Japan Today Essay Tourism is a major foreign exchange earner for many countries. Most of them are keen on creating an environment that is conducive and attractive for tourists. Governments and the private sector the world over market the tourist attractions within their jurisdictions to ensure they get a share of internationaltravelers. Local tourist destinations are also increasingly becoming popular with citizens of the country which the attractions are located being charged lower prices by the relevant entities to encourage them to visit and promote their tourism sites. People are usually interested in visiting new places, beautiful landscapes, sunny beaches, primitive societies and historical monuments among others. Asia as a continent prides itself in being the home to a significant proportion of international tourists. Japan is one of the biggest beneficiaries. The country is home to about nineteen world heritage sites. Japan has managed to keep intact key aspects of its culture, a factor that h as for years ensured it continuously attract tourists whoareinterested in learning more about the way of life of its people (McDowell 2015). Japans tourism industry is headed for great growth with current trends and future the government future targets set to see inbound visitors making sector become the countrys main source of employment. .The countrys tourism sector is recording steady growth. The number of tourists in Japan has been increasing in the recent years. The year 2016 has seen the number of foreign tourists visiting Japan rise to 2.3 million in the month of July alone (Japan National Tourism Organization 2016). The figure represents a 19.7 percent increase in terms of proportion compared to July of 2015. The figure surpassed that recorded in the month of April 2016 that initially had the highest figures for the year 2016 with the excess figure standing at 215000 visitors. The government had placed its estimates on inbound visitors at 20 million visitors by the year 2020 with last year missing the target by less than half a million with the figure standing at 19.7 million. The figure represents a 47.1% rise compared to that of the year 2014. The growth rate for the year 2016 is the highest since 1964 when the countrys national tourism organization started collecting data. Given the momentumwithwhich the tou rism sector is growing, the country is set to not only achieve the year 2020 target but also surpass it by ahugemargin. The success has got the government to start considering reviewing the target and setting a higher one. We will write a custom essay sample on Tourism in Japan Today specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on Tourism in Japan Today specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on Tourism in Japan Today specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer The composition of inbound visitors has also changed. Chinese visitors constituted the largest proportion of the visitors for the first time Japans tourism history. Such an event was unexpected. There are several factors that can explain the change. One of them is the growing middle-class in China. The economic growth in China has been accompanied by an increase in the number of people joining the countrys middle-class category who have greater amounts of disposable income that they can spend on luxury. Another reason for the large number of Chinese visiting is the weakening of Yen (Japans currency) against the Chinese currency (World Travel Tourism Council 2015). The depreciation of the Yen makes inbound visitors find the cost of visiting Japan as holiday destination cheaper than before. The third factor in growth is relaxing of Japans visa requirement. The Chinese tourists were also the largest spenders. Their total expenditure accounted for about 40.8% of the 3.5 trillion Yen spe nt bytouristsin 2015. The spending was so much and popular that it resulted in the coining of the term bakugai which means explosive buying, to refer to the shopping sprees associated with the Chinese tourists. Even though China ranks at the top in terms of inbound tourist to Japan, factoring in the population shows a lot of potential for growth (Research Co 2016). For instance, even though Taiwan and Hong Kong are much smaller in comparison to China their proportionate tourist numbers are far much than those of China. In view of the growth potential, Japan can look forward to a greater number of inbound Chinese tourists than before.Japan also still has more room for deregulation, a factor that is bound to lead to a surge in the number of tourists from its three biggest inbound tourists that include Chinese, Taiwanese and Koreans. However, a reversal in the weakening of the Yen may lead toa countereffect