The Philosophies of John Stuart Mill as a Guide for the...

The Philosophies of John Stuart Mill as a Guide for the World Dr. Pests comments: This students term paper is a model of how to apply the philosophical concepts of a previous century to our present society. She showed how the ideas of John Stuart Mill can be used by intelligent people to construct a society with more opportunities for women and to insure respect for intellectual freedom. As the world moves into the twenty-first century, it faces many problems. War, disease, over-population, and starvation are examples of problems that have yet to be solved. However, progress has been made in many areas that aid in the reduction of human misery. Diseases, through research and scientific study, are better understood—many that†¦show more content†¦If people around the world would adopt the philosophy of John Stuart Mill, the world might become a more intelligent, and therefore tolerant, place in which to live. John Stuart Mill espoused beliefs on the subjection of women and theism, which, if embraced by the majority of people in the world, would put a stop to much of the oppression the world, now endures. Mill was a philosopher who took the unusual stance that women should be considered equal to men in all respects and given the same opportunities as men. He had very strong feelings on the subject, and in his essay entitled The Subjection of Women he sta tes, ... the principle which regulates the existing social relations between the two sexes--the legal subordination of one sex to the other-4s wrong in itself, and now one of the chief hindrances to human improvement; and that it ought to be replaced by a principle of perfect equality, admitting no power or privilege on the one side, nor disability on the other.1 [1] In this essay Mill admits the difficulty of achieving this, but defends his ideas by showing that the position of authority held by men is not a result of the comparison of several kinds of systems being tried and its having been found to be the best system, but that it is the only system that has ever been tried. As a result, one cannot not use past experience to say that women are incapable of being in positions of authority. In this essay Mill states, In the firstShow MoreRelatedMarx, Mill And Freud s Critique Of Political Economy And The Communist Manifesto Essay1133 Words   |  5 Pagesmerely implicit) notions of freedom and unfreedom we find in the texts we have read by Marx, Mill and Freud. Use the esoteric traditions we have examined thus far (from the Book of Job to Plato) as a comparative yardstick, or point of reference, but without letting them take over the foreground in your paper -- the latter should be reserved for these three figures. Karl Marx, Sigmund Freud, and John Stuart Mill are three authors who tackle the topic of freedom in unique ways, but their messages areRead MoreTaking a Look at Utilitarianism655 Words   |  3 PagesIntroduction Living as a utilitarian is more easily expressed than done. Thinking about the betterment of humanity is not something everyone wants to cerebrate or worry about. Ideally, utilitarianism would be prosperous if the view was shared among the world. 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Following the ideas of these philosophersRead MoreUtilitarianism And Immanuel Kant1213 Words   |  5 Pageswritings have influenced people all throughout the world. Centuries later, his works still form a major point of reference in studies carried out in the modern world. His writings have brought a new dimension in religion, law and history. Among his many works was the Metaphysics of Morals which is the subject of this paper. His view of morals is that our desires and emotions are categorically imperative, meaning that they are conscience driven. His philosophy is closely related to the golden rule whichRead MoreDeontology Theory : Ethics And Moral Reasoning1137 Words   |  5 Pagescomprehend towards others and how they comprehend toward us. Human activities normally depict one’s ethical nature, adhering to the moral values of the deontology theory. John Stuart Mill, states â€Å"that each individual got benefit only from the nobleness of others, with his own nobleness serving to reduce his own happiness.†(Mill, J. S. 2008) We have happiness and unhappiness that are developed as a consequence of an action; normally people judge their actions solely whether if it is considered rightRead MoreEssay on Kant Vs Mill on the Issue of Lying1764 Words   |  8 Pagesanswer this ethical question, two theorists will be presented for the con and pro side. For the con side, the deontologist Immanuel Kant will be presented with his theory that lying is prohibited under all circumstances, as for the pro side, John Stuart Mill will be presented for the utilitarian theory stating that whichever decision brings out the most happiness is the right decision. 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Role Theory Free Essays

