Neurorhetoric, Race, and the Law: Toxic Neural Pathways and Healing Alternatives

Neurorhetoric is the study of how rhetoric shapes the human brain. At the forefront of science and communication studies, neurorhetoric challenges many preconceptions about how humans respond to persuasive stimuli. Neurorhetoric can be applied to a multiplicity of relevant legal issues, including the topic of this Maryland Law Review Symposium Issue: race and advocacy. After detailing the neuroscientific and cognitive theories that underlie neurorhetoric, this Essay theorizes ways in which neurorhetoric intersects with the law, advocacy, and race. This Essay explores how toxic racial stereotypes and categories become embedded in the human brain and what can be done about it

The Effect of Packaging on Perceived Quality and Purchase Intention of Made-In-Ghana Brands

This article examines the impact of product packaging on the purchasing intention of Made-In-Ghana brands using Agbeve Herbal Centre Products as case study. Opining on the fact that packaging elements such as color, wrapper design, background image, and innovative ideas all have significant impact on consumers’ purchasing intention, the study establishes that visual appeal is more significant than the qualitative aspect of packaging given the area of study. Methodologically, both primary and secondary data sources were utilized through a survey research approach. The paper argues that while many Ghanaians want to purchase made in Ghana products, the packaging discourages them. In this regard, consumers are reluctant to purchasing Agbeve herbal products due to very poor packaging. The study findings revealed that given the challenge at hand, lack of packaging design experts has hampered packaging development as there are very few packaging design experts compared to the number of SMEs in the country. Ghana, to a large extent, lacks packaging design experts to help in such areas as design, and production of packaging structures. As a result, there are many manufacturers who are ready to improve upon their packages but cannot get the necessary expertise. Also, institutions such as the Food and Drug Authority and Ghana Standard Board mandated to implement the existing but inadequate laws on labeling and packaging are faced with many challenges and hence, many products with no user information are found on the market. Furthermore, education and the influx of imported products have enlightened many consumers about what a good packaging structure is. As a result, there is a growing urge for brands to be enhanced by manufacturers which stands as a major challenge to local manufacturers, many of whom do not have the means to meet such expectations. The study therefore recommends among others that, in a bid to suiting international packaging standards, a strategic campaign on the improvement of local manufacturing climate through policy, regulatory and enlightenment framework review while complementing manufacturing of Made-In-Ghana products through exploring current packaging trends so as to enhance sales and overall trade development. Keywords: Product Packaging; Marketing; Perceived Quality; Purchase Intention DOI: 10.7176/EJBM/11-5-0

On benevolence and love of others

Hobbes is famous for his insights into the impact of man’s fear, glory and greed on war and peace, not for his views on the bearing of men’s benevolence on the commonwealth. Are Hobbesian people even capable of love of others? In the literature, we find two main answers: one view is that Hobbes ruled out the possibility of disinterested benevolence among men; the other is that Hobbes considered actions driven by genuine benevolence possible but uncommon. After reviewing in broad outlines the two above positions, this chapter seeks to demonstrate the claim that Hobbes did not consider relevant to establish if men are capable of genuine benevolence or not, because he maintained that benevolent men can be as inept as egoists in differentiating apparent and real good for themselves and their loved ones and the effect of misguided altruism on the commonwealth is as damaging as the effect of ill-advised egoism.Postprin

The Effect of Packaging on Perceived Quality and Purchase Intention of Made-In-Ghana Brands

This article examines the impact of product packaging on the purchasing intention of Made-In-Ghana brands using Agbeve Herbal Centre Products as case study. Opining on the fact that packaging elements such as color, wrapper design, background image, and innovative ideas all have significant impact on consumers’ purchasing intention, the study establishes that visual appeal is more significant than the qualitative aspect of packaging given the area of study. Methodologically, both primary and secondary data sources were utilized through a survey research approach. The paper argues that while many Ghanaians want to purchase made in Ghana products, the packaging discourages them. In this regard, consumers are reluctant to purchasing Agbeve herbal products due to very poor packaging. The study findings revealed that given the challenge at hand, lack of packaging design experts has hampered packaging development as there are very few packaging design experts compared to the number of SMEs in the country. Ghana, to a large extent, lacks packaging design experts to help in such areas as design, and production of packaging structures. As a result, there are many manufacturers who are ready to improve upon their packages but cannot get the necessary expertise. Also, institutions such as the Food and Drug Authority and Ghana Standard Board mandated to implement the existing but inadequate laws on labeling and packaging are faced with many challenges and hence, many products with no user information are found on the market. Furthermore, education and the influx of imported products have enlightened many consumers about what a good packaging structure is. As a result, there is a growing urge for brands to be enhanced by manufacturers which stands as a major challenge to local manufacturers, many of whom do not have the means to meet such expectations. The study therefore recommends among others that, in a bid to suiting international packaging standards, a strategic campaign on the improvement of local manufacturing climate through policy, regulatory and enlightenment framework review while complementing manufacturing of Made-In-Ghana products through exploring current packaging trends so as to enhance sales and overall trade development. Keywords: Product Packaging; Marketing; Perceived Quality; Purchase Intention DOI: 10.7176/EJBM/11-5-0

Treating Professionals Professionally: Requiring Security of Position for All Skills-Focused Faculty Under ABA Accreditation Standard 405(C) and Eliminating 405(D)

52 pagesIn 2014, the American Bar Association (ABA) decided to retain Accreditation Standard 405 in its current form to preserve tenure for law faculty as well as the status, security of position, governance rights, and academic freedom that tenure provides. In doing so, the ABA also preserved the long-standing hierarchy that elevates doctrine-focused faculty over skills-focused faculty. That hierarchy discriminates against skills-focused faculty, particularly those who specialize in legal writing—most of whom are women

Quantitative Evaluation of the Community Research Fellows Training Program

Context: The Community Research Fellows Training (CRFT) program is a community-based participatory research (CBPR) initiative for the St. Louis area. This fifteen week program, based on a Master in Public Health curriculum, was implemented by the Division of Public Health Sciences at Washington University School of Medicine in partnership with the Siteman Cancer Center. Objectives: We measure the knowledge gained by participants and evaluate participant and faculty satisfaction of the CRFT program both in terms of meeting learning objectives and actively engaging the community in the research process.Participants: We conducted analyses on 44 community members who participated in the CRFT program and completed the baseline and follow-up knowledge assessments.Main Outcome Measures: Knowledge gain is measured by a baseline and follow-up assessment given at the first and final session. Additionally, pre- and post-tests are given after the first 12 sessions. To measure satisfaction, program evaluations are completed by both the participants and faculty after each topic. Mid-way through the program, a mid-term assessment was administered to assess the program’s community engagement. We analyzed the results from the assessments, pre- and post-tests, and evaluations.Results: The CRFT participants’ knowledge increased at follow-up as compared with baseline on average by a 16.5 point difference (p<0.0001). Post-test scores were higher than pre-test scores for 11 of the 12 sessions. Both participants and faculty enjoyed the training and rated all session well.Conclusions: The CRFT program was successful in increasing community knowledge, in participant satisfaction, and in faculty satisfaction. This success has enhanced the infrastructure for CBPR as well as led to CBPR pilot projects that address health disparities in the St. Louis Greater Metropolitan Area