that may see the numbers become more unpredictable. Inbound tourism is one of the most promising businesses in Japan. Holiday and travelisthe new employment platform and economic driver for the population. Its contribution currently rivals that of the auto industry that is a major employer. The sector currently employs more than 3% of the countrys total population (Japan Macro Advisors 2016). After the winning the bid to host the 2020 Olympics, the government intensified its efforts aimed at promoting tourism. The private sector was not let behind. Various stakeholders began taking advantage of the measures set in place by the government in promoting tourism to offer complementary services that would help create enabling conditions. One of suchinitiativeswas by NTT Docomo Inc that launched a wireless internet service to cater for foreign tourist some of whom had initially complainedaboutthe lack of wifi in the country (Kodera 2014). Such kinds of initiatives by both the government and the private have created more employment opportuni ties especially in the service industry. Clearly, Japans tourism industry is headed for great growth given the current trends and future the government future targets that might see the inbound visitors become the main source of employment. The countrys tourism sector is recording steady growth. Inbound tourist numbers in Japan have been increasing at an unprecedented rate in the recent years, helping it set new records in its tourism sector (Business Monitor International Ltd. 2016). The composition of inbound visitors has also changed. This year, Chinese visitors constituted the largest proportion of the visitors for the first time in Japans tourism history. Factors such as deregulation, a weakening Yen and a surge in the middle-class are the main contributors to this new trend. Despite the fact that China ranks at the top in terms of inbound tourist to Japan, factoring in the population size shows a lot of potential for growth. Japan can take advantage of the opportunity to do more in terms of deregulation and creating a more conducive environment for tourists.Inbound tourism is one of the most promising businesses and the various stakeholders in Japans tourism industry should do their best to maximize their income. Bibliography Business Monitor International Ltd. (2016).Japan tourism report. London, Business Monitor International. Japan Macro Advisors, (2016).Number of Visitors to Japan|Foreign visitors|Tourism. [online] japanmacroadvisors.com. Available at: https://www.japanmacroadvisors.com/page/category/economic-indicators/gdp-and-business-activity/number-of-visitors-to-japan/ [Accessed 19 Sep. Japan National Tourism Organization (2016)Welcome to the Japan national tourism organization website. Available at: http://www.seejapan.co.uk/jnto_consumer/index (Accessed: 19 September 2016). Kodera, A. (2014)Tourism emerges asneweconomic driver for Japan | the Japan times. Available at: http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2014/08/25/reference/tourism-emerges-new-economic-driver-japan/#.V-AIjTVJR-8 (Accessed: 19 September 2016). McDowell, P. (2015).Japan, Sage, London Research, J.T. and Co, C. (2016)Japan tourism marketing Co. Available at: http://www.tourism.jp/en/statistics/ (Accessed: 19 September 2016). World Travel Tourism Council (2015)Economic Impact 2015 Japan. Available at: https://www.wttc.org/-/media/files/reports/economic%20impact%20research/countries%202015/japan2015.pdf (Accessed: 19 September 2016).

Water Pollution in Vietnam Essays

Water Pollution in Vietnam Essays Water Pollution in Vietnam Paper Water Pollution in Vietnam Paper Essay Topic: Water pollution With the rapid growth of industrialization in urban cities, the water around them is getting more and more polluted. One time casually crossed by To Lick River, one of the big rivers in the capital Hanoi, behind the industrial zone. The river water there was polluted seriously and smelt really fetid. A lot of small fishes and other sea creatures were dead and floating on the surface of the river. I was thinking about how people could live near such a polluted environment and eat those poison fishes. They might be in danger. I then topped thinking and went away because that smell made me nauseated. That was the ordeal. However, the rapid growth of industrialization is not the only cause that leads to water pollution in Hanoi; climate changes and using old-dated technology to treat water also impact significantly on the quality of water. Water pollution has left huge problems in Hanoi. Above all, it affects heath negatively because the polluted water sources may produce an increase in disease such as respiratory diseases, water-borne diseases and intestinal sickness among people