string(138) " roles because they apply to a wide range of situations and because they tend to alter the meaning and taking up of other types of roles\." Understanding Intimate Partner Violence through Role Theory: A Concept Paper Introducing Role Theory Role theory is a sociological framework that has been used to explain sets of relational patterns between people across varying contexts. It seeks to explain one of the most important characteristics of human social behavior – the fact that how people act, behave and speak are not separate, unique, disconnected but rather, are reflective of certain patterns and arrangements that depend on the social context and the actors in these contexts (Mangus, 1957; Biddle, 1986). To illustrate, within the context of an intimate relationship such as marriage, violence between partners can be tied to the particular patterns and arrangements of acting, behaving and speaking between partners – such as earning money, rearing children, taking care of the home and initiating sexual relations. We will write a custom essay sample on Role Theory or any similar topic only for you Order Now Although several versions of the theory have been explicated by scholars, there appears to be agreement that role theory is mainly about three interrelated concepts: (1) patterned and characteristic social behaviors, (2) parts or identities as assumed by social participants, and (3) scripts or expectations for behavior that are understood and followed by actors in a particular social context (Biddle, 1986). For instance, adopting a role theory perspective to understanding intimate partner violence necessitates looking at the patterned and characteristic social behaviors of intimate partners in a relationship, the parts or identities that each partner plays in the relationship, and the scripts or expectations that are interpreted and adhered to by the partners in a particular relational context, specifically in situations of violent encounters. Furthermore, the theory also allows for an understanding of the relationships among the individual, collective and structural levels of society (Turner, 2001), as it deals with the organization and connection of social behavior between the micro, macro and intermediate levels of society. Thus, within role theory, an analysis of intimate partner violence entails looking into the individual behaviors of partners in a violent relationship and tracing the linkages of these behaviors to the social structures that exist in a particular society. Defining Roles Central to role theory is the concept of role. Several definitions have been ascribed to the concept of role in the literature. On a general level, the concept of role includes a description of behaviors, characteristics, norms and values held by a person (Thomas Biddle, 1966). Another definition identifies role as a cluster of behaviors and attitudes that are understood as belonging together, such that a person is considered as acting consistently when enacting the various components of a single role and variably when he or she fails to do so (Turner, 2001). For instance, the traditional masculine role can be characterized as aggressive, ambitious, dominant, independent and persistent whereas the traditional feminine role can be illustrated as agreeable, courteous, sympathetic, trusting, understanding and warm (Ellington Marshall, 1997). As such, a partner who plays the masculine role must enact behaviors and attitudes that are typical of this role, such as being aggressive, dominant, independent and agentic. For this partner cast in the masculine role, to be passive, dependent and agreeable implies incompatibility with the traditional masculine role. Specifically, a role may refer to behavior that is expected of people who occupy particular social categories such as statuses (or positions) in both formal and informal systems (Montgomery, 1998 as cited in Lynch, 2007; Biddle Thomas, 1979 as cited in Lynch, 2007). Roles may also be reflective of the cultural values and norms in a particular society (Zurcher, 1983 as cited in Lynch, 2007). Roles may also be conceptualized as a resource that social actors try to utilize to achieve certain social goals (Callero, 1994). This assumption suggests two things: (1) that human agency is facilitated and expressed through the use of roles as resources, and (2) that roles are employed as tools in the establishment of social structures (Baker Faulkner, 1991 as cited in Callero, 1994). Most social roles exist in pairs or sets. Thus, roles can be conceptualized as related through distinctive role relationships (Mangus, 1957). As such, there could be no husband role without a wife role and no parent role without a child role. In the context of intimate violence, there exists the perpetrator-victim role set. As organized patterns of social behavior, roles are of several types (Mangus, 1957). Roles may be ascribed to the individual, imposed upon an individual or achieved by the individual (Mangus, 1957). Sex and gender roles are ascribed to or imposed upon an individual (Mangus, 1957). For instance, one has to assume the masculine role if one is male or the feminine role if one is born female. On the other hand, one’s roles in groups and occupational systems, such as leader, mediator or peacemaker, are achieved roles. Roles may also be understood as generic or specific. Some roles may be pervasive, persistent, generalized and highly important to a person’s life while other roles may be limited, subordinate, temporary, isolated and unimportant to a person’s life (Mangus, 1957). To illustrate, in a violent intimate relationship, the roles of perpetrator and victim may be the predominant configuration in the relationship. On the other hand, these roles may also be seen as isolated to particular relational contexts and thus