who live near that polluted environment. Yet, it also affects other economic activities such as agriculture, aquatic sports, fishery and tourism; and threatens the ecosystem. If water pollution gets more serious in the future, it is going to affect the development of economy and society. So, my motivation for doing this research is that I want people to be aware of how serious this issue in Hanoi by presenting some problems regarding to water pollution that Hanoi; besides, I also present some programs or solutions, both effectively and ineffectively, which Hanoi authorities has carried out. First of all, Hanoi is big city with the rapid growth of industrialization. However, this growth has produced a big problem concerning water pollution. Hanoi is listed among ten cities in the world with the highest level of water pollution (Health and Environment: Vietnam to Spend par. 4). The problem is showed clearly in the article Assessment of Heavy Metal Pollution in River Water of Hanoi, Vietnam Using Multivariate analyses written by Chichi et al. According to the authors, high concentrations of several toxic heavy metals such as Cd, As, Cue, Zen, BP are detected in the water of Nine River and one of its tributaries, the To Lick River, in Hanoi. It is caused by untreated domestic and industrial wastewater charged into the rivers from the factories of mechanical engineering rubber, soap, tobacco, paper and metal located along these rivers. Relating to the problem that stated above, another researcher claims that Hanoi is facing the threat of arsenic pollution originated from underground water, rivers water, ponds water and lakes water. The concentrations of arsenic in the river significantly exceeded the Vietnamese drink king water standard for arsenic (Bang et al 466). According to Rural people provided with water filters to prevent arsenic poisoning, up to 21 percent Of Vietnamese population are exposed to arsenic in drinking water at a level above the acceptable 1 Poop (or 0. 01 MGM of arsenic per liter) recommended by the World Health Organization. Water containing arsenic at high level would cause many serious disease including skin cancer, liver cancer, lung cancer, inborn deformities. Besides industrialization, climate change is also one of the causes resulting in water pollution. According to Seminar seeks solutions, the elements of climate changes are changes in temperature, water flows, the transformation of pollutant at catchments and rising sea levels. These changes affect the eater quality significantly. To cope with this problem, Hanoi, December 23 (VAN) The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment on December 23 held a seminar discussing climate changes impacts on water resources in Vietnam and measures to reduce water pollution and maintain aquatic ecosystems (Seminar seeks solutions par. 1). Dry. Dang HTH Lana Hung from the Department of Water Resources Management states Vietnam should consider recommendations issued by the US in its global climate change research programs to timely deal with climate changes impacts on water resources (CTD in Seminar par. 3). According to Hung, the country should creates water management policies so as to use water resources effectively and efficiently and should study methods to treat and reuse Wastewater and desalinate sea water along with improving a legal framework for water management and distribution. Water pollution doesnt only happen in urban centers, but also happens in craft villages in Hanoi. The main cause leading to water pollution in craft villages is that traditional craft villages still currently use old-fashioned technology, causing water pollution and harm the human health. The water around there has been seriously polluted. The latest survey by the Hanoi University of Technology showed that 100% of the samples of wastewater from craft villages have excessive contents of toxic chemicals than the permitted levels (Health and Environment Vietnam Hanoi par. 1 1). In the craft villages, the number of people with serious diseases like cancer has risen in recent years. The city has carried out a lot of big projects on water treatment system for craft villages with the capacity of 1 cubic meters per day (Heath and Environment Vietnam Hanoi par. 7). Yet, to deal with this problem, Professor Dry Dang Kim Chi, Chair of the Vietnam Association for Environment Protection, stressed that local authorities should program craft villages development and demand to strictly follow the environment protection rules, rather than gathering strength on settling consequences (CTD. N Health and Environment Vietnam Hanoi par. 8). Also, Hanoi planned to carry out 35 from now until 2015 period for solving water pollution problem in craft villages