understood as subordinate to other roles such as father, mother, breadwinner and caretaker. Roles may also be highly abstract or they may be concrete (Mangus, 1957). Abstract roles emerge from social systems of statuses and are expressed as generalized moral standards (Mangus, 1957). Examples of abstract roles are evident in universal expectations of honesty and justice. Status roles include rights and duties that emanate from a given position or office (Mangus, 1957). Illustrations of status roles can be seen in the entitlements and obligations that are given to persons of authority, such as managers, leaders or decision-makers. Turner (2001) also identified four broad types of roles: (1) basic roles, (2) position or status roles, (3) functional group roles, and (4) value roles. Basic roles refer to roles that are associated with gender, age and social class (Banton, 1965 as cited in Turner, 2001). These are considered basic roles because they apply to a wide range of situations and because they tend to alter the meaning and taking up of other types of roles. You read "Role Theory" in category "Papers" The second type of roles, position or status roles, correspond to positions in organizations or formally organized groups (Turner, 2001). Occupational and family roles may be regarded as examples of position or status roles. Functional group roles are the informal behavior patterns that arise spontaneously as persons take on situational identities during social interactions (Benne Sheats, 1948 as cited in Turner, 2001). Examples of functional group roles are mediator, coordinator, critic, counselor, leader and follower. Finally, value roles are similar to functional group roles in that both types of roles emerge spontaneously from the social interaction. However, value roles tend to be attached to very positively or negatively valued identities (Turner, 2001). In intimate relationships, examples of value roles can be the roles of hero, villain, saint, sinner, perpetrator or victim. After providing an overview of role theory and the concept of roles, we now turn to explain the two major approaches to understanding role theory. Two Main Approaches to Understanding Roles A review of the related literature identified two main approaches to understanding roles: (1) the traditional structural-functional approach and (2) the interactionist approach. In this section, we highlight the characteristics of each approach as well as provide an explanation of the major assumptions within each perspective. We also provide illustrations as to how each approach can help enlighten our understanding of intimate partner relationships. Finally, we discuss the limitations of each approach. Traditional Structural-Functional Approach The structural-functionalist tradition of role theory focuses on how roles, as fixed components of complex social structures, cultures or social systems, influence the behavior of people (Lynch, 2007). Two related strands of role theory are embedded within this approach – structural role theory and functional role theory. Structural role theory concentrates on social structures, which are understood as stable organizations of sets of persons (called â€Å"social positions† or â€Å"statuses†) who share the same patterned and characteristics behaviors (roles) that are in relation to others sets of persons in the structure (Biddle, 1986). This particular strand of traditional role theory refers to parts of organized groups as â€Å"status† and to the fixed behaviors expected of persons occupying a status as â€Å"roles† Stryker, 2001). Thus, roles may be conceptualized as the dynamic aspect of statuses or social positions, with roles corresponding to rights and duties attached to statuses or social positions (Stryker, 2001). Within this strand, roles are understood as existing prior to the social interaction of people who occupy the statuses or soci al positions, as roles originate from the accumulated experiences of past individuals who have previously occupied a status or social position (Stryker, 2001). The second strand of traditional role theory – functionalist role theory – highlights the characteristic behaviors of persons who occupy social positions within a stable social system (Biddle, 1986). Within this strand, roles are conceptualized as the shared and normative expectations that prescribe and explain these characteristic behaviors (Biddle, 1986). Functional role theorists view the enactment of roles as something that is learned through an understanding of social norms in a society as well as something that accomplishes certain functions in social systems (Biddle, 1986). Both structural and functional strands of the traditional approach to role theory emphasize social structures as antedating roles, such that roles are seen as imposed on the individual (Turner, 2001). Thus, within this approach, the roles of perpetrator and victim can be understood as emanating from social structures such as gender. For instance, the masculine role has often been identified with being the dominant partner, the primary breadwinner, the decision-maker and the enforcer of rules in the household. On the other hand, the feminine role has often been linked with being the subordinate partner, the caretaker of the home and the supporter of the husband and children. Such role configurations may put partner occupying the masculine role at an advantage while setting