in Hanoi. Nevertheless, those are not still proper solutions so far. Water pollution problems solving has still been a big question in craft villages to Hanoi authorities. To deal tit arsenic pollution, some communes of north ern Ha Name province have been provided with free-of-charge water filters to reduce the risk Of arsenic poisoning for the local population (Rural people). The filters are set up to remove toxins and retain useful mineral. The project was processed by The National Centre for Safe Water and Environmental Hygiene with the assistance from the United Nations Children Fund (EUNICE) in coordination with the HCI Ltd. Co, a Swiss invested company in Vietnam specializing in water treatment technologies (Rural people). That helps reduce significant amount of arsenic in water. The same problems concerning water pollution have also happened in other cities in Vietnam. The authorities have attempted to fix those problems. In Quant Name, a province in the middle of Vietnam, a seminar was held on March 25, 2009 in support of water pollution control project (Seminar seeks to improve par. 1 The project would be implemented in the central Quant Name and some provinces in the North. The project spent 330,000 USED to carry out with funding assistance from World Banks Institutional Development Fund (WIBNI). Environmental experts presented the important role of the media and local communities in support f water pollution control in Vietnam m. Another solution for water pollution control is the cooperation with another country. According to Vietnam, Mexico to raise cooperation in land management, water resources, Ministers Of the Environment and Natural Resources of Vietnam and Mexico had a meeting on the sidelines of united Nation Climate Change Conference, held in Mexico. During the meeting, both minister agreed that this cooperation between two countries would contribute to international efforts in managing water resources, protecting the environment and decreasing negative impacts of global climate changes (Vietnam, Mexico par. ). Another cooperative project concerning water pollution control was created by the Ho Chi Mini City University of Technology (HOCUS), Thailand-based Asian Institute of Technology (TIT) and the Institute National des Sciences Applied uses (INS) in France (Vietnam has potential par . 3). This project focused on developing local technical and research skills to promote membrane-based wastewater reuse activities in the country. The principle in membrane technology is the forced selective passage of solute or solvents through special membranes, resulting in separation of individual constituents in the influent. This project was coordinated by local authorities and nation government authorities and gave good results with treated water in some industrial zone in the South. The above studies show that Hanoi as well as other cities in Vietnam is facing serious threats from the polluted water sources caused by industrialization, old-dated technologies and climate changes. Among above causes, industrialization is the leading cause of water pollution. The factories which located along rivers have discharged untreated industrial wastewater into the rivers. It creates the high level of water elution by heavy metal and arsenic, which affect health negatively. Moreover, the traditional craft villages still currently use old-fashioned technologies to treat wastewater. The elements Of climate changes such as changes in temperature, water flows and rising sea levels affect the water quality significantly. Water pollution has left huge problems. It affects health negatively by causing many serious disease including respiratory disease, water-borne disease, intestinal sickness, skin cancer, liver cancer and lung cancer. In addition, it threatens the ecosystem and other economic activities such as agriculture, as attic sports, fishery and tourism. Vietnam authorities have attempted to find out the solutions to solve these problems. Vietnam carried out a lot of projects in coordination with foreign companies such as Swiss invested company to specialize in water treatment technologies with funding assistance from EUNICE. Another project was created by HOCUS, TIT, INS in France. Vietnam also received funding assistance from WIBNI. Furthermore, Vietnam cooperated with Mexico in managing water resources and decreasing negative impacts of global climate changes. However, those solutions are not enough to decrease the level of water elution significantly. In my opinion, needs to make more efforts on solving this problem by reinforcing and revising Law on Environmental Protection and Development. These laws should restrict the industrial factories from discharging untreated wastewater into rivers.

The Importance of Communication as a Business Professional Research Paper

The Importance of Communication as a Business Professional - Research Paper Example Organizations that have understood the due role of culture have also realized the extent to which culture can have a positive or a negative effect. If employees from different cultural backgrounds interact with one another, there are bound to be problems that the organization might see. This is because each one of these employees has a separate language that they are expert within, and understand their peculiar nuances than others would. Also they would find it difficult to comprehend the severely different gestures and emotions which are communicated by people at work. Because of this, there could be confusions and grievances amongst the people (Brenton, 2005). This is quite natural because cultural settings are drafted in such a way. What is even more compelling is the manner under which different employees and business personnel have an insight regarding the use of a common language – a language that shall be the medium of instruction. It is the basis of knowing which phras es and sentences will be spoken of at work and what words and syntax to avoid. It will also decipher the proper role of grammar and spelling and not to forget the specific inputs from the people who are experienced at work. Such cultural settings essentially leave an indelible impression on the minds of the employees who are doing their best to communicate with one another. The need is to find out where anomalies are and what best can be done to avoid such shortcomings and mistakes. There is a dire need to have the best possible understanding with regards to different cultures under the aegis of communication because these set the basis for productivity to flourish within the domains of an organization. In entirety, the effects of culture on communication are quintessential to understand because these pinpoint the need to inquire about the kind of work which needs to be undertaken and the expressions that must be avoided at all costs. The balancing act actually makes for a good reas oning of the subject at hand. The Importance of a Business Plan When Starting a New Business A business plan decides beforehand how a business shall be set up. It dictates the essential basis of a business and the dos and don’ts that the business has to undertake. What it also takes into perspective is the amount of inputs that need to be considered for running a business and the stakeholders who shall benefit from it in the long run. A business plan is indeed a formal statement which defines a set of business goals and the objectives that are in close association with one another. It mentions the reasons why these business goals are deemed as attainable and how these shall go ahead and make the business a competitive one within the relevant industrial settings. Also the plans for reaching the desired points are specified beforehand so that the business plans are taken as comprehensive and all-covering from a number of different angles and perspectives (Morden, 1995). The bus iness plan also highlights the background knowledge regarding the business and the manner under which the organization or the business team is doing its best to attain those goals and objectives. It must be remembered here that business plans take care of a number of decisions that are made within their fore. The business plan therefore finds a way to attain the tasks which would have been difficult to analyze and understand when the business was being started. It gives a pathway to define things in an outright way. It also sets the

Art Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 1

Art - Essay Example The painting, hauntingly striking was initially christened Der Schrei der Natur in Norwegian, or the Scream of Nature. The current Skrik, when loosely translated bestows upon it the title it is known by. Munch in a journal entry recorded sensing â€Å"an infinite scream passing through nature†, while out walking one day accompanied by friends. There are various theories about the inspiration behind the creation. Munch painted what he felt, as described in the journal entry mentioned. Another theory places the eruption of Krakatoa in 1883 behind the visual inspiration for the blood-red background, disputed by scholars who claim him to be expressive rather than descriptive in his style. Others attribute the figure’s cadaverous appearance to be caused by Munch’s probable visits to the Museum of Natural History in Florence or during the Exposition Universale in Paris where such mummified exhibits were on display. Then again, there are many who compare the environment of The Scream to that experienced by sufferers of depersonalization disorder, arguing that Munch probably suffered from the ailment. It is quite a famous painting in my opinion, instantly recognizable like the Mona Lisa. It has featured in many movies, being the inspiration behind the mask in the Scream series of films; programs as well as in the print media. Caricaturized, humored or revered, The Scream is pretty much a public figure.