the partner playing the feminine role at a disadvantage, thus making them vulnerable to becoming perpetrators and victims of intimate violence (Mihalic Elliot, 1997). Furthermore, this approach also points to socialization as the process by which persons learn to take on and perform particular roles in society (Stryker, 2002). Thus, when persons in social relationships conform to the expectations that are attached to statuses and supported by social norms, they tend to gain approval from other people who occupy related statuses and adhere to similar norms; such approval then reinforces the learning and enactment of roles (Stryker, 2002). Research has shown that typical school practices tend to create children’s identities as boy and girls (Martin, 1998 as cited in Fox Murry, 2000). In particular, findings showed that teachers tend to treat boys’ voices as different from girls’ voices, such that the former were allowed to be louder and more as compared to the latter. Presumably, such gender role socialization contributes to the accrual of privileges to the masculine role and the corresponding accrual of disadvantages to the feminine role. In addition, both strands of the traditional structural-functional approach to role theory agree on the assumption that society, social systems and social structures shape individual behaviors (Brookes, Davidson, Daly Halcomb, 2007). Analysis within this approach also starts from an examination of the social structure (Biddle, 1986). As such, within this approach, an examination of intimate partner violence will proceed from an investigation of the social systems and social structures that influence violent behaviors between partners in an intimate relationship. Furthermore, such an analysis will look into the cultural norms and values that sustain the social systems and social structures implicated in the phenomenon of intimate partner violence. However, several limitations of this approach have been raised in the related literature. According to Lynch (2007), this approach paints roles as relatively inflexible structures that are difficult to combine. Furthermore, by focusing on social structures, the traditional approach to role theory fails to take into account the mental, experiential dimension of role enactment (Lynch, 2007), thus regarding persons as automatons who take on roles mechanically. As such, this approach tends to be limited in its view of intimate partner violence as mechanically carried out by individual persons according to their status or position in the social structure, without taking into account the variability and diversity of experiences related to this phenomenon. Also, as it has difficulty accounting for individual level negotiations where actors may switch or combine roles, this approach also treats the variability and flexibility of roles as problematic (Lynch, 2007). Thus, traditional role theory is unable to address issues elated with non-conformity, social change and social systems that are not well-formed (Biddle, 1986). For instance, given instances of intimate partner violence where both partners inflict violence upon one another, traditional role theory proves to be limited in its explanation of intimate violence as emanating from the social structure. Within this approach, role changes such as when the perpetrator becomes the victim and the victim becomes the perpetrator become problematic and difficult to explain. The traditional structural-functional approach to role theory has also been criticized as advancing a one-sided view of society, with its emphasis on consensus, cooperation and continuity in social life along with its seeming blindness to disagreement, conflict and change (Stryker, 2001). Finally, scholars have also criticized the traditional approach to role theory as rationalizing and reinforcing the existing social order (Stryker, 2001). Interactionist Approach The interactionist approach to role theory arose from the symbolic interactionism perspective in sociology and as such gives importance to the roles of individual actors, the development of roles through social interaction, and the processes through which social actors understand and interpret their own and other people’s behavior (Biddle, 1986). Thus, this approach focuses on how roles emerge in social interactions and how individuals are able to influence behavioral expectations through social negotiation (Lynch, 2007). Within this approach, a role is conceptualized as neither fixed nor prescribed, but rather, something that is continuously negotiated by persons in social interaction (Mead, 1934 as cited in Lynch, 2007; Blumer, 1969 as cited in Lynch, 2007). Using this approach to understand intimate partner violence therefore necessitates looking at how partners in a violent relationship interact with one another as well as how they, negotiate, take on, impose or reject specific roles. In contrast to the traditional approach to role theory which highlights social systems and social structures, the interactionist approach emphasizes social processes such as communication, interpretation and negotiation (Lynch, 2007). Theorizing within this approach assumes that the relationship between personal, behavioral and social variables is reciprocal (Plummer, 1991 as cited in Lynch, 2007). As such, the interactionist role theory approach to xamining intimate partner violence will tend to focus on how