Internet Addicition Essay Example for Free

Internet Addicition Essay Much evidence has been alleged that social pathologies are beginning to surface in cyberspace (i.e., internet addictions). A lot of controversy is surrounding the question, is there proof that the internet is being abused and misused by individuals on an everyday basis and should we consider this to be a major mental health problem? Key Arguments: * Why do people have attachment insecurity and dissociation with their lives to make them choose to be disorganized, and allow a fantasy world to take over resulting in problematic internet abuse. * How information and communication technologies changing our way of interacting with reality. * What are the psychological symptoms involving disturbed relationships with technologies emerging, how some are more affected than others. * How different forms of related dependence behaviours, such as an addiction to social networking, cybersex, online gambling, or web-based role-playing games are affecting our need to be on the internet. * How some games reward achievements and goals making the cyber game goals more important of that than reality goals. * Does social media, such as Facebook, Twitter, Myspace and other forms of cyber communication have detrimental effects related to internet addiction. * Internet Gambling, main reasons for internet addiction, however not just costing their health but impacting finances and crippling family relationships. Critical Analysis Article 1: Reference (2) Researchers have begun to examine the personal and social consequences associated with excessive online involvement. The present study examined college students problematic Internet use (PIU) behaviors Its specific aim was to investigate the links between PIU with both internalizing (depression, social anxiety) and externalizing (substance use and other risky behaviors) problems. Article 2: Reference (4) There are many psychological factors surrounding the present issue of internet addiction, using evidence such as Social Networking Sites (SNS)e.g., facebook , twitter etc, Massive Multiplayer Online games and Internet Gambling as my three key topics. The aim is to provide a clear and concise method about how individuals who consistently spend their time on the internet are having detrimental effects on their physical, social and psychological life. Article 3: Reference (5) There is an increasing need for the provision of both internet addiction prevention and care for any sufferers, psychologist should be weary of the dangers of internet abuse when youth present with anti-social, aggressive behaviours. Socialization in girls may be warped towards online contact and the user may beneï ¬ t from providing alternatives. The aim is to focus on internet-related addictive behaviours and how to include the use of suitable diagnostic tools, a detailed personal interview, a mental health status examination and information regarding the overt behaviours gathered by the surroundings. I want to engage the reader to believe that internet addiction is a real mental health issue, that effects youth all the way to late adolescent, whether it be an addiction though games, gambling, social media etc, there is evidence to say that individuals influenced by this addiction are not progressing in life, because excess use of a cyber world has become a major part of their li ves or taken over their lives. Structure: – Evidence addiction in Video Games (Kuss, Daria J; Griffiths, Mark D. Studies): Main conclusions stemming from this source – Psychological Evidence to Addiction (Griffiths, M Study Gencer, S L Koc, M Study): Main conclusions stemming from this source – Evidence addiction to Social Networking Systems (Kittinger, R., Correia, C J., Irons J G Article): Main conclusions stemming from this source References Bozkurt, H; Coskun, M; Ayaydin, H; Adak, I; Zoroglu, S S (2013). Prevalence and patterns of psychiatric disorders in referred adolescents with Internet addiction. Psychiatry and Clinical Neurosciences. 67(5), pp. 352-359. De, L., Josepth, A. (2013). Problematic Internet Use and Other Risky Behaviours in College Students: An Applicationof Problem-Behaviour Theory. Psychology of Addictive Behaviors, 27(1), pp. 133-141. DOI: 10.1037/a0030823. Gencer, S L Koc, M. (2012) Internet abuse among teenagers and Its relations to internet usage patterns and demographics. Journal of Educational Technology Society. 15(2), pp. 25-36. Griffiths, M. (2010). Internet abuse and Internet addiction in the workplace. Journal of Workplace Learning, 22(7), 2010, pp. 463-472. Kittinger, R., Correia, C J., Irons J G (2012) Relationship Between Facebook Use and Problematic Internet Use Among College Student. Cyberpsychology, Behavior, and Social Networking. 15(6), pp. 324-327. Kuss, D J; Griffiths, M D., In ternet video game addiction: A systematic review of empirical research in the literature. Revue Adolescence. 30(1), 2012, pp. 17-49.