partners communicate, interpret and negotiate particular issues in their relationship. As opposed to the traditional approach to role theory that posits the unidirectional influence of social structure on individual action, the interactionist approach opens up the possibility that personal and behavioral variables may influence social structural variables. For interactionist theorists, social actors interpret and enact their own roles by imagining the roles of others actors in t he social interaction (Turner, 2001). Thus, far from being automatons who take on roles mechanically, people are viewed as interpreting, negotiating and shaping their own roles to be able to interact effectively with other people who take on related roles (Turner, 2001). In this approach, analysis starts from an examination of the patterns of social interactions among individuals and groups of individuals (Turner, 2001). As such, research on intimate partner violence using this approach will look at the interpretative, negotiated and dynamic nature of violent interactions between partners. Some challenges to the interactionist approach to role theory have also been raised. One of these challenges criticized the interactionist approach for failing to take into account the influence of social institutions and structural forces on the role enactment process (Lynch, 2007). Thus, little attention is given to the structural constraints that impinge on roles (Biddle, 1986). To illustrate, although intimate partner violence can be analyzed by studying the social interactions where violence occurs, it is also important to trace the occurrence of intimate violence to social structures that impose and influence the roles that people enact. In addition, as the interactionist approach tends to focus on specific instances of social interactions, interactionist theorists sometimes fail to discuss the contextual limits of their assumptions (Biddle, 1986). Also, while the approach acknowledges the reciprocal relationship between personal, behavioral and social variables, it still fails to explain how these relationships feedback and affect succeeding role enactments (Lynch, 2007). Summary of Limitations of Two Main Approaches to Role Theory In his work on proposing an integration between role theory and positioning theory, Henriksen (2008) cited important limitations of the two main approaches to role theory. These limitations represent a summary of the difficulties that are encountered when using the traditional structural-functional approach and the interactionist approach to understanding social phenomena such as intimate partner violence. On the one hand, the traditional structural-functional approach seems to ignore individual action and its influence on social structure (Henriksen, 2008). Furthermore, a structural-functional approach to role theory also appears to be limited in examining the finer grains of social interaction (Harre van Langenhove, 1999 as cited in Henriksen, 2008; Harre Moghaddam, 2003 as cited in Henriksen, 2008). On the other hand, the interactionist approach appears to focus on social interactions, without taking into account the influence of social structures on the patterning and stability of such interactions. The interactionist approach has also been criticized for its limited attention to the social span of social interaction (Henriksen, 2008). It is based on these limitations of role theory that we propose an integration of role theory with positioning theory, in view of providing a better understanding of intimate partner violence at the structural, interactional and discursive levels. References Biddle, B. J. (1986). Recent developments in role theory. Annual Review of Sociology, 12, 67-92. Brookes, K. , Davidson, P. M. , Daly, J. , Halcomb, E. J. (2007). Role theory: A framework to investigate the community nurse role in contemporary health care systems. Contemporary Nurse: A Journal for the Australian Nursing Profession, 25 (1-2), 146-155. Callero, P. L. (1994). From role-playing to role-using: Understanding role as resource. Social Psychology Quarterly, 57 (3), 228-243. Ellington, J. E. Marshall, L. L. (1997). Gender role perceptions of women in abusive relationships. Sex Roles, 36 (5/6), 349-369. Fox, G. L. Murry, V. M. (2000). Gender and families: Feminist perspectives and family research. Journal of Marriage and the Family, 62, 1160-1172. Henriksen, T. D. (2008). Liquidating roles and crystallizing positioning: Investigating the road between positioning theory and role theory. In F. Moghaddam, R. Harre, and N. Lee (Eds. ), Global conflict resolution through positioning analysis (pp. 41-64). New York: Springer. Lynch, K. D. (2007). Modeling role enactment: Linking role theory and social cognition. Journal for the Theory of Social Behaviour, 37 (4), 379-399. Mangus, A. R. (1957). Role theory and marriage counseling. Social Forces, 35 (3), 200-209. Mihalic, S. W. Elliot, D. (1997). A social learning theory model of violence. Journal of Family Violence, 12 (1), 21-47. Stryker, S. (2001). Traditional symbolic interactionism, role theory and structural symbolic interactionism: The Road to Identity Theory. In J. H. Turner (ed. ), Handbook of Sociological Theory (pp. 211-230). Kluwer Academic/Plenum Publishers, New York. Thomas, E. J. Biddle, B. J. (1966). Basic concepts for the variables of role phenomena. In B. J. Biddle E. J. Thomas (Eds. ), Role theory: concepts and research (pp. 51-65). New York: John Wiley Sons. Turner, R. H. (2001). Role theory. In J. H. Turner (ed. ), Handbook of Sociological Theory (pp. 233-254). Kluwer Academic/Plenum Publishers, New York. How to cite Role Theory, Papers