Life Or Death Essay -- essays research papers

We are all aware of death, and we know it will come to us all. To many of us death brings a chill down our spine ridden with fear, but to others it is ridden with strength and satisfaction of accomplishment. Fortunately or unfortunately we are all condemned to death. However no one knows when exactly the inevitable will approach, but we all know it is inescapable. But what makes death seem more realistic to us and those in denial of it is the lucid pictures of people suffering, in pain and those on their death bed before many of us can be rationale and accept the truth. Someone once said, “Life is about 50-70 years of pain. One is born through the mother’s pain and die leaving others in pain.'; How do we accept and deal with the process of our last days with all the suffering we go through, and the suffering our loved ones share with us? What impact does suffering and death leave behind? Does the love we had experienced decline with our shrunken bodies, does the responsib ilities we challenged take control of us or does our friendships eventually sail in the distance like the compost to become of us; or perhaps all three? Or conceivably we build a stronger love for life, and a stronger legacy for our loved ones to cherish? What pain do they feel? Yet, all in all we need to distinguish what it means to suffer? Is it “to endure death, pain, or distress?'; Or can it be to sustain loss or damage. In this paper I will attempt to show that as human beings we take for granted what “life'; is and seem to forget that death is inevitable. But most importantly how suffering and death have an impact on our daily and routinely concepts of love, friendship and responsibility. What is “Love';? Is the love you feel for your child the same as the love you feel for your spouse? Is the love you feel for the brand new car sitting in the dealership the same as the love one feels for their parent? Love exists in many levels, and can be defined in many ways. The flourishing part about love is that only an individual can define what love is because its something only he or she can feel and distinguish. Love can be expressed in either combination or all of the following: Love towards our faith, love in an exotic nature, love for our children, and lastly love for material things. It does not matter what religion or type of faith o... ...t the sake of the family and always wish never to leave a scar on the family name. Pleasing others and not oneself can also be a liability, because one would feel that they lived life not for their sake but for others; would it then be right to question what the true meaning of life was to you, during your last minutes of life? Personally, I doubt it. We are all born to die. And die is what we shall do inevitably. But what we live behind, our legacy is simply a formation of how we live life for the time we are here on earth. Every one of us should live life to its fullest and to its fullest means that we shall consider accomplishing our duties as parents, family or friends. Our lives may seem like a circus, with so much to juggle, nonetheless we should not forget that life has essentially been a gift. We all make mistakes and this should not be regrettable, rather educational. Living life allows us all to learn and learning is the greatest satisfaction. Suffering, pain and death should not be the only emotions considered during one’s last breath, but also the beginning of change and the strengthening of love, friendship and our responsibility for those you leave behind.

The Effect of Neurotransmission on Human Behavior

1. 2: Using one or more examples, explain effects of neurotransmission on human behavior: Our nervous systems consist of between 10 to 100 billion neurons; each of which making 13 trillion connections with each other through electrochemical messages that allow people to respond to stimuli, from the environment or from internal changes in a person’s body. The neurons send these electrochemical messages through neurotransmission.Electrical impulses traveling down the axon (body) of a neuron, instigates the release of neurotransmitters, which travel over the synapse, which is the gap between two neurons. Once the neurotransmitters cross the synapse, they go into receptor sites on the post-synaptic membrane of a neuron, and after having passed on the message, they are either broken down or reabsorbed by the terminal buttons of the neuron, in a process known as reuptake. Neurotransmission has been shown to affect a large range of human behaviors.Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that effects sleep, arousal levels, and emotion. In a 1999 study at Tokyo University, its effects were seen. Kasamatsu and Hirai conducted this study in order to examine the way that sensory deprivations affects the brain. They studied a group of monks going on a 72-hour pilgrimage without food or water. The monks endured the weather without shelter from the cold, and didn’t speak among themselves. Two thirds of the way through the pilgrimage, the hallucinations began, taking the shape of ancient ancestors, or just a presence at their side.Blood samples, taken immediately after the monks reported their hallucinations, were compared to blood samples taken prior to the pilgrimage, and showed increased serotonin levels. These increased serotonin levels activated the hypothalamus and the frontal cortex, causing the monk’s hallucinations. Kasamatsu and Hirai were able to conclude that sensory deprivation caused increase in serotonin levels, which altered the monks’ perce ption and behavior. Neurotransmitters, like serotonin, can play a large role in human behavior.However, it is considered reductionist to rely solely on them to explain human behavior; they only play a role and can’t be held fully responsible for behavior. Research and increased knowledge of neurotransmission has led to the development of drugs that can either simulate a neurotransmitter in the case of a deficiency, or block a receptor site if there are excessive neurotransmitters. Understanding how neurotransmitters can affect behavior has led to the development of these drugs, which have helped many people.