Made of Semiconductors

Question: Discuss about the Made of Semiconductors ? Answer : Introduction Normal processors can generally perform operations on operands more efficiently as compared to main memories located within computers. However, this outcome does not mean that large capacity memories cannot perform operations in similar fashions as processors. In fact, memories (made of semiconductors) can perform at high speeds compared to normal processors, however, the cost implications for their performance is much too high hence the choice of processors. Moreover, for operand operations, main memories must be fitted with semiconductor components that work at high speeds which again increases the cost even further. Therefore, to bridge the gap between high-speed processors and main memories, a memory block(s) known as cache are fitted between the processors and the main memories (UMD, 2001). Cache memory is, therefore, a high-speed memory that bridges the gap developed between the variations in processor and main memory speeds. Furthermore, the same facility is used to store addresses that are frequently used by the main memory. In general, the overall idea behind cache memory is similar to that of virtual memories where some portions of the main memory (which acts at low speeds) are stored within a high-speed location (cache) in duplicate format. This outcome leads to an efficient system that will always pass memory requests to the cache memory before escalating them to the main memory (UMD, 2001). Consider an example where an application request a certain arithmetic operation, this request is first passed to the cache memory if the necessary operands and addresses are available the cache executes this operation. However, if it fails to respond, the operation is forwarded to the main memory (Dandamudi, 2003). Nevertheless, cache memories should never be confused with virtual memories as they have high speeds requirements as compared to virtual memories. However, they both depend on the correlation of address references which means their differences stem from implementation procedures. Cache Memorys Major Components Memory Components Cache memory avails frequently used data to the processors, this functionality is achieved through its building blocks that develop small memory sections known as the primary cache (Level 1 cache). Primary cache is built within the processor such as the central processing unit (CPU) having a small memory size typically within the range of 2 kilobytes to 64 kilobytes. In addition to the primary cache, the secondary cache (Level 2 cache) is then developed within a memory location located in close proximities to the CPU. On most occasions, the level 2 cache is hosted within a memory card but will have a direct connection to the processor. Furthermore, the use of level 2 cache is normally regulated by the L2 controller a specific circuit found on the motherboard of a computer. Moreover, its size (level 2 cache) will range between 256 KB to 2MB depending on the processor's size (Nicolast, 2011). In addition to these levels is the Level 3 cache that is typically used to improve the overall performance of level 1 and level 2 caches. In general, level 3 caches are specialised memory locations that are significantly slower to level 1 and 2 caches. However, as compared to other memory locations they are significantly faster, for instance, they are known to have double the speeds of random access memory (RAM). Moreover, most modern multi-processor computers will have L1 and L2 caches within each processor core but will have a common L3 cache shared amongst the processors. Furthermore, because its meant to improve operations, any instruction directed to it is automatically elevated to a higher tier i.e. L1 or L2 cache (Rouse, 2017). Fig: Three level cache configuration Specialised Cache Although level 3 cache can be defined as a specialised cache, other caches that perform other operations other than data and instruction cache exist and hold this name. TLB (Translation look side buffer) for instance records both virtual and physical addresses allowing for translation to take place. Moreover, other caches like the disk cache leverage on the functionalities of the RAM and flash memory to offer same services as data caching but at different locations. Cache organisation and Configurations Several methods can be used to store data within the cache memory, these methods govern the internal structure of the memory locations. Moreover, the processor uses these structures to reference the address of the main memory location of the data it wants to access. Therefore, a proper organisation is needed to find the appropriate location, a concept known as mapping. This concept must be implemented in the hardware components to facilitate improvements in the operating system. Three methods are commonly used: Direct mapping Similar to a table having many rows but with three columns, direct mapping assigns each block of data to a specific cache location. Fully associative mapping Unlike direct mapping where a block mapping is based on pre-defined cache locations, this method allows a block of data to be mapped to any given cache location. Set Associative mapping Commonly seen as a compromise between the previous two, this method allows a block to be mapped in a subset of cache locations. Discussion Cache Performance To outline a caches performance, several terms must be defined as their operations determine the functionality of the said system. One, we have the cache hit which is the actual data found in the cache itself. Secondly, we have cache miss which is any data other than that found in the cache memory. Moreover, when a processor loads any data from a given memory into the cache, a delay is exhibited i.e. the miss penalty. Now, a general approach to quantifying a caches performance is to calculate its access time, where this value is given as: Access time = Hit cost + Miss rate*Miss penalty Furthermore, since the initial definition of cache memory saw it as a component that bridges the speed between fast and slow memory locations, this estimation can translate into: Access time = Fast memory access time + miss rate*slow memory access time (UMD, 2001). During the design of cache memory a lot of emphases is placed on fast control as well as reducing the size of miss rate, this because the speed of the main memory is always expected to improve with time (i.e. with time and more operations the speed increases). Moreover, the miss rate, an important component of cache design can be classified into three major categories; conflict miss, capacity miss and compulsory miss. Compulsory misses are a mandatory requirement of cache memory as they occur when a new program/data is loaded into the cache for the first time. Capacity misses, on the other hand, occur when the size of the cache is less as compared to the size of the data regardless of the organisation or mapping used. Finally, conflict misses usually occur when the hashing functions (operation mechanisms) operate at a fast rate missing some data. From this definition, it pretty obvious to note the misses that can be easily eradicated thus improving the systems performance i.e. confli ct misses. This objective is achieved using proper hashing functions that match the system design catering for both the fast and slow memory locations (Silvano, 2014). Application of cache memory to achieve its overall goal In general, the overall objective of the cache memory is to improve a computers performance and having established how its performance is gauged its important to highlight how it actually achieves its goal. For a cache memory to improve a computers performance, it has two general objectives: To provide the user with an illusion of using a very large memory that is simultaneously very fast. Remember, a user will use a 1 terabyte hard disk at a very high speed, however, the actual memory location does not achieve these speeds on its own. To meet the first objective, it provides data to the processors at very high speeds which facilitate a faster frequency of operations. Now, these objectives are again achieved using the principle of locality of references where the cache continuously refers to used memory locations or data. Two variations of the principle exist; temporary locality where data and even instructions are used in loops if the reference to the memory element exists. Secondly, the spatial locality where a close address is used to refer to the actual memory location or element (Silvano, 2014). Future trends In the past several cache memory variations have existed, for instance in some inexpensive computers, the level 3 cache is eliminated and incorporated into other systems. However recent trends have seen a new solution being adopted, a solution that is set to be the future of cache memories. In essence, all the three levels of cache memory are being implemented in the processors which improve the performance. Therefore, in the future users will stop choosing computers based on the motherboard and bus architecture and instead focus on processors having the right cache integration (Rouse, 2017). Conclusion Cache memory is an integral part of a computer and without it, the speed gaps between the processors would be so high which would translate into poor performance. A processor is very fast, transferring and loading data at high speeds, however, the main memory is slow at meeting the same functions but an upside to it is that it has a large memory capacity. The cache acts as a liaison between the two enabling the end user to capitalise on the functionalities and benefits of the two components. References Dandamudi. S. (2003). Fundamentals of computer organization and design. Springer. Retrieved 28 March, 2017, from: https://service.scs.carleton.ca/sivarama/org_book/org_book_web/slides/chap_1_versions/ch17_1.pdf Nicolast. (2011). Main memory. Introduction to computer science course. Retrieved 28 March, 2017, from: https://www2.cs.ucy.ac.cy/~nicolast/courses/lectures/MainMemory.pdf Rouse. M. (2017). Cache memory. Tech target. Retrieved 28 March, 2017, from: https://searchstorage.techtarget.com/definition/cache-memory Silvano. C. (2014). Introduction to cache memories. Advanced computer architecture. Retrieved 28 March, 2017, from: https://home.deib.polimi.it/silvano/FilePDF/ARC-MULTIMEDIA/Lesson_8A_New_Cache_ENGLISH_V4_COMO.pdf UMD. (2011). Introduction to cache memory. Retrieved 28 March, 2017, from: https://www.cs.umd.edu/class/fall2001/cmsc411/proj01/cache/cache.pdf